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SimonCast is keeping the legacy of Senator Paul Simon alive through wide-ranging, civil conversations. Host John Shaw, director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, sits down with elected officials, histori

John Shaw, Paul Simon Public Policy Institute


    • Aug 1, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 57m AVG DURATION
    • 68 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Simoncast

    Liz Dozier: Opportunity and Hope Through Disruption

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2024 59:48


    Liz Dozier, CEO of Chicago Beyond, joined the Institute to discuss her path-breaking work to expand opportunities and possibilities for young people through education, youth safety, and wellness programs. This episode was recorded in March 2023.

    Philip Taubman: Diplomacy, Statesmanship, and the End of the Cold War - Episode 27

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2024 62:17


    Philip Taubman, a lecturer at Standford University, joined the Institute to discuss his book “In the Nation's Service: The Life and Times of George Shultz” and one of his earlier books, “The Partnership: Give Cold Warriors and Their Quest to Ban the Bomb.” This episode was recorded in April 2023. Hosted by John Shaw. Produced and edited by Jaclyn Durcholz. This podcast is produced through a partnership with WSIU Public Radio.

    Fanta Aw: The Power of International Education - Episode 26

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 3, 2024 54:03


    Dr. Fanta Aw, Executive Director and CEO of the NAFSA: Association of International Educators, joined the Institute to discuss the transformative power of international education and the importance of international exchange programs.

    Rep. Margaret Croke: Launching a Career in Public Service - Episode 25

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2024 54:07


    Margaret Croke, Illinois State Representative District 12, joins the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute to discuss her career in public service with John Shaw.

    John Palfrey: The MacArthur Foundation - Episode 24

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2024 51:01


    John Palfrey, president of the MacArthur Foundation, joined the Institute to discuss his wide-ranging career and the foundation's important work, including its commitment to supporting independent journalism with John Shaw.

    Shannon McGregor: The Power and Danger of Social Media - Episode 23

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2024 45:20


    Shannon McGregor, professor of journalism and poli-sci at UNC - Chapel Hill, discusses the impact of social media on journalism, politics and government in the U.S.

    Dr. Evelyn Farkas: The McCain Institute's Commitment to Advancing Character-Driven Leadership - Episode 22

    Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2024 56:44


    Description: Dr. Evelyn Farkas, Executive Director of the McCain Institute, discusses with John Shaw her career, the McCain Institute's commitment to advancing character-driven leadership around the world, and the national security challenges facing the United States.

    Brian Rosenberg: The Urgency & Difficulty of Reform in Higher Ed - Episode 21

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2024 64:36


    Brian Rosenberg, author of "Whatever it is, I'm Against it: Resistance to Change in Higher Education," discusses the urgency and difficulty of reform in higher education.

    John Hamre Talks Foreign Policy & National Security Issue - Episode 20

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2024 60:50


    John Hamre, American international relations scholar, former senior defense official, and CEO of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, discusses foreign policy and national security issues with Institute Director John Shaw.

    Dave Kindred Reflects on a Sportswriter's Life in a Small Town - Episode 19

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2024 68:31


    David Kindred discusses his memoir "My Home Team: A Sportswriter's Life and the Redemptive Power of Small-Town Girls Basketball" with Institute Director John Shaw.

    Rev. Susan Hayward: Religious Literacy in International Affairs - Episode 18

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2024 66:20


    Reverend Susan Hayward discusses religious literacy in international affairs and her research on women and peace-building. This was recorded in January 2023

    Dick Simpson Reflects on Chicago's Mayors & the Future of the Windy City - Episode 17

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2024 62:23


    Dick Simpson discusses his books "Democracy's Rebirth: The View From Chicago" and "Chicago's Modern Mayors: From Harold Washington to Lori Lightfoot" with Institute Director John Shaw.

    Rachel Kleinfeld: Intersection of Democracy and Security - Episode 16

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2024 58:17


    On this edition of Simoncast, Dr. Rachel Kleinfeld discusses her path-breaking work on the intersection of democracy and security.

    Eliot Cohen: The Hollow Crown: Shakespeare on How Leaders Rise, Rule, and Fall - Episode 15

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2024 59:58


    This time on Simoncast, Eliot Cohen discusses his new book, "The Hollow Crown: Shakespeare on How Leaders Rise, Rule, and Fall," with Institute director John Shaw.

    Drew Gilpin Faust: Necessary Trouble: Growing up at Midcentury - Episode 14

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2023 57:56


    Historian Drew Gilpin Faust discusses her new memoir, "Necessary Trouble: Growing up at Midcentury," with Paul Simon Public Policy Institute Director John Shaw.

    growing up midcentury drew gilpin faust
    Miles Rapoport: 100% Democracy - Episode 13

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2023 58:00


    Miles Rapoport, Executive Director of 100% Democracy, discusses a plan to revitalize American democracy with Institute Director John Shaw on Simoncast.

    Liz Alderman: Political, Economic, and Social Turmoil Cascading Across Europe - Episode 12

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 22, 2023 64:31


    On this edition of Simoncast, Liz Alderman and Institute Director John Shaw discuss the political, economic, and social turmoil cascading across Europe.

    Samuel Freedman: "Into The Bright Sunshine: Young Hubert Humphrey & the Fight for Civil Rights" - Episode 11

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 8, 2023 63:27


    Daniel Kurtz-Phelan: Foreign Affairs, Diplomacy, and Journalism - Episode 10

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2023 59:41


    Simoncast host John Shaw of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute speaks with the Executive Director of Foreign Affairs, Daniel Kurtz-Phelan.

    The Last Great Senate: Courage and Statesmanship in Times of Crisis - Ira Shapiro – Episode 09

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2023 58:08


    Author Ira Shapiro discusses his books “The Last Great Senate: Courage and Statesmanship in Times of Crisis,” “Broken: Can the Senate Save Itself and the Country?” and “The Betrayal: How Mitch McConnell and the Senate Republicans Abandoned America.”

    "All the Frequent Troubles of Our Days" – Rebecca Donner – Episode 08

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 27, 2023 62:13


    Author Rebecca Donner discusses her book “All the Frequent Troubles of Our Days: The True Story of the American Woman at the Heart of the German Resistance to Hitler.”

    Politics: The Starter Kit - How to Succeed in Politics & Government – Episode 07

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 6, 2023 69:31


    Author Jim Nowlan discusses his new book "Politics: The Starter Kit - How to Succeed in Politics and Government" and two of his earlier books, “Illinois Politics” and “Fixing Illinois.” His new book is intended for those new to politics and government or who are interested in becoming involved.

    Michelle Morales: President of Woods Fund Chicago – Episode 06

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 23, 2023 55:10


    President of Woods Fund Chicago, Michelle Morales, discusses her background in advocacy and philanthropy and Woods Fund Chicago's eight-decade quest to advance social justice.

    Julieanna Richardson: Founder and Executive Director of The HistoryMakers – Episode 05

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 9, 2023 56:44


    Founder and executive director of The HistoryMakers, Julieanna Richardson, discusses her contribution to the non-profit organization.

    Gareth Evans: "Good International Citizenship: The Case for Decency" – Episode 04

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2023 68:17


    Gareth Evans discusses his book “Good International Citizenship: The Case for Decency" with host John Shaw.

    Ben Smith: The Changing Media Landscape – Episode 03

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 12, 2023 44:46


    Co-founder of Semafor, Ben Smith, discusses the digital news revolution, the changing media landscape, and his book, “Traffic: Genius, Rivalry and Delusion in the Billion Dollar Race to Go Viral.”

    David Greising: Journalism for Better Policy and Accountable Government – Episode 02

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 28, 2023 58:19


    CEO of the Better Government Association, David Greising, talks with John Shaw about Journalism.

    John Walcott: A search for truth in an age of confusion – Episode 01

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2023 69:45


    Award-winning journalist and foreign policy expert John Walcott talks about the search for truth in journalism, changing media environment in the United States and worldwide, and considers the daunting challenges now facing journalists and analysts to ascertain what is truthful.

    John Shaw: Hearing the perspectives of interesting, compelling people – Episode 40

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 22, 2022 34:44


    John Shaw, director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute and host of Simoncast, becomes the focus of today's interview with Alee Quick.

    Jennifer Close: No one knows how to write a novel until you do it – Episode 39

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 15, 2022 59:45


    Novelist Jennifer Close talks about the long and winding novel-writing process, how she encourages young writers as an instructor, and why politics snuck into her latest novel

    write no one knows jennifer close
    Tanisha Fazal: Mitigating war's worst effects – Episode 38

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 8, 2022 56:11


    Tanisha Fazal, a professor of political science at the University of Minnesota, talks about why she studies war — "my motivation is usually about trying to mitigate war's worst effects," she says — why we should be thinking differently about the costs of war, and what makes Russia's war in Ukraine unique.

    Peter Goodman: Income inequality is a powerful threat to democracy – Episode 37

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2022 59:53


    New York Times global economic correspondent Peter S. Goodman talks about his book "Davos Man: How the Billionaires Devoured the World," which explores the contradictions on display at the World Economic Forum, why economic inequality is a powerful threat to democracy, and how billionaires exploited the COVID-19 pandemic. He also tells us how he crafts fascinating stories about everyday people to explain big ideas like supply chain disruptions and global shipping delays.

    Ray Long: The triumphs and travails of Michael Madigan – Episode 36

    Play Episode Listen Later May 25, 2022 60:13


    Chicago Tribune investigative reporter Ray Long talks about his book "The House That Madigan Built," which covers the long and powerful career of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and serves as an unofficial primer on Illinois politics. We also discuss the former speaker's fall from grace and the federal racketeering charges he now faces.

    Melinda Henneberger: Writing about injustice in Kansas City – Episode 35

    Play Episode Listen Later May 18, 2022 53:11


    Journalist Melinda Henneberger talks about her work at the Kansas City Star, including a series of columns about a retired police officer who was accused of rape, for which she won the 2022 Pulitzer Prize for commentary.

    Robert Eastern III: Intentional development in East St. Louis – Episode 34

    Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2022 39:21


    East St. Louis, Illinois Mayor Robert Eastern III talks about his philosophy for economic development in the city he leads, which he describes as "intentional." He also talks about the impact of COVID-19 on his Mississippi River city, including some unexpected upsides.

    Dale Fowler: Working across the aisle for southern Illinois – Episode 33

    Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2022 50:03


    Illinois State Senator Dale Fowler, a Republican from Harrisburg, talks about advocating for economic development in Southern Illinois, working to keep young people in the region, and how his relationships across the aisle help him do both.

    Jason Barickman: We need more independence in politics – Episode 32

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2022 51:55


    Illinois State Senator Jason Barickman, a Republican from Bloomington, talks about his path from the county board to the state Senate, his work on education funding and redistricting reform, working across party lines in Springfield, and how nationwide political angst affects state government.

    April Kornfield: How debate can build stronger relationships – Episode 31

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2022 61:04


    April Kornfield, director of debates for Braver Angels, explains her organization's unique style of debate, which Kornfield describes as a "collective search for truth" rather than a fight to be won or lost.

    Danielle Allen: Democracy in the pandemic era

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2022 41:28


    Danielle Allen, Harvard University professor and director of the Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics, talks about how the United States' COVID-19 response got caught in our political polarization, how we can rebuild trust in our civic institutitons, and the power and magnificence of the Declaration of Independence.

    Tom Zoellner: The patriotism of the American road trip – Episode 29

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2022 59:30


    Journalist and author Tom Zoellner talks about his book "The National Road: Dispatches from a Changing America."

    Rep. Adam Schiff: How U.S. intelligence impacts Ukraine – Episode 28

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2022 46:17


    Congressman Adam Schiff talks about how the Intelligence Committee oversees the work of the United States' intelligence agencies, including the CIA and NSA, and the role U.S. intelligence agencies play in our nation's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

    Julian Zelizer: How the US became politically divided – Episode 27

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 23, 2022 56:09


    Julian Zelizer, CNN political analyst, author, and public affairs and history professor at Princeton University, traces the history of political polarization in the United States

    Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi: How the US can help Ukraine – Episode 26

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 16, 2022 29:18


    U.S. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Illinois, talks about how U.S. intelligence officials are monitoring Russia, how the U.S. can help Ukraine mount a successful insurgency, and what we learned from COVID-19.

    Janel L. Forde: The future of work – Episode 25

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2022 57:57


    Janel L. Forde, director of the Illinois Department of Central Management Services, talks about how her department works behind the scenes to keep the engine of Illinois state government humming.

    William Burns: Reflections on working with Putin as the ambassador to Russia – Episode 24

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2022 58:38


    William Burns, the director of the CIA, talked with John Shaw in June of 2020, when he was the president of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

    Illinois Authors: The character and eloquence of Abraham Lincoln - Episode 23

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2022 68:40


    Douglas Wilson talks about Abraham Lincoln's evolution as a man and his writing process, which included jotting down writing ideas on scraps of paper and then storing them inside his hat.

    Illinois Authors: Growing up in segregated Chicago - Episode 22

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2022 65:13


    Author and Pulitzer Prize-winning arts critic Margo Jefferson talks with the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute about her memoir "Negroland," which recounts what it was like to come of age in Black Chicago's upper crust at a time when the city -- and the country -- was racially segregated.

    Illinois Authors: Illinois' role in world history - Episode 21

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 9, 2022 62:42


    Author and University of Illinois history professor Kristin Hoganson talks with Paul Simon Public Policy Institute Director John Shaw about her book, "The Heartland: An American History," which details how Illinois -- especially Champaign County -- sits at the middle of vital events in American history.

    Illinois Authors: Illinois' Two Famous Pauls – Episode 20

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2022 66:50


    Author and journalist Bob Hartley talks with Paul Simon Public Policy Institute Director John Shaw about Illinois' two most famous political Pauls.

    Candice Millard: Little-known stories about well-known people – Episode 19

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2022 46:50


    Biographer and bestselling author Candice Millard talks with Paul Simon Public Policy Institute Director John Shaw about growing up in the public library, working at National Geographic, and her books about Teddy Roosevelt, James Garfield, and Winston Churchill.

    Karin Olofsdotter: 'I am the unlikely diplomat' – Episode 18

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 19, 2022 60:25


    Karin Olofsdotter, Sweden's ambassador to the United States, talks about her career as an "unlikely diplomat," Sweden's COVID-19 philosophy, how the pandemic has changed world relations, and why Sweden wants the U.S. to succeed.

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