Best Harvard Independent Podcasts (2024)

1
"These United Colonies . . . are Free and Independent States" 10:29

1M ago10:29

10:29

Happy Birthday to the United States of America. The Declaration of Independence is comprised of five distinct parts. Hear about them, the language, its length, and how the signatures are categorized.

1
A Stoic on Stupidity and Plumbing 6:34

1M ago6:34

6:34

"There are some things which men confess with ease, and others with difficulty. No one, for instance, will confess himself a fool or a blockhead . . . " Epictetus. If Epictetus were alive, he may be surprised to learn that I am No One. That No One who played the part of the fool and blockhead and figured you may benefit from my stupidity.…

1
The Curse of the Bootlegger's Daughter 9:53

1M ago9:53

9:53

On narrative lust and the pleasure of rereading with C.S. Lewis. I’ve recently come across a few passages worthy of rereading, which is also a subject of this letter: a peek into Amor Towles 2024 short story collection, A Table for Two.

1
Northeast by Northwest: How Travel Changes Me* 8:48

1M ago8:48

8:48

On travel and British Columbia in summer. EATS and FEATS: where to eat and what to do. And how I have changed after this particular trip. *Title is a play on the 1959 film from Alfred Hitchcock: North by Northwest.

1
"Well-Intentioned Fools" 3:00

1M ago3:00

3:00

Poetry for Emergencies. On grief. D. Adam Boaz with a poem from his anthology, Voices from the Second Life.

1
Memorial Day Speech: We're Here Today Because They Lived 11:09

1M ago11:09

11:09

I gave this speech at New Canaan Town Hall on Memorial Day. I read it here for THL listeners, sharing stories which honor 7 local residents who died during the Vietnam War. Video recording of the speech is available on my site under Events tab.

1
"We Lived, Felt Dawn, Saw Sunset Glow" 5:22

1M ago5:22

5:22

Toolbox: On Speechwriting and public speaking. Research and preparation for the town Memorial Day speech. Finding the story and pulling it together... and, doing so as the first woman to speak at this event. The holy trinity of writing. Title quote from John McCrae's poem, In Flanders Fields.

1
That Teacher, You Know the One 9:01

1M ago9:01

9:01

Let's take a moment for teachers. That teacher, you know the one. Because, I have a confession to make. . . On poetry for emergencies, E. E. Cummings, and J.S. Bach. David Foster Wallace and This is Water.

1
Midwest Mandala 4:56

1M ago4:56

4:56

On Kansas City, life in the middle, and a meditation on mothers.

1
Semper Fidelis 6:00

1M ago6:00

6:00

We had not met before though we met in other ways, I suppose. On Vietnam and Operation Frequent Wind. And, honoring three marines.

1
On Poetry, Spring, and Transition 5:38

1M ago5:38

5:38

Poetry for emergencies. Friends are leaving, selling their houses and moving away. Mary Oliver on things and Lau Tzu on excess.

1
Small Delight: The Unexpected and the Good 5:04

1M ago5:04

5:04

I suppose it is the unexpected and the good which sustain us. Learn about a discovery in a second-hand book by Penelope Fitzgerald. In the process meet characters and listen to a cheeky retort from the protagonist.

1
Summer Unplugged: Navigating Screen Time and Finding Balance for Kids 30:12

4M ago30:12

30:12

As millions of students prepare for summer vacation, many parents may worry about endless time spent on the screen. Michael Rich, pediatrician and Director of the Digital Wellness Lab at Boston Children's Hospital, says children spend more time on the screen during the summer but that the real challenge is balance between screen time and offline ac…

1
Dirtman and Dillard on Signs of the Apocalypse 10:13

4M ago10:13

10:13

Earthquake and eclipse may signify the end of times. For both to occur in a week, after a deluge of rain and flooding, it is easy to lose your moorings. Geography Instructor on the quake and Annie Dillard on the eclipse.

1
Reshaping Teacher Licensure: Lessons from the Pandemic 24:10

4M ago24:10

24:10

With looming threats of high teacher turnover rates during COVID-19, Olivia Chi, an assistant professor at Boston University, wanted to study how the pandemic shaped who decided to become a teacher. Many states foresaw serious disruptions to the teacher pipeline as testing centers and schools closed around the county. While teacher requirements dif…

1
Discipline in Schools: Why Is Hitting Still an Option? 16:07

4M ago16:07

16:07

While most schools in the United States do not report using corporal punishment – the use of pain as punishment -- it still impacts tens of thousands of students annually, particularly in states where it remains legal. Jaime Peterson, a pediatrician and assistant professor at Oregon Health and Science University, along with the American Academy of …

1
Combatting Chronic Absenteeism through Family Engagement 26:42

5M ago26:42

26:42

Family engagement plays a pivotal role in combatting chronic absenteeism. The number of students who are chronically absent – missing 10% or more of the school year – has skyrocketed since the pandemic. Eyal Bergman, senior vice president at Learning Heroes, studied this issue and was surprised to discover how schools with robust family engagement …

1
Deez Nutz* 8:39

5M ago8:39

8:39

Nuts and nonsense. On Mixed Nuts, contronyms, and a classic film.

1
Getting to College: FAFSA Challenges for First Gen Students 21:53

5M ago21:53

21:53

For many first-generation college students, the dream of pursuing a college degree is often accompanied by financial uncertainty and adversities that keep it as just a dream. The faulty rollout of a new, more simplified Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form may only keep this student population from even trying. “The intent of simpl…

1
Who Does Not Prefer Civility to Barbarism?* 9:00

5M ago9:00

9:00

I love reading about the type of characters and situations I have encountered in my own life. What is less than pleasant is the recognition of less than admirable qualities that bear similarities to my own. George Washington's Rules and C.S. Lewis's Four Loves provide insight on civility and barbarism in an age when their relevance is more importan…

1
Why Math is the Greatest Equalizer in School 24:47

5M ago24:47

24:47

Math has a problem when it comes to equitable learning. The way math is taught and how students are tracked is part of the issue, according to Kentaro Iwasaki, a former math teacher who led new math standards in California and now works with school districts nationwide to overhaul their math programs. Tracking in math contributes to segregation, wi…

1
How to Improve Your Writing - Part 2: from Confucius to Lincoln 12:47

5M ago12:47

12:47

The importance of the English textbook and lessons on writing style. Part 2 of 5 with a book rec, a style guide, and passages from four writers: Confucius, C. Keegan, D. Grohl, and Lincoln.

1
Why Emotional Intelligence Matters for Educators 26:07

5M ago26:07

26:07

Janet Patti and Robin Stern joined forces decades ago when they recognized the crucial role of emotional intelligence for school leaders. How educators understand and manage emotions can positively impact the entire school community, contribute to better leadership, well-being, and resilience. The problem though is that for many education leaders d…

1
What Men Live By* 11:54

5M ago11:54

11:54

Leo Tolstoy's classic story, C.S. Lewis and "The Four Loves", and a surprising message on the day of a military funeral.

1
Meddling Moms: The Movements Making Change in Public Schools 27:47

6M ago27:47

27:47

Over the past few years, a battle is taking place on many school grounds – one being driven by mothers that is inevitably shaping the future of schools. Laura Pappano – a journalist with decades covering education – couldn’t ignore the growing influence of these movements on education policies and challenging public schools. In her book, “School Mo…

1
How to Improve Your Writing - Part 1 13:04

6M ago13:04

13:04

The importance of the English textbook and lessons on writing style. Part 1 of 5 with a book rec, a style guide, and passages from four writers: Tolstoy to Grohl (of Nirvana and Foo Fighters).

1
Independent Play Key to Countering Children’s Declining Mental Health 27:20

6M ago27:20

27:20

In a world increasingly dominated by structured routines and adult supervision, renowned psychologist Peter Gray is not surprised that children’s mental health challenges and anxiety has been on the rise for decades. “We are so overprotecting children, because we are so always there to solve their problems for them, they're not developing the sense…

1
Navigating Literacy Challenges, Fostering a Love of Reading 24:47

6M ago24:47

24:47

How do we teach children to love reading amidst the ongoing debates surrounding literacy curriculums and instructional methods, and the emphasis on student outcomes? It's something that Pamela Mason, senior lecturer at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, thinks about a lot. She's been both a teacher and school leader, and has spent decades tr…

1
Superior to the Saint, the Scientist, the Philosopher, and the Poet? 10:09

6M ago10:09

10:09

Who is superior to the saint, the scientist, the philosopher, and the poet? Learn why reading novels--serious novels worthy of re-reading--enriches your life. Why the novel is in decline, what makes a novel great, where to start, and the 3 novels that damaged the prestige of Communism. The Novel, Who Needs It? by Joseph Epstein…

1
An Alabama Road 6:49

6M ago6:49

6:49

Music and songwriting -- how writing for the senses breathes life into words. A live clip of five-part harmony and a look at the verses that make this song a classic.

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Harvard Independent Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

1
TreeHouseLetter

Veteran, Mother, Writer

1
The Harvard EdCast

Harvard Graduate School of Education

1
Chai with Manju

Manju Sheth

1
"These United Colonies . . . are Free and Independent States" 10:29

1
A Stoic on Stupidity and Plumbing 6:34

1
The Curse of the Bootlegger's Daughter 9:53

1
Northeast by Northwest: How Travel Changes Me* 8:48

1
"Well-Intentioned Fools" 3:00

1
Memorial Day Speech: We're Here Today Because They Lived 11:09

1
"We Lived, Felt Dawn, Saw Sunset Glow" 5:22

1
That Teacher, You Know the One 9:01

1
Midwest Mandala 4:56

1
Semper Fidelis 6:00

1
On Poetry, Spring, and Transition 5:38

1
Small Delight: The Unexpected and the Good 5:04

1
Summer Unplugged: Navigating Screen Time and Finding Balance for Kids 30:12

1
Dirtman and Dillard on Signs of the Apocalypse 10:13

1
Reshaping Teacher Licensure: Lessons from the Pandemic 24:10

1
Discipline in Schools: Why Is Hitting Still an Option? 16:07

1
Combatting Chronic Absenteeism through Family Engagement 26:42

1
Deez Nutz* 8:39

1
Getting to College: FAFSA Challenges for First Gen Students 21:53

1
Who Does Not Prefer Civility to Barbarism?* 9:00

1
Why Math is the Greatest Equalizer in School 24:47

1
How to Improve Your Writing - Part 2: from Confucius to Lincoln 12:47

1
Why Emotional Intelligence Matters for Educators 26:07

1
What Men Live By* 11:54

1
Meddling Moms: The Movements Making Change in Public Schools 27:47

1
How to Improve Your Writing - Part 1 13:04

1
Independent Play Key to Countering Children’s Declining Mental Health 27:20

1
Navigating Literacy Challenges, Fostering a Love of Reading 24:47

1
Superior to the Saint, the Scientist, the Philosopher, and the Poet? 10:09

1
An Alabama Road 6:49

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