Perspectives On

“Spain is like a fiction” — An Author’s Perspective on Catalan Independence ft. Bel Olid

How does a language become an act of resistance? In this episode, we hear from a Catalan writer and academic whose journey from migrant roots to teaching Catalan in the U.S. reveals how language, culture, and identity intertwine in the fight for independence. In this deeply personal and political episode, we hear from a Catalan writer and academic raised in a migrant family during the fragile years after Franco’s dictatorship. From learning Catalan in one of the first public schools to teach it openly, to watching state repression deflate the optimism of the 1980s, they share how identity, education, and culture became central to their political awakening. We explore how Catalan language and literature have served as spaces of resistance — and how the Spanish state’s neglect, censorship, and “folklorization” of Catalan culture reflect deeper structural issues. Along the way, we talk about feminism, the failures of the 2006 Statute of Autonomy, and the dream of writing a new constitution. This episode touches on topics like: * Language as both heritage and political decision * The resilience of Catalan culture and its parallels in France * Multiculturalism and inclusive identity in Catalonia * What independence could mean for rights, equity, and self-determination 📣 We also discuss the role of artists, writers, and new generations in imagining the next wave of Catalonia’s future. 📅 New episodes drop every two weeks. 🎧 Be part of the podcast! Just head to www.perspectivesonpodcast.com/engage [https://open.acast.com/www.perspectivesonpodcast.com/engage] — record your perspective! 🌐 www.perspectivesonpodcast.com [http://www.perspectivesonpodcast.com/] 🎧 Follow the show to get new episodes as they drop ⭐️ If you enjoy the episode, please rate and review — it helps more people find us 📣 Share it with someone who loves big questions and deeper conversations Host: Paul Green Producer: Barry Carney Intro/Outro and background Music: Jazzy Swimming (Royalty Free) Interlude Music: T Kleyn Music Cover Artwork: Andrea Z. Scharf A Disaster Caster Productions Podcast ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

“This Is Not About Democracy” — A Lawyer's Perspective On Catalan Independence ft. Dr. Nuria González Campañá

Welcome to the first full episode of Perspectives On: Catalan Independence. And where better to begin than with the law? This week, we’re joined by Dr. Núria González Campaña — a constitutional law expert, legal scholar, and, quite literally, the person who wrote the book on secession and EU law. From the constitutional rigidity of Spain, to comparisons with the UK, Canada, and Italy, we explore the legal foundations that underpin — and complicate — Catalonia’s independence ambitions. In this conversation, Dr. González Campaña walks us through: * Why the Spanish constitution makes secession almost impossible (but not quite), * What happened legally in 2017 — and why that referendum was, in her words, “absolutely illegal,” * How the EU navigates (or avoids) unilateral independence, * The deeper distinction between nationalism and democracy, * And why “if you don’t like the law, change the law” is both the simplest and hardest answer. This one lays the groundwork. If you’re wondering what the rules of the game are — and why it matters who gets to change them — start here. 📅 New episodes drop every two weeks. 🎧 Be part of the podcast! Just head to www.perspectivesonpodcast.com/engage [https://open.acast.com/www.perspectivesonpodcast.com/engage] — record your perspective! 🌐 www.perspectivesonpodcast.com [http://www.perspectivesonpodcast.com/] 🎧 Follow the show to get new episodes as they drop ⭐️ If you enjoy the episode, please rate and review — it helps more people find us 📣 Share it with someone who loves big questions and deeper conversations Host: Paul Green Producer: Barry Carney Intro/Outro and background Music: Jazzy Swimming (Royalty Free) Interlude Music: T Kleyn Music Cover Artwork: Andrea Z. Scharf A Disaster Caster Productions Podcast ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Prelude: What We’re Doing — and Why It’s Different

Welcome to Perspectives On — a podcast for people who crave nuance in a world of noise. In this prelude episode, we share the thinking behind the show: why it exists, what we’re trying to do differently, and what you can expect from Season One. This isn’t about hot takes or viral clips — it’s about slowing down and trying to understand complex topics from all sides. Each season focuses on one issue. One topic. Multiple voices. This first season is about Catalan independence — a subject often reduced to simple headlines. But there’s far more to the story, and we’re going to explore it through legal experts, activists, political figures, and the people living it. 📅 New episodes drop every two weeks. 🎧 Be part of the podcast! Just head to www.perspectivesonpodcast.com/engage [https://open.acast.com/www.perspectivesonpodcast.com/engage] — record your perspective! 🌐 www.perspectivesonpodcast.com [http://www.perspectivesonpodcast.com/] 🎧 Follow the show to get new episodes as they drop ⭐️ If you enjoy the episode, please rate and review — it helps more people find us 📣 Share it with someone who loves big questions and deeper conversations Host: Paul Green Producer: Barry Carney Intro/Outro and background Music: Jazzy Swimming (Royalty Free) Interlude Music: T Kleyn Music Cover Artwork: Andrea Z. Scharf A Disaster Caster Productions Podcast ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.