The Head & The Heart

Across the world today liberal democracy is under siege while different forms of authoritarianism are on the rise. Historian and author Anne Applebaum joins Perry and Ed to discuss this alarming trend. In her most recent book, ‘Twilight of Democracy,’ she argues that there is an inherent appeal to political systems with radically simple beliefs, especially when they benefit the loyal to the exclusion of everyone else. Anne describes with captivating clarity how the people enabling this trend are not just ideological, but also pragmatic and opportunistic. From the politicians to journalists and public intellectuals who have abandoned democratic ideals; Applebaum reveals the patterns that link the advocates of illiberalism and maps out how they use conspiracy theory, political polarization, social media, and nostalgia to change their societies.

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World renowned Harvard economist Dr. Benjamin Friedman joins 'The Head and the Heart’ to talk about the role that faith has had on the rise and growth of capitalism. Professor Friedman discusses how religious beliefs from past centuries influences our economic systems of today; and explores such topics as why economic growth matters, and why lower income Americans vote against their own self interest.

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Chuck Rosenberg is a former U.S. attorney and senior Justice Department official. In his podcast called, ‘The Oath,’ he chronicles the stories of men and women who have taken an oath to protect and defend our Constitution and nation. Who are these - often anonymous - duty bound Americans that serve with honor and integrity? Why do they do it? What compelled an F-16 fighter pilot to accept a mission that meant possibly sacrificing her own life on 9/11? And why is an Army war veteran, who lost 4 limbs in combat, still willing to fight for and serve his country? In this podcast he shares insights from some of his most memorable shows and provides a window into why they do it. A distinguished and highly honorable public servant in his own right, Chuck talks about his various career appointments and what true leadership means. Including the principled stand he took that led to his departure from government service. From Robert Mueller to newly confirmed Attorney General Merrick Garland, to our Librarian of Congress, Carla Hayden, Chuck humanizes the work of the federal government and celebrates the people who commit themselves to keeping the public trust.

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When he opened the FBI investigation into Russia’s election interference, Peter Strzok had already spent more than two decades defending the United States against foreign threats. His career in counterintelligence ended shortly thereafter, when the Trump administration used his privately expressed political opinions to force him out of the Bureau. Perry and Ed speak with Peter about his book Compromised, where he draws on lessons from a long career - from his role in the Russian illegals case that inspired FX Network’s The Americans, to the investigation of Hillary Clinton’s e-mail server, and ultimately Crossfire Hurricane, that explored the links between Russian officials and the 2016 campaign of Donald Trump. Peter’s final days at the FBI forced him to confront the most impossibly difficult question that should concern every U.S. citizen: when a president appears to favor personal and Russian interests over those of our nation, has he become a national security threat?

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What motivates the Christian voter? How does faith influence politics? Pastor Doug Pagitt joins Ed & Perry to discuss these questions, and his organization Vote Common Good which inspires and mobilizes people of faith towards more civic engagement.

Doug Pagitt is an American author, pastor, social activist and executive director of Vote Common Good. A leading voice for progressive Christianity, Doug makes frequent national media and speaking appearances. Pagitt, an early leader in the movement, founded Solomon’s Porch, a “holistic missional Christian community” in Minneapolis. His new book, Outdoing Jesus, is available now from Eerdmans Publishing.

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For a quarter-century, from the end of Watergate to the aftermath of the Cold War, no Republican won the presidency without his help or governed without the advice of James A. Baker III. Both a statesman and political operative, Baker served as White House Chief of Staff, Treasury Secretary, and Secretary of State, becoming one of the most influential political figures of the last century. Journalism power-couple Peter Baker and Susan Glasser join Ed & Perry to discuss Baker’s life and historic career.

Peter Baker and Susan Glasser are the authors of The Man Who Ran Washington: The Life and Times of James A Baker III. Peter Baker is the Chief White House Correspondent for The New York Times and a regular panelist on Washington Week on PBS. He is the author of the New York Times bestseller The Breach, about Bill Clinton’s impeachment, and, with his wife, Susan Glasser, of Kremlin Rising, about Vladimir Putin’s Russia. Susan Glasser is a staff writer for The New Yorker and author of its weekly “Letter from Trump’s Washington” as well as a CNN global affairs analyst.

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On the eve of the 2020 presidential election Perry & Ed are joined by psychologist Dr. John Gartner. Dr. Gartner who is featured in the 2020 documentary “#UNFIT: The Psychology of Donald Trump,” presents an alarming psychological diagnosis of the president and explains why his innate personality traits, which include authoritarian inclinations, are a threat to the future of American democracy.

Dr. John Gartner is an American psychologist, psychotherapist, author, and former assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University Medical School. In 2017, Gartner founded Duty To Warn, an organization of mental health professionals and laypersons who consider it their duty to warn patients, clients and the community-at-large, when aware of potential danger. Dr. Gartner is also the author of numerous scholarly articles and several books including The Hypomanic Edge (2005), and In Search of Bill Clinton (2008). He’s also featured in the new 2020 documentary #UNFIT: The Psychology of Donald Trump.

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The current political climate is fertile ground for conspiracy theories. But who believes in them, and why? Are they harmless or do they undermine public trust and our democracy? Perry and Ed talk to University of Miami Associate Professor of Political Science Joseph Uscinski, who reveals why conspiracy theories are so enticing, and how false rumors, and absurd ideas persist.

Joseph Uscinski is an Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Miami. He studies public opinion and mass media, with a focus on conspiracy theories and related misinformation. He is the co-author of American Conspiracy Theories (Oxford, 2014) and editor of Conspiracy Theories and the People Who Believe Them (Oxford, 2018).

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In the midst of a chaotic election and the explosive politics of replacing Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Supreme Court, political commentator S.E. Cupp has emerged as a conservative voice of reason. She joins Ed and Perry to talk about what convinced her to support Joe Biden and the importance of taking down the political temperature of the Nation.

S.E. Cupp is the host of CNN's “S.E. Cupp Unfiltered," a weekly program covering the intersection of politics and media. Cupp continues to be a nationally syndicated political columnist, culture critic and author. She regularly writes for the New York Daily News, Glamour and CNN.com.

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