Podcast
Hosted by A.R. Hoffman & Rebecca Sugar
A.R. Hoffman (Associate Editor of the Sun) and Rebecca Sugar (Columnist at the Sun) will be joined by buzzy and thoughtful guests to break down the week’s news, share their hot takes and long views on where it's all heading, and keep you sane all the while.
In this episode we spoke to Deepali Vyas, an elite recruiter with an unparalleled grasp of the rapidly shifting economy. She offered crucial tips for navigating AI, charting a career, and conquering the job market greeting Gen Z college graduates.
Episode 58
In this episode we broke down the DOJ's case against the SPLC, dove into the details of the redistricting wars in Virginia, checked in on Congress's bucket list, fumed over performative NYC politics, and vented about Hasan Piker and "microlooting."
In this conversation we spoke to Mutlu Civiroglu, a journalist and Kurdish affairs analyst. He told us about the Kurdish role in the Iran War, the prospects for statehood, growing ties with Israel, and the current Kurdish circumstances across the region.
Episode 57
In this episode we debriefed the scandal that ended Eric Swalwell's career, jotted down our shopping list for Mayor Mamdani's grocery store, analyzed his pied-à-terre tax and class warfare strategy, discussed the schism between President Trump and Pope Leo, and took stock of the Democrats' evolving position on Israel.
In this interview we spoke to Amanda Van Dyke, founder of the Critical Minerals HUB and the author of The Mineral Imperative. She gave us a briefing on the energy contest that will shape the century, and why our technological future — and the world's — depends on vital materials that make everything possible.
Episode 56
In this episode we took stock of the war and previewed peace talks, marveled at the images from outer space, debated the elections in Hungary, analyzed the 25th Amendment and a surprising Supreme Court ruling, and delivered a hot take on Kanye West.
In this interview we spoke with Dr. John Eibern, a historian and human rights activist who is the former CEO of Christian Solidarity International-USA. During this sacred week on the Christian calendar he shared the latest on the persecution of Christians in Syria, Nigeria, and elsewhere — and told us what we can do to make a difference.
Episode 55
In this episode we analyzed the Iran War at an inflection point, debated the DHS standoff that is snarling travel across the country, reported on why Britain is barking about dogs, underscored the high stakes of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. and responded to Matthew Yglesias on Democrats and Israel.
Episode 54
In this episode we analyzed the latest from the Strait of Hormuz, debriefed the big Supreme Court asylum case, checked in on the UN's take on slavery, reviewed the verdict against social media in LA, debated a tragic assisted suicide in Spain, and praised Governor Josh Shapiro's stance on Israel.
In the interview we spoke with Dr. Evan Ellis, a research professor of Latin American studies at the U.S. Army War College Strategic Studies Institute. We assessed the Trump Administration's strategy, broke down Cuba's strategic import, took stock of where things stand in the Western Hemisphere, and forecast what comes next.
Episode 53
In this episode we dug into Joe Kent's resignation, and analyzed what it means for the war. We also dive into the conflict's deepening energy implications, discuss the future of the filibuster, debate voter ID, marvel at Kathy Hochul's chutzpah, and wonder how Israelis can be so happy.
In this interview we spoke with Mudar Adnan Zahran a writer and thinker of Palestinian descent who is a member of the Jordanian Opposition Coalition. He put the fight against the Islamic Republic of Iran in a global context and explained how Tehran's fate will really be decided in Beijing.
Episode 52
In this episode we took stock of a series of disturbing developments at Gracie Mansion, broke down the latest in the Iran War, wondered how Britain could take Churchill off its currency, marveled at the heroism of the Iranian women's soccer team, and checked back in on fraud in Minnesota.
In this interview we spoke with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and the former publisher of the Wall Street Journal, Karen Elliott House, about Saudi Arabia. She is one of the world's experts on the kingdom and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. We discussed how one of the world's most important countries is navigating the chaos at its doorstep — and the possibilities for normalization with Israel following the war.
Episode 51
In this episode we analyzed all things Iran: the status of the battle, cooperation between America and Israel, Trump's political calculus, the Middle East chessboard, and potential next steps. We also took Texas's temperature after two dramatic primaries, vented about Britney Spears, and wondered how low Tucker can go.
In this interview we spoke with Jesse Brown, an award-winning Canadian journalist and the founder and editor of Canadaland, one of the country's most influential independent media organizations.
He explained how antisemitism and anti-Zionism have exploded since October 7, where the roots of the crisis lie, and what can be done to beat back the forces of hate and extremism.
In this episode we had a wide ranging conversation with the editor at large of Reason and the host of the Reason Interview podcast, Nick Gillespie. We debated immigration, tariffs, AI, whether the world is getting better or worse, Gen Z pessimism, government censorship, and possibilities for the 2028 election.
Episode 50
In this episode we took the measure of President Trump's State of the Union, debriefed on the tariffs decision, took stock of a dramatic week in Mexico, vented about a snowball fight against the police, and reviewed a landmark India-Israel visit.
In this interview we spoke to Jennie Bradley Lichter, the President of the March for Life Education and Defense Fund. We reviewed the post-Dobbs landscape, debated the meaning of life, speculated about the midterm elections, and discussed the hard questions that makes this such a passionate subject of debate.
Episode 49
In this episode we digested the shocking news of a royal arrest, took stock of the military build up in the Middle East, reviewed the highlights from Munich, vented about Mayor Mamdani's budget gambit, and lamented how Europe can't shake antisemitism.
