What does it really mean when we call someone a socialist, communist, or fascist? Where did these ideologies come from, and why do we have ideologies in the first place?
Today we speak with Patrick McGovern, professor of political science at Buffalo State University, and Susan Kang, professor of political science at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and h ... Show More
Jul 28
Why do Americans love conspiracy theories?
Conspiracy theories are not new in the United States, but over the years they have taken on a life and power of their own. How did conspiracy theories become so entrenched in the American mind? Why is it that, even if we don't entirely believe them, we like them? Our guests today ... Show More
43m 18s
Jul 14
Why is our union so imperfect? (With Jill Lepore)
Pulitzer-prize winning historian and author Jill Lepore has spent her career uncovering the stories we often do not tell, particularly about American history and democracy. In her most recent books, These Truths and We, the People, she asks what really made and makes the United S ... Show More
55m 14s
Mar 2017
Intersectionality: Identity Politics and Class Consciousness.
Brett sits down with two university professors of sociology and a masters candidate in sociology to discuss the issues of intersectionality, the weaknesses of class-less identity politics and of class reductionism, the influence of Karl Marx on the field of sociology, Malcolm X a ... Show More
1h 1m
Sep 2025
What's the Difference Between Socialism and Communism?
Socialism and communism are often mentioned in the same breath, and they do share a common history, but socialists aren't necessarily communists -- and vice versa. Learn more about both concepts and how they've been put into practice in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this a ... Show More
11m 9s
Sep 2025
#433 — How Did We Get Here?
Sam Harris speaks with Dan Carlin about the decades-long buildup to our current political moment. They discuss the growing powers of the presidency, executive orders, different factions within the Republican Party, the fragmentation of our society, Libertarianism, the growing pro ... Show More
22m 6s