Writer and reporter Nellie Bowles discusses her time at The New York Times, power hierarchies in media, and transformative ideas in 2020. They explore ideological conformity in newsrooms, evolution of ideologies, challenges in autonomous zones, impact of protests on law enforcement, and San Francisco's embrace of anarchy. The conversation tackles white supremacy traits, the evolution of anti-racism movements, and ends with a gratitude exchange.

Irish journalist Helen Joyce and Yascha Mounk discuss the evidence base for youth gender medicine, highlighting the skepticism in the UK compared to the US. They emphasize the importance of a balanced approach considering all individuals' rights and safety, exploring ethical dilemmas, medical risks, and societal impacts of gender transition treatments for young people.

Eboo Patel and Yascha Mounk discuss how universities can promote mutual respect through pluralism, bridging divides on college campuses. They explore the challenges of identity politics, the need for genuine dialogue, and the importance of fostering curiosity, respect, and cooperation in education. The conversation delves into addressing societal challenges, promoting inclusivity, and creating a respectful environment for diverse perspectives.

Mike Pesca, journalist and 'The Gist' host, discusses media objectivity vs moral clarity, NPR's internal upheaval, and the role of journalists in defending democracy. The podcast delves into the challenges of journalistic objectivity, the evolution of media discourse, and the intersection of politics, economics, and cultural concerns in voter behavior.

British-Ghanaian philosopher Kwame Anthony Appiah discusses the shift from common humanity to identitarianism in universities. They explore how to respect diversity without letting it dominate interactions and emphasize faculty as agents of change. The conversation delves into fostering social cohesion, navigating identity in universities, and empowering faculty in governance.

Vinay Prasad, a hematologist-oncologist and Professor, discusses the impact of mask mandates and lockdowns, stifling of dissenting views among doctors and scientists, and improving readiness for the next pandemic. Topics include critiquing COVID policy, messaging to extraterrestrial intelligence, reevaluating COVID-19 response policies, analyzing COVID-19 policies and media response, controversy surrounding COVID-19 vaccine mandates, and lack of studies on COVID-19 measures.

Alexandra Hudson, writer and founder of Civic Renaissance, discusses the importance of civility in pursuing justice. Topics include the difference between civility and politeness, engaging in uncomfortable conversations, delivering hard truths, and the timeless nature of certain social norms and expectations.

Jonathan Haidt, a social psychologist, discusses the rise of mental illness among teenagers, the negative impact of social media on childhood development, and the need to cultivate phone-free norms. The conversation with Yascha Mounk explores the challenges of the digital age and the decline of physical risk-taking activities affecting children's resilience and well-being.

Jonathan Lynn discusses the dysfunctional relationship between politicians and civil servants in government, the evolution of political satire, and the value of producing art with collaborators holding different political views. They explore the impact of norms on governance, the research process behind a politically insightful comedy show, and absurd but real hospital scenarios for comedy. The episode also compares political satire shows and government portrayals, and delves into the challenges of political comedy in the current US political climate.

In this podcast, they talk about the difference between race blindness and racism blindness, why race is a poor proxy for setting public policy, and the importance of being colorblind. They discuss the challenges of navigating racial complexity, responsibility in addressing problems, and the complexities of race-based policies. The conversation also explores racial progress, disparities within the African American community, and the need for a non-racial approach to societal issues.