"Right to Try" Is Misguided and Would Likely Do More Harm Than Good
In February, I was proud to join with my colleagues in health law, medicine, and ethics to sign a letter to Chairman Greg Walden and Ranking Member Frank Pallone in the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce in opposition to S.204, the Right to Try Act of 2017 and similar bills being considered in Congress.
Our American Discourse, Ep. 27: Why the Federal Reserve Is More Politically Constrained Than You Think
The Federal Reserve, the nation’s central bank and most influential economic regulator, isn’t as independent as critics suggest. In this episode, Sarah Binder discusses the historical research that led to this new thesis.
Our American Discourse, Ep. 26: The Risky, Rocky Ride of Today's Economy...and the Central Bankers Who Keep Watch
In this episode, USC Price School Dean Jack H. Knott interviews Atlanta Fed President Raphael W. Bostic on the state of the economy and the forces that keep it humming along.
Our American Discourse, Ep. 25: In Defense of Our Political Party System (Sort Of)
In this episode, Thad Kousser reveals some surprising facts about the political game and some useful tips for the American electorate to play it well.
Our American Discourse, Ep. 24: Can You Hear Us Shouting into the Void? Here’s How We Do It…and Why
In this episode, Jonathan Schwartz explains how we do what we do every time we broadcast over your smartphone—and how we fight the growing distractions and distortions that loom over the media landscape.
My Goal for the New Year...Quoted in Forbes
Forbes columnist Rob Asghar has a new article titled "A Novel Tip for Making Smarter Predictions," where he announces my goal to read more novels in 2018.
Our American Discourse, Ep. 23: Let Every Voice Be Heard! How to Elevate the Public Debate in 2018
In this episode, Aubrey Hicks takes us inside the Bedrosian Center and their never-ending mission to bust open the doors of democracy and give us all a seat at the table.
Bedrosian Book Club Podcast: "Democracy in Chains"
In this podcast, we discuss Nancy MacLean's "Democracy in Chains," which argues that James Buchanan and other public choice economists worked directly to benefit a small group of propertied individuals over the will of the majority.
Our American Discourse, Ep. 22: While the World Burns, a More Sustainable Future Is in the Making
In this episode, Christine Harada gives us an optimism that sustainability can prevail -- and tangible proof that we can make it happen right in our own backyard.
Our American Discourse, Ep. 21: How the Senate Can Beat Gridlock—and Why That’s Not Always a Good Thing
In this episode, Molly E. Reynolds teaches us how budget reconciliation works, where it came from, how it’s being wielded, and why you should care.
Our American Discourse, Ep. 20: When Politicians Get Rich and Voters Pay the Price
In this episode, Jordan Carr Peterson unveils the concerning conclusions of a series of research papers that pull back the veil on the financial interests of our policymakers---and the power they wield in their own favor.
Our American Discourse, Ep. 19: Imagining a Future That’s Better Than the Past
In this episode, philanthropist Nicolas Berggruen shares his vision of a progressive, cooperative future where people and technology work together to build an inclusive, intelligent society.
Our American Discourse, Ep. 17: The Very First OAD Mixtape
Are you a fan of “Our American Discourse” but missed some episodes along the way? Or maybe you just haven’t been willing to make the time commitment and you want to know if it’s worth it? Then check out this compilation of some of the best moments in our previous episodes. And even if you’ve heard them all, it helps to be reminded just how much we’ve learned and how entertained we’ve been by the guests we’ve been fortunate to interview. With the holiday season just around the corner, think of this mixtape as our gift to you.
Bedrosian Book Club Podcast: "The Death of Expertise"
Tom Nichols' "The Death of Expertise" is a broad look at the antipathy toward "experts" and "expertise" among the citizenry of contemporary United States. We discuss the argument, the nature of expertise, the role of the academic in civic education, and the state of civics in general.
Our American Discourse, Ep. 15: Sports and Racial Justice in America
In this episode, we examine this balance of power—and the protestors who are trying to change it. In front of a live audience at USC, Prof. Jody David Armour interviews ESPN writer Jason Reid about Colin Kaepernick, political activism, and being black in America.
Our American Discourse, Ep. 14: Why So Many Women Can't Access Health Care
Why is teen pregnancy so rampant in rural California when it’s been declining to record lows statewide? And why has it received so little attention? In this episode, inspirational speaker and social work professor Melissa Bird brings us face-to-face with American women who form the very bedrock of their communities -- and their incredible, invisible struggle to take care of themselves.
Our American Discourse, Ep. 13: How to Stop Feeling Marginalized and Start Engaging in Politics
You may think politics isn’t for you. In this episode, inspirational speaker and social work professor Melissa Bird knocks down the misconceptions that marginalize us and replaces them with the attitude we need to take on the injustices in our nation today.
Regarding "Greatness": A Baby Boomer's Lament
The following is a beautiful essay written by my friend Susan Chase. I think it brilliantly captures the moment we’re living in and the danger of not standing up to the forces of evil — a lesson we seem to have taken for granted from generations past.