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1A

Finding Agency In Chaos

1A

NPR

News

4.4 β€’ 4.3K Ratings

πŸ—“οΈ 26 March 2025

⏱️ 35 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

If you've been following the news lately β€” including with 1A β€” it can be a lot to take in.

We've heard from many of you about how the news makes you feel. But what can we do in chaotic moments of history to build a sense of control in our lives? Maybe it's organizing in your community, starting a new hobby, or picking up that TV show from 10 years ago that you promised you'd get around to watching.

We talk about what finding agency in the chaos can look like, and why we should actively focus on something rather than simply react to what's happening.

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Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

This message comes from Wondery.

0:01.9

When Luigi Mangione was arrested for allegedly shooting the CEO of United Healthcare,

0:07.0

he didn't just spark outrage.

0:08.7

He ignited a cultural firestorm.

0:10.9

Listen to Law and Crimes, really, how are you?

0:29.0

If you've listened to 1A recently or if you follow the news, one word we hear a lot from you

0:35.1

to describe the world right now is chaotic.

0:38.3

The current presidential administration is challenging the norms in basic operations of our government.

0:43.5

The climate is warming faster than it was a few years ago.

0:47.4

The economy has become more certain.

0:49.3

There's conflict and famine around the world.

0:52.8

It can be a lot to take in.

0:57.3

At the same time, you need to go to the grocery store. Oh, and you got to finish that report for work and you've got to care for your child or an aging

1:03.5

relative. Don't forget, you got to pay the electric bill and file your taxes. It may feel hard just to get

1:10.8

through the basics of life, much less

1:13.4

try to engage with what's going on in the news, support your community, or organize politically.

1:20.2

So how can we keep a level head without pulling away from the world? You've been sharing how you

1:26.7

find balance an agency right now.

1:29.3

I sit down at my piano and I look for some chords. I look for a song that somehow captures

1:37.8

and speaks to that part that I can't define about what's wrong and just put it there.

1:45.0

And it'll always be there.

1:46.1

And I don't seem to have to carry it when it's in the keys.

...

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