Novara Media

Kevin Okoth, a political theorist, discusses the revolutionary politics of 'Red Africa' and the unfinished business of writers and activists like Amílcar Cabral and Walter Rodney. They explore the legacy of decolonial studies on Black America, the concept of 'Judeopessimism,' and the role of academia in decolonization. The podcast also examines the downfall of Third Worldism, the death of African socialism in Kenya, and the complexities of national liberation and racialization. Additionally, they discuss the challenges within the climate movement and the importance of historical analysis.

American journalist Vincent Bevins discusses the pitfalls of protest movements, drawing on his experiences covering events like the Arab Spring and Occupy Wall Street. Topics include the challenges of maximum democracy in communist thinking, the media's impact on protest dynamics, football ultras' involvement in protests, and exploring leadership and organizational structure in left-wing movements.

Explore the actions and demands of Just Stop Oil, a group focused on climate change and migration. Discover the complexities of climate migration, the effectiveness of nonviolent campaigns, and the rise of authoritarianism and far-right politics. Delve into the deep connections between British imperialism, Zionism, and fossil fuels, and join the resistance in the fight for climate migrant justice.

John Gray, philosopher and author known for exploring ideas on political philosophy, discusses his central thesis that growth and progress are not inevitable. He talks about the revival of feudalism, religious orthodoxy, and ultra-nationalism in the West. They also touch on the impact of science fiction on society, the connection between illegal migration and Western intervention in Libya, the divergence in political sympathies in the US, the relevance of the Supreme Court in the UK, and the rise of inequality and marginalization.

Novelist and essayist Pankaj Mishra discusses the power of fiction in understanding complex issues. Topics covered include Hindu nationalism in India, the political implications of humiliation, and the role of injustice in fueling anger. Mishra also talks about his current projects, the intersection of politics and literature, and the influence of creative writing schools.

Gary Younge, a thoughtful and compassionate voice on the British left, talks about his eventful career in journalism, reporting in Soviet Russia, the crisis facing the Labour Party, and spending 13 hours getting drunk with Maya Angelou. They also discuss the power of self-doubt, purposeful writing, and the influence of black America on black British society. Additionally, they explore their experiences covering Nelson Mandela's campaign trail and the racial dynamics between black communities in the UK and US.

Lynsey Hanley, a writer who has experienced social mobility, discusses the psychosocial dimensions of crossing the class divide in Britain. Topics include autodidactism, the political impact of '80s pop, and the brief flowering of working class culture subsidized by squatting, grants, and the dole.

Yanis Varoufakis, author of 'Technofeudalism: What Killed Capitalism', explores the battle over digital real estate, the rise of tech giants, and the US's fear of China. They discuss cloud capital and techno-feudalism, the influence of big tech, the shift of power from the West to the East, and the loss of privacy.

Jay Owens, an expert on the impact of tiny particles and environmental devastation, discusses the scale of our impact on the planet through dust. They explore the historical origins of air pollution, the destructive cost of Los Angeles' growth, the environmental devastation of water extraction in Uzbekistan, the transformation of Uzbekistan into a tourist destination, the efforts to bring back water to damaged land, the impact of airborne dust particles, and the complexity of restoration and repair.

Renowned journalist and author Naomi Klein discusses being constantly confused with another author, Naomi Wolf. They explore the mix-up, the rise of conspiracy theories, and the appeal of figures like Steve Bannon. They also delve into co-opting revolutionary symbols, the challenges of getting recognition in capitalism, and the role of Jewishness in Israel. Overall, they emphasize the importance of collective action and organizing to combat oppressive systems.