Whitney Bjerken has been a YouTuber for as long as she can remember. At 18, she’s taking stock of her viral childhood.A programming note: this is the last episode of First Person — thank you for listening. Lulu Garcia-Navarro is working on new projects at the Times, so please stay subscribed to this feed to be the first to hear about them.

Whitney Bjerken has been a YouTuber for as long as she can remember. At 18, she’s taking stock of her viral childhood.A programming note: this is the last episode of First Person — thank you for listening. Lulu Garcia-Navarro is working on new projects at the Times, so please stay subscribed to this feed to be the first to hear about them.

Millions of People Watched Her Grow Up Online. What Did It Cost Her?

The 2,500-year-old roots of Ron DeSantis’ education plan.

The 2,500-year-old roots of Ron DeSantis’ education plan.

Why Conservatives Can’t Stop Talking About Aristotle

A psychiatrist’s dilemma when the most extreme option is legal.

A psychiatrist’s dilemma when the most extreme option is legal.

They’re Severely Mentally Ill. Is It Ethical to Help Them Die?

Daniel Ellsberg

The man behind the Pentagon Papers has a final warning for America.

The man behind the Pentagon Papers has a final warning for America.

Daniel Ellsberg on the Papers He Didn’t Leak

Chief Gary Hill on how to get more Black officers on the force — and transform cop culture through training.

Chief Gary Hill on how to get more Black officers on the force — and transform cop culture through training.

He Started the First Police Academy at an H.B.C.U. It Was Complicated.

The Supreme Court’s decision crushed Dr. Elise Boos. So why is she working with anti-abortion politicians?

The Supreme Court’s decision crushed Dr. Elise Boos. So why is she working with anti-abortion politicians?

Save a Life, or Commit a Felony?

Dan White Jr

Things are not all right. And neither are the people we usually turn to in times of crisis. This episode originally aired in 2022.

Things are not all right. And neither are the people we usually turn to in times of crisis. This episode originally aired in 2022.

Best Of: Dan White Jr., and the Great Pastor Resignation

I won awards covering Iraq but my Iraqi colleague lost everything.

I won awards covering Iraq but my Iraqi colleague lost everything.

The Shameful Secret at the Heart of My War Reporting

When cognitive decline strikes, caregivers often resist the changes. Anne Basting says there’s another way.

When cognitive decline strikes, caregivers often resist the changes. Anne Basting says there’s another way.

This Conversation Changed the Way I Think About Dementia

Why scammers get believed and asylum seekers don't.

Why scammers get believed and asylum seekers don't.

In America, We Trust the Wrong People

Every opinion starts with a story. Intimate conversations about the big ideas shaping our world, hosted by journalist Lulu Garcia-Navarro. From New York Times Opinion.

A Republican state senator on what his party gets wrong about trans kids — and why he’s broken ranks to vote to protect them.

A Republican state senator on what his party gets wrong about trans kids — and why he’s broken ranks to vote to protect them.

Why the G.O.P.’s Attack on Trans Rights Could Backfire on the Party

What the Big Tech meltdown can teach all workers.

What the Big Tech meltdown can teach all workers.

Google Changed Work Culture. Its Former Hype Woman Has Regrets.

How do you help someone who doesn’t believe he is mentally ill? Note: To protect her son’s privacy and medical history, we are not using Kimberly’s last name in this episode. And we are not naming him at all.Additional reading:“A World Gone Mad: Schizophrenia and a Journey Through California’s Failed Mental Health System,” by Thomas Curwen in The Los Angeles Times“California Is Fighting to Make It Easier to Put People Under Conservatorships,” by Henry Grabar in Slate“‘We’ve Lost Our Compass.’ For California’s Most Visible Mentally Ill, is a Return to Forced Treatment a Solution — or a False Promise?” by Jocelyn Wiener in Cal Matters

How do you help someone who doesn’t believe he is mentally ill? Note: To protect her son’s privacy and medical history, we are not using Kimberly’s last name in this episode. And we are not naming him at all.Additional reading:<ul><li>“<a href="https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-12-08/young-mans-life-with-schizophrenia" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">A World Gone Mad: Schizophrenia and a Journey Through California’s Failed Mental Health System</a>,” by Thomas Curwen in The Los Angeles Times</li><li>“<a href="https://slate.com/technology/2022/02/conservatorship-california-psychiatric-holds-mental-illness-homeless-rights.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">California Is Fighting to Make It Easier to Put People Under Conservatorships</a>,” by Henry Grabar in Slate</li><li>“‘<a href="https://calmatters.org/projects/mentally-ill-forced-treatment-conservatorship-california-debate/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">We’ve Lost Our Compass.’ For California’s Most Visible Mentally Ill, is a Return to Forced Treatment a Solution — or a False Promise?</a>” by Jocelyn Wiener in Cal Matters</li></ul>

He Was ‘Losing His Mind Slowly, and I Watched It'

Mara Altman on why she never felt small — and why she doesn’t want her kids to either. Notes: You can read Mara's piece for The New York Times, "There Has Never Been a Better Time to Be Short" here.

Mara Altman on why she never felt small — and why she doesn’t want her kids to either. Notes: You can read Mara's piece for The New York Times, "There Has Never Been a Better Time to Be Short" <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/01/opinion/height-short.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>.

Your Height — and Your Children’s Height — Shouldn’t Matter

Logan Lane gave up her smartphone. That changed her life. Notes: Alex Vadukul originally wrote about the Luddite Club for The Times.

Logan Lane gave up her smartphone. That changed her life. Notes: Alex Vadukul <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/15/style/teens-social-media.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">originally wrote</a> about the Luddite Club for The Times.

The Teenager Leading the Smartphone Liberation Movement

Maurice Mitchell believes purity politics leave progressive power on the table.

Maurice Mitchell believes purity politics leave progressive power on the table.

The Left Is Eating Itself

Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford believes obesity should be treated like any other disease.

Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford believes obesity should be treated like any other disease.

What if Medication, Not Willpower, Is the Cure for Obesity?

The C.E.O. of iFixit is fighting for your right to stop shopping and start repairing.

The C.E.O. of iFixit is fighting for your right to stop shopping and start repairing.

Why Does Big Tech Make It So Hard to Fix Your Devices?

Veterans are valuable recruits for far-right groups. Kris Goldsmith wants them to fight back.

Veterans are valuable recruits for far-right groups. Kris Goldsmith wants them to fight back.

The Veteran Outing Domestic Extremists

Jeff Tweedy

The musician thinks year-end top-10 lists are too small to capture life’s bigness.

The musician thinks year-end top-10 lists are too small to capture life’s bigness.

Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy and the Case Against Year-End Lists

First Person

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