David Brooks, one of America's most influential political and cultural commentators, is embarking on a significant new chapter in his distinguished career. After more than two decades as an opinion columnist at The New York Times, Brooks is joining The Atlantic as a staff writer, where his incisive analysis of American society will find a new home. The announcement, made by The Atlantic's editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg, marks a major coup for the venerable magazine and signals its continued commitment to long-form, thoughtful journalism in an increasingly fragmented media landscape.
Brooks's transition to The Atlantic represents a homecoming of sorts. While best known for his work at the Times, he has been a regular contributor to The Atlantic for years, producing some of the magazine's most memorable and widely discussed cover stories. His deep dives into the structural problems facing American institutions have resonated with readers across the political spectrum, establishing him as what Goldberg calls "America's best pop sociologist." This unique ability to blend rigorous reporting with elegant prose has made Brooks an essential voice for understanding the complex forces shaping modern life.
The move comes at a moment of profound transformation in American media. As traditional newspapers face mounting economic pressures and digital platforms reshape how audiences consume news and analysis, The Atlantic has positioned itself as a destination for substantive commentary. By bringing Brooks on staff, the magazine is doubling down on its strategy of investing in writers who can illuminate the deeper currents beneath the daily news cycle. His work will no longer be scattered across multiple publications but will be centralized at The Atlantic, creating a cohesive body of work that readers can follow.
Goldberg's praise for Brooks in his announcement to staff was effusive, highlighting the columnist's rare combination of "a reporter's curiosity and a writer's grace." This characterization captures what has made Brooks's work so enduring: his willingness to ask uncomfortable questions about the health of our social fabric while presenting his findings in accessible, compelling narratives. Whether examining the decline of the traditional nuclear family, the ideological capture of elite universities, or the fracturing of American political identity, Brooks approaches his subjects with both intellectual seriousness and human empathy.
Among his most impactful Atlantic pieces have been "The Nuclear Family Was a Mistake," which challenged conventional wisdom about family structures and their role in social stability; "Confessions of a Republican Exile," a candid reflection on the author's evolving relationship with his political party; and "How the Ivy League Broke America," a searing critique of how elite educational institutions have contributed to social stratification. These essays demonstrate Brooks's talent for identifying systemic problems that others overlook and framing them in ways that demand public attention.
But Brooks's new role extends beyond the written word. Later this spring, he will launch a weekly video podcast that promises to explore the moral, social, and philosophical foundations of human decency. This multimedia expansion reflects The Atlantic's recognition that contemporary audiences engage with ideas through diverse formats. The podcast will examine how institutions—governments, universities, corporations, and community organizations—shape our values and ideologies, continuing themes that have defined Brooks's written work.
The video podcast represents a significant investment for The Atlantic, which has been aggressively expanding its audio and video offerings over the past year. The show will be the fourth podcast launched by the magazine in the last twelve months, joining a roster that includes "Galaxy Brain" with Charlie Warzel, "The David Frum Show," and the recently announced project with Adam Harris. The third season of "Autocracy in America" with Anne Applebaum is currently airing, while "Radio Atlantic" remains the publication's flagship audio program, hosted by Hanna Rosin.
This podcasting push reflects a broader strategy to build direct relationships with audiences in an era of platform uncertainty. By creating compelling original programming, The Atlantic can reduce its dependence on social media algorithms and develop sustainable revenue streams through subscriptions and sponsorships. The Brooks podcast, with its focus on timeless questions about society and morality, is well-positioned to attract a loyal following of listeners seeking substance over sensationalism.
The partnership with Yale University adds another dimension to this announcement. Yale is providing support for the podcast, and simultaneously announced that Brooks will serve as a presidential senior fellow at the university's School of Global Affairs. This dual appointment creates a unique synergy between academic research, journalistic inquiry, and public engagement. Brooks will be able to draw on Yale's intellectual resources while bringing his journalistic perspective to the university community, enriching both institutions in the process.
The Yale connection is particularly significant given Brooks's recent critiques of elite higher education. His Atlantic essay "How the Ivy League Broke America" argued that top universities have become engines of inequality, hoarding opportunity for the already privileged while failing to serve broader society. By accepting a fellowship at Yale, Brooks is positioning himself to work from within the system he has criticized—a move that suggests his commitment to constructive reform rather than mere condemnation.
This appointment also highlights the evolving relationship between journalism and academia. As traditional newsrooms shrink, universities have become increasingly important partners in supporting long-form investigative work and commentary. These collaborations can provide journalists with the time and resources needed for deep research while giving academic institutions a vehicle for public impact. The Brooks-Yale partnership may serve as a model for how media organizations and universities can work together to sustain serious journalism.
For Brooks personally, this transition represents an opportunity to evolve his voice and reach new audiences. After 22 years at The New York Times, even the most talented writers can find themselves constrained by institutional expectations and format limitations. The Atlantic offers a different kind of platform—one that values intellectual risk-taking and gives writers space to develop ideas over thousands of words rather than hundreds. The addition of a video podcast allows Brooks to experiment with conversational formats and visual storytelling, potentially revealing new facets of his thinking.
The timing of the announcement is also noteworthy. As America grapples with polarization, institutional distrust, and social fragmentation, Brooks's work feels more urgent than ever. His ability to diagnose the "faults and weaknesses of governments, institutions, and social structures"—as Goldberg put it—speaks directly to the anxieties of this moment. Whether analyzing the decline of local community organizations, the rise of identity politics, or the crisis of meaning in modern life, Brooks provides frameworks that help readers make sense of chaotic times.
The Atlantic's investment in Brooks suggests confidence that there remains a substantial audience for this kind of work. In a media environment often dominated by hot takes and breaking news, The Atlantic is betting that readers and listeners will seek out thoughtful analysis that engages with deeper questions. This contrarian strategy has served the magazine well in recent years, as its subscriber base has grown steadily by focusing on quality over quantity.
Looking ahead, Brooks's move may signal a broader realignment in American commentary journalism. As writers seek platforms that offer creative freedom and institutional support, and as publications compete for talent that can drive subscriptions, we may see more high-profile moves like this one. The winners will be those organizations that can offer not just prestige, but also the resources and editorial vision to support ambitious work.
For now, the focus is on Brooks's upcoming debut at The Atlantic and the launch of his podcast. Both will be closely watched by media insiders and general readers alike, eager to see how one of America's most distinctive voices adapts to new platforms and challenges. If his past work is any indication, the result will be essential reading—and listening—for anyone trying to understand the complex, often contradictory forces shaping American society.