July 18, 2025

This week: The host of “Jeopardy!” has an answer for how to save our Republic.

Plus, Episode 2 of “The Retrievals,” Serial Production’s moving new series, dropped this week — but all episodes are available now for New York Times Audio subscribers.

Great Listens

Illustration by The New York Times; photo by Christopher Willard/ABC

FACTS VS. FASCISM FOR $500

‘Jeopardy!’ Is a Reminder That Facts Are Fun — and Essential

According to the host Ken Jennings, trivia is overlooked as a “great social force.”

Mandy Patinkin and Kathryn Grody. Devin Oktar Yalkin for The New York Times

‘TWO MESHUGANA PEOPLE'

The Grody-Patinkin Family Is a Mess. People Love It.

The couple, successful artists married for 45 years, reflect on their newfound TikTok fame.

Photo Illustration by The New York Times; Photo: FX

YUM

Has Dining Gotten Too Fine on ‘The Bear’?

Wesley Morris and Samin Nosrat on the fancy food, big egos and new season of the show.

Photograph by Erik Tanner for The New York Times

‘THE RETRIEVALS,’ SEASON 2

Episode 2: The Speech

The first step to solving the problem of pain during C-sections is to talk about the problem.

OK McCausland for The New York Times

‘I WISH I COULD DO THAT’

Former Girl Bosses Are ‘Leaning Out’ of Corporate Life

Now some are trying to redefine what ambition looks like.

News and Ideas

A view of Camp Mystic and the surrounding flood damage on the Guadelupe River. Carter Johnston for The New York Times

Unwind

Photo Illustration by The New York Times; Photo: Charly Triballeau/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

MODERN LOVE

How to Keep Love Alive, With Rob Delaney of ‘Dying for Sex’

The Emmy-nominated actor bares his true messy self.

The New York Times

WIRECUTTER

Journaling Through Life’s Plot Twists With Suleika Jaouad

The best-selling memoirist shares tips with our experts.

Photo Illustration by The New York Times; Photo: Scott A Garfitt/Invision, via AP

POPCAST

Does Lorde Still Want to Be a Star?

Dissecting “Virgin,” the beloved singer’s fourth album.

FOR NYT AUDIO SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Great magazines beyond The Times

Caylo Seals/Sipa USA, via Associated Press Images New York Review of Books A Show of Force What Trump was trying to demonstrate in Los Angeles is that he can project his armed power into every American community at any time. 21 MIN LISTEN

Illustrations by Tomasz Wozniakowski Harper's Magazine Shadow of a Doubt: How OCD Came to Haunt American Life 50 MIN LISTEN

For more audio journalism and storytelling, visit the Listen Tab in our News app (available for iOS).

NEW MERCH! We just dropped some special edition Hard Fork hats, and for a little while, you can get one free when you purchase an annual Audio subscription, which includes access to our podcasts on Apple and Spotify. Get your free Hard Fork hat.

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