Navigate the fragmented yet fervent world of eco-socialism with us and our returning guest, Matt Huber. Together, we peel back the layers of this movement's evolution, discussing key junctures, figures, and the diverse ideologies from bright green optimism to de-growth and capital-as-power theorists. We'll take you on a journey through the historical threads that shape the current eco-socialist tapestry, revealing how the pivotal 1970s changed our approach to economic growth and environmental po...
Feb 05, 2024•1 hr 26 min•Season 1Ep. 241
Embark with John Michael Colon and I on a journey through the intricate world of heterodox economics as we unravel the legacy of Frederick S. Lee, a titan in the field whose ideas stand in stark opposition to the mainstream. Prepare to have your understanding of economic dynamics challenged and expanded as we dissect the limitations of neoclassical economics and its inability to foresee crises like the 2008 financial meltdown. Together with our distinguished guest, we'll navigate the turbulent w...
Feb 01, 2024•2 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 240
Uncover the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with me and esteemed guest Mason Herson-Hord, director of the Institute for Social Ecology. Together, we'll navigate the often misunderstood narratives and ideologies that have shaped this historical struggle. From the deep-seated roots of Zionism to the rise of grassroots resistance movements, this discussion offers an enlightening perspective on the events and figures that have influenced the region's political evolution. In a series...
Jan 22, 2024•2 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 238
Reflect on the pages of history with us as we unravel the complexities of the Soviet Union's past alongside the insightful minds from Cosmonaut Magazine—Donald , Christian, and Connor . Our engaging discussion takes us through the ideological and economic tensions of the Russian Revolution, shining a light on the nuances of the New Economic Policy and the philosophical struggles within the Bolshevik party. We promise you a deeper understanding of the significant historical shifts and the moral i...
Jan 18, 2024•2 hr 15 min•Season 1Ep. 236
Embark on a journey into the chilling depths of Michael Shea's weird fiction with the insightful Danny Anderson as our guide. As we unravel Shea's unique spin on cosmic horror, you'll discover how this master of the macabre carved out a space that's both hauntingly familiar and alarmingly otherworldly. Together, we illuminate the dark corners of class struggle and revolution woven into the fabric of Shea's narratives, and celebrate the unorthodox heroes that populate his tales. This episode prom...
Jan 15, 2024•1 hr 34 min•Season 1Ep. 236
What do the Australian political landscape and the struggle for social justice look like under the microscope? Join us on a journey that traverses the fascinating contours of Australian politics, history, and culture, guided by our esteemed guest, Farron. A thorough exploration awaits, from the complexities of maintaining ethnic identity in Australia to the rise of evangelicalism and the impact of American culture on Australian politics. In the course of our engaging and enlightening discourse w...
Jan 11, 2024•1 hr 33 min•Season 1Ep. 235
Ever wondered how the political landscape of Ireland shapes its global presence? Get ready to unravel the complexities of Irish politics with our guest, Professor Nicholas Kiersey, an acclaimed expert on the matter. We kick off our conversation with a fresh perspective on the recent events in Ireland, the seismic shift in public consciousness during the 2008 economic crisis, and its aftermath. Together, we analyze the cultural influences and the perceptions of economic virtue in Ireland, and how...
Jan 08, 2024•2 hr 50 min•Season 1Ep. 234
Ready to peel back the layers of the complex world of Marxism? Brace yourselves for a spirited exploration of the 'warm' and 'cold' streams of Marxism, as Chris N, Jason N, and I traverse the arcane terrain of political determinism, volunteerism, and the revolutionary ideas that underpin Ernst Bloch's theory. We'll grapple with the works of Alvin Gouldner and Enzo Traversoc as well decoding inherent contradictions, and dissect the nuanced humanist and deterministic tendencies within Marxism. We'...
Jan 04, 2024•2 hr 15 min•Season 1Ep. 233
Prepare yourself for a mind-expanding conversation with Matt and Alex from the Long 70s podcast. We're rewinding time, unlocking the secrets of an era that stretched from 1968 to 1984/85 and has left far-reaching impacts on our world today. From the emergence of new left politics to the influence of the cultural Cold War, we unravel the dynamics that shaped the late 60s and 70s. We shine a spot light on the role of media, the existence of aliens and delve into the world of post-modernism. We als...
Jan 01, 2024•1 hr 49 min•Season 1Ep. 232
Think you know everything about immigration policies under the Biden administration? Buckle up, because we're about to challenge your beliefs with our guest Dan Melo, as we explore the often turbid waters of these policies. We’re pulling back the curtain on the striking similarities to the Trump era and how political distractions have overshadowed the need for viable solutions to pressing issues. Have you ever considered the economic implications of climate change on immigration? We peel back th...
Dec 28, 2023•1 hr 39 min•Season 1Ep. 231
Daniel of " What is Politics " returns. Have you ever wondered about the intricacies of left-right political realignments, or the paradoxes of Maoism? Do you find the dynamics of power and authority in political systems as intriguing as we do? Then you're in the right place. Joined by the creator of the "What is Politics?" YouTube channel, we navigate the complex terrain of political ideologies, from the birth of the Russian Social Democratic Party to the perplexing support of China for the Khme...
Dec 25, 2023•2 hr 55 min•Season 1Ep. 230
Are we so entranced by the vision of an egalitarian society that we overlook who truly stands to benefit from social justice movements? Today, we're lifting the lid on the influence of elites in these movements with Fredrik deBoer, author of the intriguing book, "How Elites Ate the Social Justice Movement”. Together, we examine the glaring disparity in representation within the progressive left and the intriguing evolution of language and terminology in activism, tracing how academia and media h...
Dec 21, 2023•1 hr 32 min•Season 1Ep. 229
While the introduction music is that of Varn Vlog on this podcaster, this series will be simultaneously released on both the Varn Vlog podcast feed and the Regrettable Century podcast feed . This is a long-running series we are doing on understanding social technologies, relationships of production, and how we get here: i.e. what is the social and class history of the past. In this episode, finish discussing sections of "Class Conflict and the Crisis of Feudalism: Essays in Medieval Social Histo...
Dec 18, 2023•1 hr 14 min•Season 1Ep. 128
Ready to challenge your perspective on climate crisis and socialism? Join us as we welcome Jason W Moore. In a riveting discourse, Jason shares his experiences with the eco-socialist movement, shedding light on the challenges and tensions that exist, including his encounters with Monthly Review and its editor John Bellamy Foster. He doesn’t shy away from illuminating the leftist tendency towards sectarianism, nor from elucidating the concept of the "environmentalism of the rich". The dialogue al...
Dec 14, 2023•2 hr 11 min•Season 1Ep. 227
Untangle the complex ideas of Marx with us as we journey through history in a captivating conversation with Jared Baxter of Mimbre's School , exploring his course Introduction to Marx and Modern Revolution. In a mind-bending exploration of Marx's early views on social democracy and bourgeois revolutions, we zoom in on the genesis of the modern state and shed light on the distinctions between political and social revolution. We take a deep dive into Marx's paradoxical views on democratic legitima...
Dec 11, 2023•2 hr 40 min•Season 1Ep. 226
Imagine a world where liberalism is the uncontested victor - is it possible, or are we fooling ourselves? Join us as we embark on a fascinating journey through the theories of Francis Fukuyama, weighing the merits and criticisms of his controversial 'End of History' argument. Has liberalism truly triumphed, or is its current dominance just a temporary phase? We invite you to venture into the world of politics as we challenge Fukuyama's theory with contrasting perspectives, focusing heavily on th...
Dec 07, 2023•1 hr 15 min•Season 1Ep. 225
Picture this - Detroit, from its ascension to the status of the fourth largest city in the U.S. in the 1920s to the infamous municipal bankruptcy and near collapse of the auto industry. How did this happen? Well, that's precisely what we explore with our guest, Josiah Rector, an urban historian, assistant professor at the University of Houston, and author of Toxic Debt. Rector's expertise provides us with a rare, comprehensive analysis of Detroit's environmental, economic, and social issues, dra...
Dec 04, 2023•1 hr 48 min•Season 1Ep. 224
Prepare to embark on a historical journey with our knowledgeable guest, Cyber Dandy, as we unearth the intriguing history of the International Workers of the World (IWW) and its complex relationship with anti-communism. Through tales of ideological evolution, infamous 'Red Scares', and the unique living conditions of 19th-century miners, we'll transport you back in time to navigate the undercurrents of this riveting slice of history. In our episode, we don't just stay in the past; we bring histo...
Nov 27, 2023•2 hr 32 min•Season 1Ep. 223
Are you ready to traverse through time and uncover the enthralling period of Early Medieval Poetry in Anglo-Saxon Britain? Join us and our guest, Andrew Rader Hansen, a poet and law school candidate, as we journey back into the past, unearthing the captivating cultures, intricate poetry, and complex histories of this epoch often shrouded in mystery. Venture with us into the fascinating world of Anglo-Saxon poetry. Let's unravel its rich tapestry, decode the emotions, feelings, and literary trope...
Nov 23, 2023•2 hr 28 min•Season 1Ep. 222
Ever wondered how your marital status or romantic relationship is shaped by society's norms and expectations? How about the notion of family abolition, a concept that offers a radical look at the institution of family as we know it? This episode draws you into a stimulating conversation with our guest, Daniel Tutt. Delving into the complexities of family formation and class dynamics, we challenge conventional understandings of family, marriage, and relationships. We traverse the intriguing parad...
Nov 20, 2023•1 hr 44 min•Season 1Ep. 221
Have you ever wondered how drugs and publishing might intersect in a world of counterculture? Journey with us and guest Sean Howe as we explore the shadowy life of Thomas Forcade, a paradoxical figure of the 60s and 70s counterculture. We shed light on the radical politics of the era and delve into the tension between the counterculture 'heads' and the politicos 'fists.' Together, we unpack how the cocaine trade started to overtake marijuana in 1978, changing the game for everyone involved. As w...
Nov 16, 2023•1 hr 35 min•Season 1Ep. 220
Prepare to step into the labyrinth of Marxist philosophy! Journey with us and our esteemed guest, Amogh Sahu, a PhD candidate from Columbia University, as we dive into the minds of George Lukacs and Antonio Gramsci. Unravel the complexities of Lukash's Marxist methodology and its often misunderstood form, standpoint epistemology. Grasp new insights as we explore the unique understanding the oppressed have about the system that oppresses them. Our intellectual expedition continues as we challenge...
Nov 13, 2023•2 hr 23 min•Season 1Ep. 219
Are we reliving the 60s crisis of liberalism? Unfurl the complexities of this era and contrast it with today's political climate in our latest episode of VarmVlog. We glance back at the rise of the administrative state, and how it sparked political controversy, then cast an eye on the right wing response and its profound impact on the current crisis of liberalism. The 90s saw a fragmented left, a mishmash of personal interests and identarian politics - but what held them together without a colle...
Nov 09, 2023•1 hr 11 min•Season 1Ep. 218
Ready for a deep look into history through the lens of Christopher Lasch's writings? Join us as we shift through the various eras of American radicalism, dissect the myth of the New Deal, and delve into Lasch's disquiet with 1980s conservatism. This episode has it all - history, politics, and an insightful analysis into Lasch's work. We're not stopping there. Our conversation carries us through the post-Civil War period to the New Left of the 1960s, highlighting Lasch's fascination with feminism...
Nov 06, 2023•1 hr 15 min•Season 1Ep. 217
Join us for a thought-provoking exploration with our esteemed guest, Spencer Leonard, as we dissect the intricate connections between Bonapartism and Imperialism, using the French Revolution as the backdrop. We navigate through the complexities of the Bonaparte dynasty and Marx’s interpretations of this political era, drawing exciting parallels to modern politics. We also delve into the paradoxes of the old Tory gentry advocating for peace and commerce, while simultaneously analyzing the influen...
Oct 30, 2023•2 hr 33 min•Season 2Ep. 216
Are you ready to journey back in time, traversing the landscapes of class conflict and crisis within the realms of feudal France and England? We promise an engaging tour that illuminates the contrasts between feudalism and signorism, explores the adoption of Cointel Pro tactics, and ponders gravely on the role of debt and hard currency in medieval societies. From examining the victories of rural communes to weighing the bearing of Lordship on peasant holdings, we delve deeply into how the surplu...
Oct 26, 2023•1 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 215
Dive into the depths of the murky waters of Marxist value theory with Colin Drumm, the founder of Mimbres School, for an enlightening exploration. We examine the labyrinth of different interpretations, their birth in a politically charged context, and the reflections of Marx's idealistic concept of a liberal economy, sans state, in his work. We unwrap Petty's theories of surplus value, shedding light on the enigma that Marx's understanding of value theory often is, and challenging your preconcei...
Oct 23, 2023•1 hr 46 min•Season 1Ep. 214
Have you ever wondered about the complexity and depth of J.R.R. Tolkien's works? Our guest, Alexander Prashauser, an artist and mathematician from Austria, reveals how his childhood fascination with Tolkien's books led him to a profound understanding of literature, politics, and human nature. Journey with us through the mythical worlds of The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillion, as we explore the social, political, and psychological interpretations of Tolkien's masterpieces. Debu...
Oct 16, 2023•1 hr 44 min•Season 1Ep. 213
Ever wondered how the complexity of Language Modeling (LLMs) and cybernetics can revolutionize the way we communicate and interact? Are you curious about the sociopolitical implications of such advancements? Join us in an enlightening discussion with the well-versed Mark Rainey, as we dissect these technologies and their potential impact on our society. Our journey begins with an exploration of LLMs, their potential, and inherent limitations. We discuss the nuanced logic of human language, Boole...
Oct 12, 2023•1 hr 45 min•Season 1Ep. 212
Robert J. Myles is Senior Lecturer in New Testament at Wollaston Theological College in Perth, Western Australia and the University of Divinity. He lives in Perth, Australia. He is the co-author of Jesus: A Life in Class Conflict and the editor of Class Conflict in the New Testament. Strap yourself in for an enlightening journey into the fascinating crossroads of Marxism and Christianity, where faith meets philosophy. We've got Dr. Robert J. Miles joining us on this captivating voyage into the h...
Oct 09, 2023•2 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 212
