Evening Roundup, December 23
Featuring Jen Rubin; Meredith Blake; Recipes of the year with Marissa Rothkopf Bates, Jamie Schler, and Emily Beyda; Calder Robinson; The Contrarian Podcast, and Holiday Pets Part III!
Lessons from 2025
We can draw important lessons from looking back on 2025 and reviewing the assault of our democracy and the debasement of American society as we knew it—as well as the victories for democracy, decency, and inclusion. There is plenty to digest as we steel ourselves for another year.
12 Artists Who Showed Some Spine in 2025
In a year when too many of our pop culture favorites let us down, these creative people were willing to take a stand (and pull no punches)
Recipes of the Year
Contrarian readers were treated to a fabulous feast of recipes this year, with a new one each Friday from one of our three food writers: Marissa Rothkopf Bates, Jamie Schler, and Emily Beyda.
American Christmas, 2025 Edition
Calder Robinson is a visual artist and designer based in Atlanta. Originally from the Midwest, his work delves into shared experiences, from momentous occasions to the mundane.
Rep. Chris Himes on the Trump Administration's March Toward War
The White House has been ensnarled by international, legal, and moral controversy concerning the “double tap” strike against an alleged Venezuela drug boat. Despite the heated contestation and calls for his resignation, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth refuses to release...
Contrarian Pets of the Week, Holiday Edition Part 3
Meet Davy, Willie and Posy, Tundra, Issa, Stub, Milton, Chuck, and Chester, Sandy Mittens, TaiJi, Lucca, Nash and Stella, Sequoia, and three adorable pups available for adoption from Rural Dog Rescue!
We’ll be back on Friday! Happy Holidays to all you, dear Contrarians, as well as to your families and communities. Thanks for being with us.
Thank you, Jen, Norm & Contrarian Team for helping us tolerate this past year. Your insights, discussions, and humor were enlightening. Looking forward to more in ‘26!
Thanks to the brave Artists. I carried a sign at the 1st No Kings, DeNiro was right.
Shame on those that accepted an "award" from the 🍊 A$$ at the Kennedy Center.
Perhaps it can be deemed counterfeit one day.