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Sarah Kendzior - Author And Voice Of Insight

Sarah Kendzior - Fast Company

Jul 06, 2025
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Sarah Kendzior - Fast Company

When we think about people who help us make sense of what's happening around us, some voices stand out. Sarah Kendzior is, in a way, one of those important voices, someone who spends her time looking at how our societies work, or sometimes, how they don't. She brings a fresh perspective to big topics, helping us connect the dots between the news we see and the deeper currents shaping our lives.

Her work, you know, really gets into the everyday stuff of politics and how people live, especially when things feel a bit unsettling. She has a knack for talking about things like government actions and cultural shifts in a way that feels very real and immediate. It’s about more than just reporting facts; it’s about making sense of the feelings and challenges many of us share.

So, if you're ever wondering why things are the way they are, or why certain public figures seem to gain so much traction, her insights can be quite helpful. She writes and speaks about these matters, giving us a chance to think more deeply about the forces at play in our world, which, you know, can be a lot to take in sometimes.

Table of Contents

Who is Sarah Kendzior? A Look at Her Background

Sarah Kendzior is, you know, a person who wears many hats in the world of ideas and writing. She's known as someone who puts thoughts into words for books and articles. She also has a background in studying human societies and their ways, which is a bit like being a social scientist. And, too, she spends time looking into things very closely, almost like a detective, trying to figure out how our world works.

She's also someone who teaches and shares what she knows, often about how governments run, how people live together, and the ways certain types of control can take hold. In some respects, her work helps us see the threads that connect everyday life to bigger systems. She has, you know, a way of looking at things that helps others gain a better sense of what's going on.

Her path has included being a regular writer for big news outlets, like Al Jazeera and The Globe and Mail. These are places where many people get their news, so her ideas have reached a wide audience. She's been writing for a good while, too, giving talks and speeches at universities and places where important policy discussions happen, all around the globe since 2006. It's clear she's been a consistent voice.

Here’s a little bit more about Sarah Kendzior in a simpler way:

NameSarah Kendzior
Main WorkWriter, Scholar, Speaker
StudiedAnthropology (PhD from Washington University in St. Louis)
Key TopicsPolitics, Culture, Authoritarianism, Media
Well-Known BooksHiding in Plain Sight, They Knew, The View from Flyover Country, The Last American Road Trip
Home BaseSt. Louis, with her family

What Does Sarah Kendzior Write About?

Sarah Kendzior, you know, really focuses on some big topics that affect all of us. She writes a lot about politics, which is how our societies are run and who has influence. She also covers culture, which is all about the ways we live, our customs, and our shared beliefs. And, perhaps most notably, she discusses what she calls "authoritarianism," which is a way of ruling where one person or a small group holds a lot of influence and doesn't allow much freedom.

Her writings often connect these things, showing how they influence each other. For example, she has looked closely at how certain people gain power, like Donald Trump, and how that process has unfolded since the 1980s. She talks about how, you know, our everyday freedoms can slowly be chipped away, making it possible for someone to become a leader who might not respect those freedoms very much.

She also has a particular way of looking at how people trust those in charge, even when they might not trust the groups or systems that are supposed to keep things fair. This is a pretty interesting idea, really. She suggests that what happens in a place like Missouri, where she lives, can actually tell us a lot about the bigger picture of what's happening across the entire country. It’s almost like a small mirror reflecting larger trends.

Sarah Kendzior's Focus on Authoritarianism

When Sarah Kendzior talks about authoritarianism, she's not just using a fancy word. She's looking at real-world situations where, you know, certain kinds of leaders come to the fore. She has a keen eye for how these figures operate and how their influence grows. It's about understanding the step-by-step process that can lead to less open societies.

She has, as a matter of fact, gone into great detail about how the very things that make a society free can be weakened over time. This weakening, she suggests, makes it easier for a leader who might not care much for democratic ways to gain a foothold. It’s a pretty serious subject, but she tries to make it clear for people to grasp.

Her writing on this topic often makes you think about how, you know, certain events or choices from the past might have set the stage for what we see today. She's trying to show the links, the ways things connect, so we can better understand the forces at play. It’s a bit like tracing a river back to its source, seeing where the current truly begins.

How Does Sarah Kendzior Approach Difficult Times?

Sarah Kendzior has, you know, openly shared her thoughts on living through really challenging moments. She mentioned writing one of her books during a hurricane, and then, as she put it, another big storm was on its way. This gives you a sense of the kind of pressures she's been under while doing her important work. She's also said that this time we're in now is just very, very difficult.

She could, as she noted, have listed many other big problems or disasters that have happened. Her perspective is that there's something quite odd about how we're all expected to just keep going with our daily lives. We have our jobs, we raise our families, and we do all sorts of ordinary things, even while truly big and unsettling events are unfolding all around us. It’s a strange feeling, isn't it?

This idea of carrying on, you know, while major issues are happening, is a theme she touches upon. It speaks to the feeling many people have, that life demands normalcy even when the world feels anything but normal. She points out that those who try to harm a free society don't get to say that freedom is gone for good. That, you know, is a strong stance, a way of saying that hope and resistance still matter.

Sarah Kendzior's Perspective on Everyday Life

Her view on everyday life, especially during tough times, is pretty relatable. She talks about the sense of unreality that can creep in when, you know, major problems are happening. It's almost like there's a disconnect between the news headlines and the need to, say, make dinner or go to work. This feeling, she suggests, is a shared human experience.

She seems to understand that people are, in a way, trying to balance the weight of global events with the small, personal responsibilities of their lives. It's a kind of quiet struggle, really, for many people. Her words suggest a kind of quiet strength, too, in simply continuing on, even when things feel quite heavy.

So, she's not just writing about big political ideas; she's also, you know, touching on the very human experience of trying to keep things together when the outside world feels a bit chaotic. It’s a message that acknowledges the strain but also, perhaps, the resilience of ordinary people.

The Books of Sarah Kendzior: What Can We Learn?

Sarah Kendzior has, you know, written several books that have really made an impact. She’s the person behind titles like Hiding in Plain Sight and They Knew. These books, as a matter of fact, have been quite popular, even making it onto bestseller lists. She also wrote The View from Flyover Country and The Last American Road Trip. Each of these books offers a unique look at the issues she cares about.

For instance, They Knew gets into the idea of how people tend to trust those in influential positions, even if they don't have much faith in the established systems. It’s a pretty interesting thought, really, about human nature and how we place our trust. She also looks at how a place like Missouri, where she lives, can show us a lot about the wider mood and character of the whole country. It’s a way of using a specific place to talk about bigger themes.

Her book, Hiding in Plain Sight, specifically talks about the careful way Donald Trump came into power, starting way back in the 1980s. The publisher describes it as a look at how the weakening of our freedoms made it possible for a leader like him to appear in America. This book, you know, really tries to lay out a timeline and connect the dots for readers, showing how past events led to present situations.

Sarah Kendzior's Literary Contributions

Her books, you know, are more than just stories; they're deep explorations of important societal issues. They encourage people to think critically about the world around them. She has a way of taking complex ideas and making them understandable, which is a pretty good skill for a writer.

The fact that her books have become bestsellers means that a lot of people are finding her insights helpful and, you know, worth spending time with. It suggests there's a real hunger for the kind of straightforward, yet thoughtful, analysis she provides. Her writing style seems to connect with many readers.

So, if you're looking to gain a clearer sense of some of the political and cultural shifts happening, picking up one of Sarah Kendzior's books could be a good place to start. They offer, as a matter of fact, a distinct point of view on subjects that are often talked about but sometimes not fully explored in public conversation.

Beyond Books - Sarah Kendzior's Media Presence

Sarah Kendzior's influence goes, you know, well beyond the pages of her books. She's been a regular writer for big news organizations like Al Jazeera and The Globe and Mail. This means her thoughts and opinions have reached a very wide group of readers across different countries. Being a regular contributor to such outlets shows that her voice is considered important and relevant.

She also spends a lot of time giving talks and speeches. Since 2006, she has, as a matter of fact, regularly visited universities and places where policy makers gather, both in her home country and around the world. These talks allow her to share her ideas directly with students, thinkers, and people who work in government, which is a pretty direct way to spread her message.

You might have even seen her on TV. She’s been a guest on shows like "Late Night with Seth Meyers." During these appearances, she’s discussed topics like the deep-seated problems that might last even after a particular leader is gone. She also talked about some of the challenges that people who report the news face, which, you know, is a pretty honest discussion to have on a major show.

Sarah Kendzior's Reach in Media

Her presence in various media forms means that Sarah Kendzior’s ideas are accessible to many different kinds of people. Whether it's through her written articles, her speeches, or her TV appearances, she finds ways to share her unique perspective. This broad reach is, in a way, quite important for getting important ideas out there.

It’s clear she's not someone who just writes and then steps back. She actively engages with the public and with different groups, which is pretty commendable. She seems to understand that, you know, getting people to think about big issues requires meeting them where they are, whether that's through a newspaper, a lecture hall, or a late-night talk show.

So, if you're looking for someone who consistently offers insights on current events, Sarah Kendzior is, you know, someone whose work you'll find in many different places. She makes a point of being present in public discussions, which is very helpful for those seeking to understand the times we live in.

Why Does Sarah Kendzior Speak Out Against Personality Cults?

Sarah Kendzior has, you know, been quite clear in her views about something called "personality cults." This is when a lot of people focus their loyalty and admiration on one single person, rather than on ideas or institutions. She has, as a matter of fact, spoken out against this kind of behavior when it comes to figures like Donald Trump, Robert Mueller, and Anthony Fauci.

Her concern seems to be that when people put too much faith in one person, they might start to distrust the very systems and groups that are supposed to keep society fair and balanced. She talks about how people trust powerful individuals, yet sometimes don't trust the established ways of doing things. This is a pretty significant point she makes.

She suggests that this kind of focus on a single person can actually be quite risky for a free society. It’s almost like putting all your eggs in one basket, which, you know, can lead to problems if that one person doesn't have the best interests of everyone at heart. Her critiques are about encouraging people to think more broadly and to question where their loyalty truly lies.

Sarah Kendzior's View on Leadership

Her view on leadership, then, is less about who the individual leader is and more about the principles and systems they represent. She seems to be saying that, you know, we should be careful not to let charisma or personal appeal overshadow the importance of fair rules and reliable institutions. It’s a pretty sensible approach, really.

She’s pointing out that when a leader becomes almost like a celebrity, people might stop paying attention to the details of what's happening in government or how decisions are being made. This can, in a way, open the door for things to go wrong without enough people noticing or being able to speak up. It's a call for vigilance, you could say.

So, Sarah Kendzior's discussions about personality cults are, you know, a way of reminding us to keep our eyes on the bigger picture. She wants us to think about the health of our systems, not just the appeal of a single person. This is, as a matter of fact, a core part of her message across much of her work.

Sarah Kendzior's Academic Roots: What Shapes Her View?

It’s pretty interesting to think about what shapes Sarah Kendzior’s unique way of looking at the world. She has, you know, a strong academic background, holding a PhD in anthropology from Washington University in St. Louis. Anthropology, for those who might not know, is the study of human societies and cultures, which gives her a deep foundation for understanding how people live and interact.

Her specific academic work focused on politics and digital media in countries that used to be part of the Soviet Union, where authoritarian rule was common. This means she spent a lot of time looking at how power works in places where freedoms might be limited and how information spreads in those settings. This background, you know, gives her a special lens through which to view current events in other parts of the world.

This academic training clearly influences her writing and her public talks. It’s not just her opinions; it’s backed by years of careful study and looking at how different societies function. This kind of deep research helps her connect the dots between historical patterns and what we see happening today, which is very helpful for her readers and listeners.

Sarah Kendzior's Academic Foundation

Her academic foundation is, in a way, the bedrock of her insights. Because she studied how digital media works in places with strong government control, she has a particular understanding of how information can be used or misused. This knowledge, you know, is incredibly relevant in our current world, where online information plays such a big part in public life.

It helps her see patterns that others might miss, patterns related to how power is gained and kept, and how people respond to it. Her research into former Soviet states gives her a kind of comparative view, allowing her to draw parallels and identify similar signs in other places. This makes her observations, as a matter of fact, quite well-informed.

So, when you read or hear Sarah Kendzior, you can be pretty sure that her ideas come from a place of careful study and deep thought. Her academic journey has provided her with the tools to analyze complex situations and explain them in a way that helps others gain a better sense of the underlying issues.

Supporting Sarah Kendzior: How Can You Engage?

If you find Sarah Kendzior’s work interesting and helpful, there are, you know, ways to support what she does and stay connected with her ideas. She makes it pretty simple to get new posts and help her work continue. You can choose to become either a free or a paid subscriber to her updates, which is a direct way to keep up with her latest thoughts and writings.

She also recommends checking out her past work, especially the discussions she’s had with other writers who are looking into similar topics. This suggests that she believes in the power of shared ideas and collective thinking. It’s a good way to get a broader perspective on the issues she covers, and to see how her ideas fit into a wider conversation.

She’s also pretty active on social media, like on a platform where her handle is @sarahkendzior.bsky.social. She sometimes shares updates there, like a recent one where she mentioned that not much had happened in two years since she last updated her website, just a "global plague, an attempted coup, and my darkest fears about the..." This gives you a sense of her direct and honest communication style.

Connecting with Sarah Kendzior's Work

Connecting with Sarah Kendzior’s work means, you know, engaging with a voice that aims to make sense of our often-turbulent times. Whether it's through her books, her articles, or her public talks, she offers perspectives that can help people think more clearly about the political and social forces at play. She's someone who consistently tries to shine a light on important matters.

Her call for support, whether through subscribing or checking out her panels, is a way to keep her independent voice strong. It’s a chance for readers to be a

Sarah Kendzior - Fast Company
Sarah Kendzior - Fast Company
Top 60 Sarah Kendzior Quotes (2025 Update) - QuoteFancy
Top 60 Sarah Kendzior Quotes (2025 Update) - QuoteFancy
Sarah Kendzior Wiki
Sarah Kendzior Wiki

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