The Open Mind, Hosted by Alexander Heffner

Science journalist Maia Szalavitz discusses substance abuse and her new book “Undoing Drugs: The Untold Story of Harm Reduction in the Future of Addiction." 

Demand Justice cofounder Christopher Kang discusses how to incorporate democratic representation in the law.

Stimson Center fellow Jenny Town discusses Kim Jong-un’s aspirations for North Korea and nuclear build up. 

Georgetown Law Professor Kristin Henning discusses her new book “The Rage of Innocence: How America Criminalizes Black Youth.” 

Florida State University College of Law historian Mary Ziegler discusses the outlook for reproductive rights in state and federal law. 

Harvard scholar Sandra Susan Smith discusses the next phase of criminal justice reform and public perceptions of mass incarceration.

Biological anthropologist Agustin Fuentes discusses the future of the pandemic and how culture must evolve.

MIT Professor of Nuclear Security Vipin Narang discusses the global buildup of nuclear weapons and the future of deterrence and mutual assured destruction. 

Johns Hopkins University Center for Safe and Healthy Schools executive director Odis Johnson discusses educating during the pandemic.

UVA Karsh Institute of Democracy executive director and former White House advisor Melody Barnes discusses U.S. domestic policy challenges. 

Neuroscientist Rebecca Schwarzlose discusses her new book “Brainscapes: The Warped, Wondrous Maps Written in Your Brain—And How They Guide You.” 

U.S. Naval War College scholar Tom Nichols discusses his new book “Our Own Worst Enemy: The Assault from within on Modern Democracy.” 

Science journalist Lauren Aguirre discusses her new book “The Memory Thief: And the Secrets Behind How We Remember." 

Cornell University trade economist Eswar Prasad discusses how cryptocurrencies are impacting the future of markets and global stability. 

Terrorism expert and Georgia State University professor Mia Bloom discusses QAnon and contemporary U.S. domestic fundamentalism.

Labor journalist Sarah Jaffe discusses the pandemic’s exacerbation of an exploited and exhausted workforce and prescriptions to improve the well-being of workers.

Diplomat Severine Autesserre discusses her new book “The Frontlines of Peace: An Insider’s Guide to Changing the World” and the process of peacemaking from Congo tribal wars to U.S. gun violence. 

Wall Street Journal bestselling "Unspoken Rules" author Gorick Ng discusses the first generation American workforce and job market.

Bioethicist Nir Eyal discusses the ethics of research for vaccines and therapeutics and how equity should be applied to the future of medicine.

Saxophonist Shabaka Hutchings discusses his newest visionary album, racial justice, and the cosmos of music.

Power Coalition CEO Ashley Shelton discusses grassroots organizing in Louisiana in the current pandemic and political landscape.

New York Times COVID-19 correspondent Emma Goldberg discusses the experience of Millennial doctors reported in her new book “Life on the Line: Young Doctors Come of Age in a Pandemic.” 

University of Alabama professor and US Attorney (retired) Joyce Vance discusses the Department of Justice and protecting democratic norms in the Biden era. 

Atlantic Council's Digital Forensic Research Lab Resident Fellow Jared Holt discusses Facebook's ban on Donald Trump and the post-Insurrection domestic terrorism climate.

Investigative reporter Katherine Eban discusses her documentation of the factual basis for evaluating COVID-19 lab leak pandemic origin.