Free Food For Thought

Ambassador Michael McFaul, former U.S. Ambassador to Russia and Stanford professor joins Tudor and Daniel to discuss themes from his book “Autocrats vs. Democrats,” arguing that while today’s US–China rivalry shares some Cold War features—two great powers, ideological competition, and global scope—it differs crucially because of deep economic interdependence, a less existential ideological clash, and a more polarized, less internationally ambitious United States. He contrasts China’s generally more defensive export of its model to the developing world with Vladimir Putin’s aggressive promotion of illiberal populist nationalism within Western societies via media, NGOs, the church, election interference, and military force, emphasizing that Putin is a true ideologue whose choices often go beyond narrow national interest. Drawing on comparative cases from Eastern Europe, South Africa, and the Arab Spring, McFaul explains that successful democratic transitions often involve splits within authoritarian elites, something he currently does not see clearly in Russia or Iran. He also reflects on the personal risks of high-level diplomacy, recounting how Russian intelligence and media portrayed him as an architect of revolution and used conspicuous surveillance of him and his family in Moscow as psychological pressure, underscoring both the human costs and the complexity of modern great-power politics.

In this episode, Natalie sits down with Jeff Kukucka, a professor of psychology at Towson University. He comments on the fallibility of forensic investigations due to human error and bias. In this riveting conversation, he draws from his work as a researcher, expert witness, and government consultant to explain how the brain can produce unsound forensic decisions and how crime labs can (but often neglect to) adopt science-based protections against bias and error. He also emphasizes psychology as an essential science, especially when making essential evaluations in forensic investigations.

Please join us in this special episode, where Natalie interviews CMC alum and independent filmmaker Diane Wagner (class of ‘87), who is the executive producer of the upcoming documentary called “The Migrant Child Farmworkers - Now High-Profile Professionals.” The film shares the previously untold and inspiring stories of eleven children, most of whom were migrant child farmworkers or children of farmworkers. Many were immigrants. They overcame homelessness, hunger, poverty, neglect, and abuse to become highly successful engineers, doctors, lawyers, medical professors, researchers, educators, and leaders elected to the U.S. Congress and California State Legislature. In this episode, two individuals featured in the film, Pediatrician Dr. Ramon Resa and former Apple engineer Enrique Diaz, join us to share their personal experiences and reflections from their journeys from being migrant child farmworkers to becoming the highly accomplished professionals they are today. Find the link to their film website here: https://www.migrantchildfarmworkerstohighprofileprofessionals.com/

In this episode, Tudor and Kimmy dive into the magic of the brain with Harvard neuroscientist Dr. Sandeep Robert Datta. From decoding why we lost our sense of smell during the pandemic to using AI to digitize scent with Osmo, they explore how odors reveal the secrets of motivated action. The conversation also tackles the "Ministry" interfering with academic "Hogwarts", discussing the rising tension between government interests and blue sky research.

In this episode, we collaborate with the Keck Center to engage in an engaging conversation with Terry Tang, the Executive Editor of the LA Times and the first woman to lead its newsroom in 142 years. Tudor, Srisha, and Tara host this new episode to dive deep into "Inside the Newsroom," exploring the mounting economic, legal, and physical risks that modern journalists face. From the ethics of self-censorship to concerning surrounding reporting on controversial topics, Tang discusses why free press remains a vital, yet increasingly vulnerable, pillar of democracy.

In this episode, Caleb and Daniella sit down with Melissa Kearney, a professor of economics at Notre Dame University and a leading expert on family and social policy. As the author of the widely acclaimed 2023 book, The Two Parent Privilege: How Americans Stopped Getting Married and Started Falling Behind, Kearney joined the show to discuss how shifting family structures are widening the gap in socioeconomic inequality and impacting the nation's long-term economic health.

In this episode, Tudor and Kimmy sit down with Steve Sabicer to discuss his journey from a Fortune 500 executive to a master butcher. They explore the philosophy behind his CMC talk, The Enlightened Omnivore, and how we can reclaim craft, intention, and connection in a high-speed, modern world.

Join CMC Professor Paul Hurley as he sits down with Daniel Bazmi and Natalie Chen to discuss outcome-based decision-making versus reasoning grounded in beliefs, values, and principles. The discussion centers on one especially thorny case: lying. Is it ever okay to lie? Is it okay if the person or corporation you want to lie to is morally compromised? Or, are outcomes ultimately irrelevant? Tune in to find out.

Join Caleb as he sits down with Alan Auerbach, Professor of Economics and Law at University of California, Berkeley, as they answer the question: will you collect Social Security? Auerbach breaks down what Social Security actually is (and isn’t), why “promised” benefits can still be at risk, and what a world of reduced payouts would mean for retirees and the broader economy. Along the way, they tackle the greater fiscal picture: who finances U.S. borrowing, what could make today’s deficits harder to sustain, and why Washington struggles to align on reforms to Social Security, Medicare, and the broader safety net.

Join Violet and Natalie as they join Professor Lerer to discuss the importance of the imagination, gender in literary narratives, the evolution of language, and the impact of children's narratives such as Hansel and Gretel and Harold and His Purple Crayon.

Join Abby as she sits down with Professor Sliwinski, who is the Professor of Information and Media Studies at Western University in Canada. They discuss the importance of dreaming in dark times. Drawing from powerful exemplars—from Harriet Tubman to contemporary Indigenous activist Abigail Echo-Hawk—Sliwinski shares critical lessons about how dreams can serve as one of our most important tools for radically changing our world.

Join Natalie and Kevin in an engaging conversation about borderlands and diaspora, along with the role of contemporary photography, geography, and art in transcending essentialism and engaging race both beautifully and powerfully in the Americas.

Join Avi and Kimmy as they join Robert Twomey to discuss the intersection between AI technology, art, and the humanities.

Avi and Natalie sit down with Professor Nicholas Buccola, the Dr. Jules K. Whitehill Professor of Humanism & Ethics at Claremont McKenna College, to discuss his new book One Man’s Freedom. Buccola explores the ideological clash between Barry Goldwater and Martin Luther King Jr., revealing how their competing visions of freedom continue to shape American politics and the meaning of liberty today.

Join Daniella and Abby as they sit down with Daniel Pollack-Pelzner to discuss his new book outlining the life and legacy of Lin Manuel Miranda. Pelzner discusses his close interactions with Miranda, and sheds some light on how he became the artistic mastermind we know and love today.

In this episode of Free Food for Thought, Daniella and Avi join Professor Debak Das, the Assistant Professor of Peace and Security at the Josef Korbel School of Global and Public Affairs at the University of Denver. Professor Das shares insights from his journey through academia and research on nuclear proliferation, international security, and the politics of the nuclear order. The conversation explores barriers in academia, evolving trends in nuclear scholarship, and what the future of nuclear safety might hold. Tune in to learn how global power dynamics and individual agency intersect in shaping our collective security — and what it means for all of us.

In this episode of Free Food for Thought, host Luke Carfaro speaks with Šumit Ganguly, Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution and Distinguished Professor Emeritus at Indiana University–Bloomington. A leading expert on South Asian politics, Šumit Ganguly unpacks the history, persistence, and evolving dynamics of the Kashmir conflict.

In this episode, Christine Porath, professor at UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School and author of Mastering Civility, Mastering Community, and co-author of The Cost of Bad Behavior, explores the hidden toll of incivility on performance, mental health, and overall well-being. She shares insights from her research and consulting with organizations and corporations, showing how respect and civility are essential for thriving communities and workplaces.

Join Caleb in conversation with Mary Lovely, a Senior Fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, as they discuss the state of American tariffs and how global headwinds are impacting our everyday lives. Drawing on her experience as a trade economist and regular media commentator, Lovely offers her take on inflationary pressures, labor market developments, Federal Reserve interest rates, and the economic outlook for Southern California's Inland Empire.

In this episode, Luke and Abby sit down with Hussein Banai to unpack the extensive and turbulent history of U.S.–Iran relations. From American missteps and the role of Israeli influence to the challenges of nuclear diplomacy and the power of clashing national narratives, Banai offers a deeply nuanced perspective on how history, ideology, and politics continue to shape one of the world’s most volatile relationships—and what its uncertain future may hold.

Join Emma for a conversation with Jeffrey Ding, Professor of Political Science at George Washington University, as they explore great power competition and cooperation in emerging technologies. Together, they delve into the political economy of innovation, China's scientific and technological landscape, and how past technological revolutions have shaped the rise and fall of global powers. Ding sheds light on what these historical insights mean for today's U.S.-China rivalry, particularly in critical fields such as artificial intelligence.

Join Kimi as she interviews Israeli-American Professor of law, Amos N. Guiora. Guiora has published extensively on issues related to national security, interrogation, religion and terrorism, the limits of power, human rights, and political and bystander complicity. In this episode, Guiora shares his career path, and discusses his role in implementing the Oslo Accords. He contrasts the Israeli and U.S. legal systems, and emphasizes Israel’s legal doctrine requiring soldiers to refuse illegal orders. He also discusses the factors involved in educating IDF soldiers on ethical conduct in conflict zones.

Join Emma as she interviews American author and columnist, Dan Koeppel, whose work incorporates investigative journalism, science, and adventure. In this episode, Koeppel discusses his research on the banana disease crisis, which inspired his book Banana: "The Fate of the Fruit that Changed the World." Tune in to learn about his research process, archival exploration, and the challenges Koeppel experienced while drafting.

Join Emma and Grace as they have the pleasure of interviewing Lerone Martin, the Martin Luther King, Jr., Centennial Professor and Director of the Martin Luther King, Jr., Research and Education Institute at Stanford University. In this lively discussion, Martin discusses his unique career path, and MLK's role as a relevant, insightful, and challenging conversation partner when engaging with the ethical, moral, and political dilemmas of today.

Join Emma as she interviews Reyna Grande, a best-selling Mexican-American author known for her memoirs, as she reflects on her experience as an undocumented child immigrant from Mexico to the U.S. In this episode, Grande's discusses how her experiences have informed her writings, her unique perspective on the American Dream, and the significance of the Mexican-American community. 

Join Avi and Luke for an engaging discussion with Jared Loggins and Emily Bernard as they delve into the significance of personal narratives, the value of revisiting foundational texts and historical accounts to uncover truth, and the cultivation of a responsible community. This conversation promises to illuminate how individual stories and historical context shape our understanding of responsibility and truth in today's society.

Join Daniel and Violet as they interview Melvin Rogers, an established academic, as they discuss James Baldwin and topics surrounding the evolving meanings of freedom and equality, the confrontation of historic racial inequality, identity, and American Democracy.

Join Ryan as he sits down with Ellen to discuss her background as the first Hispanic woman to enter Space in 1993, the second female director of NASA's Johnson Space Center, and more. They discuss her career at NASA, challenges she faced, and the future of space exploration.

Natalie and Grace interview Michelle on her experience growing up in a family cult, encapsulating the emotional and physical barriers she faced while learning how to forage and live off the land her cult owned.

Ellie and Natalie sit down with Professor Ahuja to discuss India's democratic framework, ethnic parties, and more.

Wrongfully convicted and sentenced to 60 years to life in prison, Ruben Piñuelas began studying the law in his solitary confinement cell, which led to his exoneration. Join us as Caren interviews Ruben on his experience and reflections upon being released.

Natalie and Kimmy sit down with Robert and Brenda to discuss poetry's role in modern society, the evolution of poetry's role throughout time, and the mechanisms that shape its meaning.

Tudor and Lucy sit down with Memo to discuss the intersection of art, technology, and the human experience. Together, they unpack speculative simulations, data dramatizations, and the influence of AI on art.

Rohan sits down with Sohrab and Jason to discuss the evolving news industry, partisanship, populism, border security, and the impact of immigration on the 2024 election.

Lucy sits down with Richard to discuss his Juvenile in Justice project, restorative justice, and family structures.

Ryan sits down with Dean Logan to explore his upbringing, career journey, election administration, the role of election watchdogs, and more. Dean Logan is the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk for Los Angeles County, California -- the nation’s largest, most diverse local election jurisdiction serving more than 5.7 million registered voters. In addition to election administration, his office records real property documents; maintains vital records; performs civil marriage ceremonies; and processes business filings. He holds degrees in Organizational Leadership from Azusa Pacific University and a Master of Public Administration from the Evans School of Public Policy and Governance at the University of Washington. Mr. Logan is currently President of the County Recorders Association of California, past-President of the California Association of Clerks and Election Officials and serves on the Board of Directors for the National Election Center. Additionally, he is Vice President for the United States on the Board for the American Conference of Subnational Electoral Organizations for Electoral Transparency (CAOESTE). Mr. Logan sits on Advisory Boards for the Electoral Psychology Observatory at the London School of Economics, the MIT Election Data and Science Lab, Auburn University’s Graduate Certificate in Election Administration, University of California Riverside’s Design Thinking Executive Program, and the California State University, Northridge Master of Public Administration Program where he teaches courses on Organizational Leadership, Public Sector Management, Intergovernmental Relations, and Strategic Management.

Join Tudor and Natalie as they interview Ben Laude on preserving and revitalizing classical Piano for younger audiences. Ben Laude is a concert pianist, music educator, and video producer whose playing has been described by the New York Times as “superb in pace, tone, and eloquence.” He has performed in recent seasons with the Southern Tier Symphony, New Amsterdam Symphony, and Austin Civic Orchestras and has been heard in live broadcasts on WQXR (New York), WFMT (Chicago), and WWFM. He has created hundreds of video lessons and interviews with dozens of world class pianists for the online music education platform Tonebase and received a YouTube Silver Creator Award for the Tonebase Piano YouTube channel. Laude has held faculty positions at Bard College-Conservatory and New York’s Suzuki School for Strings and holds degrees in piano performance from Rice University and the Juilliard School.

Marshal and Ellie sit down with Omer Bartov, the Samuel Pisar Professor of Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Brown University, to speak about his new novel, "The Butterfly and the Axe," the Holocaust, and the history of Ukraine in this enlightening episode.

Nathaniel Worley sits down with professor of Philosophy Dr. Susan Schneider in this insightful episode.

Nathaniel joins Brookings fellow Michael O'Hanlon for a conversation on college, war, and speech.

Nathaniel sits down with Gabby in this insightful episode.

In this episode, Marshall Bessey sat down with Felicia Marcus, the William C. Landreth Visiting Fellow at Stanford University’s Water in the West Program and an attorney, consultant, and member of the Water Policy Group to discuss a range of topical issues.

Marshall and Nathaniel sat down with Professor Emeritus at the University of Leeds Ian Wood to discuss his upbringing, the Franks, and the church as a socio-economic power.

Ellie Lerner and Vedanth Reddy sit down with Taner Akçam discuss the national security implications of Turkish denial of the Armenian genocide on stability and reconciliation efforts in the region today. Historian Taner Akçam is the inaugural director of the Armenian Genocide Research Program of the Promise Armenian Institute at UCLA. Previously he was the Kaloosdian and Mugar Chair in Modern Armenian History and Genocide in the Strassler Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Clark University. Akçam grew up in Turkey, where he was imprisoned for editing a political youth journal and was subsequently adopted as a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International in 1976. Akçam later received political asylum in Germany. In 1996 he received his doctorate from the University of Hanover with a dissertation on The Turkish National Movement and the Armenian Genocide Against the Background of the Military Tribunals in Istanbul Between 1919 and 1922. 

Emma Pan and Tutu Jereissati sit down with Professor Cassia Roth to talk about women's reproductive health in relation to legal and medical policy in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Cassia Roth is associate professor of history and Latin American & Caribbean Studies at the University of Georgia. Her book, A Miscarriage of Justice: Women’s Reproductive Lives and the Law in Early Twentieth-Century Brazil was published in 2020 (Stanford University Press). It won the Murdo J. MacLeod Prize from the Latin American and Caribbean Section of the Southern Historical Association and the Choice Outstanding Academic Title from the American Library Association.

Emma Pan and Ryan Lenney sit down with Justin Brooks, director and co-founder of the California Innocence Project.

Nathaniel and Emma sat down with Richard Sander — economist and Distinguished Professor of Law at UCLA — to discuss his work on the problems of social inequality.

Emma Pan sat down with David Tolchinsky to discuss if and how film and television can help normalize mental health.

Nathaniel and Ellie sat down with Lingling Wei, chief China correspondent of The Wall Street Journal and co-author of Superpower Showdown, to discuss how Xi Jinping is reshaping and ring-fencing China's economy amid heightened competition with the U.S.

Nathaniel Worley sits down with Mia Mask, professor of film at Vassar College and author of Divas on Screen: Black Women in American Film. They have an engaging conversation about the African American western hero within the larger context of film history. Mia Mask is the Mary Riepma Ross Professor of Film at Vassar College. She is the author of Divas on Screen: Black Women in American Film. Mask edited the anthology Contemporary Black American Cinema, published by Routledge. She also published the jointly edited collection Poitier Revisited: Reconsidering a Black Icon in the Obama Age (Bloomsbury). Her newest book is Black Rodeo: A History of the African American Western.