PUSHBACK Talks

In Nigeria's largest city, a powerful story is unfolding - one that shines a light on the urgent struggle for housing rights and urban resilience. In this episode, we sit down with the creative team behind the new film "The Legend of the Vagabond Queen of Lagos," which dramatizes the real-life tragedy of the Otodo Gbame informal settlement.

Between November 2016 and April 2017, over 30,000 residents of this waterfront community were violently evicted, with nine drowning and two shot in the process. Our guests - lead actor Temi Ami-Williams, director/producer Bisola Akinmuyiwa, and director Temi Ogungbamila - have worked tirelessly with community members to craft a cinematic experience that demands our attention.

But this is more than a movie - it's a work of resistance, part of a broader campaign led by Slum Dwellers International. For decades, they've stood alongside organized communities to challenge forced evictions and build inclusive cities.

You can also support the launch of the film, or request a screening.

Learn more about the film, and the work of Slum Dwellers International.

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In the finale of our series on The Shift Directives, our experts examine the staggering scale and far-reaching impact of institutional investment on housing. 

What could we gain if housing investment and housing redevelopment complied with human rights standards? Leilani and Sam tackle thorny issues like tax advantages for REITs and the alarming trend of financializing vulnerable housing sectors such as student accommodations and long-term care homes.

Leilani and Sam also preview an exciting new resource - the Investor Guidelines. Developed over the last year, these guidelines demonstrate that smart investment and housing as a human right can coexist. We offer a glimpse into this groundbreaking new tool (which is out today!) and the possibility of transforming the role of investors in the housing sector.

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In this critical third installment of our series on The Shift Directives, Sam, Leilani, and Kirsten delve into the intricate dance between local, national, and international policies, exposing how disconnects in governance can leave vulnerable citizens without a roof over their heads. Leilani and Sam dissect the multi-level approach needed to effectively implement housing rights and talk about how The Shift Directives were designed to do just that.

From innovative local initiatives to game-changing national policies, this episode equips listeners with a deeper understanding of how governments can—and must—work together to secure the right to housing for all.

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In the second installment of this four-part special series, Pushback Talks Producer Kirsten delves deeper into The Shift Directives with Leilani & Sam.

Leilani and Sam get into Directive 7 of The Shift Directives, which is all about protecting tenants and creating spaces for them to participate in the future of their communities.

Together the three cut to the heart of modern housing challenges: AI-driven rent hikes, the cascading crisis of unaffordability and evictions, and the looming specter of homelessness. Leilani and Sam lay out the urgent need for robust tenant protections, advocating for a seismic shift towards transparency, meaningful participation, and the integration of human rights principles in housing policies.

Read The Shift Directives and follow the series for the next four weeks.

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In this first episode of a four-part special series, Pushback Talks Producer Kirsten sits down with Leilani Farha and Sam Freeman to introduce listeners to The Shift Directives; a revolutionary approach to the global housing crisis.

Setting the stage for the series, this episode begins reimagining how we understand, regulate, and experience housing in the 21st century. Hear directly from the architects of this new framework as they reveal the urgent catalysts behind The Shift Directives and paint a vivid picture of how a human rights-based approach could transform housing as we know it.

Follow along for the next 4 weeks and be sure to read The Shift Directives.

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This week, we welcome back friend of the show Dr. Joanna Kusiak to discuss her new book, "Radically Legal" and Berlin's ongoing efforts to keep housing affordable through innovative legal approaches.

We explore the often-overlooked role of emotion in the creation and interpretation of law, challenging the notion that legal systems operate purely on cold logic. Joanna reveals how the hopes, frustrations, and determination of ordinary citizens have shaped Berlin's housing policies.

Listen in as Fredrik, Leilani, and Joanna discuss the perseverance required in long-term activism and how legal frameworks can be powerful tools for social change when wielded by engaged communities.

Read Joanna's book, Radically Legal, for free.

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It's the Season 8 premiere of Pushback Talks! Filmmaker Fredrik Gertten and Advocate Leilani Farha welcome back New York Times correspondent Peter S. Goodman to discuss his provocative new book, "How the World Ran Out of Everything: Inside the Global Supply Chain." 

Goodman, Gertten, and Farha explore the often-overlooked human consequences of our interconnected economy. The three dissect the language used to describe global experiences, examine the power dynamics of international trade, and analyze past policy decisions that prioritized profits over people.

Check out How the World Ran Out of Everything and stay updated on Peter's work with the New York Times.

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It's summertime in Sweden and Canada, and that means it's time for Pushback Talks - Summer Series! For the next 12 weeks, we'll revisit a few of our favorite episodes from the last season.

The Filmmaker and the Advocate are taking a break, but the podcast isn't. No matter where you are - we hope you enjoy this year's Summer Series!

In this episode of Pushback Talks, hosts Fredrik and Leilani delve into a fascinating intersection of global trends: digital nomadism. As the world grapples with issues like migration, touristification, gentrification, and financialization, the rise of digital nomads adds another layer of complexity to the housing landscape.

With the COVID-19 pandemic shifting the nature of work, digital nomadism has surged in popularity. What was once a niche lifestyle has now become a significant global phenomenon, with millions of individuals embracing remote work and the freedom to travel.

But what exactly are digital nomads, and how do they fit into the broader narrative of migration and tourism? Joining Fredrik and Leilani is author, anthropologist, and consultant Dave Cook, who brings over 8 years of research experience on remote work and its impacts.

With digital nomadism on the rise, understanding its implications for international migration and local economies is more crucial than ever. Tune in as Dave, Leilani, and Fredrik unpack the complexities of digital nomadism and its far-reaching consequences on housing and society.

Read more about Dave's work.

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It's summertime in Sweden and Canada, and that means it's time for Pushback Talks - Summer Series! For the next 12 weeks, we'll revisit a few of our favorite episodes from the last season.

The Filmmaker and the Advocate are taking a break, but the podcast isn't. No matter where you are - we hope you enjoy this year's Summer Series!

In this week's episode of Pushback Talks, we delve into the intricate dynamics of historical narratives and their profound influence on contemporary events. Award-winning South African journalist, filmmaker, and writer Sylvia Vollenhoven joins Fredrik and Leilani to explore the enduring power of empathy amidst longstanding conflicts and resistance movements. Drawing parallels between past and present, the trio examines South Africa's struggle against apartheid and its recent decision to challenge Israel at the International Court of Justice. Through their conversation, we dissect the mainstream media's portrayal of such actions, highlighting the ongoing battle to control narratives and the critical role of empathy in shaping social justice movements.

Sylvia's latest project, a film in development and critically acclaimed play, The Keeper of the Kumm, is based on a book of the same name. You can learn more about Sylvia, as well as the book, the play, and the film here.

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It's summertime in Sweden and Canada, and that means it's time for Pushback Talks - Summer Series! For the next 12 weeks, we'll revisit a few of our favorite episodes from the last season.

The Filmmaker and the Advocate are taking a break, but the podcast isn't. No matter where you are - we hope you enjoy this year's Summer Series!

"From 2010 to 2020, more people participated in protests than at any other point in human history. " Yet we are not living in more just and democratic societies as a result...How did so many mass protests lead to the opposite of what they asked for?"

Take a look behind the scenes of global uprisings and their unfulfilled aims as Pushback Talks welcomes acclaimed author of "If We Burn: The Mass Protest Decade and the Missing Revolution," Vincent Bevins. In his compelling conversation with Leilani and Fredrik, Bevins dissects a decade of mass protests that captivated the world and changed things in unforeseen ways. From the Arab Spring to Hong Kong's student movements, they explore the complexities and unexpected outcomes of these fervent calls for change and the media that surrounded them. 

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