Carter Sherman

The program examines whether the 2026 US midterm elections will be free and fair as Donald Trump seeks changes to election rules. It discusses proposed restrictions on mail-in voting and the Save America Act’s strict voter-identification requirements, which voting-rights groups warn could suppress voters. Trump’s unsupported claim that China interfered in the 2020 election is also addressed, alongside a discussion with legal-affairs editor Garrett Epps about threats to election integrity and how voters might protect it.

The episode examines whether the US Congress and both major parties are entering a period of significant change. It highlights record public dissatisfaction with Congress, unprecedented House Democratic efforts to withhold military aid from Israel, competitive progressive primary campaigns, and the growing influence of the Democratic Socialists of America. On the Republican side, Lindsey Graham’s death and Mitch McConnell’s health scare raise questions about succession and generational change. The discussion considers gerontocracy, political transparency, and whether the summer represents a broader inflection point in US politics.

Mary Beard discusses Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster adaptation of The Odyssey, noting its commercial success but criticizing its treatment of women and the loss of the original story’s sensuality. The conversation examines modern political and cultural attempts to claim ownership of the ancient world, including by right‑wing figures and tech leaders, and considers broader questions about who controls the narrative of classical history.

The discussion focuses on the severe water shortages facing the western United States as the Colorado River Basin continues to dry, threatening the 40 million people who rely on it. Environmental correspondent Gabrielle Canon describes the stakes surrounding the Yampa River, one of the last free‑flowing tributaries, and the tension between meeting water demand and protecting the surrounding ecosystem. Additional segments address reactions to the death of Senator Lindsey Graham.

The launch of new child savings accounts is linked to a pronatalist movement supported by influential right‑wing figures, with critics warning that the initiative advances an agenda encouraging higher birth rates and drawing on rhetoric associated with the ‘great replacement’ conspiracy theory.

Wisconsin comedian Charlie Berens discusses how messages from residents led him to investigate plans for a major AI datacenter and the effects it could have on local communities. After making a viral comedy video about the issue, he became involved in opposition efforts and now uses comedy as a tool for activism against datacenter development.

States that passed ballot measures to protect abortion rights continue to face legal and legislative challenges, with Missouri’s trial over longstanding abortion restrictions illustrating how slowly access can be restored. Similar battles are unfolding in Arizona, Michigan, Montana, Nevada and Ohio, where lawmakers and state officials pursue new or existing policies that could limit the impact of voter-approved protections. Conservative legislators in several states are advancing or considering measures such as fetal personhood bills and expanded restrictions, often contradicting recent electoral outcomes. Advocates warn that constitutional amendments alone cannot ensure access without sustained legal and political efforts, as opposing groups prepare new ballot measures and legislative initiatives to reverse recent gains.