CUNY TV's Conversations with Jim Zirin
121 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 1 year ago - ★★★★★ - 2 ratingsConversations in the Digital Age with Jim Zirin is a talk show designed to illuminate the news by taking the time required to understand and interpret national and world events. The series features high-profile guests from the worlds of politics, law, business, foreign relations, national security, counterterrorism, media, lifestyles, literature, the arts, and the military. The series is hosted by Jim Zirin, a leading litigator and contributor to major publications including Forbes, the Daily Beast, the Nation, The Times of London and the Los Angeles Times. He is the author of two books, The Mother Court -- Tales of Cases That Mattered in America's Greatest Trial Court, and Supremely Partisan—How Raw Politics Tips the Scales in the United States Supreme Court. Jim served as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York in the Criminal Division under the legendary Robert M. Morgenthau.
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Episodes
Is There A Thumb Nail On The Scale of Lady Justice?
December 05, 2022 17:40 - 26 minutes - 379 MB VideoJournalist Dahlia Lithwick writes a best-selling book profiling 8 women lawyers who fought for equal rights during the Trump era. Her account begins in 2016 and ends with the Dobbs abortion decision this year.
Are There No Red Lights For Alan Patricof
November 22, 2022 02:30 - 26 minutes - 362 MB VideoVenture capitalist Alan Patricof never stops. At age 88, he completed the NYC Marathon, started a new fund with a 10-year horizon, made new friends, and never ceased to enjoy his life. He shares his secrets of his longevity.
Did Harvey Weinstein Get A Fair Trial?
October 25, 2022 01:30 - 26 minutes - 344 MB VideoFilm Producer Harvey Weinstein Was A Master of Hollywood, Winning 81 Oscars in Two Decades. But, His Appetite For Sex Brought Him Down. He is Serving A Life Sentence For Sexual Misconduct. Author Ken Auletta Talks About The Legal Case.
Where are the “Quiet Americans?”
October 10, 2022 13:30 - 26 minutes - 362 MB VideoAuthor Scott Anderson new book “The Quiet Americans” is about four American spies who functioned in the cold war era in Europe and Asia. All four acted out of patriotism, a sense of adventure, and a need to be near the action.
What is the strongest case against Donald Trump?
September 27, 2022 01:30 - 26 minutes - 261 MB VideoSeasoned lawyer Martin London reviews the indictable crimes of which Donald Trump may be accused. As a top litigator, he addresses the tactics of where DOJ will want to bring its case, when Marrick Garland will spring, and whether Trump will be indicted.
What In The World Keeps Richard Haass Up At Night?
July 29, 2022 01:30 - 26 minutes - 337 MB VideoRichard Haass, President of Council on Foreign Relations discusses world affairs, Ukraine, Russia, China, covid and climate change. He says he’s worried that the fragility of our democracy and political division undermines our credibility in the world.
What is the Case For Universal Voting?
July 11, 2022 13:30 - 26 minutes - 298 MB VideoHarvard Professor and Author Miles Rapoport, makes the case for mandatory voting in U.SA. There’s a slim hope of passage, but he argues the advantages of a procedure that has worked in Australia and other democratic countries.
Can You Take On Putin And Win?
June 21, 2022 01:30 - 26 minutes - 245 MB VideoBill Browder, author of “Freezing Order, fought Putin’s corruption, and paid a price. His lawyer was murdered, he was charged with fraud in Russia, and subpoenaed to reveal the identity of Russian dissidents. He won and shares his story.
Was Harry Truman One of Our Greatest Presidents?
May 24, 2022 01:30 - 26 minutes - 259 MB VideoJeffrey Frank has written about Harry Truman’s presidency. With his “buck stops here” attitude, Truman accomplished the rebuilding of Europe with the Marshall Plan, the formation of NATO, the recognition of the State of Israel, deterring China’s aggression in Korea
How Do We Kill The Virus of Violent Antisemitism?
April 26, 2022 01:30 - 26 minutes - 197 MB VideoDuring Sabbath services, an armed terrorist desecrated Congregation Beth Israel synagogue in TX and held hostages for 11 hours. Anna Salton Eisen, a founding member of the synagogue, and the daughter of Holocaust survivors shares what happened that day.
Why Does Bill Barr’s Book Top the Best Seller List?
April 12, 2022 01:30 - 26 minutes - 262 MB VideoLegal issues making headlines with Ketanji Jackson, Clarence Thomas, and Merrick Garland; Plus Bill Barr’s memoir and will Merrick Garland indict anyone over January 6? Legal analyst Elie Honig surveys the legal landscape and Barr's account January 6.
Does Pursuit of Justice Create Injustice?
March 15, 2022 01:30 - 26 minutes - 230 MB VideoCNN legal analyst Laura Coates was a top prosecutor in Washington, D.C. She tells Jim Zirin of the conflicted feelings of a black female lawyer having a duty to prosecute members of her own community in a criminal justice system perceived as racist.
Did Abraham Lincoln Break The Constitution?
February 22, 2022 02:30 - 26 minutes - 262 MB VideoHarvard constitutional scholar Professor Noah Feldman testified at Trump’s first impeachment. In his new book, “The Broken Constitution,” he argues Lincoln broke a“compromise constitution” that approved slavery to replace it with a “moral constitution."
Why the Empty Supermarket Shelves?
February 08, 2022 02:30 - 26 minutes - 263 MB VideoShannon O’Neil of the Council on Foreign Relations, acknowledges that covid has resulted in dislocation throughout the supply chain with consequent rising prices and rampant inflation. But, there, are other factors, and she takes us through all of them.
Are Christians Vanishing in the Middle East?
January 25, 2022 02:30 - 26 minutes - 329 MB VideoWar Correspondent Janine di Giovanni spent decades covering the Mid-East conflict. Her new book “The Vanishing” recounts the dwindling Christian populations of Egypt, Iraq, Syria, and even Gaza. She talks about the power of faith during challenging times.
What Is It Like to Face the Music?
January 11, 2022 02:30 - 264 MB VideoPeter Duchin, the premier society bandleader and pianist of our time, led a charmed life and dated Audrey Hepburn and Kim Novak. Then came a devastating stroke, leaving his left hand paralyzed and a bout with COVID which put him in hospital for 47 days.
Has It Become Tougher To Move Up In America?
December 14, 2021 02:30 - 226 MB VideoJennifer Morton, immigrated from Peru, attended Princeton, and became a philosophy professor at the University of Pennsylvania. She talks about the ethical trade-offs confronting a striving college student between educational fulfillment and family.
Are Presidential Friends Good For The Country?
November 29, 2021 14:30 - 26 minutes - 214 MB VideoLawyer and strategist Gary Ginsberg best-selling book “First Friends,” explains the special relationships between 9 presidents and the unelected persons who were influential in their lives. He shares how these relationships were of national interest.
Has The American Experiment Worked?
November 18, 2021 02:30 - 26 minutes - 199 MB VideoDavid Rubenstein, philanthropist, investor, and talk show host, has written “The American Experiment” in which he presents 31 interviews with leading Americans. He tells Jim Zirin that despite our differences, we can still achieve the American dream.
Does Biden Have A Foreign Policy?
November 02, 2021 01:30 - 26 minutes - 207 MB VideoPresident Biden’s foreign policy appears to channel Trump’s in many significant respects (Cuba, Iran, China, Middle East). Diplomat Frank Wisner says Biden is headed towards a new foreign policy strategy once he gets his domestic issues behind him.
Is It Smart To Give Away Power?
October 19, 2021 01:30 - 26 minutes - 304 MB VideoMatthew Barzun was a political fundraiser for Obama, and ambassador to Sweden and England. In his new book “The Power of Giving Away Power,” he argues that what gets results in life is not top down power, but bringing many people into the organization.
Are We Any Safer Than We Were On 9/11?
October 04, 2021 13:30 - 26 minutes - 269 MB VideoJane Harman served in the House of Representatives for 17 years. She has written a sobering new book titled, “Insanity Defense: Why Our Failure to Confront Hard Problems Makes Us Less Safe.” She goes over two decades of national mistakes.
Do I Need A Third Shot?
September 21, 2021 01:30 - 26 minutes - 200 MB VideoDr. Ian Lipkin is a world-class virus hunter. He has ridden the lethal storm of Covid 19, and updates us on the variants. He tells Jim Zirin to wear a mask indoors, and get his booster shot as soon as it becomes available.
Did Bill Barr Corrupt the Justice Department?
September 14, 2021 01:30 - 26 minutes - 212 MB VideoAuthor and former Southern District prosecutor Elie Honig new best-selling book describes how Attorney General Bill Barr corrupted the justice department. Barr, in his zeal to do Trump’s bidding violated every norm of prosecutorial integrity.
Is Caroline’s The Queen of Comedy?
July 07, 2021 01:30 - 26 minutes - 188 MB VideoCaroline Hirsh founded comedy club “Carolines On Broadway,” which featured stand-up comedians Jay Leno, Chris Rock and Jerry Seinfeld. Hirsch broke new ground opening the doors to female comics. She tells Jim Zirin how her club survived the pandemic.
Are Shakespeare’s Politics Relevant Today?
June 29, 2021 01:30 - 26 minutes - 252 MB VideoHarvard Professor Stephen Greenblatt wrote a book about political tyrants in Shakespeare from Macbeth to Coriolanus. He draws a parallel between tyrants in Shakespeare and in our time. They bully, threaten and lie to the people to maintain their power.
What Are the Traditions of American Diplomacy?
June 22, 2021 01:30 - 26 minutes - 198 MB VideoBob Zoellick was Deputy Secretary of State and President of the World Bank. He discusses American foreign policy, applauds the influential diplomats who succeeded, criticizes those who didn’t, and says we must follow bi-partisan traditions.
Who Hijacked America’s Response to Covid?
June 01, 2021 01:30 - 26 minutes - 224 MB VideoCovid has claimed the lives of nearly 600,000 Americans. How many of these lives could have been saved? Nina Burleigh, author of “Virus, Vaccinations, the CDC, and the Hijacking of America’s Response to the Pandemic,” tells Jim Zirin what went wrong.
What Did Oslo Accomplish?
May 25, 2021 01:30 - 26 minutes - 226 MB VideoThe Oslo peace accords between Israel and the Palestinians were achieved in 1992. Tony Award-winning director Bart Sher tells JIm Zirin how he filmed the HBO movie based on the very human Oslo story.
Will We Make a Newer Better Deal with Iran?
May 18, 2021 01:30 - 26 minutes - 183 MB VideoIn 2015, the U.S. concluded a nuclear deal with Iran, and Trump withdrew from the Join Comprehensive Plan of Action. Diplomat Frank Wisner hopes to put the deal back on track before the summer when Iranians hold their elections.
Will Trump Go To Jail?
April 20, 2021 01:30 - 26 minutes - 185 MB VideoHarvard Law Professor Larry Tribe has considered all civil suits, and potential federal and state criminal charges targeting Donald Trump. He tells Jim Zirin that Trump has better defenses in the possible criminal cases, but he must be held accountable.
Has the GOP lost the center?
April 06, 2021 01:30 - 26 minutes - 214 MB VideoCouncil on Foreign Relations President, Richard Haass tells Jim Zirin why he changed his voter registration to non-affiliated, and says that America under Trump has lost the respect of other nations, and must work hard to recover its place in the world.
Can Biden Bring America Back?
March 16, 2021 01:30 - 26 minutes - 186 MB VideoLeon Panetta was White House Chief of Staff for Clinton, CIA Director and Secretary of Defense for Obama. He tells Conversations With Jim Zirin that America lost ground internationally under Trump and it must restore its place in the world.
Does Biden $1.9 Trillion Relief Plan Help the Economy?
March 02, 2021 02:30 - 26 minutes - 183 MB VideoBiden wants to help people with a $1.9 trillion covid relief plan, but will it be inflationary? MSNBC Economic Contributor Steven Rattner joins Conversations With Jin Zirin to share the pitfalls, and argues that we must spur economy recovery fast.
Is Democracy Still In Danger?
February 16, 2021 02:30 - 26 minutes - 194 MB VideoTrump is out of office and off Twitter for a while. The mob that savaged the Capitol has gone home. Or have they? DHS has warned of potential violence agitated by Biden’s electoral victory. Will our democracy survive? Distinguished law professor Samuel Isaacharoff, an expert on the law and the political process tells Jim Zirin that the far-right is underground, but sure to come back in some form.
Will Our Democracy Survive In A Post-Pandemic World?
February 01, 2021 20:58 - 26 minutes - 226 MB VideoCNN host and journalist Fareed Zakaria writes about 10 lessons learned in a post pandemic world. He tells "Conversations with Jim Zirin" the link between the covid crisis and the January 6th assault on democracy as Trump departs office.
Can Biden Fix Our Foreign Relations?
January 09, 2021 02:30 - 26 minutes - 159 MB VideoTrump’s America First policies have left us bereft of allies and multilateral arrangements. Former NATO Ambassador Nick Burns tells Jim Zirin that it'll be a challenge for Joe Biden to repair the U.S.
What Will Become of the GOP?
January 05, 2021 02:30 - 26 minutes - 279 MB VideoTrump lost the election, but won’t admit it. Former New York Governor George Pataki disagrees. He tells "Conversations With Jim Zirin" Republicans must cooperate with Biden on issues of vital interest to all Americans.
Free Elections Furnish
December 14, 2020 15:00 - 234 MB VideoAnne Applebaum, Author of "Twilight of Democracy" joins "Conversations With Jim Zirin" to discuss authoritarianism in Eastern Europe, Turkey and even the U.S. She says free elections are no guaranty that progress can be maintained.
How Does Sherrod Brown Do It?
December 08, 2020 02:30 - 26 minutes - 244 MB VideoSenator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) served 3 terms, and sits at a desk in the senate chamber, that's formerly occupied by 8 progressive senators. He talks about his experiences in his new book "Desk 88" on Conversations With Jim Zirin.
What Best Defines A Leader?
November 30, 2020 14:30 - 26 minutes - 191 MB VideoAuthor David Rubenstein of "How To Lead" joins "Conversations With Jim Zirin" to discuss his new book. He interviews 31 outstanding leaders of our time, and shares the secret of leadership is to have a strategy that gets their follower's attention.
Who Are The Great Spymasters?
November 24, 2020 02:30 - 26 minutes - 214 MB VideoChris Whipple, Author of "The Spymasters" tells" Conversations With Jim Zirin" how 17 CIA directors have shaped U.S. History. While some directors got it wrong the successful ones are those who had a close relationship with the President.
How Did Women Get the Vote?
November 10, 2020 02:30 - 26 minutes - 235 MB VideoThis year marks the centennial of the 19th Amendment gurantying women the right to vote. "She Votes!" podcaster Lynn Sherr joins "Conversations With Jim Zirin" and shares how suffragist Susan B. Anthony was tried in 1873 for the crime of trying to vote.
Are We Seeing A Blue Wave On Election Day?
November 03, 2020 02:30 - 26 minutes - 160 MB VideoWill Biden’s lead in the popular vote translate into an electoral victory? Will the Democrats flip the Senate?Political analyst and pollster Doug Schoen tells JIm Zirin chances are even for the Democrats on "Conversations With Jim Zirin."
Have Evil Geniuses Stifled the American Dream?
October 20, 2020 01:30 - 26 minutes - 198 MB VideoKurt Andersen, Author of "Evil Geniuses" traces economic inequality back to the 70's and shares how the Koch brothers and their cohorts rolled back social gains of the 60's, and created economic disparity in the U.S. that will not easily be undone.
What is Jim Baker's Legacy?
October 13, 2020 01:30 - 26 minutes - 206 MB VideoJames. A Baker served 4 Presidents, presidential campaigns, and was White House Chief of Staff, Secretary of the Treasury, and Secretary of State. Authors Peter Baker and Susan Glasser discuss their new best selling biography "The Man Who Ran Washington."
Has Trump Botched the Covid Crisis?
October 06, 2020 01:30 - 26 minutes - 180 MB VideoBill Gates said Trump has mishandled the COVID-19 crisis from “start to finish.” Dr. Ian Lipkin, a world-class virus hunter talks the misleading messaging, the junk science, disease symptoms and treatment. He explains how we will win the race to cure.
Has Coronavirus Killed Donald Trump?
July 07, 2020 01:30 - 235 MB VideoWith coronavirus dominating the news, many have lost sight that we are facing national elections in November. Political analyst Doug Schoen reads the tea leaves on what will happen with the White House, Senate and House races.
Should We Be Defunding The Police?
June 30, 2020 01:30 - 188 MB VideoMayor De Blasio wants to slash $1 billion from the NYPD budget as a measure of reform following the tragic murders in Minneapolis and Atlanta. Former NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly shares how budget cuts will diminish public safety.
Does America Have A Human Rights Problem?
June 23, 2020 01:30 - 215 MB VideoAmerica has a human rights crisis, from our covid 19 response, censoring information on the infection, to our record of police brutality. Ken Roth of Human Rights Watch talks about lessons to learn.