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The Skeptical Leftist Podcast

Latest episodes

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Jan 19, 2025 • 1h 5min

Hope Against the Algorithm

In this episode of Red Reviews, we dive into Erich Fromm’s The Revolution of Hope and explore how hope—not blind optimism—can be a radical tool for social change. We tackle the dangers of a mechanized society, critique the unchecked power of big tech, and discuss what a truly democratic, humanistic use of technology could look like. Along the way, we dig into the environmental costs of generative AI, the allure of doomerism, and why Fromm’s ideas about radical hope are more relevant than ever. It’s a conversation about technology, democracy, and what it means to fight for a better world. Tune in and let us know what you think! You can get the book herehttps://z-library.sk/book/3364561/56fc32/the-revolution-of-hope-toward-a-humanized-technology.html Or purchase a copy at one of these bookshops https://pilsencommunitybooks.com/item/x_TGv4UhblvxFiVomYzB8Q https://www.abebooks.com/9781935307372/Revolution-Hope-Fromm-Erich-1935307371/plp https://www.matthewsbookshop.com/pages/books/3445/erich-fromm/the-revolution-of-hope Here are some extra notes from Justin and for an article referenced in the discussion https://www.justinclark.org/blog/hope-in-the-machine-towards-a-humanistic-technology https://docs.google.com/document/d/18zF93wCw9vzpgpRTjNK9TxE3Qbm_weB0QyNCuJDm2DQ/edit?tab=t.0 https://newrepublic.com/article/180487/balaji-srinivasan-network-state-plutocrat Check out Justin's links and follow him https://www.justinclark.org/ https://www.instagram.com/justinclarkph/ https://www.tiktok.com/@justinclarkph https://bsky.app/profile/justinclarkph.bsky.social https://www.threads.net/@justinclarkph https://www.in.gov/history/ https://blog.history.in.gov/ https://newspapers.library.in.gov/ And check out my linktree https://linktr.ee/Skepticalleftist If you enjoyed the show, consider supporting us on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/skepticalleftist  to help keep the content coming. You can also subscribe to my Substack https://theskepticalleftist.substack.com/  for updates and extra content or get bonus episodes through Spotify https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/skepticalleftist/subscribe . Every bit makes a difference! If that’s not your thing, sharing the episode with friends or on social media goes a long way too. Thanks for listening and for your support! And please, if you can, support the Cathedral Community Fridge https://www.cathedralcommunityfridge.com/  or your local community fridge. Mutual aid matters—let’s help each other thrive!
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Jan 12, 2025 • 1h 10min

The Truth About Hierarchy and History with Damien Marie AtHope

In this episode, we explore how systems of hierarchy have shaped humanity, from ancient rulers to modern billionaires. Why do hierarchies exist? Are they inevitable, or can we dismantle them? Together, we’ll examine the role of prehistory, morality, and resistance in understanding our current world. From mounds and pyramids to the structures of capitalism, we connect the dots and challenge the narratives we’ve been told. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts—it helps keep the show going! Here is a link for Damien’s blog on mounds and pyramidshttps://damienmarieathope.com/2024/10/shell-mounds-dolmens-kurgans-earth-mounds-ziggurats-mastabas-pyramids-their-origins-evolutions-and-migrations/ Make sure to follow Damien on social media https://x.com/AthopeMarie https://bsky.app/profile/damienmarieathope.bsky.social And check out my linktree https://linktr.ee/Skepticalleftist If you enjoyed the show, consider supporting us on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/skepticalleftist  to help keep the content coming. You can also subscribe to my Substack https://theskepticalleftist.substack.com/  for updates and extra content or get bonus episodes through Spotify https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/skepticalleftist/subscribe . Every bit makes a difference! If that’s not your thing, sharing the episode with friends or on social media goes a long way too. Thanks for listening and for your support! And please, if you can, support the Cathedral Community Fridge https://www.cathedralcommunityfridge.com/  or your local community fridge. Mutual aid matters—let’s help each other thrive!
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Jan 5, 2025 • 1h 1min

Rethinking Marx For A Dying Planet

In this episode of Red Reviews, we dive into Kohei Saito’s Slow Down: The Degrowth Manifesto and explore its bold reinterpretation of Marx’s ideas on ecology and capitalism. We unpack the concept of degrowth, debate its critiques, and ask if Marx’s later writings hold the key to addressing the climate crisis. Along the way, we challenge the myths of consumer blame, examine systemic solutions, and grapple with what it really means to rethink Marx for a dying planet. Here is a copy of this episode’s transcript https://docs.google.com/document/d/10Uw53SnpcDa7BDWl-F8N2Mo85tbTB7y8/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=115023785272415422487&rtpof=true&sd=true Some links for further readinghttps://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1881/zasulich/index.htm https://jacobin.com/2024/03/kohei-saito-degrowth-communism-environment-marxism Here are some links where you can get Slow Down https://z-library.sk/book/27413778/29c01a/slow-down-the-degrowth-manifesto.html https://www.akpress.org/slow-down.html https://pilsencommunitybooks.com/item/MexlWhzwbd-b7iAlWPw-yw https://redemmas.org/titles/39973-slow-down-the-degrowth-manifesto/ Check out Justin's links and follow him https://www.justinclark.org/ https://www.instagram.com/justinclarkph/ https://www.tiktok.com/@justinclarkph https://bsky.app/profile/justinclarkph.bsky.social https://www.threads.net/@justinclarkph https://www.in.gov/history/ https://blog.history.in.gov/ https://newspapers.library.in.gov/ And check out my linktree https://linktr.ee/Skepticalleftist If you enjoyed the show, consider supporting us on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/skepticalleftist  to help keep the content coming. You can also subscribe to my Substack https://theskepticalleftist.substack.com/  for updates and extra content or get bonus episodes through Spotify https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/skepticalleftist/subscribe . Every bit makes a difference! If that’s not your thing, sharing the episode with friends or on social media goes a long way too. Thanks for listening and for your support! And please, if you can, support the Cathedral Community Fridge https://www.cathedralcommunityfridge.com/  or your local community fridge. Mutual aid matters—let’s help each other thrive!
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Dec 29, 2024 • 1h 1min

Ambition, Greed, and The Hustle Lie

In this video, Chris from It Had to Be Said joins me for a deep dive into Boiler Room. We explore the film’s themes of ambition, greed, and the toxic hustle culture that fuels them, all while connecting the story to modern parallels like crypto scams and hustle culture myths. If you’ve ever wondered about the cost of chasing success, this conversation is for you. Make sure to check out Chris’s channel and subscribe for more great content. Let us know your thoughts in the comments! Here are the links where you can find and follow Chris https://www.youtube.com/@ItHadToBeSaid https://theruleoffreedom.wordpress.com/ https://todon.eu/@adaoist https://bsky.app/profile/anarchodaoist.bsky.social And check out my linktree https://linktr.ee/Skepticalleftist If you enjoyed the show, consider supporting us on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/skepticalleftist  to help keep the content coming. You can also subscribe to my Substack https://theskepticalleftist.substack.com/  for updates and extra content or get bonus episodes through Spotify https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/skepticalleftist/subscribe . Every bit makes a difference! If that’s not your thing, sharing the episode with friends or on social media goes a long way too. Thanks for listening and for your support! And please, if you can, support the Cathedral Community Fridge https://www.cathedralcommunityfridge.com/  or your local community fridge. Mutual aid matters—let’s help each other thrive!
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Dec 22, 2024 • 1h 24min

The Fight For A Shared Reality

In this episode of Red Reviews, Justin and I dive into Naomi Klein's latest work, Doppelganger: A Trip into the Mirror World. We unpack the concept of the "mirror world," where misinformation distorts reality, and examine how diagonalism—blurring the lines between left and right—has created some of the strangest political figures of our time. From Naomi Wolf’s baffling transformation to the role of social media in spreading toxic narratives, this episode is all about the fight for a shared reality. As always, stay skeptical, stay informed, and keep fighting for a better world. You can get a copy here https://z-library.sk/book/26306193/436a34/doppelganger.html Or you can buy one here https://www.akpress.org/doppelganger.html https://redemmas.org/titles/39586-doppelganger-a-trip-into-the-mirror-world/ Check out Justin's links and follow him https://www.justinclark.org/ https://www.instagram.com/justinclarkph/ https://www.tiktok.com/@justinclarkph https://bsky.app/profile/justinclarkph.bsky.social https://www.threads.net/@justinclarkph https://www.in.gov/history/ https://blog.history.in.gov/ https://newspapers.library.in.gov/ And check out my linktree https://linktr.ee/Skepticalleftist If you enjoyed the show, consider supporting us on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/skepticalleftist  to help keep the content coming. You can also subscribe to my Substack https://theskepticalleftist.substack.com/  for updates and extra content or get bonus episodes through Spotify https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/skepticalleftist/subscribe . Every bit makes a difference! If that’s not your thing, sharing the episode with friends or on social media goes a long way too. Thanks for listening and for your support! And please, if you can, support the Cathedral Community Fridge https://www.cathedralcommunityfridge.com/  or your local community fridge. Mutual aid matters—let’s help each other thrive!
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Dec 15, 2024 • 60min

Blending Liberalism and Socialism with Matt McManus

In this episode of The Skeptical Leftist Podcast, I talked to with Matt McManus, a political theorist and author who identifies as a liberal socialist. While this idea might seem unusual at first, Matt dives into how it blends individual rights with collective well-being in a thoughtful and relevant way. We break down what liberal socialism means, how it stacks up against anarchism, and why it might be a key framework for building economic democracy. Whether you’re a political theory nerd or just curious about how these ideas can work together, there’s a lot to unpack here. As always, stay skeptical, stay informed, and keep fighting for a better world. Enjoy the show! You can find Matt at these links and buy his book too. https://www.routledge.com/The-Political-Theory-of-Liberal-Socialism/McManus/p/book/9781032647234 https://x.com/MattPolProfhttps://bsky.app/profile/mattpolprof.bsky.social  https://umich.academia.edu/MatthewMcManus https://x.com/edgelordpod https://www.academicedgelords.com/ And check out my linktree https://linktr.ee/Skepticalleftist If you enjoyed the show, consider supporting us on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/skepticalleftist  to help keep the content coming. You can also subscribe to my Substack https://theskepticalleftist.substack.com/  for updates and extra content or get bonus episodes through Spotify https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/skepticalleftist/subscribe . Every bit makes a difference! If that’s not your thing, sharing the episode with friends or on social media goes a long way too. Thanks for listening and for your support! And please, if you can, support the Cathedral Community Fridge https://www.cathedralcommunityfridge.com/  or your local community fridge. Mutual aid matters—let’s help each other thrive!
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Dec 8, 2024 • 1h 15min

The Capitalist Scam

In this episode of Red Reviews, Justin and I take a deep dive into Grace Blakeley’s Vulture Capitalism. In it, Blakeley tears apart the lies we’re told about “free markets” and “freedom” under capitalism. We talk about Boeing, the 2008 financial crash, and how neoliberalism has turned our entire economy into a rigged game for the rich. But it’s not all doom and gloom—we also dig into ideas for fighting back, from participatory economics to universal basic services and organizing for real worker power. If you’re tired of the status quo and want to hear how we can build a better world, this one’s for you. You can get the book herehttps://z-library.sk/book/28135339/98083e/vulture-capitalism-corporate-crimes-backdoor-bailouts-and-the-death-of-freedom.html  Or you can find it at these bookshops.https://www.akpress.org/vulture-capitalism.html https://bookshop.org/p/books/vulture-capitalism-corporate-crimes-backdoor-bailouts-and-the-death-of-freedom-grace-blakeley/20158195 https://guardianbookshop.com/vulture-capitalism-9781526638076/ https://www.cedarcanoebooks.com/products/vulture-capitalism?variant=48025241616670 Check out Justin's links and follow him https://www.justinclark.org/ https://www.instagram.com/justinclarkph/ https://www.tiktok.com/@justinclarkph https://bsky.app/profile/justinclarkph.bsky.social https://www.threads.net/@justinclarkph https://www.in.gov/history/ https://blog.history.in.gov/ https://newspapers.library.in.gov/ And check out my linktree https://linktr.ee/Skepticalleftist If you enjoyed the show, consider supporting us on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/skepticalleftist  to help keep the content coming. You can also subscribe to my Substack https://theskepticalleftist.substack.com/  for updates and extra content or get bonus episodes through Spotify https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/skepticalleftist/subscribe . Every bit makes a difference! If that’s not your thing, sharing the episode with friends or on social media goes a long way too. Thanks for listening and for your support! And please, if you can, support the Cathedral Community Fridge https://www.cathedralcommunityfridge.com/  or your local community fridge. Mutual aid matters—let’s help each other thrive!
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Dec 1, 2024 • 1h 12min

Beyond New Atheism with Steve Shives

In this episode, I sat down with Steve Shives to talk about how we both went from New Atheism’s golden age to something a little more… let’s say, nuanced. We talk about why the New Atheist movement felt like home at first and why it didn’t go deep enough when it came to actual social change. Steve doesn’t hold back on what he thinks about some of the big names in the atheist world and how his focus has shifted over time—from taking down religious beliefs to taking on bigger social issues. We also discuss what it was like navigating all the divides within the skeptic and atheist communities, why breaking away from that world opened up new perspectives for us, and how we both ended up in the realm of leftist politics and social justice. Whether you’ve followed the atheist movement for years or just want to hear about evolving perspectives, there’s a lot for you here. Here are some links where you can find Steve https://www.youtube.com/c/steveshives https://bsky.app/profile/steveshives.bsky.social https://www.threads.net/@steve.shives https://www.instagram.com/steve.shives/ https://www.facebook.com/thatguysteveshives https://x.com/steve_shives And check out my linktree https://linktr.ee/Skepticalleftist If you enjoyed the show, consider supporting us on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/skepticalleftist  to help keep the content coming. You can also subscribe to my Substack https://theskepticalleftist.substack.com/  for updates and extra content or get bonus episodes through Spotify https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/skepticalleftist/subscribe . Every bit makes a difference! If that’s not your thing, sharing the episode with friends or on social media goes a long way too. Thanks for listening and for your support! And please, if you can, support the Cathedral Community Fridge https://www.cathedralcommunityfridge.com/  or your local community fridge. Mutual aid matters—let’s help each other thrive!
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Nov 24, 2024 • 1h 37min

The Manufactured Gender Panic

This week, Justin and I are talking about gender and the manufactured panic surrounding it. We’re digging into the fear tactics, misinformation, and the fake ‘gender debate’ that keeps us from addressing real issues—like the rights and dignity of trans and non-binary people, access to gender-affirming healthcare, and the fight against discrimination. With insights from Judith Butler’s Who's Afraid of Gender, we’re breaking down the lies and exposing the real stakes they don’t want us to see. You can get the book here https://z-library.sk/book/28106498/164331/whos-afraid-of-gender.html Or purchase it at these bookstores online https://www.akpress.org/who-s-afraid-of-gender.html https://redemmas.org/titles/41691-who-s-afraid-of-gender/ https://bookshop.org/p/books/who-s-afraid-of-gender-judith-butler/19994814 Check out Justin's links and follow him https://www.justinclark.org/ https://www.instagram.com/justinclarkph/ https://www.tiktok.com/@justinclarkph https://bsky.app/profile/justinclarkph.bsky.social https://www.threads.net/@justinclarkph https://www.in.gov/history/ https://blog.history.in.gov/ https://newspapers.library.in.gov/ And check out my linktree https://linktr.ee/Skepticalleftist If you enjoyed the show, consider supporting us on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/skepticalleftist  to help keep the content coming. You can also subscribe to my Substack https://theskepticalleftist.substack.com/  for updates and extra content or get bonus episodes through Spotify https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/skepticalleftist/subscribe . Every bit makes a difference! If that’s not your thing, sharing the episode with friends or on social media goes a long way too. Thanks for listening and for your support! And please, if you can, support the Cathedral Community Fridge https://www.cathedralcommunityfridge.com/  or your local community fridge. Mutual aid matters—let’s help each other thrive!
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Nov 17, 2024 • 1h 11min

Where Marxism Meets Anarchism

In this episode of Red Reviews, Justin and I tackle one of the biggest questions for leftists: where do Marxism and Anarchism actually meet? Inspired by Daniel Guérin’s For a Libertarian Communism, we explore how these two ideologies—often seen as opposing forces—come together in their shared goal of dismantling state control and capitalist exploitation. Guérin’s work is a powerful roadmap for those of us who want a world where people have real freedom and power over their own lives. We’re digging into what libertarian communism actually looks like in practice and why this synthesis matters for anyone dreaming of a world built on solidarity, mutual aid, and true liberation. If you’re curious about where radical thought can take us, this one’s for you. You can find For a Libertarian Communism here https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/daniel-guerin-for-a-libertarian-communism https://www.pmpress.org/index.php?l=product_detail&p=823 Read more on Daniel Guerin https://libcom.org/article/guerin-daniel-1904-1988 Check out Justin's links and follow him https://www.justinclark.org/ https://www.instagram.com/justinclarkph/ https://www.tiktok.com/@justinclarkph https://bsky.app/profile/justinclarkph.bsky.social https://www.threads.net/@justinclarkph https://www.in.gov/history/ https://blog.history.in.gov/ https://newspapers.library.in.gov/ And check out my linktree https://linktr.ee/Skepticalleftist If you enjoyed the show, consider supporting us on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/skepticalleftist  to help keep the content coming. You can also subscribe to my Substack https://theskepticalleftist.substack.com/  for updates and extra content or get bonus episodes through Spotify https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/skepticalleftist/subscribe . Every bit makes a difference! If that’s not your thing, sharing the episode with friends or on social media goes a long way too. Thanks for listening and for your support! And please, if you can, support the Cathedral Community Fridge https://www.cathedralcommunityfridge.com/  or your local community fridge. Mutual aid matters—let’s help each other thrive!

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