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.

State Constitutional Imperatives

State Law Research Initiative director Kyle Barry discusses state constitutions.

12-23
28:20

Ending Mass Incarceration on the Back End

Sentencing Project research director Nazgol Ghandnoosh discusses mass incarceration data.

12-16
28:29

Tree Policy

Scientist Lauren Oakes discusses environmental conservation.

12-09
28:28

The State of American Justice

Equal Justice Initiative founder Bryan Stevenson discusses his prescriptions for reform.

12-02
28:23

What’s Next for America?

“The West Wing” actress Melissa Fitzgerald discusses President Bartlet-inspired activism.

11-25
27:16

Generation Refrigerant

Gastropod host Nicola Twilley discusses her new book “Frostbite: How Refrigeration Changed Our Food, Our Planet, and Ourselves.”

11-19
27:53

Wikipedia's Survival and Resilience

Wikimedia leader Rebecca MacKinnon discusses the future of the encyclopedia platform.

11-12
27:51

Peace Policies

Win Without War director Sara Haghdoosti discusses strategies for counterproliferation.

11-04
28:30

The Great Buildup

Carnegie Endowment fellow Tong Zhao discusses central and rogue nuclear powers of Asia.

10-28
28:21

Unwinding the Doomsday Clock

Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists CEO Rachel Bronson discusses a potential nuclear event.

10-21
28:05

Counterproliferation and De-escalation in the Middle East

Arms Control Association nonproliferation policy director Kelsey Davenport discusses Iran.

10-15
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.

10-04
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.

10-03
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.

10-02
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.

09-30
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.

09-05
28:27

Accountability and Disarmament

Project on Managing the Atom researcher Mariana Budjeryn discusses the Russia-Ukraine war.

09-04
28:21

Pigs and Pistols

At Pillen Family Farms, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen and Alexander break bread over pork sandwiches; then practice skeet shooting.

08-28
27:41

Energy to Peace

Oppenheimer Project founder Charles Oppenheimer discusses his grandfather's legacy and nuclear counterproliferation.

08-26
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.

08-22
27:33

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