The Original No Compromisers

The election of Donald Trump has sparked a great deal of discussion about the fate of American democracy. How Democracies Die explores some key questions that have become paramount in the Trump era. Does the election of a figure like Trump—an inexperienced outsider with obvious authoritarian instincts—suggest that democracy in the US is backsliding? Are we doomed to suffer the fate of other 21st-century democracies, like Hungary, Venezuela, and Turkey, where true democracy ceased to exist? By what processes was democracy killed in those and other countries—and how might we prevent it here?

In Strangers in Their Own Land: Anger and Mourning on the American Right, sociologist Arlie Hochschild seeks to understand the social, cultural, and emotional forces driving right-wing politics, in an effort to move past the partisan divide and approach American politics from a position of empathy for those on the right. By breaking down this empathy wall, we can come to truly inhabit the emotional world of the right, giving us insight into why these voters believe what they believe—and why those beliefs might make sense given these voters’ experiences.

When you hear the word “bias,” you may think of a conscious form of prejudice—but the most potent biases are actually subconscious. These implicit biases are normal neurological responses to the culture you grow up in. In the United States, everyone encounters and encodes antiblack bias to some degree, even in black communities. This racial bias doesn’t just influence how you make decisions—it determines what you notice in your environment and what becomes invisible. And in high-stakes situations like police encounters, the consequences of racial bias can be devastating.

In this guide, we’ll discuss how your brain creates bias; how that bias impacts every area of your life, from where you live to how you post online; and, most importantly, how to combat implicit bias to create a fairer world for everyone. We’ll also compare Dr. Eberhardt’s research on racial bias to other popular books on racism such as How to Be an Antiracist and White Fragility.

In the latest edition of NPR News Now, Korva Coleman, alongside fellow correspondents Eleanor Beardsley, Mitch McConnell, Chuck Schumer, and Brittany Patterson, navigate a world cautiously perched between peace and turmoil. The episode examines the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, now in its fifth day, against a backdrop of international involvement, exemplified by the poignant prisoner exchanges that saw several dual citizens regain their freedom. As the Middle East braces for uncertainty with the potential resumption of hostilities, the episode exposes the intricacies of peace efforts and the complexity of the related diplomatic dance.

But beyond the tense international scene, NPR News Now delves deep into the contentious U.S. political debates over assistance to Ukraine, a matter that has entwined domestic policy with international alliances. Moreover, the program casts light upon a disturbing hate crime investigation in Vermont, where the fabric of the community is tested by an act of violence against Palestinian students. The episode concludes on a reflective note, with preparations for a national memorial service for former First Lady Rosalynn Carter. Each story, eloquently reported and artfully woven together, underscores the delicate interplay between domestic issues and global events, reminding listeners of the seamless connection between the decisions within our borders and their ripple effects around the world.

Do you ever feel that there is a more authentic, primal self within you waiting to be free? Glennon Doyle has felt this way, too—like a wild animal in captivity who was conditioned not to feel, think, or trust herself. She tells her story in Untamed, part memoir—covering her personal story of addiction and rehab, falling in love with a woman, leaving her marriage, and rebuilding her life—and part call to action for any woman who feels held captive by society’s rules and expectations.

Through exploration of her story, she instructs readers to rebuild their lives using emotion, intuition, and imagination as guiding forces. In this guide, we’ll explore Doyle’s journey out of captivity and her lessons for other captive women. Along the way, we’ll explore complementary ideas from other feminist thinkers, psychological reasoning for aspects of captivity, and practical actionables to help you live Doyle’s principles.