Author Bryan Burrough joins us to talk about arguably the state’s most famous story – The Alamo – and why its role in preserving slavery is often written out of Texas lore.
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How Oversight Committees Lost Their Way
David Dayen, executive editor of The American Prospect, joins us to discuss the original intent of oversight investigations, how they’ve evolved over half a century, and whether the fact-finding efforts behind the grandstanding move the needle.
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The ATF Inspects Gun Dealers But Rarely Punishes Violators
Alain Stephens of The Trace joins us to talk about his investigation of more than 2,000 inspections of gun deals by the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, which reveals a system falling behind when it comes to violation enforcement.
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American Racism, As Viewed From Abroad
Brenda Gayle Plummer is a professor of history at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and she joins us to talk about the deeply rooted tradition of fighting anti-Black racism by appealing to other countries, and what the global protest movement means for our democracy.
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How Political Myths Derail Progress
Nesrine Malik is a columnist and features writer for the Guardian, and she joins us to talk about how “wokeness,” “political correctness,” “free speech,” “cancel culture” and other shorthand terms are used to both drive and tamp down social justice movements.
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The Answer To Income Inequality? Taxes
Vox senior reporter Emily Stewart joins us to talk about who benefits from tax policy and to make the case that important infrastructure updates could be paid for if we had the political will to adjust the tax code.
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How To Be A Hero
William H. McRaven joins us to talk about what we can all learn from those who acted with valor when the moment required it.
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You’ve Got The Shot. Are You Still Freaking Out?
Dr. Monica Gandhi is professor of medicine and associate division chief of the Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases, and Global Medicine at UCSF San Francisco General Hospital. She joins us to discuss our behavior as pandemic restrictions are lifted and how information is disseminated and ingested.
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For Historians, The Past Is Written In Pencil
James M. Banner, Jr. is founder of the National History Center of the American Historical Association, and he joins us to talk about why history is never really set in stone.
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How 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.
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The 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.
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In Texas Politics, It’s No Holds Barred
Journalist Bill Minutaglio joins us to talk about the state’s long history of conflict, violence, backroom deals, and bravado that’s created its political framework.
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