Story in the Public Square
Story in the Public Square
Story in the Public Square is a weekly, 30-minute series that brings audiences to the intersection of storytelling and public affairs. Hosted by Jim Ludes and G. Wayne Miller, Story in the Public Square offers a spirited but respectful dialogue. Often funny, always provocative, each episode of Story in the Public Square moves beyond traditional public affairs programming to consider the impact of …Social links:
Follow the podcast:
Carissa Véliz envisions our future with AI
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.
27:41
Off air, on record. Carol Lin on the moments that shaped her behind the anchor desk
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 n…
28:02
Improving cancer outcomes and bettering lives with Cheryl L. 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.
27:46
Nicholas Reynolds and Katie S. Sanders on Peter Ortiz's daring exploits behind enemy lines in World War II
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.
28:12
Sean O’Callaghan breaks down Pope Leo XIV's insights on artificial intelligence
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 no…
27:35
Amy Hanauer on the inequities in the American tax code and their implications for all of us
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.
27:52
Mary Afsari on the frontlines of womens' healthcare
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.
27:30
Farnaz Fassihi on the conflict in Iran, its impacts and efforts to end it
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.
27:52
Jeffrey Rosen on Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton and America's enduring questions
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 questi…
28:28
Jamie Metzl on the intersection of AI and our common moral code
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 acro…
28:34