Julián Castro, former presidential candidate and housing secretary, shares his vision of moral radicalism in politics. He advocates for inclusive policies that consider the needs of undocumented immigrants, climate refugees, and the homeless. Castro emphasizes the importance of engaging marginalized voices in policymaking. He challenges traditional views on community and the moral obligations of the U.S. to address issues like animal welfare and homelessness, while calling for bold visions that inspire collective purpose.
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insights INSIGHT
Expanding Moral Circles
Julian Castro's campaign emphasizes expanding moral circles.
This includes decriminalizing border crossings, helping climate refugees, and involving the homeless and animal welfare in policy.
insights INSIGHT
Unauthorized Immigrants as Strivers
Unauthorized immigrants should be seen as strivers, contributing to the American story.
They are integral to a strong future, supporting Social Security and the economy.
insights INSIGHT
Limits of Immigration
There are limits to any country's immigration intake.
However, the current volume of requests doesn't pose a threat, and other nations accept more.
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In this highly acclaimed book, Dr. Robert B. Cialdini explains the psychology behind why people say yes and how to apply these insights ethically. The book outlines six universal principles of influence: Reciprocation, Commitment and Consistency, Social Proof, Liking, Authority, and Scarcity. The new and expanded edition includes a seventh principle, Unity, along with new research, insights, and examples. Cialdini uses memorable stories and relatable examples to make the subject accessible and easy to understand, helping readers become more skilled persuaders and defend themselves against unethical influence attempts.
Roots
The Saga of an American Family
Alex Haley
The book begins with the story of Kunta Kinte, a young Mandinka man from The Gambia who is captured by slave traders and sold into slavery in America. It follows the lives of his descendants through seven generations, detailing their experiences under slavery, the Civil War, and the post-war period. The narrative shifts to Alex Haley's first-person account, recounting his own life and the oral traditions passed down through his family. The book is a powerful exploration of slavery, family history, and the importance of preserving cultural heritage.
How to Change
The Science of Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be
Katy Milkman
In this ground-breaking book, Katy Milkman reveals a proven path to help readers move from where they are to where they want to be. Drawing on her original research and the work of her world-renowned scientific collaborators, Milkman shares strategic methods for identifying and overcoming common barriers to change, such as impulsivity, procrastination, and forgetfulness. The book offers innovative approaches like 'temptation bundling,' using timely reminders, and creating 'set-it-and-forget-it systems' to make change more achievable. It emphasizes the importance of tailoring solutions to specific roadblocks and using science to stack the deck in favor of successful change.
The House on Mango Street
Sandra Cisneros
The House on Mango Street is a poignant coming-of-age novel that follows Esperanza Cordero as she navigates her life in a Latino neighborhood in Chicago. Through a series of vignettes, the book explores themes of identity, culture, and the struggles of growing up in a patriarchal society. Esperanza's journey is marked by her desire for independence and her dream of escaping the limitations of her community.
I’m careful about inviting politicians onto this podcast. Too often, questions go unanswered, and frustrated emails flood my inbox. So I only bring on candidates now if there’s a conversation directly related to themes of this show.
In this case, there is.
There’s a quiet moral radicalism powering Julián Castro’s presidential campaign. Laced through his policy agenda are proposals to decriminalize the movements of undocumented immigrants, to involve the homeless in housing policy, to establish American obligations to those displaced by climate change, to protect animals from human cruelty.
This is an agenda to expand the moral circle. To redefine who counts in the “we” of American politics.
I asked Castro if this wasn’t all a step too far, if Democrats didn’t need to play it safer to eject Trump from office in 2020. This broader moral vision, he replied, “is not just trying to backfill the negative. It gives people a positive purpose that they can reach for. That’s what I’m trying to do.”
The Gray Area with Sean Illing 
