After Words - Season 18 / Year 2025

Journalist Adam Chandler argued that hard work and grit is not enough to obtain the American Dream. He was interviewed by author and Economic Hardship Reporting Project executive director Alissa Quart.

Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) shared his thoughts on having the tenacity to pursue progressive goals through strong alliances, hard work, and focus. He was interviewed by Wall Street Journal congressional reporter Natalie Andrews.

The Washington Post's Eva Dou reported on how Huawei became China's most powerful company and what that means for its global competitors. She was interviewed by author and Council on Foreign Relations emerging technologies and national security chair Adam Segal.

Omo Moses, son of civil rights organizer Robert Moses, spoke about being Black in America through the voices of three generations of the Moses family. He was interviewed by UMBC (University of Maryland, Baltimore County) emeritus president Freeman Hrabowski.

Former president of Anheuser-Busch Sales and Distribution Company Anson Frericks offered his insight to the Bud Light controversy, declining sales, and its future. He was interviewed by the Competitive Enterprise Institute senior fellow Richard Morrison.

Journalist Kevin Fagan reported on the underlying issues of homelessness in America, tracing the experiences of two unhoused persons in San Francisco. He was interviewed by former Obama administration HUD Secretary & Enterprise Community Partners president and CEO Shaun Donovan.

Professor Eve L. Ewing looked at the history of how education in the U.S. was set up for Black and Native children and what it means for students today. She was interviewed by Associated Press education collaborations editor Alia Wong.

Omar El Akkad questioned if the U.S. is forsaking its core values, after covering wars around the globe and social unrest as a journalist for 20 years. He was interviewed by author and University of Oxford Modern Middle Eastern History professor Eugene Rogan.

Dr. Adam Ratner spoke about the resurgence of measles that he's seeing as a pediatrician and the future of children's health. He was interviewed by George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health professor Emily Smith.

Writer Michael Lewis posed the question, who works for the government and why does their work matter? He was interviewed by Harvard Kennedy School of Government Public Policy and Management Professor Elizabeth Linos.

Writer Paul Blustein made the case for why he believes the dollar will remain the world's dominant currency. He was interviewed by author and Council on Foreign Relations senior fellow Zongyuan Zoe Liu.

New York Times investigative journalist David Enrich argued that the rich & powerful are using free speech laws to suppress dissent from anyone challenging their authority. He was interviewed by author and George Washington Law School professor Mary Anne Franks.

Senator James Lankford (R-OK) spoke about his faith, the challenges the country faces, and what he believes needs to happen to improve the country. He was interviewed by Wall Street Journal congressional reporter Siobhan Hughes.

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Viet Thanh Nguyen reflected on how society can build allegiances beyond racial identity & have more global solidarity. He was interviewed by author Ijeoma Oluo.

Journalist Stephen Witt reported on the company Nvidia, its founder Jensen Huang, and why their microchip is one of the most coveted by the world. He was interviewed by Business Insider reporter Emma Cosgrove.

Journalist David Graham looked at how parts of the Heritage Foundation's Project 2025 document are being implemented by the Trump administration. He was interviewed by author and George Washington University professor Matthew Dallek.

Atlantic Magazine staff writer Sophie Gilbert looked at pop culture of the '90s & early 2000s and its impact on women and the feminist movement. She was interviewed by author and founder of Women in Media & News Jennifer Pozner.

University of Michigan law professor Leah Litman spoke about why she believes the Supreme Court isn't making rulings based on legal principles. She was interviewed by author and Nation Magazine justice correspondent Elie Mystal.