In celebration of the United States of America’s 250th birthday, we posed a simple question to some of our favorite critics, columnists and editors across the New York Times newsroom, people who write about books, movies, TV shows, science, sports, wellness and food. We asked: What’s the most American thing on your beat?
On today’s episode, we present their answers. Happy Birthday, America!
On Today’s Episode
Joshua Barone, culture editor, on “Rodeo,” composed by Aaron Copland
Vanessa Friedman, chief fashion critic, on workout gear
Erik Piepenburg, culture writer, on the movie “Get Out”
Kevin Roose, technology columnist, on Amazon Prime
Mekado Murphy, culture editor, on the roller coaster The Beast
James Poniewozik, chief television critic, on “Survivor”
Jancee Dunn, wellness writer, on productivity and sleep
Elena Bergeron, culture editor, on U.S. hockey
Jennifer Szalai, nonfiction book critic at the Book Review, on “Paved Paradise: How Parking Explains the World” by Henry Grabar
Bill Wasik, science editor, on liquid rocket fuel
Madison Malone Kircher, internet culture reporter, on Bama Rush
Kim Severson, food reporter, on M&M’s
MJ Franklin, editor at the Book Review, on “The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois” by Honorée Fanonne Jeffers
Helen Shaw, chief theater critic, on “The Century Cycle” by August Wilson
Alissa Wilkinson, film critic, on the movie “There Will Be Blood”
Zachary Small, culture reporter, on Grand Theft Auto
Elisabeth Vincentelli, culture reporter, on demolition derbies
Jason Zinoman, critic at large, on the song “Political Science” by Randy Newman
Jason Farago, critic at large, on the Statue of Liberty
A.O. Scott, critic at large, on “Crossing Brooklyn Ferry” by Walt Whitman (featuring a reading by Jeffrey Wright)
Gia Kourlas, dance critic, on “Stars and Stripes” by George Balanchine and “Appalachian Spring” by Martha Graham
Jon Caramanica, pop music critic, on “Trump Trump Baby” by Forgiato Blow
Photo credit: The New York Times
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Folge vom 05.07.2026The Most American Episode of The Daily, Ever.
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Folge vom 03.07.2026250 Years Later, Why We’re Still Fighting About Our FoundingTwo hundred and fifty years ago, the founding fathers gave rise to a new nation. They also gave rise to an enduring myth about their virtue and what that meant about America’s virtue as a country. Jia Lynn Yang, a New York Times journalist, discusses how the founding myth has evolved, why we are still fighting about it and why it may hold the key to America’s future. Guest: Jia Lynn Yang, a New York Times journalist writing explanatory pieces about the ideas underlying the news. Background reading: Is there a founding story that can unify left and right? Photo: Michelle Gustafson for The New York Times For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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Folge vom 01.07.2026Why Americans Will Get Less Help Paying for CollegeAs the cost of higher education has soared in recent decades, universities have attracted more scrutiny about the value of a four-year degree. Now, the Trump administration is taking those questions to the next level with a set of policies that scales back the federal government’s student loan program. Ron Lieber, who writes about personal finance for The New York Times, explains what the new changes are, and how they might reshape higher education in America. Guest: Ron Lieber, the Your Money columnist for The New York Times, writes about everything from retirement savings and college tuition to credit reports and taxes. Background reading: Parents and graduate students have new loan limits. Who will fill the gap? What the new loan caps will mean for grad students this fall. Photo: Rachel Woolf for The New York Times For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.