New Books in Critical Theory
Marshall Poe
This podcast is a channel on the New Books Network. The New Books Network is an academic audio library dedicated to public education. In each episode you will hear scholars discuss their recently published research with another expert in their field.
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Discover our 150+ channels and browse our 28,000+ episodes on our website: newbooksnetwork.com
Subscribe to our free weekly Substack newsletter to get informative, engaging content straight to your inbox: https://newbooksnetwork.substack.com/
Follow us on Instagram and Bluesky to learn about more our latest interviews: @newbooksnetworkSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/critical-theory
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jan 18, 2026 • 1h 13min
Ryan Donovan, "Broadway Bodies: A Critical History of Conformity" (Oxford UP, 2023)
Ryan Donovan, Assistant Professor of Theater Studies and author of *Broadway Bodies*, dives into the complex world of Broadway casting. He discusses the narrow ideals of the 'Broadway Body' and how they shape societal norms in performance. Topics include the impact of fat suits in musicals and the casting of straight actors in gay roles, revealing the industry’s pervasive biases. Donovan critiques both the progress in inclusivity and the lingering structural barriers, highlighting key figures like Ali Stroker and recent shifts towards representation.
Jan 18, 2026 • 45min
Laurie Parsons, "Carbon Colonialism: How Rich Countries Export Climate Breakdown" (Manchester UP, 2023)
Laurie Parsons unveils the concept of carbon colonialism, revealing how wealthier nations export their environmental crises. She critiques sustainable consumerism, highlighting the opaque supply chains and corporate greenwashing that mislead consumers. Through the lens of Cambodia's garment industry, Parsons exposes the stark differences between brand claims and reality. She also addresses labor exploitation in brickmaking and advocates for political action over ethical consumption. New supply-chain laws aiming to hold companies accountable signal hope for change.
4 snips
Jan 17, 2026 • 1h 2min
Mark Christian Thompson, "Phenomenal Blackness: Black Power, Philosophy, and Theory" (U Chicago Press, 2022)
Mark Christian Thompson, Krieger-Eisenhower Professor of English at Johns Hopkins University, delves into his book, Phenomenal Blackness. He explores the evolution from sociological to phenomenological perspectives in African American thought, highlighting figures like James Baldwin and Amiri Baraka. Thompson emphasizes the importance of language in cultural expression and critiques essentialism through Malcolm X's strategies. He discusses how thinkers like Angela Davis merge philosophy with activism, showcasing the need for criticisms that drive political change.
Jan 17, 2026 • 1h 17min
Daniel Wyche, "The Care of the Self and the Care of the Other: From Spiritual Exercises to Political Transformation" (Columbia UP, 2025)
Daniel Wyche, a senior scholar at the Columbia Center for Contemporary Critical Thought, dives into the transformative power of ethical self-practices. He connects ideas from Foucault, Audre Lorde, and Martin Luther King Jr. to explore how personal transformation can lead to political action. Wyche discusses the importance of collective organization over mere individual ethics, the complex relationship between power and freedom, and the potential for technology to both liberate and harm. His insights challenge listeners to consider their own roles in societal change.
Jan 16, 2026 • 45min
Helen Graham, "Deconstituting Museums: Participation’s Affective Work" (UCL Press, 2024)
Helen Graham, an Associate Professor at the University of Leeds and author of *Deconstituting Museums*, explores the urgent need for change in museum practices. She discusses the concept of the 'museum constitution' and its inherent contradictions, highlighting tensions in participation and institutional logic. Graham introduces 'participation's affective work,' advocating for participatory methods that genuinely engage audiences. She challenges conventional notions of conservation and representation, urging a shift toward relational and restorative practices for a more meaningful museum experience.
Jan 16, 2026 • 1h 19min
Di Wu et. al, eds., "China As Context: Anthropology, Post-globalisation and the Neglect of China" (Manchester UP, 2025)
Di Wu, an Associate Professorial Fellow at Zhejiang University and co-editor of "China as Context," challenges the marginalization of Chinese ideas in academia. Alongside Ed Pulford, a Senior Lecturer in Chinese Studies at the University of Manchester, they discuss the urgent need to recognize China as a key player in global ethnography. The conversation touches on their diverse paths in anthropology, how Russia's invasion of Ukraine influenced their work, and the importance of avoiding cultural essentialism while integrating Chinese perspectives into global discussions.
Jan 14, 2026 • 1h 15min
Kerry Gottlich, "From Frontiers to Borders: How Colonial Technicians Created Modern Territoriality" (Cambridge UP, 2025)
In this engaging conversation, Kerry Goettlich, an International Relations scholar and associate professor at City St George's, explores the origins of modern territoriality. He argues that linear boundaries emerged from colonial practices, challenging the notion that they were merely imposed by Europeans. Goettlich delves into the role of boundary experts, particularly at the Paris Peace Conference, and reveals the complexities of delimitation versus demarcation. He also discusses how colonial surveying shaped our current understanding of borders and their persistent influence today.
Jan 14, 2026 • 1h 19min
Angie Hobbs, "Why Plato Matters Now" (Bloomsbury, 2025)
Angie Hobbs, Emerita Professor at the University of Sheffield and author of Why Plato Matters Now, argues that Plato's insights are vital for understanding contemporary issues like democracy and ethics. She explores how Plato's dialogue form promotes constructive debate and exposes us to moral questioning. Hobbs connects ancient philosophy to modern challenges, from healthcare to the impact of art on society. She emphasizes the need for civic dialogue in times of polarization and suggests that Platonic friendship can help rebuild trust in communities.
14 snips
Jan 13, 2026 • 1h 5min
Dagmar Herzog, "The New Fascist Body" (Wirklichkeit Books, 2025)
In this discussion, Dagmar Herzog, a distinguished historian of modern Europe, explores the complex intersections of fascism, sexuality, and disability. She introduces the concept of 'sexy racism' as a driving force in modern far-right movements, particularly through Germany's Alternative für Deutschland party. Herzog reveals how fascism weaponizes pleasure and aggression, and she argues that the obsession with purity often leads to brutal discrimination against marginalized bodies. Her insights challenge traditional narratives about Nazism and emphasize the relevance of these themes in today's political landscape.
Jan 13, 2026 • 56min
Mercedes Valmisa, "All Things Act" (Oxford UP, 2025)
Mercedes Valmisa, a philosopher and professor at Gettysburg College, delves into her groundbreaking work, All Things Act. She challenges traditional views of agency, arguing it's a collective, relational phenomenon involving both human and nonhuman actors. Valmisa discusses how intentions are emergent, shaped by social-material practices rather than internal thoughts. She also highlights concepts like wu wei as facilitative of self-organization and explores the urgent need for non-cruel optimism in distributing responsibility and cultivating ethical relationships.
