Open Discourse at the Blue Ridge Center

Former Archivist of the United States: Colleen Shogan

A political scientist who held leadership positions at the Library of Congress and the White House Historical Association, Colleen Shogan became the first woman to head the National Archives. She adopted emphatically centrist policies in that position, but was fired—by tweet—by President Trump in a move that even many conservatives criticized. She’ll explain what secrets the Archives hold and how they could be run to the benefit of the country.

Fighting Blasphemy Laws Around the World with Sean Nelson

Many countries have adopted blasphemy laws designed to prevent speech that mocks or insults leading religions. More countries are considering them. Are these laws prudent, or an unnecessary and dangerous threat to free speech? Sean Nelson is a top lawyer specializing in religious freedom and tracking blasphemy laws worldwide.

When Government Gets in the Way: Thomas Hochman

Emerging thought leader Thomas Hochman joined us for a presentation on the role that permitting policy plays in inhibiting engineering innovation.This is a recording of a lecture delivered on April 16th, 2025 Open Discourse at Blue Ridge is a production of the Blue Ridge Center. For more information, event schedules, and resources, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Blue Ridge Center⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.theblueridgecenter.org/] Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://uppbeat.io/t/walz/golden-age⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://click.pstmrk.it/3s/uppbeat.io%2Ft%2Fwalz%2Fgolden-age/vZub/J1G7AQ/AQ/ff8b4388-7a14-4908-b737-8bb27cfacca6/4/k0mnia4D8H] License code: PENFS0XOLPVCPUNX

Economics & Philosophy

Alex Motchoulski, Professor of Philosophy at UVA, and Erwin Dekker, economist at the Mercatus Center (GMU), join us to discuss philosophy and economics. This is a recording of a discussion hosted on April 15, 2025 Open Discourse at Blue Ridge is a production of the Blue Ridge Center. For more information, event schedules, and resources, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Blue Ridge Center⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.theblueridgecenter.org/] Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://uppbeat.io/t/walz/golden-age⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://click.pstmrk.it/3s/uppbeat.io%2Ft%2Fwalz%2Fgolden-age/vZub/J1G7AQ/AQ/ff8b4388-7a14-4908-b737-8bb27cfacca6/4/k0mnia4D8H] License code: PENFS0XOLPVCPUNX

Social Media and Politics with Megan McArdle

Washington Post columnist Megan McArdle joins us to discuss the intersection of social media, politics, and the "vibe shift" of 2025. This is a recording of a lecture delivered on April 1st, 2025 Open Discourse at Blue Ridge is a production of the Blue Ridge Center. For more information, event schedules, and resources, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Blue Ridge Center⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.theblueridgecenter.org/] Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://uppbeat.io/t/walz/golden-age⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://click.pstmrk.it/3s/uppbeat.io%2Ft%2Fwalz%2Fgolden-age/vZub/J1G7AQ/AQ/ff8b4388-7a14-4908-b737-8bb27cfacca6/4/k0mnia4D8H] License code: PENFS0XOLPVCPUNX