
Current Affairs
A podcast of politics and culture, from the editors of Current Affairs magazine.
Latest episodes

Jan 16, 2020 • 1h 9min
Nathan wrote a book!
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.

Jan 15, 2020 • 1h 7min
UNLOCKED! Student Debt Special (feat. Allie Conti, Marshall Steinbaum and Matt Bruenig)
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This episode was originally made available for Patreon subscribers in July 2019.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.

Jan 14, 2020 • 1h 14min
End-of-Season Bonus: The Decade In Review
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.

Jan 2, 2020 • 2min
PREVIEW: Justin "donoteat" Roczniak on TRAINS (and other things)
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.

Dec 26, 2019 • 60min
In conversation: RJ Eskow
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.

Dec 24, 2019 • 56min
Voicemailbag VIII
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.

Dec 20, 2019 • 59min
In conversation: Cenk Uygur
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.

Dec 19, 2019 • 1min
PREVIEW: Cenk Uygur
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.

Dec 12, 2019 • 2min
PREVIEW: Mike Duncan on revolutions
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!

Dec 11, 2019 • 1h 33min
Episode #39: The Durian Of Power
"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