Roya Hakakian is an Iranian dissident, poet, and writer. She has long been a fierce critic of the regime. But in her latest book, A Beginner's Guide to America, she sets her sights on the United States, setting out to explain why the citizens of liberal democracies should value their political systems despite their flaws.
In this week’s conversation, Roya Hakakian and Yascha Mounk discuss Iran’s democratic prospects, the state of democracy around the world, and why the benefits of freedom are often lost on those who have always enjoyed them.

This transcript has been condensed and lightly edited for clarity.

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Email: podcast@persuasion.community 
Website: http://www.persuasion.community
Podcast production by John T. Williams, and Brendan Ruberry
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Connect with us!
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An Iranian in America

"The Good Fight," the podcast that searches for the ideas, policies and strategies that can beat authoritarian populism.Please do listen and spread the word about The Good Fight.If you have not yet signed up for our podcast, please do so now by following this link on your phone.﻿Email: goodfightpod@gmail.comTwitter: @Yascha_MounkWebsite: http://www.persuasion.community

News

Yascha Mounk and Vinay Prasad assess the strengths and weaknesses of America’s public health response.

Vinay Prasad MD, MPH is a hematologist-oncologist and Professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of California San Francisco.  

In this week’s episode, Yascha Mounk and Vinay Prasad discuss the impact and efficacy of mask mandates and lockdowns; how the stifling of dissenting views among doctors and scientists harmed decision-making; and how we can improve our readiness for the next pandemic.

﻿This transcript has been condensed and lightly edited for clarity.

Please do listen and spread the word about The Good Fight.
If you have not yet signed up for our podcast, please do so now by following this link on your phone.
Email: podcast@persuasion.community 
Website: http://www.persuasion.community
Podcast production by Jack Shields, and Brendan Ruberry

Connect with us!
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Twitter: @Yascha_Mounk & @joinpersuasion
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Vinay Prasad on What Went Wrong With COVID

Yascha Mounk and Alexandra Hudson discuss how civility can be a tool for pursuing justice.

Alexandra Hudson is a writer, an adjunct professor at the Indiana University Lilly School of Philanthropy, and the founder of the publication Civic Renaissance. Hudson’s first book is The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves.

In this week’s conversation, Yascha Mounk and Alexandra Hudson discuss how civility is different from mere politeness; why true civility can require engaging in uncomfortable conversations and delivering hard truths; and why certain social norms and expectations have proven timeless.

﻿This transcript has been condensed and lightly edited for clarity.

Please do listen and spread the word about The Good Fight.
If you have not yet signed up for our podcast, please do so now by following this link on your phone.
Email: podcast@persuasion.community 
Website: http://www.persuasion.community
Podcast production by Jack Shields, and Brendan Ruberry

Connect with us!
Spotify | Apple | Google
Twitter: @Yascha_Mounk & @joinpersuasion
Youtube: Yascha Mounk
LinkedIn: Persuasion Community
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Alexandra Hudson on Why Civility Matters

Yascha Mounk and Jonathan Haidt discuss the end of the play-based childhood and the rise of the phone-based childhood.

Jonathan Haidt is a social psychologist and the Thomas Cooley Professor of Ethical Leadership at NYU's Stern School of Business. He is also a member of Persuasion's Board of Advisors. Haidt is the author of The Righteous Mind and, with Greg Lukianoff, co-author of The Coddling of the American Mind. His new book is The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness.

In this week’s conversation, Yascha Mounk and Jonathan Haidt discuss the significant rise in mental illness among teenagers, particularly young girls; why social media has a negative impact on childhood development; and how we can mitigate the damage by cultivating phone-free norms and more childhood independence.

This transcript has been condensed and lightly edited for clarity.

Please do listen and spread the word about The Good Fight.
If you have not yet signed up for our podcast, please do so now by following this link on your phone.
Email: podcast@persuasion.community 
Website: http://www.persuasion.community
Podcast production by Jack Shields, and Brendan Ruberry

Connect with us!
Spotify | Apple | Google
Twitter: @Yascha_Mounk & @joinpersuasion
Youtube: Yascha Mounk
LinkedIn: Persuasion Community
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Jonathan Haidt on The Anxious Generation

Yascha Mounk and Jonathan Lynn discuss why the dysfunctional relationship between politicians and civil servants made for great TV, and what that tells us about the nature of politics.

Jonathan Lynn is an English writer, director and producer. Lynn is best known as the co-creator of the series "Yes, Minister" and its sequel, "Yes, Prime Minister." He also directed the films "My Cousin Vinny" and "The Whole Nine Yards."

In this week’s conversation, Yascha Mounk and Jonathan Lynn discuss how his television comedy about the inner workings of British government became Margaret Thatcher’s favorite show; how political satire has evolved over the decades; and the value of producing art with collaborators who hold different political views.

This transcript has been condensed and lightly edited for clarity.

Please do listen and spread the word about The Good Fight.
If you have not yet signed up for our podcast, please do so now by following this link on your phone.
Email: podcast@persuasion.community 
Website: http://www.persuasion.community
Podcast production by Jack Shields, and Brendan Ruberry

Connect with us!
Spotify | Apple | Google
Twitter: @Yascha_Mounk & @joinpersuasion
Youtube: Yascha Mounk
LinkedIn: Persuasion Community
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Jonathan Lynn on How Government Works (and "Yes, Minister")

Yascha Mounk and Coleman Hughes discuss the difference between race blindness and racism blindness.

Coleman Hughes is a writer and the host of Conversations with Coleman. His new book is The End of Race Politics: Arguments for a Colorblind America.

In this week’s conversation, Yascha Mounk and Coleman Hughes discuss why race is a poor proxy for setting public policy; why being colorblind doesn’t mean disregarding one’s own cultural affinities; and how we can continue to make progress against racial discrimination without making the concept of race ever more central to our culture and politics.

This transcript has been condensed and lightly edited for clarity.

Please do listen and spread the word about The Good Fight.
If you have not yet signed up for our podcast, please do so now by following this link on your phone.
Email: podcast@persuasion.community 
Website: http://www.persuasion.community
Podcast production by Jack Shields, and Brendan Ruberry

Connect with us!
Spotify | Apple | Google
Twitter: @Yascha_Mounk & @joinpersuasion
Youtube: Yascha Mounk
LinkedIn: Persuasion Community
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An Iranian in America

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