The Skeptical Leftist Podcast

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 needs of marginalized communities, and how Black anarchist thought offers a path grounded in real histories of resistance. This one covers a lot—from revolutionary schools and zines to abolitionist organizing and the role of podcasts in liberatory education.

📚 Check out The Dugout Podcast:⁠ ⁠

🔗 Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/dugoutpodcast/⁠ 

🔗 Substack: ⁠https://tdugout.substack.com/⁠ 

🔗YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@thedugoutpod⁠ 

🔗 Patreon: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/TheDugoutPod⁠ 

🔗 Website: ⁠https://bio.site/thedugoutpodcast⁠

💸 Support the show:

 ⁠https://www.patreon.com/skepticalleftist⁠

⁠https://ko-fi.com/skepticalleftist⁠ ⁠ ⁠

⁠https://twitter.com/SkepticalLefty⁠

⁠https://theskepticalleftist.substack.com/⁠ 

💥 Mutual aid spotlight: 

⁠https://www.cathedralcommunityfridge.com/

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/03/mohsen-mahdawi-trump-deportations

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/immigration/3400195/nypd-protester-ice-deportation-case/

https://www.businessinsider.com/duolingo-ceo-how-ai-will-be-used-performance-reviews-headcount-2025-4

https://www.npr.org/2025/04/22/nx-s1-5364825/small-and-rural-libraries-are-feeling-the-cuts-from-president-trumps-executive-order

https://cfjctoday.com/2025/03/10/b-c-mountie-tells-hearing-that-dark-humour-in-group-chats-was-to-relieve-stress-2/

https://www.theguardian.com/world/ng-interactive/2025/may/03/mark-carney-canada-prime-minister

https://www.nptrust.org/philanthropic-resources/philanthropist/flooding-and-tornadoes-impact-the-midwest-and-south-a-donors-guide-to-helping-those-in-need/

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/28/first-edition-just-stop-oil-legacy

If you like the show, leave a rating, share it with a friend, and consider supporting the work on Patreon or Ko-fi. Every bit helps.

Follow AnComSciComm https://bsky.app/profile/ancomscicomm.bsky.social

Support the show ⁠https://www.patreon.com/skepticalleftist⁠

⁠https://ko-fi.com/skepticalleftist⁠ ⁠ ⁠

https://linktr.ee/Skepticalleftist 

⁠https://theskepticalleftist.substack.com/⁠ 

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://linktr.ee/Skepticalleftist 

Support mutual aid:

Help out the Cathedral Community Fridge or a local group in your area.

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share if you like the show.

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 feel like the system just doesn’t serve them anymore.

Recorded back in early February — before the federal election campaign even started — some of the political speculation has aged like milk, but the deeper themes still hit hard. This one’s for anyone trying to understand how we got here, and whether something better is still possible.

Follow Alex where you can find him 

https://x.com/abirlios 

And check out his podcast Unmaking Saskatchewan

https://harbingermedianetwork.com/show/unmaking-saskatchewan/

And check out my linktree

https://linktr.ee/Skepticalleftist

If you enjoyed the show, consider supporting us on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/skepticalleftist  to help keep the content coming. You can also subscribe to my Substack https://theskepticalleftist.substack.com/  for updates and extra content or get bonus episodes through Spotify https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/skepticalleftist/subscribe . Every bit makes a difference! If that’s not your thing, sharing the episode with friends or on social media goes a long way too. Thanks for listening and for your support!

And please, if you can, support the Cathedral Community Fridge https://www.cathedralcommunityfridge.com/  or your local community fridge. Mutual aid matters—let’s help each other thrive!

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

https://www.twitch.tv/steve_boots

https://www.youtube.com/@Steve_Boots

https://x.com/steve_boots

And check out my linktree

https://linktr.ee/Skepticalleftist

If you enjoyed the show, consider supporting us on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/skepticalleftist  to help keep the content coming. You can also subscribe to my Substack https://theskepticalleftist.substack.com/  for updates and extra content or get bonus episodes through Spotify https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/skepticalleftist/subscribe . Every bit makes a difference! If that’s not your thing, sharing the episode with friends or on social media goes a long way too. Thanks for listening and for your support!

And please, if you can, support the Cathedral Community Fridge https://www.cathedralcommunityfridge.com/  or your local community fridge. Mutual aid matters—let’s help each other thrive!

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

And check out his podcast

https://x.com/TheJIBPodcast

https://www.youtube.com/@TheJIBPodcast

And check out my linktree

https://linktr.ee/Skepticalleftist

If you enjoyed the show, consider supporting us on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/skepticalleftist  to help keep the content coming. You can also subscribe to my Substack https://theskepticalleftist.substack.com/  for updates and extra content or get bonus episodes through Spotify https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/skepticalleftist/subscribe . Every bit makes a difference! If that’s not your thing, sharing the episode with friends or on social media goes a long way too. Thanks for listening and for your support!

And please, if you can, support the Cathedral Community Fridge https://www.cathedralcommunityfridge.com/  or your local community fridge. Mutual aid matters—let’s help each other thrive!

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 still resonates — and why it matters now more than ever.

You can get a copy of God and The State here 

https://z-library.sk/book/2360474/364435/god-and-the-state.html

Or you can purchase a copy at these booksellers

https://www.akpress.org/godandthestate.html

https://redemmas.org/titles/2099-god-and-the-state/

https://pmpress.org/index.php?l=product_detail&p=1356

https://pilsencommunitybooks.com/item/3GiS_XTIkh2sa_b2wRa_Wg

Check out Justin's links and follow him

https://www.justinclark.org/

https://www.instagram.com/justinclarkph/

https://www.tiktok.com/@justinclarkph

https://bsky.app/profile/justinclarkph.bsky.social

https://www.threads.net/@justinclarkph

https://www.in.gov/history/

https://blog.history.in.gov/

https://newspapers.library.in.gov/

And check out my linktree

https://linktr.ee/Skepticalleftist

If you enjoyed the show, consider supporting us on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/skepticalleftist  to help keep the content coming. You can also subscribe to my Substack https://theskepticalleftist.substack.com/  for updates and extra content or get bonus episodes through Spotify https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/skepticalleftist/subscribe . Every bit makes a difference! If that’s not your thing, sharing the episode with friends or on social media goes a long way too. Thanks for listening and for your support!

And please, if you can, support the Cathedral Community Fridge https://www.cathedralcommunityfridge.com/  or your local community fridge. Mutual aid matters—let’s help each other thrive!

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 a lecture—just two anarchists thinking through these ideas together.

Here are a couple places where you can find The Wolf Spirit

https://mastodon.social/@thewolfspirit

https://bsky.app/profile/thewolfspirit.bsky.social

And check out my linktree

https://linktr.ee/Skepticalleftist

If you enjoyed the show, consider supporting us on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/skepticalleftist  to help keep the content coming. You can also subscribe to my Substack https://theskepticalleftist.substack.com/  for updates and extra content or get bonus episodes through Spotify https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/skepticalleftist/subscribe . Every bit makes a difference! If that’s not your thing, sharing the episode with friends or on social media goes a long way too. Thanks for listening and for your support!

And please, if you can, support the Cathedral Community Fridge https://www.cathedralcommunityfridge.com/  or your local community fridge. Mutual aid matters—let’s help each other thrive!

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/115586502/7c858b/the-political-theory-of-liberal-socialism.html

Or purchase a copy here

https://www.routledge.com/The-Political-Theory-of-Liberal-Socialism/McManus/p/book/9781032647234

Check out Justin's links and follow him

https://www.justinclark.org/

https://www.instagram.com/justinclarkph/

https://www.tiktok.com/@justinclarkph

https://bsky.app/profile/justinclarkph.bsky.social

https://www.threads.net/@justinclarkph

https://www.in.gov/history/

https://blog.history.in.gov/

https://newspapers.library.in.gov/

And check out my linktree

https://linktr.ee/Skepticalleftist

If you enjoyed the show, consider supporting us on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/skepticalleftist  to help keep the content coming. You can also subscribe to my Substack https://theskepticalleftist.substack.com/  for updates and extra content or get bonus episodes through Spotify https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/skepticalleftist/subscribe . Every bit makes a difference! If that’s not your thing, sharing the episode with friends or on social media goes a long way too. Thanks for listening and for your support!

And please, if you can, support the Cathedral Community Fridge https://www.cathedralcommunityfridge.com/  or your local community fridge. Mutual aid matters—let’s help each other thrive!

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://www.matthewfacciani.com/

https://matthewfacciani.substack.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@misguidedthepodcast

https://open.spotify.com/show/6EJnW3I0KCi17Zi1LmOISj?si=3fe15105a0334f95

https://www.threads.net/@matthewfacciani

https://bsky.app/profile/matthewfacciani.bsky.social

https://www.instagram.com/matthewfacciani/

And check out my linktree

https://linktr.ee/Skepticalleftist

If you enjoyed the show, consider supporting us on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/skepticalleftist  to help keep the content coming. You can also subscribe to my Substack https://theskepticalleftist.substack.com/  for updates and extra content or get bonus episodes through Spotify https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/skepticalleftist/subscribe . Every bit makes a difference! If that’s not your thing, sharing the episode with friends or on social media goes a long way too. Thanks for listening and for your support!

And please, if you can, support the Cathedral Community Fridge https://www.cathedralcommunityfridge.com/  or your local community fridge. Mutual aid matters—let’s help each other thrive!

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-library.sk/book/5408915/dc3418/the-power-worshippers-inside-the-dangerous-rise-of-religious-nationalism.html

Or you can buy it from these bookshops

https://www.akpress.org/power-worshippers.html

https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-power-worshippers-inside-the-dangerous-rise-of-religious-nationalism-katherine-stewart/8555591

https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/power-worshippers-9781635573459/

In the post show we watched and talked about this video 

https://youtu.be/xatYHiKviiA?si=Av_hBhx-RVINwip4

Check out Justin's links and follow him

https://www.justinclark.org/

https://www.instagram.com/justinclarkph/

https://www.tiktok.com/@justinclarkph

https://bsky.app/profile/justinclarkph.bsky.social

https://www.threads.net/@justinclarkph

https://www.in.gov/history/

https://blog.history.in.gov/

https://newspapers.library.in.gov/

And check out my linktree

https://linktr.ee/Skepticalleftist

If you enjoyed the show, consider supporting us on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/skepticalleftist  to help keep the content coming. You can also subscribe to my Substack https://theskepticalleftist.substack.com/  for updates and extra content or get bonus episodes through Spotify https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/skepticalleftist/subscribe . Every bit makes a difference! If that’s not your thing, sharing the episode with friends or on social media goes a long way too. Thanks for listening and for your support!

And please, if you can, support the Cathedral Community Fridge https://www.cathedralcommunityfridge.com/  or your local community fridge. Mutual aid matters—let’s help each other thrive!

Journalism is dying—so what comes next? I sat down withBig 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 where you can here Marino on Big Shiny Takes

https://bigshinytakes.com/

And check out his social media

https://bsky.app/profile/marinogreco.bsky.social

https://www.instagram.com/brorino/

https://x.com/marinogreco

And check out Press Progress and Tech Won’t Save Us

https://pressprogress.ca/

https://www.techwontsave.us/

And check out my linktree

https://linktr.ee/Skepticalleftist

If you enjoyed the show, consider supporting us on Patreonhttps://www.patreon.com/skepticalleftist  to help keep the content coming. You can also subscribe to my Substackhttps://theskepticalleftist.substack.com/  for updates and extra content or get bonus episodes through Spotifyhttps://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/skepticalleftist/subscribe . Every bit makes a difference! If that’s not your thing, sharing the episode with friends or on social media goes a long way too. Thanks for listening and for your support!

And please, if you can, support the Cathedral Community Fridgehttps://www.cathedralcommunityfridge.com/  or your local community fridge. Mutual aid matters—let’s help each other thrive!

The US has spent decades trying to crush Cuba, but why does this small island nation still stand? In this episode, we dive intoThe 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/book/5206735/0ff530/the-declarations-of-havana.html?ts=2221Or you can buy it herehttps://www.versobooks.com/en-ca/products/2055-the-declarations-of-havana?_pos=1&_sid=be5041e5b&_ss=r

https://redemmas.org/titles/41395-the-declarations-of-havana/

https://pilsencommunitybooks.com/item/byaBWPmPb52by_Rvq3hByg 

References

https://daily.jstor.org/cuba-annexation-nation/

Here is what we talked about in the post showhttps://z-library.sk/book/30095239/cc3439/on-cuba.html

https://thenewpress.com/books/on-cuba

Check out Justin's links and follow him

https://www.justinclark.org/

https://www.instagram.com/justinclarkph/

https://www.tiktok.com/@justinclarkph

https://bsky.app/profile/justinclarkph.bsky.social

https://www.threads.net/@justinclarkph

https://www.in.gov/history/

https://blog.history.in.gov/

https://newspapers.library.in.gov/

And check out my linktree

https://linktr.ee/Skepticalleftist

If you enjoyed the show, consider supporting us on Patreonhttps://www.patreon.com/skepticalleftist  to help keep the content coming. You can also subscribe to my Substackhttps://theskepticalleftist.substack.com/  for updates and extra content or get bonus episodes through Spotifyhttps://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/skepticalleftist/subscribe . Every bit makes a difference! If that’s not your thing, sharing the episode with friends or on social media goes a long way too. Thanks for listening and for your support!

And please, if you can, support the Cathedral Community Fridgehttps://www.cathedralcommunityfridge.com/  or your local community fridge. Mutual aid matters—let’s help each other thrive!

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 content and social media

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Erin-Greene/author/B00BT9H586?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

https://bsky.app/profile/theangrywrench.com

https://bsky.app/profile/thewriterscottage.bsky.social 

https://www.youtube.com/@The_Angry_Wrench_Speaks

https://linktr.ee/siobhancreations2025

And check out my linktree

https://linktr.ee/Skepticalleftist

If you enjoyed the show, consider supporting us on Patreonhttps://www.patreon.com/skepticalleftist  to help keep the content coming. You can also subscribe to my Substackhttps://theskepticalleftist.substack.com/  for updates and extra content or get bonus episodes through Spotifyhttps://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/skepticalleftist/subscribe . Every bit makes a difference! If that’s not your thing, sharing the episode with friends or on social media goes a long way too. Thanks for listening and for your support!

And please, if you can, support the Cathedral Community Fridgehttps://www.cathedralcommunityfridge.com/  or your local community fridge. Mutual aid matters—let’s help each other thrive!

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-realism-is-there-no-alternative.html

https://z-library.sk/book/3362634/10f03f/capitalist-realism-is-there-no-alternative.html

Or you can buy it at these bookstores

https://redemmas.org/titles/10491-capitalist-realism-is-there-no-alternative/

https://bookshop.org/p/books/capitalist-realism-is-there-no-alternative-mark-fisher/703f190ad15ef851?ean=9781846943171&next=t&affiliate=3323

https://pilsencommunitybooks.com/item/WepMITbQuyf6hXho7u4Tvw

Here is a link for Justin’s notes to the show

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nmQrra8PJZSB3X0yVWy8c1uvxAvWg4j8yM3K3CeWw6Y/edit?usp=sharing

Here are some links for stuff we covered in the post-show chat

https://youtu.be/aCgkLICTskQ?si=D58h5ddsSSUhELBI

https://issuu.com/bouvet0716/docs/the_slow_cancellation_of_the_future

Check out Justin's links and follow him

https://www.justinclark.org/

https://www.instagram.com/justinclarkph/

https://www.tiktok.com/@justinclarkph

https://bsky.app/profile/justinclarkph.bsky.social

https://www.threads.net/@justinclarkph

https://www.in.gov/history/

https://blog.history.in.gov/

https://newspapers.library.in.gov/

And check out my linktree

https://linktr.ee/Skepticalleftist

If you enjoyed the show, consider supporting us on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/skepticalleftist  to help keep the content coming. You can also subscribe to my Substack https://theskepticalleftist.substack.com/  for updates and extra content or get bonus episodes through Spotify https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/skepticalleftist/subscribe . Every bit makes a difference! If that’s not your thing, sharing the episode with friends or on social media goes a long way too. Thanks for listening and for your support!

And please, if you can, support the Cathedral Community Fridge https://www.cathedralcommunityfridge.com/  or your local community fridge. Mutual aid matters—let’s help each other thrive!

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 real-world change. Don’t miss this one as we explore what it really means to build a world run by workers.

You can get Workers’ Councils here

https://www.marxists.org/archive/pannekoe/1947/workers-councils.htm

https://z-library.sk/book/904599/4b0c87/workers-councils.html

Or you can buy it here

https://www.akpress.org/workerscouncils.html

https://redemmas.org/titles/2101-workers-councils/

https://pilsencommunitybooks.com/item/AEIoziCvS29UOEzwW3fxZQ

Check out Justin's links and follow him

https://www.justinclark.org/

https://www.instagram.com/justinclarkph/

https://www.tiktok.com/@justinclarkph

https://bsky.app/profile/justinclarkph.bsky.social

https://www.threads.net/@justinclarkph

https://www.in.gov/history/

https://blog.history.in.gov/

https://newspapers.library.in.gov/

And check out my linktree

https://linktr.ee/Skepticalleftist

If you enjoyed the show, consider supporting us on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/skepticalleftist  to help keep the content coming. You can also subscribe to my Substack https://theskepticalleftist.substack.com/  for updates and extra content or get bonus episodes through Spotify https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/skepticalleftist/subscribe . Every bit makes a difference! If that’s not your thing, sharing the episode with friends or on social media goes a long way too. Thanks for listening and for your support!

And please, if you can, support the Cathedral Community Fridge https://www.cathedralcommunityfridge.com/  or your local community fridge. Mutual aid matters—let’s help each other thrive!

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 copy of Class Notes here

https://z-library.sk/book/2563117/c11bd1/class-notes-posing-as-politics-and-other-thoughts-on-the-american-scene.html

Or you can buy it here

https://redemmas.org/titles/3895-class-notes-posing-as-politics-and-other-thoughts-on-the-american-scene/

Check out Justin's links and follow him

https://www.justinclark.org/

https://www.instagram.com/justinclarkph/

https://www.tiktok.com/@justinclarkph

https://bsky.app/profile/justinclarkph.bsky.social

https://www.threads.net/@justinclarkph

https://www.in.gov/history/

https://blog.history.in.gov/

https://newspapers.library.in.gov/

And check out my linktree

https://linktr.ee/Skepticalleftist

If you enjoyed the show, consider supporting us on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/skepticalleftist  to help keep the content coming. You can also subscribe to my Substack https://theskepticalleftist.substack.com/  for updates and extra content or get bonus episodes through Spotify https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/skepticalleftist/subscribe . Every bit makes a difference! If that’s not your thing, sharing the episode with friends or on social media goes a long way too. Thanks for listening and for your support!

And please, if you can, support the Cathedral Community Fridge https://www.cathedralcommunityfridge.com/  or your local community fridge. Mutual aid matters—let’s help each other thrive!

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 key to navigating ethical challenges in a complex world.

For more reading on Axiology

https://www.academia.edu/126349221/Moral_fear_and_Moral_love_which_together_motivate_my_axiological_ethics_

https://blog.ttisi.com/what-is-axiology-in-assessments#:~:text=There%20are%20three%20primary%20value,a%20broader%20framework%20or%20structure

https://spot.colorado.edu/~heathwoo/Phil220/axiology.html

https://philarchive.org/archive/EDWTAA-3

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Axiological_ethics

https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/value-theory/#:~:text=Axiology%20can%20be%20thought%20of,objective%20states%20of%20the%20world

https://damienmarieathope.com/2018/09/i-am-a-scientific-axiology-minded-philosophic-axiologist-theorist-and-my-conclusion-is-axiological-atheism/

https://damienmarieathope.com/2017/09/moral-fear-and-moral-love/

https://damienmarieathope.com/2022/06/i-am-an-axiologist-anti-nihilism-value-theorist/

https://damienmarieathope.com/2020/08/my-general-thinking-in-relation-to-my-axiology-assumptions-intrinsic-extrinsic-and-systemic-value/

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/378151954_Formal_Axiology_Another_Victim_in_Religions_War_on_Science

Make sure to follow Damien on social media

https://x.com/AthopeMarie

https://bsky.app/profile/damienmarieathope.bsky.socialAnd subscribe to his channel

https://www.youtube.com/@DamienAthope 

And check out my linktree

https://linktr.ee/Skepticalleftist

If you enjoyed the show, consider supporting us on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/skepticalleftist  to help keep the content coming. You can also subscribe to my Substack https://theskepticalleftist.substack.com/  for updates and extra content or get bonus episodes through Spotify https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/skepticalleftist/subscribe . Every bit makes a difference! If that’s not your thing, sharing the episode with friends or on social media goes a long way too. Thanks for listening and for your support!

And please, if you can, support the Cathedral Community Fridge https://www.cathedralcommunityfridge.com/  or your local community fridge. Mutual aid matters—let’s help each other thrive!

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. It’s a conversation about technology, democracy, and what it means to fight for a better world. Tune in and let us know what you think!

You can get the book herehttps://z-library.sk/book/3364561/56fc32/the-revolution-of-hope-toward-a-humanized-technology.html

Or purchase a copy at one of these bookshops

https://pilsencommunitybooks.com/item/x_TGv4UhblvxFiVomYzB8Q

https://www.abebooks.com/9781935307372/Revolution-Hope-Fromm-Erich-1935307371/plp

https://www.matthewsbookshop.com/pages/books/3445/erich-fromm/the-revolution-of-hope

Here are some extra notes from Justin and for an article referenced in the discussion

https://www.justinclark.org/blog/hope-in-the-machine-towards-a-humanistic-technology

https://docs.google.com/document/d/18zF93wCw9vzpgpRTjNK9TxE3Qbm_weB0QyNCuJDm2DQ/edit?tab=t.0

https://newrepublic.com/article/180487/balaji-srinivasan-network-state-plutocrat

Check out Justin's links and follow him

https://www.justinclark.org/

https://www.instagram.com/justinclarkph/

https://www.tiktok.com/@justinclarkph

https://bsky.app/profile/justinclarkph.bsky.social

https://www.threads.net/@justinclarkph

https://www.in.gov/history/

https://blog.history.in.gov/

https://newspapers.library.in.gov/

And check out my linktree

https://linktr.ee/Skepticalleftist

If you enjoyed the show, consider supporting us on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/skepticalleftist  to help keep the content coming. You can also subscribe to my Substack https://theskepticalleftist.substack.com/  for updates and extra content or get bonus episodes through Spotify https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/skepticalleftist/subscribe . Every bit makes a difference! If that’s not your thing, sharing the episode with friends or on social media goes a long way too. Thanks for listening and for your support!

And please, if you can, support the Cathedral Community Fridge https://www.cathedralcommunityfridge.com/  or your local community fridge. Mutual aid matters—let’s help each other thrive!

In this episode, we explore how systems of hierarchy have shaped humanity, from ancient rulers to modern billionaires. Why do hierarchies exist? Are they inevitable, or can we dismantle them? Together, we’ll examine the role of prehistory, morality, and resistance in understanding our current world. From mounds and pyramids to the structures of capitalism, we connect the dots and challenge the narratives we’ve been told. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts—it helps keep the show going!

Here is a link for Damien’s blog on mounds and pyramidshttps://damienmarieathope.com/2024/10/shell-mounds-dolmens-kurgans-earth-mounds-ziggurats-mastabas-pyramids-their-origins-evolutions-and-migrations/

Make sure to follow Damien on social media

https://x.com/AthopeMarie

https://bsky.app/profile/damienmarieathope.bsky.social

And check out my linktree

https://linktr.ee/Skepticalleftist

If you enjoyed the show, consider supporting us on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/skepticalleftist  to help keep the content coming. You can also subscribe to my Substack https://theskepticalleftist.substack.com/  for updates and extra content or get bonus episodes through Spotify https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/skepticalleftist/subscribe . Every bit makes a difference! If that’s not your thing, sharing the episode with friends or on social media goes a long way too. Thanks for listening and for your support!

And please, if you can, support the Cathedral Community Fridge https://www.cathedralcommunityfridge.com/  or your local community fridge. Mutual aid matters—let’s help each other thrive!

In this episode of Red Reviews, we dive into Kohei Saito’s Slow Down: The Degrowth Manifesto and explore its bold reinterpretation of Marx’s ideas on ecology and capitalism. We unpack the concept of degrowth, debate its critiques, and ask if Marx’s later writings hold the key to addressing the climate crisis. Along the way, we challenge the myths of consumer blame, examine systemic solutions, and grapple with what it really means to rethink Marx for a dying planet.

Here is a copy of this episode’s transcript

https://docs.google.com/document/d/10Uw53SnpcDa7BDWl-F8N2Mo85tbTB7y8/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=115023785272415422487&rtpof=true&sd=true

Some links for further readinghttps://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1881/zasulich/index.htm

https://jacobin.com/2024/03/kohei-saito-degrowth-communism-environment-marxism

Here are some links where you can get Slow Down

https://z-library.sk/book/27413778/29c01a/slow-down-the-degrowth-manifesto.html

https://www.akpress.org/slow-down.html

https://pilsencommunitybooks.com/item/MexlWhzwbd-b7iAlWPw-yw

https://redemmas.org/titles/39973-slow-down-the-degrowth-manifesto/

Check out Justin's links and follow him

https://www.justinclark.org/

https://www.instagram.com/justinclarkph/

https://www.tiktok.com/@justinclarkph

https://bsky.app/profile/justinclarkph.bsky.social

https://www.threads.net/@justinclarkph

https://www.in.gov/history/

https://blog.history.in.gov/

https://newspapers.library.in.gov/

And check out my linktree

https://linktr.ee/Skepticalleftist

If you enjoyed the show, consider supporting us on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/skepticalleftist  to help keep the content coming. You can also subscribe to my Substack https://theskepticalleftist.substack.com/  for updates and extra content or get bonus episodes through Spotify https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/skepticalleftist/subscribe . Every bit makes a difference! If that’s not your thing, sharing the episode with friends or on social media goes a long way too. Thanks for listening and for your support!

And please, if you can, support the Cathedral Community Fridge https://www.cathedralcommunityfridge.com/  or your local community fridge. Mutual aid matters—let’s help each other thrive!

In this episode of Red Reviews, Justin and I dive into Naomi Klein's latest work, Doppelganger: A Trip into the Mirror World. We unpack the concept of the "mirror world," where misinformation distorts reality, and examine how diagonalism—blurring the lines between left and right—has created some of the strangest political figures of our time. From Naomi Wolf’s baffling transformation to the role of social media in spreading toxic narratives, this episode is all about the fight for a shared reality.

As always, stay skeptical, stay informed, and keep fighting for a better world.

You can get a copy here

https://z-library.sk/book/26306193/436a34/doppelganger.html

Or you can buy one here

https://www.akpress.org/doppelganger.html

https://redemmas.org/titles/39586-doppelganger-a-trip-into-the-mirror-world/

Check out Justin's links and follow him

https://www.justinclark.org/

https://www.instagram.com/justinclarkph/

https://www.tiktok.com/@justinclarkph

https://bsky.app/profile/justinclarkph.bsky.social

https://www.threads.net/@justinclarkph

https://www.in.gov/history/

https://blog.history.in.gov/

https://newspapers.library.in.gov/

And check out my linktree

https://linktr.ee/Skepticalleftist

If you enjoyed the show, consider supporting us on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/skepticalleftist  to help keep the content coming. You can also subscribe to my Substack https://theskepticalleftist.substack.com/  for updates and extra content or get bonus episodes through Spotify https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/skepticalleftist/subscribe . Every bit makes a difference! If that’s not your thing, sharing the episode with friends or on social media goes a long way too. Thanks for listening and for your support!

And please, if you can, support the Cathedral Community Fridge https://www.cathedralcommunityfridge.com/  or your local community fridge. Mutual aid matters—let’s help each other thrive!

In this episode of The Skeptical Leftist Podcast, I talked to with Matt McManus, a political theorist and author who identifies as a liberal socialist. While this idea might seem unusual at first, Matt dives into how it blends individual rights with collective well-being in a thoughtful and relevant way.

We break down what liberal socialism means, how it stacks up against anarchism, and why it might be a key framework for building economic democracy. Whether you’re a political theory nerd or just curious about how these ideas can work together, there’s a lot to unpack here.

As always, stay skeptical, stay informed, and keep fighting for a better world. Enjoy the show!

You can find Matt at these links and buy his book too.

https://www.routledge.com/The-Political-Theory-of-Liberal-Socialism/McManus/p/book/9781032647234

https://x.com/MattPolProfhttps://bsky.app/profile/mattpolprof.bsky.social 

https://umich.academia.edu/MatthewMcManus

https://x.com/edgelordpod

https://www.academicedgelords.com/

And check out my linktree

https://linktr.ee/Skepticalleftist

If you enjoyed the show, consider supporting us on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/skepticalleftist  to help keep the content coming. You can also subscribe to my Substack https://theskepticalleftist.substack.com/  for updates and extra content or get bonus episodes through Spotify https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/skepticalleftist/subscribe . Every bit makes a difference! If that’s not your thing, sharing the episode with friends or on social media goes a long way too. Thanks for listening and for your support!

And please, if you can, support the Cathedral Community Fridge https://www.cathedralcommunityfridge.com/  or your local community fridge. Mutual aid matters—let’s help each other thrive!

In this episode of Red Reviews, Justin and I take a deep dive into Grace Blakeley’s Vulture Capitalism. In it, Blakeley tears apart the lies we’re told about “free markets” and “freedom” under capitalism. We talk about Boeing, the 2008 financial crash, and how neoliberalism has turned our entire economy into a rigged game for the rich.

But it’s not all doom and gloom—we also dig into ideas for fighting back, from participatory economics to universal basic services and organizing for real worker power. If you’re tired of the status quo and want to hear how we can build a better world, this one’s for you.

You can get the book herehttps://z-library.sk/book/28135339/98083e/vulture-capitalism-corporate-crimes-backdoor-bailouts-and-the-death-of-freedom.html 

Or you can find it at these bookshops.https://www.akpress.org/vulture-capitalism.html

https://bookshop.org/p/books/vulture-capitalism-corporate-crimes-backdoor-bailouts-and-the-death-of-freedom-grace-blakeley/20158195

https://guardianbookshop.com/vulture-capitalism-9781526638076/

https://www.cedarcanoebooks.com/products/vulture-capitalism?variant=48025241616670

Check out Justin's links and follow him

https://www.justinclark.org/

https://www.instagram.com/justinclarkph/

https://www.tiktok.com/@justinclarkph

https://bsky.app/profile/justinclarkph.bsky.social

https://www.threads.net/@justinclarkph

https://www.in.gov/history/

https://blog.history.in.gov/

https://newspapers.library.in.gov/

And check out my linktree

https://linktr.ee/Skepticalleftist

If you enjoyed the show, consider supporting us on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/skepticalleftist  to help keep the content coming. You can also subscribe to my Substack https://theskepticalleftist.substack.com/  for updates and extra content or get bonus episodes through Spotify https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/skepticalleftist/subscribe . Every bit makes a difference! If that’s not your thing, sharing the episode with friends or on social media goes a long way too. Thanks for listening and for your support!

And please, if you can, support the Cathedral Community Fridge https://www.cathedralcommunityfridge.com/  or your local community fridge. Mutual aid matters—let’s help each other thrive!