After Words

Best-selling nonfiction authors in in-depth conversations about their books, ideas, and the issues shaping today’s world. New episodes drop every Saturday after 10 pm ET. From C-SPAN, the network that also brings you the Lectures in History and Q&A podcasts.

Episodes

The Mission: Tim Weiner on How the CIA Operates in the Modern Era

September 27, 2025 • 68 mins

Tim Weiner discussed the history and evolution of the Central Intelligence Agency from the end of the Cold War through the first quarter of the 21st century. Politics and Prose bookstore in Washington, D.C., hosted this event. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Lee Tilghman on ‘If You Don’t Like This I Might Die’: Life Inside Influencer Culture

September 20, 2025 • 44 mins

Former influencer Lee Tilghman described the impact on herself of making a career on social media. Strand Books in New York City hosted this event. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Gianno Caldwell, "The Day My Brother Was Murdered" — Crime, Justice, and Loss

September 13, 2025 • 63 mins

Fox News political analyst Gianno Caldwell's book, The Day My Brother Was Murdered, explores crime and justice in American cities through the stories of murders that occurred the night that his 18-year-old brother was killed as an innocent bystander during a drive-by shooting.. The loss of his brother inspired Gianno Caldwell to establish the Caldwell Institute for Public Safety, which is dedicated to addressing the pervasive issu...

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Heath Hardage Lee, "The Mysterious Mrs. Nixon"

September 6, 2025 • 64 mins

Historian Heath Hardage Lee, author of The Mysterious Mrs. Nixon, talked about the life and times of the former first lady (1969-74). She said that Pat Nixon, who was voted "Most Admired Woman in the World" in 1972, was largely mis-portrayed by the press Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Kathleen deLaski, "Who Needs College Anymore?"

August 30, 2025 • 64 mins

Education Design Lab founder Kathleen deLaski examined whether the U.S. higher education system can meet the needs of future generations of students. She discusses alternatives to the four-year college degree, including educational bootcamps, skills-based learning, and apprenticeships. This event took place at Porter Square Books in Cambridge, Massachusetts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Michael Grynbaum, "Empire of the Elite"

August 23, 2025 • 64 mins

This was an inside look at the glamorous Condé Nast publishing empire, the people who crafted its publications, and the standards they set for American culture. Politics and Prose bookstore in Washington, D.C., hosted this event. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Isabel Allende, "My Name Is Emilia del Valle"

August 16, 2025 • 60 mins

Isabel Allende spoke about identity & resilience in her historical novel set in the 19th century against a backdrop of civil war breaking out in Chile. The Sixth and I Synagogue in Washington, D.C., hosted this event. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Josh Dawsey, Tyler Pager & Isaac Arnsdorf, "2024"

August 9, 2025 • 62 mins

This conversation was a behind-the-scenes account of the 2024 presidential election that sent Donald Trump back to the White House for a second, non-consecutive term -- only the second president other than Grover Cleveland to achieve that distinction, and after a litany of criminal and civil investigations and two assassination attempts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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"Framed," John Grisham and Jim McCloskey

August 3, 2025 • 62 mins

Bestselling author John Grisham and co-author Jim McCloskey wrote about the challenges of exonerating a person who is wrongfully convicted. Princeton Library, Centurion, and Labyrinth Books in Princeton, New Jersey, sponsored this event. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Patrick McGee, "Apple in China"

July 27, 2025 • 72 mins

Financial Times San Francisco Correspondent Patrick McGee examined Apple's relationship with China and the impact of locating so many factories there. The Commonwealth Club of California in San Francisco hosted this event. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Bill Clinton and James Patterson, "First Gentleman"

July 20, 2025 • 71 mins

Former President Bill Clinton talked with his co-author James Patterson about their latest novel: A mystery in the White House that leads to the first gentleman on trial for murder. Politics and Prose Bookstore hosted this event at the Lincoln Theatre in Washington, D.C Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Sen. Lisa Murkowski, "Far From Home.."

July 13, 2025 • 70 mins

Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) told her own political story in Far From Home. She was first elected in 2001 and has served in the Senate since 2002. Her book covers a career ranging from the emergence of the tea party movement to President Trump's second election. Politics and Prose bookstore hosted this event at the Sixth and I cultural center in Washington, D.C. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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José Andrés , "Change the Recipe"

July 6, 2025 • 69 mins

Chef José Andrés talked about the life lessons he's learned through the work he does with the World Central Kitchen, an organization that feeds people in conflict and disaster zones around the world. He spoke at George Washington University's Lisner Hall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Dave and Dina McCormick, "Who Believed in You?"

June 29, 2025 • 45 mins

Sen. Dave McCormick (R-PA) and his wife Dina McCormick discussed the importance of mentors and shared stories of successful politicians and business leaders who have had their lives changed by them. This event was hosted by the Ronald Regan Institute in Washington, D.C Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Mark Bauerlein, The Dumbest Generation Grows Up: From Stupefied Youth to Dangerous Adults

June 22, 2025 • 64 mins

Emory University professor Mark Bauerlein argues that the lack of general civics knowledge by Millennials poses a threat to America's political and social institutions. He was interviewed by the Federalist's culture editor Emily Jashinksy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Teresa Ghilarducci, "Work, Retire, Repeat - The Uncertainty of Retirement in the New Economy"

June 15, 2025 • 60 mins

New School economic professor Teresa Ghilarducci offered her thoughts on how to make retirement in the U.S. attainable for more Americans. She was interviewed by Washington Post economics correspondent Abha Bhattarai. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Stephanie Land "Maid"

June 8, 2025 • 59 mins

Stephanie Land discusses her path from working as a maid to earning a journalism degree and later writing about the working poor. She was interviewed by Rachel Schneider, co-author of "The Financial Diaries." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Senator James Lankford (R-OK), "Turnaround - America's Revival"

June 1, 2025 • 62 mins

Senator James Lankford (R-OK) speaks about his faith, the challenges the country faces, and what he believes needs to happen to improve the country. He's interviewed by Wall Street Journal congressional reporter Siobhan Hughes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Michael Lewis, "Who is Government?"

May 25, 2025 • 59 mins

Bestselling author Michael Lewis posed the question, who works for the government and why does their work matter? He's interviewed by Harvard Kennedy School of Government Public Policy & Management Professor Elizabeth Linos. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Leah Litman, "Lawless - How the Supreme Court Runs on Conservative Grievance, Fringe Theories, and Bad Vibes"

May 18, 2025 • 60 mins

University of Michigan law professor Leah Litman explains 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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After Words

Episodes

.css-14f5ked{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:2;overflow:hidden;}The Mission: Tim Weiner on How the CIA Operates in the Modern Era

.css-r6mb8g{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:1;overflow:hidden;}Lee Tilghman on ‘If You Don’t Like This I Might Die’: Life Inside Influencer Culture

Gianno Caldwell, "The Day My Brother Was Murdered" — Crime, Justice, and Loss

Heath Hardage Lee, "The Mysterious Mrs. Nixon"

Kathleen deLaski, "Who Needs College Anymore?"

Michael Grynbaum, "Empire of the Elite"

Isabel Allende, "My Name Is Emilia del Valle"

Josh Dawsey, Tyler Pager & Isaac Arnsdorf, "2024"

"Framed," John Grisham and Jim McCloskey

Patrick McGee, "Apple in China"

Bill Clinton and James Patterson, "First Gentleman"

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, "Far From Home.."

José Andrés , "Change the Recipe"

Dave and Dina McCormick, "Who Believed in You?"

Mark Bauerlein, The Dumbest Generation Grows Up: From Stupefied Youth to Dangerous Adults

Teresa Ghilarducci, "Work, Retire, Repeat - The Uncertainty of Retirement in the New Economy"

Stephanie Land "Maid"

Senator James Lankford (R-OK), "Turnaround - America's Revival"

Michael Lewis, "Who is Government?"

Leah Litman, "Lawless - How the Supreme Court Runs on Conservative Grievance, Fringe Theories, and Bad Vibes"

Popular Podcasts

The Mission: Tim Weiner on How the CIA Operates in the Modern Era

Lee Tilghman on ‘If You Don’t Like This I Might Die’: Life Inside Influencer Culture