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Artwork for Current Affairs

Current Affairs

Current Affairs
Gaza
Donald Trump
Israel
Democratic Party
Capitalism
United States
Climate Change
Israel-Palestine Conflict
Social Justice
New York City
Human Rights
Palestine
Andrew Cuomo
Philanthropy
Hamas
Eric Adams
U.S. Foreign Policy
Biden Administration
Iraq War
Socialism

A podcast of politics and culture, from the editors of Current Affairs magazine.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes600Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
GovernmentNews

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Artwork for Current Affairs

Latest Episodes

🌹 Use the code "15OFF" for a discount on Current Affairs: www.currentaffairs.org/membership

Adam Johnson is a media analyst and co-host of the podcast Citations Needed, whose work has appeared in The Nation, The Intercept, and other major o... more

🌹 Use the code "15OFF" for a discount on Current Affairs: www.currentaffairs.org/membership

Mouin Rabbani is a Middle East analyst and researcher, and one of the most incisive commentators on U.S. foreign policy in the region. He joined Cur... more

🌹 Use the code "15OFF" for a discount on Current Affairs: www.currentaffairs.org/membership

Ben Cohen is the co-founder, along with Jerry Greenfield, of the Ben and Jerry's ice cream company. But he has also been involved throughout his lif... more

🌹 Use the code "15OFF" for a discount on Current Affairs: www.currentaffairs.org/membership

Amy Goodman is the longtime host of Democracy Now!, the independent news program she helped launch 30 years ago, which has since grown from a small ... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Ben Cohen
Co-founder of Ben & Jerry's and longtime activist
Ben & Jerry's (historical ownership)
Episode: Ben and Jerry's Co-Founder Takes on America's War Machine (w/ Ben Cohen)
Carl Deal
Filmmaker, Elsewhere Films founder
Elsewhere Films
Episode: How Media Silences Anti-War Voices (w/ Amy Goodman)
Tia Lessin
Filmmaker, Elsewhere Films founder
Elsewhere Films
Episode: How Media Silences Anti-War Voices (w/ Amy Goodman)
Amy Goodman
Host, Democracy Now!
Democracy Now!
Episode: How Media Silences Anti-War Voices (w/ Amy Goodman)
Butch Ware
Green Party gubernatorial candidate, Associate Professor, activist
Green Party of California
Episode: California’s Democratic Field Is Embarrassingly Weak (w/ Dr. Butch Ware)
Jasper Nathaniel
West Bank journalist and author of Infinite Jaz
Infinite Jaz (Substack) and publications including Paris Review, The Drift, The Baffler
Episode: Israel’s Most Genocidal Law Yet (w/ Jasper Nathaniel)
Afshin Matin‑Asgari
Professor of Middle East history at California State University, author of Axis of Empire
California State University
Episode: Iran Historian: War Makes The Government "MORE REPRESSIVE" (w/ Afshin Matin-Asgari)
Rania Khalek
Journalist and host of Dispatches on BreakThrough News
Dispatches / BreakThrough News
Episode: Israel Wants to Turn Lebanon Into Gaza (w/ Rania Khalek)
Becca Rothfeld
Critic and staff writer at The New Yorker, editor at The Point
The New Yorker; The Point
Episode: What Really Happened at the Washington Post (w/ Becca Rothfeld)

Host

Nathan Robinson
Editor-in-chief of Current Affairs magazine, known for critical political commentary and engaging discussions on cultural and social issues.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 900 ratings
  • Well written, poorly delivered

    Well written but the guy who does the podcast sounds like he’s doing satire – indeed, a parody of himself. Hard to take this podcast seriously.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    AllTheNickNamesAreTaken,HowAboutThisOne?
    United Statesa month ago
  • Quailty journalism

    High quality journalism. In-depth and yet not too long. Recommended!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Rosajgr
    Germany3 months ago
  • One of the best

    Always interesting, clever and funny, not preaching, focuses on the facts. Thank you

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    נגה.
    Israel6 months ago
  • Much needed moral as well as logical clarity

    Short, punchy (in a fair way), and on important and timely topics. Always a treat to listen to.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Prof. Critical-Thinking
    United States7 months ago
  • Honest engagement in accessible format and language

    I am increasingly fond of this podcast. The latest episode where Nathan offers his perspective on “Abundance” is fantastically detailed, earnest, and legible for a mere peon like me. I think it is clear that we need ideological media in the middle of the 21st century. We need to know the convictions and commitments of the people we let into our ears. I trust Current Affairs! You can too.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jack Blair
    United States10 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

While the content is well-regarded, some feedback mentions issues with audio quality, which detracts from the overall listening experience.
Many commend the podcast for its in-depth discussions that provide clear and rational perspectives on complex issues, making them accessible to a broad audience.
Listeners appreciate the high-quality journalism and critical insights offered, often highlighting the engaging content that addresses timely topics.
There are mixed feelings regarding the host's interview style, with several praising Nathan Robinson as an engaging interviewer, while others express frustration with his delivery.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#237
India/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How Media Silences Anti-War Voices (w/ Amy Goodman)
Q: After making this film and looking back at 30 years of Amy's work, what do you think would be missing from the historical record today if Democracy Now! hadn't existed?
Deal and Lessin emphasize that without Democracy Now!'s eyewitness reporting and archival availability, important stories—such as political prisoners' conditions or underreported protests—might have been erased from public memory, showing the crucial role of independent media in preserving history.
How Media Silences Anti-War Voices (w/ Amy Goodman)
Q: Amy, can I ask you to maybe comment on your views on this question of whether one can be a journalist and also be an activist, someone who takes a stance?
Amy explains that taking a stand does not invalidate journalism; a journalist's accountability is to listeners, not to corporations or government funding, and this stance is reflected in Democracy Now!'s approach of prioritizing truth-telling and community accountability over corporate interests.
Iran Historian: War Makes The Government "MORE REPRESSIVE" (w/ Afshin Matin-Asgari)
Q: What should be the stance of the left toward this conflict, given concerns about Western imperialism and support for Iranian civil society?
The recommended stance is an immediate end to the war, with non-interference from abroad to allow Iranians to determine their own political future. The guest stresses humanitarian concerns and civil-society resilience, arguing that foreign intervention would only complicate sovereignty and hinder genuine internal change brought about by Iranians themselves.
Iran Historian: War Makes The Government "MORE REPRESSIVE" (w/ Afshin Matin-Asgari)
Q: How do you assess the idea that US–Iran relations could have found a diplomatic path around nuclear concerns?
The guest argues that a capable, negotiated settlement was possible, as seen in the Obama-era deal when enrichment was placed under strict monitoring. He notes that political actors in the US and Israel resisted or undermined such a path for various reasons, but that a political decision to pursue de-escalation and mutual constraints could have avoided a protracted conflict and the compounding cost to ordinary Iranians.
Iran Historian: War Makes The Government "MORE REPRESSIVE" (w/ Afshin Matin-Asgari)
Q: What lessons do you think the 1953 coup has for understanding Iran over the following decades?
The coup established a pattern where external powers could decisively shape Iran's leadership choices, creating a lasting mistrust of foreign intervention and a perception that the US would back anti-democratic outcomes if it served strategic interests. It set a precedent for how the West engages with Iran, embedding a legacy of intervention that complicated domestic legitimacy and contributed to long-term instability. The guest emphasizes that there was never a simple cause-and-effect line from 1953 to 1979, and that opportunities to change course were available but not taken.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About Current Affairs

What is Current Affairs about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Content covers a wide array of political, social, and cultural issues, with a strong emphasis on leftist commentary and critique of mainstream politics. Topics frequently discussed include critiques of U.S. foreign policy, socio-economic inequalities, and current events impacting marginalized communities. The hosts often explore intersections between culture and politics, engaging with unique guests who bring diverse perspectives into conversations on pressing contemporary issues. The podcast is noted for its commitment to challenging dominant narratives and promoting progressive ideals.

Where can I find podcast stats for Current Affairs?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Current Affairs. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Current Affairs and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Current Affairs get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Current Affairs, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Current Affairs?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Current Affairs, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Current Affairs have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Current Affairs has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Current Affairs?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Current Affairs:

1. Jacobin Radio
2. Citations Needed
3. The Intercept Briefing
4. Lever Time
5. The Nation Podcasts

How many episodes of Current Affairs are there?

Current Affairs launched 8 years ago and published 600 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Current Affairs?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Current Affairs?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Current Affairs from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Current Affairs?

Recent guests on Current Affairs include:

1. Ben Cohen
2. Carl Deal
3. Tia Lessin
4. Amy Goodman
5. Butch Ware
6. Jasper Nathaniel
7. Afshin Matin‑Asgari
8. Rania Khalek

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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