

You Decide with Errol Louis
Spectrum News NY1
NY1's Errol Louis has been interviewing powerful politicians and cultural icons for years, but it's when the TV cameras are turned off that things really get interesting. From career highlights, to personal moments, to stories that have never been told, join Errol each week for intimate conversations with the people who are shaping the future of New York and beyond. Listen to "You Decide with Errol Louis" every Wednesday, wherever you listen to podcasts.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 25, 2025 • 17min
Trying to take the House: One-on-one with Rep. Hakeem Jeffries
Hakeem Jeffries, U.S. Representative and House Democratic Minority Leader from New York, shares insights on party strategy and policies to retake the House. He discusses the recent dismissal of charges against Letitia James and its implications for the DOJ. Jeffries addresses affordability issues in New York City during his conversation with the newly-elected mayor. He highlights the threat of Republican policies on healthcare and outlines Democratic successes, aiming for renewed control in upcoming elections.

Nov 20, 2025 • 39min
Morris Katz: Meet the strategist behind Mamdani's big win
Morris Katz, a 26-year-old political strategist, led the digital and outreach efforts for Zohran Mamdani's historic mayoral victory. Katz delves into how the campaign cleverly targeted younger voters on social media. He critiques Cuomo's campaign tactics and their effects on the Jewish community and highlights the political consulting industry's need for authenticity. Katz emphasizes the importance of storytelling in campaigns, advocating for bold government solutions and accountability, while championing diversity in political voices.

Nov 13, 2025 • 41min
David Remnick: What Mamdani can — and can't — do
New Yorker editor and the host of "The New Yorker Radio Hour" David Remnick joined NY1's Errol Louis to discuss the big mayoral win of Zohran Mamdani and look at why he strongly resonated with younger voters. Remnick also reflected on the challenges of covering President Donald Trump, the ongoing war in Ukraine, and his own remarkable tenure at The New Yorker and Netflix's upcoming documentary, "The New Yorker at 100."

12 snips
Nov 6, 2025 • 42min
Zohran Mamdani's secret sauce that won City Hall
Political director Bob Hardt analyzes Zohran Mamdani's groundbreaking victory as New York City's youngest and first Muslim mayor. They discuss Mamdani's activist roots, campaign style featuring Bollywood themes, and the support from young voters driving turnout. Hardt highlights identity's impact on governance and engagement with marginalized communities. The conversation also touches on election dynamics, Cuomo's concession tone, and implications for future political landscapes, showcasing a fresh chapter in NYC politics.

Oct 30, 2025 • 53min
The substance behind the slogans: Susan Kang on New York's mayoral race
This year's mayor's race has been full of surprises, but none more significant than the rise of Queens Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani. Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo entered the race as the heavy favorite yet lost the Democratic primary badly and now trails in the polls as an independent candidate. Despite his high unfavorable ratings, Cuomo isn't out of the running just yet. How did a 34-year-old Queens assemblyman make such a huge splash in such a short time? And does Cuomo have the ability to close Mamdani's lead and cross the finish line first on Tuesday? Susan Kang, an associate professor of political science at John Jay College of Criminal Justice (CUNY) and a member, like Mamdani, of the Democratic Socialists of America, joined NY1's Errol Louis to discuss the twists and turns of the mayor's race, early voting numbers, and how the DSA helped elevate Mamdani into a national figure. She also spoke about how she first got involved in politics and what she hopes the next administration will bring to New York City.

Oct 23, 2025 • 27min
Eleanor Bumpurs and the system that failed her
In October 1984, an NYPD officer fatally shot 66-year-old Eleanor Bumpurs during an eviction at her Bronx apartment. Bumpurs, a disabled mother and grandmother, became the face of a national outcry that helped spark one of the first anti–police brutality movements centered on a Black woman. Historian LaShawn Harris, who was 10 years old and living across the street at the time, revisits the tragedy in her new book, "Tell Her Story." Harris joined NY1's Errol Louis to discuss her decade of research and dozens of interviews, the intersection of police violence and mental health crises, and her effort to humanize Bumpurs while illuminating the lasting toll such events take on families and communities.

Oct 16, 2025 • 44min
The mayor and the media: A rocky relationship
Like many New York City mayors, it's no secret that Eric Adams has had a challenging relationship with the press. And even though he's no longer in the race for mayor, Adams continues to spar with the City Hall press corps. Two people who know a thing or two about covering Adams, New York Times Metro reporter Dana Rubinstein and NY1 political reporter Kelly Mena, joined NY1's Errol Louis to talk about their years at City Hall, when and why Adams' relationship with the press began to deteriorate, how they approached covering him, why a now-dismissed federal corruption indictment was too much for him to recover from, and what his legacy will be.

Oct 9, 2025 • 33min
Christine Quinn: Unlocking solutions for NYC's housing crisis
Christine Quinn is a familiar name to anyone who follows New York City politics. A former Speaker of the City Council and 2013 mayoral candidate, she now serves as the president and CEO of WIN (Women In Need), the city's largest provider of shelter and supportive housing for families. Quinn joined Errol to discuss the impact of the federal government shutdown, Trump's so-called "Big Beautiful Bill" and what the city's next mayor must do to address the housing crisis. She highlighted WIN's work in providing both emergency shelter and permanent supportive housing, and underscored the challenges facing families, from eviction and low-wage jobs to domestic violence, that continue to drive homelessness in the city.

Oct 2, 2025 • 1h 30min
Live from Chelsea: New York Decides with Cynthia Nixon and J.C. Polanco
This week, NY1 presented a special podcast event "New York Decides: Live from Chelsea," featuring a crossover episode of its political podcasts "Off Topic/On Politics" and "You Decide." Hosted by NY1's Errol Louis, Courtney Gross and Bobby Cuza, the discussion centered on the latest developments in the New York City mayoral campaign, including the stunning announcement by Mayor Eric Adams that he's dropping out of the race. The program also featured interviews with Emmy Award–winning actress and activist Cynthia Nixon and J.C. Polanco, professor of law and former president of the New York City Board of Elections — who had very different takes on Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani. Rounding out the evening, Spectrum News political director Bob Hardt joined the panel to provide historical perspective on this year's race.

Sep 25, 2025 • 27min
Tackling New York's affordability crisis with Zohran Mamdani
Zohran Mamdani, a New York State Assembly member and Democratic mayoral candidate, joins to discuss the pressing affordability crisis in NYC. He presents an ambitious plan targeting rent freezes, lowering insurance costs, and reforming the property tax system. Mamdani emphasizes the importance of supporting small businesses and engaging the community through initiatives like revitalizing local Yemeni coffee shops. He reflects on his unique background as the first Muslim, South Asian mayoral candidate, and shares insights on his marathon training and campaign challenges.


