The Coffee Klatch with Robert Reich

Latest Episodes:

Will the protests hurt Biden? Saturday Coffee klatch, May 4, 2024 May 04, 2024

Show notes

Friends,

Today, Heather and I examine whether the protests against Israel’s slaughter in Gaza, now roiling university campuses across America, will harm Biden’s chances of being reelected next November. We also look at state anti-abortion laws — which now apply to 1 out of 3 American women of childbearing age — and consider how much they’ll harm Trump in November.

Please pull up a chair, grab a cup of coffee, and, if so moved, take our survey. (And May the 4th be with you.)

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

Why do so many Americans support a neofascist for president? | The Coffee Klatch, Saturday, April 27, 2024 Apr 27, 2024

Show notes

Friends,

Today Heather and I take a deep dive into why so many Americans are supporting a neofascist for president. Trump is the consequence rather than the cause of several major problems that have worsened over four decades — problems that have undermined the American middle class and caused a substantial number of people to become angry, anxious, and cynical.

Please pull up a chair, grab a cup of coffee, and (if so inclined) take our poll.

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

Trump’s Trials and Tribulations | The Coffee Klatch, Saturday, April 20, 2024 Apr 21, 2024

Show notes

Friends,

Today, Heather and I discuss what to expect from the Trump trial currently underway in New York, as well as other pending Trump trials. And Speaker Mike Johnson’s newly found discovery of bipartisanship, which is driving the extremist right “Freedom Caucus” crazy.

Please pull up a chair and join us, and consider taking our poll.

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

Why are food prices out of control? | The Coffee Klatch, with Michael Pollan Apr 13, 2024

Show notes

Friends,

Today we have a special guest to help us understand why food prices continue to go through the roof: Michael Pollan. Pollan is author of The Omnivore’s Dilemma, How to Change Your Mind, The Botany of Desire, and other books. He and Eric Schlosser (whose new piece in The Atlantic, “Do We Really Want a Food Cartel?” is also a must-read), are just out with a new documentary available for streaming now, “Food Inc. 2,” which explains how giant corporations have taken over what we eat.

We’ve asked Michael to tell us what steps we can take — as consumers and citizens — to reclaim our own nutrition.

Please pull up a chair, grab a cup, and join us. Consider taking our poll below:

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

No More Bombs for Bibi? The Coffee Klatch Apr 06, 2024

Show notes

Friends,

Welcome back to our Saturday coffee klatch, where today Heather and I look at the similarities between Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump, and the importance of Joe Biden’s standing up to both of them.

Please pull up a chair, grab a cup, and (if so moved), take our weekly klatch poll:

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

Big Money: Taxes, Trump, and Beyoncé | The Coffee Klatch Mar 30, 2024

Show notes

Friends,

Welcome back to our Saturday coffee klatch, where Heather and I review the highs and lows of the week.

Today we look at the role of big money in the presidential races of both parties. And with Tax Day looming, we also ask what’s in store when the Trump tax cuts (mostly for the wealthy and big corporations) run out next year? What sort of tax reforms are possible if Biden is reelected and Democrats take over both houses of Congress? Our guest today, appropriately, is tax expert Solana Rice.

And, of course, we talk about the new Beyoncé album (how could we not?).

Please grab a cup, pull up a chair, and join us. (And take our poll.)

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

Is Trump Broke? | The Coffee Klatch, March 23, 2024 Mar 23, 2024

Show notes

Dear friends,

Today Heather and I examine the potential bankruptcy of Trump’s finances as well as the bankruptcy of his mind. Please pull up a chair, grab a cup of coffee, and join us.

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

The Billionaire Takeover of America? | The Coffee Klatch, Saturday, March 16, 2024 Mar 16, 2024

Show notes

Friends,

Welcome back to the Saturday Coffee Klatch, where today we’ll discuss whether TikTok should remain a Chinese company or be taken over by American billionaires (why would anyone trust billionaires to better guard their privacy and police against dangerous lies?). Which gets us into a discussion about big money in politics, and big money in housing. And what happens if Trump loses but the election is close — will he contest it, and, if so, how?

Please grab a cup, pull up a chair, and (if so inclined) take today’s poll:

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

Biden’s Resurrection and Trump’s Diminution: Saturday Coffee Klatch, March 9, 2024 Mar 09, 2024

Show notes

Friends,

Welcome back to our Saturday coffee klatch, where today Heather and I talk about Biden’s State of the Union address, the Republican reaction to it, what we learned from Super Tuesday, and Trump’s mounting troubles — ranging from the upcoming criminal hush-money trial to his cash crunch.

Please grab a cup, pull up a chair, and, should you wish, take our poll:

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

The beginning of the end for Trump? Saturday coffee klatch Mar 02, 2024

Show notes

Friends,

Welcome back to our Saturday coffee klatch, where Heather and I talk about the consequences of the Supreme Court’s decision to consider Trump’s immunity claim; the House Republicans’ (in particular, Speaker Michael Johnson’s) refusal to consider the Senate’s bipartisan bill to tighten border security and provide funding to Ukraine; Russia’s continuing efforts to help Trump through social media lies; and the coming end of Mitch McConnell’s reign as Senate Republican leader.

Please grab a cup, pull up a chair, and, should you wish, take our poll:

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