Best Sophia Wise One Podcasts (2025)

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Episode 7.5: Trump and the Era of Ungoverning: A Discussion with Russell Muirhead and Nancy Rosenblum 46:45

1d ago46:45

46:45

Interviewer: MATTHEW ROTH. In their 2024 book Ungoverning: The Attack on the Administrative State and the Politics of Chaos, Professors RUSSELL MUIRHEAD (Dartmouth) and NANCY ROSENBLUM (Harvard) analyze the emergence of “ungoverning,” a political trend aimed at limiting or dismantling key functions of the administrative state. They situate this dev…

1
Episode 7.4: The Age of Choice: A Conversation with Sophia Rosenfeld 42:53

20d ago42:53

42:53

Interviewer: JOSHUA ROSE. Historian and Penn Professor SOPHIA ROSENFELD discusses her new book The Age of Choice: A History of Freedom in Modern Life, exploring how choice became central to modern ideas of freedom — and why our obsession with it can leave us anxious, overwhelmed, and divided. From the rise of shopping and religious freedom to roman…

1
You are a receiver and a broadcaster ~ Devotion to the Frequency 26:07

21d ago26:07

26:07

Powerful and magic-making Medicine Callers almost all go through the process of learning that when you manifest, you better be REAL specific because what you ask for will come into being. If you are not clear about what you really want, it will be a picture-perfect delivery of the order, and the EXPERIENCE or FEELING may not be what you were hoping…

1
Devotion to the Frequency 18:48

22d ago18:48

18:48

Powerful and magic-making Medicine Callers almost all go through the process of learning that when you manifest, you better be REAL specific because what you ask for will come into being. If you are not clear about what you really want, it will be a picture-perfect delivery of the order, and the EXPERIENCE or FEELING may not be what you were hoping…

1
Episode 7.3: Rethinking the COVID Era: A Conversation with Frances Lee and Stephen Macedo 46:23

2M ago46:23

46:23

Interviewer: MATTHEW ROTH. When the Sars-CoV-2 spread across the world in the spring of 2020, it triggered unprecedented lockdowns in nearly every country, including democracies where such drastic measures were previously considered unlikely to be feasible. The hope was that the virus could be stopped and eventually eliminated, and that deaths coul…

1
Episode 7.2: Brazil's Pink Tide and the Politics of Redistribution 1:39:13

2M ago1:39:13

1:39:13

In this episode, host RAFAEL KHACHATURIAN speaks with sociologist and political theorist NARA ROBERTA SILVA about the trajectory of Brazil’s left over the past two decades. Together, they unpack the rise and contradictions of the Workers' Party (PT), Brazil’s role in the Latin American “pink tide,” and the tensions between grassroots mobilization, …

1
Episode 7.1: The Workings of Canadian Democracy in the Shadow of Trump 52:00

3M ago52:00

52:00

Interviewer: MATTHEW ROTH. In an era that has seen the rise of right-wing populism, which has often pitted itself against the institutions of liberal democracy, recent election outcomes in Canada and Australia hint at a counter-trend. Political scientist LORI TURNBULL, an expert on not just Canadian politics but of the nuts-and-bolts of Canadian de…

1
Episode 6.15: Panic Wisely: Navigating Collapse in an Age of Crisis 1:13:15

4M ago1:13:15

1:13:15

In this episode, RAFAEL KHACHATURIAN speaks with IRA ALLEN, Associate Professor of Rhetoric, Writing, and Digital Media Studies at Northern Arizona University, about his latest book, Panic Now: Tools for Humanizing. Allen explores panic as a vital, practical response to the unfolding crises of climate, capitalism, and colonial legacies. He argues f…

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Episode 6.14: Crossing the Line: Finding America in the Borderlands 33:57

4M ago33:57

33:57

Author SARAH TOWLE discusses her book, Crossing the Line: Finding America in the Borderlands.By Andrea Mitchell Center

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Episode 6.13: Democracy's New Frontier: Integrating Ecosystems into Political Communities 41:14

4M ago41:14

41:14

In this episode of the Andrea Mitchell Center Podcast, host Cathy Bartch is joined by environmental experts Carolina Angel Botero and Fernanda Jiménez to explore innovative approaches to democracy that extend beyond traditional, human-centered perspectives. Together, they discuss the Rights of Nature movement emerging from Latin America, the comple…

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Episode 6.12: Dying Abroad: A Conversation with Osman Balkan 40:50

6M ago40:50

40:50

In this episode, MATT BERKMAN speaks with OSMAN BALKAN, Associate Director of the Huntsman Program at the University of Pennsylvania and author of Dying Abroad: The Political Afterlives of Migration in Europe. Their conversation delves into the profound yet often overlooked decisions migrants face around death and burial—choices that reflect deeply…

1
Episode 6.11: The Path Ahead for Syrian Reconstruction 38:16

6M ago38:16

38:16

INTERVIEWER: YARA DAMAJ. The collapse of the Assad regime has reshaped Syria’s political landscape, bringing both significant opportunities and deep uncertainties. This episode unpacks the factors behind Assad’s downfall, the power struggles within the opposition, and the ongoing fight for justice after years of repression. As regional dynamics shi…

1
Episode 6.10: Fetal Personhood, Bodily Autonomy and the Roe Not Taken 47:12

6M ago47:12

47:12

Interviewer: MATTHEW ROTH. Since it was overturned in 2022, Roe v. Wade has continued to represent to many what the restoration of abortion rights would look like. As philosopher BERTHA ALVAREZ MANNINEN has long pointed out, however, Roe itself was vulnerable to challenges from the fetal personhood movement. Two years before Roe, on the other hand,…

1
Episode 6.9: A Conversation with Slavoj Žižek 28:22

7M ago28:22

28:22

AMC Director Jeff Green is joined by Slavoj Žižek, renowned Slovenian philosopher and cultural theorist whose work spans psychoanalysis, politics, and popular culture. Known for his sharp wit, provocative style, and ability to blend complex theory with humor, Žižek has been a major voice on the Western intellectual left since the 1990s. As one of t…

1
Episode 6.8: Seeking the Fifth Voice: A Journey into American History and Democracy 46:13

8M ago46:13

46:13

Interviewer: MATTHEW ROTH. In late 2020, in the midst of COVID lockdowns and the national election, speechwriter and opinion columnist FRANCIS BARRY bought an RV and, with his wife Laurel, traveled across from New York to San Francisco via the Lincoln Highway, interviewing citizens along the way to explore what still bound the nation together in di…

1
Spider Queen Report ~ By Way of The Mundane 11:00

9M ago11:00

11:00

After my Spider Queen initiation in 2018, I began receiving channeled messages from the Spider Queen. This was a new kind of receiving and sharing for me, and I have been gentle with myself as I am called to share them. They always come in with a particular mix of deeply personal and inherently collective insight. They almost always make my mind an…

1
Episode 6.7: We the People: How Citizens Prevented Past Presidents from Permanently Breaking American Democracy 50:07

10M ago50:07

50:07

Interviewer: MATTHEW ROTH. In theory, the US Constitution established a system by which the three branches of government keep each other in check. Political scientist and constitutional scholar COREY BRETTSCHNEIDER argues that, in fact, it has more often been citizen pressure – not the courts or the legislature – that has rescued us from the anti-d…

1
Episode 6.6: Battleground PA: Voters, Values, and the Fight for the Future 56:25

10M ago56:25

56:25

Interviewer: RAFAEL KHACHATURIAN. In this episode, Professors MARC MEREDITH and MICHAEL MORSE from the University of Pennsylvania unpack Pennsylvania's pivotal role in the upcoming U.S. election. They explore Pennsylvania’s unique political geography, its electoral laws, and the critical implications of mail-in ballots. The discussion dives into th…

1
Episode 6.5: Ian Lustick on Israel-Gaza and the United States 57:58

11M ago57:58

57:58

Interviewer: MATTHEW BERKMAN. Penn Professor (emeritus) IAN LUSTICK, who has been teaching on the Israel-Palestine conflict at Penn since 1991, returns to the podcast to share his thoughts on the ongoing crisis.By Andrea Mitchell Center

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Episode 6.4: Socialism as an Alternative to Liberal Democracy? A Conversation with Peter Frase 46:10

11M ago46:10

46:10

In this episode, MIRANDA SKLAROFF is in conversation with PETER FRASE, editorial board member of Jacobin magazine and author of Four Futures: Life After Capitalism. Frase presents a case for socialism as a superior alternative to liberal democracy, delving into the critical differences between socialists and social democrats. The discussion also ex…

1
Episode 6.3: Indian Democracy Between Elections: A Conversation with Professor Lisa Mitchell 47:52

12M ago47:52

47:52

Interviewer: JOSHUA ROSE. In her book, Hailing the State: Indian Democracy Between Elections, Professor LISA MITCHELL explores the various methods of collective action used by people in India to hold elected officials and government administrators accountable. Moving beyond an exclusive focus on electoral processes, Mitchell argues that to understa…

1
Episode 6.2: Corruption and Code: How Data Centers are Shaping Virginia's Future 37:07

1y ago37:07

37:07

Interviewer: MATTHEW BERKMAN. Anti-corruption activist JOSH STANFIELD returns to the AMC podcast. This discussion centers on the significant impact of data centers in Virginia, which currently hosts the largest data center market in the world. These massive facilities, crucial for the growing prevalence of AI and other technologies, bring economic …

1
Episode 6.1: Environmental Policy in Peril: A Conversation with Professor Eric Orts 24:27

1y ago24:27

24:27

AUDREY JAQUISS sits down with Penn Professor ERIC ORTS to explore the future of environmental regulation and politics in light of recent Supreme Court decisions. In the last two years, the Court has significantly curtailed the Environmental Protection Agency's authority to protect wetlands and regulate greenhouse gas emissions from power plants. Th…

1
Episode 5.15: Bonds Beyond Borders: Affect and Memory in the Yugoslav People's Army 51:32

1+ y ago51:32

51:32

TANJA PETROVIĆ, principal research associate at the Research Center of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, discusses her recent book Utopia in Uniform: Affective Afterlives of the Yugoslav People's Army. Moderated by RAFAEL KHACHATURIAN.By Andrea Mitchell Center

1
Episode 5.14: Professor Anne Norton on Wild Democracy 51:06

1+ y ago51:06

51:06

ANNE NORTON, Professor of Political Science at the University of Pennsylvania, discusses her book Wild Democracy: Anarchy, Courage, and Ruling the Law with moderator and Penn alumnus JOSHUA ROSE.By Andrea Mitchell Center

1
Episode 5.13: The Erosion of Democracy: Dr. Robin S. Brooks on Democratic Backsliding 38:27

1+ y ago38:27

38:27

DR. ROBIN S. BROOKS, career diplomat and former Special Advisor to the Vice President for Europe, Russia, Multilateral Affairs, and Democracy, delves into the intricacies of democracy. The discussion explores the pivotal role of elections and the alarming phenomenon of democratic backsliding, particularly evident in ex-Soviet States. Dr. Brooks she…

1
Episode 5.12: Rep Mikie Sherrill on Whether the Bipartisan Consensus on Foreign Policy Will Hold and on Threats to American Democracy 32:07

1+ y ago32:07

32:07

This episode focuses on the recent passage of a foreign aid package by the House of Representatives, which includes aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. The delay in passing the bill raised concerns about America's reliability in fulfilling its international commitments. The episode explores how partisan divides are reshaping views on foreign policy…

1
Episode 5.11: Rhiana Gunn-Wright on Climate Policy: From Ideals to Action 44:34

1+ y ago44:34

44:34

AUDREY JAQUISS interviews RHIANA GUNN-WRIGHT, Climate Policy Director of the Roosevelt Institute. They delve into discussions on the intersection of climate policy with issues such as white supremacy, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and economic concerns. Gunn-Wright explores the importance of universality in climate policy and strategies for na…

1
Episode 5.10: Disinformation is a Threat to Democracy Says Barbara McQuade 48:21

1+ y ago48:21

48:21

Barbara McQuade, a legal analyst for NBC News and MSNBC, discusses her new book Attack from Within: How Disinformation is Sabotaging America. Barbara argues disinformation is a threat to democracy. However, the larger threat is not from foreign adversaries, but those within the country who use disinformation for political gain. Still, the even larg…

1
Episode 5.9: Why is the Immigration System Broken? Jonathan Blitzer on How American Foreign Policy in Central America Created a Crisis 54:10

1+ y ago54:10

54:10

JONATHAN BLITZER, staff writer at The New Yorker, discusses his recent book Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here: The United States, Central America, and the Making of a Crisis. According to Blitzer, immigration policy happens at the intersection of international relations and domestic politics. In this episode, he uses personal stories to help explain his…

1
Episode 5.8: Unveiling Anti-Blackness: A Transnational Dialogue 33:34

1+ y ago33:34

33:34

Join Secretary MARCIA LIMA and Penn Professor MICHAEL G. HANCHARD in a candid conversation on the pervasive nature of anti-blackness in Brazil and the United States. Lima currently serves as the Secretary of Affirmative Action Policies and Combatting and Overcoming Racism at the Ministry of Racial Equality in Brazil. This conversation examines para…

1
Episode 5.7: Powering Progress: Navigating Energy Justice with Benjamin Sovacool 27:43

1+ y ago27:43

27:43

Interviewer: AUDREY JAQUISS. Director of the Institute for Global Sustainability and Professor at Boston University, BENJAMIN SOVACOOL, delves into the crucial concept of energy justice. Sovacool unravels its definition and examines the demographics and locations where it is most pertinent. Distinguishing energy justice from climate or environmenta…

1
Episode 5.6: Liberalism in Dark Times: A Conversation with Professor Joshua Cherniss 39:26

1+ y ago39:26

39:26

Interviewer: JOSHUA ROSE. Associate Professor at Georgetown University, JOSHUA CHERNISS, explores the dynamic relationship between diversity of thought and democracy, acknowledging it as both a core element of democracy's existence while also a significant challenge to its sustenance. He challenges the assumption that democracy will endure, emphasi…

1
Episode 5.5: Navigating Justice: A Day in the Life of Assistant District Attorney Helena von Nagy 54:11

1+ y ago54:11

54:11

Interviewer: JOSHUA ROSE. Philadelphia is a city grappling with complex dynamics surrounding policing, criminality, and a commitment to rehabilitation. HELENA VON NAGY, an Assistant District Attorney in the Municipal Court, delves into the intricacies of Philadelphia's criminal justice system, narrating her day-to-day experiences working at the hea…

1
Episode 5.4: Truth and Transparency: Navigating Virginia's 2023 Elections - Josh Stanfield 50:41

2y ago50:41

50:41

Interviewer: MATTHEW BERKMAN. On the cusp of a crucial election for Virginia, political activist JOSH STANFIELD discusses the stakes in his second AMC podcast appearance in an interview with political scientist Matthew Berkman. With this being the first legislative election for both Congressional chambers under new maps designed after the 2020 cens…

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Episode 5.3: Bringing Possibility Back In: Political Hope in Theory and Practice – Loren Goldman 59:52

2y ago59:52

59:52

Interviewer: JOSHUA ROSE. In his recent book, The Principle of Political Hope, political theorist LOREN GOLDMAN attempts to avoid the sense of inevitability that creeps into political thought, either as optimistic faith in unstoppable progress or pessimistic despair at a broken world. Engaging with thinkers such as Immanuel Kant, Ernst Bloch, Charl…

1
Practice Like Your Hair Is On Fire 13:37

2y ago13:37

13:37

Beloved listeners, this is the final episode of our season and Sophia has one simple message to leave you with: Practice. Recommit to your practice. Now more than ever it is time to make a promise to your future self to do the things that feel good and nourishing to you, even if they are hard work. You will feel better when you consistently show up…

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Episode 5.2: The End of Greenwashing? How Two California Bills Promote Climate Accountability – Michael Gerrard and Eric Orts 42:32

2y ago42:32

42:32

Interviewer: AUDREY JAQUISS. The California legislature has passed two bills, now awaiting Governor Gavin Newsome’s signature, that potentially open up a new frontier in environmental law and climate action. As law professor MICHAEL GERRARD and Wharton professor ERIC ORTS explain, SB 253 would require that companies disclose their carbon emissions,…

1
Bonus - Origin of Existence 4:47

2y ago4:47

4:47

Beloved listeners, we are winding down this season of Medicine Caller as we are in the depths of the harvesting season. The world is turning inward once again to start a new year of digestion, rest, emergence, and growth. The warmth of summer is still kissing our skin here in the northern hemisphere, and yet the winds and shadows now have the promi…

1
It's Time To Be Seen And Grounded 17:54

2y ago17:54

17:54

Witnessing is vital to our personal growth and wellbeing. It is the act of being present and observant without judgment, which allows us to connect deeply with ourselves and others. As we practice spiritual witnessing, we begin to better understand the beauty of life and our unique perspectives. The first step towards being witnessed is acknowledgi…

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Episode 5.1: The Majority-World Experience of A.I. – Rigoberto Lara Guzmán and Ranjit Singh 34:47

2y ago34:47

34:47

Interviewer: KIM FERNANDES. Our perspective on emerging technology such as A.I. is often future-oriented and technocratic, focused on how its design features might someday transform the world – and, above all, the advanced economies of the world – in ways wanted and unwanted. In their work at the Data & Society Institute, RIGOBERTO LARA GUZMÁN and …

1
098 Going To Your Temple 23:27

2y ago23:27

23:27

Beloved listeners, as we bring this season of Vagina Talks to a close, we begin to look forward to the next shape this show will take. The winds of change are blowing and it can often be very soothing to take refuge from those winds in our temples. Perhaps your temple is an elaborate garden, or perhaps it is a grand marble building on a hill, maybe…

1
Transforming Pain into Power: Alchemy for the Soul 18:00

2y ago18:00

18:00

In times of hardship and pain, it can be challenging to see the value and potential for growth that may be hidden within the struggle. The Monster Carries a Gem illustrates the idea that even in our most difficult situations, there is a hidden treasure that we can discover and use to redefine ourselves. Embracing these difficult emotions can provid…

1
097 Listening to the Body's Subtle Cues 24:44

2y ago24:44

24:44

Beloved listeners, we have a very sweet episode for you this week. Sophia talks about the deceptively simple tool of listening to your body's signals and cues when they are quiet instead of waiting for the all hands on deck emergency alarms. Some easy examples are cooking food before you're the kind of hungry where you think you might faint, or get…

1
Permission Granted 15:32

2y ago15:32

15:32

Beloved listeners, give yourselves permission! Get it from us here at Medicine Caller! Whatever it takes to set you free in order to do the beautiful things you are on this earth to do! In this episode, Sophia discusses the importance of giving ourselves permission to pursue our desires, embrace authenticity, and experience love. She acknowledges t…

1
096 You Take Up Space and You Matter 12:44

2y ago12:44

12:44

The anterior of the pelvic bowl gave Sophia the teaching of, "You are made of space and matter. You take up space and you matter." In this episode you are being validated, and summoned to honor your temporary and holy form. Together we are unraveling the stories we tell ourselves about needing to be different. Sweet, sacred listener, you are a mira…

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