Slate Debates

Latest Episodes:

Hi-Phi Nation: Living in a Zoopolis Apr 18, 2023

Show notes

A zoopolis is a future society that philosophers envision where wild, domesticated, and denizen animals have full political and legal rights. What would that look like? In this episode, we look at how animals were put on trial in medieval European courts, and how animal rights advocates and bringing animals back into the courtrooms to sue people and the US government.

We then look at what the science of animal minds tells us about how much agency animals have, and envision what political and legal rights various animals would have in a zoopolis. From there, we discuss and debate whether we should be allowed to farm animals, control their reproduction, and have them work for us.

Co-produced with Alec Opperman, guests include historian Gabriel Rosenberg, attorney Monica Miller, and animal minds researcher Professor Kristin Andrews.

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Hear Me Out: Don’t Celebrate the Trump Indictment Apr 11, 2023

Show notes

On today’s episode of Hear Me Out… a former president got indicted, and all we got was this stupid t-shirt.

Writer and former federal prosecutor Ankush Khardori joins Celeste to make the case that, while historic, this indictment is not a victory for anyone; it’s far from a legal slam dunk, it’s a symptom of a sluggish Justice Department, and it might actually worsen this nation’s political divide (which, in case you haven’t noticed, is already pretty bad).

Read the pieces Ankush mentions here and here.

Podcast production by Maura Currie

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Hear Me Out: Childbirth Should Be Free Apr 04, 2023

Show notes

On today’s episode of Hear Me Out… the right to life and socialized healthcare walk into a delivery room.

Writer and journalist Liz Bruenig joins Celeste to discuss her vision for a United States where childbirth costs nothing. In a nation with skyrocketing healthcare costs, attacks on reproductive rights, and potential rollbacks on preventive care, we tell birthing people that not only do they have to give birth — they have to court financial ruin in order to do it.

Liz says it doesn’t have to be this way… and yes, we can pay for it. Moreover, it might be the rare issue where both sides of the aisle can find some common ground.

Podcast production by Maura Currie

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Hear Me Out: Secession Could Be A Good Thing Mar 28, 2023

Show notes

On today’s episode of Hear Me Out… the case for breaking up the union.

Frank Buckley, professor at George Mason University and author of American Secession, makes a case for allowing states to peacefully secede — not just in the interest of preventing another civil war, but in hopes of creating a happier, more functional society for us all.

Podcast production by Maura Currie

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Hear Me Out: We Need to Argue With Each Other Mar 21, 2023

Show notes

On today’s episode of Hear Me Out… host Celeste Headlee introduces Slate’s newest podcast with a question: what if we could argue with each other without hating the results?

Hugh Breakey, writer and moral philosopher, thinks it’s possible. He and Celeste discuss the case for arguing with each other on difficult topics, and giving up the idea that every argument needs a winner. It’s not just a good idea, according to Breakey — it’s a moral imperative.

Podcast production by Maura Currie

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Hear Me Out: Coming March 21 Mar 16, 2023

Show notes

Slate’s political and discussion podcast, Hear Me Out, launches March 21. Join host Celeste Headlee and a guest each week for a smart, fair debate on issues that matter.

In a nation where many of us have forgotten how to talk to each other, veteran journalist Celeste Headlee has devoted years to reinvigorating the art of civil conversation and debate. Each week on Hear Me Out, she'll invite a thoughtful guest to discuss their controversial perspective on a current issue, and engage in a tough, good-faith dialogue about the merits and drawbacks of their argument. The objective is to challenge conventional wisdom, and serve the intellectually curious new ideas and perspectives without partisan cliches.

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Taking a Trip Down Language Lane Mar 29, 2022

Show notes

On today’s episode of Spectacular Vernacular, Nicole and Ben take a trip down memory lane and put their knowledge of past guests to the test. They also interview the founder and CEO of Planet Word, Ann Friedman. And finally, we’re taking our final virtual trip, this time to Northern Ireland, for some cinematic wordplay. Thanks for listening and playing along with us!

Produced by Jasmine Ellis.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Planet Word

Information on Planet Word’s new wordplay adventure, Lexicon Lane

Ann Friedman, “From the Founder: Disputes on the Language Front”

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Dialects vs. Languages Mar 15, 2022

Show notes

On today’s episode of Spectacular Vernacular, Nicole and Ben talk about the difference between a dialect and a language as they revisit a prior conversation about Ukraine. They also interview Will Shortz, crossword puzzle editor at the New York Times, about how he got into the world of puzzles. And finally, our hosts are in the hot seat for a wordplay quiz set by the puzzle master himself. You don’t want to miss this! You could win a year’s membership to Slate Plus.

Do you have any language questions or fun facts to share? Email us at spectacular@slate.com.

Produced by Jasmine Ellis.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Cambridge Language Surveys, “The Slavic Languages” (including Russian, Ukrainian, Bosnian, Croatian, and Serbian)

Phillip M. Carter, “Long before shots were fired, a linguistic power struggle was playing out in Ukraine”

Information on the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament (April 1-3)

Ben’s article on how Stephen Sondheim popularized cryptic crosswords in the U.S.

Ben, Nicole, and Will compete in Webster’s War of the Words, a fundraiser for the Noah Webster House

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New Siri. Who’s This? Mar 01, 2022

Show notes

On today’s episode of Spectacular Vernacular, Nicole and Ben talk about the new Siri voices. They also interview Gretchen McCulloch and Lauren Gawne, hosts of Lingthusiasm, a podcast that's enthusiastic about linguistics. And finally, they put a listener’s anagram skills to the test. You don’t want to miss this! You could win a year’s membership to Slate Plus.

Do you have any language questions or fun facts to share? Email us at spectacular@slate.com.

Produced by Jasmine Ellis and June Thomas.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Consumer Reports, “Hey Siri, Is That You? Apple’s New Voices Resonate With Some Black iPhone Users”

Spectacular Vernacular interview with VocalID founder Rupal Patel on “choosing your voice”

Axios, “Apple gives Siri a less gendered voice”

Gretchen McCulloch and Lauren Gawne’s podcast, Lingthusiasm

Lingthusiasm on Patreon

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“Who Dey” vs. “Who Dat” Feb 15, 2022

Show notes

On today’s episode of Spectacular Vernacular, Nicole and Ben talk about the connection between football chants and language. They also interview Everdeen Mason, editorial director for games at the New York Times about her exciting role. And finally, our hosts are in the hot seat for this week’s wordplay. You don’t want to miss this! You could win a year’s membership to Slate Plus.

Do you have any language questions or fun facts to share? Email us at spectacular@slate.com.

Produced by Jasmine Ellis and Asha Saluja.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Ben’s Wall Street Journal column, “’Who Dey?’: A Chant With Roots in Black History”

New York Times profile of Everdeen Mason

How to apply to the New York Times Diverse Crossword Constructor Fellowship

Washington Post article on “the latest reckoning over language in the puzzle world”

New York Times article on the acquisition of Wordle

Peter Gordon’s Fireball Crosswords

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