City buses are hitting 40 °C, gig apps still want their cut, and cops keep buying shiny new toys. I connect the dots between a boiling planet, precarious work, and the prison-industrial cash machine—and ask what it’ll take to snap the circuit. Want the 35-minute after-show? Patrons get it: https://patreon.com/SkepticalLeftist Links • socials: https://linktr.ee/skepticalleftist • Owen on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@owenmacdonald7428 | Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/owenmacdonald.bsky.soc...
Jul 06, 2025•51 min•Season 1Ep. 175
Atlantis wasn’t real—but that hasn’t stopped pseudoarchaeologists from using it to sell myths about lost civilizations and master races. In this episode, Damien Marie AtHope and Marquis join me to explore the true origins of the Atlantis story, the rise of hyperdiffusionism, and why so much of this fantasy is rooted in racism and bad history. Links: – Damien’s site: https://damienmarieathope.com/ – Damien’s channel: https://www.youtube.com/@DamienAthope – Support the show: http://linktr.ee/skept...
Jun 29, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 174
Governments are spending billions on militaries while cutting housing, healthcare, and climate programs. In this episode, we cover five major stories from June 2025—from mass protests and ICE raids to Canada's ballooning defense budget and the unraveling of the global aid system. 🛡 Canada’s military spending bonanza https://apnews.com/article/canada-nato-military-spending-carney-5f4f02c5dbf5323b395314d4c383cc15 https://www.instagram.com/p/DKuvPLuyY5U/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link 🚨 LA protests ...
Jun 22, 2025•45 min•Season 1Ep. 173
In this episode, I talk with Owen MacDonald, leftist YouTuber and political commentator, about the myth of market freedom, why capitalism depends on state violence, and how right-wing media avoids ever engaging with real ideas. We get into the culture war’s empty spectacle, the climate crisis, and how libertarian fantasies fall apart the moment you ask “freedom for who?” It’s a wide-ranging but grounded conversation about power, propaganda, and the lies we’re sold every day. 👉 Support the show:...
Jun 22, 2025•1 hr 23 min•Season 1Ep. 172
Ian Bushfield of the BC Humanist Association joins me to talk about secularism, religious privilege, and the legal fights to keep church and state separate in Canada. We get into prayers at municipal meetings, public funding for religious schools, Christian nationalism, and what it really means to have freedom from religion. We also touch on the rise of religious influence in Western separatist movements and how the law is (or isn’t) protecting marginalized communities. Check out the BC Humanist...
Jun 15, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 171
Wildfires rage, Gaza bleeds, and Walmart posts record profits. In this episode, we dig into the twisted logic of a system that thrives on collapse, from state violence in Palestine and brutal immigration policy to the unchecked greed driving up grocery prices while the world literally burns. We also talk about Indigenous mutual aid during Canada’s wildfire crisis, the deportation of a terminally ill child under Trump’s second term, and why the rhetoric of revolution so often hides authoritarian ...
Jun 10, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 171
I talked with author Nick Girard about religion, power, and writing as resistance. We got into how faith can be used to justify domination, how capitalism traps us in despair, and why he wrote a book where God is the villain. It’s a personal and political conversation about doubt, masculinity, and imagining something better. 📕 Nick’s book: https://a.co/d/e5S9emd 🌐 Website: https://iamforworldpeace.com 📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/nickdgerard Support the show: https://linktr.ee/skeptical...
Jun 08, 2025•59 min•Season 1Ep. 169
In this episode, I’m joined by Eron from Re-Education to talk about anarcho-nihilism—what it is, what it isn't, and whether it’s all just edge-posting or if there's something worth digging into. We talk about individualist anarchism, Stirner, egoism, and what it means to resist when you don’t believe a better world is coming. Is this a real political tendency or just vibes and chaos? And what do you do when you agree with the critiques but still want to build something? It's a messy, open-ended ...
Jun 01, 2025•55 min•Season 1Ep. 168
From Mali to Montreal, from May Day marches to Maori resistance, the world’s on fire—and people are pushing back. In this episode of Loose Wires , we cover five major stories of revolt and repression: pro-democracy protests in Mali, care worker solidarity in Aotearoa, anarchist actions on May Day, Gaza solidarity at Utrecht University, and the legacy of José Mujica. Plus: Emma Goldman’s flaws, Hasan Piker detained, and the trans-led quilt that asserts their continued presence and resilience. ✊ M...
May 27, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 167
The NDP is in shambles. Mark Carney is in power. And Bay Street got exactly what it wanted. Jessa McLean joins me to talk through the fallout of Canada’s latest election, from the NDP's collapse to the return of austerity politics dressed in technocratic polish. We get into what happened, what’s next for the left, and why electoralism isn’t going to save us.Follow Jessa’s work at Blueprints of Disruption on Spotify , YouTube , and Substack. Support the show and get early access: https://www.patr...
May 25, 2025•56 min•Season 1Ep. 166
In this episode I’m joined by Jordan and Prince from The Dugout Podcast for a deep conversation about Black anarchism, radical education, and building community power beyond the state. We talk about what it means to reject authority while reclaiming care, history, and survival. This isn’t theory for theory’s sake—it’s about practice, archives, and keeping each other alive in a world that would rather see us erased. We also get into the ways Eurocentric leftist traditions can fail to meet the nee...
May 18, 2025•57 min•Season 1Ep. 164
From ICE detentions to AI layoffs, defunded libraries to RCMP scandals, nothing about this week’s headlines says “progress.” In the first episode of Loose Wires , Cory and AncomSciComm break down five stories that show how power protects itself, no matter who’s in charge. We talk about the illusion of change under Canada’s new PM, the deepening crackdown on pro-Palestinian voices, and the slow hollowing out of public life across North America. Our stories https://www.theguardian.com/law/2025/may...
May 13, 2025•1 hr 14 min•Season 1Ep. 165
Why do action movies feel so unsatisfying lately? In this episode, I talk with Chris from It Had to Be Said about how pop culture trains us to cheer for the status quo — whether it’s vigilante cops, billionaire superheroes, or government-backed soldiers. Follow Chris: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ItHadToBeSaid Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/anarchodaoist.bsky.social Support the show: Patreon: patreon.com/skepticalleftist Substack: https://theskepticalleftist.substack.com/ Follow: https:/...
May 11, 2025•56 min•Season 1Ep. 163
What do we even mean when we talk about “Saskatchewan”? Is it really a rural, farmer-driven province — or are we just clinging to a myth that hasn’t been true for decades? In this episode, I talk with Alex Birrell, host of Unmaking Saskatchewan , about political disillusionment, settler colonialism, and the strange identity crisis that defines this province. We get into everything from party politics to prairie mythology, the Sask Party’s slide toward authoritarianism, and why so many people fee...
May 04, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 162
In this episode, I sit down with Steve Boots for a wide-ranging chat about unlearning reactionary ideas, building community, and trying to make meaningful content in an algorithm-driven world. We get into our own political journeys, the burnout that comes with being online all the time, and the weird mix of personal growth and public pressure that comes with making leftist media. You can find Steve on all the places https://linktr.ee/steveboots https://bsky.app/profile/steveboots.bsky.social htt...
Apr 27, 2025•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 161
In this episode, I’m joined by Seamus Geoghan to talk about what it means to build real community as the system around us falls apart. We get into the role of mutual aid, the failure of institutional politics, and how everyday acts of care are a form of resistance. Along the way, we touch on anarchism, surviving collapse, and why there's no savior coming—just each other. Here are some links were you can find Seamus https://bsky.app/profile/seamusgeoghan.bsky.social https://x.com/GeoghanSeamus An...
Apr 20, 2025•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 160
This time on Red Reviews, Justin and I dig into God and the State by Mikhail Bakunin — one of the most enduring works of anarchist theory. We talk about why Bakunin saw rebellion as a core part of what it means to be human, how disobedience challenges systems of domination, and what it means to live freely in a world built on obedience. From Satan as the first rebel to the dangers of scientism, the moral weight of revolt, and the liberatory potential of education, we explore why Bakunin’s vision...
Apr 13, 2025•1 hr 32 min•Season 1Ep. 159
I came across one of those Facebook posts that frames itself as "just common sense" — but underneath, it's pushing a lot of political spin and selective outrage. Instead of pretending it’s harmless, I broke it down piece by piece. I'm not above politics — this is a political video. I just hate when bad narratives like this get passed around as if they're neutral or apolitical. If you want to read a full written version of this breakdown, you can find it here: https://open.substack.com/pub/theske...
Apr 08, 2025•24 min•Season 1Ep. 161
In this episode, I sit down with The Wolf Spirit for a wide-ranging conversation about anarchism, power, and resistance. We talk about what anarchism really means beyond just rebellion, the role of strategy in building movements, and why organizing doesn’t have to mean hierarchy. We also get into cultural struggles—how reactionary elements creep into subcultures like metal and gaming, the anti-capitalist themes in horror films, and the broader fight for a liberated world. It’s not a debate, not ...
Apr 06, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 158
The Enlightenment promised liberty, equality, and justice—but did it ever fully deliver? In this episode, we dive into The Political Theory of Liberal Socialism by Matt McManus to explore how socialism isn’t a rejection of Enlightenment ideals but their fulfillment. We break down the tensions between liberalism and socialism, the failures of left-liberalism, and why expanding democracy beyond politics is the next step. You can get a copy of the book here https://z-library.sk/book/115586502/7c858...
Mar 30, 2025•1 hr 38 min•Season 1Ep. 157
Misinformation is everywhere, but why do we keep falling for it? Social scientist Matthew Facciani joins me to explain how our beliefs are shaped by identity, bias, and the media we consume. We discuss the psychology of misinformation, why both the left and right fall into their own traps, and how bad actors exploit these weaknesses. We also discuss the role of AI, fact-checking, and whether we can ever really fix this problem. You can find Matthew’s podcast and writing at these links https://ww...
Mar 23, 2025•55 min•Season 1Ep. 156
Christian nationalism isn’t just a movement—it’s a well-funded machine. In this episode, we dig into The Power Worshippers by Katherine Stewart and break down how billionaires, think tanks, and right-wing operatives have spent decades quietly reshaping American politics through the church. From dark money networks to school vouchers and Supreme Court takeovers, we unpack how this ideological project took power—one church at a time. You can get a copy of The Power Worshippers here https://z-libra...
Mar 16, 2025•1 hr 20 min•Season 1Ep. 155
Journalism is dying—so what comes next? I sat down with Big Shiny Takes co-host Marino Greco to talk about the collapse of mainstream media, the rise of independent journalism, and why the Canadian political landscape is stuck in neutral. We get into media critique, class struggle, and why corporate control over the press is killing real reporting. Plus, Marino shares why he’s stepping away from journalism to focus on creative work—and what that says about the state of the industry. Here is wher...
Mar 09, 2025•58 min•Season 1Ep. 154
The US has spent decades trying to crush Cuba, but why does this small island nation still stand? In this episode, we dive into The Declarations of Havana , exploring Fidel Castro’s most radical ideas, how his speeches shaped the Cuban Revolution, and why the empire still fears them. From anti-imperialism to mass mobilization, we break down how Castro framed Cuba’s struggle for independence and what made his vision so dangerous to US interests. Here’s where you can get the book https://z-lib.gs/...
Mar 02, 2025•1 hr 31 min•Season 1Ep. 153
In this episode, I talked to Siobhan O'Connor, who has lived through it all—growing up in a hardcore evangelical environment, serving in the military, coming out as trans later in life, and watching the world turn more hostile toward people like her. We get into her story, the right’s relentless attacks on trans people, and how even so-called allies keep failing the community. She shares what it’s like to keep moving forward, even when the odds are stacked against you. Links for Siobhan’s conten...
Feb 23, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 152
Capitalism is dead… but it just won’t stay buried. This episode, we’re diving into Mark Fisher’s Capitalist Realism —one of the most influential leftist texts of the last 20 years. Why does it feel like nothing ever changes, even when everything is constantly in crisis? How does capitalism keep itself alive, even as it rots? And most importantly, how do we break out of this nightmare? Let’s get into it. You can get Capitalist Realism here https://z-library.sk/book/1007165/822c41/capitalist-reali...
Feb 16, 2025•1 hr 36 min•Season 1Ep. 151
This week, we’re wrapping up our trilogy on Anton Pannekoek with a deep dive into his classic work, Workers’ Councils . What’s the real alternative to capitalism and state socialism? Pannekoek argued it’s workers themselves taking control—no bosses, no bureaucracy, just collective power. We unpack his critiques of unions, the state, and nationalism, and explore his vision for a society run by workers' councils. From strikes to direct action, we look at how this theoretical framework can inspire ...
Feb 09, 2025•1 hr 31 min•Season 150Ep. 1
In this episode Justin and I dive into Adolph Reed’s Class Notes to tackle the failures of performative politics and the rise of identity-driven activism. We break down Reed’s critique of neoliberalism, symbolic gestures, and the commodification of struggle while making the case for class-based organizing as the only path to real solidarity and change. It’s a deep and fiery conversation about how the left can get back on track by focusing on material issues and collective action. You can get a c...
Feb 02, 2025•1 hr 31 min•Season 1Ep. 149
In this episode of The Skeptical Leftist , I talk with Damien Marie at Hope about axiology—the philosophy of value and worth—and its relevance to how we make ethical decisions. We break down the concepts of intrinsic and extrinsic value, look at how capitalism distorts our understanding of human worth, and explore how axiology can clarify morality in practical ways. The conversation also touches on justice versus care ethics, the nuances of the free will debate, and why understanding value is ke...
Jan 26, 2025•59 min•Season 1Ep. 148
In this episode of Red Reviews, we dive into Erich Fromm’s The Revolution of Hope and explore how hope—not blind optimism—can be a radical tool for social change. We tackle the dangers of a mechanized society, critique the unchecked power of big tech, and discuss what a truly democratic, humanistic use of technology could look like. Along the way, we dig into the environmental costs of generative AI, the allure of doomerism, and why Fromm’s ideas about radical hope are more relevant than ever. I...
Jan 19, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 147
