Bedrosian Bookclub Podcast

Eva Dolan's This Is How It Ends is a thriller set in an anti-gentrification activist community in the middle of a rapidly gentrifying London. Dolan tackles the huge issue of gentrification through the story of two women engaged in the anti-gentrification movement. How do we define ourselves in places? How do we protect the self in social media, public, activist movements?

In today's episode, we marvel at Dolan's ability to mirror the gentrification fight with the relationship between young activist Ella and the older mentor Molly. We think about mentoring, gentrification, family, policing, and so many other themes as we discuss this tight thriller which is also social commentary.

Lisa Schweitzer (@drschweitzer), Brettany Shannon (@brettanyshannon), and David Sloane (@dcsloane53) join Aubrey Hicks (@AubreyHi) for this episode.

For links and more, check out the showpage.

Anyone who reads or watches the news might feel like we are in a news assault. The news happens so fast, technology helps us disseminate and consume with speed, and media outlets are in a relatively new competition: a competition for relevancy. As "papers of record" are being attacked as "fake," the question of how to communicate with fairness about important issues has never been more relevant.

John McPhee has had a long, storied career in writing for magazines "of record" using in-depth long-form journalism. Draft No. 4 is McPhee's 32nd book of nonfiction. It is a series of essays on his writing process.

In today's episode, we use McPhee's thoughts on structure and nonfiction to discuss some of the difficulties of communicating policy and research in today's frenetic climate of news and propaganda and anti-elitism. Policy communication should be nuanced and deep, how can we do this in an age of immediate consumption and tribalism?

Congressional historian Sarah Binder joins neighbor and investment manager, Mark Spindel in a look at the history of the relationship between the Federal Reserve and its legislative parent, Congress. The result is the Princeton University Press book The Myth of Independence: How Congress Governs the Federal Reserve.

Central to the book is the notion that the two institutions are interdependent rather than independent. The authors advocate that through legislation over the years, Congress has set up the Federal Reserve to bear the brunt of blame during times of financial crisis. This blend of political science, history, and economics was a hit for our panel. Why is it important to realize the relationship between Congress and the Fed is interdependent? What roles do transparency and accountability play in the relationship?

Host Jeffery Jenkins (@jaj7d) is joined by guests, Anthony Orlando (@AnthonyWOrlando), Matthew Kahn (@mattkahn1966 ‏), and Pamela Clouser McCann (bio here).

For links and more, check out the showpage.

Special bonus track!

An interview with one of the co-authors of Radical Markets: Uprooting Capitalism and Democracy for a Just Society, E. Glen Weyl. (Follow Glen on Twitter: @glenweyl)

As part of a nationwide book tour for this new book, full of radical ideas, Glen stopped by USC for a book talk to some of our Econ, PoliSci, and Public Policy students, faculty, and staff. While here in sunny SoCal, Glen was also gracious enough to spend some time with our Executive Director, Aubrey Hicks. The conversation covers some of the radical ideas in the book, as well as some of the books which have influenced the author.

Read along with us! Let us know what you think of the book & our podcasts on Facebook or Twitter.

For links and more, check out the showpage.

In Radical Markets, Eric A. Posner and E. Glen Weyl envision new rules for markets in order to limit the tyranny of monopolies and majority rule. Their aim, with 5 revolutionary ideas to cure what they see as the most important issue of our time: inequality.

What are some of these "radical" ideas, and does our panel think they are the revolutionary ideas we need?

Host Jeffery Jenkins (@jaj7d) is joined by guests Aubrey Hicks (@AubreyHi), Matthew Kahn (@mattkahn1966 ‏), and Anthony Orlando (@AnthonyWOrlando).

For links and more, check out the showpage.

Dana, a black woman living in 1976 Los Angeles and protagonist of Octavia Butler's Kindred, must confront the violent acts that begin her direct familial line. She is drawn back in time again and again to save one Rufus Weylin from death. Rufus turns out to be the white slave owner who will eventually (if he lives) become Dan's own great, great, great, grandfather. Dana must choose to save this terrible man in order to both protect the many generations of her own family, her self.

How does the legacy of slavery live on in the present? Join us for a conversation of this classic and important novel.

Host Jeffery Jenkins (@jaj7d) is joined by guests Ange-Marie Alfaro (@AngeMarieH), Caroline Bhalla (@Coodence), and Aubrey Hicks (@AubreyHi).

Listen here or wherever you listen to podcasts.

For links and more, check out the showpage: bedrosian.usc.edu/bookclub/kindred

In Ender's Game, by Orson Scott Card is a dystopian novel looking at how adults groom manipulate, and use Ender Wiggin to wage war on an alien race. From the time he was a toddler, Ender is monitored by an organization to determine if he is eligible for Battle School. Six year old Ender is shipped off to military training with other precocious children. Soon Ender's life is one constant war game, against other squads, all the other children, the teachers ... and ultimately the aliens.

Do the ends justify the means? What if it isn't all a game? What is our duty as citizens of Earth?

Host Jeffery Jenkins (@jaj7d) is joined by guests Aubrey Hicks (@AubreyHi), Matt Schauer (@MattSchauer89), and Ehsan Zaffar (@Ezaffar).

@BedrosianCenter

To listen to the Bedrosian Book Club discussion of the "Ender's Game" episode click the arrow in the player on this post. Or you can download it and subscribe through ApplePodcasts, Soundcloud, Google Play, Stitcher or your favorite podcasting app!

Next month … We'll discuss the classic science fiction novel, Kindred by Octavia Butler.

For links and more, check out the showpage.

In Killers of the Flower Moon, David Grann brings readers back to Osage County Oklahoma in the 1920s. After discovering oil, members of the Osage U.S. state/federal governments, the money was often held in guardianship for tribe members. Soon, the Osage were found murdered, or killed under mysterious circumstances. What followed is a tale of greed and corruption at multiple levels.

Who were the heroes of this story? How did Hoover use these murders to create a narrative to bolster the FBI, during a period in which the nation was wary of a Federal institutions? Which institutions prevailed, which failed? Did Grann tell the story of the Osage well?

Host Jeffery Jenkins (@jaj7d) is joined by guests Richard Green (@keynesianr), Lisa Schweitzer (@drschweitzer), and David Treuer (@DavidTreuer).

@BedrosianCenter

To listen to the Bedrosian Book Club discussion of the "Killers of the Flower Moon" episode click the arrow in the player on this post. Or you can download it and subscribe through ApplePodcasts, Soundcloud, Google Play, Stitcher or your favorite podcasting app!

For links and more, check out the showpage: https://bedrosian.usc.edu/bookclub/killers-of-the-flower-moon/

The world lost one of the greats on Monday, January 22nd. Ursula K. Le Guin passed away at the age of 88 and left a hole in many hearts around the world.

"The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas." We use this short, short story as a jumping off point to discuss our mutual love of Ursula K. Le Guin, science fiction/fantasy, and how reading shaped our lives. Omelas is the city of happiness, what does it mean to travel to the city of happiness? Why doesn't everyone live there? Why would you walk away? What is the social contract? What will we do with no more words from the great Le Guin?

Featuring: Aubrey Hicks (@AubreyHi), Lisa Schweitzer (@drschweitzer), and David Sloane (@dcsloane53)

@BedrosianCenter

To listen to the Bedrosian Book Club discussion of the "Ursuala K. Le Guin and the walk away from Omelas" episode click the arrow in the player on this post. Or you can download it and subscribe through ApplePodcasts, Soundcloud, Google Play, Stitcher or your favorite podcasting app!

Links & further immersion:

Shirley Jackson, "The Lottery"

"The Influence Of Ursula K. Le Guin," Petra Mayer for NPR

Cities in Flight, James Blish

"The fantasy and science fiction community pays tribute to Ursula K. Le Guin," Andrew Liptack for The Verge

The Work of Le Guin

"Behind the Lens: The Town That Had No Library," David Kidd in Governing

"R.I.P. Ursula K. Le Guin, Author of One of the Greatest Novels About Freedom Ever Written: How libertarians learned to stop worrying and love The Dispossessed," Victoria Varga for Reason

"The Category-Defying Genius of Ursula K. Le Guin," John Wray in The New York Times

"Ten Things I Learned from Ursula K. Le Guin," Karen Jay Fowler in The Paris Review

Next Month …

We'll discuss David Grann's Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI.

Grann, documents the story of the Osage being forced to relocate to a region which later was discovered to be rich in oil. Learn how the U.S. and local governmental agencies and individuals took advantage by manipulating the "laws," creating polices, and murder to control both the Osage and the wealth created by the oil discovery. We learn about the local investigation and how the newly formed FBI took over the investigation.

Read along with us! Let us know what you think of the book & our podcasts on Facebook or Twitter.

This podcast was produced by Aubrey Hicks and Jonathan Schwartz, recorded and mixed by The Brothers Hedden, Ryan and Corey Hedden.

In Coriolanus, Shakespeare brings us to a Rome in a time of transitional government, leadership, citizenship. Patrician Menenius tries to calm a mutiny among the Roman plebeians over the way they feel they have been treated by the nobles. His friend, the great war hero, Caius Martius Coriolanus agrees to run for counsel. However, Coriolanus treats the plebeians with contempt, giving tribunes Sicinius and Brutus the ability to destroy Coriolanus' governing hopes, to destroy his reputation in Rome.

Join us for a conversation on leadership, citizenship, military prowess, and running for elected office. Can Shakespeare still teach us about leadership?

Host Jeffery A. Jenkins (@jaj7d) is joined by guests Carla Della Gatta (@CarlaDellaGatta ), Lisa Schweitzer (@drschweitzer), and Donnajean Ward (@DonnajeanWard).

@BedrosianCenter

To listen to the Bedrosian Book Club discussion of Coriolanus click the arrow in the player on this post. Or you can download it and subscribe through ApplePodcasts, Soundcloud, Google Play, Stitcher or your favorite podcasting app!

For links and more, check out the showpage: https://bedrosian.usc.edu/bookclub/coriolanus/