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Freakonomics Radio · September 2, 2026 · 37m 35s

How to Run an Institution in an Anti-Institution Era | Better in Person

Anne Pasternak, Michael Roth
Show Notes

Stephen Dubner speaks with Anne Pasternak, director of the Brooklyn Museum, and Michael Roth, president of Wesleyan University, about the challenges of leading cultural and educational institutions during a time of widespread distrust of institutions. They discuss strategies for keeping the peace amid cultural conflicts, balancing competing expectations, and maintaining trust with staff, visitors, and donors.

This summary was generated from show notes and public descriptions, not from a full transcript review. Details may contain inaccuracies.

Highlights

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Balancing Free Expression and Inclusion
The conversation explores how institutions can respect both free expression and the need for an inclusive atmosphere, a tension that often fuels culture-war conflicts.
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Editorial

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Leading an Institution Amidst Cultural Polarization
Anne Pasternak and Michael Roth discuss how they navigate protests, external pressure, and internal divisions while keeping their institutions functional and true to their missions.
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Building Long-Term Institutional Trust
Instead of reacting to every controversy, both leaders emphasize the long game: cultivating trust over years so that when flashpoints occur, the institution has the credibility to withstand criticism.
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