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Quillette Podcast

Quillettequillette.com
The Quillette Podcast is a platform for rigorous, academic discussions rooted in common sense and free inquiry. Non-dogmatic and grounded in liberal values, the podcast serves as a beacon for thoughtful conversation on science, politics, philosophy, and culture. Quillette prides itself on intellectual honesty, avoiding ideological extremism in favor of evidence-based reasoning and progress. Hosted by leading voices in academia and journalism, past guests include evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins, social psychologist Jonathan Haidt, and journalist Douglas Murray, among others. Expect candid conversations that promote common sense and challenge anti-science and conspiratorial narratives from both the far left and right.
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Episodes

Christopher Rufo’s Whirlwind Campaign Against Critical Race Theory

Quillette’s Jonathan Kay talks to activist Christopher Rufo about his new status as conservative intellectual celebrity—and asks whether the rising opposition to progressive ideological radicalism can go too far Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 13, 202143 minSeason 1Ep. 160

Heather Mac Donald on The Juilliard School's Strange Anti-Racist Meltdown

Quillette's Jonathan Kay speaks to City Journal writer Heather Mac Donald about how a single drama workshop caused Juilliard students to feel "traumatized"—sparking an activist campaign aimed at undermining the elite performing-arts school's famously rigorous standards. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 27, 202130 minSeason 1Ep. 158

Michael Shermer on Our Enduring Fascination with UFOs

Quillette’s Jonathan Kay talks to UFO expert Michael Shermer about why we keep searching the skies for signs of alien visitors (and why we always come away disappointed) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 14, 202138 minSeason 1Ep. 156

Kenny Xu on Asian-Americans' Success, And Their Complicated Placement in the Progressive ‘Intersectional’ Hierarchy

Host Jonathan Kay speaks with conservative activist, book author, and Quillette contributor Kenny Xu about the pressures that Asian-Americans now face to toe the line on progressive race orthodoxies—including acquiescing to their own unfavorable treatment in elite school admissions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 28, 202126 minSeason 1Ep. 154

Author Helen Pluckrose on the Role of Postmodernism in the Construction of Modern Social-Justice Dogmas

Quillette founder Claire Lehmann speaks with “Cynical Theories” co-author (and Grievance Studies Hoax collaborator) Helen Pluckrose about the influence of postmodern ideas in the formulation of the latest iterations of Critical Race Theory, Queer Theory, and other “intersectional” doctrines Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 25, 202148 minSeason 1Ep. 153

Bernard Lane on the Fight for a More Balanced Approach Toward Children and Teens Seeking Medicalized Gender Change

Quillette Editor-in-Chief Claire Lehmann talks to The Australian writer Bernard Lane about the severe risks associated with rushing gender dysphoric children into puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgery—and the rising tide of concerned parents who are pushing back against the campaign to reflexively ‘affirm’ children’s beliefs about their inner identity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 10, 20211 hr 4 minSeason 1Ep. 150

Michael Shellenberger on the Case for Nuclear Power, Progressive Hypocrisy on Energy Policy, and His New book, ‘Apocalypse Never’

Quillette founder Claire Lehmann talks to author and activist Michael Shellenberger about how environmental alarmism and ideological blind spots often prevent us from having a rational discussion about the best way to address climate change while growing national economies Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 23, 202142 minSeason 1Ep. 148

Sean McMeekin on ‘Stalin’s War: A New History of World War II’

Quillette’s Jonathan Kay speaks with Bard University history professor Sean McMeekin about his new book, which describes how the fears and ambitions of Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin shaped the course of the Second World War Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 18, 202144 minSeason 1Ep. 147

James Kirchick on 'The Disintegration of the ACLU'

Quillette's Jonathan Kay talks to author James Kirchick about his recent Tablet article documenting how the American Civil Liberties Union abandoned its core mission in favor of doctrinaire progressive politics Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 09, 202139 minSeason 1Ep. 146

Psychiatrist Andrew Lustig on the Conspiracist Internet Subculture of ‘Gangstalking’

Quillette ’s Jonathan Kay speaks to Canadian researcher Andrew Lustig about his research on the web-based communities of individuals who believe they are surrounded by evidence of an enormous “gangstalking” conspiracy, involving dozens or even hundreds of individuals, aimed at causing them to become insane or commit suicide. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 19, 202135 minSeason 1Ep. 143

Literary Critic (and Sopranos Cameo Actor) Leon Wieseltier on His New Magazine, the Meaning of Forgiveness, and His Favorite Car-Chase Movies

Host Jonathan Kay talks to long-time New Republic literary editor Leon Wieseltier about ‘Liberties,’ the ambitious literary journal he founded after getting Me-Too’d—and many other subjects besides, including the future of journalism, the innocence of Woody Allen, the allure of jazz music, and Nicolas Cage’s underrated cinematic masterpiece, 'Gone In 60 Seconds' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 01, 202144 minSeason 1Ep. 140

Sociologist Nathalie Heinich on French Academics' Opposition to America's Race-Based Ideologies

Quillette's Jonathan Kay speaks to eminent French sociologist Nathalie Heinich, founder of a new organization that opposes the spread of America's race-fixated academic movements into French campuses. While many conservatives have traditionally complained about the excesses of "French theory," Prof. Heinich argues, many harmful ideas are now crossing the Atlantic in the opposite direction. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...

Feb 22, 202131 minSeason 1Ep. 139

John McWhorter on the Ideological Excesses of the Social-Justice Movement

Columbia University professor and Atlantic Magazine writer John McWhorter speaks with political satirist and TV presenter Josh Szeps about the transformation of radicalized progressive politics into a religious-style belief system Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 19, 20211 hr 5 minSeason 1Ep. 136

Philippe Lemoine on the Case for Lockdown Skepticism

Jonathan Kay speaks to Philippe Lemoine about problematic assumptions embedded in the models used to support COVID lockdown policy. Yes, separating people helps reduce virus transmission and saves lives. But forced isolation also can generate serious (and often life-threatening) risks. Moreover, how much of the beneficial effects attributed to lockdowns are the result of disease-avoidant behaviours that most of us would engage in anyway? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adcho...

Jan 06, 202143 minSeason 1Ep. 134

Professor Tania Reynolds on the Controversy Over Female Mentorship in Academia

University of New Mexico social psychologist Tania Reynolds speaks with Jonathan Kay about Nature Communications' questionable decision to retract a controversial article, the intrusion of ideology into scholarship about academic mentorship, and the principles of evolutionary biology that may affect female professional relationships Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 02, 202145 minSeason 1Ep. 133

Oren Cass on the Conservative Case for Labor Unions

As the conservative movement enters a period of post-Trump flux, American Compass CEO Oren Cass explains to Quillette's Jonathan Kay why a right-leaning coalition with organized labor now makes sense Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 17, 202033 minSeason 1Ep. 131
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