Best Heterodox Academy Podcasts (2025)

1
How Universities Lost the Public—and How to Win Them Back with Jenna & Ben Storey | Ep 34 1:11:23

6d ago1:11:23

1:11:23

How did America’s universities lose the trust of the public, and what will it take to restore faith in higher education? In this episode, we are joined by Benjamin and Jenna Storey, renowned scholars, co-authors, and directors at the American Enterprise Institute’s Program on the Future of the American University. Together with host John Tomasi, th…

1
Trump vs. Academia: Inside the Battle Over Campus Speech with Joe Cohn | Ep 33 58:24

20d ago58:24

58:24

Where should the line be drawn between the government's role in stopping discrimination and a university's right to run itself? Today on Heterodox Out Loud, John Tomasi sits down with Joe Cohn, Policy Director at Heterodox Academy, to discuss the complexities of federal intervention in higher education. Cohn, a First Amendment expert, delves into t…

1
Confronting Anti-Semitism in Higher Education with Cary Nelson | Ep 32 1:02:31

1M ago1:02:31

1:02:31

What does it mean for a university to become a battleground against deep-seated prejudices and historical tensions? In today’s episode, we dive into these challenging questions with our distinguished guest, Cary Nelson, a celebrated scholar and ardent advocate for academic freedom. Nelson shares his insights on the intersection of anti-Zionism and …

1
Navigating Parent-Teacher Relationships 1:14:19

2M ago1:14:19

1:14:19

In this eye-opening episode of Beyond the Bell, hosts Matt Walsh and Jim Connor dive into the evolving parent-teacher relationship with renowned clinical psychologists Dr. Bob Evans and Dr. Michael Thompson. They unpack the lasting effects of COVID-19, social upheaval, and political tensions on schools, revealing why educators faced unprecedented a…

1
How Trump’s Policy Shift is Reshaping Scientific Research with Ivan Oransky | Ep 31 1:01:40

2M ago1:01:40

1:01:40

How is Trump's executive order redefining the language permissible in scientific research, and what does it mean for academic freedom? Today, we examine the complexities surrounding scientific research under shifting political landscapes with Ivan Oransky, a seasoned medical journalist and co-founder of Retraction Watch. Oransky discusses the impli…

1
Navigating Polarization in Mental Health Care with Andrew Hartz | Ep 30 47:50

2M ago47:50

47:50

What happens when mental health care becomes intertwined with prevailing political ideologies and biases? Today on Heterodox Out Loud, we’re joined by Andrew Hartz, president and founder of the Open Therapy Institute and a long-term member of Heterodox Academy. Andrew joins John Tomasi to explore the increasing prevalence of sociopolitical bias wit…

1
The Power of Radical Curiosity: Can Conversation Reduce Hate with Shira Hoffer | Ep 29 50:59

3M ago50:59

50:59

Can meaningful conversations bridge the divide in a polarized world? In today's episode, we explore the transformative power of radical curiosity with Shira Hoffer, a senior at Harvard University and founder of the Institute for Multipartisan Education. Join host John Tomasi, as they delve into the potential of dialogue in reducing societal hate an…

1
How Critical Legal Studies Transformed Law Schools with Rebecca Roiphe | Ep 28 50:03

3M ago50:03

50:03

What happens when the principles of law clash with evolving ideologies in academia? Join us today as we delve into the transformative journey of legal education with Rebecca Roiphe, a lawyer, visiting fellow at the Siegel Center for Academic Pluralism, and author of the upcoming book, "The Devil's Advocate: How Law Schools Abandoned the Law." In th…

1
The Battle for Impartial Science with Anna Krylov | Ep 27 1:04:10

4M ago1:04:10

1:04:10

Can the ideological emphasis on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) slow down the progress of science? Our guest today is Anna Krylov, professor of chemistry at the University of Southern California and an advocate for maintaining meritocracy in scientific funding and evaluation. She joins John Tomasi to discuss critical tensions in today's scie…

1
Heterodoxy in High Schools: Lessons from Deerfield Academy with John Austin | Ep 26 1:09:40

5M ago1:09:40

1:09:40

How do schools navigate the complexities of inclusion, polarization, and freedom of expression while fostering a vibrant learning environment? Today, John Austin, Head of School at Deerfield Academy, joins Heterodox Out Loud to explore these questions and share insights from the groundbreaking report, Thriving in a World of Pluralistic Contention: …

1
The Golden Era of Jewish-Muslim Dialogue: What Can We Learn Today? with Elisha Russ-Fishbane | Ep 25 1:00:48

5M ago1:00:48

1:00:48

How did a classicist's journey through Greco-Roman literature and Arabic studies shape his unique approach to academia? Today's episode features Elisha Russ-Fishbane, associate professor at NYU and research director at the Center for the Study of Antisemitism. In this engaging conversation, Elisha recounts his academic journey that began with a lov…

1
From Wokeness to Pluralism: A New Vision for Universities with Eboo Patel | Ep 24 58:39

6M ago58:39

58:39

What new vision can pluralism bring to today’s universities? Today, founder of Interfaith America Eboo Patel, joins John to discuss how pluralism can be a guiding principle in transforming higher education away from rigid ideological confines towards a more inclusive and dynamic intellectual space. Eboo shares his journey to understanding pluralism…

1
Beyond Polarization: Teaching the Art of Conversation 54:30

6M ago54:30

54:30

Join the conversation on Beyond the Bell as educational leaders dive into the crucial role of civil discourse in today’s polarized world. Head of Providence School Scott McLarty, with guest Allan Carey from the Cato Institute, explores how early education, honest conversations, and intellectual humility can bridge ideological divides. Discover why …

1
The Classroom Legislative Battle with Keith Whittington | Ep 23 1:08:46

6M ago1:08:46

1:08:46

How does political intervention shape the landscape of higher education? Today, our guest is Keith Whittington, Ph.D, David Boies Professor of Law at Yale Law School and director of the Center for Academic Freedom. In this episode, host John Tomasi and Keith Whittington discuss the increasingly contentious legislative interventions in higher educat…

1
We Have Never Been Woke with Musa al-Gharbi | Ep 22 59:53

7M ago59:53

59:53

What happens when the guardians of cultural narratives and societal norms become inseparable from the very hierarchies they critique? Today, we explore the concept of "symbolic capitalists" with Musa al-Gharbi, author of We Have Never Been Woke: The Cultural Contradictions of a New Elite and assistant professor at the School of Communication and Jo…

1
Against Free Speech with Anthony Leaker | Ep 21 1:11:50

7M ago1:11:50

1:11:50

Is the principle of free speech being weaponized to legitimize harmful ideologies like racism, sexism, and transphobia? What happens when the sanctity of free speech collides with the complexities of societal power dynamics? In today's episode, we navigate this intricate terrain with Anthony Leaker, a senior lecturer in culture and critical theory …

1
The Role of Universities in the Age of Campus Activism with Amna Khalid | Ep 20 1:13:57

8M ago1:13:57

1:13:57

What is the real purpose of a university—truth-seeking or molding active citizens? Are university campuses becoming echo chambers, leading to self-censorship among not just conservatives but liberals too? Today's guest is Amna Khalid, an esteemed Associate Professor of History at Carleton College and a prominent voice within the Heterodox Academy (…

1
Trans Rights and Gender Identity with Kathleen Stock | Ep. 19 1:11:48

10M ago1:11:48

1:11:48

What happens when public policy meets the complex world of modern gender identity? Our guest today is Kathleen Stock, a former professor of philosophy at the University of Sussex, author of the critically-acclaimed "Material Girls", and an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) awardee. Kathleen joins host John Tomasi to navigate the ofte…

1
Sex, Anthropology, and Cancellation with Elizabeth Weiss | Ep. 18 1:22:36

11M ago1:22:36

1:22:36

What happens when foundational scientific concepts clash with modern identity politics? Today, our guest is Elizabeth Weiss, professor emeritus of anthropology at San José State University, Segal Center research fellow, and a renowned author. Her latest book, "On the War Path: My Battles with Indians, Pretendians, and Woke Warriors", is now availab…

1
I Changed My Mind on Campus Free Speech with Jilian Lederman | Ep. 17 1:02:01

11M ago1:02:01

1:02:01

Can emotional connections to our identities justify restrictions on free speech? This provocative episode of Heterodox Out Loud explores the deep tension between personal relationships and public discussions. Host John Tomasi sits down with Jilian Lederman, a graduate of Brown University and a strong advocate for free speech. Together, they examine…

1
Campus Protests and the Divestment Movement with Tyler Austin Harper | Ep. 16 1:10:10

12M ago1:10:10

1:10:10

They delve into specific instances where these movements have influenced policy changes, discussing the tensions between activism and open inquiry. The conversation highlights recent cases where protests have either stifled or spurred debates about institutional investment ethics and the balance between social justice and academic discourse. Finall…

1
The Anxious Generation Goes to College with Jonathan Haidt | Ep. 15 1:01:50

12M ago1:01:50

1:01:50

From Coddling to Crisis. Today, we trace the trajectory of student fragility from playgrounds to classrooms. Welcome to Heterodox Out Loud. In today's episode, our host, John Tomasi, talks with social psychologist and best-selling author Jonathan Haidt about his new book, The Anxious Generation. The book delves into the increasing levels of anxiety…

1
Rethinking DEI in Higher Education with Azim Shariff | Ep. 14 1:02:15

1y ago1:02:15

1:02:15

Is diversity simply a box-checking exercise, or does it hold a deeper significance in academia? Today we're joined by Azim Shariff, Ph.D, a distinguished professor of psychology at the University of British Columbia, to explore the complex landscape of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in higher education. In this conversation, John Tomasi and…

1
Unveiling the Ivy League Billion-Dollar Taxpayer Tab with Adam Andrzejewski | Ep. 13 48:02

1y ago48:02

48:02

Discover how Ivy League schools might be shortchanging taxpayers to the tune of billions! Today, we're peeling back the layers of an issue that hits our wallets and our values: the billion-dollar taxpayer support of Ivy League institutions. Host John Tomasi is joined by Adam Andrzejewski, founder and CEO of "Open the Books," an advocate for transpa…

1
What Happens When Students Take Over the Class with Mark Carnes | Ep. 12 1:02:19

1y ago1:02:19

1:02:19

What really happened in 1945? Explore how students grapple with historical events and figures to understand their distinctness and uniqueness. In this episode of Heterodox Out Loud, host John Tomasi interviews Professor Mark Carnes of Barnard College. Professor Carnes talks about his innovative approach to teaching history, which he calls "reacting…

1
The Diploma Divide: How Education Shapes Our Political Landscape with Diana Mutz | Ep. 11 57:09

1y ago57:09

57:09

With the changing 'diploma divide,' what does the new correlation between education and party affiliation tell us about American politics? Today, we're joined by the insightful Diana Mutz as we explore the intriguing shifts within the ideological landscape of higher education and its broader implications for American politics. Universities, once be…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Heterodox Academy Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

1
Heterodox Out Loud

Heterodox Academy

1
Half Hour of Heterodoxy

Heterodox Academy

1
Beyond the Bell

Providence High School

1
Open Stacks

The Seminary Co-op Bookstores & UChicago Podcast Network

1
How Universities Lost the Public—and How to Win Them Back with Jenna & Ben Storey | Ep 34 1:11:23

1
Trump vs. Academia: Inside the Battle Over Campus Speech with Joe Cohn | Ep 33 58:24

1
Confronting Anti-Semitism in Higher Education with Cary Nelson | Ep 32 1:02:31

1
Navigating Parent-Teacher Relationships 1:14:19

1
How Trump’s Policy Shift is Reshaping Scientific Research with Ivan Oransky | Ep 31 1:01:40

1
Navigating Polarization in Mental Health Care with Andrew Hartz | Ep 30 47:50

1
The Power of Radical Curiosity: Can Conversation Reduce Hate with Shira Hoffer | Ep 29 50:59

1
How Critical Legal Studies Transformed Law Schools with Rebecca Roiphe | Ep 28 50:03

1
The Battle for Impartial Science with Anna Krylov | Ep 27 1:04:10

1
Heterodoxy in High Schools: Lessons from Deerfield Academy with John Austin | Ep 26 1:09:40

1
The Golden Era of Jewish-Muslim Dialogue: What Can We Learn Today? with Elisha Russ-Fishbane | Ep 25 1:00:48

1
From Wokeness to Pluralism: A New Vision for Universities with Eboo Patel | Ep 24 58:39

1
Beyond Polarization: Teaching the Art of Conversation 54:30

1
The Classroom Legislative Battle with Keith Whittington | Ep 23 1:08:46

1
We Have Never Been Woke with Musa al-Gharbi | Ep 22 59:53

1
Against Free Speech with Anthony Leaker | Ep 21 1:11:50

1
The Role of Universities in the Age of Campus Activism with Amna Khalid | Ep 20 1:13:57

1
Trans Rights and Gender Identity with Kathleen Stock | Ep. 19 1:11:48

1
Sex, Anthropology, and Cancellation with Elizabeth Weiss | Ep. 18 1:22:36

1
I Changed My Mind on Campus Free Speech with Jilian Lederman | Ep. 17 1:02:01

1
Campus Protests and the Divestment Movement with Tyler Austin Harper | Ep. 16 1:10:10

1
The Anxious Generation Goes to College with Jonathan Haidt | Ep. 15 1:01:50

1
Rethinking DEI in Higher Education with Azim Shariff | Ep. 14 1:02:15

1
Unveiling the Ivy League Billion-Dollar Taxpayer Tab with Adam Andrzejewski | Ep. 13 48:02

1
What Happens When Students Take Over the Class with Mark Carnes | Ep. 12 1:02:19

1
The Diploma Divide: How Education Shapes Our Political Landscape with Diana Mutz | Ep. 11 57:09