Why Now?

Claire Potter, host.

A Political Junkie podcast, where contemporary history and politics meet the challenge of today.

Podcast

Where In the World Is Merze Tate?

A conversation with historian Barbara Savage about freedom, independence, and her new biography, Merze Tate: The Global Odyssey of a Black Woman Scholar

December 18, 2023 • by
In this episode of "Why Now?," Claire Potter and Barbara D. Savage discuss the life of trailblazing Black academic Vernie Merze Tate....

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Where In the World Is Merze Tate?
Podcast

Why the Blind Should Lead the Blind

A conversation with Andrew Leland about the history and politics of disability and his book, The Country of the Blind: A Memoir at the End of Sight

December 11, 2023 • by
Visually disabled people increasingly turn to institutions and support networks that are created, designed, and implemented by other blind people....

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Why the Blind Should Lead the Blind
Podcast

Oswald’s Mother

Episode 40: A conversation with journalist Deanne Stillman about her new book, American Confidential: Uncovering the Bizarre Story of Lee Harvey Oswald and His Mother

November 15, 2023 • by
In Episode 40 of Why Now?, Claire Potter chats with journalist Deanne Stillman about her new book, American Confidential: Uncovering the Bizarre Story of Lee Harvey Oswald and His Mother....

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Oswald’s Mother
Podcast

The Adventures of a Very Amateur Historian

In episode 38, Claire Potter chats with Allison Epstein about her new novel on Imperial Russia, Let the Dead Bury the Dead

October 30, 2023 • by
Allison Epstein’s new historical novel, Let the Dead Bury the Dead, is a story about Russians fighting for freedom. It’s a ripping tale about an officer coming home from the Napoleonic Wars to the man he loves....

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The Adventures of a Very Amateur Historian
Podcast

Black Resistance, Black Joy

In Episode 37, conversation with political theorist Christopher Paul Harris about his new book, To Build a Black Future: The Radical Politics of Joy, Pain, and Care

September 13, 2023 • by
To Build a Black Future: The Radical Politics of Joy, Pain, and Care (Princeton University Press, 2023) draws on Christopher PaulHarris’s own experiences as an activist and organizer to analyze contemporary Black struggle and places that struggle in the long history of Black oppression, resistance, community making and joy....

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Black Resistance, Black Joy
Podcast

The Reality of Desire

In this episode, feminist sex educator, filmmaker and podcast host Tristan Taormino discusses her new memoir, “A Part of the Heart Can’t Be Eaten”

September 6, 2023 • by
In this episode of Why Now?, feminist sex educator, filmmaker and podcast host Tristan Taormino discusses her new memoir, "A Part of the Heart Can't Be Eaten"...

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The Reality of Desire
Podcast

No Age of Innocence

In Episode 35, Claire Potter chats with historian Drew Faust about fighting back, making change, and her new memoir, Necessary Trouble: Growing Up at Midcentury

August 28, 2023 • by
In Episode 35, Claire Potter chats with historian Drew Faust about fighting back, making change, and her new memoir, Necessary Trouble: Growing Up at Midcentury...

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No Age of Innocence
Podcast

Lost and Found

Why Now? With Claire Potter, Episode 26

June 14, 2023 • by
A conversation with historian Martha Hodes about her new memoir, "My Hijacking: A Personal History of Forgetting and Remembering"...

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Lost and Found
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