‘Indecency has become a new hallmark’: writer and historian Jelani Cobb on race in Donald Trump’s America

In a new essay collection, the dean of Columbia University’s graduate school of journalism makes a compelling argument that everything is connected and nothing is inevitable about racial justice or democracy

‘These men think they’ve done nothing wrong’: the philosopher who tried to understand Gisèle Pelicot’s rapists

When 50 men went on trial in France, accused of raping a woman who had been drugged by her husband, Manon Garcia was in the courtroom – and in the prosecutors’ closing arguments. How does she make sense of what happened?

‘Rock stars would be like, Yeah, bring the kid in’: Cameron Crowe on his wild years as a teenage music journalist

The film-maker told his own story in Almost Famous. Now he’s looking back on his younger days with Bowie and Led Zeppelin and revealing the family tragedy he’s finally facing up to

‘I’m going to write about all of it’: author Chris Kraus on success, drugs and I Love Dick

A decade after her debut became a cult hit, the US author talks about the true crime that inspired her latest novel, #MeToo overreach and being married to an addict

Heather Rose: ‘My ancestors escaped the French Revolution – that really got me, even as a child’

The Tasmanian author reflects on the dramatic family stories that have shaped her new novel, on a reviving bushwalk to her favourite tree

‘We’ve all done stupid things but we’re all capable of redemption’: spoken-word artist Joshua Idehen on fighting hate with hope

His poem Mum Does the Washing went viral – but he started out parroting conservative talking points online. Now the British-Nigerian vocalist preaches a message of radical positivity

Sunder Katwala on race, patriotism and flag-waving: ‘The far right is vocal and angry because it is shrinking’

The director of British Future has spent his career trying to find common ground when it comes to race and immigration. He describes his own experience of racism – and why he’s still hopeful for the UK

‘Messiness makes you different’: Lukas Gage on meds, trauma, memoir – and filming TV’s most sexually frank scene

The White Lotus and Euphoria star has written a ‘premature celebrity memoir’ that takes in abuse, family dysfunction, personality disorders, shame and heartbreak. He explains why now was the right time to write it

‘My poems are part of my flesh’: Palestinian poet Batool Abu Akleen on life in Gaza

At just 20, the poet is one of the most vivid witnesses to the conflict. She talks about dreams of Oxford, the deaths of friends and how tragedy has shaped the person she has become

‘I am quite tough’: Schindler’s List star Embeth Davidtz on her explosive film about Rhodesia’s final days

After starring in Mad Men, Californication, Spider-Man and Junebug, Davidtz soured on acting. Now she’s directed – and starred in – a powerful debut film

My mother was shot by the police – and that bullet changed everything

Lee Lawrence was 11 when his mother, Cherry Groce, was paralysed during a botched police raid. It was the end of his childhood and the start of his fight for her life and legacy

The fanfiction written on a notes app that’s become a bestseller – with a seven-figure film deal

SenLinYu’s debut started life as Harry Potter fanfiction. The Alchemised author shares why they were drawn to a war-torn love story, how a conservative upbringing shaped their writing, and the snobbery around fanfiction

Drusilla Modjeska: ‘How easy it is that we can live in the sunshine and not see the shadow’

In her new book, the Australian author of Exiles at Home and Stravinsky’s Lunch returns to examine how female artists have fought for creative freedom

‘They were so feral’: Cillian Murphy, Tracey Ullman and cast on nose-breaking remand school drama Steve

In the acclaimed new film about boys written off by the system, Murphy draws on his own past as a troublesome schoolboy while Little Simz plays a teacher – and writes a 90s-style banger of a song

‘We’re exhausted – but not from doing too much’: can this woman help us survive the age of distraction?

With three jobs, three children and a labradoodle, the behavioural scientist Zelana Montminy knows a lot about being pulled in all directions. What can her new book about finding focus teach the rest of us?