Varn Vlog

Jay Rogers, author and founder of Media House International, dives into the provocative philosophy of Alexander Dugin's Fourth Political Theory from a Protestant viewpoint. He shares his unique experiences in Russia, contrasting Western media narratives with on-the-ground realities. Rogers critiques the liberal emphasis on individualism, arguing it clashes with Christian community values. He highlights the rise of civilizational states as a response to liberalism, and discusses unexpected political alliances across different traditions, all while tracing Dugin's religious and philosophical evolution.

What defines Iranian identity, both within Iran and across its global diaspora? In this thought-provoking conversation with historian Keanu Heydari, we peel back layers of complexity surrounding one of the world's most politically fragmented diasporic communities.Heydari, a PhD candidate at the University of Michigan specializing in Iranian student activism in post-war France, offers a refreshingly nuanced perspective that avoids both regime apologetics and demonization. The Iranian diaspora, he explains, represents a fascinating anomaly – unlike other immigrant communities that typically organize around cultural markers, Iranians abroad primarily define themselves through political discourse coalitions. From hardline supporters of the Islamic Republic to advocates of monarchy restoration, these political positions often prevent meaningful dialogue between community members.We trace the historical trajectory of modern Iran through pivotal moments like the 1953 CIA-orchestrated coup against Mohammad Mossadegh and the 1979 Islamic Revolution, exploring how these events triggered waves of migration and shaped distinct political consciousnesses. Particularly fascinating is Heydari's analysis of how Iranian nationalism occupies a liminal space between European nationalism and anti-colonial struggles, making it simultaneously attractive and repellent to Western leftists.The conversation ventures into provocative territory when discussing Michel Foucault's misunderstood writings on the Iranian Revolution. Rather than dismissing Foucault as naively romanticizing a repressive regime, Heydari connects Foucault's interest in "Islamic political spirituality" to his broader intellectual project concerning self-transformation and political practice.Whether you're interested in diaspora politics, Middle Eastern history, or the complex interplay between religion and leftist thought, this conversation challenges simplistic narratives and offers fresh perspectives on Iran's place in global politics. Share your thoughts about this episode and let us know which aspects of Iranian diaspora identity you'd like us to explore further.Here are the two articles discussed: Threads of Belonging, Echoes of ExileIran, Israel, & the Logic of EscalationSend us a text Musis by Bitterlake, Used with Permission, all rights to BitterlakeSupport the showCrew:Host: C. Derick VarnIntro and Outro Music by Bitter Lake.Intro Video Design: Jason MylesArt Design: Corn and C. Derick VarnLinks and Social Media:twitter: @varnvlogblue sky: @varnvlog.bsky.socialYou can find the additional streams on YoutubeCurrent Patreon at the Sponsor Tier: Jordan Sheldon, Mark J. Matthews, Lindsay Kimbrough, RedWolf, DRV, Kenneth McKee, JY Chan, Matthew Monahan, Parzival, Adriel Mixon, Buddy Roark, Daniel Petrovic

A shock win feels like a movement—until the math starts. We dig into Zoran Mamdani’s ascent with a clear-eyed look at why voters broke for him, what “anti-politics” actually signals, and how a mayor’s bold promises get squeezed by bonds, taxes, and thin state capacity. The story here isn’t a fairy tale of revival; it’s a patient autopsy of party cartels in decline, activist narratives colliding with ordinary voter motives, and a political entrepreneur who read the room better than the machine.We unpack the split between the activist layer and the broader electorate: one sees a springboard for a project; the other wants rent relief and competent delivery. That tension meets hard constraints. Cities don’t print money. They borrow or tax, and capital reacts. We trace why progressive mayors post-1950s hit the same wall, why LaGuardia needed Roosevelt’s federal cash, and why Dinkins and de Blasio serve as useful mirrors for what comes next. If national headwinds return—especially a Trump-era reset—does combat raise Mamdani’s profile while shrinking his room to maneuver, or does conciliation cost him the left while buying breathing room?We also zoom out: unions that poll well but feel managerial on the ground, populism as a political strategy rather than a mass social force, and the broader void where anti-politics thrives. Mamdani’s early refusal to dignify culture-war bait showed how composure builds legitimacy in an era of institutional mistrust; later moralism was safer but weaker. The stakes now are concrete: visible affordability wins without tripping fiscal tripwires. If he threads that needle, he sets a new urban playbook. If not, the void stays open for the next savvy reader of the moment.If this lens helps you see past the noise, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review with the one question you want answered next.Send us a text Musis by Bitterlake, Used with Permission, all rights to BitterlakeSupport the showCrew:Host: C. Derick VarnIntro and Outro Music by Bitter Lake.Intro Video Design: Jason MylesArt Design: Corn and C. Derick VarnLinks and Social Media:twitter: @varnvlogblue sky: @varnvlog.bsky.socialYou can find the additional streams on YoutubeCurrent Patreon at the Sponsor Tier: Jordan Sheldon, Mark J. Matthews, Lindsay Kimbrough, RedWolf, DRV, Kenneth McKee, JY Chan, Matthew Monahan, Parzival, Adriel Mixon, Buddy Roark, Daniel Petrovic

In a thought-provoking discussion, Andrew Flores, Jr., an independent scholar specializing in Lacanian psychoanalysis, highlights the interplay between psychoanalysis and Marxism. He argues that psychoanalysis tackles bourgeois subjectivity, challenging how we perceive our psychological conflicts as reflections of societal issues. The conversation covers topics like Lacan's theories, the effects of capitalism on consciousness, and contemporary social fragmentation, unveiling the relevance of psychoanalytic thought in understanding radicalization and collective paranoia today.

Explore the challenges of building a socialist party in America today with insights from the Marxist Unity Group. Fresh from a national convention, they celebrate key victories and analyze the political dynamics within the Democratic Socialists of America. The discussion dives into Zoran Mamdani's mayoral campaign, raising vital questions about electoral strategies and revolutionary principles. Discover how a shift in trust toward institutions creates opportunities for systemic alternatives, and learn about innovative approaches to regional organizing and labor strategy.

In this engaging discussion, Dave Stockdale, creator behind Nightmare Masterclass and a cultural commentator on horror cinema, explores the troubling dynamics of media trust and dark money. He delves into the 'Chorus' controversy, critiquing how influencers manipulate narratives. The conversation touches on the evolution of horror film makers like Ari Aster, modern audience disengagement, and the rise of parasocial relationships replacing traditional social bonds. Their insights examine how today's messy media landscape impacts cultural discourse and film appreciation.

What makes a radical left movement actually succeed in the 21st century? In this deeply illuminating conversation, Henry Wallis of New International Magazine breaks down how France Unbowed has become one of Europe's most significant left formations while avoiding the collapse that befell similar movements.Unlike traditional leftist organizations fixated on ideological purity or social democratic parties comfortable with existing institutions, France Unbowed has pioneered a "radical left" approach that combines electoral participation with revolutionary aims. At its core lies a sophisticated theory recognizing our era's unique material conditions: unprecedented urbanization, ecological crisis, and complete dependence on networks capitalism controls.Wallace reveals how France Unbowed's organizational model builds power through osmosis rather than rigid party structures. Their "action groups" federate across France, creating an accessible movement where anyone can participate without ideological litmus tests. Most critically, they maintain unwavering commitment to their program, holding elected officials strictly accountable - something American movements like DSA have failed to achieve.The conversation explores urgent questions facing left movements globally: How do we balance electoral strategy with systemic transformation? Can we build internationalism without retreating into nationalism? What organizational forms actually deliver victories rather than moral posturing? And perhaps most importantly, how do we create movements that speak to people's immediate needs while maintaining revolutionary integrity?For anyone frustrated by the American left's fragmentation, France Unbowed offers practical lessons. Their focus on programmatic unity over ideological purity, their strategic electoral engagement, and their ability to address 21st-century crises like climate change provide a roadmap for building mass movements capable of challenging power.Whether you're a seasoned organizer or simply seeking alternatives to our broken political system, this episode offers rare insights into a movement that's actually winning. The question remains: can we learn from their example?Send us a text Musis by Bitterlake, Used with Permission, all rights to BitterlakeSupport the showCrew:Host: C. Derick VarnIntro and Outro Music by Bitter Lake.Intro Video Design: Jason MylesArt Design: Corn and C. Derick VarnLinks and Social Media:twitter: @varnvlogblue sky: @varnvlog.bsky.socialYou can find the additional streams on YoutubeCurrent Patreon at the Sponsor Tier: Jordan Sheldon, Mark J. Matthews, Lindsay Kimbrough, RedWolf, DRV, Kenneth McKee, JY Chan, Matthew Monahan, Parzival, Adriel Mixon, Buddy Roark, Daniel Petrovic

This episode was released patreon's only in 2021.  Mario Tronti and Antonio Negri stand as towering figures in the forgotten history of Italian radical Marxism. Their theoretical frameworks - operaismo and autonomia - emerged from the unique contradictions of post-war Italy: a strong Communist Party trapped in parliamentary politics while workers sought more direct forms of resistance.What made these movements revolutionary wasn't just their militancy but their methodological breakthrough. Rather than lecturing workers about theory, intellectuals like Raniero Panzieri entered factories to listen and learn through "co-research." From this engagement came Tronti's profound insight: contrary to orthodox Marxism, workers' struggles drive capitalist development, not vice versa. Capital constantly recomposes itself in response to labor's resistance - a perspective that brilliantly anticipated neoliberalism's fragmentation of the working class decades before it became obvious to others.The movements diverged when Tronti returned to parliamentary politics while Negri pursued increasingly militant autonomia, arguing that capitalism had shifted from development to pure control, requiring immediate resistance rather than long-term organization. This split reflected broader tensions within radical movements worldwide: reform versus revolution, patience versus urgency, institutions versus direct action. Their theoretical extensions were equally significant - connecting factory struggles to unwaged domestic labor and laying groundwork for social reproduction theory.Whether you're interested in Italian political history, Marxist theory, or the roots of contemporary social movements, this discussion illuminates how these forgotten radical thinkers anticipated our present predicaments with uncanny accuracy. Their legacy reminds us that revolutionary theory emerges not from abstract philosophizing but from genuine engagement with workers' lived experiences.Send us a text Musis by Bitterlake, Used with Permission, all rights to BitterlakeSupport the showCrew:Host: C. Derick VarnIntro and Outro Music by Bitter Lake.Intro Video Design: Jason MylesArt Design: Corn and C. Derick VarnLinks and Social Media:twitter: @varnvlogblue sky: @varnvlog.bsky.socialYou can find the additional streams on YoutubeCurrent Patreon at the Sponsor Tier: Jordan Sheldon, Mark J. Matthews, Lindsay Kimbrough, RedWolf, DRV, Kenneth McKee, JY Chan, Matthew Monahan, Parzival, Adriel Mixon, Buddy Roark, Daniel Petrovic

What if blockchain technology could emancipate us rather than just enrich speculators? In this wide-ranging conversation with Victor Vernissage, researcher, economist, and founder of Humanode.io, we explore how emerging technologies might transform our economic systems if deployed with democratic values rather than purely capitalist structures."Crypto is mostly about speculation. It's the main use case right now," Victor explains, cutting through the hype to address fundamental issues with current blockchain implementations. He argues that most systems remain "purely plutocratic, oligarchic, capitalistic structures where the more money you have, the more power you have," despite revolutionary potential for something entirely different. The discussion challenges widespread economic illiteracy underlying many blockchain projects, with Victor boldly stating that "neoclassical economics is complete bullshit" that fails to model real-world complexity.We venture into fascinating territory when discussing how blockchain and AI technologies intersect. Victor outlines four major possibilities: decentralized AI computation keeping conversations private rather than corporate-controlled; autonomous AI agents that can trade independently; governance systems for artificial intelligence; and new economic structures for a world where AI displaces human workers. Humanode specifically focuses on creating "one human, one vote" governance systems using biometrics to verify unique identities without compromising privacy.Perhaps most revolutionary is the potential for wealth redistribution through technology. Victor describes how AI agents conducting transactions generate fees, which typically flow to wealthy validators. However, with systems like Humanode, these fees could instead be distributed equally among participants, creating "not money for nothing, but money for something" – a new economic model beyond traditional UBI concepts.The conversation ultimately reveals that our technological future isn't predetermined. While current implementations often reinforce existing power structures, these technologies could create more democratic, equitable systems if implemented differently. The question isn't whether technology will transform society, but whether we'll allow that transformation to serve humanity or exploit it.Ready to rethink everything you thought you knew about economics and technology? Listen now, then join the conversation about building a more democratic digital future.Send us a text Musis by Bitterlake, Used with Permission, all rights to BitterlakeSupport the showCrew:Host: C. Derick VarnIntro and Outro Music by Bitter Lake.Intro Video Design: Jason MylesArt Design: Corn and C. Derick VarnLinks and Social Media:twitter: @varnvlogblue sky: @varnvlog.bsky.socialYou can find the additional streams on YoutubeCurrent Patreon at the Sponsor Tier: Jordan Sheldon, Mark J. Matthews, Lindsay Kimbrough, RedWolf, DRV, Kenneth McKee, JY Chan, Matthew Monahan, Parzival, Adriel Mixon, Buddy Roark, Daniel Petrovic

What happens when grief becomes inheritance? When poet Miller Oberman became a father himself, he suddenly understood something that had shaped his entire life: he had been parented by someone traumatized by the loss of a child. This revelation sparked an extraordinary poetic journey, driving him toward his father's unfinished memoir about the drowning death of his two-year-old son Joshua in 1972."Impossible Things," Oberman's second collection, emerges from this intersection of personal and inherited trauma. Through his meticulous craft, Oberman transforms fragments of his father's prose into erasure poems, creating a dialogue between father and son that transcends death. The collection explores how tragedy ripples through generations, manifesting in unexpected ways—like the single small shoe belonging to Joshua that his father kept among his own shoes, a haunting presence throughout Oberman's childhood.Formal constraints become crucial tools for approaching unbearable subjects. Oberman employs "the beautiful outlaw," a form that systematically omits letters, making it impossible to directly name what's being described. This technique brilliantly mirrors the experience of absence itself, forcing creative circumlocution that often leads to more profound expressions than straightforward language could achieve. As Oberman notes, "I go to therapy to write poems, not the other way around"—a reminder that while poetry may heal, its purpose extends beyond therapeutic release.Readers familiar with loss will find recognition in these pages, while those intimidated by poetry will discover accessible entry points through the collection's clear narrative framework. Oberman's mission echoes his father's original intention in writing his memoir: to tell others experiencing profound grief that they are not alone. Through exquisite craft and unflinching honesty, "Impossible Things" accomplishes something remarkable—it makes the unspeakable not only speakable but beautiful.Send us a text Musis by Bitterlake, Used with Permission, all rights to BitterlakeSupport the showCrew:Host: C. Derick VarnIntro and Outro Music by Bitter Lake.Intro Video Design: Jason MylesArt Design: Corn and C. Derick VarnLinks and Social Media:twitter: @varnvlogblue sky: @varnvlog.bsky.socialYou can find the additional streams on YoutubeCurrent Patreon at the Sponsor Tier: Jordan Sheldon, Mark J. Matthews, Lindsay Kimbrough, RedWolf, DRV, Kenneth McKee, JY Chan, Matthew Monahan, Parzival, Adriel Mixon, Buddy Roark, Daniel Petrovic