
Everyday Anarchism
The core idea of this podcast comes from David Graeber, who wrote that our everyday life is mostly run on anarchism, and at the same time people believe that anarchism doesn’t work. One of these is wrong.
I hope to illuminate how our communities already depend on Mutual Aid, in big and small ways. I'll do that by excavating the historical events and cultural trends you already know about, but have never thought about in terms of anarchism.
Find me at https://www.everydayanarchism.com
Latest episodes

Jun 4, 2025 • 56min
157. Nietzsche's Twilight of the Idols -- David Hill
My colleague David Hill rejoins the show to discuss Twilight of the Idols, one of Nietzsche's last works, and one in which Nietzsche directly discusses anarchism.In addition to Nietzsche's putdowns of anarchists, David and I also discuss the ancient Greeks in Nietzsche's thoughts, the unsavory aspects of Nietzsche's philosphy, and Nietsche's attacks on liberalism.For background to this conversation, check out this episode on games and philosophy in ancient Greece: https://do-things-with-words.captivate.fm/episode/1-5-agon-and-ancient-greek-society-david-potter/

May 21, 2025 • 1h 7min
156. Bauhaus and the Anarchic City -- Robin Schuldenfrei
Robin Schuldenfrei joins me to discuss her new book Objects in Exile, which is about the many afterlives of the Bauhaus school and its practitioners. Robin and I particularly focus on the relationship between Bauhaus and city planning, especially focusing on Chicago and the work of Ludwig Hilberseimer. Key questions include:How can societies ensure that everyone has at least enough space to live? How can cities provide for both growth and planning, and blend different kinds of buildings and spaces into an organic whole? And how can we see the rigid grid of American cities as a tool for anarchy?Here's the information about Robin's book and an interview with her about the bookRobin Schuldenfrei, Objects in Exile: Modern Art and Design across Borders, 1930–1960https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691232669/objects-in-exileInterview, Robin Schuldenfrei on Objects in Exilehttps://press.princeton.edu/ideas/robin-schuldenfrei-on-objects-in-exile

May 7, 2025 • 56min
155. Baseball Utopia in Eephus -- Carson Lund
"What is joy when everything has been monetized and optimized?" For Carson Lund, the answer is rec league baseball, and his new film Eephus is about how a meaningless, anachronistic activity like a local baseball league can actually be the most meaningful and important thing you can do. The film is an ode to baseball, a comedy, and "an argument for democracy at a more human level, people just figuring things out."You can find ways to stream Eephus or watch it in the theater here: https://www.eephusfilm.com/And here's the Hawthorne quote I got totally wrong in the episode:The novels of Anthony Trollope "just as real as if some giant had hewn a great lump out of the earth and put it under a glass case, with all its inhabitants going about their daily business, and not suspecting that they were being made a show of."

8 snips
Apr 30, 2025 • 1h 15min
154. Hannah Arendt and Civil Disobedience -- John McGowan
John McGowan, a liberal voice of conscience and expert on civil disobedience, explores Hannah Arendt's insightful analysis on the subject. He delves into Thoreau's influence on figures like Gandhi and MLK, highlighting the evolving nature of resistance and activism. The discussion touches on the moral complexities of exploitation and community, emphasizing the balance needed between individual freedom and collective action. McGowan critically examines how Arendt's legacy challenges contemporary political dynamics while advocating for meaningful social change.

Apr 23, 2025 • 38min
153. Organizing in the 21st Century -- Jaz Brisack
Jaz Brisack, a dynamic union organizer and author of 'Get on the Job and Organize', shares insights drawn from their experiences at companies like Tesla and Starbucks. They unpack why billionaires view unionizing as a threat and discuss the evolution of labor organizing tactics. Jaz emphasizes grassroots initiatives and class solidarity as essential for uniting diverse workers. They also provide practical strategies for effective workplace organizing, highlighting the importance of building strong committees and leveraging public pressure for union recognition.

5 snips
Apr 16, 2025 • 1h 6min
152. Why Billionaires Love AI -- Brian Merchant
Brian Merchant, author of Blood in the Machine, investigates the dark side of AI and tech oligarchs. He delves into how billionaires exploit AI to prioritize profit over worker welfare, raising critical questions about job stability. The discussion highlights the decline of traditional journalism amid corporate dominance and celebrates the rise of independent voices. Merchant also draws parallels between capitalist greed in the Fallout series and modern societal challenges, advocating for a future that values community and ethical AI development.

Apr 9, 2025 • 1h 18min
151. Graeber's Debt Chapter 12, The Beginning of Something Yet to Be Determined
In which I end my series on David Graeber's Debt, apologize for mistakes, and offer some hope for a new world in which we have more money and less monetarism.Thank you to all of the listeners to this series, and my wonderful lineup of guests: Dirk Ehnts, Eleanor Janega, Cory Doctorow, Bill Maurer, Henry Farrell, James K. Galbraith, Fuad Musallam, Clif Mark, Luke Kemp, John Weisweiler, Chris Isett, and Yanis Varoufakis.The whole series can be found here: https://www.everydayanarchism.com/david-graebers-debt/

Apr 2, 2025 • 42min
150. Secret Mall Apartment -- Jeremy Workman and Michael Townsend
When capitalists developed their neighborhood with a giant mall, eight artists developed an abandoned space in the mall into an apartment. It was art without permission, and now there's a documentary about what it was like to make a secret mall apartment as a form of art. Jeremy Workman, the director of Secret Mall Apartment, and Michael Townsend, the originator of the idea, join me to discuss the film and what it means to make art without permission.I highly recommend that you check out Michael's public art, which you can learn about here: https://www.tapeart.com/

Mar 26, 2025 • 40min
149. Anarchy in the Big Easy -- Max Cafard and Vulpes
Max Cafard (which is a pen name) and Vulpes (which is also a pen name) join me to discuss their fantastic new graphic novel Anarchy in the Big Easy, which is just what it sounds like. Max and Vulpes and I discuss the cosmic anarchy, political anarchism, and everyday anarchy that's flowed through what is now called New Orleans for centuries and millennia. Plus we get frequently confused by the pen names. And yes, as happens occasionally, Max has a squeaky chair.You can order the book from PM press here: https://pmpress.org/index.php?l=product_detail&p=1766

Mar 19, 2025 • 42min
148. Debt Discussion 12, In the Middle of Something New with Yanis Varoufakis
Yanis Varoufakis, author of 'Technofeudalism' and former Greek finance minister, joins the conversation with insights on the evolution of our economic systems. He explores how the 2008 crisis paved the way for techno-feudalism, where tech elites reap disproportionate rewards. The discussion critically examines how political leaders might inadvertently bolster extremist ideologies and the transition from traditional capitalism to modern monopolies. Varoufakis also highlights the implications of our changing relationship with technology, coining 'technofitalism' to describe this new reality.