Art of Citizenry

Manpreet Kaur Kalra

With a sharp focus on culture, economics, and politics, Art of Citizenry explores how historic oppression persists and evolves, confronting the colonial legacies that shape our systems today. With an emphasis on intersectional justice, this podcast challenges listeners to unlearn and consider more restorative, community-centered approaches. Join us as we critically explore, challenge, and unravel mainstream narratives with nuanced perspectives. Support our work: https://www.artofcitizenry.com/support

  1. ICE Out: Minnesota Under Siege with Senator Erin Maye Quade

    FEB 12

    ICE Out: Minnesota Under Siege with Senator Erin Maye Quade

    In this episode of Art of Citizenry Podcast, Manpreet Kaur Kalra speaks with Minnesota State Senator Erin Maye Quade from the epicenter of ICE’s siege. Across Minnesota, intensified immigration operations have made daily life unsafe and unpredictable, destabilizing families and threatening people’s basic autonomy and human rights. From masked agents going door to door and idling near schools to racially profiling and arbitrarily kidnapping children and adults, the federal government has carried out an occupation marked by unlawful tactics designed to intimidate and detain.  The conversation moves beyond the headlines to unpack the lived reality on the ground. Senator Maye Quade explains why documentation and constitutional observing have become critical tools of protection, how mutual aid networks are sustaining families, and what meaningful accountability could require in the months and years ahead. We explore: What Operation Metro Surge looks like on the ground and how ICE is using racial profiling to terrorize communities.The importance of constitutional observing and documentation as tools for accountability.Community resilience in the face of state violence and how mutual aid networks are sustaining families through rent support, food distribution, childcare, and emergency response as families shelter in place.The possibilities of state-level action amid federal overreach.What other states and communities should prepare for if this playbook spreads.Meet Our Guest Minnesota State Senator Erin Maye Quade made history in 2022 as the first out lesbian, the first Black mom, and one of the first Black women elected to the Minnesota Senate. She serves as Vice Chair of both the Education Policy and State and Local Government Committees, and she is a member of the Human Services and Education Finance Committees. Senator Maye Quade has successfully led initiatives to expand reproductive freedom, protect LGBTQ+ rights, safeguard election integrity, and promote literacy, among other key priorities. Pay Attention. Stay Informed. Take Action.  Want to show up in a meaningful way? Visit StandWithMinnesota.com to contribute to mutual aid efforts and connect with trusted support resources.Know your rights and build communication networks with neighbors. Preparation and community are powerful forms of defense. Download red cards in your preferred language: ilrc.org/redcardsContent warning: This episode includes descriptions of state violence, please take care while listening.  📌Support the Podcast: Art of Citizenry is proudly independent. Support us as we critically explore, challenge, and unravel mainstream narratives by empowering listeners with accessible, nuanced perspectives.  Contribute via Paypal: https://visit.artofcitizenry.com/paypalSubstack: https://artofcitizenry.substack.com/Follow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artofcitizenry Follow Manpreet on Instagram: https://instagram.com/manpreetkalra Explore Past Episodes of the Art of Citizenry Podcast with Manpreet Kalra: https://www.artofcitizenry.com/podcast For more, you can find the full show notes of every episode at https://www.artofcitizenry.com/episodes

    53 min

  2. 12/18/2025

    The Private Equity Playbook: Joann Fabrics

    JOANN (forever “Joann Fabrics” in our hearts) didn’t just “go out of business,” it was engineered to collapse. In this episode of our series The Private Equity Playbook, host Manpreet Kaur Kalra is joined by collaborator Anna Canning to trace how a beloved craft-store chain went from being a hub for makers to a debt-loaded financial instrument.  This isn’t a story about changing consumer tastes or “retail trends.” It’s actually about debt, extraction, and what happens when the logic of Wall Street collides with the fabric of daily life.  From JOANN's origins in Cleveland’s garment-manufacturing era to its pandemic boom and rapid collapse, we break down what happens when private equity enters the picture: a leveraged buyout that loads a company with debt, management fees that drain resources, and cost-cutting that hollows out the very labor and expertise the business depends on. Along the way, we connect JOANN’s downfall to the rise of fast fashion, the history of DIY economics, and the way private equity continues to enter our lives.  In this episode, we explore: How Joann Fabrics went from zero debt to total collapse after a private equity-led leveraged buyout loaded the company with over a billion dollars in obligations and ongoing management fees.What a leveraged buyout actually is, and how private equity firms use company debt, not their own money, to finance acquisitions and extract returns.The history of U.S. garment manufacturing, from unionized apparel hubs like Cleveland to offshoring, fast fashion, and the shift of sewing from necessity to hobby.How private equity hollowed out JOANN's core strengths (the expertise of its employees) while using a brief boom during the pandemic to obscure deep structural damage, and how JOANN's collapse rippled outward to destabilize adjacent industries.The bipartisan political support underpinning private equity’s takeover of our lives and why consumer choice can’t solve this.📌Support the Podcast: Art of Citizenry is proudly independent. Support us as we critically explore, challenge, and unravel mainstream narratives by empowering listeners with accessible, nuanced perspectives.  Contribute via Paypal: https://visit.artofcitizenry.com/paypal Become a Paid Subscriber on Substack: https://artofcitizenry.substack.com/ Follow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artofcitizenry Follow Manpreet on Instagram: https://instagram.com/manpreetkalra For more, you can find the full show notes of every episode at https://www.artofcitizenry.com/episodes

    54 min

  3. 12/04/2025

    Impact Investing and the Complex Math of Doing Good

    Impact investing is often framed as a win–win: do good, generate a positive social or environmental impact while still earning a financial return. But what does that actually look like in practice and who carries the risk when things don’t go as planned?  In this episode of Art of Citizenry, Manpreet Kaur Kalra is joined by Dr. Peter Hinton, impact investor and Associate Fellow at Oxford’s Saïd Business School, to unpack the financial architecture behind impact investing — debt, equity, and quasi-equity — and what these instruments really mean for social enterprises and impact-driven businesses on the ground. Together, they trace the field’s roots from faith-based socially responsible investing and the rise of microfinance to today’s trillion-dollar impact investing market. Along the way, they dig into the hidden risks of hard currency loans and the tension between investor expectations and the realities faced by entrepreneurs and communities. They tackle one of the field’s thorniest questions: how do you measure social impact without overburdening the very organizations you’re trying to support?  This episode dives into: The financial architecture of impact investing: how debt, equity, and quasi-equity shape risk, power, and investor-investee relationships.Historical roots of the field, from faith-based socially responsible investing and microfinance to today’s global impact investing ecosystem.Global power dynamics, including currency risk, capital flows, and the implications of hard-currency loans for entrepreneurs in emerging markets.The challenges of measuring social impact, why standardized metrics fall short, and how reporting requirements can burden social enterprises.Community-centered evaluation and accountability, exploring methods that elevate beneficiary voices and prioritize cultural and linguistic contexts.Whether you’re new to impact investing or wrestling with its limitations from the inside, this episode offers a grounded, critical, and hopeful look at what a more equitable approach could look like. 📌Support the Podcast: Art of Citizenry is proudly independent. Support us as we critically explore, challenge, and unravel mainstream narratives by empowering listeners with accessible, nuanced perspectives.  Contribute via Paypal: https://visit.artofcitizenry.com/paypalSubstack: https://artofcitizenry.substack.com/Follow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artofcitizenry Follow Manpreet on Instagram: https://instagram.com/manpreetkalra Explore Past Episodes of the Art of Citizenry Podcast with Manpreet Kalra: https://www.artofcitizenry.com/podcast For more, you can find the full show notes of every episode at https://www.artofcitizenry.com/episodes

    45 min

  4. 11/20/2025

    The Private Equity Playbook: Philz Coffee

    Coffee, Silicon Valley, and… George W. Bush's former roommate? In this episode of Art of Citizenry Podcast, host Manpreet Kaur Kalra is joined by long-time collaborator Anna Canning as they kick off a new series on private equity by tracing what happens when big finance meets something as everyday as your morning cup of coffee. Philz Coffee made headlines earlier this year when the iconic San Francisco coffee company got bought by private equity firm Freeman Spogli in a deal that cancelled all employee common stock options. Together, Manpreet and Anna dig into what happened, breaking down the complex financial maneuvers and unpacking how this conclusion was both unexpected and not all that surprising. In this episode, we explore the case of Philz Coffee while touching on: What private equity is and how “leveraged buyouts” and high-risk financial engineering shape our daily livesThe hierarchy of who gets paid when investors are involved and what Philz’s decision to cancel worker stock tells us about whose investments really matterHow consolidation in coffee offers insights into the  broader patterns of the global economy where consolidation has become the name of the gameThe people, let’s be real…men…behind Freeman Spogli, the firm’s origins, and ties to U.S. politics.Why transparency, journalism, and informed communities are essential for pushing back on corporate impunityTune in as we begin to unmask corporate consolidation in coffee and beyond: Nestlé’s and JAB’s coffee empires, the pressure on small ethical roasters, historic low coffee prices for farmers, and how firms like Freeman Spogli have been quietly reshaping everything from grocery chains to farmers’ livelihoods. We connect the dots between colonialism, capitalism, and financialization, showing how risk is repeatedly pushed down onto workers (and farmers) while profits are siphoned off at the top. 📌Support the Podcast: Art of Citizenry is proudly independent. Support us as we critically explore, challenge, and unravel mainstream narratives by empowering listeners with accessible, nuanced perspectives.  Contribute via Paypal: https://visit.artofcitizenry.com/paypalSubstack: https://artofcitizenry.substack.com/Follow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artofcitizenry Follow Manpreet on Instagram: https://instagram.com/manpreetkalra Explore Past Episodes of the Art of Citizenry Podcast with Manpreet Kalra: https://www.artofcitizenry.com/podcast For more, you can find the full show notes of every episode at https://www.artofcitizenry.com/episodes

    49 min
  5. The Power of Self-Investigation in Storytelling with Noor Tagouri

    11/06/2025

    The Power of Self-Investigation in Storytelling with Noor Tagouri

    Storytelling shapes how we see the world, and our place in it. The stories we tell and the ones we choose to believe define our understanding of truth, power, and belonging. They decide whose pain is seen, whose resistance is remembered, and whose voices are erased. In this episode of Art of Citizenry Podcast, host Manpreet Kaur Kalra is joined in conversation with Noor Tagouri. Together, they interrogate how narratives influence systems — reflecting on what it means to tell stories with transparency, courage, and care in an era where journalism itself is being redefined. We explore: The transformative power of storytelling when rooted in self-investigationHow a rapidly evolving media landscape is reshaping the role and responsibility of independent journalistsThe far-reaching consequences of representation and misrepresentation in shaping politics, pop culture, and public opinionHow cross-community solidarity among marginalized groups can reclaim narrative power and deepen the integrity of storytellingStorytelling isn’t neutral. Self-investigation asks us to move through our own stories with courage — allowing curiosity to become our compass as we explore our own identities, stories, and beliefs. This conversation is an invitation to listen deeply, ask hard questions, and question the stories we inherit — letting each question reshape what we know.   📌 Support the Podcast: Art of Citizenry is proudly independent. Support us as we critically explore, challenge, and unravel mainstream narratives by empowering listeners with accessible, nuanced perspectives.  Contribute via Paypal: https://visit.artofcitizenry.com/paypalSubstack: https://artofcitizenry.substack.com/Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/manpreetkalraFollow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artofcitizenry Follow Manpreet on Instagram: https://instagram.com/manpreetkalra Explore Past Episodes of the Art of Citizenry Podcast with Manpreet Kalra: https://www.artofcitizenry.com/podcast For more, you can find the full show notes of every episode at https://www.artofcitizenry.com/episodes

    40 min

  6. 10/23/2025

    Episode 37: Tariffs, Trade Wars, and the Future of Fair Trade

    October marks both Fair Trade Month and National Co-op Month – a fitting moment to examine how global trade policies are reshaping the landscape for ethical businesses. In this episode of Art of Citizenry Podcast, host Manpreet Kaur Kalra is joined by Nicole Vitello, Vice President at Equal Exchange, a worker-owned co-operative with the mission to build long-term fair trade partnerships that are economically just and environmentally sound. Together, they unpack how tariffs, trade wars, volatile commodity markets, and climate pressures are colliding to threaten the survival of ethical supply chains. From a 39% tariff on Switzerland to 50% tariffs on Brazil and India, industries ranging from chocolate and coffee to fashion are under immense strain. For fair trade, ethical businesses and co-ops, it’s not just about surviving the current administration’s tariff strategy – it’s about whether ethical supply chains can survive in a system tilted toward multinationals and shareholder profits. While these taxes are marketed as efforts to “bring manufacturing home,” the real impact lands on those least able to absorb the cost – smallholder farmers, small businesses here domestically, and ultimately consumers. We explore: How the trade wars, increases in tariffs, and high commodity prices are destabilizing ethical, sustainable, and fair trade supply chains – causing cost and pricing spikes from farmers to consumersWhy ethical businesses and co-ops are uniquely vulnerable under protectionist trade policiesHow climate change, tariffs, and inflation are compounding global price volatility and putting financial pressure on farmer coopsThe impacts of USAID cuts on economic development programs Why cooperative business models and consumer solidarity may be the last line of defense against exploitative trade🎧 Ethical supply chains that center fairness and sustainability remain the exception, not the rule. Tune in as we examine the human cost of tariffs and the structural inequities baked into modern capitalism and global trade systems. 📌Support the Podcast: Art of Citizenry is proudly independent. Support us as we critically explore, challenge, and unravel mainstream narratives by empowering listeners with accessible, nuanced perspectives.  Contribute via Paypal: https://visit.artofcitizenry.com/paypalSubstack: https://artofcitizenry.substack.com/Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/manpreetkalraFollow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artofcitizenry Follow Manpreet on Instagram: https://instagram.com/manpreetkalra Explore Past Episodes of the Art of Citizenry Podcast with Manpreet Kalra: https://www.artofcitizenry.com/podcast For more, you can find the full show notes of every episode at https://www.artofcitizenry.com/episodes

    53 min

  7. 10/09/2025

    Techno-Orientalism & Reimagining Sci-Fi with Elaine U Cho

    In this episode of the Art of Citizenry Podcast, host Manpreet Kaur Kalra is joined by author Elaine U. Cho in conversation about her new sci-fi novel Teo’s Durumi. Together they unpack techno-orientalism – exploring how her work contends with capitalism, colonialism, and identity – and why using our unique lens in art matters now more than ever. This episode invites you to think critically about how narratives of the future are shaped and who gets to author them. Elaine’s reflections on diaspora, cultural authenticity, and resisting reductive tropes are not just lessons for sci-fi writers, but for anyone grappling with representation in storytelling. During this conversation, we explore: Identity & diaspora: Wrestling with the question “Am I ___ enough?” and writing through the tension of layered identities.Orientalism & Techno-orientalism: From Edward Said’s groundbreaking critique to sci-fi tropes that flatten and exoticize Asian cultures.Cultural Hegemony in Literature: Resisting the pressures of making her work “palatable” to a mainstream audience by embracing specificity, language, and cultural nuance.📚Be sure to check out Elaine U. Cho’s book, Teo’s Durumi and debut Ocean’s Godori Also mentioned in this episode: Edward Said’s 1978 book: Orientalism 📌Support the Podcast: Art of Citizenry is proudly independent. Support us as we critically explore, challenge, and unravel mainstream narratives by empowering listeners with accessible, nuanced perspectives.  Contribute via Paypal: https://visit.artofcitizenry.com/paypalSubstack: https://artofcitizenry.substack.com/Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/manpreetkalraFollow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artofcitizenry Follow Manpreet on Instagram: https://instagram.com/manpreetkalra Explore Past Episodes of the Art of Citizenry Podcast with Manpreet Kalra: https://www.artofcitizenry.com/podcast For more, you can find the full show notes of every episode at https://www.artofcitizenry.com/episodes

    36 min

  8. 09/25/2025

    Fragments of a Fragile Order: Phasing Out Free Speech

    In this episode of the Art of Citizenry Podcast, host Manpreet Kaur Kalra and producer Aly Honoré take a step back from the headlines to explore what they reveal about the state of American democracy, culture, and free speech.  From the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live and mass doxing campaigns reminiscent of McCarthyism, to the militarization of cities and the campaign to “Free Ben & Jerry’s,” these stories are more than isolated flashpoints. Together, they paint a troubling picture of democratic fragility and the creeping rise of authoritarianism. Join us as we unpack the escalating threats to free speech—from censorship and defamation lawsuits to corporate pressure and racialized violence. We connect the dots between media, governance, and power, revealing how dissent is being stifled and narratives tightly controlled—and why independent voices and collective resistance matter now more than ever. “When that space for scrutiny is narrowed, whether through censorship, intimidation, or the co-opting of media outlets, the public’s access to truth is replaced with narratives carefully engineered to reinforce the power of an authoritarian regime.” — Manpreet Kaur Kalra, Art of Citizenry ⏰ Timestamps: 00:55 Trump’s $15 Billion Defamation Lawsuit Against The New York Times03:52 Disney-Owned ABC Pulls Jimmy Kimmel! Live!10:25 Jerry Greenfield Leaves Ben & Jerry’s15:49 The Erasure of Racial Violence in the Wake of Charlie Kirk18:50 Deployment of Federal Forces for “Crime Control”21:34 How We Fight BackWhat emerges is an ecosystem of control: voices silenced through lawsuits, narratives erased through selective coverage, and public space militarized to cement that erasure. Together, they show a contracting democracy. 🎧 Tune in as we discuss how the erosion of press freedom and free speech is central to authoritarianism.  📌Support the Podcast: Art of Citizenry is proudly independent. Support us as we critically explore, challenge, and unravel mainstream narratives by empowering listeners with accessible, nuanced perspectives.  Contribute via Paypal: https://visit.artofcitizenry.com/paypalSubstack: https://artofcitizenry.substack.com/Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/manpreetkalraFollow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artofcitizenry Follow Manpreet on Instagram: https://instagram.com/manpreetkalra Explore Past Episodes of the Art of Citizenry Podcast with Manpreet Kalra: https://www.artofcitizenry.com/podcast For more, you can find the full show notes of every episode at https://www.artofcitizenry.com/episodes

    24 min
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5
out of 5
24 Ratings

About

With a sharp focus on culture, economics, and politics, Art of Citizenry explores how historic oppression persists and evolves, confronting the colonial legacies that shape our systems today. With an emphasis on intersectional justice, this podcast challenges listeners to unlearn and consider more restorative, community-centered approaches. Join us as we critically explore, challenge, and unravel mainstream narratives with nuanced perspectives. Support our work: https://www.artofcitizenry.com/support

Information

  • Creator
    Manpreet Kaur Kalra
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    45
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2020 Art of Citizenry
  • Show Website
    Art of Citizenry