"Please reconsider what you hear on NPR or any other media source for that matter."
This is the bottom line for this episode and probably every episode. Thanks for increasing awareness about political bias and propaganda in the media. I write about analyzing fake narratives and slogans in my "2026" Substack at 2026.substack.com.
Thank you for the insightful discussion, Peter. Also, I am thrilled to learn that you chose to connect with Steven Bonnell via his YouTube platform—the conversation was highly educational and thought-provoking.
Once again, thank you for your continued efforts to engage young people in conversing and exchanging ideas about various subjects, however emotionally challenging and, at times, sensitive in nature.
In the 1990s, as I was dealing with my then husband's cross-dressing escapades while raising our toddler and infant sons, I called in to Brian Lehrer's show to explain that his guest was avoiding the realities of men cross-dressing. The guest, a man, had written a book encouraging all men to "explore their feminine side" and wear scarves, make-up, shoes and other accessories designed for women. Lehrer demurred when this author told him how great he'd look in pink silk chiffon. I remember listening to my own voice on National Public Radio, asking what the author had to say about a husband who spent all of the monthly budget not used on food and the baby's diapers on his second "female" wardrobe, kept secret since the baby's birth. The secret came to the surface with the discovery of the journals. Brian Lehrer let his guest change the subject.
Ute Heggen, author, In the Curated Woods, True Tales from a Grass Widow (iuniverse, 2022)
Another excellent show with a nice range of subjects covered. The conversation about the "dangers" of free speech with a so-called expert was particularly infuriating...what a joke NPR has become. I really enjoy the anti-testimonials of former listeners. Resurrecting the James Damore incident was a great idea. It's a wonder how many people didn't hear about that incident, or if they did, just ignored it as more blather from the "right."
Re: the discussion of NPR's slanted coverage of cancel culture in the universities: I think this episode suffered a bit from not providing more concrete examples of harassment of non-woke professors by left-wing students/social justice activists. Because of media silos like NPR, progressives are unaware of these cancellations and are skeptical that they actually occur. The graph was good, but it didn't make a huge impact. More concrete examples would have helped. For instance, a list of specific cases could have been compiled ahead of time and flashed on the screen long enough for people to click pause and take a screen shot. Or, Peter could have spoken a quick list of say, ten incidents over the past five years: the name of the prof, the university, the "politically incorrect" opinion, and the outcome (e.g., geophysicist Dorian Abbott's distinguished science lecture was cancelled by MIT because of Abbott's belief in academic freedom and merit in grading).
TLDR - Let's assume that on YouTube especially, you're going to get random NPR listeners who are curious, but primed to be outraged. More preparation to back up Peter's commentary would add concrete evidence to silence the skeptics.
It amazes me that NPR journalists don't interview people who genuinely believe claims that don't comport with their narrative. Instead, they ask someone who doesn't believe X why others believe X and what they think about that fact.
This should be journalism 101. Unless, of course, the mission wasn't to inform but rather to forward a narrative.
Well, yes, it's all about the narrative now, isn't it. But really, aren't all our news sources -- channels and print -- promoting a viewpoint rather than reporting the news and representing all sides? However, NPR, with its veneer of self-congratulatory hipness and political correctness, is especially heartbreaking. As a listener to NPR for many years, I feel a deep sense of betrayal at its corruption.
Along these lines, I recommend the documentary "Mighty Ira," a biography of Ira Glasser, former head of the ACLU (available on line). It highlights Glasser's roles as a staunch defender of free speech and public intellectual who adeptly and respectfully debated conservatives like William F. Buckley. NPR fancies itself in the same league as true liberals like Glasser, but the skills he demonstrated are entirely absent now. In their place, NPR features ideologically woke hacks who traffic in talking points and ad hominem attacks, and essentially just make shit up.
Thank you for this recommendation. It is a tough balance when creating long content like this--choosing what to include without including too much. It would have been easy to include the list you suggest and taken very little time. We'll keep this in mind.
Peter pointed out you should get the praise for producing these episodes.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you Gina.
I watched with a small group,
(3 adults and 2 teens) it helps spark a broader discussion about how to communicate and listen intently.
Fostering thoughtful discernment when talking with others instead of reactionary pushback seems to be how this group ends up, after these last two episodes.
My latest "2026" Substack, published today, is pertinent to this discussion. The topic is "To Translate Slogans, Think Opposites: Euphemisms disguise undesirable results." You can read it at 2026.substack.com.
What y’all are doing with these videos is a public service. Keep exposing NPR’s hypocrisy to the sunlight.
Thank you!
"Please reconsider what you hear on NPR or any other media source for that matter."
This is the bottom line for this episode and probably every episode. Thanks for increasing awareness about political bias and propaganda in the media. I write about analyzing fake narratives and slogans in my "2026" Substack at 2026.substack.com.
Thank you. And yes, it is the bottom line.
Thank you for the insightful discussion, Peter. Also, I am thrilled to learn that you chose to connect with Steven Bonnell via his YouTube platform—the conversation was highly educational and thought-provoking.
Indeed, a couple of months ago, I wrote a review of one of Bonnell’s debates that might be of interest to you: https://ckeeganan.substack.com/p/exercising-free-speech-despite-big.
Once again, thank you for your continued efforts to engage young people in conversing and exchanging ideas about various subjects, however emotionally challenging and, at times, sensitive in nature.
I appreciate it. I thought Steven was great.
Keep up the great work! You're doing the nation proud.
In the 1990s, as I was dealing with my then husband's cross-dressing escapades while raising our toddler and infant sons, I called in to Brian Lehrer's show to explain that his guest was avoiding the realities of men cross-dressing. The guest, a man, had written a book encouraging all men to "explore their feminine side" and wear scarves, make-up, shoes and other accessories designed for women. Lehrer demurred when this author told him how great he'd look in pink silk chiffon. I remember listening to my own voice on National Public Radio, asking what the author had to say about a husband who spent all of the monthly budget not used on food and the baby's diapers on his second "female" wardrobe, kept secret since the baby's birth. The secret came to the surface with the discovery of the journals. Brian Lehrer let his guest change the subject.
Ute Heggen, author, In the Curated Woods, True Tales from a Grass Widow (iuniverse, 2022)
uteheggengrasswidow.wordpress.com (detailed info/data debunking GI, free mind/body sequences)
Wow. Just wow.
There's lots more. My memoir is available in eBook form quite cheaply:
In the Curated Woods, True Tales from a Grass Widow by Ute Heggen (iuniverse, 2022)
Nooooo!!! I loved the Kazoo schtick! Don't change a thing!!
Thanks, but we had too many complaints about the kazoo. We cut it by around 40%—but we kept around 60%!
Great content to all those that put this episode together. Thank you!!
Moving forward and while conversing with family and friends, the All Things Considered show name will be referred to as.
Somethings Considered Narrowly.
Thanks. Gina produced it, and credit goes to her!
Narrowly, or very narrowly, indeed.
Enjoyed your most recent appearance on the Origins Podcast with Lawrence Krauss.
Another excellent show with a nice range of subjects covered. The conversation about the "dangers" of free speech with a so-called expert was particularly infuriating...what a joke NPR has become. I really enjoy the anti-testimonials of former listeners. Resurrecting the James Damore incident was a great idea. It's a wonder how many people didn't hear about that incident, or if they did, just ignored it as more blather from the "right."
Re: the discussion of NPR's slanted coverage of cancel culture in the universities: I think this episode suffered a bit from not providing more concrete examples of harassment of non-woke professors by left-wing students/social justice activists. Because of media silos like NPR, progressives are unaware of these cancellations and are skeptical that they actually occur. The graph was good, but it didn't make a huge impact. More concrete examples would have helped. For instance, a list of specific cases could have been compiled ahead of time and flashed on the screen long enough for people to click pause and take a screen shot. Or, Peter could have spoken a quick list of say, ten incidents over the past five years: the name of the prof, the university, the "politically incorrect" opinion, and the outcome (e.g., geophysicist Dorian Abbott's distinguished science lecture was cancelled by MIT because of Abbott's belief in academic freedom and merit in grading).
TLDR - Let's assume that on YouTube especially, you're going to get random NPR listeners who are curious, but primed to be outraged. More preparation to back up Peter's commentary would add concrete evidence to silence the skeptics.
It amazes me that NPR journalists don't interview people who genuinely believe claims that don't comport with their narrative. Instead, they ask someone who doesn't believe X why others believe X and what they think about that fact.
This should be journalism 101. Unless, of course, the mission wasn't to inform but rather to forward a narrative.
Well, yes, it's all about the narrative now, isn't it. But really, aren't all our news sources -- channels and print -- promoting a viewpoint rather than reporting the news and representing all sides? However, NPR, with its veneer of self-congratulatory hipness and political correctness, is especially heartbreaking. As a listener to NPR for many years, I feel a deep sense of betrayal at its corruption.
Along these lines, I recommend the documentary "Mighty Ira," a biography of Ira Glasser, former head of the ACLU (available on line). It highlights Glasser's roles as a staunch defender of free speech and public intellectual who adeptly and respectfully debated conservatives like William F. Buckley. NPR fancies itself in the same league as true liberals like Glasser, but the skills he demonstrated are entirely absent now. In their place, NPR features ideologically woke hacks who traffic in talking points and ad hominem attacks, and essentially just make shit up.
Thank you for this recommendation. It is a tough balance when creating long content like this--choosing what to include without including too much. It would have been easy to include the list you suggest and taken very little time. We'll keep this in mind.
Peter pointed out you should get the praise for producing these episodes.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you Gina.
I watched with a small group,
(3 adults and 2 teens) it helps spark a broader discussion about how to communicate and listen intently.
Fostering thoughtful discernment when talking with others instead of reactionary pushback seems to be how this group ends up, after these last two episodes.
That's excellent!! I'm so glad to hear this.
My latest "2026" Substack, published today, is pertinent to this discussion. The topic is "To Translate Slogans, Think Opposites: Euphemisms disguise undesirable results." You can read it at 2026.substack.com.