HeadRoom with Dr. Rod Berger

About HeadRoom with Dr. Rod Berger

The Dr. Rod Berger Channel pulls together global stories from around the world through several engaging shows. Dr. Rod Berger explores deep into the minds of those on the frontiers of our society. Uncovering the 'why' behind acclaimed contributors forging their path through life and those new souls just stepping beyond the crowd. Investigating the source of inspiration that drove those who have gone before us, HeadRoom with Dr. Rod Berger, The Narrative Edge, and The Dr. Rod Berger Show, hope to inspire the 'next' in us. Join Dr. Rod and uncover the stories seldom told, adding richness to the narratives within our own lives.

Publisher

Dr. Rod Berger

Category

society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

8 Feb 2022

Latest episode

4 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

132 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   4 Sept 2026

   What John Bolton and a Debate on Democracy Revealed with Noted Professor Stephen Zunes

   Dr. Rod Berger talks with Dr. Stephen Zunes on activism, civil resistance, and Western Sahara storylines on The Dr. Rod Berger Show presented by Fair Observer. This conversation explores how Dr. Stephen Zunes’ upbringing in a Christian pacifist, politically engaged household shaped his lifelong focus on human rights, international law, and nonviolent resistance. Host Dr. Rod Berger and Zunes also discuss Western Sahara, Israel-Palestine, democracy, polarization, and why Zunes still believes large-scale civic action can change history.

2. 

   2 Sept 2026

   Live from CultureCon: Change the Song in Your Head with Claude Silver

   Live from CultureCon 2026, Dr. Rod Berger sits down with Claude Silver, Chief Heart Officer at VaynerX, USA Today bestselling author of “Be Yourself at Work”, and a pioneer of people-first leadership. Claude shares how a 93-day Outward Bound experience helped her find her voice, challenge the limiting beliefs she carried for years, and ultimately recognize the kind of leader she was meant to become.

3. 

   20 Aug 2026

   The Truth Behind The Educational Flush: People, Practice & Politics at War

   Show Notes In this episode of the Dr. Rod Berger Show (https://drrodberger.com/podcasts.html), presented by Fair Observer (https://www.fairobserver.com/), Rod sits down with sociocultural anthropologist Professor John Friedman to discuss his sudden dismissal from a university position, the broader crisis facing higher education, and why the humanities still matter more than ever. John shares the story of being let go during a shocking campus purge, what it felt like to lose a long-built academic home, and why he refused to return to the same classroom without first acknowledging the harm done. From there, the conversation expands into a wider examination of institutional priorities, neoliberal management, the rise of AI and engineering over the humanities, and the future of critical thinking in education. Rod and John also explore: Why higher education is becoming more transactional How universities are reshaping themselves around market demand The danger of losing humanities and social sciences Why education should be about liberation, not just workforce preparation The impact of social media and algorithms on individuality and community How anthropology helps us understand the many ways of being human John also reflects on his move into social media, the role of public anthropology, and why people need more exposure to disciplines that challenge how they think about the world. Key Topics Being fired from a university classroom The collapse of humanities programs The purpose of education Critical thinking and civic responsibility Individualism vs. collective society The future of universities and teaching Public anthropology and cultural understanding Notable Quotes “Ask big questions in small places.” “The cutting out of the humanities and the social sciences is essentially an attack on critical thinking.” “Education should be a form of liberation.” “There are many different ways to live in the world.” Guest Professor John Friedman Sociocultural anthropologist, public lecturer, and advocate for humanistic inquiry Connect with John Friedman Find him on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube as: @ProfessorJohnT.Friedman About the Dr. Rod Berger Show The Dr. Rod Berger Show explores timely ideas, culture, education, leadership, and the human stories shaping our world. Dr. Rod Berger is a keynote speaker, moderator, producer, author, and expert in strategic storytelling. Berger’s book, The Narrative Edge: Authentic Storytelling That Meets The Moment (Wiley), hits bookstores in late 2025. He draws on more than 4,000 interviews conducted worldwide for Forbes, Entrepreneur Magazine, and Fair Observer, including a cover story about former Virgin Entertainment co-founder Jason Felts, for Los Angeles Magazine, as well as various podcasts. He has captured the narratives of investors, CEOs, renowned entrepreneurs, bestselling authors, scholars, and cultural icons such as NBA legends Magic Johnson and Charles Barkley, as well as United Nations officials and Van Halen’s Sammy Hagar, while also exploring the behind-the-scenes world of Formula 1. Berger has met with the Crown Princess of Sweden, Pope Francis, United Nations officials, and NGO leaders, covering stories of water insecurity with WaterAid, the intergenerational refugee crisis faced by displaced Sudanese in Uganda, and the impacts of child marriage in Western Africa with the Le Korsa Foundation. Berger served as a guest lecturer at Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management for nearly two decades, focusing on the power of storytelling in business. He has partnered with The Jim Henson Company to create a television show, The Ultimate GOAT, that combines his passion for distant lands and storytelling with culture, sports, and puppetry for family programming. Berger conducts moderated keynote events that blend storytelling with live, on-stage narratives featuring cultural icons such as Opal Lee, the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, a Nobel Peace Prize nominee, and recognized as the “Grandmother” of Juneteenth. In 2023, Berger received the inaugural Pangea International Literacy Prize and delivered his TEDx Talk, “Story is Our Currency.” He lives in Franklin, Tennessee, with his wife and two children. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com (https://pcm.adswizz.com) for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Who has been a guest on HeadRoom with Dr. Rod Berger

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Julia
• Michael Hernandez
• Sean
• Peter Samuelson

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.8 / 5

8 ratings

Spotify

4.7 / 5

67 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 61 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

95

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

68

Contact HeadRoom with Dr. Rod Berger

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

Questions about HeadRoom with Dr. Rod Berger