Uncommon Knowledge

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong discusses the basics of digital currencies, challenges faced by the cryptocurrency industry, regulatory clarity, and the evolution of crypto adoption. The podcast also explores the macroeconomic implications of Bitcoin and the responsibilities of a wealthy CEO in advancing technology for societal benefit.

Friends Mary Bush, Freeman Hrabowski, and Condoleezza Rice discuss growing up in segregated Birmingham, overcoming racism to achieve success, and reflect on today's culture. They touch on education, community support, and the impact of structural racism. The podcast explores the challenges of desegregation, educational struggles in Alabama, and the importance of valuing education and embracing diversity.

Condoleezza Rice, Mary Bush, and Freeman Hrabowski, former classmates in segregated Birmingham, discuss life during Jim Crow Alabama, the racial violence of 1963, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s impact on civil rights.

Edward Teller, a nuclear physicist and key figure in Oppenheimer, and Sidney Drell, a nuclear arms control expert, debate the necessity and regulations of nuclear weapons in the late 20th century. They discuss President Reagan's defense systems proposal, the wastefulness of his defense program, and the complexities of developing and implementing a defense system. Former CIA Director James Woolsey joins them to emphasize the importance of missile defense against threats to allies and terrorism.

Niall Ferguson discusses the politicization of American universities and the rise of 'woke' progressives. He highlights the dominance of cancel culture and anti-Semitism in academia, as well as the emergence of identity politics. The historical context of anti-Zionism and the merging of political Islam with the woke movement is also explored. The podcast delves into Harvard's free speech controversy and the proposal for a new university in Austin.

Legal experts Richard Epstein and John Yoo discuss key Supreme Court cases involving Donald Trump. Topics include Trump's eligibility for the ballot, defining insurrection, presidential immunity, criminal charges against Trump, the baby boomer generation's influence on politics, and the suitability of political figures like Kamala Harris and Joe Biden.

Tom Cotton, US Senator since 2015, talks about a wide range of topics including the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine, the conflict with China over Taiwan, his 'war' with the New York Times, the lack of trust in US institutions, and why he's not running for president in 2024.

Dan Blumenthal, director of Asian studies at the American Enterprise Institute, and Elbridge Colby, founder of the Marathon Initiative think tank, discuss deterring China's expansion in the South China Sea and aggression towards Taiwan. They explore the potential consequences of China's dominance in the Pacific, military and economic coercion, relying on allies, parallels between the Cold War and US-China relations, and the challenges faced by the United States in navigating its role in the world.

Congressman Mike Gallagher, chair of the US House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, discusses the Chinese threat to Taiwan, TikTok's dangers, the US Navy's weak state compared to China, and the challenges of defense spending. Plus, insights on the Green Bay Packers and America's moral resources.

Former NFL quarterback Andrew Luck and former US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice discuss the new terrain of college athletics, including the introduction of name, image, and likeness rules and the establishment of the transfer portal. They explore the challenges and opportunities of college sports, the lack of guard rules, and the importance of making football safer. They also address conference realignment, revenue sharing, and the balance between academics and athletics.