Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Host Madeleine Brand looks at news, culture and emerging trends through the lens of Los Angeles.

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Most Recent Episode

Press Play with Madeleine Brand
What’s next for abortion after Democrats’ big midterm gains

Plus, veteran homelessness is down in LA, a doctor’s campaign for e-bike safety, and a radical 19th century painting depicting an execution is about to be on display at the Norton Simon Museum.

00:49:19
Nov 11, 2026 4:49 PM
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More Episodes

Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Yiyun Li’s new novel imagines forgotten 18th century prodigies

Plus, how Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s affair with a suspected Chinese spy could affect Caliofrnia’s economy, and ideas for how to make California’s ballot initiative process less confusing.

00:50:04
Nov 10, 2026 2:56 PM
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Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Former LA mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s advice to Nithya Raman

Plus, the prospect of getting rid of the Electoral College, how filmmaker Martin McDonagh got political, and Mexican musical duo Rodrigo y Gabriela’s new album explores what it means to be “home.”

00:51:11
Nov 9, 2026 4:33 PM
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Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Musk, money, and data centers’ future after the ‘blue wave’

Plus, what President Trump’s foreign policy goals might look like if Congressional Democrats stall his domestic agenda, our weekend film reviews, and Evan Kleiman on LA’s best hot sauce.

00:50:08
Nov 5, 2026 3:56 PM
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Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Recapping a historic night for Democrats, and California

Plus, Nithya Raman is ahead in the LA mayor’s race, what’s on Xavier Becerra’s Day One agenda when he arrives in Sacramento, and how artist Paul Pfeiffer uses sculpture to explore celebrity.

00:48:55
Nov 4, 2026 4:53 PM
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Press Play with Madeleine Brand
What races to watch as experts predict a midterm 'blue wave'

Plus, there may be election shenanigans in the coming days, the moon is causing another “blue wave” as generational high tides coincide with the “Super El Niño,” and comedian Chloe Radcliffe.

00:49:20
Nov 3, 2026 3:38 PM
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Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Long-unfinished film captures a Harlem Renaissance reunion

Plus, polling says Karen Bass and Nithya Raman are tied, the Supreme Court rejects President Trump's attempt to force California to set aside 20,000 ballots, and a trio of musicians on why they love Neil Young.

00:48:53
Nov 2, 2026 4:22 PM
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Press Play with Madeleine Brand
What’s next for Israel after Arab parties’ historic gains

Plus, Los Angeles city attorney candidate Marissa Roy on how she wants to fight crime in LA, our weekend film reviews, and Evan Kleiman has some “serious coffee” recommendations.

00:51:15
Oct 29, 2026 2:15 PM
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Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Dolores Huerta, powerful-yet-flawed labor leader, dies at 96

Plus, a Los Angeles rabbi arrested in the West Bank, LA city attorney candidate John McKinney’s plan to address homelessness, and filmmaker Kirsten Johnson assesses the Elizabeth Holmes documentary.

 

00:48:55
Oct 28, 2026 5:32 PM
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Press Play with Madeleine Brand
How America became a fearful nation that normalized white supremacy

Plus, California’s competitive Congressional races could determine who controls the House, and horror TV recommendations if you feel like staying home on Halloween night.

00:49:33
Oct 27, 2026 3:10 PM
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Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Dexter Story’s tribute to the spiritual practice of fasting

Plus, the strength of Mayor Karen Bass’ campaign on her signature issue: homelessness; an appeals court questions Trump’s attempt to disqualify 20,000 California ballots, and LA’s 101 best restaurants.

00:50:28
Oct 26, 2026 3:33 PM
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Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Why is LAX’s People Mover such a boondoggle?

Plus, LA could soon have a DSA mayor, but what do the Democratic Socialists of America actually stand for? Our weekend film reviews, and Evan Kleiman’s easy (and tasty!) chicken recipes.

00:50:35
Oct 22, 2026 3:57 PM
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Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Meet Sunil Malhotra, the new voice of Apu on ‘The Simpsons’

Plus, “bad will” for Nithya Raman as no city councilmembers endorse her for mayor, why Netflix has “hit a wall” as it reports its slowest growth in years, and how abortion bans impact everyone’s health.

00:50:03
Oct 21, 2026 3:37 PM
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Press Play with Madeleine Brand
John Green on what Hollywood’s fame machine does to young actors

Plus, a violent interaction with ICE in Long Beach sends a U.S. citizen to the hospital. And two weeks from Election Day, we sort through California’s 14 ballot propositions.

00:49:23
Oct 20, 2026 3:47 PM
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Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Guitarist Julian Lage’s lessons from a lifetime of accolades

Plus, the Justice Department sues California over noncitizen voting, recently unsealed court records suggest OJ Simpson may have had an accomplice, and the dirty business of farmed fish.

00:50:03
Oct 19, 2026 3:51 PM
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Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Steve Hilton on affordability, homelessness, and yes…that ad

Plus, our weekend film reviews, including the Elizabeth Holmes documentary that had a surprise premiere at Telluride, and Evan Kleiman on how to make and where to find the best bento box.

00:50:21
Oct 15, 2026 2:43 PM
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Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Shiny ceilings. Flavortown! Burbank airport’s new terminal opens

Plus, LA’s mayoral candidates try to appeal to the large chunk of undecided voters, the state warns LAUSD it may take over the district if it can’t balance its budget, and fall book recommendations.

00:51:53
Oct 14, 2026 11:37 PM
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Press Play with Madeleine Brand
“Lazy, unfunny, sexist.” Shane Gillis’ SNL monologue sparks outrage

Plus, Elon Musk spends hundreds of millions to elect Republicans, Gov. Gavin Newsom ponders commuting death sentences, and three new exhibitions explore architect Paul R. Williams’ life and work.

 

00:49:51
Oct 13, 2026 3:44 PM
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Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Childhood nostalgia for Saudi Arabia on Bedouine’s new album

Plus, three-story-tall waves wreak havoc on Long Beach, why the Department of Justice is investigating Minnesota Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, and Iran-backed Houthi rebels attack Riyadh.

00:50:44
Oct 12, 2026 3:35 PM
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Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Low morale, suicide attempts: USS Abraham Lincoln comes home

Plus, the Dodgers are now one step closer to a World Series threepeat, our weekend film reviews, including a four-hour Elon Musk documentary, and Evan Kleiman’s tips for a road trip to Julian.

00:48:51
Oct 8, 2026 4:14 PM
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Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Oct. 7 response looms over Netanyahu's reelection

Plus, how one LA school attacked the heat by planting trees, TV critic Eric Deggans has his fall recs, and a new exhibit at LACMA presents past visions of the perfect kitchen.

00:50:16
Oct 7, 2026 4:27 PM
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Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Disney v. FCC, Skydance closes in big day for LA media giants

Plus, the botched execution of Christa Pike and why Americans are turning against the death penalty. And before Google, there was the LA Public Library, whose librarians would try to answer any question.

00:51:25
Oct 6, 2026 4:39 PM
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Press Play with Madeleine Brand
The Strokes were supposed to save rock ‘n’ roll. They didn’t

Plus, the Supreme Court is back in session and justices will decide if Boulder, Colorado can sue companies for climate disasters. And how surveillance culture makes it harder to hook up in your car.

00:51:11
Oct 5, 2026 4:46 PM
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Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Recapping the final (and only) Becerra-Hilton debate

Plus, our weekend film reviews, and a pro’s guide to going out in LA when you have a toddler.

00:51:08
Oct 1, 2026 4:11 PM
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Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Bass and Raman’s differing views on Israel’s war in Gaza

Plus, filmmaker John Wilson's new documentary about the history of concrete has a lot under its surface. And KCRW’s LeRoy Downs stops by to discuss jazz saxophonist John Coltrane, who was born 100 years ago this month.

00:51:12
Sep 30, 2026 4:14 PM
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