STORY IN THE PUBLIC SQUARE

#1701 Jamie Metzl
Scholars of religion and philosophy, and even some spiritual leaders, have long identified key similarities in the world’s different moral codes. Author and futurist Jamie Metzl asks whether artificial intelligence can distill a compelling moral code that synthesizes the greatest thinking from across humanity.

#1702 Jeffrey Rosen
Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton stand astride the core debates in American history from neutrality to civil rights and beyond. New York Times bestselling author and constitutional scholar Jeffrey Rosen traces that history, the rise and falls of each man’s reputation, and the enduring questions they asked about power, the citizen, and the American state.

#1703 Michael Shermer
Whether it’s the existence of God, UFOs, or the nature of consciousness, we all grapple with mysteries of the universe. Where some find answers in religious faith, New York Times bestselling science writer Michael Shermer challenges people to demand answers rooted in science and skepticism.

#1704 Farnaz Fassihi
The United States and Israel began bombing Iran in February 2026. In the months that followed, we have seen spasms of violence and claims of diplomatic progress. New York Times reporter Farnaz Fassihi covers the conflict, its impact on the Iranian people, and the diplomatic efforts to end it.

#1705 Mary Afsari
The data says that more than half of the country’s population is made up of women. But women’s healthcare has grown increasingly politicized. Dr. Mary Fariba Afsari is on the front lines of care, offering healthcare from a mobile clinic that meets patients where they are.

#1706 Amy Hanauer
It’s been said that the only things certain in life are death and taxes. But Amy Hanauer of the Institute on Tax Policy and Economic Policy says that for some, taxes might not be on that list anymore—with societal implications for us all.

#1707 Sean O’Callaghan
The Vatican has long concerned itself with the practical interaction of theology with the world in which its followers live. Scholar Sean O’Callaghan says that the recent message from Pope Leo XIV on Artificial Intelligence follows in that tradition and offers profound insights for believers and non-believers alike.

#1708 Nicholas Reynolds & Katie S. Sanders
Historian Nicholas Reynolds and award-winning journalist Katie S. Sanders tell the story of a combat-veteran of the French Foreign Legion who ultimately distinguished himself for valor as a U.S. Marine fighting in Europe during the Second World War.

#1709 Cheryl Willman
Dr. Cheryl L. Willman, Director of the Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, discusses cancer’s toll as the second leading cause of death throughout the world and the research aimed at improving outcomes and bettering lives.

#1710 Carol Lin
They come into our homes regularly: people we think we know because we see them on television all the time. Author and journalist Carol Lin reveals a complex personal backstory to the familiar faces we watch on television—even as she remembers 9/11 and one of the moments that made her a household name.

#1711 Carissa Veliz
From the oracles of antiquity to the AI-driven tech giants of today, humanity’s desire to foresee the future is long-standing. AI ethicist Carissa Véliz warns that predicting the future is not the same as foretelling the truth.

#1712 Tamryn Spruill
For 30 seasons, female professional athletes in the United States have been part of an effort to build a professional basketball league while also confronting racism, sexism, and anti-LGBTQ bias. Award-winning journalist Tamryn Spruill recounts that history—and the players whose gritty determination on and off the court—built the league and changed the country.


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