Impromptu

The Washington Post

Impromptu

  • 22 minutes 50 seconds
    Luigi Mangione's motives — and ours

    The killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson captivated America, as it played out in an almost cinematic fashion. But there are disturbing issues underneath this crime – the simmering anger over health-care costs and the growing normalization of violence in the United States. The Post’s David Von Drehle talks with columnists Molly Roberts and Matt Bai about what it means when citizens try to take justice into their own hands.


    Read the Washington Post column by Catherine Rampell referenced in the podcast: "Fan club for suspected shooter is a symptom of burn-it-all-down populism"

    17 December 2024, 8:58 pm
  • 26 minutes 42 seconds
    Americans don’t like experts? Send in the clowns.
    America has lost faith in experts, and it’s certainly showing in some of Donald Trump’s Cabinet picks. Beyond a lack of qualifications, there are concerns over character problems with several nominees too. But do either really matter in American politics anymore? Deputy Opinions Editor David Von Drehle talks with columnists Ruth Marcus and Dana Milbank about what, if anything, can sink a nominee in today’s political culture.
    10 December 2024, 9:16 pm
  • 25 minutes 3 seconds
    Mexico vs. Trump: The rematch

    Donald Trump is promising Mexico a lot of deported migrants with a side of trade war. How will Mexico and its new president handle a neighbor like Trump? Opinions assignment editor Damir Marusic talks to columnists León Krauze and Eduardo Porter about the view from both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border.


    Subscribe to The Washington Post here.



    3 December 2024, 8:56 pm
  • 18 minutes 39 seconds
    Searching for gratitude

    As many head off for Thanksgiving after a disorienting month, our columnists tried to find anything in the world — in news and politics and their lives — to be grateful for. They had to dig deep, but they found gratitude for traditions forcing them toward normalcy, for the systems that work and for Matt Gaetz making Cameos instead of being the next attorney general.


    Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

    26 November 2024, 7:31 pm
  • 10 minutes 37 seconds
    She’s the future. How does the government keep her?

    As potential deep cuts to federal agencies dominate headlines, it’s more important than ever to understand the people who make the government run. In the final installment of our “Who is Government” series, comedian and filmmaker W. Kamau Bell delves into the antitrust division of the Justice Department and learns about the surprising ways it can help America live up to its promise.


    Watch Bell’s video or read his column here: The Rookie


    And be sure to check out the rest of the “Who is government?” series.


    The Canary, by Michael Lewis

    The Sentinel, by Casey Cep

    The Searchers, by Dave Eggers

    The Number, by John Lanchester

    The Cyber Sleuth, by Geraldine Brooks

    The Equalizer, by Sarah Vowell

    23 November 2024, 11:00 am
  • 23 minutes 13 seconds
    RFK Jr. has some good ideas. It’s what makes him so dangerous.

    People are justifiably alarmed at the prospect of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. being in charge of U.S. health policy. He amplifies conspiracy theories, is anti-vaccine and makes bizarre health claims that aren't backed up by evidence. But underneath his rhetoric, Kennedy has floated some interesting ideas, like limiting processed foods or banning pharmaceutical ads. Deputy Opinions editor Charles Lane talks with physician and columnist Leana Wen and editor Rob Gebelhoff about separating fact from fiction and what we should actually do to make America healthier.


    Read more from Leana Wen about Kennedy’s positions:

    RFK Jr.’s views on fluoride aren’t as crazy as you might think” 

    The main reason RFK Jr. is unqualified to serve as HHS secretary


    Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

    19 November 2024, 7:52 pm
  • 24 minutes 25 seconds
    Trump 'Resistance' didn't work. What will?

    Donald Trump’s election might feel like déjà vu. But America is in a different place than it was eight years ago. Contributing columnists Amanda Ripley, Matt Bai and Theodore Johnson talk through how they’re thinking about Trump’s second term, how to set boundaries between the personal and political, and what type of civic involvement is actually useful.

    12 November 2024, 8:53 pm
  • 25 minutes 52 seconds
    This is bigger than any one mistake Harris made

    Donald Trump won. But why? Were Americans really just mad about their grocery bill? Columnists Ruth Marcus, Dana Milbank and James Hohmann grapple with this election result as an “X-ray into our national soul.”


    Read more from Washington Post columnists:


    No, the way to cope with a Trump win isn’t moving to Canada

    A big win for the Blow It Up Party, but what then?


    Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

    6 November 2024, 8:12 pm
  • 23 minutes 35 seconds
    It’s Election Week. Grab the whiskey.

    None of us can know the outcome of the election, but our columnists talk through the campaign’s final spasms. Ruth Marcus, Dana Milbank and James Hohmann discuss the shifting mood in Pennsylvania, whether abortion will be as motivating this time around and if Donald Trump can get “crypto bros and the guy who vapes” to actually vote.


    Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

    4 November 2024, 8:47 pm
  • 20 minutes 26 seconds
    Are Republicans Kamala-curious? Not so much.

    In the final stretch of the campaign, Vice President Kamala Harris is making a play for Republicans who don’t like Donald Trump. But can they be swayed to vote for a lifelong Democrat? Columnists Megan McArdle, Jim Geraghty and Ramesh Ponnuru discuss what they’re hearing from fellow conservatives about this election and the future of the GOP. 


    Subscribe to The Washington Post here.


    29 October 2024, 8:17 pm
  • 20 minutes 51 seconds
    To tip or not to tip? That is now the question. Everywhere.

    Americans don’t seem to have a shared understanding of when or how much to tip. Yet, millions of people rely on what we give to make a decent wage. Columnists Theodore Johnson, Heather Long and Molly Roberts talk about why things have become so confusing and get into the real issues beneath the campaign proposals to end taxes on tips.


    Read more from The Washington Post:

    Tipping is more confusing than ever. Here’s how to handle it.


    Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

    22 October 2024, 8:44 pm
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