Freddie deBoer, a critical writer and self-described Marxist, teams up with Ruy Teixeira, a political demographer and strategist, to dive into the struggles of the Democratic Party. They analyze why the party has disconnected from traditional voters, questioning the loss of working-class representation. Discussions include the potential decline of identity politics, the inadequacy of abortion as a rallying issue, and contrasting ideals for the party's future. Can they bridge the gap between economic concerns and evolving cultural narratives?

Freddie DeBoer challenges the narrative of failing education in America in 'The Cult Of Smart'. He argues that education isn't declining, race and gender gaps are stable or decreasing. Critiques tough education reforms and advocates for reevaluation of meritocracy. Explores universal pre-K benefits and critiques traditional schooling system for limiting freedom and creativity.

Freddie deBoer, a writer and academic, discusses the identitarian takeover of the left, how elites infiltrate grassroots movements, and the importance of class in his book 'How Elites Ate the Social Justice Movement' on The Brendan O'Neill Show. The podcast explores the implementation of social justice, questioning reality and politics, capitalist co-option of leftist movements, the importance of specific demands in activism, the debate between class and race in politics, and the future of progressive politics.

A few months ago, I had writer Freddie deBoer on the podcast for an episode we called, “Does Glorifying Sickness Deter Healing?” We talked about his experience living with severe bipolar disorder and the dangerous ways in which mental illness has gotten wrapped up in our growing cultural obsession with identity politics. It’s almost like sickness, he argued, has become chic.We spent some of the conversation talking critically about a New York Times article by writer Daniel Bergner about a movement away from medication and more towards acceptance. A movement that replaces words like “psychosis” with “nonconsensus realities.” This article, in Freddie’s view, was exemplary of the very phenomenon he was calling out. A lot of people responded extremely positively to my conversation with Freddie. Others, not so much. One of those people was Daniel Bergner. So I invited him on the show.Today’s episode is not just a debate about how society should handle the epidemic of mental illness. It’s a model for how to disagree with someone productively, respectively, honestly. It’s a reminder not only that it’s okay to come out of a conversation strongly disagreeing with someone, but that it’s of vital importance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Bari’s view, Freddie deBoer is one of the best writers in the country. It’s not because she always agrees with him. Hardly. Freddie is a self-described Marxist. What she appreciates about him is that he is unflinching about criticizing “his side.” Freddie is one of the most trenchant critics of what he calls “Social Justice Politics”—which he argues distracts the left from the real issue of class. He is also unflinching in his views about mental illness and the way it is being glorified in our culture right now. Freddie knows about this subject intimately. He has severe bipolar disorder, and has been institutionalized in the past when he was on the verge of violently acting out.Today: a conversation about “the gentrification of disability,” how sickness became chic, and how our society should handle the epidemic of mental illness. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices