David Daley believes democracy in the U.S. is under threat. In his new book "Antidemocratic," Daley suggests that far-right actors -- including those within the Supreme Court -- are controlling American elections. The author joins the show to discuss the implications of all this as Americans prepare to head to the polls in November.

This week the DNC was packed with excitement, with speeches by the Obamas, a performance of the National Anthem by The Chicks, and a closing performance by Pink. But each speech reminded the party of the bumpy road to the White House, and the importance of voting in this election. Harrison speaks with us to reflect on the DNC and the challenges the Democratic Party faces between now and November.

While the economy remains the top issue for voters, immigration is not far behind. Jonathan Blitzer, staff writer for The New Yorker, joins the show to discuss Kamala Harris and why border policy remains such a vexing problem for the U.S.

John Giles, Republican mayor of Mesa, Arizona, is pledging his support to Kamala Harris. He even spoke at the Democratic convention. Giles joins Hari Sreenivasan to explain why he felt compelled to switch sides. They discuss immigration as a ballot issue this election, and the necessity for Kamala Harris to reset the messaging on this subject.

Donald Trump and his running mate JD Vance are eyeing Silicon Valley, where some of the wealthiest and most powerful tech titans are lining up behind Trump. Once a stronghold of liberal ideas, this center of American innovation is drifting to the right. Michael Moritz, a senior adviser at Sequoia Heritage, joins the show to explain why he is urging his peers to rethink their support.

With Democrats on track to formally nominate Kamala Harris as the party's presidential candidate, we look back at her political evolution during her tenure in the U.S. Senate. Washington Post congressional reporter Liz Goodwin joins Michel Martin to discuss Harris's leadership style and how it sets her up for a challenging presidential campaign.

Artificial intelligence has the potential to influence issues from climate change to the global economy. Demis Hassabis is co-founder and CEO of one of the world's leading AI research groups, Google DeepMind. Hassabis tells Walter Isaacson why he takes a cautiously optimistic view of the much-discussed technology.

As the presidential election edges closer, all eyes are firmly focused on candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. Nate Silver, the prophetic pollster and poker player who founded the website FiveThirtyEight, speaks with Walter Isaacson about his new book which details how -- as in poker -- risk-taking could be key to success in November.

Less than 90 days before the presidential election, Georgia Republicans have passed new procedural rules that allow for challenges in certifying election results. Amanda Carpenter, of the nonprofit group Protect Democracy, joins the show to discuss the problems posed by this ruling — and the critical importance of safeguarding the integrity of the 2024 election.

In a landmark case, a federal judge has found Google guilty of U.S. anti-trust violations. It's a staggering defeat for the tech company, that could upend decades of dominance and potentially reshape how millions of Americans get their information online. Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter joins Walter Isaacson to discuss the verdict.

One critic of Russia and its military is exiled journalist Masha Gessen, who was recently convicted in absentia and sentenced by a Moscow court for reporting on the conflict. Gessen joins Michel Martin to share what it is like to be targeted by the Kremlin, and to discuss their recent New York Times behind-the-scenes account of the recent prisoner swap with Russia.

What will warfare look like in the future? Raj Shah and Christopher Kirchhoff launched an elite Pentagon unit aimed at integrating cutting-edge technology into the U.S. military. Walter Isaacson asks them about their book “Unit X: How the Pentagon and Silicon Valley Are Transforming the Future of War.”

It is the fond hope of parents to give their children a better start in life than they had. In America, race has historically been a huge factor. But Raj Chetty, director of Harvard's Opportunity Insights initiative, is finding that the racial gap is closing. He tells Hari Sreenivasan how this was achieved, what the implications might be, and what factors determine our children's futures today.

Just days ago, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan helped secure the release of three Americans held in Russia. Sullivan joins the show to reflect on the long road that led to the historic prisoner swap, his concerns for the future of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, and what the administration hopes to accomplish during its final months in office.

China's current status was built atop decades of communist authoritarian rule, and few people have experienced this transformation as closely and personally as author Edward Wong. In his book "At the Edge of Empire," he chronicles the journey of his family and his nation through the political evolution that brought China to global ascendance.

In her new book, "Autocracy Inc.," journalist Anne Applebaum argues that many of today's dictators collaborate to help keep one another in power. She joins the show to discuss this phenomenon.

The US once again has been shaken by the shooting of an unarmed Black woman by police. Last month Sonya Massey called 911 for help, only to be shot and killed by a sheriff's deputy inside her own home. Dr. Tracie Keesee, co-founder and president of the Center for Policing Equity, discussed what went wrong and what local law enforcement can do to better protect the communities they serve.

Vice President Kamala Harris met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington, at a time when it is not yet clear how she would manage the Israel-Gaza war if elected president. Hari Sreenivasan speaks with Democratic strategist Waleed Shahid about Harris' recent actions and how she might win over undecided voters.

As the presidential campaigns of Donald Trump and Kamala Harris are heating up, so too are the disinformation campaigns and online abuse. It’s nothing new for Harris. A 2020 report on presidential candidates found that the vast majority of attacks were directed at women. Nina Jankowicz explains that now, four years later, women -- and Harris in particular -- are still the primary targets.

In a recent piece for The Atlantic -- "Hillbilly Women Will Get No Help from J.D. Vance" -- Cassie Chambers Armstrong makes the point that, despite the Republican vice-presidential candidate's claim on his family's Appalachian values, his stated positions show a failure to recognize women's reality. Senator Armstrong joins the show to discuss ways in which rural women could be better supported.