We’re excited to announce the upcoming launch of The Real podcast in January 2025, dedicated to embracing Critical Realism’s emancipatory purpose. As a dynamic, transformative philosophy of science, Critical Realism was never meant to sit solely within academic discussions. Its original intent—championed by Roy Bhaskar—was to challenge systemic injustices and promote meaningful change in society. But over time, Critical Realism has suffocated under rigid academic frameworks, stifling its transformative potential. The Real is here to shift that narrative.
Why The Real?
Critical Realism has immense value, and many people engage with its ideas every day without even knowing it. You don’t need to be a philosopher or a sociologist to understand that the world has deeper layers—ones that go beyond what we can see or measure. People act on this understanding through their real-world experiences, but they might not have the language for it. That’s what The Real aims to do: bridge the gap between academic theory and everyday life, turning complex ideas into tools for real-world change.
What Can You Expect?
- Interviews with Practitioners and Scholars: We’ll feature voices from across disciplines—social work, public health, education—showing how Critical Realism is applied to create real, tangible solutions for societal challenges.
- Educational Segments: We’ll break down key concepts like the difference between the empirical, actual, and real, and make these ideas accessible.
- Community Stories: You’ll hear from people who are already living out Critical Realism, whether they know it or not.
- Panel Discussions: Explore pressing societal issues through a Critical Realist lens.
Emancipation Through Action
Critical Realism’s core is emancipation. It’s not just about understanding the structures that shape our world—it’s about changing them. In a world full of inequalities and injustices, it’s critical to ask ourselves: how can we use what we know to make things better? The Real will focus on actionable insights that you can apply in your field, whether you’re in academia, social work, community organizing, or beyond.
Why Join Us?
There are a lot of podcasts out there, so why The Real? If you care about challenging injustice and you’re looking for a deeper way to understand the world and your role in it, this is the place for you. We’re not just talking about theory for the sake of theory. We’re getting real—about the challenges in society, about the experiences of people, and about how we can work together to change it.
Call for Contributions
We’re always looking for new voices and ideas. Whether you want to share how you’ve applied Critical Realism in your work or have a fresh perspective to offer, we’d love to hear from you. Interested in being a guest or suggesting a feature? Contact Sandy Rao at sandy.rao@ucalgary.ca. We warmly welcome dialectical engagement (to use some Critical Realism language!) to uncover deeper truths and generate solutions that consider the complexity of reality. Ultimately, we hope that The Real will be a collaborative process to reach a more comprehensive and truthful understanding of the social world by considering different viewpoints and their interplay.
Get Involved
The Real isn’t just a podcast—it’s a platform for amplifying voices, sharing knowledge, and driving action.
P.S. As a fun Easter egg for listeners and fans of Roy Bhaskar, you might notice that the “O” in The Real’s logo is stylized in different colours. This is a subtle nod to Bhaskar himself, who often used a coloured “O” for the “O” in his name. It’s a small tribute to the visionary behind Critical Realism and his ongoing influence on this movement.