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The Brian Lehrer Show

WNYC
New York City
Democratic Socialists Of America
New York
Donald Trump
United States
Iran
Climate Change
Artificial Intelligence
Measles
Vision Zero
Public Charge Rule
New York Times
Medicaid
Surveillance
Immigration
El Niño
World Trade Center
Social Media
Housing Policy
Daylight Saving Time

Brian Lehrer leads the conversation about what matters most now in local and national politics, our own communities and our lives.

PublishesDailyEpisodes2031Founded21 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsDaily NewsNews

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Artwork for The Brian Lehrer Show

Latest Episodes

In light of news that the US will publicly execute the Fort Hood shooter, and the recent botched execution of a woman in Tennessee, Justin Mazzola, deputy director of research at Amnesty International USA, talks about the history and current state of... more

Grace Rauh, executive director of Citizen's Union explains the five proposals on the ballots aimed at streamlining city government and why Citizens Union supports them.

=> "2026 Ballot Proposals" (NYC Votes)

Photo: Democratic voters in the 2025 pri... more

A recent nor'easter battered beaches on Long Island and New Jersey. Jase Bernhardt, associate professor of Geology, Environment, and Sustainability at Hofstra University, discusses the threat of coastal erosion in the context of climate change.

Phot... more

Tom Allon, founder and publisher of City & State New York, talks about the essays of the late Irish-American writers (and brothers) Frank and Malachy McCourt, that they originally published in local New York City outlets.

Photo: A memorial service f... more

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Recent Guests

Layla Law-Gisiko
President of the City Club of New York
City Club of New York
Episode: 30 Issues in 30 Days: NYS Transit
Jon Henley
Europe correspondent for The Guardian based in Paris
The Guardian
Episode: The Protests in France
John Samuelsen
International President of the Transport Workers Union
Transport Workers Union
Episode: Who's Running This Place: Labor flexes political muscle as Election Day approaches
Emily Eisner
Executive Director and Chief Economist, Fiscal Policy Institute
Fiscal Policy Institute
Episode: 30 Issues in 30 Days: NYS Taxes
Ana Ionova
New York Times correspondent based in Rio de Janeiro
New York Times
Episode: Brazil, Latin America and MAGA
Roger Berkowitz
Professor of Politics, Philosophy and Human Rights at Bard College; Founder and Academic Director of Bard's Hannah Arendt Center for Politics and Humanities
Bard College / Hannah Arendt Center
Episode: Friendship Vs Polarization
Maitreyi Anantharaman
Co-founder and staff writer at Defector
Defector
Episode: 'Let's Go Liberty!'
Jasser AbuMousa
Senior Fellow at the Middle East Institute; Senior Policy Advisor at the International Peace Institute
Middle East Institute; International Peace Institute
Episode: An Israeli and a Palestinian Choose to Talk
Jonathan Dekel-Chen
Visiting Professor at Columbia; Chair of Soviet and East European Jewry at Hebrew University
Columbia University; Hebrew University
Episode: An Israeli and a Palestinian Choose to Talk

Host

Brian Lehrer
Host of The Brian Lehrer Show

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 1.8k ratings
  • Best show! But please no more Elie Mystal

    Fantastic show, listen daily and Brian’s journalistic prowess is always on display, thorough respectful but tough. Please also consider removing Elie Mystal as a guest. I agree with everything he says but his delivery is atrocious listening for radio. He’s constantly screaming and behaves as if he’s a toddler, enacting in childish imitations and literally yelling into the mic. Maybe maya wiley or Emily bazelon instead?

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    cet blaine
    United States3 months ago
  • Unrelated content

    Why are there associated programs in the feed? Brian Lehrer’s show is great, but hard to find among so much other stuff.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Maajic
    United States6 months ago
  • Balanced, Rational, Humble, Human!

    Brian Lehrer is a TREASURE!!! He covers the issues of the day with smarts and humility, helping people with different viewpoints find common ground. Listen every day and you’ll be a better informed New Yorker!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    swerz
    United States7 months ago
  • It was ok, but it has become become ever more smug and condescending.

    Podcast Addict
    3
    PDR
    9 months ago
  • A New York Institution

    I have long since left nyc, my hometown, but I could never quit the Brian Lehrer show. A well produced thoughtful gem of News Radio. Even the callers bring such insight, which goes to show, when you establish a standard people rise to meet it.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Shani from St. Albans
    United States10 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some critiques note biases or pacing issues with certain guests.
Listeners value the accessible, in-depth policy discussions and live calls.
The host is consistently thoughtful, fair, and well-informed.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#93
United States/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#8
Saudi Arabia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#29
Saudi Arabia/News
Apple Podcasts
#47
South Korea/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#51
Colombia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#113
Japan/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

An Israeli and a Palestinian Choose to Talk
Q: How do you think people on both sides can come to a place where dialogue is possible given the trauma since October 7?
By choosing to initiate conversation despite the pain, focusing on shared humanity, and demonstrating in concrete ways through joint activities that peaceful coexistence is possible, even if incremental.
What Ada Lovelace Knew About AI
Q: Do you think there is still a choice to slow down AI development or has it already become a runaway problem?
There is a choice, but we're not taking it. We should implement guardrails and governance rather than simply assuming acceleration is inevitable, and we should avoid letting political or commercial momentum override thoughtful pacing.
ICE Agent Shoots Man in Marble Hill
Q: Do we know why Belgal was targeted by DHS, and what is known about his background?
Arya outlines that Belgal was described as having a criminal history by DHS and notes the lack of confirmed statements from his family or lawyer, while referring to ongoing investigations and contested narratives from officials.
ICE Agent Shoots Man in Marble Hill
Q: Arya, set the scene for us. I described a little bit about what happened, but can you say more?
Arya Sundaram explains the incident as a daytime shooting in a busy commercial area of Marble Hill, with police and DHS involvement, noting the presence of a five-year-old in the car and the key questions about what led to the shooting.
30 Issues in 30 Days: NYS Taxes
Q: From a tax-the-rich perspective, what justifies higher state taxes given the cost of living in New York?
The argument is that higher taxes fund essential services that support an educated workforce, healthcare, and infrastructure, which in turn attract and retain residents and businesses; a broader base with progressive rates can raise revenue without overburdening any single group, and strategic investments can bolster long-term competitiveness.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Professions
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Brian Lehrer Show

What is The Brian Lehrer Show about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show covers a wide range of policy-centered topics tied to urban life, national politics, and public policy. Episodes frequently analyze local governance, immigration, climate and energy policy, education and equity, technology regulation, press freedom, and how national debates play out in cities like New York. listeners often hear expert context from journalists, academics, and policymakers, with a strong emphasis on civic participation, accountability, and practical implications for residents. A standout trait is the blend of live call-ins, deep-dive interviews, and data-informed city planning discussions that connect national issues to local impact, making it useful for strategists, researchers, and decision-makers exploring policy,... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Brian Lehrer Show?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Brian Lehrer Show:

1. Brian Lehrer: A Daily Politics Podcast
2. FAQ NYC
3. On the Media
4. The New Yorker Radio Hour
5. The Political Scene | The New Yorker

How many episodes of The Brian Lehrer Show are there?

The Brian Lehrer Show launched 21 years ago and published 2031 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Brian Lehrer Show?

Recent guests on The Brian Lehrer Show include:

1. Layla Law-Gisiko
2. Jon Henley
3. John Samuelsen
4. Emily Eisner
5. Ana Ionova
6. Roger Berkowitz
7. Maitreyi Anantharaman
8. Jasser AbuMousa

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