Story in the Public Square

As the contours of public debate coarsen, it's easy to brand political rivals with epithets from the worst chapters in history. Tom Nichols, a writer for The Atlantic, warns about doing just that. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the aftermath of George Floyd's murder, a long, simmering effort to rename U.S. military installations previously named for Confederate officers gained momentum. Historian and retired Army Brigadier General Ty Seidule recounts the effort to rid the military of old names, as well as the actions by the Trump administration to resuscitate old ghosts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informa...

On October 19, 1979, a massive tropical cyclone struck Japan and the Marines stationed at Camp Fuji. Retired Marine and journalist Chas Henry recounts the ensuing firestorm that swept the island, killing 13 Marines and wounding more than 70 others. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brown University public policy, political science and urban studies professor Marion Orr takes a fresh look at the life and legacy of Congressman Charles C. Diggs Jr., one of the most consequential Black federal legislators in American history. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The challenges facing American healthcare are substantial, but Dr. Troy Brennan, who teaches at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, says they all stem from long-simmering issues in primary care. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of America's storied military leaders General Stanley McChrystal offers insights on the power of character and integrity in leaders—whether in the military or civilian life. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Researcher at the Council on Criminal Justice Ernesto Lopez looks at the story being told about crime in American cities doesn't match the data. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Beginning in the late 19th century, a Canadian network of residential schools for indigenous children became sites for rampant child abuse. Documentary filmmaker Julian Brave NoiseCat recounts the horrors that took place in those schools. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Private equity firms wield enormous control over the American economy, public utilities, and even the health of local newspapers. Author Megan Greenwell explores the extent of their unchecked power and the ways in which these firms—and their private owners—are reshaping America. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In recent years, commentators and gadflies have looked at American presidents and, based on age and, sometimes, politics, called for the invocation of the 25th amendment to remove the president from office. Constitutional scholar John Feerick helped write the 25th amendment and shines a light on its provisions and the intentions of its framers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the summer of 2020, the country was racked by disease, violence, and social disruption as generations of racial injustice seemed to fall in the wake of the murder of George Floyd.  Thomas Chatterton Williams warns, however, that extreme views on the left—ascendent in that summer heat—are just as dangerous to western liberalism as extreme views on the right. See omnystudio.com/l...

Artificial Intelligence is changing all of our lives and the biggest changes are yet to come. Yet despite the revolution on our doorstep, few have looked carefully at the impact of AI on children. Dr. Mhairi Aitken has done just that and has evidence-based advice for policy makers and developers.  Aitken is a Senior Ethics Fellow in the Public Policy Programme at The Alan Turing Institute, wh...

For more than a decade, now, the world has been experiencing a process of “democratic backsliding,” while alternatives to governing by popular consent have gained popularity—even in the West.  James Fishkin offers a path to improving not just the health of democracy, but the effectiveness of liberal democratic governments.  Fishkin holds the Janet M. Peck Chair in Inter...

Scholars, journalists and even some politicians often warn about the lack of critical thinking in contemporary public and private life. Alex Edmans picks up that alarm and warns that we’re regularly exploited by those who would use our own sloppy thinking and unconscious biases to mislead us.   Edmans is a professor of finance at London Business School. His research interests are in cor...

It’s comforting to think about American political institutions as “transparent” and open to scrutiny.  However, this week on “Story in the Public Square,” Anna Massoglia describes a campaign finance system built, increasingly, on so-called “dark money.” Massoglia is a political influence expert and investigative journalist with more than a decade of e...

Eighty years ago, World War II ended in the Pacific with the first, and thus far, only use of nuclear weapons in warfare.  The widely popular decision to use the bomb at the time has become fodder for historians to debate in subsequent decades. Fred Borch helps us view the decision to drop the bomb from the perspective of American leaders in that summer of 1945.   Fred L. Borch is a hist...

The history of humanity is the history of individuals making decisions, sometimes collectively, and sometimes individually. New artificial intelligence, AI, brings a new player into the mix: machines capable of making decisions alongside or instead of their human counterparts. Sean O’Callaghan and Paul Hoffman grapple with the theological implications of this new technology.   Sean O'Ca...

Where five years ago, we were in the thick of the pandemic, with the bulk of the sickness and dying still to come, now, the U.S. federal government is poised to slash spending on public health, as well as basic research in science, healthcare and more.  Dr. Ashish Jha helps us sort through competing claims and make sense of it all. An accomplished and practicing physician, Jha is a trusted ex...

What if a secret gathering of luminaries concluded in the 1960s that the consequences of “peace” would be worse than continued war? Phil Tinline explains that in 1967, at the height of the Vietnam War, just such a story emerged, and its consequences reverberate to this day.   Phil Tinline is a freelance writer and documentarian. He is the author of the 2002 book “The Death o...

For nearly 250 years, Americans have marked the fourth of July as the birthday of the nation, and in July of 2026, we’ll celebrate 250 years. Colin Woodard argues that the Declaration of Independence is as relevant and vital as ever, and that its promise is essential to preserving the republic today.   Colin Woodard is a New York Times-bestselling historian and Polk Award-winning journa...

Journalists chronicle the world in the so-called “first draft” of history. Michael Corkery is helping lead one of America’s great newspapers as it tells the story of President Trump’s second administration with a particular focus on its impact on the world of business and finance.    Corkery is the finance editor at The New York Times, where he oversees a tea...

It’s not unusual for friends, family members, and even good bosses to tell us, “practice some self-care.” But Nicole Karlis says that there are physical and emotional benefits to practicing care for others, too.  Karlis is an award-winning journalist and author covering health and science. Currently, she’s a regular contributor at Salon where she’s covered women&...

It’s been said that the great challenge of diplomacy is to do and say the nastiest things in the nicest ways. Frank Lowenstein uses his experienced eye to consider if this challenge rings true for the United States under the second Trump administration.  Lowenstein is an international policy expert with a concentration in policy development, strategic communication and legal practice. H...

It’s probably cliché to say that sport imitates life, but Hanif Abdurraqib traces the intimate details of basketball legends and faded school-yard stars in an unforgettable book about sport, life, and the places we call home.  Abdurraqib is a poet, essayist, and author of the new book, "There's Always This Year: On Basketball and Ascension,” is the selection for this year's...

Humanity is capable of great dualities. Elizabeth MeLampy explores that in the way we both venerate animals, even while we exploit them.  MeLampy is an attorney with experience in animal law and environmental law.  She worked on issues related to farmed animals, wild animals, and captive animals with Harvard’s Animal Law & Policy Clinic while she was in law school.  S...