How to Fix It with John Avlon

John Avlon sits down with CNN’s Elie Honig to unpack Trump’s escalating war on the rule of law. From the flimsy indictment of James Comey to the replacement of seasoned prosecutors with political lackeys, they trace how Trump is dismantling the Justice Department’s independence. Drawing lessons from Watergate to January 6th, they warn of the dangers ahead, and explore what reforms are needed to rebuild guardrails and protect democracy.

Rep. Dan Goldman joins John Avlon to rip into the FBI’s Epstein cover-up, Trump’s attacks on free speech, and the GOP’s cowardice on healthcare and democracy.

In the wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination, John Avlon and libertarian thinker Nick Gillespie dive into America’s rising tide of political violence, and how reckless rhetoric fuels it. They explore Trump’s authoritarian drift, from tariffs and National Guard deployments to state capitalism that looks more like Xi Jinping than Ronald Reagan. Can new coalitions of centrists and libertarians push back against MAGA’s illiberal turn and rebuild a politics rooted in freedom, pluralism, and principle?

John Avlon sits down with Ambassador Nicholas Burns, who served as US Ambassador to China from 2021 to 2025. They discuss how Donald Trump’s foreign policy blunders are weakening America and strengthening China. From alienating India with sky-high tariffs, to undermining alliances with Japan and South Korea, to wavering on tech restrictions and Taiwan, Trump’s choices are giving Beijing an edge. They also talk about China’s massive “Salt Typhoon” cyberattack, its support for Russia’s war in Ukraine, and the bizarre hot-mic moment where Xi, Putin, and Kim Jong-un mused about living forever. Get 15% off OneSkin with the code FIXIT at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod

Maryland Governor Wes Moore joins John Avlon to talk about leadership, service, and solutions. From cutting Baltimore’s homicide rate by 40%, to pioneering a statewide service year for young people, to rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge in record time, Moore lays out how states can lead where Washington fails. He also opens up about clashes with Donald Trump, the challenges of navigating federal politics, and what Democrats must do to deliver real results for working people. 

Jeff Clements joins John Avlon to talk about the For Our Freedom Amendment aims to put power back in the hands of people, not money, by allowing Congress and states to set limits on political spending. History shows that even in America’s most divided times, from the Civil War to the 1960s, bold constitutional amendments have passed, proof that big changes are possible in moments of crisis. American Promise https://americanpromise.net

In this episode of How to Fix It, General Stanley McChrystal joins John Avlon to reflect on the themes of his latest book on character and how personal integrity shapes public leadership. McChrystal argues that character isn’t just about ideals—it’s the product of values and the discipline to live them out. He believes America is suffering a national character erosion, and that rebuilding democratic norms must start from the ground up—through civic education, grassroots engagement, and personal accountability. Looking back at U.S. military engagements, McChrystal shares candid reflections. He defends the initial intervention in Afghanistan post-9/11 but says its long-term failure was heartbreaking and due to missed opportunities and poor leadership—both by Afghans and Americans. On Iraq, he calls the 2003 invasion a mistake: unnecessary and poorly thought through, arguing Saddam would’ve collapsed on his own. Regarding Iran, he sees the current regime as extreme and ineffective but believes a more democratic future is possible if the West remains engaged. On Ukraine, McChrystal says the U.S. should have backed Kyiv more forcefully and early, suggesting that a “blank check” approach could have weakened Putin faster and potentially led to regime change in Russia.

John Avlon and long time friend Matt Pottinger reconnect to talk global security, U.S.–China relations, artificial intelligence, and the health of democracy. They reflect on their shared history, Pottinger’s career as a journalist and Marine, and his service in the Trump administration. The discussion explores China’s rising influence, the AI race between nations, how authoritarian regimes exploit democratic weaknesses, and what the U.S. must do to stay competitive while protecting its values. Personal stories and strategic insights blend with the easy rapport of two old friends.

John Avlon and Texas state legislator James Talarico focus on solutions for defending democracy against partisan power grabs. Talarico outlines the Texas Democrats’ bold strategy of breaking quorum to block a mid-decade gerrymander, framing it as a model of using every available tool to protect free and fair elections. He stresses that reform must start with banning gerrymandering altogether—whether in red or blue states—to ensure voters choose their leaders, not the other way around. Beyond redistricting, Avlon and Talarico argue Democrats should reclaim the language of faith as part of a broader effort to connect with more voters. By grounding politics in service and moral responsibility, leaders can bridge divides and counter extremist narratives. He also calls for strengthening the separation of church and state to protect both democracy and religious freedom. Finally, he believes Democrats must adopt a more aggressive, grassroots-driven approach, running for local office, contesting every seat, and showing voters they’re willing to act boldly to fix the system and make it work for everyone.

John Avlon talks with David Pepper about how gerrymandering is undermining democracy, Trump’s push for new congressional maps in Texas, and how everyday citizens can fight back by running for local office, registering voters, and holding corrupt officials accountable.

John Avlon is joined by Greg Kats where they focus on the growing threat of urban heat waves, and how “smart surfaces” offer an affordable, effective solution. Greg Kats explains that cities are getting hotter due to heat-absorbing infrastructure like dark roofs, asphalt, and concrete. These surfaces trap heat, especially in low-income neighborhoods, leading to higher energy bills, health risks, and even deaths.These fixes don’t require massive new spending. Simple upgrades like reflective roofing, porous pavement, green spaces, and solar panels—can dramatically cool cities, reduce flooding, and cut emissions. These smart surface strategies are already being tested in cities like Atlanta and Baltimore, showing real success. The episode highlights how a mix of data, common-sense planning, and political will could scale these solutions nationally making communities healthier, safer, and more climate-resilient for a relatively low cost. Smart Surfaces Coalition: https://smartsurfacescoalition.org

John Avlon speaks with NYU law professor and former Obama/Biden advisor David Kamin about the dangers of Trump’s economic agenda and the newly passed Republican tax law. They warn that Trump’s renewed threats to fire Fed Chair Jerome Powell could undermine global trust in U.S. financial stability by politicizing the central bank, potentially worsening inflation and damaging markets. They break down the tax law’s deep unfairness, massive cuts for the ultra-wealthy, growing income inequality, and a ballooning deficit. Kamin explains how the law rewards certain professions arbitrarily, penalizes employees, and opens new loopholes while slashing Medicaid and food assistance. They discuss alternative reforms, including closing corporate tax loopholes, enforcing a global minimum tax, and simplifying the system to support fairness, growth, and middle-class opportunity.

John Avlon and Jonathan Cohn dive into the GOP’s renewed push to slash Medicare, exposing the real-world consequences of proposed $1 trillion cuts. What’s really at stake and why these cuts could be devastating. They unpack how these reductions would impact millions of seniors, unravel the social safety net, and fund tax breaks for the wealthy, all while political leaders try to keep it quiet.

John Avlon joined Rick Wilson for a Substack Live on Rick Wilson’s Against All Enemies. The two political veterans deliver a no-nonsense breakdown of America’s volatile political landscape. They dive into the collapse of the GOP establishment, the dangers of third-party fantasies like Elon Musk’s "America Party," and why Trumpism remains a threat to democracy. With decades of insider experience, they unpack how fear, media manipulation, and political cowardice got us here, and what it’ll take to fight back. Rick Wilson’s Against All Enemies | Substack https://therickwilson.substack.com/

John Avlon and Thomas Pacchia dive into the future of Bitcoin and crypto policy in the U.S., highlighting the regulatory confusion, partisan risks, and missed opportunities under the Biden administration. Now that Trump is embroiled in a crypto scheme, the time for talking about new rules is now. Guest Thomas Pacchia explains the key differences between Bitcoin and broader crypto, warns against overregulation, and makes the case for light-touch rules, tax clarity, and what Trump coin means in this moment for change.

Richard E. Farley wrote a book called Drop Dead about New York City's 1975 fiscal crisis. John Avlon and Richard compare it to today, highlighting similar risks: rising interest rates, job and tax-base uncertainty, reduced federal support, and political dysfunction. Unlike in 1975, today's polarized politics make federal bailouts harder, emphasizing the urgent need to restore fiscal discipline and cooperative governance.

John Avlon chats with John Opdycke, Founder and President of Open Primaries, to make the case for changing how we vote, starting with the primaries. They explain why nonpartisan election systems in places like Alaska and New York are working and what it would take to bring those reforms to more states.

Ruth Ben-Ghiat joins John Avlon to talk about how authoritarianism creeps into democracies, the patterns she’s seen around the world, and what history says about how to fight back. They discuss the rise of strongman politics, the power of resistance, and the five rules we need to remember now.

This week on How to Fix It, John Avlon is joined by Congressman Dan Goldman—former federal prosecutor and member of the House Judiciary and Homeland Security Committees—for an urgent conversation about democracy, corruption, and creeping authoritarianism. As Trump prepares a military parade on his birthday, we break down the constitutional crisis posed by his unprecedented federal takeover of the California National Guard, his push to invoke the Insurrection Act, and the broader legal threats to civil liberties.

Historian Harold Holzer debunks the widely spread myth that Abraham Lincoln was secretly gay, a claim popularized by AIDS activist Larry Kramer, who falsely claimed to have discovered intimate diaries under floorboards. Holzer reveals Kramer admitted privately that the diaries never existed, exposing how easily sensational myths can overshadow historical truth.