The Genius of Thomas Sowell

Latest Episodes:

"Affirmative Action Revisited" with Jason Riley Jun 19, 2025

Show notes

This episode features a live interview with Jason Riley (author of the classic Sowell biography "Maverick") about his new book:

"The Affirmative Action Myth: Why Blacks Don’t Need Racial Preferences to Succeed (2025).

This interview was conducted before a studio audience live on X and audience members had the opportunity to ask Jason questions in real time.

My exploration of Jason's new book took me on a fascinating detour into the TV shows of Norman Lear from the 1970's featuring 5 shows from that period, all of which had strong themes regarding the way blacks were perceived by the larger society at the time.

Fascinating stuff, not to mention some great music as well.

I hope you enjoy listening to this episode as much as I enjoyed making it!

Alan Wolan

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• Find me on X (Twitter) at @alanwolan
• Email me at WolanAlan@gmail.com
• Support the show at https://www.patreon.com/SowellGenius
• Purchase podcast merch at https://www.etsy.com/shop/GeniusSowell
• See all my links at www.alanwolan.com

"Trump & Sowell" with James Fishback Feb 03, 2025

Show notes

In this episode I explore what Thomas Sowell thought about Donald Trump the first time he ran for President in 2015, and I discuss how Sowell's views on Trump evolved over the years.

The episode features a live, studio-audience conversation I had with James Fishback about why some people dislike Trump so much and how Trump supporters often view his bugs as features.

James Fishback is the founder of IncubateDebate.org, a high school debate league dedicated dedicated to free and open debate and the clash of ideas, in a civil atmosphere.

I contacted James after reading an article he penned for The Free Press, you can find the article here: https://www.thefp.com/p/judges-ruin-high-school-debate-tournaments.

The musical theme of this episode features some of the songs played at Donald Trump's political rallies during his 2024 presidential campaign. I encourage you to check out the full list of songs Trump's team selected to pump up his followers and also inspire patriotic feelings: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7673XgxqA16yhdVEFvpYyh

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"Race, IQ & Sowell" with Nathan Cofnas, Part 2 Sep 23, 2024

Show notes

This is Part 2 of Episode 40, “Race, IQ and Sowell” with Nathan Cofnas.

A few weeks after I recorded my original conversation with Nathan Cofnas, which I released in Episode 40, Part 1, I hosted a live conversation with Nathan on X Spaces which opened the floor up to the public and anyone who wanted to get in on the discussion.

We had a great group discussion about hereditarianism and we got to hear more about Nathan’s thinking on this controversial subject, and why Nathan thinks Sowell gets it wrong on this subject.

If you were intellectually stimulated by Part 1 of this episode, I think you will like Part 2 as well.

I really enjoy this format of public conversation because almost everyone who wants to speak can, and I get a kick out of hosting and moderating these conversations, so expect more of these in the future.

I encourage you to subscribe to Nathan’s substack and read his three essays which are mentioned in the discussion:

#1) Are smart people superior?

#2) A Guide for the Heredarian revolution, and

#3) Thomas Sowell’s wishful thinking about race

If I sound like a fan of Nathan Cofnas, it’s probably because I am. What I like most about him is not his positions or conclusions but that he gets me to think and rethink my positions on some of Thomas Sowell’s diehard arguments.

I think they call this critical thinking, or something like that.

It’s kind of fun once you get used to it.
I hope you enjoy this episode.

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