Rebecca Solnit on Trump, Books, and the Reincarnation of King George III Rebecca Solnit on Trump, Books, and the Reincarnation of King George III
A conversation with the writer and activist about living in a nation where those who lead are often disinclined to read—let alone write—meaningful books.
Sep 8, 2025 / Q&A / John Nichols
The Enigma of Clint Eastwood The Enigma of Clint Eastwood
Is he merely a reactionary, or do his films paint a more complicated picture?
Sep 4, 2025 / Books & the Arts / Adam Nayman
Slavery Was Not Just Forced Labor but Sexual Violence Too Slavery Was Not Just Forced Labor but Sexual Violence Too
Calls to attenuate the brutality of slavery in museum depictions is absurd when our institutions already downplay one of its most horrific features.
Sep 3, 2025 / Channing Gerard Joseph
Is Tom Cruise the Last Action Hero? Is Tom Cruise the Last Action Hero?
After a strange, controversial career, he has become one of the few figures who upholds the old rules of Hollywood—where the human body is the greatest special effect.
Sep 3, 2025 / Books & the Arts / Vikram Murthi
Here Comes the Sun—Plus, “Our Fragile Freedoms” Here Comes the Sun—Plus, “Our Fragile Freedoms”
On this episode of Start Making Sense, Bill McKibben explains why solar power makes him optimistic, and Eric Foner talks about Trump and history.
Sep 3, 2025 / Podcast / Jon Wiener
The Lessons of Hurricane Katrina Were Obvious From the Moment It Struck The Lessons of Hurricane Katrina Were Obvious From the Moment It Struck
The hurricane told us all we needed to know about disasters in the age of environmental devastation. Only some wanted to listen.
Aug 29, 2025 / Richard Kreitner
“It’s a Warning, Set to a Dance Beat”: Jon Batiste on His New Song 20 Years After Katrina “It’s a Warning, Set to a Dance Beat”: Jon Batiste on His New Song 20 Years After Katrina
The New Orleans jazz great tells Covering Climate Now, “When you make a song, you want to inspire people, but you also want to let them know what they can do.”
Aug 28, 2025 / Mark Hertsgaard
No, the White House Is Not Getting a 90,000-Foot Extension No, the White House Is Not Getting a 90,000-Foot Extension
But Trump’s doomed proposal does give us a revealing glimpse into his state of mind.
Aug 28, 2025 / Kate Wagner
Branden Jacobs-Jenkins Remakes the Family Drama Branden Jacobs-Jenkins Remakes the Family Drama
His latest work, Purpose, evokes Chekov in its exploration of faith, parents, and politics.
Aug 27, 2025 / Books & the Arts / Alisa Solomon
Trump’s National Guard Strategy—Plus, the Secret Behind “Huckleberry Finn” Trump’s National Guard Strategy—Plus, the Secret Behind “Huckleberry Finn”
On this episode of Start Making Sense, John Nichols on the military in the cities, and Adam Hochschild on Mark Twain.
Aug 27, 2025 / Podcast / Jon Wiener