The Skeptical Leftist Podcast

In this episode, I chat with psychoanalysts Avgi Saketopoulou and Ann Pellegrini about their new book, Gender Without Identity. We dig into how gender isn’t some fixed core identity but something shaped by cultural interactions, and yeah, sometimes trauma. Avgi and Ann take apart the mainstream ideas of gender, questioning the whole "core identity" thing, and instead offer a way more nuanced take that dives into the messy complexities of gender in psychoanalysis. We also take a hard look at the bullshit legislative attacks on trans people and how transness gets framed as a problem by those in power. This is a deep dive into gender theory and trauma that anyone interested in real, meaningful inclusivity needs to hear. You can follow Ann and Avgi on their websites Ann Pellegrini’s Websitehttps://annpellegrini.com Avgi Saketopoulou’s Websitehttps://avgisaketopoulou.com Unconscious in Translation:https://www.uitbooks.com/shop/gender-without-identity  Little District Books:https://www.littledistrictbooks.com/products/gender-without-identity My thoughts on the bookThis book challenges the idea that gender is fixed or inherent, instead showing how it’s shaped by trauma and cultural experiences. It’s dense and complex, but it dives into important questions we need to be asking about how gender forms. Saketopoulou and Pellegrini do an excellent job of pushing beyond conventional thinking. It’s not a light read, but for those who care about really understanding the intersection of gender and trauma, it’s well worth the effort. The psychoanalytic approach might sometimes feel heavy, but the depth they go into pays off. If you’re looking for a book that challenges the mainstream understanding of gender identity and forces you to confront the uncomfortable realities of how we construct gender, Gender Without Identity is one to pick up. It’s thought-provoking and timely for anyone who’s serious about moving these conversations forward. Check out my linktreehttps://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 you can get a copy of Gender Without Identity from these sitesAnd 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!

In this stream, we gather a diverse group of progressives to discuss the U.S. election—an event we all wish was over but can't ignore. Our panel, including Foxy Jazzabelle, my usual cohost Justin Clark, Steve Shives, Chrisi from Chrisiousity, and SomeRandomG33k (who organized the stream), dive into the messy reality of the election and its consequences. With varied perspectives but a shared worry about the future, we explore what might happen if Harris loses and what another Trump term could mean. Even though we're exhausted by election talk, this one could be consequential. Join us for a candid, sometimes frustrated, but always insightful conversation about what's at stake. Links for where to find our panelists Foxy https://linktr.ee/FoxyJazzabelle Steve https://www.youtube.com/steveshives https://www.threads.net/@steve.shives https://www.instagram.com/steve.shives/ https://bsky.app/profile/steveshives.bsky.social https://x.com/steve_shives https://www.facebook.com/thatguysteveshives Chrisi https://www.youtube.com/@chrisiousity https://x.com/chrisiousity SomeRandomG33k https://www.youtube.com/c/SomeRandomG33k https://www.twitch.tv/somerandomg33k https://x.com/SomeRandomG33k Justinhttps://www.justinclark.org/https://www.instagram.com/justinclarkph/https://www.tiktok.com/@justinclarkphhttps://bsky.app/profile/justinclarkph.bsky.socialhttps://www.threads.net/@justinclarkphhttps://www.in.gov/history/https://blog.history.in.gov/ https://newspapers.library.in.gov/ And check out my linktreehttps://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!

In this episode of Red Reviews, Justin and I take a deep dive into Christian Parenti’s Radical Hamilton to explore the side of Alexander Hamilton that mainstream history often overlooks. Far from the establishment figure he’s made out to be, Hamilton had some truly radical ideas about how to structure the American economy. We break down his bold vision for a powerful state, how his ideas clash with today’s capitalist system, and why his legacy matters more than ever.  Here are links booksellers where you can purchase Radical Hamilton https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/557157/radical-hamilton-by-christian-parenti/9781786633927 https://www.versobooks.com/en-ca/products/586-radical-hamilton https://bookoutlet.ca/book/radical-hamilton-economic-lessons-from-a-misunderstood-founder/parenti-christian/9781786633927B 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!

In this episode, we dig into Technofeudalism by Yanis Varoufakis and ask: Are we just digital serfs in today’s world? We break down how tech giants have created a new kind of feudalism, controlling our data and our lives without us even realizing it. From social media to cloud services, these corporations are the new lords, and we're left doing the work to keep their platforms running. We talk about how we got here, what it means for our future, and whether we can fight back against this digital domination. Here are some independent and radical booksellers that carry Technofeudalism by Yanis Varoufakis: Writer's Block Bookstore (Winter Park, Florida)They have Technofeudalism available for $19.99 and typically ship within 7-10 business days. It's a great option if you're looking for an independent bookseller based in the U.S.Writers Block Bookstore Bookshop.orgThis platform supports independent bookstores across the UK and US. Technofeudalism is available on their site, and your purchase helps local bookstores.Homepage Blackwell'sBased in the UK, Blackwell’s is an established independent bookseller that carries Technofeudalism. They offer international shipping.Homepage 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!

In this episode, I sit down with Jessa McLean, a political organizer turned grassroots activist, to explore her journey from running with the NDP to embracing direct action. We dive into the realities of party politics, the power of tenant organizing, and why Jessa believes real change has to come from the ground up. She shares candid insights on the failures of the political system, the burnout that comes with it, and the empowerment she found through community-driven movements. Whether you’re interested in grassroots activism or want a deeper understanding of how to disrupt the status quo, this conversation is a must-listen. You can find Jessa's stuff here: Twitter: Jessa McLean: @Jessa_McLean​ Podcast: @BPofDisruption​ Instagram: Blueprints of Disruption on Instagram Official Podcast Website: Blueprints of Disruption​ Podfollow: Blueprints of Disruption​ TuneIn: Blueprints of Disruption on TuneIn​ 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!

In this episode, Justin and I take a critical look at Lenin through the lens of Anton Pannekoek’s Lenin as Philosopher. We dig into whether Lenin was the revolutionary he claimed to be or if his vision ended up reinforcing the authoritarian systems he was supposedly against. We break down Pannekoek’s arguments, challenge some common ideas about Lenin, and explore what all this means for today’s leftist movements. Here are a couple of independent booksellers where you can purchase Lenin as Philosopher by Anton Pannekoek: Bookshop.org – Bookshop.org ​(Bookshop). BookPeople – Another independent seller offering Lenin as Philosopher. BookPeople ​(BookPeople). Justin made a lot of notes for this episode so we thought it would be cool to share those with youhttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1a_QPXGakTBmXiyk8_At_fd9A1Ak7ZEI0r2efiNMSQn0/edit?usp=sharing 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!

In this episode of Red Reviews, Justin and I dig into Less is More by Jason Hickel. We break down the core ideas behind degrowth, challenge the myth that endless growth is necessary, and explore how ditching growth-obsessed capitalism could create a fairer, more sustainable world. We also talk about how the public wouldn’t need to sacrifice as much abundance if the wealthy gave up their unearned privileges. It’s about building a future where everyone can thrive Here are a couple of links to independent booksellers where you can find Less is More by Jason Hickel: Bookshop.org: Less is More – Available for $20.45, supporting local bookstores​(Bookshop). Blackwell's: Less is More – Available in paperback​(Blackwell's). 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 your support is what keep this show and all my work possible

In this episode, I talked to Lucretia McEvil to dive deep into anarchist and leftist theory, exploring how these ideas shape our worldview and guide us in a world that often feels like it's falling apart. We discuss the challenges of staying positive when it seems like the world resists change at every turn, and reflect on how we navigate the struggle for a better future. Whether you're feeling defeated by the state of things or looking for fresh perspectives, this conversation offers hope, insight, and a reminder of why we keep pushing forward You can find her links here https://snipfeed.co/mcevil https://x.com/mcevil_lucretia https://www.youtube.com/@lucretia_macevil/videos And check out my linktree https://linktr.ee/Skepticalleftist

In this episode, we dive into Stephen J. Gould’s Rocks of Ages and explore his compelling argument for "Non-Overlapping Magisteria" — the idea that science and religion each have their own domains and don’t need to clash. Join us as we unpack how Gould’s perspective offers a refreshing take on the age-old conflict between fact and faith, and what it means for our understanding of both. You can get a copy of Rocks of Ages from these online booksellers https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/70014/rocks-of-ages-by-stephen-jay-gould/ https://bookshop.org/p/books/rocks-of-ages-science-and-religion-in-the-fullness-of-life-stephen-jay-gould/9062359?ean=9780345450401 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

In this episode, we dive deep into David Halberstam's classic book The Best and the Brightest, exploring how some of America's most esteemed minds led the country into one of its most significant foreign policy disasters—the Vietnam War. We unpack the failures of leadership, the hubris of the so-called "best and brightest," and the devastating implications of their decisions. Through this discussion, we aim to understand how these missteps shaped the war's outcome and continue to influence U.S. foreign policy today. Whether you're a history buff or simply interested in the lessons learned from Vietnam, this episode offers a compelling analysis of one of the 20th century's most critical events. You can get copies of the book from  AbeBooks - https://www.abebooks.com/9780449908709/Best-Brightest-Halberstam-David-0449908704/plp Or Bookshop.org - https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-best-and-the-brightest-david-halberstam/11074561 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