A Public Affair

Esty Dinur speaks with Kamau Franklin about organizing against the militarized law enforcement training center called “Cop City” in Atlanta, the assault of and targeting of Black communities by police, and more. The post “Cop City”: The Problem of Police Violence in Atlanta and Beyond appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

Peter Kornbluh discusses the historic 1975 expose of the CIA, “Alleged Assassination Plots Involving Foreign Leaders" and the attempts to halt its circulation. The post Exploding Seashells and Poisoned Cigars: Assassination Plots of the CI... appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

Journalist Nell Bernstein discusses the youth and families leading the charge to close youth prisons and end the dehumanization of incarceration.  The post Incarcerated Youth Move the Needle on Justice appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

To talk about COP 30 and the decades-long campaign by the fossil fuel industry to spread climate disinformation, host Douglas Haynes is joined by two experts, Kathy Mulvey of Union of Concerned Scientists and Geoff Dembicki of DeSmog.  The post Climate Disinformation Spans the Globe (Still) appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

In this prerecorded conversation from late July 2025, host Esty Dinur follows up with Dr. Feroze Sidhwa, a trauma surgeon who visited Madison to report on his work in hospitals in Gaza. The post A Trauma Surgeon's Report From Gaza appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

On this Thanksgiving Day edition of A Public Affair, Allen Ruff is joined by our traditional Thanksgiving guest, Will Williams, to reflect on perennial issues like colonialism, militarism, and racism. The post Annual Fireside Chat with Will Williams appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

Carlos Dávalos is in conversation with journalist Carlos Pérez Osorio who sailed with the Global Sumud Flotilla as a journalist last summer. The post Reflections on the Global Sumud Flotilla appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

Whether you're hosting a large party at your home or visiting family or friends, you can still practice self care and set boundaries, says guest April Kigeya. The post April Kigeya Knows How to Survive the Holidays appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

Douglas Haynes is joined by journalist Phoebe Weston to talk about how the biodiversity crisis is happening in our own bodies and how efforts to reverse it are succeeding.  The post Biodiversity Loss is the Local Face of the Climate Crisis appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

Matvei Mozhaev tells the story of Brian Deschane, a Madisonian who experienced homelessness for three years. The post Unhoused by Design appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

Journalist Lital Khaikin discusses how the continued marginalization of Darfur is key to understanding the war in Sudan. The post A War Against Civilians in Sudan appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

Ali Muldrow and Angela Lang talk about what reopening the federal government means for folks on the healthcare marketplace and for the Democratic party. The post A Uniquely Reckless Shutdown appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

The co-founders of Own It: Building Black Wealth, Tiffany Malone and Sara Alvarado, discuss why home ownership is so important for Black families to build generational wealth The post Down Payment Grants Create a New Path for Economic Justice appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

On today's show, guest host Juliana Bennett speaks with Native leader, Art Shegonee, about his early childhood, years of dancing, and organizing for treaty rights. The post “Welcome to My Country,” says Native Activist Art Shegonee appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

As police forces act with impunity against civilians and immigrants, brian bean's new book is a timely argument for getting rid of the institution of police. The post How the Police Uphold Capitalism appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

Host Ali Muldrow is joined by Madison's new City Clerk, Lydia McComas, to talk about her role in making sure our local elections are accurate and secure. The post Get to Know Lydia McComas, Madison's New City Clerk appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

Today we're talking about the artform of burlesque and how BIPOC performers are advocating for diversity and accountability in the local burlesque scene. The post Diversity in Burlesque with Cocoa Pearlesque appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

To talk about food insecurity and the status of SNAP funding, host Douglas Haynes is joined by two local food pantry leaders and a national expert on nutrition and public policy. The post SNAP Whiplash and the Rollercoaster of Poverty appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

Carlos Dávalos swaps seats with Esty Dinur to ask her questions reflecting on her 30 years on A Public Affair. The post Celebrating 30 Years of Esty Dinur appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

Today's guests talk about how Medicaid cuts will reduce access to life-saving healthcare for incarcerated people in rural areas. The post When Rural Hospitals Close, Incarcerated People Lose Healthcare appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

Ali Muldrow speaks with poet Sasha Debevec-McKenney about her loving, tender, and hilarious new collection, Joy Is My Middle Name. The post Crying For Joy with Poet Sasha Debevec-McKenney appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

Dana Pellebon celebrates the magic of theater with Dr. Erica Halverson who has dedicated her career to studying how people learn in and through the arts. The post A Whoopensocker Show with Erica Halverson appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

Wisconsin State Representative Karen DeSanto and Neil Kraus discusses closure of the UW-Platteville Baraboo campus and the need for investment in public higher education. The post UW System Betrays the Wisconsin Idea appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

Ahmed Abu Artema is a Palestinian writer and human rights activist who joins host Esty Dinur from exile to talk about the genocide in Gaza. The post “We Are Here” Says Palestinian Activist Ahmed Abu Artema appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

Allen Ruff speaks with Latin American expert, Rodrigo Acuña, about the context for the US air strikes on small vessels in the Caribbean and off the Pacific coast of Columbia. The post The Long History and Dangerous Prospect of US Interference in Venezuel... appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

There are more trans candidates running for office than ever, Josie Caballero tells guest host Dina Nina Martinez Rutherford. They talk about the courage it takes to run for elected office and the end of SNAP benefits. The post Trans Leaders Support Community Amidst Political Chaos appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

In the last week of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Virginia Gittens Escudero discusses the role that UNIDOS plays in breaking barriers for Latinx survivors of domestic violence in Dane County through direct services and community education. The post Local Non-profit Breaks Barriers for Latinx Survivors appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

ProPublica reporter Nicole Foy discusses her investigations into ICE sweeps and the growing number of US citizens who are being detained by federal immigration agents. The post ICE Raids Terrorize Citizens and Immigrants Alike appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

Today's guest, Rob Hopkins asks, what would our activism look like if we had a longing for the future? The post Running Joyfully Toward the Future appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

On today's show, host Allen Ruff speaks with friend of the program, Mouin Rabbani, about the tenuous ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and where it might lead. The post Don't Mistake the Gaza Ceasefire for a Peace Plan appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

Amidst attacks on equity by the federal government, Decoteau J. Irby and Ann M. Ishimaru's new book champions the vital work of equity in P-12 education and those folks who are leading the way. The post Standing Up for Equity in Education appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

Dana Pellebon speaks with Dr. Robyn Koslowitz about how the experience of parenting can be an opportunity to break cycles of trauma, heal, and identify your core values for yourself and your kids.  The post Your Trauma Doesn't Need to Define Your Parenting appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

Though there are millions of caregivers in the US, the nation faces a crisis in caregiving that includes a shortage of paid workers to meet the growing need and unpaid caregivers are feeling burned out. The post Finding Respite While Caregiving: A Wisconsin Roundtable appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

Today, Host Esty Dinur speaks with cultural anthropologist and professor Greta Uehling about her book Decolonizing Ukraine: the Indigenous People of Crimea and Pathways to Freedom. The post The Struggle and Triumph of the Crimean Indigenous People appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

Anna Lekas Miller talks about the effects of the new ICE immigration policies along with her book Love Across Borders, which explores the human stories and the consequences of couples with mixed citizenships falling in love. The post Anna Lekas Miller On the Impacts of Immigration Laws on Families appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

Susan Rinkunas and Garnet Henderson are co-founders of the independent reproductive rights and justice publication, Autonomy News. They joined Ali Mudrow today in a wide-ranging conversation about the changing landscape of abortion rights in Wisconsin. The post Founders of Autonomy News Discuss the Changing Landscape of Abortion i... appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

'A Public Affair' host Dana Pellebon speaks with novelist Helen Winslow Black about her novel ‘Seven Blackbirds.' Black discusses how each person's experience of domestic violence is unique, and how factors like community support, independent funds, and anonymous hotlines can make a huge difference in outcomes. The post Using fiction to think about domestic violence appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

Today we were joined by two guests, Dexter Patterson and Scott Spoolman who discussed the books they will present at the Wisconsin Book Festival: Birds of the Great Lakes, and Wisconsin State Parks. Photo by Joshua Mayer The post Wisconsin Authors Discuss Birds, State Parks, and Wisconsin Ecology appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

On the show today, long time-host Esty Dinur celebrates 30 years on A Public Affair. She says her driving motivation has always been to focus on issues that aren't covered by mainstream media and to cover issues from the perspective of the folks most impacted.  The post Honoring 30 Years of Esty Dinur in your Ears appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

On today's show, host Allen Ruff is joined by award winning historian, Greg Grandin to talk about his new book, America, América: A New History of the New World. The post How Latin America Shaped US History appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

To make sense of the dramatic changes in our nation and in our backyard, host Ali Muldrow is joined by friend of the show, Lisa Graves. The post Project 2025 Is Going Smashingly appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

Annie Laurie Gaylor says that more Americans than ever identify as non-religious, but that hasn't stopped Christian nationalists from eroding the separation of state and church by putting the 10 Commandments in schools. The post There's No True Democracy Without Separation of State and Church appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

Today we feature community-based climate solutions with Jess Stahl, the Project Director of the Grist 50, and Deneine Christa Powell of the Urban Sustainability Directors Network. The post Sustainability is the Quiet Infrastructure of Life appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

Madison poet laureate Steven Espada Dawson and Madison youth poet laureate Octavia Ikard discuss the role of poetry in self-expression and healing but also in response to political life. The post Local Poet Laureates Save Our Wednesday appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

Laurel True discusses her process of designing the new art installation at the men's shelter and her career of community-based projects and creative placemaking. The post Creative Placemaking Through Mosaics at the New Men's Shelter appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

In Kate Marvel's new book, Human Nature: Nine Ways to Feel About Our Changing Planet, she looks to times when people have come together to fight ecological problems, like the killing of whales, the Clean Air Act, and the ozone hole. The post Facts and Feelings are Both Needed to Fight Climate Change appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

Raz Segal tells host Esty Dinur that the IHRA definition of antisemitism is not only vague but actually produces antisemitism contrary to its stated goal. The post Defining Antisemitism Won't End It appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

Henry Giroux reflects on the state of US politics, the reality of neoliberal fascism, the weakness of legacy media, and how to find hope. The post We're Living on the Raw Edge of Violence appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

Dana Pellebon discusses the history of maroonage in the Black diaspora with Amari Johnson, author of the new book, Under a Black Star: The Maroon Impulse in New Orleans.  The post The Maroon Tradition Endures After Katrina appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

Today we are joined byMissy Jeanne and Ben Smith, two of the creators of GLEAM, the annual outdoor evening exhibit at Olbrich Gardens. The post GLEAM Art Exhibit Celebrates its 10th Anniversary at Olbrich Gardens appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

Author and scholar, Dr. Sagashus T. Levingston, tells host Ali Muldrow about economic shame and the power of homeownership for her “little disheveled band of humans.” The post Mothering Doesn't Equal Martyrdom appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.