Lynne Segal and Loree Erickson discuss the myth of total independence, disability as a social construct, and the politics of care. They explore the gendering and devaluation of caring labor, the need for collective care and the challenges of privatization. They also delve into climate change's impact on marginalized communities, building an abolitionist care practice, and the lack of support from the government during the global health crisis. The conversation emphasizes the importance of reimagining care outside of systems of control.

This week on The Verso Podcast Eleanor Penny is joined by McKenzie Wark and Toshio Meronek to talk trans narratives, the politics of desire, and queer family. Together they take a critical look at the medical model of transition, its relationship to transmisogyny, and tactics of resistance. You can find McKenzie's book, "Love and Money, Sex and Death: A Memoir", here tinyurl.com/ycyvkam8 And Toshio's book, "Miss Major Speaks: Conversations with a Black Trans Revolutionary", here tinyurl.com/4whkpdxw

This week on The Verso Podcast we’re bringing you a deep dive on how Britain’s institutions, infrastructure, and social fabric are faring - and the prognosis doesn’t look good. For this episode Chantelle Lewis and Danny Dorling join our host, Eleanor Penny, to talk public wealth, regional division and failed states. You can find Danny's book "Shattered Nation: Inequality and the Geography of A Failing State" here: tinyurl.com/y97c3v2a

On this week’s episode of The Verso Podcast we’ll be taking a close look at the history of tokens across time, and the cultures that have grown up around them in the digital age. Rachel O’Dwyer and Edward Ongweso join our host, Eleanor Penny, to talk Bored Apes, art markets, Ponzi schemes and butter tokens. You can find Rachel's book "Tokens: The Future of Money in the Age of the Platform" here: tinyurl.com/4jk9zk69

Leading thinkers Ghada Karmi and Antony Loewenstein discuss the Israeli state's military-industrial complex, its relationship with the global far right, and why a one-state solution is the closest approximation to a just conclusion for seventy-five years of occupation.

Brett St Louis and Arun Kundnani discuss C. L. R. James, a figure in decolonial, Marxist, and pan-African thought. They delve into James' perspectives on revolution, the implications of the Haitian Revolution, challenges of governing the working class, internationalism and pan-Africanism, connections between violence, racialization, and imperialism, and the impact of 'Black Jacobins' in challenging traditional history.

Esther Leslie and Stuart Jeffries discuss Walter Benjamin's life and literary works, including themes of city life, sexuality, work, gambling, and fortune-telling. They explore Benjamin's imaginative writing and fascination with letter writing, his optimistic perspective on technology, and his thoughts on the culture industries in Germany and Hollywood. They also discuss self-performance, the impact of social media, and analyze Benjamin's essay on the storyteller in relation to social media. Lastly, they delve into the liberatory possibilities of radio during the Weimar era.

Benjamin Kunkel and Lola Seaton explore debates on decarbonizing the world economy, sustainable socialism, and feminist arguments for socialization of finance. They discuss deep growth vs green growth, the concept of de-growth, and the challenges of addressing the climate crisis with realism. The problem of power and the need for consciousness raising, left strategizing, and reflection are also highlighted.

In the latest episode of The Verso Podcast, Nancy Fraser & Gargi Bhattacharyya join our host Eleanor Penny to discuss exploitation, expropriation, and racial capitalism. Together they probe the very edges of capitalism - examining what lies beyond, what's holding it all up, and reflecting on it is a system that constantly undermines the conditions of its own existence. You can find Nancy's book "Cannibal Capitalism: How our System is Devouring Democracy, Care, and the Planet – and What We Can Do About It" here: https://tinyurl.com/45j87f53

On this week's episode of The Verso Podcast, Helen Hester and Sarah Jaffe join Eleanor Penny to discuss the care crisis, and how we might organise care differently for a more equitable and free future. You can find Helen's book "After Work: A History of the Home and the Fight for Free Time", co-authored with Nick Srnicek, on our website at https://tinyurl.com/cb5st6es