Shows
Good GodHadi Jawad on Dignity, Nonviolence, and the Courage to Speak OutWhat makes an ordinary person step into public life and become a voice for justice? Hadi Jawad’s story begins with a phone call from Pakistan—and a family’s harrowing journey out of Iraq—that altered the course of his life. In this powerful conversation, George Mason and Hadi explore the formative experiences that led to his lifelong work in human rights, the influence of figures like Rosa Parks and Cesar Chavez, and the importance of claiming agency in a fearful world. Together they reflect on how honoring human dignity can transform both individuals and communities.Hadi Jaw...2025-04-3032 min
Good GodGratitude and the Common Good: Reimagining Community with Kyle OgdenAt the heart of downtown Dallas lies Thanks-Giving Square—a place designed to inspire gratitude, foster interfaith understanding, and call an entire city toward the common good. In this episode, George Mason sits down with Kyle Ogden, President and CEO of The Thanks-Giving Foundation, to talk about the Square’s origins, its bold civic vision, and its evolving role in today’s divided cultural landscape. Together, they explore how gratitude functions as a foundational virtue, why nonprofits matter in a healthy democracy, and what it means to shift from personal success to public significance. Kyle also shares his own...2025-04-2428 min
Access to Excellence PodcastBuilding community and conversation through the artsGeorge Mason has a long history of supporting the arts on campus and in the community. With seven academic programs, seven galleries, six community arts programs, two major venues, and the digital venue Mason Arts Amplified, Mason Arts continues to create a thriving artistic community right here in Northern Virginia.
On this episode of Access to Excellence, President Gregory Washington is joined by Rick Davis, dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts at George Mason and the executive director of the Hylton Performing Arts Center. An accomplished director, author, professor, and George Mason baseball cap collec...2025-04-2140 min
Good GodBringing Faith to Dallas Civic Life with Jaynie SchultzWhat does it look like to bring your whole self—your values, your faith, your history—into public life? Councilmember Jaynie Schultz joins George Mason for a candid conversation about her years in public service, the joys and challenges of representing a diverse district, and the values that have shaped her decisions along the way. Together, they reflect on civic responsibility, zoning and housing justice, faith-rooted ethics, and the spiritual soul of Dallas. Jaynie also shares why she’s stepping away from elected office and what comes next.Jaynie Schultz is a Dallas City Council member representing Distri...2025-04-1031 min
Good GodBeril Berk on Building Bridges through Dialogue, Art, and EmpathyBeril Berk, Executive Director of the Dialogue Institute of Dallas, joins George Mason to explore how intentional relationship-building—across faiths, cultures, and communities—creates lasting impact. In this conversation, she reflects on the power of sitting at shared tables, the rich meaning of Ramadan, and the role of art and youth leadership in cultivating empathy. From feeding neighbors at shelters to launching a youth group called “Salam Shalom,” Berk’s work is rooted in the values of the Hizmet movement: education, service, and mutual understanding.A lawyer by training, Beril Berk also practices immigration law and brings her person...2025-03-2727 min
Good GodVoting Rights, Immigration, and the Fight for Justice with Eric CedilloRestrictive voting laws and immigration policies shape who has a voice in our democracy. Attorney and activist Eric Cedillo joins Good God to discuss his work expanding voting access, advocating for Latino communities, and pushing for immigration reform. He and George Mason explore the systemic obstacles that keep people from the ballot box, the political roadblocks to reform, and the power of grassroots action to create change. With the Super Mega Marcha approaching, this conversation is a powerful reminder that democracy depends on those who show up.Cedillo is the founder of The Law Offices of Eric...2025-03-2040 minAccess to Excellence PodcastPeace building amid the rise of global conflictThe December 2024 conflict index by the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data initiative reported that global conflicts have doubled over the past five years. Now more than ever, we need experts in conflict analysis and peacebuilding. And George Mason University is ready to meet that call.
On this episode of Access to Excellence, President Gregory Washington is joined by Marc Gopin, the James H. Laue Professor of World Religions, Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution in George Mason’s Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution, to discuss the art of diplomacy by building one relationship at a...2025-03-1750 min
Good GodLiving Faith: Almas Muscatwalla on Pluralism, Service, and the Power of CommunityFaith isn’t just a belief—it’s a way of life. Almas Muscatwalla, a dedicated interfaith leader and advocate for social justice, joins Good God to share how her Ismaili Muslim faith calls her into service. In conversation with George Mason, she reflects on the meaning of pluralism, the importance of understanding across differences, and the role of faith in shaping a more just and compassionate society.Muscatwalla co-founded Faith Forward Dallas at Thanks-Giving Square to bring faith leaders together in action on issues like homelessness, racial equity, and refugee support. She has served in leadership roles...2025-03-1332 minAccess to Excellence PodcastNavigating AI’s risks and rewardsIn 2024, artificial intelligence dominated conversations across the globe from copyright lawsuits against AI art generators to developing legislation for artificial intelligence regulation. On this episode of Access to Excellence, President Gregory Washington and George Mason’s inaugural vice president and chief AI officer Amarda Shehu discuss the research possibilities of AI and the role of higher education in AI training and development.
2025-01-2150 min
Good GodHow to End Christian Nationalism: A Conversation with Amanda TylerIn this episode of Good God, George Mason sits down with Amanda Tyler, Executive Director of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty and lead organizer for Christians Against Christian Nationalism. Amanda shares insights from her new book, How to End Christian Nationalism, exploring the steps needed to dismantle this dangerous ideology while promoting religious freedom for all. From defining Christian nationalism to addressing its impact on public schools and political power, Amanda calls us to engage deeply in protecting democracy and fostering pluralism.Amanda Tyler is a lawyer, religious liberty advocate, and leader in the fight...2025-01-1434 min
Good GodThis Is Going to Hurt: Faith, Division, and Radical Love with Bekah McNeelIn this episode of Good God, George Mason sits down with journalist Bekah McNeel to discuss her latest book, This Is Going to Hurt: Following Jesus in a Divided America. Together, they explore the profound intersections of faith, suffering, and public life, challenging us to move beyond binaries and embrace self-sacrificial love in the face of division. From reframing stories about immigration and race to understanding the call of the cross as a daily act of radical compassion, Bekah invites listeners to go deeper into their convictions and rethink what it means to love their neighbors.Bekah...2025-01-0738 min
Good GodState of Our Faith | Light in the Darkness: Reflections on Faith in this SeasonIn this special year-end episode of State of Our Faith, Rev. George Mason, Rabbi Nancy Kasten, and Mara Richards Bim reflect on themes of light and darkness across their faith traditions. As the holidays and new year approach, they discuss the significance of embracing both light and shadow, the importance of community and rest, and how faith calls us to be active participants in bringing hope to the world. Together, they offer insights and encouragement for finding light in challenging times.2024-12-1913 min
Good God10 for 10: Voting Vision Not Division | From the Ballot to Action: Building Unity After the ElectionIn this special post-election episode of the "10 for 10: Voting Vision, Not Division" series, Rabbi Nancy Kasten and Rev. Dr. George Mason reflect on the surprises and challenges of the election results. They discuss how faith values can guide responses to shifting political landscapes, the importance of addressing local issues like housing and food access, and why advocating for good governance remains essential. Together, they emphasize the need for persistence and collaboration to create meaningful change, even when political winds shift. As the dust settles, this conversation invites listeners to stay engaged, persevere, and work toward unity and justice in...2024-11-2513 minAccess to Excellence PodcastCan dirty coffee grounds be the key to clean water?Every day at George Mason University, faculty like assistant professor Jeffrey Moran develop innovative solutions to the world’s grand challenges. And sometimes those grand challenges can have small solutions that come from the most unlikely of places. In this episode of Access to Excellence, join Moran and President Gregory Washington as they discuss the water-cleaning powers of spent coffee grounds, aerosol experiments on the International Space Station, and finding inspiration for innovation in jazz.
2024-10-2153 min
Good God10 for 10: Voting Vision not Division | On War, "What Makes This Land Holy?"In this special episode, the Faith Commons team reflects on the one-year anniversary of the war between Israel and Hamas. Drawing from their own experiences in the region and their faith traditions, Rev. Dr. George Mason, Rabbi Nancy Kasten, and Mara Richards Bim grapple with the complexities of ongoing violence and the pursuit of peace. They discuss the difficulties of peacemaking, the limits of our understanding, and the importance of solidarity and compassion in a world divided by conflict. As they consider the impact of faith on public policy and voting, they challenge listeners to reflect on what makes...2024-10-0720 min
Good God10 for 10: Voting Vision not Division | On FamilyIn this episode of "10 for 10: Voting Vision Not Division," Rev. Dr. George Mason, Rabbi Nancy Kasten, and Mara Richards Bim dive into the complexities of family and what it means to support families in today’s world. From the diverse family structures seen in religious texts to the modern policies needed to uplift all families, they discuss how faith calls for a broader, more inclusive understanding of family. The conversation covers essential topics like childcare assistance, paid leave, and family unity, urging voters to reflect on how public policies can strengthen families in all forms.What is 10 fo...2024-09-2310 min
Good God10 for 10: Voting Vision not Division | On HealthcareIn this episode of "10 for 10: Voting Vision Not Division," Rev. Dr. George Mason, Rabbi Nancy Kasten, and Mara Richards Bim reflect on the role of healthcare in a faith-driven society. From the holistic healing ministry of Jesus to the ethical teachings of Maimonides, the discussion highlights the importance of universal healthcare access and the intersection of faith, medicine, and policy. As Election Day approaches, this episode invites voters to consider healthcare policies through the lens of compassion and justice, addressing issues like prescription drug costs, maternal health, and public safety.What is 10 for 10: Voting Vision not Division...2024-09-1610 min
Good God10 for 10: Voting Vision not Division | On EducationIn this episode of "10 for 10: Voting Vision Not Division," Rabbi Nancy Kasten, Rev. Dr. George Mason, and Mara Richards Bim examine the vital role education plays in shaping our values and beliefs, both as individuals and as a society. They reflect on the importance of public education, the separation of church and state, and the influence of faith on education policy. As the election approaches, this episode encourages voters to consider how their religious convictions can inform their decisions about educational equity, government oversight, and the protection of diverse perspectives in our schools.What is 10 for 10...2024-09-0909 min
Good God10 for 10: Voting Vision not Division | On LaborIn this inaugural episode of "10 for 10: Voting Vision Not Division," Rev. Dr. George Mason is joined by Rabbi Nancy Kasten and Mara Richards Bim to explore the significance of labor through the lens of faith. As we reflect on Labor Day, the discussion delves into how religious traditions emphasize the dignity of work, the necessity of rest, and the importance of fair labor practices. This episode challenges listeners to think critically about how their beliefs can shape their voting decisions on issues related to labor and employment. Join us as we kick off this series with a conversation that...2024-09-0209 min
Good GodGrowing Hope: Joppy Momma's FarmGeorge Mason joins in conversation with Kim High, the passionate founder of Joppy Momma's Farm—a grassroots initiative tackling food insecurity in South Dallas. Kim shares her inspiring journey from corporate life to community farming, driven by her personal battle with diabetes and a leap of faith. Joppy Momma's Farm is not just feeding a community but also preserving the rich heritage of one of Dallas's historic Freedmen's towns. Joppy Momma's Farm vows to empower, educate, and create greater opportunities for health, wellness, and self-sufficiency through sustainable, regenerative agriculture. Kim's work is a testament to the power of fai...2024-08-1518 minAccess to Excellence PodcastMarking a decade of success at Mason KoreaTen years ago, Mason Korea opened its doors at the Incheon Global Campus in Songdo, South Korea. Now, the campus offers degrees in six undergraduate and two graduate disciplines to students from around the world. To recognize this anniversary, President Gregory Washington is joined by former campus dean Robert Matz and associate professor Gyu Tag Lee to discuss the growth of Mason Korea, the influence of Korean pop on global culture, and the future of Mason at the Incheon Global Campus.
2024-08-0249 min
Good GodBuilding a Food Justice Future: Transforming South Oak CliffJoin host George Mason as he visits For Oak Cliff to discuss food security, access, and justice in Southern Dallas. Meet Julianna YeeFoon and Raven Shankle, leaders in the community's fight against food apartheid, and explore For Oak Cliff's innovative approaches to creating a sustainable and equitable food system. Discover how partnerships, education, and a vision for food sovereignty are transforming lives and neighborhoods.For Oak Cliff's mission is to provide culturally responsive initiatives in South Oak Cliff to liberate the community from systemic oppression, create a culture of education, and increase social mobility and social capital.2024-08-0123 minAccess to Excellence PodcastCybersecurity and the global threats of tomorrowJamil Jaffer, founder and executive director of the National Security Institute and assistant professor of law at George Mason University's Antonin Scalia Law School, knows better than anyone the growing threats to national security during these rapidly changing times. In this fast-paced episode of Access to Excellence, Jaffer and George Mason President Gregory Washington discuss the U.S.'s position on the global stage, the power of the American Dream, and what we as citizens can do to start solving some of the country's stickiest problems.
2024-07-051h 02
Good GodTalking Faith: Christianity and PoliticsIn this pivotal election year, Rev. Dr. George Mason led the participants at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church’s Pub Theology in a reflective exploration of the role Christianity has played and should play in the realm of politics.From navigating contentious issues to grappling with the concept of Christian nationalism, he delved into the complexities and challenges of faith-based engagement in the public sphere.“Patriotism is love of country. Nationalism is hatred of the other.”2024-07-011h 03Access to Excellence PodcastWhat will become of the Amazon?Jeremy Campbell, associate director for strategic engagement in George Mason University’s Institute for a Sustainable Earth, says that at its current pace the vast Amazon rainforest, in five to 10 years, could pass a tipping point in which it could transform into grasslands. That process, fueled by deforestation and climate change, is a threat to the biodiversity and socio-cultural aspects that define the region, and has global implications as well. In this fascinating conversation, Campbell explains to Mason President Gregory Washington the magnitude of what the loss of the Amazon rainforest would really mean.
2024-04-2252 minAccess to Excellence PodcastCatherine Read, mayor of Fairfax City, Va., is outspoken, unfilteredCatherine Read is the first woman and first George Mason University alum to be mayor of Fairfax City, Va., the university’s hometown, and she isn’t shy about touting an institution she says helped teach her how to think critically. Want to know why it’s good to “disrupt the system,” why it’s important to get more women into policy-making decisions, and why our educational system doesn’t reward bold ideas? Read tells you in this conversation with Mason President Gregory Washington. She also is adamant that “if we can’t maintain democracy, if we can’t preserve our country...2024-03-2546 minAccess to Excellence PodcastA view from the pulpitWith oratory flair, Rev. Jeffery Johnson, pastor at Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Fairfax, Virginia, and Dr. Vernon Walton, pastor at First Baptist Church in Vienna, Virginia, guide us through some of the history and aspirations of the Black community using the lens of Black and African American History Month, Dr. King’s “I have a dream” speech, the dissolution of Black-only communities, and their perspectives as leaders of their parishes, which were founded by formerly enslaved people. George Mason University President Gregory Washington and the pastors also examine the unique, but intertwined, roles the university and churches can play t...2024-02-1649 minAccess to Excellence PodcastWhere the bodies are buriedForensic research on human donors is not for the faint of heart, Mary Ellen O’Toole, director of the Forensic Science Program in George Mason University’s College of Science, admitted to Mason President Gregory Washington. But the university’s new outdoor research and training laboratory—or “body farm,” as O’Toole, a former FBI profiler, calls it—is a valuable addition to the study of human decomposition in various environmental conditions for the purpose of solving crimes. It also positions O’Toole’s program as a national leader in forensic science and forensic anthropology.
2024-01-1142 minAccess to Excellence PodcastAre we headed for an internet apocalypse?Peter Becker, a professor in the Physics and Astronomy Department in George Mason University’s College of Science, talks with Mason President Gregory Washington about how a predicted major increase in solar storm activity could be a prelude to an “internet apocalypse.” Can we prepare? What could be the consequences? What are the economic implications? A $14 million federal study Becker is leading with the Navy could provide better predictive capabilities and help us better understand exactly what’s at stake.
2023-12-0144 minAccess to Excellence PodcastThe critical importance of shared humanityMelissa Perry, dean of George Mason University’s College of Public Health, is an ardent proponent of virtual reality and AI as tools to help solve the nation’s health challenges. But, as she tells Mason President Gregory Washington, a technology overload has also helped create an “epidemic of loneliness” that has heightened the importance of a shared humanity and “being present for each other.” Perry also discusses her suicide attempt as a teenager that ultimately inspired her career in public health.
2023-11-1042 minAccess to Excellence PodcastThe tension between war, justice, and peaceKarina Korostelina, a professor of conflict analysis and resolution in George Mason University's Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution, conducts research with global implications that not only applies to countries and groups in conflict but societies as well. She tells Mason President Gregory Washington that Ukraine’s war with Russia, at its end, will present enormous problems with the reconciliation of people and territories. A look behind the scenes at Korostelina’s remarkable research and what it tells us about human nature and how we can find peace after conflict.
2023-09-0842 minAccess to Excellence PodcastNikyatu Jusu is elevating the horror genreNikyatu Jusu, an assistant professor of directing and screenwriting in George Mason University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts, talks to Mason President Gregory Washington about her movie “Nanny,” which won the grand prize at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival, and why the horror genre is not all “jump scares.” Just as often, she says, the monster is a commentary on human nature and the way we treat each other and ourselves. A fascinating conversation with this gritty street filmmaker who went from studying biomedical engineering to putting non-traditional protagonists into fantastical worlds.
Discover mor...2023-08-0437 minAccess to Excellence PodcastFormer FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe: ’I don’t have any regrets’Andrew McCabe, the former deputy and acting director of the FBI, and a Distinguished Visiting Professor at George Mason University, gives a masterclass on the indictment of Donald Trump under the Espionage Act, and goes deep with Mason President Gregory Washington into some of his career's most controversial and important moments. That includes his assessment of the investigation by Special Counsel John Durham into whether the FBI should have examined whether Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign coordinated with Russia. McCabe called Durham’s report “flawed and politically motivated from the beginning.”
2023-07-0553 minAccess to Excellence PodcastThe metaverse, crypto, and the evolution of the internetWhat exactly is the metaverse? Some say it is the future of the internet — a broad shift in how we interact with technology, including new and more ways to collaborate in virtual worlds. Others say it creates even more infringements on privacy and creates chances for identity theft. Foteini Baldimtsi, an assistant professor in George Mason University’s Department of Computer Science, and James Casey, an associate professor in Mason’s Computer Game Design program talk to Mason President Gregory Washington about what the metaverse is, and could be, and how the volatile world of cryptocurrency fits in.
2023-06-0250 minAccess to Excellence PodcastEverything is businessBusiness is at the heart of everything. So says Ajay Vinzé, dean of Mason’s School of Business. In a conversation with George Mason University President Gregory Washington, Vinzé joined Paula Sorrell, associate VP for innovation and economic development at Mason, to celebrate National Small Business Week, and discuss how Mason Enterprise is an economic engine for Northern Virginia, and how the School of Business is changing the way business is taught.
2023-04-2838 minAccess to Excellence PodcastBlack Dance: Housing the past and the presentLawrence Jackson says colonialism brought an end to authentic African dance. But the associate professor of dance at George Mason University, who in 2011 co-authored and edited a special edition on Black dance in the Journal of Pan African Studies, explains to Mason President Gregory Washington how Black dance keeps those African cultural traditions alive and is an affirmation of identity and independence. And did you know that tap, jazz, and ballroom dancing have African roots? Jackson explains.
2023-02-1548 minAccess to Excellence PodcastMissy Cummings: Artificial intelligence is artificial and not intelligentMissy Cummings, one of the country’s first female fighter pilots and director of George Mason University's Autonomy and Robotics Center, calls herself a tech futurist, charged with making tech work better and safer. In a conversation with Mason President Gregory Washington, Cummings is unflinching in her critique of AI’s strengths, weaknesses and shortcomings, as well as that of humans. There is a lot to like about AI, Cummings says, but she calls out bad tech where she sees it, including in the vision systems of self-driving cars and Tesla’s Autopilot. There's also a lot to like, Cummin...2023-01-2547 minAccess to Excellence PodcastDescribing history through the eyes of ordinary peopleHelon Habila, a professor of creative writing at George Mason University, and an acclaimed international author, has never shied away from important issues. In a fascinating discussion, Habila, the author of four novels, tells Mason President Gregory Washington about his process of combining compelling narratives and characters with current examples of oppression and exploitation, and how his factual account of the 2014 kidnapping in Nigeria of 276 young girls by the terrorist group Boko Haram forced him to confront his homeland as he had never seen it.
2022-12-1339 minAccess to Excellence PodcastThe absurd fallacy of a hierarchy of human valueWhen Gail Christopher, executive director of the National Collaborative for Health Equity and a senior scholar in George Mason University’s Center for the Advancement of Well-Being, talks about “ensuring a future,” she’s really talking about creating a system of equity that produces opportunities for everyone. In her second podcast with Mason President Gregory Washington, Christopher expands on the idea that academic institutions are essential for shifting the cultural ethos to one that is not racist, and discusses the Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence Conference recently held at Mason.
2022-11-1642 minAccess to Excellence PodcastAre the midterm elections the most consequential in our time?Are the midterm elections the most important in our time? Maybe, maybe not. Jennifer Victor, associate professor of political science in George Mason University's Schar School of Policy and Government, and Mason president Gregory Washington wrestle with that, and you might be surprised at the answer. Want more surprises? Then hear why high voter turnout could be a double-edged sword for our democracy and how the parties misread the electorate. And just what is “thermostatic politics?”
2022-10-1845 minAccess to Excellence PodcastHis sound is renownedDr. Michael Nickens, an associate professor of music in George Mason University’s Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music, tells Mason President Gregory Washington how he transforms from his mild-mannered persona into Doc Nix, the flamboyant leader of the Green Machine, the nation’s No. 1 pep band. The band isn’t a mechanical process, Nix says. There are times its members are collectively “exploring the universe in that moment. And those are the moments that feel like we have really accomplished something.” Actor Bill Murray is a fan of the band, and Nix is pretty good on the tuba.2022-09-0641 minAccess to Excellence PodcastCori Bush: Action must be the reactionRep. Cori Bush, Missouri's first Black congresswoman, talks to George Mason University President Gregory Washington about the importance of the class she is teaching this summer at Mason. A pastor, teacher, nurse, and a Black Lives Matter activist in Ferguson, Mo., Bush explains her unusual path to Congress, and doesn’t flinch when discussing issues surrounding race and policing.
2022-06-1547 minAccess to Excellence PodcastPromoting a scientific worldviewJim Trefil, a physicist and Robinson Professor at George Mason University, explains to Mason President Gregory Washington the importance of a scientific worldview. The author of more than 50 books and one of the developers of the modern theories about quarks as a fundamental component of the universe, Trefil is helping pioneer a new way of teaching science and says you don’t have to be in a lab to learn. ‘You live in a world full of science. Oh, and just FYI, Trefil says, ‘There is life even if you’ve been rejected by Playboy.’
2022-04-1938 minAccess to Excellence PodcastOn Ukraine, Russia, China, and a very messy worldLarry Pfeiffer, director of George Mason University’s Michael V. Hayden Center for Intelligence, Policy, and International Security, explains to Mason President Gregory Washington about Vladimir Putin’s real agenda in Ukraine. He also details why the war in Ukraine matters to the United States, even though the U.S.’s long-term geopolitical, economic and technological challenge is from China. Pfeiffer also asks Americans to guard against autocracy at home, because, as he said, it doesn’t take much for a country’s values to be subverted and freedoms suppressed.
2022-03-1541 minAccess to Excellence PodcastCharles Chavis: The truth will set you freeCharles Chavis, an assistant professor of conflict resolution and history at George Mason University, and director of African and African American studies at Mason, talks about his new book that explores the lynching of a young Black Man in Salisbury, Md., and how understanding his story and the Black experience in the United States can help find ways to fight anti-Black violence. Chavis also pushes for a National Truth and Reconciliation Program to give the country the chance to reset and “deal with the truth.”
2022-02-1849 minAccess to Excellence PodcastReimagining Santa ClausWant to listen to a conversation with real holiday spirit? Thalia Goldstein, an associate professor of applied developmental psychology, tells George Mason University President Gregory Washington about how kids benefit socially and emotionally from finding out Santa Claus isn’t real. As for finding out herself as a child, Goldstein, whose research focuses on the effects of pretend play and theater on children’s social and emotional skills, says she’s still disappointed.
2021-12-0849 minAccess to Excellence PodcastThe real story of the Pilgrims and ThanksgivingJohn G. Turner, a professor of religious studies at George Mason University talks with Mason President Gregory Washington about the real history of Thanksgiving. Were the Pilgrims religious refugees who established democracy and the holiday in New England, or invaders who betrayed their native allies and even enslaved them? Turner also gets to the bottom of the age-old Thanksgiving question: light meat or dark? A fascinating discussion with lots to digest.
2021-11-1947 minAccess to Excellence PodcastHakeem Oluseyi calls his education ”a matter of life and death”Hakeem Oluseyi tells George Mason University President Gregory Washington how he went from a life of crime to being one of the world’s renowned astrophysicists. The Visiting Robinson Professor at Mason also describes what aliens might look like – think a two-foot tall Incredible Hulk – and tells a remarkable tale of how working as a hotel janitor, and eating room-service leftovers to survive, made him understand that his education was “a matter of life and death.”
2021-11-1049 minAccess to Excellence PodcastHow sustainability is good businessLisa Gring-Pemble thinks business can be a force for good in society. And the co-director of George Mason University’s Business for a Better World Center and co-founder of the university’s Honey Bee initiative is an outspoken champion of that sensibility. Gring-Pemble tells Mason President Gregory Washington how and why business should address world challenges. She also describes how business can drive sustainability success and shouldn’t be measured simply by profits but how it affects the environment and the communities in which we live.
2021-10-1336 minAccess to Excellence PodcastTalking immigration, DREAMers, the border wall ... and margaritasFor Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera, a nationally recognized expert on the dynamics of the U.S.-Mexico border and immigration, the border region is like a third country. The George Mason University professor talks to Mason President Gregory Washington about the wonders and dangers of the border region, and why we must be honest about the causes of illegal immigration while stopping politics from driving decision-making.
2021-08-2647 minAccess to Excellence PodcastAt the nexus of policing and societyFor Cynthia Lum, a professor of criminology, law, and society at George Mason University, the realities of policing don’t always match what the public thinks of policing. That disconnect doesn’t allow a discussion about the most effective approaches to curbing use-of-force discrepancies. Lum, a former Baltimore City cop, tells Mason President Gregory Washington about how evidence-based policing is part of an overall strategy to fight crime that includes being respectful to the communities with which they work.
2021-07-2847 minAccess to Excellence PodcastSpencer Crew: At the intersection of museums and social justiceGeorge Mason University history professor Spencer Crew, the first African American to lead a major Smithsonian museum, tells Mason President Gregory Washington about the evolving role museums play in society, and how the Black community in the United States, and those who work with it, are trying to be the conscience of the nation.
2021-07-1450 minAccess to Excellence PodcastConcussion discussionShane Caswell, co-director of George Mason University's Sports Medicine Assessment Research and Testing Laboratory tells Mason President Gregory Washington about his research that could change how concussions are diagnosed and treated, how Mason students are working in the community as athletic trainers, and what the latest science says about concussions and CTE.
2021-06-2638 minAccess to Excellence PodcastCOVID-19 mental health crisis is the second pandemicCOVID-19 presented individuals with many challenges. Some were obvious, such as how to continue one’s education through distance learning. But some were not as clear cut, such as dealing with anxiety, depression and grief. Robyn Mehlenbeck, director of George Mason University's Center for Psychological Services, talks about how college campuses can deal with those stresses, and why the mental health crises associated with COVID-19 is the second pandemic.2021-06-0848 minAccess to Excellence PodcastGail Christopher: On racial healing and overcoming a legacy of separationA false story has been told in this country about people of color, social change agent Gail Christopher says, and it’s time to tell the truth about the “bad idea” of the hierarchy of human value. Dr. Christopher, executive director of the National Collaborative for Health Equity and a senior scholar at George Mason University, tells Mason President Gregory Washington that racial healing includes building a belief system “that is grounded in a deep understanding of our interconnectedness and interdependence as an expanded human family.”
2021-05-1436 minAccess to Excellence PodcastClimate change and the misinformation warThere are those who still don’t believe in climate change or that it is manmade. As Earth Day approaches, public health scientist Ed Maibach, director of George Mason University's Center for Climate Change Communication, speaks about overcoming climate change misinformation, which he calls the world’s most important public health initiative.2021-04-2141 min
Good GodJen Hatmaker talks risking it all for the sake of your neighborProlific author, co-pastor and equality activist, Jen Hatmaker bonds with George Mason over their paralleled experience becoming LGBTQ affirming at their churches.2020-09-1700 min
Good GodInterfaith Friendship with Omar SuleimanWhat makes Imam Omar Suleiman and Reverend George Mason such good friends? The two reflect on their roles as faith leaders amidst the police brutality of the last decade and the effect it has had on their interfaith friendships. Whether it’s offering a shoulder for each others’ sorrow when their global communities are attacked, or working as co-conspirators for justice, Omar and George are an example for everyone on how to join hands with your interfaith allies and power up in the pursuit of peace.2020-08-2730 min
Good GodGreg Garrett on the film BlackkklansmanGreg Garrett and George Mason analyze the Spike Lee joint Blackkklansman, and discuss the role films play in the history of race in this country.2020-08-1330 min
Good GodJen Hatmaker on why pushing for change is inherently ChristianProlific author, co-pastor and equality activist, Jen Hatmaker, bonds with George Mason over moments in their ministry when they risked their security for the sake of their integrity.2020-06-0430 min
Good GodGreg Garrett on film and raceWe often take for granted the role that film plays in shaping our cultural and racial awareness. Greg Garrett and George Mason discuss Spike Lee's film BlacKkKlansman, as well as other epic American films, Gone with the Wind and even the Big Lebowski, for the important conversations they inspire for people of all races. 2020-03-1230 minAccess to Excellence PodcastWhy we go mad for March MadnessIs it the win-or-go-home setup? Is it watching an underdog reach the Final Four, as George Mason did in 2006? Mason sport management professor Craig Esherick, a former head coach at Georgetown, says it's all of the above when it comes to the NCAA basketball tournament. Esherick tells us why the tournament might be the best it's ever been, has a new story about Mason's 2006 run, and discusses different paths to the NBA for high school players. Just don't ask him to fill out a tournament bracket.
2020-03-1023 minAccess to Excellence PodcastWhen (three) worlds collideGeorge Mason University professor Shobita Satyapal and PhD student Ryan Pfeifle discuss their discovery of three galaxies with supermassive black holes at their centers that, when they collide, could shake apart matter and light up gravitational wave detectors on earth. It is a fascinating detective story that was reported in the New York Times and on CNN and was aided by the use of several major observatories.
2020-03-0229 minAccess to Excellence PodcastIntroducing your host: John HollisJohn Hollis is a seasoned journalist, a master interviewer and, as a senior communications officer at George Mason University, his familiarity with his subjects makes for enlightening and entertaining conversations. Join John as he speaks to the thought leaders and newsmakers who make Mason one of the nation's most vibrant educational environments.
2020-02-2703 minGood GodCameron Mason Vickrey on RootEd & public educationGeorge talks with his daughter Cameron about her nonprofit organization, RootEd, in San Antonio that promotes public schools to families navigating the world of school choice.2020-02-1330 minAccess to Excellence PodcastThe Enslaved People of George MasonIn 2017, a team of undergraduate students at George Mason University began exploring the history of their school's namesake, George Mason, as a slave owner. The project inspired the university to plan a memorial, to be unveiled in 2021, that honors those enslaved at Gunston Hall.
Join host John Hollis, Mason history professor Wendi Manuel-Scott and University Librarian George Oberle as they discuss the lives and culture of the slaves at Gunston Hall, and the Enslaved People of George Mason project.
2020-02-0733 minGood GodCameron Mason Vickrey on growing up in the churchJoin us in a feel-good conversation between father and daughter. Cameron Mason Vickrey is George's oldest daughter. They talk about their shared interests in theology and art and how growing up in the church has helped her navigate her call. 2020-02-0630 min
Loose, Vague, and IndeterminateHitchhiking and HazlittOn the second episode of Loose, Vague, and Indeterminate, I am accompanied in my hosting duties by Econ Society member George Minning as we interview Caleb Petitt. Caleb is a fellow undergraduate at George Mason University who went on an exchange trip to Spain. On that trip, he acquired one of the wildest stories you’ll ever hear about hitchhiking his way through Europe.
Inspired by Henry Hazlitt’s famous book, George, Caleb, and I teach economics in one lesson using the hitchhiking story. We cover marginalism, subjectivism, state vs. private ownership, and much more.2019-10-311h 09Good GodMiguel Solis and Latino LeadershipMiguel Solis, DISD Trustee and president of the Latino Center for Leadership Development - LCLD, discusses the challenges of education, immigration and leadership facing Latinos as they become the majority of the U.S. population in coming years, with Dr. George Mason on Good God.2019-06-2030 min
GMU Cultural Studies ColloquiumEp 9 - "Everything is Connected" with Sheila Watt-CloutierIn the ninth episode of the "Capitalism, Climate Change, and Culture" podcast series from GMU Cultural Studies, Christine Rosenfeld talks with Sheila Watt-Cloutier, an Inuit advocate who has worked on issues related to climate change and Persistent Organic Pollutants. Watt-Cloutier was a Nobel nominee and has receive the prestigious Right Livelihood Award for her work addressing climate change as a question of collective human rights. Her memoir The Right to Be Cold narrates her life, beginning as a youth in a remote Inuit village.Watt-Cloutier and Rosenfeld discuss some ways to highlight the cultural and human dimensions...2019-06-0800 minGMU Cultural Studies ColloquiumEp 8 - "Just Urban Futures" with Ashley DawsonIn the eighth episode of the "Capitalism, Climate Change, and Culture" podcast series from GMU Cultural Studies, Eric Ross talks with Ashley Dawson, who has written about climate change in The Boston Review, The Guardian, In These Times, Jacobin, and elsewhere. He's the author of the books Extreme Cities: The Peril and Promise of Urban Life in the Age of Climate Change, Extinction: A Radical History, and others. Ross and Dawson discuss what we can learn about climate politics by paying attention to cities and urban social movements. This podcast series is associated with George Mason University...2019-06-0400 minGMU Cultural Studies ColloquiumEp 7 - "The Storm State" with Christian Parenti
In the seventh episode of the "Capitalism, Climate Change, and Culture" podcast series from GMU Cultural Studies, Richard Todd Stafford talks with Christian Parenti, who has written about climate change in The New York Times, The London Review of Books, The Nation, Jacobin, Dissent, and elsewhere. Parenti is an associate professor of economics at John Jay College of CUNY. Among others, he's the author of the book Tropic of Chaos: Climate Change and the New Geography of Violence and is working on books about Alexander Hamilton as a political theorist and about the state as an environment-making force. Stafford and Parent...2019-05-2300 minGMU Cultural Studies ColloquiumEp 6 - "Planning The Good Anthropocene" with Leigh Phillips
In the sixth episode of the "Capitalism, Climate Change, and Culture" podcast series from GMU Cultural Studies, Richard Todd Stafford talks with Leigh Phillips, a science and politics writer who may be read in Nature, Scientific American, The Guardian, and Jacobin. He's the author of the books Austerity Ecology and the Collapse Porn Addicts: A Defense of Growth, Progress, Industry and Stuff and, with Michal Rozworski, The People's Republic of Walmart: How the World's Biggest Corporations are Laying the Foundations for Socialism. Stafford and Phillips focus on how Phillips' broader concerns intersect with the arguments he advanced in "Planning the Good Ant...2019-04-2800 minGMU Cultural Studies ColloquiumEp 5 - "Greenwashing Culture" with Toby MillerIn the fifth episode of the "Capitalism, Climate Change, and Culture" podcast series from GMU Cultural Studies, Pavithra Suresh talks with Toby Miller, renowned cultural studies scholar, and author of Greenwashing Culture (2017), Greenwashing Sport (2017), Greening the Media (2012) with Richard Maxwell, and Technologies of Truth: Cultural Citizenship and the Popular Media (1997), among other books
This podcast series is associated with George Mason University Cultural Studies' Colloquium Series. This year's series is called "Capitalism, Climate Change, and Culture." The industrial revolution liberated human beings from the cycles of nature — or so it once seemed. It turns out that greenhouse ga...2019-03-1400 minGMU Cultural Studies ColloquiumEp 4 - "Cheap Nature; or, the Cultural Logic of Historical Capitalism" with Jason W. MooreIn the fourth episode of the "Capitalism, Climate Change, and Culture" podcast series from GMU Cultural Studies, Richard Todd Stafford talks with Jason W. Moore, Associate Professor at the Binghamton University Sociology Department, and author of Capitalism in the Web of Life: Ecology and the Accumulation of Capital (2015) and, with Raj Patel, A History of the World in Seven Cheap Things: A Guide to Capitalism, Nature, and the Future of the Planet.
This podcast series is associated with George Mason University Cultural Studies' Colloquium Series. This year's series is called "Capitalism, Climate Change, and Culture." The industrial revolution...2019-03-1300 minGMU Cultural Studies ColloquiumEp 3 - "Toxic risk, Corporate Negligence, Public Reckoning" with Merlin Chowkwanyun
In the third episode of the "Climate, Capitalism, and Culture" podcast series from GMU Cultural Studies, Tauheeda Yasin talks with Merlin Chowkwanyun, the Donald H. Gemeson Assistant Professor of Sociomedical Sciences at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health about his work creating the archive "Toxic Docs." "Toxic Docs" makes documents provided during the discovery process in environmental lawsuits concerning pollution searchable. As it turns out, many of the same techniques used to generate doubt about climate change were previously used by companies seeking to hide the harms of lead, asbestos, and the manufacture of PVC. They also talk...2019-03-0400 minGMU Cultural Studies ColloquiumEp 2 (rebroadcast) - "Petrocultures and the Energy Humanities" with Imre SzemanIn the second episode of the "Climate and Capitalism" podcast series from GMU Cultural Studies, Amy Zhang talks with Imre Szeman, University Research Chair and Professor of Communication Arts at the University of Waterloo about his work individually and as part of the Petrocultures Research Cluster concerning oil, energy, and culture.
This podcast series is associated with George Mason University Cultural Studies' Colloquium Series. This year's series is called "Climate and Capitalism." The industrial revolution liberated human beings from the cycles of nature — or so it once seemed. It turns out that greenhouse gases, a natural byproduct of co...2019-03-0300 minGMU Cultural Studies ColloquiumEp 1 (rebroadcast) - "Climate Science Denial and Information Inoculation" with John CookIn the first episode of the "Climate and Capitalism" podcast series from GMU Cultural Studies, Richard Todd Stafford talks with John Cook, research assistant professor at the Center for Climate Change Communication, about climate change denial and what can be done to inoculate the public against misinformation in "post-truth" society.
This podcast series is associated with George Mason University Cultural Studies' Colloquium Series. This year's series is called "Climate and Capitalism." The industrial revolution liberated human beings from the cycles of nature — or so it once seemed. It turns out that greenhouse gases, a natural byproduct of coal- an...2019-03-0200 minGood GodGood God Episode 45: Sports Personality Matt Mosley Part 2George Mason and Sports Personality Matt Mosley talk about the ever-changing world of journalism. At center of this fascinating conversation is Matt’s journey from print journalism at the The Dallas Morning News to a contributor online at Dallasnews.com and from a weekday show on 103.3 ESPN radio to his ventures in podcasting with Ed Werder and The Doomsday Podcast and Brent Musberger and "You Are Looking Live." Matt reveals how his faith, friends, family and church uplifted him through difficult decisions he had to make along the way.2019-02-2830 minGood GodGood God Episode 44: CitySquare's Larry James Part 2George Mason and Larry James from CitySquare talk about how faith leads people to address poverty and into a relationship with the poor and how faith can change the relationships of those that have and those that don't.2019-02-2131 minGood GodGood God Episode 43: Sharon Groves of Auburn Theological SeminaryIn this episode of Good God, George Mason talks to Sharon Grovesabout her work in the world of progressive social justice activism. The hunger for faith and religion is strong in this sphere. Faith teaches us how to cross divides--social, political, and religious divides--to find true healing.Sharon speaks about her personal journey to find faith, as a lesbian in the midst of a post 9/11 anti-war movement. She spent a decade working for the Human Rights Campaign, bringing faith leaders into that space. She now works at Auburn Theological Seminary, bringing people of moral courage together to...2019-02-1431 minGood GodGood God Episode 42: D Magazine Publisher Wick Allison, Part 2In the second part of George Mason’s conversation with D Magazine publisher @Wick Allison, they talk about how political language like conservative, progressive and liberal have broken down political ideologies and have divided us as a country. How can we use our shared experiences to come together for our common good and what role does religion play in this? Also learn why Wick describes himself as a Hindu Catholic. All this and more on this week’s episode of Good God.2019-02-0731 minGood GodGood God Episode 41: D Magazine Publisher Wick AllisonWhat are the things that stand in the way of Dallas being an even greater city and what are the things that we can do together to allow all people in Dallas to flourish? George Mason sits down with D Magazine Publisher Wick Allison to discuss this and more on this week's episode of Good God.2019-01-3131 minGood GodGood God Episode 39: Former WFAA Weatherman Troy DunganCan faith and work come together in a positive way? George Mason and longtime WFAA weatherman Troy Dungan discuss this and more on this week's episode.2019-01-1731 minGood GodGood God Episode 38: Father Joshua WhitfieldHow does the Church address social issues without losing its own soul? Tune into George Mason's conversation with Father Joshua Whitfield in this week's episode of Good God to explore that and other issues facing the Church today.2019-01-1031 minGood GodGood God Episode 34: Tony Campolo Part 2Are Christians doing enough to support those on the margins? Tony Campolo and George Mason continue their discussion, with the focus on Christian advocacy for the poor.2018-12-0631 minGood GodGood God Episode 31: Part 2 with Charlie Johnson, Executive Director, Pastors For Texas ChildrenPastor Charlie Johnson and George Mason talk about the importance of advocacy and funding public schools and the expanding role of Pastors For Texas Children.2018-11-0831 minGood GodGood God Episode 30: Larry James, CEO of CitySquareLongtime friends and colleagues George Mason and Larry James talk about the perceptions and realities of homelessness and the importance of community involvement in finding a solution.2018-11-0131 minGood GodGood God Episode 29: Part 2 of Todd Williams, Executive Director of the Commit PartnershipGeorge Mason and Todd Williams of the Commit Partnership talk about the amazing improvements in Dallas ISD and the work towards equity throughout all Texas public schools.2018-10-2531 minGood GodGood God Episode 28: Todd Williams, Executive Director of the Commit PartnershipGeorge Mason and Todd Williams of the Commit Partnership talk about the amazing improvements in Dallas ISD and why you should support Dallas Votes 4 Kids in the upcoming election.2018-10-1831 min
Good GodGood God Episode 24: Noel Castellanos, President of the Christian Community Development AssociationWatch this fascinating conversation between George Mason and CCDA - Christian Community Development AssociationPresident Noel Castellanos and the interconnection between immigration, faith and the Biblical calling to love our neighbors.2018-09-2031 minGood GodGood God Episode 23: Brad Sham, Voice of The Dallas Cowboys, Part 2As our Jewish brothers and sisters observe the High Holy Days from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur, we are honored to hear more from the voice of the Dallas Cowboys, Brad Sham. He and George Mason continue their conversation from last week about the Jewish faith, Israel, and of course...football.2018-09-1333 minGood GodGood God Episode 22: Brad Sham, Voice of The Dallas CowboysReady for some Dallas Cowboys football? So are we! Check out George Mason and the voice of the Dallas Cowboys Brad Sham discuss faith and football this week on Good God.2018-09-0633 minGood GodGood God Episode 20: Hannah McMahan, Executive Director - New Baptist CovenantMeet Hannah McMahan, Executive Director of New Baptist Covenant. She's from all over the South, lives in DC, and likes woodworking, farming, and history. Ten years ago, she helped bring a vision of President Jimmy Carter's to life. New Baptist Covenant brings black and white Baptist churches in America together to unite in worship and service. Listen to her conversation with George Mason to hear about NBC and particularly how it has helped effect change in Dallas.2018-08-3033 min
Good GodGood God Podcast Episode 8: Ambassador Ron KirkGeorge Mason and Ambassador and Former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk2018-05-2400 minGood GodGood God Podcast Episode 7: Carry The Load Co-Founder Stephen Holley part 2George Mason and Carry the Load Co-Founder Stephen Holley continue their conversation about life after the Navy Seals, starting a non-profit and a company, depression and how Faith plays a role in all of it.2018-05-1700 minGood GodGood God Podcast Episode 6: Carry The Load Founder Stephen HolleyGeorge Mason and Carry The Load Founder Stephen Holley discuss how faith played a major role in growing up, playing football for the Naval Academy and his service in combat.2018-05-1000 minGood GodGood God Episode 5: Omar SuleimanGeorge Mason and Omar Suleiman discuss the relationship between Christians and Muslims and the important work of Faith Forward Dallas.2018-05-0330 minGood GodGood God Podcast Episode 3: Michael WatersGeorge Mason and Michael W. Waters of Joy Tabernacle AME Church discuss economic justice, poverty, race relations in Dallas and America, and how we can address it with our faith.2018-04-1930 minGood GodGood God Podcast Episode 1: Gordon KeithDr. George Mason interviews KTCK The Ticket’s Gordon Keith on growing up as a preacher’s kid and how that has shaped him personally and professionally.2018-04-0530 min