How to Clean Up the Mess We Call Government

Firewall

26:18

How do you know when it’s time to make your next big career move? With International Women’s Day around the corner, we are excited to feature Avni Patel Thompson, Founder and CEO of Milo. Avni is building technology that directly supports the often overlooked emotional and logistical labor that falls on parents—especially women. Milo is an AI assistant designed to help families manage that invisible load more efficiently. In this episode, Avni shares her journey from studying chemistry to holding leadership roles at global brands like Adidas and Starbucks, to launching her own ventures. She discusses how she approaches career transitions, the importance of unpleasant experiences, and why she’s focused on making everyday life easier for parents. [01:26] Avni's University Days and Early Career [04:36] Non-Linear Career Paths [05:16] Pursuing Steep Learning Curves [11:51] Entrepreneurship and Safety Nets [15:22] Lived Experiences and Milo [19:55] Avni’s In Her Ellement Moment [20:03] Reflections Links: Avni Patel Thompson on LinkedIn Suchi Srinivasan on LinkedIn Kamila Rakhimova on LinkedIn Ipsos report on the future of parenting About In Her Ellement: In Her Ellement highlights the women and allies leading the charge in digital, business, and technology innovation. Through engaging conversations, the podcast explores their journeys—celebrating successes and acknowledging the balance between work and family. Most importantly, it asks: when was the moment you realized you hadn’t just arrived—you were truly in your element? About The Hosts: Suchi Srinivasan is an expert in AI and digital transformation. Originally from India, her career includes roles at trailblazing organizations like Bell Labs and Microsoft. In 2011, she co-founded the Cleanweb Hackathon, a global initiative driving IT-powered climate solutions with over 10,000 members across 25+ countries. She also advises Women in Cloud, aiming to create $1B in economic opportunities for women entrepreneurs by 2030. Kamila Rakhimova is a fintech leader whose journey took her from Tajikistan to the U.S., where she built a career on her own terms. Leveraging her English proficiency and international relations expertise, she discovered the power of microfinance and moved to the U.S., eventually leading Amazon's Alexa Fund to support underrepresented founders. Subscribe to In Her Ellement on your podcast app of choice to hear meaningful conversations with women in digital, business, and technology.…

4 days ago 38:49

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This episode was taped at P&T Knitwear at 180 Orchard Street — New York City’s only free podcast recording studio.

Send us an email with your thoughts on today’s episode: info@firewall.media.

Subscribe to Bradley's weekly newsletter, follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack + YouTube, be sure to order his new book, Vote With Your Phone.

212 episodes

#Business #Firewall #News #News Talk #Finance #Venture #Politics #Tech #Tusk

How to Clean Up the Mess We Call Government

Firewall

17 subscribers

published 4 days ago

MP3•Episode home

This episode was taped at P&T Knitwear at 180 Orchard Street — New York City’s only free podcast recording studio.

Send us an email with your thoughts on today’s episode: info@firewall.media.

Subscribe to Bradley's weekly newsletter, follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack + YouTube, be sure to order his new book, Vote With Your Phone.

212 episodes

#Business #Firewall #News #News Talk #Finance #Venture #Politics #Tech #Tusk

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Firewall

1
The Vindicator of Queens 47:34

2 days ago47:34

47:34

In this first installment of The Race to Gracie Mansion — a series of interviews with New York City mayoral hopefuls, co-produced by Firewall and City & State — Jessica Ramos, State Senator from Queens, lays out her vision for a more equitable, better-run city. She takes on police deployment, fair fares, Cuomo’s comeback, and why she'll never promise childhood friends a job in her administration. This episode was taped at P&T Knitwear at 180 Orchard Street — New York City’s only free podcast recording studio. Send us an email with your thoughts on today’s episode: info@firewall.media . Subscribe to Bradley's weekly newsletter , follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack + YouTube , be sure to order his latest book Vote With Your Phone . ++ LIVE SHOW: Join Bradley for a live Firewall recording at P&T Knitwear on Wednesday, April 2 at 6:30PM. After his discussion with Spencer Greenberg, host of the Clearer Thinking podcast, Bradley will answer audience questions on-air. Space is limited. RSVP today: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/clearer-thinking-x-firewall-a-live-podcast-recording-tickets-1261541337099…

Firewall

1
How to Clean Up the Mess We Call Government 38:49

4 days ago38:49

38:49

Bradley offers a framework for thinking about how government at all levels should approach AI in terms of regulating it, deploying it and dealing with its ramifications. It doesn't have to be like DOGE, he argues, but there are definitely things we can learn from Elon. "The point of government," he says, "is to serve the collective needs of the people, not to employ a workforce of people." This episode was taped at P&T Knitwear at 180 Orchard Street — New York City’s only free podcast recording studio. Send us an email with your thoughts on today’s episode: info@firewall.media . Subscribe to Bradley's weekly newsletter , follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack + YouTube , be sure to order his new book, Vote With Your Phone .…

Firewall

1
Mean Streets 50:09

9 days ago50:09

50:09

What makes the politics surrounding transportation so murky and insidious? Nicole Gelinas, author of Movement: New York's Long War to Take Back Its Streets from the Car , a Gotham Book Prize nominee, talks to Bradley about the hidden forces keeping mass transit in check, how environmental regulations are used as a scapegoat and why Amazon deliveries are killing the streets. Plus, she weighs in on Andrew Cuomo’s mayoral run and whether New Yorkers will trade scandal for competence.…

Firewall

1
Does Elon Musk Know What He Doesn't Know? 54:55

11 days ago54:55

54:55

In word, no — not when it comes to the government, anyway. Bradley reviews the careful balance you need to strike when working in areas outside your expertise. Plus, he mulls over whether getting Western Europe to bulk up its armed forces will make the world safer, how Chuck Schumer's self interest and the national interest coincided on his vote for the continuing resolution on the budget and (because we needed to lift the mood) what makes a great cover version of a pop song. LIVE SHOW: Join Bradley for a live Firewall recording at P&T Knitwear on Wednesday, April 2 at 6:30PM. After his discussion with Spencer Greenberg, host of the Clearer Thinking podcast, Bradley will answer audience questions on-air. Space is limited. RSVP today: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/clearer-thinking-x-firewall-a-live-podcast-recording-tickets-1261541337099 This episode was taped at P&T Knitwear at 180 Orchard Street — New York City’s only free podcast recording studio. Send us an email with your thoughts on today’s episode: info@firewall.media . Subscribe to Bradley's weekly newsletter , follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack + YouTube , be sure to order his new book, Vote With Your Phone .…

Firewall

1
Who’s for Involuntary Confinement? 54:01

15 days ago54:01

54:01

A new poll reveals what New Yorkers really think about the state of the city—and the results might surprise you. Kicking off the Race to Gracie Mansion series, Bradley and guest co-host Tom Allon ( City & State Publisher) break down the largest study of NYC voters in years with the people behind it: John Della Volpe (Founder & CEO, SocialSphere) and Jamie Rubin (Board Chair, NYCHA). As the 2025 mayoral race heats up, they take a closer look into what New Yorkers are actually saying about crime, affordability, quality of life, and more—and what it all means for the city's future. Subscribe to Firewall to catch every episode of The Road to Gracie Mansion , where we sit down with the leading mayoral candidates and cut through the noise. First episode drops March 27. Chapters: 00:01:41 - Why Commission This Poll? 00:03:08 - Key Findings: What New Yorkers Are Saying 00:04:34 - What Makes This Poll Different? 00:06:04 - Pessimism in NYC: A Return to the '80s? 00:07:36 - Is NYC Part of a National Trend? 00:09:14 - The Mayoral Race: Breaking Down Voter Segments 00:12:27 - The Progressive Divide 00:15:24 - Eric Adams: Does He Have a Path to Re-Election? 00:17:27 - Cuomo’s Lead in the Polls 00:22:22 - Who Can Win? Evaluating Other Candidates 00:28:20 - Crime, Public Safety, and Perceptions vs. Reality 00:37:43 - NYC's Public Transit & Congestion Pricing 00:41:20 - Involuntary Confinement for Mentally Ill: Strong Support 00:44:33 - Migrant Crisis: Public Attitudes 00:48:07 - Housing Crisis & NYCHA Redevelopment 00:52:53 - Closing Thoughts & Where to Find More on the Poll The Landmark Study Reveals NYC Voters' Deep Concerns About City's Direction Ahead of 2025 Mayoral Election: https://www.jamesrubin.com/nyc-opinion-survey This episode was taped at P&T Knitwear at 180 Orchard Street — New York City’s only free podcast recording studio. Send us an email with your thoughts on today’s episode: info@firewall.media . Subscribe to Bradley's weekly newsletter , follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack + YouTube , be sure to order his new book, Vote With Your Phone .…

Firewall

1
Decide Who You Are 44:02

18 days ago44:02

44:02

The advice for how Columbia University should respond to Trump's slashing of funds is the same for anybody facing adversity — start by knowing your own values. Without that, argues Bradley, no strategy or tactics, however brilliant, are going to work. Plus he explains why "Trump is like the Terminator, he comes back stronger," weighs his own skills as a probabilistic thinker, and reveals why he never ever carries anything with him. That's just who he is. This episode was taped at P&T Knitwear at 180 Orchard Street — New York City’s only free podcast recording studio. Send us an email with your thoughts on today’s episode: info@firewall.media . Subscribe to Bradley's weekly newsletter , follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack + YouTube , be sure to order his new book, Vote With Your Phone .…

Firewall

1
What's Your Tribe? 51:19

23 days ago51:19

51:19

Columbia Business School professor Michael Morris, author of Tribal: How the Cultural Instincts That Divide Us Can Help Bring Us Together , joins Bradley to break down the psychology behind how humans organize into groups, why we’re wired to trust and follow, and how these instincts shape everything we do, especially politics. "People aren’t just voting for policies," Morris says, "they’re choosing a tribe, a social identity. That’s why facts alone don’t change minds." This episode was taped at P&T Knitwear at 180 Orchard Street — New York City’s only free podcast recording studio. Send us an email with your thoughts on today’s episode: info@firewall.media . Subscribe to Bradley's weekly newsletter , follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack + YouTube , be sure to order his new book, Vote With Your Phone .…

Firewall

1
Why Do We Stroke God's Ego? 51:51

25 days ago51:51

51:51

Sitting in a long Bar Mitzvah service, Bradley started wondering about the performative side of religion. If we believe in a God who is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent, what does God need with all this endless praise? Kinda reminds you of someone else, doesn't it? Plus, Bradley unloads on the cruelty of Trump and Musk's proposed budget cuts and analyzes whether a big drop in popularity can stop Trump this time. Finally, now that the Andrew Cuomo redemption tour is officially on, why is his frontrunner status different than Andrew Yang's four year ago? This episode was taped at P&T Knitwear at 180 Orchard Street — New York City’s only free podcast recording studio. Send us an email with your thoughts on today’s episode: info@firewall.media . Subscribe to Bradley's weekly newsletter , follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack + YouTube , be sure to order his new book, Vote With Your Phone .…

Firewall

1
Fix the Broken Stuff 1:01:33

4 weeks ago1:01:33

1:01:33

Raj Goyle argues that Democrats don’t need a radical agenda to beat Trump—they just need to prove they can solve everyday problems. The founder of Phone Free New York joins Bradley to talk about the fight to ban phones in schools, how the legal system quietly robs every American, and why campaigns should be run like startups—fast, lean, and ruthless. This episode was taped at P&T Knitwear at 180 Orchard Street — New York City’s only free podcast recording studio. Send us an email with your thoughts on today’s episode: info@firewall.media . Subscribe to Bradley's weekly newsletter , follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack + YouTube , be sure to order his new book, Vote With Your Phone .…

Firewall

1
No, Our Phones Aren't Killing Us 53:12

5 weeks ago53:12

53:12

A lot of what we do on our phones — maybe even most of it — is positive and productive, argues Bradley, but we need to clearly differentiate between good habits and mindless scrolling. He lays out the concept of "a screen time diet" that evaluates our digital consumption just like we do our nutritional intake. Plus, what brings Trump crashing back to earth, how a broken City Hall affects life in New York and why short players are great for basketball. This episode was taped at P&T Knitwear at 180 Orchard Street — New York City’s only free podcast recording studio. Send us an email with your thoughts on today’s episode: info@firewall.media . Subscribe to Bradley's weekly newsletter , follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack + YouTube , be sure to order his new book, Vote With Your Phone .…

Firewall

1
Wildfires, Psychedelics and the Future of Wellness 47:56

5 weeks ago47:56

47:56

How does a venture capitalist find start-ups that are worth believing in? Bradley sits down with Pip Lawrence, co-founder of Delphi VC , for a wide-ranging discussion on his approach to investing, what attracts him to psychedelic therapy, how LA feels in the aftermath of the fires and why he's committed to the cause of Holocaust education. This episode was taped at P&T Knitwear at 180 Orchard Street — New York City’s only free podcast recording studio. Send us an email with your thoughts on today’s episode: info@firewall.media . Subscribe to Bradley's weekly newsletter , follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack + YouTube , be sure to order his new book, Vote With Your Phone .…

Firewall

1
Does Imperialism Sell? 1:10:29

6 weeks ago1:10:29

1:10:29

Get ready for big ideas flying all over the place in this episode. First, Bob Greenlee argues that Trump's pitch to expand the American empire — into Greenland, Gaza, Panama and Canada — goes hand in hand with his campaign to eradicate DEI. Taken together, they tell a heroic narrative meant to inspire and channel ambitions toward new visions of greatness. But is it a hustle or a real thing that Americans genuinely want? Plus, Bradley and Bob debate the idea that any particular religion could be "right", why immersion in our phones doesn't produce the atomizing hellscape that critics claim, and whether the popular view of altruism is just plain wrong This episode was taped at P&T Knitwear at 180 Orchard Street — New York City’s only free podcast recording studio. Send us an email with your thoughts on today’s episode: info@firewall.media . Subscribe to Bradley's weekly newsletter , follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack + YouTube , be sure to order his new book, Vote With Your Phone .…

Firewall

1
Back to the Future 43:10

6 weeks ago43:10

43:10

Bradley’s tech investing journey began with a services-for-equity model that evolved into a full-fledged venture firm. Nine years and three successful funds later, he explains why he's pivoting back to his original approach. Plus, he lays out a bold plan for Governor Hochul to achieve a once-in-a-lifetime subway overhaul by leveraging the special election for Elise Stefanik’s upstate congressional seat. It all comes down to how much Trump wants to feel like a hero again in his hometown. Read more about Bradley's next steps in his Substack , and please share in your networks the open Associate job posting for Tusk Ventures. This episode was taped at P&T Knitwear at 180 Orchard Street — New York City’s only free podcast recording studio. Send us an email with your thoughts on today’s episode: info@firewall.media . Subscribe to Bradley's weekly newsletter , follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack + YouTube , be sure to order his new book, Vote With Your Phone .…

Firewall

1
Bonus Episode: What Does Trump's DOJ Dropping Charges Against Eric Adams Mean for the NYC Mayoral Race? 8:33

7 weeks ago8:33

8:33

Bradley shares his reaction to the bombshell breaking news that Trump’s Justice Department has ordered the US Attorney’s Office in Manhattan to drop the criminal charges against Mayor Eric Adams. Bradley games out how this decision will or will not impact the 2025 mayoral race, discusses what could be next for Adams if he (likely) loses re-election, and why, paradoxically the Adams administration is actually the best it's ever been. For Bradley's full analysis, be sure to subscribe to his Substack . Send us an email with your thoughts on today’s episode: info@firewall.media . Subscribe to Bradley's weekly newsletter , follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack + YouTube , be sure to order his new book, Vote With Your Phone .…

Firewall

1
The Tao of Gen Z 40:21

7 weeks ago40:21