Fresh Air

Veteran White House reporter April Ryan’s ‘Blacklash’

We are the fourth estate. We are that layer when checks and balances don't balance out. And this president has helped that dysfunction occur.

Fresh Air

Veteran White House reporter April Ryan’s ‘Blacklash’

We are on the menu, the press that they feel that don't give the president his due or respect him.

TED

Meet the Youngest-Ever Mayor in Japan’s History | Ryosuke Takashima | TED

If someone speaks up and others agree with it, that personal issue becomes social issue. A city is citizens -- a city is not the government.

Book of the Day

New book evaluates President Biden's legacy as midterm elections approach | NPR's Book of the Day

Part of the tragedy for Democrats is not just that their candidate lost, but that an entire policy agenda essentially is going out the window.

TED

Why Economic Inequality Is the Biggest Threat to Democracy | Sally Kohn | TED

Authoritarianism was like an opportunistic disease that could only take root when democracy was weak.

Radiolab

Neither Confirm Nor Deny

Whether it comes from government spokespeople or celebrity publicists, the phrase "can neither confirm nor deny" is the perfect non-denial denial. It's such a perfect deflection that it seems like it's been around forever, but reporter Julia Barton takes us back to the 1970s and the surprising origin story of what's now known as a "Glomar Response."

Fresh Air

A look at new barriers at the ballot box

This is now a decades-long project by the Roberts Court to give wealthy individuals more power in the political process. At the same time, they're giving voters less power in terms of their ability to elect their representatives and to be protected from racial discrimination in voting.

Code Switch

Markwayne Mullin is conservative, Christian, Cherokee, and the new head of DHS

And Mullen didn't really have that same kind of identity. And so I was kind of curious what his political acumen was when it came to sovereignty in policies that affected native people.