NewsPoliticsNews Commentary

The Coffee Klatch with Robert Reich

Robert Reich

Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich exposes where power lies in our system — and how it's used and abused.

robertreich.substack.com

Play

Open in

31 episodes
weekly
Avg 42 min
English

Episodes 31

Newest Oldest Longest

All20 Unplayed20 In progress0 Played0

Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.

Saturday · 44 min
Trump’s Midterm F*ck-up | The Coffee Klatch for Saturday, October 10, 2026
Friends, Today, Heather and I are joined by our colleague Vishal Shankar to review where the midterm elections now stand and the issues emerging from them. We take a deep dive into what Trump is doing to save — or, in reality, hurt — Republican Senate and House candidates, and what a Democratic Congress (if we get one) might realistically do. Please pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, and join the conversation. RR P.S. Heather and I will be at UC Berkeley’s Zellerbach Hall at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, October 14 for a screening of The Work in Progress film followed by a Q&A. Please join us and invite your friends! Tickets ($5 for students) here. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe
October 3 · 40 min
Is a Reckoning Coming? | The Coffee Klatch for Saturday, October 3, 2026
Friends, Today, Heather and I take a hard look at the allegations over what occurred in a Cornell fraternity and explore why they’re sending tremors across America. Do they have anything to do with Trump’s toxic masculinity, the misogyny of his regime, and the male-dominant underpinnings of neofascism? With a culture of impunity fostered by Trump? We also look at the question of accountability in general and examine some of the other ways Trump and the manosphere — including the AI bros and the industry they’re hatching — are functioning with impunity. Please pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, and join in the conversation. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe
September 29 · 36 min
In Conversation with Timothy Snyder: On Tyranny, Trump, and the Midterms
Friends, Five weeks from today, America will make a choice about the future of our democracy. Today I talk about tyranny, Trump, and the upcoming midterm elections with Professor Timothy Snyder, author of On Tyranny as well as a number of other important books. Snyder specializes in the history of Europe, the Soviet Union, and the Holocaust. He is currently Chair in Modern European History at the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs, and was previously Professor of History at Yale University. His books include Bloodlands: Europe Between Hitler and Stalin (2010), On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century (2017), The Road to Unfreedom (2018), Our Malady (2020), and his most recent, On Freedom (2024). This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe
September 26 · 49 min
Trump’s a Lame D*ck | The Coffee Klatch for Saturday, September 26, 2026
Friends, Today, Heather and I examine Trump’s efforts to silence criticism — not only by banning CNN, Politico, and MSNOW from the White House this week, but, even more worrisome, putting his billionaire buddy Larry Ellison and Larry’s son David in control of CNN as well as CBS News, HBO, TikTok, and other news outlets. (The deal to let Paramount acquire Warner Bros. Discovery went through this week with little public notice.) We also look at the larger issue of Trump’s billionaire buddies owning the media (Washington Post, X, Facebook, YouTube, etc.). Also: where the money is coming from to support Republican candidates in these last weeks before the midterm elections (spoiler alert: all of the above). Also: the attendees at Trump’s state dinner for Xi Jinping (spoiler alert: all of the above). Also: what this consolidation of wealth and power means for the upcoming midterms (no spoiler alert). So please grab a cuppa, pull up a chair, and join the conversation. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe
September 25 · 32 min
In Conversation with Naomi Klein and Astra Taylor
Friends, Naomi Klein and Astra Taylor are two of my favorite thinkers who see the large patterns of wealth and power in our world, and the consequences for our daily lives. Their latest book, End Times Fascism and the Fight for the Living World explains how neofascist groups — religious extremists, right-wing nativists, and techno billionaires — are planning for and seeking to bring an end to civilization, while they alone survive. Klein and Taylor also talk about what we can do to encourage a counter-movement based on human interdependence, preservation of our planet, and social justice. My thanks to Naomi and Astra for sharing their thoughts with us. Their new book, End Times Fascism and the Fight for the Living World, can be ordered here. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe
September 19 · 50 min
He’s Out of His Gourd | The Coffee Klatch for Saturday, September 19, 2026
Friends, Today, Heather and I take a deep dive into the debate over AI, why Trump is so against regulating it, and whether the CEOs of giant AI corporations who have called for regulation are sincere or seeking cover for the crises to come. We also look at Trump’s increasingly berserk behavior, his $2.8 billion arms sale to Israel, the worsening U.S. economy, and the latest on the midterm elections. Please pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, and join in the conversation. As mentioned in today’s Klatch, I’m relaunching my “Wealth and Poverty” course here on Substack this coming Monday, September 21. I’ll kick it off with a live “watch-along” of the first class, right here on Substack, on Monday, September 21 at 4:30pm PT / 7:30pm ET. You can use this link to sign up to receive an email when we go live — and the same link will work to watch the live class come Monday. To see Inequality Media’s new film produced by Heather, The Work in Progress, visit our website here: www.theworkinprogressfilm.com. New theaters are added to the list each week. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe
September 12 · 44 min
Trump’s Phony $5,000 Bribe | The Coffee Klatch for Saturday, September 12, 2026
Friends, I’m taking the day off, and Heather, Kamau, and Michael are taking the reins. As you’ll see, they keep our klatch as lively, informative, and enjoyable as ever. They ask, among other things: How excited are you for that $5,000 Trump check? What the Flock is up with the surveillance state? And with gas prices off the charts, just how pissed are voters going to be ahead of the midterms?Btw, for Kamau’s stand-up dates: https://www.wkamaubell.com. Preorder Kamau’s new children’s book, Rock Paper Scissors Cheese here. And to catch a screening of our new film: www.theworkinprogressfilm.com. See you next Saturday. Robert Reich P.S. If you live in New York City, or know someone who does, we just found out that The Work in Progress film has been extended at the Quad Cinema until Thursday. Tickets here. Thanks to all who are seeing the film; your early support encourages theaters around the country to bring it to their audiences. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe
September 5 · 44 min
The Biggest Loser in the World | The Coffee Klatch for Saturday, September 5, 2026
Friends, Today, W. Kamau Bell and Michael Lahanas Calderón join me to take a deep dive into the economy on this Labor Day weekend — which marks the start of the midterm elections. We look at what’s on the minds of voters in terms of jobs, wages, prices, and affordability and ask what all this is likely to mean for the outcome of the upcoming midterms as well as the well-being of the typical American family. Heather is in New York for a screening of our new film, “The Work in Progress” (you can find out more about it here). Kamau has a new children’s book coming out soon called Rock Paper Scissors Cheese (more on it here) and a fabulous Substack, “Who’s With Me?” which you can find here. Thanks for joining us. Have a good, safe, relaxing weekend. RR This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe
August 29 · 59 min
Trump’s War on Iran, Canada, and Us | The Coffee Klatch for August 29, 2026
Friends, Today Heather and I examine what Trump is doing as his war on Iran — which he promised would be over in “four to five weeks” — now exceeds six months, with no end in sight. Eager to show that he can still dominate and bully, he’s declared a nonsensical trade war on Canada. And he’s escalated his war on human rights here in the United States. It’s pathetic and also dangerous. Please pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, and join the conversation. RR This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe
August 25 · 35 min
In Conversation with Heather Cox Richardson
Friends, Here’s my conversation today with Heather Cox Richardson, in which we examine the origins of Trumpism. Professor Richardson is, of course, a major resource to all of us on substack. She’s also an historian who has specialized in 19th-century United States history, with a primary focus on American politics and economics. We started our conversation with Heather’s reference to my 1994 talk to the Democratic Leadership Council, and then discussed the decline of the Democratic Party as the party of American workers — starting with Lewis Powell’s memo to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in 1971, the Supreme Court’s first money-in-politics case Buckley vs. Valeo in 1976, the House Democrat’s embrace of corporate money in the early 1980s, and my frustrations in dealing with the corporate (“moderate”) Democrats in the 1990s when I was secretary of labor. Now, finally the working-class Democratic Party appears to be making a comeback. We also talk about how the demonization of women by rightwing Republicans has been utilized as a means of aggregating power. My thanks to Heather Cox Richardson for joining me. *** (By the way, for anyone who may be interested, here’s a clip from my 1994 speech, with which Heather and I began today’s conversation: This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe
August 22 · 49 min
My Feud with Trump’s Brainless Treasury Secretary | The Coffee Klatch for Saturday, August 22, 2026
Friends, Today Heather and I take a deep dive into the wacko views and decisions of Trump’s treasury secretary, Scott Bessent — whose attempts to reduce long-term interest rates before the midterm elections have failed miserably, who believes that inequality is not widening in the United States, and who’s been opening the I.R.S. to Trump’s bonkers vindictiveness. (Oh, and he’s also been attacking me with colossally vapid ad hominem arguments.) So please pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, and join in the conversation. RR This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe
August 15 · 47 min
How to Dump the Trump | The Coffee Klatch for Saturday, August 15, 2026
Friends, Today I’m taking a vacation. (It’s the second Klatch I’ve missed out of 230 since Heather and I began them on March 19, 2022.) But I’ve left you in good hands! Our good friend Kamau Bell is sitting in, and today he and Heather take a deep dive into how America can dump the Trump before he dumps America. So please pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, and join in the discussion. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe
August 8 · 38 min
Big Money Loses | The Coffee Klatch for Saturday, August 8, 2026
Friends, Today, Heather and I take a deep dive into the so-called “civil war” inside the Democratic Party, between corporate Dems who keep spending enormous sums on primary races and progressives who keep winning them. We also look at the latest jobs report and Trump’s “trickle-down” economy, which continues to worsen. And we ponder why Anthony Fauci, of all people, has become the Republicans’ latest nemesis. So grab a cuppa, pull up a chair, and join in the discussion. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe
August 1 · 50 min
It's Still The Economy, Stupid | The Coffee Klatch for Saturday, August 1, 2026
Friends, Today, Michael and I delve into Trump’s plummeting approval ratings and ask whether they’re due to the economy, Trump’s war (which obviously affects the economy), the Epstein files, Trump’s skyrocketing inflation, or Trump’s corruption. Along the way, we explore what Democrats ought to be advocating (and not) in the upcoming midterms. Please pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, and join in the conversation. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe
July 25 · 37 min
What the Hell Is Trump Doing in Iran? | The Coffee Klatch for Saturday, July 25, 2026
Friends, Today, Heather and I take a dive into the muck of Trump, 101 days before the midterm elections. His war in Iran is worsening, with no end in sight. His economy is dropping, as gas and food prices soar and as his tariffs (import taxes) take their toll. His regime is descending into chaos, as public health is compromised, measles spreads, children aren’t getting nutrition assistance, and Medicaid is cut. But how do we peacefully and legally get rid of him between now and the 2028 election? What’s our 2028 strategy for regaining the White House? And our 2029 strategy for cleaning up this horrific mess? Heather and I discuss these questions and more. Please pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, and join the conversation. RR This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe
July 18 · 49 min
Trump's Midterm Election Plot | The Coffee Klatch for Saturday, July 18, 2026
Friends, Today, Michael and I take a close look at the sharp contrasts between artificial problems dreamed up by Trump (such as voter fraud) and real problems the nation is failing to deal with (such as big money poisoning our elections). Please pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, and join the conversation. RR This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe
July 11 · 48 min
Trump's Downward Escalator | The Coffee Klatch for Saturday, July 11, 2026
Friends, Welcome back to our 250th-plus-one-week anniversary edition! Hope you have had a good week, despite the cacophony out of Washington. Today, Heather and I try to understand the real source of Trump’s power — his power to berate the heads of state at this week’s NATO and yet have them defer to him. His power to conduct a war in Iran that’s increasingly bogged down and which the American people don’t support. And his power to keep Republicans in Congress quietly neutered while much of his Republican base is outraged at his never-ending war, the soaring prices of gas and groceries, and his continuing refusal to release half of the Epstein files. Trump is on an escalator heading downward at great speed, but his power seems to be intact. Why? We’ll get into that. Please pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, and join in the conversation. Robert Reich This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe
July 6 · 8 min
Reading the Declaration of Independence on America's 250th
I appreciate the active vocal participation of my neighbors, the organizing ability of Sally Baack, and excellent filming by Tia Liddell Ivery. RR This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe
July 4 · 44 min
The Truth About America at 250 Years | The Coffee Klatch for Saturday, July 4th, 2026
Friends, Today marks 250 years since we declared our independence from a vile, arbitrary, impulsive, capricious, greedy, selfish, narcissistic authoritarian. Oh, wait. Sorry, we’re not yet independent of Trump. But George III was pretty awful, too. Today Heather and I examine where America has come — with a Supreme Court that thinks Trump and any successor president needs more power, a president who is making billions off his office, and an utter dud of Trump-glorification activities on the National Mall. Please pull up a chair, grab a cuppa, and join in our 250th July 4th conversation. Oh, and Happy Fourth of July. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe
June 27 · 40 min
Trump's Strait of Warm Ooze | The Coffee Klatch for Saturday, June 27, 2026
Friends, Today, Heather and I examine all sorts of things that went wrong this week for Trump, starting with Iran’s attack on an oil tanker moving through the Strait of Hormuz and including Trump’s latest problems with the Reflecting Pool — the Strait of Warm Ooze. Please grab a cuppa, pull up a chair, and join in the conversation. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertreich.substack.com/subscribe

Showing 1–20 of 31 episodes