Current Affairs

Nathan, Brianna, Lyta and Sparky come together to discuss the possibility of life on other planets, mysterious inventions, alien sex and other general oddities. This is a preview of an episode available in full to our Patreon subscribers. To gain full access to this episode, as well as lots of other excellent bonus content, please consider becoming one of our subscribers at www.patreon.com/CurrentAffairs!

Exit Nathan J. Robinson, editor-in-chief. Enter Nathan J. Robinson, author of the brand-new book, Why You Should Be A Socialist. Why You Should Be A Socialist: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250200877 This episode was edited by Dan Thorn of Pink Noise Studios in Somerville, MA.

Unlocked from our Patreon feed, here's a little bonus for you all! Current Affairs finance editor Sparky Abraham sits down with Vice writer Allie Conti, economics professor Marshall Steinbaum and People's Policy Project founder Matt Bruenig to discuss the question of cancelling student debt, in light of Bernie Sanders' and Elizabeth Warren's recent plans for college debt forgiveness. This episode was originally made available for Patreon subscribers in July 2019. To gain full access to more episodes like this, please consider becoming one of our supporters at www.patreon.com/CurrentAffairs! Allie on student debt forgiveness: https://www.vice.com/amp/en_us/article/qv75kd/people-trapped-by-student-debt-need-money-not-a-long-policy-argument Matt's writing on the issue: https://www.peoplespolicyproject.org/2019/06/24/the-student-debt-forgiveness-muddle-continues/ https://www.jacobinmag.com/2018/11/student-debt-forgiveness-free-college Marshall on whether it's regressive: https://www.currentaffairs.org/2019/06/is-student-debt-cancellation-regressive-no Sparky on free college: https://www.currentaffairs.org/2019/04/the-case-for-free-college This episode was edited by Dan Thorn of Pink Noise Studios in Somerville, MA.

The twenty-tens are over, if you're not one of those pedants who insists the twenties don't start 'til 2021. This week, our panel waves goodbye to the last decade, and looks back on the new trends it brought us in tech, comedy, journalism, and popes. On location data: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/12/10/business/location-data-privacy-apps.html Nathan's free book: https://images.currentaffairs.org/2019/12/myaffairs-manuscript-free.pdf Your panel this week was finance editor Sparky Abraham, amusements and managing editor Lyta Gold, senior editor Brianna Rennix, and editor-in-chief Nathan J. Robinson. Your host is Pete Davis. This episode was edited by Dan Thorn of Pink Noise Studios in Somerville, MA.

Nathan Robinson and Aisling McCrea speak to a very special guest: urban planning and infrastructure guru Justin Roczniak, who makes Youtube videos on planning, politics, transport and much more under the handle 'donoteat'. Together, they discuss city design, the human cost of architecture, trams, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, yakuza construction schemes, the psychology of driving, and trains. We love trains. Also, he informs us that all your furniture is made of stuff that catches fire really easily.

Today Nathan talks to RJ Eskow, host of The Zero Hour podcast and YouTube show, and former lead writer for the 2016 Bernie Sanders campaign. Together, they discuss dirty secrets RJ learned during his time in the insurance industry, why critiques of single-payer healthcare fail, what separates millennials and baby boomers, why RJ didn't go to Woodstock, and what it was like to sit on the stage with Jimi Hendrix as a teenager. The Zero Hour is on Patreon at http://patreon.com/thezerohour. This episode was edited by Dan Thorn of Pink Noise Studios in Somerville, MA.

Precious listeners of Current Affairs, we hear you loud and clear! This week, the panel answers your queries on everything from literature, to dreams, to questionable environmentalist projects. The panel this week was associate editor Vanessa A. Bee, legal editor Oren Nimni, finance editor Sparky Abraham, contributing editor Eli Massey, amusements and managing editor Lyta Gold, and editor-in-chief Nathan J. Robinson. Your host this week was Aisling McCrea. 'Crepuscule with Nellie' - Thelonious Monk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvXOcLi47TY This episode was edited by Dan Thorn of Pink Noise Studios in Somerville, MA.

In this episode, contributing editor Eli Massey speaks to Cenk Uygur, creator and host of The Young Turks, who is running as a Democrat in the 2020 primary for California's 25th congressional district. Cenk explains why he's running, his positions on everything from the Green New Deal to immigration to free speech, as well as giving his response to some criticisms of his past actions. You can read more about Cenk's campaign at cenk2020.com.

In this episode, contributing editor Eli Massey speaks to Cenk Uygur, creator and host of The Young Turks, who is running as a Democrat in the 2020 primary for California's 25th congressional district. Cenk explains why he's running, his positions on everything from the Green New Deal to immigration to free speech, as well as giving his response to some criticisms of his past actions. You can read more about Cenk's campaign at cenk2020.com.

In this very special episode, amusements and managing editor Lyta Gold and finance editor Sparky Abraham speak to Mike Duncan, beloved history podcaster and bestselling author. Together, they discuss the importance of popular history, guillotine memes, surprise revolutions, the end of history, and surviving crises. This is a preview of an episode available in full to our Patreon subscribers. To gain full access to this episode, as well as lots of other brilliant bonus content, please consider becoming one of our supporters at www.patreon.com/CurrentAffairs!

"You have a grandfather clock, you bastard!" In this jam-packed episode, the panel investigates The Atlantic's hatred of democracy, shares their most recent revelations, and Aisling invites the team to participate in Ritual Shaming. In a corny postscript, everyone shares a thing that they are thankful for. The panel this week was senior editor Brianna Rennix, editor-in-chief Nathan J. Robinson, contributing editor Eli Massey, finance editor Sparky Abraham, podmaster-general Aisling McCrea, and your host is Pete Davis. 'Too Much Democracy Is Bad For Democracy': https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2019/12/too-much-democracy-is-bad-for-democracy/600766/ Desert Oracle: https://www.desertoracle.com/ Frogge: https://incubator.wikimedia.org/wiki/Wp/enm/Frogge This episode was edited by Dan Thorn of Pink Noise Studios in Somerville, MA. Music: 'The Show Must Be Go' - Kevin MacLeod

A smaller episode, to refresh our patrons after the big, bloaty extravaganza that was our Harry Potter episode. The dessert after the turkey, if you will (in other words, smaller but more important). In this episode, amusements and managing editor Lyta Gold sits down with Jamaal Bowman, the founding principal of one of New York City's most successful public middle schools, and who is now running for Congress in New York's 16th district. You can find out more about the campaign here: https://www.bowmanforcongress.com/

Read more about Kendri's firm here. Read Indian Country Today on Thanksgiving here. Read Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz on the whitewashing of America's founding myths (including Thanksgiving) here. Read about the projects of the Indian Law Resource Center here.

Unlocked, for your listening pleasure. Current Affairs editor-in-chief Nathan J. Robinson, senior editor Brianna Rennix and newsletter editor Nick Slater sit down with Jacobin staff writer Meagan Day to discuss her article 'One Year Off, Every Seven Years'. Meagan's article can be found here: https://www.jacobinmag.com/2019/05/workers-sabbatical-demand-leisure This episode was edited by Dan Thorn of Pink Noise Studios in Somerville, MA. Please send in your sabbatical ideas to 504-867-8851. You can also send us voicemails about anything else you fancy. (This is the last thing Nathan said at the end of this episode, before his voice was swallowed up by the jazz music. Our apologies - we tried to pull him out of the jaws of the jazz monster, to no avail.)

A lot of people are completely sick and tired of the world's twenty-year-long obsession with Harry Potter. "Shut up about Harry Potter! Read another book!" they cry. To which we respond: no. This week, Current Affairs editor-in-chief Nathan J. Robinson, senior editor Brianna Rennix, amusements and managing editor Lyta Gold, legal editor Oren Nimni, finance editor Sparky Abraham, and Current Affairs Podcast host Pete Davis have a long, extremely animated discussion about the Wizard Children And Their Politics. You can read more about the time-travelling Ron Weasley theory here: https://the-toast.net/2014/01/02/let-the-man-speak/

To celebrate the release of the new Mister Rogers biopic, 'A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood', we're reposting this cosy little episode!This week, unlocked from the patreon bird feed, to the main feed: Current Affairs podcast host Pete Davis and editor-in-chief Nathan J. Robinson discuss the visionary auteur, child development crusader, and moral voice Mister Rogers.For Pete's favorite book on the case that Mr. Rogers is a left-wing icon, see *Peaceful Neighbor: Discovering the Countercultural Mister Rogers* by Michael Long. For a delightful book of Mister Rogers aphorisms, see *The World According to Mister Rogers. The latest hit documentary on Rogers is [Won't You Be My Neighbor*]4.For more on Eleanor Duckworth and "the having of wonderful ideas," see her wonderful book *The Having of Wonderful Ideas*. For more on how narcissism is actually based in a lack of self-esteem, see here. And here's Nathan's piece on teaching climate change.Have a response to this episode? Call into Current Affairs anytime at (504) 867-8851.To listen to interviews when they first come out — and gain access to our patrons' "Bird Feed" — consider becoming a monthly patron at our Patreon page. Call into Current Affairs anytime at (504) 867-8851.

Aisling McCrea and Lyta Gold are joined by Homeric scholar Dan Walden, in an episode that settles the question, once and for all, of whether Ancient Greece and Rome were GOOD...or BAD. This is an excerpt from an episode available exclusively to our supporters on Patreon. To get full access to this episode, as well as lots of other brilliant bonus content, please consider becoming one of our subscribers at www.patreon.com/CurrentAffairs!

Nathan J. Robinson sits down with journalist Maureen Tkacik to discuss the recent Boeing 737 Max disasters, and the toxic management structures behind them. There's also some gossip about sharing a college dorm with Donald Trump, Jr. Maureen's article is here: https://newrepublic.com/article/154944/boeing-737-max-investigation-indonesia-lion-air-ethiopian-airlines-managerial-revolution This is an excerpt from an episode available exclusively to our Patreon supporters. To gain full access to this episode, as well as lots of other brilliant bonus content, please consider becoming one of our supporters at www.patreon.com/CurrentAffairs!

We've unlocked a bonus episode from the Patreon feed! In this episode, Current Affairs host Pete Davis sits down with Ryan Grim, author and DC bureau chief for The Intercept. Ryan shares his experiences as one of the few progressive reporters in Capitol Hill in the 2000s, and gives the inside scoop on Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and Nancy Pelosi, among others. Ryan's book We’ve Got People: From Jesse Jackson to AOC, the End of Big Money and the Rise of a Movement is available here: https://strongarmpress.com/catalog/weve-got-people/ This episode was edited by Dan Thorn of Pink Noise Studios in Somerville, MA.

In this episode, Current Affairs editor-in-chief Nathan J. Robinson speaks to philosophy professor Elizabeth Anderson about workplaces as dictatorships, expanding democracy, and what feminism can bring to science. This is a preview of an episode available in full to our Patreon supporters. To gain full access to this episode, please consider becoming one of our subscribers - for just a few dollars a month, you can help support our work AND gain access to lots of brilliant bonus content. Go to www.patreon.com/CurrentAffairs to find out more!

This week, we're unlocking a very special Patreon-exclusive episode for all our listeners! Legal editor Oren Nimni and associate editor Vanessa A. Bee speak to political science professor Corey Robin about his new book, The Enigma of Clarence Thomas. Together, they explore the life and ideology of the Supreme Court's quietest, most mysterious judge, whose perspective on race, power and justice defies simplistic conceptions of left and right. The Enigma of Clarence Thomas is available now: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781627793834 This episode was edited by Dan Thorn of Pink Noise Studios in Somerville, MA.

This week, Current Affairs' resident immigration lawyers, Oren Nimni and Brianna Rennix, roll up their sleeves and delve into all the details of Bernie Sanders' plan for immigration policy, which was released November 7th. A few immigration terms that may be useful to know while listening to this episode: metering - limiting the number of people per day who can request asylum at points of entry, resulting in long waitlists and large numbers of people trapped in dangerous border cities. TPS - temporary protected status. This status allows people present in the U.S. who cannot safely return home due to a natural disaster, armed conflict, or other emergency to receive permission to live and work in the United States. Although the window of time to receive TPS is narrow (for example, if there’s a devastating earthquake in your country in 2010, the window to apply for TPS might close in 2011), once people have TPS, they can apply to continue renewing that status for as long as the government continues to extend it. (This means that TPS holders from some countries, like El Salvador or Honduras, have been legally living in the U.S. for decades.) 'safe third country' principle – a vague term for an agreement between two or more countries that purports to state that all the countries in the agreement are “safe” for asylum-seekers, and therefore that asylum-seekers should seek protection in whatever country they arrive in first. For example, the U.S. has had a safe third country agreement with Canada since 2004. The U.S. is now allegedly attempting to broker safe third country agreements with countries like Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico, even though refugees are fleeing these countries in large numbers. Matter of A-B - an asylum case decided by then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions in June 2018, which overturned a favorable precedent that had allowed many domestic violence survivors to qualify for asylum, and stated that “generally, claims by aliens pertaining to domestic violence or gang violence perpetrated by non-governmental actors will not qualify for asylum." IIRIRA - The Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, which greatly expanded the scope of detention, punishment and deportation for undocumented immigrants. You can read Bernie's plan here: https://berniesanders.com/en/issues/welcoming-and-safe-america-all/ You can find our previous episodes on immigration here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/30632925 https://www.patreon.com/posts/24173901 Brianna Rennix writes regularly on immigration here: https://www.currentaffairs.org/author/brianna-rennix And is interviewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5GCjTqhOqI

Legal editor Oren Nimni and associate editor Vanessa A. Bee speak to political science professor Corey Robin about his new book, The Enigma of Clarence Thomas. Together, they explore the life and ideology of the Supreme Court's quietest, most mysterious judge, whose perspective on race, power and justice defies simplistic conceptions of left and right.

In this episode, Current Affairs host Pete Davis speaks with Elias Crim, founder of the blog and online discussion group Solidarity Hall. Together, they discuss the eclectic blend of influences that have inspired their unique outlooks on politics: from Pope Francis, to Polish unions, to housewives who protest ill-considered expressways. Pete also describes the Current Affairs team as "a ragtag set of characters", which we have chosen to take as a compliment. This is a preview of an episode available in full to our Patreon subscribers. To gain full access to this episode, as well as lots of other delicious bonus content, please consider becoming one of our supporters at www.patreon.com/CurrentAffairs!

Editor-in-chief Nathan J. Robinson sits down with legendary sociologist and writer Arlie Hochschild. Together, they discuss her book Strangers in Their Own Land: Anger and Mourning on the American Right, based on her experiences in the Tea Party stronghold of Lake Charles, Louisiana. This episode is a preview of an episode available in full to our Patreon subscribers. To gain full access to this episode, as well as lots of other exclusive bonus content, please consider becoming one of our subscribers at www.patreon.com/Current Affairs!

Take an hour off from being scared by climate change - be scared by our spooky Halloween podcast instead! This week, the panel discusses their deepest fears, the annual panic around poisoned candy, and their favorite Halloween movies. "You wake up, and you're in a cube. And there are doors, that are squares in the cube. And they go through the door, but then there's ANOTHER cube. And then they meet other people, and they're like "You're in the cube too?" and then they're like, "Yes."" The panel this week was editor-in-chief Nathan J. Robinson, newsletter editor Nick Slater, amusements and managing editor Lyta Gold, senior editor Brianna Rennix. Your host is Pete Davis. This episode was edited by Dan Thorn of Pink Noise Studios in Somerville, MA. Music by Alexander Blu.

Pete Davis, host of the Current Affairs podcast, is many things. Even we at the Current Affairs headquarters only know, at best, maybe 10% of the things that he is. For over a year now, Pete has remained shrouded in mystery, hosting the show without dominating the conversation, allowing the rest of the team to speak their minds, and referring only occasionally to his own thoughts. Well, here and now, for the first time ever, editor-in-chief Nathan J. Robinson and finance editor Sparky Abraham are ready to quiz Pete on his many thoughts, theories and stray ideas about the world. What is the difference between a prophet, a mystic and a sage? What unites borders and the concept of aether? Is tackiness a dilution of immorality? Are Donald Trump and Nathan J. Robinson using the same strategy for success? Is alchemy a secret form of self-help? Pete has some theories. This is a preview of an episode available in full to our supporters on Patreon. To gain full access to this episode, please consider becoming one of our supporters at www.patreon.com/CurrentAffairs!

In this episode, Current Affairs editor-in-chief Nathan J. Robinson and amusements editor Lyta Gold sit down with Osita Nwanevu, staff writer at The New Republic, to discuss his recent article 'The "Cancel Culture" Con'. This episode is a preview of an episode available in full to our Patreon subscribers. To gain full access to this episode, as well as lots of other brilliant bonus content, please consider becoming one of our subscribers at www.patreon.com/CurrentAffairs!

Today is apparently 'International Boss Day', so instead of celebrating labor exploitation, we've decided to unlock this Patreon-exclusive episode. Current Affairs editors Oren Nimni and Sparky Abraham discuss the legendary, heartbreaking, much-misunderstood music of Bruce Springsteen. It's okay if you cry. You can read the George Will review mentioned here: https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1984/09/13/bruce-springsteens-usa/f6502baa-a8eb-48ad-ba85-7fa848d8833e/ The two albums discussed are 'Nebraska' and 'Born in the USA'. You can find them on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/album/6yskFQZNlLYhkchAxELHi6 https://open.spotify.com/album/0PMasrHdpaoIRuHuhHp72O

This week, the team is very sleepy, podcasting late into the evening in their matching Current Affairs pajamas. Together, they tackle the question of impeachment, excoriate those who get too much credit, and take a few bites of humble pie. The panel this week is: podmaster-general Aisling McCrea, amusements and managing editor Lyta Gold, associate editor Vanessa A. Bee, and editor-in-chief Nathan J. Robinson. Your host is legal editor Oren Nimni. This episode was edited by Dan Thorn of Pink Noise Studios in Somerville, MA. Sound used in this episode: 'Meditative Ambience' - Alexander Blu 'AstroLanguage' - jobromedia 'Heroic Drums' - Alexander

This would usually be a Patreon-only episode, but given how vital this topic is, we've decided to unlock it. Current Affairs contributing editor Eli Massey interviews senior editor Brianna Rennix, an immigration lawyer working with asylum seekers at the U.S. southern border. Brianna does updates on immigration law at the Current Affairs website: https://www.currentaffairs.org/2019/09/this-week-in-terrible-immigration-news-4 Here's a flowchart we created to give a little insight into asylum law back in 2017 (may be slightly outdated, but helpful for getting a picture of what asylum seekers are up against!) This episode was edited by Dan Thorn of Pink Noise Studios in Somerville, MA.

In this episode, finance editor Sparky Abraham and podmaster-general Aisling McCrea sit down with Julian Brave NoiseCat, writer and Director of Green New Deal Strategy at Data For Progress. Together, they discuss the ins and outs of the Green New Deal, the relationship between climate change and justice, ecofascism, and why Indigenous activists should be at the forefront of climate change activism. This is a preview of an episode available in full exclusively to our Patreon subscribers. To gain full access to this episode, as well as lots of other wonderful bonus content, please consider becoming one of our subscribers at www.patreon.com/CurrentAffairs!

Current Affairs contributing editor/jack-of-all-trades Eli Massey speaks with Candi CdeBaca, a former community organizer and councilwoman for District 9 of Denver City Council. Together, they discuss her vision for the city of Denver, mass incarceration, and why she identifies as an anarchist. This is a preview of an episode available in full exclusive to our Patreon subscribers. To gain full access to this episode, as well as lots of other brilliant bonus content, please consider becoming one of our subscribers at www.patreon.com/CurrentAffairs!

We've gathered up all your voicemails and picked out a few for discussion! Are the Olympics woke? Should you yell at Ben Shapiro? What is a nation? Who decides how to fund art? How do we protect public schools? Did Eve make the right choice? Should Aisling be sent to Siberia? Today, all these questions will be answered. The song at the end was written and performed by Dan, one of our lovely readers. You can find the song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zm04Vw1CD2c And his Soundcloud here: https://soundcloud.com/user-905346049 You can read some examples of the All Souls exam questions here: https://verbivoco.files.wordpress.com/2016/08/all-souls-general-exam-questions-2009-to-2014.pdf Current Affairs on nationalism: https://www.currentaffairs.org/2018/12/whats-with-nationalism Current Affairs on schools: https://www.currentaffairs.org/2019/04/the-case-for-free-college https://www.currentaffairs.org/2018/08/what-is-education-for https://www.currentaffairs.org/2016/11/why-is-the-decimation-of-public-schools-a-bad-thing This episode was edited by Dan Thorn of Pink Noise Studios in Somerville, MA.

We unlocked one of our Patreon-exclusive episodes for y'all! In this episode, Current Affairs editor-in-chief Nathan J. Robinson, legal editor Oren Nimni, and contributing editor Aisling McCrea sit down with Tim Faust, the author of Health Justice Now: Single Payer and What Comes Next. Together, they discuss the ins and outs of single payer healthcare—what it is, what it isn't, and why it's necessary for a healthy and just society. Health Justice Now: Single Payer and What Comes Next is available now: https://www.mhpbooks.com/books/health-justice-now/ This episode was edited by Dan Thorn of Pink Noise Studios in Somerville, MA.

Current Affairs editors Oren Nimni and Sparky Abraham discuss the legendary, heartbreaking, much-misunderstood music of Bruce Springsteen. This is a preview of an episode available in full to our Patreon subscribers. To gain full access to this episode, as well as lots of other delicious bonus content, please consider supporting us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/CurrentAffairs!

Originally available only to Patreon subscribers, this episode has been unlocked for all listeners! Current Affairs editor-in-chief Nathan J. Robinson sits down with founder and editor-at-large of Vox, Ezra Klein. Together, they debate (in a very friendly manner) the successes and failures of the Bernie Sanders campaign, incremental change versus radical change, and whether Nathan was justified in writing mean things about Vox in 2016.

Editor-in-chief Nathan J. Robinson, managing editor Lyta Gold, and Current Affairs contributor Luke Savage come together to discuss a baffling, frustrating, and vaguely upsetting novel: 'Hope Never Dies: An Obama/Biden Mystery'. Does this book give us insight into the dark heart of the Obama administration? Do we support Biden now? How do you make men pee better? Tune in to find out. This is a preview of an episode available in full exclusively to our Patreon subscribers. To gain full access to this episode, as well as lots of other exciting bonus content, please consider becoming one of our subscribers at www.patreon.com/CurrentAffairs!

Health justice advocate Tim Faust tells the CA team why single payer healthcare is essential. 'Health Justice Now: Single Payer And What Comes Next' is available to purchase now: https://www.mhpbooks.com/books/health-justice-now/ This is a preview of an episode available in full to our Patreon subscribers. To gain access to this episode, as well lots of other delicious bonus content, please consider becoming one of our subscribers at www.patreon.com/CurrentAffairs!

Please note: this episode does contain spiders. You may wish to skip 28.00-29.23 if you do not enjoy spiders. This week, the all-powerful, some-knowing Current Affairs panel discusses self-help culture, productivity, and their most hated left-wing words and phrases. The panel this week is Podmaster Aisling McCrea, senior editor Brianna Rennix, finance editor Sparky Abraham, jack-of-all-trades Eli Massey, and your host is Pete Davis. This episode was edited by Dan Thorn of Pink Noise Studios in Somerville, MA. The music in the amusement is "Orbit" by Josh Woodward.

Naomi Klein explains to us why Jonathan Franzen is wrong. This is an excerpt from an episode available in full to our Patreon subscribers. To gain access to this episode, as well as lots of other exclusive bonus content, please consider becoming one of our patrons at www.patreon.com/CurrentAffairs!

In this episode, Current Affairs senior editor Brianna Rennix and amusements editor Lyta Gold sit down with Daniel Mallory Ortberg, writer and co-founder of The Toast. This is a preview of an episode available in full to our Patreon subscribers. To gain access to this episode, as well as lots of other incredible bonus content, please consider becoming one of our patrons at www.patreon.com/CurrentAffairs! We also have a Kickstarter, which you can donate to here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/804992239/help-current-affairs-expand-in-2020

To celebrate the launch of our Kickstarter, we're bringing you seven new interviews with seven mystery guests in seven days! Today's guest is Adolph Reed Jr., professor of political science at University of Pennsylvania, and the author of numerous books and articles on race and class politics. We hope you enjoy this episode. If you want to help us expand and improve Current Affairs, please consider donating to our Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/804992239/help-current-affairs-expand-in-2020

To celebrate the launch of our Kickstarter, we're bringing you seven new interviews with seven mystery guests in seven days! Today's guest is Ana Kasparian, co-host and executive producer at The Young Turks and No Filter. In this episode, Current Affairs editor-in-chief Nathan J. Robinson and business manager Eli Massey sit down with Ana to discuss independent left media...and Dave Rubin. We hope you enjoy this episode. If you want to help us expand and improve Current Affairs, please consider donating to our Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/804992239/help-current-affairs-expand-in-2020

To celebrate the launch of our Kickstarter, we're bringing you seven new interviews with seven mystery guests in seven days! Something a little different today - our guest is Philip K. Howard, lawyer, author, small-government advocate, and a former adviser to Donald Trump's transition team. In this episode, Current Affairs business manager and King of Interviews Eli Massey sits down with Howard for a somewhat feisty conversation. We hope you enjoy this episode. If you want to help us expand and improve Current Affairs, please consider donating to our Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/804992239/help-current-affairs-expand-in-2020

To celebrate the launch of our Kickstarter, we're bringing you seven new interviews with seven mystery guests in seven days! Today's guest is Thomas Frank, historian, co-founder of The Baffler, and author of several legendary books, most notably "What's the Matter with Kansas?" and "Listen, Liberal". In this episode, Current Affairs editor-in-chief Nathan J. Robinson sits down with Thomas for a discussion on the past few decades in American political history. We hope you enjoy this episode. If you want to help us expand and improve Current Affairs, please consider donating to our Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/804992239/help-current-affairs-expand-in-2020

To celebrate the launch of our Kickstarter, we're bringing you seven new interviews with seven mystery guests in seven days! Today's guest is Johann Hari, author of "Lost Connections: Uncovering the Real Causes of Depression – and the Unexpected Solutions". In this episode, Johann sits down with Current Affairs editor-in-chief Nathan J. Robinson to discuss the social and political factors behind depression and anxiety. We hope you enjoy this episode. If you want to help us expand and improve Current Affairs, please consider donating to our Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/804992239/help-current-affairs-expand-in-2020 This episode was edited by Dan Thorn of Pink Noise Studios in Somerville, MA.

To celebrate the launch of our Kickstarter, we're bringing you seven new interviews with seven mystery guests in seven days! Today's guest is Kade Crockford, director of the Technology for Liberty Program at the ACLU of Massachusetts. In this episode, Kade tells us all about facial recognition, surveillance, and the terrifying implications of technological developments in the criminal justice system. We hope you enjoy this episode. If you want to help us expand and improve Current Affairs, please consider donating to our Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/804992239/help-current-affairs-expand-in-2020 This episode was edited by Dan Thorn of Pink Noise Studios in Somerville, MA.

Hello all! This week, we're launching a fundraiser to help our small business grow into a fearsome (yet still beautiful) media empire. If you like what we do, please consider donating to our Kickstarter page, so that we can improve the quality of our podcast, magazine and Youtube channel, as well as start new and exciting projects. To celebrate the launch of our Kickstarter, we're bringing you seven new interviews with seven mystery guests in seven days! Today's guest is legendary writer and activist Barbara Ehrenreich, interviewed by our very own managing editor Lyta Gold. In this cozy conversation, Lyta and Barbara talk about the incredible scope of Barbara's work over the past few decades, and cover everything from the politics of "wellness" to paleolithic cave paintings. We hope you enjoy this episode. If you want to help us expand and improve Current Affairs, please consider donating to our Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/804992239/help-current-affairs-expand-in-2020 This episode was edited by Dan Thorn of Pink Noise Studios in Somerville, MA.

This is a preview of an episode available in full to our Patreon subscribers. To gain full access to this episode, as well as lots of other amazing bonus content, consider becoming one of our patrons at www.patreon.com/CurrentAffairs!