History-in-the-Now Conversations!
History-in-the-Now Conversations!
Podcast Description
In this podcast series, Paul Zanazanian, author and Associate Professor at McGill University, explores what history is, what it can do, and how people use it in their everyday lives. What is unique about this series is that Zanazanian engages in conversations with scholars and other professionals who do not work in any field directly related to history but — as shall be discovered — hold valuable insights about history’s worth and relevance. The podcast is inspired by Zanazanian’s book, Historical Consciousness and Practical Life: A Theory and Methodology, which examines history’s life uses.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast examines themes such as the application of historical knowledge in education, mental health, community engagement, and artistic expression. For instance, episodes might feature topics like the impact of parental mental health on child development or how arts education fosters social justice and learning transformations.
In this podcast series, Paul Zanazanian, author and Associate Professor at McGill University, explores what history is, what it can do, and how people use it in their everyday lives. What is unique about this series is that Zanazanian engages in conversations with scholars and other professionals who do not work in any field directly related to history but — as shall be discovered — hold valuable insights about history’s worth and relevance. The podcast is inspired by Zanazanian’s book, Historical Consciousness and Practical Life: A Theory and Methodology, which examines history’s life uses.
Mark Silverberg is a poet, an Emeritus Professor of English, and a teacher of mindfulness meditation and Buddhist spirituality. After retiring as a full professor from Cape Breton University, he spent time travelling in Asia (Burma, Thailand, Hong Kong, Vietnam) and settled in Montreal where he continues to pursue academic, literary and spiritual interests. He is the author of The New York School Poets and the Neo-Avant-Garde: Between Radical Art and Radical Chic (Ashgate) and editor of New York School Collaborations: The Color of Vowels (Palgrave/ MacMillan). He is also the author of a prize-winning collection of ekphrastic poems, Believing the Line: The Jack Siegel Poems (Breton Books), and has published his own poetry widely. His past research focused on (avant-garde) American poetry, poetics, interdisciplinary arts and artistic collaborations. His current work explores Buddhist American poetry, mindfulness, individual and interpersonal meditation, and contemplative practices in education. He is a collaborator on the SSHRC- funded project, Rehearsals for Change, and offers mindfulness and dharma teachings online and in-person.
REFERENCING FOR CITATION PURPOSES: Zanazanian, P. (Host) & Maxwell, B. (Guest). (2026, March) How history lives within us: Associate Professor Bruce Maxwell from Université de Montréal talks history. History in the Now Conversations https://historyinthenow.com/podcast/
*This podcast, History in the Now Conversations, emerges from my research which can be found in my book: Zanazanian, P. (2025) Historical Consciousness and Practical Life: A Theory and Methodology. University of Toronto Press. For more information, visit: https://historyinthenow.com/book-historical-consciousness-practical-life/.
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