Best Michigan State Universitys Arts Podcasts (2025)

We discuss his books books The Politics of Star Trek: Justice, War, and the Future (2015, Palgrave MacMillan); The Absolute and Star Trek (2017, Palgrave MacMillan); and Star Trek and the Politics of Globalism (2018, Palgrave MacMillan). https://people.miami.edu/profile/2b21bdd1b6844498821ffa637b0cbb50 DON'T WORRY, BE HAPPY. will-cooper.com…

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Jonathan Freedland, The Guardian 27:10

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5d ago27:10

27:10

Jonathan is a bestselling author and one of the UK's most respected and widely read journalists. We discuss his new book, The Traitors Circle: The True Story of a Secret Resistance Network in Nazi Germany—and the Spy Who Betrayed Them. An Amazon Best Book of the Year for 2025, Mick Herron calls it "An astonishing true story of courage, love, and be…

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Susan Dominus, The New York Times Magazine 20:59

5d ago20:59

20:59

Susan Dominus is a Pulitzer Prize-winning staff writer for The New York Times Magazine. We discuss her wonderful new book, The Family Dynamic: A Journey Into the Mystery of Sibling Success. Find it here: https://www.susanpdominus.com/ She has worked for The New York Times since 2007, initially as a Metro columnist. In 2018, she was part of a team t…

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Luke Shaefer, Professor, University of Michigan 37:03

6d ago37:03

37:03

As shines through in the interview, Professor Shaefer has a clear-eyed and deeply informed view of one of the most important--and neglected--topics in American society: poverty alleviation. His work has been cited in the New York Times, Washington Post, The Economist, and The Atlantic, and he has been featured on such programs as PBS NewsHour, Mark…

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Eve Quesnel, author and columnist 20:42

6d ago20:42

20:42

A delightful conversation with Eve about her writing, including her new book: Snow Fleas and Chickadees: Everyday Observations in the Sierra. https://www.evequesnel.com/books.html DON'T WORRY, BE HAPPY. will-cooper.comBy wcooper11

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Max Ufberg, senior editor at Fast Company 26:51

6d ago26:51

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Max and I discuss the most consequential topics in technology today, including AI and cybersecurity. In addition to his work running the technology section at Fast Company, his writing has also appeared in publications such as The New York Times, The New Yorker, Wired, and The Guardian. He is the recipient of two Society of Professional Journalists…

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Audiobook Chapter 1: The Trial of Donald H. Rumsfeld: A Novel 20:27

7d ago20:27

20:27

Here's the first chapter. #books #fiction #politicalfiction DON'T WORRY, BE HAPPY. will-cooper.comBy wcooper11

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Warren Buffet and Charlie Munger on Confirmation Bias 31:23

8d ago31:23

31:23

More psychological insights from the great investors. DON'T WORRY, BE HAPPY. will-cooper.comBy wcooper11

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Author Susanne Paola Antonetta 21:47

10d ago21:47

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Susanne Paola Antonetta writes fiction, poetry, and nonfiction. She contributes to media like the Huffington Post, Ms., the New York Times, The Hill, and currently writes a blog/column for Psychology Today called Mad Woman Out of the Attic. And she serves as nonfiction editor of Orison Books. We discuss her new book The Devil's Castle: Nazi Eugenic…

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Yanqiu Zheng, "In Search of Admiration and Respect: Chinese Cultural Diplomacy in the United States, 1875–1974" (U Michigan Press, 2024) 1:12:18

10d ago1:12:18

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What does it mean for a country to seek admiration — and what kinds of institutions try to make that admiration possible? Yanqiu Zheng’s In Search of Admiration and Respect: Chinese Cultural Diplomacy in the United States, 1875–1974 (U Michigan Press, 2024) traces how China attempted to reshape its international image across a century marked by imp…

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Author and Columnist Jon Talton 24:06

11d ago24:06

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Jon Talton has had an incredible career as a columnist and novelist. He shares his story on this episode. https://www.seattletimes.com/author/jon-talton/ DON'T WORRY, BE HAPPY. https://will-cooper.com/By wcooper11

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Meet Phillip Bahar, new director of MSU’s Broad Art Museum 12:55

11d ago12:55

12:55

Phillip Bahar is the new director of Michigan State University’s Eil and Edythe Broad Art Musuem. Bahar shares his background and tells why he wants to lead The Broad. He talks about the museum’s evolving mission and shares his short- and long-term goals for The Broad. He discusses challenges and opportunities ahead for The Broad and for the entire…

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Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger on The Power of Psychology 41:27

11d ago41:27

41:27

DON'T WORRY, BE HAPPY. will-cooper.comBy wcooper11

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Desmond Swayne, Member of Parliament, UK 25:38

12d ago25:38

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The Rt Hon Sir Desmond Swayne is the Conservative MP for New Forest West. We have a far-reaching and stimulating conversation about US and UK politics. DON'T WORRY, BE HAPPY. https://will-cooper.com/By wcooper11

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Bestselling Author Richard Lederer 22:10

13d ago22:10

22:10

A delightful conversation with Richard about language, literature, and life. https://verbivore.com/ DON'T WORRY, BE HAPPY. https://will-cooper.com/By wcooper11

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Author Norman Schulman 19:05

13d ago19:05

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We discuss Norm's new book Love, Norm: Inspiration of a Jewish American Fighter Pilot. https://www.lovenormmemoir.com/ Norm's Story Norm Shulman's relationship with his stepson Greg Levenson, always stable and warm, evolved when Greg decided to enlist in the Air Force at age 27. Cognizant of past anti-Semitic stereotypes persisting about Jewish par…

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Philip Nash, "Clare Boothe Luce: American Renaissance Woman" (Routledge, 2022) 1:04:56

14d ago1:04:56

1:04:56

Philip Nash's book Clare Boothe Luce: American Renaissance Woman (Routledge, 2022) is a concise and highly readable political biography that examines the life of one of the most accomplished American women of the 20th century. Wife and mother, author, editor, playwright, political activist, war journalist, Congresswoman, ambassador, pundit, and fem…

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Eric H. Cline, "Love, War, and Diplomacy: The Discovery of the Amarna Letters and the Bronze Age World They Revealed" (Princeton UP, 2025) 1:07:05

17d ago1:07:05

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From the acclaimed author of 1177 B.C., a spellbinding account of the archaeological find that opened a window onto the vibrant diplomatic world of the ancient Near East In 1887, an Egyptian woman made an astonishing discovery among the ruins of the heretic king Akhenaten’s capital city, a site now known as Amarna. She found a cache of cuneiform ta…

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Ronald Angelo Johnson, "Entangled Alliances: Racialized Freedom and Atlantic Diplomacy During the American Revolution" (Cornell UP, 2025) 1:25:55

18d ago1:25:55

1:25:55

Entangled Alliances is a reinterpretation of the American Revolution through analysis of diplomacy in the emerging United States during decades of hemispheric transformation. Ronald Angelo Johnson brings to light the fascinating story of American patriots and rebels from Saint-Domingue (later Haiti) allying against European tyranny. The American Re…

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Author Matthew Boedy (part 2) 19:42

18d ago19:42

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We discuss Matthew's new book The Seven Mountains Mandate: Exposing the Dangerous Plan to Christianize America and Destroy Democracy. “A sobering assessment of the evolution of Christian nationalism.” Publishers Weekly https://www.wjkbooks.com/bookproduct/0664269214-the-seven-mountains-mandate/By wcooper11

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Journalist Tobias Grey 27:38

19d ago27:38

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Tobias Grey writes for The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Financial Times, among others. In the process he has interviewed such legends as Kazuo Ishiguro and John le Carré. Hear his story on Books and More. will-cooper.comBy wcooper11

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NYT Bestselling Author William D. Cohan 26:26

19d ago26:26

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William D. Cohan is the New York Times bestselling author of five non-fiction narratives. We delve into his 2022 book Power Failure: The Rise and Fall of an American Icon, about the rise and fall of GE, once the world’s most powerful, valuable and important company. It was a New York Times bestseller and on the best book of the year lists published…

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Matthew Boedy 10:27

19d ago10:27

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We discuss Matthew's new book The Seven Mountains Mandate: Exposing the Dangerous Plan to Christianize America and Destroy Democracy. “A sobering assessment of the evolution of Christian nationalism.” Publishers Weekly https://www.wjkbooks.com/bookproduct/0664269214-the-seven-mountains-mandate/By wcooper11

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Aaron Magid, "The Most American King: Abdullah of Jordan" (Universal Publishers, 2025) 52:47

19d ago52:47

52:47

The Most American King: Abdullah of Jordan (Universal Publishers, 2025) is the first comprehensive biography on Jordan’s King Abdullah. Drawing on interviews with over 100 individuals, including Abdullah's classmates, former Jordanian ministers, and CIA directors, The Most American King offers a thorough account of this key Arab leader. Aaron Magid…

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Author John Oakes 28:50

19d ago28:50

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We discuss his new book The Fast. “A knowledgeable study of fasting, which has a long history and a layered present . . . In this well-informed, illuminating book, Oakes shows us the value of consuming less in order to know more.” —Kirkus https://john-oakes.com/the-fast/By wcooper11

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Warren Buffet's Farwell Letter 5:54

20d ago5:54

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An analysis of Buffett's November 10, 2025 letter to shareholders. DON'T WORRY, BE HAPPY. will-cooper.comBy wcooper11

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Acclaimed Author Carla Kaplan 26:56

20d ago26:56

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We discuss Carla's wonderful new biography Troublemaker: The Fierce, Unruly Life of Jessica Mitford. What a great title! https://carlakaplan.com/ Carla Kaplan is the Davis Distinguished Professor of American Literature at Northeastern University, where, as the Founding Director of the university’s Humanities Center, she created a conversational hub…

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Movie Producer Carol Baum 32:37

21d ago32:37

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Legendary Hollywood producer Carol Baum is behind many great movies and books. She tells her story on Books and More. Her book: https://www.carolfriedlandbaum.com/book/ DON'T WORRY, BE HAPPY. will-cooper.comBy wcooper11

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Selecting, maintaining and properly disposing of a real Christmas tree 22:51

21d ago22:51

22:51

Bert Cregg is a professor of Horticulture and Forestry in Michigan State University’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Cregg talks about the Christmas tree industry’s place in Michigan’s economy and says there are plenty of trees available for those who want them this season. He talks about the latest MSU research on Christmas trees an…

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Bestselling Author Chip Jacobs 27:33

21d ago27:33

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Chip Jacobs is a bestselling author and prize-winning journalist. Later Days, his most recent book, follows the rollercoaster friendship of two classmates at a Lord-of-the-Flies-esque prep school going coed in late-1970s Southern California, then their complicated journey toward forgiveness twenty years later as time ticks down on both of them. htt…

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My Appearance on America in the Morning 5:13

21d ago5:13

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Thanks to host John Trout for having me on. A fun discussion about whether police officers can keep their identities a secret with respect to legal proceedings. DON'T WORRY, BE HAPPY. will-cooper.comBy wcooper11

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Author Sharon Garcia 13:35

23d ago13:35

13:35

We discuss Sharon's poetry, prose writing, and new book. Her website: https://thoughtswithsharon.com/By wcooper11

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Authors Mason Donovan and Mark Kaplan 22:52

24d ago22:52

22:52

We discuss their new book, The Parenthood Advantage: Building Corporate Cultures That Value Working Parents. Traditionally, parenthood has been seen as a career disruption—especially for mothers. But what if becoming a parent could be one of the greatest leadership incubators of all? The Parenthood Advantage challenges the outdated narrative that w…

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Author Linda Ambrus Broenniman 15:34

24d ago15:34

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We discuss her powerful book The Politzer Saga. Searching for truth, Linda pieced together the astonishing story of eight generations of her Jewish ancestors — the Politzer family — their remarkable lives lost to her father’s secrets. https://politzersaga.com/ https://will-cooper.comBy wcooper11

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Interview with Sarah Lyall of The New York Times 21:35

26d ago21:35

21:35

We discuss Sarah's storied career at The Times. She's currently a writer at large, meaning that she's not assigned to a single department but covers a range of topics. This includes a monthly thrillers column for the Book Review. X: @sarahlyall https://www.nytimes.com/by/sarah-lyall#aboutBy wcooper11

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Interview with Mike Sacks 28:35

26d ago28:35

28:35

Mike has written for Vanity Fair, Esquire, GQ, The New Yorker, Time, The New York Times, The Washington Post, McSweeney’s, and many others. He has worked at The Washington Post, and is currently on the editorial staff of Vanity Fair. We discuss his career as a creator and his hit audio comedy series StanLand. Visit him online at mikesacks.com.…

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Democrats Sweep Major Elections 7:12

26d ago7:12

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Thoughts on the big wins and gerrymandering after the passage of Proposition 50 in California. https://will-cooper.comBy wcooper11

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OUT TODAY: Interview with bestselling author Kelly Cervantes about her new book 21:48

27d ago21:48

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Kelly's new book, The Luckiest, comes out today, November 4. This deeply personal memoir explores the growth and perspective gained while navigating life’s unexpected asteroids and the craters they leave behind. website: https://www.kellycervantes.com/ #books https://will-cooper.comBy wcooper11

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Charlie Munger: The Psychology of Human Misjudgment 23:09

28d ago23:09

23:09

A walk through numerous common tendencies that cause misjudgment. will-cooper.com #warrenbuffett #charliemungerBy wcooper11

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Kalathmika Natarajan, "Coolie Migrants, Indian Diplomacy: Caste, Class and Indenture Abroad, 1914-67" (Oxford UP, 2026) 1:16:19

29d ago1:16:19

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Over the centuries, millions of migrant labourers sailed from the Indian subcontinent, across the Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean, to shape what is now the world’s largest diaspora. Coolie Migrants, Indian Diplomacy: Caste, Class and Indenture Abroad, 1914-67 (Hearst, 2025 and Oxford UP, 2026) recovers the histories and legacies of those ‘coolie’ mi…

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Sample Chapter: The Trial of Donald H. Rumsfeld: A Novel 4:16

1M ago4:16

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will-cooper.comBy wcooper11

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The Legendary Gloria J. Browne-Marshall 27:15

1M ago27:15

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We discuss her new book, A Protest History of the United States, which delves into the history of protest movements and rebellion in the United States. https://www.beacon.org/A-Protest-History-of-the-United-States-P2145.aspx https://will-cooper.com/By wcooper11

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MSU Green and White Council addressing state’s biggest challenges 11:40

1M ago11:40

11:40

The Green and White Council at Michigan State University includes some of Michigan’s foremost business and civic leaders coming together to champion bold initiatives that amplify MSU’s role as Michigan’s state university and address the state’s biggest challenges. The Council is one of President Guskiewciz’s signature initiatives. Harnessing MSU’s …

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BANNED: Law Professor Ken Levy 34:37

1M ago34:37

34:37

Ken Levy, a tenured law professor at LSU, was suspended for criticizing Donald Trump in the classroom. Hear his story on Books and More. will-cooper.comBy wcooper11

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MSU Shares and United Way provide a “hand up” for local charities 16:10

1M ago16:10

16:10

MSU Shares is a fundraising campaign to help local charities provide services to students and residents right in our own community. Donations from faculty, staff and students support charities that serve more than 120,000 people annually in our tri-county region. With the assistance of the United Way, employee volunteers from across campus seek don…

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Interview With Lalit Kumar 19:58

1M ago19:58

19:58

We discuss his prose writing and poetry. https://lalitkumaronline.com/ https://will-cooper.comBy wcooper11

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Interview With Author Jillian Makoutz 17:17

1M ago17:17

17:17

We discuss her book Four Seasons in the Sierra: Nature Poems for the Mountain Wanderer. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/204225425-four-seasons-in-the-sierra https://www.will-cooper.comBy wcooper11

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Interview With Author Ralph Shayne 22:01

1M ago22:01

22:01

We discuss his graphic novel, Hour of Need, a graphic novel telling the true story of the resistance to Nazi rule in Denmark during World War II and the heroes that saved the Danish Jews by helping them evacuate to Sweden. https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Hour-of-Need/Ralph-Shayne/9781499813579 https://www.will-cooper.com…