PUSHBACK Talks

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 archi...

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...

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 d...

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...

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 T...

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 part...

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! This week the Filmmaker and the Advocate...

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! What is it that makes a worker essential?...

What's it like to be the world leader of human rights at a time when it looks like they've been abandoned? Volker Türk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, sits down for an eye-opening talk about "human rights economies" that value human dignity over profits. Türk shares his bold ideas to fundamentally reshape finance, policy, and growth around protecting bas...

In this episode of Pushback Talks, we delve into the global wave of pro-Palestinian student protests igniting campuses worldwide. After students at Columbia University treated the Gaza Solidarity Encampment on April 17th, they found themselves in a two-week standoff that inspired students around the world. In just 3 weeks, pro-Palestinian encampments had spread to nearly 140 campuses across 45 sta...

This week on Pushback Talks, Fredrik and Leilani explore a bold proposition: What if we put the business of landlordism on trial? Nick Bano's latest work, "Against Landlords: How to Solve the Housing Crisis," serves as our guide. Bano, a barrister specializing in representing marginalized groups, takes us on a journey through the history of housing law in the UK, tracing its evoluti...

In this episode of Pushback Talks, Leilani and Fredrik sit down with David Ireland, the Chief Executive of World Habitat, to catch up on things since they teamed up for the filming of Push. Their conversation delves into the World Habitat Awards and the inspiring projects they recognize and support, highlighting innovative solutions that are transforming lives and communities worldwide. David shar...

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...

This week, we turn our attention to Argentina, a nation grappling with political turmoil and economic distress. With rising polarization and economic instability, President Milei's controversial policies roll back social programs and consolidate power, exacerbating social inequalities and economic disparities. Sebastián Fest, a seasoned Argentinian journalist and political commentator, joins...

As the cost of living continues to rise and housing remains one of the hottest topics in the news, there's a common misconception in North America that tenants are just homeowners in waiting. Laws and incentives are written to support this idea, and it's leaving a growing generation of tenants behind in a way that is detrimental for us all. This week's guest, author and political ec...

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...

"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...

Embark on a transformative journey this week with the Filmmaker and the Advocate as they engage in conversation with Rutger Bregman, esteemed historian and author of Humankind and Utopia for Realists . Join the trio as they navigate the heart of societal transformation, unraveling Bregman's impactful contributions to Fredrik's film "Breaking Social." Dive deep into pressing que...

Ever wondered what it takes to build a thriving community of empowered tenants? In this illuminating episode of Pushback Talks, we speak with Valeria Raçu and Alba Jiménez of the Madrid Tenant's Union (also known as Sindicato de Inquilinas e Inquilinos de Madrid ) about building meaningful movements. Join Fredrik and Leilani as they sit down with Valeria and Alba to look closer at the extraor...

What is it that makes a worker essential? This is the question that Chris Smalls and hundreds of thousands of Amazon workers had to ask as they found themselves working long hours in unsafe conditions at the height of the pandemic, having been deemed 'essential.' But when Chris, who was responsible for training thousands of other employees and upper management, organized a protest for be...

Welcome to Season 7 of Pushback Talks! It's been an eventful summer, as nations worldwide grappled with the housing and climate crises, and people took to the streets to protest wealth inequality and the rapidly rising cost of living. In this highly anticipated season premiere, we join Fredrik and Leilani for a one-on-one conversation about their work to push back against the injustices of ou...

This year's summer series is coming to a close! We did things a little differently this year, revisiting some of our favorite episodes from across all six seasons, and giving you updates on the guests and topics at the top of each episode. No matter where you are - we hope you enjoy the final episode of the 2023 Summer Series! Students the world over head to university filled with hopes and d...

It's summertime in Sweden and Canada, so it's time for Pushback Talks - Summer Series! And we're doing things a little differently this year. For the next six weeks, we'll revisit some of our favorite episodes from across all six seasons, giving you updates on the guests and topics at the top of each episode. The Filmmaker and the Advocate are taking a break, but the podcast is...

It's summertime in Sweden and Canada, and that means it's time for Pushback Talks - Summer Series! And we're doing things a little differently this year. For the next six weeks, we'll revisit some of our favorite episodes from across all six seasons, giving you updates on the guests and topics at the top of each episode. The Filmmaker and the Advocate are taking a break, but th...

It's summertime in Sweden and Canada, and that means it's time for Pushback Talks - Summer Series! And we're doing things a little differently this year. For the next six weeks, we'll revisit some of our favorite episodes from across all six seasons, giving you updates on the guests and topics at the top of each episode. The Filmmaker and the Advocate are taking a break, but th...