Left, Right & Center is KCRW’s weekly civilized yet provocative confrontation over politics, policy and pop culture.
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El Siglo 21 es Hoy
Un pódcast a fondo sobre tecnología, ciencia y entretenimiento (no siempre en ese orden). Ganador de 2 Latin Podcast Awards y del Premio Nacional de Periodismo CPB 2022. Los episodios de este pódcast son monólogos divertidos para aprender sobre gadgets, apps, consejos tecnológicos, series en Netflix, Amazon Prime, HBO Max, Disney+, Star+; y aplicativos para Android y para iOS. Y mucho de Apple, Android, Windows y Chromium. También ciencias, astronomía y satélites con tono entretenido. El pódcast "El Siglo 21 es Hoy" se publica desde Bogotá, y casi siempre incluye el paisaje sonoro espontáneo de la ciudad. Por favor usa auriculares para disfrutar el paisaje sonoro. Es presentado por Félix Riaño, @LocutorCo hablando en tono familiar sobre la vida cotidiana llena de tecnología para productividad y entretenimiento. Félix es el mismo que habla de noticias en El Primer Café de El Tiempo y Spotify Studios. Ese es él en su faceta más seria. Allá habla de noticias de actualidad y aquí habla de todo lo que aprende de series, astronomía, apps y tecnología. ¡Manda tus comentarios aquí o en https://instagram.com/LocutorCo !
La Pinche Complejidad con Nicolás Alvarado
Nicolás Alvarado se ocupa de los fenómenos sociales, culturales, artísticos y políticos que caracterizan la vida contemporánea. A menudo contradictorios y difíciles de desentrañar; aquí son sometidos a un análisis sin prejuicios e igualmente complejo, guiado por un verdadero afán por comprender. No es un podcast que tenga respuestas: es uno que plantea preguntas para hacer una lectura más rica de la realidad. Escucha un episodio nuevo cada semana en todas las plataformas digitales. Sigue a Nicolás Alvarado en Instagram para sumarte a la conversación.Y sigue al Heraldo Podcast para disfrutar de más contenidos como este @elheraldopodcast en Instagram y @elheraldopodcast en TikTok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Senate Control Rides On Paxton, Texas’ Flawed GOP Pick
Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code KCRW at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/KCRWTexas Republicans are pinning their hopes on Senate candidate Ken Paxton, the state attorney general who was impeached for abusing his office. Maine Democrats are pinning theirs on Graham Platner, who’s had to explain an old tattoo that looks like a Nazi symbol. Welcome to the 2026 installment of the race to control the U.S. Senate. Pope Leo used his platform to warn about the dangers of A.I. It’s a big topic here in the U.S., but neither the Trump White House nor Congress seem eager to do much. Plus, a listener incensed over taxpayer dollars being used for Trump’s “Anti-Weaponization Fund” asks what he should do with his anger. Producer: Leo DuranHost: David Greene Guests: Mo Elleithee, executive director at Georgetown University's Institute of Politics and Public Service - @MoElleithee Sarah Isgur, senior editor at The Dispatch - @whignewtons
Trump’s $1.8B Fund Draws Cries of ‘Brazen Corruption’
Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code KCRW at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/KCRWWhat is an anti-weaponization fund? Is it a legit use of taxpayer dollars to help people of all political stripes who were wronged by their government, or is it a corrupt slush fund to help President Trump and his political allies? One immediate question on the minds of Democrats is if people who attacked the Capitol on January 6 will be some of the early beneficiaries. Also, despite Trump’s sagging poll numbers, he continues to hold sway over his party with one primary vote after another against sitting Republicans. Is there a political cost for Trump and the GOP if a coalition of lame ducks starts growing with an eye towards their own counter-revenge? And we’ve got some great questions from you this week, including whether we really need politicians at all to run a government. Producer: Leo DuranHost: David Greene Guests: Elizabeth Bruenig, staff writer, The Atlantic (@ebruenig) Mike Dubke, veteran GOP communications strategist and advisor. He was the White House Comms Director under Donald Trump in 2017 (@MikeDubke)
The Gerrymandering Rush Is Leaving Voters In the Dust
Some voters are in the dark about which districts they live in and who their candidates are because officials in several states and the president are obsessed with redrawing congressional maps. The latest push on redistricting comes after the Supreme Court struck down parts of the Voting Rights Act.Also, public health officials are clear: hantavirus is different from COVID and highly unlikely to cause a global pandemic. But is our government ready for the next health crisis? And RFK Jr talks a lot about Making America Healthy Again. But so far, he’s getting politically beaten up by the junk food lobby. Producer: Leo DuranHost: David Greene Guests: Elizabeth Bruenig, staff writer, The Atlantic (@ebruenig) Sarah Isgur, senior editor at The Dispatch (@whignewtons)
The Abortion Debate Returns With Risks For Both Parties
Abortion is back at center stage in our politics after a federal appeals court halted access to a mail-order abortion medication. We’ll talk about next steps in the Supreme Court and the decision facing both parties on whether to lean into this issue at this moment. Democrats know it can galvanize their base, but do they want to take attention away from affordability? On the right, could this expose President Trump’s failure to deliver the strong message on abortion that many supporters wanted? As we go deeper into this midterm election year, we’re also learning that President Trump can still dictate how some elections play out. He sank some incumbent Republicans in Indiana who refused to stand with him on redistricting. And in Texas, if the President doesn’t decide soon who to endorse in the U.S. Senate, the two GOP candidates risk draining their resources. And there’s a chaotic mess for Democrats in the race for California’s governor. It’s a mess that could lead to a Republican replacing Gavin Newsom. Producer: Leo DuranHost: David Greene Guests: Mo Elleithee, executive director at Georgetown University's Institute of Politics and Public Service - @MoElleithee Sarah Isgur, senior editor at The Dispatch - @whignewtons
Supreme Court Ruling Threatens Black Representation In Congress
The Supreme Court gutted a key piece of the Voting Rights Act, and Louisiana lawmakers are moving fast to redraw district maps ahead of this year’s midterms. The decision could help Republicans’ chances to hold on to their House majority, while delivering a blow to Black representation in Congress. Conspiracy theories spread fast after last weekend’s attempted attack on the president. Some people said without any evidence that it was staged as a distraction from the Iran War or Trump’s approval numbers, or even a ploy to get the White House ballroom built. What do you do when conspiracy theories move faster than facts?Plus, King Charles III’s charm offensive to mend U.S.-U.K. relations, which are at an historic low because of Britain’s lack of support for the Iran War. We look at if that can be fixed with a royal touch. Mo Elleithee joins on the left, and Sarah Isgur is with us from the right.Producer: Leo DuranHost: Susan DavisGuests: Mo Elleithee, executive director at Georgetown University's Institute of Politics and Public Service - @MoElleithee Sarah Isgur, senior editor at The Dispatch - @whignewtons
Virginia Gives Democrats An Edge In Redistricting
Democrats claimed victory in Virginia to redraw district maps and flip as many as four seats from Republicans in Congress. It’s the latest in a gerrymandering arms race to control the House that started with the Texas GOP, but where does it end?We talk about the President’s negotiating tactics in Iran. It’s also a big test for Vice President J.D. Vance to prove himself on the international stage. But with little to show so far, what does it mean for his aspirations to the White House?Plus, Congress takes up a huge bill to address food and farming in America. However, the typical left/right divide is scrambled by the Make America Healthy Again movement. Liz Bruenig joins from the left, and Sarah Isgur is with us on the right.Producer: Leo DuranHost: McKay Coppins, staff writer, The Atlantic (@mckaycoppins) Guests: Elizabeth Bruenig, staff writer, The Atlantic (@ebruenig) Sarah Isgur, senior editor at The Dispatch (@whignewtons)
Trump and Vance Pick a Fight with the Pope
Pope Leo’s call for peace evidently didn’t sit well with President Trump. He lashed out and called the Pope bad for foreign policy, while Vice President JD Vance lectured the pontiff to be careful when opining on matters of theology. The president’s next move in Iran is a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, but is it an effective strategy to force negotiations, or could it backfire and possibly embolden China?Also, what Viktor Orban’s fall as Hungary’s leader could tell us about the health of far-right movements.Plus, we chat with Sarah Isgur about her new book that takes us inside the Supreme Court, “Last Branch Standing.” Producer: Leo DuranHost: David Greene Guests: Mike Dubke, veteran GOP communications strategist and advisor. He was the White House Comms Director under Donald Trump in 2017 - @MikeDubke Mo Elleithee, executive director at Georgetown University's Institute of Politics and Public Service - @MoElleithee Sarah Isgur, senior editor at The Dispatch - @whignewtons
Trump Threatens An Apocalypse…To Maybe Get A Ceasefire?
President Trump wanted the Iran War to end quickly after six weeks of fighting, and so he issued a dire threat: submit or he will “end an entire civilization.” Now we’re in a fragile two-week ceasefire for negotiations. The White House says the warning was necessary to get us to this point, but critics called it reckless.Congress also returns to DC after its two-week recess, and it’s back to the continuing standoff on funding for the Department of Homeland Security. What can we expect from a legislative branch that was already struggling to get much done before a midterm election year?Plus we reflect on the meaning of the Artemis mission and whether it puts all our partisan battles in perspective. Producer: Leo DuranHost: David Greene Guests: Mike Dubke, veteran GOP communications strategist and advisor. He was the White House Comms Director under Donald Trump in 2017 - @MikeDubke Mo Elleithee, executive director at Georgetown University's Institute of Politics and Public Service - @MoElleithee
The Iran War Is Redefining America’s Place In The World
President Trump gave a speech this week about the Iran War to say he’s going to finish dismantling the country’s regime. But he also added that this regime seems pretty reasonable. We focus on what’s actually taking place: The U.S. role in the world has shifted dramatically, Russia and China seem to be benefitting from U.S. actions, the American economy seems vulnerable and Trump’s standing with his party seems to be changing. President Trump is also trying to redefine the meaning of U.S. citizenship. Should being born here automatically mean you’re a citizen? The President thinks not, and the question is now before the Supreme Court. And Trump has used a lot of words to trash the news media in our country. A top administration official thinks it’s been way more than a war of words – he’s doing a victory lap. We talk about all that with Liz Bruenig on the left and Sarah Isgur on the right.Producer: Leo DuranHost: David Greene Guests: Elizabeth Bruenig, staff writer at The Atlantic - @ebruenig Sarah Isgur, senior editor at The Dispatch - @whignewtons
How TSA Lines Are Shifting Political Leverage On Immigration
Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code KCRW at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/kcrwThe political brinksmanship over ICE enforcement goes on as travelers in some U.S. airports face hours of wait times at TSA checkpoints. History says voters would blame the party holding things up – Democrats – but polls suggest otherwise, which may be why Republicans are trying so hard to find a compromise. But Democrats aren’t budging, and President Trump isn’t throwing his own party a bone. With ICE officers deployed to more than a dozen airports, there’s concern that they might be at polling sites this fall, too. The administration hasn’t completely ruled it out, citing potential security issues. Plus, the Supreme Court also tackled voting questions in a case about mail-in ballots. We’ll talk about the substance, and how President Trump might be using the case for political gain. We also answer a listener’s question about talking to family from across the political aisle. Sarah Isgur is with us on the right and Mo Elleithee joins us on the left.Producer: Leo DuranHost: David Greene Guests: Mo Elleithee, executive director at Georgetown University's Institute of Politics and Public Service - @MoElleithee Sarah Isgur, senior editor at The Dispatch - @whignewtons
Iran War Triggers Homeland Security Threats With Leadership In Flux
With our nation at war and under threat, the last thing you’d want is uncertainty and a staffing shakeup at the agency responsible for protecting our country. But here we are. We talk about why Joe Kent, the U.S. head of counterterrorism, resigned, and whether we may be better off with a replacement given his history of promoting conspiracy theories. Also, President Trump vowed to take Cuba. We try to understand the foreign policy that’s taking shape where he seems to favor cutting the head of a country but leaving the body. In other words, don’t get too caught up in the details of what’s next because it’s not my administration’s problem. Plus we take your questions, including what’s the difference between professional politicians and professional candidates. Mo Elleithee joins us on the left, and Sarah Isgur is with us on the right.Producer: Leo DuranHost: David Greene Guests: Mo Elleithee, executive director at Georgetown University's Institute of Politics and Public Service - @MoElleithee Sarah Isgur, senior editor at The Dispatch - @whignewtons
Oil Markets Hang On Trump’s Every Word About Iran
A president’s words alone can have a big impact. Like when President Trump told a reporter that the war in Iran is nearly over, oil prices dropped. That was a good sign for consumers, but was that responsible leadership from the president? We’re asking the same question of Congress where one senator said let’s not debate the war because a publicly divided legislative branch isn’t good for our troops abroad. Also, there will be a change in leadership at the Department of Homeland Security, with Kristi Noem out and Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin picked to take her place. We’ll talk about the next secretary’s immense challenges ahead,including funding for the agency on hold and concerns about our preparedness for possible terrorist attacks. Plus, we’ll take your questions as we talk with our panelists Mo Elleithee on the left and Will Swaim on the right.Producer: Leo DuranHost: David Greene Guests: Mo Elleithee, executive director at Georgetown University's Institute of Politics and Public Service - @MoElleithee Will Swaim, CEO of the California Policy Center - @WillSwaim
Trump Goes to War While Congress Sits Back
The U.S. and Israel attacked Iran, killing that country’s leader and sparking celebration from some Iranians. What’s not clear is why. President Trump’s reasoning for all this has been a moving target. We’ll talk about the stakes for the region and for the Trump presidency. Also, the Congressional effort to limit the president’s war powers falls short. Is it time to just give up on Congress playing a role in authorizing military action? The midterm elections kicked off with primaries in several states on Tuesday, and we talk about what we learned from the results in Texas where the race for Republican John Cornyn’s senate seat is heating up. We talk with Mo Elleithee on the left and Sarah Isgur on the right.Producer: Leo DuranHost: David Greene Guests: Mo Elleithee, executive director at Georgetown University's Institute of Politics and Public Service - @MoElleithee Sarah Isgur, senior editor at The Dispatch - @whignewtons
Does Trump’s Economic Vision Match What Americans See?
Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code KCRW at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/kcrw The way President Trump saw it in his State of the Union address, our nation is getting stronger, safer and more affordable for American families. Polls paint a different picture where far more people think the economy has gotten worse, not better in Trump’s second term. The president insists he has more levers to pull, including tariffs, despite the fact that the Supreme Court just shot his tariff policy down. We’ll talk about that defeat for Trump in court – what it says about the court’s makeup, and whether we should take this decision as a major check on presidential power. Speaking of checks – we talk about the outrage over the way the gold medal-winning U.S. men’s hockey team responded in a congratulatory presidential phone call. There’s also outrage over a comment by California’s governor that struck some as racist. We examine when outrage is truly meaningful in this political climate – and who decides – with Mo Elleithee on the left and Sarah Isgur on the right.Producer: Leo DuranHost: David Greene Guests: Mo Elleithee, executive director at Georgetown University's Institute of Politics and Public Service - @MoElleithee Sarah Isgur, senior editor at The Dispatch - @whignewtons
Prince Andrew Arrested. Will The Epstein Files Take Down Others?
The fallout from the millions of pages released from the Epstein Files has now reached the British royal family with the arrest of former Prince Andrew. In business and academia, many major figures have stepped down. However American politicians named in the files have faced few consequences. Why is that, and what are some of the larger political implications of the Epstein Files?Also, President Trump is preparing his State of the Union address. Our panelists give their recommendations for what he should focus on and how Democrats can most effectively respond.Plus, the fight over voting rights in Congress and at the state level. Republicans in Washington are trying to pass national voting rules, while Democratic states are actively pushing back.Producer: Leo DuranHost: Susan Davis Guests: Mo Elleithee, executive director at Georgetown University's Institute of Politics and Public Service - @MoElleithee Mike Dubke, veteran GOP communications strategist and advisor. He was the White House Comms Director under Donald Trump in 2017 - @MikeDubke