Shows
Art of CitizenryA Call for Humanity: Standing Against ExtremismAround the world, far-right and ultra-conservative movements are gaining power—mainstreaming ideologies once confined to the political fringes. From the recent elections in Germany to the United States, we’re witnessing a rise in extremist rhetoric, the rollback of human rights protections, and a troubling erosion of democratic norms. As these forces grow bolder, many leaders – from businesses to major media companies to higher education – are choosing silence over resistance. But neutrality in moments like these is not apolitical; it’s complicity. When leaders remain quiet, they protect the very systems that threaten the fabric of a just and equitable...2025-05-0847 minArt of CitizenryNot So Lucky Jeans: Unauthorized Subcontracting & Wage Theft in Fashion Supply ChainsApril 24th marks the anniversary of the Rana Plaza factory collapse in Bangladesh—a tragedy that killed over 1,100 garment workers and injured thousands more. It exposed the human cost of unsustainable fashion cycles and sparked global conversations about corporate accountability, worker safety, and supply chain transparency. Over a decade later, workers across global supply chains still continue to fight for basic rights.In this episode, Manpreet Kaur Kalra speaks with Anna Canning, Worker Rights Senior Program Director at Partners for Dignity and Rights. Anna recently published an article exposing Lucky Brand’s role in severance theft at Indu...2025-04-2441 minArt of Citizenry"Beneath REI’s Green Sheen": The Human Cost of Global Supply ChainsGlobalization has set the stage for complex supply chains that allow multinational corporations to geographically and legally distance themselves from the exploitative labor conditions they often incentivize and perpetuate, shielding themselves from accountability while profiting from systemic human rights abuses. Companies such as REI have long cultivated an image of sustainability and progressive values, but how do those commitments hold up when you follow the supply chain?In this episode, Manpreet Kalra is joined by Clare Hammonds of the UMass Amherst Labor Center and Katie Nguyen of Students for International Labor Solidarity, co-authors of Beneath REI’s Gr...2025-04-1050 minArt of CitizenryThe Fight for National TrailsThe fate of America’s public lands is at a crossroads. With sweeping federal budget cuts, mass job losses at key agencies like the Department of the Interior and the US Department of Agriculture, and a growing push for resource extraction under the banner of economic security, the future of national parks and trails has never felt more uncertain. At the heart of this shift sits a potential deepening of extractive policies that prioritize industry over conservation.In this episode, Manpreet Kaur Kalra sits down with Courtney Lyons-Garcia, Executive Director of Partnership for the National Trails System, to...2025-03-2741 minArt of CitizenryReintroducing: Art of CitizenryWelcome to Art of Citizenry. 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.Tune in weekly for thoughtful conversations about decolonization and storytelling as Host, Social Impact Advisor, and Human Rights Scholar, Manpreet Kaur Kalra examines the power of narrative to challenge systemic inequities. From the impacts of business on people and the planet to the resilience of communities fighting for justice, Manpreet challenges us to rethink the systems we live in and envision a more equitable...2025-01-1602 minArt of CitizenryUnpacking the Past, Present, and Future of Safe Abortions with Dr. Allison BerryDuring episode 16 of Art of Citizenry Podcast, Manpreet Kaur Kalra is joined by Dr. Allison Berry, a family physician, mother, and trained abortion provider. Together, they discuss the nuances of the recent Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, explore the inequities that come from banning safe abortions, and unpack how religion + politics have dictated the physician-patient relationship. As a primary care physician and Public Health expert, Dr. Berry offers her personal experiences caring for patients and humanizes the fight for reproductive justice.📌 IMPORTANT NOTE: For medical providers like Dr. Berry, coming out as an abortion pro...2022-07-131h 16Art of CitizenryAnti-Trafficking, Christian Supremacy and the Rescue IndustryHuman trafficking is a complex issue with layers of deep seated power structures influencing the way we both understand and think about trafficking. All too often, the narratives we read and share fail to capture the nuance that makes this industry so complex. The images we see are compelling -- those of young women, mostly women of color in the Global South, looking weak and disempowered. Their stories, often told through a translator, are powerful and typically follow the same storytelling structure, subconsciously etching stereotypes of communities and cultures into our psyches. Those stories coupled with a call to...2021-10-141h 24Art of CitizenryDismantling the Victimization of Afghan Women with Madina WardakWhite feminism is built on centering Euro-American so-called progressive views as the pinnacle of women’s liberation. It rejects intersectionality and complexity, instead manifesting in the form of white saviorism, fueled by the very system it claims to challenge: misogyny. Over the past week, much of the conversation around Afghanistan has been focused on the “liberation of Afghan women.” These calls for “liberation” are a manifestation of Euro American imperialism under the guise of white feminism. The same narratives of “women’s liberation” that were used to justify war 20 years ago continue to dominate headlines without acknowledging the ways in which...2021-08-301h 02Art of CitizenryIndia's COVID-19 Crisis and the Vaccine Apartheid// Trigger Warning // During this episode, we discuss loss, exploitation, systemic racism, and the devastating results of healthcare inequities. If you need to at any point, pause, step away or just stop listening, I understand. Unpacking moments of profound communal trauma can be incredibly difficult.
For more, you can find the full show notes of every episode at https://www.artofcitizenry.com/episodesThank you to our producer, Aly Honoré, and editor, Noah Kowalski.The music featured in the podcast was created by Katrina Zemrak2021-05-0745 min
Environmental Style NowDecolonizing Storytelling with Manpreet KalraIn this episode of E.S.Now, we sit with Manpreet Kalra to find out why we need to decolonize storytelling in the ethical marketing landscape. Manpreet is the founder of Art of Citizenry, where she works with clients globally in impact consulting through a marketing lens. She focuses on incorporating cultural humility in brand narratives and is particularly interested in how businesses in the Global North communicate impact about their work with producer groups in the Global South.www.artofcitizenry.com2021-04-0443 minArt of CitizenryPurity Culture, American Imperialism and the Dehumanization of Asian WomenA History of Anti-Asian RacismAnti-Asian racism is systemic. From terrorizing the very Chinese immigrants who built America’s infrastructure in the 1800s to Japanese American incarceration during WWII, anti-Asian racism is baked into America’s history. It continues to manifest through harmful imperialist narratives that further the dehumanization of Asian communities - perpetuating exploitative power structures in the form of white supremacy, giving validity to hate and violence. They are furthered through stereotypes that fuel microaggressions, exotification, and sexual violence.To understand the complex intersections of hate that influenced the horrific shooting in Atlanta, Geor...2021-03-311h 05Art of CitizenryDissent in India: Intersections of Oppression and Human RightsThe unfortunate reality is that human rights violations are part of the fabric of India’s history. From police brutality to unlawful arrests and disappearances, genocide has become normalized. Which is why, if you are a minority, your rights are constantly under threat. As has been the case throughout history, protestors are being painted as terrorists by state-owned news outlets and are being met with government-sanctioned police brutality, tear gas, and water cannons. Citizen journalists are being unlawfully arrested and detained. The police have attempted to cut off access to food and water at protest sites to starve the pr...2021-03-1127 minArt of CitizenryEpisode 03: Which is it? Cultural Appreciation or AppropriationEver ordered a chai tea latte or purchased a jacket marketed as a kimono? When it comes to mobilizing for an anti-racist economy, it is important to first address the ways in which we reinforce systems of oppression in our every day life. During this episode, we explore at what point cultural appreciation becomes appropriation. I had the opportunity to host this conversation earlier this month in collaboration with Chicago Fair Trade, NYC Fair Trade Coalition and Iowa City Fair Trade Coalition. I am excited to bring it to you now through this special episode featuring webinar highlights.2020-07-201h 06Art of CitizenryEpisode 02: Tanja Cesh of Mulxiply on EmpathyThere are approximately 28 million people living in Nepal. Half of the population lives below the poverty line, earning less that $1.25 per day. With unemployment high, many leave the country as migrant workers. There are a lot of social enterprises and non-profits that go into countries wanting to make a difference. Doing good in an unequal world takes listening and being able to understand the nuance of why a society is the way it is.Navigating Impact with Cultural HumilityIn this episode, Tanja talks about her journey from working in fast fashion to slow fashion...2020-05-2720 minArt of CitizenryWelcome to Art of CitizenryWelcome and thank you for listening to Art of Citizenry podcast. This podcast explores the intersection of social justice, personal journeys, and power dynamics. I am Manpreet Kaur Kalra, your host and in-house storyteller. I want to take a moment to share with you the inspiration behind this podcast.Over the years, I've traveled across six continents, spending extended periods of time in cities and villages around the world. As the stamps in my 52 page passport continued to multiply, so did my passion to do something impactful. My travels left me with a de...2020-05-2704 min