What The F*** Is Going On? with Mark Steel Ep 163 with Zack Polanski (Part 1)
Aug 9, 2025
Zack Polanski, Deputy Leader of the Green Party, shares his unique journey from theater to politics, revealing how systemic barriers fueled his passion for change. He discusses reframing climate action to focus on corporate responsibility rather than individual choices. Zack delves into the importance of a leadership approach that fosters community, critiques the electoral system, and emphasizes climate policies that address inequality. Plus, he highlights the power of art and collective action in combating despair and building a more hopeful future.
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Theatre Training Sparked Political Shift
- Zack Polanski trained in Theatre of the Oppressed and used drama to empower marginalized groups.
- He worked with homeless people, migrants and in prisons and says that experience pushed him into politics.
Systemic Barriers Over Individual Blame
- Polanski argues systemic barriers, not individual failings, stop people from succeeding.
- He says removing those barriers requires political solutions, not just individual change.
From Lib Dems To The Greens
- Polanski briefly joined the Liberal Democrats because he supported proportional representation.
- Meeting Natalie Bennett and other Greens convinced him to switch parties to the Green Party.