Firing Line

News and Public Affairs Series / 8 Seasons

Join author, activist and commentator Margaret Hoover for a public affairs talk show that delivers a civil and engaging contest of ideas among the brightest minds and voices from across the ideological spectrum.

Watch: S2025 E16

26m 46s

Baratunde Thurston

S2023 E727 / 26m 46s

Writer, activist, comedian and “America Outdoors” host Baratunde Thurston discusses how nature can bridge divides and help heal the nation. He explains why he uses humor to tackle tough topics like race and politics, and weighs in on A.I. and 2024.

Jewel Kilcher

S2023 E726 / 26m 46s

Singer-songwriter Jewel Kilcher discusses her journey from a troubled upbringing in Alaska to music megastardom, how she saved her own soul by prioritizing her mental health, and her virtual reality platform providing access to mindfulness tools.

Jonathan Greenblatt

S2023 E725 / 26m 46s

Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt discusses the spike in antisemitism since Oct. 7, the double standard on speech he sees on university campuses, and his concerns about anti-Zionism and a lack of moral clarity among progressives.

Leopoldo Lopez

S2023 E724 / 26m 46s

Exiled Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez discusses threats to democracy around the world and combatting autocracy. He comments on challenging conditions in Venezuela under Maduro and the impact of Biden's policies in the region.

Maria Ressa

S2023 E723 / 26m 46s

Maria Ressa, a Nobel Peace Prize-winning journalist who faces prison time for standing up to authoritarianism in the Philippines, discusses how the spread of false news through social media threatens democracy and the importance of a free press.

Cornel West & Robert George

S2023 E722 / 26m 46s

Leftist Dr. Cornel West and conservative Dr. Robert George, the “ideological odd couple,” discuss the need for civil discourse in this era of polarization. They explore opposing policy views, respectfully disagreeing as well as finding common ground.

Brad Raffensperger

S2023 E721 / 26m 46s

Brad Raffensperger, Georgia's Republican Secretary of State, discusses standing up to pressure from Trump to overturn the 2020 election in his state and how to restore public trust in elections. He explains why he believes Georgia is ready for 2024.

Thomas Nides

S2023 E720 / 26m 46s

Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel Thomas Nides explains why the next 30 days will be the most important in Israel’s history. He discusses hostage rescue negotiations, Israel’s combat calculations, and diplomatic and humanitarian challenges.

Kimberly Kagan

S2023 E719 / 26m 46s

Military historian Kimberly Kagan discusses Israel’s obstacles on the ground in Gaza, Ukraine’s counteroffensive against Russia, and the role Iran plays in both conflicts. She also explains her concerns over U.S. readiness for wider war.

Mitch Daniels

S2023 E718 / 26m 46s

Republican Mitch Daniels, the former governor of Indiana and Purdue University president, discusses America's political disarray, the national debt, campus speech debates, strategies for reducing tuition, and whether he would ever return to politics.

Jonathan Schanzer

S2023 E717 / 26m 46s

Terrorism expert Jonathan Schanzer examines efforts to contain a wider war in the Middle East and deter Iran and its proxies. He discusses the Qatari-led hostage negotiations and the complexities of an Israeli ground fight against Hamas in Gaza.

Bret Stephens

S2023 E716 / 26m 45s

Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Bret Stephens discusses how Israel should respond to Hamas’s horrific terrorist attack. Stephens, the former Jerusalem Post editor-in-chief, assesses the role of Iran and the geopolitical ramifications of the war.

Yascha Mounk

S2023 E715 / 26m 46s

Left-leaning author and professor Yascha Mounk discusses his new book “The Identity Trap” examining the rise of identity politics within the progressive left. Mounk addresses the risks this trend may present to schools, corporations, and democracy.

Walter Isaacson

S2023 E714 / 26m 46s

Bestselling author Walter Isaacson discusses his biography of Elon Musk, who leads SpaceX, Tesla, and endeavors in AI and brain-machine interfaces. Isaacson comments on Musk's Twitter takeover, geopolitical influence, controversies, and aspirations.

Liev Schreiber

S2023 E713 / 26m 46s

Actor Liev Schreiber, co-founder of BlueCheck Ukraine, discusses the urgent need for humanitarian aid in Ukraine as President Zelensky asks for international support at the UN. He explains why he thinks Russia will lose and why Americans should care.

Baratunde Thurston

S2023 E712 / 26m 46s

Writer, activist, comedian and “America Outdoors” host Baratunde Thurston discusses how nature can bridge divides and help heal the nation. He explains why he uses humor to tackle tough topics like race and politics, and weighs in on A.I. and 2024.

Doug Burgum

S2023 E711 / 26m 46s

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, a Republican presidential candidate and former tech CEO, outlines his policy vision for energy, climate, immigration, and education reform. He says the GOP needs to move past the 2020 election and look to the future.

Roya Mahboob

S2023 E710 / 26m 46s

Afghanistan’s first female tech CEO, Roya Mahboob, discusses the fall of Kabul and decimation of women's rights after two years of Taliban rule. She gives an update on the Afghan Girls Robotics Team, which she launched prior to the Taliban takeover.

Richard Dreyfuss

S2023 E709 / 26m 46s

Oscar winner Richard Dreyfuss discusses America's civics crisis and his initiative to restore civics education in public schools. He weighs in on the state of discourse in the country and speaks out against diversity inclusion standards in Hollywood.

Chris Christie

S2023 E708 / 26m 46s

Presidential candidate Chris Christie draws a contrast with other GOP 2024 candidates by sharply rebuking his former boss Donald Trump ahead of the first presidential debate. The former prosecutor also discusses the cases against Trump.

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