The Gray Area with Sean Illing

Matthew Continetti, editor-in-chief of the Washington Free Beacon, dives into the complexities of American conservatism. He discusses the influences of iconic figures like Reagan and Buckley, as well as the rising tension between neoconservatives and social conservatives. The conversation highlights Trump’s unique impact on the GOP, challenging traditional values and reshaping its identity. Continetti also delves into key books that illuminate the evolution of these ideologies, offering valuable insights into the conservative movement today.

Ross Douthat, a conservative columnist for the New York Times, shares his insights on the decline of institutional Christianity and its impact on American politics. He argues that the erosion of shared moral values has fueled tribalism and drawn many to populist movements and figures like Trump. The conversation also dives into the historic ties between religion and politics, the complexities of religious identity in a post-Christian era, and the evolving landscape of American civic life. Douthat provides a fascinating perspective on the intersection of faith, nationalism, and the political right.

Jay Inslee, the Governor of Washington and a 2020 presidential candidate, passionately discusses his climate change-focused campaign. He emphasizes the urgency of political action and the interconnection between climate initiatives and social justice. Inslee advocates for the elimination of the filibuster to advance the Green New Deal and shares his proposed climate action strategy for the first 100 days of a new administration. He also highlights the importance of grassroots movements and inclusive policies to support vulnerable communities during the transition to clean energy.

Julia Galef, host of the Rationally Speaking podcast and co-founder of the Center for Applied Rationality, dives deep into the art of productive disagreement. She explores cognitive biases that cloud judgment and hinder belief change, particularly in politically charged debates. Julia emphasizes the importance of engaging with diverse perspectives and maintaining intellectual humility. Their discussion also touches on the challenges of navigating AI perceptions and the need for skepticism in dietary choices, revealing how our beliefs often distort reality.

In a compelling discussion, Deeyah Khan, a British documentary filmmaker and human rights activist, delves into the roots of extremism. She uncovers surprising links between white supremacy and jihadism, highlighting the societal factors that draw individuals towards these ideologies. Khan emphasizes the importance of compassionate engagement, revealing how personal connections can challenge extremist beliefs. Through her films, she advocates for understanding rather than stigmatization, urging us to address the complex emotional vulnerabilities that fuel radicalization.

Paul Krugman, a Nobel Prize-winning economist and New York Times columnist, dives into pressing issues like taxes, net neutrality, and universal basic income. He critiques society's struggle with misinformation and emphasizes the importance of policy analysis. The conversation touches on the threats of monopolization, the future of work amid automation, and the need for affordable education. Krugman also reflects on the shifting political landscape, highlighting the implications of anti-intellectualism and climate change in current discourse.

Nate Sloan, a musicologist and co-host of the insightful podcast 'Switched on Pop', dives into the intricate world of pop music. He explores how melody and lyrics work together to create emotional depth, enhancing the listener's experience. Sloan sheds light on the cultural influences behind Camila Cabello's 'Havana' and the transformative journey of the 808 drum machine in modern music. The conversation also highlights the impact of female artists and connects notable songs to broader cultural critiques, revealing how pop can shape our understanding of identity.

After years of hovering on the periphery of American politics, never quite the star of the show, it seems that climate change is having a moment. An ambitious Green New Deal, backed by a large and active youth movement, identifies global warming as a national emergency and seeks to completely decarbonize the US economy. While it’s a long way from becoming law, it has forced all the Democratic candidates to take very public positions on the subject. Climate, it seems, is finally becoming a priority.But do people really understand it? According to journalist David Wallace-Wells, no, they do not. “It is worse, much worse, than you think,” his book begins, and over the course of several hundred pages, it makes that case in rich, harrowing detail.The sheer variety and scope of physical damages — droughts, storms, heat waves, sea level rise — is greater, and coming faster, than most people appreciate. But that’s just the beginning. Wallace-Walls also considers how a century dominated by global warming will change our politics, our art, and our very self-conception.David Roberts sat down with David Wallace-Wells to discuss the latest science of climate change, the way that political and scientific reticence have caused us to underestimate it, his hopes (such as they are) for the future, and the stories he tells himself about the world his daughter will grow up in. It’s not happy news, but it’s a fascinating conversation.Recommended reading:Between the World and Meby Ta-Nehisi CoatesThe Really Big One by Kathryn SchulzThe Fever by Wallace ShawnWe are conducting an audience survey to better serve you. It takes no more than five minutes, and it really helps out the show. Please take our survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/3X6WMNF Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Democratic Party is quickly coalescing around an ambitious Medicare-for-All platform — and Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) is shaping up to be a major voice in that debate.Jayapal co-chairs the Congressional Progressive Caucus and, earlier this week, released a sweeping new plan for single-payer health care in the United States. Her proposal is arguably the most ambitious we’ve seen yet. It envisions a wider set of benefits and a much quicker transition to government-run health care than the plan offered by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT).Vox Senior Policy Correspondent Sarah Kliff, who is filling in for Ezra, sat down with Rep. Jayapal to walk through how this Medicare-for-All plan came together. We get into why Rep. Jayapal thinks it’s possible for the United States to move to government-run health care in just two years, and which countries’ health systems she thinks of as good models for where the United States should head.In this conversation, you’ll get a sense of Rep. Jayapal’s theories of governing, how they differ from those of Obama-era Democrats, and why she doesn’t think she needs buy-in from the powerful hospital and insurance lobbies to pass new legislation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I'm Jane Coaston, senior politics reporter at Vox with a focus on conservatism and the GOP.For the last three years or so, there has been an ongoing discussion among conservatives about identity politics and what many view as the corrosive use of identity politics in the pursuit of "social justice." As they argue, "social justice warriors" are using so-called "identity politics" -- debates around race, gender, sexual orientation and gender identity -- as cudgels, often against the Right. In general, to put it mildly, I disagree.Which is why I invited Noah Rothman, an editor at Commentary magazine, an MSNBC contributor, and more relatedly, author of "Unjust: Social Justice and the Unmaking of America," released on January 29th, to join me in a discussion on this very topic. We discussed how identity politics are in no way new, and are inherent to our politics, and we talked about his view on where "social justice" went wrong. The conversation was contentious, but hopefully, productive.As you may have noticed, I am not Ezra Klein. Ezra is away on paternity leave (congratulations, Ezra!) and will return in a few weeks.Book recommendations:The Victims' Revolution by Bruce BawerSuicide of the West by Jonah GoldbergThe Coddling of the American Mind by Greg Lukianoff & Jonathan Haidt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices