Exploring the rise of techno-feudalism in modern capitalism, questioning the power concentration in the hands of the hyper-rich. Critique of circumcision practices and cultural influences. Humorous banter about public figures' physical appearances like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg. Darkly satirical endings and apocalyptic musings on equality.

Leo Varadkar has resigned, and we couldn’t be more upset about itSupport the show

With an almighty Helen-shaped hole to fill, Glen and Matt recruit culture journalist Gary Grimes for a Boys Only episode on Pitchfork, and the culture media landscape in general. We talk lay-offs, the devaluing of culture writing, the changing tide of popular music, the artifice of celebrity, the cancer of fake authenticity, Stan culture, and the future of music & culture journalism. Do people even read articles anymore? How do you get a celeb to agree to an interview? And – obviously – what would Mark Fisher think of it all? Gary is a freelance journalist with words in the likes of Rolling Stone, The Economist, The i, W, Dazed, Interview, Attitude, Wallpaper*, The Face and HeadStuff. You can find him on Twitter and Instagram @gary_is_hip Support the show

Last Friday, January 26th, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued its provisional ruling in South Africa’s case against Israel, ruling that there is a “significant risk of Genocide” in Gaza. Both supporters of Palestine and Israel have declared the outcome of the case as a victory, while there has been disappointment that there was no order for an immediate and total ceasefire. So what are we to make of the ICJ’s ruling? Can we expect Israel to change its behaviour? And if not, what must we do to force them to? With us to help us answer these questions is Dr. Thomas MacManus, Senior Lecturer in State Crime at Queen Mary University London and Acting Director of the International State Crime Initiative (ISCI). Tom is an expert in international law and was able to explain and contextualise the ICJ’s ruling for us, while remaining focused on what the rest of us – ie. those concerned about the situation in Palestine – can and must do now.Following this, Helen, Glen & Matt expand a bit of some of the key arguments from the interview, and get into a discussion about Palestine and the utility of international law, while also trying to point a hopeful way forward for the pro-Palestinian movement and the people of Gaza.Outro Music: Issam Hajali - Khobs Support the show

Bob Cratchit. Ron Weasley. Daniel Blake. Working class characters are often painted as humble folk, morally pure and deserving of our sympathy. But what if they're...not?Join us as we discuss truly progressive portrayals of the working class in film. Instead of patronising, what if films instead gave people agency over their own lives? Instead of portraying poverty as a purifying force, what if films were honest about the negative consequences of oppression on the subject? What if – and bear with me here – but what if working class people were sometimes bad? We start our first episode of 2024 with a quick discussion on the Golden Globes and Academy Awards, before jumping into a chat about a number of films, some which we think do the working class a disservice, and others that we feel are much more honest and human in their portrayals. Up for discussion are:The films of Ken Loach and Shane Meadows, including I, Daniel Blake (2016), Sorry We Missed You (2019) and This Is England (2006);Meantime (1983);Saltburn (2023);The films of Bong Joon-ho, including Snowpiercer (2013) and Parasite (2019);Fallen Leaves (2023);Red Rocket (2021);Harry Potter;Pride (2014);The Royle Family (TV sitcom);The Full Monty (1997);Brechtian theatre;The films of Jean-Luv Godard;Together (2000).Support the show

Ever wondered why so many gays throughout history are so tragic, resilient and brave? This month Casement's Leftovers set fire to condescending stereotypes with incomparable author and historian Huw Lemmey. Huw  -along with his co-host and author Ben Miller- have released the essential read; "Bad Gays", which explores identity formation and some of the more icky homosexuals which didn't make the draft for Pride month martyrs. Helen and Glen chat with Huw about awful gays, how same sex attraction has been characterised throughout history and what terrible dead queens can tell us about queers today.This christmas be sure to play this episode around conservative family members. Maybe turn it into a drinking game. Every time we say a slur, you take a shot? Merry Christmas to you and yours! Support the show

The decade from 2010-2020 saw more mass protests around the world than at any other point in history. But why did, so often, these huge movements result in the exact opposite of what they had set out to achieve? We are joined by American writer and journalist Vincent Bevins (of The Jakarta Method) to discuss his new book, If We Burn: The Mass Protest Decade and the Missing Revolution. We have long been fans of Bevins' work, and we were delighted to be joined by him as we try to make sense of a decade of contention. From Säo Paolo to Hong Kong and from Cairo to Kyiv, the decade saw mass explosions of people taking to the streets. What were these protests about, and what did they ultimately achieve? What lessons can we learn from a decade which saw regimes topple – only to be replaced by something worse? And, most importantly, how can we finally bring Joseph Kony to justice? Catch Vincent talk about his book at Connolly Books TONIGHT, November 30th .If We Burn is available everywhere now, including in audiobook form. Last few tickets for next week's live show, Thursday Dec 7th. Support the show

Happy Halloween! We’re bringing you the scariest thing imaginable: an off-the-cuff episode. Glen, Matt and Helen challenge each other to watch their favourite horror movies (except Glen who doesn’t understand genres) and lap up each other’s reviews. We talk Freudian fears of violence and technology on the collective subconscious (guess the director), the limits of experimental arthouse horror and the bone-chilling terror of ending up cringe when you were going for camp. 17:30: Videodrome (1983)52:30: Skinamarink  (2022)01:13:25: Interview With The Vampire (1994)Buy tickets to our live show Live Show Tickets!Support the show

On reclaiming the history of the 1970s rent strikesWe were delighted to be joined by Fiadh Tubridy & Aisling Hedderman from CATU to discuss the latest CATU publication Rent Strike, which tells the untold story of one of the great Irish tenants' struggles. We discuss the details of NATO (National Association of Tenants Organisations) and the success of the rent strikes themselves, but also we try to apply the learnings to the modern day: what can we learn from the rent strikers of the 70s? What's different now? And what's the most disgusting but legal thing you are allowed to throw at the Gardaí? This was a really insightful and enjoyable conversation about housing and organising but also about community, history and connection. Hope you enjoy x  Join CATUBuy Rent Strike at Connolly BooksTickets for our Christmas showSupport the show

On a critique of political economy for Ireland We were delighted to welcome researcher & author Conor McCabe on to the podcast to discuss the political economy of Ireland and its importance for the Irish left. This is a long but incredibly insightful discussion, as Conor refocuses our attention to the things that matter: who has power in Ireland? What is the real class makeup of the country? And why is everything about cows? Conor is a fantastic writer, educator and researcher who guides us through the works of great thinkers like James Connolly and Peadar O Donnell before offering a brilliant analysis of the economic and political situation of Ireland today. How can we reconcile Ireland's dual role as both victim and beneficiary of imperialism? Why have the Irish left abandoned consciousness-raising in favour of moral points scoring? And why should all good Marxist analysis follow the example of The Wire? Conor's excellent book Sins of the FatherCasement's Christmas Cabaret Party TICKETSOutro Music: Christy Moore - James ConnollyFollow us on socials and spread the word xSupport the show