Who Needs Polls?

Who Needs Polls?

From Firewall with Bradley Tusk by Firewall

April 21, 2026 · 47 min

About this episode

Bradley Tusk discusses the potential of prediction markets over traditional polling for the 2026 midterms and explores various societal issues.

Prediction markets, not polling, argues Bradley, will be the defining information source of the 2026 midterms and a change worth celebrating. By incentivizing people to think beyond their own preferences and sharpen their analysis, these markets provide reliable metrics of public opinion and are good for democracy. Plus, how Yale did the right thing with its report on higher education, why basic social norms are breaking down in New York City, what the CEO succession at Apple's reveals and why the best thing to watch on TV (for Bradley, anyway) is one from the vault. 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 and follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack + YouTube .

Topics covered

  • polling
  • prediction markets
  • democracy
  • higher education
  • social norms

Keywords

  • 2026 midterms
  • Yale report
  • New York City
  • CEO succession
  • TV recommendations

Mentioned in this episode

Products: P&T Knitwear

Places: New York City, New York City’s

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