Podcast
Max Politics
Hosted by Max Politics · EN
Max Politics is a New York politics podcast hosted by journalist Ben Max featuring in-depth interviews with elected and appointed officials, candidates, advocates, and others about New York City and State politics and policy. Produced at New York Law School and its Center for New York Law. Get in touch: benmax25@gmail.com
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Intro/outro music is Live-It by Ketsa. source (Free Music Archive) and license type (CC BY-NC-ND)
61episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Raj Goyle on His Campaign for New York State Comptroller
Yesterday01:14:13Summary readyRaj Goyle, a candidate in the June 2026 Democratic primary for New York State Comptroller, joined the show to discuss his campaign platform, why he believes Comptroller Tom DiNapoli should be replaced as the state's chief fiscal officer, his views on a variety of policy and budget matters, and more.
SummaryNYC Congressional Primaries & Major Themes To Watch, with Michael Lange
5d ago01:24:16Summary readyMichael Lange - a writer, strategist, and organizer - returned to the show to discuss the major New York City-based congressional primaries to watch in the June 2026 elections, just ahead of the start of early voting (June 13-21) and primary day (June 23). Lange, who writes The Narrative Wars on substack, and host Ben Max discussed Mayor Mamdani's endorsements, DSA's growing electoral efforts, and other interesting themes of the primaries, as well as specifics in the Democratic races in New York's 13th, 7th, 10th, and 12th House districts. They also touched on the State Comptroller primary, and more. (Ep 592)
SummaryIncredible Knicks Win Puts New York on the Precipice, with Harry Siegel & Christina Greer
5d ago00:34:24Summary readyHost Ben Max is joined by FAQ NYC podcast co-hosts Harry Siegel and Christina Greer to break down the Knicks' historic comeback win in game 4 of the NBA Finals and 3-1 series lead, putting the team and city one win away from the Knicks' first championship since 1973. (Ep 591)
SummaryComptroller Tom DiNapoli on His Bid for Reelection
1w ago01:20:45Summary readyNew York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli joined the show to discuss his case for reelection, first to be the Democratic nominee via the primary that is taking place in June 2026, where he is facing challenges from Drew Warshaw and Raj Goyle. DiNapoli, who has been Comptroller since 2007, is seeking another four-year term as the state's chief fiscal officer, and discussed his record in office, response to the criticism from his challengers, positions on policy and budget matters, and more. (EPp 590)
SummaryDrew Warshaw on His Campaign for New York State Comptroller
2w ago01:32:58Summary readyDrew Warshaw, a candidate in the June 2026 Democratic primary for New York State Comptroller, joined the show to discuss his campaign platform, why he believes Comptroller Tom DiNapoli should be replaced as the state's chief fiscal officer, his views on a variety of policy and budget matters, and more. (Ep 589)
SummaryThe Knicks and The City, with Chris Herring & Jonathan Fishner
2w ago01:03:43Summary readyChris Herring and Jonathan Fishner joined the show to discuss the Knicks and their run to the 2026 NBA Finals, New York as a basketball city, echoes of the '90s Knicks in this team, this Knicks-Spurs finals matchup, and more. Herring is an NBA reporter and author of the book "Blood in the Garden: The Flagrant History of the 1990s New York Knicks," and Fishner is a former Knicks writer and lifelong New Yorker and Knicks fan.
SummaryMayor Mamdani's Housing Plan, with Annemarie Gray & Alex Armlovich
3w ago01:02:33Summary readyHousing experts Annemarie Gray and Alex Armlovich joined the show to discuss Mayor Zohran Mamdani's new "Block by Block" housing plan to create and preserve 400,000 units of affordable housing over the next decade, while addressing broader development, tenant protection, homelessness, NYCHA public housing, and more. Gray is executive director of Open New York, a former city government housing and planning official, and was a key figure on Mamdani's transition committee. Armlovich is a Senior Fellow at the Niskanen Center and Housing Program Officer for the Abundance and Growth Fund at Coefficient Giving. He's also a former member of the city's Rent Guidelines Board. (Ep 588)
SummaryNY-10 Abundance Forum with Brad Lander & Dan Goldman
4w ago01:32:48Summary readyThis special episode features audio from the Abundance Candidate Forum in the Democratic primary for New York's 10th Congressional District, held at New York Law School on the morning of May 19, 2026. The forum was moderated by host Ben Max, and features consecutive one-on-one interviews with challenger Brad Lander (former city comptroller), then Rep. Dan Goldman. The forum was co-sponsored by Abundance New York and NYC New Liberals. The conversations focused on a variety of issues, especially key tenets of the abundance agenda like housing, transit, green energy, and faster government delivery of projects. (Ep 587)
SummaryErik Bottcher & Keith Powers on Joining the State Legislature, Budget Negotiations, & More
May 1800:56:03Summary readyState Senator Erik Bottcher and Assembly Member Keith Powers, two Manhattan Democrats and former City Council Members, joined the show to discuss their transition into the State Legislature (they were both elected in February special elections), their first state budget negotiations as legislators, how Mayor Mamdani is doing, and more. Bottcher represents the West Side's 47th Senate District while Powers represents the East Side's 74th Assembly District. (Ep 586)
SummaryMayor Mamdani's $124.7 Billion Executive Budget, with Nick Garber & Annie McDonough
May 1400:45:08Summary readyJournalists Nick Garber and Annie McDonough joined the show to discuss Mayor Zohran Mamdani's $124.7 billion Executive Budget, released on May 12, 2026, that took a very different approach than his prior budget plan, in part thanks to a lot of help from Governor Hochul and the State Legislature. Garber (of New York Focus), McDonough (of City & State New York), and host Ben Max discussed how Mamdani's budgeting approach has shifted, how his top priorities are faring, some of the city's fiscal challenges ahead, and more. (Ep 585)
Summary