

Better Future with Michael Mezz
Michael Mezzatesta
Bringing you the people, projects and ideas helping steer the world toward a better future.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 22, 2025 • 1h 19min
005 - Grace Blakeley on Power, Inequality, and How Elites Captured Capitalism
My guest today is Grace Blakeley – UK-based political economist and author of three books, including her most recent: Vulture Capitalism. We discuss how political and corporate elites work together to protect their interests, why governments prop up monopolies, and how “the system” isn’t broken – in fact, it’s working exactly as it’s designed. We also touch on the history of capitalism and enclosure, the global legacy of imperialism, and why the struggle for a better future is ultimately a struggle over power.Learn more about Grace, her work, and her books: https://graceblakeley.co.uk/Read Grace’s writing on Substack: https://graceblakeley.substack.com/ Support the Better Future podcast by subscribing:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaelmezzSubstack: https://substack.com/@michaelmezzatestaSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/16K0dkbk35q0mTslKJJ7z0Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/better-future-with-michael-mezz/id1823942833Follow Grace on social media:Twitter: https://x.com/graceblakeleyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/grace.blakeley/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@graceblakeley000:00 Intro: Rich people don’t create jobs01:16 Introducing Grace Blakeley03:05 The system isn’t broken – it’s working as designed10:46 Keynesianism, Marxism, and dialectical materialism16:45 How state and corporate elites work together22:44 The moral hazard of neoliberal capitalism27:26 Who actually takes risk?31:19 The history of enclosure & primitive accumulation37:09 Capitalism’s expansion through colonialism & imperialism43:40 The myth of “prosperity for all” under capitalism51:28 The myth of innovation under capitalism56:22 Trumpism’s destruction of visions for the future59:08 The importance of unions & collective action1:05:33 The importance of community & mutual aid1:12:12 Diagnosing the recent success of the right1:14:24 Embedding democracy in work & politics1:18:24 ConclusionHost/Creator: Michael MezzatestaGuest: Grace BlakeleyEditor: Nuria SalgadoSound editor: Andre CoreaDesigner: Amea WadsworthThanks for watching episode 005. Lots more on the way :)

Sep 4, 2025 • 51min
004 - Elizabeth Booker Houston on Race, Class, and the Future of the Left
My guest today is Elizabeth Booker Houston – lawyer, comedian, and political commentator based in Washington DC. We discuss white supremacy in US politics, how to integrate class consciousness with anti-racism, the false myth of “rugged individualism,” and how to build a bridge between identity politics and class politics within the progressive movement.Follow Elizabeth Booker Houston on social media:Substack: https://bookersquared.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bookersquaredTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bookersquaredFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/elizabeth.booker.houstonYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bookersquaredSupport the Better Future podcast by subscribing:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaelmezzSubstack: https://substack.com/@michaelmezzatestaSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/16K0dkbk35q0mTslKJJ7z0Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/better-future-with-michael-mezz/id1823942833Note: This conversation was recorded before the recent Wired article about Chorus – a liberal content creator incubator program, of which Elizabeth is a member – so I didn’t ask about it during this interview.00:00 Introduction: leftism & whiteness03:18 White supremacy in MAGA & US politics07:23 Bridging the gap between race & class politics13:57 Intersections between race & other leftist issues17:20 Black leadership in the history of US leftism20:43 The politics of disability & neurodivergence23:43 The myth of rugged individualism30:42 Elizabeth is MAGA-coded?32:08 Do souls exist?34:08 Raw milk and micro-aggressions36:36 Politician lightning round: RFK & Elon Musk38:49 Politician lightning round: Newsom, Harris, Booker41:42 AOC, Mamdani, Buttigieg, Crockett45:26 The progressive movement needs leaders48:32 What a better future looks like50:03 ConclusionHost/Creator: Michael MezzatestaGuest: Elizabeth Booker HoustonVideo editor: Nuria SalgadoSound editor: Andre CoreaDesigner: Amea WadsworthThanks for watching episode 004. Lots more on the way :)

41 snips
Jul 31, 2025 • 1h 17min
003 - Jason Hickel on Post-Capitalism, Degrowth, and Why Capitalism Can’t Solve Climate Change
Join Jason Hickel, a professor and ecological economics expert, as he dives into the failures of capitalism amid the climate crisis. He explores the disconnection between GDP and quality of life, critiquing profit-driven systems that neglect essential services. Hickel advocates for democratic eco-socialism and public investment in renewable technologies to combat climate change. He also examines the links between capitalism, militarism, and global struggles, highlighting the need for a transformative approach rooted in equality and sustainability.

12 snips
Jul 10, 2025 • 60min
002 – Building Community Power in a Failing System (with Raymond Wei)
Raymond Wei, a filmmaker and co-founder of The Conscious Citizens, delves into the importance of building community power amid a rising authoritarian landscape. He discusses hyper-normalization and its impact on capitalism, urging a shift towards community values. The conversation highlights the benefits of a solidarity economy and the need for grassroots organization to address social justice challenges, including global issues like the climate crisis and surveillance. Ray inspires listeners to take meaningful action within their communities to forge a better future.

Jun 25, 2025 • 1h 12min
001 — Is Capitalism Compatible with a Green Future? (with Aru Shiney-Ajay)
In this engaging conversation, Aru Shiney-Ajay, Executive Director of the Sunrise Movement, dives into the clash between capitalism and climate action. She highlights the urgent need for collective welfare over individual wealth amid the ecological crisis. Aru critiques the elite's technological ambitions, advocating a shift to sustainable capitalism that supports social justice. The discussion also emphasizes grassroots activism and the potential for transformative political narratives, envisioning communities that prioritize equity and environmental health.