Changed My Mind

Leor Zmigrod on why rigid thinking makes us vulnerable to extremism

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 11:25:33 GMT

Are you as open-minded as you think you are? People who rate themselves as highly adaptable often score as the most rigid during unconscious cognitive testing.

In this episode of Changed My Mind, hosts Alex Chesterfield, Ali Goldsworthy, and Laura Osborne speak with political neuroscientist Leor Zmigrod. Zmigrod discusses her research into the link between cognitive style and political extremism, explaining how rigid thinking predicts dogmatism across the entire political spectrum.

Zmigrod also shares how she changed her own perspective regarding the depth of her research after realizing that rigid ideology does not just shape political attitudes, but fundamentally sculpts a person's nervous system, perception, and everyday humanity.

What you’ll learn:

The Alternative Uses Test: How simple, unconscious creativity games predict whether a person leans toward stubborn ideology or moderate, flexible thinking.
The Extremism Overlap: Why radical leftists and the radical right exhibit strikingly similar psychological profiles rooted in cognitive rigidity and emotional impulsivity.
The Danger of Radical Campaigning: Why using binary, polarising tactics to rally a base damages individuals psychologically.
The Myth of the Strong Leader: How society creates large-scale problems by incorrectly praising leaders who refuse to change their minds.
The Violence Connection: How highly rigid minds fuse rapidly to group identities and are significantly more willing to endorse political violence.

Buy Leor’s book, The Ideological Brain: How Rigid Beliefs Harm Our Minds & Bodies – And Why It Matters https://uk.bookshop.org/a/8711/9781405975148

Buy Alison, Laura and Alexandra’s new book, Poles Apart: Why People Turn Against Each Other, and How to Bring Them Together https://uk.bookshop.org/a/8711/9781847942975

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Why I Lost Faith in the BBC: Nihal Arthanayake on Diversity and Leadership

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 10:12:20 GMT

After a 23-year career at the BBC, award-winning broadcaster Nihal Arthanayake changed his mind about the institution's capacity for change.

In this episode of Change My Mind, Nihal speaks candidly with hosts Ali Goldsworthy, Laura Osborne, and Alex Chesterfield about his decision to leave public service broadcasting for a new role as Chief Storyteller at a major tech firm. He details the growing frustration and isolation he experienced as a person of colour at BBC North, explaining why he believes the corporation is currently "cosplaying at diversity" rather than enacting meaningful cultural shifts.

The conversation examines the heavy personal toll of speaking out against institutional norms, the differences between genuine corporate accountability and public sector management, and why the political and media landscape relentlessly punishes leaders who actually change their minds.

What we discuss in this episode:

The Illusion of Corporate Accountability: Why Nihal believes the BBC operates on a culture of fear and self-preservation rather than facing the hard truths of profit, loss, and audience data.
Tokenism vs. Inclusion: Nihal’s perspective on how public-facing diversity hires often mask a lack of genuine representation and support for young staff behind the scenes.
The Backlash of Speaking Out: The intense right-wing media criticism and personal threats Nihal faced after publicly criticizing the overwhelmingly white demographic of his workplace.
The Power of Admitting Ignorance: Why treating a political "U-turn" as a weakness destroys intellectual agility, and why the smartest leaders are the ones willing to admit when the facts have changed.
The BBC’s Right of Reply: A breakdown of the BBC's official response to the issues raised, including their commitments to strengthening talent pipelines and reporting mechanisms.

Learn more and get involved:

Book a session during our new Office Hours to discuss how to navigate polarized times in your own organization: opendemocracy.net/depolarizationproject.
Subscribe to openDemocracy’s weekly newsletter: https://www.opendemocracy.net/
Buy Alison, Laura, and Alexandra’s book, Poles Apart: Why People Turn Against Each Other, and How to Bring Them Together: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/8711/9781847942975

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How to Disagree Better: Julia Minson on Receptiveness and changing her mind on Transitions for minors

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 09:49:23 GMT

Host Alex Chesterfield and co-hosts Ali Goldsworthy and Laura Osborne interview Julia Minson, a researcher on disagreement, about building receptiveness and improving conflict conversations through practice, realistic goals beyond persuasion, and concrete language changes. Minson describes her background in competitive ballroom dancing as a metaphor for opposing perspectives, and outlines the HEAR framework for “conversational receptiveness”: Hedging, Emphasizing agreement, Acknowledging the other view with true paraphrase, and Reframing to the positive. She discusses applying these tools in schools and other real-world settings, and research questions about reputational rewards for receptiveness. Minson also shares a rapid, emotionally complex series of belief updates on gender transitions for minors, influenced by Utah Governor Spencer Cox’s arguments and later by meeting a trans woman, highlighting how minds change through human contact and context.

00:00 Third Rail Belief Shift

00:17 Show Intro and Guests

01:36 Co Hosts Takeaways

03:58 Ballroom Dancing Origins

07:50 Training Receptiveness Habits

10:34 How to Disagree Better

12:57 Start Small Not Hot Topics

15:53 HEAR Framework Language

22:36 Where Research Goes Next

24:47 Campaigning Incentives Tension

27:29 Changing Mind on Transitions

36:03 Environment and People Matter

38:14 Who Should Be Next Guest

38:55 Hosts Reflect and Wrap Up

Buy How To Disagree Better Dr Julia Minson

https://uk.bookshop.org/a/8711/9781398725041

Buy Alison, Laura and Alexandra’s new book, Poles Apart: Why People Turn Against Each Other, and How to Bring Them Together https://uk.bookshop.org/a/8711/9781847942975

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Dr Emma Yhnell on the challenge of changing science, changing our minds

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 09:54:51 GMT

In an era where scientific expertise is heavily scrutinized and algorithms trap us in ideological bubbles, how do we create the conditions for people to truly open their minds?

In this episode of Changed My Mind, we’re joined by Dr. Emma Yhnell, Reader and Associate Dean of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion based at Cardiff University. Drawing on her experiences running clinical trials and teaching in large university lecture halls, Dr. Yhnell explores the emotional complexities of genetic testing and the vulnerability required to challenge the consensus.

Plus, she opens up about her own profound shifts in perspective: why she completely re-evaluated why people at risk of terminal illnesses choose to avoid genetic testing, and the ethical dilemmas of encouraging young women into male-dominated science fields.

What you’ll learn:

The Information Avoidance Paradox: Why only 10% to 15% of people at risk for Huntington's disease choose to take a predictive genetic test, and the profound emotional and psychological reasons behind wanting to not know.
Science Communication as a Superpower: Why making complex academic research accessible to the patients it is designed to help is just as vital as the research itself.
Opening vs. Changing Your Mind: The critical psychological difference between completely reversing your stance and simply creating the cognitive headspace to entertain an alternative view.
Embracing the Pushback: How intentionally creating spaces for experiential learning and critique empowers younger generations to confidently dissent from the group.

Buy Alison, Laura and Alexandra’s new book, Poles Apart: Why People Turn Against Each Other, and How to Bring Them Together https://uk.bookshop.org/a/8711/9781847942975

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Saumitra Jha on why he changed his mind about climate change, and unexpected tricks that work to reduce polarization

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 10:28:08 GMT

In a political climate dominated by echo chambers, media polarization, and democratic backsliding, how do we actually get people to change their minds?

In this episode of Changed My Mind, we’re joined by Saumitra Jha, professor of political economy at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. Citing financial experiments in Israel, Palestine, and post-referendum Britain, Professor Jha shares both historical insights and behavioural evidence on how to bridge deep societal divides.

Plus, he opens up about his own profound shift in perspective: why he completely changed his mind on the relationship between global poverty and climate action.

What you’ll learn:

The Power of “Skin in the Game”: Why giving people small financial stakes to trade in conflicted markets appears to bypass cognitive bias
Swords into Bank Shares: How historical societies used finance to successfully pacify deep caste and political conflicts
The Double-Edged Sword of Hero Worship: How the immense trust earned by a World War I General led his loyal network of soldiers straight into Nazi collaboration
Climate Change is Not a Luxury: Why the traditional economic theory that environmental protection is a luxury reserved for wealthy nations no longer holds up

Buy Alison, Laura and Alexandra’s new book, Poles Apart: Why People Turn Against Each Other, and How to Bring Them Together https://uk.bookshop.org/a/8711/9781847942975

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Georg Baumert - on how nature helps open your mind, and encouraged him to change his own

Wed, 18 Sep 2024 12:22:12 GMT

Georg Baumert, head of the German Borderland Museum's environmental education division, discusses the impact of the Greenbelt, a stretch of unspoiled nature along the former East-West German border, on teaching history. He emphasizes the importance of authentic, emotional connections to historical events, especially for young children and how learning from them has changed his own mind. Baumert shares how the museum's approach, which includes oral history and outdoor learning, has evolved to better engage visitors. He highlights the ecological consequences of the border, such as the creation of unique biotopes, and the museum's role in connecting past and present events, including the refugee crisis and the importance of understanding historical dictatorships. The conversation also touches on the need for more museums to adopt similar educational methods and the potential for international collaboration.

This series of Changed My Mind is supported by 1014

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Fernande Raine on the lessons we don't learn from history - and how to change that

Wed, 18 Sep 2024 12:21:59 GMT

The latest episode of Changed My Mind features Fernande Raine, CEO of the History Collab. We discussed the disillusionment of young people with democracy, emphasizing the need to make history engaging and relevant. She highlighted the failure of current history education to connect past events to contemporary challenges, leading to a lack of civic engagement. Raine shared her experience in Russia, where she observed a shift towards imperialism and a resistance to democratic change. She stressed the importance of intergenerational dialogue and the need for a systemic overhaul in education to foster civic skills. Raine also reflected on the challenges of changing one's mind and the necessity of collective action to safeguard democracy.

This series of Changed My Mind is supported by 1014

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Katharina Weghmann - on how she realised business schools need to teach integrity and what leaders can do to instill it

Wed, 18 Sep 2024 12:21:52 GMT

Katharina Weghmann, a partner in forensic and integrity services at EY, discussed her evolving views on the role of regulation, particularly in sustainability. She emphasized the importance of regulation in driving corporate sustainability and ethical practices, contrasting her past belief in free markets. Weghmann highlighted the influence of business schools on future leaders and the need for humility and intellectual curiosity in leadership. She also shared her journey from marketing to ethics, influenced by the 2008 financial crisis, and her work with whistleblowers, stressing the importance of effective regulation and support systems for those who speak out.

This series of Changed My Mind is supported by 1014

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Accepting American democracy was in mortal danger, with Cass Sunstein

Tue, 09 Nov 2021 15:11:23 GMT

World-renowned behavioural economist Cass Sunstein on why dismissing his friends' fears about democracy being at risk in the US was wrong.

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Changing your mind on the Iraq War with Ed Owen

Mon, 06 Sep 2021 19:41:48 GMT

Former advisor to the Foreign Secretary at the time of the Iraq War, Ed Owen, on why he now feels differently about the decision to go to war in Iraq.

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Realising America's Criminal Justice System Was Broken with Jordan Blashek and Chris Haugh

Tue, 18 Aug 2020 11:00:00 GMT

The Authors of Union: a Search for Common Ground on how an American road trip woke them up to the failings in the criminal justice system and the limitations of beloved media outlets.

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Danny Finkelstein on Changing Political Allies

Thu, 06 Aug 2020 11:00:00 GMT

Danny Finkelstein, associate editor of the Times and Conservative peer, talks to us about why being able to clearly see both sides of an argument is important but can also feel debilitating in a world that craves certainty. He shares his lessons from switching parties and why it is critical to reduce the cost of people changing their minds.

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Peter Geoghegan on Unaccountability and Returning Home

Thu, 30 Jul 2020 11:00:00 GMT

Peter Geoghegan, author of Democracy for Sale and investigative journalist, left Ireland as a young man desperate to get away but has returned in lockdown to find a country much changed. He tells us why, from his childhood bedroom, and explains the need to dig deeper into unaccountable money in politics, in the UK as well as the US.

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Getting Less Liberal About Prostitution with Helen Lewis

Thu, 23 Jul 2020 11:00:00 GMT

Helen Lewis, a journalist at the Atlantic and author of Difficult Women: the History of Feminism in 11 Fights, talks about how she came to question her previous liberal beliefs on prostitution, a former Labour MP who cried after receiving an apology for being deselected when she came out in the 70s, the limits of unconscious bias training, and more.

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Deciding That People Should Have a Platform with Kajal Odedra

Thu, 09 Jul 2020 10:00:00 GMT

The Director of Change.org in the UK Kajal Odedra talks about realising no platforming tended to backfire, her changing relationship with her own identity and how Change.org's supporters come from a much broader base than most people imagine.

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Conflicting Identities with Jamie Susskind

Thu, 18 Jun 2020 18:54:31 GMT

Author of Future Politics, Jamie Susskind, left the Labour Party after 10 years of activism due to antisemitism. He tells us what happened, why he is on the cusp of going back and what politicians need to think about now to prepare for the tech of the future.

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On Realising Mainstreaming Is Not Enough with Derek Bardowell

Thu, 11 Jun 2020 02:12:43 GMT

Author Derek Bardowell used to think mainstreaming would be enough to tackle racism. Over decades over work he's realise that on it's own, it is far from enough.

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Becoming Friends With Your Arch Enemy with Leah Garces

Wed, 03 Jun 2020 11:00:00 GMT

When Leah Garces sat opposite Craig Watts in his living room it was an unlikely occurrence. Leah, a vegan and CEO at Mercy for Animals, did not expect to have much in common with the factory farmer she had spent years campaigning against. Yet, she and Watts were to become unexpected allies in the fight to improve animal welfare. She tells us how that happened, why she changed her mind about people and what her Trump supporting family taught her.

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Leaving Al-Qaeda with Aimen Dean and Thomas Small

Tue, 26 May 2020 17:20:31 GMT

Aimen Dean was a bombmaker for Al-Qaeda before leaving to become an MI6 informant. He and the Middle East expert Thomas Small join us to explore why and what we can learn from a 14th century Muslim scholar.

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Joseph Marks on positive discrimination

Fri, 01 Nov 2019 19:38:58 GMT

Social psychologist, rising star at UCL & MIT, and author of new book Messengers on why he’s changed his mind (several times) on positive discrimination. Plus, learn why the messenger is now the message and what you can do (and should NOT do) to be heard.

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Sonia Sodha on disagreeing with her younger self about student funding

Mon, 21 Oct 2019 13:34:20 GMT

Chief Leader writer at The Observer and The Guardian, Sonia Sodha was very active in the campaign to make higher education free. Fifteen years on, she has changed her mind. We talk about why, what her 20 year old self would make of it and the role of the media in polarization.

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Flattery and leadership with Jeff Pfeffer

Fri, 26 Jul 2019 12:57:53 GMT

Jeff Pfeffer once wrote that leaders often made little difference to a company, now he thinks they can. We talk about why telling people to be authentic is terrible advice and how flattery helps change people's minds with one of the world's leading management thinkers.

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Admitting you got it all wrong about online education with Prof Sarah Soule

Thu, 09 May 2019 15:20:36 GMT

Stanford Professor and expert in protest movements on how she performed a total u-turn on the value of online learning. From thinking it was never going to work to leading courses and persuading colleagues to join in. With such a strong background in protest we also talked to her about when they work, why and how in 2019 our political polarization problems are playing out so very differently.

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Hanging like a bat with Carwyn Jones

Wed, 20 Mar 2019 21:40:07 GMT

Carwyn Jones, the former First Minister of Wales talks leadership, why he switched his position to be in favour of another referendum on the UK's membership of the EU and what chastisement of children is reasonable.

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You don't always need to be nice with Prof Maggie Neale

Mon, 04 Mar 2019 16:37:51 GMT

World renowned negotiations expert Stanford's Professor Maggie Neale talks about becoming comfortable with conflict, learning that you don't always need to be nice and the importance of owning a dog.

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Nandos, teaching and the limits of capitalism with Dr Marcia Chatelain

Fri, 22 Feb 2019 04:29:41 GMT

Georgetown University's Dr Marcia Chatelain takes it to a meta level with us. We talk about her work looking at the relationship between race and fast food in the States, why people don't own up to mistakes and how she has changed her mind on capitalism.

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Changing your behaviour is easier than changing your mind with Steve Martin

Wed, 13 Feb 2019 20:33:17 GMT

When are people more likely to change their minds? Steve Martin, one of the world's leading experts on behaviour change and persuasion talks about the limitations of information in influencing people.

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Getting women into politics

Fri, 18 Jan 2019 04:27:46 GMT

Former UK Government Minister Jo Swinson MP talks about gradually changing her mind on how to get more women into politics, the experiences and gentle persuasion that achieved it, and the times former colleagues in Government surprised her.

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Derek Black on why he left the White Nationalist movement

Thu, 10 Jan 2019 16:36:12 GMT

Derek Black was one the US White Nationalist movement's rising stars. But in his early 20s Derek changed his mind and now actively campaigns against those who hold these views. We unpack what caused him to abandon his beliefs and what could be done to encourage others to follow in his footsteps.

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The science behind changing minds with Professor Tali Sharot

Thu, 03 Jan 2019 18:15:26 GMT

Tali Sharot, Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience at University College London and best selling author of The Optimism Bias and The Influential Mind joins us for this special episode of Changed My Mind to share her research on what the brain reveals about how beliefs are formed, what works to change others’ minds and what does not.

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A changing view on devolution with Craig Beaumont

Mon, 24 Dec 2018 16:00:00 GMT

Small-business guru and UK lobbyist, Craig Beaumont, talks to us about his changing views on devolution, whether he’s an a-typical thinker and the need to support small business owners as they seek diversity of thought.

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The influence of the internet on democracy with Peter Gabriel

Thu, 13 Dec 2018 21:51:11 GMT

Singer, songwriter and renowned humanitarian activist Peter Gabriel questions his previous belief in the power of the internet to do good for democracy.

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When your mum challenges you on abortion with Shannon Downey

Wed, 05 Dec 2018 15:01:02 GMT

One of America's leading activists Shannon Downey on how her mum made her rethink her views on abortion, the impact of a being woken up by a bullet in her Chicago bedroom and why some unusual career choices made her happy.

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Julia Margo: Why get married?

Tue, 27 Nov 2018 16:00:00 GMT

Business leader, former think-tanker and journalist Julia Margo talks about her radical volte-face on marriage. We explore - and question - the value of direct experience in changing people’s minds, as well delving into why it’s so much harder to divert from the status quo on some issues than it is on others.

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The Value of Testing with Jonathan Haidt

Tue, 20 Nov 2018 16:00:00 GMT

World leading moral psychologist Jonathan Haidt on his changing view about the value of testing on children. We also discuss his latest book, The bestselling Coddling of the American Mind and the importance of risk taking and value of play in parenting.

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Why People Change Their Minds with Deborah Mattinson

Tue, 13 Nov 2018 22:00:00 GMT

Over 80% of people in the UK and US think their country is divided. Most of them believe our divisions are getting worse not better. Changing that demands that we dig into what’s going on in our minds when our beliefs are challenged. With world renowned pollster, Deborah Mattinson, we explore this, why voters change their minds and what she has changed her mind on. Further reading:

IPSOS Mori - BBC Global Survey on the world divided

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