Next Question with Katie Couric

Katie puts former FBI director James Comey in the hot seat at the Aspen Ideas Festival with an in-depth conversation about his controversial role in the lead-up to Donald Trump’s election. They dig into the recent Justice Department report calling Comey “insubordinate” and what Comey makes of Trump's time in office. Plus, Comey reflects on his past year teaching at Howard University, where he was welcomed to his first lecture by students chanting, “James Comey, you’re not our homie.” Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Katie and Brian cap off their trip to London with Lord Julian Fellowes, the brilliant mind behind the likes of Gosford Park and Downton Abbey. They dig into Julian's sources of personal inspiration for his hit TV show and discuss Britain's class dynamics, both past and present. Julian also offers his thoughts on the royal wedding, why he supports Brexit, and how he went from a character actor to a screenwriter at age 52. Plus, podcast listener Jill Apple— whom Katie met on Instagram!— joins live in-studio to ask Julian a question of her own. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In their second installment from London, Katie and Brian welcome powerhouse writer, actor, and producer Sharon Horgan, who stops by after a long day of filming one of her (many) television shows. She discusses working with Sarah Jessica Parker on HBO's Divorce and Rob Delaney on Amazon's Catastrophe. She also ponders why British sitcoms are bleaker than American ones and opens up about her friendship with the late, great Carrie Fisher. Plus, Sharon offers advice on how to support working moms and explains what #MeToo means in the UK. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Phil McGraw welcomes Katie and Brian to his eye-popping Beverly Hills home to chat about his long-running daytime talk show, his pre-TV gigs and Oprah’s role in his success. Plus, he weighs in on America’s opioid crisis, mass shootings, President Trump’s atypical behavior, and the #MeToo movement. But first, Phil and his wife Robin give Katie and Brian a tour of their digs. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The pod heads across the pond to London, where Katie and Brian turn the tables on Graham Norton, Britain's most popular chat show host. They revisit highlights from his long-running talk show, including the time he told Judi Dench, "You lie like a rug." Graham also opens up about growing up Protestant in a Catholic stronghold and his total commitment to becoming a comedian and actor as a young man. "I had no plan B," he says. Plus, they dig into Graham's views on Brexit and Ireland's recent landslide vote on abortion. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Julianna Margulies has been lighting up the small screen for over two decades, with standout roles on TV shows like ER and The Good Wife. She joins Katie and Brian to discuss everything from the big impact George Clooney had on her career to what she loved about playing Alicia Florrick. She also explains what makes her latest character on AMC's Dietland such a delicious role. Plus, Julianna opens up about her own experiences with harassment as a young actress. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is the line between sensitivity and censorship? In today's episode, Katie and Brian are navigating the realm of political correctness, from trigger warnings to safe spaces. New York Times Op-Ed writer Frank Bruni joins to discuss what he sees as the promise and pitfalls of hot-button issues like cultural appropriation and the idea of "checking your privilege." Plus, listeners call in with their own thoughts on PC culture. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's no secret that Silicon Valley has a problem with women. In her new book, Brotopia: Breaking Up the Boys' Club of Silicon Valley, journalist Emily Chang explores what the tech industry has been getting wrong when it comes to sexism and workplace bias. Her findings are grisly: from business meetings in strip clubs to drug-laden sex parties. Emily joins Katie and Brian to discuss her findings and consider how the tech industry can do better when it comes to addressing gender parity, pay inequity and implicit bias. Plus, Katie shares insights from her reporting on workplace gender inequality for The Revolt, her latest National Geographic documentary hour. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Social media is much more than a way to stay in touch with friends. According to today's guest, Tristan Harris, Facebook and platforms like it are actually manipulating billions of people's minds. Tristan joins Katie and Brian to explain how tech companies are creating addictions, steering elections and making many of us lonely. He would know: After selling a startup to Google in his twenties, Tristan worked there as an in-house design ethicist, where he studied how tech affects people's attention, well-being, and behavior. Now, as a founder of the Center for Humane Technology, Tristan is on a mission to reform the tech industry. Plus, he offers up some tips on how to track and curb your smartphone addiction. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In December, Doug Jones became the first Democrat to win a Senate seat in ruby-red Alabama in 25 years. This week, Katie and Brian make their way to Washington, D.C. for an extended interview with Senator Jones in his new office. They talk about the ongoing dysfunction in the Senate, Jones' upset victory over his embattled Republican opponent Roy Moore, and they dig into a grab-bag of current events. Plus, they delve into Jones' life story, from his teen years in Alabama's newly-integrated public schools to his role in prosecuting two KKK members for a 1963 church bombing that killed four African American girls. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.