Normally Podcast: Commencement Chaos, Free Speech Fights & the AI Debate on Campus

Normally Podcast: Commencement Chaos, Free Speech Fights & the AI Debate on Campus

From Normally by iHeartPodcasts

May 21, 2026 · 31 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the controversies surrounding college commencement speeches, focusing on free speech, campus culture, and the implications of AI.

College commencement season is delivering more than graduation speeches—it’s igniting debates over free speech, campus culture, AI, and what advice actually matters in life. Karol Markowicz and Mary Katharine Ham break down the backlash over Jonathan Haidt’s NYU commencement address, reactions to AI warnings from former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, and the speech that may have gotten it right...

People in this episode

Hosts: Karol Markowicz, Mary Katharine Ham

Topics covered

  • commencement speeches
  • free speech
  • campus culture
  • AI debate
  • backlash
  • graduation advice

Keywords

  • commencement
  • free speech
  • AI
  • campus culture
  • graduation
  • Jonathan Haidt
  • Eric Schmidt

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: NYU, Google

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