CommonS Sense
CommonS Sense is a podcast about reclaiming “common sense” for a livable future. Hosts Barbara Leckie and Joel Westheimer explore what counts as common sense and how we might change it by thinking about the commons—those shared resources we all depend on. Featuring thinkers like Bill McKibben, Astra Taylor, Candis Callison, and Bill Ayers, the show challenges assumptions and sparks collective imagination on how to reframe the way we think about the climate crisis and the way we live together.
Latest episodes
Jul 2, 2025 • 30min
Episode 2: Common Sense in Motion
In this episode, we ask if current ideas of common sense are equipped to address climate change and our guests explore how what counts as common sense can change
Your hosts for CommonS Sense are Barbara Leckie and Joel Westheimer. The
producer is Mary Stinson. Our sound engineer is Rheanna Philipp. Music
is by Jesse Stewart.
Support for CommonS Sense comes from the Social Sciences and Humanities
Research Council of Canada, the Shared Online Projects Initiative at
Carleton University and the University of Ottawa and from Re.Climate,
Canada's National Center for Climate communication and public
engagement.
Jun 12, 2025 • 4min
Trailer
Listen to the trailer for Commons Sense -- that's commonS, with an 'S'!
Your hosts for CommonS Sense are Barbara Leckie and Joel Westheimer. The
producer is Mary Stinson. Our sound engineer is Rheanna Philipp. Music
is by Jesse Stewart.
Support for CommonS Sense comes from the Social Sciences and Humanities
Research Council of Canada, the Shared Online Projects Initiative at
Carleton University and the University of Ottawa and from Re.Climate,
Canada's National Center for Climate communication and public
engagement.
6 snips
Jun 10, 2025 • 36min
Episode 1: The most political of all categories
Dive into a thought-provoking discussion on the evolving definition of common sense in today's world. The hosts explore the intersection of climate crisis and collective responsibility, challenging individualistic views. They critique dominant knowledge paradigms and highlight the clash between Western science and Indigenous perspectives. The role of common sense in politics is examined, revealing its use as a tool for radical change masked as tradition. This captivating dialogue paves the way for considering revolutionary shifts in societal understanding.
