America at a Crossroads

America at a Crossroads is proud to present an esteemed roster of guests and moderators to discuss the state of American democracy and the very real challenges facing it today. Past guests and moderators have included Congressman Adam Schiff, Congresswoman Karen Bass, House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn, Lt. Col. Alex Vindman, Congressman Adam Kinzinger, George F. Will, Patt Morrison, Warren Olney, Madeleine Brand, Bill Kristol, David Axelrod, James Carville, Jonathan Greenblatt, and many more.

Steven Cash with Larry Mantle | The Rise of Authoritarianism in America: A Perspective from Former National Security Officials

National security expert Steven A. Cash joins journalist Larry Mantle for a critical conversation about the growing threat of authoritarianism in the United States. Drawing on decades of experience across intelligence, homeland security, diplomacy, and defense, Cash offers a rare insider’s view of how democratic institutions are being tested—and what former national security professionals believe must be done to safeguard them. Steven A. Cash is the Executive Director of The Steady State, an...

11-13
59:35

Rick Hasen with Larry Mantle | Can Democracy Hold? The 2026 Midterm Challenge

Election law expert Rick Hasen joins veteran journalist Larry Mantle for an essential conversation on the future of American democracy as the nation heads toward the 2026 midterm elections. Together, they explore the threats facing voting rights, the integrity of election systems, and how legal and political reforms could determine the strength—or fragility—of democratic institutions in the years ahead. Rick Hasen is one of the nation’s foremost authorities on election law, campaign finance,...

11-06
56:27

Joyce Vance with Patt Morrison | The American Justice System, Part II: Still Testing the Limits

Former U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance joins journalist Patt Morrison for an insightful and timely discussion on the state of the American justice system—its resilience, vulnerabilities, and the tests it continues to face in today’s polarized political climate. Together, they explore the balance between accountability and power, the role of the courts, and what justice means in a democracy under strain. Joyce White Vance served as U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama and is a d...

10-30
58:33

Linda Greenhouse with Patt Morrison | Law, Politics, and Power: Perspectives on the Supreme Court

Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Linda Greenhouse, one of the nation’s preeminent voices on the U.S. Supreme Court, joins renowned journalist Patt Morrison for a powerful conversation about the Court’s influence on American democracy. Greenhouse will discuss the evolving role of the judiciary, landmark decisions, political pressures on the Court, and insights from her decades covering its inner workings. Linda Greenhouse reported on the Supreme Court for over 30 years for The New York Times...

10-23
57:00

Prospects for Israeli-Palestinian Peace: Lessons from Oslo & Trump’s 20-Point Plan

An important discussion with former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and former Palestinian National Authority Foreign Minister Nasser Al-Kidwa. They will analyze why Oslo failed and discuss what can be done today to restart the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. The conversation will be moderated by Professor Kenneth A. Bamberger (UC Berkeley) and Professor Steven E. Zipperstein (UCLA). Organized by the UCLA Y&S Nazarian Center for Israel Studies and the UC Berkeley Helen Diller Insti...

09-30
01:00:45

Julio Frenk with Larry Mantle | Can America's Universities Survive the Current Assault?

Can America's Universities Survive the Current Assault? A Conversation with UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk

09-26
57:32

Mary Ziegler with Patt Morrison | The Politics of Control: Abortion, Power, and How Abortion Shapes American Politics

Mary Ziegler is a Professor of Law at the University of California, Davis School of Law and a leading legal historian specializing the struggle over reproductive health policy in the United States from 1945 to present. A 2023 Guggenheim Fellow, she is recognized as one of the foremost authorities on the history of the U.S. abortion debate. She is the author of seven books on reproductive rights and the law. Her latest work, “Personhood: The New Civil War over Reproduction,” was published in M...

09-04
56:55

Mike Mullen with Warren Olney | War, Peace and the American Future: Insights From a Former Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Recorded live on August 27, 2025: Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen joins Warren Olney for War, Peace and the American Future, a wide-ranging conversation on U.S. leadership, global security, and the challenges ahead.

08-28
56:56

Alexander Vindman with Madeleine Brand | How the West Deceived Itself About Russia and Betrayed Ukraine

Lt. Col. (Ret.) Alexander Vindman joins journalist Madeleine Brand for an America at a Crossroads conversation on U.S. foreign policy, democracy, and global security. Subscribe for more conversations.

08-21
01:00:20

Jonathan Weisman with Madeleine Brand | American Antisemitism: Being Jewish in the Age of Trump

Recorded live on August 6, 2025, veteran journalist Jonathan Weisman joins Madeleine Brand for a powerful conversation on rising antisemitism in America, Jewish identity, and the political climate in the age of Trump. Part of the America at a Crossroads series. 🎥 Subscribe for weekly conversations: youtube.com/channel/UCL_7hJyHHmrRruxix3V1mCA 📩 Learn more at: jewsunitedfordemocracy.org/

08-07
58:48

Max Boot with Warren Olney | Russia's War on Ukraine: Trump, Putin, Zelensky, and the Search for Peace

In this compelling conversation, foreign policy expert and author Max Boot joins veteran journalist Warren Olney to examine the state of American democracy, global threats, and what’s at stake in the months ahead. This episode of America at a Crossroads offers thoughtful analysis, historical perspective, and urgent questions about the direction of the U.S. and the world. 🔔 Subscribe for more weekly discussions with leading voices on politics, society, and global affairs.

07-17
57:22

Mayor Karen Bass with Patt Morrison | Federal Troops in LA: What Comes Next?

Karen Bass is the 43rd Mayor of Los Angeles and the first woman and second African American to be elected as the city’s chief executive. Bass previously served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2011 to 2022 and in the California State Assembly from 2004 to 2010, serving as speaker during her final Assembly term. Patt Morrison has a share of two Pulitzer Prizes as a longtime Los Angeles Times writer and columnist. As a public television and radio broadcaster, she has won si...

07-03
58:01

Darcie Harris

Can we finally agree that the polling question "right track...wrong track" is useless in these polarized times? I'm a huge Biden fan but I would answer that question "wrong track" because of the huge threats to democracy. And Murphy, please quit saying we have a bad economy. We have record low unemployment, wages outpacing inflation, healthy corporate profits, a rising stock market and distinctly lower inflation than a year ago. Our economy is fine, thank you Joe Biden.

07-21 Reply

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