Apple News In Conversation

The surprising ways the Supreme Court curbed Trump’s power

<p>The Supreme Court just wrapped one of its most consequential terms in recent memory &mdash; issuing major rulings on presidential power, birthright citizenship, and the rights of transgender athletes. But the story playing out in most headlines, legal analyst Sarah Isgur argues, is missing the bigger picture. Isgur is the editor of <a href="https://www.scotusblog.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">SCOTUSblog</a> and the author of <a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/last-branch-standing/id6749607120" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Last Branch Standing: A Potentially Surprising, Occasionally Witty Journey Inside Today&rsquo;s Supreme Court</em></a>. She joined <em>Apple News In Conversation</em> guest host David Greene to explain why she considers this the hardest term in the Roberts Court&rsquo;s history, why Trump has lost far more cases than he&rsquo;s won, and why the political framework most people use to understand the court tells only a fraction of the story.</p>

Why the Constitution is making our politics worse (From the archives)

<p><em>This episode originally aired on Sept 18, 2025.&nbsp;</em><br /><br />The Constitution has been amended 27 times, but the last meaningful change was over half a century ago. In historian Jill Lepore&rsquo;s book <a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/we-the-people/id6741485295" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>We the People: A History of the U.S. Constitution</em></a>, she argues that the near impossibility of amendment in recent decades underlies many of today&rsquo;s political crises, from polarization to battles over the courts. Lepore spoke with <em>Apple News In Conversation</em> host Shumita Basu about the history of constitutional revision and why the amendment process matters for the future of American democracy.</p>

The little-known forces quietly killing the college degree

<p>When <em>New Yorker</em> staff writer Jay Caspian Kang sat down to do his taxes, one question surfaced: Should he still be saving for his 9-year-old daughter&rsquo;s college fund? What followed was a <a href="https://apple.news/A_6pVPVRhTqKqFHFgki2NHA" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">deeply reported series</a> about the growing crisis in American higher education and the forces behind it &mdash; from AI to soaring tuition to a collapse in public trust in institutions. Kang speaks with <em>Apple News In Conversation</em> guest host David Greene about what colleges are actually for, whether they&rsquo;re still delivering on their promises, and what the future of higher education might look like.</p>

The U.S. is turning 250. These songs unexpectedly changed American history.

<p>The United States turns 250 years old this summer &mdash; and there&rsquo;s no shortage of ways to mark the moment. One of the most revealing lenses through which to view the country&rsquo;s history may be music. Anna Harwell Celenza, professor at Johns Hopkins University and author of <a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/on-the-record/id6749278151" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>On the Record: Music That Changed America</em></a>, joined <em>Apple News In Conversation</em> guest host David Greene to discuss the hidden political history of American music &mdash; from why &ldquo;The Star-Spangled Banner&rdquo; became the national anthem to how &ldquo;Strange Fruit&rdquo; helped pass anti-lynching legislation &mdash; and what music still has to say about democracy now.</p>

TV’s most beloved assistant coach says the World Cup is about to change America. Here’s how.

<p>This year&rsquo;s World Cup will be the largest in history, with 48 teams and 104 matches &mdash; and, for the first time in more than 30 years, the tournament is being played on American soil. Brendan Hunt, co-creator, writer, and star of <em>Ted Lasso</em> and cohost of the Apple News Original podcast <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/after-the-whistle-with-brendan-hunt-and-rebecca-lowe/id1654074926" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>After the Whistle</em></a>, joins <em>Apple News In Conversation</em> guest host David Greene to talk about how he fell in love with soccer as an adult, the U.S. Men&rsquo;s National Team players he&rsquo;ll be watching, and whether the United States is finally a soccer country.</p>

How the Texas floods forever changed one family

<p>On July 4, 2025, catastrophic flooding tore through Central&nbsp;Texas, killing more than 130 people and destroying communities along the Guadalupe River. Aaron Parsley, a senior editor at <em>Texas Monthly</em>, was there &mdash; and though he survived, his family suffered a devastating loss. His harrowing <a href="https://apple.news/AA27XRFp7QNefcfYM93Y_kw" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">account</a> of what happened when floodwaters overwhelmed their house and ripped them apart won the Pulitzer Prize for feature writing. Now he&rsquo;s out with a <a href="https://apple.news/ANJxz5LELSkiGtwh2eK7EyA" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">new essay</a> and a <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/where-the-river-took-us/id1896345297?i=1000766497488" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">podcast</a> about what their recovery has looked like. Parsley joined <em>Apple News In Conversation</em> guest host <a href="https://www.kcrw.com/people/david-greene" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">David Greene</a> to talk about grief, the evolution of his faith, and what survival really means.</p>

How to navigate summer air travel when everything costs more

<p>The summer travel season is upon us &mdash; and this year is more complicated and more expensive than most. The war in Iran has driven up jet-fuel prices globally, and Spirit Airlines, one of the biggest budget carriers in the country, has just shut down. On top of that, a possible super El Ni&ntilde;o could cause widespread disruptions. Zach Wichter, a consumer-travel reporter at <a href="https://apple.news/AdhRW9M8yQwOiKUgKgCl-Kw" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>USA Today</em></a>, joins <em>Apple News In Conversation</em> guest host <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sam-sanders-show/id1771084688" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sam Sanders</a> to explain what it all means for travelers this summer &mdash; and his tips for how to fly smarter.</p>

Why America has more billionaires than ever (From the archives)

<p><em>This episode originally aired on July 10, 2025.&nbsp;</em><br /><br />Americans have a long history of obsession with the ultrarich, from Carnegie and Rockefeller to Bezos and Musk. And today, the gap between the rich and the poor&nbsp;is bigger than ever as the billionaire class has ascended to new heights. In his book, <a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-haves-and-have-yachts/id6741071687" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>The Haves and Have-Yachts</em></a>, <em>New Yorker</em> staff writer Evan Osnos explores the extravagant lifestyles of the wealthy and their outsize influence on politics. He sat down with <em>Apple News In Conversation</em> host Shumita Basu to talk about this unique moment &mdash;&nbsp;when billionaires are both resented and envied by the public &mdash;&nbsp;and what it means for the rest of us.</p>

How one Supreme Court decision could shift political power for decades

<p>At the end of April, the Supreme Court&rsquo;s ruling on <em>Louisiana </em>v.<em> Callais</em> significantly weakened the Voting Rights Act. The decision made it easier for states to legally draw districts that reduce the voting power of Black voters and other minority groups. In response, several Republican-controlled Southern states have moved to redraw their congressional maps. Adam Serwer, a staff writer at <a href="https://apple.news/ALTNabt1rRAqn3HXIXWSpLQ" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>The Atlantic</em></a><em>, </em>joins <em>Apple News In Conversation</em> guest host <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sam-sanders-show/id1771084688" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sam Sanders</a> to help explain this pivotal moment and the long history of voting rights in America.</p>

Rebroadcast: They work full-time jobs. Why are they homeless?

<p></p> <p><em>This week, Brian Goldstone was awarded a Pulitzer Prize for his book, </em>There Is No Place for Us<em>, which is featured in this episode from our archives.</em></p> <p>Millions of Americans cannot afford housing despite working full-time jobs. They live in cars, shelters, or extended-stay hotels and often don&rsquo;t qualify for assistance programs. Journalist and anthropologist Brian Goldstone follows five Atlanta families who are stuck in this cycle in his new book, <a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/there-is-no-place-for-us/id6504841282" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>There Is No Place for Us: Working and Homeless in America</em></a>. Goldstone reveals how these parents and children are prevented from securing housing by steep rents, red tape, and predatory schemes. He spoke with <em>Apple News In Conversation </em>host Shumita Basu about how this crisis arose and ways to address it.</p>

The real reason American men are struggling

<p>The headlines say that American men are in crisis. But what does that actually mean &mdash; and what does it look like up close? Journalist Jordan Ritter Conn spent five years inside the lives of four different men to find out. His new book, <a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/american-men/id6749525006" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>American Men</em></a>, explores the gap between masculine ideals and the reality of men&rsquo;s lived experience. <em>Apple News In Conversation </em>guest host <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sam-sanders-show/id1771084688" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sam Sanders</a> sat down with Ritter Conn to talk about what those four lives reveal about masculinity, inadequacy, and what the national conversation about men keeps getting wrong.</p>

The unique power of an American pope

<p>Nearly a year ago, Robert Prevost became Pope Leo XIV, the first pope in history from the U.S. His papacy so far has been relatively calm &mdash; until recent weeks, when a sharp public conflict with President Trump over the Iran war thrust him onto the political stage. Scott Detrow, host of NPR&rsquo;s <em>All Things Considered</em> and coauthor of the upcoming <a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/american-pope/id6757708297" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>American Pope: Leo XIV&rsquo;s Road From the South Side of Chicago to Vatican City</em></a>, joins guest host Sam Sanders to explore what it means to have an American pope who understands U.S. politics &mdash; and why his influence may be felt far beyond the Catholic Church.

How to make nostalgia your psychological superpower

<p>The 1990s are back &mdash; especially for Gen Z. CDs, flip phones, and &rsquo;90s beauty trends are all having a moment among people in their teens and 20s. To understand why this generation is nostalgic for a past they didn&rsquo;t experience, <em>Apple News In Conversation</em> guest host <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sam-sanders-show/id1771084688" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sam Sanders</a> talks with psychologist Clay Routledge. Routledge is the author of <a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/past-forward/id6760680977" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Past Forward: How Nostalgia Can Help You Live a More Meaningful Life</em></a> and executive vice president and COO at the Archbridge Institute. He explains what&rsquo;s fueling Gen Z&rsquo;s fascination with the &rsquo;90s, when romanticizing the past can be harmful, and how looking back can make your future brighter.</p>

Why so many people are falling in love with AI chatbots

<p>A medieval-monster slayer. A tiny alien named Roscoe. A talking plate of spaghetti. These are just a few of the customizable companions available through AI-chatbot apps like Kindroid, Tolan, and Character.AI. In her latest piece for the <a href="https://apple.news/AcyAQBM7eRaaRT-_IaifUtA" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>New Yorker</em></a>, journalist Anna Wiener explores the rapidly expanding world of these products and the people who use them. She joins <em>Apple News In Conversation</em> guest host <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sam-sanders-show/id1771084688" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sam Sanders</a> to talk about the users she met who are in relationships with AI chatbots, the Silicon Valley creators building them, and the risks of forming emotional bonds with technology.</p>

He said yes to an IT job. He ended up enslaved in a scam compound.

<p>Last June, journalist Andy Greenberg received an anonymous email from someone claiming to be trapped inside a scam compound in Southeast Asia. The source, using the pseudonym Red Bull, said he had access to a trove of internal materials exposing the inner workings of the criminal operation &mdash; and that he was willing to risk his life to share them. Greenberg has now published Red Bull&rsquo;s story in <a href="https://apple.news/ALqmq5Xa-RF2PVUggdFzMMA" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Wired</em></a>. He joins <em>Apple News In Conversation </em>guest host <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sam-sanders-show/id1771084688" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sam Sanders</a> to discuss what he uncovered about the shadowy world of global scam compounds, and what happened when Red Bull tried to escape.</p>

Americans are obsessed with protein. How much do you actually need?

<p>We are in the middle of a protein boom. Protein food products make up a more than $100 billion industry &mdash; and it&rsquo;s still growing. In a new book, <a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/protein/id6758234436" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Protein: The Making of a Nutritional Superstar</em></a>, health scholar Samantha King and sociologist Gavin Weedon reveal how marketing, industry interests, and cultural trends &mdash; not nutritional science &mdash; have turned protein into the most popular nutrient of the moment. King and Weedon sat down with <em>Apple News In Conversation</em> guest host <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sam-sanders-show/id1771084688" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sam Sanders</a> to talk about the real reason protein is everywhere, and how to think differently about your intake.</p>

How Elon Musk transformed Twitter — and what it means for online discourse

<p>Twitter was created 20 years ago. Many saw the platform as an online public square &mdash; a place to connect with strangers, spark viral debates, and even launch careers and social movements. When Elon Musk bought Twitter in 2022, he began reshaping it in his own image, eventually rebranding it as X, and redefining how it operates and what it&rsquo;s used for. <em>New York Times</em> technology reporters Ryan Mac and Kate Conger, authors of <a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/character-limit/id6478955083" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Character Limit: How Elon Musk Destroyed Twitter</em></a>, join <em>Apple News In Conversation</em> guest host <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sam-sanders-show/id1771084688" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sam Sanders</a> to unpack that transformation, and what it reveals about the future of social media.</p>

What it actually costs to win an Oscar

<p>The Academy Awards are finally here. The race to win isn&rsquo;t just about art &mdash; it&rsquo;s also about creating carefully orchestrated, big-budget campaigns. Katey Rich, awards editor at <a href="https://theankler.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>The Ankler</em></a> and host of the <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/prestige-junkie/id1746560024?i=1000754659778" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Prestige Junkie</em></a> podcast, joins <em>Apple News In Conversation</em> guest host <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sam-sanders-show/id1771084688" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sam Sanders</a> to pull back the curtain on what it really takes to win an Oscar, who she thinks will bring home the gold this year, and why &mdash; even in an era of streaming and shrinking audiences &mdash; the awards machine still matters for the movies we love.</p>

What the Iran war reveals about Trump’s approach to power

<p>On Feb. 28, the United States and Israel launched a series of military strikes against Iran, killing the country&rsquo;s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Since then, Iran has retaliated, and the conflict has spread across the region. The escalation comes during President Trump&rsquo;s second term in office, which has already included several instances of military action abroad. To help make sense of this moment, <em>Apple News In Conversation</em> guest host <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sam-sanders-show/id1771084688" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sam Sanders</a> spoke with <a href="https://apple.news/AK2X9bMHLTm6_a4quV5p5Rw" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>New Yorker</em></a> staff writer Susan Glasser, coauthor of <a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-divider/id1601350040" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>The Divider</em></a>, a book about Trump&rsquo;s first term. They discuss what&rsquo;s driving Trump&rsquo;s foreign policy &mdash; and what it could mean for America&rsquo;s role in the world.</p>

Rebroadcast: The truth about Johnson &amp; Johnson

<p><em>This is an episode from our archives.</em><br /><br />For more than a century, Johnson &amp; Johnson has billed itself as one of the most trusted companies in American history. But, in a stunning investigation, journalist Gardiner Harris documents decades of misconduct and malfeasance by the health-care conglomerate. Harris&rsquo;s book is called <a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/no-more-tears/id6526465580" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>No More Tears: The Dark Secrets of Johnson &amp; Johnson</em></a>. He spoke with <em>Apple News In Conversation </em>host Shumita Basu about why he says the company has &ldquo;knowingly contributed to the deaths and grievous injuries of millions&rdquo; through products including baby powder, a fentanyl patch, and a cancer drug. Johnson &amp; Johnson has denied many of these allegations.</p>

“In sickness and in health”: what no one tells you about caring for a loved one

<p>When she was 28, Laura Mauldin became a full-time caregiver for her romantic partner with leukemia &mdash; an experience that exposed how deeply America&rsquo;s health-care system depends on the unpaid labor of loved ones. Now a disability scholar, Mauldin explores this hidden reality in her new book, <a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/in-sickness-and-in-health/id6745818018" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>In Sickness and in Health: Love Stories From the Front Lines of America&rsquo;s Caregiving Crisis</em></a>. She sat down with <em>Apple News In Conversation </em>host Shumita Basu to discuss how gaps in the medical system leave families shouldering the burden of care &mdash; and how couples navigate that strain while maintaining their sense of partnership and dignity.</p>

The billionaire tech heir trying to buy the movie industry — on his father’s dime

<p>A battle is underway over some of Hollywood&rsquo;s most valuable properties. Paramount Skydance and Netflix are vying for control of Warner Bros. Discovery &mdash; the parent company of CNN, HBO, and a vast library of iconic films and TV shows. <a href="https://apple.news/Ai8wTEcgBSOKGDuGdO6cdNw" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>New York </em>magazine</a> features writer Reeves Wiedeman recently profiled David Ellison, the CEO of Paramount Skydance and son of tech billionaire Larry Ellison. Wiedeman sits down with <em>Apple News In Conversation</em> host Shumita Basu to explain the motivations behind the tech heir&rsquo;s business moves, how consolidation is reshaping the entertainment industry, and what it means for viewers&rsquo; screens &mdash; and wallets.</p>

How Bad Bunny went from bagging groceries to global superstardom

<p>Bad Bunny is one of the most popular artists in the world. He&rsquo;s won six Grammys &mdash; including Album of the Year for his latest record, <em>Deb&iacute; Tirar M&aacute;s Fotos</em>, the first Spanish-language album to take home the award &mdash; and this weekend, he&rsquo;ll headline the Super Bowl halftime show. Suzy Exposito, an editor at <em>De Los</em>, has followed Bad Bunny&rsquo;s rise for years and interviewed him several times. She joins <em>Apple News In Conversation </em>host Shumita Basu to talk about his upbringing in Puerto Rico, his ascent to global stardom, and how he&rsquo;s reshaping pop music.</p>

How ICE entered its most aggressive era — and what comes next

<p>Since President Trump took office just over a year ago, federal immigration enforcement has substantially expanded &mdash; nowhere more visibly than in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where federal officers have killed two American citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Widespread protests, scrutiny of ICE operations, and questions about accountability have intensified in recent weeks. Caitlin Dickerson, staff writer for <a href="https://apple.news/AS24qKjEqRYqL-QIP_k6IDg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>The Atlantic</em></a>, sat down with <em>Apple News In Conversation</em> host Shumita Basu to discuss what&rsquo;s happening inside ICE today &mdash; and what these latest developments could mean going forward. Listen to the full interview on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/apple-news-in-conversation/id1577591053" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Apple Podcasts</a>.</p>

This science writer has seen Earth’s most amazing places. Here’s what she’s learned.&#8232;

<p><em>New Yorker </em>staff writer Elizabeth Kolbert has been reporting on climate and the environment for more than 25 years. In her work, she captures both the awe-inspiring beauty of the natural world and the unsettling truth about what humans are doing to it. Her latest book, <a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/life-on-a-little-known-planet/id6741508099"><em>Life on a Little-Known Planet: Dispatches From a Changing World</em></a>, is a collection of essays from her decades-long career. Kolbert spoke with <em>Apple News In Conversation </em>host Shumita Basu about the stories that have shaped her reporting &mdash; and what they&rsquo;ve taught her about a rapidly changing planet.</p>

The true toll of the Los Angeles fires

<p>In January 2025, catastrophic wildfires tore through Los Angeles, destroying entire neighborhoods and leaving devastation that continues today. MS NOW senior reporter Jacob Soboroff reported live from the blaze in his hometown of Pacific Palisades &mdash; and is now out with a new book, <a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/firestorm/id6745510650" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Firestorm: The Great Los Angeles Fires and America&rsquo;s New Age of Disaster</em></a>, a deeply reported account of the chaos and enduring fallout. Soboroff sat down with <em>Apple News In Conversation</em> host Shumita Basu to share what he witnessed on the ground and what the fires revealed about a city &mdash; and a country &mdash; unprepared for the disasters ahead.</p>

Trump didn’t take military action against Venezuela in his first term. Here’s what changed.

<p>The recent U.S. military operation in Venezuela has raised many questions about what&rsquo;s actually driving the Trump administration&rsquo;s aims in the region. To break down what&rsquo;s known &mdash; and unknown &mdash; about this unprecedented action, <em>Apple News In Conversation </em>host Shumita Basu talked with <a href="https://apple.news/A3IjPOcBhS9uG1kFfvns0PA" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>New Yorker</em></a> staff writer Jonathan Blitzer, who has been reporting on immigration and foreign policy for years. They discuss how Venezuela became a target of the current administration, and how this tenuous situation could evolve moving forward.</p>

Rebroadcast: The secret to finding joy in running

<p><em>This is an episode from our archives.</em><br /><br />Martinus Evans did not have an easy start to running. Weighing over 300 pounds, he set out to finish a marathon after a doctor told him to &ldquo;lose weight or die.&rdquo; He writes about his running journey in his book, <a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/slow-af-run-club/id6443367648" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Slow AF Run Club: The Ultimate Guide for Anyone Who Wants to Run</em></a>. In this week&rsquo;s episode of <em>Apple News In Conversation</em>, Evans talks with host Shumita Basu about the lessons he&rsquo;s learned from being a &ldquo;back-of-the-packer.&rdquo;</p>

Rebroadcast: An FBI agent went undercover in America’s extremist groups. Here’s what he learned.

<p></p> <p><em>This episode from our archives is our most-listened-to interview of the year. It was originally published in June 2025.</em></p> <p>In his 22-year career in the FBI, undercover agent Scott Payne infiltrated some of the most dangerous criminal and extremist groups in America, from a motorcycle gang called the Outlaws to a white-supremacist group known as the Base. Payne shares his firsthand case accounts of gathering intelligence and stopping illegal activity in his memoir, <a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/code-name-pale-horse/id6469529888" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Code Name: Pale Horse; How I Went Undercover to Expose America&rsquo;s Nazis</em></a><em>. </em>His story is also featured on the latest season of the <em>Slate</em> podcast <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/white-hot-hate-agent-pale-horse/id1591461032" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>White Hot Hate</em></a>. Payne sat down with <em>Apple News In Conversation</em> host Shumita Basu to talk about some of his most harrowing moments on the job and the growing threat of extremism in the U.S.</p>

The best music, movies, and TV of 2025

<p>The end of the year is a moment to reflect on the art and culture that stood out. <em>Apple News In Conversation </em>host Shumita Basu sat down with two culture critics &mdash; Sam Sanders, the host of <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sam-sanders-show/id1771084688" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>The Sam Sanders Show</em></a> on KCRW, and Anne Helen Petersen, creator of the podcast and newsletter <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/culture-study-podcast/id1718662839" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>Culture Study</em></a> &mdash; to break down their top releases. They talk about the music, film, and TV they loved most in 2025. Plus, our listeners share their own picks for this year&rsquo;s can&rsquo;t-miss shows and albums.</p>