Episodes

  • America 250: What Would You Change About America?

    America 250: What Would You Change About America?
    Jun 26 2026
    On this episode of The Middle, we ask what you would change about America as the nation approaches its 250th birthday. Looking back at some of the biggest turning points in American history, we open the floor to hear what you think still needs fixing - from healthcare and foreign policy to social issues and the structure of our political system. Jeremy is joined by journalist Mike Pesca, host of The Gist and How To!, and California Congressman Ro Khanna. As always, we hear from listeners across the country about the changes they'd most like to see in America. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    53 mins
  • A Former Teacher on the Biggest Challenges in Today's Classrooms

    A Former Teacher on the Biggest Challenges in Today's Classrooms
    Jun 23 2026
    On this episode of The Follow Up, Jeremy sits down with Kate Berger, former teacher and current Chief of Program at Teach For America Colorado, to discuss the biggest challenges facing educators today. From adapting to AI in the classroom to navigating the lasting effects of the post-pandemic world, teachers are balancing unprecedented demands while confronting rising stress and burnout. Kate shares insights from her experience in education and leadership, while listeners from across the country weigh in with their own thoughts. #Education #Teachers #TeacherLife #Teaching #EducationPodcast #Podcast #EdChat #TeachForAmerica #ClassroomInnovation #ArtificialIntelligence #AIInEducation #StudentSuccess #TeacherBurnout #MentalHealth #EducationLeadership #PostPandemic #FutureOfEducation #SchoolCulture #EducationReform #Learning Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    23 mins
  • The Challenges Facing Teachers

    The Challenges Facing Teachers
    Jun 19 2026
    On this episode of The Middle, we ask: what are the biggest challenges facing teachers today?From burnout and budget cuts to the rise of AI in the classroom and the persistent threat of school shootings, educators are navigating a growing list of complex issues that can make it harder to help every student succeed.Jeremy is joined by Hechinger Report editor and writer Jill Barshay and Kurt Russell, a high school history teacher in Oberlin, Ohio, who was named the 2022 National Teacher of the Year.As always, we hear from listeners across the country to get your perspective on the state of education and the challenges facing teachers today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    53 mins
  • Is Social Media the New Tobacco?

    Is Social Media the New Tobacco?
    Jun 15 2026
    On this episode of The Follow Up, Jeremy speaks with journalist Femi Oke about social media addiction, and whether current fears about it are starting to cause a backlash among users. They also talk about the benefits of social media, and about how journalists have used it in the past and how that has changed over the years. Listeners from across the country weigh in with their thoughts as well. #SocialMedia #DigitalCulture #MediaLiteracy #PublicDiscourse #DigitalCommunication #SocialMediaImpact #OnlineCommunities #Misinformation #FutureOfMedia #TechAndSociety #DigitalLife #MediaInnovation #NewsMedia #InformationAge #DigitalCitizenship #SocialNetworks #MediaTrends #TheFollowUp #FemiOke #DigitalTransformation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    28 mins
  • What is Social Media Addiction Doing to Us?

    What is Social Media Addiction Doing to Us?
    Jun 12 2026
    On this episode of The Middle, we ask: what is social media addiction doing to us? The average American is spending hours per day on social media apps like TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, X and Facebook. Studies have shown that social media addiction can lead to depression, lack of sleep, even weight gain. Jeremy is joined by Dino Ambrosi, founder of Project Reboot, which aims to help young people reset their tech habits. As always, we take calls from listeners across the country to hear your perspective. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    53 mins
  • How Trump Lost Public Support for his Immigration Crackdown

    How Trump Lost Public Support for his Immigration Crackdown
    Jun 9 2026
    On this episode of The Follow Up, Jeremy speaks with Tribune Content Agency columnist Mary Sanchez in Kansas City about how President Trump's immigration crackdown has affected immigrants and the economy overall, and why Trump has lost so much public support for his efforts in the last 18 months. Listeners from across the country weigh in with their own thoughts as well. #Immigration #BorderSecurity #ImmigrationReform #USPolitics #BorderCrisis #MigrantCrisis #AsylumSeekers #ImmigrantRights #SecureTheBorder #DACA #Dreamers #Citizenship #IllegalImmigration #LegalImmigration #RefugeesWelcome #MigrationPolicy #BorderPatrol #HumanRights #AmericaFirst #ImmigrationPolicy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    26 mins
  • How Has Immigration Enforcement Changed Since Minneapolis? (Part Two)

    How Has Immigration Enforcement Changed Since Minneapolis? (Part Two)
    Jun 4 2026
    On this special episode of The Middle, we continue our conversation about federal immigration enforcement recorded before a live audience in St. Paul, Minnesota shortly after the fatal shootings of two American citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, by federal immigration agents earlier this year. Later, Jeremy gets an update from Minnesota Public Radio's Catherine Richert on how the shootings and continued ICE presence shape life across Minnesota today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    25 mins
  • How Has Immigration Enforcement Changed Since Minneapolis? (Part One)

    How Has Immigration Enforcement Changed Since Minneapolis? (Part One)
    Jun 2 2026
    On this special episode of The Middle, we’re bringing you a conversation recorded before a live audience in St. Paul earlier this year shortly after the fatal shootings of two American citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis.Jeremy is joined by Minnesota Public Radio's Catharine Richert.Before that conversation, Jeremy speaks with CBS News immigration correspondent Camilo Montoya-Galvez about how federal immigration enforcement has evolved in the months following the shootings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    29 mins