

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

Jul 9, 2019 • 1h 8min
UNLOCKED: Pride Month Special (feat. Yasmin Nair, Conner Habib, and Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore)
Current Affairs business manager Eli Massey and contributing editor Aisling McCrea are joined by three radical queer writers for a raucous, thought-provoking discussion on Pride, rainbow capitalism, the meaning of queer culture, the politics of desire, and so much else.
You can find and support Yasmin Nair at yasminnair.net, Conner Habib at patreon.com/connerhabib, and Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore at mattildabernsteinsycamore.com.
This episode was edited by Dan Thorn of Pink Noise Studios in Somerville, MA.
To receive early access to episodes like these, as well as lots of other delicious exclusive content, consider becoming a Patron at patreon.com/CurrentAffairs.

Jul 5, 2019 • 1h 2min
#29: Another Excuse To Eat Tex-Mex
The Current Affairs panel discusses some of the controversies around Harvard University (cue booing sounds), creates a fabulous new post-utopia festival, and asks: how do we know when we're wrong?
The panel this week is senior editor Brianna Rennix, managing and amusements editor Lyta Gold, legal editor Oren Nimni, associate editor Vanessa A. Bee, and editor-in-chief Nathan J. Robinson.
This episode was edited by Dan Thorn of Pink Noise Studios in Somerville, MA. Many thanks to Josh Woodward for the music in the bit.

Jul 5, 2019 • 49min
UNLOCKED: Bhaskar Sunkara on Jacobin magazine and promoting socialism
Current Affairs editor-in-chief Nathan J. Robinson talks to Bhaskar Sunkara, the founder and publisher of Jacobin magazine and author of The Socialist Manifesto: The Case for Radical Politics in an Era of Extreme Inequality. In this episode, Bhaskar tells us his vision for the future of radical media, gives his thoughts on whether Bernie Sanders is a real socialist, and explains how he started a leftist magazine from scratch—all the way back in 2010. Truly, Bhaskar walked so that Nathan could run. (If you ever get a chance, we really would recommend watching Nathan run.)
You can find Bhaskar's book here, and Jacobin magazine here.
This episode was edited by Dan Thorn of Pink Noise Studios in Somerville, MA.
To receive early access to bonus episodes like this, as well as lots of other delicious premium content, consider becoming one of our patrons at Patreon.com/CurrentAffairs.

Jul 3, 2019 • 2min
PREVIEW - Meagan Day on why everyone should have the right to a sabbatical
Current Affairs editor-in-chief Nathan J. Robinson, senior editor Brianna Rennix and newsletter editor Nick Slater sit down with Jacobin staff writer Meagan Day to discuss why everyone should have the right to a year off work every seven years.
To hear this episode in full, and gain access to our exclusive 'Bird Feed', consider becoming a monthly patron at https://www.patreon.com/CurrentAffairs.

Jul 1, 2019 • 2min
PREVIEW - Pride Month Special
Current Affairs business manager Eli Massey and contributing editor Aisling McCrea are joined by three radical queer writers - Yasmin Nair, Conner Habib, and Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore - for a raucous, thought-provoking discussion on Pride, rainbow capitalism, the meaning of queer culture, the politics of desire, and so much else.
To hear this episode in full, and gain access to our exclusive 'Bird Feed', consider becoming a monthly patron at https://www.patreon.com/CurrentAffairs.

Jun 26, 2019 • 42min
RE-UPLOAD: Tiffany Cabán on running for district attorney as a public defender
In light of Tiffany Cabán's stunning victory in the Queens District Attorney election, we're bumping this interview from March, in case you missed it - or want to listen again!
Current Affairs legal wonks Oren Nimni and Vanessa A. Bee sit down with Tiffany Cabán, a career public defender who is running to be Queens District Attorney on a radically justice-oriented platform. Cabán is at the forefront of an exciting new lefty strategy — most famously deployed by Philadelphia's Larry Krasner — of dismantling mass incarceration and prosecutorial overreach by taking over DA's offices ourselves.

Jun 25, 2019 • 2min
Bonus episode excerpt: Creating a Left Magazine
An excerpt from today's bonus episode, available in full to our Patreon patrons, in which Current Affairs editor-in-chief Nathan J. Robinson talks to Bhaskar Sunkara, the founder and publisher of Jacobin magazine. In this episode, Bhaskar tells us his vision for the future of radical media, gives his thoughts on whether Bernie Sanders is a real socialist, and explains how he started a leftist magazine from scratch—all the way back in 2010. Truly, Bhaskar walked so that Nathan could run. (If you ever get a chance, we really would recommend watching Nathan run.)
To hear this episode in full, and gain access to our exclusive 'Bird Feed', consider becoming a monthly patron at https://www.patreon.com/CurrentAffairs.

Jun 20, 2019 • 55min
#28: The Dolphin Tax-Advantaged Account
The Current Affairs panel discusses animal rights, the question of whether to treat internet platforms as private or public spaces, and what they would like to see added to the school history curriculum.
The panel this week is newsletter editor Nick Slater, amusements and managing editor Lyta Gold, senior editor Brianna Rennix, finance editor Sparky Abraham, editor-in-chief Nathan J. Robinson, and host Pete Davis.
This episode was edited by Dan Thorn of Pink Noise Studios in Somerville, MA. Many thanks to Golden Tony for assistance with the bits. Credit goes to Livio Amato for the piano music in the bit.

Jun 19, 2019 • 40min
UNLOCKED: In conversation: Molly Crabapple on the power of art
Current Affairs editor-in-chief Nathan J. Robinson sits down with artist and writer Molly Crabapple to discuss the merits of political art, the way society values (and undervalues) artists, and her experiences drawing everyone from Occupy anarchists to the prisoners at Guantanamo Bay. They also return to the most controversial topic ever covered by Current Affairs—modern architecture.
This episode was edited by Dan Thorn at Pink Noise Studios in Somerville, MA.

Jun 10, 2019 • 56min
#27: Folks, Fasten Your Seatbelts... (ft. Ralph Nader)
Current Affairs host Pete Davis speaks to legendary activist, attorney and consumer advocate Ralph Nader about the potential of young people, political tactics, and the advantages of being an outsider.
You can find more information about Ralph Nader and his decades of work, as well as his regularly updated columns and radio show, at nader.org.
Support Current Affairs by becoming a patron on our Patreon page. For the written form of Current Affairs — and to subscribe to the beautiful print magazine — visit currentaffairs.org. To join the conversation, leave us a voicemail at 504-867-8851.


