Humankind On Public Radio

Humankind On Public Radio Each week, public radio's award-winning Humankind podcast presents stories of hope and humanity.

09/03/2026

Podcast Episode: The Power of Pardon Pt 1
This new Humankind audio documentary examines the origin of pardons, which predate the United States. Initially clemency was designed as a way to show mercy to people who’ve made mistakes, in part because our legal system is sometimes unjust. But through history, from the Civil War to the January 6 Capitol riot, pardons have been controversial. In today’s pay-to-play political environment, is the pardon ripe for abuse? We hear legal experts, an investigative reporter, as well as archival audio from some of these dramatic events. Listen now at humankindpodcast.org

08/27/2026

Podcast Episode: Breaking the Cycle
Two members of Alcoholics Anonymous movingly describe how they got into trouble with alcohol and other drugs. As part of their odyssey of recovery, they’ve had to go inside to do self-reflection and to identify emotional patterns (often begun very young) which fed into problematic behaviors. They also discuss the rich resource they found in AA, which has an estimated 100,000 local groups worldwide. Attendance is free and anyone concerned about their drinking is welcome. For millions of people, AA’s peer-led, confidential program of twelve time-tested steps has led to a full life in sobriety. People who feel broken and often ashamed have been transformed and now lead healthy lives. In this segment, we hear what it’s like to face one’s demons and to attain a victory, through the support of others wrestling with similar problems. Listen now at humankindpodcast.org

08/20/2026

Podcast Episode: The Social Brain
In this program, we learn about how people develop different levels of empathy. Daniel Goleman is a former New York Times science reporter specializing in how brain function affects the way we feel and perceive life. His best-selling book “Emotional Intelligence” described emerging brain research that shows the superior functioning of people who develop skills of self-awareness and the ability to regulate their emotions. He has now ventured into understanding the brain chemistry of how people interact with each other, the subject of his subsequent book, “Social Intelligence.” Listen now at humankindpodcast.org

08/06/2026

Podcast Episode: Power of Belief Pt 2
Cancer survivors and physicians specializing in mind/body medicine examine the “placebo effect” — the powerful role of a patient’s personal beliefs and hopes — in coping with the challenges of a serious illness. What is the role of a patient’s attitude in facing a serious illness? Are the benefits that many people derive from faith also available to cancer patients who feel uncomfortable with religion? What are the connections between a person’s beliefs and their ability to attain physical healing? Also, we travel to a Detroit program for pediatric cancer patients founded by a Rabbi whose daughter died of cancer. A black belt, he teaches martial arts to children who need a way to access inner strength at a time when they feel powerless. With Drs. Margeret Stuber, James Gordon, Larry Dossey, Harold Koenig, Susan Gardin, Rev. Gwendolyn Collins, Rabbi Elimelech Goldberg, Marion Grodin and others. Listen now at humankindpodcast.org

07/30/2026

Podcast Episode: Power of Belief Pt 1
Cancer survivors and physicians specializing in mind/body medicine examine the “placebo effect” — the powerful role of a patient’s personal beliefs and hopes — in coping with the challenges of a serious illness. What is the role of a patient’s attitude in facing a serious illness? Are the benefits that many people derive from faith also available to cancer patients who feel uncomfortable with religion? What are the connections between a person’s beliefs and their ability to attain physical healing? Also, we travel to a Detroit program for pediatric cancer patients founded by a Rabbi whose daughter died of cancer. A black belt, he teaches martial arts to children who need a way to access inner strength at a time when they feel powerless. With Drs. Margeret Stuber, James Gordon, Larry Dossey, Harold Koenig, Susan Gardin, Rev. Gwendolyn Collins, Rabbi Elimelech Goldberg, Marion Grodin and others. Listen now at humankindpodcast.org

07/23/2026

Podcast Episode: Waste and Want
A nation of riches often forgets the invisible communities that could benefit from its largesse. Follow the work of Food for Free, a Boston-based effort which transfers healthy food that would otherwise be thrown away to the poorest and neediest in the city. A model program, Food for Free and its volunteers prove there are simple steps and significant solutions to hunger and poverty in our abundant nation. Join David Freudberg as he rides in the Food for Free truck to a local food distribution center, and then onto the food pantry where he talks with the people who receive the donated food. We’ll also meet volunteers of Food for Free–some who have been hungry themselves and have not forgotten what it feels like. A look at what it means to be hungry, on this episode of Humankind. Listen now at humankindpodcast.org

07/17/2026

Podcast Episode: Judicial Independence Pt 2
In this divisive climate, will major rulings follow the predictable blocs of liberal and conservative justices, strongly associated with the party of the president who appointed them? How will this affect public confidence in the court, or at least support of “the way the Supreme Court is handling its job”, as measured by Gallup? Strikingly, the court’s approval rating is now the lowest on record. Listen now at humankindpodcast.org

07/09/2026

Podcast Episode: Judicial Independence Pt 1
Because federal judges are nominated by the president and confirmed by the U.S. Senate, inevitably the process is somewhat politicized. But as hyper-partisanship has corrosively swept across American life, we’ll explore whether our judiciary has been infected. We will examine whether the ideal of impartial judges, this central characteristic of the judiciary, is undermined by America’s present state of politicization – now touching practically every aspect of our society, from popular culture to public health. Listen now at humankindpodcast.org

07/02/2026

Podcast Episode: Home Cooking
Physician Alessio Fasano, raised on a farm on the Amalfi Coast of Italy, specializes in digestive disorders as an endocrinologist at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Yet on a busy doctor’s schedule, he still finds time to cook regularly for his family. In this episode, Dr. Fasano explores the significant benefits of home-cooked meals, including improved family dynamics as loved ones have an opportunity actually to talk with each other. But home cooking also means a greater likelihood of healthy ingredients, as we’re actually selecting what we eat—rather than leave that to corporations, such as fast food restaurants and vendors of processed foods. And Dr. Fasano likes to do weekly shopping at the famous Quincy Market, where he selects foods found in the heart-healthy Mediterranean Diet, commonly followed in his native land. Plus, eating at home is usually cheaper! Listen now at humankindpodcast.org

06/25/2026

Podcast Episode: Income Inequality
Inequality of income has dramatically increased in the United States over recent decades. A major study by the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office attributed the trend to tax policies, soaring executive compensation, sky-high salaries for sports stars and entertainers, and the growing role of the financial services industry. The concentration of wealth has grown so extreme that now the most affluent one percent of Americans possess more assets than the bottom ninety-percent combined. For some, this poses a question of social justice. But in this segment, we consider other effects of income inequality as well: its impact of health on both the wealthier and poorer populations, and how inequality can weaken the bonds that hold our society together. But is the solution as simple as economic growth, in an era where increased consumption of resources also has an impact on our climate? Two experts on this trend, Richard Wilkinson and Barry Bluestone, offer their perspectives. Listen now at humankindpodcast.org

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