The Brian Lehrer Show

Eliza Shapiro, a New York Times reporter specializing in affordability, dives into the pressing child care crisis in New York City. She reveals staggering costs that strain families and explores candidates' proposals for universal free child care. Eliza discusses operational challenges and political support, as well as the debate between universal versus targeted benefits. With potential funding sources and the impact of fiscal constraints, she highlights the complexities involved in making expanded child care a reality.

Join Chi Cho, owner of Pacific Aquarium Inc., as he shares his decades of expertise in fish care. He delves into the captivating world of fish, discussing their intelligence and how they recognize their owners. Chi also offers practical tips for beginners, like choosing the right tank size and the core rules for successful fishkeeping. Discover how aquariums can boost mental health and hear about common fish ailments and how to treat them. Plus, Chi shares a heartfelt memory of his first fish, sparking his ongoing passion for aquatic life.

Elizabeth Kim, a politics reporter for WNYC and Gothamist, provides a fascinating preview of the final mayoral debate featuring candidates Mamdani, Cuomo, and Sliwa. She discusses Cuomo's outreach to conservative voters and analyzes Sliwa's unexpected debate moments. The conversation also touches on Mamdani's strategies to address concerns about his age and experience. Additionally, Ben Feuerherd reports on a chaotic federal raid in Chinatown, hinting at how this may shape candidates' debate responses.

Stuart A. Thompson, a New York Times reporter focused on online influence, dives into the controversial use of AI-generated imagery by Donald Trump. He discusses a bizarre video featuring Trump as a crown-wearing pilot, examining its impact on supporters. Thompson shares how AI content targeting Democratic leaders, like voice-cloning Chuck Schumer, cleverly engages and riles up audiences. He argues that such content blurs the line between humor and propaganda, highlighting its potential to shape political narratives across parties.

Listeners engage in a fun quiz identifying famous quotes from historical and contemporary figures. Highlights include JFK's inaugural line, Cesar Chavez's rallying cry 'Si Se Puede', and Malcolm X's 'the ballot or the bullet'. The quiz also features quirky wisdom from Yogi Berra and Nixon's infamous Watergate denial. Participants share insights on Gloria Steinem's activism, Margaret Thatcher's critique of wealth, and Mitt Romney's statement about corporations. The podcast culminates with Donald Trump's memorable inaugural phrase and an inspiring declaration from Letitia James.

Listeners try their hand at a quiz with questions about iconic albums and recording artists.

Throughout this membership drive we are talking about the animals we love and care for in our homes -- our pets. Today, Amy Sedaris, actress, author, producer, rabbit enthusiast and host of the To the Rescue! gala, benefiting Humane World for Animals on November 7 talks about why she loves rabbits and how to help them thrive. 

Avery Trufelman, host of the podcast Articles of Interest talks about the new season of her podcast, "Gear," where she explores the link between the U.S. military and the clothes we all wear, like t-shirts, chore jackets and other outdoor gear.

Caroline Spivack, reporter for Crain's New York Business, talks about the mayoral candidates' climate and energy policies, including their stances on Local Law 97.

Grace Ashford, New York Times reporter covering New York State politics and government, talks about why President Trump commuted former Congressman George Santos' sentence, which allowed him to leave prison after serving less than three months of his long sentence for crimes related to theft and fraud.