

Firewall
Firewall
Politics, technology and the pursuit of happiness. Twice a week, Bradley Tusk, New York-based political strategist and venture investor, covers the collision between new ideas and the real world. His operating thesis is that you can't understand tech today without understanding politics, too. Recorded at P&T Knitwear, his bookstore / podcast studio, 180 Orchard Street, New York City.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 30, 2023 • 43min
What New York Can Learn from London
Why does life in the big sister city across the pond seem kinder and gentler? Leanne Tritton and Rob Fiehn from the London Society join special guest host Hugo to discuss the society's new book 'London of the Future' and compare New York's various predicaments to their own.This episode was taped at P&T Knitwear at 180 Orchard Street — New York City’s only free podcast recording studio.Send us an email with your thoughts on today’s episode: info@firewall.mediaSubscribe to Bradley's weekly newsletter, follow Bradley on Twitter + Linkedin, and be sure to order his debut novel, OBVIOUS IN HINDSIGHT.

Nov 28, 2023 • 40min
To Eat the Cookie ...
Or not to eat the cookie — that is the question. Bradley sketches out a vision for an app to help us make better decisions throughout the day. Plus, he gives the over/under on the percentage of the national vote that a select group of well-known outsiders would receive if they ran for president on the No Labels line.

Nov 22, 2023 • 35min
Why Is It So Hard to Feed People?
For a special Thanksgiving episode, Bradley checks in with Lisa Quigley, who runs his Solving Hunger philanthropy, for the latest on the thorny politics of universal school meals and related issues surrounding hunger in America.This episode was taped at P&T Knitwear at 180 Orchard Street — New York City’s only free podcast recording studio.Send us an email with your thoughts on today’s episode: info@firewall.mediaSubscribe to Bradley's weekly newsletter, follow Bradley on Twitter + Linkedin, and be sure to order his debut novel, OBVIOUS IN HINDSIGHT.

Nov 21, 2023 • 49min
The Disruption of Sam Altman
It’s anything but smooth sailing in tech these days. Jordan Nof, co-founder and managing partner of Tusk Ventures, joins Bradley to discuss the OpenAI debacle, Elon Musk’s latest outrages, the iffy exit market for start-ups, the Biden-Trump divide on economic and business policy and New York City’s growing edge over San Francisco for young tech talent.This episode was taped at P&T Knitwear at 180 Orchard Street — New York City’s only free podcast recording studio.Send us an email with your thoughts on today’s episode: info@firewall.mediaSubscribe to Bradley's weekly newsletter, follow Bradley on Twitter + Linkedin, and be sure to order his debut novel, OBVIOUS IN HINDSIGHT.

Nov 16, 2023 • 37min
Is the World Ready for Electric Planes?
When your business is in the air, you want to move fast and *not* break things — ever. Kyle Clark, the founder and chief executive of the aerospace start-up Beta Technologies, talks to Bradley about their extraordinary machines and how they intend to introduce them into everyday life.Mentioned in today's episode:Electric Planes, Once a Fantasy, Start to Take to the Skies, The New York Times (11/3/23)This episode was taped at P&T Knitwear at 180 Orchard Street — New York City’s only free podcast recording studio.Send us an email with your thoughts on today’s episode: info@firewall.mediaSubscribe to Bradley's weekly newsletter, follow Bradley on Twitter + Linkedin, and be sure to order his debut novel, OBVIOUS IN HINDSIGHT.

Nov 14, 2023 • 53min
How Biden Regains His Footing
Discussion on Biden's election strategy, including the need to focus on Trump's failures rather than his moral shortcomings. Misconceptions surrounding AI regulation and the FBI's actions towards Mayor Adams. Pros and cons of nuclear power and the ongoing efforts in renewable energy.

Nov 9, 2023 • 36min
Where is My Mindfulness?
Sharon Salzberg, a legend in the world of meditation and mindfulness, joins Bradley to discuss finding connection and kindness in distressing times — and why even she has difficulty tearing herself away from doomscrolling.This episode was taped at P&T Knitwear at 180 Orchard Street — New York City’s only free podcast recording studio.Send us an email with your thoughts on today’s episode: info@firewall.mediaSubscribe to Bradley's weekly newsletter, follow Bradley on Twitter + Linkedin, and be sure to pre-order his debut novel, OBVIOUS IN HINDSIGHT.

Nov 7, 2023 • 43min
OBVIOUS IN HINDSIGHT lands today!
How do supremely busy people find time for their passion projects? Bradley explains the long, hard and rewarding road to the publication of his first novel, OBVIOUS IN HINDSIGHT which comes out Tuesday Nov. 7 at select indie bookstores across the country. Plus [34:19], he says the latest trouble around Mayor Eric Adams is very far from a political death spiral, but stay tuned.RSVP to the OBVIOUS IN HINDSIGHT release party in NYC, or buy from a local indie bookstore near you. Full list of participating shops on BradleyTusk.com. This episode was taped at P&T Knitwear at 180 Orchard Street — New York City’s only free podcast recording studio.Send us an email with your thoughts on today’s episode: info@firewall.mediaSubscribe to Bradley's weekly newsletter, follow Bradley on Twitter + Linkedin, and be sure to pre-order his debut novel, OBVIOUS IN HINDSIGHT!

Nov 2, 2023 • 31min
How to Get Marjorie Taylor Greene to Scream at You
David Hogg shares his journey creating the youth movement after a school shooting. They talk about the importance of youth involvement in politics, empowering the younger generation through technology, reforming the internet, and the challenges faced by an older generation.

Oct 31, 2023 • 48min
Tyranny of the Minority
In the late 1960s, Richard Nixon popularized the term "silent majority." Drawing from the pro-Hamas rallies, the mass shooting in Maine and the House Speaker debacle, Bradley updates Nixon with a phenomenon he calls "tyranny of the minority." Plus, Bradley discusses his theory of "minimal viable suffering," assesses the impact of Dean Phillips challenging Biden in the Democratic primaries, reflects on the death of actor Matthew Perry and casts dissenting votes on recent output from Martin Scorsese and Marc Andreesen.This episode was taped at P&T Knitwear at 180 Orchard Street — New York City’s only free podcast recording studio.Send us an email with your thoughts on today’s episode: info@firewall.media.Subscribe to Bradley's weekly newsletter, follow Bradley on Twitter + Linkedin, and be sure to pre-order his debut novel, OBVIOUS IN HINDSIGHT.