Why Is This Happening? The Chris Hayes Podcast

Heather McGhee, a New York Times bestselling author and board chair at Color of Change, joins to discuss the remarkable rise of Kamala Harris amid political chaos. They delve into the shifting media perceptions of Harris and her navigation of gendered expectations in a male-dominated political landscape. McGhee highlights the challenges of representing a diverse coalition and the importance of relatable communication in bridging political divides. The conversation also critiques stereotypes in politics, emphasizing the need for empathy and community-centric policies.

Best-selling author Dave Eggers, known for his advocacy against book banning, discusses the alarming rise of censorship in schools across the U.S. He highlights a South Dakota community's fight against the removal of literary works, including his own. Eggers explores the motivations behind these bans, particularly against literature that addresses LGBTQ+ and racial justice. He reflects on the irony of censoring books in educational settings while promoting teenage autonomy and emphasizes the importance of defending educational integrity and literary freedom.

John Ganz, an author known for his insights on historical continuity and societal changes in America, dives deep into the connections between the 1990s and today's political climate. He discusses how figures like Murray Rothbard shaped modern conservatism and the emergence of populist sentiments. Ganz also explores the lasting impact of the 1992 Civil Rights Act and the rise of radicalism within the Republican Party. He draws parallels between phenomena like the mysterious illness in Leroy and contemporary societal reactions, unveiling complex themes of consensus, representation, and discontent.

Ian Coss, host of The Big Dig podcast, discusses the challenges and lessons learned from the infamous Big Dig project in Boston. They delve into the project's origins, cost overruns, and societal impact, highlighting the complexities of large-scale infrastructure projects and the importance of community engagement.

Jamelle Bouie, NY Times columnist, discusses the complexities of pushing an incumbent like Biden off the ballot, the challenges of an aging president like Biden, the biases faced by black female candidates, and the uncertainties in the upcoming election cycle.

Discussing SCOTUS decisions, including Trump's immunity, overturning Chevron doctrine, and attacks on government agencies. A crossover episode with hosts of Strict Scrutiny podcast, analyzing court's conservative actions, judicial opinions, presidential immunity, book banning, and podcast shoutout.

Digital librarian Brewster Kahle and lawyer Kyle Courtney discuss the lawsuit between megapublishers and the Internet Archive, potential changes to libraries with e-books, information as a public good, and the consequences if publishers win.

Historian Thomas Zimmer discusses Project 2025, a plan by right-wing activists, aiming to reshape federal agencies, implement Schedule F, promote authoritarianism, and enforce conservative societal orders. The conversation delves into civil service reforms, unitary executive theory, government vacancies, threats to democracy, and the upcoming MSNBC Live event.

Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett discusses her political work, faith grounding, criminal justice advocacy, and more. Topics include her viral spat with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, navigating trauma, career shifts, criminal defense, injustices in the justice system, and the relationship between faith and politics.

Timothy Wu, the 'architect' of Biden administration's antitrust policies, discusses Trump and Biden's views on corporate power, evolution of antitrust laws, industry consolidation under Trump, personal influences on antitrust rulings, enforcement by different administrations, and antitrust actions on tech giants and defense contractors.