Keep Talking

Daryl Davis is an African-American musician, author, and activist. Throughout his life, he has engaged with and befriended members of the Ku Klux Klan, leading dozens of former white supremacists to leave the organization. During our conversation, Daryl talks about his upbringing, how he began meeting KKK members, and race in America.------------Support this podcast via VenmoSupport this podcast via PayPalSupport this podcast on Patreon------------Show notesLeave a rating on SpotifyLeave a rating on Apple PodcastsFollow Keep Talking on Twitter, Instagram, and FacebookListen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube------------(01:16) Daryl’s background and moving to the U.S.(06:04) Daryl’s first racist encounter(12:36) The incidents that led Daryl to dig deeper into understanding racism(21:36) Meeting Matt Cole the second time(27:07) How Matt Cole got more and more people into the American Nazi Party(32:52) Daryl’s first encounter with a KKK member(42:13) Daryl’s second encounter with a KKK member who had for the first time spoken to a person of color(48:46) Daryl’s decision to interview Roger Kelly(59:28) A journey to meet the “Grand Dragon,” Roger Kelly(01:21:11) Why ignorance breeds hate(01:34:43) Dan and Daryl discuss a scene from a documentary about Daryl's life, Accidental Courtesy(01:41:57) Daryl’s closing advice for the listeners(01:49:16) Daryl and Dan talk about the state of our society today and how it has evolved over the years

H.W. Brands is a professor at UT-Austin, a historian, an author of more than 30 books, and a two-time finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. During our conversation, H.W. talks about his book "Dreams of El Dorado," which details the exploration and settlement of the American West.------------Support this podcast via VenmoSupport this podcast via PayPalSupport this podcast on Patreon------------Show notesLeave a rating on SpotifyLeave a rating on Apple PodcastsFollow Keep Talking on Twitter, Instagram, and FacebookListen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube------------(01:19) Brands explains the context of his book Dreams of El Dorado(03:18) What inspired Brands to write about the history of the American West(07:37) The general public impression about the Louisiana purchase back in 1803(13:55) Description of the Great Plains in the Lewis and Clark journal(17:00) The beginning of the Oregon Trail and the overall objective of the people who traveled to the West(22:25) The challenges in heading to the Oregon territory - get there in one piece, find a plot of ground to farm, find better health, and the best-case scenario(26:15) Why is Texas key to Brands’ life and his writings?(35:22) What changed HW Brands’ perception of the country as he learned its history(40:10) Brands’ thoughts on penning another book on the history of Western America

Jonathan Zimmeramn is a Professor of History of Education at the University of Pennsylvania. During our conversation, Jonathan talks about his time in the peace corps in Nepal, the history of free speech jurisprudence in America, current attacks on freedom of speech in academia, and his new book, Free Speech: And Why You Should Give a Damn.------------Support this podcast via VenmoSupport this podcast via PayPalSupport this podcast on Patreon------------Show notesLeave a rating on SpotifyLeave a rating on Apple PodcastsFollow Keep Talking on Twitter, Instagram, and FacebookListen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube------------(00:51) Where does Jonathan’s interest in history stem from?(03:25) What did Jonathan learn about US history that resonates with him to this day(12:36) Learnings from Clifford Geertz’s essay on anti-relativism.(15:20) About Jonathan’s book, Innocents Abroad.(22:34) Jonathan talks about the difference between the word judgment and discernment.(24:58) How did Jonathan’s Nepal life influence his personal life?(31:04) Jonathan’s ideas on communities.(42:29) Jonathan discusses the book, Passing on the Right: Conservative Professors in the Progressive University by Jon A. Shields and Joshua M. Dunn Sr.(57:14) About Jonathan’s new book Free Speech: And Why You Should Give a Damn and what he strives to achieve with it.(01:07:11) What has caused the present panic or disregard for freedom of speech(01:09:03) Talking about micro-aggressions.

Jeremi Suri is the Mack Brown Distinguished Chair for Leadership in Global Affairs at UT-Austin. During our conversation, Jeremi talks about his interest in history, the lessons of the Cold War, and how history can be used to create a more dynamic, interconnected, and healthy society.------------Support this podcast via VenmoSupport this podcast via PayPalSupport this podcast on Patreon------------Show notesLeave a rating on SpotifyLeave a rating on Apple PodcastsFollow Keep Talking on Twitter, Instagram, and FacebookListen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube------------(00:50) How Jeremy developed an interest in his current area of study and what he spends a lot of his time doing.(04:46) Jeremy’s ideas on what happened in the Soviet Union that led to its collapse(12:29) The Chernobyl explosion of 1986.(13:17) Jeremy shares what brought him to his current place in life and in academia(23:40) How can we help to break some of the unease happening around in the country?(31:15) Why do we say that empathy is the most important characteristic that we all need to nurture in ourselves?(36:34) What are some things people can do to stand as a bulwark against the tide of tribalism and bifurcation?

Anthony Charles Graves is an exonerated death row inmate. In his 20's, he was arrested, charged with, and wrongfully convicted of the murder of a family of six in Somerville, Texas. During our conversation, Anthony talks about how he was convicted without a motive or physical evidence, the prosecutor's reliance on eyewitness testimony, his 18 years in prison, his twice being scheduled for lethal injection, the events that led to his eventual release, and his forthcoming podcast, "Infinite Hope," which will share the stories of other wrongfully convicted citizens.------------Support this podcast via VenmoSupport this podcast via PayPalSupport this podcast on Patreon------------Show notesLeave a rating on SpotifyLeave a rating on Apple PodcastsFollow Keep Talking on Twitter, Instagram, and FacebookListen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube------------(01:15) Anthony talks about his life before his wrongful conviction.(04:11) The horrific crime that Anthony was later wrongfully convicted for.(05:59) How and why Anthony was dragged into the case.(10:35) Anthony recounts the day he was charged for the murders.(13:38) The role of racism.(17:14) Convicted before the hearing and what happened in the court.(18:50) The defense at the trial.(20:40) The evidence presented to convict Anthony.(22:01) Robert Carter’s relationship with Anthony.(23:08) The reason why Robert Carter testified against Anthony.(26:42) The conviction of Anthony and the role of the prosecutor.(34:06) How people began to know about his case and believe that he was innocent(39:04) The times Anthony was about to be executed and how he was saved(40:15) Life as a murder convict.(43:04) How Anthony kept from reaching a mental health breaking point.(44:22) The role of Pamela Colloff and Nicole B. Casarez in saving Anthony’s life(55:58) The article that triggered the special prosecutor to recommend that Anthony’s charges be dismissed.(56:52) The day Anthony was released from prison.(01:04:43) Anthony’s initiatives in helping innocent people get justice.(01:15:07) Sensationalism and the role of the media in cases of injustice.

David Buss is a professor at the University of Texas - Austin. During our conversation, David talks about the creation of the field of evolutionary psychology, its key findings about the human mind and human nature, and his expertise, human mating.------------Support this podcast via VenmoSupport this podcast via PayPalSupport this podcast on Patreon------------Show notesLeave a rating on SpotifyLeave a rating on Apple PodcastsFollow Keep Talking on Twitter, Instagram, and FacebookListen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube------------(00:26) The history of evolutionary psychology(12:01) David’s thoughts on evolutionary psychology(21:02) Some interesting themes that unfolded during David’s research for his book(28:09) David talks about some misnomers in sex differences(33:07) Learn about the major sex differences(40:12) Understanding universal applicability of psychological studies(55:47) Some points to check for healthy long-term relationships (similarity in fundamental life goals and values - religious, political views and intelligence, sense of humor, approval of kin group and emotional stability)(01:06:46) David talks about his upcoming book, When Men Behave Badly(01:15:51) Potential investigations in evolutionary psychology (status, prestige, reputation and coalitional psychology)(01:17:53) What are the qualities to look out for in a partner for long term success in marriages?(01:22:31) David mentions two other subjects that interest him deeply - sexual morality and reputation, and why(01:29:430 David shares his thoughts on different mating lifestyles and the misconceptions around evolutionary psychology

Alex Dominguez is a member of the Texas House of Representatives. During our conversation, Alex talks about his political career, his knowledge of psychedelic medical research, and House Bill 1802, which would set up Texas's first medically-supervised psilocybin trial for those suffering from PTSD. 1802 has passed the Texas House 134-12, and the Senate 25-5.------------Support this podcast via VenmoSupport this podcast via PayPalSupport this podcast on Patreon------------Show notesLeave a rating on SpotifyLeave a rating on Apple PodcastsFollow Keep Talking on Twitter, Instagram, and FacebookListen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube------------(01:00) Alex shares about his friend who suffered severe PTSD post release from the military.(14:56) The factors that led Alex to go ahead with his decision for the PTSD bill - elected officials in the state and in the country genuinely have an affection for veterans. And though they may disagree why they were sent to a particular country to do battle, they will all agree that they've done so at great personal risk. Also, he understood that they owed them a duty to help them transition back.(22:36) Alex knew he was taking a leap of faith while taking the decision to go ahead with the bill. He speaks about why he knew that this bill could save lives.(27:51) Governor Rick Perry’s role in the passing of the bill. Alex learned what it was like living with PTSD and explored the topic. He researched several nonprofit organizations that worked on the cause.(32:36) Alex reveals what convinced him to investigate psychedelics as an option for those suffering. He realized that it mental illness is not a moral shortcoming.(38:15) Why we say that psychedelics offer a possible avenue for treatment.(41:17) On what the bill has to offer for the citizens of Texas - information. The first part of the bill proposes a clinical study with Baylor College of Medicine to study the effects of psilocybin for those who have PTSD.(48:52) Alex explains the working of psychedelics and the effects they have on the human brain.(55:45) If the bill gets passed, what more will be available to the people?

Mike Ware is the Executive Director of the Innocence Project of Texas. During our conversation, Mike talks about his career in the law, his work within Dallas's Conviction Integrity unit and the wrongfully-convicted clients he and his organization have represented and helped to exonerate.------------Support this podcast via VenmoSupport this podcast via PayPalSupport this podcast on Patreon------------Show notesLeave a rating on SpotifyLeave a rating on Apple PodcastsFollow Keep Talking on Twitter, Instagram, and FacebookListen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube------------(00:49) How Mike was introduced to the Innocence Project and what drew him towards it.(05:27) Injustice and smugness around criminal justice.(07:02) Why is anyone who is arrested in America viewed as someone who has done wrong?(13:17) What is it that inhibits people of power from undoing a wrong at any point during an investigation or trial?(16:29) What is an example of a confirmation bias case?(22:18) Mike addresses the Duke lacrosse case.(30:00) About the first post-conviction DNA exoneration ever done.(48:50) What happens when a statute of limitation expires?(49:54) How are DNA databases managed?(54:24) Patrick Waller, man who spent over a decade in prison for a crime he did not commit.(56:51) What happens when a wrongly convicted person is later on exonerated by the state?(01:13:40) How many people have been exonerated since 1984?(01:22:10) What prompted Mike into switching from the Conviction Integrity Unit to the Innocence Project?(01:38:36) What is the downside risk for being completely wrong about the story anybody presents to the jurors?(01:41:12) What keeps Mike motivated to do what he does with the Innocence Project?(01:50:28) What is it that citizens can do to combat injustice?(01:52:19) How does the Innocence Project get enough legal resources to meet the demand from inmates who are clamoring for help?(01:55:56) Which cases involve DNA testing?(01:59:44) How can we as a society get better at rendering justice more frequently?