Listen Now

Matt is joined by author Mike Konczal, Director of Progressive Thought at the Roosevelt Institute, and author of the new book Freedom from the Market. They talk about the past, present, and future of public affordances in America, and discuss the shifts in political imagination that could inaugurate a new era of public programs in the earnest interest of benefitting Americans.Resources:Mike's new book, Freedom from the Market: America's Fight to Liberate Itself from the Grip of the Invisible Hand, on sale here.Read an excerpt: "When Medicare Helped Kill Jim Crow" by Mike Konczal, The Nation (Jan. 19, 2021).Guest:Mike Konczal (@rortybomb), Director, Progressive Thought, Roosevelt InstituteHost:Matt Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Slowboring.comCredits:Erikk Geannikis, Editor and ProducerAs the Biden administration gears up, we'll help you understand this unprecedented burst of policymaking. Sign up for The Weeds newsletter each Friday: vox.com/weeds-newsletter.The Weeds is a Vox Media Podcast Network production.Want to support The Weeds? Please consider making a contribution to Vox: bit.ly/givepodcastsAbout VoxVox is a news network that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines.Follow Us: Vox.comFacebook group: The Weeds Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vox business and politics reporter Emily Stewart joins Matt and Dara to unpack what's in Biden's giant stimulus package, and to examine how the new Congress will handle the massive imperatives of economic recovery, on the eve of the commencement of the Biden administration.Resources:"Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion Covid-19 stimulus plan, explained" by Emily Stewart, Vox (Jan. 14, 2021)"Legislative Process 101 — The Senate's Byrd Rule"White paperHosts:Matt Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Slowboring.comDara Lind (@DLind), Immigration Reporter, ProPublicaEmily Stewart (@EmilyStewartM), Business and Politics Reporter, VoxCredits:Erikk Geannikis, Editor and Producer.The Weeds is a Vox Media Podcast Network production.Want to support The Weeds? Please consider making a contribution to Vox: bit.ly/givepodcastsAbout VoxVox is a news network that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines.Follow Us: Vox.comFacebook group: The Weeds Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt is joined by antitrust and competition policy expert Charlotte Slaiman to discuss the ongoing antitrust cases against Google and Facebook, the basics of antitrust litigation, and their outlook for the future of regulatory efforts to rein in the power of Big Tech through pro-competition policy.Resources:"Only Regulation Can Jumpstart Competition in Big Tech" by Gene Kimmelman and Charlotte Slaiman, Fortune (July 16, 2019)"FTC Sues Facebook for Illegal Monopolization" (December 9, 2020)"Colorado Attorney General leads multistate lawsuit seeking to end Google's illegal monopoly in search market" (December 17, 2020)Guest:Charlotte Slaiman (@CharlottesWWWeb), Competition Policy Director, Public KnowledgeHost:Matt Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Slowboring.comCredits:Erikk Geannikis, Editor and Producer.The Weeds is a Vox Media Podcast Network production.Want to support The Weeds? Please consider making a contribution to Vox: bit.ly/givepodcastsAbout VoxVox is a news network that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines.Follow Us: Vox.comFacebook group: The Weeds Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vox Senior Correspondent Zack Beauchamp joins Matt and Dara to discuss some of the potential political ramifications of the insurrection of 1/6/21, as well as what this event might portend for addressing questions of police reform.Resources:"Capitol police officer praised as hero for diverting mob from Senate chamber" by Randi Richardson, NBC News (Jan. 11, 2021)"I experienced the heinous assault on Capitol; now, time to face reality" op-ed by Rep. Peter Meijer, Detroit News (Jan. 9, 2021)"Outgoing Capitol Police chief: House, Senate security officials hamstrung efforts to call in National Guard" by Carol D. Loennig, Aaron C. Davis, Peter Hermann and Karoun Demirjian, Washington Post (Jan. 10, 2021)"Several Capitol police officers suspended, more than a dozen under investigation over actions related to rally, riot" by Aaron C. Davis, Rebecca Tan and Beth Reinhard, Washington Post (Jan. 11, 2021)"What the police really believe" by Zack Beauchamp, Vox (July 7, 2020)White paperHosts:Matt Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Slowboring.comDara Lind (@DLind), Immigration Reporter, ProPublicaZack Beauchamp (@zackbeauchamp), Senior Correspondent, VoxCredits:Erikk Geannikis, Editor and Producer.The Weeds is a Vox Media Podcast Network production.Want to support The Weeds? Please consider making a contribution to Vox: bit.ly/givepodcastsAbout VoxVox is a news network that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines.Follow Us: Vox.comFacebook group: The Weeds Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt is joined by Employ America policy advisor Elizabeth Pancotti for a detailed discussion about unemployment insurance. They take on the recent expansion of the benefits, explain some of the difficulties in distributing them, and outline a possible road toward meaningful reform.Resources:"Bennet Unveils Sweeping Proposal to Strengthen Unemployment Insurance Amidst Coronavirus Pandemic" (March 24, 2020)Guest:Elizabeth Pancotti (@ENPancotti), policy advisor, Employ America Host:Matt Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Slowboring.comCredits:Erikk Geannikis, Editor and ProducerThe Weeds is a Vox Media Podcast Network production.Want to support The Weeds? Please consider making a contribution to Vox: bit.ly/givepodcastsAbout VoxVox is a news network that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines.Follow Us: Vox.comFacebook group: The Weeds Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Umair Irfan joins Dara and Matt to discuss some challenges and obstacles to prioritization and distribution of the Covid vaccine, in the U.S. and elsewhere.Resources:White paper Hosts:Matt Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Slowboring.comDara Lind (@DLind), Immigration Reporter, ProPublicaUmair Irfan (@umairfan), Science Reporter, VoxCredits:Erikk Geannikis, Editor and ProducerThe Weeds is a Vox Media Podcast Network productionWant to support The Weeds? Please make a contribution to Vox: bit.ly/givepodcastsAbout VoxVox is a news network that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines.Follow Us: Vox.comFacebook group: The Weeds Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mary Cunningham, vice president of Metropolitan Housing and Communities Policy at the Urban Institute, joins Matt for part two of homelessness week to discuss the causes and potential solutions of homelessness. They dive deep into the data surrounding the issue, and take a look at President Trump's claim that homelessness is on the rise.More to explore:Subscribe for free to the Ezra Klein Show, a Vox podcast where Ezra brings you far-reaching conversations about hard problems, big ideas, illuminating theories, and cutting-edge research.About Vox: Vox is a news network that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines.Follow Us: Vox.comFacebook group: The Weeds Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New America’s Kevin Carey explains loan forgiveness and the deeper problems with American higher education.Guest:Kevin Carey (@kevincarey1), Vice President, Education Policy and Knowledge Management, New AmericaHost:Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Slowboring.comCredits:Jeff Geld, (@jeff_geld), ProducerJackson Bierfeldt, EditorThe Weeds is a Vox Media Podcast Network productionWant to support The Weeds? Please consider making a contribution to Vox: bit.ly/givepodcastsAbout VoxVox is a news network that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines.Follow Us: Vox.comFacebook group: The Weeds Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dylan Matthews joins Matt and Dara to discuss Covid’s impact on poverty and the road to recovery.Resources:"Joe Biden is taking office amid a poverty crisis" by Dylan Matthews, VoxIncome and poverty in the COVID-19 pandemic by Jeehoon Han, Bruce D. Meyer, and James X. SullivanKamala Harris's plan for $2,000 a month transfers to every man, woman, and child Plan to have the Fed give people money by making everyone a bankWho is Manasi Deshpande?White paper Hosts:Matt Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Slowboring.comDara Lind (@DLind), Immigration Reporter, ProPublicaDylan Matthews (@dylanmatt), Senior Correspondent, VoxCredits:Jeff Geld, (@jeff_geld), Editor and ProducerThe Weeds is a Vox Media Podcast Network productionWant to support The Weeds? Please make a contribution to Vox: bit.ly/givepodcastsAbout VoxVox is a news network that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines.Follow Us: Vox.comFacebook group: The Weeds Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Third Way’s Josh Freed and Jackie Kempfer explain a path forward for low-carbon policy in a time of divided government.Guest:Josh Freed (@ThirdWayEnergy), Senior VP, Climate and Energy Program, Third WayJackie Kempfer (@JackieKempfer), Senior Policy Advisor, Climate and Energy Program, Third WayHost:Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Slowboring.comCredits:Jeff Geld, (@jeff_geld), ProducerJackson Bierfeldt, EditorThe Weeds is a Vox Media Podcast Network productionWant to support The Weeds? Please consider making a contribution to Vox: bit.ly/givepodcastsAbout VoxVox is a news network that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines.Follow Us: Vox.comFacebook group: The Weeds Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alex Ward joins Dara and Matt to analyze the Biden national security team.Resources:"The revenge of the blob" by Alex Ward, VoxWhy Nations FallWhite paper Hosts:Matt Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Slowboring.comDara Lind (@DLind), Immigration Reporter, ProPublicaAlex Ward (@AlexWardVox), Staff Writer, International Security and Defense, VoxThe Weeds is a Vox Media Podcast Network productionWant to support The Weeds? Please make a contribution to Vox: bit.ly/givepodcastsAbout VoxVox is a news network that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines.Follow Us: Vox.comFacebook group: The Weeds Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kaiser’s Jennifer Kates joins Matt to explain the next steps in countering the pandemic.Guest:Jennifer Kates (@jenkatesdc), Senior VP/Director, Global Health & HIV Policy, Kaiser FoundationHost:Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Slowboring.comCredits:Jeff Geld, (@jeff_geld), ProducerJackson Bierfeldt, EditorThe Weeds is a Vox Media Podcast Network productionWant to support The Weeds? Please consider making a contribution to Vox: bit.ly/givepodcastsAbout VoxVox is a news network that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines.Follow Us: Vox.comFacebook group: The Weeds Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dara and Matt on Biden’s choice to run Homeland Security and the many challenges he’ll face.Resources:"Biden picks Alejandro Mayorkas, a son of Jewish Cuban refugees, to lead the Department of Homeland Security" by Nick Miroff and Maria Sacchetti, Washington Post"How an Obama appointee helped influential Democrats get visas for rich immigrants" by Dara Lind, VoxWhite paper Hosts:Matt Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Slowboring.comDara Lind (@DLind), Immigration Reporter, ProPublicaCredits:Jeff Geld, (@jeff_geld), Editor and ProducerThe Weeds is a Vox Media Podcast Network productionWant to support The Weeds? Please make a contribution to Vox: bit.ly/givepodcastsAbout VoxVox is a news network that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines.Follow Us: Vox.comFacebook group: The Weeds Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Emily Stewart joins Dara and Matt to discuss the prospects for Covid relief and Janet Yellen.Resources:"Janet Yellen's mistake" by Matthew Yglesias, Slowboring.com"Electoral politics on an unfair playing field" by Aaron Strauss, Slowboring.comWhite paper Hosts:Matt Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Slowboring.comDara Lind (@DLind), Immigration Reporter, ProPublicaEmily Stewart (@EmilyStewartM), Business and Politics Reporter, VoxCredits:Jeff Geld, (@jeff_geld), Editor and ProducerThe Weeds is a Vox Media Podcast Network productionWant to support The Weeds? Please make a contribution to Vox: bit.ly/givepodcastsAbout VoxVox is a news network that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines.Follow Us: Vox.comFacebook group: The Weeds Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Atlantic Council’s Emma Ashford joins Matt to explain the president-elect’s approach to national security.Guest:Emma Ashford (@EmmaMAshford), Senior Fellow, Atlantic CouncilHost:Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Slowboring.comCredits:Jeff Geld, (@jeff_geld), ProducerJackson Bierfeldt, EditorThe Weeds is a Vox Media Podcast Network productionWant to support The Weeds? Please consider making a contribution to Vox: bit.ly/givepodcastsAbout VoxVox is a news network that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines.Follow Us: Vox.comFacebook group: The Weeds Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Resources:"Why Georgia has runoff elections" by Jerusalem Demsas, Vox"David Perdue and Jon Ossoff advance to Georgia Senate runoff" by Ella Nilsen and Jerusalem Demsas"Detailed Turnout Data Shows How Georgia Turned Blue" by Nate Cohn, New York TimesWhite paper Hosts:Matt Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Slowboring.comDara Lind (@DLind), Immigration Reporter, ProPublicaElla Nilsen (@ella_nilsen), Politics & Policy Reporter, VoxCredits:Jeff Geld, (@jeff_geld), Editor and ProducerThe Weeds is a Vox Media Podcast Network productionWant to support The Weeds? Please make a contribution to Vox: bit.ly/givepodcastsAbout VoxVox is a news network that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines.Follow Us: Vox.comFacebook group: The Weeds Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vox’s new series THE NEXT FOUR YEARS delving into the policy prospects for the Biden Era kicks off with Bloomberg’s Karl Smith explaining a bipartisan approach to healing the labor market.Guest:Karl Smith (@karlbykarlsmith), Bloomberg ColumnistHost:Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Senior correspondent, VoxCredits:Jeff Geld, (@jeff_geld), ProducerThe Weeds is a Vox Media Podcast Network productionWant to support The Weeds? Please consider making a contribution to Vox: bit.ly/givepodcastsAbout VoxVox is a news network that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines.Follow Us: Vox.comFacebook group: The Weeds Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jane, Dara, and Matt on Trump’s refusal to quit and his “surprising” Hispanic support.Resources:"How Democrats Missed Trump’s Appeal to Latino Voters" by Jennifer Medina"Why Democrats Lost So Many South Texas Latinos—the Economy" by Elizabeth Findell, Wall Street JournalWhite paper Hosts:Matt Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Senior Correspondent, VoxJane Coaston (@cjane87), Senior politics correspondent, VoxDara Lind (@DLind), Immigration reporter, ProPublicaCredits:Jeff Geld, (@jeff_geld), Editor and ProducerThe Weeds is a Vox Media Podcast Network productionWant to support The Weeds? Please make a contribution to Vox: bit.ly/givepodcastsAbout VoxVox is a news network that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines.Follow Us: Vox.comFacebook group: The Weeds Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ezra and Matt on the election results and the prospects for majority rule.Resources:Chris Hayes and I process this wild election, Ezra Klein ShowHosts:Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Senior correspondent, VoxEzra Klein (@ezraklein), Editor-at-large, VoxCredits:Jeff Geld, (@jeff_geld), ProducerThe Weeds is a Vox Media Podcast Network productionWant to support The Weeds? Please consider making a contribution to Vox: bit.ly/givepodcastsAbout VoxVox is a news network that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines.Follow Us: Vox.comFacebook group: The Weeds Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special live episode of the Weeds - Ella Nilsen joins Matt and Jane to highlight the most contested senate races, and what to watch for as results come in.Resources:2020 Election Coverage Live results for the 2020 Senate racesVox’s live results for the 2020 presidential election2020 House election live results Hosts:Matt Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Senior Correspondent, VoxJane Coaston (@cjane87), Senior politics correspondent, VoxElla Nilsen (@ella_nilsen), Politics & Policy Reporter, VoxCredits:Jeff Geld, (@jeff_geld), Editor and ProducerThe Weeds is a Vox Media Podcast Network productionWant to support The Weeds? Please make a contribution to Vox: bit.ly/givepodcastsAbout VoxVox is a news network that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines.Follow Us: Vox.comFacebook group: The Weeds Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices