The climate crisis is unfolding very day, with many inevitable consequences looming in the near future. While we may hope for clean energy or fossil fuel alternatives to save the day, climate change is more than just a technological issue—it's fundamentally a social problem. When tend to view climate change only from an ecological or technological perspective, but we require a sociological view to understand how we can collectively solve it. This week, Adam discusses these complexities with Dr. Dana Fisher, Director of the Center for Environment, Community, & Equity and author of Saving Ou ..read more

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/FACTUALLY and get on your way to being your best self. The term "socialism" has gained prominence in today's political discourse, yet it hasn't fully entered the political mainstream apart from moments like the Occupy Wall Street movement or Bernie Sanders' 2016 presidential campaign. Unlike the fervent following of MAGA, there's no socialist movement of comparable size and far-right politicians outnumber their left-leaning counterparts a hundred to one. Why is this the case, and does socialism actually have a ..read more

This episode is sponsored by Surfshark. When we talk about racism in America, we tend to focus on the harm inflicted upon people of color, while rarely focusing on the ways that white people indirectly benefit from a racist culture. Author Tracie McMillan explores this concept of The White Bonus in her latest book, exploring the tangible financial benefits associated with being white in America. In this episode, Adam speaks with Tracie about white Americans reckoning with their privilege, the interconnectedness of racial and class conflicts, and how racism serves as the foundation of the widen ..read more

The American prison system is in shambles. Rehabilitation efforts fall short, recidivism rates soar, and the numbers show that our incarceration system fails to actually make us any safer. While the notion of abolishing prisons might sound radical, entertaining its principles could help cast light on the shortcomings of our current system and steer us toward a more just society. This week, Adam sits down with Tommie Shelby, a philosopher and professor of African-American studies at Harvard, who authored The Idea of Prison Abolition. Together, they discuss the historical of prison abolition, it ..read more

There's been a surge in discourse around medications such as Ozempic, prompting understandable skepticism—Is this another weight loss fad, or the beginning of something new? While it is primarily used to treat diabetes and promote weight loss, there's mounting evidence that shows drugs like Ozempic can reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes, and potentially be instrumental in treating addiction. In this episode, Adam speaks with Dr. Dhruv Khullar, a physician and assistant professor of health policy and economics at Weill Cornell Medical College, exploring the efficacy, risks, and impact ..read more

The climate crisis is undeniably real, but it won't be the end of the world. Tomorrow, the planet will still be here, whether it's better or worse, and we'll all have to live in it. While it's understandable to feel hopeless, surrendering isn't an environmentally responsible choice. In this episode, Adam talks with Dr. Hannah Ritchie, author of "Not the End of the World: How We Can Be the First Generation to Build a Sustainable Planet," about striving for a future that not only averts disaster but also fosters a healthier planet overall. Find Hannah's book at at factuallypod.com/books SUPPORT ..read more

This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Widespread denial looms over the 2024 presidential election. Will Biden be replaced due to his age? Could a conviction halt Trump's ambitions? While enthusiasm is scarce for this exhausting rematch, it's going to happen whether we like it or not. Adam and Semafor political reporter David Weigel set aside concerns about old age and criminal trials to dissect the state of both campaigns, and what it will actually mean come November. SUPPORT THE SHOW ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/adamconover SEE ADAM ON TOUR: https://www.adamconover.net/tourdate ..read more

The profession of journalism is facing a crisis. Recent years have brought devastating layoffs to nearly every major news outlet, with local newspapers shuttering daily. As these institutions crumble, we're faced with a question: what does a world without journalism even look like? This week, Adam is joined by journalist Matt Pearce, who recently experienced large-scale layoffs at the LA Times. Together, they discuss the industry's apparent demise, the irreplaceable role of boots-on-the-ground reporting, and speculate on journalism's future. SUPPORT THE SHOW ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com ..read more

The internet once felt novel and exciting, with new mysteries waiting to be discovered around every corner. These days there's a different mystery: who is actually deciding everything that you end up seeing? Journalist Kyle Chayka, author of Filterworld: How Algorithms Flattened Culture, has studied how platform algorithms have been invisibly guiding culture, as well as how they're been failing us. In this episode, Adam and Kyle discuss what algorithms get wrong about what people want, how that warps our culture, and how creative people have started making content to serve the mathematical nee ..read more

Express skepticism about technology and you might be labeled a "Luddite." However, the true story of the historical Luddites offers a fascinating perspective on the relationship between workers and technology. In this episode, Adam chats with tech journalist Brian Merchant, author of Blood in the Machine: The Origins of the Rebellion Against Big Tech, about the historical Luddites and their fight against wealthy elites replacing the working class with machines—a struggle made only more relevant by the state of the tech industry today. Find Brian's book at at factuallypod.com/books SUPPORT THE ..read more