The Open Mind, Hosted by Alexander Heffner

The Future of Human Rights – Part I 03.03.2025 28:32 ↓

"Liberty Paradox" author David Kinley discusses the pursuit and meaning of liberty.

Compassion and Renewal 29.01.2025 28:14 ↓

The Omowale Project leader Emani Davis discusses healing system-impacted people.

Regressive and Inhumane 21.01.2025 28:17 ↓

Illinois Prison Project Jennifer Soble discusses opportunities for back-end justice reform.

Clemency for America 14.01.2025 28:31 ↓

Legal scholar Mark Osler discusses the justice solution of clemency.

The Public Defense 06.01.2025 28:23 ↓

Civil rights attorney Scott Hechinger discusses the state of public defenders in America.

A Parole to Possibility Pipeline 30.12.2024 28:12 ↓

Louisiana Parole Project founder Andrew Hundley discusses his personal journey in the justice system.

State Constitutional Imperatives 23.12.2024 28:20 ↓

State Law Research Initiative director Kyle Barry discusses state constitutions.

Ending Mass Incarceration on the Back End 16.12.2024 28:29 ↓

Sentencing Project research director Nazgol Ghandnoosh discusses mass incarceration data.

Tree Policy 09.12.2024 28:28 ↓

Scientist Lauren Oakes discusses environmental conservation.

The State of American Justice 02.12.2024 28:23 ↓

Equal Justice Initiative founder Bryan Stevenson discusses his prescriptions for reform.

What’s Next for America? 25.11.2024 27:16 ↓

“The West Wing” actress Melissa Fitzgerald discusses President Bartlet-inspired activism.

Generation Refrigerant 19.11.2024 27:53 ↓

Gastropod host Nicola Twilley discusses her new book “Frostbite: How Refrigeration Changed Our Food, Our Planet, and Ourselves.”

Wikipedia's Survival and Resilience 12.11.2024 27:51 ↓

Wikimedia leader Rebecca MacKinnon discusses the future of the encyclopedia platform.

Peace Policies 04.11.2024 28:30 ↓

Win Without War director Sara Haghdoosti discusses strategies for counterproliferation.

The Great Buildup 28.10.2024 28:21 ↓

Carnegie Endowment fellow Tong Zhao discusses central and rogue nuclear powers of Asia.

Unwinding the Doomsday Clock 21.10.2024 28:05 ↓

Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists CEO Rachel Bronson discusses a potential nuclear event.

Counterproliferation and De-escalation in the Middle East 15.10.2024 28:21 ↓

Arms Control Association nonproliferation policy director Kelsey Davenport discusses Iran.

The Reverend Senator 04.10.2024 28:33 ↓

In his hometown of Savannah, Georgia, Senator Raphael Warnock and Alexander break bread over chicken and waffles (and crab cake benedict); then visit his childhood home. 

In the Land of Eisenhower 03.10.2024 27:33 ↓

In Hays, Kansas, Senator Jerry Moran and Alexander break bread over chili and milkshakes; then visit the local library.

Dreams of Aloha 02.10.2024 28:41 ↓

At her favorite local restaurant, Senator Mazie Hirono and Alexander break bread over Japanese fare; then visit the Honolulu high school from which she graduated.

Fiesta in Pueblo 30.09.2024 27:30 ↓

At the first-ever food hall in Pueblo, Colorado, Governor Jared Polis and Alexander break bread over a smorgasbord of hot chicken, roast beef, and ramen.

The Pursuit of Tranquility: How Many Times Do You Need To Blow Up The World? 05.09.2024 28:27 ↓

American fighter pilot Amy McGrath discusses U.S. security policies. 

Accountability and Disarmament 04.09.2024 28:21 ↓

Project on Managing the Atom researcher Mariana Budjeryn discusses the Russia-Ukraine war.

Pigs and Pistols 28.08.2024 27:41 ↓

At Pillen Family Farms, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen and Alexander break bread over pork sandwiches; then practice skeet shooting.

Energy to Peace 26.08.2024 28:30 ↓

Oppenheimer Project founder Charles Oppenheimer discusses his grandfather's legacy and nuclear counterproliferation.