Critical Currents
Critical Currents
Podcast Description
Democracy thrives on open dialogue, diverse perspectives, and the courage to engage across differences. As we bear witness to social, political, and cultural ruptures that threaten to pull us apart, how can we still find common ground? How can we truly listen to each other and nurture our sense of solidarity?
Critical Currents explores the discourses, movements, and cultural shifts shaping democratic life and collective action today. In an era of uncertainty, this podcast cultivates thoughtful dialogue and a deeper understanding of the forces that bind—and divide—us.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast explores discourses, movements, and cultural shifts affecting democratic life and collective action, focusing on themes such as political divides and the role of art in social justice. An example episode features Lynne Thompson discussing her journey as a poet and how her work addresses political tensions and cultural heritage.
Democracy thrives on open dialogue, diverse perspectives, and the courage to engage across differences. As we bear witness to social, political, and cultural ruptures that threaten to pull us apart, how can we still find common ground? How can we truly listen to each other and nurture our sense of solidarity?
Critical Currents explores the discourses, movements, and cultural shifts shaping democratic life and collective action today. In an era of uncertainty, this podcast cultivates thoughtful dialogue and a deeper understanding of the forces that bind—and divide—us.
In this episode of Critical Currents, hosts Stella Horns and Ziyan Xie interview philosopher Susan Neiman, diving into a nuanced discussion of freedom, universalism, and power. Neiman seeks to bridge the gap between academia’s ivory tower and the front lines of political resistance, believing that public engagement and activism is an integral part of the philosopher’s mission. While covering much of the subject matter of Neiman’s newest book, Left is Not Woke, the conversation pushes past the ideological infighting about controversial buzzwords that so often derails political discussions to get to the meat of the issues Neiman is passionate about. She grapples with the concepts of tribalism, self-interest, and in- and out-group philosophies in politics, coming out the other side advocating for the universalism that underpins classical leftism and a foundational sense of justice. Neiman tells us to travel, to read, to celebrate the wins we get, and above all, to remain engaged and hopeful.
MENTIONED:
Carl Schmidt (1888-1985)
Martin Heidegger (1889-1976)
Hannah Arendt (1906-1975)
Audio & Sound Engineering by sadie ibrahim, with additional sound engineering by Najeeb Jones.
Critical Currents is a collaborative production of the Wende Museum, Thomas Mann House, and dublab, with episodes airing from the heart of Downtown Los Angeles at the dublab studio. New episodes release monthly throughout the spring and fall, available on all podcast platforms.
Subscribe to Critical Currents and join the conversation!
Disclaimer
This podcast’s information is provided for general reference and was obtained from publicly accessible sources. The Podcast Collaborative neither produces nor verifies the content, accuracy, or suitability of this podcast. Views and opinions belong solely to the podcast creators and guests.
For a complete disclaimer, please see our Full Disclaimer on the archive page. The Podcast Collaborative bears no responsibility for the podcast’s themes, language, or overall content. Listener discretion is advised. Read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy for more details.