Current Affairs

In this episode, the Current Affairs team discuss the usefulness of boycotts, encouraging news, and Pete faces down the rest of the cruel and ruthless panel in a round of Lefty Shark Tank. The panel this week is amusements and managing editor Lyta Gold, senior editor Brianna Rennix, legal editor Oren Nimni, contributing editor Aisling McCrea 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.

Current Affairs finance editor Sparky Abraham and associate editor Vanessa A. Bee sit down with Varsha Venkatasubramanian to discuss the politics of water —more specifically, dams. Find out how the simple act of altering the flow of water has radical effects on everything from energy policy to health to war. It is taking all my energy right now not to just put as many 'dam' puns in here as possible. 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 exciting bonus content, please consider supporting us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/CurrentAffairs!

Current Affairs editor-in-chief Nathan J. Robinson and business manager Eli Massey sit down with journalist and broadcaster Mehdi Hasan to discuss the bad-faith actions of the "Intellectual Dark Web", the ubiquity of Islamophobia, and why it's important to continue fighting even when you're not guaranteed a win. This is an excerpt from an episode available in full exclusively to Patreon subscribers. To gain full access to this episode, along with lots of other brilliant bonus content, consider becoming one of our patrons at www.patreon.com/CurrentAffairs!

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. 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 exciting bonus content, consider becoming one of our patrons at www.patreon.com/CurrentAffairs!

Relevant reading: An Example for All the Land: Emancipation and the Struggle over Equality in Washington, D.C., by Kate Masur: https://www.uncpress.org/book/9780807872666/an-example-for-all-the-land/ Home Rule or House Rule? by Michael Fauntroy: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780761827146 A Housing Crisis, a Failed Law, and a Property Conflict: The US Urban Speculation Tax, by Katie J. Wells: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/anti.12146 Carving Out the Commons: Tenant Organizing and Housing Cooperatives in Washington, D.C., by Amanda Huron: https://www.upress.umn.edu/book-division/books/carving-out-the-commons Nicholson St tenant strike coverage on WAMU : https://wamu.org/story/18/10/15/northwest-d-c-residents-go-strike-protest-decaying-buildings-rising-rent/ Irving St tenant strike coverage on Greater Greater Washington: https://ggwash.org/view/71558/a-columbia-heights-rent-strike-highlights-abuses-tenants-face-in-dc DC DSA's housing campaign: https://www.thenation.com/article/democratic-socialist-campaigns-target-isnt-incumbent/

Current Affairs host Pete Davis and managing editor Lyta Gold sit down with Mckayla Wilkes, a 28-year-old progressive who is challenging the House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer for his seat. Mckayla tells us what motivated her to run, her experiences with the criminal justice system, and the power of a grassroots campaign. You can find out more about Mckayla's campaign at https://www.mckayla2020.com/ . We're unlocking this episode for all listeners! To gain access to more episodes like this, as well as lots of other delicious bonus content, consider becoming one of our patrons at www.patreon.com/CurrentAffairs!

Nathan J. Robinson and Oren Nimni discuss the legacy of Malcolm X. This episode is available in full to our Patreon subscribers. To gain full access to this episode, as well as lots of other fantastic bonus content, please consider becoming one of our patrons at www.patreon.com/CurrentAffairs!

Current Affairs host Pete Davis sits down with engineer, land planner and founder of the Strong Towns movement, Chuck Marohn, to discuss how to create thriving towns and cities. This episode was edited by Dan Thorn of Pink Noise Studios in Somerville, MA. This episode was made available early for our patrons. If you'd like early access to episodes like this, as well as lots of exclusive bonus content, consider supporting us at www.patreon.com/CurrentAffairs!

Current Affairs editor-in-chief Nathan J. Robinson sits down with photographer Chris Arnade to discuss his journey from Wall Street trader to travelling photographer, the things elites don't understand about poverty, and his book Dignity: Seeking Respect in Back Row America. This is a preview of a bonus episode available in full to our Patreon subscribers. To gain access to episodes like this, as well as lots of other exclusive bonus content, consider becoming one of our patrons at www.patreon.com/CurrentAffairs.

The Current Affairs panel sits down to discuss AOC's first year in office, proposes an innovative new way of dividing up the United States, and shares the transcendental experiences they've had with animals. The panel this week is finance editor Sparky Abraham, legal editor Oren Nimni, associate editor Vanessa A. Bee, editor-in-chief Nathan J. Robinson, and your host is Pete Davis. Many thanks to our newsletter editor, Nick Slater, for getting us exclusive access to the secret Beto O'Rourke tapes. This episode was edited by Dan Thorn of Pink Noise Studios in Somerville, MA.

Current Affairs editors Nathan J. Robinson and Eli Massey sit down with writer and labor organizer Micah Uetricht to discuss the weird and tangled world of Chicago politics. This is an excerpt from an episode that is available in full to our Patreon subscribers. To gain access to this episode, as well as lots of other exclusive content, consider becoming one of our subscribers at www.patreon.com/CurrentAffairs!

Current Affairs host Pete Davis sits down with engineer, land planner and founder of the Strong Towns movement, Chuck Marohn, to discuss how to create thriving towns and cities. This is an excerpt from an exclusive Patreon episode. To gain full access to this episode, as well as lots of other delicious bonus content, consider becoming one of our patrons at www.patreon.com/CurrentAffairs.

Current Affairs editor-in-chief Nathan J. Robinson, financial editor Sparky Abraham and contributing editor Aisling McCrea sit down with philosophy professor Ben Burgis to discuss his new book Give Them An Argument: Logic for the Left. Give Them An Argument: Logic for the Left is published by Zero Books. You can support and enjoy Ben Burgis' work by becoming a patron at https://www.patreon.com/benburgis, where he publishes short essays and videos, or catch him on The Michael Brooks Show on his regular segment, The Debunk. This is a bonus episode that was released early for Patreon subscribers. To gain early access to episodes like these, as well as lots of delicious exclusive content, consider becoming one of our patrons at www.patreon.com/CurrentAffairs! This episode was edited by Dan Thorn of Pink Noise Studios in Somerville, MA.

The Current Affairs team has stuck their hands into the mailbag once again, and pulled out a handful of your voicemails. Topics range from the likelihood of getting mangoes under socialism, to the frailty of velvet trousers. The panel this time is: amusements and managing editor Lyta Gold, business manager Eli Massey, contributing editor and podcastrix Aisling McCrea, senior editor Brianna Rennix, finance editor Sparky Abraham, and your host is editor-in-chief Nathan J. Robinson. The case we discuss towards the end of this episode is Adoptive Couple v Baby Girl, 570 U.S. 637 (2013). For more detailed analysis of the case, and other material relating to Indian law, consider reading Turtle Talk at https://turtletalk.blog/. This episode was edited by Dan Thorn of Pink Noise Studios in Somerville, MA.

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 will be unlocked in full soon, but is available now in full for Patreon subscribers. To receive early access to episodes like this, as well as exclusive bonus content, consider becoming one of our patrons at www.patreon.com/CurrentAffairs.

Current Affairs editor-in-chief Nathan J. Robinson, financial editor Sparky Abraham and contributing editor Aisling McCrea sit down with philosophy professor Ben Burgis to discuss his new book Give Them An Argument: Logic for the Left. This episode will be unlocked in ten days. To get early access to this episode, as well as other exclusive bonus content, consider becoming one of our patrons at Patreon.com/CurrentAffairs.

Current Affairs business manager Eli Massey and contributing editor Aisling McCrea are joined by three radical queer writers for a raucous, thought-provoking discussion on Pride, rainbow capitalism, the meaning of queer culture, the politics of desire, and so much else. You can find and support Yasmin Nair at yasminnair.net, Conner Habib at patreon.com/connerhabib, and Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore at mattildabernsteinsycamore.com. This episode was edited by Dan Thorn of Pink Noise Studios in Somerville, MA. To receive early access to episodes like these, as well as lots of other delicious exclusive content, consider becoming a Patron at patreon.com/CurrentAffairs.

The Current Affairs panel discusses some of the controversies around Harvard University (cue booing sounds), creates a fabulous new post-utopia festival, and asks: how do we know when we're wrong? The panel this week is senior editor Brianna Rennix, managing and amusements editor Lyta Gold, legal editor Oren Nimni, associate editor Vanessa A. Bee, and editor-in-chief Nathan J. Robinson. This episode was edited by Dan Thorn of Pink Noise Studios in Somerville, MA. Many thanks to Josh Woodward for the music in the bit.

Current Affairs editor-in-chief Nathan J. Robinson talks to Bhaskar Sunkara, the founder and publisher of Jacobin magazine and author of The Socialist Manifesto: The Case for Radical Politics in an Era of Extreme Inequality. In this episode, Bhaskar tells us his vision for the future of radical media, gives his thoughts on whether Bernie Sanders is a real socialist, and explains how he started a leftist magazine from scratch—all the way back in 2010. Truly, Bhaskar walked so that Nathan could run. (If you ever get a chance, we really would recommend watching Nathan run.) You can find Bhaskar's book here, and Jacobin magazine here. This episode was edited by Dan Thorn of Pink Noise Studios in Somerville, MA. To receive early access to bonus episodes like this, as well as lots of other delicious premium content, consider becoming one of our patrons at Patreon.com/CurrentAffairs.

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 why everyone should have the right to a year off work every seven years. To hear this episode in full, and gain access to our exclusive 'Bird Feed', consider becoming a monthly patron at https://www.patreon.com/CurrentAffairs.

Current Affairs business manager Eli Massey and contributing editor Aisling McCrea are joined by three radical queer writers - Yasmin Nair, Conner Habib, and Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore - for a raucous, thought-provoking discussion on Pride, rainbow capitalism, the meaning of queer culture, the politics of desire, and so much else. To hear this episode in full, and gain access to our exclusive 'Bird Feed', consider becoming a monthly patron at https://www.patreon.com/CurrentAffairs.

In light of Tiffany Cabán's stunning victory in the Queens District Attorney election, we're bumping this interview from March, in case you missed it - or want to listen again! Current Affairs legal wonks Oren Nimni and Vanessa A. Bee sit down with Tiffany Cabán, a career public defender who is running to be Queens District Attorney on a radically justice-oriented platform. Cabán is at the forefront of an exciting new lefty strategy — most famously deployed by Philadelphia's Larry Krasner — of dismantling mass incarceration and prosecutorial overreach by taking over DA's offices ourselves.

An excerpt from today's bonus episode, available in full to our Patreon patrons, in which Current Affairs editor-in-chief Nathan J. Robinson talks to Bhaskar Sunkara, the founder and publisher of Jacobin magazine. In this episode, Bhaskar tells us his vision for the future of radical media, gives his thoughts on whether Bernie Sanders is a real socialist, and explains how he started a leftist magazine from scratch—all the way back in 2010. Truly, Bhaskar walked so that Nathan could run. (If you ever get a chance, we really would recommend watching Nathan run.) To hear this episode in full, and gain access to our exclusive 'Bird Feed', consider becoming a monthly patron at https://www.patreon.com/CurrentAffairs.

The Current Affairs panel discusses animal rights, the question of whether to treat internet platforms as private or public spaces, and what they would like to see added to the school history curriculum. The panel this week is newsletter editor Nick Slater, amusements and managing editor Lyta Gold, senior editor Brianna Rennix, finance editor Sparky Abraham, editor-in-chief Nathan J. Robinson, and host Pete Davis. This episode was edited by Dan Thorn of Pink Noise Studios in Somerville, MA. Many thanks to Golden Tony for assistance with the bits. Credit goes to Livio Amato for the piano music in the bit.

Current Affairs editor-in-chief Nathan J. Robinson sits down with artist and writer Molly Crabapple to discuss the merits of political art, the way society values (and undervalues) artists, and her experiences drawing everyone from Occupy anarchists to the prisoners at Guantanamo Bay. They also return to the most controversial topic ever covered by Current Affairs—modern architecture. This episode was edited by Dan Thorn at Pink Noise Studios in Somerville, MA.

Current Affairs host Pete Davis speaks to legendary activist, attorney and consumer advocate Ralph Nader about the potential of young people, political tactics, and the advantages of being an outsider. You can find more information about Ralph Nader and his decades of work, as well as his regularly updated columns and radio show, at nader.org. Support Current Affairs by becoming a patron on our Patreon page. For the written form of Current Affairs — and to subscribe to the beautiful print magazine — visit currentaffairs.org. To join the conversation, leave us a voicemail at 504-867-8851.

Current Affairs editor-in-chief Nathan J. Robinson and contributing editor Aisling McCrea sits down with left-wing Youtube superstar Natalie Wynn (aka Contrapoints) to talk about her work making unforgettable left-wing videos in the Age of Reactionary-Occupied Youtube. This episode was edited by Dan Thorn of Pink Noise Studios in Somerville, Massachusetts.

UNLOCKED FROM THE PATREON BIRD FEED: Current Affairs editor in chief Nathan J. Robinson, legal editor Oren Nimni and man about town Eli Massey sit down with The Gravel Boys — Henry Williams and David Oks — to discuss the 2020 campaign they are running through anti-imperialist former senator and 2008 Presidential candidate Mike Gravel. Learn more about Mike Gravel at MikeGravel.org and @MikeGravel on twitter. Watch Rock here and Rock 2.0 here.

UNLOCKED FROM THE PATREON BIRD FEED: Current Affairs amusements editor Lyta Gold, senior editor Brianna Rennix, contributing editor Aisling McCrea and friend of the pod Dan Walden continue our "problematic fave" series with a conversation on C. S. Lewis. Topics discussed include: Narnia, trauma from British boys schools, A Grief Observed, The Space Trilogy, Lewis' relationship to conservatives, uncertainty, ecosocialism, ecofascism, the human condition, brutalist architecture, cancel culture, and more. Thanks to Dan Thorn of Pink Noise Studios for editing this podcast. To listen to bonus episodes when they first come out, become a patron at our Patreon page: Patreon.com/CurrentAffairs.

The Current Affairs panel discusses the recent addition of the "adversity score" to the SAT, determines the appropriate abortion litmus test for the left, and goes around sharing things that made them glad and mad in the past month. The Panel Oren Nimni, legal editor Lyta Gold, managing editor Vanessa A. Bee, social media editor Nick Slater, newsletter editor Nathan J. Robinson, editor-in-chief Malaika Jabali, guest panelist Many thanks to Aisling McCrea for the bits. Many thanks to Orgy O' Agamben (@Ad0rnosPorno69) for his Jordan Peterson impression. Many thanks to Dan Thorn at Pink Noise Studios in Somerville, MA for editing the episode. Support Current Affairs by becoming a patron at our patreon: Patreon.com/CurrentAffairs

UNLOCKED from the bird feed to the main feed just in time for AOC's endorsement: Current Affairs legal wonks Oren Nimni and Vanessa A. Bee sit down with Tiffany Cabán, a career public defender who is running to be Queens District Attorney on a radically justice-oriented platform. Cabán is at the forefront of an exciting new lefty strategy — most famously deployed by Philadelphia's Larry Krasner — of dismantling mass incarceration and prosecutorial overreach by taking over DA's offices ourselves.

The Current Affairs panel opens up the phone lines for the fifth time, answering voicemails about: the new 2020 candidates, Medicare for All, irony, government services, and changing people's minds. The Panel: Lyta Gold, amusements editor Sparky Abraham, finance editor Aisling McCrea, contributing editor Brianna Rennix, senior editor Pete Davis, host To learn more about the importance of the Post Office, read Preserving the People's Post Office by Christopher W. Shaw. This episode was edited by Dan Thorn of Pink Noise Studios in Somerville, MA.

The Current Affairs panel asks “what’s the problem with technocrats?”, debates whether it’s bad that Bernie Sanders is now a millionaire, and proposes our favorite imaginary cabinet positions. The Panel Vanessa A. Bee, social media editor Brianna Rennix, senior editor Oren Nimni, legal editor Nathan J. Robinson, editor in chief Pete Davis, host This episode was edited by Dan Thorn of Pink Noise Studios in Somerville, MA. Support Current Affairs and gain access to bonus episodes by becoming a patron at our Patreon page. Next episode is a voicemail episode. We're taking callers at: 504-867-8851.

UNLOCKED FROM THE BIRD FEED: Current Affairs host Pete Davis sits down with labor organizer and scholar Jane McAlevey to talk about organizing for power in the New Gilded Age. Jane is a contributing writer at The Nation and is the author of Raising Expectations (and Raising Hell) and No Shortcuts: Organizing For Power in the New Gilded Age. Watch her speech at The Harvard Law Forum here. Read her recent Nation article on the power of the strike here. Get bonus episodes immediately when they are released by becoming a patron at our patreon page.

UNLOCKED FROM THE PATREON BIRD FEED: Current Affairs host Pete Davis talks with Virgil Texas about his hit podcast, Chapo Trap House: its origins, its philosophy, its style, its future. Read Virgil's old Carl Diggler dispatches here. This episode was edited by Dan Thorn at Pink Noise Studios in Somerville, MA. To listen to Bird Feed episodes right when they come out, become a patron at our Patreon page: Patreon.com/CurrentAffairs.

The Current Affairs panel discuss why they fight in the first place and then share what cultural products are their favorite lefty gateway drugs. The Panel Sparky Abraham, finance editor Lyta Gold, amusements editor Aisling McCrea, contributing editor Nathan J. Robinson, editor-in-chief Pete Davis, host Our lefty gateway drugs Kurt Vonnegut's God Bless You Mr. Rosewater [Black Star](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Star_(rap_duo) Mos Def's Black on Both Sides A Bug’s Life Star Trek Ursula K. Le Guin's "The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas" The musical [Cabaret](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabaret_(musical) Soylent Green Hey Arnold! The Ralph Nader documentary An Unreasonable Man Weird Al's UHF The Noam Chomsky piece Pete referred to is "When Chomsky Wept." This episode was edited by Dan Thorn at Pink Noise Studios in Somerville, MA. Support Current Affairs — and gain access to bonus episodes — by becoming a patron at our patreon page: Patreon.com/CurrentAffairs.

The entire Current Affairs team comes together (again!) to finish briefing listeners on as many of the Democratic presidential candidates as they can in two hours. The Panel: Vanessa A. Bee, social media editor Brianna Rennix, senior editor Sparky Abraham, finance editor Oren Nimni, legal editor Nick Slater, newsletter editor Eli Massey, business manager Lyta Gold, amusements editor Nathan J. Robinson, editor-in-chief Pete Davis, host Candidates discussed: Pete Buttigieg Beto O'Rourke Jay Inslee Kirsten Gillibrand Bill Weld John Delaney Kamala Harris Cory Booker John Hickenlooper Mike Gravel Mike Gravel's 2008 video, "rock," is here. Support Current Affairs — and gain access to the Bird Feed of bonus episodes — by becoming a patron at our Patreon page. Many thanks to Dan Thorn, at Pink Noise Studios, for editing this episode.

UNLOCKED FROM THE PATREON BIRD FEED: Current Affairs editor Nathan J. Robinson talks with lefty policy whiz Rhiana Gunn-Wright, the policy lead for the Green New Deal with New Consensus and former Policy Director for Michigan gubernatorial candidate Abdul El Sayed. Topics discussed: making policy accessible, the Green New Deal, intersectionality in policymaking, and more! Get bonus episodes immediately when they are released by becoming a patron at our patreon page.

The entire Current Affairs team comes together to brief listeners on as many of the Democratic presidential candidates as they can in two hours (spoiler alert: we only could get through half!) The Panel: Briahna Joy Gray, contributing editor Vanessa A. Bee, social media editor Brianna Rennix, senior editor Sparky Abraham, finance editor Oren Nimni, legal editor Nick Slater, newsletter editor Lyta Gold, amusements eidtor Nathan J. Robinson, editor-in-chief Pete Davis, host Candidates discussed: Joe Biden (read about his feud with Elizabeth Warren over banks here) Marianne Williamson (read about the debate over 2020 and reparations here) Amy Klobuchar (read Elizabeth Bruenig on feminism and her workplace abuse here) Bernie Sanders (listen to his folk album here; watch his Debs documentary here) Julian Castro (read about the HUD Mortgage Sale scandal here) Elizabeth Warren (read about her groundbreaking Two-Income Trap book here) Andrew Yang (read about the "Yang Gang"'s meme problem here) Tulsi Gabbard (read about the mystery of Gabbard's values here) Howard Schultz (read a profile of his feuds with the city of Seattle here) Support Current Affairs — and gain access to the Bird Feed of bonus episodes — by becoming a patron at our Patreon page. Many thanks to Dan Thorn, at Pink Noise Studios, for editing this episode.

UNLOCKED FROM THE PATREON BIRD FEED: Current Affairs editor-in-chief Nathan J. Robinson sits down with Maximillian Alvarez, the host of Working People, a podcast in which ordinary people talk about their lives, jobs, struggles, and aspirations. Read excerpts from Maximillian's podcast here — and read his piece "Can the Working Class Speak?" here. Get bonus episodes immediately when they are released by becoming a patron at our patreon page.

UNLOCKED FROM THE BIRD FEED TO THE MAIN FEED: Current Affairs host Pete Davis sits down with filmmaker, writer and activist Astra Taylor. Check out Astra's three films — Zizek!, Examined Life, and What is Democracy? See her writing in The Nation and in her upcoming book, Democracy May Not Exist, But We'll Miss It When It's Gone. Learn about the debt strike project Astra co-founded here. Learn more about Agnès Varda's The Gleaners and I is here. Many thanks to Dan Thorn, at Pink Noise Studios, for editing the episode. Get bonus episodes immediately when they are released by becoming a patreon at our patreon page.