This is the third episode in a three-part series about how to have difficult conversations with people who see the world differently, how to have better debates about contentious issues, and how to ethically and scientifically persuade one another about things that matter – in short, this is a three-part series about How Minds Change (which is also the title of my new book).There seems to be a movement afoot, a new wave of nonfiction about how to reduce all this argumentative madness and epistemic chaos. I want to boost everyone’s signal on this issue, so I thought it would be nice to collaborate instead of compete, since that’s part of what we are all proselytizing with these books.So this episode’s guest is Anand Giridharadas, the author of The Persuaders – a book about activists, politicians, educators, and everyday citizens who are on the ground working to change minds, bridge divisions, and fight for democracy.-   How Minds Change-   David McRaney’s Twitter-   YANSS Twitter-   Show Notes-   NewsletterAnand's TwitterThe Persuaders

Sean Illing is joined by Anand Giridharadas, author of The Persuaders: At the Front Lines of the Fight for Hearts, Minds, and Democracy. Together they discuss how polarity is a threat to our democracy, the organizing efforts that are effective, and why there's hope for a less divisive future in America.Host: Sean Illing (@seanilling), host, The Gray AreaGuest: Anand Giridharadas (@AnandWrites), author References:  The Persuaders: At the Front Lines of the Fight for Hearts, Minds, and Democracy by Anand Giridharadas (Penguin Random House, 202) Winners Take All: The Elite Charade of Changing the World (Penguin Random House, 2022) Amanda Marcotte “Meet the woman behind Libs of TikTok, secretly fueling the right’s outrage machine” by Taylor Lorenz (The Washington Post, Apr. 19th, 2022)  Anat Shenker-Osorio People’s Action Institute  Enjoyed this episode? Rate The Gray Area ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.Subscribe for free. Be the first to hear the next episode of The Gray Area. Subscribe in your favorite podcast app.Support The Gray Area by making a financial contribution to Vox! bit.ly/givepodcastsThis episode was made by:  Producer: Erikk Geannikis Engineer: Patrick Boyd Editorial Director, Vox Talk: A.M. Hall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Anand Giridharadas, MSNBC political analyst and publisher of "The Persuaders," joins to delve into pressing political issues. They discuss the turmoil following the firing of DOJ officials involved in Trump's investigations and the broader implications for American democracy. The conversation also highlights the ongoing fallout from the Capitol riots and the societal impacts of immigration policies. Additionally, Giridharadas reflects on the challenges faced by former presidents in their post-office lives, unveiling the different paths they take to contribute to society.

“How can there be anything wrong with trying to do good?” asks Anand Giridharadas in his new book, Winners Take All. “The answer may be: when the good is an accomplice to even greater, if more invisible, harm.” Giridharadas has done his time in elite circles. His education took him through Oxford and Harvard, he spent years as a New York Times columnist, he's a regular on Morning Joe, he’s a TED talker. And so when he mounted the stage at the Aspen Institute and told his fellow fellows that their pretensions of doing good were just that — pretensions — and that they were more the problem than the solution, it caused some controversy. Giridharadas’s new book will make a lot of people angry. It’s about the difference between generosity and justice, the problems with only looking for win-win solutions, the ways the corporate world has come to dominate the discourse of change, and the fact that elite networks change the people who are part of them. But for all the power of Giridharadas’s critique of elite do-goodery, does he have better answers to the problems they’re trying to solve? And what of the very real problems that have left so many disillusioned with government, or the very real accomplishments that exist in the systems we’ve built? If we are pursuing change wrong, then what needs to be changed to pursue it better? Recommended books: There Will Be No Miracles Here by Casey Gerald (forthcoming) The Argonauts by Maggie Nelson Identity: The Demand for Dignity and the Politics of Resentment by Francis Fukuyama Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this enlightening conversation, bestselling author and journalist Anand Giridharadas dives into the dangers of oligarchy and the overpowering influence of billionaires on democracy. He discusses the crisis in journalism, emphasizing the necessity for fearless reporting and accountability. Anand critiques the illusion of capitalism, revealing how it perpetuates wealth disparities. He also examines the idolization of billionaires and calls for grassroots activism to challenge the status quo. A must-listen for anyone passionate about democracy and justice!

William D. Cohan, an insightful author and journalist, is joined by Anand Giridharadas, a thought leader on persuasion in democracy. They dive into Elon Musk's controversial Twitter saga and debate the potential repercussions of lifting bans on accounts. Cohan reflects on the tumultuous history of General Electric, while Giridharadas highlights the urgency of clear messaging in politics. The conversation also touches on global protests impacting Apple and the need for effective dialogue in an increasingly polarized society.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.

Author Anand Giridharadas discusses the financial crisis, Covid, and democracy. They explore the influence of wealthy donors on academia and media, the manipulation of tax-exempt deductions for political influence, and the emotionally charged battleground of politics. An insightful conversation about the state of American democracy.

Exploring the power of conversations in addressing climate change, bridging gaps through understanding differing viewpoints, using persuasion for societal change, navigating inclusivity in advocacy, countering climate misinformation, spotting misinformation through critical thinking, and challenging climate change denial with truthful messaging.

Revisit:When the Profit Motive Kills, with Anand Giridharadas, on Capitalisn'tWhy the US Government Buys Overpriced Services From McKinsey, by Matt Stoller in ProMarket