Épisodes

  • S2 Ep28: Could NYC Go Broke Again?

    S2 Ep28: Could NYC Go Broke Again?
    Jun 29 2025
    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.
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    35 min
  • S2 Ep27: Closed Primaries Like NYC Screw Voters in Broad Daylight!

    S2 Ep27: Closed Primaries Like NYC Screw Voters in Broad Daylight!
    Jun 24 2025
    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.
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    34 min
  • S2 Ep26: Rules for Surviving Authoritarian Times

    S2 Ep26: Rules for Surviving Authoritarian Times
    Jun 22 2025
    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.
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    26 min
  • S2 Ep25: Trump's North Korean Dictator Moment (w/ Rep. Dan Goldman)

    S2 Ep25: Trump's North Korean Dictator Moment (w/ Rep. Dan Goldman)
    Jun 14 2025
    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.
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    34 min
  • S2 Ep24: Was Lincoln Actually Gay? Historian Busts Myths!

    S2 Ep24: Was Lincoln Actually Gay? Historian Busts Myths!
    Jun 9 2025
    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.
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    18 min
  • S2 Ep24: How Democrats Can Win Back America

    S2 Ep24: How Democrats Can Win Back America
    Jun 8 2025
    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 successful approach.
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    29 min
  • S2 Ep23: How to Stop a Civil War

    S2 Ep23: How to Stop a Civil War
    Jun 1 2025
    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 normalization of violence, and protect democracy.
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    46 min
  • S2 Ep22: A Real Plan to Get The U.S. High-Speed Rail—for 10% of the Cost

    S2 Ep22: A Real Plan to Get The U.S. High-Speed Rail—for 10% of the Cost
    May 25 2025
    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 make real progress.

    Slashing Northeast Corridor Rail Travel Time Can Be Achieved For Much Less, NYU Report Finds

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    15 min