Factually! with Adam Conover

Adam Conover speaks with Dr. Nabarun Dasgupta about the complex history of fentanyl and the opioid crisis. They discuss the misconceptions surrounding the epidemic, challenges of addiction, regional differences in fentanyl contamination, and the power of consumer pushback. Also explored are the historical connections and cultural significance of drugs, as well as successful interventions in reducing overdose death rates.

Dr. Kit Heyam, an expert in the history of gender, discusses the misconceptions around the surge of young people identifying as trans. They explore gender expressions throughout history, from Samoa's four genders to India's hijras. The importance of understanding gender beyond the Western construct is emphasized, as well as the emotional significance of representation in history. The complex relationships among gender, societal roles, and colonization are explored, highlighting the need for diverse narratives and the agency of individuals. The podcast also delves into the challenges of writing about colonized cultures and criticizes the binary understanding of biological sex.

Adam Conover is joined by Taylor Lorenz, an internet expert and author of "Extremely Online: The Untold Story of Fame, Influence, and Power on the Internet," to discuss the evolution of social media, the impact on journalism, the exploitation and inequality of creators, and the challenges of creative labor on social media platforms.

In this episode, Adam Conover speaks with Ashley Shew, author of "Against Technoableism," about the misconceptions and challenges surrounding technology and disability. They discuss how technology should impact the lives of disabled individuals and the tendency to view disability as a problem to be solved. The conversation also explores the definition of disability, the importance of inclusive measures, and the limitations of technology in improving the lives of disabled individuals.

Adam Conover discusses the cultural shifts in philanthropy with Amy Schiller, author of 'The Price of Humanity: How Philanthropy Went Wrong—And How to Fix It.' They explore the pitfalls of utilitarian philanthropy, the connection between effective altruism and neoliberalism, and the rise and fall of the movement. They also highlight Mackenzie Scott's transformative philanthropy and discuss challenges and solutions for fixing philanthropy.

Naomi Klein, an award-winning author, joins Adam Conover to discuss the appeal of conspiracy theories. They delve into topics such as doppelgangers and identity confusion, conspiracy influencers, the pressure to post on social media, and the power of control. They also touch on gun control, helping loved ones out of conspiracy theories, and the negative perception of Bill Gates.

The guest on this podcast is Corey Robin, a Professor of Political Science at Brooklyn College. They discuss the importance of understanding the right, dispelling misconceptions about them, and exploring the historical context of the right-wing movement. They also touch on topics such as the impact of election interference, analyzing the political views of Clarence Thomas, and signs of change in politics beyond the traditional red and blue divide.

Dr. Kelly and Zach Weinersmith, authors of A City on Mars, discuss the practicalities and challenges of becoming a space-faring species, the risks of having babies in space, the arguments for space colonization, the importance of space safety, the concept of ownership in space, the management of international commons, and the unrealistic promises of settling Mars.

Lina Khan, FTC Chair, discusses the New Brandeis movement, antitrust enforcement, prioritizing cases in digital markets, AI technologies, challenges with cable companies, eliminating non-compete clauses, and the power of public engagement.

Nathan Thrall, a Jerusalem-based journalist and former Director of the Arab-Israeli Project at the International Crisis Group, discusses the history and dehumanizing impact of the Israel-Palestine conflict. They cover topics such as recent events, lack of civil rights for Palestinians, displacement of Palestinians, and the devastating impact on both sides.