The feeling of impending doom is an emotion that many Americans have felt since President Donald Trump took office in January 2025. Not knowing what’s next for the country as this administration carries out a high velocity of policy changes in such a short period of time has left some people’s spirits very low. The worries come as prospects of Democrats retaking Congressional power surge, but is that enough to reassure people?  

As best-selling author and progressive activist Rebecca Solnit puts it in the title of her new book — the beginning comes after the end.  

Solnit, who will be appearing at this year’s Santa Fe International Literary Festival, joins the latest “Conversations Different” podcast episode to discuss with host Inez Russell Gomez her newly released book The Beginning Comes After the End: Notes on a World of Change.  

According to the book’s summary, Solnit writes about the political and social movements over the last few decades to share how people have responded to change and how the common takeaway from those movements has been to create a new world that embraces community, culture and diversity. It’s advice Solnit says is extremely relevant in today’s political times.  

In the episode, Solnit also talks about the state of our current politics, explains how her essay inspired the term “mansplaining” and what her message for this year’s literary festival — May 16-18 — will be.

The feeling of impending doom is an emotion that many Americans have felt since President Donald Trump took office in January 2025. Not knowing what&rsquo;s next for the country as this administration carries out a high velocity of policy changes in such a short period of time has left some people&rsquo;s spirits very low. The worries come as prospects of Democrats retaking Congressional power surge, but is that enough to reassure people?&nbsp;&nbsp;
As&nbsp;best-selling&nbsp;author and&nbsp;progressive&nbsp;activist Rebecca Solnit&nbsp;puts it&nbsp;in&nbsp;the title of&nbsp;her new book&nbsp;&mdash;&nbsp;the&nbsp;beginning comes&nbsp;after the&nbsp;end.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Solnit, who will be appearing at this year&rsquo;s Santa Fe International Literary Festival, joins the latest &ldquo;Conversations Different&rdquo; podcast episode to discuss with host Inez Russell Gomez her newly released&nbsp;book&nbsp;The Beginning&nbsp;Comes After the End: Notes on a World of Change.&nbsp;&nbsp;
According to the book&rsquo;s summary, Solnit writes about the political and social movements over the last few decades to share how people have responded to change and how the common takeaway from those movements has been to create a new world that embraces community, culture and diversity. It&rsquo;s advice Solnit says is extremely relevant in today&rsquo;s political times.&nbsp;&nbsp;
In the episode, Solnit&nbsp;also&nbsp;talks about&nbsp;the state of our current politics,&nbsp;explains&nbsp;how her essay inspired&nbsp;the term &ldquo;mansplaining&rdquo;&nbsp;and&nbsp;what&nbsp;her&nbsp;message&nbsp;for&nbsp;this year&rsquo;s&nbsp;literary festival&nbsp;&mdash;&nbsp;May 16-18&nbsp;&mdash; will&nbsp;be.

Conversations Different is presented by the Santa Fe New Mexican and features host Inez Russell Gomez in provocative talks with local and regional personalities shaping the landscape of Northern New Mexico.

Inez Russell Gomez is Opinion Page Editor at the Santa Fe New Mexican with decades of experience writing and editing the news in America's oldest capital city.

Conversations Different is presented by the Santa Fe New Mexican and features host Inez Russell Gomez in provocative talks with local and regional personalities shaping the landscape of Northern New Mexico.
Inez Russell Gomez is Opinion Page Editor at the Santa Fe New Mexican with decades of experience writing and editing the news in America's oldest capital city.