Columbia University’s John McWhorter joins us to make the case that people of color are sometimes harmed by well-meaning antiracists who sometimes lose sight of the thing they are fighting against.
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The science of your dreams
Neuroscientist Sidarta Ribeiro joins us to discuss how dreams are connected to how we learn and even how we understand our existence.
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A behind-the-scenes look at the Mark Twain Prize
Cappy McGarr joins us to discuss the creation of the Mark Twain Prize and share behind-the-scenes stories of when comedy and politics intersect.
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How Reggaeton Conquered Pop Music
Katelina Eccleston is a producer of the Spotify podcast “Loud,” and she joins us to tell the story of reggaeton’s humble origins and how it spread from Panama to Puerto Rico, Jamaica and now the U.S.
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Our 2,000-Year Obsession With Makeup (from 8/3/21)
Rae Nudson joins us to discuss the power of the powders and creams with which we adorn our skin, and how they’ve created the powerful beauty standards currently being challenged.
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How William Randolph Hearst Made The Media
Stephen Ives joins us to tell the story of William Randolph Hearst – the subject of a new American Experience documentary.
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50 Seasons Of ‘Texas Country Reporter’
Bob Phillips joins us to talk about 50 seasons of the beloved Texas travel show and highlight some of the places and people that have made their mark on the state over the years.
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Fictional Teens Vs. Real-Life Monsters
Author and educator Liza Wiemer joins us to talk about her YA novel featuring students who must use Nazi propaganda in a debate, the courage it takes for two teenagers to confront anti-Semitism, and the real-life examples the author drew from.
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The Gender Politics Of Contraception
Krystale E. Littlejohn, assistant professor of sociology at the University of Oregon, joins us to discuss why cis-gendered women are expected to prevent pregnancies, and how that reality underscores the gendered role of labor in America.
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How Sandra Day O’Connor Shaped The Supreme Court
Filmmaker Michelle Ferrari joins us to discuss the life and career of Sandra Day O’Connor, a nominee of President Ronald Reagan who became a critical swing vote on historic issues of race, gender and reproductive rights.
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How Should We Remember 9/11?
Andrew Levy, professor of English at Butler University, joins us to discuss how the many iterations of “Never Forget” events and monuments have created new narratives of the power and presence of America, and why those need to be reexamined.
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The 20-Year Fallout Of 9/11
Filmmaker Michael Kirk joins us to discuss the decisions made since that day that have altered the course of American and world history, from the war in Afghanistan to the January 6th insurrection.
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