The Re-Education with Eli Lake

What happens when we judge speech and opinions by the actions of rogues and sociopaths instead of the thinker? Eli Lake asks on this episode of The Re-Education, featuring author Batya Ungar-Sargon.Times 00:02 - Segment: Introduction 00:25 - Segment: Monologue 13:48 - Segment: Interview with Batya Ungar-Sargon LinkBatya's book

What are norms? What societal and political norms should we continue to observe today? And when is it okay to break the norms? On this episode of The Re-Education, Eli Lake talks norms with Liberties founder Leon Wieseltier. Times 00:03 - Segment: Introduction 00:18 - Segment: Monologue 07:38 - Segment: Interview with Leon Wieseltier

What would have happened to Jesse Jackson's work in racial justice movements if American Jews ostracized the activist after his anti-Semitic comments? Instead of ending the careers of those who err, what if cancel mobs sought apologies, and feuding parties made amends? Eli Lake talks apologies on this episode of The Re-Education. Times 00:03 - Segment: Introduction 00:24 - Segment: Monologue 12:47 - Segment: Interview with Abe Foxman, former national director of the Anti-Defamation League 

Terrible artists can be great people. And terrible people can be great artists. Modern-day pressure campaigns to cancel stars for their abhorrent behavior fail to separate the art from the artist—and pose a threat to our culture. On this episode of The Re-Education, Eli Lake considers what we stand to lose when we boycott disgraced geniuses. Times 00:03 - Segment: Introduction 00:20 - Segment: Monologue  15:05 - Segment: Interview with author and art historian Victoria Coates LinkVictoria’s book, David’s Sling: A History of Democracy in Ten Works of Art

Russia's invasion of Ukraine is a war of terror. From bombing children's hospitals to sniping innocent, fleeing civilians, Vladimir Putin has undoubtedly committed atrocious war crimes. Should Putin remain in power? And who is responsible for keeping Putin accountable? On this episode of The Re-Education, we discuss Putin's army of terror with New York Times columnist Bret Stephens.Times 00:03 - Segment: Introduction 00:20 - Segment: Monologue 08:48 - Segment: Interview with Bret Stephens LinksBret's work in the New York Times

What happens when the gatekeepers of information—newspapers, television, social media platforms—dictate what is true? On this episode of The Re-Education, Eli Lake talks disinformation and misinformation.Times 00:03 - Segment: Introduction  00:20 - Segment: Monologue  20:44 - Segment: Interview with Commentary Magazine writer Christine Rosen LinkChristine’s work in Commentary Magazine 

Lambasted as "elites" and "war hawks" by both the left and the right, the neoconservatives have taken the heat for many of the United States' recent foreign policy blunders—even those with near unanimous support. Who are the neocons, really, and what lessons do they have for present-day American foreign policy? Eli Lake answers these questions and more on this episode of The Re-Education.Times 00:03 - Segment: Introduction 00:19 - Segment: Monologue 14:37 - Segment: Interview with Commentary Magazine editor John Podhoretz

Comedy today is under siege. The force of digital umbrage and the belief that words can be violence has made it very hard for those who tell jokes for a living. On the first installment of The Re-Education, Eli Lake examines Lenny Bruce's legacy and the new war on comedy.Times 00:04 - Segment: Introduction 00:26 - Segment: Monologue 14:36 - Segment: Interview with John Viener

On the Re-Education, Eli Lake challenges common narratives the mainstream media and others push. From comedy to collusion, and disinformation to disarray, Eli unpacks what you know—or think you know—about the world around you. Join him weekly on the Re-Education.