Firing Line with Margaret Hoover

Firing Line With Margaret Hoover
  • 4.8 (195)
  • Politics

Author, feminist, gay rights activist and political commentator Margaret Hoover leads a rigorous exchange of ideas with America’s political and cultural newsmakers. In the spirit of William F. Buckley Jr.’s iconic “Firing Line,” Hoover engages with thought leaders on the pivotal issues moving the nation forward. New podcast episodes drop weekly, and sometimes more, featuring bonus content you won’t hear on TV.

  1. 2d ago

    Ret. Gen. Stan McChrystal on the role of the military and the responsibilities of citizens

    Retired Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal joins Margaret Hoover to discuss America’s founding ideals and the role of the military and citizens in ensuring that they endure.  He explains why the current politicization of the military concerns him and why military leaders have strived to remain nonpartisan in the past. McChrystal, who has written several books on leadership since leaving the military, reflects on the importance of character in the presidency. He also makes the case for instituting a mandatory national service program for young Americans. Citing his own experience with civil wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, McChrystal warns another American civil war is not unthinkable, and he cautions against reflexive, unquestioning patriotism. Support for Firing Line with Margaret Hoover is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, The Meadowlark Foundation, The Philip I Kent Foundation, Anne & Edward Lamont, and Jared Stone.

  2. Jul 11

    Can public education be fixed? Success Academy's Eva Moskowitz thinks yes

    Eva Moskowitz, CEO of Success Academy–the top-performing charter school network in New York City–joins Margaret Hoover to talk about what’s wrong with public education in America and what failing schools can learn from her approach. Success Academy runs 59 public charter schools in New York City, and it is preparing to open five more in Florida. Moskowitz explains why her schools score better on standardized tests than the city’s district schools and how she believes her model can help solve America’s broader education challenges. Moskowitz discusses the obstacles to reform efforts, including skepticism from Democrats and opposition from unions, and she questions the education policy priorities of New York City’s current mayor, charter school opponent Zohran Mamdani. Moskowitz responds to critics of Success Academy, defending its policies and its academic environment. She also addresses whether she would consider running for office herself in the future. Support for Firing Line with Margaret Hoover is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, The Meadowlark Foundation, The Philip I Kent Foundation, Anne & Edward Lamont, and Jared Stone.

  3. Jun 27

    America at 250 with Justice Neil Gorsuch, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, and Gen. Stan McChrystal (Ret.)

    As America marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Margaret Hoover speaks to a Supreme Court justice, a swing state governor, and a retired four-star general about the state of American democracy and the nation’s progress toward fulfilling its founding ideals. Justice Neil Gorsuch, co-author of the new children’s book “Heroes of 1776,” reflects on America’s founders and the lesser-known figures who helped shape the Revolution. He comments on the role of the Supreme Court in sustaining democracy, his view of America as a creedal nation, and the need for better civics education. Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan assesses the impact of deepening political polarization and a troubling rise in support for political violence. She speaks about obstacles to the American dream, the ongoing pursuit of greater equality, and her hopes for the next generation of Americans. Retired Army General Stanley McChrystal discusses the role of the military in preserving democracy and the sacrifices America’s troops have borne since the nation’s founding. He underscores the importance of character in leaders and presidents, and he explains why he is both proud to be an American and leery of unquestioning patriotism. America at 250: A Firing Line Special with Margaret Hoover was made possible by contributions to your PBS Stations from viewers like you. Thank you.

  4. Jun 12

    Melissa Murray’s strict scrutiny of the Constitution

    Margaret Hoover talks to Melissa Murray, legal scholar and best-selling author of tThe U.S. Constitution: A Comprehensive and Annotated Guide for the Modern Reader, a book she wrote in the hope that the Constitution would be read and understood by all Americans—just as the founders had intended. Murray, who also co-hosts the Strict Scrutiny podcast, examines the history of each amendment, and how the Reconstruction Era transformed the Constitution. In the wake of the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling in Louisiana v. Callais, Murray analyzes the history and future of the Voting Rights Act, the unfinished promise of Reconstruction, and the debate over whether the Constitution’s guarantees of equal citizenship have been fulfilled or remain an ongoing project. She also discusses the Roberts Court’s approach to voting rights and race, the limits of presidential power, the role of Congress in checking the executive, and why constitutional literacy remains essential to the survival of American self-government. Support for Firing Line with Margaret Hoover is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, Peter and Mary Kalikow, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Pritzker Military Foundation, Cliff and Laurel Asness, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Marc Haas Foundation, Katharine J. Rayner, Charles R. Schwab, Lindsay and George Billingsley, The Meadowlark Foundation, Jared Stone, Al and Kathy Hubbard, and Craig Newmark Philanthropies.

  5. May 30

    ‘Arrogance’ in Iran? Former IDF intelligence chief Tamir Hayman assesses the war plan

    Margaret Hoover talks to General Tamir Hayman, former head of the IDF’s military intelligence unit, about the state of the war in Iran, the status of negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program, and what he believes the U.S. and Israel have gotten right and wrong so far. Hayman is now executive director of the Institute for National Security Studies, an independent think tank affiliated with Tel Aviv University and remains a reserve major general in the IDF.  He explains why he thinks the successful American military operation in Venezuela emboldened American leadership, causing arrogance as war plans were developed to overthrow the regime in Tehran. General Hayman responds to media reports that President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu wanted to install former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as leader and breaks down where that plan went awry. He reflects on declining support for Israel within the U.S and the strategic challenge it presents to Israeli national security, conveying that supporting Israel is in America’s self interest. Support for Firing Line with Margaret Hoover is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, Peter and Mary Kalikow, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Pritzker Military Foundation, Cliff and Laurel Asness, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Marc Haas Foundation, Katharine J. Rayner, Charles R. Schwab, Lindsay and George Billingsley, The Meadowlark Foundation, Jared Stone, Al and Kathy Hubbard, and Craig Newmark Philanthropies.

  6. May 16

    Ryan Holiday and Jim Mattis on Stoicism and leadership in America

    Bestselling author and podcaster Ryan Holiday and former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis discuss America’s founding ideals and why they still matter 250 years later in the second part of a conversation recorded at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University. Holiday and Mattis explain why adherence to Stoic virtues is valuable in the military and how falling back on one’s first principles can help navigate a crisis. They reflect on the philosophical ideas that influenced early American leaders like George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. They also assess the importance of civic duty and participation in our democracy. Using the example of Admiral James Stockdale, Mattis explains how members of the military respond to orders they believe are unjustified, and Holiday highlights the need for virtuous leadership as America looks to the future. Support for Firing Line with Margaret Hoover is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, Peter and Mary Kalikow, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Pritzker Military Foundation, Cliff and Laurel Asness, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Marc Haas Foundation, Katharine J. Rayner, Charles R. Schwab, Lindsay and George Billingsley, The Meadowlark Foundation, Jared Stone, Al and Kathy Hubbard, and Craig Newmark Philanthropies.

  7. May 9

    Living with loss: Danielle Crittenden shares ‘Dispatches from Grief’

    Danielle Crittenden joins Margaret Hoover to discuss her new book, “Dispatches from Grief: A Mother's Journey Through the Unthinkable,” which details the aftermath of her daughter’s unexpected death. Miranda Frum, who once worked for “Firing Line,” died suddenly in 2024 at age 32 as she was preparing to celebrate the five-year anniversary of a successful surgery to remove a rare nonmalignant brain tumor.  Crittenden and her husband, writer David Frum, navigated frustrating levels of bureaucracy as they dealt with legal and logistical challenges following Miranda’s death, and she continues to experience “digital haunting” as her devices provide sometimes unwelcome reminders of her daughter. While “Dispatches from Grief” is decidedly not a self-help book, Crittenden offers advice both for mourners and for those who find themselves interacting with parents who have suffered the loss of a child. She also reflects on what she has learned from suffering and how her grief has evolved over time, as well as what Miranda might have thought of her writing the book. WARNING: This episode contains discussions of suicide. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is experiencing depression or thoughts of suicide, help is available 24/7 at the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (Call or Text 988). Support for Firing Line with Margaret Hoover is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, Peter and Mary Kalikow, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Pritzker Military Foundation, Cliff and Laurel Asness, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, The Marc Haas Foundation, Katharine J. Rayner, Charles R. Schwab, Lindsay and George Billingsley, The Meadowlark Foundation, Jared Stone, Al and Kathy Hubbard, and Craig Newmark Philanthropies.

  8. May 2

    Built to last? America at 250 with Yuval Levin and Jeffrey Rosen

    Margaret Hoover sits down with American Enterprise Institute Senior Fellow Yuval Levin and National Constitution Center CEO Emeritus Jeffrey Rosen to discuss the enduring ideals of America’s founding documents. Levin and Rosen, who both contributed to the NCC’s new book “The Promise of America,” reflect on the shared principles and ideological differences between the nation’s founders and how those philosophical clashes have echoed through to the present. Levin addresses the dysfunction of Congress in the modern era, how it became so polarized, and what can be done to bring it closer to what the founders intended. Rosen comments on proposals to increase the size of Congress and the difficulty of amending the Constitution. The two constitutional scholars assess the state of executive power in the second Trump administration, and they look ahead to the challenges artificial intelligence may pose for American democracy. Support for Firing Line with Margaret Hoover is provided by Robert Granieri, Vanessa and Henry Cornell, The Fairweather Foundation, The Tepper Foundation, Peter and Mary Kalikow, The Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation, Pritzker Military Foundation, Cliff and Laurel Asness, The Margaret and Daniel Loeb Foundation, Katharine J. Rayner, Charles R. Schwab, Lindsay and George Billingsley, The Meadowlark Foundation, Jared Stone, Al and Kathy Hubbard, and Craig Newmark Philanthropies.

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Author, feminist, gay rights activist and political commentator Margaret Hoover leads a rigorous exchange of ideas with America’s political and cultural newsmakers. In the spirit of William F. Buckley Jr.’s iconic “Firing Line,” Hoover engages with thought leaders on the pivotal issues moving the nation forward. New podcast episodes drop weekly, and sometimes more, featuring bonus content you won’t hear on TV.

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