Thinking Aloud

Today’s guest on Thinking Aloud is a scholar whose work is teaching the world more about this crucial, singular work and the Huarochiri culture which produced it over 400 years ago.  He’s here to discuss this work with today’s guest host Mark Burns.

Peace Officer is the new documentary film about William Dub Lawrence and his efforts to deescalate the growing violence which characterizes too many police/citizen interactions. Filmmakers Scott Christopherson and Brad Barber have found in Dub an eloquent, passionate, but incredibly calm voice of reason and insight into this most pressing of our country’s problems. Guest host Mark Burns interviews all three men about the striking new documentary: Peace Officer. 
—Original Airdate: 10/7/2015 8:00:00 PM

Willis Jenkins (University of Virginia, Department of Religious Studies) is making important contributions to scholarship at the intersection of religious ethics and environmental humanities. Willis often focuses on climate ethics and issues of morality in the Anthopocene context. —Original Airdate: 12/9/2015 8:00:00 PM

Today’s guest is Mary Beard, a leading historian of Rome and the Roman Empire.  She argues that although Rome’s legacy is crucial, it teaches us more about how to discuss our problems than offer specific solutions.  In any debate about the role of Rome today, in other words, it is the act of debating itself that is Rome’s greatest legacy.  So grab a slice of pizza, get yourself a cup of gelato, and join us for a discussion of the importance of Rome for the 21st century.
—Original Airdate: 1/15/2016 8:00:00 PM

Tonight's show features an interview with former Congressman Jim Matheson. A famously centrist, bipartisan legislator during his 14 years in Congress, he discusses with host Marcus Smith the current state of Congress and other related topics. —Original Airdate: 11/23/2015 8:00:00 PM