Latest episode

How to Be Less Lonely in the Pandemic

May 27th, 2020
Vivek Murthy
Olga Khazan

Aspen Ideas to Go is a show about big ideas that will open your mind. Featuring compelling conversations with the world’s top thinkers and doers from a diverse range of disciplines, Aspen Ideas to Go gives you front-row access to the Aspen Ideas Festival and other events presented by the Aspen Institute. The views and opinions of the speakers in the podcast do not necessarily reflect those of the Aspen Institute.

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Best of the podcast

Wondering where to start? We’ve picked out episodes that stand out. Whether they’re our most popular or personal favorites, we know you’ll enjoy these curated playlists.

Women and Leadership
The Power of the Arts
Protecting Our Planet
Faith and Identity

Oct 2, 2018

How Women in the Media Are Tackling #MeToo

Women in the media speak up about what needs to change in the wake of #MeToo.

Podcast — 57m

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Jul 27, 2018

The Surge of Women into Politics

Since 2016, we’ve watched women rack up unprecedented wins.

Podcast — 59m

View
Jun 13, 2017

A Conversation with Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Ruth Bader Ginsburg says her experiences as a female give her a unique perspective in court.

Podcast — 1h

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Apr 4, 2017

"Hidden Figures" Author on Storytelling, Race, & Science

Hear from Margot Lee Shetterly and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, two award-winning authors.

Podcast — 44m

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May 23, 2016

First Lady Michelle Obama on Making Sports Accessible and Affordable

Michelle Obama says play, nutrition, and physical activity aren’t available to every child.

Podcast — 44m

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Mar 22, 2016

The United State of Women

What has the Obama Administration done for women and girls?

Podcast — 44m

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Feb 16, 2016

Ashley Judd on Feminism, Activism, and Why Hollywood Should Be Left Out of the Conversation

Actress Ashley Judd on activism and promoting health for women and girls around the world.

Podcast — 59m

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Jul 16, 2019

Planned Parenthood President on Reproductive Justice

Who controls a woman’s body? Herself? Her church? Her community? Her government?

Podcast — 46m

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Sep 3, 2019

How Valerie Jarrett Overcame Race, Gender Barriers on Her Way to the West Wing

Valerie Jarrett, a former senior advisor to the president, looks back on the Obama White House.

Podcast — 1h 3m

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Jun 5, 2018

How Broadway's Hamilton is Radically Relevant

Broadway producer Jeffrey Seller talks about working on Rent, Hamilton, and other shows.

Podcast — 54m

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Feb 13, 2018

US Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith

US Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith says her true self comes out in her work.

Podcast — 50m

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Aug 30, 2016

Humanities in Decline: A Cultural Crisis

Is America turning its back on the humanities?

Podcast — 54m

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Jan 26, 2016

Poetry, Justice, and Alienation

Can art tackle some of the most difficult social-justice questions we face today?

Podcast — 47m

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Jun 8, 2015

Acting Out

2014 Harman-Eisner Artist in Residence Alfre Woodard on making change as an activist artist.

Podcast — 51m

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Apr 6, 2015

American Musical Traditions

At 28, musician Jon Batiste is considered by many to be one of the most exciting and progressive new crossover talents on the scene today.

Podcast — 53m

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Aug 24, 2018

From Despair to Optimism on Climate Change

Christiana Figueres says she's stubbornly optimistic about addressing climate change.

Podcast — 52m

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Sep 5, 2017

The Road from Paris, Featuring Ernest Moniz

What are the consequences of the United States backing out of the Paris Climate Agreement?

Podcast — 48m

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Apr 9, 2019

Reversing Extinction and Re-Wilding the World

What if we could turn back time and reverse extinction?

Podcast — 52m

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Apr 16, 2019

The Menace of Climate Change

Mary Robinson talks about climate change and its humanitarian impacts.

Podcast — 44m

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Sep 17, 2019

Combating Climate Change One Protest at a Time

Bill McKibben says a powerful tool to combat the climate crisis is utilizing non-violent resistance.

Podcast — 1h 11m

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Oct 30, 2018

Stopping Hate in an Era of Fragmentation

We can we learn from the diversity of faith backgrounds in America?

Podcast — 52m

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Aug 18, 2017

Seeing Gray in a World of Black and White

What role does faith play in bringing people together?

Podcast — 59m

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Mar 8, 2016

Jesus of History versus Christ of Faith

Reza Aslan sheds new light on one of history's most influential and enigmatic figures.

Podcast — 52m

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Aug 3, 2015

Faith and the Public Square

Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) discusses faith and public life with Jim Wallis.

Podcast — 56m

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Jul 20, 2015

Radical: My Journey Out Of Islamist Extremism

Maajid Nawaz shares his remarkable journey from Islamist extremism to liberal democratic values.

Podcast — 45m

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Jun 4, 2019

How to Be Less Fearful in Turbulent Times

Leading up to the US presidential election in 2016, Kansas pastor Adam Hamilton noticed the people in his congregation wrestling with fear.

Podcast — 53m

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Oct 29, 2019

Life Will Break Your Heart, with Kate Bowler

No amount of determination can stop bad things from happening, says Kate Bowler, a scholar of Christianity and stage IV cancer patient.

Podcast — 56m

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Nov 26, 2019

Evangelicals and America’s Culture War

How can such deeply faithful citizens support a president whose behaviors and values don’t exactly match up to traditional Christian mores?

Podcast — 48m

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Jan 14, 2020

What do Church and CrossFit have in Common?

In the United States, the number of people attending church is declining. So where are people going to find meaning and community?

Podcast — 1h 10m

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May 27, 2020

How to Be Less Lonely in the Pandemic

Are Zoom connections and physical distancing making us lonelier?

Podcast — 33m

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May 19, 2020

How to Help Kids Process the Pandemic

The Covid-19 crisis isn’t easy to bear as adults but what about young kids and teenagers?

Podcast — 54m

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May 12, 2020

Adopting a Dog during Quarantine? You’re Not Alone

Animal shelters and nonprofits are seeing a rise in the number of people adopting and fostering pets during the Covid-19 crisis.

Podcast — 1h 5m

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May 5, 2020

Race, Society, and the Coronavirus Crisis

The coronavirus crisis is impacting poor, low-income, and people of color disproportionately.

Podcast — 51m

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Apr 28, 2020

Digital Access: The Haves and Have Nots

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the widening digital divide.

Podcast — 55m

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Apr 21, 2020

How Will America Reopen? A Bioethicist Weighs In.

Zeke Emanuel, a bioethicist and oncologist, shares his thoughts on what needs to happen for America to reopen.

Podcast — 44m

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Apr 14, 2020

Lincoln's Leadership in a Time of Crisis

Humility, loyalty, rhetorical mastery — these were the leadership traits of President Abraham Lincoln.

Podcast — 55m

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Apr 7, 2020

A Coronavirus Stress Test for the World

Journalist Thomas Friedman says countries around the world are undergoing a stress test thanks to the coronavirus pandemic.

Podcast — 46m

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Mar 31, 2020

China, Technology, and the Coronavirus

China was the first country in the world to experience effects from COVID-19. How did the country make it through?

Podcast — 57m

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Mar 24, 2020

Highs and Lows: Unpacking Teen Emotions

Once they reach adolescence, kids land on an emotional rollercoaster. As parents, teachers, coaches, and mentors, how can we help teens communicate and navigate the intensity of their emotions?

Podcast — 1h