First released in 2021, this conversation feels increasingly relevant as social media continues to shape how Americans communicate, disagree, and connect. Monica Anderson of the Pew Research Center and Beau Kiniry of BuzzFeed explore whether civil discourse can coexist with today’s digital platforms—and how online speech influences relationships, public dialogue, and civic life. As polarization persists, the discussion invites listeners to reflect on how we engage with one another in the digital realm.

This podcast is created by the Sandra Day O'Connor Institute. The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the Sandra Day O'Connor Institute. We offer a platform of civil discourse to allow for disparate views to be discussed and explored.

You can find us at: https://oconnorinstitute.org/

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This special episode from our original Constitution Series returns in honor of Black History Month, spotlighting the life and ideas of Thomas Sowell, one of America’s most influential and thought-provoking thinkers. Drawing from Jason L. Riley’s landmark biography Maverick, the program traces Sowell’s journey from a Black orphan growing up in the Jim Crow South to a leading voice in economics, race, and political thought. Featuring insights from Sowell himself, along with interviews from colleagues and those he inspired, this episode explores why he is so often called “the smartest person in the room.”

Listen to this podcast on your favorite platform, or watch the conversation on our YouTube channel.

This podcast is created by the Sandra Day O'Connor Institute. The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the Sandra Day O'Connor Institute. We offer a platform of civil discourse to allow for disparate views to be discussed and explored.

You can find us at: https://oconnorinstitute.org/

Follow us on:

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How does today’s polarized climate shape what—and how—civics is taught in America’s classrooms?

This Public Square virtual conversation was inspired by the Sandra Day O’Connor Institute’s latest policy brief, “Why Are Teachers Uncomfortable Teaching Civics?” The research offers an urgent look at the challenges many civics educators face when teaching the very subject they were hired to lead.

The findings are striking: K–12 civics teachers across the country report feeling underprepared, unsupported, and increasingly hesitant to teach essential civic knowledge in an environment marked by heightened scrutiny and division.

To explore these realities, the O’Connor Institute convened educators, experts, and engaged citizens from 36 states for a thoughtful Public Square online discussion examining what this means for classrooms—and for our democracy.

Learn more about the research at oconnorinstitute.org/research.

Listen to the conversation on your favorite podcast platform, or watch the full discussion on our YouTube channel.

You can find us at: https://oconnorinstitute.org/

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