This week Eric welcomes back to the show Brazil-based multimedia journalist Mike Fox to discuss all things Brazil. Mike provides his analysis of the Trump loss and what the period of transition to Biden means for Brazil. Eric and Mike discuss the results of the recent elections and what the results mean for President Bolsonaro and his political project, as well as the reality of COVID on the streets. Attacks on indigenous leaders, the latest on Lula and the Workers’ Party, the resurgent left in ...
Dec 30, 2020•1 hr 12 min
This week Eric welcomes to the show professor of political science and author Joe Lowndes to discuss this moment of transition in the US, the outlook for the left and right, and much more. Joe gives his analysis of the incoming Biden administration and the prospects for resuscitating the neoliberal consensus in the midst of the pandemic. The conversation also explores the city of Portland and the political context necessary for understanding how it became a flashpoint in the fight against fascis...
Dec 21, 2020•1 hr 3 min
This week Eric welcomes back to the show US-Palestinian journalist and author Ramzy Baroud to discuss all things Palestine. Eric and Ramzy begin with a discussion of Israeli policy in the last days of Trump and what to expect from a Biden Administration in terms of Israel-Palestine policy. The conversation touches on everything from demographic imperatives for Israel to the logic behind evictions and demolitions to discoveries of gas in Palestinian territorial waters. So much ground covered with...
Dec 08, 2020•1 hr 3 min
This week Eric welcomes Kali Akuno back to the show to discuss the bizarre political moment we’re living through and the historical context necessary to understand it. Eric and Kali explore everything from the end of Black Reconstruction and the economic underpinnings of the modern imperial state, to geopolitics and the nature of the ruling class conflicts shaping our world today. Don’t miss the latest CounterPunch Radio! The post Kali Akuno appeared first on CounterPunch.org ....
Dec 03, 2020•1 hr 8 min
On the latest podcast Eric does an Election 2020 wrap up with CounterPunch managing editor Joshua Frank. Eric and Joshua discuss how Trump’s loss will impact him and his movement, including the possibility that Trump will not relinquish power. From there the discussion explores parallels and differences between 2020 and 2008, including the economic and psychological impact. The second half of the conversation explores the future Biden Administration, what should be expected of the assorted ghoul...
Nov 11, 2020•1 hr 3 min
On this special Election 2020 episode, Eric sits down with CounterPunch regulars Anthony DiMaggio and Paul Street to discuss the latest as the US elects its next executioner and much of the country hopes and prays for the Orange Fascist’s exit from power. The conversation touches on everything from the lasting impacts of Trump’s tenure to the possibility of Trump attempting a “soft coup.” The guys discuss conspiracy theory, COVID’s impact on Trump’s chances, the likely pathetic reality of a Bide...
Nov 06, 2020•1 hr 7 min
This time Eric welcomes to the show Bolivia-based researcher Thomas Becker to discuss the recent election which saw the Movement for Socialism (MAS) returned to power after the right wing coup which deposed Evo Morales in 2019. Thomas provides a summary of the events of the last year leading up to last week’s elections, including the racism, violence, and ethnic cleansing carried out by the right wing coup government. From there, Eric and Thomas discuss the election results, the role of indigeno...
Oct 30, 2020•56 min
This week Eric welcomes back to the show political scientist and author Anthony DiMaggio to discuss social media, conspiracy theory in America, and his latest book “Unequal America.” Eric and Anthony explore the role of social media in propagating conspiracy theories, fake news, and eroding social and cultural institutions. They discuss how fake news and conspiracism is nothing new in America while also exploring the nature of Americans’ economic consciousness and self-deception. This conversati...
Oct 27, 2020•53 min
This week Eric welcomes back to the show political scientist and author Anthony DiMaggio to discuss social media, conspiracy theory in America, and his latest book “Unequal America.” Eric and Anthony explore the role of social media in propagating conspiracy theories, fake news, and eroding social and cultural institutions. They discuss how fake news and conspiracism is nothing new in America while also exploring the nature of Americans’ economic consciousness and self-deception. This conversati...
Oct 14, 2020•1 hr 3 min
This week Eric welcomes back to the show Paul Street, author of the brand new book “Hollow Resistance: Obama, Trump, and the Politics of Appeasement” published by CounterPunch. Eric and Paul discuss the various ways that Obama paved the way for Trump and the fact that Trump could not exist were it not for Obama. Eric and Paul explore Obama’s reactionary effect on liberals and Black voters, his electoral fetishism, his faux resistance to Trump, and much more. From the fascist backlash against him...
Oct 02, 2020•1 hr 7 min
This week Eric introduces listeners to CounterPunch+, the new subscriber section of CounterPunch, by discussing his exclusive article “The Plot Against Libya” which tells the story of Obama’s mostly forgotten war on Libya, one of the most brazenly criminal acts committed by a US president. Eric explains why it’s important to remember the truth of Libya now, nine years later. Eric also discusses other pieces currently featured on CP+. Don’t miss this week’s show and don’t forget to sign up for Co...
Sep 25, 2020•43 min
This week Eric welcomes to the show essayist, editor, and host of the Working People podcast, Maximillian Alvarez, to discuss the state of the working class in the time of COVID. Eric and Maximillian discuss the contours of the class war, what the pandemic has revealed about the failures of neoliberalism and the true nature of American capitalism, and the action and inaction of organized labor against the backdrop of America’s social movements. Also, Eric and Maximillian ask (and try to answer) ...
Sep 14, 2020•1 hr 21 min
This week Eric welcomes back to the show author and journalist Dave Zirin to discuss the strike wave in US professional sports and what it means for the future. Eric and Dave discuss the NBA being in the forefront of the issue, the significance of professional baseball getting involved, and the future of the NFL in this year of COVID and police brutality. The conversation touches on everything from the diametrically opposed roles of Kaepernick and Obama to the political and economic concerns at ...
Aug 31, 2020•45 min
This week Eric welcomes to the show California State Senate candidate Jackie Fielder to discuss her campaign, the issues facing San Franciscans, and the overlapping crises facing all workers in the US. Eric and Jackie discuss why she launched the campaign, and how her experiences as an indigenous woman, and especially as a water protector at Standing Rock, helped shape her politics and activism. From there, the conversation touches on labor issues, the housing apocalypse in California, the ragin...
Aug 25, 2020•52 min
This week Eric welcomes to the show journalist Doug Henwood to talk about the latest terrifying economic numbers, how COVID is changing the economic life of America’s working class, what we should expect in the near- and medium-term, and so much more. The second half of the show finds Doug and Eric discussing Trump’s attempts to undermine the election, what a constitutional crisis in the US would look like, and whether the US is a failed state. Also, the specter of fascism makes its usual appear...
Aug 14, 2020•1 hr
This week Eric welcomes to show journalists Alex Kotch and Walker Bragman to discuss the latest developments from Trumpistan, the state of left journalism, and their new media project OptOut. The conversation begins with discussion of Trump’s threat to cancel the election, his Portland goon squads, and the shadowy American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) getting in on the culture war. They talk class war, Trump’s real base, and the myopia of Americans. The second half of the chow is focused ...
Aug 07, 2020•57 min
This week Eric welcomes to the show Laura Briggs, author of the new book “Taking Children: A History of American Terror.” Eric and Laura discuss Trump’s family separation policy and the long and shameful American tradition of breaking up families and stealing children. Briggs explains the economic and social function of such practices in context of slavery, dispossession of Native peoples, and US imperialism in Latin America. The conversation touches on many points including the bipartisan natur...
Jul 31, 2020•54 min
This week Eric sits down with commentator, journalist, and author, Grace Blakeley, to discuss her new book “Stolen: How to Save the World from Financialisation.” Eric and Grace explore the nature of the neoliberal period and what the process of financialization has done to the economic, political, and social life of the Global North. The conversation touches on everything from the nature of financialization as intertwined with imperialism to the role of electoral politics versus that of mass mob...
Jul 21, 2020•1 hr 13 min
This week Eric sits down with journalist and author Lucy Schiller to discuss her recent investigation into the multi-billion dollar senior living industry in the COVID era, and the concept of loneliness in our world today. Music: Dean Wareham – “Wayfaring Stranger” The post Sumedha Pal – Episode 157 appeared first on CounterPunch.org ....
Jul 06, 2020•1 hr 3 min
This week Eric sits down with journalist and author Lucy Schiller to discuss her recent investigation into the multi-billion dollar senior living industry in the COVID era, and the concept of loneliness in our world today. Music: Dean Wareham – “Wayfaring Stranger” The post Lucy Schiller – Episode 156 appeared first on CounterPunch.org ....
Jun 30, 2020•55 min
This time Eric chats with journalist, author, and chef Arun Gupta about his recent investigation into the COVID pandemic in rural agriculture and its impact on migrant workers. Eric and Arun also discuss the ongoing #BLM protests, real journalism and the danger of spreading unverified rumors in times of social struggle, and Arun’s new Instagram cooking series, “Apocalypse Chow” As always, Arun Gupta on CounterPunch Radio is a must-listen! Music: The Coup – Laugh/Love/F**ck The post Arun Gupta – ...
Jun 22, 2020•1 hr 24 min
As the US erupts in protest in the wake of George Floyd’s murder, Eric chats with Kali Akuno, co-founder and co-director of Cooperation Jackson and organizer with People’s Strike. Kali gives his reactions to Trump’s quasi-martial law decree and some of the rhetoric he used in his disturbing “Law and Order” speech. Eric and Kali discuss the importance of Black and Brown youth leadership in this uprising, and how the level of political consciousness is much higher than previous uprisings. From the...
Jun 04, 2020•1 hr 5 min
This week Eric welcomes back to the show professor of economics, radio host, and author Richard Wolff to discuss unemployment, systemic failures, and the future of capitalism in the Age of COVID. Eric and Richard discuss his recent piece “Mass Unemployment Is a Failure of Capitalism” and why unemployment, and all the hardships it causes, is a choice made by capitalists. From there they explore the 2000, 2008, and 2020 crashes as a feature, not a bug, capitalism, and why a redistribution of labor...
May 26, 2020•35 min
This time Eric welcomes progressive Democratic candidate for the US House of Representatives from California’s 12th district, Shahid Buttar, who is challenging Nancy Pelosi in November’s general election. Eric and Shahid discuss his background and formative political experiences, his time in Washington and as an activist, and his reasons for running. From there, the conversation explores the Pelosi era in SF politics: gentrification, segregation, Pelosification. What are the power blocs in Bay A...
May 19, 2020•1 hr 1 min
While we’re all stuck at home, there’s a world of films waiting to be seen. This week, we discuss ten films that every lefty must watch. Joining Eric is CounterPunch’s resident film critic Louis Proyect, and PhD student and author Shalon van Tine. Films discussed include: Sansho the Bailiff (Mizoguchi, 1954) Strike (Eisenstein, 1925) Battleship Potemkin (Eisenstein, 1925) Salt of the Earth (Biberman, 1954) Crimson Gold (Panahi/Kiarostami, 2003) La Chinoise (Godard, 1967) Ceddo (Sembene, 1977) El...
May 08, 2020•1 hr 25 min
This time Eric welcomes to the show activist, unionist, and leading candidate for the Green Party nomination for President in 2020, Howie Hawkins. Eric and Howie discuss the importance of a left political alternative to the Democratic Party, and why arguments against it are disingenuous. Howie describes his background as a trade unionist, co-founder of the Green Party, and activist, and explains how that informs his politics today. Eric and Howie explore electoralism vs activism, the role of the...
Apr 20, 2020•52 min
This time Eric welcomes back to the show CounterPunch contributor Paul Street to discuss capitalism and the pandemic, the Orange Antichrist, Bernie’s flame-out, and the shocking collapse of Truthdig. First, Eric and Paul go in depth on how the pandemic is a direct result of capitalist development and ecocide, and the fact that Trump’s base is only interested in white nationalism and authoritarianism. The second half of the show is a post-mortem of the Bernie Sanders campaign as Eric and Paul dis...
Apr 06, 2020•1 hr 13 min
This time Eric welcomes back to the show Marxist economist and author Michael Roberts to discuss the prospects for the global economy amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Eric and Michael begin by discussing whether the virus was an exogenous calamity or merely the tipping point for much deeper structural problems with global production and profitability. From there, Michael explains why Keynesians are wrong in describing “demand crises” when really it’s supply crises that drive economic downturns, and w...
Mar 20, 2020•55 min
This week Eric welcomes to the show activist and author Eric Blanc whose book Red State Revolt (Verso, 2019) documented the teachers strike wave across the country in 2018-2019. The conversation begins with a discussion of the nature of the strikes, the political context in which they happened, and the juxtaposition of labor activism in red versus blue states. From there, Eric explains how standardized testing, charter schools, and privatization broadly has decimated the teaching profession in r...
Mar 09, 2020•45 min•Ep. 147
This week Eric welcomes to the show activist and author Eric Blanc whose book Red State Revolt (Verso, 2019) documented the teachers strike wave across the country in 2018-2019. The conversation begins with a discussion of the nature of the strikes, the political context in which they happened, and the juxtaposition of labor activism in red versus blue states. From there, Eric explains how standardized testing, charter schools, and privatization broadly has decimated the teaching profession in r...
Jan 27, 2020•29 min
