The Open Mind, Hosted by Alexander Heffner

Gun safety advocate and "Find the Helpers" author Fred Guttenberg discusses his mission to prevent more American murders.

Author Shane Burley discusses his new book "Why We Fight: Essays on Fascism, Resistance, and Surviving the Apocalypse." 

Mississippi Today managing editor Kayleigh Skinner discusses the contemporary political and cultural climate in Mississippi in 2021.

Virologist Angela Rasmussen discusses the CDC's new guidance and breakthrough infections.

Microsoft's Civic Engagement director Sid Espinosa discusses how civic tech, corporations, and governments need to fix systemic inequities.

Together for Safer Roads CEO David Braunstein discusses the high stakes for infrastructure reform.

Foreign Policy editor James Palmer discusses China's global position and the Biden administration's foreign policy beyond the first one hundred days. 

Algorithmic Justice League founder Joy Buolamwini discusses legislation to ban and redress the harm from weaponized data systems.

Washington Monthly and RealClearPolitics contributor Bill Scher discusses Joe Manchin's impact on lawmaking in the Biden era.

End Citizens United executive director Tiffany Muller discusses the path forward for voting rights and electoral reform.

University of Chicago Department of Surgery chairman Dr. Jeffrey Matthews discusses how the pandemic has – and has not – transformed the U.S. medical practice and how to tackle vaccine resistance.

Duke University Polarization Lab director Chris Bail discusses his new book "Breaking the Social Media Prism: How to Make our Platforms Less Polarizing." 

UC Berkeley Law’s Bertrall Ross discusses how to reform the inequities of an unrepresentative U.S. government. 

SeaBear Smokehouse CEO Mike Mondello discusses the impact of the pandemic on American seafood and stewardship of the oceans. 

4 Rivers Smokehouse founder John Rivers discusses his brisket pilgrimage and feeding hungry Floridians during the pandemic. 

Annenberg School for Communication scholar Jessa Lingel discusses her new book "The Gentrification of the Internet: How to Reclaim Our Digital Freedom." 

American jazz musician Madeleine Peyroux discusses what the pandemic has taught America and the plight of the artist.

MeidasTouch cofounder Ben Meiselas discusses how to fight (dishonest) fire with (honest) fire.

Center for Transnational Law director Jorge Contesse discusses the pandemic’s global human rights fallout and the future of democracy in Chile.

Attorney Rabia Chaudry discusses the Floyd verdict, the politics of police reform, and the latest on the case of Adnan Syed. 

Coyuchi CEO Eileen Mockus discusses sustainable entrepreneurial practices and agriculture policy during the Biden Administration.  

President Biden's former director of strategic communications Kamau Marshall discusses how to activate the new consciousness of racial equity in America.

"Hiding in Plain Sight" author Sarah Kendzior discusses if and when the American people will enact an anti-corruption and pro-democracy agenda.

Bluesman Guy Davis discusses the legacy of the Kokomo Kidd and singing the truth in his forthcoming new CD "Be Ready When I Call You."

Penn State climatologist Michael Mann discusses the Biden-Harris administration’s actions on climate and how to increase global accountability.