Noam Chomsky; Columnist David Brooks; Filmmaker Robert Kenner

On this week's podcast:

Noam Chomsky is internationally recognized as one of the world’s most critically engaged public intellectuals. The MIT professor of linguistics has long been an unapologetic critic of both American foreign policy and the ideological role of the mainstream media. He joins us to discuss the seemingly innocuous elements of our socialization — from our language, to the way we draw our maps — that promote one world view over another.

Columnist David Brooks of The New York Times joins us to discuss his bestselling book, “The Road to Character,” in which he writes that the lives best lived are informed not by fame and fortune, but by deeper values like kindness, bravery, honesty and faithfulness. 

Filmmaker Robert Kenner discusses his documentary “Merchants of Doubt,” which lifts the curtain on a secretive group of charismatic spin doctors who are paid to manipulate public opinion on issues ranging from tobacco use to climate change.