https://simplecast.com Interesting Times with Ross Douthat The first draft of our future. Mapping the new world order through interviews and conversations. Every Thursday, from New York Times Opinion. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app. © 2018-2025 THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY; The New York Times encourages the use of RSS feeds for personal use in a news reader or as part of a non-commercial blog, subject to your agreement to our Terms of Service. en Thu, 30 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Thu, 30 Jul 2026 11:18:54 +0000 https://www.nytimes.com/column/matter-of-opinion Interesting Times with Ross Douthat https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/4105a47a-42e5-4ccc-887a-832af7989986/1755eb11-344c-4732-bac7-d1a5daafb473/3000x3000/nyt-rossdouthat-albumart-3000px.jpg?aid=rss_feed https://www.nytimes.com/column/matter-of-opinion episodic The first draft of our future. Mapping the new world order through interviews and conversations. Every Thursday, from New York Times Opinion. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app. New York Times Opinion false https://feeds.simplecast.com/bS1LZG8m journalism, news, new york times, ross douthat New York Times Opinion interestingtimes@nytimes.com d2bb23a7-33b7-437c-ac0b-d3120f38a0a0 How Older Americans Hoard the Future American leaders are staying in office past their prime. Boomers are reluctant to relinquish control — from political offices to corner offices — to the detriment of their juniors. In a society where the elderly hold so much power, should younger generations revolt? 

My guest today is Samuel Moyn, a professor at Yale Law School, and he argues that American democracy is distorted by the power of the old. We discuss how seniors have hoarded wealth and influence and how Americans can renew an intergenerational compact.

  • 0:00 The Tyranny of the Elderly
  • 2:01 From Joe Biden to Mitch McConnell
  • 4:19 Europe's Anti-Gerontocracy
  • 5:15 Politicians are the ‘Tip of the Iceberg’
  • 7:07 The Dark Side of Longevity
  • 9:40 How Age Impacts Policy
  • 15:10 The Age Wealth Gap
  • 20:21 How About Millennials?
  • 23:28 Age Limits and Youth Power
  • 38:14 Care Hoarding and Family Burdens
  • 44:54 The Assisted Suicide Debate
  • 50:14 Personal Stakes

(A full transcript of this episode is available on the Times website.)

Thoughts? Email us at interestingtimes@nytimes.com. Please subscribe to our YouTube Channel, Interesting Times with Ross Douthat.

Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.


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]]> Thu, 30 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000 interestingtimes@nytimes.com (New York Times Opinion) https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/30/opinion/american-gerontocracy-samuel-moyn.html American leaders are staying in office past their prime. Boomers are reluctant to relinquish control — from political offices to corner offices — to the detriment of their juniors. In a society where the elderly hold so much power, should younger generations revolt? 

My guest today is Samuel Moyn, a professor at Yale Law School, and he argues that American democracy is distorted by the power of the old. We discuss how seniors have hoarded wealth and influence and how Americans can renew an intergenerational compact.

  • 0:00 The Tyranny of the Elderly
  • 2:01 From Joe Biden to Mitch McConnell
  • 4:19 Europe's Anti-Gerontocracy
  • 5:15 Politicians are the ‘Tip of the Iceberg’
  • 7:07 The Dark Side of Longevity
  • 9:40 How Age Impacts Policy
  • 15:10 The Age Wealth Gap
  • 20:21 How About Millennials?
  • 23:28 Age Limits and Youth Power
  • 38:14 Care Hoarding and Family Burdens
  • 44:54 The Assisted Suicide Debate
  • 50:14 Personal Stakes

(A full transcript of this episode is available on the Times website.)

Thoughts? Email us at interestingtimes@nytimes.com. Please subscribe to our YouTube Channel, Interesting Times with Ross Douthat.

Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> How Older Americans Hoard the Future New York Times Opinion 00:52:54 American leaders are staying in office past their prime. Boomers are reluctant to relinquish control — from political offices to corner offices — to the detriment of their juniors. In a society where the elderly hold so much power, should younger generations revolt? My guest today is Samuel Moyn, a professor at Yale Law School, and he argues that American democracy is distorted by the power of the old. We discuss how seniors have hoarded wealth and influence and how Americans can renew an intergenerational compact. American leaders are staying in office past their prime. Boomers are reluctant to relinquish control — from political offices to corner offices — to the detriment of their juniors. In a society where the elderly hold so much power, should younger generations revolt? My guest today is Samuel Moyn, a professor at Yale Law School, and he argues that American democracy is distorted by the power of the old. We discuss how seniors have hoarded wealth and influence and how Americans can renew an intergenerational compact. false full 68f47b38-77e3-4e9f-bc8f-7919519925e0 Iran, China, Canada? A Defense of Trump’s Grand Strategy Is President Trump’s grand strategy unraveling? The United States is at war with Iran, China is ascendant, Russia and Ukraine are stalemated and American allies are openly questioning our commitment to them.

Elbridge Colby, the under secretary of defense for policy, joins me to discuss the state of America’s foreign policy and he makes the case that Trump’s approach to our allies and adversaries is making us stronger.

  • 0:00 - Intro 
  • 1:24 - What Is Trump’s Approach to Foreign Policy?
  • 5:00 - Is China Still America’s Main Rival? 
  • 7:08 - Colby’s Strategy of Denial in the Pacific
  • 9:58 - How to Avoid a War with China & Taiwan
  • 12:18 - Can U.S. Aircraft Carriers & Bases Survive a Pacific Conflict?
  • 16:43 - Is the Iran War Draining Our Weapons and Resources?
  • 17:49 - The U.S. Military Strategy in Iran War
  • 19:44 - Does the Middle East Conflict Help or Hurt China?
  • 22:04 - Trying and Failing to Reopen the Strait of Hormuz
  • 28:13 - The Parallels of Iran to the Vietnam and Iraq Wars
  • 33:17 - Trump’s Strategy With Russia & Ukraine
  • 40:49 - "NATO 3.0" & Returning to the Cold War
  • 43:21 - Did the Pentagon Try to Cut Support for Ukraine?
  • 46:28 - How "Middle Powers" Fail 
  • 49:30 - Greenland, Canada, and the Monroe Doctrine
  • 52:22 - Canada: Neighbor or 51st State?
  • 54:23 - What We Expect From Allies

(A full transcript of this episode is available on the Times website.)

Thoughts? Email us at interestingtimes@nytimes.com. Please subscribe to our YouTube Channel, Interesting Times with Ross Douthat.

Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> Thu, 23 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000 interestingtimes@nytimes.com (New York Times Opinion) https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/23/opinion/iran-china-canada-a-defense-of-trumps-grand-strategy.html Is President Trump’s grand strategy unraveling? The United States is at war with Iran, China is ascendant, Russia and Ukraine are stalemated and American allies are openly questioning our commitment to them.

Elbridge Colby, the under secretary of defense for policy, joins me to discuss the state of America’s foreign policy and he makes the case that Trump’s approach to our allies and adversaries is making us stronger.

  • 0:00 - Intro 
  • 1:24 - What Is Trump’s Approach to Foreign Policy?
  • 5:00 - Is China Still America’s Main Rival? 
  • 7:08 - Colby’s Strategy of Denial in the Pacific
  • 9:58 - How to Avoid a War with China & Taiwan
  • 12:18 - Can U.S. Aircraft Carriers & Bases Survive a Pacific Conflict?
  • 16:43 - Is the Iran War Draining Our Weapons and Resources?
  • 17:49 - The U.S. Military Strategy in Iran War
  • 19:44 - Does the Middle East Conflict Help or Hurt China?
  • 22:04 - Trying and Failing to Reopen the Strait of Hormuz
  • 28:13 - The Parallels of Iran to the Vietnam and Iraq Wars
  • 33:17 - Trump’s Strategy With Russia & Ukraine
  • 40:49 - "NATO 3.0" & Returning to the Cold War
  • 43:21 - Did the Pentagon Try to Cut Support for Ukraine?
  • 46:28 - How "Middle Powers" Fail 
  • 49:30 - Greenland, Canada, and the Monroe Doctrine
  • 52:22 - Canada: Neighbor or 51st State?
  • 54:23 - What We Expect From Allies

(A full transcript of this episode is available on the Times website.)

Thoughts? Email us at interestingtimes@nytimes.com. Please subscribe to our YouTube Channel, Interesting Times with Ross Douthat.

Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> Iran, China, Canada? A Defense of Trump’s Grand Strategy New York Times Opinion 01:03:20 Is President Trump’s grand strategy unraveling? The United States is at war with Iran, China is ascendant, Russia and Ukraine are stalemated and American allies are openly questioning our commitment to them. Elbridge Colby, the under secretary of defense for policy, joins me to discuss the state of America’s foreign policy and he makes the case that Trump’s approach to our allies and adversaries is making us stronger. Is President Trump’s grand strategy unraveling? The United States is at war with Iran, China is ascendant, Russia and Ukraine are stalemated and American allies are openly questioning our commitment to them. Elbridge Colby, the under secretary of defense for policy, joins me to discuss the state of America’s foreign policy and he makes the case that Trump’s approach to our allies and adversaries is making us stronger. false full 9d695ec4-92cf-464e-ad84-e8cb1b10c555 A Vision of a ‘Society Without Capitalism’ Democratic socialists are having a moment. But can they actually remake the Democratic Party — and the American economy — in their image? My guest today, Bhaskar Sunkara, is longtime democratic socialist, and he makes the case that socialism has a universal appeal that transcends our current politics and will ultimately triumph against capitalism.

  • 0:00 Intro
  • 1:24 The rise of democratic socialism
  • 5:00 Why is this a breakthrough moment for Democratic Socialism?
  • 8:24 Class Realities: The demographics of socialist voters
  • 9:26 The intellectual foundations of the American left
  • 11:02 What socialists want: Affordable housing, Medicare for All
  • 15:55 Socialist housing policy: construction, rent control, public housing
  • 18:17 The socialist approach to AI and technological change
  • 22:16 The case for unions
  • 24:18 Is Democratic Socialism compatible with capitalism?
  • 25:57 Class conflict vs. the identity politics of the wokeness era
  • 29:00 The ideological conflict between Hillary Clinton liberals and the Bernie Sanders left
  • 30:40 This Socialist wants the left to stop hating America
  • 36:38 Why Israel-Palestine and anti-imperialism are central issues for Democratic Socialists
  • 45:51 Luigi Mangione and the illiberal left
  • 50:37 Is Zohran Mamdani a moderate?
  • 51:54 Was Joe Biden's presidency a socialist experiment?
  • 55:42 Raising taxes to expand the welfare state

(A full transcript of this episode is available on the Times website.)

Thoughts? Email us at interestingtimes@nytimes.com. Please subscribe to our YouTube Channel, Interesting Times with Ross Douthat.

Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> Thu, 16 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000 interestingtimes@nytimes.com (New York Times Opinion) https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/16/opinion/a-vision-of-a-society-without-capitalism.html Democratic socialists are having a moment. But can they actually remake the Democratic Party — and the American economy — in their image? My guest today, Bhaskar Sunkara, is longtime democratic socialist, and he makes the case that socialism has a universal appeal that transcends our current politics and will ultimately triumph against capitalism.

  • 0:00 Intro
  • 1:24 The rise of democratic socialism
  • 5:00 Why is this a breakthrough moment for Democratic Socialism?
  • 8:24 Class Realities: The demographics of socialist voters
  • 9:26 The intellectual foundations of the American left
  • 11:02 What socialists want: Affordable housing, Medicare for All
  • 15:55 Socialist housing policy: construction, rent control, public housing
  • 18:17 The socialist approach to AI and technological change
  • 22:16 The case for unions
  • 24:18 Is Democratic Socialism compatible with capitalism?
  • 25:57 Class conflict vs. the identity politics of the wokeness era
  • 29:00 The ideological conflict between Hillary Clinton liberals and the Bernie Sanders left
  • 30:40 This Socialist wants the left to stop hating America
  • 36:38 Why Israel-Palestine and anti-imperialism are central issues for Democratic Socialists
  • 45:51 Luigi Mangione and the illiberal left
  • 50:37 Is Zohran Mamdani a moderate?
  • 51:54 Was Joe Biden's presidency a socialist experiment?
  • 55:42 Raising taxes to expand the welfare state

(A full transcript of this episode is available on the Times website.)

Thoughts? Email us at interestingtimes@nytimes.com. Please subscribe to our YouTube Channel, Interesting Times with Ross Douthat.

Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> A Vision of a ‘Society Without Capitalism’ New York Times Opinion 00:58:23 Democratic socialists are having a moment. But can they actually remake the Democratic Party — and the American economy — in their image? My guest today, Bhaskar Sunkara, is longtime democratic socialist, and he makes the case that socialism has a universal appeal that transcends our current politics and will ultimately triumph against capitalism. Democratic socialists are having a moment. But can they actually remake the Democratic Party — and the American economy — in their image? My guest today, Bhaskar Sunkara, is longtime democratic socialist, and he makes the case that socialism has a universal appeal that transcends our current politics and will ultimately triumph against capitalism. false full c9239365-7bac-4069-a039-7671f66816ba Introducing ‘Interesting Times’ There’s a saying that comes to mind these days: May you live in interesting times. It’s understood to be a curse, even though it sounds like a blessing.

“Interesting Times With Ross Douthat” is a new weekly podcast from New York Times Opinion. Every Thursday, he will map the new world order through interviews and conversations. Answering questions like: What does our new political era really look like? What is the future of democracy around the world, with American empire in retreat? What happens to movies and books — all of culture — in our digital and A.I.-dominated age?

Thoughts? Email us at interestingtimes@nytimes.com.

Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> Sun, 6 Apr 2025 17:55:00 +0000 interestingtimes@nytimes.com (New York Times Opinion) https://nytimes.com/2025/04/07/opinion/interesting-times.html There’s a saying that comes to mind these days: May you live in interesting times. It’s understood to be a curse, even though it sounds like a blessing.

“Interesting Times With Ross Douthat” is a new weekly podcast from New York Times Opinion. Every Thursday, he will map the new world order through interviews and conversations. Answering questions like: What does our new political era really look like? What is the future of democracy around the world, with American empire in retreat? What happens to movies and books — all of culture — in our digital and A.I.-dominated age?

Thoughts? Email us at interestingtimes@nytimes.com.

Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

]]> Introducing ‘Interesting Times’ New York Times Opinion 00:03:04 false full