Shows / Current Affairs
Current Affairs
A podcast of politics and culture, from the editors of Current Affairs magazine.
Episodes
- Current Affairs
PREVIEW: Zach Wehrwein on social networks
Sociologist Zach Wehrwein returns to talk to Pete about one of the most underrated factors powering our society—social networks. Together, Zach and Pete…
- Current Affairs
PREVIEW: Brie's Back, Baby!
Our former editor, Briahna Joy Gray (@briebriejoy), has returned to the CA team, after a stint as Press Secretary to the Bernie Sanders campaign. Nathan speaks…
- Current Affairs
UNLOCKED! Tiger Lawyer
Rargh. In this bonus episode, Sparky, Lyta, Allegra and Nick are joined by animal rights lawyer and Current Affairs contributor Asher Smith, to discuss what…
- Current Affairs
#47: This Is A Pro-Bean Broadcast
The panel snaps on the gloves and attempts a Bernie campaign postmortem, considers voting for "the lesser of two evils", and shares what they've been cooking…
- Current Affairs
John J. Lennon on doing journalism from prison
Pete Davis speaks to prison journalist John J. Lennon (@JohnJLennon1), who writes and acts as contributing editor for Esquire magazine, all while incarcerated…
- Current Affairs
PREVIEW: Lev Menand on the Federal Reserve and a public banking option
Sparky speaks to Lev Menand, academic fellow and lecturer at Columbia Law School, who answers all Sparky's questions about the Federal Reserve: what it is…
- Current Affairs
PREVIEW: Tiger Lawyer
Rargh. In this bonus episode, Sparky, Lyta, Allegra and Nick are joined by animal rights lawyer and Current Affairs contributor Asher Smith, to discuss what…
- Current Affairs
#46: Get Lanai'd
The team tackle the coronacrisis—how we got here, what comes after, and how to cope in the interim. The panel this week was finance editor Sparky Abraham…
- Current Affairs
PREVIEW: Doug Henwood on the financial impact of COVID
Nathan speaks to Doug Henwood (@DougHenwood)—journalist, radio host and author of Wall Street: How it Works and for Whom amongst others—about the current…
- Current Affairs
PREVIEW: John J. Lennon on doing journalism from prison
In this particularly special episode, Pete Davis speaks to prison journalist John J. Lennon (@JohnJLennon1), who writes and acts as contributing editor for…
- Current Affairs
In conversation: Abdul El-Sayed on COVID-19
Nathan and Eli speak to former city health director, epidemiologist, public health doctor and commentator Abdul El-Sayed (@AbdulElSayed) about 2020's rudest…
- Current Affairs
Voicemailbag IX
Once again, we're answering your voicemails! If you want to send us a voicemail, call us anytime on 504-867-8851. Topics include both the expected and the…
- Current Affairs
#44: The Biden Ramble
This week, the panel discusses the concept of 'cool' and whether it belongs in politics, debate the pitfalls of homeschooling, and shares their favorite quotes…
- Current Affairs
Current Affairs/Michael and Us Crossover Special: The Westboro Baptist Church
Nathan and Aisling are joined by Luke Savage and Will Sloan of the political movie podcast Michael and Us. Together, they ruminate on the three-part…
- Current Affairs
PREVIEW: Hope/Sadness/Cube etc.
In the immediate aftermath of this weeks' primaries, Nathan, Oren, Lyta and new Current Affairs team member Allegra gather round to express their feelings and…
- Current Affairs
In conversation: Nomiki Konst on election strategy
Cairo correspondent Eli Massey speaks to Nomiki Konst, Bernie surrogate, commentator and host of The Nomiki Show. Together, they delve into the inner workings…
- Current Affairs
Democrats, you do NOT want to nominate Joe Biden
We've made a little audiobook adaptation of Nathan's recent takedown of Joe Biden. Please share with any and all voters you may know! Article version…
- Current Affairs
UNLOCKED! Josh Davis on Christian socialism
This episode was originally available exclusively to our Patreon subscribers. We're releasing it to everyone - we hope you enjoy it, and if you'd like to hear…
- Current Affairs
BONUS: Heidi Sloan on running a left campaign in Texas
Nathan speaks to Heidi Sloan, a former teacher, a farmer, and now a left candidate running in Texas' 25th congressional district. (This episode would usually…
- Current Affairs
#43: The Baby Caucus
This week, the panel tackles yet another round of vital questions. Should we be nice or nasty on the internet? Should children be given the vote? Was it…
- Current Affairs
PREVIEW: Get to know...Sparky Abraham!
In this new series, Current Affairs interviewer-in-chief Eli Massey turns his razor-sharp interrogation methods on...his coworkers. First up: Sparky Abraham…
- Current Affairs
In conversation: Alex Morse, Democrat for Congress (MA-01)
Pete Davis speaks to Alex Morse, who has been mayor of Holyoke, Massachusetts since the age of 22, and is currently running in Massachusetts' 1st district…
- Current Affairs
PREVIEW: Josh Davis on Christian socialism
Pete Davis talks to Josh Davis of the newly-founded Institute for Christian Socialism. Together, they talk about the intertwined history of left movements and…
- Current Affairs
#42: BUTTIGIEG!
The panel debates debate, pours their heart out about the Heartland, and gives each other teeny tiny spiels on teeny tiny policies. The panel debates debate…
- Current Affairs
Iowa Emergency Broadcast
We had to convene suddenly and put this out fast, using the Current Affairs Emergency Broadcast System located in Basement Sector 11. The Corn Gods have been…
- Current Affairs
PREVIEW: The Grifties!
Nathan and Lyta look back on the year 2019's best (and worst) con-artists, bullshitters and story-spinners. This is an excerpt from a full one-hour episode…
- Current Affairs
In conversation: Branko Marcetic on Joe Biden
Originally posted on the Patreon feed, we've made this episode available to everyone just in time for Iowa... As we gear up for the first round of primaries…
- Current Affairs
#41: The Old Man Hour
The panel shares their thoughts on antiwar movements, indulges in movie chat, and attempts to provoke the audience with scandalous opinions. Topics include…
- Current Affairs
PREVIEW: Paul Waters-Smith on labor organizing
In this magnificently long episode, Nathan speaks to his friend Paul Waters-Smith, labor organizer and Current Affairs contributor. Together, they discuss…
- Current Affairs
PREVIEW: ALIENS? ?? ? ?
Nathan, Brianna, Lyta and Sparky come together to discuss the possibility of life on other planets, mysterious inventions, alien sex and other general…
- Current Affairs
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…
- Current Affairs
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…
- Current Affairs
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…
- Current Affairs
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…
- Current Affairs
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…
- Current Affairs
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…
- Current Affairs
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…
- Current Affairs
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…
- Current Affairs
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…
- Current Affairs
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…
- Current Affairs
In conversation: Jamaal Bowman, Democrat for Congress NY-16
A smaller episode, to refresh our patrons after the big, bloaty extravaganza that was our Harry Potter episode. The dessert after the turkey, if you will (in…
- Current Affairs
UNLOCKED: Kendri M. Cesar on Indian Law
Read more about Kendri's firm here. Read Indian Country Today on Thanksgiving here. Read Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz on the whitewashing of America's founding myths…
- Current Affairs
UNLOCKED! Meagan Day on why everyone should have the right to a sabbatical
Unlocked, for your listening pleasure. Current Affairs editor-in-chief Nathan J. Robinson, senior editor Brianna Rennix and newsletter editor Nick Slater sit…
- Current Affairs
Wizard Children
A lot of people are completely sick and tired of the world's twenty-year-long obsession with Harry Potter. "Shut up about Harry Potter! Read another book!"…
- Current Affairs
UNLOCKED: Welcome to The Neighborhood
To celebrate the release of the new Mister Rogers biopic, 'A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood', we're reposting this cosy little episode! This week, unlocked…
- Current Affairs
Antiquity: GOOD or BAD? (feat. Dan Walden)
Aisling McCrea and Lyta Gold are joined by Homeric scholar Dan Walden, in an episode that settles the question, once and for all, of whether Ancient Greece and…
- Current Affairs
In conversation: Maureen Tkacik on airplane disasters
Nathan J. Robinson sits down with journalist Maureen Tkacik to discuss the recent Boeing 737 Max disasters, and the toxic management structures behind them…
- Current Affairs
UNLOCKED! Ryan Grim on following Sanders and Warren since the 2000s
We've unlocked a bonus episode from the Patreon feed! In this episode, Current Affairs host Pete Davis sits down with Ryan Grim, author and DC bureau chief for…
- Current Affairs
In conversation: Elizabeth Anderson on expanding democracy
In this episode, Current Affairs editor-in-chief Nathan J. Robinson speaks to philosophy professor Elizabeth Anderson about workplaces as dictatorships…
- Current Affairs
UNLOCKED! Corey Robin on Clarence Thomas
This week, we're unlocking a very special Patreon-exclusive episode for all our listeners! Legal editor Oren Nimni and associate editor Vanessa A. Bee speak to…
- Current Affairs
Deep Dive: The Sanders Immigration Plan
This week, Current Affairs' resident immigration lawyers, Oren Nimni and Brianna Rennix, roll up their sleeves and delve into all the details of Bernie…
- Current Affairs
PREVIEW: Corey Robin on Clarence Thomas
Legal editor Oren Nimni and associate editor Vanessa A. Bee speak to political science professor Corey Robin about his new book, The Enigma of Clarence Thomas…
- Current Affairs
PREVIEW: Elias Crim on localism, solidarity and the Christian left
In this episode, Current Affairs host Pete Davis speaks with Elias Crim, founder of the blog and online discussion group Solidarity Hall. Together, they…
- Current Affairs
PREVIEW: Arlie Hochschild on bridging the divide
Editor-in-chief Nathan J. Robinson sits down with legendary sociologist and writer Arlie Hochschild. Together, they discuss her book Strangers in Their Own…
- Current Affairs
Episode #37: Current a-Scares
Take an hour off from being scared by climate change - be scared by our spooky Halloween podcast instead! This week, the panel discusses their deepest fears…
- Current Affairs
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…
- Current Affairs
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…
- Current Affairs
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…
- Current Affairs
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…
- Current Affairs
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…