

Current Affairs
Current Affairs
A podcast of politics and culture, from the editors of Current Affairs magazine.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 24, 2019 • 2min
PREVIEW: Luminiferous Peter
Pete Davis, host of the Current Affairs podcast, is many things. Even we at the Current Affairs headquarters only know, at best, maybe 10% of the things that he is. For over a year now, Pete has remained shrouded in mystery, hosting the show without dominating the conversation, allowing the rest of the team to speak their minds, and referring only occasionally to his own thoughts. Well, here and now, for the first time ever, editor-in-chief Nathan J. Robinson and finance editor Sparky Abraham are ready to quiz Pete on his many thoughts, theories and stray ideas about the world.
What is the difference between a prophet, a mystic and a sage? What unites borders and the concept of aether? Is tackiness a dilution of immorality? Are Donald Trump and Nathan J. Robinson using the same strategy for success? Is alchemy a secret form of self-help? Pete has some theories.
This is a preview of an episode available in full to our supporters on Patreon. To gain full access to this episode, please consider becoming one of our supporters at www.patreon.com/CurrentAffairs!

Oct 17, 2019 • 1min
PREVIEW: Osita Nwanevu on 'cancel culture'
In this episode, Current Affairs editor-in-chief Nathan J. Robinson and amusements editor Lyta Gold sit down with Osita Nwanevu, staff writer at The New Republic, to discuss his recent article 'The "Cancel Culture" Con'.
This episode 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 subscribers at www.patreon.com/CurrentAffairs!

Oct 16, 2019 • 1h 1min
UNLOCKED! Side C: The Only Good Boss
Today is apparently 'International Boss Day', so instead of celebrating labor exploitation, we've decided to unlock this Patreon-exclusive episode.
Current Affairs editors Oren Nimni and Sparky Abraham discuss the legendary, heartbreaking, much-misunderstood music of Bruce Springsteen. It's okay if you cry.
You can read the George Will review mentioned here: https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1984/09/13/bruce-springsteens-usa/f6502baa-a8eb-48ad-ba85-7fa848d8833e/
The two albums discussed are 'Nebraska' and 'Born in the USA'. You can find them on Spotify here:
https://open.spotify.com/album/6yskFQZNlLYhkchAxELHi6
https://open.spotify.com/album/0PMasrHdpaoIRuHuhHp72O

Oct 15, 2019 • 1h 3min
Episode #36: Peach/Pie
This week, the team is very sleepy, podcasting late into the evening in their matching Current Affairs pajamas. Together, they tackle the question of impeachment, excoriate those who get too much credit, and take a few bites of humble pie.
The panel this week is: podmaster-general Aisling McCrea, amusements and managing editor Lyta Gold, associate editor Vanessa A. Bee, and editor-in-chief Nathan J. Robinson. Your host is legal editor Oren Nimni.
This episode was edited by Dan Thorn of Pink Noise Studios in Somerville, MA.
Sound used in this episode:
'Meditative Ambience' - Alexander Blu
'AstroLanguage' - jobromedia
'Heroic Drums' - Alexander

Oct 10, 2019 • 1h 17min
Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Immigration (But Were Afraid To Ask)
This would usually be a Patreon-only episode, but given how vital this topic is, we've decided to unlock it. Current Affairs contributing editor Eli Massey interviews senior editor Brianna Rennix, an immigration lawyer working with asylum seekers at the U.S. southern border.
Brianna does updates on immigration law at the Current Affairs website: https://www.currentaffairs.org/2019/09/this-week-in-terrible-immigration-news-4
Here's a flowchart we created to give a little insight into asylum law back in 2017 (may be slightly outdated, but helpful for getting a picture of what asylum seekers are up against!)
This episode was edited by Dan Thorn of Pink Noise Studios in Somerville, MA.

Oct 8, 2019 • 2min
PREVIEW: Julian Brave NoiseCat on the Green New Deal
In this episode, finance editor Sparky Abraham and podmaster-general Aisling McCrea sit down with Julian Brave NoiseCat, writer and Director of Green New Deal Strategy at Data For Progress. Together, they discuss the ins and outs of the Green New Deal, the relationship between climate change and justice, ecofascism, and why Indigenous activists should be at the forefront of climate change activism.
This is a preview of an episode available in full exclusively to our Patreon subscribers. To gain full access to this episode, as well as lots of other wonderful bonus content, please consider becoming one of our subscribers at www.patreon.com/CurrentAffairs!

Oct 3, 2019 • 1min
PREVIEW: Candi CdeBaca on her plans for Denver City Council
Current Affairs contributing editor/jack-of-all-trades Eli Massey speaks with Candi CdeBaca, a former community organizer and councilwoman for District 9 of Denver City Council. Together, they discuss her vision for the city of Denver, mass incarceration, and why she identifies as an anarchist.
This is a preview of an episode available in full exclusive 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 subscribers at www.patreon.com/CurrentAffairs!

Oct 1, 2019 • 1h 3min
Voicemailbag VII
We've gathered up all your voicemails and picked out a few for discussion! Are the Olympics woke? Should you yell at Ben Shapiro? What is a nation? Who decides how to fund art? How do we protect public schools? Did Eve make the right choice? Should Aisling be sent to Siberia? Today, all these questions will be answered.
The song at the end was written and performed by Dan, one of our lovely readers. You can find the song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zm04Vw1CD2c
And his Soundcloud here: https://soundcloud.com/user-905346049
You can read some examples of the All Souls exam questions here: https://verbivoco.files.wordpress.com/2016/08/all-souls-general-exam-questions-2009-to-2014.pdf
Current Affairs on nationalism: https://www.currentaffairs.org/2018/12/whats-with-nationalism
Current Affairs on schools: https://www.currentaffairs.org/2019/04/the-case-for-free-college
https://www.currentaffairs.org/2018/08/what-is-education-for
https://www.currentaffairs.org/2016/11/why-is-the-decimation-of-public-schools-a-bad-thing
This episode was edited by Dan Thorn of Pink Noise Studios in Somerville, MA.

Sep 30, 2019 • 46min
UNLOCKED! Tim Faust on health justice
We unlocked one of our Patreon-exclusive episodes for y'all! In this episode, Current Affairs editor-in-chief Nathan J. Robinson, legal editor Oren Nimni, and contributing editor Aisling McCrea sit down with Tim Faust, the author of Health Justice Now: Single Payer and What Comes Next. Together, they discuss the ins and outs of single payer healthcare—what it is, what it isn't, and why it's necessary for a healthy and just society.
Health Justice Now: Single Payer and What Comes Next is available now: https://www.mhpbooks.com/books/health-justice-now/
This episode was edited by Dan Thorn of Pink Noise Studios in Somerville, MA.

Sep 26, 2019 • 2min
PREVIEW: The Only Good Boss
Current Affairs editors Oren Nimni and Sparky Abraham discuss the legendary, heartbreaking, much-misunderstood music of Bruce Springsteen.
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 delicious bonus content, please consider supporting us on Patreon at www.patreon.com/CurrentAffairs!


