With credit due to Joni Mitchell for the lyric “captive on a carousel of time” from “The Circle Game,” the title of this episode refers to two topics that come up in conversation for Wendy Sheridan, Mary McGinley, and Robin Renée this week, plus the general sense of overwhelm that can pervade the experience of current events. The episode begins on a lighter note with an On This Day in History segment and an acknowledgment of weird U.S. “holidays” such as National Wine & Cheese Day, National Moth Week, and perhaps the slightly more relevant National Hire a Veteran Day. Robin goes on a bit of a detour when talking about National Merry-Go-Round Day to mention the adorable pre-fame pop gem, “Merry Go Round” by Lou Reed circa 1962.
In a callback to last week’s episode, “Permit Patty Problems,” Robin relays a tale from the Jersey shore about a “Permit Pete” who reported a woman with a little support animal. Wendy also picks up a previous conversation and reveals her decision about running for political office. In Personal Promos, Wendy reminds everyone about her coloring book for adults, Harlequin and Other Fantasies, Robin announces a performance at Root Studio in August, and Mary tells us to keep an eye out for the new and improved MaryMcGinley.com.
We then learn that it is Captive Nations Week, which gets nicknamed “Irony Week” because while the proclamation calls for freedom for all, it feels to many that the United States is caught moving in the opposite direction. A discussion of the Helsinki Summit develops and the co-hosts contemplate pathways toward the most effective activism, how to reach others about the importance of awareness of the political climate, and ways to manifest the best outcome for the 2018 midterm elections and beyond.
Listen to The Leftscape – the shape of progressive conversation: “Captive on a Carousel (Episode 9).”
