Dave Zirin is a widely acclaimed writer, historian, and cultural critic whose work explores how power moves through the stories we tell, across politics, sports, media, and history. Known for his sharp analysis and accessible voice, he helps audiences make sense of the cultural forces shaping public life today.
With his forthcoming book, The People’s Historian: The Outsized Life of Howard Zinn, Zirin builds on his work beyond sports to offer a deeply human portrait of one of the most influential public thinkers of the 20th century. Through Zinn’s life, as a teacher, writer, and activist, Zirin explores what it means to tell honest history, challenge dominant narratives, and connect the past to the urgency of the present.
Zirin is the longtime sports editor at The Nation, where he became the publication’s first-ever sports editor in its more than 160-year history. Over the course of his career, he has redefined sports journalism, not as a separate arena, but as a powerful lens into larger struggles over race, labor, identity, and democracy.
Through all of his work Zirin brings a rare combination of historical depth, journalistic rigor, and cultural fluency. Whether speaking about sports, media, or the legacy of Howard Zinn, he invites audiences to think critically about power, question received wisdom, and engage more fully with the world around them.
He is also the author of multiple acclaimed books, including The Kaepernick Effect and the New York Times bestseller Things That Make White People Uncomfortable, co-written with former NFL player and activist Michael Bennett. His work has consistently challenged conventional narratives, showing how athletes, movements, and institutions reflect deeper tensions in American life.
