Waad al-Kateab is a Syrian journalist, filmmaker, and activist, in exile. Jay did a “Q&A” with her in 2021. And then wrote a piece about her, “Witness from Syria.” Last month, the House of Assad fell, after about 55 years. Jay has spoken with Waad al-Kateab again. A moving and informative conversation.

Ivana Stradner is an analyst of international relations. She is affiliated with the School of Advanced International Studies, the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, and other institutions. She was once a Jeane Kirkpatrick fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. Serbian-born, she is an admirer of Ronald Reagan and an advocate of freedom and democracy—one with clear, properly cold eyes. With Jay, she discusses her life and some of the pivotal issues of our time.

Nury A. Turkel is a Uyghur-American lawyer and human-rights activist. Jay did a “Q&A” with him in 2018—when the world was first learning about the mass persecution of the Uyghurs. In 2022, Mr. Turkel published a book: “No Escape: The True Story of China’s Genocide of the Uyghurs.” Last week, he had the best Thanksgiving ever: his mother, whom he hadn’t seen in 20 years, was released from China in a swap between Beijing and Washington. She has now met four of her grandchildren for the first time. With Jay, Nury Turkel talks about his family and the Uyghur people more broadly. An informative and moving conversation.

Joshua Roman is a cellist, a superb musician. Lately, he has been engaged in something called “the Immunity Project.” About four years ago, Roman contracted long COVID, which turned his life upside down. He is an example of resiliency and good cheer—an inspiration. He and Jay talk about the heart of things.

The baseball season just past—Shohei & Co. The college football season in swing—too much professionalization? The NFL season (why are the Jets perpetually woeful?). The NBA season—amazing, that LeBron. The Big Three in tennis, and their departure from the scene. Finally, travel sports, and what this new reality in American life is doing to our youth. These are the topics of this “Q&A”-cum-sportscast, with Jay’s regular gurus David French and Vivek Dave.

Bernard-Henri Lévy, the French philosopher, writer, and activist, has been going to Israel his whole life, virtually. He went on October 8, 2023, the day after the attack. His new book is “Israel Alone.” With Jay, he discusses various aspects of this war. Also Russia’s war on Ukraine. And the connectedness of things. A meaty and clarifying discussion.

We are in a general-election season and a baseball post-season. Prime time for George F. Will. He and Jay have a wide-ranging conversation. Whom would Will appoint as president, if he could? Is Shohei Ohtani a unicorn? Who is Will’s favorite player? What of immigration? What of transgenderism? What of . . .? There is no better conversationalist than George F. Will.

As Jay says in his introduction, Jonathan Martin, a.k.a. J-Mart, is one of the best political reporters in America. He writes a column for Politico and pops up regularly on television. With Jay, he talks about his life and career—and the very serious game of American politics and democracy.

In this episode, Jay talks with two young colleagues of his: Kayla Bartsch and Haley Strack, who are William F. Buckley Jr. fellows at National Review. In a wide-ranging conversation, they talk about growing up, influences, conservatism, pronouns (as in “What are . . .”), music, and other interesting things. A relaxed yet meaty confab.

Manfred Honeck is one of the leading conductors in the world—and one of Jay’s favorite musical guests. Maestro Honeck is the music director of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. He comes from Austria, where he played in the Vienna Philharmonic. He and Jay sat down last month in Austria—before an audience of the Salzburg Festival Society. You can learn a lot from this man, Honeck.

Kate Lindsey is a mezzo-soprano, from Richmond, Virginia. She is now based in the U.K. She is a versatile singer, singing opera roles and songs. A brainy singer, too. And a wonderful talker, about all aspects of her art and business. Jay spoke with her before an audience of the Salzburg Festival Society. It is a pleasure to listen to Kate Lindsey—when she is singing, of course, but also in conversation.

Ausrine Stundyte is an opera star—a soprano from Lithuania. As Jay says in his introduction, “She is a phenomenal singer, and a phenomenal singing actress. She also has interesting things to say.” About singing and opera, yes. But about other things, too: such as emerging from Communism when she was about 14. Jay spoke with Stundyte before an audience at the Salzburg Festival last month. Enjoy.

Maestro Riccardo Muti is a fixture at the Salzburg Festival. This year, he conducted the Vienna Philharmonic in Bruckner’s Eighth Symphony. Between rehearsals and performances, he sat down with Jay to discuss a variety of matters—musical and even social. What constitutes harmony in society? And what can music teach us about how to live together? A session with Muti is informative, enriching—and, not least, fun.