Is the short-term economic pain of President Trump’s unpredictable approach to tariffs a reasonable price to pay for a more resilient America? Mr. Trump appears to think so, and so does Oren Cass — sort of. On the first episode of “Interesting Times,” the founder and chief economist of the think tank American Compass joins Ross Douthat to discuss and debate the Trump administration’s drastic trade war.(A full transcript of this episode is available on the Times website.) Thoughts? Email us at interestingtimes@nytimes.com.
<blockquote>Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.</blockquote>

<description>&lt;p&gt;Is the short-term economic pain of President Trump’s unpredictable approach to tariffs a reasonable price to pay for a more resilient America? Mr. Trump appears to think so, and so does Oren Cass — sort of. On the first episode of “Interesting Times,” the founder and chief economist of the think tank American Compass joins Ross Douthat to discuss and debate the Trump administration’s drastic trade war.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;(A full transcript of this episode is available on the Times website.) &lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Thoughts?&lt;/strong&gt; Email us at &lt;strong&gt;interestingtimes@nytimes.com&lt;/strong&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;blockquote&gt;&lt;p&gt;Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Is the short-term economic pain of President Trump’s unpredictable approach to tariffs a reasonable price to pay for a more resilient America? Mr. Trump appears to think so, and so does Oren Cass — sort of. On the first episode of “Interesting Times,” the founder and chief economist of the think tank American Compass joins Ross Douthat to discuss and debate the Trump administration’s drastic trade war.

This Instability May Be Worth It. Here's Why.

There’s a saying that comes to mind these days: May you live in interesting times. It’s understood to be a curse, even though it sounds like a blessing.“Interesting Times With Ross Douthat” is a new weekly podcast from New York Times Opinion. Every Thursday, he will map the new world order through interviews and conversations. Answering questions like: What does our new political era really look like? What is the future of democracy around the world, with American empire in retreat? What happens to movies and books — all of culture — in our digital and A.I.-dominated age?Thoughts? Email us at interestingtimes@nytimes.com.
<blockquote>Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.</blockquote>

<description>&lt;p&gt;There’s a saying that comes to mind these days: May you live in interesting times. It’s understood to be a curse, even though it sounds like a blessing.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;“Interesting Times With Ross Douthat” is a new weekly podcast from New York Times Opinion. Every Thursday, he will map the new world order through interviews and conversations. Answering questions like: What does our new political era really look like? What is the future of democracy around the world, with American empire in retreat? What happens to movies and books — all of culture — in our digital and A.I.-dominated age?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Thoughts? Email us at interestingtimes@nytimes.com.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;blockquote&gt;&lt;p&gt;Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Introducing ‘Interesting Times’

The tech investor Marc Andreessen and his fellow Silicon Valley giant Elon Musk weren’t always the Donald Trump supporters they are today. In this episode, Ross asks Andreessen, a founder of the venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, about what led to Silicon Valley’s rightward shift and the new agenda of the tech-right faction. Editors’ note: This episode originally aired on the “Matter of Opinion” podcast on Jan. 17, 2025.(A full transcript of this episode is available on the Times website.) Thoughts? Email us at interestingtimes@nytimes.com.
<blockquote>Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.</blockquote>

<description>&lt;p&gt;The tech investor Marc Andreessen and his fellow Silicon Valley giant Elon Musk weren’t always the Donald Trump supporters they are today. In this episode, Ross asks Andreessen, a founder of the venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, about what led to Silicon Valley’s rightward shift and the new agenda of the tech-right faction. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;Editors’ note: This episode originally aired on the “Matter of Opinion” podcast on Jan. 17, 2025.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;(A full transcript of this episode is available on the Times website.) &lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Thoughts?&lt;/strong&gt; Email us at &lt;strong&gt;interestingtimes@nytimes.com&lt;/strong&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;blockquote&gt;&lt;p&gt;Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

The tech investor Marc Andreessen and his fellow Silicon Valley giant Elon Musk weren’t always the Donald Trump supporters they are today. In this episode, Ross asks Andreessen, a founder of the venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, about what led to Silicon Valley’s rightward shift and the new agenda of the tech-right faction. 

How Democrats Drove Silicon Valley Into Trump’s Arms

In this conversation, Ross talks to Steve Bannon, the chief strategist from Donald Trump’s first term and part of the original MAGA movement. Despite his clashes with new factions emerging in the Republican Party, Bannon argues that Trump is still central to advancing a populist agenda.Editors’ note: This episode originally aired on the “Matter of Opinion” podcast on Jan. 31, 2025.(A full transcript of this episode is available on the Times website.) Thoughts? Email us at interestingtimes@nytimes.com.
<blockquote>Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.</blockquote>

<description>&lt;p&gt;In this conversation, Ross talks to Steve Bannon, the chief strategist from Donald Trump’s first term and part of the original MAGA movement. Despite his clashes with new factions emerging in the Republican Party, Bannon argues that Trump is still central to advancing a populist agenda.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;Editors’ note: This episode originally aired on the “Matter of Opinion” podcast on Jan. 31, 2025.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;(A full transcript of this episode is available on the Times website.) &lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Thoughts?&lt;/strong&gt; Email us at &lt;strong&gt;interestingtimes@nytimes.com&lt;/strong&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;blockquote&gt;&lt;p&gt;Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

In this conversation, Ross talks to Steve Bannon, the chief strategist from Donald Trump’s first term and part of the original MAGA movement. Despite his clashes with new factions emerging in the Republican Party, Bannon argues that Trump is still central to advancing a populist agenda.

Steve Bannon on ‘Broligarchs’ vs. Populism

Christopher Rufo brought the term "critical race theory" into mainstream conversation. Now, the anti-DEI activist is bringing his critiques of education to the White House. In this episode, Ross explores Rufo's mission to make universities feel "existential terror."Editors’ note: This episode originally aired on the “Matter of Opinion” podcast on Mar. 7, 2025.(A full transcript of this episode is available on the Times website.)  Thoughts? Email us at interestingtimes@nytimes.com.
<blockquote>Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.</blockquote>

<description>&lt;p&gt;Christopher Rufo brought the term "critical race theory" into mainstream conversation. Now, the anti-DEI activist is bringing his critiques of education to the White House. In this episode, Ross explores Rufo's mission to make universities feel "existential terror."&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;Editors’ note: This episode originally aired on the “Matter of Opinion” podcast on Mar. 7, 2025.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;(A full transcript of this episode is available on the Times website.)  &lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Thoughts?&lt;/strong&gt; Email us at &lt;strong&gt;interestingtimes@nytimes.com&lt;/strong&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;blockquote&gt;&lt;p&gt;Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Christopher Rufo brought the term "critical race theory" into mainstream conversation. Now, the anti-DEI activist is bringing his critiques of education to the White House. In this episode, Ross explores Rufo's mission to make universities feel "existential terror."

The Anti-D.E.I. Crusader Who Wants to Dismantle the Department of Education

The first draft of our future. Mapping the new world order through interviews and conversations. Every Thursday, from New York Times Opinion.

Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

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