New Books in Critical Theory
Marshall Poe
This podcast is a channel on the New Books Network. The New Books Network is an academic audio library dedicated to public education. In each episode you will hear scholars discuss their recently published research with another expert in their field.
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Discover our 150+ channels and browse our 28,000+ episodes on our website: newbooksnetwork.com
Subscribe to our free weekly Substack newsletter to get informative, engaging content straight to your inbox: https://newbooksnetwork.substack.com/
Follow us on Instagram and Bluesky to learn about more our latest interviews: @newbooksnetworkSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/critical-theory
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jan 4, 2026 • 54min
Megha Anwer and Anupama Arora, "Screening Precarity: Hindi Cinema and Neoliberal Crisis in Twenty-first Century India" (U Michigan Press, 2025)
Join Megha Anwer, a theorist of visual culture, and Anupama Arora, a film and gender studies professor, as they delve into the striking evolution of Bollywood in response to neoliberal crises in India. They define 'precarity' in cinema and highlight how contemporary films often link Muslim identity with slum depictions, fueling xenophobia. Explore the shifting portrayals of gender and caste, the impact of censorship, and the role of stars like SRK navigating political climate, all wrapped in a rich cultural critique of 21st-century cinematic narratives.
Jan 4, 2026 • 36min
Julia Elyachar, "On the Semicivilized: Coloniality, Finance, and Embodied Sovereignty in Cairo" (Duke UP, 2025)
Julia Elyachar, an anthropologist and associate professor at Princeton University, explores the concept of 'semicivilized' as it relates to colonialism and finance. She delves into the intersection of Ottoman debt and modern sovereignty, offering fresh insights on nonterritorial governance. Elyachar discusses the significance of embodied infrastructures and generational channels that sustain urban life in Cairo. Through her ethnographic work, she reimagines the implications of coloniality, offering a nuanced perspective on financial systems and collective survival.
Jan 3, 2026 • 46min
Deana Heath and Jinee Lokaneeta, "Policing and Violence in India: Colonial Origins and Contemporary Realities" (Speaking Tiger, 2025)
Join Jinee Lokaneeta, a Political Science professor specializing in police violence and accountability, as she delves into the dark legacy of India's police, established under colonial rule. Explore how systemic violence persists in contemporary policing and the normalization of brutality. Lokaneeta discusses the role of caste and religion in targeting marginalized communities and critiques technological solutions that mask rather than fix accountability issues. She emphasizes the need for continuous questioning and reform to dismantle these ingrained structures.
Jan 2, 2026 • 1h 53min
Richard Wolin, "Heidegger in Ruins: Between Philosophy and Ideology" (Yale UP, 2023)
Richard Wolin, a distinguished professor at the CUNY Graduate Center and expert in 20th-century intellectual history, dives deep into the controversial legacy of Martin Heidegger. He reveals how Heidegger’s flirtation with National Socialism intertwines with his philosophical work and explores the implications of the infamous 'Black Notebooks.' Wolin discusses Heidegger's anti-Semitism, his ideologies on work and locality, and the connections between his thought and contemporary far-right movements, unveiling the unsettling intersections of philosophy and ideology.
11 snips
Jan 1, 2026 • 48min
Hans Kundnani, "Eurowhiteness: Culture, Empire and Race in the European Project" (Oxford UP, 2023)
Hans Kundnani, a researcher on European politics and author of Eurowhiteness, delves into the complex interplay between race and the European project. He shares how his mixed heritage shaped his views on identity. Kundnani critiques the EU's historical ties to colonialism and argues that pro-Europeanism resembles nationalism. He discusses the EU's shift towards ethnic identity, the impact of the 2015 refugee crisis on culture and politics, and how Brexit revealed distinct relationships to European identity among minority voters.
Dec 31, 2025 • 54min
Bernard Forjwuor, "Critique of Political Decolonization" (Oxford UP, 2023)
Bernard Forjwuor, an Assistant Professor of Africana Studies at the University of Notre Dame, challenges conventional thinking about political decolonization in his latest work. He questions the meaning of political independence and its sufficiency as a decolonial claim, particularly through the lens of Ghana's history. Forjwuor connects IMF policies to political instability and introduces innovative methodologies to analyze colonialism’s complex legacy. His arguments extend beyond Ghana, offering insights into broader post-colonial contexts, making a case for how colonialism persists today.
10 snips
Dec 30, 2025 • 36min
Gillian Adler and Paul Strohm, "Alle Thyng Hath Tyme: Time and Medieval Life" (Reaktion, 2023)
Gillian Adler, an Assistant Professor of Literature at Sarah Lawrence College, dives deep into how medieval people experienced time. She explores the intertwining systems of narrative, natural, and liturgical time that colored daily life. Adler contrasts this with our modern, clock-driven existence, emphasizing the richness of medieval temporalities. She delves into the rise of mechanical clocks and their impact on labor, revealing how societal norms around time have evolved. The conversation also touches on reclaiming a more qualitative and communal sense of time in today's fast-paced world.
7 snips
Dec 30, 2025 • 1h 22min
Martin Jay, "Immanent Critiques: The Frankfurt School under Pressure" (Verso, 2023)
Martin Jay, author of Immanent Critiques: The Frankfurt School Under Pressure, explores the continuing relevance of the Frankfurt School in the 21st century. He critically examines various ideas within the school, such as the pathologization of political deviance, the theological premises of Walter Benjamin's work, and the analysis of anti-Semitism and Zionism. The podcast also delves into the complexities of understanding authoritarianism, the support for authoritarian populism, and Walter Benjamin's integration of theology into historical materialism.
Dec 29, 2025 • 1h 26min
Philippe Huneman, "Why?: The Philosophy Behind the Question" (Stanford UP, 2023)
Philippe Huneman, a philosopher, discusses the different meanings of 'why' and its impact on various disciplines. He explores the cause of events, the reason of beliefs, and the purpose of actions. Huneman introduces key philosophers and delves into metaphysics. He also acknowledges the limits of reason and our natural instinct to ask 'why' despite knowing there may not be a definitive answer.
Dec 29, 2025 • 48min
Russell T. McCutcheon, "Critics Not Caretakers: Redescribing the Public Study of Religion" (Routledge, 2023)
Russell T. McCutcheon, a University research professor and former chair of Religious Studies, discusses his new book 'Critics Not Caretakers.' He emphasizes the need for scholars to approach religion as a subject for critique rather than caretaking. McCutcheon shares insights into the evolution of the field since 2001 and critiques how national contexts shape public scholarship. The conversation also delves into rethinking graduate programs, barriers to change, and the role of religious studies in promoting adaptable skills for students.
