The Press and the War in Afghanistan with Katherine A. Brown
Air Dates: May 20-26, 2019 America’s war in Afghanistan is the longest war in the history of the United States. Katherine A. Brown served on the staff of the U.S. ambassador there in the years after 9/11 and she argues now that the role of the American press in Afghanistan is essential to understanding the conduct of the war. Brown is the author of a compelling new book about the … Read More
Leap of Faith: Decision Making Before the Iraq War with Michael Mazarr
Air Dates: May 13-19, 2019 In 2003, the United States military unleashed a campaign the press had pre-christened “Shock and Awe,” the dominant and overwhelming application of American military power against Saddam Hussein’s Iraq and its military. Within weeks, U.S. forces controlled all of Iraq, and then the fighting really began. This week on “Story in the Public Square,” Michael J. Mazarr unravels the decision making that led to what … Read More
The World Is NOT Falling Apart, with Michael Cohen and Micah Zenko
It’s easy to be convinced by talk show hosts, editorial writers, and politicians that American security hangs on the razor’s edge and that the world is more dangerous, now, than it has ever been. Michael Cohen and Micah Zenko remind us that the facts simply don’t match that narrative. In fact, they tell us, the world has never been better. Michael A. Cohen, a columnist for the Boston Globe, and … Read More
Video Games with Kimberly Wallace
If you were to compare the revenues of the highest grossing feature film in history and the highest grossing video game in history—you might be surprised to learn that the video game earned substantially more—five times more, in fact, than the film. As Kimberly Wallace tells us, video games are big business and their societal impact still misunderstood. Wallace is the features editor for Game Informer, a magazine covering the … Read More
Ludes and Miller Honored with “History Starts Here” Award
Join the Newport Historical Society on Thursday, June 20th, at 4:o0pm at the Colony House, Washington Square, Newport, RI to celebrate making history today in a new annual award program. This event is free and open to the public. Please RSVP on NewportHistory.org or by calling 401-846-0813 x110. The Newport Historical Society has initiated a new awards program which builds upon its interest in how historical perspectives help us think … Read More
Healthcare Through a Doctor’s Eyes with Helen Ouyang, MD
Air Dates: March 25-31, 2019 Public understanding of healthcare is driven principally by our own personal experience—and that of our loved ones—with doctors, nurses, and hospitals—and for many, it can feel overwhelming. Dr. Helen Ouyang is an emergency room doctor at one of America’s best hospitals, but admits she found it difficult to access the healthcare system when she had her own health scare. Helen Ouyang, M.D., M.P.H., is an … Read More
Special Counsel; Independent Thinking
There is a competition underway to condition the American public’s response, in advance, to whatever Special Counsel Robert Mueller ultimately reports. For the president and his allies, the message has been consistent: it’s a “witch hunt.” For Democrats, after championing the integrity of Mueller’s investigation for months, there seems to be an effort, now, to manage expectations. The president’s use of the term “witch hunt” in relationship to the Mueller … Read More
Tearing Down Institutional Racism with Darnisa Amante
Air Dates: March 18-24, 2019 Schools across America face an increasingly diverse student population while deep-seated institutional biases endure. Darnisa Amante argues that successful leaders who dig deep and unpack their own experiences with race and bias can help tear down the barriers of institutional racism and make schools better. Dr. Darnisa Amante is an educational and racial equity strategist who is deeply committed to the study of culture; innovation; … Read More
Pell Center Prize for Story in the Public Square
Elizabeth Kolbert Named 2019 Recipient of the Pell Center Prize for Story in the Public Square Elizabeth Kolbert, best-selling author and staff writer for The New Yorker, has been named the 2019 recipient of the Pell Center Prize for Story in the Public Square. Awarded annually since 2013, the prize honors a storyteller whose work has significantly influenced the public dialogue. Kolbert’s most recent book, “The Sixth Extinction,” a masterpiece of … Read More
The First Campaign Narrative of 2020
The 2020 campaign is fully under-way. Democrats and even a few Republicans have announced campaigns and exploratory committees, and campaign narratives are beginning to emerge. Campaign narratives are central to how candidates engage with the public. They provide a framework for understanding developments because the public, once having internalized a narrative, can sort facts and new developments on their own. The narratives that emerge around campaigns are driven by the … Read More