
Q & A, Hosted by Jay Nordlinger
Jay Nordlinger is a journalist who writes about a range of subjects, including politics, foreign affairs, and the arts. He is the music critic of The New Criterion. His guests are from the worlds of politics and culture, talking about the most important issues of the day, and some pleasant trivialities as well. www.jaynordlinger.com
Latest episodes

May 1, 2025 • 55min
Dottie Pepper: Golf Champion and Analyst
Seventeen times, Dottie Pepper won on the LPGA Tour. That includes two majors. In the years since, she has been a voice of golf: in particular, an on-course reporter for CBS Sports. With Jay, she talks about her life and this game that enchants, frustrates, and engrosses so many. Get full access to Onward and Upward at www.jaynordlinger.com/subscribe

Jan 20, 2025 • 33min
Syria Now
Waad al-Kateab is a Syrian journalist, filmmaker, and activist, in exile. Jay did a “Q&A” with her in 2021. And then wrote a piece about her, “Witness from Syria.” Last month, the House of Assad fell, after about 55 years. Jay has spoken with Waad al-Kateab again. A moving and informative conversation. Get full access to Onward and Upward at www.jaynordlinger.com/subscribe

Jan 17, 2025 • 1h 2min
National Reviewers, Talking Things Over
Jay has frequent opportunity to talk with Ramesh Ponnuru and Richard Brookhiser, two of his colleagues at National Review. He figured: why not have a talk with them on the air? He has done that—about politics, the media, conservatism, presidents, America, and more. Join them. Get full access to Onward and Upward at www.jaynordlinger.com/subscribe

Jan 8, 2025 • 48min
Questions of Canada, with David Frum
David Frum was born and raised in Toronto, the son of prominent Canadians. He has since become a prominent U.S. writer, and a U.S. citizen. Nevertheless, there is hardly anyone more knowledgeable about Canada: its history, its politics, its cultures—its spirituality, if you will. With Jay, he discusses Justin Trudeau, Pierre Trudeau, relations with the USA, and so on. Fascinating. (Really.) Get full access to Onward and Upward at www.jaynordlinger.com/subscribe

Dec 30, 2024 • 36min
A Reaganite from Serbia
Ivana Stradner is an analyst of international relations. She is affiliated with the School of Advanced International Studies, the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, and other institutions. She was once a Jeane Kirkpatrick fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. Serbian-born, she is an admirer of Ronald Reagan and an advocate of freedom and democracy—one with clear, properly cold eyes. With Jay, she discusses her life and some of the pivotal issues of our time. Get full access to Onward and Upward at www.jaynordlinger.com/subscribe

Dec 15, 2024 • 40min
Jimmy Lai, Heroic Troublemaker
Mark L. Clifford has written a biography: “The Troublemaker: How Jimmy Lai Became a Billionaire, Hong Kong’s Greatest Dissident, and China’s Most Feared Critic.” Jimmy Lai is a political prisoner. Mr. Clifford has known and worked with him for many years. With Jay, Mr. Clifford discusses this extraordinary man. His release is wished for, prayed for, by freedom-lovers around the world. Get full access to Onward and Upward at www.jaynordlinger.com/subscribe

Dec 4, 2024 • 47min
A Uyghur Mother Touches Down in America
Nury A. Turkel is a Uyghur-American lawyer and human-rights activist. Jay did a “Q&A” with him in 2018—when the world was first learning about the mass persecution of the Uyghurs. In 2022, Mr. Turkel published a book: “No Escape: The True Story of China’s Genocide of the Uyghurs.” Last week, he had the best Thanksgiving ever: his mother, whom he hadn’t seen in 20 years, was released from China in a swap between Beijing and Washington. She has now met four of her grandchildren for the first time. With Jay, Nury Turkel talks about his family and the Uyghur people more broadly. An informative and moving conversation. Get full access to Onward and Upward at www.jaynordlinger.com/subscribe

Nov 26, 2024 • 38min
The Cello, COVID, and Courage
Joshua Roman is a cellist, a superb musician. Lately, he has been engaged in something called “the Immunity Project.” About four years ago, Roman contracted long COVID, which turned his life upside down. He is an example of resiliency and good cheer—an inspiration. He and Jay talk about the heart of things. Get full access to Onward and Upward at www.jaynordlinger.com/subscribe

Nov 25, 2024 • 58min
Sports-Crazy
The baseball season just past—Shohei & Co. The college football season in swing—too much professionalization? The NFL season (why are the Jets perpetually woeful?). The NBA season—amazing, that LeBron. The Big Three in tennis, and their departure from the scene. Finally, travel sports, and what this new reality in American life is doing to our youth. These are the topics of this “Q&A”-cum-sportscast, with Jay’s regular gurus David French and Vivek Dave. Get full access to Onward and Upward at www.jaynordlinger.com/subscribe

Nov 14, 2024 • 35min
Baseball Man, Opera Man—Same Man
Ron Blum is a correspondent for the Associated Press. He writes and reports on baseball. And opera. He is encyclopedic in each field. A pleasure to converse with. Get full access to Onward and Upward at www.jaynordlinger.com/subscribe