America at a Crossroads
Episodes
249 episodes
James Carville with Madeleine Brand: Campaign Season is Here: James Carville Unfiltered
Veteran Democratic strategist and political commentator James Carville joins Madeleine Brand for a wide-ranging discussion on the 2026 midterm elections, the future of the Democratic Party, and the political landscape leading into the 2028 pres...
Josh Rogin with Larry Mantle: American Power at the Crossroads: Confronting China and a Fragmenting World
National security columnist and global affairs analyst Josh Rogin joins veteran public radio host Larry Mantle for a discussion of America’s role in an increasingly fragmented world and the strategic challenges posed by China’s growing influenc...
Ami Fields Meyers and Julia Angwin with Patt Morrison: Courage in the Age of Fear
Senior democracy scholar and former White House policy advisor Ami Fields-Meyer joins award-winning investigative journalist Julia Angwin in conversation with acclaimed broadcaster Patt Morrison for a timely discussion on courage, dissent, and ...
Thomas Friedman with Larry Mantle: Hot, Flat and Fractured: Navigating a World in Turmoil
Pulitzer Prize-winning author and foreign affairs columnist Thomas Friedman joins veteran broadcaster Larry Mantle for a wide-ranging conversation on global instability, geopolitical conflict, technology, climate, and the forces reshaping the m...
Ruth Ben-Ghiat with Patt Morrison: The Role of Fear in the Decline of Democracy: The Power, Politics and Impact of Fear as a Tool of Political Persuasion
Juliette Kayyem with Warren Olney: Security in an Era of Domestic Instability
Former Homeland Security official and national security expert Juliette Kayyem joins veteran journalist Warren Olney for a timely conversation on security, democratic stability, and the growing challenges facing the United States.This e...
Tim Naftali with Madeline Brand: Can American Institutions Still Contain Political Extremism?
This week on America at a Crossroads, presidential historian Tim Naftali joins Madeleine Brand for a timely conversation on democratic resilience, political polarization, and the institutions shaping America’s future.Topics include:...
Elie Honig with Larry Mantle: Power, Precedent, and America’s Legal Future
In this conversation from the America at a Crossroads series, CNN Senior Legal Analyst and former federal prosecutor Elie Honig joins Larry Mantle (AirTalk, NPR) to break down the evolving legal landscape in the United States.With deep ...
Aaron David Miller with Patt Morrison: War Making and Peacemaking: The Future of the US-Israeli Relationship
America is at a pivotal crossroads.Join us for a timely and urgent conversation on the state of democracy in the United States. As political divisions deepen and democratic norms face increasing strain, what signals should we be watchin...
David Frum with Patt Morrison: Democracy Under Stress: Is the Tide Turning?
Democracy Under Stress: Is the Tide Turning?Featuring David Frum in conversation with Warren OlneyAmerica is at a pivotal crossroads.Join us for a timely and urgent conversation on the state of democracy in the United States...
Dalia Dassa Kaye with Robin Wright: The High-Stakes of US Policy on Iran
In this conversation from the America at a Crossroads series, Middle East policy expert Dalia Dassa Kaye joins award-winning journalist Robin Wright to examine the critical decisions facing the United States in its approach to Iran.At a...
Jennifer Rubin with Patt Morrison: The Cost of Cowardice: Power, Accountability, and the Fight for American Democracy
In this conversation from the America at a Crossroads series, political commentator Jennifer Rubin joins journalist Patt Morrison to examine the state of American democracy and the responsibilities of leadership in a time of institutional strai...
Leon Panetta with Larry Mantle: Power Without Order - America and the New Global Chaos
In this conversation from the America at a Crossroads series, former U.S. Secretary of Defense and CIA Director Leon Panetta joins Larry Mantle, host of NPR’s AirTalk, to examine the shifting global landscape and the challenges facing American ...
Ken Burns and Rick Atkinson with Patt Morrison: Revolutionary Crossroads: How America's Founding Era Illuminates Today's Struggles for America's Future
In this conversation from the America at a Crossroads series, acclaimed filmmaker Ken Burns and Pulitzer Prize–winning historian Rick Atkinson join journalist Patt Morrison to examine how the American founding era continues to shape today’s pol...
Max Boot with Larry Diamond: What is The Endgame? U.S. Policy and the Future Of Venezuela , Ukraine, Greenland, and Beyond
Max Boot with Larry DiamondWhat Is the Endgame? U.S. Policy and the Future of Venezuela and BeyondRecorded Wednesday, February 25, 2026In this episode of America at a Crossroads, Max Boot and Larry Diamond examine the tr...
Susan Glasser with Madeleine Brand: Collapsing Norms: Can American Democracy Survive This Stress Test?
Collapsing Norms: Can American Democracy Survive This Stress Test?Recorded February 18, 2026In this recorded conversation from America at a Crossroads, journalist Susan B. Glasser joins Madeleine Brand to examine the current...
Carol Leonnig with Warren Olney: How Politics & Fear Vanquished America's Justice Department
On February 11, 2026, Pulitzer Prize–winning investigative journalist Carol Leonnig joined veteran broadcaster Warren Olney for a timely conversation on her latest book:Injustice: How Politics and Fear Vanquished America’s Justice ...
Ron Brownstein with Patt Morrison: The Midterm Reckoning: What’s Likely and What’s at Stake in 2026
CNN senior political analyst Ron Brownstein joins journalist and author Patt Morrison for a timely conversation on the 2026 midterm elections. Together, they examine the political forces shaping the cycle ahead, the balance of power in Wa...
Amb. Dennis Ross with Warren Olney: Israel, Gaza and the Middle East: What Lies Ahead?
Jonathan Blitzer with Patt Morrison | Getting Beyond the Border: How Immigration Became a Political Crisis
Getting Beyond the Border: How Immigration Became a Political Crisis Immigration has become one of the most polarizing issues in American politics—but how did we get here?In this episode of America at a Crossroads, Jonathan B...
Abby Leibman & Bob Greenstein: The Politics of Hunger: How America Confronts Poverty in a Time of Crisis
Why does hunger persist in the wealthiest nation on earth? In this episode of America at a Crossroads, Abby J. Leibman (MAZON) and Bob Greenstein (Center on Budget and Policy Priorities) join veteran journalist Larry Mantle to examine the...
Leah Litman with Madeleine Brand | Lawless: How the Supreme Court Runs on Conservative Grievance, Fringe Theories, and Bad Vibes
How is the Supreme Court really operating today—and what does it mean for American democracy?In this episode of America at a Crossroads, legal scholar Leah Litman, professor of law at the University of Michigan and co-host of Strict Scr...
Ambassador (Fmr) Michael McFaul and Larry Diamond | Autocrats vs. Democrats: The New Global Disorder
Former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul joins leading democracy scholar Larry Diamond for a critical discussion on the intensifying global struggle between authoritarianism and democracy. Drawing on decades of experience in diplomacy, n...
Erwin Chemerinsky with Warren Olney | The Constitution in Crisis: What’s at Stake for American Democracy?
What happens when the guardrails of the Constitution start to shake? In this America at a Crossroads program, renowned constitutional scholar Erwin Chemerinsky joins veteran journalist Warren Olney to examine “The Constitution in Crisis: What’s...
Aaron David Miller with Madeleine Brand | Israel Update: Trump's Plan - Breakthrough or BreakDown?
Israel, the U.S., and the wider Middle East are at a critical inflection point. In this special America at a Crossroads program, veteran Middle East analyst Aaron David Miller joins host Madeleine Brand to unpack “Israel Update: Trump’s Plan — ...