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22 December 2025

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Jun 7, 2013 — Michael Brendan Dougherty & Craig Calcaterra
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The Score

On The Score, Michael and Craig discuss baseball’s burgeoning Biogenesis scandal. Is this a sign that MLB is finally serious about cracking down on performance-enhancing drugs? Craig wonders whether baseball is putting public relations ahead of effective punishment. They examine whether Tony Bosch, the key figure in the scandal, has damaged his credibility too much for the case to hold up. How are media leaks that accuse big names of misconduct shaping the case? They close by predicting how the story will play out, with Michael explaining why he wants to see a mass suspension of players.

Jun 5, 2013 — Conor Friedersdorf & Elizabeth Nolan Brown
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Friedersdorf

On Friedersdorf, Conor and Elizabeth consider how Bushwick, Brooklyn quickly went from post-apocalyptic wasteland to hipster paradise. They discuss the new season of Arrested Development on Netflix and how binge watching has changed our relationship with TV. They move on to a controversial essay by a woman who chooses not to use birth control, which leads to a consideration of new ways that non-fiction writers can tell stories. Is Mark Bittman wrong about eating meat? And is a Northwestern student wrong to refuse to sing a song with lyrics by Walt Whitman?

Jun 4, 2013 — Alyssa Rosenberg & Sean T. Collins
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Critic Proof

Spoiler alert! On Critic Proof, Alyssa and Sean dive deep into the infamous “Red Wedding” episode of Game of Thrones. How did the climactic scene compare to the book? Has the show done a disservice to the character of Catelyn? They discuss how GoT portrays spectacle and extreme violence on a limited budget, compare Walder Frey and Craster, and analyze the series’ portrayal of the evils of war. Turning to Sunday night’s other prestige drama, they wonder whether Mad Men is stuck in a rut and guess where the show will go next.

Jun 3, 2013 — Robert Wright & Serhat Güvenç
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Worldwise
Jun 2, 2013 — Jonathan Phillips & Joe Henrich
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The Mind Report
May 31, 2013 — Robert Farley & Nate Jones
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Foreign Entanglements
On Foreign Entanglements, Rob speaks with Nate about newly declassified documents concerning the secret 1983 NATO exercise Able Archer. Rob sets the stage by discussing the increase in tensions between the US and the USSR, and Nate explains why the exercise scared the Soviets. Nate then describes three sets of documents about the exercise, shedding light on Soviet fears of a US nuclear first strike, how a Warsaw Pact-NATO war in Europe would play out, and whether there was a real danger of the war game becoming real. Nate describes the “crown jewel” of declassified documents. They close by predicting the contents of declassified war on terror documents from decades in the future.
May 29, 2013 — Robert Wright & James Traub
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Worldwise
May 28, 2013 — David Blankenhorn hosts a conversation with Glenn Loury and Glenn Loury II
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The Glenn Show
On a special live edition of The Glenn Show, David moderates a discussion with the Glenns, father and son. Glenn shares some family history, and Glenn II shares the story of how he came out to his parents. They consider the morality of homosexual conduct and the growing support for same-sex marriage, including the effect of personal ties on changing minds. Glenn II explains why his support of gay marriage has deepened recently. David argues that, for the sake of marriage, we must leave the culture war behind. Why is marriage declining in the general population? Should children be taught that marriage is the way to escape poverty? Finally, the three debate the comparison between the civil rights movement and the current struggle for same-sex marriage.
May 25, 2013 — Paul Bloom & Joseph Simmons
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The Mind Report
May 24, 2013 — Matthew Duss & Patrick Christy
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Foreign Entanglements
On Foreign Entanglements, Patrick argues that the US should “max out” sanctions on Iran. Matt says sanctions are having impact, but wonders whether they’re changing Iran’s nuclear calculus. They debate the credibility of US threats, including how Syria’s possible use of chemical weapons affects Iran’s behavior. Can Iran—or the US Congress—actually accept a deal? And would a strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities be the inevitable first step toward regime change?

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