
About this episode
The episode explores the political implications of rejection through the lens of Alison Kinney's book.
We all know the stinging pain of rejection: the exclusion from a high-school in-group or the all-too-common experience of applying for a job and receiving an email starting with “We regret to inform you…” But beyond the personal experience of rejection is a power dynamic worth interrogating, argues author Alison Kinney. Her new book, “United States of Rejection: A Story of Love, Hate, and Hope,” examines it as not only a personal force, but a political one. Guests: Alison Kinney, author; assistant professor of writing, Eugene Lang College at The New School Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
People in this episode
Guest: Alison Kinney
Topics covered
- rejection
- politics
- power dynamics
- personal experience
- social exclusion
Keywords
- rejection
- politics
- Alison Kinney
- social dynamics
- personal experience
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Eugene Lang College
Books & works: United States of Rejection: A Story of Love, Hate, and Hope
More episodes of KQED's Forum
- Deb Haaland on the Future of Native Leadership · June 12, 2026 · 52 min
- Olé, Olé, Olé! Expat Communities Celebrate World Cup Teams Playing in the Bay Area · June 12, 2026 · 52 min
- What Our Faces Reveal About Us · June 11, 2026 · 52 min
- What AI's Huge IPOs Will Mean for Housing Affordability in the Bay Area · June 11, 2026 · 55 min
- Ben Rhodes on the Speeches That Shaped America · June 10, 2026 · 55 min
- Trump Administration Shovels $75 million into Controversial Oakland Coal Terminal · June 10, 2026 · 55 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the KQED's Forum podcast page.