Trending Globally: Politics And Policy

Trending Globally will have more coverage of the US election results in the coming weeks, but today, as votes are still being counted, we have something for those who might want a little break from election news. This is the first episode of a series we produced last year about the Sandinista Revolution in Nicaragua. The Sandinistas first came to power over 40 years ago, but in many ways their revolution remains unfinished. It’s a story about politics and war, but it’s also about a family, and how to imagine a better future when nothing is certain. In this episode: Who are the Sandinistas? How did they grow from a rag-tag army to an unstoppable revolutionary force? On this episode we get answers -- from former Sandinistas themselves. You can listen to the remaining three parts of 'Revolution Revisited' here: Part II: https://soundcloud.com/watsoninstitute/trending-globally-presents-revolution-revisited-part-ii Part III: https://soundcloud.com/watsoninstitute/revolution-revisited-part-iii Part IV: htt

On this episode Sarah talks with physician, public health expert, and Watson Faculty Fellow Adam Levine about a new study examining the effectiveness of convalescent plasma treatment for people with Covid-19. Depending on what Adam and his colleagues find, it could mark the beginning of a new phase in the fight against coronavirus. Adam’s team is looking for volunteers for this study, in Rhode Island and across the country. You can find out if you qualify and learn how to get involved by following the links below: Trial for people currently infected with https://harims.egnyte.com/dl/gU0smp3Lph/ (Covid-19). Trial for people who are at https://harims.egnyte.com/dl/012v7o3H57/ (high risk of infection). Adam Levine is Director of the https://watson.brown.edu/chrhs/ (Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Studies) at the Watson Institute, as well as Director of the https://www.brown.edu/academics/medical/about/departments/emergency-medicine/divisions/global/ (Division of Global Emergency Medicine) at the Warr

In the US, we’ve grown accustomed to hearing about China’s transformation into a ‘global superpower’ in the 21st century. But according to journalist and author Michael Schuman, that’s not the only way to see China’s economic and political resurgence. On this episode, Watson’s Director Ed Steinfeld talks with Michael about his book 'Superpower Interrupted: The Chinese History of the World.' The book will be, to many, a fresh perspective on Chinese history. But it's more than a history lesson; it’s also a powerful example of how national narratives develop, and how they are used for political ends. You can learn more about and purchase 'Superpower Interrupted: A Chinese History of the World,' https://www.publicaffairsbooks.com/titles/michael-schuman/superpower-interrupted/9781541788329/ (here). You can learn more about Watson’s other podcasts https://watson.brown.edu/news/podcasts (here).

This is the second part in a special series from Trending Globally exploring the housing crisis in the United States, and in Rhode Island in particular. The crisis has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, but as we’ll show, it’s a problem that has been with us for much, much longer. In Part 2, we explore the role racism has played in this ongoing crisis, through policies and practices both unofficial and government sanctioned. We also look at how history is repeating itself today, as President Trump implies that white suburbs are facing an existential threat. But if the current inequalities are the result of deliberate actions, perhaps deliberate actions can also be used rectify them. (Photo credit: Steve Ahlquist) Contributors to this podcast include students from Brown University and the media collective Signs of Providence. You can learn more about their organization here: [evicted-in-ri.com/#/] *We'll be back in two weeks with another episode of Trending Globally, and soon thereafter with Part

After reading about how supply chains were disrupted by the pandemic, and how American farmers were suddenly left with food they couldn’t sell, Will Collier ‘20 (Architecture and Economics concentrator) and Aidan Reilly ‘21 (Political Science and Government concentrator) had an idea: maybe they could raise money to buy the food, and deliver it themselves to people that needed it. So in the midst of the pandemic they founded Farmlink, which to date has delivered over 10 million pounds of unsold produce to food banks across Southern California. And while their idea was born out of this current crisis, it has grown into something far bigger than emergency relief. This episode is the third in our series on how Brown students are navigating the pandemic. Will and Aidan discuss how they came up with the idea for Farmlink, the underlying issues in our food system that have made Farmlink so impactful, and what it’s like learning to drive a semi-trailer. You can learn more about Farmlink https://thefarmlinkproject.

A good documentary doesn’t just tell a story; it makes you question what you think you know, and helps you to understand lives that are different from your own. Rory Kennedy ‘91 is a celebrated documentary filmmaker; Randall Poster ‘83 is a film music supervisor, who has worked with filmmakers such as Wes Anderson and Martin Scorsese. Last year, they helped launch the https://www.brown.edu/news/2020-01-21/film (John F. Kennedy Jr. Film Initiative), which is housed at Watson. Like John, they’re both Brown alums; John was Rory’s cousin, and Randy’s classmate. Through screenings, discussions, and workshops, this Initiative connects world-class documentarians with the Brown community, at a time when more and more students are looking to use narrative storytelling in their research and activism. On this episode, Watson’s Director Ed Steinfeld talks with Rory and Randall about their careers in film, the motivation behind the Initiative, and the power documentaries have to affect social change. You can sign up to

This is the second in our ongoing series of conversations with Brown students about life during the pandemic. On this episode: Aaron Gruen ‘22 is a double concentrator in chemistry and music, and he was preparing for the most important cello recital of his life when Brown’s campus closed in March. He flew back home to Germany, and finished his classes remotely. Between classes, he found a new extracurricular -- serving as a frontline healthcare worker. You can learn more about Watson’s other podcasts https://watson.brown.edu/news/podcasts (here).

On this episode, the second part of our interview with writer and Taubman Center Visiting Fellow Dan Denvir about his book ‘All American Nativism: How The Bipartisan War on Immigrants Explains Politics as We Know It.’ In it, Denvir explores the long, disturbing history of nativism in the US, and the fundamental role it plays in our politics today. If you haven’t listened to Part I yet, you can find it on your favorite podcast app or listen to it here: [https://soundcloud.com/watsoninstitute/all-american-nativism-with-dan-denvir-part-1] You can learn more about and purchase Dan Denvir’s book here: [https://www.versobooks.com/books/2858-all-american-nativism] You can read the transcript of this episode here: [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wDN1xr7jc-blWyaRda2GctF5B9ZQykJY/view?usp=sharing]

On this episode guest-host Dan Richards talks with Dan Denvir, a journalist, host of the hit podcast ‘The Dig,’ and Visiting Fellow at the Watson's Institute's Taubman Center for American Politics and Policy. His recent book, ‘All-American Nativism: How the Bipartisan War on Immigrants Explains Politics as We Know It,’ explores the foundational role nativism has played in American politics, and explains why the Trump Presidency is less of an aberration than many would like to believe. This will be the first in a two-part conversation with Denvir. You can learn more about and purchase his book here: [https://www.versobooks.com/books/2858-all-american-nativism] You can read or download a transcript of this episode here: [https://drive.google.com/file/d/15jvSN59FRB-93QU4AXPIRVHwE5X1qMNW/view?usp=sharing]

What’s it like working for an American news outlet in China? The short answer: more complicated than you or I can imagine. On this episode Watson’s director Ed Steinfeld talks with CNBC’s Beijing Bureau Chief Eunice Yoon '95. Eunice has reported on some of the biggest stories in China’s recent past, from the Beijing Olympics in 2008 to the coronavirus today. They discuss what it’s like practicing journalism in a country not known for its openness to the press, covering coronavirus from the place where it all began, and why reporting on life in China is more important now than ever. You can learn more about Watson’s other podcasts https://watson.brown.edu/news/podcasts (here).

This is the first part in a special series from Trending Globally exploring the housing crisis in the United States, and in Rhode Island in particular. This crisis has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, but as we’ll show, it’s a problem that has been with us for much, much longer. In this series Sarah talks with tenants, landlords, housing advocates, academics, and government officials to illuminate the complexity of housing in this moment -- and its dire consequences for those suffering from illness, unemployment, and the threat of eviction. It's a story about economics, race, history and public health, and about a system that's been broken for about as long as it's existed. It's also a story about how, thanks to an unprecedented crisis and the tireless work of activists, things might just be starting to change. Listen to Part 2 here: [https://soundcloud.com/watsoninstitute/less-to-lean-on-part-2] Listen to Part 3 here: [https://soundcloud.com/watsoninstitute/less-to-lean-on-part-3] You can read a

In the last 5 months we have learned a lot about coronavirus and Covid-19. But sometimes it feels like we’re just as confused as we were back in February. What’s safe to do? What activities should we be avoiding? When will things go back to 'normal'? On this episode Sarah talks Watson economist Emily Oster about her newest project, which seeks to provide some much needed clarity to these questions and more. They discuss her new website 'Covid Explained,' and look at some of the most popular questions people are asking. They also explore why health recommendations can be so hard to navigate, and how average people can learn to start thinking a little more like economists. You can visit 'Covid-Explained' https://explaincovid.org/ (here). You can learn more about Watson’s other podcasts https://watson.brown.edu/news/podcasts (here).

The supply chain that brings medical equipment to your local hospital, health clinic, or pharmacy is one of the world’s most important -- and most complex. On this episode Watson’s Director Ed Steinfeld talks with George Barrett '77, former chairman and CEO of Cardinal Health, Inc., which is one of the world’s largest distributors and manufacturers of medical products. They discuss how supply chains for these products normally function, and what’s changed during this pandemic-induced spike in demand. They also look at what private industry and government can learn from this unprecedented moment, and how industries can better prepare for multifaceted emergencies going forward. You can learn more about Watson’s other podcasts https://watson.brown.edu/news/podcasts (here). You can read a transcript of this episode https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EcQNTSFXfBVrj3-3fgothYKF8RYAGm4v/view?usp=sharing (here).

On this episode Sarah talks with Dr. Ashish Jha, professor of global health at Harvard University and director of the Harvard Global Health Institute (and soon to be dean of the Brown School of Public Health). As the United States reels from the ongoing collision of systemic racism, coronavirus, and economic catastrophe, Sarah and Dr. Jha explore how these issues intersect. They also discuss the effects of absentee national leadership during this crisis, and how to bring science and data back into the center of our nation’s healthcare debate. You can learn more about Watson’s other podcasts https://watson.brown.edu/news/podcasts (here).

It's not every day that a fiction writer joins the Watson Institute as a Senior Fellow. But ZZ Packer isn’t your typical novelist. In addition to her 2003 debut short story collection 'Drinking Coffee Elsewhere,' she also contributed to The 1619 Project, a groundbreaking set of writings and podcast series from The New York Times, which reframed slavery as the central institution on which the United States was made. It’s been met with praise (including a Pulitzer), as well as criticism among some thinkers and historians. On this episode, Sarah talked with ZZ about The 1619 Project, her work as a writer, and her experience helping students to understand the role narrative plays in politics, policy, and history. *Excerpt at the beginning of the episode from '1619,' the podcast companion to The 1619 Project. You can learn more about The 1619 Project https://www.nytimes.com/column/1619-project (here). You can learn more about Watson’s other podcasts https://watson.brown.edu/news/podcasts (here).

Sumbul Siddiqui is the mayor of Cambridge, MA. Her family moved to Cambridge from Karachi, Pakistan when she was two years old. She studied public policy at Brown and law at Northwestern, before moving back to Massachusetts. She joined the Cambridge City Council, and was elected Mayor this past January -- just as the biggest crisis to ever hit American cities was making its way to the East Coast of the US. On this episode, Watson Visiting Professor and Faculty Fellow Geri Augusto talks with Mayor Siddiqui about health, housing, social justice, and the future of cities in the time of coronavirus. You can learn more about Watson’s other podcasts https://watson.brown.edu/news/podcasts (here).

Coronavirus has been called an ‘equal opportunity' virus. But of course... it's not. Communities of color are being disproportionately affected; instead of equalizing anything, this pandemic has thrown into relief the stark inequalities along lines of race and class that are built into American society. And unfortunately, one of the clearest examples of this can be found quite close to Watson's campus. On this episode, the third in a series we're co-producing this semester with Watson’s Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies, Sarah talks with three medical experts who are on the front lines of this pandemic in some of Rhode Island’s hardest hit communities. It’s a conversation about community health, local politics, and social justice, and while it’s focused on Rhode Island, it speaks to struggles playing out around the world. You can learn more about the Blackstone Valley Community Health Care http://www.bvchc.org/ (here). You can read a Spanish translation https://watson.brown.edu/files/watson/i

The spread of the coronavirus has highlighted how international development affects the well-being of us all. On this episode Sarah talks with someone who has been a leader for decades in rethinking how we do international development: Watson Senior Fellow Brian Atwood. Brian’s worked with multiple US Presidents, including as the head of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) during the Clinton Administration. They discuss how international development has transformed in the last few decades, the reason that some humanitarian goals were surprisingly easy to meet in the beginning of this century, and why free-flowing information is essential to global health and security. You can read a transcript of this episode https://drive.google.com/file/d/1giIBXX40p8POdHQ0ua_CbiRwkypVKhMd/view?usp=sharing (here).

What does it actually mean for a state’s revenue to ‘dry up’? Who’s paying for coronavirus testing sites? How are states working together -- and how are they competing? There’s never been a more important time to understand state and local government, as states have become the political, logistical, and moral center of the US's pandemic response. On this episode Sarah talks with Rhode Island General Treasurer Seth Magaziner. In addition to being a key player in his state's response to this crisis, he’s also an incredible translator of complex legal and financial issues, and of how they affect the lives of everyday Americans. It's a crash course in state politics and finance, and it couldn't come at a better time. You can read a transcript of this episode here: [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1f18mNYo02GpdJUQOS6DdWqj0NkBaqg4M/view?usp=sharing]

This will be the first in an ongoing series of conversations with Brown students about life during the coronavirus pandemic. On this episode Dan and Sarah talk with Alina Kulman, a junior, and Babette Thomas, a senior; two friends who are experiencing this crisis in very different ways. They discuss what it’s like quarantining with classmates, studying abroad while the government wants to ban travel, and the weird feeling of worrying that your parents aren’t properly washing their hands. You can learn more about Watson’s other podcasts https://watson.brown.edu/news/podcasts (here).