Matter of Opinion
Thoughts, aloud. Hosted by Michelle Cottle, Ross Douthat and Carlos Lozada. Every Friday, from New York Times Opinion. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Episodes
Is Joe Biden more of a Jimmy Carter or a James Buchanan? It may be years before the outgoing president’s legacy is truly understood, but that didn’t stop the hosts from debating how Biden’s term in office will be remembered.
(A full transcript of this episode is available on the Times website.)
Thoughts about the show? Email us at matterofopinion@nytimes.com or leave a voicemail at (212) 556-7440.
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We’ll be back next week with a new episode, but in the meantime we’re kicking off 2025 with a great conversation from our friends at “The Opinions.”
In this episode, the New York Times Opinion columnist David French, a lifelong evangelical, speaks to Jonathan Rauch, an atheist and a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, about the crisis of Christianity in the United States and how faith might be the only way to redeem democra...
In this special year-end conversation, Carlos and his columnist colleague Pamela Paul each share one book that can help us understand and define our current moment.
(A full transcript of this episode is available on the Times website.)
Thoughts about the show? Email us at matterofopinion@nytimes.com or leave a voicemail at (212) 556-7440.
Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics ...
Happy holidays! Our gift to you is full access to a recent subscribers-only bonus episode.
After a “stranger than fiction” presidential race, the hosts take a deep dive into the messy movie and television plots that actually put this election to shame. Enjoy!
(A full transcript of this episode is available on the Times website.)
Thoughts about the show? Email us at matterofopinion@nytimes.com or leave a voicemail at (212) 556-7440.
...
While we are off this week, we wanted to share a great piece from our colleagues.
President Biden has only a few weeks left in office. Here’s what he could do to optimize that remaining time — and improve his legacy.
(A full transcript of this episode is available on the Times website.)
Thoughts about the show? Email us at matterofopinion@nytimes.com or leave a voicemail at (212) 556-7440.
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Is Donald Trump the chicken or the egg? On the cusp of his second administration, the hosts of dissect whether the president-elect is a cause or symptom of trends in popular culture.
Plus, Michelle brings all the nostalgia to the Christmas party.
(A full transcript of this episode is available on the Times website.)
Recommended in this episode:
- “The Shape of Water” directed by Guillermo del Toro
- “Yellowstone” created by Taylor Sher...
We are off for Thanksgiving. But we have a special treat for you from “The Opinions,” a fellow New York Times Opinion podcast.
After our own Carlos Lozada immigrated to the U.S. from Peru as a child, he never felt being an immigrant was his overriding identity. But after years of hearing Donald Trump talk about immigration, his feelings have changed.
If you enjoyed this, subscribe to "The Opinions" wherever you get your podcasts.
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After a “stranger than fiction” presidential race, the hosts take a deep dive into the messy movie and television plots that actually put this election to shame.
Thoughts about the show? Email us at matterofopinion@nytimes.com or leave a voicemail at (212) 556-7440.
Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcas...
On this episode, Ross is joined by his good friend Reihan Salam, a former housemate and co-author and the president of the Manhattan Institute. As young conservatives, the two teamed up in the waning days of the George W. Bush era to write “Grand New Party: How Republicans Can Win the Working Class and Save the American Dream.”
After Donald Trump’s second election victory, the two look back at their prescriptions and debate what the...
As nominees roll in, the reality of Donald Trump’s second administration is rapidly coming into focus. This week, Ross is joined by Opinion columnist David French to discuss the surprising picks and what they signal about the incoming president’s policy shifts this time around.
(A full transcript of this episode will be available within 24 hours of publication on the Times website.)
Recommended in this episode:
The Democratic Party needs to take a look in the mirror, and fast. This week, our old friend Lydia Polgreen joins the hosts to dissect what went wrong for Democrats, and what kind of leadership the party needs to win back voters in Trump’s America.
Plus, something to do other than doomscrolling.
(A full transcript of this episode will be available within 24 hours of publication on the Times website.)
Recommended in this episode:
- “A...
In this special post-election episode, the hosts take stock of Donald Trump’s triumphant night and what a return of his right-wing populism says about America.
(A full transcript of this episode will be available within 24 hours of publication on the Times website.)
Thoughts about the show? Email us at matterofopinion@nytimes.com or leave a voicemail at (212) 556-7440.
Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and exp...
Is this really the most consequential election of our lifetimes?
On this last episode of “Matter of Opinion” before the election, the hosts reflect on some defining moments of the campaign (other than President Biden dropping out), from Donald Trump’s indictments to Project 2025 to Ron Desantis’s lack of charisma. Plus, a visit from the ghosts of election nights past.
(A full transcript of this episode will be available within 24 ho...
There’s a whole world of 2024 elections that don’t involve Donald Trump or Kamala Harris. These races will be key to determining America’s future. As we inch closer to Election Day, the hosts zoom in on the congressional races that reveal something deeper — and stranger — about our politics.
Plus, Ross has a new Vice.
(A full transcript of this episode will be available within 24 hours of publication on the Times website.)
Recommende...
Donald Trump and Kamala Harris have been neck and neck in the polls for weeks. But past elections have proved the polls wrong. Can we trust them this time? This week, the hosts are joined by Kristen Soltis Anderson, a Republican pollster and Times Opinion contributor, to talk through what polls can — and can’t — tell us about how voting day will go.
Plus, a taste for All Hallow’s Eve.
(A full transcript of this episode will be availa...
Michelle loves Halloween. Ross watches horror movies against his will. And Carlos is making textual comparisons across satanic franchises. It’s a very MoO Halloween bonus ep, y’all!
Share your favorite horror recs with us by emailing matterofopinion@nytimes.com or calling 212-556-7440. And tell us what we should chat about next time so Ross doesn’t have to read “Return of the King” to us.
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When Democrats coalesced around Kamala Harris this summer, they set their differences aside in the interest of preventing a second Trump presidency. But at what cost?
On this episode, Lydia is joined by her fellow Opinion columnists Jamelle Bouie and Michelle Goldberg to discuss whether this temporary unity is good or bad for the future of the Democratic Party.
(A full transcript of this episode will be available within 24 hours of p...
This week the hosts discuss what was obscured by the civility of the V.P. debate, and consider what JD Vance and Tim Walz really offer their running mates and their parties’ futures.
Plus, Michelle won’t be washing away her stresses any time soon.
(A full transcript of this episode will be available within 24 hours of publication on the Times website.)
Recommended in this episode:
This week we're taking a break from the election and turn our attention to the allegations against Sean Combs: Where has #MeToo succeeded or fallen short? And what happens when the lines blur between rumor mill and conspiracy theory? The Opinion columnist Tressie McMillan Cottom and the Opinion writer Jessica Grose join the conversation. Plus, Jessica has a recommendation for Plath-heads.
(A full transcript of this episode will be a...
Donald Trump and JD Vance have sparked panic over immigration in Springfield, Ohio. This week, the hosts talk about why our country’s immigration debate is now focused on a distraction instead of the core of the issue.
Plus, Ross is hot and cold about a particular pet obsession.
(A full transcript of this episode will be available within 24 hours of publication on the Times website.)
Recommended in this episode:
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