When we look at the news right now — Iran, the airports, the corruption, the measles — it's tempting to decide none of it matters because, individually, we can't fix any of it. Nihilism is tempting, and we talk about how sometimes nihilism represents pride, but maybe in the right dose, it’s more like humility. Either way, “nothing matters” is being proven wrong every day. Special elections are producing surprising results. Courts are holding tech companies accountable. And people are figuring it out when institutions fail (I’m especially moved by the story of an underground railroad set up to bring Ukrainian children home from Russia). I say in this episode that my emotional cocktail has a splash of nihilism in it. But the main ingredient is my conviction that our attention and our care and our efforts make a difference. 

Plus: please clap for my favorite segue in the history of Pantsuit Politics. From: “perhaps we aren’t sleepwalking into a dystopian nightmare” to “are we in a smut renaissance?” facilitated by the shelving of an erotic chatbot. If this doesn’t end your Friday with joy, I don’t know what will. -Beth  

Topics Discussed:
Nihilism is Having A Moment 
Signs of Hope
Outside of Politics: Smut Renaissance

Join us in Minneapolis for our live show this August! Tickets are on sale now!

Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, chats, and more.

Thanks to our sponsor: Save 20% Off Honeylove by going to Custom URL: https://www.honeylove.com/PANTSUIT #honeylovepod #ad

When we look at the news right now &mdash; Iran, the airports, the corruption, the measles &mdash; it's tempting to decide none of it matters because, individually, we can't fix any of it. Nihilism is tempting, and we talk about how sometimes nihilism represents pride, but maybe in the right dose, it&rsquo;s more like humility. Either way, &ldquo;nothing matters&rdquo; is being proven wrong every day. Special elections are producing surprising results. Courts are holding tech companies accountable. And people are figuring it out when institutions fail (I&rsquo;m especially moved by the story of an underground railroad set up to bring Ukrainian children home from Russia). I say in this episode that my emotional cocktail has a splash of nihilism in it. But the main ingredient is my conviction that our attention and our care and our efforts make a difference.&nbsp;
Plus: please clap for my favorite segue in the history of Pantsuit Politics. From: &ldquo;perhaps we aren&rsquo;t sleepwalking into a dystopian nightmare&rdquo; to &ldquo;are we in a smut renaissance?&rdquo; facilitated by the shelving of an erotic chatbot. If this doesn&rsquo;t end your Friday with joy, I don&rsquo;t know what will. -Beth&nbsp;&nbsp;
Topics Discussed:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Nihilism is Having A Moment&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">Signs of Hope</li>
<li aria-level="1">Outside of Politics: Smut Renaissance</li>
</ul>
Join us in Minneapolis for our live show this August! <a href="https://www.pantsuitpoliticsshow.com/p/join-us-in-minneapolis-94f?r=2cbqu4">Tickets are on sale now!</a>
Ready to go deeper? Visit <a href="http://www.pantsuitpoliticsshow.com">our website</a> for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, chats, and more.
Thanks to our sponsor: Save 20% Off Honeylove by going to Custom URL:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.honeylove.com/PANTSUIT">https://www.honeylove.com/PANTSUIT</a> #honeylovepod #ad

"Compelling and thoughtful listening" - the New York Times

Hosted by Kentuckians Sarah Stewart Holland and Beth Silvers, Pantsuit Politics is an independent podcast that takes a different approach to the news and culture. Pay attention without the anxiety. New episodes every Tuesday and Friday.

Sales and Distribution by Lemonada Media https://lemonadamedia.com/

"Compelling and thoughtful listening" - the New York Times
Hosted by Kentuckians Sarah Stewart Holland and Beth Silvers, Pantsuit Politics is an independent podcast that takes a different approach to the news and culture. Pay attention without the anxiety. New episodes every Tuesday and Friday.
Sales and Distribution by Lemonada Media <a href="https://lemonadamedia.com/" data-stringify-link="https://lemonadamedia.com/" data-sk="tooltip_parent">https://lemonadamedia.com/</a>