In light of the climate crisis, authoritarian tendencies, hostility, and militarism, Max Czollek explores the power of friendship in his discussion series Discourse. Pop. Love. For each date, he invites two guests who are connected by their friendship, collaborate, or support each other’s work. He discusses with them the importance of community in political and artistic work.

Jan Kuhlbrodt is a freelance author and editor. He studied political economy and philosophy in Leipzig and Frankfurt am Main, followed by studies at the German Literature Institute in Leipzig. His most recent publications with Gans Verlag include Wäsche im Wind und Polizisten (2025), co-authored with Maria Hefter and Sofia Hefter, as well as Schrift unter Tage (2023) and Krüppelpassion – oder Vom Gehen (2023). Kuhlbrodt lives and works in Leipzig.

Martina Hefter is a writer and performance artist. She writes novels, poetry and stage texts and collaborates with other artists in her performances. Hefter studied at the German Literature Institute in Leipzig. Her most recent publications include the novel Hey guten Morgen, wie geht es dir? (2024). Hefter’s latest stage work was Soft War, together with Patrice Lipeb, at the Schauspiel Leipzig theatre residency in 2024. Hefter lives and works in Leipzig.