John Ralston Saul is one of the world’s most provocative, insightful and prescient thinkers, and he has thought deeply about the erosion of democracy in our time — an issue of increasingly urgent concern in light of recent events.

We caught up with John for a lively and wide-ranging discussion about the role of the arts in promoting democracy and the common good, social engagement, what we can learn from Indigenous cultures, and the dangers of propaganda, ideology, corporatism in eroding and corrupting the public sphere. John’s passion, wit and lifelong love of the arts and freedom of expression make for a compelling listen.