Steven Johnson is host of the PBS/BBC series “How We Got to Now,” and the “American Innovations” podcast. He joins us to talk about societal change that has pushed us to live older, fuller lives and why that’s dependent on the greater good.
Read moreHow The White House Is Courting Our Friends And Foes
Jonathan Tepperman is a former editor-at-large at Foreign Policy magazine, and he joins us to talk about how the Biden administration might strengthen the relationship with American allies – and about the growing threat from Russia, China and other adversaries.
Read moreThe Biology Of Trust
David Napier is professor of medical anthropology at University College London, director of the university’s Centre for Applied Global Citizenship, and director of its Science, Medicine, and Society Network. He joins us to discuss group dynamics and why public policy that values the collective good over individual interests is ultimately beneficial to everyone.
Read moreThe Suffering Of The It Dogs Of Instagram
Journalist Tove K. Danovich joins us to discuss dogs bred for aesthetics, not purpose, and why that’s harming the health of man’s best friend.
Read moreCould The CDC Have Shielded Us From The Pandemic?
Author Michael Lewis joins us to tell the stories of a biochemist, a public health worker and a federal government employee who worked in the White House during the early days of trying to contain the coronavirus.
Read moreIf You’re Doing Yoga, You’re Part Of The Mainstream
Andrea R. Jain joins us to talk about modern capitalism’s stamp on ancient religious practices and the patina of social justice and self-care fueling a multimillion-dollar industry.
Read moreWhy We’re Not All Speaking Esperanto
Stephanie Tam joins us to tell the story of one man’s quest for a lingua franca that would bridge communication and why it was blocked by colonial ideas of English superiority.
Read moreThe U.K. Ambassador On The Very Special Relationship
Dame Karen Pierce is British Ambassador to the U.S., and she joins us to talk about her country’s economic relationship with both Texas and the country as a whole – and we’ll hear how Britain is faring in the fight against Covid.
Read moreThe World Needs More Toilets
Science journalist Chelsea Wald joins us to talk about what’s behind the plumbing and introduce the scientists and activists working to make sanitation healthy and accessible for all.
Read moreAfter Vaccination, The Next Steps To Normal
Dr. Celine Gounder joins us to talk about how we should think about reopening schools, offices and maybe even our vacation plans as more and more people become vaccinated.
Read moreNFTs And The Future Of Digital Art
Kyle Chayka is a contributor to The New Yorker, and he joins us to discuss the high stakes, high-price world of digital art and why galleries, museum curators, auction houses, even everyday people are jumping on this cutting-edge trend.
Read moreHow The Quest For Flavor Drove Evolution
Rob Dunn, professor of applied ecology at North Carolina State University joins us to talk about why we prefer cooked food, the various ways we taste, and how our pursuit of a good meal might’ve led to starting the first fire.
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