Episodes

  • 5: Ancient Lessons for Defeating a Demagogue

    5: Ancient Lessons for Defeating a Demagogue
    Nov 3 2024
    The Founding Fathers studied the fall of the Roman Republic, and tried to create a democracy that could withstand someone like Donald Trump. On a special pre-election show, Daily Stoic’s Ryan Holiday talks with John about how history’s lessons can guide us through this perilous time.
    Ryan Holiday joins John Avlon.

    show notes
    Ryan's website, "Daily Stoic"
    Ryan's coversation with Mike Duncan
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    31 mins
  • 4: The Keys to Solving the Immigration Problem

    4: The Keys to Solving the Immigration Problem
    Oct 27 2024
    The law of supply and demand also applies at the border: We can’t really stop all illegal immigration—in part because of the lure of a better life here, but also because of our own labor needs. And Americans are just too educated for a lot of ordinary but necessary jobs. But a number of fixes could help, including changing asylum rules—a key part of the border bill that Trump had killed.

    Linda Chavez joins John Avlon to break it all down.

    show notes:
    Linda's book, "Out of the Barrio"
    Other sources of information on border security and immigration:
    https://immigrationforum.org/
    https://www.brookings.edu/
    https://www.pewresearch.org/
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    31 mins
  • 3: Getting Back to the People’s Business

    3: Getting Back to the People’s Business
    Oct 20 2024
    Former Oklahoma congressman Mickey Edwards sees a way out of our polarizing and divisive politics. He explains to John what voters can do, what Congress can do—and how the schools can help by teaching kids critical thinking skills. Plus, Mickey shares his insights on Kamala from her district attorney days, when she had the makings of a rising star. Mickey Edwards joins John Avlon.

    show notes
    Books by Mickey Edwards
    Book mentioned by Mickey: "The Big Sort," by Bill Bishop
    Book mentioned by John: "Burning Down the House," by Julian Zelizer
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    30 mins
  • 2: Rolling Back the Phone-Based Childhood

    2: Rolling Back the Phone-Based Childhood
    Oct 13 2024
    Rates of depression and anxiety among adolescents shot up around the same time kids were switching from flip phones to smartphones. And as teens were moving more of their social lives online, loneliness and friendlessness surged as well. Jonathan Haidt joins John Avlon to discuss how to restore a play-based childhood—including his prescriptions for parents, schools, and members of Congress.

    show notes
    Haidt's book, "The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness"
    More info on Haidt's "Let Grow" play club
    Time article John referenced about uniting America
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    31 mins
  • 1: A Poisoning in the Land

    1: A Poisoning in the Land
    Oct 3 2024
    The United States is in the midst of one of the worst drug epidemics it has ever faced, with nearly 80,000 Americans dying every year from fentanyl poisoning. John speaks with Kamal Bherwani, whose 22-year-old son, Ethan, was a victim of the crisis. Bherwani is now on the front lines, fighting for solutions to limit supply, increase enforcement, improve education about the lethal drug, and save lives.Kamal Bherwani joins John Avlon.
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    29 mins