Best Scott Allender Podcasts (2025)

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'How Climate Change is Changing Us' with Clayton Aldern 1:02:56

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3h ago1:02:56

1:02:56

As the world gets hotter, how is it changing our brains? In this episode of The Evolving Leader, co-hosts Jean Gomes and Scott Allender are joined by neuroscientist and author Clayton Aldern to explore how environmental shifts (especially climate change) are quietly reshaping our minds, behaviours, and capacity for decision-making. Drawing from his…

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How's Trump's big bill could affect you 18:49

3h ago18:49

18:49

Congress is racing to pass President Trump's big domestic policy bill by July 4. Yale Budget Lab Martha Gimbel explains the potential long-term impacts of the tax cuts and spending provisions. And, the bill includes roughly $150 billion for immigration enforcement, a third of it for new detention centers. The Intercept's Matt Sledge joins us to tal…

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Doctor calls Gaza aid sites 'hell on Earth' 26:47

1d ago26:47

26:47

Dr. Adil Husain, an American emergency medicine physician, talks about what sorts of injuries he treated while volunteering in Gaza. He described the scenes he witnessed as "apocalyptic." Then, the U.S. is in the middle of hurricane season, but key data used to track the intensity of these storms may soon go offline. We hear from climate scientist …

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Republicans move closer to passing Trump's massive tax and spending bill 26:01

2d ago26:01

26:01

Andrew Desiderio of Punchbowl News explains where things stand as Senate Republicans race to pass President Trump's tax and spending bill by July 4. And, the Supreme Court's ruling last week on birthright citizenship is causing confusion as Trump's ban is expected to take effect in some parts of the country in less than 30 days. Martha Jones, a his…

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Book Club: Let's Talk About 'Mrs. Dalloway" at 100 42:38

5d ago42:38

42:38

“Mrs. Dalloway said she would buy the flowers herself”: So reads one of the great opening lines in British literature, the first sentence of Virginia Woolf’s classic 1925 novel, “Mrs. Dalloway.” The book tracks one day in the life of an English woman, Clarissa Dalloway, living in post-World War I London, as she prepares for, and then hosts, a party…

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Reverse Course: Life after the levee breach in Dogtooth Bend, Illinois 31:31

6d ago31:31

31:31

In 2016, the Mississippi River punched a hole in the Len Small levee, built to protect farmland along an S-shaped curve in the river known as Dogtooth Bend. That hole was never repaired. Here & Now's Chris Bentley reports on how some farmers in the area have had to give up their land. And, John Ruskey calls the Mississippi River "a creative force" …

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Reverse Course: Can massive pumps tame Mississippi River flooding? 27:48

6d ago27:48

27:48

In 2019, an unrelenting flood swamped more than half a million acres in the Mississippi Delta's Yazoo Backwater. It took more than six months to recede. Here & Now's Peter O'Dowd reports on a pumping station project that could protect against destruction from future floods. And, after a yearslong journey, Anderson Jones is back at home. The sandbag…

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The democratic socialist who could be the next NYC mayor 22:17

7d ago22:17

22:17

Progressive state lawmaker Zohran Mamdani stunned the political world after he defeated former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in Tuesday's hotly contested Democratic primary for NYC mayor. Errol Louis, host of NY1's Inside City Hall, joins us to discuss what it means for New York and the rest of the country. And, when California Rep. Jimmy Gomez tried to visit …

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The Quiet Power of Marginal Gains: How Tiny Changes Can Transform Your Life 20:45

7d ago20:45

20:45

What if your next breakthrough didn’t need to be big? In this episode, I explore how tiny 1% shifts- known as marginal gains- can lead to extraordinary results. You’ll hear insights from elite sport and leadership psychology, and I share how these small changes have reshaped my own life and work. Because long-term success? It often starts with some…

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Is there room for diplomacy to keep Iran's nuclear program in check? 29:09

8d ago29:09

29:09

Ernest Moniz, former energy secretary under President Obama and lead negotiator on the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, talks about what comes next now that a shaky ceasefire is underway between Iran and Israel. Then, new research highlights that indoor air quality can have a powerful impact on the health and development of babies and young children. D…

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'A really bad mistake': U.S. strikes spark protests, patriotism in Tehran 21:40

9d ago21:40

21:40

We get the view from inside Iran with former news editor Ali Safari, a resident of Tehran who unpacks how Iranians are responding to the conflict. And, Here & Now's security analyst Jim Walsh joins us to explain what the U.S.'s strikes and Iran's response mean for national security. Then, in the wake of escalating conflict in Iran, Republican senat…

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A.O. Scott on the Joy of Close Reading Poetry 33:55

12d ago33:55

33:55

On this week's episode, A.O. Scott joins host Gilbert Cruz to talk about the value of close reading poetry. And New York Times Book Review poetry editor Greg Cowles recommends four recently published collections worth reading. Books mentioned in this episode * "New and Collected Hell: A Poem," by Shane McCrae * "Ominous Music Intensifying," by Alex…

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The U.S. and Iran used to be allies. What happened? 12:40

12d ago12:40

12:40

Though the U.S. and Iran were once allies, their relationship has since turned tense in the last 40 years. Now, President Trump is weighing U.S. involvement in the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel. Historian and author John Ghazvinian joins us to unpack decades of history in U.S.-Iran diplomacy. Learn more about sponsor message choices: pod…

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Trump's former surgeon general on RFK Jr.'s vaccine panel purge 25:29

13d ago25:29

25:29

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently fired all members of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's independent vaccine panel, prompting criticism from health experts. One of those experts is Dr. Jerome Adams, who served as surgeon general in the first Trump administration. And, New York City's mayoral race is coming down to the w…

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Sen. Tim Kaine on why he wants to limit Trump's war powers 20:43

14d ago20:43

20:43

President Trump said on Wednesday that he hasn't decided whether the U.S. will strike Iran's nuclear facilities. Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine joins us to discuss a resolution he introduced that would require approval from Congress before the U.S. military could get involved in Iran. And, as Ukraine continues to endure deadly air strikes, the G7 confer…

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‘Why We Believe’ with Alister McGrath 51:24

14d ago51:24

51:24

In this episode of The Evolving Leader, Jean Gomes and Scott Allender are joined by renowned philosopher and theologian Alister McGrath to explore one of the most timeless and urgent questions: Why do we believe? Drawing on insights from his new book, Why We Believe: Finding Meaning in Uncertain Times, McGrath reflects on the nature of belief, the …

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Middle East crisis tests Trump's 'art of the deal' 23:45

15d ago23:45

23:45

President Trump is calling for a "real end" to the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. Vali Nasr, a professor of Middle East studies and international affairs at Johns Hopkins University, joins us to talk about how Trump is navigating the crisis. And, the Trump administration's immigration raids have targeted farm workers. California farme…

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Why Israel's attacks might not stop Iran's nuclear program 19:45

16d ago19:45

19:45

As Iran and Israel continue to lob airstrikes at each other, civilian casualties are climbing in both countries. Negar Mortazavi from the Center for International Policy shares how Iran sees the escalating conflict. And, authorities in Minnesota have arrested a suspect in the killing of State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, and the shoot…

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50 Years After ‘Jaws’ Terrified Filmgoers, a Reporter Looks Back 37:24

19d ago37:24

37:24

Steven Spielberg’s movie “Jaws” hit theaters 50 years ago this month, in June 1975, and became a phenomenon almost instantly. In some ways that was no surprise: The Peter Benchley novel it was based on, also called “Jaws,” had been a huge best seller the year before, and the public was primed for a fun summer scare. Brian Raftery — the author of “B…

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How Apple helped China become a world leader in electronics 26:24

20d ago26:24

26:24

Apple sent engineers to China to make its sophisticated products cheaply. The company sent engineers to train workers and paid for expensive specialized equipment at factories there. This helped push China to become the world's leader in high-tech electronics manufacturing and helped Apple create the iPhone, one of the most iconic products of the 2…

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LA reverend on the 'emotional terror' driving protestors to the streets 28:34

20d ago28:34

28:34

Rev. Zachary Hoover explains what's motivating protesters to go out and oppose the Trump administration's immigration raids in Los Angeles. And, in 2016, the Mississippi River punched a hole in the Len Small levee, built in 1943 to protect farmland along an S-shaped curve in the river known as Dogtooth Bend. That hole was never repaired. Here & Now…

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'We don't do police work': Retired general on LA military presence 25:46

21d ago25:46

25:46

The Trump administration has deployed a military presence to Los Angeles amid protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids. Retired 4-star General Barry McCaffrey explains his concerns about how Trump is using the armed forces in an American city. And, as Trump's tax bill makes its way through the Senate, the food assistance program S…

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From Boardroom to Babies and Back Again: The Hidden Cost of Unsupported Returns to Work 40:36

21d ago40:36

40:36

Returning to work after having a baby is one of the most emotionally charged transitions a woman can face, and it’s one that too often goes unsupported. In this powerful episode, I am joined by business psychologist and founder of & Culture Consulting, Clare Radford, to explore the findings from her groundbreaking report, How to Support Returning P…

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'Do what you have to do': Behind the ICE tactics in LA raids 26:33

22d ago26:33

26:33

The ongoing protests in Los Angeles started after immigration raids and workplace arrests in the city. The Wall Street Journal's Michelle Hackman explores the decision-making that led the Trump administration to carry out recent immigration actions. And, hundreds of scientists with the National Institutes of Health have signed a letter calling to p…

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Legal questions abound as Trump deploys National Guard on LA protestors 24:13

23d ago24:13

24:13

President Trump ordered the Pentagon to send around 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles in response to protests against immigration raids in the city. Elizabeth Goitein, senior director of the Liberty and National Security Program at the Brennan Center for Justice, explains the legal implications. Trump ignored California Gov. Gavin Newsom's…

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The trial of Sean Combs: 4th week reveals more details of alleged abuse 19:17

26d ago19:17

19:17

The federal trial of media mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs is ending its fourth week. Combs faces charges of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy. We get the latest from the Washington Post's Samantha Chery. Then, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o, the Kenyan writer who is considered to be one of the founders of African literature, died last week at the age of 87.…

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S.A. Cosby on Writing Southern Crime Fiction 37:13

26d ago37:13

37:13

In S.A. Cosby’s latest thriller, “King of Ashes,” a successful and fast-living financial adviser is called suddenly back to the small Virginia hometown he fled, where his family runs the local crematory and his father is in a coma stemming from a car crash that may not be as accidental as it seems. Cosby himself is from a small Virginia town, and o…

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What Trump's travel ban means for Afghans who helped the U.S. fight 20-year war 20:24

27d ago20:24

20:24

President Trump signed a proclamation Wednesday to ban nationals of 12 countries from entering the U.S. One of those countries is Afghanistan, where thousands of Afghans helped the U.S. military fight its 20-year war there. Zia Ghafoori, a former interpreter for the U.S. military, and Shawn Van Diver, founder and president of AfghanEvac, a group th…

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‘Why Character Matters’ with Dr Edward Brooks 55:07

28d ago55:07

55:07

What if leadership isn’t just about performance, but about character? In this episode of The Evolving Leader, we’re joined by Dr. Ed Brooks, Executive Director of the Oxford Character Project and co-editor of the new book The Arts of Leading. With hosts Jean Gomes and Emma Sinclair, Ed explores how cultivating human character, hope, courage, humili…

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Ms. Rachel on why advocating for children in Gaza is worth the career risk 18:48

28d ago18:48

18:48

Ms. Rachel became a YouTube star with her educational videos for toddlers. Now, she's getting attention and some pushback over her advocacy for children in Gaza.Ms. Rachel, whose full name is Rachel Accurso, tells us why she's willing to risk her career to stand up for children in war-torn Gaza. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoi…

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Why ICE arrested a teenager with no criminal record 20:26

29d ago20:26

20:26

Nearly 1,500 migrants in Massachusetts have been arrested by immigration officials over the past month. Federal agents say most were criminals, but many were not, including 18-year-old high school student Marcelo Gomes Da Silva. WBUR's Simón Rios explains more. And, Ukraine launched a major drone attack on airbases in Russian territory over the wee…

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Inside Badar Khan Suri's 2-month 'nightmare' ICE detainment 20:56

1M ago20:56

20:56

Georgetown University researcher Badar Khan Suri was arrested in March by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents while walking toward his Virginia home. The Trump administration has called him a threat to foreign policy, but Suri has not been charged with a crime and ICE agents never showed him a warrant. Suri speaks with Asma Khalid about his …

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Book Club: Let's Talk About 'The Safekeep' 39:08

1M ago39:08

39:08

MJ Franklin, who hosts the Book Review podcast’s monthly book club, says that whenever someone asks him, “What should I read next?,” Yael van der Wouden’s “The Safekeep” has become his go-to recommendation. So he was particularly excited to discuss the novel on this week’s episode. Set in the Netherlands in 1961, “The Safekeep” is one of those book…

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These scientists were fired by DOGE. What are they doing now? 27:39

1M ago27:39

27:39

Tens of thousands of researchers are out of work amid President Trump's ongoing purge of the federal workforce. One of those workers is Peggy Hall, a biologist who worked at the National Institutes of Health. Hall joins us with freelance reporter Virginia Gewin, who recently wrote about fired workers for Nature. And, a study from the Rochester Inst…

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Trump administration to 'aggressively' revoke visas from Chinese students 30:59

1M ago30:59

30:59

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement Wednesday that the State Department "will work with the Department of Homeland Security to aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields." NPR's Emily Feng joins us to explain what it means. Then, Presi…

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Why proposed Medicaid cuts could decimate rural hospitals 18:20

1M ago18:20

18:20

Rural hospital CEO Kevin Stansbury talks about what the Medicaid cuts being debated by lawmakers could mean to his 25-bed county-owned hospital in Hugo, Colorado. Then, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced on Tuesday that the CDC would no longer recommend the COVID-19 vaccine for healthy children or healthy pregnant women. OBGYN Dr. Lin…

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NPR and three Colorado public radio stations sue Trump administration 23:43

1M ago23:43

23:43

NPR and three Colorado public radio stations filed a lawsuit Tuesday challenging President Trump's executive order to bar federal funding from going to NPR and PBS. NPR's David Folkenflik explains more. And, the Trump administration on Tuesday ordered federal agencies to unwind all federal funding to Harvard University. Trump claims the university …

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What if your wardrobe worked as hard as you do? Style that keeps up with your ambition 36:15

1M ago36:15

36:15

What if your wardrobe could support you as powerfully as you support everyone else? For many high-achieving women, getting dressed each day isn't just about choosing clothes - it's about navigating identity, confidence, and leadership. From the school run to boardroom meetings to parents' evening, your wardrobe needs to carry you through every role…

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Meet the new teacher of the year 28:33

1M ago28:33

28:33

This year's National Teacher of the Year is wrapping up classes with her students and getting ready to embark on a yearlong tour to inspire fellow teachers around the country. Ashlie Crosson, an English teacher from Pennsylvania, joins us. Then, if you are feeling stressed about speaking in front of others, you can transform that pressure by playin…

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'Fun Home' Author Alison Bechdel on Her New Graphic Novel 35:51

1M ago35:51

35:51

Alison Bechdel rose to fame as the creator of a long-running alt-weekly comic strip before jumping to an even wider audience by way of her celebrated graphic memoirs “Fun Home” and “Are You My Mother?” Her new book, “Spent,” is a graphic novel — but it was originally meant to be another memoir, as Bechdel tells Gilbert Cruz on this week’s podcast. …

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The state of civil rights in the United States 31:26

1M ago31:26

31:26

The year 1963 was a watershed moment for civil rights, with Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X and Medgar Evers leading the movement. But rollbacks of civil rights and racial justice ideals abound in 2025. Author Peniel Joseph unpacks the progress made in 1963 and the political climate in the U.S. now that is undoing some of that progress. And, the …

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Jewish advocacy group says 'unchecked antisemitism' led to D.C. killings 20:21

1M ago20:21

20:21

On Wednesday, two Israeli Embassy staff members were shot and killed following an event at a Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. Police say the suspect shouted "free Palestine" after being detained. We hear from Ted Deutch, CEO of the American Jewish Committee, the organization that hosted the event that the victims were leaving when they were killed…

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‘Certainty: How Great Bosses Change Minds’ with Mike Mears 58:46

1M ago58:46

58:46

In this compelling episode of The Evolving Leader, we sit down with Mike Mears, former CIA leadership head and author of "Certainty: How Great Bosses Can Change Minds and Drive Innovation." Mike shares powerful insights from his extraordinary career – from his days as a combat platoon leader and nuclear missile commander to his transformative work …

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Why these caregivers say Medicaid is vital to families 23:56

1M ago23:56

23:56

This week, families of infants and toddlers rally in Washington, D.C., in favor of protecting Medicaid as the program faces potential cuts by President Trump and House Republicans. Two caregivers share their experiences: Jaid Greene, a mother from Colorado, and Felicia Harvelle, a grandmother from Virginia. And, Medicaid expert Adrianna McIntyre of…

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Israel allows limited aid into Gaza. Is it enough to help the humanitarian crisis? 24:16

1M ago24:16

24:16

Israel says it will start allowing some aid to flow back into Gaza after a nearly three-month blockade. UNRWA's Juliette Touma joins us. Then, researchers have come up with a device to take the guesswork out of a common breastfeeding challenge: figuring out how much your baby is actually drinking in real time. Dr. Jennifer Wicks tells us more. And,…

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Biden's prostate cancer diagnosis: What to know about treatment 20:54

1M ago20:54

20:54

Former President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. We learn more about the disease and its treatments from Dr. William Dahut. Then, the FBI warned last week about what they call "an ongoing malicious text and voice messaging campaign" that uses artificial intelligence to impersonate U.S. government officials. Axios' Ina Fried joins…

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Ron Chernow on His New Mark Twain Biography 42:47

2M ago42:47

42:47

The biographer Ron Chernow has written about the Rockefellers and the Morgans. His book about George Washington won a Pulitzer Prize. His book about Alexander Hamilton was adapted into a hit Broadway musical. Now, in “Mark Twain,” Chernow turns to the life of the author and humorist who became one of the 19th century’s biggest celebrities and, alon…

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How a program for migrant children is being used to carry out immigration arrests 31:19

2M ago31:19

31:19

New reporting from ProPublica finds the Trump administration is subtly changing the mission of a government agency tasked with helping migrants and protecting kids who cross the border alone. We hear from investigative reporter Lomi Kriel. Then, Author Anthony Horowitz is out with a new book that takes jabs at mystery novels, while still being a gr…

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What the Supreme Court said about birthright citizenship 21:12

2M ago21:12

21:12

The Supreme Court has been hearing arguments about President Trump's executive order trying to end birthright citizenship, which has been paused by numerous federal courts. Law professor and former U.S. attorney Kim Wehle joins us. Then, Sen. Ron Johnson, a Republican from Wisconsin, explains why he thinks House leaders should cut more from the spe…

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The trade war is on pause, but the supply chain is still shaky 21:35

2M ago21:35

21:35

The U.S. and China have agreed to a 90-day pause on steep tariffs, though products from China will still be taxed at 30%. Gene Seroka, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles, shares what he's seeing as businesses navigate an uncertain trade climate. And, President Trump is in Qatar, the second stop on his trip in the Middle East. But Democra…