48 episodes

Thoughts, aloud. Hosted by Michelle Cottle, Ross Douthat, Carlos Lozada and Lydia Polgreen. Every Friday, from New York Times Opinion.

Listen to this podcast in New York Times Audio, our new iOS app for news subscribers. Download now at nytimes.com/audioapp

Matter of Opinion The New York Times

    • News
    • 4.1 • 6.7K Ratings

Thoughts, aloud. Hosted by Michelle Cottle, Ross Douthat, Carlos Lozada and Lydia Polgreen. Every Friday, from New York Times Opinion.

Listen to this podcast in New York Times Audio, our new iOS app for news subscribers. Download now at nytimes.com/audioapp

    Texts From the Swamp

    Texts From the Swamp

    It can often feel as if politicians use a lot of words without saying much of anything. So how do journalists and citizens make sense of what’s said (and unsaid) in the many congressional reports, court decisions and campaign memoirs that pour out of Washington?

    This week on “Matter of Opinion,” Carlos Lozada makes the case for reading the Capitol, and uses insights from his new book, “The Washington Book,” to help his co-hosts decode everyone from Donald Trump to Mike Pence to Barack Obama.

    • 35 min
    Lydia Finds Hope in a Moment of Crisis

    Lydia Finds Hope in a Moment of Crisis

    We’re working on this week's episode. While you wait, listen to this audio essay from one of our hosts, Lydia Polgreen, on the situation unfolding in Haiti. 

    • 6 min
    The Election of Our Discontent

    The Election of Our Discontent

    Many voters from both parties are less than enthusiastic about their likely options this November.

    This week the Opinion writer and editor Katherine Miller joins Michelle, Lydia and Carlos to talk about uncommitted voters, double haters and how they could affect the election, whether they turn out or not.

    Plus, Lydia makes a plea against the tyranny of clean lines and interior design monoculture.

    • 33 min
    Trump 2.0: ‘A Blueprint for Retribution’

    Trump 2.0: ‘A Blueprint for Retribution’

    Could Donald Trump’s promise to be a dictator on day one come true?

    On this episode of “Matter of Opinion,” the hosts debate which policies could be most consequential in a potential second Trump term and whether a proposal set out by conservative allies could provide the tools to execute his vision.

    And Michelle Cottle shares her passion for a trend that can only be achieved with lots of volume.

    • 39 min
    The Pro-Life Movement Had a Plan Post-Roe. The G.O.P. Didn’t.

    The Pro-Life Movement Had a Plan Post-Roe. The G.O.P. Didn’t.

    When the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, the Republican Party declared victory.

    But the Alabama Supreme Court’s decision last month that frozen embryos are considered “extrauterine children,” which prompted hospitals to suspend I.V.F. procedures, has complicated that victory. Given Americans’ overwhelming support for in vitro fertilization, conservative politicians have tried to distance themselves from the ruling.

    This week on “Matter of Opinion,” the hosts discuss that political scramble and ask whether the Republicans have made up their minds over what it means to be “pro-life.” The hosts also consider how much public opinion should influence the decisions of lawmakers and judges, and where the debate over reproductive rights is headed.

    Plus, listeners weigh in on how much the economy is going to affect their vote.

    • 34 min
    Paul Krugman on the Economy as a Voting Issue

    Paul Krugman on the Economy as a Voting Issue

    Why does the economy look so good to economists but feel so bad to voters? The Nobel laureate economist Paul Krugman joins the hosts to discuss why inflation, interest rates and wages aren’t in line with voters’ perception of the economy. Then, they debate with Paul how big of an influence the economy will be on the 2024 presidential election, and which of the two presumed candidates, Joe Biden and Donald Trump, it could benefit. Plus, Ross's lessons on aging, through Michael Caine impressions.

    • 35 min

Customer Reviews

4.1 out of 5
6.7K Ratings

6.7K Ratings

piforbreakfast ,

Mostly excellent discussions, could use more focus

Some episodes are amazing and fantastic conversations covering fascinating topics. You have four true intellectuals here sharing opinions and having open and honest discussions. However, there are a few episodes where the conversation is unfocused and/or the hosts are talking past each other and not actually listening and responding to each other’s points. I get the sense that hosts may have trouble just admitting a point is valid even if they disagree with the overall argument being made, you can accept a fact or merit to an argument without having to accept the conclusion.

caylaoc ,

Hot on MOP!

I am late to the game having just started listening last week - but immediately devoured every episode retroactively because I enjoy the coterie of perspectives from this thoughtful crew so much. Everyone should listen to this podcast - it’s just what our nation needs. 🫶

makeupmyname ,

Try a little more humility.

I’m willing to stomach Douthat’s conservatism (never wanting Trump to look TOO bad, etc.), but I wish he’d tone down the arrogance. In the episode of a Trump second term, he asks for everyone to comment. Then when it’s his turn, in a berating tone Douthat says how utterly surprised he is no one mentioned the ECONOMY. Maybe some of us (and some of your panelists) ALSO care about, I don’t know, civil rights? I guess that’s too much of a stretch for a conservative to be concerned. Ugh.

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