
The Open Mind, Hosted by Alexander Heffner
The Open Mind is a thoughtful excursion into the world of ideas across media, politics, technology, the arts and all realms of civic life.
Episodes
528 episodes
The Ruins of Winner-Take-All Governance and the Democratic Party's Dark Age
"Breaking the Two-Party Doom Loop" author Lee Drutman discusses the urgency of electoral reform.
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28:22

The Future of American Education
GWU president emeritus Stephen Trachtenberg discusses the future of American education.
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27:43

The Big Bang and Us
Science journalist Dan Levitt discusses his book "What's Gotten Into You: The Story of Your Body's Atoms, from the Big Bang Through Last Night's Dinner."
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27:37

The Threat to Discovery
University of Wisconsin Institute for Discovery director Jo Handelsman discusses threats to scientific research.
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28:28

Cures and Shams
Investigative journalist Charles Piller discusses his new book "Doctored: Fraud, Arrogance, and Tragedy in the Quest to Cure Alzheimer’s.”
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27:56

The Sleeping in Humanity
Science writer Lynne Peeples discusses her book "The Inner Clock: Living in Sync with Our Circadian Rhythms."
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28:14

The Rehabilitated Citizen
Full Citizens Coalition James Jeter discusses the voting rights of system-impacted people.
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28:24

American Redemption
Redemption Project of Washington legal counsel Jeffrey Ellis discusses sentencing reform.
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27:52

Deep in the Heart of Texas
Texas Defender Service executive director Burke Butler discusses the legal system in the second most populous state.
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27:34

Knowing the Nocturnal
New York Times bestselling author Leigh Ann Henion discusses her book "Night Magic: Adventures Among Glowworms, Moon Gardens, and Other Marvels of the Dark."
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28:02

Demonetizing the Prison Industry
Worth Rises founder Bianca Tylek discusses the campaign to demonetize the prison industrial complex.
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27:30

Life Beyond Us
Science journalist Jaime Green discusses her book "The Possibility of Life: Science, Imagination, and Our Quest for Kinship in the Cosmos."
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27:51

A Memory of Political Violence
Chicago Project on Security & Threats founder Robert Pape discusses January 6th's legacy.
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28:28

The Politicization of Everything
TYT Network CEO Cenk Uygur discusses the second Trump administration, Democratic Party, and future of populism.
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28:31

The Case for Bipartisan Justice Reform
FWD.us executive director Zoë Towns discusses the path to bipartisan justice reform.
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28:22

Demolishing the Monopoly to Inflation Complex
Economic Security Project president Natalie Foster discusses antitrust policies.
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27:49

The Great Climate Migrations and Fortifications
Author Abrahm Lustgarten discusses how future environmental conditions will impact U.S. states and cities.
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28:12

Stopping Nuclear Inevitability
Counterproliferation leader Emma Belcher discusses reversing the likelihood of nuclear war.
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28:00

The Future of Human Rights – Part II
"Liberty Paradox" author David Kinley discusses the pursuit and meaning of liberty.
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28:11

The Future of Human Rights – Part I
"Liberty Paradox" author David Kinley discusses the pursuit and meaning of liberty.
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28:32

Compassion and Renewal
The Omowale Project leader Emani Davis discusses healing system-impacted people.
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28:14

Regressive and Inhumane
Illinois Prison Project Jennifer Soble discusses opportunities for back-end justice reform.
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28:17
