For today’s episode, we spoke with Michael Foley, author of Citizen Cash: The Political Life and Times of Johnny Cash, for a wide-ranging discussion about Cash’s politics. We dissect Foley’s framework of a “politics of empathy” to describe how Cash navigated a complex political environment marked primarily by the various civil rights movements and the Vietnam War. Crucially, we consider the relevance of a politics of empathy in today’s climate, as well as the important role artists play in these increasingly troubling times.

Show Notes

* Find Citizen Cash: The Political Life and Times of Johnny Cash here.

* Michael Foley’s website

* Learn more about Farm Aid here.

* Johnny Cash sings “Man in Black” at Vanderbilt University

Credits

Theme music by our youngest brother Tate.

Cover art by Arthur Santoro.

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