Firing Line with Margaret Hoover: Season 2025
Season 8 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Directly follows the overarching narrative developments of Firing Line with Margaret Hoover Season 7.
- Faction dynamics and core character alliances shift under escalating external stakes.
- Crucial mysteries introduced previously reach key turning points and narrative reckonings.
- Sets up serialized story arcs that build directly toward the climactic season finale.
Episode Guide
Season 8 Progress Shield
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Katya Snytsina and Natalia Kaliada
Jan 10, 2025 · 27 min
Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Olympic basketball star Katya Snytsina, and Belarus Free Theatre co-founder Natalia Kaliada discuss the fight against Lukashe
Juan Williams
Jan 17, 2025 · 27 min
Fox News analyst Juan Williams discusses his book “New Prize for These Eyes,” about what he sees as a second civil rights movement and the backlash against it. He reflects on the i
Newt Gingrich
Jan 24, 2025 · 27 min
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich discusses his new PBS documentary “Journey to America” and makes a conservative case for legal immigration amid rising GOP skepticism. He also re
James Carville and Mike Murphy
Jan 31, 2025 · 27 min
Two veteran campaign strategists, Democrat James Carville and Republican Mike Murphy, discuss the political fallout from the 2024 election, the chaotic early days of Donald Trump’s
Richard Carmona
Feb 7, 2025 · 27 min
As Robert F. Kennedy Jr. nears confirmation as Health and Human Services Secretary, former Surgeon General Dr. Richard Carmona discusses Kennedy’s controversial history, his potent
Philip K Howard and Will Marshall
Feb 14, 2025 · 27 min
Two government reform advocates, author and lawyer Philip K. Howard and Will Marshall of the Progressive Policy Institute, discuss Trump's deep state blitz, what DOGE is getting wr
Scott Lincicome and Jeff Ferry
Feb 21, 2025 · 27 min
Economist Jeff Ferry of the Coalition for a Prosperous America and trade expert Scott Lincicome of the Cato Institute discuss the impact of President Trump’s tariffs on U.S. consum
Ross Douthat
Mar 7, 2025 · 27 min
Conservative New York Times columnist Ross Douthat assesses President Trump’s address to Congress, his latest actions on Ukraine and trade, and the future of the GOP. Douthat also
Lawrence Perelman
Mar 14, 2025 · 27 min
100 years after the birth of William F. Buckley Jr., “American Impresario” author Lawrence Perelman discusses their friendship, Buckley’s love of music, and his life outside politi
Jonathan Martin, Adam Nagourney, Bob Shrum
Apr 4, 2025 · 27 min
Jonathan Martin of Politico, Adam Nagourney of The New York Times, and Bob Shrum of the USC Center for the Political Future discuss the challenges facing legacy media, threats to p
Glenn Hubbard
Apr 18, 2025 · 27 min
Conservative economist Glenn Hubbard discusses the impact of Trump’s tariffs and other ways to rebalance the economy. The former adviser to Pres. George W. Bush doubts the return o
Josès Andrès
Apr 25, 2025 · 27 min
Chef and World Central Kitchen founder José Andrés discusses his approach to humanitarian aid, his work in Ukraine and Gaza, and his new book, “Change the Recipe.” He comments on t
Robert Lighthizer
May 2, 2025 · 27 min
Robert Lighthizer, who served as U.S. Trade Representative in Trump’s first term, defends the president’s tariffs and makes the case for more balanced trade. He discusses the impac
Kelsey Grammer
May 9, 2025 · 27 min
Actor Kelsey Grammer discusses his new book, “Karen: A Brother Remembers,” transcending tragedy after his sister’s murder, and its impact on his life and his work. He also talks ab
Niall Ferguson
May 16, 2025 · 27 min
Historian Sir Niall Ferguson assesses the first 100 days of President Trump’s second term. He discusses the economic impact of Trump’s tariffs, efforts to end the war in Ukraine, a
Fei-Fei Li
May 23, 2025 · 27 min
AI pioneer Dr. Fei-Fei Li discusses ethical development of artificial intelligence and the challenge of establishing effective regulations. She addresses government funding of rese
Chris Hughes
Jun 13, 2025 · 27 min
Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes discusses his book, “Marketcrafters,” about policymakers on the left and right who have shaped markets to achieve social and political goals. He al
Jason Riley
Jun 20, 2025 · 27 min
“The Affirmative Action Myth” author Jason Riley argues race-based college admissions policies failed Black students. The Wall Street Journal columnist discusses racial disparities
Lisa Murkowski
Jun 27, 2025 · 27 min
GOP Sen. Lisa Murkowski discusses the U.S. strikes against Iran, the Senate debate over Trump’s tax cuts, and protecting the powers of Congress. She talks about her new book, repre
Mike Pence
Jul 11, 2025 · 27 min
Former Vice President Mike Pence assesses President Trump’s second term so far, defends Trump’s tax cut bill and strikes against Iran, and raises concerns about his former running
Elissa Slotkin
Jul 18, 2025 · 27 min
Senator Elissa Slotkin lays out her economic “war plan” for Democrats and discusses divisions within the party. The Michigan Democrat also comments on support for Ukraine, the MAGA
Jessica Riedl
Jul 25, 2025 · 27 min
Conservative economist Jessica Riedl discusses the impact of Trump’s tariffs and trade deals, the cost of his tax cuts, and potential entitlement reforms. She assesses the Republic
Mike Lawler
Aug 1, 2025 · 27 min
GOP New York Congressman Mike Lawler discusses the impact of Trump’s tax cut bill, his response to critics of its cost and Medicaid provisions, new developments in Gaza, and the ch
Sam Tanenhaus
Aug 22, 2025 · 27 min
Author Sam Tanenhaus discusses his biography of William F. Buckley Jr. and responds to critics of his portrayal of the leader of the American conservative movement. He reflects on
Sam Tanenhaus Part 2
Aug 29, 2025 · 27 min
In part two, author Sam Tanenhaus further discusses his biography of William F. Buckley Jr., the leader of the modern American conservative movement. He defends his exploration of
Chris Coons
Sep 5, 2025 · 27 min
Democratic Sen. Chris Coons discusses China’s efforts to reshape the world order and the U.S. response. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee member assesses Trump’s handling of t
John Malone
Sep 12, 2025 · 27 min
Cable TV titan John Malone reflects on his career as an industry pioneer and assesses the state of the media today. He discusses the need to regulate Big Tech, the danger of politi
Cynthia Miller-Idriss
Sep 19, 2025 · 27 min
Extremism expert Cynthia Miller-Idriss assesses the shooting of Charlie Kirk, the Trump administration’s response, and the rise of political violence in America. She discusses forc
Cindy McCain
Sep 26, 2025 · 27 min
World Food Programme Executive Director Cindy McCain discusses the global hunger crisis–including famine in Sudan and Gaza–the impact of humanitarian aid cuts by the U.S. and other
Alberto R. Gonzalez
Oct 3, 2025 · 27 min
Former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales comments on the indictment of James Comey, the relationship between the White House and the Justice Department, the erosion of norms under
Audrey Tang
Oct 10, 2025 · 27 min
Audrey Tang, Taiwan’s ambassador-at-large and former minister of digital affairs, discusses how technology can advance democracy, the dangers posed by social media and artificial i
Anthony Kennedy
Oct 17, 2025 · 27 min
Anthony Kennedy discusses his decades on the Supreme Court and the legacy of his landmark decisions. He assesses challenges facing the court in Trump’s second term, including inciv
Andrew Cuomo
Oct 24, 2025 · 27 min
Andrew Cuomo discusses the New York City mayoral race and his pitch to voters to choose him over democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani. He addresses threats the city faces from Presi
Michael McFaul
Oct 31, 2025 · 27 min
Former Ambassador Michael McFaul discusses Trump’s Asia trip, the state of the war in Ukraine, and a new era of U.S. competition with Russia and China. He addresses Trump’s second
Andrew Ross Sorkin
Nov 7, 2025 · 27 min
Andrew Ross Sorkin, author of "1929," discusses the 1929 stock market crash, the causes of the Great Depression, and how lessons from it can be applied today. He also reassesses th
Ken Burns and Sarah Botstein
Nov 14, 2025 · 27 min
Filmmakers Ken Burns and Sarah Botstein discuss their new PBS series “The American Revolution” that expands and updates the story of America's founding ahead of its premiere this S
Dave Wiskus
Nov 21, 2025 · 27 min
Dave Wiskus, founder and CEO of streaming service Nebula, discusses the rise of the creator economy, how the rapidly growing industry is changing the traditional media ecosystem, a
Mark Hertling
Dec 12, 2025 · 27 min
Ret. Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling assesses the Trump administration’s National Security Strategy and what it means for U.S. allies and adversaries. He discusses U.S. strikes on alleged V