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  • How K-12 Schools Politicized COVID--19 w/ Natalya Murakhver

    How K-12 Schools Politicized COVID--19 w/ Natalya Murakhver
    Oct 2 2025
    Natalya Murakhver discusses her documentary '15 Days,' which explores the impact of school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic. She reflects on her personal experiences during the pandemic, the shifting narratives around public health, and the political dynamics that influenced school policies. The conversation delves into the role of teachers unions, the transformation of education, and the implications for childhood development and socialization. About the guest Natalya Murakhver is co-founder of Restore Childhood, a national nonprofit dedicated to empowering parents in guiding their children’s upbringing, education, and health. In 2020, as a mother of two public school daughters, she spearheaded efforts against pandemic-era school closures, co-organizing #KeepNYCSchoolsOpen and later filing a lawsuit to reopen New York City schools for in-person learning. She later launched the #MaskLikeAKid campaign in 2021 to highlight the impact of prolonged restrictions on children and, in 2022, collaborated with global experts to establish the Urgency of Normal, advocating for a return to pre-COVID childhood norms. Murakhver’s directorial debut, "15 Days" a documentary chronicling the pandemic school closures draws from her personal fight as a mom and her nationwide connections with families who shared similar struggles to reopen America's schools. Watch the film at https://www.15daysfilm.com/
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    33 Min.
  • A Congressman's Role in Countering Radical Ideology in Schools w/ Rep Michael Baumgartner

    A Congressman's Role in Countering Radical Ideology in Schools w/ Rep Michael Baumgartner
    Sep 18 2025

    00:00 Introduction to Congressman Baumgartner

    01:53 Political Landscape of Eastern Washington

    04:06 Ideological Paradigms: 1776 vs. 1619

    08:03 Challenges in Higher Education

    11:45 K-12 Education and Local Control

    15:53 Federal Influence on State Education

    19:56 Foreign Influence in American Education

    23:50 The Role of Qatar in U.S. Politics

    27:55 Conclusion and Future Outlook
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    32 Min.
  • Teaching Agency in K-12 Schools w/ Ian Rowe

    Teaching Agency in K-12 Schools w/ Ian Rowe
    Sep 5 2025

    00:00 Introduction to Agency and Education

    02:53 The Role of Charter Schools in Empowering Communities

    05:53 Navigating Ideology and Competence in Education

    08:46 The Impact of Institutional Politics on Education

    11:50 Cultural Influences on Education and Success

    14:56 The Importance of Family Structure in Education

    18:01 Agency and the Power of Choice in Education

    20:52 Personal Stories of Agency and Parental Influence

    25:39 The Importance of Agency in Education

    26:39 Cultural Influences on Parenting Styles

    28:56 Balancing Parenting Styles for Different Children

    32:25 Navigating Education: Non-Negotiables vs. Intellectual Freedom

    34:39 The Role of AI in Personalized Education

    39:37 School Choice and Educational Entrepreneurship

    41:32 Defending Classical Liberal Values in Education
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    50 Min.
  • Ideology or Incompetence? What Ails Education w/ Robert Pondiscio

    Ideology or Incompetence? What Ails Education w/ Robert Pondiscio
    Aug 21 2025
    Robert Pondisio explores the complex landscape of education in America, focusing on the ideological battles, the role of competence in teaching, and the impact of curriculum on student outcomes. They discuss the politicization of education, the ongoing reading wars between phonics and whole language approaches, and the influence of socioeconomic factors on learning. The dialogue emphasizes the need for a more effective pedagogy that prioritizes foundational knowledge and critical thinking skills, while also addressing the challenges posed by ideological divisions within the education system. About the Guest Robert Pondiscio is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), where he focuses on K–12 education, school choice, and civic education. A former public school teacher in the South Bronx, Pondiscio writes extensively on education policy, literacy, and classroom practice, bringing the perspective of both educator and policy thinker. His work has appeared in leading publications including The Atlantic, The Wall Street Journal, and Education Next. He is also the author of How the Other Half Learns: Equality, Excellence, and the Battle Over School Choice, which examines the successes and challenges of charter schools in low-income communities. X- @rpondiscio Substack -https://thenext30years.substack.com/ #EducationReform, #K12Education, #PublicSchools, #EducationDebate, #CultureWars, #Indoctrination, #Competence, #Reading, #Phonics, #Curriculum, #CriticalThinking, #Pedagogy, #SocioeconomicFactors, #StudentSuccess, #EducationPolicy, #RobertPondiscio, #DavidBernstein, #TheContrarianPodcast, #podcastshorts
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    50 Min.
  • Enlightened Patriotism & Liberal Education w/ Prof Steven Smith

    Enlightened Patriotism & Liberal Education w/ Prof Steven Smith
    Aug 8 2025
    Prof Steven Smith explores the concept of 'Enlightenment Patriotism', contrasting it with other forms of nationalism. He discusses the discomfort surrounding patriotism in contemporary society, the bifurcation of American identity into narratives of return and progress, and the challenges of political polarization. The discussion also touches on the idea of 'brokenism' in institutions and the need for humility in political discourse. They explore the complex issues surrounding anti-Semitism in universities, the ideological influences of postmodernism, and the implications of DEI policies, the sources of radicalism on campuses and the importance of enlightened patriotism in fostering a national identity that acknowledges both achievements and faults. The dialogue emphasizes the need for a balanced approach to diversity and inclusion while maintaining the core mission of educational institutions. About the Guest Prof. Steven B. Smith is the Alfred Cowles Professor of Political Science at Yale, where he has taught since 1984. He specializes in the history of political philosophy, focusing on the ancients and moderns, religion and politics, and representative government. His major works include Hegel’s Critique of Liberalism, Spinoza’s Book of Life, Reading Leo Strauss, and Modernity and Its Discontents. He co-directs Yale’s Center for the Study of Representative Institutions and has received several honors, including the Lex Hixon Prize for Teaching Excellence. A lifelong Yankees fan, he jokes about joining the team in the next life.
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    55 Min.
  • Defending Ed: A New Era in Education Advocacy w/ Nicole Neily

    Defending Ed: A New Era in Education Advocacy w/ Nicole Neily
    Jul 23 2025
    In this episode of the Contrarian Podcast, host David Bernstein speaks with Nicole Neily, founder and CEO of Defending Ed, about the organization's mission to counter radicalism in K-12 education and its recent expansion into higher education. They discuss the challenges facing both educational systems, the interconnectedness of K-12 and higher education, and the importance of parental engagement in advocating for educational reform. Neily shares insights on the political and pedagogical challenges in education, the role of teacher training, and the evolution of parental activism in response to perceived threats to educational integrity. Neily discusses the evolving landscape of education, focusing on the importance of school boards, the influence of teachers unions, and the challenges posed by state and federal policies. She emphasizes the need for parental involvement and activism, the role of Congress in oversight, and the impact of executive orders on educational practices. The discussion highlights the complexities of navigating educational reform amidst political and social pressures. Guest Bio Nicole Neily is the President & Founder of Defending Education. She is also the founder of Speech First, a national campus free speech organization, and has worked at the Independent Women’s Forum and the Cato Institute.
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    41 Min.
  • Neutralizing the Political Power of Teachers' Unions w/ Mailee Smith

    Neutralizing the Political Power of Teachers' Unions w/ Mailee Smith
    Jul 8 2025
    In this conversation, David Bernstein and Mailee Smith discuss the alarming rise of radicalism within teachers unions, particularly focusing on the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) and its influence on education policy. They explore how a small faction of ideologically driven leaders has taken control of these unions, leading to significant political spending and a shift in educational priorities. The discussion also touches on the implications for public education in Illinois and New York, the role of school boards, and the importance of literacy initiatives. Ultimately, they emphasize the need for reform and the potential for change as public sentiment shifts against the unions' agendas. This episode was recorded on the 15th of May, 2025 Guest Bio Mailee Smith is the senior director of labor policy and staff attorney at the Illinois Policy Institute, where she specializes in government union labor relations and their impact on taxpayers. Her expertise has been featured on platforms such as Fox News, the Cato Institute, and various national media outlets, with her legal analyses published in the National Review, Chicago Tribune, and Crain’s Chicago Business. A magna cum laude graduate of Valparaiso University Law School, she clerked for Judge Kenneth L. Ryskamp in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida and previously served as primary litigation attorney at a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit. Mailee is admitted to practice in Illinois, the U.S. Supreme Court, and several federal appellate courts, and she also teaches a university course on public policy.
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    42 Min.
  • Powerful Insights on Right-wing Politics and Antisemitism w/ Dr Christopher Schorr

    Powerful Insights on Right-wing Politics and Antisemitism w/ Dr Christopher Schorr
    Jun 20 2025
    Dr Christopher Schorr, Director of Higher Education at the America First Policy Institute discusses the intersection of antisemitism and woke ideology, the role of higher education in addressing these issues, and the complexities of Christian nationalism in American politics. The conversation highlights the need for a unified front against antisemitism and the implications of free speech on campus. Dr Schorr shares insights from his academic journey and the mission of the America First Policy Institute, emphasizing the importance of American values in combating ideological extremism. He discusses the intersection of free speech, equal protection, and civil rights within the context of higher education and K-12 schooling, exploring the implications of recent political changes, the role of viewpoint diversity in universities, and the challenges posed by divisive concepts in education. The discussion also touches on the influence of education schools on K-12 curricula and the political consequences of blue state policies. Throughout, emphasizing the importance of fostering an environment that encourages debate and critical thinking. Dr. Christopher Schorr is Director of the Higher Education Reform Initiative at the America First Policy Institute (AFPI), where he leads research and policy efforts focused on eliminating divisive DEI and gender theory practices, promoting academic freedom, combating antisemitism, and reforming student loans and accreditation. A Marine Corps veteran of the Iraq War, Dr. Schorr previously served as a research analyst for the Defense Health Board, a federal advisory committee to the Department of Defense. He is coauthor of the Amazon best seller Black Eye for America: How Critical Race Theory is Burning Down the House. He holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in American Government from Georgetown University and a B.A. in Political Science from the University of California, San Diego.
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    57 Min.