
Left Anchor
Philosophy, politics, and the left.
Latest episodes

Jun 29, 2025 • 1h 10min
How Zohran Did It - 358
Today we’ve got New York City politics expert Michael Caley on to discuss how Zohran Mamdani managed to assemble a coalition that bested Andrew Cuomo—where did he rack up big margins and why, how did Cuomo’s campaign fail, and what does it mean?
Check out Michael’s Substack here, and Michael Lange’s voting analysis here.

Jun 21, 2025 • 1h 12min
Liberal Socialism?? - 357
Today we have Dr. Matthew McManus on to discuss his book The Political Theory of Liberal Socialism. It turns out that there is an extensive tradition of socialism emerging out of classical liberal theory in the 19th century that is clearly relevant for today. What can modern leftists learn from John Stuart Mill, Mary Wollstonecraft, John Rawls, and many others? Listen to find out.

Jun 18, 2025 • 9min
Israel's War on Iran - 356 PREVIEW
Today we've got Derek Davison of the Foreign Exchanges newsletter and American Prestige podcast on to talk about Israel's sweeping attack on Iran. What is happening and why, how much has each side suffered, and is there a chance that the U.S. might get involved? It doesn't look good.
Check out Kerry Howley's essay on Pete Hegseth here.
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Jun 6, 2025 • 10min
The Kaleckian Moment in 2024 - 355 PREVIEW
Back in 1943 the Polish economist Michał Kalecki published one of the all-time great essays about political economy, “The Political Aspects of Full Employment.” We dig into his argument and how it holds up applied to the 2024 election. Then we turn to an essay in Spectre Journal called “‘Experience’ as the Best Teacher” by Vanessa Wills about the intellectual approach (or lack thereof) of Joe Rogan, and what it reveals about his class position.
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May 30, 2025 • 1h 10min
Elon Is Out—Or Is He? - 354
Today we are talking Elon Musk’s alleged retreat from DOGE, the ungodly horrors he has unleashed in that time, and why someone would commit such evil. Then we move on to Trump’s loss in tariff court, his prospects at the Supreme Court, the lie about “white genocide” in South Africa, and what’s going on in Gaza and Ukraine.
Check out Ryan’s piece on Musk leaving here, David Dayen’s piece on Trump’s tariff smackdown here, and the documentary series on Larry Krasner here.

May 24, 2025 • 7min
Four Futures Revisited - 353 PREVIEW
Back in 2011 Peter Frase wrote an article for Jacobin called "Four Futures," later turned into a book, speculating about how politics and the economy might evolve in the future as automation progresses. The four possibilities, outlined in broad strokes, are: communism, rentism, socialism, and exterminism. Fourteen years on, how have his predictions borne out, with the rise of global temperatures, green energy, and artificial intelligence?
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May 17, 2025 • 1h 6min
A New Left Economics? - 352
Today we have economist and YouTuber Cahal Moran on to talk about his book Why We're Getting Poorer: A Realist’s Guide to the Economy and How We Can Fix It. We discuss what the economics profession has learned since 2008, what lessons the left can learn from it, why lefty YouTubers seem to be rather weak in this area, and more. Enjoy!

May 10, 2025 • 13min
Silicon Valley Brain Rot - 351 PREVIEW
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May 4, 2025 • 59min
Empty Shelves Are Coming - 350
Today we've got David Dayen on to talk about the big Apple decision limiting fees on the company's app store, and then the building supply disruptions thanks to Trump's tariffs, which look to be comparable to what happened during the pandemic. Gulp.

Apr 24, 2025 • 5min
Whiskey Pete - 349 PREVIEW
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