

Quillette Podcast
Quillette
The Quillette Podcast is a platform for rigorous, academic discussions rooted in common sense and free inquiry. Non-dogmatic and grounded in liberal values, the podcast serves as a beacon for thoughtful conversation on science, politics, philosophy, and culture. Quillette prides itself on intellectual honesty, avoiding ideological extremism in favor of evidence-based reasoning and progress. Hosted by leading voices in academia and journalism, past guests include evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins, social psychologist Jonathan Haidt, and journalist Douglas Murray, among others. Expect candid conversations that promote common sense and challenge anti-science and conspiratorial narratives from both the far left and right.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 20, 2023 • 38min
Eric Kaufmann’s New ‘Centre for Heterodox Social Science’
Political scientist Eric Kaufmann discusses cancel culture, academics' need for honest immigration conversations, and challenges in academia. The conversation also covers his personal background, views on wokeness, and navigating the complexities of immigration.

4 snips
Oct 18, 2023 • 1h 7min
The Extraordinary Life of Tom Nash aka DJ Hookie
The podcast explores the extraordinary life of Tom Nash aka DJ Hookie, a quadruple amputee. Topics include handling mistaken identities, accents and audiobook recording, overcoming disabilities and finding independence, blending in and standing out, creating feedback loops in DJing and dancing, adapting to different environments, and exploring post traumatic growth and personal resilience.

6 snips
Oct 2, 2023 • 45min
Parents with Inconvenient Truths about Trans-Identified Children
Psychotherapist Stella O’Malley and parent Josie A. discuss the importance of listening to parents before affirming a child’s desire for gender-transition therapies. They explore topics such as school policies, children's autonomy in gender identity, extreme activist movements, the influence of anime on trans identification, challenges for fathers of trans-identified children, and the need for support and guidance for parents.

5 snips
Sep 13, 2023 • 60min
Tracing the Roots of the Ideological Movement (Formerly) Known as Wokeness
Johns Hopkins University professor Yascha Mounk explores the origins of 'wokeness' and its rejection of liberalism and Marxism. They discuss the influence of Karl Marx, Michel Foucault, Edward Said, and Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, as well as the impact of social media on self-chosen identities and the difficulty of making counterarguments in that space.

Sep 11, 2023 • 58min
Journalist John Colapinto on the Tragic Tale of David Reimer, The Boy Who Was Raised a Girl
Quillette associate editor Iona Italia interviews journalist John Colapinto, whose book "As Nature Made Him: The Boy Who Was Raised as a Girl" chronicles the life of David Reimer, a Canadian man who was born as Bruce Reimer and subjected to a controversial and ultimately unsuccessful gender-reassignment following a botched circumcision.The book delves into the psychological, ethical, and medical complexities of David's life, from the surgical accident and subsequent interventions to his struggle with his gender identity. It also serves as a critique of Dr. John Money's theories on gender plasticity and the ethics of imposing a gender identity on a child unable to provide informed consent.Colapinto interviews various people involved in the case, including David Reimer himself, his family, and professionals who later questioned Money's work. The book paints a detailed picture of the Reimer family's ordeal, David's internal struggles, and the professional controversies that the case stirred up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

4 snips
Sep 2, 2023 • 46min
Understanding Gender Radicalism and White Racial Guilt as Ersatz Religious Movements
Jonathan Kay and Kushal Mehra discuss the radicalized beliefs and rituals of progressive politics, the cultish movement of gender dysphoria, disbeliever movements and guilt in Canadian public life, the obsession with white aggression, exploring religious privilege, and the importance of moral responsibility and freedom of expression.

Aug 23, 2023 • 26min
Talking Science and Substacking in ‘Nash Vegas‘
Podcast host Jonathan Kay shares a Nashville breakfast with journalist Christina Buttons and her Quillette-alumnus boyfriend, Colin Wright, author of the popular Substack, Reality’s Last Stand Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 8, 2023 • 24min
When DEI ‘Training’ Becomes a Pretext for Bullying and Harassment: A Tragic Canadian Case Study
Quillette podcast host Jonathan Kay speaks with municipal politician Bill Dennis about diversity consultant Kike Ojo-Thompson, whose training methods became infamous following the recent suicide of Toronto educator Richard Bilkszto (1963-2023). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 6, 2023 • 29min
McMaster University’s Imaginary Sex Ring: Uncovering Administrators’ Role in Inflaming a Campus Social Panic
Lawrence Krauss, host of The Origins Podcast, interviews Jonathan Kay about his Quillette investigation into the spread of false rape allegations on a Canadian university campus in 2020—and the lessons that can be learned. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

9 snips
Jul 3, 2023 • 50min
Eight Hundred Years of Russian Despotism
Quillette podcast host Jonathan Kay talks to acclaimed historian Orlando Figes, whose new book traces Russia’s political dysfunction back to the age of Byzantium and the Mongol invasion.This podcast is also available on YouTube. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices