Simon Greer - Viewpoint Diversity

Simon Greer - Viewpoint Diversity

From What Gives? The Jewish Philanthropy Podcast by Jewish Funders Network

June 10, 2025 · 1h 9m · Episode 67

About this episode

Simon Greer discusses the importance of viewpoint diversity and its implications for social change in America.

Episode 67 of What Gives?—the Jewish philanthropy podcast from Jewish Funders Network, hosted by JFN President and CEO Andrés Spokoiny. In this episode, we speak with Simon Greer, a longtime leader in Jewish philanthropy, former CEO of the Nathan Cummings Foundation, now the driving force behind the Viewpoint Diversity Initiative at the University of North Carolina, and the founder of Cambridge Health Ventures Simon takes us through his three‑part awakening—realizing that America’s crisis is as much spiritual as it is political, recognizing his own part in the problem of tribalism, and discovering that real change happens when we lean into the humanity of “the other.” We’ll explore why “viewpoint diversity” isn’t just an academic buzzword but an urgent practice for our fractured times—from campus debates about Israel and Palestine to retreats that bring correction officers and formerly incarcerated people together to reform our justice system. Take a listen.

People in this episode

Host: Andrés Spokoiny

Guest: Simon Greer

Topics covered

  • viewpoint diversity
  • Jewish philanthropy
  • tribalism
  • social justice
  • spirituality

Keywords

  • spiritual crisis
  • political crisis
  • humanity
  • campus debates
  • justice reform

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Viewpoint Diversity Initiative, Cambridge Health Ventures

Books & works: What Gives?—the Jewish

Places: America, Israel, Palestine

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