
Diet Soap - a podcast
The Diet Soap podcast began in 2009 in response to the economic crisis of 2008. Since then it has gone through many transformations, including becoming the podcast for a critical theory imprint out of the UK. Today the Diet Soap podcast is running under its original name for Sublation Media.Sublation Media includes a book publishing effort for critical theory and left politics, a magazine that covers current events and theoretical issues, youtube videos on theory and politics, and finally the Diet Soap podcast. The podcast is where we continue to interrogate the left and each other while having a good time.
Latest episodes

Feb 14, 2025 • 59min
Episode 619: On Trump's Plan for Gaza
Chris Cutrone returns to discuss his recent essay for COMPACT entitled "Mar-a-Gaza." How should socialists understand Trump's proposal? How should the ethnic cleansing of Gaza be resisted now that it is uninhabitable? What went wrong with the pro-Palestinian protest movement? Support Sublation Mediahttps://patreon.com/dietsoap

5 snips
Feb 13, 2025 • 1h 22min
Episode 618: A Marxist Platypus?
In this discussion, Erin Hagood, the President of the Platypus Affiliated Society, sheds light on this Marxist organization and its intervention in contemporary leftist movements. She delves into the historical lessons of Marxism, emphasizing the relevance of events like 1968 to today's activism. The conversation critiques the fragmentation of the left and underscores the importance of ideological clarity. Erin advocates for a deeper engagement with past successes and failures to revitalize modern activism, fostering a critical dialogue about the future of leftist thought.

Feb 11, 2025 • 1h 3min
Episode 617: Elon Musk and His Lost Boys Take Over the World
This week's Sublaton Magazine stream will include a discussion with Benjamin Studebaker about Elon Musk's takeover of the Federal Government. Are we now entering an era of high-tech feudalism? Do we like the taste of it? We will also be discussing Rob McCleary's Short Story "Nixon in Space" https://electricliterature.com/nixon-in-space-rob-mccleary/Support Sublation Mediahttps://patreon.com/dietsoap

Feb 7, 2025 • 1h 29min
Episode 616: On Marx's Critique of Political Economy
Following up on Reid Kane's podcast discussing the Marxist Value Critics, Spencer Leonard discusses Marx's critique of political economy and its relevance today. Support Sublation Media on Patreonhttps://patreon.com/dietsoap

Feb 4, 2025 • 58min
Episode 615: Trump, Tariffs, and Executive Orders
Douglas Lain and Benjamin Studebaker discuss the prospects for the US and Canada. Who will win the coming trade war? What is the point of blaming Canada? Story of the Week:Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery" https://fullreads.com/literature/the-lottery/Support Sublation Media on Patreonhttps://patreon.com/dietsoap

Jan 27, 2025 • 1h 5min
Episode 614: Quentin S Crisp Remembers Hamsters
Nina Power and Douglas Lain discuss Quentin S. Crisp's novel "Hamster Dam," Neo-Decadence, and the life of the writer in the 21st century. Questions asked include: Do we misremember ourselves? What is frightening today? Do the seventies live on? Support Sublation Media https://patreon.com/dietsoap

Jan 23, 2025 • 1h 8min
Episode 613: Why Are Conservatives so WOKE for Israel?
Joseph (Jake) Klein explains the history of DEI and how riots in the 60s led to redefinitions of racism. A conservative libertarian, Klein also criticizes his colleagues for their hypocrisy. They are WOKE for Israel. Patrons are invited to a follow-up discussion on Zoom at 2:30pm Pacific.Support Sublation Media https://patreon.com/dietsoap

Jan 20, 2025 • 1h 6min
Episode 612: Curtis Yarvin, JD Vance, and the New Trump Era
Benjamin Studebaker and Douglas Lain discuss the meaning of the "left's" fear of a Yarvinized America. Will Trump realize "neo-feudalism?" Is this the dawning of the Dark Enlightenment? Were the Democrats correct when they argued that Trump was going to be a DICTATOR? Support Sublation Media and Join the Conversationhttps://patreon.com/dietsoap

Jan 18, 2025 • 1h 39min
Episode 611: Did Chris Cutrone Jump the Shark?
Amid renewed calls for his cancellation, Chris Cutrone addresses his critics about an essay that was to be entitled "Why Not Greenland?" Also discussed: How can we understand this moment without tailing any capitalist party? What about the Labor Theory of Value? And did Fonzie even "jump the shark" in the sense the phrase is usually meant? Support Sublation Media on Patreon https://patreon.com/dietsoap

Jan 16, 2025 • 1h 2min
Episode 610: Jacob Shell talks Geography and Trump
Jacob Shell is a professor of geography and urban studies at Temple University. He is also addicted to X (Twitter) and a critic of the left and the Democrats. Shell insists he's not a leftist, but if the left were alive, I believe he would be. Support Sublation Mediahttps://patreon.com/dietsoap
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