Thinking Clearly

After almost 10 years of broadcasting and podcasting Thinking Clearly, a series of life events has caused Bob and Julia to say "adieu" to this labor of love. In this final episode they share their thoughts and feelings about what this project has meant to them, as they summarize and discuss some of the main themes that have emerged from their focus on critical thinking. It is their fondest hope that listeners will be inspired to use science and critical thinking to accurately reveal reality as they make decisions and form their beliefs. And that they use philosophy and moral reasoning to help guide their values in creating a better world.

Listen to the explanation at the beginning of this episode to understand why you will be hearing a replay of episode #86. The danger of disinformation to our social fabric, and to our democracy, are the focus of this discussion with philosopher, educator and author, Lee McIntyre. Lee holds a Ph.D. in philosophy and is currently a Research Fellow at the Center for Philosophy and History of Science at Boston University. His latest book, "Disinformation-How to fight for Truth and Protect Democracy", is even more relevant in 2025 than when it first came out in 2023.

Bob and Julia interview each other and discuss a number of topics related to critical thinking that have been on their minds for years, including: What does our show's name ("Thinking Clearly") mean to you, and how does that name represent our show? Should beliefs and opinions meet the same standards as logical arguments? Is persuasion appropriate in critical thinking? For you, what are the most frustrating aspects of our current state of information and political environments?

Kyle Falbo, a math and computer science lecturer and ed‑tech specialist at Sonoma State University, explains how AI tools like ChatGPT, NotebookLM and Perplexity are being used in teaching. He discusses personalization, AI as a tutor, faculty change management, risks like bias and over‑reliance, and practical tools for lifelong learners. He urges hands‑on experimentation and thoughtful stewardship.

In a fascinating discussion, Mary Helen Immordino-Yang, an expert in education, psychology, and neuroscience, shares insights from her research on the vital role of emotions in learning and decision-making. She explains why all thinking is infused with emotion and the importance of this integration for rational thought. Immordino-Yang highlights how cultural influences shape emotional experiences and offers practical educational strategies to enhance curiosity and critical thinking in schools. Prepare to rethink the way you view emotions!

Coauthors of the widely acclaimed book, They Say/I Say-The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing, explore how to craft persuasive arguments and communicate them effectively. Topics discussed include: the connection between thinking and writing; the nature of academic writing; the concept of "entering the conversation"; specific templates to improve the content of your writing, speaking, and thinking about issues that matter; the role of artificial intelligence in education; and a variety of other topics.

With a Bachelor's Degree in Biology, a Master's Degree in Philosophy, and experience as a teacher, our guest for this episode, Stephanie Simoes, developed Critikid, a website for kids, teens, teachers and others. Critikid offers instruction in: emotional intelligence (Learning to recognize, understand, and manage your emotions), safe and effective use of social media, principles of logic (including logical fallacies) and statistical and data literacy—by blending storytelling with interactive activities.

James Fishkin, Stanford University Professor (and Director of the Stanford Deliberative Democracy Lab) discusses his extensive research and development focused on the process of "Deliberative Polling" and clarifies its relationship to Deliberative Democracy—a form of democracy in which deliberation is central to decision-making. Professor Fishkin suggests that institutionalizing deliberative processes could lead to reducing political polarization, while also increasing citizens' political involvement and knowledge of the issues, as discussed in his recent book: Can Deliberation Cure the Ills of Democracy?

Patrick Hurley, Philosophy Professor Emeritus at University of San Diego and author of the widely acclaimed textbook: A Concise Introduction to Logic, joins us to discuss: the role of logic in acquiring knowledge and forming beliefs; the most important aspects of logic for critical thinkers to master; what can be done to encourage better practices in our thinking, communication and belief formation; using logic to navigate issues which relate to values; and a variety of other topics.

Early in his career our guest, Bill Adair, worked as a journalist, author, and later founded the fact-checking organization Politifact. And in 2013 he accepted a position at Duke University as the Knight Professor of the Practice of Journalism and Public Policy, where he now teaches journalism in the Sanford School of Public Policy and directs the Duke Reporters' Lab. We discuss the negative effects of lying in politics, different types of lies, why people fall for lies, how fact-checking works, the response of journalists to political lying, and his recent book: Beyond the Big Lie-The Epidemic of Political Lying, Why Republicans Do It More, and How It Could Burn Down Our Democracy.