
Morning Meeting
Welcome to Morning Meeting, where AIR MAIL’s Ashley Baker and Michael Hainey take you inside the stories people are talking about this week—and tip you off to the ones the editors are talking about for next week. We cover the people shaping your world that you want to know more about (and more often the stuff they don’t want you to know about). And we talk with friends of AIR MAIL—writers, reporters, and style-setters. So listen in every Saturday as Morning Meeting brings you what’s new and exciting from the world of AIR MAIL.
Latest episodes

May 31, 2025 • 38min
Episode 246: The Genius Whom Hollywood Forgot
This week, Sam Tanenhaus discusses the life of William F. Buckley Jr., the man who set the blueprint for the modern conservative movement, which has reached a new iteration in Donald Trump. Then, speaking of consequential figures, we consider a man who left an enormous impact on Hollywood: Desi Arnaz. Todd S. Purdum tells us all about Arnaz’s groundbreaking life and career. And finally, a special treat: Cazzie David joins us from Los Angeles to share her answers to 50 of life’s most pressing questions in this week’s Perfect Ending.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

May 24, 2025 • 36min
Episode 245: The Newest Flex for .01-Percenters—Building a Golf Club
This week, Carrie Monahan reports from East Hampton on a shooting range for locals that has allegedly been peppering million-dollar homes of part-time residents with bullets. Then William D. Cohan looks at the new flex for billionaires—building private golf clubs. And finally, Molly Haskell remembers filmmaker Robert Benton, who gave us Bonnie and Clyde, Kramer vs. Kramer, and other masterpieces.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

May 17, 2025 • 31min
Episode 244: Why Gen Z College Grads Are Ditching Wall Street for Farming
This week, Jeanne Malle reveals why some Gen Z college graduates are choosing blue-collar jobs instead of working on Wall Street. Then Stuart Heritage reports on the family drama that’s riveted the U.K. No, it’s not the rift in the House of Windsor; this is the rift in the House of Beckham. And finally, Elena Clavarino has the story that’s scandalized Italy: how the son of the family that once owned one of Venice’s grand hotels now stands accused of forcing hundreds of women into making pornographic videosSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

May 10, 2025 • 35min
Episode 243: When a Billionaire Buys the General Store
This week, Leigh Giangreco reports on why so many foreigners—as well as American citizens living abroad—are now afraid to travel to, of all places, the United States. Then, Clara Molot has an update on a mysterious cancer surge among young alumni of Roanoke College. And finally, Carrie Monahan looks at the general store in the small Long Island town of Sagaponack and its new proprietor who, it turns out, is a billionaire. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

May 3, 2025 • 31min
Episode 242: Save America—Deport Lorne Michaels!
This week, David Kamp explains why it’s time to make Trump deport the creator of Saturday Night Live, Lorne Michaels. Then, Stuart Heritage tells us how and why the notorious Fyre Festival is back. We think? And finally, Jean Marsh, one of the great actresses of the past 50 years, who also co-created the beloved and influential television series Upstairs, Downstairs, died recently, and Michael Lindsay-Hogg will join us to share his tribute to the beautiful woman he knew and loved.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Apr 26, 2025 • 31min
Episode 241: 20,000 Kilos Under the Sea—Why Submarines Are the New Way to Smuggle Cocaine
This week, Jacob Silverman looks at what he believes is the biggest financial fraud in American history: how the Trump family reportedly made $100 million from trading fees on their own crypto-currencies.Then, speaking of murky businesses, Dana Vachon has his wild report on how drug traffickers in Europe have taken to using submarines in order to move their goods onto the Continent. And finally, Sloane Crosley tells us about the joys of paperback books.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Apr 19, 2025 • 34min
Episode 240: Taylor Swift and Harvard Business School—Secrets to Her Success
Guest Barbara Schroeder, a screenwriter and director, shares the harrowing story of Breonna Kupfer's tragic murder and its profound effect on the community. Columnist Jennifer Gould discusses the alarming trend of Ivy League professors relocating to Canada amid fears for their freedoms. Meanwhile, Kevin Evers, a senior editor at Harvard Business Review, dives into Taylor Swift's strategic brilliance, revealing insights into her transformative career tactics and what everyone can learn from her rise to multi-millionaire status.

Apr 12, 2025 • 32min
Episode 239: "Brad Pitt," His Kidney Transplant, and the Cyber-Scammers
This week, Mark Seal reveals the amateur detectives who busted a group of cyber-scammers who impersonated Brad Pitt and swindled a woman out of more than $850,000. Then, speaking of swindles, Jeffrey Toobin explains why no one can stop Trump from handing out pardons. And finally, Mark Ellwood reports on the island of battling billionaires. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Apr 5, 2025 • 35min
Episode 238: Another Reason to Hate Nepo Babies
This week, Andrew Zucker reports on the latest luxury for Ivy League nepo babies of the 1-percenters: private, white-glove housing stocked with amenities. (So long, grungy communal bathroom down the hall!) Then, George Pendle takes us inside what he calls the March (of) Madness—his version of college basketball’s March Madness bracket, but this is your chance to choose which of Trump’s actions in the past month has been The Worst. And finally, Linda Wells discusses Ozempic 2.0, how to schedule a midlife divorce, and more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mar 29, 2025 • 41min
Episode 237: Graydon Carter on His Memoir, Magazines, and Rules for Living
Graydon Carter, the founder of AIR MAIL and author of 'When the Going Was Good,' shares captivating tales from the golden age of magazines and his personal rules for living. He reflects on journalism's evolving landscape and the significance of personal connections in storytelling. Jacob Bernstein dives into the downfall of composer Danny Elfman amid harassment accusations, revealing the complexities of consent and shifting Hollywood dynamics. Together, they explore nostalgia for mid-century America and the intricacies of personal relationships.