Humankind on Public Radio

David Freudberg

In times of fast-paced change and challenge, how do we hold onto our humanity? Each week, public radio's award-winning Humankind presents the stories of doers and dreamers who strive to make our planet a more humane and livable place. Through David Freudberg's moving documentaries and dialogues, we hear the voices of forward thinkers, peacemakers, health and education leaders, practitioners of spirituality and simplicity, environmental champions, and many others. For more: humanmedia.org. **Podcast does not correspond to public radio schedule.

  • 29 minutes 31 seconds
    Beyond War: Waging Peace, Pt 1

    In these special Humankind documentaries, ‘Beyond War’ takes a look back at the last time the U.S. military had major involvement in the Middle East. We examine the true human costs of organized violence (for both soldiers and civilians). And what happens when citizens protest against war?

    How fully do we exhaust peaceful options before resorting to military action? When has nonviolence been effective and when has it been dangerous? What constitutes a just war “just”—or do no ends justify large-scale killing of human beings? What are the social, moral and spiritual values held by pacifists and conscientious objectors?

    Hear accounts from Yugoslavia to South Africa—of non-violent movements that ousted unjust leaders.

    To see additional resources and our other programs, please visit humanmedia.org . Humankind specials are  heard on NPR and PRX member-stations, in association with GBH Boston.

    7 July 2025, 7:01 am
  • 29 minutes 11 seconds
    An Informed Republic

    America’s founders recognized that without a king, their fledgling nation would require knowledgeable citizens. But now in the digital age, this essential need is ever-more critical to our democracy.

    To see additional resources and our other programs, please visit humanmedia.org . Humankind specials are  heard on NPR and PRX member-stations, in association with GBH Boston.

    2 July 2025, 7:01 am
  • 29 minutes 30 seconds
    Beyond War: War Without End, Pt2

    In these special Humankind documentaries, ‘Beyond War’ takes a look back at the last time the U.S. military had major involvement in the Middle East. We examine the true human costs of organized violence (for both soldiers and civilians). And what happens when citizens protest against war?

    To see additional resources and our other programs, please visit humanmedia.org . Humankind specials are  heard on NPR and PRX member-stations, in association with GBH Boston.

    30 June 2025, 7:01 am
  • 29 minutes 9 seconds
    Wrongful Convictions

    Emboldened by a U.S. Justice Dept. estimate that ten percent of prisoners serving time are actually innocent, journalist Rob Warden describes his Chicago-based efforts to free inmates who are wrongly convicted.

    To see additional resources and our other programs, please visit humanmedia.org . Humankind specials are  heard on NPR and PRX member-stations, in association with GBH Boston.

    26 June 2025, 7:01 am
  • 29 minutes 31 seconds
    Beyond War: War Without End, Pt 1

    In these special Humankind documentaries, ‘Beyond War’ takes a look back at the last time the U.S. military had major involvement in the Middle East. We examine the true human costs of organized violence (for both soldiers and civilians). And what happens when citizens protest against war? Hear 4 half-hours.

    To see additional resources and our other programs, please visit humanmedia.org . Humankind specials are  heard on NPR and PRX member-stations, in association with GBH Boston.

    24 June 2025, 7:01 am
  • 29 minutes 23 seconds
    The Lost Art of Healing, with Bernard Lown

    An elderly physician and Nobel Peace Prize-winner, Bernard Lown, pleads for a revolution in health care that would place greater emphasis on personal interaction between doctor and patient.

    To see additional resources and our other programs, please visit humanmedia.org . Humankind specials are  heard on NPR and PRX member-stations, in association with GBH Boston.

    19 June 2025, 11:17 am
  • 27 minutes 33 seconds
    Steps to Recovery, Pt2

    Today over two million people partake of the storytelling, the good humor, the words of wisdom and the gallons and gallons of free coffee made available to attenders of Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. AA’s basic text has been translated into more than 60 languages and has sold over 35 million English copies.

    To see additional resources and our other programs, please visit humanmedia.org . Humankind specials are  heard on NPR and PRX member-stations, in association with GBH Boston.

    12 June 2025, 7:01 am
  • 27 minutes 16 seconds
    Steps to Recovery, Pt1

    90 years ago this month Alcoholics Anonymous was born when a troubled drunkard realized that connecting with fellow-sufferers creates a safe zone where they can stay sober. That insight has saved millions of lives worldwide – all at no charge.

    To see additional resources and our other programs, please visit humanmedia.org . Humankind specials are  heard on NPR and PRX member-stations, in association with GBH Boston.

    9 June 2025, 1:50 pm
  • 29 minutes 13 seconds
    Our Food Footprint

    A conversation with the long-time director of the UN Nobel Peace Prize-winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Dr. Rajendra Pachauri, who also directs the Yale Climate and Energy Institute.

    To see additional resources and our other programs, please visit humanmedia.org . Humankind specials are  heard on NPR and PRX member-stations, in association with GBH Boston.

    5 June 2025, 1:50 pm
  • 29 minutes 20 seconds
    Healing the Trauma of War, Pt2

    In this documentary, we explore what it’s like to experience “moral injury”— when soldiers witness or participate in war-time acts that violate their conscience. The impact they undergo confirms an enduring truth: on the battlefield, everyone is a victim. How does one come to terms with a deeply painful incident from the past? When deep regret sinks in, how do people wrestle with what happened and find a way to peace?

    To see additional resources and our other programs, please visit humanmedia.org . Humankind specials are  heard on NPR and PRX member-stations, in association with GBH Boston.

    3 June 2025, 7:00 pm
  • 29 minutes 14 seconds
    Bolder Giving

    Some people give no charity at all. But of Americans who do, the average family donation is 2-3% per year. This program examines how people arrive at the amount of their charitable contributions, where the money is contributed to, and what holds donors back from giving more, especially if they could afford to without hardship.

    To see additional resources and our other programs, please visit humanmedia.org . Humankind specials are  heard on NPR and PRX member-stations, in association with GBH Boston.

    29 May 2025, 7:01 am
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