Laura Flanders and Friends: Solutions-Focused Progressive Perspectives on Politics, News, and Culture - podcast cover

Laura Flanders and Friends: Solutions-Focused Progressive Perspectives on Politics, News, and Culture

Laura Flanders, Curious Communicationswww.lauraflanders.org
Uncensored history meets bold voices with Laura Flanders, award winning journalist and author. The show explores actionable models for creating a better world by reporting on the people and movements driving systemic change. We spotlight the solutions of tomorrow, today. The show airs on PBS stations in over 300 US markets, and airs on 60+ community radio stations via PRX Exchange and Pacifica, and is available on YouTube and here as a podcast. Subscribers receive lots of video and audio web exclusives in addition to the weekly episode. Recent field reports and specials include: Jimmy Carter; 60th Anniversary of Selma Bloody Sunday March; Bernie Sanders' Fighting Oligarchy; Labor Movement vs. Fascism: Worker Organizers & Teachers Under Attack; And interviewee highlights include Award Winning Actor, Director, Writer, Liev Schreiber on his documentary "Meeting Zelensky"; Award winning journalists Maria Hinojosa (Award Winning Suave Podcast and host of Latino USA) & Chenjerai Kumanyika (Award Winning Podcast Series Empire City) on Forced Removals, Foreign Detention, the War on Education & Free Speech; Democracy & Capitalism: A Failed Experiment? with Bloomberg Economist & host of Truponomics, Stephanie Flanders; Masha Gessen & Jason Stanley on fascism then and now; Naomi Klein & Astra Taylor on the arc of history and “End Times Fascism”; Congressman Jamie Raskin on Donald Trump, Elon Musk, DOGE, and congressional oversight of the executive branch."
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Episodes

How We Can End Gender-Based Violence

Gender-based violence – why are states so bad at making it stop? This week, in her first appearance since fleeing Brazil, women’s rights advocate Debora Diniz joins fellow activists and philanthropists to discuss what works and what doesn’t in stopping violence against women and girls. Music featured: “Cause I’m a Woman” by Muted Soul Featuring Jess King courtesy of Muted Records. GUESTS: Debora Diniz , Deputy Director of Rights and Justice; Terry McGovern , Chair of Population and Family Health...

Sep 19, 201930 minEp. 264

Extreme Cities: Ground Zero for Climate Change

No matter how we tackle climate change, cities are key. They emit massive amounts of carbon and they’re ground zero for the climate crisis. But could they also prove to be the sites of our best climate solutions? That’s this week on The Laura Flanders Show. “It takes a lot of energy to keep buildings cool. In New York City, buildings contribute about 70% of the city’s carbon emissions. So in addition to transportation, those are the major factors in cities, and we’ve got massive cities growing a...

Sep 11, 201930 minEp. 263

F-Word: From Voice of America to NPR, New CEO John Lansing's Glass House

"I don’t know about you but I take a teeny weeny bit of offense when a guy in a glass house lobs a great big stone and expects me not to notice the sound of shattering." Help us thrive and not just survive, by becoming a member you'll unlock additional audio extras and more. Laura Flanders and Friends Crew: Laura Flanders-Executive Producer, Writer; Sabrina Artel-Supervising Producer; Jeremiah Cothren-Senior Producer; Veronica Delgado-Video Editor, Janet Hernandez-Communications Director; Jeanni...

Sep 09, 20193 min

Special: Our Economy, For and By The People

Our city's economy – what is it for? New York's has been very good at piling up profits and building tall buildings. But all that private profit has come at a cost to public services and public trust. Could it be different? On this week's show, we talk about the new conversations that are happening between labor unions and community members. Between residents, workers, and employers about how everyone's economy can move forward. J. Phillip Thomson Deputy Mayor for Strategic Policy Initiatives, C...

Sep 04, 201928 minEp. 262

Alice Sheppard and STREB: Beauty, Risk, Mobility, and Inclusion

This week, dance as world-changing movement with two artists who expand our ideas about beauty, risk, mobility, and inclusion. Wheelchair dancer and esteemed choreographer Alice Sheppard, and MacArthur Genius Award-winning action architect Elizabeth Streb. What difference does art make? Should art-making be a human right? What will it take to disable the limits society puts around “normal”? These questions and more this week on the Laura Flanders Show. Become a Patron at Patreon . That's also wh...

Aug 27, 201930 minEp. 261

Storming the Federal Reserve

This week we talk about the way central banks steer world development and for whom. Former Goldman Sachs manager Nomi Prins, author of Collusion: How Central Bankers Rigged the World and public ownership researcher Thomas Hanna of The Democracy Collaborative believe that banking, and development, could be very different. We're Storming the Federal Reserve this week on the LF Show. Music Featured: "You & Me" written and performed by Danny McGaw. Companion song to Nomi Prins' new book released...

Aug 20, 201929 minEp. 260

F-Word: Woodstock Urges Roaming

"One-two-three-four/ What are we waiting for? Fifty years on, after a night spent largely on that big wet, now commercialized field in Bethel, New York, I'm pondering what’s happened since. What’s taken so long?" Take a listen to this week's podcast re-share of a popular interview with music producer Danny Goldberg about the Hippie Revolution – and a performance of Climbing Poetree. Help us thrive and not just survive, at Patreon.com/theLFShow Laura Flanders and Friends Crew: Laura Flanders-Exec...

Aug 16, 20194 min

Music, Spirit & Protest: The Hippie Idea, Woodstock & Climbing PoeTree

Can music make a movement? This week, legendary music producer Danny Goldberg will reflect on 50 years since Woodstock and go in “Search of the Lost Chord”, his book about the hippie summer of 1967. Then, from today's movement music scene, Alixa Garcia and Naima Penniman of Climbing PoeTree talk about their album, “Intrinsic”, and perform for us in-studio. Music Featured: “Mantra” by Ram Dass and Kriese off the album ‘Cosmix’ courtesy of Waveform Records. Become a Patron at Patreon . That's also...

Aug 15, 201929 minEp. 259

New Justice: A World Beyond Prisons

Prisons, police and punishment through incarceration. Are they with us forever in the land of the free? Sustained campaigns for change are beginning to pay off. At the community level, it turns out that a whole lot of people and places already make peace without cops. Today, we imagine a world without prisons. It may be closer than we think. Music Featured: “If Everyone Were Blind” by Victor Simonelli and Glenn Sweety G Toby, from the “Shelter From the Streets Compilation” courtesy of West Side ...

Aug 07, 201931 minEp. 258

Audio Exclusive: Artists as Agents of Change, Celebrating Ben Barber

Enjoy a panel discussion moderated by Laura Flanders and a key note address by Oskar Eustis, director of the famed Public Theater in New York, featuring artists as agents of change celebrating the work of Ben Barber, founder of the "Interdependence Movement". The artists, activists and scholars featured were chosen to represent the new and inspiring ways in which the arts, culture, and creativity in particular are giving voice to a new generation of activism, in engaging Barber’s Interdependence...

Aug 01, 201935 min

The Mad Military Money Machine

There’s something sick about US Military spending. It’s certainly not keeping anyone safe. This week, why we the public spend billions on bad technology and what happens to service people who speak up about it. Then, Jodie Evans of CODEPINK, on a peace economy – what might it look like? Music feature: "Cultural Verses" by Peace Bureau. Guests: Phyllis Bennis, Fellow, Institute for Policy Studies; Pam Campos-Palma, Former Intelligence Analyst, US Air Force; Andrew Cockburn, Washington Editor, Har...

Jul 31, 201930 minEp. 257

Housing as a Human Right

The great American housing crunch and what organizing can do about it. This week we discuss some of the challenges and victories in the campaign for green, affordable public housing. Guests: -Cea Weaver, Campaign Coordinator, Upstate Downstate Housing Alliance -Daniel Aldana Cohen, Assistant Professor of Sociology, University of Pennsylvania -Anita Long, Volunteer, CASA - Community Action for Safe Apartments Become a Patron at Patreon . That's also where you'll find research materials related to...

Jul 24, 201930 minEp. 256

Design for Justice: Disabled Hackers are Leading the Way

Can technology advance society if it doesn't include all of society? This week, we talk with three disability justice activists who have ideas about how tech can ensure design, technology, and art are accessible and equitable. Not just ideas, they're doing it, and they are sparking a movement. Music Featured: “Feel It” by Bosq featured on the ‘Love and Resistance’ album courtesy of Ubiquity Records. Guests: Laurel Lawson, Chief Technology Officer, CyCore Systems; Chancey Fleet, Data And Society ...

Jul 17, 201930 minEp. 255

F-Word: Jerome Roos' Smart Take On The Next Financial Crisis

This week's commentary comes by way of Jerome Roos, an LSE Fellow in international political economy at the London School of Economics and founding editor of ROAR Magazine. He paints a grim picture of a global finance system that's taken a gamble having sought to solve the problem of too much debt with even more debt. And this precarious pile-up of gambling chips might also point to another, less talked about reason, why President Trump has spent so much time and energy attacking the chairman of...

Jul 15, 20195 min

Listening to Our Better Angels

Red, blue, rich, poor, country, city, left or right. Chances are you probably fall into one of those categories. And you may be quite happy where you are. The people of Better Angels believe there's still value in talking, and they've come up with a way of doing it that actually seems to bring people together. Music featured: “The Positive And The Negative” by Minoru Muraoka, from ’Bamboo’, courtesy of Mr. Bongo Records. Become a Patron at Patreon . That's also where you'll find research materia...

Jul 10, 201930 minEp. 254

Feminists Writing History: Cherríe Moraga and Adrienne Maree Brown

We go in-depth with two feminist authors and a feminist bookstore. First to Barnard College for a talk with Chicana activist and author Cherríe Moraga about her 1st book release in eight years. Then, a unique kind of activism from adrienne maree brown, whose latest bestselling book is an examination of activist pleasure. Lastly, a landmark feminist bookstore turns 20 years old. Music featured: “Universal Woman” by Dana Byrd featuring Tantra Zawadi and Rescue Poetix, courtesy of Mikki Afflick’s S...

Jul 03, 201931 minEp. 253

F-Word: Love and Rights: Contingent or Unconditional?

"Are rights things to be granted by the powerful to the deserving few, contingent on their obedience, someone’s convenience, and adherence to the prevailing rules and conventions? Or..." Laura Flanders' commentary, The F-Word. Help us thrive and not just survive, by becoming a member https://Patreon.com/theLFShow Laura Flanders and Friends Crew: Laura Flanders-Executive Producer, Writer; Sabrina Artel-Supervising Producer; Jeremiah Cothren-Senior Producer; Veronica Delgado-Video Editor, Janet He...

Jul 01, 20194 min

Democracy: Past, Present... and Future?

Don't remember the past? Does that mean you're condemned to repeat it? What does our country's past tell us about our present— and how can it help us imagine a better future? This week, two leading thinkers on the tricky challenges of democracy. What are the best tools— and even the best words we can use to create a better future? Music Featured: "Freedom" by David Morales and Janice Robinson, courtesy of Diridim Records. Guests: •Scot Nakagawa, Senior Partner at ChangeLab •Astra Taylor, filmmak...

Jun 26, 201931 minEp. 252

Audio Exclusive- Mary Robinson: Women Leading In Climate Justice

Laura interviewed Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and U.N. Special Envoy on Climate Change, at the Bellagio Women’s Leadership Forum. Robinson speaks on producing visionary women leaders and dismantling patriarchy, particularly as tools for achieving climate justice. One of the biggest tasks we face in building a just transition to a habitable planet is, according to Mary, a huge shift in "the political will." Mary shares with us her convictions about who has the capacity to facilitat...

Jun 24, 201915 min

Stonewall 100: Riotous Past, Rapturous Futures

Fifty years ago at The Stonewall Inn, gay pride took the form of a riot, not a parade. Today, the question remains as relevant as ever: Just how do we define "love is love," and what are we willing to do to defend one another? This week, we speak with a group of LGBTQIA+ leaders who each have a different relationship to being out and proud. We've come a long way they say, but in the next 50 years, we have a long way to go. Here’s “Light of Love” by Lady Alma off her new full length album “Twilig...

Jun 20, 201930 minEp. 251

F-Word: In Barcelona, Being a Fearless City Mayor Means Letting the People Decide

'No matter the result of the elections, Barcelona's Ada Colau and Barcelona en Comú continue to put principles into practice.' Support theLFShow! Help us thrive and not just survive, by becoming a member . Laura Flanders and Friends Crew: Laura Flanders-Executive Producer, Writer; Sabrina Artel-Supervising Producer; Jeremiah Cothren-Senior Producer; Veronica Delgado-Video Editor, Janet Hernandez-Communications Director; Jeannie Hopper-Audio Director, Podcast & Radio Producer, Audio Editor, S...

Jun 13, 20194 min

Aging Isn't a Problem, Ageism Is

Someone turns 65 every 8 seconds in this country, and as our elderly population grows, so does the need to build an economy around our future selves. In this episode, three leaders in the age justice movement share their ideas about how we can age with dignity, power, and change our society to reflect just that. Then we visit the largest home care cooperative in the U.S. to take a look at age justice, and worker justice, in practice. Music featured “A Minute” by Janine Lyons from her album “Epip...

Jun 13, 201932 minEp. 250

Community Land Trusts: A Model for Reparations?

400 years since the first enslaved Africans arrived in Jamestown, many people agree reparations are due, but what would they look like? How about affordable property put into Black hands, in perpetuity? Could community land trusts be one way of making repairs? A lawyer, a policy advocate and an organizer with homeless New Yorkers explain what’s possible, and what’s being done. For research materials pertaining to the show including links to related articles goto Patreon.com/theLFShow Laura Fland...

Jun 05, 201931 minEp. 249

F-Word: Reporter in Spain

"Eighty years ago, this April, Spain fell under a thirty year dictatorship after right beat left in a brutal civil war. History feels acutely alive to me today and not just because for the first time in my life, I’m in Spain." The F-Word, Laura Flanders' commentary. Support theLFShow! Help us thrive and not just survive, by becoming a member. Laura Flanders and Friends Crew: Laura Flanders-Executive Producer, Writer; Sabrina Artel-Supervising Producer; Jeremiah Cothren-Senior Producer; Veronica ...

May 30, 20194 min

Podcast Share: Building Local Power - Shining a Light on Anti-Competitive Behavior

This week, we’re happy to share with you a podcast we love and enjoy called ‘Building Local Power” produced by the Institute For Local Self-Reliance and hosted by ILSR staff members Chris Mitchell, Stacy Mitchell and John Farrell. The podcast offers new ideas for breaking the hold of corporate monopolies and expanding the power of communities to chart their own future. The following episode is titled “Shining a Light on Anti-Competitive Behavior”. They discuss the AT&T and Timer Warner merge...

May 29, 201947 minEp. 248

Minicast Exclusive: Municipalism 101: Fearless Cities 2018

Across the world, renters in cities are being pushed out of neighborhoods because landlords and homeowners can make more money temporarily renting out their spaces to tourists. In 2014 thousands of people took to the streets of BCN to protest Air Bnb. Four years later with Barcelona en Comú represented in City Council the city has successfully passed legislation to limit Air BnB and lay some ground rules for tourist development. What can be learned from the Barcelona example? What strategies do ...

May 23, 201919 min

Special Report: Whose Economy Is It? Ours

Our city's economy – what is it for? New York's has been very good at piling up profits and building tall buildings. But all that private profit has come at a cost to public services and public trust. Could it be different? On this week's show, we talk about the new conversations that are happening between labor unions and community members. Between residents, workers, and employers about how everyone's economy can move forward. Guests: •J. Phillip Thomson, Deputy Mayor for Strategic Policy Init...

May 22, 201929 minEp. 247

F-Word: Can It Happen Here?

"white nationalists have been targeting bookstores and libraries across the country for a while"....."It’s not the hate that’s new. It’s the apparent sense of entitlement. ....they’re out in plain sight, and not just in the media’s backwaters but in the nation’s capital...." The F-Word, Laura Flanders' commentary. Support the LFShow! You'll receive a copy of Laura Flanders' Izzy Award acceptance speech on independent journalism and additional audio extras and more by becoming a member for as lit...

May 20, 20193 min

Dance as World-Changing Movement: Alice Sheppard and STREB

This week, two artists who expand our ideas about beauty, risk, mobility, and inclusion. Wheelchair dancer and esteemed choreographer Alice Sheppard, and MacArthur Genius Award-winning action architect Elizabeth Streb. What difference does art make? Should art-making be a human right? What will it take to disable the limits society puts around “normal”? Music Featured: “How Do You Feel?” by Vanessa Daou from her “Welcome to My Blues: Anthology (1994-2017)” released on Daou Music in conjunction w...

May 15, 201931 minEp. 246

Standing Up To The Sacklers

Art organizations and sponsorship dollars have gone hand in hand for decades. But with backlash and protests over donors ethics, should cultural institutions begin looking into new funding streams? We look at the role of private dollars vs. public good in cultural art institutions. PLUS, A AUDIO EXCLUSIVE: The conversation continues with guest Jonathan H. Marks We discuss his new book “Perils of Partnership.” Music Featured: Reverend Billy & The Stop Shopping Choir, a radical activist perfor...

May 08, 201942 minEp. 245
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