Episodes

  • What Should Be Done About Homelessness in America?

    What Should Be Done About Homelessness in America?
    Jul 10 2026
    On this episode of The Middle, we take your calls on the question of what should be done about America's homelessness crisis. At last check, roughly three quarters of a million people in America were considered homeless. The reasons are complicated and varied, from mental health and addiction issues, to the rising cost of living and lack of affordable housing. The solutions are wide-ranging as well, and, like everything, they’ve gotten political. Should housing be provided? Should it be insisted upon? What about mandatory addiction treatment? Clearing encampments? Do the unhoused have a right to sleep on the streets? Do people who are not homeless have a right to enjoy public spaces that are safe and clean? Jeremy is joined by Judge Glock, director of research and senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, and Gregg Colburn, a University of Washington professor and leading expert on housing and homelessness. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    52 mins
  • What America 250 Means to a Divided Nation

    What America 250 Means to a Divided Nation
    Jul 4 2026
    On this episode of The Follow Up, Jeremy speaks with journalist Ray Suarez about America's divided response to the nation's 250th anniversary celebration, and what should be taken away from it beyond politics.Together, they listen to and discuss some of your voicemails and emails about what America 250 means to you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    23 mins
  • What does America’s 250th birthday mean to you?

    What does America’s 250th birthday mean to you?
    Jul 3 2026
    On this episode of The Middle, we ask: What does America's 250th birthday mean to you? As this year's celebration has become increasingly politicized, we explore what this historic milestone means to Americans across the country beyond the political debate. Jeremy is joined by veteran journalist James Fallows and Martha S. Jones, a historian and legal scholar at Johns Hopkins University, for a conversation about the nation's past, present and future. As always, we hear from listeners across the country about what this July 4th celebration means to them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    53 mins
  • Princeton Historian Julian Zelizer on America 250 and the Potential for Big Changes Ahead

    Princeton Historian Julian Zelizer on America 250 and the Potential for Big Changes Ahead
    Jun 30 2026
    On this episode of The Follow Up, Jeremy speaks with Princeton historian and author Julian Zelizer about America's 250th anniversary, which many Americans appear to be tuning out. They listen to and discuss some of your voicemails about what you’d change about America. #TheFollowUp #Podcast #AmericanHistory #America250 #Semiquincentennial #USPolitics #PoliticalHistory #JulianZelizer #JeremyHobson #Democracy #CivicEngagement #CurrentEvents #HistoryMatters #AmericanDemocracy #Constitution #PublicRadio #PoliticalPodcast #USHistory #NationalConversation #Politics Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    26 mins
  • America 250: What Would You Change About America?

    America 250: What Would You Change About America?
    Jun 26 2026
    On this episode of The Middle, we ask what you would change about America as the nation approaches its 250th birthday. Looking back at some of the biggest turning points in American history, we open the floor to hear what you think still needs fixing - from healthcare and foreign policy to social issues and the structure of our political system. Jeremy is joined by journalist Mike Pesca, host of The Gist and How To!, and California Congressman Ro Khanna. As always, we hear from listeners across the country about the changes they'd most like to see in America. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    53 mins
  • A Former Teacher on the Biggest Challenges in Today's Classrooms

    A Former Teacher on the Biggest Challenges in Today's Classrooms
    Jun 23 2026
    On this episode of The Follow Up, Jeremy sits down with Kate Berger, former teacher and current Chief of Program at Teach For America Colorado, to discuss the biggest challenges facing educators today. From adapting to AI in the classroom to navigating the lasting effects of the post-pandemic world, teachers are balancing unprecedented demands while confronting rising stress and burnout. Kate shares insights from her experience in education and leadership, while listeners from across the country weigh in with their own thoughts. #Education #Teachers #TeacherLife #Teaching #EducationPodcast #Podcast #EdChat #TeachForAmerica #ClassroomInnovation #ArtificialIntelligence #AIInEducation #StudentSuccess #TeacherBurnout #MentalHealth #EducationLeadership #PostPandemic #FutureOfEducation #SchoolCulture #EducationReform #Learning Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    23 mins
  • The Challenges Facing Teachers

    The Challenges Facing Teachers
    Jun 19 2026
    On this episode of The Middle, we ask: what are the biggest challenges facing teachers today?From burnout and budget cuts to the rise of AI in the classroom and the persistent threat of school shootings, educators are navigating a growing list of complex issues that can make it harder to help every student succeed.Jeremy is joined by Hechinger Report editor and writer Jill Barshay and Kurt Russell, a high school history teacher in Oberlin, Ohio, who was named the 2022 National Teacher of the Year.As always, we hear from listeners across the country to get your perspective on the state of education and the challenges facing teachers today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    53 mins
  • Is Social Media the New Tobacco?

    Is Social Media the New Tobacco?
    Jun 15 2026
    On this episode of The Follow Up, Jeremy speaks with journalist Femi Oke about social media addiction, and whether current fears about it are starting to cause a backlash among users. They also talk about the benefits of social media, and about how journalists have used it in the past and how that has changed over the years. Listeners from across the country weigh in with their thoughts as well. #SocialMedia #DigitalCulture #MediaLiteracy #PublicDiscourse #DigitalCommunication #SocialMediaImpact #OnlineCommunities #Misinformation #FutureOfMedia #TechAndSociety #DigitalLife #MediaInnovation #NewsMedia #InformationAge #DigitalCitizenship #SocialNetworks #MediaTrends #TheFollowUp #FemiOke #DigitalTransformation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    28 mins