Best Lerer Podcasts (2026)

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Mayor Mamdani's First Week 45:43

Play Pause

18h ago45:43

45:43

Elizabeth Kim, Gothamist and WNYC reporter and Brigid Bergin, WNYC's senior political correspondent, talk about the latest news from Mayor Mamdani's first week in office, including his controversial decision to rescind two executive orders from Mayor Adams on Israel and antisemitism, his relationship with the business community and more.…

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What Happens to Venezuela's Oil 21:44

20h ago21:44

21:44

While the Trump administration has declared its intent of revitalizing the Venezuelan oil industry, Rebecca F. Elliott, energy reporter for The New York Times, reports on who stands to benefit from more drilling in the country.By WNYC

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Your Odes to the Metrocard 11:11

21h ago11:11

11:11

The MTA has phased out MetroCards in favor of tapping and OMNY cards. Listeners call in to offer their tributes to the iconic yellow cards, which date back to the 1990s.By WNYC

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New York's Venezuelan Community Reacts to Trump's Maduro Ouster 33:20

21h ago33:20

33:20

Gisela Salim-Peyer, associate editor at The Atlantic, reports on the scenes from the courtroom where Venezuelan president Nicholas Maduro was arraigned this week after the Trump administration's military actions in the South American country—and the range of responses from New York's Venezuelan community.…

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New Year's Resolutions That Actually Stick 13:39

2d ago13:39

13:39

Suleika Jaouad, author of a bestselling memoir about her battle with cancer, and most recently, The Book of Alchemy: A Creative Practice for an Inspired Life (Penguin Random House, 2025), discusses her latest Substack essay on how New Year's resolutions almost never stick, and how she engages in the pleasures of small rituals instead. Listeners cal…

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Changes to the Childhood Vaccine Schedule 23:50

2d ago23:50

23:50

Under Health Secretary RFK Jr's guidance, the CDC has made changes to recommendations for the childhood vaccine schedule. Jessica Malaty Rivera, infectious disease epidemiologist and member of the group Defend Public Health, explains what the changes are and why they are such a big deal for public health.…

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Mayor Mamdani's First Moves on Housing 27:06

2d ago27:06

27:06

On the day of his inauguration, mayor Zohran Mamdani began his tenure with a press conference in a Flatbush building lobby. David Brand, housing reporter for WNYC and Gothamist, recaps all of the latest housing news coming out of the Mamdani administration including his executive orders, latest appointees, and more.…

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Call Your Senator: Sen. Andy Kim on Venezuela, January 6th Anniversary and More 44:30

2d ago44:30

44:30

Andy Kim, U.S. Senator (D NJ), talks about his work in the Senate and the issues in New Jersey. Topics this month include the Trump administration's military actions in Venezuela, the lasting ramifications of the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, and more.By WNYC

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A Recap and Preview of New State Legislation 32:29

3d ago32:29

32:29

Jimmy Vielkind, New York State Issues reporter for WNYC, reviews a slew of bills signed by Governor Hochul at the end of 2025 and previews the State Assembly's upcoming legislative session.By WNYC

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Mayor Mamdani's First Few Days 43:53

3d ago43:53

43:53

Juan Manuel Benitez, professor of local journalism at Columbia Journalism School and member of the New York Editorial Board, and Josh Greenman, managing editor of the journal Vital City and former director of the New York City Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice, talk about the news from the new mayor's first few days in office.…

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What Comes Next for the US and Venezuela 35:51

3d ago35:51

35:51

William Neuman, former New York Times bureau chief in Caracas and the author of Things Are Never So Bad That They Can't Get Worse: Inside the Collapse of Venezuela (St. Martin's Press, 2022), offers context to the US invasion of Venezuela and capture of its leader Maduro. Plus, he talks about what might come next, as President Trump has said the US…

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Holiday Best-Of: Freakonomics; Eating Well; 1776; New Yorker Documentary 1:49:10

6d ago1:49:10

1:49:10

During this holiday season, hear some recent favorites: Stephen Dubner, host of Freakonomics Radio and the co-author of Freakonomics (Harper Collins, 2025), now in a new 20th anniversary edition, reflects on 20 years of "Freakonomics," its impact and use of data, and talks about what's next. Marion Nestle, professor of nutrition, food studies, and …

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Special Coverage: Zohran Mamdani's Inaugural Speech 1:39:39

7d ago1:39:39

1:39:39

Brian Lehrer hosts special coverage of Mayor Zohran Mamdani's inaugural speech, with analysis from Dr. Christina Greer, associate professor of political science at Fordham University, co-host of the podcast FAQ NYC and the author of How to Build a Democracy: From Fannie Lou Hamer and Barbara Jordan to Stacey Abrams (Cambridge University Press, 2024…

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New Year's Day: Mayor Adams' Legacy; Wikipedia's Rules; Online Reading 1:49:34

7d ago1:49:34

1:49:34

On this New Year's Day: Ahead of the Mamdani swearing-in ceremony, a look back: Elizabeth Kim, Gothamist and WNYC reporter; Ben Max, host of the Max Politics podcast and executive editor and program director at New York Law School’s Center for New York City Law; and Jeffery Mays, New York Times metro politics reporter, weigh in on Mayor Adams' term…

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Holiday Best-Of: Colleges; Public Health; Pre-Cellphone Nostalgia; Being Stuck 1:49:22

8d ago1:49:22

1:49:22

During this holiday season, hear some recent favorites: Christopher Eisgruber, president of Princeton University and the author of Terms of Respect: How Colleges Get Free Speech Right (Hachette, 2025), talks about issues of free speech and campus politics at Princeton, and the university's relationship with the Trump administration. Seth Berkley, M…

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Holiday Best-Of: Democratic Socialism; Joyce Vance, Teaching; Rail-to-Trail & More 1:49:31

9d ago1:49:31

1:49:31

During this holiday season, hear some recent favorites: New York City's mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani defines himself as a democratic socialist, yet his critics have seized on his leftist identity to paint him as an extremist. Carlo Invernizzi-Accetti, professor of political science and executive director of the Moynihan Center at The City College of …

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2025 News Quiz: Hour 1 30:52

10d ago30:52

30:52

In our annual news quiz, listeners call in to answer trivia questions about the past year in politics, culture, and more.By WNYC

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2025 News Quiz: Hour 2 35:42

10d ago35:42

35:42

In our annual news quiz, listeners call in for some trivia about the past year in politics, culture, and more.By call_in, news_quiz, 100_years, culture, centennial, local_wnyc, politics

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Holiday Best-Of: Jelani Cobb; Pregnancy; Grandparenting; Julia Ioffe; Cartoons 1:49:27

13d ago1:49:27

1:49:27

During this holiday season, hear some recent favorites: Jelani Cobb, dean of the Journalism School at Columbia University, a staff writer at The New Yorker and the author of Three or More Is a Riot: Notes on How We Got Here: 2012-2025 (One World, 2025), looks back at recent history and find the threads that connect the era of protests and backlash.…

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Your Best Gift Ever 15:06

15d ago15:06

15:06

Listeners share the best gifts they've ever received and what made them so special.By WNYC

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Picks and Pans of 2025 Entertainment 26:38

15d ago26:38

26:38

Listeners offer their picks of what they loved and hated this year in the world of film, literature, podcasting, performance, and more.By WNYC

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What Christmas Means to You 55:45

15d ago55:45

55:45

Christians call in to share the religious meaning of the holiday for them and what "Christian politics" mean as they come into the spotlight under the Trump administration. Then, listeners tell stories of moments that defined their common humanity with people from different backgrounds.By WNYC

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Saying Goodbye (And Hello) to Beloved Businesses 13:36

15d ago13:36

13:36

Listeners share which of their favorite businesses closed in 2025, and shoutout new spots where they plan on becoming regulars.By WNYC

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Instacart’s AI-aided Pricing Experiments 22:40

16d ago22:40

22:40

Derek Kravitz, reporter and deputy editor for Consumer Reports, discusses an investigation into third-party grocery delivery service Instacart's algorithmic pricing experiment.By WNYC

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Shop Listener 2025: Experiences 13:14

16d ago13:14

13:14

Shop Listener is back for the 2025 holiday season. Listeners call in to shout out the "experience" holiday gifts they sell.By WNYC

Lerer Podcasts

1
The Brian Lehrer Show

WNYC

1
Thrillist: Meet the Innovators

Apple Inc.

1
Free Food For Thought

FF4T

1
The Road Untraveled: VC Perspectives with Brian Hollins

Brian Hollins

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Seed to Harvest

Paige Finn Doherty

1
Mayor Mamdani's First Week 45:43

1
What Happens to Venezuela's Oil 21:44

1
Your Odes to the Metrocard 11:11

1
New York's Venezuelan Community Reacts to Trump's Maduro Ouster 33:20

1
New Year's Resolutions That Actually Stick 13:39

1
Changes to the Childhood Vaccine Schedule 23:50

1
Mayor Mamdani's First Moves on Housing 27:06

1
Call Your Senator: Sen. Andy Kim on Venezuela, January 6th Anniversary and More 44:30

1
A Recap and Preview of New State Legislation 32:29

1
Mayor Mamdani's First Few Days 43:53

1
What Comes Next for the US and Venezuela 35:51

1
Holiday Best-Of: Freakonomics; Eating Well; 1776; New Yorker Documentary 1:49:10

1
Special Coverage: Zohran Mamdani's Inaugural Speech 1:39:39

1
New Year's Day: Mayor Adams' Legacy; Wikipedia's Rules; Online Reading 1:49:34

1
Holiday Best-Of: Colleges; Public Health; Pre-Cellphone Nostalgia; Being Stuck 1:49:22

1
Holiday Best-Of: Democratic Socialism; Joyce Vance, Teaching; Rail-to-Trail & More 1:49:31

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2025 News Quiz: Hour 1 30:52

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2025 News Quiz: Hour 2 35:42

1
Holiday Best-Of: Jelani Cobb; Pregnancy; Grandparenting; Julia Ioffe; Cartoons 1:49:27

1
Your Best Gift Ever 15:06

1
Picks and Pans of 2025 Entertainment 26:38

1
What Christmas Means to You 55:45

1
Saying Goodbye (And Hello) to Beloved Businesses 13:36

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Instacart’s AI-aided Pricing Experiments 22:40

1
Shop Listener 2025: Experiences 13:14