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Open Source with Christopher Lydon

Christopher Lydon
Donald Trump
Capitalism
American Politics
Palestine
Social Media
Colonialism
United States
Israel
Trump Administration
Poetry
Democratic Party
Democracy
Despair
Algorithmic Culture
Iran
Kamala Harris
Climate Change
Joseph O'neill
Politics
Identity Crisis

Christopher Lydon in conversation on arts, ideas and politics

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes62Founded21 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Arts

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Artwork for Open Source

Latest Episodes

We’re staring down the life-and-death hazard of artificial intelligence. That phrase “AI apocalypse” sounds a little panicky, but when the masters of the craft started arguing this summer about how soon, in the next 10 years, their science might wipe... more

YouTube

We’re between breakdown and breakup, or maybe between the AI monster and human extinction. Those are the rough choices that the all-purpose American writer Kurt Andersen is offering us in his vast portrait of a broken country as a sort of bad marriag... more

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We’re savoring a glorious story we thought we knew in the long ordeal of racial justice in America. It was the singer Marian Anderson’s moment in 1939, after the Daughters of the American Revolution barred the black contralto from their Constitution ... more

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We’re at sea this time on our own Odyssey, a voyage between the ancient epic that refuses to die and Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster movie version for us in this summer of 2026. It’s the story of course we all half-know about the wily old Greek warri... more

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People also subscribe to these shows.

On the Media
On the MediaWNYC Studios
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The Ezra Klein Show
The Ezra Klein ShowNew York Times Opinion
The Nation Podcasts
The Nation PodcastsThe Nation Magazine

Recent Guests

Ben Hurlbut
Professor in the School of Life Sciences at Arizona State University
Arizona State University
Episode: AI Apocalypse?
Kurt Andersen
Author and journalist, novelist of The Breakup
Author of The Breakup
Episode: The Breakup
Anthony Tomasini
Author of Voice of a Century
Episode: Voice of a Century
Daniel Mendelsohn
Classicist, translator, and Bard College humanities professor; editor at NYRB
New York Review of Books; Bard College
Episode: Christopher Nolan’s Odyssey
Seamus Mallon
Radio authority on soccer, football
Episode: The World’s Sport
Michael Levine
Soccer coach and commentator
Episode: The World’s Sport
David Blight
Sterling Professor of History at Yale
Yale University
Episode: After the Fireworks
Richard Johnson
Founder and longtime curator of the New England Sports Museum
New England Sports Museum
Episode: The Boston Watch Party
John Summers
Editor of Atrocities of the Mind, Essays on Violence and Politics in the American Century
University of Chicago Press (editorial collaborator on the collection)
Episode: America’s Orwell

Host

Christopher Lydon
Host of Open Source, conducts in-depth conversations on arts, ideas, and politics

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 1.2k ratings
  • Host with the Most

    Since On Point days, I’ve known that C. Lydon is a gifted and empathetic moderator. His calling realized to great effect here.

    I am gratified he is given space, support and freedom on this platform.

    Podcasts can educate…routinely interesting.

    P.S. The Pope

    episode of 4/23/26 quite extraordinary, informative and fulfilling for we tired of political diatribe.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Iswoon
    United States5 months ago
  • Partisan

    It’s existential for Israel - Iran says Israel is a one bomb state & their neighbors have been trying to erase Israel from the map since 1947.

    When the theocracy chants Death to America, Death to Israel - they mean what they say. Iran has been the biggest state sponsor of terrorism & has killed thousands of Americans since 1979.

    We can win the battles, but have a record of losing the war/peace - Civil War, WWI, Vietnam, Iraq II, Afghanistan.

    One sided Episode Apologist - Nancy Gertner

    Bo... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    another RJF
    United States7 months ago
  • Extremely Partisan

    If you are in a fever sweat over having a republican Congress and President and believe it is the end of the world because “woke” is on the way out, this is the podcast for you. It will feed you exactly what you are looking for to keep the communist socialist dream alive.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    ListenWhileWorking
    United States9 months ago
  • Ummm cool!

    So I found this because Google said it was the first podcast and I wanted to find it 🤣

    But cool!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Gamergirl_mc ✌️(Pompeii)
    United States9 months ago
  • One sided Episode Apologist - Nancy Gertner

    Both sides have behaved underhandedly, calling out the Republicans & not mentioning the Democrats misdeeds is why we’re in this race to the bottom.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    another RJF
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners value the wide-ranging topics and unique perspectives not commonly heard in other shows.
Voices praise the host's empathy and deep, thoughtful questioning.
Some listeners criticize the show for perceived political slant or for lengthy episodes that require patience.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#172
Singapore/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#191
United Arab Emirates/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

AI Apocalypse?
Q: What constitutional adjustments are needed to deal with machines that act autonomously?
The discussion points to rethinking rights and responsibilities in governance, suggesting a need for democratic engagement and possible reforms to how we regulate and interact with autonomous systems.
AI Apocalypse?
Q: What was the Asilomar Conference about and does it offer encouragement for today?
Asilomar demonstrated self-imposed, self-regulated governance among scientists, focusing on technical risk rather than broader ethical or security issues, and it serves as a nuanced historical example rather than a simple model for today.
AI Apocalypse?
Q: Does it still stand that people are talking about actual deaths from AI?
Ben suggests that the deaths invoked in AI fear are as much symbolic or spiritual as literal, but he acknowledges the serious concern and urges examining the sources and implications of those prophecies.
The Breakup
Q: Did you write this in a panic?
No, Andersen explains he did not write in panic; his prior works and research shaped a careful, long-form view of America, technology, and power.
America’s Orwell
Q: How did Dwight Macdonald's view of war evolve over his career?
He began with strong antiwar and anti-totalitarian instincts, then revised his stance as he confronted wartime realities, ultimately arguing against unconditional surrender and the logic of collective punishment, while still maintaining a critical stance toward political power and war ethics.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Open Source

What is Open Source about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Thoughtful, wide-ranging interviews spanning arts, history, philosophy, and politics. Frequent guests include academics, writers, and experts who provide historical context, cultural critique, and cross-disciplinary insights. The host is known for in-depth conversations that connect classical ideas to contemporary events, with a reputation for nuance, intellectual breadth, and a calm, probing interviewing style. Listeners seeking thoughtful discourse on how ideas shape culture and public life will likely find this program engaging and enlightening; the show often pairs historical analysis with modern parallels, creating a distinctive space for long-form exploration of big questions.

Where can I find podcast stats for Open Source?

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Which podcasts are similar to Open Source?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Open Source:

1. On the Media
2. The New Yorker Radio Hour
3. The Ezra Klein Show
4. The Political Scene | The New Yorker
5. The Nation Podcasts

How many episodes of Open Source are there?

Open Source launched 21 years ago and published 62 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Open Source?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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What guests have appeared on Open Source?

Recent guests on Open Source include:

1. Ben Hurlbut
2. Kurt Andersen
3. Anthony Tomasini
4. Daniel Mendelsohn
5. Seamus Mallon
6. Michael Levine
7. David Blight
8. Richard Johnson

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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