Upstream

Noura Erakat discusses the history and context of Israeli occupation, Palestinian resistance, and the disingenuous peace process. They explore the bias against Palestinians, the failure of the two-state solution, and the asymmetry of power. The podcast also covers the lead up to the Oslo Accords, Palestinian organizing against the British mandate, and upcoming episodes and book recommendations.

Charisse Burden-Stelly discusses the history and pervasive nature of the Red Scare and Black Scare in the U.S., exploring their impact on policies, collective consciousness, and social movements. The podcast highlights examples of anti-black and anti-communist governance, challenges faced by black radicals, and the dangerous nature of combining race and class consciousness. It also examines the presence of these scares in modern times and the importance of joining organized movements for effective engagement in the class war.

August Nimtz, a Marxist perspective on elections, discusses the role of electoralism for the revolutionary left and its relation to the working class. The podcast explores the history of the Russian Revolution and how Marx, Engels, and Lenin approached electoralism. The Democratic Party's connection to the working class and the importance of organizing solidarity for strikes are also discussed.

In this episode, Mia Birdsong, author of 'How We Show Up: Reclaiming Family, Friendship, and Community', discusses the importance of building healthy communities and reevaluating societal values. They explore the impact of capitalism on our ability to connect and support one another, the meaning of showing up for someone, setting boundaries without bosses or policing, and cultivating a collective vitality for a liberated future.

Sumaya Awad, a knowledgeable guest on the history of Palestine, discusses the origins of Zionism, Israel's suppression of Palestinian history and culture, and the importance of advocating for a ceasefire and ending funding for the apartheid state. She also talks about her work in advocating for Palestine in the US and her contribution to a book exploring a socialist perspective on Palestine.

Learn about the importance of organizing and forming a Vanguard Party. Explore revolutionary theory and practice, critiquing economism and the Leninist perspective. Dive into the debate between Marx and anarchists on revolutionary strategies. Discover the limited reach of reforms and the questioning of the welfare state. Explore the importance of political independence and conscious action. Understand the role of a vanguard party and the need for political organization. Explore the challenges of building a vanguard party and the significance of political education.

In this episode, Sikowis Nobiss, a Plains Cree/Saulteaux activist, discusses the connections between capitalism, colonialism, consumerism, and Christianity. Topics explored include the impact of wealth inequality, Christianity's role in oppression, the importance of decolonization, and indigenizing land acknowledgments and repatriation efforts.

Brace Belden, freedom fighter in a Kurdish militia in Syria, discusses class conflict in the workplace using the case of Anchor Brewery. They talk about the unionization campaign, acquisition by Sapporo, closure, and the workers' plan to turn it into a worker-owned cooperative. They also explore the challenges of keeping secrets, exploitation in the brewery industry, benefits of working under a union contract, unsafe workplaces, and the impact of closure on employees.

A discussion on microfinance and its impact on poverty in the Global South, with a focus on India. Dr. Sohini Kar explores the empowerment and exploitation aspects of microfinance, highlighting concerns about the financialization of poverty. The conversation also delves into the story of Muhammad Yunus and the Grameen Bank, and practical ways to support women in India and the global south through microfinance institutions. The podcast concludes with a call to question investment financing and leverage financialization for social change.

Explore capitalist realism and its pervasive impact on our lives. Discuss the commodification of everything, including healthcare and cultural experiences. Examine the co-option of rebellion and anti-establishment movements by capitalism. Delve into the concept of inter-passivity and its influence on our desires and decision-making. Reflect on the portrayal of the real versus reality in various mediums. Explore the relationship between capitalism and mental illness, advocating for a collective understanding. Analyze distorted time perception and the hyper-mediated existence of the youth generation. Discern the centralistness of capitalism and its failure in the neoliberal world. Examine the impersonal and individualizing nature of capitalism and the importance of collective responses.