Why Is This Happening? The Chris Hayes Podcast

MS NOW, Chris Hayes

Every week Chris Hayes asks the big questions that keep him up at night. How do we make sense of this unprecedented moment in world history? Why is this (all) happening? This podcast starts to answer these questions. Writers, experts, and thinkers who are also trying to get to the bottom of them join Chris to break it all down and help him get a better night’s rest.

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465 episodes
Updated Tuesday

Episodes465

Newest first

Dec 2, 2025 · 58 min
The Hidden Plot to Legalize Corruption with David Sirota
Author and journalist David Sirota joins to discuss historical parallels to the present moment, corruption being normalized and more.
Dec 1, 2025 · 9 min
Preview of “Rachel Maddow Presents: Burn Order”
Rachel Maddow’s new podcast “Burn Order” is out now! Listen to a special preview.
Nov 25, 2025 · 56 min
Why Healthcare Costs Are Rising So Much with Jonathan Cohn
Jonathan Cohn, senior national correspondent at The Bulwark, to discuss what’s driving higher prices, biggest inflection points since the Affordable Care Act was passed and what he sees as the most viable next steps.
Nov 24, 2025 · 2 min
Introducing "Rachel Maddow Presents: Burn Order"
Rachel Maddow’s new podcast “Burn Order” drops 12/1. Listen to the trailer now!
Nov 18, 2025 · 49 min
Immigration Raids in LA and Nationwide with Memo Torres
Memo Torres, a multimedia journalist and the director of engagement at LA TACO, joins WITHpod to discuss immigration raids consistently ramping up in Los Angeles and beyond, the impact of civilian intervention, how enforcement strategy has changed and more.
Nov 11, 2025 · 53 min
Why Is The U.S. Striking Venezuela? with Benjamin Gedan
South America expert Benjamin Gedan, joins WITHpod to discuss the U.S.' relationship with Venezuela, recent strikes, thoughts on regime changes, military pressure ratcheting up and more.
Nov 4, 2025 · 53 min
The Reality of Life in the West Bank with Jasper Nathaniel
Journalist Jasper Nathaniel, who has spent time in the West Bank, joins WITHpod to discuss key inflection points in the region, his thoughts on formal annexation, observations of the response from Israel Defense Forces troops and more.
Oct 28, 2025 · 49 min
Right-Wing Radicalization in a Fractured America with Beth Macy
Author and journalist Beth Macy joins WITHpod to discuss how Urbana, Ohio has changed from the time she grew up there, themes that connect other rural American cities, thoughts on having civil discussions despite political differences, the nationalization of politics and more.
Oct 21, 2025 · 1 hr 5 min
‘Life After Cars’ with Sarah Goodyear and Doug Gordon
Sarah Goodyear and Doug Gordon, co-hosts of the “War on Cars” podcast and co-authors of “Life After Cars: Freeing Ourselves from the Tyranny of the Automobile," join WITHpod to discuss the politics of cars, the impact cars have on children, the planet and more.
Oct 15, 2025 · 6 min
Preview of “The Blueprint” Season 2
Jen Psaki’s podcast “The Blueprint” is back with more on how the Dems can fight and win again! Listen to an excerpt now.
Oct 14, 2025 · 58 min
The Militarization of American Cities Under Trump with Mary McCord
Mary McCord, Executive Director of the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection and a Visiting Professor of Law at Georgetown University Law Center, joins WITHpod to discuss the legal and ethical implications of this alarming trend – and what it means for democracy.
Oct 7, 2025 · 55 min
How Autism Became Political with Richard Grinker
Professor Richard Grinker, a cultural anthropologist and director of The George Washington University Institute for Ethnographic Research, joins Chris Hayes to discuss how autism has become a political obsession.
Sep 30, 2025 · 57 min
The True Cost of Violence on Black Life in America with Trymaine Lee
Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist Trymaine Lee joins WITHpod to discuss three themes in the book: the long and bloody history of African Americans and guns; his work as a chronicler of gun violence and his own life story.
Sep 23, 2025 · 56 min
The Electricity Crisis with Costa Samaras
Climate, energy and emerging tech expert Costa Samaras joins to discuss what's rapidly leading to an electricity crisis.
Sep 16, 2025 · 57 min
"Tomorrow Is Yesterday" with Robert Malley and Hussein Agha
Rob Malley and Hussein Agha, co-authors of "Tomorrow Is Yesterday: Life, Death, and the Pursuit of Peace in Israel/Palestine," join to discuss why the Israeli–Palestinian peace process hasn't been successful and what they anticipate lies ahead.
Sep 9, 2025 · 50 min
From Oyster Farming to Running for Senate with Graham Platner
Graham Platner, a marine and army veteran and oyster farmer, joins WITHpod to talk about his run for U.S. Senate in Maine.
Sep 2, 2025 · 57 min
Protests, Political Violence and Its Alternatives with Erica Chenoweth
Erica Chenoweth, a political scientist at Harvard, joins to discuss historical and contemporary strategies for protesting, democratic backsliding, global comparisons and more.
Aug 26, 2025 · 54 min
'Here Comes The Sun' with Bill McKibben
Bill McKibben, founder of climate justice organization 350.org and Third Act, joins WITHpod to discuss his new book "Here Comes the Sun: A Last Chance for the Climate and a Fresh Chance for Civilization," reasons he's optimistic and more.
Aug 19, 2025 · 57 min
Unpacking the US-China Trade War with Bill Bishop
Bill Bishop, a China expert and former media executive with more than a decade experience living and working in China, joins Chris Hayes to unpack the state of US-China trade relations under Trump 2.0.
Aug 12, 2025 · 51 min
Baltimore's Violent Crime Perception vs. Reality with Mayor Scott
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott joins WITHpod to talk about the perception versus reality for crime stats in in Baltimore, the city’s Comprehensive Violence Prevention Plan and more.

Why Is This Happening? The Chris Hayes Podcast

The Hidden Plot to Legalize Corruption with David Sirota

Preview of “Rachel Maddow Presents: Burn Order”

Why Healthcare Costs Are Rising So Much with Jonathan Cohn

Introducing "Rachel Maddow Presents: Burn Order"

Immigration Raids in LA and Nationwide with Memo Torres

Why Is The U.S. Striking Venezuela? with Benjamin Gedan

The Reality of Life in the West Bank with Jasper Nathaniel

Right-Wing Radicalization in a Fractured America with Beth Macy

‘Life After Cars’ with Sarah Goodyear and Doug Gordon

Preview of “The Blueprint” Season 2

The Militarization of American Cities Under Trump with Mary McCord

How Autism Became Political with Richard Grinker

The True Cost of Violence on Black Life in America with Trymaine Lee

The Electricity Crisis with Costa Samaras

"Tomorrow Is Yesterday" with Robert Malley and Hussein Agha

From Oyster Farming to Running for Senate with Graham Platner

Protests, Political Violence and Its Alternatives with Erica Chenoweth

'Here Comes The Sun' with Bill McKibben

Unpacking the US-China Trade War with Bill Bishop

Baltimore's Violent Crime Perception vs. Reality with Mayor Scott