The Open Mind, Hosted by Alexander Heffner

Optimizing Ourselves to Death 08.02.2024 28:07 ↓

Mathematician Coco Krumme discusses her book "Optimal Illusions: The False Promise of Optimization" 

Brain on Brain 01.02.2024 27:45 ↓

Science writer Benjamin Ehrlich discusses his new book "The Brain in Search of Itself.”

Chips, AI, and WWIII 23.01.2024 22:04 ↓

Author Chris Miller talks about the intersection of chipmakers and geopolitical crises.  

What Fungi Means for Humanity 17.01.2024 27:20 ↓

Mycologist Keith Seifert discusses what could be responsible for the next pandemic. 

The Next Hub of American Innovation 08.01.2024 27:56 ↓

Tech journalist Robert Buderi discusses his new book  "Where Futures Converge: Kendall Square and the Making of a Global Innovation Hub."

The Persistence of Eugenics 02.01.2024 27:21 ↓

Undark magazine editor Ashley Smart discusses the intersection of science and society. 

Mom’s and Dad’s Brains 28.12.2023 28:28 ↓

Science journalist Chelsea Conaboy discusses how parenthood evolves the brain.

The Resilience of the Vagina 23.12.2023 28:29 ↓

Author Rachel Gross discusses her new book Vagina Obscura: An Anatomical Voyage .

Living With (And Ending?) Pandemics 12.12.2023 28:15 ↓

Science journalist Richard Conniff discusses public health policies.

The Future of Science Journalism 08.12.2023 28:22 ↓

Knight Science Journalism @MIT director Deborah Blum discusses the challenges and tactics of contemporary science journalism.

Addiction in America and the World 27.11.2023 28:31 ↓

Physician Carl Erik Fisher discusses the past, present, and future of addiction.

Math Rules the World 22.11.2023 28:08 ↓

Mathematician Manil Suri discusses why the objectivity of math is essential to preserving civil society. 

A Multiplicity of Generational Crises 31.07.2023 28:43 ↓

 Elder justice leader M.T. Connolly discusses her new book "The Measure of Our Age." 

The Science of Decisionmaking 26.07.2023 27:48 ↓

University of Minnesota neuroscientist David Redish discusses the science of our choices.

Rejuvenating American Citizenship 18.07.2023 28:30 ↓

Raj Vinnakota of Institute for Citizens & Scholars discusses how rejuvenate American citizenship. 

Porn and Us 12.07.2023 28:23 ↓

University of Nebraska sociologist Kelsy Burke discusses pornography in American society.

Food Will Save the Union 05.06.2023 28:07 ↓

Historian Alex Prud'homme discusses diplomacy in American political life. 

Speaking of Empathy and Patriotism 31.05.2023 28:07 ↓

Army National Guard veteran Joseph Earl Thomas discusses his new book "Sink: A Memoir." 

Empowering Without Disempowering 24.05.2023 28:12 ↓

University of Oklahoma bestselling author Honorée Fanonne Jeffers discusses free speech and book banning. 

A Just Law Enforcement 16.05.2023 28:08 ↓

Hear Foundation cofounders Leon Ford and Ret. Pittsburgh Police Chief Scott Schubert discuss public safety. 

The Science of Bridging Divides 09.05.2023 28:20 ↓

Stanford Graduate School of Education's Geoffrey Cohen discusses how to bridge ideological and political differences. 

How Gen Z Will Govern 27.02.2023 28:23 ↓

Political strategists Annie Wu and Victor Shi discuss how Gen Z will govern.

The Nonexistent Left and Right 22.02.2023 27:55 ↓

"The Myth of Left and Right" coauthors Verlan Lewis and Hyrum Lewis discuss U.S. political ideologies.

Are Polarized Resentments Calming? 14.02.2023 28:03 ↓

American University scholar Elizabeth Suhay discusses "The Politics of Truth in Polarized America." 

Making Politics Work Again 09.02.2023 29:17 ↓

Institute for Political Innovation founder Katherine Gehl discusses the key to fixing a politics industry.