"The growing anti-trans narrative wasn’t just a culture war skirmish, it was a symptom of something deeper and more dangerous: a coordinated effort to undermine democratic norms by turning vulnerable groups into political targets." The latest by Jen Rainin of Frankly Speaking Films.

Biological or chosen, mother figures come in many forms. Here’s how one friendship helped guide a writer home to herself.

“Because once we’ve lost press freedom, it’s only a matter of time before we lose everything it protects.” @katiedd.bsky.social on the growing restrictions of press freedom around the world.

Staff Reads from our Social Media Manager: “I am buzzing from Zohran Mamdani’s win! This roundup is a helpful look at how he dominated. One my favorite takeaways is how Mamdani is the first mayoral candidate since 1969 to win this many votes.”

New podcast episode alert! 🚨 Contributor Vanessa Hsia reads her essay, "If Clothes Make the Man", about how her grandmother dressed her grandfather throughout their marriage and continued even after death. Listen here: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i...

"Queer relationship visibility isn’t good enough if all it does is replicate heteronormative approaches." Delilah Saul on why LGBTQ+ reality TV could be more queer.

“Running is an individual activity, but watching (and, of course, participating in) a marathon feels like a community endeavor.” In honor of the NYC Marathon this weekend, we look back on this story by @mrsslrss.bsky.social.

"Supermarkets are rapidly displacing other retailers to become the place of choice to buy food." How grocery chains have done more harm than good for the small farmers in Kenya and beyond. Story by @alexcpark.com.

Now, more than ever, we need art to do the heavy lifting of defining our values. This is Cultural Currency is a bi-monthly romp through the intersection of art and capital with writer Cara Marsh Sheffler.

New podcast episode alert! 🚨 Journalist @aliyabashir.bsky.social discusses her anti-nihilistic approach to climate reporting, and the importance of finding hopeful narratives when things are feeling bleak. Listen here: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...

The Conversationalist Podcast, hosted by alindguzik.bsky.social, brings candid chats with frontline changemakers and audio stories from conversationalist.org. Experience journalism as conversation and storytelling as resistance, free from corporate agendas.

"When people don’t see, feel, and taste the whole flavor of produce, they also feel less encouraged to eat it." How over-processed produce is disconnecting us from where food comes from.

"As people constantly reminded that they don’t belong, Latinx and AAPI folks in the U.S. face a mental battle over how beauty, health, food, exercise, medicine, and relationships should look." Why eating disorders are so prevalent in Latinx and AAPI communities in the U.S.

In 2024, it was estimated that half of the world’s population would have “the biggest election year in history,” with over 60 countries holding national elections throughout the year. Now, in 2025, people around the world may begin to experience the consequences.

If you follow the money at any museum, it will only lead to one familiar place: disappointment. Is there such a thing as an ethical museum? Cara Marsh Sheffler digs in to find out.

My latest for @conversationalist.org on the terrible state of global press freedom and why we should all care.

Today, global press freedom is more restricted than it has been in recent memory, but to uphold democracy, we must defend it with everything we’ve got. Because if we lose press freedom, it’s only a matter of time before we lose everything it protects. More by @katiedd.bsky.social.

As of 2020, only 5 percent of healthcare-related research and development efforts are targeted specifically at women’s health issues. And recently, it’s only gotten worse. Here’s one writer’s case on why we should fund women’s research ourselves.

Our first episode is out! 🎤🌟 I spoke to Leila Seiitbek and Tom Mayne about their work fighting global kleptocracy, which could not be more relevant today. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts and let me know what you think!

The wait's over. The Conversationalist podcast is finally here! In episode 1 of season 2, host (and founder) @alindguzik.bsky.social dives in with special guests about the growing threat of global kleptocracy—and their ongoing work to combat it. Listen now ➡️ podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/f...

"Flowers, like seasons and people, are temporary... Which is why I found a way to immortalize them, to avoid that loss, with tiny needles and pots of color." How botanical tattoos helped @marianneeloise.bsky.social immortalize what is impermanent 🪴

This analysis of the first Trump presidency is unfortunately still just as relevant today.

We want to hear from you! Help shape the future of The Conversationalist by responding to our super short anonymous survey. As a thank you, we're inviting folks who complete it to a call with our Executive Editor. More here ➡️ forms.gle/44NUraBeeNZu...

*taps mic 🎤* The Conversationalist podcast is coming back on October 14th, hosted by founder @alindguzik.bsky.social! Listen to the season 2 trailer here ➡️ conversationalist.org/2025/10/07/t...

writing this was a dream come true.

The Oscar-winning film “I’m Still Here” is based on a true story: Both in the movie and in reality, the Brazilian government wouldn’t admit to killing a man until 25 years after the fact. @nicolefroio.bsky.social on the political histories behind the film in this previously published story.

Staff Reads from Newsletter Editor, @mrsslrss.bsky.social: "Fact-checkers do some of the most vital and under-appreciated work in journalism. This essay, from a former fact-checker who became uncomfortable with their magazine's coverage of the genocide in Gaza, is equally revealing and maddening."

On this International Day of Non-Violence, we reflect on peace, protest, and interdependence in our newsletter. Read more here ➡️ mailchi.mp/conversation...

“At the moment, Gaza is the most dangerous place in the world to be a reporter—and also one of the most consequential. As this war continues, it only becomes clearer to me that we must do everything in our power to protect these journalists and their work.”

“Like most train enthusiasts, I’m all for high-speed rail. But there are benefits to taking the slow route.” Read more on the defense of slow rail by @alexcpark.com: conversationalist.org/2022/12/23/s...

Too many promising breakthroughs in women’s health research stall out due to a lack of funding. One writer found it’s time we reclaim some control, and fund the damn research ourselves.

“By confessing, everyone else’s grief poured out, too. By confessing, I became a part of the human world again, tangible and alive.” On grief and friendship by @marianneeloise.bsky.social.

Meet the shepherdess battling fire season with goats and sheep. 🐐🔥

The traditional perfumer’s mold continues to be cast in the French man’s image, but these women of color are writing new narratives in the scent industry.

“At a certain point, however, I gradually began to realize something much more fundamental had been lost in all the ‘convenience’ I’d been paying for.” How one writer became more subscription-conscious (and why you should, too). Read here: conversationalist.org/2025/06/25/s...

“It’s easy to forget when looking at it through the nostalgic lens that often filters our view of the era, but American fast food was also born in the aftermath of war.” Story by @alexcpark.com.

Azadi is the Urdu word for freedom. Have you chanted it at a protest lately? Are there other chants or protest calls that particularly inspire you? More in the latest Conversationalist newsletter by @mrsslrss.bsky.social. Read it here ➡️ mailchi.mp/conversation...

One Ugandan village has attracted large industries, providing increased employment for the young population. But at what cost? While beneficial to some, these industries are also increasing pollution—threatening the health of the region for tourists, workers, and residents alike.

"Now that the ghastly end game for Gaza has been laid bare, this is what we—the Western world—have done to the Palestinians." Stories from Gaza from people who are trying to survive.

the anti-democracy push isn’t just happening in the US. A look at the protests in Turkey from this past spring after the arrest of Istanbul’s mayor on bs corruption charges:

On this International Day of Democracy, we look back on this story by @nimetkirac.bsky.social about student-led protests in Turkey and what they are fighting for.

“She would continue to dress him for the rest of his life, and after it.” One writer’s Ye Ye dressed their Nai Nai every morning for over sixty years. The last time she dressed him was for his funeral.

"When people don’t see, feel, and taste the whole flavor of produce, they also feel less encouraged to eat it." How over-processed produce is disconnecting us from where food comes from.

Staff reads from our Social Media Manager: "I felt so many emotions reading this piece about how Disney represents capitalism at its worst. It follows one family who saved for years to go vs. a wealthy one that gets the red carpet treatment."

This summer, the Conversationalist team was joined by two interns, both journalists who brought great new perspectives and sharp insights to our work. This week's newsletter we're turning the mic over to them. Read it here 🎤 mailchi.mp/conversation...

In defense of throwing more shoes at war criminals. Story by @ginamei.bsky.social.

Azadi, or freedom, is a small word, but its meaning is profound and can symbolize a lifeline. “It crosses borders, languages, and faiths, moving between nations without itself becoming nationalized. It is a global grammar of defiance.” Our latest on why some Americans chant Azadi now.

Despite miscarriages being so common, it is rarely discussed. Read about one writer’s personal journey.

Biological or chosen, mother figures come in many forms. Here’s how one friendship helped guide a writer home to herself.

Knitting and crochet clubs have found new meaning amongst Gen Z and Millennials, who have turned to the age-old practice as a means of bringing back the “third place” and reconnecting with their peers.