Fireside Chat with Dennis Prager | PragerU

How would you feel if your surgeon, pilot, or lawyer was an affirmative action hire? Society’s obsession with race and gender at the expense of merit is hurting us all. Dennis explores how this destructive policy is not only unfair but also erodes trust and competence in vital professions, where qualifications should matter most. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When asked about hell, Pope Francis recently said, “I like to think hell is empty. I hope it is.” Dennis disagrees. But why? Later, Dennis takes your questions about helping friends with mental health issues and the effects of social media on kids. Plus, we have a very exciting announcement: The Fireside Chat is now officially sponsored by members of PragerUnited—our monthly giving club. Support t...

This week, Dennis answers your questions. How do you choose a career path, not screw up a relationship, or tell a friend they’re being manipulated by the media? Plus, how did Dennis transform from being an unhappy child to a genuinely happy person? Don’t miss Dennis’s life advice for the next generation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How many people blame trauma for their issues in life? Everyone faces hardships, but you should never let your struggles define you—even if you become paralyzed from the neck down. The issue in life is not what happens to you; it’s how you react to it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dennis often tells us not to live in fear, but can fear ever be a good thing? In today’s society, a lack of healthy respect for authority has led to a terrifying rise in destructive and disrespectful behavior. According to the wisdom of the Bible, there are two important fears we should embrace. Can you guess what they are? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dennis shares his thoughts on surprisingly insightful lyrics by Taylor Swift, the “black national anthem” being sung at the Super Bowl, and what a parent should do with a defiant teen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When a friend from New York City called Dennis in concern about a California storm, it raised questions about the media’s impact on our perception and behavior. As the media constantly tries to instill fear and make us panic, Dennis reminds us to trust our own eyes over blindly accepting what we’re told. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

United Airlines set an aggressive diversity goal for their pilot training academy: at least 50% will be women or people of color. Shouldn’t the only requirement be competence? As a frequent flyer, Dennis has never looked at a female pilot and wondered if she’s qualified to fly a plane. But as airlines prioritize DEI quotas over our safety, is there cause for concern? Learn more about your ad choic...

The New England Patriots have their first black coach in the team’s history. While the owner said he doesn’t see color and picked “the best man” for the job, the new coach immediately contradicted him by saying, “If you don’t see color, you can’t see racism.” In an era where colorblindness is vilified, Dennis provides a much-needed perspective. After all, if the Nazis had been colorblind, there ne...

How do you act when no one is around? Does your behavior change if you think you’re being watched? The answer to these questions is one of the strongest arguments for why God is necessary. No matter what you believe about God’s existence, don’t miss Dennis’s rational, commonsense argument about God’s necessity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More and more American couples are opting to become DINKs—double income, no kids. After all, they’ll enjoy more freedom and have more money if they choose not to have children. But is there something more to life that DINKs are missing? Dennis provides insight, shares his “3 Mirrors Theory,” and answers your questions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy New Year! Dennis looks back on past New Year's advice and shares practical tips for achieving success in the coming year. Don't miss what he says about pursuing truth, depth, travel, and more to make this your best year yet. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This special Fireside Chat features Dennis’s adopted son, Aaron Prager, and his remarkable story of overcoming alcoholism and substance abuse. Aaron talks to his father about meeting his biological mother (who shared his love of alcohol and drugs), the emotional and irrational nature of addiction, his new podcast, and the journey of finding his own identity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...

Bring on the Christmas cheer! Even as a devout Jew, Dennis has always loved the Christmas season. But, in recent years, Christmas joy is on the decline, as leftism and secularism invade every aspect of American culture. How do we fight back against those who want to steal our joy? We celebrate even harder! All gifts made now through Christmas will be 3X MATCHED! Learn more about your ad choices. V...

Why are anti-Zionist demonstrations marching through major American cities? Why do young people hate Israel and sympathize with Hamas? Look no further than our universities, where the left has taught an entire generation not to not to judge good and evil, but to judge rich and poor, strong and weak, white and nonwhite. If you can't tell the difference between good and evil in the Middle East, your...

Doing what feels good in the moment may result in temporary pleasure, but will it lead to true happiness? This week, Dennis talks about the importance of not only having superficial fun but pursuing depth in your life. How is this achieved? Like all good things, you work at it! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As wars in Israel and Ukraine rage on, some Americans are advocating that we take care of our own problems before involving ourselves in foreign affairs. However, if we hold ourselves to that standard, we will never help any other country because there will always be problems at home. Is that really how America should lead the world? Check out more of our podcasts on prageru.com/podcasts Learn mor...

Thanksgiving is the most universal of American holidays. How could you be more inclusive than giving thanks? Dennis reflects on this meaningful holiday, why it’s been under attack in recent years, and reminds us how important gratitude is. After all, you can’t be good, and you can’t be happy if you’re not grateful. All gifts made now through Giving Tuesday will be MATCHED and have 2X the impact! L...

One side wants the other side dead. It's not complex. Don't let the left overcomplicate the Middle East conflict. Hamas is very upfront about their goal: to destroy Israel and wipe it off the map. Why are pro-Palestinian protestors denying this fact? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Everyone is talking about PragerU’s new short documentary, DETRANS: The Dangers of Gender-Affirming Care, after our takeover on X (formerly Twitter). Dennis reacts to media outrage over the film, which gives a voice to brave detransitioners who were manipulated by social media and pushed by medical professionals to take hormones and undergo surgery only to experience regret. What is so scandalous...

From plastic straws to the thermostat in your own home, some people want to control every aspect of your life. America was founded to combat this dark side of human nature that seeks power over others, including what you're allowed to say, do, and even think. But liberty is a value, not an instinct. If we don’t continue to uphold our American ideal of freedom, we may end up losing it. Learn more a...

Are there any disadvantages to having a perfectly happy childhood? Life is tough. The earlier you know this, the better. While experiencing an unhappy childhood is far from ideal, there can be an upside. Dennis provides personal stories and reminds us not to feel “traumatized” when life throws difficult things our way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the war in Gaza rages on, pro-Palestinian sympathizers all over the world (and even in American cities and universities) are blaming Israel for the conflict while chanting, “Gas the Jews!” Dennis debunks the unfounded criticisms against Israel, including the now popular expression, “Palestinian babies are just as precious as Israeli babies.” There is only one side that bears the blame for the b...

Over the weekend, Hamas launched the most brutal attack on Israel in the nation’s history. Hundreds of Israelis were brutally tortured, kidnapped, and murdered. Yet some people still try to blame Israel—not the terrorists—for the evils perpetrated against innocent civilians. Dennis explains that the goal of Israel is peace while its enemies seek to exterminate the Jews and wipe Israel off the face...

Now that PragerU is approved for use in schools throughout multiple states across the country, we are under attack from leftist media like never before. Dennis dissects a recent New York Times piece claiming he is a racist, PragerU is propaganda, and PragerU Kids is using Frederick Douglass to rationalize slavery. Are they right? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices