Season 2021

E1. Mike Gallagher

Jan 8, 2021 · 27m

Republican Congressman Mike Gallagher discusses the storming of the U.S. Capitol, President Trump's role in inciting the insurrection, and where the country and the GOP goes from here.

E2. Joe Manchin

Jan 15, 2021 · 27m

Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) discusses the Capitol attack and the historic second impeachment of President Trump. As an influential moderate in the Senate, he talks about how to bring the country back together.

E3. Mary Frances Berry and Douglas Brinkley

Jan 22, 2021 · 27m

American historians Mary Frances Berry and Douglas Brinkley discuss the inauguration of President Joe Biden at a time of national crisis and the legacy of President Trump.

E4. Tim Kaine

Jan 29, 2021 · 27m

Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) discusses former President Trump’s looming impeachment trial, President Biden’s COVID-19 stimulus plan and why he is optimistic for bipartisanship under the new administration.

E5. Charles Blow

Feb 5, 2021 · 27m

Charles M. Blow, NYT columnist and author of “The Devil You Know: A Black Power Manifesto,” discusses his plan for Black Americans to amass political power by reverse migration to the South in order to achieve Black majorities in multiple states.

E6. Jaime Herrera Beutler

Feb 12, 2021 · 27m

Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler, one of ten House Republicans who voted to impeach President Trump, discusses her vote, the impeachment trial, whether there is any chance of conviction and the future of the GOP.

E7. Michael Osterholm

Feb 19, 2021 · 27m

Epidemiologist Dr. Michael Osterholm says new COVID-19 strains will likely cause cases to surge in March. Osterholm, who was on Biden's transition task force, says the U.S. needs to revise its vaccine and mask strategies now to save lives.

E8. Bari Weiss

Mar 12, 2021 · 27m

Former New York Times editor and “How to Fight Anti-Semitism” author Bari Weiss joins Margaret Hoover to discuss the rise of Anti-Semitism and intolerance across the political spectrum.

E9. Jennifer Granholm

Mar 19, 2021 · 27m

Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm tells Margaret Hoover how the Biden administration plans to achieve clean energy goals, create new jobs and protect the power grid while facing questions about the price tag and the politics in Washington.

E10. Yo-Yo Ma

Mar 26, 2021 · 27m

World-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma performs for “Firing Line” and joins Margaret Hoover to discuss the impact of the pandemic on the arts and his belief that music can comfort people and connect cultures in even the darkest hours.

E11. Anne Applebaum and David Frum

Apr 2, 2021 · 27m

Pulitzer Prize winning historian Anne Applebaum and former White House speechwriter David Frum join Margaret Hoover to discuss strengthening American democracy and the future of the GOP.

E12. Maya MacGuineas and Robert Reich

Apr 9, 2021 · 27m

Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich and federal budget expert Maya MacGuineas discuss America’s staggering national debt and what should be done about it.

E13. Kirsten Gillibrand

Apr 16, 2021 · 27m

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) discusses why paid family leave should be part of President Biden’s infrastructure legislation, working across the aisle to protect veterans and the misconduct allegations against New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

E14. Adam Kinzinger

Apr 23, 2021 · 27m

Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) discusses what it means to be a Republican in the post-Trump era, what’s next for police and gun reform and President Biden’s plan to withdraw American troops from Afghanistan.

E15. Mazie Hirono

Apr 30, 2021 · 27m

Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI) discusses her recent bipartisan bill addressing anti-Asian hate crimes, how her immigrant experience informs her legislative priorities and what caused her to become a more outspoken member of Congress.

E16. Amy Klobuchar

May 7, 2021 · 27m

Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) discusses the explosive growth of big tech and corporate mergers. She outlines her proposed antitrust reforms to fight back against monopolies and explains why every American should be paying attention.

E17. Garry Kasparov

May 14, 2021 · 27m

Chess grandmaster turned democracy advocate Garry Kasparov, who chairs the Human Rights Foundation, warns about the rising tide of authoritarianism worldwide. He discusses bringing chess to life in the acclaimed series “The Queen’s Gambit.”

E18. Irshad Manji

May 21, 2021 · 27m

The New York Times bestselling author Irshad Manji discusses how she thinks diversity should be defined and taught, the divisiveness of labels and why moral courage — not cancel culture — is the key to honest conversations about issues that polarize.

E19. Lawrence Summers

Jun 12, 2021 · 27m

Former Treasury Secretary and Harvard economist Lawrence H. Summers discusses his concerns about an overheated post-pandemic economy leading to inflation and what he believes the White House and the Fed should do about it.

E20. Don Lemon

Jun 18, 2021 · 27m

CNN anchor Don Lemon discusses his new book on racism in America’s past and present, his own experiences dealing with prejudice, and bringing his point of view to cable news.

E21. William McRaven

Jun 25, 2021 · 27m

Four-star Admiral William H. McRaven discusses the imminent withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, the current threat level from Iran, and the heroic virtues he details in his new book, "The Hero Code: Lessons Learned from Lives Well Lived."

E22. William McRaven

Jul 2, 2021 · 27m

In a special edition celebrating Independence Day, four-star Admiral William H. McRaven shares stories of heroism from his 37 years of service to America, including details behind the capture of Saddam Hussein and the killing of Osama bin Laden.

E23. Bill Nelson

Jul 9, 2021 · 27m

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson discusses America’s mission to return to the moon and reach Mars, billionaires in space, unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) sightings, and NASA’s search for intelligent life in the universe.

E24. John McWhorter

Jul 16, 2021 · 27m

Columbia University linguist and race commentator John McWhorter explains the origins of critical race theory, what the decades-old legal concept has become in today’s national debate and his concerns about antiracism and how it is taught.

E25. Mario Diaz-Balart

Jul 23, 2021 · 27m

Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-FL—whose family fled Fidel Castro’s communist revolution in Cuba—discusses the ongoing oppression on the island, historic protests calling for freedom and how he thinks the U.S. and our allies should respond.

E26. Celine Gounder and Ashish Jha

Jul 30, 2021 · 27m

With a summer COVID surge, epidemiologist Dr. Celine Gounder and Brown University Dean of Public Health Dr. Ashish Jha discuss the dangers of the Delta variant, breakthrough cases, how to vaccinate more people and whether booster shots may be needed.

E27. Elissa Slotkin

Aug 6, 2021 · 27m

Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin, D-MI, discusses representing a district that voted for Trump, the investigation into the attack on the Capitol, and voting rights. The former CIA analyst outlines her concerns about what’s next for Afghanistan.

E28. David Petraeus & H.R. McMaster

Aug 27, 2021 · 27m

Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster responds to the suicide attack that killed at least 13 U.S. service members outside the Kabul airport; Gen. David Petraeus discusses the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and what Taliban rule means for American security.

E29. Peter Meijer

Sep 10, 2021 · 27m

As America marks the 20th anniversary of Sept. 11, Rep. Peter Meijer, R-MI, discusses the U.S. exit from Afghanistan, his decision to fly into Kabul amid the evacuation and who should be held accountable for the botched ending of a two-decade war.

E30. George Will

Sep 17, 2021 · 27m

Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist George Will discusses the conservative movement from William F. Buckley Jr. to the present, why he says many modern Republican politicians are not true conservatives, and what’s next for Trumpism.