S2 Ep30: Will Elon's America Party Bomb Like Other Third Parties?
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...
30m Jul 09, 2025
30m
S2 Ep29: Trump's Crypto Scheme Shows That We Need New Rules Now
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 agains...
45m Jul 06, 2025
45m
S2 Ep28: Could NYC Go Broke Again?
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 ...
35m Jun 29, 2025
35m
S2 Ep27: Closed Primaries Like NYC Screw Voters in Broad Daylight!
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.
34m Jun 24, 2025
34m
S2 Ep26: Rules for Surviving Authoritarian Times
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.
26m Jun 22, 2025
26m
S2 Ep25: Trump's North Korean Dictator Moment (w/ Rep. Dan Goldman)
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 ...
34m Jun 14, 2025
34m
S2 Ep24: Was Lincoln Actually Gay? Historian Busts Myths!
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.
18m Jun 09, 2025
18m
S2 Ep24: How Democrats Can Win Back America
John Avlon and strategic advisor Jon Henes discuss the Democratic Party’s deep messaging crisis and identity politics pitfalls. Henes argues Democrats must return to clear, relatable messages about public safety, economic opportunity, and everyday concerns. They explore Jon's experience with Harris, why voters feel alienated, the dangers of extreme rhetoric, and lessons from Bill Clinton’s succ...
29m Jun 08, 2025
29m
S2 Ep23: How to Stop a Civil War
John Avlon talks with peacebuilding expert John Paul Lederach about America’s dangerous polarization and the rising risk of political violence. Lederach shares lessons from global conflict resolution, stressing that America must prioritize courageous dialogue, empathy, and curiosity to prevent violence. They explore how leadership and community-level engagement can rebuild trust, avoid the norm...
46m Jun 01, 2025
46m
S2 Ep22: A Real Plan to Get The U.S. High-Speed Rail—for 10% of the Cost
John Avlon speaks with Alon Levy from NYU’s Marron Institute about their bold plan to bring high-speed rail to the Northeast for a fraction of the projected cost. They propose smarter planning, prioritizing timetables, electrification, and minimal new infrastructure. To cut travel times and avoid wasteful spending. Levy argues the U.S. must learn from countries like Switzerland and Germany to m...
15m May 25, 2025
15m
S2 Ep21: History’s Blueprint for Rescue with Mark Updegrove
John Avlon and Historian Mark Updegrove discuss how lessons from past presidents can help us confront today’s political threats. They highlight the importance of character in leadership, the dangers of normalized corruption, and the urgent need to defend democracy. Drawing on history, they argue that citizens must stay engaged, learn from past reform movements, and organize to protect the future.
30m May 18, 2025
30m
S2 Ep20: JD Vance Is a Moron When It Comes to India-Pakistan
Vice President J.D. Vance downplayed rising nuclear tensions between India and Pakistan, calling it “none of our business,” only to backtrack after alarming intelligence reports. His careless comments and isolationist stance highlight a troubling lack of understanding and responsibility during a potential global crisis.
10m May 12, 2025
10m
S2 Ep19: Matt Yglesias: Stop Being Scared of Voters
John Avlon and Matt Yglesias break down why Democrats need to focus on popular, practical ideas—like growth, safety, and common sense—to win voters and fix what’s broken.
36m May 11, 2025
36m
S2 Ep18: Trump’s Power Grab Is The Real Danger To America (w/ Sen. Angus King)
John Avlon talks with Senator Angus King about the growing threat of authoritarianism under Trump. King warns that Congress is failing to uphold the Constitution and urges lawmakers—especially Republicans—to reclaim their power. The fix? Reasserting checks and balances, restoring trust, and putting country over party.
28m May 04, 2025
28m
S2 Ep17: Reclaiming Patriotism from Trump’s America (with Ted Johnson)
As America approaches its 250th anniversary, deep polarization and partisan battles are threatening the very idea of patriotism. John Avlon and Ted Johnson break down how American pride has been weaponized, why civic education has crumbled, and how citizens can reclaim a more inclusive, aspirational patriotism. They explore the urgent need for national service, real civic engagement, and a rene...
40m Apr 27, 2025
40m
S2 Ep16: Troops Against Americans? Is This Trump’s Next Terrifying Move?
Trump is openly challenging America's constitutional order. John Avlon and Michael Waldman dive deep into Trump's alarming defiance of court rulings, threats to civil liberties, and potential abuse of emergency powers. Is American democracy at a breaking point?
37m Apr 20, 2025
37m
S2 Ep15: Trump’s Economic Wreckage with Jon Corzine
Former NJ Governor and Goldman Sachs CEO Jon Corzine joins host John Avlon to unpack the devastating consequences of Trump’s chaotic trade policies. From the collapse of trust in U.S. markets to the looming threat of losing the dollar as the world’s reserve currency, this episode dives deep into the economic, geopolitical, and institutional risks facing America. Corzine draws on his unique expe...
32m Apr 13, 2025
32m
S2 Ep14: The Real Cost of Trump’s Tariffs Around The World!
Kori Schake from the American Enterprise Institute discusses how Trump's administration is damaging U.S. alliances and national security through protectionism and erratic diplomacy. Exploring tariffs, NATO tensions, China's global influence through TikTok, and the erosion of democratic norms, Schake outlines the urgent need for patriotic civic action to restore America's role in the world.
32m Apr 06, 2025
32m
S2 Ep13: The Death of Debate: How Power Is Killing Free Speech in America
What happens when universities stop defending debate—and politicians start punishing dissent? John Avlon interviews Greg Lukianoff, President of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) and co-author of The Coddling of the American Mind. They unpack the escalating war over free speech—from college campuses to the courtroom—and explore how institutions meant to protect liberty ...
37m Mar 30, 2025
37m
S2 Ep12: The Trick To Stopping Trump's Chaos
Larry Diamond joins John Avlon to sound the alarm on the growing threat of authoritarianism in America. From legal intimidation to undermining democratic institutions, they break down Trump’s “authoritarian project” and what we can do to resist it—through civil action, unity, and courage. Democracy Without America? https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/democracy-without-america-trump-la...
40m Mar 23, 2025
40m
S2 Ep11: Can Democrats Ditch Identity Politics?
John Avlon talks to Thomas Chatterton Williams on how to tackle one of the biggest challenges in American politics: Can Democrats move beyond identity politics and embrace a unifying vision of liberal democracy?
37m Mar 16, 2025
37m
S2 Ep10: Trump’s Pivot to Putin? Former U.S. Ambassador Exposes Why The Shift Is So Horrifying
John Avlon and former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul to discuss the Trump administration’s alarming realignment towards Russia. From halting military aid to Ukraine to inviting Putin back into the G7, McFaul breaks down the stunning policy shifts that threaten America's democratic alliances.
38m Mar 09, 2025
38m
S2 Ep9: You SHOULD Give A Damn About The NATIONAL DEBT (w/ Maya MacGuineas) | How To Fix It
John Avlon sits down with fiscal policy expert Maya MacGuineas to dissect the growing national debt, deficit, and the political dysfunction surrounding fiscal responsibility in Washington. They explore why skyrocketing debt should concern every American—not just economists and policymakers—and discuss practical, bipartisan solutions to restore fiscal balance.
33m Mar 02, 2025
33m
S2 Ep8: Rethinking the Environmental Movement (with Rachel Pritzker)
Climate activists have long advocated for consuming less energy and shrinking our carbon footprint. But a growing ecomodernist movement argues we need more energy for prosperity, security—and to help combat climate change as well.
34m Feb 23, 2025
34m
S2 Ep7: End the Tech Overlords' Self-Protection Racket (with Chris Hughes)
Tech companies have been virtually immune from lawsuits over what’s posted on their platforms. Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes tells John that the public would never agree to a blanket liability shield for industries like banking, airlines, and pharmaceuticals—and it's high time that Section 230 gets scrapped.
35m Feb 16, 2025
35m
S2 Ep6: The AI War on Normal People (with Andrew Yang)
With AI driving ever greater income inequality while it eats through jobs—blue-collar, white-collar, and the kind of work in professional services firms college grads have trained for— our country’s leaders should be responding to the reality that is already upon us.
34m Feb 09, 2025
34m
S2 Ep5: Make Congress Work (with Yuval Levin)
In other democracies, when a party wins an election it wins all the power. But American democracy is different, and under the Constitution, Congress is supposed to engage in cross-partisan bargaining—yet it's failing at this very basic job.
35m Feb 02, 2025
35m
S2 Ep4: DOGE Is Doing it Wrong (with Philip K. Howard)
Elon wants to cut government programs, but that won’t make government more efficient. But changing how the government does things—by streamlining the permitting and purchasing processes, for example—will make government more effective, efficient, and responsive to the public. Plus, instilling fear among federal employees and helping fulfill Trump’s urge to say “you’re fired.” show notes Philip...
32m Jan 26, 2025
32m
S2 Ep3: Keeping the Faith in the Fight to Defend Democracy (with Anne Applebaum)
As Trump retakes the Oval Office, John speaks with Anne Applebaum about how to stay in the fight of our times.
30m Jan 19, 2025
30m
S2 Ep2: Avoiding Partisan Gridlock
Democratic Congressman Tom Suozzi argues that the real election mandate was for border security, reducing the cost of living, and turning down the volume on the culture wars—not one-party rule.
39m Jan 12, 2025
39m
S2 Ep1: A Civics Deficit in the Classroom
As schools have continued to emphasize STEM courses and other subjects, civics has largely fallen off the curriculum calendar in most states——and we’re now living in a country roiled by political divisions and fears of violence.
35m Jan 05, 2025
35m
S1 Ep5: Ancient Lessons for Defeating a Demagogue
On a special pre-election show, Daily Stoic’s Ryan Holiday talks with John about how history’s lessons can guide us through this perilous time.
31m Nov 03, 2024
31m
S1 Ep4: The Keys to Solving the Immigration Problem
The law of supply and demand also applies at the border: We can’t stop all illegal immigration—in part because of the lure of a better life here, but also because of our own labor needs.
31m Oct 27, 2024
31m
S1 Ep3: Getting Back to the People’s Business
Mickey Edwards sees a way out of our polarizing politics. He tells John what voters and Congress can do—and how the schools can help by teaching critical thinking skills.
30m Oct 20, 2024
30m
S1 Ep2: Rolling Back the Phone-Based Childhood
Jonathan Haidt joins John Avlon to discuss how to restore a play-based childhood—including his prescriptions for parents, schools, and members of Congress.
31m Oct 13, 2024
31m
S1 Ep1: A Poisoning in the Land
The United States is in the midst of one of the worst drug epidemics it has ever faced, with nearly 80,000 Americans dying every year from fentanyl poisoning.
29m Oct 03, 2024
29m