This Is Hell!

Brent Z. Kaup and Kelly F. Austin join This Is Hell! to talk about their new book "The Pathogens of Finance: How Capitalism Breeds Vector-Borne Disease" published by University of California Press. The Pathogens of Finance explores how the power and profits of Wall Street underpin the contemporary increases in and inadequate responses to vector-borne disease. (https://www.ucpress.edu/books/the-pathogens-of-finance/paper?fbclid=IwY2xjawNtwAhleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFGRVpZQzFoa1FZYXR4eUYzAR6-3zKbFGV7SDYV2U-xSBScfcX0UhnL3VQQ61-FYHAYxUqOttxWbvb3rKsV5Q_aem_jVwNXP3bFHvXiL3oGJDLyQ#about-book) Brent Z. Kaup studies how the transformation of nature affects social inequalities and societal well-being. In addition, he seeks to understand how the materiality of nature shapes markets, policies, and social movements.  Through his research, he has examined an array of topics including genetically modified crops in the Midwest, extractive industries in Bolivia, and the bugs in his own backyard. His areas of specialization include Environment, Energy, Political Economy, Socioeconomic Change and Development, and Globalization. Brent Z. Kaup is Professor of Sociology at William & Mary and author of Market Justice: Political Economic Struggle in Bolivia Kelly F. Austin grew up outside of Santa Cruz, California. She attended college at Oregon State University, and went to earn her PhD in Sociology at North Carolina State University. Kelly arrived at Lehigh University in 2012, and in addition to being a member of the Sociology and Anthropology department, has also served as Director of the Health, Medicine and Society program, Director of the Global Studies Program, and is currently Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs for the College of Arts and Sciences. Kelly lives in Fountain Hill and spends summers in Bududa, Uganda working with Lehigh undergraduates and local community groups.  We will have new installments of Rotten History and Hangover Cure. We will also be sharing your answers to this week's Question from Hell! from Patreon. Help keep This Is Hell! completely listener supported and access bonus episodes by subscribing to our Patreon: www.patreon.com/thisishell

Philip Kadish, an esteemed academic and author, dives deep into his research on racism in America in his compelling discussion. He reveals the persistence of the Great White Hoax and how it shapes political identities through comforting lies. Kadish explains the dual role of media in reflecting and exacerbating racism, and discusses various historical hoaxes, including the infamous miscegenation pamphlet against Lincoln. Jeff Dorchen follows with a satirical take, blending humor with insight on the absurdity of these entrenched beliefs.

Stewart Home, an artist, writer, and activist, dives into the surprising connections between modern postural yoga and far-right movements in his book, Fascist Yoga. He explores yoga's historical ties to figures like Pierre Bernard and Aleister Crowley, discussing how anti-vaccine skepticism permeated yoga communities. Home critiques the individualistic culture of yoga and its capitalist exploitation, while questioning whether this spiritual practice can confront its problematic past. He also probes into why sex scandals are prevalent in yoga settings, revealing disturbing hierarchies.

Cory Doctorow, a renowned author and activist focused on digital rights, delves into the concept of 'enshittification' in this engaging discussion. He explores why beloved internet platforms degrade over time and contrasts this with planned obsolescence. Cory warns that users become the product when companies prioritize profit over quality. He argues that systemic issues like deregulation enable decay, and calls for public options to foster competition. Finally, he connects these topics to broader themes of democracy and corporate power.

Ashley Dawson returns to discuss his new piece at the New York Review of Books, "The Costs of the Cloud: How much power does AI consume?" "The Moment of Truth" with Jeff Dorchen follows the interview. Check out Ashley's article here: https://www.nybooks.com/online/2025/09/27/the-costs-of-the-cloud/ Help keep This Is Hell! completely listener supported and access bonus episodes by subscribing to our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thisishell Please rate and review This Is Hell! wherever you get your podcasts. It really helps the show ascend the algorithm to reach new listeners.

Bronwen Everill joins This Is Hell! to talk about her new book "Africonomics: A History of Western Ignorance”, published by The New Press. https://thenewpress.org/authors/bronwen-everill/?v=eb65bcceaa5f We will have new installments of Rotten History and Hangover Cure. We will also be sharing your answers to this week's Question from Hell! from Patreon. Help keep This Is Hell! completely listener supported and access bonus episodes by subscribing to our Patreon: www.patreon.com/thisishell

Political Scientist Laleh Khalili joins us to discuss her new book, "Extractive Capitalism: How Commodities and Cronyism Drive the Global Economy" out now from Verso. "The Moment of Truth" with Jeff Dorchen follows the interview. Check out Laleh's book here: https://www.versobooks.com/products/3405-extractive-capitalism Help keep This Is Hell! completely listener supported and access bonus episodes by subscribing to our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thisishell Please rate and review This Is Hell! wherever you get your podcasts. It really helps the show ascend the algorithm to reach new listeners.

Matthew Boedy, a scholar and author, dives into his book "The Seven Mountains Mandate," exploring the alarming rise of Christian nationalism in America. He discusses Turning Point USA's secretive goal of politicizing Christianity and their manipulative tactics. Boedy critiques their influence on democracy and reveals how their rhetoric can lead to potential political violence. He emphasizes the importance of democratic organizing to counter this movement, linking its history to current global far-right trends while calling for awareness and action.

Omar Zahzah joins us to discuss his new book, "Terms of Servitude: Zionism, Silicon Valley, and Digital/Settler-Colonialism in the Palestinian Liberation Struggle" (Seven Stories Press). "This Day in Rotten History" from Renaldo Migaldi follows the interview. Check out Omar's book here: https://www.sevenstories.com/books/4729-terms-of-servitude Help keep This Is Hell! completely listener supported and access bonus episodes by subscribing to our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thisishell Please rate and review This Is Hell! wherever you get your podcasts. It really helps the show ascend the algorithm to reach new listeners.

Nancy Hiemstra and Deirdre Conlon join us to discuss their new book, "Immigration Detention, Inc.: The Big Business of Locking up Migrants" from Pluto Press. "The Moment of Truth" with Jeff Dorchen follows the interview. Check out Nancy and Deirdre's book here: https://www.plutobooks.com/product/immigration-detention-inc/ Help keep This Is Hell! completely listener supported and access bonus episodes by subscribing to our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thisishell Please rate and review This Is Hell! wherever you get your podcasts. It really helps the show ascend the algorithm to reach new listeners.