Radio/Podcast Interviews
= Highly Recommended
A Conversation with Paul Tough
Paul Tough discusses how college helps — and hinders — social mobility. With Fr. Steve Katsouros at the Come to Believe Network virtual retreat. November 8, 2022
The Future of Higher Education
Conversation with Paul LeBlanc, “The World As You’ll Know It” podcast, October 2020 [Also available here. Transcript here.]
The Nitty Grit-ty
Interview with Paula Poundstone, “Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone,” October 13, 2020
Paul Tough, The Years That Matter Most
Interview with Ned Johnson, “PrepTalks” podcast, September 29, 2020
Sunday Read: A Speck in the Sea
Audio version of “A Speck in the Sea,” an article originally published in the New York Times Magazine in 2014 (with a new audio introduction by Paul Tough), August 9, 2020
How to close the education gap that’s only widened since COVID-19
Madeleine Brand, “Press Play,” KCRW (Los Angeles), July 31, 2020
The Unfair Coach
“Against the Rules with Michael Lewis,” June 9, 2020 [interview starts at 31:00]
Money and College Admissions (with Paul Tough)
“Crazy Money with Paul Ollinger,” May 25, 2020
The Dark Side of College: Testing, Admissions, and Inequality
“Talking To Teens: Expert Tips for Parenting Teenagers,” May 24, 2020
As COVID-19 makes college uncertain in the fall, students consider taking a year off
“Press Play with Madeleine Brand,” KCRW (Los Angeles), May 4, 2020
Can College Create Equitable Societies? A conversation with Paul Tough
Interview with Petal Modeste, “Parenting for the Future” podcast, March 17, 2020
The Complicated Math That Undermines Free College
“Think” with Kris Boyd, KERA (Dallas), March 6, 2020 (interview starts at 15:00)
Article Club: “Getting an A”
Interview with Mark Isero for Article Club’s discussion of Chapter Eight of “The Years That Matter Most,” February 17, 2020
What Do We Get When We Pay for School?
Interview with Ashley C. Ford, “Fortune Favors the Bold,” February 2020 [Interview begins at 12:30]
Paul Tough on How the College Admissions System Preserves Our Nation’s Economic and Social Disparities
Interview with Al Franken, “The Al Franken Podcast,” January 19, 2020
How College Makes or Breaks Us
Interview on the Arik Korman Show, January 2020
“The Years That Matter Most: How College Makes Or Breaks Us” By Paul Tough
Interview with Joe Donahue, “The Roundtable,” WAMC Northeast Public Radio, December 30, 2019
Paul Tough on How College Makes Us or Breaks Us
“Making a Killing with Bethany McLean” podcast, December 30, 2019
How Children Succeed (with Paul Tough)
Podcast: Good Kids: How Not to Raise an A**hole, December 2019
The Usefulness of Higher Education
Interview with Brian Southwell, “The Measure of Everyday Life,” WNCU (North Carolina), December 10, 2019
How College Makes or Breaks Us
Interview with Susan Borison and Stephanie Silverman, “Your Teen with Sue and Steph” podcast, November 26, 2019
Interview: Author Paul Tough on the Complex World of College Admissions
Jim O’Neill, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt’s “Shaped” podcast, November 25, 2019
Paul Tough on What Boys Need to Know about College
Interview with Jennifer Fink and Janet Allison, “On Boys” podcast, November 21, 2019
Conversation with author and journalist Paul Tough
Interview with Alan Flurry, “Unscripted” podcast, November 6, 2019
EdNext Podcast: Paul Tough and The Years That Matter Most
Interview with Marty West, EdNext podcast, November 6, 2019
Paul Tough On ‘How College Makes Or Breaks Us’
Interview with Tiziana Dearing, “Radio Boston,” WBUR, November 4, 2019
Is college still a good springboard for social mobility?
MPR News with Kerri Miller, Minnesota Public Radio, October 28, 2019
Paul Tough – The Years That Matter Most
Interview with Blake McVey, “Book Talk,” WYPL (Memphis), October 26, 2019
How College Makes or Breaks Us: An Interview with Journalist and Author Paul Tough
Interview with Megan Dorsey and Gretchen Wegner, The College Prep Podcast, October 21, 2019
Author Paul Tough and Father Steve Katsouros: Low-income students feel a belonging at Arrupe College
Interview with John Williams, WGN Radio (Chicago), October 21, 2019
New Book Details How Higher Ed Is Failing Low-Income & First-Generation Students
Emily Files, “Lake Effect,” WUWM radio (Milwaukee), October 21, 2019
Is College Worth It?
Interview on the Charlie Brennan Show, KMOX Radio (St. Louis), October 10, 2019 [Interview starts at 12:00]
Does the College System Work for Everyone?
Interview with Mindy Todd, “The Point,” WCAI (Massachusetts), October 10, 2019
Figuring Out college with Paul Tough
The Chip Franklin Show, KGO (San Francisco), October 4, 2019
Paul Tough & Alia Wong: College
“Watching America with Dr. Alan Campbell,” October 3, 2019 [Interview starts at 28:00.]
Who Needs College?
Interview with Sally James on “In the Moment,” the Seattle Town Hall’s Insider podcast, October 3, 2019 [Another link here.]
Paul Tough on how college makes us or breaks us
Interview with Jan Black and Laura Owens, “Nobody Told Me” podcast, October 2, 2019
Paul Tough on ‘How College Makes or Breaks Us’
Interview with Michael Krasny, “Forum,” KQED San Francisco, October 2, 2019
Paul Tough on Why College Years ‘Matter Most’
Interview with Emily Richmond, EWA Radio, October 1, 2019
How College Makes or Breaks Us
Interview with Audrey Monke, Sunshine Parenting Podcast, September 2019
Paul Tough, “The Years That Matter Most: How College Makes or Breaks Us”
Interview with Sara Goldrick-Rab, “After Words” (C-Span: Book TV), September 27, 2019
You Belong Here: What It Takes for Success in College
Marc G. Airhart, University of Texas College of Natural Sciences podcast, September 23, 2019
What Does The SAT Really Measure?
Interview with Krys Boyd, “Think,” KERA (Dallas), September 23, 2019
How College Makes Or Breaks Us
Interview with Doug Fabrizio, “RadioWest,” KUER Radio Salt Lake City, September 20. 2019
Paul Tough on the decisions that matter most in college
The John Williams Show, WGN Radio Chicago, September 18, 2019
Chicago’s Morning Answer
Interview with Dan Proft and Amy Jacobson, WIND Chicago, September 17, 2019
Journalist Paul Tough On His New Book ‘How College Makes Or Breaks Us’
Interview with Jennifer White, Morning Shift, WBEZ Chicago, September 17, 2019
Interview with DeRay Mckesson
Pod Save the People, September 17, 2019
Interview with Howard Blume (Part Two)
Deadline LA, KPFK FM, September 16, 2019
Paul Tough – The Years That Matter Most
Principal Center Radio, September 16, 2019
Interview with Author Paul Tough
The Neil Haley Show, September 16, 2019
How Young Americans Navigate the Tough Processes of College
“Mom Enough” with Marti & Erin Erickson, September 16, 2019
Paul Tough Interview on Trend Following Radio
Interview with Michael Covel, September 12, 2019
Slate Political Gabfest
Interview with Emily Bazelon, David Plotz, and John Dickerson, September 12, 2019
College Admissions and Privilege
Radio Times, WHYY Radio Philadelphia, September 12, 2019
Book Talk interview
BTR Today, September 12, 2019
Paul Tough, The Years That Matter Most
Writers’ Voice with Francesca Rheannon, September 11, 2019
The Value Of College, Considered
Jefferson Exchange, Jefferson Public Radio, September 11, 2019
The Great College Dropout with Paul Tough
Intelligence for Your Life podcast, September 11, 2019
Longform Podcast #359: Paul Tough
Interview with Max Linsky, September 11, 2019
Paul Tough on How College Makes or Breaks Us
Interview with Gayle Allen, Curious Minds podcast, September 9, 2019
Who Is Higher Education Working For?
All of It with Alison Stewart, WNYC Radio, September 9, 2019
What Higher Education Means
Interview with Lisa Valentine Clark, The Lisa Show, September 9, 2019
The Staggering Weight of Student Debt
Panel discussion on “The 1A” on NPR (with Tressie McMillan Cottom and Michelle Singletary), September 9, 2019
Interview with Howard Blume (part one)
Deadline LA, KPFK FM, September 9, 2019
Conversation with Lisa Birnbach on her podcast
Lisa Birnbach’s Five Things That Make Life Better podcast, September 6, 2019
Social Mobility and The Years That Matter Most
“That Got Me Thinking,” with Ellie Newman, September 4, 2019
Author Paul Tough on the years that matter most
Silicon Valley Parenting, with Sarah Lai Stirland, September 3, 2019
Al Franken on Learning to Be a Politician
(Franken discusses How Children Succeed at 53:15.)
The Ezra Klein Show, June 20, 2017
Milwaukee Conference Aims to ‘Inform and Unite’
Kati Kokal, Lake Effect, WUWM (Milwaukee), June 15, 2017
Paul Tough on Children and Success
Interview with Cathy Lewis, HearSay, WHRV-FM (Norfolk, Virginia), February 23, 2017
Paul Tough: Kids Want Challenges and Connection
Positive Coaching Alliance podcast, September 2016
Paul Tough Interview
Michael Covel, Trend Following Radio, September 8, 2016
Paul Tough: Helping Children Succeed
Sam Seder, Majority Report podcast, August 25, 2016
Environments and Experiences that Promote Grit, Character, and Success
Marti & Erin Erickson, Mom Enough podcast, August 15, 2016
‘Helping Children Succeed’: Author Paul Tough Takes a Second Look at Success
Knowledge@Wharton, SiriusXM, July 26, 2016
How to Develop an Intrinsically Motivated Child
Ryan Hawk, The Learning Leader Show, July 25, 2016
Learning from Failure
Vinay Seshachellam, “They Don’t Teach That” podcast, July 10, 2016
PAUL TOUGH: Helping Children Succeed
Moe Abdou, 33 Voices podcast, July 5, 2016
Parenting Teens: Paul Tough on Helping Children Succeed
Pam Hardy, The Biggest Job’s Parenting Teens podcast, June 21, 2016
What Works to Help Low-Income Kids and Why
Armin Brott, Positive Parenting podcast, June 20, 2016
Education Guru Paul Tough On Helping Children Succeed
Jennifer White, Morning Shift, WBEZ (Chicago), June 17, 2016
Paul Tough on How Environments Can Help Children Build Curiosity and Grit
Mina Kim, KQED (San Francisco), June 10, 2016
Paul Tough on Helping Children Succeed in School and in Life
The Psychology Podcast with Scott Barry Kaufman, June 2, 2016
Can You Teach Students About Grit and Determination Without Talking About It?
Mitch Teich, “Lake Effect,” WUWM (Milwaukee), June 1, 2016
EdSurge Podcast Q&A With Paul Tough
Tony Wan, EdSurge, May 31, 2016
Paul Tough: Helping Children Succeed: What Works and Why
Justin Baeder, Principal Center Radio, May 30, 2016
Paul Tough on Helping Children Succeed
Tom Vander Ark, Getting Smart Podcast, May 27, 2016
Helping Kids Overcome Adversity in the Classroom and at Home
The Leonard Lopate Show, WNYC, May 26, 2016
Can Non-Cognitive Skills Be Taught?
Marty West, EdNext podcast, May 25, 2016
Helping Children Succeed
Doug Fabrizio, RadioWest, KUER (Salt Lake City), May 25, 2016
Teaching The Intangibles: How To Ingrain ‘Grit’ In Students
Michel Martin, All Things Considered, NPR, May 22, 2016
Paul Tough on Helping Children Succeed
Matt Weber, Harvard EdCast, Harvard Graduate School of Education, May 19, 2016
How Important Is Grit?
“The Money Jar,” Junior Achievement Radio (Vancouver, Wash.), January 28, 2016
No Limits Interview with Paul Tough
WFYI (Indianapolis), November 20, 2014
Paul Tough on How Children Succeed
American RadioWorks, August 19, 2014
MPR Top Coast Festival: Paul Tough and Richard Louv on Children and Character
MPR News Presents, Minnesota Public Radio, June 9, 2014
Hacking Higher Ed
Radio Open Source, WBUR (Boston), May 22, 2014
Mom And Dad Are Fighting: The Two Kids in a Hot Car Edition
Slate Parenting Podcast, May 21, 2014
The Graduation Gap: Why Low Income Students Often Fare Poorly In College
Sam Baker, KERA (Dallas), May 21, 2014
Do We Really Have a Plan for At-Risk Kids?
“State of Opportunity,” Michigan Public Radio, April 17, 2014
Developing Character in Children
Mister Mom with David Marin, KSCO (Santa Cruz, California), December 8, 2013
Deutschlandradio Kultur Discussion
Deutschlandradio Kultur (Germany), November 29, 2013. [Not an interview; rather, a discussion in German between two radio hosts about “How Children Succeed.”]
Kids and Success
Information Radio with Marcy Markusa, CBC Radio Manitoba, October 15, 2013
Paul Tough at Aspen Ideas Festival (with James Bennet)
Minnesota Public Radio, August 8, 2013
Is America Still the Land of Opportunity?
“Tell Me More,” NPR, July 1, 2013
For Middle-Class Parents, Raising Children Becomes a Consumer Arms Race
Scott Tong, Marketplace, June 10, 2013
Paul Tough on How Children Succeed
The Hugh Hewitt Show, June 5, 2013
Author Paul Tough on How Children Succeed
Eric Alan, “Living Large”, KLCC Public Radio (Eugene, Oregon), April 26, 2013
Radio New Zealand Interview: How Children Succeed
Kathryn Ryan, “Nine to Noon,” Radio New Zealand, January 29, 2013 [Audio here.]
How Do You Learn Grit?
“Prospero,” the books podcast of the Economist magazine, January 22, 2013
Paul Tough on Faith Middleton
The Faith Middleton Show, January 18, 2013 [Segment begins at 33:10; audio here]
How Children Succeed: A Conversation with Author Paul Tough
Mom Enough podcast, January 14, 2013
Paul Tough on Reader’s Corner
Bob Kustra, Boise State Public Radio, January 4, 2013
A Scientific Argument for Character Education
“Lake Effect,” WUWM Milwaukee Public Radio, November 30, 2012
Focus Interview
Craig Cohen, “Focus,” WILL-AM, Illinois Public Media, October 30, 2012
Paul Tough on ‘How Children Succeed’
“Midday with Dan Rodricks,” WYPR Baltimore, October 30, 2012. (Note: Interview starts about 8 minutes in.)
Paul Tough and Jeff Nelson on How Children Succeed and OneGoal
The John Williams Show, WGN-AM Chicago, October 17, 2012
Paul Tough on ‘How Children Succeed’ Through Grit, Adversity
“The Daily Circuit,” Minnesota Public Radio, October 17, 2012
Advice Goddess Radio: How Children Succeed
Amy Alkon, Advice Goddess Radio, October 14, 2012
Paul Tough in Memphis to Talk about ‘How Children Succeed’
Eleanor Boudreau, Memphis Public Radio, October 9, 2012
Character Development in Education
The Regina Brett Show, WKSU Ohio Public Radio, September 22, 2012
Hidden Power of Character
American RadioWorks podcast with Emily Hanford, September 21, 2012
The Conversation with Paul Tough
“The Conversation” with Ross Reynolds, KUOW Seattle Public Radio, September 20, 2012
The Hidden Power of Character
ConsciousSHIFT with host Julie Ann Turner, Contact Talk Radio, September 19, 2012
Education Watch Podcast: Is Intelligence Really the Key to Success?
New America Foundation’s Education Watch Podcast, September 18, 2012
How Children Succeed and What Can You Learn From Them
“The Commutist” podcast, GigaOM, September 18, 2012
Paul Tough on How Children Succeed
EconTalk with host Russ Roberts, September 17, 2012
Office Hours with Daniel Pink
Daniel Pink’s “Office Hours” podcast, September 14, 2012
Eye on Books: Paul Tough
Bill Thompson’s “Eye on Books” podcast, September 14, 2012
Back to School
“This American Life,” Public Radio International, September 14, 2012
Wisconsin Public Radio interview
Veronica Rueckert, Wisconsin Public Radio, September 14, 2012
Can Schools Teach Character?
“The Afterword” podcast, Slate, September 13, 2012
Paul Tough examines how children do (and don’t) succeed
Brand and Martinez, KPCC Los Angeles, September 11, 2012
Anatomy of Success
The Family Anatomy podcast, September 10, 2012
Charlie Brennan Interview
The Charlie Brennan Show, KMOX News Radio St. Louis, September 10, 2012
Paul Tough on his new book “How Children Succeed”
“Afternoon Shift,” WBEZ Chicago, September 10, 2012
Paul Tough on “How Children Succeed”
RadioTimes, WHYY-FM Philadelphia. September 7, 2012
Paul Tough on Character
Bloomberg EDU Podcast, hosted by Jane Williams, September 7, 2012
RadioWest: How Children Succeed
RadioWest, KUER-FM Salt Lake City, September 6, 2012
Why (Some) Children Succeed
“Boston Public Radio,” WGBH public radio, Boston, September 5, 2012
Ed Next Book Club: Paul Tough on How Children Succeed
Education Next, September 5, 2012
Dallas Public Radio: How Children Succeed
“Think,” with Krys Boyd, KERA public radio, Dallas, September 4, 2012.
Paul Tough on How Children Succeed
The Leonard Lopate Show, WNYC New York Public Radio, September 4, 2012
‘Children Succeed’ With Character, Not Test Scores
“Morning Edition,” NPR, September 4, 2012
Can Kids Be Taught Persistence?
KQED Mind/Shift, July 12, 2012
Podcast Friday: Failure Equals Success
American RadioWorks Podcast, September 22, 2011
The State of the Education-Reform Movement
Kathleen Dunn, Wisconsin Public Radio, July 13, 2011
The Poverty Clinic
RadioWest, KUER Utah, March 22, 2011
Schools & Community
Think Out Loud, Oregon Public Broadcasting, September 22, 2010
Assessing Harlem Children’s Zone
The Brian Lehrer Show, WNYC New York, February 8, 2010
Can the Harlem Children’s Zone Work in Baltimore?
Midday with Dan Rodricks, WYPR Baltimore, January 21, 2010
Harlem Children’s Zone
Dispatches, CBC Radio, March 9, 2009
Whatever It Takes
Journey Home, Santa Fe Public Radio, February 23, 2009
Has Barack Obama Split the Difference on Education Reform?
To The Point with Warren Olney, KCRW Santa Monica, December 19, 2008
Julia McEvoy Interview
Eight Forty-Eight, WBEZ Chicago, November 6, 2008
30 Issues: Education Policy
The Brian Lehrer Show, WNYC New York, September 29, 2008
Going Big
This American Life, Public Radio International, September 25, 2008
Activist Aims High with Harlem Children’s Zone
Tell Me More with Michel Martin, NPR, September 24, 2008
Can Obama’s Education Chief Save the Nation’s Schools?
Warren Olney, “To The Point,” KCRW (Los Angeles), September 19, 2008