To The Best Of Our Knowledge

Explore the intertwining struggles of mental health and financial instability faced by many, including veterans. Hear personal narratives of homelessness and resilience, emphasizing the emotional toll of life's challenges. Discover the solace found in nature amidst mental health struggles and the difficulty of accessing proper care. Learn about the complexities of addiction, the importance of harm reduction strategies, and the urgent need for compassionate support systems to break the cycles of trauma and poverty.

Explore how economic struggles intertwine with our sense of home and belonging. Hear personal stories of resilience from those facing housing insecurity and the emotional toll of frequent relocations. Discover the disconnect between lived poverty experiences and societal perceptions. Delve into the importance of community involvement in urban planning and public housing initiatives, and examine the shifting role of libraries as vital resources for marginalized individuals. Join the conversation on embracing care and compassion in our societies.

Heather Swan, an author focused on the intricate stories of insects, joins philosopher Andreas Weber to delve into the emotional complexities of loving nature amid ecological anxiety. They discuss the pressing decline of the insect population and our emotional connections to these creatures. Weber introduces the concept of 'mutual edibility,' highlighting our interconnectedness with the natural world. Both guests emphasize finding joy and resilience in nature, urging listeners to embrace its beauty despite environmental challenges.

Physicist Marcelo Gleiser, authors time and cosmos. Topics include white holes, deep time in cosmology, overview effect, and finding connection through astronomy and cosmology.

Most Americans take their sovereignty for granted - the nation’s right to make its own laws and govern its own people. The same rights we recognize in other sovereign nations, with one glaring exception — the Native nations and tribes who were here first. For Native Americans, sovereignty is not some abstract idea. It’s an ongoing, daily struggle. Original Air Date: July 13, 2024Interviews In This Hour: The battle over tribal rights in Bad River — Quannah ChasingHorse’s two worlds – Native activist and supermodel — Are Indian casinos the key to tribal sovereignty? — No more Native American 'trauma porn'Guests: Mary Mazzio, Quannah ChasingHorse, Steven Andrew Light, David TreuerNever want to miss an episode? Subscribe to the podcast.Want to hear more from us, including extended interviews and favorites from the archive? Subscribe to our newsletter.Categories: tribal sovereignty, sovereignty, native american, land, land back

The podcast dives into the ethical dilemmas surrounding psychedelics, emphasizing exploitation and cultural appropriation of Indigenous practices. It features the tragic legacy of Maria Sabina, who introduced psilocybin to the West. The conversation highlights the need for decolonization within the psychedelic movement and the importance of Indigenous voices. It also critiques how affluent seekers of enlightenment can disrupt local economies. Overall, it calls for respecting traditional knowledge while examining the complex history of psychedelic research.

The rise of radical politics is explored amidst global turmoil. Insights from a Marxist feminist philosopher challenge the sustainability of capitalism. The relevance of the Communist Manifesto is highlighted, calling for grassroots democratic control. Younger generations are embracing socialism to tackle modern issues like racial justice and environmental crises. Transformative protests reveal deep connections between identity and activism, while advocating for nationalization of resources to address systemic inequalities and drive radical change.

Jim Thorpe was one of the greatest athletes the world has ever known — a legend in the NFL, MLB, NCAA, and in the Olympics. Today he is being celebrated by a new generation of Native Americans.  Rapper Tall Paul’s album is called, “The Story of Jim Thorpe." Tall Paul is an Anishinaabe and Oneida Hip-Hop artist enrolled on the Leech Lake reservation in Minnesota.  Biographer David Maraniss is the author of "Path Lit by Lightning: The Life of Jim Thorpe." Activist Suzan Shown Harjo is the recipient of a 2014 Presidential Medal of Freedom. She is Cheyenne and Hodulgee Muscogee. Patty Loew is the director of the Center for Native American and Indigenous Research at Northwestern University. She is a member of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe. Special thanks to Robert W. Wheeler and the Smithsonian for archival audio.Original Air Date: January 14, 2023Interviews In This Hour: Was Jim Thorpe the greatest athlete who ever lived? — The white man's trophy — A hero who looks like me — Indigenous excellence: Hip hop and the legacy of Jim ThorpeGuests: Tall Paul, Suzan Shown Harjo, Patty Loew, David MaranissNever want to miss an episode? Subscribe to the podcast.Want to hear more from us, including extended interviews and favorites from the archive? Subscribe to our newsletter.

Ezra Klein, a prominent journalist and host of "The Ezra Klein Show," joins Pulitzer Prize-winning science journalist Deborah Blum and Rob Gurwitt, founder of the hyperlocal newsletter "Daybreak." They discuss the crumbling trust in journalism and the factors behind it, from media weaponization to the impact of social media. Klein shares insights on the evolving role of journalism in a digital age, while Gurwitt emphasizes the value of local storytelling. Together, they explore innovative strategies to reclaim the public's trust in an increasingly complex media landscape.

In this chat with Jordan Ellenberg, a mathematician renowned for linking math to life, listeners dive into the surprising emotional connections people have with geometry. Ellenberg explores how geometry shapes our understanding of everything from democracy and gerrymandering to romance novels. He discusses its impact on American ideals and historical figures like Lincoln. The conversation highlights how geometric principles influence human cognition and perception, suggesting that our relationship with shapes might even define what it means to be human.