About this episode

This episode explores the distinction between Negative Freedom and Positive Freedom through the lens of Timothy Snyder's work and the story of an elderly Ukrainian woman.

Comments? Send me a text message. Drawing on historian Timothy Snyder's book On Freedom, this episode explores why resistance alone is never enough. Using the story of Mariia, an 85-year-old Ukrainian woman living in the aftermath of Russian occupation, Snyder introduces a distinction that cuts to the heart of our current political moment: the difference between Negative Freedom — freedom from oppression — and Positive Freedom — freedom to build systems that support human flourishing. I...

More episodes of THRIVING IN TIMES OF STRUGGLE

• #10 Humor As Resistance: Lessons from Ancient Greece · May 6, 2026 · 21 min
• #8 Boycotts as Tools of Resistance and Reconstruction · March 30, 2026 · 20 min
• #7 When People Become Disposable. · March 13, 2026 · 14 min
• #5. Movement Ecology: The Work of Social Movements · February 4, 2026 · 20 min
• #4 Beyond No: Building YES Coalitions for What Comes Next · January 27, 2026 · 13 min
• #3 Lessons from MLK's LETTER FROM BIRMINGHAM JAIL · January 19, 2026 · 14 min

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the THRIVING IN TIMES OF STRUGGLE podcast page.