Next Question with Katie Couric

Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender member of Congress and former Delaware state senator, shares insights from her challenging freshman year. She discusses the chaos of Trump’s second term, the stigma surrounding trans rights, and the importance of hope in politics. McBride elaborates on the need for bipartisan collaboration, the impact of economic insecurity on democracy, and strategies to counter anti-trans backlash. She emphasizes storytelling and education to foster understanding and compassion, all while advocating for an affordability-driven campaign strategy.

Senator John Fetterman, a U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania and author of the memoir Unfettered, candidly discusses his journey through recovery after a stroke and ongoing struggles with depression. He shares his staunch opposition to government shutdowns and reflects on his encounters with both political allies and critics. Fetterman highlights the importance of discussing mental health openly, recounts his near-death experience, and emphasizes the urgent need for civil discourse in politics. His message is clear: the world is better with each of us in it.

Scott Galloway, bestselling author and professor, discusses his book on modern masculinity, spotlighting the struggles young men face today, including alarming statistics on mental health and economic challenges. He introduces his three Ps: protect, provide, and procreate, urging men to support vulnerable communities. Galloway tackles the balance between advocating for women's rights and addressing male loneliness. With humor and honesty, he explores mentorship barriers and the need for empathy across gender lines.

ABC News Chief Washington Correspondent Jonathan Karl has spent nearly a decade chronicling Trump–and being attacked by him. Trump has called him “a third-rate reporter,” “a real scumbag,” and worse. But he also keeps picking up Karl’s calls. Karl joins Katie to talk about his new book Retribution: Donald Trump and the Campaign That Changed America and shares sharp, insider insight into Trump’s fixation on revenge, his loyalty-first Cabinet, and how his second term has reshaped the presidency… and the country.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Zohran Mamdani, an elected New York State Assembly member and mayoral candidate, shares his vision for a more affordable NYC. He discusses ambitious policies like universal childcare, free buses, and rent freezes. Mamdani emphasizes the importance of protecting immigrant communities and committing to sanctuary protections. He also addresses the need for revenue through taxes on the wealthy and corporate reforms while advocating for inclusivity and unity in a polarized city. His commitment to listening to constituents highlights a fresh approach to leadership.

Former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul joins Katie Couric to talk about his new book, Autocrats vs. Democrats: China, Russia, America, and the New Global Disorder. McFaul says America’s retreat from global leadership hasn’t just left a vacuum: it’s helped autocrats like Putin and Xi fill it. So where does that leave democracy? Together, they dig into what happens when the U.S. pulls back, why isolationism is making a comeback, and what it will take to reassert our moral and political leadership on the world stage. It’s a fascinating–and surprisingly hopeful–conversation about power, principle, and possibility.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this lively bonus episode of Next Question with Katie Couric, mentalist Oz Pearlman—known for dazzling crowds on America’s Got Talent—reveals how mastering human behavior can transform your personal and professional life. Drawing from his new book, Read Your Mind: Proven Habits for Success from the World’s Greatest Mentalist, Oz shares actionable advice on reading people, building connections, and embracing resilience. From running ultra-marathons to predicting football plays, he blends performance with psychology to show how understanding others can unlock your potential. It’s part life advice, part mind-reading—completely fascinating.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bernie Sanders is 84, has spent more than three decades in Congress, and can still pack a rally with people half his age. On this episode of Next Question, Katie Couric talks with the senator about his new book Fight Oligarchy and why he thinks America is at a tipping point. From Trump and the billionaire class to AI, Gaza, and the future of the Democratic Party, Bernie is as blunt, consistent, and unflinching as ever. He even has a few questions for Katie!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We all know the date. But what really happened in October 1929? New York Times financial columnist and DealBook founder Andrew Ross Sorkin joins Katie to discuss his new book, 1929, which demystifies one of the most famous (and infamous) chapters in American History. Through extensive research into letters and diaries of the era’s biggest players, Sorkin reconstructs the chaos and conviction of a world on the brink. How the bankers, politicians, and investors thought they were saving the system even as they helped its unraveling. It’s a conversation about how good intentions can spiral into catastrophe—and why the real lesson of 1929 is not to dance while the music plays, but to remember that, at some point, it always stops.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our nation’s founders built a system to guard against human ego and corruption. In 2025, that system is under siege. Katie talks with Atlantic editor-in-chief (and SignalGate-veteran) Jeffrey Goldberg about the magazine’s monumental new issue, The Unfinished Revolution, which asks whether the American experiment can survive its latest stress test: Donald Trump. It’s a conversation about history repeating itself, the precious fragility of democracy, and why the people who established this nation might be horrified by where it’s headed.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.