Heterodox Out Loud

In this episode of Heterodox Out Loud, we explore the history of free speech, how the understanding of it has changed, and the volatile swings in public opinion about this core value. Our guest is Jacob Mchangama, a Danish lawyer, human-rights advocate, and social commentator. He is the founder and director of Justitia, a Copenhagen-based think tank focusing on human rights, freedom of speech, and the rule of law. He’s also the author of the acclaimed new book, “Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media.” Blog post: Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social MediaLet us know what you think! For comments and questions email [email protected] episode was hosted by Zach Rausch, and produced by Davies Content.Heterodox Out Loud is an ongoing series of selected pieces from heterodox: the blog in audio form with exclusive interviews. Follow Heterodox Academy on:Twitter: https://bit.ly/3Fax5DyFacebook: https://bit.ly/3PMYxfwLinkedIn: https://bit.ly/48IYeuJInstagram: https://bit.ly/46HKfUgSubstack: https://bit.ly/48IhjNF 🔗 Find out more about Heterodox Academy at: https://linktr.ee/heterodoxoutloud

In this episode of Heterodox Out Loud, we look at a deeply counterintuitive claim within the free speech movement in higher education: that mandatory faith statements at universities may actually support and advance academic freedom. Our guest is Shirley Mullen, who served as president of Houghton College for 15 years, retiring in May of 2021. Prior to becoming Houghton’s president, she served at various times as a classroom professor, chief academic officer and residence life director. Blog post: In Defense of Faith StatementsLet us know what you think! For comments and questions email [email protected]. This episode was hosted by Zach Rausch, and produced by Davies Content. IMPORTANT NOTE: In this episode, we discuss HxA's upcoming conference in Denver, June 12 - 14. Tickets are now sold out. For those who are unable to attend, we will post video footage of the conference in the weeks following.Heterodox Out Loud is an ongoing series of selected pieces from heterodox: the blog in audio form with exclusive interviews. Follow Heterodox Academy on:Twitter: https://bit.ly/3Fax5DyFacebook: https://bit.ly/3PMYxfwLinkedIn: https://bit.ly/48IYeuJInstagram: https://bit.ly/46HKfUgSubstack: https://bit.ly/48IhjNF 🔗 Find out more about Heterodox Academy at: https://linktr.ee/heterodoxoutloud

In this episode of Heterodox Out Loud, we’re giving our podcast community a first look at the vital conversations to expect at HxA Conference 2022 in Denver this June, as we host a discussion between two of our conference speakers on the crisis of trust in higher education—a central theme in both our upcoming conference and summer programming.Our guests on the show are Kyle Vitale, HxA’s Director of Programs and Erec Smith, Associate Professor of Rhetoric at York College of Pennsylvania and co-founder of Free Black Thought, a non-profit that highlights black viewpoint diversity.Before hearing from Kyle and Erec, you’ll listen to a blog post on this core topic of HxA Conference 2022: The Trust Crisis in Higher Education. The post features four perspectives from four of our conference speakers: Erec Smith, today’s podcast guest and Associate Professor of Rhetoric at York College of Pennsylvania Holden Thorp, Editor-in-Chief at the Science family of journals, Shirley Mullen, President Emerita at Houghton College Michael Roth, President of Wesleyan University. Blog post: On The Crisis of Trust in Higher Education For more from our guests, you can follow Erec on Twitter at @Rhetors_of_York, and Kyle at @kylesebvitaleLet us know what you think! For comments and questions email [email protected] episode was hosted by Zach Rausch, and produced by Davies Content. Heterodox Out Loud is an ongoing series of selected pieces from heterodox: the blog in audio form with exclusive interviews. Follow Heterodox Academy on:Twitter: https://bit.ly/3Fax5DyFacebook: https://bit.ly/3PMYxfwLinkedIn: https://bit.ly/48IYeuJInstagram: https://bit.ly/46HKfUgSubstack: https://bit.ly/48IhjNF 🔗 Find out more about Heterodox Academy at: https://linktr.ee/heterodoxoutloud

In this special episode of Heterodox Out Loud, we’re sharing excerpts from a personal and wide-ranging interview between Heterodox Academy President, John Tomasi, and philosopher turned podcast host, Zohar Atkins.We hear Tomasi discuss his deep interest in philosophy, how skepticism and faith can be friends, and the challenges he’s faced throughout his career, both as an academic and now as president of Heterodox Academy. You can hear the full 70 minute interview on Zohar’s podcast, Meditations with Zohar.Let us know what you think! For comments and questions email [email protected] episode was hosted by Zach Rausch, and produced by Davies Content. Heterodox Out Loud is an ongoing series of selected pieces from heterodox: the blog in audio form with exclusive interviews. Follow Heterodox Academy on:Twitter: https://bit.ly/3Fax5DyFacebook: https://bit.ly/3PMYxfwLinkedIn: https://bit.ly/48IYeuJInstagram: https://bit.ly/46HKfUgSubstack: https://bit.ly/48IhjNF 🔗 Find out more about Heterodox Academy at: https://linktr.ee/heterodoxoutloud

In this episode of Heterodox Out Loud, we explore the flawed human tendency to reject and censor opposing arguments — especially when they contradict values and beliefs that are held with conviction. Our guest on the show, Robert George, the sixth McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence and Director of the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions at Princeton University, explains how we can remain confident and passionate in our commitments, while also embracing and engaging opposing perspectives.In addition to his academic accolades, George has served as Chairman of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom as well as a presidential appointee of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights and the President’s Council on Bioethics. In addition, Professor George has served as the U.S. member of UNESCO’s World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology. George’s blog post: On Critics and Bullies. The post was originally published on the Blog, Mirror and Justice. For more from George, you can follow him on Twitter at @McCormickProfLet us know what you think! For comments and questions email [email protected] episode was hosted by Zach Rausch, and produced by Davies Content. Heterodox Out Loud is an ongoing series of selected pieces from heterodox: the blog in audio form with exclusive interviews. Follow Heterodox Academy on:Twitter: https://bit.ly/3Fax5DyFacebook: https://bit.ly/3PMYxfwLinkedIn: https://bit.ly/48IYeuJInstagram: https://bit.ly/46HKfUgSubstack: https://bit.ly/48IhjNF 🔗 Find out more about Heterodox Academy at: https://linktr.ee/heterodoxoutloud

In this episode of Heterodox Out Loud, we explore a concept revered by many and challenged by few in higher education—the value of diversity. We look beyond the surface of this belief, and consider how different kinds of diversity impact team building, decision making, and collective intelligence. Our guest on the show is Ravi Kudesia, Assistant Professor at the Fox School of Business at Temple University. He teaches courses on Power, Influence, and Negotiation, has won numerous teaching awards, and has appeared in The Financial Times, New York Times, Philadelphia Inquirer, CNN, and a number of other outlets.Ravi’s blog post: Diversity Is Not Enough: Why Collective Intelligence Requires Both Diversity and DisagreementFor more from Ravi, you can follow him on Twitter at @rskudesia.Let us know what you think! For comments and questions email [email protected] episode was hosted by Zach Rausch, and produced by Davies Content. Heterodox Out Loud is an ongoing series of selected pieces from heterodox: the blog in audio form with exclusive interviews. Follow Heterodox Academy on:Twitter: https://bit.ly/3Fax5DyFacebook: https://bit.ly/3PMYxfwLinkedIn: https://bit.ly/48IYeuJInstagram: https://bit.ly/46HKfUgSubstack: https://bit.ly/48IhjNF 🔗 Find out more about Heterodox Academy at: https://linktr.ee/heterodoxoutloud

On part 1 of this episode of Heterodox Out Loud, we’ll listen to Jonathan Haidt’s edited summary of a seminal academic paper that helped lead to the founding of Heterodox Academy. The original paper, “Political Diversity Will Improve Social Psychological Science,” was published in Behavioral and Brain Sciences in 2015, and was written by Jonathan Haidt, Lee Jussim, Jose Duarte, Jarret Crawford, Phil Tetlock, and Charlotta Stern. Make sure to listen to listen to part 2 where we speak with co-author Lee Jussim, Social Psychologist and Distinguished Professor at Rutgers University, about how political bias in academia can solidify into orthodoxies that undermine truth-seeking and critical inquiry. Let us know what you think! For comments and questions email [email protected] episode was hosted by Zach Rausch, and produced by Davies Content. Heterodox Out Loud is an ongoing series of selected pieces from heterodox: the blog in audio form with exclusive interviews. Follow Heterodox Academy on:Twitter: https://bit.ly/3Fax5DyFacebook: https://bit.ly/3PMYxfwLinkedIn: https://bit.ly/48IYeuJInstagram: https://bit.ly/46HKfUgSubstack: https://bit.ly/48IhjNF 🔗 Find out more about Heterodox Academy at: https://linktr.ee/heterodoxoutloud

On part 2 of this episode of Heterodox Out Loud, we continue exploring how political bias in academia can solidify into orthodoxies that undermine truth-seeking and critical inquiry.We speak with co-author of Political Diversity Will Improve Social Psychological Science, Lee Jussim, Social Psychologist and Distinguished Professor at Rutgers University. Lee has published numerous articles and edited several books on social perception, accuracy, self-fulfilling prophecies, and stereotypes. For more from Lee, check out his Psychology Today blog called Rabble Rouser. Let us know what you think! For comments and questions email [email protected] episode was hosted by Zach Rausch, and produced by Davies Content. Heterodox Out Loud is an ongoing series of selected pieces from heterodox: the blog in audio form with exclusive interviews. Follow Heterodox Academy on:Twitter: https://bit.ly/3Fax5DyFacebook: https://bit.ly/3PMYxfwLinkedIn: https://bit.ly/48IYeuJInstagram: https://bit.ly/46HKfUgSubstack: https://bit.ly/48IhjNF 🔗 Find out more about Heterodox Academy at: https://linktr.ee/heterodoxoutloud

On today's episode of Heterodox Out Loud, we explore the possibility that the ongoing crisis of free inquiry and viewpoint diversity in universities is not a sudden aberration, but instead the inevitable outcome of a rigid, top-down university system. From undermining students’ natural curiosity to increasing stress and anxiety, we talk with Dylan Selterman—Social-Personality Psychologist and Associate Teaching Professor at Johns Hopkins University—about the flaws in our current education system and his vision for a more student-led academic future. Dylan’s blog post: “Curiosity Is One Key To Heterodoxy. Forced Memorization Is Not.”For more from Dylan, check out his Psychology Today blog called The Resistance Hypothesis. He also hosts a podcast with Manuel Galvan called A Bit More Complicated (available at Apple Spotify Anchor). Let us know what you think! For comments and questions email [email protected] episode was hosted by Zach Rausch, and produced by Davies Content. Heterodox Out Loud is an ongoing series of selected pieces from heterodox: the blog in audio form with exclusive interviews. Follow Heterodox Academy on:Twitter: https://bit.ly/3Fax5DyFacebook: https://bit.ly/3PMYxfwLinkedIn: https://bit.ly/48IYeuJInstagram: https://bit.ly/46HKfUgSubstack: https://bit.ly/48IhjNF 🔗 Find out more about Heterodox Academy at: https://linktr.ee/heterodoxoutloud

Why do some academic fields have political disparities among professors between 40/100:1 (liberals to conservatives), while other fields have little to no disparity at all? For answers, we talk with John Paul Wright, professor of Criminology at the University of Cincinnati. He explains that the political disparities that exist can be understood if we dive into the research on the development of criminal gangs. John’s blog: “Political Disparities in the Academy: It’s More Than Self-Selection”Let us know what you think! For comments and questions email [email protected] episode was hosted by Zach Rausch, and produced by Davies Content. Heterodox Out Loud is an ongoing series of selected pieces from heterodox: the blog in audio form with exclusive interviews. Follow Heterodox Academy on:Twitter: https://bit.ly/3Fax5DyFacebook: https://bit.ly/3PMYxfwLinkedIn: https://bit.ly/48IYeuJInstagram: https://bit.ly/46HKfUgSubstack: https://bit.ly/48IhjNF 🔗 Find out more about Heterodox Academy at: https://linktr.ee/heterodoxoutloud

On today's episode of Heterodox Out Loud, we explore the now widespread use of diversity, equity, and inclusion statements to hire, recruit, and promote in higher education. Our guest, Alex Small, Professor of Physics at California State Polytechnic University, argues that while inclusion statements are often well-meaning attempts to uplift compassionate teachers and mentors, they may be simply filtering for ideological conformity and slogan-savvy careerists. Alex’s blog: “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statements: Compassion Filter or Ideological Test?”Let us know what you think! For comments and questions email [email protected]. This episode was hosted by Zach Rausch, and produced by Davies Content. Heterodox Out Loud is an ongoing series of selected pieces from heterodox: the blog in audio form with exclusive interviews. Follow Heterodox Academy on:Twitter: https://bit.ly/3Fax5DyFacebook: https://bit.ly/3PMYxfwLinkedIn: https://bit.ly/48IYeuJInstagram: https://bit.ly/46HKfUgSubstack: https://bit.ly/48IhjNF 🔗 Find out more about Heterodox Academy at: https://linktr.ee/heterodoxoutloud

Today’s show is our second episode about Intersectionality, an academic theory that began with important facts but slowly turned into an unhelpful ideology. We sit down with Chris Martin—HxA Co-founder and Psychologist at Oglethorpe University—who argues that Intersectionality can be a valuable tool, but requires those on the political left and right to concede a few critical points. Chris’s blog: “Intersectionality Is a Political Football—Here’s Why it Doesn’t Have to Be”Let us know what you think! For comments and questions email [email protected] episode was hosted by Zach Rausch, and produced by Davies Content. Follow Heterodox Academy on:Twitter: https://bit.ly/3Fax5DyFacebook: https://bit.ly/3PMYxfwLinkedIn: https://bit.ly/48IYeuJInstagram: https://bit.ly/46HKfUgSubstack: https://bit.ly/48IhjNF 🔗 Find out more about Heterodox Academy at: https://linktr.ee/heterodoxoutloud

Today’s episode is all about the purpose of higher education. We sit down with Heterodox Academy’s first president, John Tomasi, to discuss the future of university life and a new value that he thinks should guide us forward. Before joining HxA, John was Romeo Elton 1843 Professor of Natural Theology at Brown University.John’s blog: “Curiosity U.”Let us know what you think! For comments and questions email [email protected] episode was hosted by Zach Rausch, and produced by Davies Content. Follow Heterodox Academy on:Twitter: https://bit.ly/3Fax5DyFacebook: https://bit.ly/3PMYxfwLinkedIn: https://bit.ly/48IYeuJInstagram: https://bit.ly/46HKfUgSubstack: https://bit.ly/48IhjNF 🔗 Find out more about Heterodox Academy at: https://linktr.ee/heterodoxoutloud

This episode—released one year after the U.S. Capitol Riot—examines the role of the “scholar-activist” and how their good intentions may unintentionally lead to disastrous ends. We sit down and discuss these topics with Appalachian State University professors: Martha McCaughey, Professor of Sociology, and Scott Welsh, Associate Professor of Communication.Martha and Scott’s blog: “University Professors After the U.S. Capitol Riot: When Becoming Part of the Solution Is Part of the Problem.”Let us know what you think! For comments and questions email [email protected]. This episode was hosted by Zach Rausch, and produced by Davies Content. Follow Heterodox Academy on:Twitter: https://bit.ly/3Fax5DyFacebook: https://bit.ly/3PMYxfwLinkedIn: https://bit.ly/48IYeuJInstagram: https://bit.ly/46HKfUgSubstack: https://bit.ly/48IhjNF 🔗 Find out more about Heterodox Academy at: https://linktr.ee/heterodoxoutloud

We’re living in difficult times. Our nation is increasingly polarized and our campuses are plagued with distrust and fear. As we move into 2022, we share three blogs that we hope will inspire, ease divisions, and cultivate a sense of wonder and humility. Today’s episode includes Jonathan Haidt’s essay, “True Diversity Requires Generosity of Spirit,” Erec Smith’s “A Rhetoric of Common Values,” and a new essay by Angel Parham and David Diener, “How Our Fraught History Can Still be the Source of Unity.”This episode was hosted by Zach Rausch. For comments and questions email [email protected]. Follow Heterodox Academy on:Twitter: https://bit.ly/3Fax5DyFacebook: https://bit.ly/3PMYxfwLinkedIn: https://bit.ly/48IYeuJInstagram: https://bit.ly/46HKfUgSubstack: https://bit.ly/48IhjNF 🔗 Find out more about Heterodox Academy at: https://linktr.ee/heterodoxoutloud

Today’s episode examines how we treat our ideological adversaries and how responses to them often come down to a numbers game. We sit down with Christian Gonzalez, a Ph.D. student in political theory at Georgetown University and a Writing Fellow at Heterodox Academy, to discuss a disturbing story about power, human nature, and public discourse.Christian’s Blog: On Social Power Dynamics in Political DiscourseFor comments and questions email [email protected] episode was hosted by Zach Rausch. The artwork was inspired by Christian’s piece and was created by Lexi Polokoff. You can follow her on Instagram @lexipolokoffart Follow Heterodox Academy on:Twitter: https://bit.ly/3Fax5DyFacebook: https://bit.ly/3PMYxfwLinkedIn: https://bit.ly/48IYeuJInstagram: https://bit.ly/46HKfUgSubstack: https://bit.ly/48IhjNF 🔗 Find out more about Heterodox Academy at: https://linktr.ee/heterodoxoutloud

Are certain ideas inherently dangerous—and when can we reasonably separate a set of ideas from the aggressive tactics of those who push them forward?This week on the Heterodox Out Loud podcast, we’re sitting down with Ian Storey, an associate fellow at the Hannah Arendt Center for Politics and Humanities at Bard College, to explore these important questions, especially as they relate to modern conversations around Intersectionality, deplatforming, social media, and the path toward civility in public discourse. Ian’s Blog: How Critics of Intersectionality (Often) Miss The PointFor comments and questions email [email protected] episode was hosted by Zach Rausch. The artwork was inspired by Ian’s piece and was created by Lexi Polokoff. You can follow her on Instagram @lexipolokoffart Follow Heterodox Academy on:Twitter: https://bit.ly/3Fax5DyFacebook: https://bit.ly/3PMYxfwLinkedIn: https://bit.ly/48IYeuJInstagram: https://bit.ly/46HKfUgSubstack: https://bit.ly/48IhjNF 🔗 Find out more about Heterodox Academy at: https://linktr.ee/heterodoxoutloud

Today’s episode features Pano Kanelos, a university president on a mission to restore civil discourse in higher education. We’ll learn how the campus life he loved so deeply began changing for the worse. Tune in for a conversation about moral leadership, civil discourse, the future of the university, and a radical idea that may upend everything. Pano’s Blog: The Importance of Learning to Argue From Ancient Greece Through the PresentFor comments and questions email [email protected] episode was hosted by Zach Rausch. The artwork was inspired by Kanelos’ piece and was created by Lexi Polokoff. You can follow her on Instagram @lexipolokoffart Follow Heterodox Academy on:Twitter: https://bit.ly/3Fax5DyFacebook: https://bit.ly/3PMYxfwLinkedIn: https://bit.ly/48IYeuJInstagram: https://bit.ly/46HKfUgSubstack: https://bit.ly/48IhjNF 🔗 Find out more about Heterodox Academy at: https://linktr.ee/heterodoxoutloud

Today’s episode is about how voices become silenced and when to determine if a free speech crisis exists. We’ll hear the story of Ilana Redstone, a professor who argues that we must go beyond the surface and look at subtle forms of censorship and suppression that exist within higher education. Our topics include free speech, the covid-19 pandemic, and bias in the classroom.Ilana’s Blog: What the ‘Free Speech’ Debate is Still Missing To engage deeper with these ideas, check out HxA’s Open Inquiry Resource Guide.For comments and questions email [email protected] episode was hosted by Zach Rausch. The artwork was inspired by Redstone’s piece and was created by Lexi Polokoff. You can follow her on Instagram @lexipolokoffart Follow Heterodox Academy on:Twitter: https://bit.ly/3Fax5DyFacebook: https://bit.ly/3PMYxfwLinkedIn: https://bit.ly/48IYeuJInstagram: https://bit.ly/46HKfUgSubstack: https://bit.ly/48IhjNF 🔗 Find out more about Heterodox Academy at: https://linktr.ee/heterodoxoutloud

This episode is about how we explain why bad things happen. We hear the story of Michael Jindra, a cultural anthropologist who challenges the common narrative around health disparities in the United States. Our topics include free will, systemic racism, and personal responsibility.Michael’s blog: Covid, Health Inequality and the Avoidance of Behavioral Explanations.To engage deeper with these ideas, check out our related posts: Politics, Evolution, and Gender: A Heterodox Firestorm and Lessons Learned by Glenn Geher Education is Related to Greater Ideological Prejudice by Sean Stevens Science Fictions: How Fraud, Bias, Negligence, and Hype Undermine the Search for Truth by Musa al-Gharbi For comments and questions email [email protected] episode was hosted by Zach Rausch. The artwork was inspired by Jindra’s piece and was created by Lexi Polokoff. You can follow her on Instagram @lexipolokoffart Follow Heterodox Academy on:Twitter: https://bit.ly/3Fax5DyFacebook: https://bit.ly/3PMYxfwLinkedIn: https://bit.ly/48IYeuJInstagram: https://bit.ly/46HKfUgSubstack: https://bit.ly/48IhjNF 🔗 Find out more about Heterodox Academy at: https://linktr.ee/heterodoxoutloud

On this episode of Heterodox Out Loud, we venture into the mind of James Madison, one of the most insightful political thinkers in American history. We learn how his wisdom can help solve many of the issues facing higher education. The blog, “Heterodox Academicians, Make Madison Your Model” was written by Jonathan Rauch, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. He’s the author of eight books including his most recent, The Constitution of Knowledge: A Defense of Truth. As mentioned in today’s episode: On September 21st, we will be hosting a riveting discussion on disinformation, conformist culture, and the loss of trust in our epistemic institutions with Jonathan Rauch and Jonathan Haidt. You can learn more about the event here.For comments and questions email [email protected] episode was hosted by Zach Rausch. The artwork was inspired by Rauch’s piece and was created by Lexi Polokoff. You can follow her on Instagram @lexipolokoffart Follow Heterodox Academy on:Twitter: https://bit.ly/3Fax5DyFacebook: https://bit.ly/3PMYxfwLinkedIn: https://bit.ly/48IYeuJInstagram: https://bit.ly/46HKfUgSubstack: https://bit.ly/48IhjNF 🔗 Find out more about Heterodox Academy at: https://linktr.ee/heterodoxoutloud

With rising concerns around COVID-19 misinformation, election fraud claims, hate speech online and on-campus, many argue that traditional arguments for free speech are no longer sustainable. Today’s blog, Mill Still Matters Today, is a defense of the values of John Stuart Mill — the most influential English language philosopher of the 19th century. His robust defense of personal liberty and free speech is a subject of fruitful debate today. The blog was written by Richard Reeves, a Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution and one of the world’s foremost scholars on John Stuart Mill. The episode includes an exclusive interview with Richard. As mentioned in today’s episode: On October 13th, we will be hosting a riveting panel event, “Hyperconnected: Knowledge Production in the Age of Social Media.” Join us! To engage deeper with these ideas, check out our related posts: Why Free Speech? by Jonathan Zimmerman Why Mill Matters More Than Ever: A Student Perspective by Noah Rosenfield Heterodox Academicians, Make Madison Your Model by Jonathan Rauch This episode was hosted by Zach Rausch. The artwork was inspired by Reeves’ piece and was created by Lexi Polokoff. You can follow her on Instagram @lexipolokoffart Follow Heterodox Academy on:Twitter: https://bit.ly/3Fax5DyFacebook: https://bit.ly/3PMYxfwLinkedIn: https://bit.ly/48IYeuJInstagram: https://bit.ly/46HKfUgSubstack: https://bit.ly/48IhjNF 🔗 Find out more about Heterodox Academy at: https://linktr.ee/heterodoxoutloud

Many K-12 schools across the United States are facing criticism for demonstrating a bias toward left-leaning sociopolitics, while others feel schools are not doing enough. Today’s episode makes the case for viewpoint diversity in K-12 education and the importance of teaching the skills of respectful discourse, regardless of one’s ideological stance. Today’s blog, Why K-12 Needs Viewpoint Diversity Now was written by Will Reusch. Will is a high school history teacher and the co-moderator of the Heterodox K-12 community. You can learn more about our 20+ HxCommunities here. The piece is narrated by Richard Davies. To engage deeper with these ideas, check out our related posts: Critical Theory or Common Humanity? The Case for a Liberal Approach to Social Studies Education by Sam Merrick & Samantha Hedges Why Universities Must Choose One Telos: Truth or Social Justice by Jonathan Haidt Why K-12 Needs Viewpoint Diversity Now by Will Reusch For comments and questions email [email protected]. This episode was hosted by Zach Rausch. The artwork was inspired by Reusch’s piece and was created by Lexi Polokoff. You can follow her on Instagram @lexipolokoffart Follow Heterodox Academy on:Twitter: https://bit.ly/3Fax5DyFacebook: https://bit.ly/3PMYxfwLinkedIn: https://bit.ly/48IYeuJInstagram: https://bit.ly/46HKfUgSubstack: https://bit.ly/48IhjNF 🔗 Find out more about Heterodox Academy at: https://linktr.ee/heterodoxoutloud

Threats to open inquiry and viewpoint diversity do not know ideological bounds. Today’s episode addresses the times when viewpoint diversity gets hijacked for political gain. Today’s blog, Constructing Campus Craziness, was written by professor Donald Moynihan in February of 2019, in response to a close friend (and co-author) being targeted and falsely accused for being, well, you know the script: a conservaitve-loathing, ideologically motivated, radical left-wing professor. Listen in for the full story of Professor Ken Mayer and an exclusive interview with Donald Moynihan. The piece was narrated by Jonathan Todd Ross. Are Colleges and Universities Too Liberal? What the Research Says About the Political Composition of Campuses and Campus Climate by Amna Khalid and Sam Abrams Political Firings of Left-Leaning Faculty: Academic Freedom is Not a Partisan Issue by Ian Storey Condemning the Harassment Shouldn't Mean Dismissing the Concerns by Ilana Redstone For comments and questions email [email protected]. This episode was hosted by Zach Rausch. The artwork was inspired by Moynihan's piece and was created by Lexi Polokoff. You can follow her on Instagram @lexipolokoffart Follow Heterodox Academy on:Twitter: https://bit.ly/3Fax5DyFacebook: https://bit.ly/3PMYxfwLinkedIn: https://bit.ly/48IYeuJInstagram: https://bit.ly/46HKfUgSubstack: https://bit.ly/48IhjNF 🔗 Find out more about Heterodox Academy at: https://linktr.ee/heterodoxoutloud

“Critical Race Theory” is all the rage these days. Between February and June of 2021, Fox News used the term nearly 1300 times. In the past two months, more than 20 bills have been proposed intending to ban Critical Race Theory from K-12 classrooms, while countless op-ed’s have been published taking positions on all sides of the issue. And yet, it still is a term with a slippery definition that very few people, regardless of position, agree upon. Today’s blog, Critical Theory or Common Humanity? The Case for a Liberal Approach to Social Studies Education co-authored by Sam Merrick, a social studies teacher, and Samantha Hedges, a scholar of the politics of education, discusses the role and meaning of Critical Theory in the K-12 classroom, as well as its relationship to viewpoint diversity. The episode includes an exclusive interview with co-author, Samantha Hedges. To engage deeper with these ideas, check out our related posts: A Rhetoric of Common Values by Erec Smith Why Universities Must Choose One Telos: Truth or Social Justice by Jonathan Haidt Why K-12 Needs Viewpoint Diversity Now by Will Reusch For comments and questions email [email protected]. This episode was hosted by Zach Rausch. The artwork was inspired by the piece and was created by Lexi Polokoff. You can follow her on Instagram @lexipolokoffart Follow Heterodox Academy on:Twitter: https://bit.ly/3Fax5DyFacebook: https://bit.ly/3PMYxfwLinkedIn: https://bit.ly/48IYeuJInstagram: https://bit.ly/46HKfUgSubstack: https://bit.ly/48IhjNF 🔗 Find out more about Heterodox Academy at: https://linktr.ee/heterodoxoutloud

Today, we explore a subject that has been under-examined at Heterodox Academy: Religious viewpoint diversity. The piece, Religion: A Viewpoint Diversity Blind Spot?, was written by Dr. Seth Kaplan. He teaches at the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies of Johns Hopkins University. Today’s episode is part of a new effort this summer to explore the nuances of religious viewpoint diversity within higher education. On July 26th, we’re going to be hosting a live event on the tensions between religious faith and truth-seeking in both secular and religious colleges and universities. Learn more. To engage deeper with these ideas, check out our related posts: Inviting Religion Into the Classroom by Jill DeTemple To Heal Our Religious Divisions, We Must Embrace the Unaffiliated Souls of Young Americans by Kevin Singer For comments and questions email [email protected]. This episode was hosted by Zach Rausch. The artwork was inspired by Kaplan’s piece and was created by Lexi Polokoff. You can follow her on Instagram @lexipolokoffart Follow Heterodox Academy on:Twitter: https://bit.ly/3Fax5DyFacebook: https://bit.ly/3PMYxfwLinkedIn: https://bit.ly/48IYeuJInstagram: https://bit.ly/46HKfUgSubstack: https://bit.ly/48IhjNF 🔗 Find out more about Heterodox Academy at: https://linktr.ee/heterodoxoutloud

Six years ago, in the fall of 2015, a wave of campus protests spread across the United States. From Yale to Claremont McKenna College to UC Berkeley, students demanded changes related to social justice and gave long lists of demands to their university presidents, often including demands that specific faculty members be fired for perceived verbal offenses. Today’s blog, “True Diversity Requires Generosity of Spirit” written by Jonathan Haidt in November 2015 is a call for patience, generosity, and a dash of humility, especially towards those we think to be doing us wrong. This piece has withstood the test of time, offering ancient wisdom to help deal with modern problems. Haidt is a Professor of Ethical Leadership at New York University’s Stern School of Business. He is also Heterodox Academy’s co-founder and Board Chair. To engage deeper with these ideas, check out our related posts: A Rhetoric of Common Values by Erec Smith Why Universities Must Choose One Telos: Truth or Social Justice by Jonathan Haidt HxA Resources for Understanding Different Kinds of Diversity by Jonathan Haidt Stay up to date with Jon on Twitter @JonHaidt. For comments and questions email [email protected]. This episode was hosted by Zach Rausch. The artwork was inspired by Irshad’s piece and was created by Lexi Polokoff. You can follow her on Instagram @lexipolokoffart Follow Heterodox Academy on:Twitter: https://bit.ly/3Fax5DyFacebook: https://bit.ly/3PMYxfwLinkedIn: https://bit.ly/48IYeuJInstagram: https://bit.ly/46HKfUgSubstack: https://bit.ly/48IhjNF 🔗 Find out more about Heterodox Academy at: https://linktr.ee/heterodoxoutloud

Today’s episode, “White Fragility is not The Answer: Honest Diversity Is” by Irshad Manji is a personal reflection on diversity and a call for a new way to think about what it means to be a human being. Irshad is a member of the Heterodox Academy advisory council, the founder of the Moral Courage Project, and a New York Times best-selling author. Her most recent book is called: Don’t Label Me: An Incredible Conversation For Divided Times. To engage deeper with these ideas, check out our related posts: Towards An Ascetic Antiracism by Musa al-Gharbi ‘Diversity Training’ Doesn’t Work. This Might. by Musa al-Gharbi HxA Resources for Understanding Different Kinds of Diversity by Jonathan Haidt Stay up to date with Irshad on Twitter @IrshadManji. For comments and questions email [email protected]. This episode was hosted by Zach Rausch. The artwork was inspired by Irshad’s piece and was created by Lexi Polokoff. You can follow her on Instagram @lexipolokoffart Follow Heterodox Academy on:Twitter: https://bit.ly/3Fax5DyFacebook: https://bit.ly/3PMYxfwLinkedIn: https://bit.ly/48IYeuJInstagram: https://bit.ly/46HKfUgSubstack: https://bit.ly/48IhjNF 🔗 Find out more about Heterodox Academy at: https://linktr.ee/heterodoxoutloud

Diversity-related training is one of the most contentious issues in higher education today. They have become embedded in the culture wars and spark intense moral disagreements. Musa al-Gharbi, a Fellow in Sociology at Columbia University, has done a deep dive into the research on the efficacy of these trainings. In today’s episode, we speak with Musa and listen to his blog, “‘Diversity Training’ Doesn’t Work. This Might.” To engage deeper with Musa’s ideas, check out his three-part series on diversity-related training. “Diversity-Related Training: What is it Good For?” “You’ve Been Mandated to Do Ineffective Training. Now What?” “‘Diversity Training’ Doesn’t Work: This Might.’” For comments and questions email [email protected]. Stay up to date with Musa on Twitter @musa_alGharbi. For comments and questions email [email protected]. This episode was hosted by Zach Rausch. The artwork was inspired by Musa’s piece and was created by Lexi Polokoff. You can follow her on Instagram @lexipolokoffart Follow Heterodox Academy on:Twitter: https://bit.ly/3Fax5DyFacebook: https://bit.ly/3PMYxfwLinkedIn: https://bit.ly/48IYeuJInstagram: https://bit.ly/46HKfUgSubstack: https://bit.ly/48IhjNF 🔗 Find out more about Heterodox Academy at: https://linktr.ee/heterodoxoutloud

Could the French postmodern philosopher, Michel Foucault or American Gender theorist, Judith Butler provide us with arguments for the value of viewpoint diversity? For increasing the number of conservative faculty members on college campuses? Alice Dreger thinks so. Today’s blog, written by Alice, a Heterodox Academy Advisory Council Member and the author of four books, most notably, Galileo’s Middle Finger, is an exquisite reflection on one academic feminist’s journey into and through the “science wars” - a divide between those who thought science could obtain objective truth and those who thought truth was a social-construction - and the lessons that she learned in the process. Her piece is called, “Could Feminism (Again) Provide an Argument for More Conservatives?” To engage deeper with Dreger’s ideas, check out our related posts “Difference and Repetition in the Viewpoint Diversity Space” by Musa al-Gharbi, “Towards an Ethics of Activism” by Frances Lee, and “Callosal Failure: One Hundred Years of Viewpoint Diversity Activism” by Musa al-Gharbi. For comments and questions email [email protected]. Stay up to date with Dreger on Twitter @AliceDreger. For comments and questions email [email protected]. This episode was hosted by Zach Rausch. The artwork was inspired by Musa’s piece and was created by Lexi Polokoff. You can follow her on Instagram @lexipolokoffart Follow Heterodox Academy on:Twitter: https://bit.ly/3Fax5DyFacebook: https://bit.ly/3PMYxfwLinkedIn: https://bit.ly/48IYeuJInstagram: https://bit.ly/46HKfUgSubstack: https://bit.ly/48IhjNF 🔗 Find out more about Heterodox Academy at: https://linktr.ee/heterodoxoutloud

Do you have a friend, family member, or neighbor whose views you just cannot stand? They seem to have jumped off the deep end, living in a land of conspiracies and false truths? And you know, at the core of your heart, that they are just wrong? If so, this episode is for you. Today’s blog, written by Musa al-Gharbi, the Paul F. Lazarsfeld Fellow in Sociology at Columbia University, is about persuasion, but also about humility, and owning up to the fact that most of the time, we know less than we are willing to acknowledge. The piece is called, “Three Strategies for Navigating Moral Disagreements” and is narrated by Jonathan Todd Ross. For comments and questions email [email protected]. Stay up to date with Musa on Twitter @musa_alGharbi. For comments and questions email [email protected]. This episode was hosted by Zach Rausch. The artwork was inspired by Musa’s piece and was created by Lexi Polokoff. You can follow her on Instagram @lexipolokoffart Follow Heterodox Academy on:Twitter: https://bit.ly/3Fax5DyFacebook: https://bit.ly/3PMYxfwLinkedIn: https://bit.ly/48IYeuJInstagram: https://bit.ly/46HKfUgSubstack: https://bit.ly/48IhjNF 🔗 Find out more about Heterodox Academy at: https://linktr.ee/heterodoxoutloud

In this episode of Heterodox Out Loud, Glenn Geher, Professor of Psychology and Founding Director of the Evolutionary Studies Program at the State University of New York, New Paltz tells us the story of when he invited Dr. Lionel Tiger, the Charles Darwin Professor of Anthropology at Rutgers University, to campus to speak on the value of the evolutionary perspective on the modern world, and how it became a day he would never forget. His piece is called, “Politics, Evolution, and Gender: A Heterodox Firestorm and Lessons Learned” To engage deeper with Geher’s ideas, check out our related posts “Why Universities Must Choose One: Truth or Social Justice” by Jonathan Haidt, “On Truth and Ideology in Academia” by Christian Alejandro Gonzalez, and “Science Fictions: How Fraud, Bias, Negligence and Hype Undermine the Search For Truth” by Musa Al-Gharbi. For comments and questions email [email protected]. This episode was hosted by Zach Rausch. The artwork was inspired by Geher’s piece and was created by Lexi Polokoff. You can follow her on Instagram @lexipolokoffart. Follow Heterodox Academy on:Twitter: https://bit.ly/3Fax5DyFacebook: https://bit.ly/3PMYxfwLinkedIn: https://bit.ly/48IYeuJInstagram: https://bit.ly/46HKfUgSubstack: https://bit.ly/48IhjNF 🔗 Find out more about Heterodox Academy at: https://linktr.ee/heterodoxoutloud

Political polarization has become a defining feature of modern American life. Research surrounding the 2020 election from Pew Research Center demonstrated that - a month before the election, roughly eight-in-ten registered voters in both [left and right] camps said their differences with the other side were about core American values, and roughly nine-in-ten worried that a victory by their opponents would lead to ‘lasting harm’ to the United States. In this episode of Heterodox Out Loud, we meet Erec Smith, Associate Professor of Rhetoric at York College of Pennsylvania, who is trying to heal America’s deep divisions through, well of course, Rhetoric and the understanding of Discourse. His piece is called, “A Rhetoric of Common Values.” To engage deeper with Smith’s ideas, check out our related posts “Don’t Dismiss Debate” by Meg Mott, “Reducing Political Polarization Through Campus Dialogues,” by Matt Burgess and Jeremiah Osborne-Gowey, and “Both Sides Now: From Debate to Dialogue” by Deb Mashek and Judith Shapiro. For comments and questions email [email protected]. This episode was hosted by Zach Rausch. The artwork was inspired by Smith’s piece and was created by Lexi Polokoff. You can follow her on Instagram @lexipolokoffart. Follow Heterodox Academy on:Twitter: https://bit.ly/3Fax5DyFacebook: https://bit.ly/3PMYxfwLinkedIn: https://bit.ly/48IYeuJInstagram: https://bit.ly/46HKfUgSubstack: https://bit.ly/48IhjNF 🔗 Find out more about Heterodox Academy at: https://linktr.ee/heterodoxoutloud

In this episode of Heterodox Out Loud, we meet Amanda, a 20-year-old White female college student, who told her therapist, Andrew Hartz, that she “identified” as Black. Today’s piece, “Splitting and Identity Politics,” was written by Andrew Hartz, a Postdoc Fellow at Rose Hill Psychological Institute. Hartz explores the pitfalls of a psychological phenomena known as “Splitting,” a form of black and white thinking, especially on sensitive issues related to race, class, and gender, and the role that universities can play in promoting more nuanced thought and dialogue among their student bodies. For comments and questions email [email protected]. This episode was hosted by Zach Rausch. The artwork was inspired by Hartz’s piece and was created by Lexi Polokoff. You can follow her on Instagram @lexipolokoffart. Follow Heterodox Academy on:Twitter: https://bit.ly/3Fax5DyFacebook: https://bit.ly/3PMYxfwLinkedIn: https://bit.ly/48IYeuJInstagram: https://bit.ly/46HKfUgSubstack: https://bit.ly/48IhjNF 🔗 Find out more about Heterodox Academy at: https://linktr.ee/heterodoxoutloud

On today's episode of Heterodox Out Loud, we discuss how the death of George Floyd in May of 2020 led to calls for racial justice that have spread rapidly throughout the United States and beyond. As they search for solutions to the deeply complex issues around race in America, many schools, organizations, and corporations have embraced the ideas of best selling author, Ibram X. Kendi, whose best known for his book, "How to Be an Antiracist." In the spirit of exploring diverse viewpoints, we bring you a blog by Jeffrey Aaron Snyder, Associate Professor of Educational Studies at Carleton College. The piece is called “Why Ibram Kendi’s Antiracism is So Flawed.” To engage deeper with Snyder’s ideas, check out our related posts “To be Sensible About Race is ‘Not Blaming the Victim’” by John McWhorter, “On the Authority of Experience in Black Thought by Randall Kennedy,” and “The Importance of Intrapersonal Empowerment in American Race Race Relations” by Erec Smith.Stay up to date with Jeff on Twitter @JeffreyASnyder. For comments and questions email [email protected] episode was hosted by Zach Rausch. The artwork was inspired by Snyder’s piece and was created by Lexi Polokoff. You can follow her on Instagram @lexipolokoffart.Heterodox Out Loud is an ongoing series of selected pieces from heterodox: the blog in audio form with exclusive interviews. Follow Heterodox Academy on:Twitter: https://bit.ly/3Fax5DyFacebook: https://bit.ly/3PMYxfwLinkedIn: https://bit.ly/48IYeuJInstagram: https://bit.ly/46HKfUgSubstack: https://bit.ly/48IhjNF 🔗 Find out more about Heterodox Academy at: https://linktr.ee/heterodoxoutloud

For the past few months at Heterodox Academy, we’ve been focusing on the contributions of Black scholars, the diversity of perspectives among them, and the tensions around representation in institutions of higher learning. In this episode, we bring to you Randall Kennedy, Professor of Law at Harvard Law School, and his blog piece “On the Authority of Experience in Black thought.” To engage deeper with Kennedy’s ideas, check out our related posts “To be Sensible About Race is ‘Not Blaming the Victim’” by John McWhorter, “Arguments for and Against Capitalism in the Black Intellectual Tradition” by Fabio Rojas, and “The Importance of Intrapersonal Empowerment in American Race Race Relations” by Erec Smith. For comments and questions email [email protected]. This episode was hosted by Zach Rausch. The artwork was inspired by Randall’s piece and was created by Lexi Polokoff. You can follow her on Instagram @lexipolokoffart. Follow Heterodox Academy on:Twitter: https://bit.ly/3Fax5DyFacebook: https://bit.ly/3PMYxfwLinkedIn: https://bit.ly/48IYeuJInstagram: https://bit.ly/46HKfUgSubstack: https://bit.ly/48IhjNF 🔗 Find out more about Heterodox Academy at: https://linktr.ee/heterodoxoutloud

In this episode of Heterodox Out Loud, Sociologist Musa Al-Gharbi makes the case as to why ideological diversity in social research and pedagogy is an important cause to fight for - even for those who may be skeptical of its benefits. Musa’s piece is titled, “Why We Should Care About Ideological Diversity in The Academy.” To engage deeper with Musa’s ideas, check out our related posts “What Are The Limits of Viewpoint Diversity” by Nick Phillips, “Religion: A Viewpoint Diversity Blind Spot?” by Seth Kaplan, and “Viewpoint Diversity Does Not Extend to Extremist Hate” by Ilana Redstone. Stay up to date with Musa on Twitter @musa_alGharbi. For comments and questions email [email protected]. This episode's artwork was inspired by Musa’s piece and was created by Lexi Polokoff. You can follow her on Instagram @lexipolokoffart Follow Heterodox Academy on:Twitter: https://bit.ly/3Fax5DyFacebook: https://bit.ly/3PMYxfwLinkedIn: https://bit.ly/48IYeuJInstagram: https://bit.ly/46HKfUgSubstack: https://bit.ly/48IhjNF 🔗 Find out more about Heterodox Academy at: https://linktr.ee/heterodoxoutloud

When it comes to the production of knowledge the value of viewpoint diversity cannot be overstated. For simple problems, or well established technicalities, we may not need multiple viewpoints, but wicked problems can only be addressed by engaging with diverse points of view. Yet, not all points of view are equal, and certainly not all of them belong in the academy. In this episode of Heterodox Out Loud, lawyer and former HxA researcher, Nick Phillips, grapples with a central dilemma at the heart of Heterodox Academy: What are the limits of viewpoint diversity? The original blog, "What are the Limits of Viewpoint Diversity," was first published on March 5, 2018 and can be read here. To engage more with questions around the value and boundaries of viewpoint diversity, check out our related posts “Why We Should Care About Ideological Diversity in The Academy” by Musa Al-Gharbi, “Religion: A Viewpoint Diversity Blind Spot?” by Seth Kaplan, and “Viewpoint Diversity Does Not Extend to Extremist Hate” by Ilana Redstone. For comments and questions email [email protected]. This episode's artwork was created by Lexi Polokoff. You can follow her on Instagram @lexipolokoffart Follow Heterodox Academy on:Twitter: https://bit.ly/3Fax5DyFacebook: https://bit.ly/3PMYxfwLinkedIn: https://bit.ly/48IYeuJInstagram: https://bit.ly/46HKfUgSubstack: https://bit.ly/48IhjNF 🔗 Find out more about Heterodox Academy at: https://linktr.ee/heterodoxoutloud

In Episode Three of Heterodox Out Loud, we bring you pieces by authors Madeleine Kearns and Ian Storey that illustrate how, in academia, ideological intolerance is actually not monopolized by any particular party. Aggressive intolerance towards diverse viewpoints has led to what Kearns calls a "campus culture" and Storey labels "a toxic ecosystem" of greater polarization, self-censorship among students and professors, and firings of individuals across the political spectrum. Article One: “Political Firings of Left-Leaning Faculty - Academic Freedom is Not a Partisan Issue” written by Ian Story, an Associate Fellow at the Hannah Arendt Center for Politics & Humanities at Bard College. Article Two: “The Problems of Campus Culture: Presumption and Self-Censorship” written by Madeleine Kearns, a staff writer at National Review. For comments and questions email [email protected]. This episode's artwork was created by Lexi Polokoff. You can follow her on Instagram @lexipolokoffart Follow Heterodox Academy on:Twitter: https://bit.ly/3Fax5DyFacebook: https://bit.ly/3PMYxfwLinkedIn: https://bit.ly/48IYeuJInstagram: https://bit.ly/46HKfUgSubstack: https://bit.ly/48IhjNF 🔗 Find out more about Heterodox Academy at: https://linktr.ee/heterodoxoutloud

For this episode of Heterodox Out Loud, we have Oliver Traldi’s response to Jonathan Haidt’s contention that “no university can have Truth and Social Justice as dual teloses. Each university must pick one.” In “The Truth is Not Enough,” Traldi furthers the discussion by arguing that Truth by itself is not an adequate mission for the university. To engage deeper with Haidt and Traldi’s ideas, check out our related posts “Truth and Social Justice: How Universities Can Embrace Both of These Values” by Patrick Casey and “On Truth and Ideology in Academia” by Christian Alejandro Gonzalez. Oliver Traldi is a writing fellow at Heterodox Academy and a graduate student of philosophy at the University of Notre Dame. Stay up to date with Oliver’s writing on Medium. For comments and questions email [email protected]. This episode's artwork was created by Lexi Polokoff. You can follow her on Instagram @lexipolokoffart Follow Heterodox Academy on:Twitter: https://bit.ly/3Fax5DyFacebook: https://bit.ly/3PMYxfwLinkedIn: https://bit.ly/48IYeuJInstagram: https://bit.ly/46HKfUgSubstack: https://bit.ly/48IhjNF 🔗 Find out more about Heterodox Academy at: https://linktr.ee/heterodoxoutloud

In our first episode of Heterodox Out Loud, our host, Amna Khalid takes us on a journey back to the earliest days of the Heterodox Academy blog to listen to NYU Social Psychologist, Author, and HxA co-founder Jonathan Haidt read his seminal blog post, “Why Universities Must Choose One Telos: Truth or Social Justice,” a summary of his talks at Wellesley, SUNY New Paltz, and Duke University in 2016.Haidt’s seminal piece has inspired numerous responses including “The Truth is Not Enough” by Oliver Traldi, “Truth and Social Justice: How Universities Can Embrace Both of These Values” by Patrick Casey, and “On Truth and Ideology in Academia” by Christian Alejandro Gonzalez.You can follow Jonathan Haidt on Twitter @JonHaidt. For comments and questions email [email protected] episode's artwork was inspired by Haidt's essay and was created by Lexi Polokoff. You can follow her on Instagram @lexipolokoffartHeterodox Out Loud is an ongoing series of selected pieces from heterodox: the blog in audio form with exclusive interviews. Follow Heterodox Academy on:Twitter: https://bit.ly/3Fax5DyFacebook: https://bit.ly/3PMYxfwLinkedIn: https://bit.ly/48IYeuJInstagram: https://bit.ly/46HKfUgSubstack: https://bit.ly/48IhjNF 🔗 Find out more about Heterodox Academy at: https://linktr.ee/heterodoxoutloud