Jim Baer talks with Francis Fukuyama — author of The End of History and the Last Man — about the fragility of liberal democracy in an age of rising authoritarianism and deepening polarization. They discuss political decay in the U.S., geopolitical threats from Russia and China, and the outsized influence of social media. Fukuyama also shares a practical vision for rebuilding effective governance through an “abundance agenda” that cuts through gridlock and proves democracy can still deliver.
Oct 16, 2025•43 min
In this episode of The Puck, Jim Baer sits down with acclaimed author and journalist Oliver Burkeman, whose books Four Thousand Weeks and The Antidote have reshaped how we think about time, productivity, and perfectionism. Oliver introduces ideas from his forthcoming book Meditations for Mortals, exploring how embracing our human limitations—rather than denying them—opens the path to deeper meaning and accomplishment. From the illusion of “getting on top of everything,” to the paradox of slowing...
Oct 03, 2025•52 min
Musician turned therapist Dan Koch joins The Puck: Venture Capital & Beyond to share his remarkable journey from touring in a rock band to pioneering research on spiritual abuse. We explore how faith and psychology intersect, why polarization is so hard to overcome, and why Dan believes ‘reality itself can be the medicine.’ A conversation about healing, curiosity, and hope in a divided world.
Sep 03, 2025•1 hr 2 min
As violence flares in Gaza and the Middle East teeters on the edge of a wider crisis, The Puck turns to Aaron David Miller — a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace; a former State department analyst and negotiator in Republican and Democratic Administrations — for an unflinching look at the road ahead. In this urgent conversation, we explore the hard lessons of history, the role of U.S. leverage, the realities of Israeli and Palestinian leadership, and whether there’s ...
Aug 14, 2025•40 min
Stanford professor and financial reform advocate Anat Admati joins Jim to unpack the growing fragility in our financial system and the dangerous myths still shaping public policy. From shadow banking and corporate debt subsidies to crypto hype and post-crisis denial, Admati pulls no punches in exposing the deep structural flaws threatening American capitalism. They discuss why financial regulations continue to fall short and what real reform would look like. Admati explains how public anger afte...
Jul 24, 2025•1 hr
Journalist and author John B. Judis joins Jim to unpack the political chaos of our time—from Trump and Sanders to shifting class loyalties, cultural divides, and the fragile state of democracy. Is a new political order emerging—or are we just stuck in a dangerous loop?
Jul 11, 2025•56 min
David French returns to The Puck for a wide-ranging, deeply thoughtful conversation about the state of American democracy, the risks of authoritarianism, and the spiritual costs of political polarization. A New York Times columnist and former National Review editor, French unpacks the dangerous allure of strongman politics, reflects on Israel’s evolving strategy in the Middle East, and explores how each of us can preserve trust and truth in chaotic times. We talk about why institutions feel brok...
Jun 20, 2025•57 min
To mark our 100th episode and launch of Season 9, Jim Baer sits down with Jeffrey Rosen—President and CEO of the National Constitution Center, host of We the People, and author of The Pursuit of Happiness: How Classical Writers on Virtue Inspired the Lives of the Founders and Defined America. In this rich and timely conversation, Rosen explores how ancient moral philosophy shaped the Founders' vision of happiness—not as pleasure, but as virtue. Together, we examine how this wisdom can help us na...
Jun 05, 2025•52 min
Stanford psychology professor Greg Walton returns for his second appearance on The Puck to discuss his new book, Ordinary Magic: The Science of How We Can Achieve Big Change with Small Acts. Three years after our first conversation, Greg rejoins the show to reflect on how our world has changed—and how subtle, science-backed interventions can help us find common ground and foster belonging. From reducing recidivism among formerly incarcerated youth to encouraging empathy across political divides,...
May 22, 2025•58 min
On this episode of The Puck: Venture Capital & Beyond, Jim Baer sits down with Kristian Rönn—climate tech founder, AI ethicist, and author of The Darwinian Trap—to explore how humanity can escape destructive evolutionary forces and build a future rooted in shared values, long-term thinking, and spiritual renewal. A conversation about risk, responsibility, and hope at the edge of history.
May 09, 2025•1 hr 2 min
In this powerful episode of The Puck, Jim Baer sits down with Michelle Goldberg—New York Times columnist, author, and longtime voice of progressive political commentary—for a deep and timely conversation. They explore how the Trump era reshaped institutional norms, the growing influence of conspiracy thinking, and the failures of both political parties to inspire and govern effectively. From Goldberg’s early activism to her critiques of Gavin Newsom’s media strategy, this discussion pulls no pun...
Apr 24, 2025•52 min
What if the strongest case for Christianity’s role in democracy came from an atheist? Jim Baer sits down with Jonathan Rauch to discuss Cross Purposes: Christianity’s Broken Bargain with Democracy, and why America needs the moral backbone that Christian virtues once provided. Rauch—Jewish, gay, and secular—argues that courage, equality, and forgiveness are essential civic values we’re losing. They talk fear, demagogues, pseudo-religions, and how a more humble, and forbearing approach could help ...
Apr 10, 2025•1 hr 3 min
In this thought-provoking episode, Jim Baer sits down with political scientist Steven Teles, professor at Johns Hopkins University and co-author of The Captured Economy and Never Trump. Together, they explore the shifting class dynamics fueling America’s political polarization and the deepening distrust in institutions—from higher education to public health. Teles unpacks the realignment of the Democratic and Republican parties, the decline of union-based class identity, and why our government s...
Apr 02, 2025•53 min
Navigating a New World with Michael Lind In this episode of The Puck, Jim Baer sits down with acclaimed writer and policy thinker Michael Lind, co-founder of New America and author of Hell to Pay: How the Suppression of Wages is Destroying America. Together, they explore the global economic shifts, the U.S. political realignment, the dangers of intellectual gridlock, and the implications of Cold War II with China. Lind offers a wide-ranging, provocative analysis—from the future of the middle cla...
Mar 24, 2025•1 hr 5 min
On this episode of The Puck, host Jim Baer sits down with Aswath Damodaran, renowned NYU finance professor and the “Dean of Valuation,” for a deep dive into the current economic landscape. Damodaran breaks down the market’s recent volatility, the looming risk of a recession, and why the U.S. has been able to defy macroeconomic gravity for so long. He explores the impact of globalization’s decline, the role of risk capital, and the evolving influence of AI and Big Tech on markets. From the challe...
Mar 17, 2025•1 hr 1 min
On this episode of The Puck: Venture Capital and Beyond, host Jim Baer sits down with Republican pollster and political strategist Patrick Ruffini, co-founder of Echelon Insights and author of The Party of the People: Inside the Multiracial Populist Coalition Remaking the GOP. Ruffini shares his insights on the shifting political landscape, the rise of a multiracial working-class coalition within the Republican Party, and what this realignment means for future elections. They discuss why Trump’s...
Mar 11, 2025•46 min
On this week’s episode, Jim sits down with Gary Gerstle, author, professor, and historian with a focus on “Political Orders.” His most recent book, “The Rise and Fall of the Neoliberal Order,” came out in 2022, and explores the larger trends in political thinking which make up a consensus, oftentimes a consensus we take for granted. Their conversation covers classical liberalism, neoliberalism, and… where we are right now. You don’t want to miss this clarifying discussion.
Mar 03, 2025•58 min
On this week’s episode, Jim sits down with Frank Furedi, author, social commentator, and Emeritus Professor of Sociology at the University of Kent. Frank is a free speech absolutist and has been a longtime critic of what he and others call “The Culture Wars.” They discuss Frank’s background, his academic work, and how he formed his worldview.
Feb 24, 2025•55 min
On this week’s episode, Jim sits down with Jai Das, President and Partner at Sapphire Ventures. They cover Jai’s history as a developer, the Sapphire origin story, and Jai’s current read of the financial landscape. Their conversation explores what sets successful companies apart, and what’s next for Sapphire, including their groundbreaking AI investment initiative. A fascinating conversation you don’t want to miss!
Feb 19, 2025•39 min
In this illuminating episode of The Puck, Jim sits down with Greg McKeown, the bestselling author of "Essentialism" and "Effortless." McKeown shares his journey from London law student to influential thought leader, revealing his groundbreaking philosophy of achieving more by doing less. Through engaging stories—ranging from Silicon Valley successes to Norwegian polar expeditions—McKeown explains how success often leads to "the undisciplined pursuit of more," and offers practical tools for movin...
Dec 18, 2024•48 min
Once again, we have the privilege of hosting world-renowned economist Sir Paul Collier. Paul and Jim discuss the vast changes in the world economy since Paul was last on the show in 2022. They cover inflation, geopolitical conflict, and of course Paul’s new book, Left Behind: A New Economics for Neglected Places. Give us a listen and let us know what you think.
Dec 03, 2024•45 min
Media entrepreneur and Hidden Forces host Demetri Kofinas returns to The Puck to discuss the evolution of technology, security, and social dynamics since last year when he was on. From the siloing of our media ecosystems to the relationship between innovation and regulation, Demetri shares a nuanced perspective on how emerging technologies are reshaping global politics and international conflicts. A fascinating conversation you don’t want to miss!
Nov 14, 2024•36 min
Jim sits back down with Shomik Dutta, co-founder and managing partner at Overture VC, who is on the cutting edge of climate tech. They catch up and discuss how the VC and climate space has changed in the last 18 months. Don’t miss it!
Oct 23, 2024•39 min
On this episode, Jim interviews economist Doug Holtz-Eakin, president of the American Action Forum, to explore the current slate of economic issues facing the United States. Drawing from his extensive experience in academia and government, Holtz-Eakin offers his perspective on topics ranging from sustainable economic growth and fiscal policy to past financial crises, monetary policy, housing markets, and potential economic risks. Their conversation provides valuable insights into the complexitie...
Aug 02, 2024•56 min
On this week’s episode, Jim sits down with Greg Lukianoff, president and CEO of The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, an organization focused on the legal defense of free speech. Greg is the co-author of The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting Up a Generation for Failure with Jonathan Haidt. Most recently Greg co-authored The Canceling of the American Mind: Cancel Culture Undermines Trust and Threatens Us All—But There Is a Solution with Ri...
Jul 11, 2024•54 min
On this week’s episode, Jim sits down with non-theist chaplain Devin Sean Moss. Devin has done significant work as a podcast host and producer on the subject of death and dying. Their conversation covers belief, fundamental goodness in the world, and of course, a vast exploration of our collective understanding of death. A deeply moving conversation that you don’t want to miss. 100470
Jun 28, 2024•51 min
On this week’s episode, Jim sits down with Stephen M. R. Covey, author, motivational speaker, and all-around expert on the subject of leadership. Their wide-ranging conversation covers his background, how he built his leadership practice, and, of course, his relationship with his father, the late Stephen R Covey, author of The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. You don’t want to miss it!
May 29, 2024•58 min
On this week’s episode, Jim sits down with renowned physician, scientist, and author of the New York Times bestseller “Eat to Beat Disease: The New Science of How Your Body Can Heal Itself,” Dr. William Li. Dr. Li is a lab scientist and vascular biologist, who has built a career studying our relationship to food. Their conversation covers Dr. Li’s research, his background, and some practical advice about how diet can impact your long-term health.
May 22, 2024•56 min
Frank Bruni is a contributing Opinion writer at The New York Times. He has been both a White House correspondent and the chief restaurant critic. He is the author of four New York Times best sellers: a 2022 reflection on illness, aging and optimism, "The Beauty of Dusk"; a 2015 examination of the college admissions frenzy, “Where You Go Is Not Who You'll Be”; a 2009 memoir, “Born Round,” about the joys and torments of his eating life; and a 2002 chronicle of George W. Bush’s initial presidential...
May 09, 2024•51 min
Larry Summers is on the show this week! Jim sits down with renowned economist Larry Summers to talk recent US financial history, the current state of the national debt, some unintended consequences of Quantitate Easing, and much much more. In addition to serving as Secretary of the Treasury under Bill Clinton and the Director of the National Economic Council under Barack Obama, Summers was President of Harvard University, and, in a Puck Podcast first, was portrayed (albeit briefly) in the 2010 A...
Apr 26, 2024•44 min
