Which Side of History?

Which Side of History?

Join Common Sense Media founder Jim Steyer as he tackles the hottest issues impacting education, technology, politics, public policy and your family. Jim teaches a popular class at Stanford University as a longtime professor there. Now you'll hear candid conversations with prominent figures from Silicon Valley, Washington and beyond. Listen to Which Side of History and get insights you need today more than ever. When faced with critical moments, which side of history will you be on? Guests will include Tom Friedman from The New York Times, podcaster and tech journalist Kara Swisher, Pinterest CEO Bill Ready, historian Niall Ferguson, Pulitzer Prize winner Nicholas Kristof, former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, California Attorney General Rob Bonta, and best-selling author Michael Lewis. Hit that Follow button. Leave a Rating. Write a Review. And Recommend this podcast to a friend. Please note: The views expressed in this podcast are the personal opinions of Jim Steyer and do not represent the official views or positions of Common Sense Media.

Episodes

January 22, 2026 70 mins
In this episode of Which Side of History, Stanford University professor and Common Sense Media founder Jim Steyer assesses democracy's uncertain future. His distinguished guests are former National Security Advisor to President Obama Susan Rice, former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Mike McFaul, and Margrethe Vestager, former European Commissioner for Competition. They delve into the threats posed by Russia and China, America's shi...
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Common Sense Media founder Jim Steyer engages with Stanford University President Jonathan Levin and former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. The conversation delves into the challenges faced by American universities in today's polarized political climate. Key topics include the ongoing role of universities, the importance of maintaining academic freedom, the impact of federal government policies on higher education, an...
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Host Jim Steyer tackles the sweeping attempts to undermine the Justice Department. His esteemed guests include California Attorney General Rob Bonta, renowned journalist Ruth Marcus, and Stanford Law Professor Pam Karlan. The panel offers timely insights on the erosion of the rule of law, the weaponization of the Department of Justice, the challenges faced by career civil servants, and the significant cases the U.S. Supreme Co...
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In this episode Stanford University professor Jim Steyer delves into the current state of American government, focusing on the experiences of federal employees amid ongoing political turmoil. His guests include best-selling author Michael Lewis, comedian and TV host W. Kamau Bell, and writer and educator Dave Eggers. They discuss the dedication of civil servants, the impact of political actions on public perceptions, and the b...
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In this episode Stanford University professor and Common Sense Media founder Jim Steyer explores whether we're witnessing the end of the post-World War II global order. 
 
Joining the debate are historian Sir Niall Ferguson, presidential scholar David Kennedy, and former U.S. Education Secretary Margaret Spellings. The discussion delves into America's response to the rise of China, the current state of U....
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Stanford University professor Jim Steyer leads a lively discussion on the influence of big tech on democracy and America's youth. As founder of Common Sense Media, Steyer moderates a debate that features prominent tech journalist Kara Swisher, Pinterest CEO Bill Ready and Zoom Communications CEO Eric Yuan. They explore the consolidation of power in major tech companies, the role of artificial intelligence, and implications for...
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Stanford University professor Jim Steyer tackles the critical issue of climate change, comparing the United States to China and other global players. His esteemed guests are climate change legend Bill McKibben, investor Saloni Multani, and Jim's brother Tom Steyer.
 
They debate the current state of the climate, the economic dynamics at play, and political influences shaping climate policies. They also di...
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In the inaugural episode, Common Sense Media founder and Stanford University professor Jim Steyer gathers an all-star panel featuring Pulitzer Prize winners Tom Friedman and Nick Kristof as well as media businesswoman Laurene Powell Jobs. The episode opens with talk about unprecedented attacks on American democracy and constitutional values. The panel delves into the current state of U.S. democracy, both do...
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Coming in January! The popular Stanford University class Which Side of History is launching a podcast. Join longtime professor Jim Steyer and his all-star guests as they discuss the state of American democracy, big tech, public policy, politics, and the impact on families today. The founder of Common Sense Media, Steyer offers a sneak peek of the first episode, dropping on January 6th. 

Make sure you follow Which Side of History on...

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October 21, 2025 1 min

Thought-provoking and insightful, Jim Steyer teaches a very popular course at Stanford University. Now the Common Sense Media founder is bringing his class to life as a podcast. Jim talks to the best and the brightest at the intersection of technology, politics, public policy and your family. At the end of the day, when critical moments happen, which side of history will you stand on? 

Guests will include Tom Friedman from The New ...

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