Summary of "The Fight For America w/ Bari Weiss" Episode of Conversations With Coleman

Podcast Title: Conversations With Coleman
Host: Coleman Hughes
Guest: Bari Weiss
Release Date: June 9, 2025

In this insightful episode titled "The Fight For America," Coleman Hughes hosts Bari Weiss, the founder of The Free Press, to explore the vision, challenges, and evolution of her media institution. The conversation delves into Weiss's journey from traditional journalism to establishing The Free Press, the dynamics of its diverse audience, internal newsroom culture, responses to criticism, personal beliefs, and the broader sociopolitical landscape impacting American society.

1. Origins of The Free Press

Bari Weiss recounts the inception of The Free Press following her departure from The New York Times. Expressing dissatisfaction with the existing media climate and a desire to pursue genuine curiosity, she shares:

"When I left the New York Times, I had absolutely no plan at all... All I knew was that the thing I had seen was intolerable to me and that I didn't want to be a fig leaf for something that I felt had become sort of corrupt." ([04:21])

Initially hesitant to start big, Weiss began with a personal blog, which quickly gained traction and exceeded her previous salary and traffic metrics. This organic growth led her to expand The Free Press into a thriving newsroom dedicated to free inquiry and diverse perspectives.

2. Audience and Evolution

Discussing the Free Press's readership, Weiss explains how the audience has broadened from a niche reactionary base to being the main source of news for many subscribers:

"We've gone from being a reactionary product that did six or seven topics really well to understanding that what the audience is asking from us is so much more than that." ([08:50])

Originally focused on countering the excesses of the liberal left, The Free Press now covers a wider range of topics, responding to its audience's demand for comprehensive news coverage across politics, philosophy, race, culture, and science.

3. Managing a Diverse Newsroom

Weiss describes The Free Press's unique newsroom composition, where staff members hold varied political affiliations, ensuring balanced perspectives:

"We have people that share and live out our values and frankly, the independent cast of mind, finding the people that both have the journalistic chops, the writing ability, and the independent cast of mind, it is very, very difficult from just a pure talent perspective to find those people." ([44:58])

This diversity fosters a dynamic environment where robust discussions and differing viewpoints are valued, aligning with the publication's mission to uphold free inquiry and a marketplace of ideas.

4. Criticism and Response

Addressing criticism from notable figures like Andrew Sullivan, Weiss defends The Free Press's comprehensive coverage, emphasizing the breadth and depth of their reporting:

"Who can look at the piece that we ran recently about Qatar and Qatar's influence over the Trump administration... and more broadly over America, and what's more serious and more lasting?" ([21:23])

She underscores the importance of publishing a multitude of perspectives and maintaining journalistic integrity despite external critiques, arguing that The Free Press offers a unique kaleidoscopic view of current events.

5. Views on Religion and God

The conversation shifts to personal beliefs, where both Hughes and Weiss discuss their views on God and religion. Weiss elaborates on her faith as a guiding force:

"I try at my best to live my life as if there is a God. But I don't know." ([27:57])

Hughes shares his atheist stance while acknowledging the positive societal impacts of religion:

"If faith works for you, then you should do faith because you've only got one life. And as long as it's not harming anyone else, I don't see how it's harming me." ([28:06])

Both discuss the balance between personal belief systems and societal well-being, highlighting the complexity of reconciling individual faith with broader societal values.

6. Impact of Parenthood

Weiss reflects on how motherhood has intensified her sense of urgency and shifted her perspective, particularly in response to rising antisemitism:

"One of the most tragic and profound adjustments... is questioning whether or not that's still true and whether or not the things that have made America the most exceptional Diaspora experience for Jews will hold for our children." ([66:23])

She emphasizes the heightened security concerns and emotional stakes that parenthood brings into her advocacy and journalistic efforts, illustrating how personal life intersects with professional mission.

7. The Free Press's Mission in a Changing Era

Addressing shifts in the sociopolitical climate, Weiss discusses how The Free Press adapts to new challenges:

"We should be judged on whether or not we are able to see them [threats] clearly meet the moment and apply the same standards and same rigor." ([42:13])

She speaks about expanding coverage to tackle issues emerging from the right, maintaining consistent journalistic values regardless of the source of illiberalism. Weiss highlights the ongoing need to adapt to evolving political landscapes while upholding the publication's founding principles.

8. Responses to Bigotry and Media's Role

Weiss and Hughes examine the role of platforms like Twitter (now X) in amplifying bigotry and the implications for public discourse:

"It is wild what's going on there. It is some of like the worst, most just blatant bigotry that you can encounter on the Internet and they're serving it to you." ([53:09])

They debate the responsibilities of social media companies in moderating content and the long-term business viability of strategies that prioritize sensationalism over constructive dialogue.

9. Antisemitism and American Exceptionalism

In response to recent events, Weiss articulates the profound impact of rising antisemitism on her worldview and American identity:

"The most tragic and profound adjustments... is questioning whether or not that's still true and whether or not the things that have made America the most exceptional Diaspora experience for Jews will hold for our children." ([66:23])

She underscores the existential threat that normalized hatred poses to societal values and the nation's future, reflecting on how personal and collective identities are challenged in contemporary America.

10. Q&A and Closing Thoughts

In a lightning round, Weiss shares personal preferences and future plans, including an upcoming trip to Israel and her pride in building The Free Press. This section underscores her dedication to fostering a media environment committed to truth and diverse perspectives.

"I feel very, very excited about continuing to build this and just inspired and energized and like eager to get up the next day and to get to work." ([70:45])

Notable Quotes

• Bari Weiss on starting The Free Press:

  "When I left the New York Times, I had absolutely no plan at all... All I knew was that the thing I had seen was intolerable to me and that I didn't want to be a fig leaf for something that I felt had become sort of corrupt." ([04:21])

• On The Free Press's diverse newsroom:

  "I think we're very much a reflection of the country and also of our readership." ([13:18])

• On responding to criticism:

  "I think one of the things that's hard and that I'm really trying to practice... is to make sure that you are getting useful, constructive feedback and criticism." ([24:14])

Conclusion

"The Fight For America" provides an in-depth look into Bari Weiss's commitment to creating a balanced and integrity-driven media outlet in The Free Press. Through candid discussions, Weiss highlights the importance of diverse perspectives in journalism, the challenges of combating rising bigotry, and her personal motivations rooted in identity and parenthood. The episode serves as a thoughtful exploration of modern media's role in shaping and reflecting societal values amidst a polarized landscape.