KCRW's Left, Right & Center

I have been listening to this show for years. It has served—to varying degrees of success—as a relief. It’s been great that I don’t have to endure extreme rhetoric from either side. The conversations have been sensible and moderate. Slowly this show is devolving into representatives from both the left and right gently rationalizing/apologizing for their respective party’s positions. This often is not a real conversation any more so much as it is 3 colleagues gently protecting their partisan street cred. Neither side is generally held to accountability for their expressed thoughts and views. It has turned into reoccurring guests gently trading innocent little zingers back and forth, without getting heated or being forced to compromise at all. The simple act of civility isn’t what we need in this country. We are hungry for difficult and impactful conversations and yes, we would like it to happen with civility.

26-Dec2025 Update: Gave a ton of feedback, tried to keep listening, but found it unproductive and frustrating. Rotating panelists regularly or expanding the panel would solve most of the issues. The host clearly isn’t interested in that, and the takes lack any insight or nuance beyond civility is good. The only difference between the regular panelists (Mo and Sarah) is who they blame for starting the incivility. Substantive issues are only addressed by saying a conversation should be had about them, and then not having that conversation. Previous Review: This podcast used to be great when it changed panelists every week to ensure all sides of the political spectrum had a voice. Now it clings desperately to out of touch elite centrist opinion for both the right and left. Worse is the misinformation they spread about US history and international relations. If you think a Texan middle school history textbook from 1990 is the an authoritative source on world history, if you think non-European countries are inherently suspicious, if you think Hillary Clinton represents the left and Jeb Bush the right, this is the podcast for you. These issues could largely be fixed if they stopped having Mo Elleithee on to represent the left.

Loved Dec, 26ths episode. Was nice to hear a more personal side of the hosts.

I’ve been listening to the show for years. I love listening to the civil discussion about what is going on in our country. And I must say, I’m so happy Sarah Isgur is back. I don’t agree with her views but she is very intelligent! Hope she stays.