The New Abnormal

It would be hard to argue that anyone had a bigger—or worse—impact on the world this year than President-elect Donald Trump, The New Abnormal co-host Andy Levy argues on this week’s episode. Then, Ed Zitron, journalist and author of the Where’s Your Ed At? newsletter, explains the "rot economy," where growth-at-all-costs drives exploitative business practices in tech and beyond. Plus! Deepa Iyer, activist and author of We Too Sing America, joins the program to discuss the challenges facing progressive movements.

Maye Musk proves the bad apple doesn’t fall far from the tree with some tone deaf advice on how Americans can afford to have more children to avoid population collapse. Plus! In a special podcast crossover, The Last Laugh podcast host Matt Wilstein reviews a year of high highs and low lows in political comedy and its future under a new Trump administration.

Billionaire Elon Musk’s meddling has given America’s elected officials a taste of what is to come from President-elect Donald Trump’s right hand man. “And it’s only the beginning,” said The New Abnormal co-hosts Danielle Moodie. Plus! Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist Spencer Ackerman joins the podcast to discuss the next administration’s potential reshaping of Middle East policy, and The New Republic writer Edith Olmsted unpacks Musk’s unprecedented presidential influence.

Donald Trump is more powerful than ever, warns Mary Trump on the latest episode of The New Abnormal. Then, NPR media correspondent David Folkenflik joins the program to discuss the Voice of America and what Trump’s selection of Kari Lake to head up the organization could mean for the media network.

South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace seems to be on a mission to be the most “disgusting human being” on Capitol Hill with her latest round of transphobic attacks, argue The New Abnormal co-hosts Andy Levy and Danielle Moodie. Plus! Slate politics writer Alex Sammon discusses his new piece, “Democrats Have a ‘Pod Save America’ Problem,” and the biggest shadow hanging over the party post-election.

The president-elect was chosen as Time Magazine’s “Person of the Year” Thursday—but the distinction may come with some unintended consequences. Then, Rob Bonta, the attorney general of California, joins the program to discuss how the state is preparing to push back against potential mass deportation efforts under a second Trump presidency. Plus! Anna Gifty, a Harvard doctoral candidate and editor of “The Black Agenda: Bold Solutions for a Broken System” discusses the transformative power of centering black women in the economy.

Donald Trump is already up to his oldtricks, according to co-hosts AndyLevy and Danielle Moodie on thelatest episode of The New Abnormal.Then, Melissa Murray, professor oflaw at NYU Law School, joins theprogram to break down DonaldTrump’s recent statements on endingbirthright citizenship. Plus! AdamSerwer, staff writer at The Atlantic,joins us to talk about his new article,“Trump Fans Are Suffering From TonySoprano Syndrome.”

Some Republican leaders are squirming to keep Pete Hegseth’s name in the hat as president-elect Donald Trump’s defense secretary nominee—at all costs, said The New Abnormal co-hosts Andy Levy and Danielle Moodie. Plus! Christopher Robbins, reporter and co-founder of local news outlet Hell Gate, discusses New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ big shift on immigration.

The reaction to the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has led to some dark places. Plus! Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel unpacks the far reaching impacts of Donald Trump’s mass deportation plans. Then, Elad Nehorai joins us to talk about their recent piece, “The Deeper Reasons Democrats Lost.”