Charlie Sykes and Olivia Troye take a journey through the week’s political turmoil — from Trump’s Oval Office trolling and the specter of a third term to the weaponization of ICE and the military’s role in domestic politics. Drawing on Olivia’s firsthand experiences inside the Trump administration, the two discuss how fear and intimidation reshape …

BIO: Scott Gates is the Co-Founder and CEO of Awake Window & Door Co., a luxury window and door manufacturer specializing in building windows and door at massive sizes, with minimal frames, to maximize views in luxury custom homes. But even more important, the business focuses on its mission to reduce recidivism by providing meaningful second chanc…

Charlie Sykes sits down with Paul Rieckhoff, founder of Independent Veterans of America, for a wide-ranging conversation about America’s mass shooting crisis, the culture of grievance fueling extremism, and the dangerous consolidation of presidential power. Rieckhoff highlights the role of isolation and disconnection among young men, the failures o…

Charlie Sykes is joined by Nicholas Grossman to unpack another chaotic week in politics and foreign affairs. From Trump’s bizarre UN speech and a mysterious generals’ meeting to the flip-flop on Ukraine and the Comey indictment, they examine what these moments reveal about America’s democratic resilience and vulnerabilities. They also look at how J…

Charlie Sykes welcomes David French back to the podcast to unpack the fallout from Jimmy Kimmel’s viral monologue and Donald Trump’s failed attempt to cancel him. Together they explore why government pressure on speech crosses a bright constitutional line, how cancel culture has backfired across the political spectrum, and why Americans must return…

Bio: Jim Fruchterman is a leading social entrepreneur, author, MacArthur Fellow, recipient of the Skoll Award for Social Entrepreneurship, and Distinguished Alumnus of Caltech. After starting two successful for-profit AI companies, he went on to found Benetech, the award-winning tech nonprofit, building tools for people with disabilities and human …

Charlie Sykes and historian Julian Zelizer take a hard look at a whirlwind week of political intimidation, weaponized investigations, and the GOP’s muted response. Zelizer explains how public commands to the Justice Department, lawsuits used as tools of intimidation, and attacks on the press fit into a broader pattern that risks normalizing authori…

Charlie Sykes talks with Daniel Drezner, academic dean and distinguished professor at Tufts University’s Fletcher School, to discuss the evolution of Trump from “toddler-in-chief” to something far more troubling. They explore how Trump’s “Pence-proofed” administration is reshaping American democracy, his escalating attacks on the media, and the int…

Charlie Sykes is joined by former Congressman Adam Kinzinger to unpack the mounting threats to free speech in America. They examine Donald Trump’s escalating lawsuits, the dangerous conflation of criticism with “hate speech,” and the broader culture of intimidation that chills dissent. Together, they reflect on the lessons of history, the hypocrisy…

Charlie Sykes and Tom Nichols return to “the gloom” for a conversation about political violence, creeping authoritarianism, and the weaponization of tragedy. They explore how figures like Donald Trump and Stephen Miller are openly embracing rhetoric and policies with fascist undertones, while allies and opponents alike struggle to respond. From pro…

Former world chess champion and democracy activist Garry Kasparov joins Charlie Sykes to discuss Russia’s escalating war, including the deliberate drone strike on Poland. He warns how Vladimir Putin thrives on testing NATO’s resolve while Donald Trump’s response further weakens Western unity. Kasparov also explains why America’s fragile democratic …

Charlie Sykes is joined by Jonathan Rauch of the Brookings Institution and The Atlantic for a conversation recorded just as news of the shooting of Charlie Kirk broke. The conversation touches on the rise of political violence, the collapse of civic norms, and the spread of postmodern thinking on the right. Rauch explains how truth is being replace…

Charlie Sykes sits down with historian and journalist Garrett Graff to examine his recent warning that America has entered a dangerous slide toward authoritarianism. From federal occupations of U.S. cities and extrajudicial killings abroad to the intimidation of business leaders and the hollowing out of Congress, Graff argues the guardrails of demo…

Bio: Josh Dorfman is a climate entrepreneur, author, and media personality. He is the CEO and host of Supercool, a media company covering real-world climate solutions that cut carbon, increase profits, and enhance modern life. Josh was previously the co-founder and CEO of Plantd, a carbon-negative building materials manufacturer, which was named to…

Charlie Sykes sits down with Paula Kerger, the longest-serving president and CEO of PBS, to discuss the unprecedented defunding of public broadcasting. Kerger explains how the loss of federal support threatens hundreds of local stations, particularly in rural communities, and why this moment is a critical test for the future of public media. They a…

Tara Palmeri and Charlie Sykes discuss a pivotal week in the Jeffrey Epstein case, as dozens of survivors gathered on Capitol Hill demanding the release of long-secret files. They examine the political maneuvering in Congress, the surprising alliances forming around transparency, and the intense pressure victims face in speaking out. Hosted on Acas…

Charlie Sykes sits down with David Frum of The Atlantic to unpack the mounting costs of Donald Trump’s foreign policy decisions. From alienating India and Australia to emboldening China and Russia, Frum explains how short-sighted vanity and corruption are leaving the United States increasingly isolated. The conversation also covers Trump’s entangle…

Lawrence Chavez is a passionate innovator focused on meaningful innovation. Lawrence has been on both sides of the table and understands the demands of the investor and the needs of the founder. Most recently as CEO & Founder of EveryDay Contacts. Previously, Lawrence co-founded Lotus Leaf Coatings, an advanced materials company in 2011. Prior to 2…

Charlie Sykes is joined by Ali Breland of The Atlantic to discuss his recent article, America’s Next Top Racist. They examine how Nick Fuentes has built a devoted following, pushed the GOP further right, and influenced both rhetoric and policy despite his openly racist views. The conversation explores why Fuentes’ rise matters, how mainstream figur…

Charlie Sykes speaks with Sarah McLaughlin, senior scholar at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, about her new book Authoritarians in the Academy. They explore how foreign governments and domestic pressures alike are eroding free expression on U.S. campuses, from disinviting speakers to surveilling international students. McLaughl…

Charlie Sykes sits down with organizer Zee Cohen-Sanchez, founder of National Ground Game, to talk about the fight for young voters on America’s campuses. They dig into why conservative groups like Turning Point USA are outpacing Democrats in building infrastructure and community for Gen Z, and how online influencers from Charlie Kirk to Nick Fuent…

Charlie Sykes unpacks a week of extraordinary events—from the FBI raid on John Bolton’s home to Trump’s humiliating summit with Vladimir Putin and the alarming expansion of visa surveillance. He warns that these actions aren’t isolated but part of a broader campaign of intimidation and authoritarian drift. Sykes argues that if the government can we…

Charlie Sykes sits down with journalist Chris Cillizza to unpack his "rubber band theory" of American democracy and how Trump-era politics may stretch institutions beyond repair. The two also debate Gavin Newsom’s political future, Elon Musk’s latest pivots, and why the Epstein files refuse to fade from the headlines. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com…

Paul Zelizer is the host of Awarepreneurs, the world’s longest running social entrepreneur podcast, the co-founder of NM Tech Talks and a business coach/consultant for social entrepreneurs and cleantech startups for the past 18 years. This episode is sponsored by the coaching company of the host, Paul Zelizer. Consider a Strategy Session if you can…

Charlie Sykes and Lawfare’s Ben Wittes unpack the fallout from Donald Trump’s Alaska summit with Vladimir Putin, a meeting that left America humiliated and Ukraine on edge. Wittes shares his own surreal run-in with the Secret Service after chalking a Ukrainian flag outside the Russian embassy, and together they trace how symbolism, appeasement, and…

Former Pennsylvania Congressman Conor Lamb joins Charlie Sykes for a wide-ranging conversation on the challenges facing the Democratic Party. They discuss how Democrats can regain credibility on crime, counter Trump’s “law and order” narrative, and present a clear vision to voters. Lamb also weighs in on gerrymandering, the state of the 2026 midter…

Anthony Fleg is a family medicine physician at UNM in the Department of Family and Community Medicine. Originally from Baltimore, Anthony grounds his healing work in undoing racism, health equity, movement as medicine, and with a focus on strengths and holistic health. He co-founded the Native Health Initiative (NHI) and its Running Medicine progra…

Charlie Sykes sits down with Andor creator Tony Gilroy for a conversation about the show's record-breaking Emmy nominations, its historical inspirations, and its unintentional political resonance. Gilroy discusses drawing from centuries of rebellion and authoritarian playbooks, the banality of evil, and why some institutions willingly surrender to …

Charlie Sykes and Harry Litman break down the sweeping politicization of the FBI and Department of Justice under Donald Trump, from purging veteran agents to elevating January 6 rioters into senior roles. They explore the administration’s push to rewrite history, weaponize investigations against political opponents, and erode the rule of law. With …

Charlie Sykes welcomes Jessica Riedl of the Manhattan Institute for a conversation on the state of the U.S. economy under Trump 2.0. They cover everything from fantasy math in drug pricing claims to the White House’s assault on economic data, growing authoritarian tendencies, and the chaos of tariff policy. Plus, they dig into the gerrymandering ar…

In a political climate that is more partisan and polarized than ever, the idea of working together for the common good seems impossible. State Representative Meredith Dixon has a different view. Her approach - one which is focused on bringing people together - is getting results for the people of Albuquerque and all of New Mexico. Rep. Dixon is one…

Charlie Sykes speaks with investigative journalist Tara Palmeri about her years-long coverage of the Jeffrey Epstein case and her deeply personal reporting on the survivors. Palmeri recounts her work on the Broken: Jeffrey Epstein podcast and shares chilling insights into the power networks that enabled Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell to evade justic…

Charlie Sykes welcomes Tom Nichols to talk about Trump’s gilded ambitions—from redesigning the White House to purging the military of disloyalty. They unpack the political theater behind the Smithsonian’s historical revisions, the moral collapse of Senate confirmations, and the erosion of democratic norms under MAGA pressure. Hosted on Acast. See a…

Charlie Sykes welcomes former congressman Adam Kinzinger to discuss the Trump-Epstein saga, congressional cowardice, and the erosion of democratic norms. They discuss Trump's obsession with loyalty, the Senate’s institutional decay, and why even Harvard is caving to pressure. From enemies lists to media capitulation, Kinzinger argues this is the de…

Charlie Sykes and historian Julian Zelizer tackle the political storm surrounding Donald Trump and the Epstein files, exploring why this controversy has stuck and what it reveals about the MAGA base. They examine the broader collapse of institutional resistance—from the GOP’s silence to media capitulation—and question just how far Trump might go to…

Jim Acosta joins Charlie Sykes for a sobering conversation about Donald Trump’s explosive treason accusations against Barack Obama and what they signal about his desperation over the Epstein case. They explore how Trump’s old tricks—conspiracy theories, culture wars, and media manipulation—may be losing their power, and why this moment feels differ…

Charlie Sykes sits down with former Montana Governor and RNC Chair Marc Racicot to discuss "Our Republican Legacy," a new initiative aimed at restoring the GOP’s foundational principles of character, constitutionalism, and limited government. Racicot offers a candid assessment of the current political landscape, acknowledging the uphill battle whil…

Charlie Sykes is joined by chess grandmaster and democracy advocate Garry Kasparov to explore how creeping authoritarianism could take hold in the United States. Kasparov warns that fear, normalization of abuses, and erosion of democratic institutions are already pushing America down a dangerous path. Together, they examine the historical patterns …

Charlie Sykes welcomes David French for a sweeping conversation on MAGA’s unraveling over the Epstein files, Trump’s shaky pivot on Ukraine, and the deeper cultural meaning behind the new Superman film. They examine the growing fractures in Trump’s base, the danger of embedding loyalists in the judiciary, and why even MAGA can turn on its own. With…

Charlie Sykes is joined by veteran journalist and Substack writer Terry Moran for a bracing conversation on Trump’s unraveling Epstein strategy, the deep contradictions within the MAGA worldview, and the terrifying normalization of state-sponsored cruelty. From “Alligator Alcatraz” to 50% tariffs on Brazil, the two dissect how branding, conspiracy,…

Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Anne Applebaum joins Charlie Sykes from Warsaw to examine the alarming rise of authoritarian tactics in the U.S., from the militarization of federal agencies to the normalization of political cruelty. They discuss the Trump administration’s embrace of spectacle, the breakdown of truth, and the erosion of institution…

Economist Justin Wolfers joins Charlie Sykes to discuss Trump’s trade war revival, incoherent economic policymaking, and the human cost of political decisions. From tariffs on allies to Medicaid cuts in the latest budget, Wolfers breaks down the real-world impact with clarity, passion, and biting analogies. It’s a crash course in economics—and a wa…

Charlie Sykes is joined by Judge Michael Luttig to reflect on the founding principles of American democracy—and how far we've strayed. Drawing from his powerful essay The Self-Evident Truths of Freedom and of Tyranny, Judge Luttig restates the moral and constitutional bedrock of the United States in a time of national uncertainty. It’s not a politi…