Vice President JD Vance met with the new pope a few days ago. He then sat down with The Times to talk about faith, immigration, the law and the partisan temptation to go too far.
Ross Douthat, an opinion columnist and the host of the new podcast “Interesting Times,” discusses their conversation.
Yesterday
Injections, Bone Hammering and the Pursuit of Peak Male Beauty
If you’ve spent any time on social media recently, you’ve probably come across a video of a young, square-jawed influencer calling himself Clavicular. He has become the face of an internet subculture called looksmaxxing, in which men do almost anything — like taking steroids and ... Show More
37m 53s
Mar 20
Trump Wants to Change How We Vote. Will He Succeed?
This week, the Senate is debating the contentious SAVE America Act, a strict voter identification bill that could overhaul who gets to vote. President Trump has called it his “No. 1 priority,” threatening to not sign any other legislation until it is passed. Michael Gold and Nick ... Show More
35m 10s
Apr 2025
Can the Catholic Church Quit the Culture Wars?
<p>On this episode of “Interesting Times,” Ross Douthat is joined by the Rev. James Martin, a Jesuit priest and an editor of America Magazine, to reflect on the legacy of Pope Francis and the challenges facing the next papacy.</p><ul><li>02:20 The First Jesuit Pope</li><li>05:23 ... Show More
57m 42s
Oct 2024
Normally Podcast: Trump & Elon Have Fun...The Left Loses It!
<p>In this episode, Mary Katharine Ham and Karol Markowicz discuss the intersection of fast food culture and politics, focusing on Donald Trump's recent campaign event at a McDonald's. They explore the nostalgic and humorous aspects of Trump's persona, his ability to connect with ... Show More
32m 34s
Sep 2024
Normally Podcast: Normal-ish Takes on Political Insanity
<p>In the first episode of Normally, hosts Mary Katharine Ham and Karol Markowicz discuss the evolving political beliefs of Kamala Harris, the media's role in shaping political narratives, and the double standards present in political discourse. They also delve into the dynamics ... Show More
21m 24s
Mar 2025
Normally Podcast: Abbey Gate is Finally Mentioned in a Presidential Speech
<p>In this episode, Mary Katharine Ham and Karol Markowicz discuss the aftermath of Trump's address to Congress, focusing on the reactions from both sides of the aisle. They explore the importance of normalcy in political discourse, the emotional moments during the address, and t ... Show More
26m 42s
<p>Plus, your Friday news quiz. </p><p><strong>On Today’s Episode:</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/18/us/politics/trump-fcc-licenses.html" target="_blank"><strong>Trump Pressures Broadcasters Over Critical Coverage, Escalating Attack on Speech</strong></a> ... Show More
