PODCAST · society
The Hub for Important Ideas
by Stephen James
The Hub for Important Ideas is a podcast about the issues of our time. Hosted by cultural critics Steve James and Ken Swain, it challenges conventional thinking about contemporary problems in conversations with thought leaders in various disciplines. Drawing on the groundbreaking work of Ernest Becker and cutting edge research of Terror Management Theory, this podcast will enable you to think through urgent issues.
Episodes
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Legacy featuring Bruce Hirshfield- Episode 48 – The Hub for Important Ideas
What is the psychological importance of leaving a legacy? This episode looks for explanations for some seemingly ordinary aspects of our society that appear strange when examined more closely from a social psychological perspective.
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Temperament and Type - Episode 47 – The Hub for Important Ideas
What is temperament and how can it help us to better navigate our lives? This episode features a kitchen table conversation about understanding temperament and psychological type, a useful tool for people to understand how the world is laid out, our place in it, and our strengths and weaknesses.
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A House Divided Part 2 featuring Sheldon Solomon - Episode 46 – The Hub for Important Ideas
How do we go beyond the divisions in our society? This episode features part two of a conversation with social psychologist Sheldon Solomon who offers a unique perspective on our polarized country that goes beyond the standard political, social, historical, and economic explanations.
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A House Divided featuring Sheldon Solomon - Episode 45 – The Hub for Important Ideas
How can we get a better understanding of the divisions in our society? This episode features a conversation with social psychologist Sheldon Solomon who offers a unique perspective on our polarized country that goes beyond the standard political, social, historical, and economic explanations.
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Ukraine War - Episode 44 – The Hub for Important Ideas
What does the War in Ukraine mean to us in America? This episode discusses the war in Ukraine from a different perspective, its implications, and the most difficult aspects for us Americans.
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Mortality in this Diverse Culture featuring Dan Liechty - Episode 43 – The Hub for Important Ideas
How do we face up to our Mortality in this Diverse Culture? This episode discusses mortality and human flourishing in a diverse culture from a religious perspective. We talk with Dan Liechty, an expert on the works of Ernest Becker and interreligious beliefs.
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Free speech - Episode 42 – The Hub for Important Ideas
Free speech in America
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The Abortion Issue featuring Miriam Piven Cotler - Episode 41
How do we get a handle on the complex issue of abortion? This episode discusses the abortion issue, pro-choice, anti-abortion, and the ethical problem from the discerning standpoint of clinical bioethicist Miriam Piven Cotler.
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Beyond a Recap
What were some of the important ideas from 2021? This episode, sums up some of the most thought-provoking ideas from our guests, who included Jack Moscou, Lyla Rothschild, Henry Richards, Jerry Piven, Pelin Kesebir, Dan Liechty, Sheldon Solomon, Merlyn Mowrey, and Tomi-Ann Roberts.
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Critical Race Theory featuring Henry Richards - Episode 39
How do we understand the problematic reaction to Critical Race Theory in America? This episode discusses Critical Race Theory, wokeism, racial prejudice and discrimination in our society and internationally from the perceptive standpoint of psychologist Henry Richards.
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The Psychology of War featuring Jerry Piven - Episode 38 – The Hub for Important Ideas
How do we understand the complex psychology of war? This episode wrestles with a distinction between the realistic danger and the fantastical nature of war from the insightful perspective of psychologist Jerry Piven.
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War and Violence featuring Jack Moscou
Is there more war and wholesale violence in our future? This episode considers the prospect for war in our future from the unique perspective of author Jack Mosscou.
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Feminist Existentialism featuring Tomi-Ann Roberts- Episode 36 – The Hub for Important Ideas
What is feminist existentialism, and how does it impact the lives of both men and women? This episode discusses objectification theory, and related psychological and legal issues. It features an interview with Dr. Tomi-Ann Roberts, professor of psychology and chair of the department at Colorado...
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Immersion featuring Merlyn Mowrey- Episode 35 – The Hub for Important Ideas
What is immersion and how does it help us understand our lives? This episode explores the notion of immersion, how it helps us defend against death anxiety, and the many related ideas that notion leads us to. It features an interview with Dr. Merlyn Mowrey, retired Associate Professor of Social...
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Death positive featuring Sheldon Solomon - Episode 34 – The Hub for Important Ideas
How can focusing on death improve our lives and the world around us? This episode discusses death reflection, mindfulness, meditation, what is called the death-positive movement, and related topics. It features an interview with Dr. Sheldon Solomon social psychologist at Skidmore College.
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Examining Important Ideas featuring Dan Liechty - Episode 33
How do we use important ideas to help change ourselves for the better? This episode examines the intrinsic value in some important ideas that can improve our functioning in the world and convey genuine self-knowledge. It features an interview with Dr. Dan Liechty Professor of Social Work at...
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The Quiet Ego featuring Pelin Kesebir - Episode 32
How do we improve our lives and our society by practicing humility? This episode discusses humility: its many aspects, and ways it offers hope for the future. It features an interview with social psychologist Pelin Kesebir honorary fellow at the Center for Healthy Minds at the University of...
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Political Fantasy and Illusion featuring Jerry Piven - Episode 31
How do we improve our lives and our society through a better understanding of political fantasy and illusion? This episode discusses rationalization, decision making, our society, and possibilities for hope. It features an interview with psychologist Jerry Piven who teaches in the Department of...
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One Year Anniversary - Episode 30
This episode discusses a sense of history, gun violence, and celebrates the one-year anniversary of The Hub for Important Ideas podcast. http://www.thehubforimportantideas.com/
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Mental Health featuring Jerry Piven - Episode 29
How do we understand mental health in America? This episode discusses sanity, psychopathology, our society, and possibilities for hope. It features an interview with psychologist Jerry Piven who teaches in the Department of Philosophy atRutgers University.
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Unconscious Bias featuring Henry Richards - Episode 28
What role does unconscious bias play in our society? Psychologist Henry Richards discusses the unconscious basis of racial bias and what it means to our understanding of our society.
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Social Media featuring Lyla Rothschild - Episode 27
What is the impact of social media on our existential concerns? This episode discusses social media and the less than obvious effect it has on our society.
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Upheaval
In America today, is our goal to be right, or to make a better country? This episode responds to the January 6 upheaval in Washington, DC. It works toward a perspective on what’s been happening and how to move forward.
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Important Ideas from 2020
This episode sums up our first season and recalls some of the seminal ideas from our guests. Our intention is to bring into public discourse the most inspiring ideas we’ve got, in an attempt to find the best way forward for humanity. www.thehubforimportantideas.com
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Unity featuring Dan Liechty - Episode 24
How do we unite our divided country? This episode looksat the differences between the liberal and conservative alignments in ourculture and explores ways to unite our fractured society.
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The Hub for Important Ideas is a podcast about the issues of our time. Hosted by cultural critics Steve James and Ken Swain, it challenges conventional thinking about contemporary problems in conversations with thought leaders in various disciplines. Drawing on the groundbreaking work of Ernest Becker and cutting edge research of Terror Management Theory, this podcast will enable you to think through urgent issues.
HOSTED BY
Stephen James
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Hub for Important Ideas have?
The Hub for Important Ideas currently has 26 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Hub for Important Ideas about?
The Hub for Important Ideas is a podcast about the issues of our time. Hosted by cultural critics Steve James and Ken Swain, it challenges conventional thinking about contemporary problems in conversations with thought leaders in various disciplines. Drawing on the groundbreaking work of Ernest...
How often does The Hub for Important Ideas release new episodes?
The Hub for Important Ideas has 26 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The Hub for Important Ideas?
You can listen to The Hub for Important Ideas on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Hub for Important Ideas?
The Hub for Important Ideas is created and hosted by Stephen James.
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