"Sokal Squared" or "Grievance Studies Affair"--a conversation with Peter Boghossian, James Lindsay, and Helen Pluckrose

Seth David Radwell: American Schism

06 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Seth David Radwell was puzzled when he noticed his colleagues were increasingly less inclined to discuss topics of national interest. “How are we,”...

T.K. Thorne: Behind the Magic Curtain--Secrets, Spies, and Unsung White Allies of Birmingham's Civil Rights Days

30 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

T.K. Thorne served on the police force in Birmingham, Alabama for more than two decades before retiring as a precinct captain. After that, she began t...

Visionary Choreographer Jemel McWilliams

23 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Jemel McWilliams is the creative force behind performances you've likely seen-- John Legend, Janelle Mona, Alicia Keys, Lizzo, MAGIC! and The Walls Gr...

Mary Beth Wilkas Janke: The Protector

16 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode of Watching America, we hear from a former secret service agent who studied abnormal and forensic psychology. Mary Beth Wilkas Janke d...

Stephen C. Meyer: The Return Of The God Hypothesis

09 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Stephen Meyer has dedicated his life to the philosophy of science in an attempt to answer some of the most pressing questions in the universe. In...

America's Reluctant Prince: The Life of John F. Kennedy, Jr. By Steven M. Gillon

02 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The legacy and the promise of John F. Kennedy, Jr. has always been a subject of controversy speculation in American culture. Now a scholar and friend ...

Donna Francart: "I've Seen Dead People"

25 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Several years ago, Donna Francart started volunteering for a community crisis response team. She became aware of her innate compassion in dealing with...

Mark Laita: Soft White Underbelly

18 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This episode is not appropriate for all listeners. Award-winning photographer Mark Laita has used his skills for clients such as Adidas, Apple and Me...

Greg Ellis: The Respondent

11 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

You may know actor Greg Ellis from his role as “Lieutenant Commander Groves” in Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean. Perhaps you’d recognize him...

Double Feature: “Prey” by Ayaan Hirsi Ali & “A Philosopher on Brain Rest” by Megan Craig

04 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We first met with Ayaan Hirsi Ali last year about her work as an advocate for freedom of speech and the rights of Muslim women, as well as her convict...

Annie Jacobsen: First Platoon-Modern War in the Age of Identity

02 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In her latest book, “First Platoon: A Story of Modern War in the Age of Identity Dominance,” award-winning author Annie Jacobsen documents how the...

Joshua Coombes: Do Something For Nothing

21 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It started with one haircut. “One evening in the spring of 2015, I was on my way to a friend’s house after work. I didn’t make it. I walked pas...

Ethan Kross: Chatter

14 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Do you hear voices … inside your head? Well, we all do. The secret, according to Dr. Ethan Kross, is to manage the way we talk to ourselves. In ...

Royals Part II with Roberta Fiorito

07 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Alan Campbell continues his conversation about the British royal family with “Watching America” senior producer, Gina Gambony. We pick up from...

Royals

30 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The British royalty have been in the American news lately—Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and the death of Prince Philip. Then again, the royals alwa...

Neil Farber: Serendipity

16 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Watching America, Dr. Alan Campbell talks with Neil Farber, MD about his new book, “Serendipity: Utilizing Everyday Unexpected Ev...

Michele Bailey: The Currency of Gratitude

09 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Michele Bailey has a long history in business. She is the CEO of “The Blazing Group” and “My Big Idea,” where she helps businesses build their...

Inspired Music: "Fantasia, the Lightning Sonata" by Tony Cicoria, and "Three Tributes" from the Freeman Brothers

02 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes inspiration comes like a bolt from the blue. On this edition of Watching America, we hear the story of “acquired savant” Tony Cicoria, w...

Michael Patrick F. Smith: The Good Hand

19 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Watching America, Dr. Alan Campbell talks with Michael Patrick Smith, a musician, playwright, and author of The Good Hand: A Memoir...

Pamela Paresky: Re-Humanizing Our Opponents

12 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

“If we can re-humanize the people with whom we disagree, that takes us a good bit of the way to being able to engage with them outside of this realm...

Mark Harris on "Mike Nichols: A Life"

05 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Author Mark Harris took on the daunting task of writing a biography of Mike Nichols, the larger-than-life theatre and film actor, comedian, producer, ...

Jason D. Hill on "We Have Overcome: An Immigrant's Letter to the American People"

26 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Jason D. Hill is an author, poet and professor of philosophy. He’s earned multiple degrees and has a most interesting background. Originally from Ja...

Annie Jacobsen: First Platoon-Modern War in the Age of Identity

19 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Annie Jacobsen is a prolific, award-winning author. Her latest work is FIRST PLATOON: A STORY OF MODERN WAR IN THE AGE OF IDENTITY DOMINANCE. In it,...

Scott Barry Kaufman "Transcends" Maslow's Hierarchy

05 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What if someone told you that Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs was actually just the beginning -- a proverbial sail to a massive ship of self-actualizati...

The Inimitable Julie Newmar

29 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The woman who changed Batman forever -- Catwoman. In the late 1960’s, Julie Newmar captured the world’s attention as the series’ first femme fat...

Harold Holzer: The Presidents Vs. The Press

22 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Presidents have wrangled with journalists in a struggle to convey--and repress--the truth, all the way back to George Washington. Award-winning auth...

CNN's Clarissa Ward: The Education of a Journalist

15 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Growing up between two cultures - two worlds - can teach a kid a lot. But it cannot teach an innate love and talent for storytelling. This week’s gu...

Matthew Yglesias: One Billion Americans

08 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we hear from author and journalist Matthew Yglesias about his latest book, One Billion Americans: The Case for Thinking Bigger. He sa...

Film Buff Ben Beard: The South Never Plays Itself

18 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

What can we learn from the Southern films of the past? What can be done in the future to make new ones as multidimensional and as vast as the region r...

Thomas Ricks: First Principles

04 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Author and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Thomas Ricks set out to dig into the foundation of the United States by reading the literature that was r...

Barton Gellman: Dark Mirror--Edward Snowden and the American Surveillance State

20 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Pulitzer-Prize and Emmy award-winning journalist, Barton Gellman became one of the most notable investigative journalists of our time while working wi...

Stephen Root: Character Actor Extraordinaire

13 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Actor Stephen Root has appeared in nearly countless roles on television and film—from Star Trek, NewsRadio, West Wing, and King of the Hill on tele...

Ayaan Hirsi Ali: The Value of Tolerance and Freedom in Western Civilization

06 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ayaan Hirsi Ali is activist for women’s rights and the author of the book Infidel: My Life, and many others. In this episode of Watching America, Dr...

Michael Brody-Waite: Great Leaders Live Like Drug Addicts

23 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Practice rigorous authenticity. Surrender the outcome. Do uncomfortable work. Michael Brody-Waite learned these skills through his continued recovery...

Peter Boghossian: How To Have Impossible Conversations

16 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Peter Boghossian was one of our first guests on Watching America. In spring 2019, he spoke with us about the Grievance Studies hoax, along with hi...

Melissa Korn & Jennifer Levitz: Privilege, Deceit, and the Making of the College Admissions Scandal

10 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A man named Rick Singer was at the center of the largest college admissions scam ever prosecuted by the Department of Justice. Singer helped wealthy p...

Mark Laita: "Soft White Underbelly"

02 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This episode is not appropriate for all listeners. Award-winning photographer Mark Laita has used his skills for clients such as Adidas, Apple and Me...

Gerald Horne's "Paul Robeson: The Artist As Revolutionary"

25 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Paul Robeson was world famous for his talents as a singer, actor, and professional football player. But his most important work was as an astute lawye...

Burt Ward & Tracy Posner: Gentle Giants

18 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This is Part 2 of Dr. Alan Campbell's discussion with Burt Ward (Robin)--and this time, we hear from his wife, Tracy Posner, as well. Ward and Posner ...

Holy Burt Ward! It's Robin!

11 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We hear from Burt Ward, who played Robin in the original Batman TV series. Ward is as lively, clever and funny as ever. He talks about becoming Robin ...

Cassadee Pope: Rise and Shine

04 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

You may have heard singer, songwriter and musician Cassadee Pope on The Voice (she won), or in music from her first band, Hey Monday. She may have cau...

Colin Woodard: Unity--The Struggle to Forge the Story of United States Nationhood

28 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Award-winning author and journalist Colin Woodard talks about his latest book, Union: The Struggle to Forge the Story of United States Nationhood. Woo...

Phil Donahue & Marlo Thomas: What Makes a Marriage Last

21 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Phil Donahue (The Phil Donahue Show) and Marlo Thomas (That Girl) have been married for 40 years. They just authored a book titled What Makes a Marria...

Dr. David Dunning: Dunning-Kruger Effect

31 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The “Dunning-Kruger effect” is the bias people hold regarding their own cognitive ability. Not surprisingly, competence in a given area is not nec...

Double Feature: Mayim Bialik & Andy Greene

24 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Mayim Bialik was the child star on the hit show Blossom, who went on to become part of The Big Bang Theory. Her career took a fascinating turn when sh...

Dave Rubin: Don't Burn This Book

17 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

You may know comedian, commentator, and political enigma Dave Rubin from The Young Turks, the Hot Gay Comics podcast, or his own youtube show, The Rub...

Visionary Choreographer Jemel McWilliams

10 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Jemel McWilliams is the creative force behind performances you’ve likely seen-- John Legend, Janelle Monaé, Alicia Keys, Lizzo, MAGIC! and The Wall...

Warren Farrell: The Boy Crisis

03 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Author, academic, activist, and self-proclaimed feminist Dr. Warren Farrell says boys are suffering from a lack of purpose. Farrell has written extens...

Kelly AuCoin, AKA "Dollar Bill" Stearn

26 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Kelly AuCoin is one of the most interesting character actors on the some of the most compelling television shows today. As "Dollar Bill" Stearn on "Bi...

Dianne Lake Remembers The Manson Family

19 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

At 14, Dianne Lake became the youngest member of Charles Manson's "family." She endured manipulation, psychological control, and abuse. As one of the ...

Kristen Bell: The World Needs More Purple People

12 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Kristen Bell has created quirky, likable characters for "The Good Place" and "Veronica Mars." Her new book, "The World Needs More Purple People," is a...

Adam (Ruins Everything) Conover

05 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Adam Conover blows up myths and reveals surprising truths. He's the creator, writer and host of ADAM RUINS EVERYTHING, just wrapping up its final seas...

Terry O'Quinn Acts--and Sings

29 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Terry O’Quinn, of Lost and Emergence fame, is one of the most compelling character actors of his generation. Dr. Alan Campbell explores the craft of...

The Gifts of Boredom

22 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Boredom can be one of the most excruciating emotions you experience. But sometimes it's the beginning of something wonderful - inventions, books, art ...

"Hollywood": Mira Sorvino

15 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Oscar-winning actress Mira Sorvino is known for her wide range of work over the course several decades. Now, she stars in a provocative new series, "H...

A Fortunate Chat With Lemony Snicket

08 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Writing as Lemony Snicket, author Daniel Handler has given countless children important life lessons about tragic accidents, conspiracies, reptiles, s...

Mary Beth Wilkas Janke: The Protector

01 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We hear from a former secret service agent who studied abnormal and forensic psychology. Mary Beth Wilkas Janke just published her memoir, The Protect...

Facial Recognition in America with Kashmir Hill & "The Running Mates"

24 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

New York Times tech reporter Kashmir Hill covers the disturbing ways that scientific advances impact our privacy. The story she recently uncovered abo...

Jeb Corliss, The Human Bird

17 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Jeb Corliss has jumped off the Eiffel Tower, the Seattle Space Needle, the statue of Christ in Rio de Janeiro, and more. If you wonder what makes a da...

Carol Burnett: It's So Good We Had This Time Together

10 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We are delighted to bring you a conversation with the inimitable Carol Burnett. Dr. Alan Campbell speaks with the comedy legend about her early life, ...

Bob Dylan's "Murder Most Foul" And Other Story Songs

03 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Bob Dylan's new ballad "Murder Most Foul" has been described as a "work of epic genius." Join us to listen to the piece in its entirety (17 minutes) a...

Jerry Saltz: How To Be An Artist

27 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

What's the point of art? What can it do for us in times like these? What does it demand, and could it save us? Dr. Alan Campbell digs into these quest...

Black Dahlia: Murder As Fine Art

13 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Black Dahlia murder case is one of the most notorious unsolved crimes in American history. Steve Hodel was a retired LAPD homicide detective who b...

Caroline Johnson: Jet Girl

06 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Caroline Johnson could have gone into fashion or filmmaking (she was a debutante), but instead she became an F/A-18 Super Hornet Weapons System Office...

Christian Picciolini: Breaking Hate

28 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

At 16, he was the leader of one of the first neo-Nazi skinhead gangs in the country. But he found redemption and formed the Free Radicals Project to...

Puddles Pity Party

21 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Puddles the Clown is one of the most unique performers on the scene today. He is famous for stunning, sometimes bizarre, often moving reinventions of ...

Christine Bacon: How to Save Your Marriage and Find "Extreme Happiness"

14 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Christine M. Bacon, PhD is an author, speaker, trainer and the radio talk-show host of "Breakfast with Bacon: The Relationship Doctor." Her latest boo...

Richard Preston: Plagues, Bioterrorism, and Coronavirus

07 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The upsurge of Coronavirus reminded the Watching America crew of a recent guest, namely, bestselling author Richard Preston (The Hot Zone, Crisis in ...

The Grateful Dead: Deadhead culture in 2020

31 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Grateful Dead is one of the most influential groups in American music history. More than 20 years after the death of band leader Jerry Garcia, the...

How to Stay in Love: Advice from divorce lawyer James J. Sexton

24 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

What destroys a happy marriage? Divorce lawyer James Sexton has spent decades learning the answers to this question. Now he’s written a book about i...

Aaron Stark: "I was almost a school shooter"

17 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

He grew up in a violent, chaotic home. He contemplated becoming a mass shooter. Now Aaron Stark speaks openly with Dr. Alan Campbell about what it too...

"Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud, and the Last Trial of Harper Lee" with author Casey Cep (replay)

10 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Author Casey Cep's first book, "Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud, and the Last Trial of Harper Lee," is a New York Times Best Seller. Listen to Alan Campb...

Jamie Elmore, founder of the Alopecia Support Group

02 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Jamie Elmore is the owner of JSalon in Seattle, WA. Ironically, in 2004, she was diagnosed with Alopecia, an auto-immune disorder that causes hair los...

Awkward Hugs and Strange Dating Behavior

19 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Emily Flake produces delightfully funny cartoons for The New Yorker. Now, she has grappled with our strange rituals of affection in THAT WAS AWKWARD: ...

Hoarders--and Children of Hoarders

12 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The impulse to hoard can be devastating to you and everyone around you. Dr. Alan Campbell will talk to Elizabeth Nelson, the spokesperson of Children ...

The Whisper Episode (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response)

05 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

With more than 13 million videos, the ASMR genre has blown up into a bona fide internet subculture. Based on the Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response...

Watching America from Abbey Road Studios

21 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Abbey Road Studios in London provides rare access to Watching America's host and creator, Dr. Alan Campbell. Aside from providing an iconic image of t...

An intimate conversation with Eric Haney

14 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Command Sergeant Major Eric Haney (ret) served his country for more than 20 years as a soldier, and became one of the earliest operators in First Spec...

John F. Kennedy, Jr.: The Reluctant Prince

07 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The legacy and the promise of John F. Kennedy, Jr. has always been a subject of controversy speculation in American culture. Now a scholar and friend ...

The Vampire Show

31 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

We had the very special treat of speaking with Bela Lugosi, Jr., one might say the spawn of Dracula himself! First, we'll hear from author/journalist ...

Dinosaurs and Disaster: "The Ends of the World" by Peter Brannen

24 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

You've likely heard about the calamity dinosaurs underwent, but author Peter Brannen says that wasn't the worst catastrophe life on earth faced since ...

Acting With Terry O'Quinn

17 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Terry O’Quinn, of Lost and Emergence fame, is one of the most compelling character actors of his generation. Dr. Alan Campbell explores the live, lo...

William Klingaman: The Darkest Year

10 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Campbell talks to William Klingaman, author of The Darkest Year: The American Home Front 1941-1942. During one of the most pivotal times in our na...

Paul Tough & Alia Wong: College

03 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Today's guests: author Paul Tough (The Years That Matter Most: How College Makes or Breaks Us) and Alia Wong (The Surreal End of an American College)

Author Richard Preston: Crisis in the Red Zone

19 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Bestselling author Richard Preston of The Hot Zone fame talks about how the well-prepared we are for the next plague, and from where it will likely ar...

Paul Theroux: On the Plain of Snakes

12 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Paul Theroux, prolific writer and traveler, is best known for The Great Railway Bizarre and The Mosquito Coast. His latest book, On the Plain of Snake...

Dr. Christine M. Bacon on "Super Couples"

29 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

We originally broadcast this program in April, and it has been one of our most popular shows. We bring it to listeners again during our Labor Day Holi...

Railroad Barons, Anarchy, and Offense: Authors Jonathan Haidt & Jack Kelly

22 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Jonathan Haidt is an American social psychologist, Professor of Ethical Leadership at New York University's Stern School of Business, and author. Hai...

American Predator: The Hunt for the Most Meticulous Serial Killer of the 21st Century

15 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Author Maureen Callahan's best-selling true crime thrill is a detailed account of the case of Israel Keyes. She joins us to talk about how she researc...

Annus Horribilis: 1968 with Kevin Boyle and Greg Messel

08 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Host Alan Campbell travels back in time with two authors, Kevin Boyle and Greg Messel, to revisit a strange and “horrible” year: 1968. Dr. Kevin...

Todd Zwillich: The Man Who Knew the Way to the Moon

01 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Todd Zwillich, NPR’s Washington Correspondent and host on The Takeaway and 1A, crafted an audiobook telling the story of John C. Houbolt, an unsung ...

Lori Gottlieb: Maybe You Should Talk To Someone

25 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Bestselling author Lori Gottlieb talks about being the therapist and the patient in the intimate space of psychotherapy. Gottlieb's latest book is May...

Handling Anger, with Dr. Ryan C. Martin and "Jenny"

11 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Ryan Martin is the chair of the Psychology Program at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and an anger researcher. His work focuses on healthy ...

WEB EXTRA: Extended conversation with Jenny about anger and Emotions Anonymous

11 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Jenny has participated in the group “Emotions Anonymous” in order to gain control of anger issues she has dealt with since childhood. She speaks c...

WEB EXTRA: Extended conversation with psychologist Dr. Ryan C. Martin about anger

11 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Ryan Martin is the chair of the Psychology Program at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and an anger researcher. His work focuses on healthy ...

"The Coddling of the American Mind": Co-Author Greg Lukianoff discusses free speech on campus and in comedy

27 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Greg Lukianoff is an attorney, New York Times best-selling author, and the President and CEO of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIR...

"Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud, and the Last Trial of Harper Lee" with author Casey Cep

20 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Author Casey Cep’s first book, “Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud, and the Last Trial of Harper Lee,” is a New York Times Best Seller. Listen to Alan...

Rocket Man: The Story of Elton John

13 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week on Watching America: New York Times best-selling author Mark Bego already wrote one book about Elton John: The Bitch is Back (2013). But he...

Be a Hero:Discussion with psychologist and author Elizabeth Svoboda and Defensive Tactics specialist and author Ron Scheidt

06 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The Watching America team had planned to air this episode in a few weeks, but after the tragedy in Virginia Beach, we wanted to share these conversati...

How to be an Entrepreneur with Nancy Grden

30 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

A lively discussion with Nancy Grden, the Executive Director of the Strome Entrepreneurial Center at ODU. Grden says everyone is an entrepreneur--we j...