The Briefing with Michael Waldman

Brennan Center for Justice
  • 4.8 (57)
  • POLITICS
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

Every week, Brennan Center President Michael Waldman interviews the leaders, thinkers, and activists who are changing American democracy.

  1. 1D AGO

    How to Fix the Supreme Court (with Miriam Rosenbaum and Olatunde Johnson)

    In the wake of the Louisiana v. Callais ruling, calls for Supreme Court reform have grown louder. What would a reform agenda look like? And how would it strengthen the Court as an institution? The Brennan Center recently published the second installment in its series on Solutions for a Stronger Democracy: “Six Solutions to Fix the Supreme Court.” Listen as experts discuss the Court’s major issues and the proposals that would make a meaningful difference. Speakers: Olatunde Johnson, Ruth Bader Ginsburg ‘59 Professor of Law, Columbia Law SchoolMiriam Rosenbaum, Senior Fellow, Brennan CenterHost: Michael Waldman, President, Brennan CenterRecorded on May 4, 2026The Brennan Center is a nonpartisan law and policy institute that works to repair, revitalize, and defend our systems of democracy and justice so that they work for all Americans. The Brennan Center cannot support or oppose any candidate for office.

    47 min

  2. APR 30

    The Supreme Court Eviscerates the Voting Rights Act (with Wendy Weiser and Kareem Crayton)

    This week, the Supreme Court struck down the remaining enforcement tool of the Voting Rights Act — the law often called the crown jewel of the civil rights movement. In this emergency episode, Brennan Center experts analyze the ruling and assess what it will mean for voters in 2026 and beyond. They also discuss what Congress should do — right now — to preserve the equal right to vote. Recorded on April 30, 2026 Read more of our work: Six Solutions to Fix the Supreme CourtGrowing Racial Disparities in Voter Turnout, 2008–2022 The Brennan Center is a nonpartisan law and policy institute that works to repair, revitalize, and defend our systems of democracy and justice so that they work for all Americans. The Brennan Center cannot support or oppose any candidate for office.

    39 min

  3. APR 29

    The Age of New Media (with V Spehar)

    As the midterm elections draw near, the questions of how voters get their information and who they are listening to are top of mind. Polling shows that more than half of Americans get at least some of their news from social media — and that number is even larger for younger voters.V Spehar is an expert on political discourse online and a content creator with over 4 million followers. They are known for Under the Desk News, a go-to TikTok and podcast current events series, and have been featured on the Today Show, NPR, Time Magazine, and much more.Listen as V and Brennan Center experts discuss new trends in media, the ecosystem of political influencers and commentators, and how social media is increasingly used for political advocacy. They will also discuss what we can do to confront the spread of mis- and disinformation, especially around elections, and empower voters in times of great divisiveness and turmoil online. Recorded on April 22, 2026Speakers:V Spehar, Host and Creator, Under the Desk NewsPinky Weitzman, Vice President of Communication and Strategy, Brennan CenterModerator: Michael Waldman, President and CEO, Brennan CenterKeep up with the Brennan Center’s work by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, The Briefing, at https://go.brennancenter.org/briefing.The Brennan Center is a nonpartisan law and policy institute that works to repair, revitalize, and defend our systems of democracy and justice so that they work for all Americans. The Brennan Center cannot support or oppose any candidate for office.

    48 min

  4. APR 23

    Why Election Officials Are Alarmed (with Liz Howard)

    In 2024 and 2025, elections were safe and secure largely due to the efforts of election officials. Yet those who run our elections face ongoing threats of violence and political interference as their jobs have been thrust into the spotlight. The Brennan Center recently released its sixth annual survey of election officials, which reveals that they need our support heading into Election Day. Listen as Elizabeth Howard, director of partner engagement in the Brennan Center’s Elections and Government Program, breaks down the challenges election officials are facing and discusses how we and others are working to ensure our elections remain free and fair. Recorded on April 15, 2026. Keep up with the Brennan Center’s work by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, The Briefing, at https://go.brennancenter.org/briefing. The Brennan Center is a nonpartisan law and policy institute that works to repair, revitalize, and defend our systems of democracy and justice so that they work for all Americans. The Brennan Center cannot support or oppose any candidate for office.

    29 min

  5. APR 15

    The Conservatives Fighting for the Rule of Law (with Gregg Nunziata)

    Amid unprecedented threats to our system of checks and balances – driven by an overpowerful executive and an acquiescent Congress – a group of conservative lawyers and jurists is stepping forward to defend the Constitution and the principles of liberal democracy.   Listen as Gregg Nunziata, Executive Director of the Society for the Rule of Law, assesses the effectiveness of the legal field in responding to these challenges and discusses what is needed to confront the illiberal forces eroding our democratic institutions.

    1h 2m

  6. APR 8

    Speed Round (with Molly Jong-Fast)

    Molly Jong-Fast is a journalist, political commentator, and contributing writer at The New York Times. She has appeared numerous times as an analyst on MSNBC and has contributed to national publications including The Atlantic and Vanity Fair. She hosts iHeartMedia’s Fast Politics podcast and is the author of How to Lose Your Mother. Listen as Jong-Fast discusses the war with Iran, upheaval at the Justice Department, and the strengths and weaknesses of legacy and new media in responding to the current political moment. Recorded on April 6, 2026. Keep up with the Brennan Center’s work by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, The Briefing, at https://go.brennancenter.org/briefing. The Brennan Center is a nonpartisan law and policy institute that works to repair, revitalize, and defend our systems of democracy and justice so that they work for all Americans. The Brennan Center cannot support or oppose any candidate for office.

    45 min

  7. APR 1

    How Equality Wins (with Kenji Yoshino)

    Over recent years, we’ve seen a rapid retreat from diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in corporations, universities, law firms, and other institutions. What started with the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down affirmative action in higher education has since been pushed by top government officials. For those who care about equality, what should come next? In their new book, How Equality Wins, Kenji Yoshino and David Glasgow outline a path forward for the equality movement in this time of uncertainty and discuss ways to modernize diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.   Listen as Kenji Yoshino discusses how this book can be used by organizations and governments to ensure a pluralistic, equitable society. Recorded on March 12, 2026. Keep up with the Brennan Center’s work by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, The Briefing, at https://go.brennancenter.org/briefing. The Brennan Center is a nonpartisan law and policy institute that works to repair, revitalize, and defend our systems of democracy and justice so that they work for all Americans. The Brennan Center cannot support or oppose any candidate for office.

    46 min

  8. MAR 25

    How to Improve America’s Prisons (with L.B. Eisen and Randall Liberty)

    Over the past few years, crime has plummeted across the country, opening up new opportunities for progress inside prisons. Many corrections systems have adopted new approaches and policies that are making prisons less violent and more stable. Overwhelmingly, these practical, often inexpensive fixes have led to extraordinary results. In a new report, Prison Reform in the United States, the Brennan Center delves into new programs and outlines how states can replicate their successes. The report features innovations in various states, including Maine, where Commissioner Randall Liberty is leading a promising transformation. Listen as L.B. Eisen, director of our Justice Program and coauthor of the report, and Commissioner Liberty discuss the new landscape of prison reform and how states across the country can improve public safety by investing in their prisons. Speakers: Randall Liberty, Commissioner, Maine Department of Corrections L.B. Eisen, Brennan Center Host: Michael Waldman, Brennan Center Recorded on March 10, 2026. Keep up with the Brennan Center’s work by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, The Briefing, at https://go.brennancenter.org/briefing. The Brennan Center is a nonpartisan law and policy institute that works to repair, revitalize, and defend our systems of democracy and justice so that they work for all Americans. The Brennan Center cannot support or oppose any candidate for office.

    32 min
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Every week, Brennan Center President Michael Waldman interviews the leaders, thinkers, and activists who are changing American democracy.

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