The Utopian

The Stony Brook Press

How can we build a better tomorrow? That's what The Utopian tries to uncover. Our diverse guests working in a range of disciplines share their insight into some of humanity’s most pressing issues. Artwork by Josh Joseph, Hosted by Jeni Dhodary and Caroline Klewinowski

Episodes

  1. 10/01/2020

    Episode 12 - The Amorality of Capitalism with Branko Milanović

    As capitalism dominates the world as the primary economic model, it has undoubtedly fallen under increased scrutiny. From rising inequality to its inability to protect workers’ rights, many thinkers are doubting its ability to maximize human welfare. Can capitalism be saved? We speak with leading economist Dr. Branko Milanović to find out.

    51 min

  2. 06/28/2020

    Episode 11 - Pandemic Uncertainties with Frank Snowden

    COVID-19 has shaken up our society in more ways than one. By presenting economic crises, existential uncertainties and social unrest, it is not the first of its kind to have such a catastrophic impact. We speak with Dr. Frank Snowden about the history of pandemics and where COVID-19 fits amidst it all.

    1h 8m

  3. 06/19/2020

    Episode 10 - Of Debt and the American Dream with Nami Baral

    With so many Americans deeply entrenched in debt, the American economy has one more obstacle to overcome. We speak with socially responsible entrepreneur, Nami Baral, and what she is doing to tackle this catastrophic public debt crisis. Check out Nami's initiative here: https://www.joinharvest.com/

    51 min

  4. 05/23/2020

    Episode 9 - Free Speech in the Era of Fake News with Nora Benavidez and Viktorya Vilk

    The ongoing pandemic has revealed the extent to which access to reliable news could be the difference between life and death for some. Unfortunately, those trained to release this information — the reporters who staff the country's thousands of local news outlets — are on the brink of both financial and existential ruin. Nora Benavidez and Viktorya Vilk, advocates at PEN America, explain the threats facing America's newsrooms and how their further erosion harms us all. Read the report on the state of local news: https://pen.org/local-news/

    41 min

  5. 05/01/2020

    Episode 8 - The Key to a Coronavirus Vaccine with Neal Browning

    As new cases of COVID-19 continue to rise, researchers around the globe are working to create new treatments and vaccines that will put an end to the pandemic. We speak with Neal Browning, a Seattle resident who is one of a handful of test subjects given a vaccine. This pioneering vaccine trial ran by the Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute may one day make the coronavirus a thing of the past. Follow Neal's journey: https://twitter.com/NealBrowning

    21 min

  6. 04/16/2020

    Episode 7 - The Ever-Growing Supply Chain with Shefali Kapadia

    Years ago, political philosopher Adam Smith coined the notion of the individual hand, arguing for the free market’s ability to delegate itself. As the coronavirus carries on, is this truly the case? We explore this question with Shefali Kapadia, the executive editor of a leading supply chain publication Supply Chain Dive.

    30 min

  7. 04/01/2020

    Episode 6 - Cows, Cars, Coal and Corona with Christopher Jones

    As our politicians continue debating the reality of climate change, we are already facing its impact in many parts of the world. We meet with Dr. Christopher Jones, a lead developer at the Cool Climate Network and an environmental policy expert, to discuss our role in stopping this inevitable crisis once and for all.

    1h 15m

  8. 03/27/2020

    Episode 5 - The Implications of the Coronavirus on the Global Supply Chain with Andrea Reyes

    From the bananas we consume, harvested in the fields of Costa Rica, to our clothes and accessories produced in factories in China, our reliance on the global economy is tremendous. With the coronavirus disrupting the usual flow of international commerce, what will the global supply chain look like in the days that follow? We meet with Andrea Reyes, an expert in global supply chain and the chair of the NYC Fair Trade Coalition, to discuss these questions and more.

    1h 1m

  9. 03/18/2020

    Episode 4 - Locked in Milan with Malvina Moretti and Roberta Zuffi

    What is it like to live in Italy in the age of the coronavirus lockdown? In this episode, we meet with Milan residents Malvina Moretti and Roberta Zuffi to discuss the measures Italy is taking to contain this growing pandemic and how the world must follow in its footsteps. Donate to WHO to help fight the spread of COVID-19: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/donate

    46 min

  10. 12/23/2019

    Episode 3 - The Road to Freedom with Micah Uetricht

    We traditionally view enslavement as a physical phenomena: chains, cages and coercive tactics. But maybe there is another form of enslavement that exists in a society where citizens are crippled by debt, poverty and other forces. Maybe it’s time to reconsider what it truly means to be free. We explore these ideas with Micah Uetricht, the managing editor of Jacobin magazine, and discuss how we can achieve them from where we are today.

    35 min

  11. 12/21/2019

    Episode 2 - The Biology of Right and Wrong with Peter DeScioli

    Are we inherently good or bad? In this episode, we meet with political psychologist Dr. Peter DeScioli to better understand the parts of human behavior that we ourselves are not fully conscious of.

    30 min

  12. 12/17/2019

    Episode 1 - The Educational Arms Race with William Deresiewicz

    Is higher education failing us? New York Times bestselling author William Deresiewicz says yes. We meet with him to discuss the philosophy of higher education, disparities in our current system and how we can work toward a more equitable model for all.

    1h 6m
  • 12 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

How can we build a better tomorrow? That's what The Utopian tries to uncover. Our diverse guests working in a range of disciplines share their insight into some of humanity’s most pressing issues. Artwork by Josh Joseph, Hosted by Jeni Dhodary and Caroline Klewinowski

Information

  • Creator
    The Stony Brook Press
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2020
  • Episodes
    12
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The Stony Brook Press
  • Show Website
    The Utopian