Shows / Current Affairs
Current Affairs
A podcast of politics and culture, from the editors of Current Affairs magazine.
Episodes
- Current Affairs
PREVIEW: William F. Buckley
Nathan and Oren discuss William B. Fu—sorry, William F. Buckley, the "most important conservative intellectual of the postwar era", and possessor of the…
- Current Affairs
PREVIEW: Infrastructure Nerd Hour: PG&E and California Wildfires
Infrastructure enthusiast Sparky Abraham is joined by Dr. Magnus Jamieson, an expert in electrical power systems, to discuss the fire which destroyed the town…
- Current Affairs
#61: Vote No On Cancer Alley
The team discusses the past, the present and the future. Along the way, they get distracted by their favorite election conspiracy theories and the mysteries of…
- Current Affairs
Michael Moore on 2020
Nathan speaks to Michael Moore about his thoughts on the 2020 election. This episode also has a transcript: https://www.currentaffairs.org/2020/11/17106
- Current Affairs
PREVIEW: Michael Moore on 2020
Nathan speaks to Michael Moore about his thoughts on the 2020 election. This is a preview of an episode available in full now, on early access, to our $5…
- Current Affairs
PREVIEW: The Trial of the Chicago 7
We accidentally recorded two Sorkin episodes in a row, sorry. This one's about his most recent picture, The Trial of the Chicago 7, and why the real-life event…
- Current Affairs
PREVIEW: The Unimpressed Wing
It's a Bad Faith/Michael & Us/Current Affairs megacrossover! Nathan Robinson is joined by certified West Wing expert Luke Savage and West Wing neophyte Briahna…
- Current Affairs
UNLOCKED! Wendell Potter on the secrets of the health insurance industry
This episode was originally released on the bonus feed, but we've released it to all of you for free today! If you enjoyed this and want to hear more like…
- Current Affairs
The Rhode Island Political Cooperative
The Rhode Island Political Cooperative is a grassroots organization that just ran a slate of 24 progressive candidates across Rhode Island's state legislature…
- Current Affairs
Voicemailbag XII
Baked goods are foods made from dough or batter and cooked by baking. Salted meats are therefore not baked goods unless baked in a dough or batter. Books…
- Current Affairs
Should You Vote For Biden?: An Argument with Benjamin Studebaker
This episode was originally posted for Patreon subscribers only, but as the election draws closer, we are now releasing it to everyone. Current Affairs editor…
- Current Affairs
PREVIEW: Sam Moyn on democratizing the Supreme Court
With the Supreme Court very much in the news cycle, Oren speaks to Yale professor of law and history, Samuel Moyn, about why we should not "pack the court", as…
- Current Affairs
PREVIEW: Tiger Lawyer Redux
Back in April, we interviewed animal rights lawyer Asher Smith about his battles against notorious animal collector Joe Exotic. Six months later, a lot has…
- Current Affairs
#49: Supreme Cat Justice
It's a Supreme Court special, and also a dudes special—for the first time in CA history, we accidentally ended up with a panel that's 100% men. Talk about…
- Current Affairs
BONUS! Okapi Tale
"If You Give A Mouse A Cookie? Could've been written by Ayn Rand." Eli and Nathan speak to author Jacob Kramer and illustrator K-Fai Steele about their new…
- Current Affairs
UNLOCKED! Yasmin Nair on publishing, feminism and more
Yasmin Nair and Lyta Gold talk publishing scandals, "authenticity", cultural appropriation, feminism and more. This episode was recorded a little while back…
- Current Affairs
PREVIEW: New York Doctors on COVID-19
Lyta Gold speaks to two New York-based doctors (@DrOni Bee and @AndrewMakeTweet) about how the pandemic has been handled in the city. This is a preview of an…
- Current Affairs
PREVIEW: Should You Vote For Biden?: An Argument With Benjamin Studebaker
Current Affairs editor Nathan Robinson is in favour of voting for Biden. Current Affairs contributor Benjamin Studebaker is against voting for Biden. Together…
- Current Affairs
#58: Niche or Mass?
The panel attempts to understand TikTok comedy, give an update on what's going on with immigration, and explore the division of "highbrow" versus "lowbrow"…
- Current Affairs
Support the Brick House Cooperative!
The Brick House Cooperative is a new cooperative owned and operated by journalists and artists. Their Kickstarter ends September 24th and they're so close to…
- Current Affairs
PREVIEW: Trappist Chap House
Sparky, Aisling and Brianna take some time out from raging wildfires and immigration hell to have a relaxed chat about monks. This is a preview of an episode…
- Current Affairs
PREVIEW: Jack Jackson on Law Without Future
Continuing their long-running legal series, Vanessa and Oren speak to Jack Jackson, lawyer and professor of politics at Whitman College in Walla Walla…
- Current Affairs
PREVIEW: Colette Shade on Covid and Mental Health
Nick Slater speaks to mental health writer Colette Shade (@MsShade) on the recent acceleration in the mental health crisis, why it affects some groups more…
- Current Affairs
#57: Some Sort of Bad Sword
The team shares their thoughts on "the college experience", the recent failed NBA strike, and how we feel about Covid six months in. The panel this week was…
- Current Affairs
David Graeber.
The team pays tribute to anarchist anthropologist David Graeber, who passed away on September 2nd. "What's the Point If We Can't Have Fun?"…
- Current Affairs
UNLOCKED! Lee Weiner of the Chicago Seven on "conspiracy to riot"
In this super-special episode, Nathan and Oren speak to Lee Weiner, defendant in one of the most notorious trials of the 1960s—the trial of the Chicago Seven…
- Current Affairs
PREVIEW: Localism
Sparky and Pete discuss what it means to love a place, to be from a place, and to center our organizing around smaller places. This is a preview of an episode…
- Current Affairs
PREVIEW: Ryan Cooper on deadly trucks
Nathan and Sparky speak to Ryan Cooper (@ryanlcooper) of The Week and the Left Anchor podcast about 'truck bloat'—the phenomenon of increasingly big, dangerous…
- Current Affairs
#56: The People's Xbox
The panel discusses "The Tyranny of Structurelessness" by Jo Freeman, taking over politicians' houses, and how political movements become appealing. The print…
- Current Affairs
Lee Weiner of the Chicago Seven on "conspiracy to riot"
In this super-special episode, Nathan and Oren speak to Lee Weiner, defendant in one of the most notorious trials of the 1960s—the trial of the Chicago Seven …
- Current Affairs
PREVIEW: The Simpsons episode!
"When it comes to jokes, The Simpsons uses every part of the animal." Current Affairs newsletter editor Nick Slater, amusements editor Lyta Gold and…
- Current Affairs
Voicemailbag XI
The team answers your questions! Topics include crowdfunding, teachers' strikes, Trump removal, cats versus dogs, positivity versus negativity, and the FBI…
- Current Affairs
PREVIEW: Literature After Dark (Fanfic and Slashfic)
Brianna Rennix, Lyta Gold and Allegra Silcox discuss the online culture of writing erotic stories about fictional characters, the portrayal of romance and…
- Current Affairs
UNLOCKED: Adam F. Naughton on the politics of disability
Nathan speaks to Adam F. Naughton (@adamfnaughton), a disabled activist in South Carolina and founder of www.notyourinspiration.org, about the differences…
- Current Affairs
PREVIEW: Sam Miller McDonald on Sam Miller McDonald on the past, present and future of Earth
Nathan speaks to Samuel Miller McDonald, Current Affairs contributor and researcher at Oxford's school of geography and environment. Together, they discuss the…
- Current Affairs
#54: The John Quiñones Panopticon
The panel ponder the demise of anti-consumerist politics, debate a future with no cars, and reveal their weirdest hobby-horses. The panel this week was…
- Current Affairs
PREVIEW: Stephanie Kelton on rethinking economics
Nathan and Sparky speak to Stephanie Kelton, professor of public policy and economics at Stony Brook University and one of the world's foremost experts on…
- Current Affairs
On Michael Brooks
Nathan pays tribute to Michael Brooks, who passed away unexpectedly on Monday.
- Current Affairs
PREVIEW: Briahna Joy Gray on litmus tests
Briahna returns to the Current Affairs Arena to discuss her latest article, "In Defense of Litmus Tests". This is a preview of an episode available in full to…
- Current Affairs
PREVIEW: The MOVE Bombing
Aisling McCrea and Oren Nimni discuss that time the American police firebombed Philadelphia, in order to destroy an imperfect yet interesting offshoot of the…
- Current Affairs
PREVIEW: A Series of Tubes
Nathan speaks to finance editor and infrastructure evangelist Sparky Abraham about the physical infrastructure behind the internet, and the complex…
- Current Affairs
#53: Cancel Rent Culture
The panel discusses gender, "yikes" moments, and redemption. The panel this week was lieutenant editor Brianna Rennix, finance editor Sparky Abraham…
- Current Affairs
PREVIEW: Film Club with the Michael and Us Podcast: Irresistible (2020)
Nathan and Aisling meet up once more with Will Sloan and Luke Savage of the Michael and Us podcast to discuss Irresistible (2020), Jon Stewart's new movie…
- Current Affairs
#52: William Blake 2024
The panel discusses how to advocate for unpopular policies, Pete enters Lefty Shark Tank to defend the concept of a wrongful incarceration tort, and everyone…
- Current Affairs
UNLOCKED: Jason Adam Katzenstein on OCD and cartooning
We're unlocking this bonus episode because we love Jason and we love his book and you should get his beautiful book. Today we're talking to Jason Katzenstein…
- Current Affairs
PREVIEW: Adam F. Naughton on the politics of disability
Nathan speaks to Adam F. Naughton (@adamfnaughton), a disabled activist in South Carolina and founder of www.notyourinspiration.org, about the differences…
- Current Affairs
In conversation: Erika Uyterhoeven for Somerville
Oren Nimni sits down for a friendly chat with Erika Uyterhoeven, an organizer in his hometown of Somerville who is running for State Representative. Find out…
- Current Affairs
WATER
Yesterday, Current Affairs published an article on the recent failure of two Michigan dams. In conjunction with this article, we thought we would release this…
- Current Affairs
#51: Voicemailbag X
The panel answers your questions on democracy in education, progressive prosecutors, protest votes, righteous jobs and monuments. (This episode was recorded…
- Current Affairs
#50: The Current Affairs Autonomous Zone
The panel discusses the protests, alternatives to policing, and political art. (If you want to know further thoughts on Dave Eggers' "The Captain and The…
- Current Affairs
Samelys López for NY-15
Lyta Gold speaks to Samelys López, a housing justice activist who is running in the June 23rd Democratic primary in New York's 15th congressional district…
- Current Affairs
Ilhan Omar
Current Affairs interviewer-in-chief Eli Massey speaks to Ilhan Omar, Congresswoman for Minnesota's 5th district. Together, they discuss her new book, This Is…
- Current Affairs
PREVIEW: Lawyers
As you may or may not have noticed, a *lot* of the Current Affairs editors work as lawyers for their day jobs. Current Affairs interviewer-in-chief Eli Massey…
- Current Affairs
#49: Go Visit Old People (Once It's Safe)
The panel discusses the viability of forming a breakaway third party, things that are secretly political, and our society's contempt for the elderly. **NEXT…
- Current Affairs
Immigration Update: Detention and COVID
"Immigration cases are death penalty cases in a traffic court setting." Current Affairs editors and immigration law superheroes Oren Nimni and Brianna Rennix…
- Current Affairs
PREVIEW: Eric Levitz on Steve Mnuchin
Sparky Abraham speaks to Eric Levitz, writer for New York Magazine's Intelligencer, about the life and times of Secretary of the Treasury Steve Mnuchin, from…
- Current Affairs
PREVIEW: Bigger Than Bernie (ft. Meagan Day and Micah Uetricht)
Nathan speaks to Micah Uetricht and Meagan Day, co-authors of the new book Bigger than Bernie: How We Go from the Sanders Campaign to Democratic Socialism. The…
- Current Affairs
#48: An Analysis of Birds, Large and Small
The panel discusses the prospect of an alliance between the left and the 'populist right', exposes their complicated relationships with Twitter, and recommends…
- Current Affairs
UNLOCKED - 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
PREVIEW: Get to know...Brianna Rennix!
In the second episode of this series, Eli speaks to Current Affairs senior editor Brianna Rennix about their life. Topics include mindgames with nuns…