Against the odds, even against hope, African American poets, artists and intellectuals have believed in the democratic project. It’s a dim flame they’ve kept alive for all to nourish. Our guest urges you to meet that challenge.

For all the fans, haters and closet admirers — we bring you our Taylor Swift episode. Siva sits down with a few Swifties, while Emily chats with Tressie McMillan Cottom. Together they hash out the pros and cons of T-Swift’s influence on American political culture. And, yeah, lots of good music.

Volya Vysotskaia is one of five Belarusian activists recently tried and convicted in absentia. Their crime? Unmasking police who beat and detained protestors in 2020. Vysotskaia and Serbian pro-democracy advocate Srdja Popovic join Steve Parks in our inaugural installment of “The Power of Many.”

In 1972, Ms. magazine published its first issue — featuring on its cover the Hindu goddess Kali depicted as an over-taxed housewife. And in India, an exploding national film industry was challenging ideas about gender roles and social norms. Two guests join us live to discuss the feminist landscape in print and at the movies.

Activist and analyst Agnieszka Graff joins us from Warsaw to break down the surprising outcome of Poland’s national elections. She says the country’s feminist movement — and the visual arts — played a vital role in challenging the ruling party’s authoritarian creep.

On stage from the Texas Tribune Festival in Austin, Emily and Siva speak with the author of a new book about the American dream. He has some advice for progressives about how to bring together a broad electorate: it’s the economy, people. And more.

Our friend Steve Parks returns to the show for a wide-ranging conversation with Emily and Siva about the aesthetics of social movements. And we unveil our plans for a new segment featuring pro-democracy activists from around the world.

As Will heads to Oxford for a semester, we welcome a new guest host. And we preview what’s coming up in S7: from a live show in Austin to questions about who owns African art — and African history.