SPECIAL | Why losing trust in expertise threatens democracy

From “follow the science” during COVID to universities accused of activism, the gap between experts and the public is widening. Roger Pielke Jr. explains why expertise doesn’t just mean a PhD, how media silos deepen divides, and why experts must serve all Americans—not just those who share their politics. * Please note, this interview was recorded on 8/19/25 Have feedback on the show? Please send us an email at [email protected].  Episode transcript available here. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.