Andrew Sullivan | A Conversation With the Writer and Public Intellectual Andrew Sullivan

Hosts Josh Sellers and Henry Thompson spoke with writer and intellectual Andrew Sullivan on his journey from print journalism to Substack, the potential consequences of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade and much more.

Sullivan, a long-time journalist and former editor of the New Republic, weathered the transition from print journalism to online journalism with grace, starting his own blog in 2000. He’s since launched a Substack publication, which allows him to self-publish his writing directly to interested readers.

“For me as a writer, the ability to directly write to a reader without having an editor or a publisher… it was incredibly exciting to write an essay or write a post or just vent an opinion and instantly thousands of people read it.”

Sullivan said that the online writing world allowed for increased discussion on hot topics almost instantaneously, creating both a diversity of ideas but also an overwhelming influx of opinions.

He also said that the internet can create conflict surrounding morally difficult issues, such as abortion. With the recent developments regarding the Supreme Court and its almost certain decision that it will overturn Roe v. Wade, Sullivan said the Court imposing one rule over the country and society is too authoritarian, and he hopes to see some form of democratic compromise in the future.

Listen to this episode to hear more from Sullivan about his opinion on the Roe v. Wade decision and the foundations of a liberal society that it rests upon.