Rev Left Radio The State of the American Left (w/ How The Red Was Won)
Oct 4, 2025
Breht O'Shea is a left-wing podcaster, organizer, and commentator passionately discussing unions, socialist organizing, and parenting. He explores the complexities of U.S. trade unions and their limitations in promoting revolutionary politics. Breht also emphasizes the importance of connecting immigration issues to anti-imperialist education. He advocates for building trust with everyday people through mutual aid while sharing insights on raising politically aware children. Additionally, he addresses the need for ethical conduct in organizing and the significance of solidarity with international labor struggles.
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From Podcasting To The Trades
- Breht describes switching to a trade union apprenticeship and the gritty realities of construction work.
- He contrasts pride and material gains with hard physical labor and early mornings on job sites.
Limits Of Trade Union Consciousness
- Trade unions offer built-in solidarity but rarely become centers of revolutionary politics.
- Breht warns of the historical de-radicalization and limits of trade-union consciousness in the U.S.
How The IWW Shaped Him
- Breht recounts joining the IWW as his first left organization in his late teens.
- He credits the IWW for legal support during a 2017 protest arrest and keeps its sticker on his lunch pail.
