Off Topic/On Politics

Latest Episodes:

Inside Mayor Mamdani's first week: Pushing for free child care and looking at deleted tweets Jan 09, 2026

Show notes

Mayor Zohran Mamdani's first week in office brought both major announcements and minor controversies. On Thursday, the mayor unveiled a joint plan with Gov. Kathy Hochul for a statewide push to expand universal pre-K and create new 2-K child care initiatives. On the other side of the ledger, questions arose over the appointment of Cea Weaver to lead the Mayor's Office to Protect Tenants in the wake of past tweets she has made. NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross, and political reporters Bobby Cuza and Kelly Mena break down an eventful first week at City Hall.

After that, City Hall officially welcomed a new leader of the City Council. Upper East Side Councilmember Julie Menin was elected speaker unanimously on Wednesday. The "Off Topic" team looks ahead at what her leadership could mean for the Council and the city.

How did Zohran Mamdani's inauguration land with New Yorkers? Jan 02, 2026

Show notes

In a day of firsts at City Hall, Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as New York City's 112th mayor in front of a large crowd of supporters. Now officially holding what's often called "the second toughest job in America," Mamdani faces a daunting set of challenges. NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross, political reporter Bobby Cuza and political anchor Errol Louis look back on a monumental New Year's Day and what this new era could mean for New York City.

Editor's note: We misattributed Eric Adams' elevator comments to a lightning-round question from a mayoral debate. It actually came from Nayeema Raza's "Smart Girl Dumb Questions" podcast episode featuring Adams.

Mamdani hits turbulence before day one Dec 19, 2025

Show notes

Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani is facing new scrutiny and criticism after his newly-appointed director of appointments resigned just hours into the job. Catherine Almonte Da Costa stepped down Thursday afternoon following the resurfacing of antisemitic statements she posted more than a decade ago on social media — raising questions about the Mamadani team's vetting process.

Meanwhile, outgoing Mayor Eric Adams is making a series of last-minute appointments to the Rent Guidelines Board that could complicate Mamdani's pledge to freeze rents once he takes office.

NY1 political reporters Bobby Cuza and Ayana Harry, and statehouse reporter Bernadette Hogan break down the developments at City Hall, and what they mean for the incoming administration.

After that, Gov, Kathy Hochul says she plans to sign legislation legalizing medically-assisted suicide next year, after pushing lawmakers to add a series of new "guardrails" to the bill.The "Off Topic" team looks at this initiative, first introduced in 2016 but stalled for years amid opposition from the New York State Catholic Conference and other groups.

Eric Adams' legacy: Swagger, soundbites and subpoenas Dec 12, 2025

Show notes

Eric Adams leaves his mayoralty behind in just 20 days, prompting many to ask: What kind of mayor was he? What were his accomplishments and his failures, and what will his legacy be? NY1's investigative reporter Courtney Gross and political reporters Bobby Cuza and Kelly Mena break down his four years in office.

After that, the race for governor is already heating up. As Democratic incumbent Kathy Hochul prepares to launch her reelection campaign, Republicans are gearing up for a primary of their own, with Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman jumping into the race to challenge upstate Rep. Elise Stefanik. The "Off Topic" team takes an early look at where the race stands.

Mamdani transition tensions and three big casino bets Dec 05, 2025

Show notes

This week, Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani met with outgoing Mayor Eric Adams at Gracie Mansion as part of efforts to ensure a smooth transition next month. Mamdani also joined Vermont U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders and protesters outside a Park Slope Starbucks, where they alleged unfair labor practices. With inauguration day only weeks away, NY1's investigative reporter Courtney Gross, political reporter Bobby Cuza, and statehouse reporter Bernadette Hogan break down what to expect before Jan. 1 from the incoming mayor.

After that — casinos! While it's not a done deal yet, a state board issued its final recommendations this week on which projects should receive a gaming license. The "Off Topic" team explains where the three casinos are going and what they're offering.

Police reform or politics? Mamdani's NYPD pick Nov 21, 2025

Show notes

This week, Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani announced that he will keep NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch in her role when he takes office in January. Tisch, the department's 48th commissioner, has led the NYPD with what Mamdani's team calls a renewed focus on accountability and transparency, overseeing a historic drop in violent crime. The decision signals Mamdani's willingness to make top appointments based on experience rather than ideology. NY1 investigative reporter Courtney Gross and political reporters Bobby Cuza and Ayana Harry break down Mamdani's biggest decision so far.

After that, the midterms are already taking shape in our own backyard. This week, Chi Ossé, a progressive councilman, filed paperwork to challenge House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Mamdani has come out against the move, saying it's "not the time" for that kind of primary. The "Off Topic" team takes an early look at next year's races.

Mamdani builds a cabinet Nov 14, 2025

Show notes

New York City is one week into the transition from Mayor Eric Adams to Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, and the administration is starting to take shape. This week, Mamdani named Dean Fuleihan as first deputy mayor and Elle Bisgaard-Church as chief of staff. NY1's investigative reporter Courtney Gross, political reporter Bobby Cuza and statehouse reporter Bernadette Hogan break down what we can expect from these changes at City Hall.

After that, there's already another race to watch, the contest for City Council speaker. Five candidates are vying for the position held by Adrienne Adams. The "Off Topic" team will tell you where things stand.

Zohran Mamdani makes history Nov 05, 2025

Show notes

Zohran Mamdani has been elected New York City's 111th mayor, making history as the city's first Muslim mayor and the youngest in more than a century. He defeated former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa in an election that drew the highest turnout for a New York City mayoral race in decades. Mamdani's meteoric rise was powered by a campaign focused on the city's affordability crisis, earning him more than one million votes, the most for a mayoral candidate since John Lindsay in 1969. NY1's investigative reporter Courtney Gross, political reporters Bobby Cuza and political anchor Errol Louis break down a historic night in New York politics.

Will Mamdani make history on Election Day? Oct 31, 2025

Show notes

With new polls showing Zohran Mamdani holding a sizeable lead in the mayor's race, he's poised to become the city's first Muslim mayor. But with most polls being wrong about the Democratic primary in June, can they be trusted this time?

NY1's investigative reporter Courtney Gross, political reporter Bobby Cuza and statehouse reporter Bernadette Hogan break down what the numbers could mean for the final stretch of the campaign.

Then, the "Off Topic" team wraps up its special election series with a closer look at Mamdani in the final installment of their profile series on the leading candidates.

NY1 debate night: Candidates clash in Queens Oct 23, 2025

Show notes

Just days before New Yorkers head to the polls, the three major candidates in the race for mayor squared off in a 90-minute debate sponsored by Spectrum News NY1, WNYC/Gothamist and THE CITY.

Independent candidate Andrew Cuomo, Democrat Zohran Mamdani and Republican Curtis Sliwa took part in a spirited exchange at the LaGuardia Performing Arts Center in Queens. So how did the candidates do? NY1's Courtney Gross, Bobby Cuza and Ayana Harry break down the final showdown in the race for mayor.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected