Rebecca Solnit: Why Cynicism Feels Smart—and Isn't episode artwork

EPISODE · Jun 23, 2026 · 39 MIN

Rebecca Solnit: Why Cynicism Feels Smart—and Isn't

from The Nature Of with Willow Defebaugh · host Rebecca Solnit

Hope isn’t found in looking to the future; it’s in the past. This week, Willow sits down with legendary writer and activist Rebecca Solnit for a conversation about uncertainty, change, and the stories we choose to believe about what’s to come. Together, they explore why hope is not naïve optimism when rooted in evidence, and how history reminds us that change often arrives in unexpected ways. Drawing from Rebecca’s new book, The Beginning Comes After the End, this conversation examines the progress made in the last 70 years as cause for hope—and proof that the impossible happens all the time. For more about Rebecca Solnit: https://www.rebeccasolnit.net/   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Jun 23, 2026

Embed this episode

Ready to play

Rebecca Solnit: Why Cynicism Feels Smart—and Isn't

0:00 39:59

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

No similar episodes found.

No similar podcasts found.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of The Nature Of with Willow Defebaugh?

This episode is 39 minutes long.

When was this The Nature Of with Willow Defebaugh episode published?

This episode was published on June 23, 2026.

Can I download this The Nature Of with Willow Defebaugh episode?

Yes. Use the download control on the episode player to save the publisher-provided media file.
URL copied to clipboard!