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Rev Left Radio

Revolutionary Left Radiorevolutionaryleftradio.libsyn.com
Discussing political philosophy, current events, activism, and the inevitable historical downfall of capitalism from a revolutionary leftist perspective.
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Episodes

German Philosophy: Schopenhauer, Nietzsche, & Beyond

Listen to the full episode over at Red Menace: https://redmenace.libsyn.com/german-philosophy Subscribe to Red Menace on your favorite podcast app! Support Red Menace: https://www.patreon.com/TheRedMenace

Feb 04, 20222 hr 9 min

In Defense of Marxism w/ The Sensible Socialist

Breht recently went on The Sensible Socialist podcast to confront, analyze, and dismantle the laughable misrepresentations of Marxism and the shallow anti-communism of James Lindsay. In the process, we clarify core concepts within Marxism, respond to various arguments against socialism, and reveal the fallacious logic and conspiracy thinking that underpins anti-communism in America today! Check out the Sensible Socialist here: https://sensiblesocialist.com/ Rev Left Merch: https://goodsforthepeo...

Feb 03, 20221 hr 53 min

Walter Benjamin: Marxist Philosophy and Art Criticism

Jon Greenaway returns to the show, this time to discuss the life and intellectual legacy of the German Jewish Marxist, philosopher, and cultural critic Walter Benjamin. We discuss his biography, his major works, his use of marxism and historical materialist, his art criticism, the role that jewish mysticism played in his work, the frankfurt school, his tragic suicide, and his overall legacy. Check out the Horror Vanguard here: https://soundcloud.com/user-317910500 Outro Music: "Stumblingblock" b...

Jan 31, 20221 hr 5 min

Reflections on Afghanistan: The Soviet Intervention (1979-1989)

Shamayel Shalizi returns to the show to discuss the Soviet intervention in Afghanistan in the 70's and 80's, and the complex internal politics of Afghanistan at the time. Shamayel was also a guest on our "Reflections on Afghanistan" episode: https://revolutionaryleftradio.libsyn.com/reflections-on-afghanistan-culture-history-the-struggle-for-self-determination Links provided by guest: Decolonial therapy: https://www.instagram.com/s/aGlnaGxpZ2h0OjE3OTAxNjc1NzM2ODk4Njc5?story_media_id=256075018310...

Jan 20, 20221 hr 45 min

Fyodor Dostoevsky: The Great Russian Novelist and Proto-Existentialist

In this episode, Corey Mohler (from Existential Comics ) returns to the show, this time to discuss the life, religion, politics, art, and psychology of the 19th century Russian literary giant Fyodor Dostoevsky - one of the greatest novelists of all time and the author of Crime and Punishment , The Brother Karamazov , The Idiot , Notes from the Underground , and many more! Check out Kung Fu Chess here: https://kungfuchess.org/ Outro Music: "Lotus Flower" by Radiohead ----- Support Rev Left Radio:...

Jan 15, 20221 hr 44 min

bell hooks: In Her Own Words

For this episode, Breht put together a collection of clips of bell hooks speaking about her life, her influences, her ideas, and her spirituality as a way of paying tribute to her and her contributions to the black radical tradition, to our emotional and spiritual lives, and to our society more broadly. The clips are interspersed with songs from Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, Tracy Chapman, Lauryn Hill, and Gil Scott-Heron. Rest in Power bell hooks. ---- Support Rev Left Radio: https://www.patreon...

Jan 09, 20221 hr 18 min

Guerrilla History Teaser: 2021 Year in Review

Listen to the full episode here: https://guerrillahistory.libsyn.com/2021-year-in-review Subscribe to Guerrilla History on your favorite podcast app! Support Guerrilla History here: https://www.patreon.com/guerrillahistory

Dec 31, 202117 min

Red Hot Take: Live a Life of Beauty, Service, & Compassion

Full episode here: https://revolutionaryleftradio.libsyn.com/st-francis Support Rev Left Radio: https://www.patreon.com/RevLeftRadio or make a one time donation: PayPal.me/revleft LEARN MORE ABOUT REV LEFT RADIO: www.revolutionaryleftradio.com

Dec 28, 20212 min

St. Francis of Assisi: Patron Saint of Ecology & Brother to All Creation

Professor Adnan Husain , Medieval European and Middle Eastern Historian and Director of the School of Religion at Queens University, joins Breht to discuss the life of St. Francis of Assisi. Together they discuss St. Francis of Assisi's legacy within Christianity, nature mysticism, Imitatio Christi, Francis's meeting with the Sultan of Egypt, medieval Europe, Islam and Christianity, Franciscan Virtues, Ecology and Creation, The Canticle of the Sun, Pope Francis, the rise of mercantilism in feuda...

Dec 21, 20212 hr 2 min

Necrocapitalism Revisited: Marxism, Fascism, & Capitalist Crisis

Johanna May Black and Devin Zane Shaw join Breht to discuss the collective project they contributed to: On Necrocapitalism. Check out our first episode on Necrocapitalism: https://revolutionaryleftradio.libsyn.com/necrocapitalism Buy On Necrocapitalism here: https://www.leftwingbooks.net/book/content/necrocapitalism-plague-journal Check out Devin's great book Philosophy of Antifascism here: https://www.leftwingbooks.net/book/content/philosophy-antifascism-punching-nazis-and-fighting-white-suprem...

Dec 06, 20211 hr 56 min

Guerrilla History: The Battle of Dien Bien Phu

In this episode of Guerrilla History, we talk with Comrade Luna of the YouTube channel LunaOi! We discuss the Battle of Dien Bien Phu and its impacts both within Vietnam as well as in liberation struggles globally. Luna is a Vietnamese communist living in Hanoi. She runs the YouTube channel LunaOi ( https://t.co/ibUYXNtQlg?amp=1 ), which covers Vietnamese foods, culture, and travel, as well as communist theory and political discussion. Support her on patreon by going to https://www.patreon.com/l...

Nov 26, 20211 hr 14 min

Ayahuasca w/ Joshua Kahn Russell

Joshua Kahn Russell returns to the show, this time to discuss - for the first time publicly - his Ayahuasca practice that he began nearly a decade ago. We try to give this topic the respect, integrity, cultural sensitivity, and spiritual depth that it deserves. We discuss so much, including: science, spirit, healing, cultural appropriation, trauma, capitalism, colonization, visions & hallucinations, depression, addiction, self-development, solidarity & sovereignty, forest defense, and re...

Nov 24, 20213 hr 52 min

Contemplative Practice and Political Struggle

Jay Michaelson is a journalist, meditation teacher, author of many books, and worked as an LGBTQ activist for ten years. Jay holds a Ph.D. in religion from Hebrew University, a J.D. from Yale Law School, a nondenominational rabbinic ordination, and is authorized to teach in the Theravadan Buddhist lineage. Jay joins Breht to discuss spirituality, grief and suffering, Judaism and Buddhism, the importance of collective political struggle, what meditation can offer organizers/activists, and much mo...

Nov 19, 20211 hr 33 min

Reflections on Afghanistan: History, Culture, & the Struggle for Self Determination

Mina Sharif and Shamayel Shalizi join Breht to discuss and reflect on Afghan culture, history, political struggles, the diaspora, common misconceptions, the Afghanistan War and withdraw, and much more! Decolonial therapy parts 1- 4: https://www.instagram.com/s/aGlnaGxpZ2h0OjE3OTAxNjc1NzM2ODk4Njc5?story_media_id=2560750183107113600&utm_medium=copy_link https://www.instagram.com/s/aGlnaGxpZ2h0OjE3OTAxNjc1NzM2ODk4Njc5?story_media_id=2560750183107113600&utm_medium=copy_link https://www.insta...

Nov 10, 20211 hr 17 min

Convincing Conservatives: Red States, Climate Change & Class Struggle

J.T. Chapman from Second Thought joins Breht to discuss their experiences living in deep red states, how to talk to and persuade conservatives and other non-socialists of our politics, major global trends that will shape this century, and much more! Follow JT on Twitter: https://twitter.com/_secondthought Subscribe to Second Thought: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJm2TgUqtK1_NLBrjNQ1P-w Outro Music: "Man in Black " by Johnny Cash ----- Support Rev Left Radio: https://www.patreon.com/RevLeftRa...

Nov 07, 20211 hr 21 min

Dialectics Deep Dive 4: Finishing Spinoza, Beginning Deleuze & Guattari

This is the fourth installment of the Dialects Deep Dive subseries. Matthew Furlong joins Breht to finish up their discussion of Spinoza's Ethics and to begin their discussion of Deleuze and Guattari. Check out our first installment of "Dialectics Deep Dive" here: https://revolutionaryleftradio.libsyn.com/dialectics Check out our second installment here: https://revolutionaryleftradio.libsyn.com/spinoza Check out our third installments here: https://revolutionaryleftradio.libsyn.com/deep-dive-3a...

Nov 06, 20213 hr 38 min

There is Power in a Union: The US Labor Strike Wave

Mel Buer - host of the Morning Riot podcast , journalist, and IWW member - joins Breht to discuss the recent wave of strikes throughout the country, what its political implications are, and how regular people can help out! Find more of Mel's work here: https://linktr.ee/coldbrewedtool Outro Music: "Working Reward " by The Haymarket Squares ----- Support Rev Left Radio: https://www.patreon.com/RevLeftRadio or make a one time donation: PayPal.me/revleft LEARN MORE ABOUT REV LEFT RADIO: www.revolut...

Oct 28, 20211 hr 1 min

Morning Riot: Left Media, Labor Unions, and Political Parties

On this inaugural episode of Morning Riot, Mel sits down with Breht O'Shea from Revolutionary Left Radio to talk about Rev Left Radio and its origins, Mel and Breht's doxing experiences, the reconciliation bill and why the Democrats are absolute dog shit, anarchism and marxism, the pace of technological advancement and its impact on institutions, the dialectics of struggle, the relationship between labor unions and the revolutionary left, how to relate to regular people and not be a hyper-siloed...

Oct 28, 20211 hr 31 min

Free Will: Determinism, Compatibilism, and Philosophy of Mind

Corey Mohler (Existential Comics) and Zach Weinersmith (Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal) join Breht to discuss free will, determinism, the role of consciousness, the role of the self, and the implications of the debate for society. Corey also articulates his compatibillist position as Zach and Breht raise questions and offer possible critiques. Check out Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal here: https://www.smbc-comics.com/ Follow Zach on twitter: https://twitter.com/ZachWeiner Check out Existen...

Oct 21, 20211 hr 25 min

Riding the Wave: Sweden's Integration into the Imperialist World System

Torkil Lauesen returns to the show, this time to discuss his newest book "Riding the Wave: Sweden's Integration into the Imperialist World Order". Pushing back against the narrative that Nordic countries like Sweden are socialist paradises who don't engage in colonialism and imperialism like other western countries, Torkil dives deep into history to deconstruct this rather naive perspective and offer a historical materialist account of Sweden's actual place in the history of colonialism, capital...

Oct 15, 20211 hr 17 min

Dismantling the Infrastructure of Ecocide: Toward a More Militant Climate Movement

Andreas Malm is a Swedish Marxist, professor of ecology at Lund University, and is the author of " How to Bl*w up a P*peline ". He joins Breht to talk about the need for the climate movement to abandon its middle class nonviolence fetish and engage in more militant acts of direct action against fossil fuel infrastructure. Outro Music: "Knife Talk " by Drake ft. 21 Savage, Project Pat

Oct 08, 20211 hr 19 min

Hammer and Camera: CHE (2008) Directed by Steven Soderbergh

From H ammer and Camera : "In an extra-special podcasting event, we are celebrating our 50th episodiversary by inviting one of the Original Film Warriors, Breht of Rev Left Radio, back onto the pod for a discussion of Steven Soderbergh's CHE (2008). This unconventional biopic, featuring a legendary performance by Benicio del Toro in the title role, is a perfect way to sum up our first quinquagesimal. MAY THERE BE 50 MORE!" Support Hammer and Camera here: https://www.patreon.com/hammercamera...

Oct 01, 20211 hr 37 min

Cruel Optimism: Affect Theory and the Structure of Feeling

Maggie Doherty teaches writing at Harvard, where she earned her PhD in English. Her writing has appeared in The New Yorker, the New York Times, the New York Review of Books, and the Nation, among other publications. She is also the author of The Equivalents: The Story of Art, Female Friendship, and Liberation in the 1960's . She joins Breht to discuss the work of Lauren Berlant, Affect Theory, our emotional landscapes in late capitalism, and much more! Follow her on Twitter @magsrdoherty Check o...

Sep 29, 20211 hr 19 min

The Spectre Still Haunts: Breaking the Imperialist Chain w/ Hakim

The one and only Hakim joins Breht to discuss the Iraq war from the perspective of Iraqis, the western left, Lenin, Reform AND Revolution, the importance of anti-imperialist struggle, contradictions and crises, the global south, etc. At the end, Hakim fields a bunch of common anti-socialist talking points and dismantles them one by one. This is a wide ranging and genuinely fun conversation with a great comrade and political educator! Subscribe to Hakim's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/...

Sep 21, 20211 hr 46 min

Guerrilla History: Joma Maria Sison & Communism in the Philippines

Listen to the full episode of Guerrilla History here: https://guerrillahistory.libsyn.com/joma ----- In this episode of Guerrilla History, we bring on Professor Jose Maria Sison, better known as Comrade Joma, to talk about his life, how it impacted his ideology, the history of the Communist Party of the Philippines, and more! Comrade Joma is an absolute legendary figure, and it was a pleasure and an honor to be able to talk with him. A must listen conversation for anyone interested in proletaria...

Sep 17, 202116 min

Restorative Agriculture: Gardening, Homesteading, & Permaculture

Tim Holland (aka Sole) is a hip hop artist and host of Propaganda by the Seed and The Solecast . He joins Breht to discuss gardening, food forests, permaculture, restorative agriculture, perennials, trees, climate change, being a father, and much more! Check out Tim's work: https://www.soleone.org/ https://propagandabytheseed.com/ Follow him here: https://twitter.com/mcsole Outro Music: "Plague Days " by Sole & DJ Pain 1 ----- Support Rev Left Radio: https://www.patreon.com/RevLeftRadio or m...

Sep 14, 20211 hr 31 min

After Geoengineering: Carbon Removal and Social Transformation

Dr. Holly Jean Buck joins Breht to discuss her book "After Geoengineering: Climate Tragedy, Repair, and Restoration". Follow her here: https://twitter.com/hollyjeanbuck Outro Music: "Wooden Soldiers " by Modest Mouse ----- Support Rev Left Radio: https://www.patreon.com/RevLeftRadio or make a one time donation: PayPal.me/revleft LEARN MORE ABOUT REV LEFT RADIO: www.revolutionaryleftradio.com...

Sep 13, 20211 hr

On Patriotism...

Alyson Escalante joins Breht to respond to arguments that the US left should embrace American patriotism. Together they discuss revolutionary v. reactionary nationalism, US history, settler colonialism, proletarian internationalism, Browderism, anti-imperialism, the CPUSA, tailism, accusations of ultra-leftism, and much more. Outro Music: "U.S.A. " by The Exploited ----- Support Rev Left Radio: https://www.patreon.com/RevLeftRadio or make a one time donation: PayPal.me/revleft LEARN MORE ABOUT R...

Sep 11, 20211 hr 18 min

U.S. Labor History: Militant Unions, Red Scares, and Class Struggle

Professor Peter Cole returns to the show, this time to do an overview of labor history in the United States. We discuss the earliest worker movements, the Great Uprising of 1877, the Pullman and Homestead strikes, various coal miner strikes, the Seattle General Strike, the IWW, the intersections of race and class, the impact of the Russian Revolution on American class politics, the first and second Red Scare, the Taft-Hartley Act of 1947, the rise of neoliberalism and its impact on workers, and ...

Sep 09, 20211 hr 50 min
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