The Tight Rope
As we navigate the balance between hope and uncertainty, we invite you to join Dr. Cornel West & Professor Tricia Rose on The Tight Rope, a weekly program where we welcome listeners and guests as thought collaborators. The Tight Rope is rich in creative, unfiltered dialogue on topics ranging from culture, art, and music to the contours of systemic racism, philosophy, the power of Socratic self-examination, and the possibilities of a peaceful and just world. Our innovative and interactive format will highlight the professors’ combined expertise to encourage critical thinking, self-reflection, and human connection as we navigate The Tight Rope.
Episodes
We’re sharing an episode from our friends over at Broken Record. On Broken Record, acclaimed producer Rick Rubin, bestselling author Malcom Gladwell, and former New York Times editor Bruce Headlam talk with the musicians you love about their lives, inspiration, and craft. In honor of Black Music Month this June, we’re sharing Justin Richmond’s conversation with Sonny Rollins.
The legendary saxophonist and composer talk...
We’re sharing an episode from our friends over at Broken Record featuring one of our past guest on The Tight Rope, Grammy-award winning artist and Maroon 5 keyboardist PJ Morton.
On Broken Record, acclaimed producer Rick Rubin, bestselling author Malcom Gladwell, producer Justin Richmond, and former New York Times editor Bruce Headlam talk with the musicians you love about their lives, inspiration, and craft. &nb...
We're sharing a special episode from our friends at Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso. Talk Easy is a different kind of interview podcast, a space for guests to slow down and share how they arrived at the place they are today—and where they hope to go tomorrow. Rigorously researched and irrepressibly curious, Talk Easy hosts dialogues driven by compassion with artists, activists, and politicians.
On this episode, Dr. Cornel West talks to ...
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In the final episode of The Tight Rope, Cornel West and Tricia Rose reminisce on all of the wonderful guests and poignant moments we’ve had this past year. Tune in to learn why the show is ending as we take a...
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As we prepare for our final episode of The Tight Rope next week, we wanted to take it back to where it all started. Please enjoy this re-release of our very first episode.
In this profound episode, Cornel West and Tricia Rose u...
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Marc Lamont Hill, award-winning journalist and host of Black News Tonight, walks The Tight Rope this week! Join us for a profound discussion on debating extreme conservatives, Bill Cosby’s recent release from prison, and being ...
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Why did 2x WNBA Champion Renee Montgomery opt out of the 2020 season? In this throwback episode, Renee sits down with the professors to discuss why she felt called to leave basketball to focus on social justice reform.
Renee Mo...
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This week, we’re thrilled to welcome Professor Teodros Kiros, leading authority on moral and African philosophy and dear colleague of Dr. Cornel West. Join us for a rich philosophical discussion between brilliant academics in a...
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What is love? Is it the virtue we need the most right now? This week, the professors take on the most powerful virtue, love. Tune in to learn why learning how to love requires learning how to die and how this virtue can transfo...
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Two-time Academy Award-winning actress, author, and activist Jane Fonda joins the professors for a fiery conversation on taking action against injustices. Tune in to learn about the calling that keeps her going and how she give...
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In this exciting collaboration with Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives and HITRECORD, Kenneth Morris, Jr. walks The Tight Rope. Kenneth Morris, Jr. descends from two of the most influential names in American history: he is t...
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In the second installment of our series of virtues, Cornel West and Tricia Rose dive into the true meaning of integrity. Tune in to learn why the professors consider integrity to be one of the most important virtues and why the...
This week on The Tight Rope, the professors are joined by Dr. Gina Paige, co-founder of African Ancestry. African Ancestry is the world leader in tracing lineages of African descent with a database of over 30,000 indigenous African DNA samples. Join us for a rich discussion on why Black people are the original victims of identity theft and how African Ancestry is working to rectify this.
This week on The Tight Rope, Stokley Williams opens up about founding Mint Condition, his new solo project Sankofa, and why he considers himself a sonic healer. Tune in to learn Stokley’s favorite songs of his career and the influences that helped him develop his signature style.
Stokley is a GRAMMY-nominated vocalist, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist who is one of music’s best-kept secrets. He has worked with some o...
Killer Mike walks The Tight Rope this week for an unfiltered conversation on knowing your worth and giving back to your community.
Mike shares personal stories about the people who shaped him as an artist and inspired his activism. Tune in to hear why Mike dedicated his career to uplifting others and inspiring the next generation of artists. Plus, Mike shares his favorite books of all time and why he believes 'education is emancipa...
To listen to the full episode with Roxane Gay, please visit our Patreon!
This week, New York Times Bestselling author, professor, editor, and social commentator Roxane Gay walks The Tight Rope.
Gay and the professors discuss the devastating attacks on Palestine and why so many public figures are afraid to speak out. Plus, learn why Gay felt called to be a writer and how she fell in love with the essay form.
Roxane Gay’s writi...
Dr. West and Professor Rose push each other as they reflect on the murder of George Floyd and its sustained significance one year later.
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This week Professor and activist Dr. Maulana Karenga joins the professors to discuss his relationship with Malcolm X, his beliefs about what is necessary to develop a true sense of Black identity, and Kawaida-- his interpretation of ancient Egyptian ethical thought as a living tradition and a useful philosophical option for critical reflection on the urgent issues of our time.
Dr. Maulana Karenga is professor and chair of the Depar...
Recorded on December 17th, 2020, with the holiday spirit close at hand, Dr. West and Professor Rose welcome Father Michael Pfleger, long-time Senior Pastor of The Faith Community of Saint Sabina to reflect on the state of our democracy and his beliefs on the role of faith communities in the fight for social justice, especially at the community level. In addition to discussing his hopes for the Biden administration, Father Pfleger r...
This week Professor Jeffrey Stout, longtime friend and colleague of Dr. West joins us on The Tight Rope to talk about virtues and the political significance of friendships. Tune in to hear Dr. Stout recount his experiences teaching with Dr. West and how their intellectual pursuits led to their bonds of brotherhood.
Jeffrey Stout is a theorist of democratic culture, best known for his teaching and his scholarship on social movements...
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