The Open Mind, Hosted by Alexander Heffner
The Open Mind is a thoughtful excursion into the world of ideas across media, politics, technology, the arts and all realms of civic life.
Episodes
498 episodes
Generation Refrigerant
Gastropod host Nicola Twilley discusses her new book “Frostbite: How Refrigeration Changed Our Food, Our Planet, and Ourselves.”
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27:53
Wikipedia's Survival and Resilience
Wikimedia leader Rebecca MacKinnon discusses the future of the encyclopedia platform.
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27:51
Peace Policies
Win Without War director Sara Haghdoosti discusses strategies for counterproliferation.
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28:30
The Great Buildup
Carnegie Endowment fellow Tong Zhao discusses central and rogue nuclear powers of Asia.
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28:21
Unwinding the Doomsday Clock
Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists CEO Rachel Bronson discusses a potential nuclear event.
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28:05
Counterproliferation and De-escalation in the Middle East
Arms Control Association nonproliferation policy director Kelsey Davenport discusses Iran.
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28:21
The Reverend Senator
In his hometown of Savannah, Georgia, Senator Raphael Warnock and Alexander break bread over chicken and waffles (and crab cake benedict); then visit his childhood home.
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28:33
In the Land of Eisenhower
In Hays, Kansas, Senator Jerry Moran and Alexander break bread over chili and milkshakes; then visit the local library.
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27:33
Dreams of Aloha
At her favorite local restaurant, Senator Mazie Hirono and Alexander break bread over Japanese fare; then visit the Honolulu high school from which she graduated.
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28:41
Fiesta in Pueblo
At the first-ever food hall in Pueblo, Colorado, Governor Jared Polis and Alexander break bread over a smorgasbord of hot chicken, roast beef, and ramen.
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27:30
The Pursuit of Tranquility: How Many Times Do You Need To Blow Up The World?
American fighter pilot Amy McGrath discusses U.S. security policies.
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28:27
Accountability and Disarmament
Project on Managing the Atom researcher Mariana Budjeryn discusses the Russia-Ukraine war.
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28:21
Pigs and Pistols
At Pillen Family Farms, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen and Alexander break bread over pork sandwiches; then practice skeet shooting.
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27:41
Energy to Peace
Oppenheimer Project founder Charles Oppenheimer discusses his grandfather's legacy and nuclear counterproliferation.
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28:30
Cheeseheads and Milkpeople
At Marieke Gouda farm in rural Wisconsin, Senator Tammy Baldwin and Alexander break bread over fondue and curds; then tour the plant.
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27:33
The City of Orioles
At Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland, Governor Wes Moore and Alexander break bread over stadium concessions at a baseball game.
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28:37
Gaming the Future
Neuroscientist Kelly Clancy discusses her new book "Playing with Reality: How Games Have Shaped Our World."
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28:06
Words to Preserve Democracy
Planet Word founder Ann Friedman and executive director Nikki Sertsu discuss their Washington DC museum.
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27:54
The Future of Reproductive Freedom
University of Oregon sociologist Krystale Littlejohn discusses the post-Roe climate in the United States.
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27:45
Campus on Edge…Civics to the Rescue
University of Denver chancellor Jeremy Haefner and Rutgers University president Jonathan Holloway discuss speech and protest.
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28:02
Ranchers for America
In downtown Buffalo, Wyoming, Governor Mark Gordon and Alexander break bread over steak and potatoes at The Historic Occidental Hotel.
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28:52
A Bridge from Alaska to the Nation
At the annual renewable energy fair in Chena Hot Springs, Senator Lisa Murkowski and Alexander break bread over salmon burgers, halibut, and scallops; then take a nature walk.
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28:54
Courage in Flight (Season Premiere | Breaking Bread)
In Tucson, Arizona, Senator Mark Kelly and Alexander break bread over Sonoran hot dogs and then fly over the desert.
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28:09