Vauhini Vara, former tech reporter for the Wall Street Journal and Pulitzer Prize finalist for her novel, “The Immortal King Rao,” discusses her latest book, “Searches: Selfhood in the Digital Age” which discusses how digital technologies and the internet influence and reshape personal identity. Also: A review of “Aztlan” by Luis Alfaro, at the Magic Theatre through July 13th. Hosted by Richard Wolinsky.


During this terrible time of queer and trans erasure, finding a moment to laugh can be another form of protest – especially when the source of the laughter is from an all trans male comedy troupe called Big Dad Energy. The ringmaster behind the group is actor/astrologer/comedian Marval A Rex, whose conversation about its origins after their recent West Hollywood Pride performance at the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Renberg Theater takes a surprising “star turn” (interviewed by Jason Jenn).


What happens to intellectual freedom when libraries come under attack? What happens to curiosity? Librarian and director of the Department of Libraries in Arlington, VA, Diane Kresh joins me to explore the long and storied history of bad-ass librarians, book bans and book sanctuaries, the “curiosity paradox” of such bans, what makes libraries a center … Continued


Host Mitch Jeserich brings live analysis about the voting procedures of the megabill in the House of Representatives while Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries delivers a marathonic speech that stalled the final vote for more than 8 hours claiming that allotting only one hour of debate on the content of a 900 pages bill was … Continued


UpFront

Trump Executive Order Signs Away Major Syria Sanctions; Plus, “Big Beautiful Bill” Cuts Healthcare, Expands ICE

00:08 — Mouin Rabbani is a nonresident fellow at the Middle East Council on Global Affairs, previously principal political affairs officer with the Office of the UN Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria. 00:33 — Phil Galewitz is senior correspondent for KFF Health News. 00:45 — Daniel Costa is Director of Immigration Law and Policy … Continued