Carla Kaplan
Award-winning professor and writer holding the Stanton W. and Elisabeth K. Davis Distinguished Professorship in American Literature at Northeastern University; author of Troublemaker, a biography of Jessica Mitford, and several notable books on American literature and cultural history.
Best podcasts with Carla Kaplan
Ranked by the Snipd community
Feb 18, 2026 • 1h 6min
Carla Kaplan, "Troublemaker: The Fierce, Unruly Life of Jessica Mitford" (Harper, 2025)
Carla Kaplan, award-winning professor of American literature and author of Troublemaker, profiles Jessica Mitford, an aristocrat-turned-radical. Short, vivid tales cover Mitford’s flight from privilege, bravery in the Spanish Civil War, Communist organizing in California, inventive political theater, and her blockbuster muckraking The American Way of Death. Lively, resilient, and defiantly funny life.
Dec 10, 2025 • 47min
An Anglo-American Way of Troublemaking: The Fierce, Unruly Life of Jessica Mitford
Carla Kaplan, a biographer and scholar, dives into the vibrant life of Jessica Mitford, the rebellious Mitford sister known for her fierce advocacy against fascism. They explore how Mitford's humor served as her weapon against societal bullies and her commitment to social justice distinguished her from other aristocrats. Kaplan recounts Mitford's impactful experiences in the Spanish Civil War and her affinity for the working class. They also discuss her humorous yet incisive muckraking style and the political relevance of her wit in today's world.
