The Conversationalist Podcast

Our host and founder Anna Lind-Guzik reads her essay, "Why Do So Many Men Destroy What They Can't Control?", mapping the direct connection between domestic and authoritarian violence, and why we will never be able to have equality so long as violence at home is ignored. You can read her original essay on the site here: https://conversationalist.org/2023/02/10/domestic-abuse-family-annihilation-gender-violence-why-men-destroy/ Brought to you by The Anti-Nihilist Foundation, a 501(c)3 and publisher of The Conversationalist. Host and Founder: Anna Lind-GuzikExecutive Editor: Gina MeiExecutive Director: Erin Zimmer StrenioAudio Engineer: Dan ThornCover Art: María MedemProduced by: Cosmic StandardProducers: Aja Simpson and Jessica Glazer Technical Director: Jacob Winik Creative Lead: Eliza Smithconversationalist.org

In the second installment of our two-part series on reproductive rights, Anna sits down with Dr. Sophia Yen (co-founder of Pandia Health), Carey Jones (writer, editor, and fundraiser), and Nikki Muller (writer and multi-disciplinary performer) for a panel discussion on reproductive healthcare, covering everything from contraception to abortion rights to promising research on morning sickness. This episode is sponsored by Pandia Health, the only women-founded and -led—and doctor-founded and -led—asynchronous telemedicine and pharmacy in birth control and peri/menopause. You can learn more about them at PandiaHealth.com. Brought to you by The Anti-Nihilist Foundation, a 501(c)3 and publisher of The Conversationalist. Host and Founder: Anna Lind-GuzikExecutive Editor: Gina MeiExecutive Director: Erin Zimmer StrenioAudio Engineer: Dan ThornCover Art: María MedemProduced by: Cosmic StandardProducers: Aja Simpson and Jessica Glazer Technical Director: Jacob Winik Creative Lead: Eliza Smithconversationalist.org

Author and screenwriter Alanna Bennett reads her Conversationalist essay "The Healing Power of the Friendship Retreat", making the case for why a group trip might just be the cure for the ache of long distance friendships. You can read her original story on the site here: https://conversationalist.org/2022/08/31/the-healing-power-of-the-friendship-retreat-culture/ Brought to you by The Anti-Nihilist Foundation, a 501(c)3 and publisher of The Conversationalist. Host and Founder: Anna Lind-GuzikExecutive Editor: Gina MeiExecutive Director: Erin Zimmer StrenioAudio Engineer: Dan ThornCover Art: María MedemProduced by: Cosmic StandardProducers: Aja Simpson and Jessica Glazer Technical Director: Jacob Winik Creative Lead: Eliza Smithconversationalist.org

In the first installment of our two-part series on reproductive rights, writer, performer, and storyteller Nikki Muller discusses the importance of destigmatizing miscarriage, and reads her Conversationalist essay, "We Need to Talk About Our Miscarriages". You can read her original essay on the site here: https://conversationalist.org/2025/05/20/miscarriages-pregnancy-reproductive-rights-bodies-personal-essay/ Brought to you by The Anti-Nihilist Foundation, a 501(c)3 and publisher of The Conversationalist. Host and Founder: Anna Lind-GuzikExecutive Editor: Gina MeiExecutive Director: Erin Zimmer StrenioAudio Engineer: Dan ThornCover Art: María MedemProduced by: Cosmic StandardProducers: Aja Simpson and Jessica Glazer Technical Director: Jacob Winik Creative Lead: Eliza Smithconversationalist.org

Palestinian multimedia journalist Dalia Hatuqa reads "The 'Monsters' Behind the Wall", an essay by writer Lailah Radhiya reflecting on her experience growing up in the West Bank, and the significance of the "separation barrier" erected in the early 2000s. You can read Lailah's original essay on the site here: https://conversationalist.org/2024/12/13/monsters-wall-israel-occupied-west-bank-palestine-separation-barrier-gaza-war-al-jidar-apartheid/ Brought to you by The Anti-Nihilist Foundation, a 501(c)3 and publisher of The Conversationalist. Host and Founder: Anna Lind-GuzikExecutive Editor: Gina MeiExecutive Director: Erin Zimmer StrenioAudio Engineer: Dan ThornCover Art: María MedemProduced by: Cosmic StandardProducers: Aja Simpson and Jessica Glazer Technical Director: Jacob Winik Creative Lead: Eliza Smithconversationalist.org

What does life look like when you're living on a five year plan? This week, Anna chats with Babs Daitch, the octogenarian "lesbian Forrest Gump", about why she never stays anywhere for too long—and the life lessons she's learned along the way. If you want to learn more about Babs, check out THANKS, BABS, co-directed and co-produced by Jen Rainin and Rivkah Beth Medow. https://franklyspeakingfilms.com/thanks-babs/This episode is sponsored by the Curve Foundation, the only national nonprofit championing LGBTQ+ women and nonbinary stories and culture. https://thecurvefoundation.org/ Brought to you by The Anti-Nihilist Foundation, a 501(c)3 and publisher of The Conversationalist. Host and Founder: Anna Lind-GuzikExecutive Editor: Gina MeiExecutive Director: Erin Zimmer StrenioAudio Engineer: Dan ThornCover Art: María MedemProduced by: Cosmic StandardProducers: Aja Simpson and Jessica Glazer Technical Director: Jacob Winik Creative Lead: Eliza Smithconversationalist.org

Writer and Conversationalist contributor Vanessa Hsia reads her essay, "If Clothes Make the Man", about how her grandmother dressed her grandfather throughout their marriage, and how this seemingly small act of domestic labor functioned as both a point of pride and an expression of love. You can read Vanessa's original essay on the site here: https://conversationalist.org/2024/06/12/clothing-nainai-yeye-grandparents-spouse-gender-roles-husband-wife-marriage-death-grief-funeral/ Brought to you by The Anti-Nihilist Foundation, a 501(c)3 and publisher of The Conversationalist. Host and Founder: Anna Lind-GuzikExecutive Editor: Gina MeiExecutive Director: Erin Zimmer StrenioAudio Engineer: Dan ThornCover Art: María MedemProduced by: Cosmic StandardProducers: Aja Simpson and Jessica Glazer Technical Director: Jacob Winik Creative Lead: Eliza Smithconversationalist.org

Journalist and Conversationalist contributor Aliya Bashir discusses her anti-nihilistic approach to climate reporting, and the importance of finding hopeful narratives when things are feeling bleak. Brought to you by The Anti-Nihilist Foundation, a 501(c)3 and publisher of The Conversationalist. Host and Founder: Anna Lind-GuzikExecutive Editor: Gina MeiExecutive Director: Erin Zimmer StrenioAudio Engineer: Dan ThornCover Art: María MedemProduced by: Cosmic StandardProducers: Aja Simpson and Jessica Glazer Technical Director: Jacob Winik Creative Lead: Eliza Smithconversationalist.org

Writer, journalist, CUNY professor, and Conversationalist Contributing Editor Kovie Biakolo reads her piece, "Is Anyone, Anywhere Having a Good Time?"—and shares more about how the story came to be. You can read Kovie's original story on the site here: https://conversationalist.org/2025/02/03/is-anyone-anywhere-having-a-good-time/ Brought to you by The Anti-Nihilist Foundation, a 501(c)3 and publisher of The Conversationalist. Host and Founder: Anna Lind-GuzikExecutive Editor: Gina MeiExecutive Director: Erin Zimmer StrenioAudio Engineer: Dan ThornCover Art: María MedemProduced by: Cosmic StandardProducers: Aja Simpson and Jessica Glazer Technical Director: Jacob Winik Creative Lead: Eliza Smithconversationalist.org

In this episode, Anna speaks with Leila Nazgül Seiitbek, a lawyer from Kyrgyzstan who's currently living in exile, and Tom Mayne, a research fellow at the University of Exeter, about the growing threat of global kleptocracy and their ongoing work to combat it. You can learn more about their work at freedomforeurasia.org, follow Leila on LinkedIn here, and read the report Tom mentioned in the episode, "Who Enabled the Uzbek Princess?", here. Brought to you by The Anti-Nihilist Foundation, a 501(c)3 and publisher of The Conversationalist. Host and Founder: Anna Lind-GuzikExecutive Editor: Gina MeiExecutive Director: Erin Zimmer StrenioAudio Engineer: Dan ThornCover Art: María MedemProduced by: Cosmic StandardProducers: Aja Simpson and Jessica Glazer Technical Director: Jacob Winik Creative Lead: Eliza Smithconversationalist.org

We're back! After a long hiatus, season 2 of The Conversationalist Podcast (formerly known as Unbreaking Media) is coming back October 14. This season, we're also doing something new: half our episodes will feature some of our favorite articles from the archives, read by the writers themselves. The other half of the season will feature original interviews with folks working on the front lines of the issues we care about—from climate justice to reproductive health to fighting back against kleptocracy. This is journalism as conversation. This is storytelling as resistance. These are feminist stories and global perspectives, with zero BS. This is The Conversationalist Podcast. Subscribe now, wherever you get your podcasts.~  Brought to you by The Anti-Nihilist Foundation, a 501(c)3 and publisher of The Conversationalist. Host and Founder: Anna Lind-GuzikExecutive Editor: Gina MeiExecutive Director: Erin Zimmer StrenioAudio Engineer: Dan ThornCover Art: María MedemProduced by: Cosmic StandardProducers: Aja Simpson and Jessica Glazer Technical Director: Jacob Winik Creative Lead: Eliza Smithconversationalist.org

Thank you to everyone who's listened to the Unbreaking Media podcast so far! We are beginning a fall break and will return with a new season of fascinating conversations soon! In the meantime, read more transformative and solutions-oriented journalism from the Conversationalist at the newly-revamped conversationalist.org!Read more transformative and solutions-oriented journalism from the Conversationalist at conversationalist.org, and follow the Conversationalist on Twitter @Convo_ist or Instagram @convo_ist. You can also find us on Facebook at @Convoist—join our private group to build connections that can change your life (and the world) for the better.This podcast was edited by Dan Thorn (@danieljtvthorn). Brought to you by The Anti-Nihilist Foundation, a 501(c)3 and publisher of The Conversationalist. Host and Founder: Anna Lind-GuzikExecutive Editor: Gina MeiExecutive Director: Erin Zimmer StrenioAudio Engineer: Dan ThornCover Art: María MedemProduced by: Cosmic StandardProducers: Aja Simpson and Jessica Glazer Technical Director: Jacob Winik Creative Lead: Eliza Smithconversationalist.org

Anna talks with her friend Bridget Bailey, a teacher and student of Tibetan Buddhism, about how 'wellness' is conceptualized in modern society, about what is useful and problematic about how that term is applied, and about Bridget's own path to studying meditation through her Buddhist practice.Learn more about the Open Heart Project at their website at openheartproject.com.You can also learn more about Taramandala, Spirit Rock, and the East Bay Meditation Center at their websites. Learn more about ten-day (Goenka) Vipassana retreats here.Read more transformative and solutions-oriented journalism from the Conversationalist at conversationalist.org, and follow the Conversationalist on Twitter @Convo_ist or Instagram @convo_ist. You can also find us on Facebook at @Convoist—join our private group to build connections that can change your life (and the world) for the better.This podcast was edited by Dan Thorn (@danieljtvthorn). Brought to you by The Anti-Nihilist Foundation, a 501(c)3 and publisher of The Conversationalist. Host and Founder: Anna Lind-GuzikExecutive Editor: Gina MeiExecutive Director: Erin Zimmer StrenioAudio Engineer: Dan ThornCover Art: María MedemProduced by: Cosmic StandardProducers: Aja Simpson and Jessica Glazer Technical Director: Jacob Winik Creative Lead: Eliza Smithconversationalist.org

Anna talks with Natalie Nudell, fashion historian and the co-principal investigator of the Ruth Finley Collection, about Natalie's recently-released documentary 'Calendar Girl.' In the documentary, and in today's episode, Natalie shows how Ruth Finley, through her publication the 'Fashion Calendar,' helped establish New York City as the hub of global fashion in the 20th century. Anna and Natalie also discuss changing trends in fashion and attempt to define the 'Adam Sandler-core' look.Learn more about Natalie's career and work here.Learn more about 'Calendar Girl' here, and rent or buy it on Apple TV, Google Play, or other streaming platforms.Read more transformative and solutions-oriented journalism from the Conversationalist at conversationalist.org, and follow the Conversationalist on Twitter @Convo_ist or Instagram @convo_ist. You can also find us on Facebook at @Convoist—join our private group to build connections that can change your life (and the world) for the better.This podcast was edited by Dan Thorn (@danieljtvthorn). Brought to you by The Anti-Nihilist Foundation, a 501(c)3 and publisher of The Conversationalist. Host and Founder: Anna Lind-GuzikExecutive Editor: Gina MeiExecutive Director: Erin Zimmer StrenioAudio Engineer: Dan ThornCover Art: María MedemProduced by: Cosmic StandardProducers: Aja Simpson and Jessica Glazer Technical Director: Jacob Winik Creative Lead: Eliza Smithconversationalist.org

The Conversationalist, and Unbreaking Media, have relaunched with a brand-new logo + a renewed commitment to publishing globally-minded, feminist reporting that expands the horizons of what's possible, from the personal to the political. Today, Anna and Conversationalist Director of Content Nick Slater (@nislatr) reintroduce the new Conversationalist site and podcast, and play a few games along the way.Read more transformative and solutions-oriented journalism from the Conversationalist at conversationalist.org, and follow the Conversationalist on Twitter @Convo_ist or Instagram @convo_ist. You can also find us on Facebook at @Convoist—join our private group to build connections that can change your life (and the world) for the better.This podcast was edited by Dan Thorn (@danieljtvthorn). Brought to you by The Anti-Nihilist Foundation, a 501(c)3 and publisher of The Conversationalist. Host and Founder: Anna Lind-GuzikExecutive Editor: Gina MeiExecutive Director: Erin Zimmer StrenioAudio Engineer: Dan ThornCover Art: María MedemProduced by: Cosmic StandardProducers: Aja Simpson and Jessica Glazer Technical Director: Jacob Winik Creative Lead: Eliza Smithconversationalist.org

In today's episode, Ukraine-based journalist, managing editor of the New Voice of Ukraine, and co-host of the Ukraine Without Hype podcast, Romeo Kokriatski (@RomeoKokriatski), joins Anna to discuss everyday life in Ukraine while Russia's invasion continues, and how Ukrainians are fighting back and resisting.Listen to the Ukraine Without Hype podcast on Apple Podcasts or follow the podcast on Twitter.The New Voice of Ukraine (@NewVoiceUkraine), an English-language news resource for Ukraine, can be found online here.Read more transformative and solutions-oriented journalism from the Conversationalist at conversationalist.org, and follow the Conversationalist on Twitter @Convo_ist or Instagram @convo_ist. You can also find us on Facebook at @Convoist—join our private group to build connections that can change your life (and the world) for the better.This podcast was edited by Dan Thorn (@danieljtvthorn). Brought to you by The Anti-Nihilist Foundation, a 501(c)3 and publisher of The Conversationalist. Host and Founder: Anna Lind-GuzikExecutive Editor: Gina MeiExecutive Director: Erin Zimmer StrenioAudio Engineer: Dan ThornCover Art: María MedemProduced by: Cosmic StandardProducers: Aja Simpson and Jessica Glazer Technical Director: Jacob Winik Creative Lead: Eliza Smithconversationalist.org

In today's episode, Anna speaks with Deborah Alaña Davis, a Venezuelan-Argentinian activist with the Every Woman Treaty and a member of the treaty's 1000 Voices Fellowship Program, about the triumphs and challenges of feminism in Latin America.Learn more about the Every Woman Treaty at everywoman.org.For more information about the Every Woman Treaty's 1000 Voices Fellowship Program, working to support local activists with hands-on education in international law, diplomacy, and media training, visit the program's website here.Read more transformative and solutions-oriented journalism from the Conversationalist at conversationalist.org, and follow the Conversationalist on Twitter @Convo_ist or Instagram @convo_ist. You can also find us on Facebook at @Convoist—join our private group to build connections that can change your life (and the world) for the better. This podcast was edited by Dan Thorn (@danieljtvthorn). Brought to you by The Anti-Nihilist Foundation, a 501(c)3 and publisher of The Conversationalist. Host and Founder: Anna Lind-GuzikExecutive Editor: Gina MeiExecutive Director: Erin Zimmer StrenioAudio Engineer: Dan ThornCover Art: María MedemProduced by: Cosmic StandardProducers: Aja Simpson and Jessica Glazer Technical Director: Jacob Winik Creative Lead: Eliza Smithconversationalist.org

Anna talks with friend Daniel Syrkin, director of the International Emmy-winning espionage drama 'Tehran,' about his life from the former Soviet Union to Israel, and his career in film and television.Seasons 1 and 2 of 'Tehran' are available for streaming on Apple TV+.Read more transformative and solutions-oriented journalism from the Conversationalist at conversationalist.org, and follow the Conversationalist on Twitter @Convo_ist or Instagram @convo_ist. You can also find us on Facebook at @Convoist—join our private group to build connections that can change your life (and the world) for the better. This podcast was edited by Dan Thorn (@danieljtvthorn). Brought to you by The Anti-Nihilist Foundation, a 501(c)3 and publisher of The Conversationalist. Host and Founder: Anna Lind-GuzikExecutive Editor: Gina MeiExecutive Director: Erin Zimmer StrenioAudio Engineer: Dan ThornCover Art: María MedemProduced by: Cosmic StandardProducers: Aja Simpson and Jessica Glazer Technical Director: Jacob Winik Creative Lead: Eliza Smithconversationalist.org

Anna talks with her neighbor Christopher Hyland, founder of Christopher Hyland Textiles and deputy national political director of Bill Clinton's 1992 Presidential campaign, about his role in securing a peace in Northern Ireland, his opinions on the Russia-Ukraine war, and his views on the political challenges facing younger generations today.Find out more about Christopher Hyland Inc. at http://www.christopherhyland.com, or on Instagram at @Christopherhylandinc.Learn more about the Peabody Essex museum at pem.org.Read more transformative and solutions-oriented journalism from the Conversationalist at conversationalist.org, and follow the Conversationalist on Twitter @Convo_ist.This podcast was edited by Dan Thorn (@danieljtvthorn). Brought to you by The Anti-Nihilist Foundation, a 501(c)3 and publisher of The Conversationalist. Host and Founder: Anna Lind-GuzikExecutive Editor: Gina MeiExecutive Director: Erin Zimmer StrenioAudio Engineer: Dan ThornCover Art: María MedemProduced by: Cosmic StandardProducers: Aja Simpson and Jessica Glazer Technical Director: Jacob Winik Creative Lead: Eliza Smithconversationalist.org

In today's episode, Anna talks with Cameroonian author, model, and activist Lilian Dibo (@DiboLilian), CEO and founder of the Lilian Dibo Foundation and first runner-up of Miss Wheelchair Cameroon, to discuss her participation in the Every Woman Treaty's efforts to end gendered violence and harassment against women and girls with disabilities, both in the physical world and online.You can learn more about the Lilian Dibo Foundation on LinkedIn or FacebookFollow Lilian on Instagram at @liliandiboRead more transformative and solutions-oriented journalism from the Conversationalist at conversationalist.org, and follow the Conversationalist on Twitter @Convo_ist or Instagram @convo_ist. You can also find us on Facebook at @Convoist—join our private group to build connections that can change your life (and the world) for the better. This podcast was edited by Dan Thorn (@danieljtvthorn). Brought to you by The Anti-Nihilist Foundation, a 501(c)3 and publisher of The Conversationalist. Host and Founder: Anna Lind-GuzikExecutive Editor: Gina MeiExecutive Director: Erin Zimmer StrenioAudio Engineer: Dan ThornCover Art: María MedemProduced by: Cosmic StandardProducers: Aja Simpson and Jessica Glazer Technical Director: Jacob Winik Creative Lead: Eliza Smithconversationalist.org