Can We Be Friends?

Faith and Fracture

Evan and John turn to the current political moment and how belief shapes what feels possible or stable in it. They disagree on how much certainty is justified, and explore how to relate to deep disagreement without losing connection or respect. Cross Examined is hosted by Evan Mandery and John Inazu. This podcast was produced and edited by Olivia Schroder. Today’s episode was produced by Perri Wilson and Allison Smith. Music by Nathan Eklund and James Bally. Cover design by Ella Lawless. Show notes: Our Instagram [https://instagram.com/crossexaminedpod]

The Shape of Education

In episode four, Evan and John interrogate higher education from the inside out, asking how universities shape students and what role they really play in deciding who gets ahead. Cross Examined is hosted by Evan Mandery and John Inazu. This podcast was produced and edited by Olivia Schroder. Today’s episode was produced by Perri Wilson and Allison Smith. Music by Nathan Eklund and James Bally. Cover design by Ella Lawless. Show notes: ⁠Our Instagram [https://instagram.com/crossexaminedpod] Poison Ivy by Evan Mandery [https://www.amazon.com/Poison-Ivy-Elite-Colleges-Divide/dp/1620976951]

What Are We Passing Down?

Episode three turns to parenting. Evan and John talk about fear, authority, love, and the moral weight of shaping another person, especially when their deepest beliefs don’t align. The episode asks a quiet but unsettling question: how do you raise a child when you’re not sure the world you believe in is the one they’ll inherit? Cross Examined is hosted by Evan Mandery and John Inazu. This podcast was produced and edited by Olivia Schroder. Today’s episode was produced by Perri Wilson and Allison Smith. Music by Nathan Eklund and James Bally. Cover design by Ella Lawless. Show notes: Our Instagram [https://instagram.com/crossexaminedpod] The Righteous Mind by Jonathan Haidt [https://www.amazon.com/Righteous-Mind-Divided-Politics-Religion/dp/0307455777]

Faith Without Certainty

In episode two, Evan and John talk honestly about belief, prayer, and community, exploring how faith shapes a life long after certainty fades. The conversation aims for clarity about what it really means to believe. Cross Examined is hosted by Evan Mandery and John Inazu. This podcast was produced and edited by Olivia Schroder. Today’s episode was produced by Perri Wilson and Allison Smith. Music by Nathan Eklund and James Bally. Cover design by Ella Lawless. Show notes: ⁠Our Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/crossexaminedpod] David French - NYT Columnist [https://www.nytimes.com/by/david-french] "They Wanted a University Without Cancel Culture. Then Dissenters Were Ousted." by Evan Mandery [https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2026/01/16/civil-war-university-of-austin-bari-weiss-00729688?utm_medium=email&utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us] "Listening as a path to psychological discovery" by Carol Gilligan [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5383569/]

Can We Be Friends?

Two professors meet for the first time—on air. One is a religious pluralist, the other a skeptical atheist, and instead of debating ideas, they explore childhood, faith, ambition, and doubt. Episode one asks a deceptively simple question: can disagreement be the foundation of real friendship? Cross Examined is hosted by Evan Mandery and John Inazu. This podcast was produced and edited by Olivia Schroder. Today’s episode was produced by Perri Wilson and Allison Smith. Music by Nathan Eklund and James Bally. Cover design by Ella Lawless. Show notes: Our Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/crossexaminedpod] The Righteous Mind - Jonathan Haidt [https://www.amazon.com/Righteous-Mind-Divided-Politics-Religion/dp/0307455777]