

Unf*cking The Republic
UNFTR Media
Unf*cking The Republic® (UNFTR) is dedicated to progressive politics, leftist economic theories, and social justice in the United States. Join us for deep dives into socialism, labor rights, climate justice, and the fight against inequality. Whether you're curious about Marxist ideas, modern social movements, or progressive policies, UNFTR delivers thoroughly sourced critiques, analyses, and interviews with the historical context mainstream media won't provide. Subscribe for informative and unabashedly progressive coverage of the leftist political and economic landscape.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 13, 2025 • 1h 51min
Show Notes [December 13, 2025.]
Max and 99 are back for another round of Show Notes! They talk Mets news (RIP), The Fed, healthcare, and get to some Unf*cker feedback. Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Headlines: 00:13:54 Email: 00:55:43 Memberships: 01:47:13 Outro: 01:50:41 Resources Yahoo Finance: Live coverage: Federal Reserve cuts interest rates by 0.25% Lava Song NPR: Head Start centers told to avoid 'disability,' 'women' and more in funding requests UNFTR Resources Video: On The Record (12/8/25) Video: Trump Official Gaslights on Labor Data -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook, Bluesky, TikTok and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com. Join our Discord at unftr.com/discord. Become a member at unftr.com/memberships. Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility. Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media (mannyfacesmedia.com). Original music is by Tom McGovern (tommcgovern.com). The show is hosted by Max and distributed by 99.Support the show: https://www.unftr.com/membershipsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 9, 2025 • 22min
The Revenge Porn Presidency: Trump, Commodus, and the Unraveling of Empire.
Donald Trump is tearing the nation apart. To place his revenge-filled presidency in historical context we have to reach deep into the annals of history and revisit the tenure of famed Roman Emperor Commodus who historians perceive as the beginning of the end of the Roman Empire. With this second term Trump has entered rarified air that few U.S. presidents have breathed. He has fundamentally altered the culture, the country and its people. Moving past this moment will be our greatest challenge. -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook, Bluesky, TikTok and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com. Join our Discord at unftr.com/discord. Become a member at unftr.com/memberships. Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility. Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media (mannyfacesmedia.com). Original music is by Tom McGovern (tommcgovern.com). The show is hosted by Max and distributed by 99.Support the show: https://www.unftr.com/membershipsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 24, 2025 • 21min
The Music Has Stopped: The Political Response We Need to This Financial Crisis.
The U.S. economy has already crashed. The stock market is just the last one to figure it out. In this essay, Max talks about what happens when hegemonic economies collapse and how the U.S. has been able to keep things afloat while the bottom falls out. He draws parallels to the crash of 1929 and the subsequent Depression and speaks to the differences. There is a path forward for Progressives but it won’t be a presidential run. The DNC will make sure of that. But we can borrow from Russell Vought’s playbook to build a coalition of support on the ground. Resources DSA: Chapters Working Families Party: Get Involved Sherrod Brown UNFTR Resources Trump is Looting the Treasury. “Russputin” and the Tsar. Medicare for All. Zohran Mamdani Has Already Won. Civilian Labor Corps. Housing First. UNFTR 5NN. Video: The Financial Crisis is NOW & The Path Forward for Democrats. -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook, Bluesky, TikTok and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com. Join our Discord at unftr.com/discord. Become a member at unftr.com/memberships. Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility. Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media (mannyfacesmedia.com). Original music is by Tom McGovern (tommcgovern.com). The show is hosted by Max and distributed by 99.Support the show: https://www.unftr.com/membershipsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 16, 2025 • 1h 39min
Show Notes [November 15, 2025.]
Max and 99 are back for another round of Show Notes. They (surprise) talk about the economy, the housing crisis, Venezuela and much more. Enjoy! Chapters Intro: 00:00:20 Emails: 00:26:21 Memberships: 00:41:24 Reviews: 01:37:16 Outro: 01:38:50 Resources Video (UNFTR for MeidasTouch): Trump's Kitchen Sink Recession Response UNFTR Bookshop Wall Street Journal: U.S. Likely Lost 50,000 Jobs in October, Goldman Sachs Says The Budget Lab: Evaluating the Impact of AI on the Labor Market: Current State of Affairs Progressive Punch Ballotopedia UNFTR: 5NN: Housing First UNFTR: How We Built the Housing Crisis (And Why We Can Dismantle It) ABC: Boyer Lecture 2025: Justin Wolfers UnHeard: Javier Milei is no libertarian: He is beholden to Argentina’s oligarchs Video (UNFTR for MeidasTouch): Manufacturing Consent for War in Venezuela -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook, Bluesky, TikTok and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com. Join our Discord at unftr.com/discord. Become a member at unftr.com/memberships. Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility. Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media (mannyfacesmedia.com). Original music is by Tom McGovern (tommcgovern.com). The show is hosted by Max and distributed by 99.Support the show: https://www.unftr.com/membershipsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

11 snips
Nov 10, 2025 • 45min
The Plumbing of the Financial Markets Is Leaking: Understanding the U.S. Liquidity Crisis.
Explore the deepening cracks in U.S. financial markets as Max reveals the looming liquidity crisis. Delve into the stark contrast between optimistic stock trends and worsening economic indicators. Learn about the repo market's critical role and why the Federal Reserve's actions are vital amid unstable conditions. Discover how interest rates are really set and the implications of shifting liquidity into treasury accounts. Lastly, connect the dots between market moves, consumer behavior, and potential defaults in the economy.

10 snips
Nov 3, 2025 • 26min
Stephen Miran Is Going To Be Fed Chair: The Gospel According to Miran.
Stephen Miran is eyeing control over the Fed, leveraging a facade of competence while aiming to undermine its independence. His ties to Trump and surprising policy shifts raise alarm bells about his intentions. The discussion dives into the dangers of reducing Fed autonomy and politicizing economic decisions. There’s a chilling proposal to shift crisis powers directly under presidential control, alongside discussions of tariffs based on outdated theories. Listeners are urged to recognize and combat these authoritarian economic moves.

16 snips
Oct 26, 2025 • 1h 1min
Phone A Friend: Keith D. (You Can’t Afford To Ignore Crypto.)
In this engaging discussion, crypto entrepreneur Keith D. shares his journey from early internet work to becoming a trusted educator in the crypto space. He delves into Bitcoin's origins, its transformative role in monetary policy, and the rise of stablecoins. Keith contrasts private and public stablecoin models while addressing the risks institutions face in crypto. Highlighting the necessity for transparency in financial systems, he calls for rigorous discussions around crypto's future. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone curious about the changing landscape of money.

19 snips
Oct 24, 2025 • 48min
The Controlled Demolition of the U.S. Economy: Shadow Banks, Dollar Debasement and Basis Trades.
Dive into the precarious state of the U.S. economy, where systemic threats like repo market stress and dollar debasement lurk. Discover how the rise of shadow banking and private credit has reshaped financial stability. Explore the alarming implications of state recessions and oil market contango. Uncover the shocking findings about hedge fund exposure in U.S. securities, and learn why basis trades could trigger a significant economic crash. The narrative frames these issues as a controlled demolition within the economic edifice, waiting to explode.

23 snips
Oct 19, 2025 • 1h 32min
Show Notes [October 18, 2025.]
Dive into a lively discussion about Taylor Swift's marketing genius and concert milestones. Explore why the wealthy remain unfazed by economic downturns. The hosts evaluate which government statistics you can trust amidst manipulation. Their insights on technocracy in Silicon Valley reveal a world influenced by tech oligarchs. Plus, tips on resisting authoritarian trends and finding hope! A touch of pop culture, community engagement, and wellness practices round out the conversation.

Oct 13, 2025 • 32min
Barack Obama: The Greatest Republican President of My Lifetime.
Barack Obama was the greatest Republican president of my lifetime—a statement sure to fire up establishment liberals and conservatives alike. But for progressives in the United States, this is what the Obama years felt like. Today’s episode examines the seminal policy achievements of the Obama years from the Affordable Care Act and wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to DACA and the response to the Global Financial Crisis. We offer the liberal and conservative views of the same issues, then finish with the progressive perspective on all. Resources Migration Policy Institute: The Obama Record on Deportations: Deporter in Chief or Not? TBIJ: Obama’s covert drone war in numbers: ten times more strikes… NPR: Pledging To End Two Wars, Obama Finds Himself Entangled In Three Video: Cornel West's Note to Obama Obama Library UNFTR Resources Video: Barack Obama: The BEST REPUBLICAN President Ever -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook, Bluesky, TikTok and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com. Join our Discord at unftr.com/discord. Become a member at unftr.com/memberships. Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility. Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media (mannyfacesmedia.com). Original music is by Tom McGovern (tommcgovern.com). The show is hosted by Max and distributed by 99.Support the show: https://www.unftr.com/membershipsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


