IdeaSphere: A Platform for Today's Voices

Series produced by Guy Rathbun

Series image

This weekly show is devoted to political, social, economic, ecological, philosophical and religious ideas.

This series has been broadcast on public radio, and podcast on National Public Radio for the past 10 years, and has included such luminaries as Robert Reich, Chris Hedges, Michael K. Hudson, Vincent Buligosi, Richard Heinberg, and many more.


561 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
Caption: Keir Milburn
When it comes to politics, age appears to be a prominent dividing line. And, a closer look at youth today shows that the young around the world are...

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  • Added: Jul 02, 2019
  • Length: 29:00
  • Purchases: 2
Caption: Dean Hartley
We have entered a brand new era of persuasion. This is completely untested water’s. In a world of everything computer, a world where our household ...

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  • Added: Jun 24, 2019
  • Length: 29:00
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Andreas Wagner
Diversity is the product of nature’s creativity. It also turns out that creativity in nature and culture follow very similar fundamental principles.

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  • Added: Jun 18, 2019
  • Length: 29:00
  • Purchases: 3
Caption: Jonathan A. Rodden
The path to political victory should be simple: accrue more points that your opponent, and you will win. Not so fast. U.S. elections aren’t nearly ...

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  • Added: Jun 11, 2019
  • Length: 29:00
  • Purchases: 2
Caption: Vivian Green Fryd
In October 2017, the “Me Too” movement went viral. Since then more than 70 high profile men have been accused of sexual misconduct or inappropriate...

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  • Added: Jun 03, 2019
  • Length: 29:00
  • Purchases: 3
Caption: Martin Schoenhals
Hierarchies are deeply embedded in human societies. They are so much a part of our being they’re hardly given a second thought. Status is sought af...

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  • Added: May 27, 2019
  • Length: 29:00
  • Purchases: 2
Caption: Roger S. Gottlieb
Here’s the conundrum: a good person doesn’t knowingly create devastation and suffering. Yet, that is exactly what we’re doing with our environment....

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  • Added: May 19, 2019
  • Length: 29:00
  • Purchases: 2
Caption: Joshua A. Douglas
Imagine an election in the future that boasted turnout at record levels. Better access to voter registration and polling places. District lines and...

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  • Added: May 12, 2019
  • Length: 29:00
  • Purchases: 2
Caption: Lee McIntyre
Science deniers and attacks on science are more prevalent today. Interestingly, America leads the world in the sheer number of people who have cont...

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  • Added: May 03, 2019
  • Length: 29:00
  • Purchases: 3
Caption: Professor Russell Muirhead
References to conspiracy theories are more prevalent today. To have a theory, however, implies there is evidence to substantiate the claim. Today’s...

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  • Added: Apr 26, 2019
  • Length: 29:00
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Professor Ed Hess
America is set to lose tens of millions of job in the next 15 years. Some of the best research today estimates that one half of all U.S. jobs will ...

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  • Added: Apr 22, 2019
  • Length: 29:00
  • Purchases: 3
Caption: Mary E. Buser
The island became a workhouse in the 1880s. Converted to a jail 50-years later, Rikers Island is not a prison.

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  • Added: Apr 12, 2019
  • Length: 29:00
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Dr. Jonathan M. Metzl
Over the past decade many low and middle income white American’s have thrown their support to conservative politicians. The claim is to make Americ...

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  • Added: Apr 05, 2019
  • Length: 29:00
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Dr. Max Klau
Recent events in America have once again turned the spotlight on the issues of race. Just when we think we are overcoming our racial divide, anothe...

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  • Added: Mar 28, 2019
  • Length: 29:00
  • Purchases: 3
Caption: Jonathan D. Karmel
America’s workers are experiencing another setback in workplace safety. The Trump Administration is blocking a rule that requires most employers to...

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  • Added: Mar 22, 2019
  • Length: 29:00
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Dr. Brian Ott
No president has used social media quite like President Trump. Twitter is his instrument of choice, and more often than not, he uses the popular pl...

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  • Added: Mar 15, 2019
  • Length: 29:00
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Dr. Kristin J. Wilson
Just two generations ago, breastfeeding was considered second best to infant formula. Today, however, it’s regarded as a newborn’s birthright.

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  • Added: Mar 07, 2019
  • Length: 29:00
  • Purchases: 2
Caption: Dr. Jennifer Harvey
America is one of the most racially diverse nations in the world. We’re also a country full of racial tension. These conflicting truths make it esp...

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  • Added: Mar 01, 2019
  • Length: 29:00
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Jason Berry
In 2018, New Orleans celebrated its 300th year. The colorful tapestry that make up its history is like no other in America. Likewise, the dichotomy...

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  • Added: Feb 22, 2019
  • Length: 29:00
  • Purchases: 2
Caption: Jerry Ashton
Nearly 2-million people will be declaring bankruptcy this year. It’s not because they are careless with their expenses. The cause is unpaid medical...

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  • Added: Feb 15, 2019
  • Length: 29:00
  • Purchases: 2