Karen Christensen
@karenchristenze.bsky.social
Author, publisher, and activist known for writing about third places, political polarization, climate change, and women and power. Writes The Way We Live Now @Substack.
Pinned
Froggy urges me to spend more time outdoors, under blue skies, so I'm unlikely to be found here at Bluesky. But I am usually available at karenchristensen.substack.com/notes and c/o Berkshire Publishing.
Substack feels like a freeway filling up, and every time I start a post I have to figure out how to merge into the traffic. But here goes! open.substack.com/pub/karenchr...
Placemaking México & the Latin American rhythms we need
Bad Bunny, sobre mesa, and the conviviality of Mexico City
open.substack.com
February 13, 2026 at 4:05 PM
Substack feels like a freeway filling up, and every time I start a post I have to figure out how to merge into the traffic. But here goes! open.substack.com/pub/karenchr...
Let's bring back the trains! Please sign: sign.moveon.org/petitions/ur...
Urge Connecticut to study Maybrook & Housatonic Line reactivation
By signing this petition, you are championing a vision for a greener and more connected Connecticut, committed to investing in innovative, practical transportation solutions. Let's take a step t...
sign.moveon.org
December 31, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Let's bring back the trains! Please sign: sign.moveon.org/petitions/ur...
Froggy urges me to spend more time outdoors, under blue skies, so I'm unlikely to be found here at Bluesky. But I am usually available at karenchristensen.substack.com/notes and c/o Berkshire Publishing.
September 18, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Froggy urges me to spend more time outdoors, under blue skies, so I'm unlikely to be found here at Bluesky. But I am usually available at karenchristensen.substack.com/notes and c/o Berkshire Publishing.
Why the vegans lost: Bo’s Studio was named for a cat who disappeared, but Bo lives on in an adorable little vegan cookbook. You can see Bo the cat flying here. RIP. open.substack.com/pub/karenchr...
Why the vegans lost
Have we really lost hope for a better world? Can we find it again?
open.substack.com
September 9, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Why the vegans lost: Bo’s Studio was named for a cat who disappeared, but Bo lives on in an adorable little vegan cookbook. You can see Bo the cat flying here. RIP. open.substack.com/pub/karenchr...
The internet was nice while it lasted.
September 8, 2025 at 7:13 PM
The internet was nice while it lasted.
The US celebrates Labor Day at the beginning of September, while every other country celebrates a workers day on May 1st. American exceptionalism of a most unattractive kind. Here’s the global history for our Labor Day nonetheless! open.substack.com/pub/historyl...
Labor Movements, Worldwide
Omar H. ALI, University of North Carolina, Greensboro
open.substack.com
August 31, 2025 at 8:19 PM
The US celebrates Labor Day at the beginning of September, while every other country celebrates a workers day on May 1st. American exceptionalism of a most unattractive kind. Here’s the global history for our Labor Day nonetheless! open.substack.com/pub/historyl...
Sign up for History Lessons
open.substack.com/pub/karenchr...
open.substack.com/pub/karenchr...
Sign up for History Lessons
A new Substack learning newsletter from Berkshire Publishing
open.substack.com
August 17, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Sign up for History Lessons
open.substack.com/pub/karenchr...
open.substack.com/pub/karenchr...
Third places (tiers lieux) in France - an interview
open.substack.com/pub/karenchr...
open.substack.com/pub/karenchr...
Third places (tiers lieux) in France - an interview
A new book surveying "tiers lieux" invited me to explain the origins of the term
open.substack.com
July 13, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Third places (tiers lieux) in France - an interview
open.substack.com/pub/karenchr...
open.substack.com/pub/karenchr...
Is this really "Anything to get me back to Paris?" karenchristensen.substack.com/p/third-plac...: Third places (tiers lieux) in France - an interview open.substack.com/pub/karenchr...
Third places (tiers lieux) in France - an interview
A new book surveying "tiers lieux" invited me to explain the origins of the term
open.substack.com
July 10, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Is this really "Anything to get me back to Paris?" karenchristensen.substack.com/p/third-plac...: Third places (tiers lieux) in France - an interview open.substack.com/pub/karenchr...
My flag is tangled on the roses that are climbing the house, and I got tangled up, too. The first version of this post had only half the text. This is the full version.
karenchristensen.substack.com/p/deportatio...
karenchristensen.substack.com/p/deportatio...
Who are the men in masks?
Deportation raids and national character
karenchristensen.substack.com
July 1, 2025 at 6:24 PM
My flag is tangled on the roses that are climbing the house, and I got tangled up, too. The first version of this post had only half the text. This is the full version.
karenchristensen.substack.com/p/deportatio...
karenchristensen.substack.com/p/deportatio...
The video produced by our hosts in Yangzhou is a treat, though I found it annoying to be followed by photographers the whole time and got into it with one of them who just wouldn't leave me alone. As so often, I could have been more patient and obliging! karenchristensen.substack.com/p/16-days-in...
16 days in China, back in the USA
Travels in China along the Silk Road and Great Canal
karenchristensen.substack.com
June 27, 2025 at 7:42 PM
The video produced by our hosts in Yangzhou is a treat, though I found it annoying to be followed by photographers the whole time and got into it with one of them who just wouldn't leave me alone. As so often, I could have been more patient and obliging! karenchristensen.substack.com/p/16-days-in...
North Korean literature! Amazing. You clearly need to know some of the people I met in Dunhuang, China earlier this month at a conference sponsored by the China Writers Association. The chair of the Academy of Letters in Pakistan comes to mind. Greetings from Great Barrington.
New review: a new "Anthology of North Korean Fiction", 𝐻𝑖𝑑𝑑𝑒𝑛 𝐻𝑒𝑟𝑜𝑒𝑠 www.complete-review.com/reviews/kore...
Hidden Heroes: Anthology of North Korean Fiction
A review, and links to other information about and reviews of Hidden Heroes: Anthology of North Korean Fiction.
www.complete-review.com
June 27, 2025 at 7:38 PM
North Korean literature! Amazing. You clearly need to know some of the people I met in Dunhuang, China earlier this month at a conference sponsored by the China Writers Association. The chair of the Academy of Letters in Pakistan comes to mind. Greetings from Great Barrington.
It seems we need to look back to revolutionary days. open.substack.com/pub/karenchr...
Two items from the US of A
Tidbits of news that speak to a change in our once fair land
open.substack.com
June 16, 2025 at 11:16 PM
It seems we need to look back to revolutionary days. open.substack.com/pub/karenchr...
FREE Union Station print for paid subscribers
open.substack.com/pub/traintim...
open.substack.com/pub/traintim...
FREE Union Station print for paid subscribers
Bringing Pittsfield history to life
open.substack.com
May 10, 2025 at 12:50 PM
FREE Union Station print for paid subscribers
open.substack.com/pub/traintim...
open.substack.com/pub/traintim...
There is something delicious about MAGA folks being told to buy Teslas - I suppose at some point they will realize that a Tesla is an electric vehicle.
March 11, 2025 at 12:42 PM
There is something delicious about MAGA folks being told to buy Teslas - I suppose at some point they will realize that a Tesla is an electric vehicle.
Thanks to @anneapplebaum.bsky.social for sharing this. A Canadian friend tells me that Massachusetts and other states in New England will be especially welcome when they ask to join Canada. youtu.be/8peiLVFsLdw?...
We Will Survive
YouTube video by Jesse McFaul
youtu.be
March 11, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Thanks to @anneapplebaum.bsky.social for sharing this. A Canadian friend tells me that Massachusetts and other states in New England will be especially welcome when they ask to join Canada. youtu.be/8peiLVFsLdw?...
From the original 1936 edition of How to Win Friends and Influence People. Useful lessons for US Democratic Party in 2025.
March 10, 2025 at 11:26 AM
From the original 1936 edition of How to Win Friends and Influence People. Useful lessons for US Democratic Party in 2025.
I recognized Mark Carney's name because he wrote a book called Value(s). Another difference between him and those in power in the US.
Mark Carney has been named Canada’s next Prime Minister.
In January he spoke to @faisalislam.bsky.social in a UK broadcast exclusive for #Newsnight
In January he spoke to @faisalislam.bsky.social in a UK broadcast exclusive for #Newsnight
WATCH: "We're going to stand up to a bully.”
Mark Carney, the favourite to be the next Canadian prime minister, hits back at Donald Trump after the President imposed tariffs on Canada.
#Newsnight | broadcast 31.01.25
youtu.be/yV101ei8mu8?...
Mark Carney, the favourite to be the next Canadian prime minister, hits back at Donald Trump after the President imposed tariffs on Canada.
#Newsnight | broadcast 31.01.25
youtu.be/yV101ei8mu8?...
March 10, 2025 at 10:32 AM
I recognized Mark Carney's name because he wrote a book called Value(s). Another difference between him and those in power in the US.
While while it's worthwhile to make fun of the top Dems who are getting it wrong, we need to highlight the Dems who are working very hard to get the messaging right. I'm an admirer of Chris Murphy and Beto O'Rourke but there are many others. www.nytimes.com/2025/03/03/o...
Opinion | Meanwhile … This Is What the Democrats Are Doing?
Donald Trump is already wreaking havoc — even on his own supporters. But don’t worry. Democrats have a winning strategy to beat him. Or not.
www.nytimes.com
March 8, 2025 at 6:42 PM
While while it's worthwhile to make fun of the top Dems who are getting it wrong, we need to highlight the Dems who are working very hard to get the messaging right. I'm an admirer of Chris Murphy and Beto O'Rourke but there are many others. www.nytimes.com/2025/03/03/o...
follow up to the program at #PrinciplesFirst. www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdAD...
Michael Fanone Isn't SCARED Of Jan. 6 "F**kers" Like Enrique Tarrio
YouTube video by The Bulwark
www.youtube.com
February 27, 2025 at 1:26 PM
follow up to the program at #PrinciplesFirst. www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdAD...
I’m writing a little piece about the Green Party and was looking for the party political broadcast John Cleese did for the UK party in 1989. No luck with that, but I found this one. youtu.be/ToFe49xvqgE?...
Green Party PEB1989 Euro Election "Slime-Child"
YouTube video by Green History
youtu.be
February 10, 2025 at 6:37 PM
I’m writing a little piece about the Green Party and was looking for the party political broadcast John Cleese did for the UK party in 1989. No luck with that, but I found this one. youtu.be/ToFe49xvqgE?...
Reposted by Karen Christensen
And it begins.
FBI class action lawsuit against the retaliatory purge.
First Amendment
Violation of Due Process
Rights to Privacy
www.justsecurity.org/wp-content/u...
FBI class action lawsuit against the retaliatory purge.
First Amendment
Violation of Due Process
Rights to Privacy
www.justsecurity.org/wp-content/u...
February 4, 2025 at 6:04 PM
And it begins.
FBI class action lawsuit against the retaliatory purge.
First Amendment
Violation of Due Process
Rights to Privacy
www.justsecurity.org/wp-content/u...
FBI class action lawsuit against the retaliatory purge.
First Amendment
Violation of Due Process
Rights to Privacy
www.justsecurity.org/wp-content/u...
He threw us under the bus. www.slowboring.com/p/throw-bide...
Throw Biden under the bus
Sleepy Joe landed us in this mess with bad, selfish decisions
www.slowboring.com
February 4, 2025 at 4:03 PM
He threw us under the bus. www.slowboring.com/p/throw-bide...
I guess I won't rush to renew Berkshire Publishing Group's listing with the SBA.
Unelected, unqualified staff, at the behest of Elon Musk, are rooting around in Small Business Administration data that they have no business handling. As the ranking member of the Small Business Committee, I am asking for answers.
February 4, 2025 at 3:37 PM
I guess I won't rush to renew Berkshire Publishing Group's listing with the SBA.