The New York Public Library Podcast features your favorite writers, artists, and thinkers in smart talks and provocative conversations. Listen to some of our most engaging programs, discover new ideas, and celebrate the best of today’s culture.

This week's episode features  a two-part lecture delivered by Columbia Journalism School professor and New Yorker staff writer Jelani Cobb titled "The Half-Life of Freedom." He spoke at the Steven A. Schwarzman Building last month for the Cullman Center’s Joanna Jackson Goldman Memorial Lectures on American Civilization and Government. 

Listen on Apple Podcasts | Listen on Google Play
 

 Cobb looks back to Joseph McCarthy as a master manipulator of the media, inspecting the Wisconsin senator's behavior toward the press for clues about today's relationship between politicans and journalists. He examines the dynamics at play in the 2016 election, the role played by print, broadcast, and social media, and the implications of those dynamics for the fourth estate on the more immediate and long-term futures of American politics. Cobb also uses his experience teaching in Russia to help think through what could have made Russia interested in influencing the American presidential election in the first place.

How to listen to The New York Public Library Podcast

Subscribing to The NYPL Podcast on your mobile device is the easiest way to make sure you never miss an episode. Episodes will automatically download to your device, and be ready for listening every Tuesday morning

On your iPhone or iPad:
Open the purple “Podcasts” app that’s preloaded on your phone. If you’re reading this on your device, tap this link to go straight to the show and click “Subscribe.” You can also tap the magnifying glass in the app and search for “The New York Public Library Podcast.”

On your Android phone or tablet:
Open the orange “Play Music” app that’s preloaded on your device. If you’re reading this on your device, click this link to go straight to the show and click “Subscribe.” You can also tap the magnifying glass icon and search for “The New York Public Library Podcast.” 

Or if you have another preferred podcast player, you can find “The New York Public Library Podcast” there. (Here’s the RSS feed.)

From a desktop or laptop:
Click the “play” button above to start the show. Make sure to keep that window open on your browser if you’re doing other things, or else the audio will stop. You can always find the latest episode at nypl.org/podcast.