Best DSA Religion Podcasts (2025)

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Breht Joins the Trades, Supports the Bolivarian Revolution, and Pops the AI Bubble... 1:59:20

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24h ago1:59:20

1:59:20

Breht updates listeners on the fundraiser for the family we are supporting in Gaza, updates listeners on his new job and talks about the challenges and rewards of joining a trade union, explores the economic developments in and around AI (the hype, the bubble, and the infrastructure build-out), and then discusses the US sending troops to Venezuela …

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Red Star Ministry: Marxism, Theology, & The Human Condition 1:58:31

16d ago1:58:31

1:58:31

Alyson and Breht are guests on the Red Star Ministry Podcast, a Christian Communist outlet. Together with the host Christian, they discuss Alyson and Breht's evolving personal relationship with religion and atheism, the Dialectics of Nature and Human Consciousness, Spinozist Philosophy, Marxist Philosophy, Post-Atheism and much more.…

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Philosophy Series: Hegel, Marx, & Modern Life (Part 2) 1:05:16

20d ago1:05:16

1:05:16

Part Two: Breht listens to, comments on, and expounds upon a public lecture by the late professor of philosophy Rick Roderick from 1989 on Hegel, Marx, and modern American capitalism. Along the way he discusses the central role of reproductive labor, the dialectic of feminism in the US across the last century, identifying with your job under capita…

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Philosophy Series: Hegel, Marx, & Modern Life (Part 1) 1:15:51

20d ago1:15:51

1:15:51

Breht listens to, comments on, and expounds upon a public lecture by the late professor of philosophy Rick Roderick from 1989 on Hegel, Marx, and modern American capitalism. Along the way he explicates the Hegelian notion of Freedom, Right and Left Hegelianism, the End of History, Communism as the Dawn of History, Cognitive Dissonance among the Ame…

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Calling, Purpose, & Keeping Your Soul | Chaz Howard 47:00

21d ago47:00

47:00

Chaz Howard, Chaplain at University of Pennsylvania, joins the podcast to talk about purpose and vocation, Black Liberation Theology as a needed remedy for American religion, and the necessity of spirituality in our activist work. We also discuss his new book, Uncovering Your Path, which you can purchase here: https://www.charleslattimorehoward.com…

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The Power of Meditation (Teaser) 28:12

23d ago28:12

28:12

This is a small snippet from a full episode currently up on patreon in which Breht discusses a crucial dimension of a well-lived, meaningful existence, and explicates the transformative power of meditation practice,when done sincerley and consistently over time within an established philosophical and religious framework (as opposed to the stripped …

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The Dialectical Inversion of Liberal Values: Freedom, Democracy, and The Contradictions of Capitalism 9:55

23d ago9:55

9:55

These are two snippets from a full episode which is currently up on our patreon in which Breht dialectically inverts core aspects of liberal philosophy (i.e. freedom and democracy) from a Marxist perspective, and then explains how the contradiction between the relations and forces of production under capitalism create an untenable and abjectly immo…

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Rev Left Intervention: Help Get Food to Palestinians in Gaza! 9:10

26d ago9:10

9:10

Make a direct intervention in the lives of Palestinians enduring genocide: Donate directly to the Rayyan family in Gaza: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-rebuilt-rayyan-family-their-future-again Donate to Community Kitchens in Gaza: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/47-0667089/gaza-hunger-strike

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Springs of Revolution: The Revolutionary Left of the DSA Struggles to Shape the Organization 1:20:21

1M ago1:20:21

1:20:21

In this episode, Breht sits down with Ahmed and Luisa - two members of the Democratic Socialists of America’s National Political Committee and leaders within the Springs of Revolution Platform. With the August 2025 DSA Convention approaching, this episode dives into the growing struggle between the organization’s revolutionary left and its more mod…

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On the Correct Handling of Contradictions Among The People 1:35:26

1M ago1:35:26

1:35:26

In this episode of Red Menace, Breht and Alyson dive into Mao Zedong’s pivotal 1957 speech On the Correct Handling of Contradictions Among the People. This foundational text offers insight into Mao’s dialectical approach to politics, particularly in navigating the complex terrain of class struggle within socialist society. Together they explore Mao…

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Christianity and Communism with Southern Catholic Worker 1:24:23

1M ago1:24:23

1:24:23

In this episode, Breht is joined by Alex Zambito, the voice behind the Instagram account Southern Catholic Worker, for a wide-ranging conversation on the intersections of Christianity and revolutionary struggle. Together, they explore Alex’s journey into the Catholic Worker movement, how his Southern roots and spiritual convictions shaped his polit…

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Anti-Capitalist Parenting: A Dialectical Perspective w/ Breht O'Shea (Upstream Podcast) 2:12:00

2M ago2:12:00

2:12:00

One of the most radical things you can do is live your life in direct opposition to the forces that control our society. Not just fighting for policies or organizing your community, although those are certainly important parts of it, but also living with values that oppose the values of our dominant society. And even more importantly, raising the n…

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Fascism w/ American Characteristics (The Pokepreet Podcast Ft. Breht O'Shea) 2:00:15

2M ago2:00:15

2:00:15

"In this episode we are joined by Breht O'Shea to talk about fascism and it's peculiarities in the 21st Century." I went on The Pokepreet Podcast for a second time recently and had a really in-depth and nuanced conversation about fascism, presently and historically; together we discuss how American fascism arising out of the ruins of neoliberalism …

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OTU Under Attack by Landlord Lobby 59:23

2M ago59:23

59:23

In this episode, Breht welcomes on Seth from Omaha Tenants United for an in-studio discussion about OTU's slate of recent successes organizing several tenant unions, and a subsequent new legal assault on the organization by the local landlord lobby. The legal implications of this attack are truly monumental for virtually all forms of organizing. Th…

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Still Laundering Black Rage: DEI as Counterinsurgency 2:18:00

2M ago2:18:00

2:18:00

In this incisive conversation, Breht welcomes poet, scholar, and organizer, filmmaker, and host of the Black Myths Podcast Too Black back to the podcast to critically examine the recent attacks on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Anchored by the penetrating analysis in Too Black and Rasul Mowatt’s article, "Bootleg Rehab: Still L…

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Farce, Finance & Fascism: Margaret Kimberley on Empire in Decay 1:17:42

2M ago1:17:42

1:17:42

In this powerful and wide-ranging conversation, Margaret Kimberley—senior columnist at Black Agenda Report and a leader in Black Alliance for Peace—joins Breht to dissect the spectacle of American decline and, as usual, Kimberley offers a razor-sharp analysis of late-stage capitalism’s collapse into cruelty, chaos, and confusion. Together, they exp…

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Dialectics of Nature: Engels on Dialectical Materialism as a Worldview 2:35:29

2M ago2:35:29

2:35:29

In this episode, Alyson and Breht explore Friedrich Engels’ Dialectics of Nature, a bold and underappreciated attempt to apply dialectical materialism to the natural sciences. Often dismissed or misunderstood, this unfinished work offers a sweeping view of reality - from physics and chemistry to evolution, human consciousness, and ecological breakd…

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Teaser: The Role of Labor in Human Evolution 23:32

2M ago23:32

23:32

This is small snippet from a much larger episode coming soon wherein Alyson and Breht cover Friedrich Engel’s famous text “Dialectics of Nature”, in which Engels argues for dialectical materialism as a scientifically grounded, philosophically rigorous, and holistic worldview—one that understands nature, society, and thought as deeply interconnected…

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Uprising in LA: ICE, Mass Deportations, and American Fascism 1:05:19

3M ago1:05:19

1:05:19

Recorded on June 8th: Alyson and Breht record an emergency podcast on the current riots in LA, and resistance across the country, to mass deportations. Together they highlight recent events, discuss the function of mass deporations in a decaying capitalist system, analyze the spontaneous and militant community response, how terrorizing undocumented…

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New Episodes Coming Soon! 2:07

3M ago2:07

2:07

As we wrap up our Best Of Series, get ready for brand new episodes coming soon... Learn more and support the show at: RevLeftRadio.com

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[BEST OF] The Fundamentals of Marxism: Historical Materialism, Dialectics, & Political Economy 1:42:59

3M ago1:42:59

1:42:59

[Originally released Oct 2020] Alyson and Breht summarize and discuss the fundamental ideas, concepts, and arguments within Marxism. We want this episode to stand as a resource for *everyone* interested in Marxism - from those who are brand new to the Marxist left all the way to veterans of the Left who simply want a concise refresher. If you know …

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[BEST OF] The Fundamentals of Marxism: Intro to Political Economy 1:26:43

3M ago1:26:43

1:26:43

ORIGINALLY RELEASED Feb 3, 2021 In this episode of Red Menace, Alyson and Breht introduce the core concepts of Marxist political economy by an analysis of the history of political economy, core economic concepts within Marxism, and much more! Make sure to subscribe to Red Menace on your favorite podcast app, and leave us a positive review! Outline …

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[BEST OF] The History of Modern China 7:00:43

3M ago7:00:43

7:00:43

From the Taiping and Boxer Rebellions, to the Chinese Revolution and Civil War, through the Long March and the rise of Mao Zedong, to the Great Leap Forward and Cultural Revolution, all the way to Deng's Reform and China today, Professor of East Asian and Global History Dr. Ken Hammond walk us through 200 years of Chinese history to highlight in de…

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[BEST OF] Irish Republican Army: Anti-Imperialism, Guerrilla Warfare, and National Liberation 1:49:06

3M ago1:49:06

1:49:06

ORIGINALLY RELEASED Dec 15, 2019 David Swanson, Marxist organizer and host of Radical Reflections, joins Breht to talk about the history and legacy of the famous guerrilla warfare organization: the Irish Republican Army, known colloquially as the IRA. Together, they dive into the history and politics of the Irish Republican Army (IRA), exploring it…

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[BEST OF] Yahya Sinwar: Living and Dying for National Liberation 53:31

3M ago53:31

53:31

ORIGINALLY RELEASED Oct 19, 2024 Alyson and Breht reflect on the life and death of the Palestinian resistance leader Yahya Sinwar. ---------------------------------------------------- Support Rev Left and get access to bonus episodes: www.patreon.com/revleftradio Make a one-time donation to Rev Left at BuyMeACoffee.com/revleftradio Follow, Subscrib…

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[BEST OF] The Chinese Revolution: Chairman Mao, Cultural Revolution, & Communist China 1:02:26

3M ago1:02:26

1:02:26

ORIGINALLY RELEASED Jun 4, 2018 In this episode, Breht is joined by Yueran Zhang, a PhD candidate in Sociology at Harvard University, to discuss the Chinese Revolution and the legacy of Mao Zedong. Together, they explore the historical context of China's revolutionary transformation, socialist construction, contradictions in post-revolutionary soci…

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[BEST OF] On Mysticism: Ego, Suffering, & Love 1:56:03

3M ago1:56:03

1:56:03

ORIGINALLY RELEASED Feb 20, 2024 On this episode of Red Menace, Alyson and Breht had some things come up such that they couldn't record their planned episode on Marx's 18th Brumaire (coming soon!), so instead they have a deep, organic and wide-ranging conversation on mysticism; together they explore humanities religious and spiritual traditions and…

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[BEST OF] Jesus Christ: Historical Materialism, Class Conflict, and the Jesus Movement 1:59:19

3M ago1:59:19

1:59:19

ORIGINALLY RELEASED May 22, 2023 Professors James Crossley and Robert J. Myles join Breht to discuss their fascinating work "Jesus: A Life in Class Conflict". Together, they discuss their application of historical materalism to the life of Jesus, the difficulty of studying and sourcing the ancient past, the gospels and what they offer (as well as h…

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[BEST OF] The Principles of Communism: Friedrich Engels and Communist Political Theory 1:47:12

3M ago1:47:12

1:47:12

ORIGINALLY RELEASED Sep 27, 2023 In this crossover conversation, Jared from Millennials Are Killing Capitalism joins Breht to dive deep into Friedrich Engels’ Principles of Communism—a crucial draft that laid the groundwork for the Communist Manifesto. Together, they unpack the text’s key insights, from the historical development of class struggle …

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[BEST OF] Is Marxism Just Religion by Another Name? 18:19

3M ago18:19

18:19

ORIGINALLY RELEASED Dec 15, 2022 Breht responds to the criticism that Marxism is just Christianity mixed with the Enlightenment concept of Progress; that it is basically just a religious faith... Listen to the full episode here: https://redmenace.libsyn.com/desert ---------------------------------------------------- Support Rev Left and get access …

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[BEST OF] Buddhist Enlightenment: Impermanence, No Self, and the Dark Night of the Soul 1:35:44

3M ago1:35:44

1:35:44

ORIGINALLY RELEASED Feb 28, 2021 Breht is joined by Dr. Daniel M. Ingram, author of "Mastering the Core Teachings of the Buddha", to discuss what Enlightenment is in the Buddhist tradition, what it feels like from the inside, what it can and cannot offer the individual and society, spirituality and mysticism on the fascist right, perennialism, the …

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[BEST OF] The German Revolution: Radical Potential and Reactionary Backlash in 1918–1919 1:43:14

3M ago1:43:14

1:43:14

ORIGINALLY RELEASED Dec 10, 2024 Alyson and Breht finally dive into the German Revolution of 1918! This pivotal yet often overlooked revolutionary moment saw the collapse of the German Empire at the end of World War I, the rise of workers' and soldiers' councils, and intense ideological and political struggles shaping the future of socialism, liber…

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[BEST OF] Imperialism: The Highest Stage of Capitalism (Upstream) 2:08:49

3M ago2:08:49

2:08:49

ORIGINALLY RELEASED Jan 2, 2025 Capitalism, imperialism, monopoly—far from being separate concepts that just happen to take shape parallel to one another or to overlap from time to time, these terms all really refer to the exact same overall process. We call it capitalism because it’s not always practical to call it “monopoly capitalism in its impe…

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[BEST OF] Continuity & Rupture: Maoism and the Science of Revolutionary Communism 1:15:33

3M ago1:15:33

1:15:33

ORIGINALLY RELEASED Mar 18, 2018 In this engaging episode, Breht sits down with philosopher and author J. Moufawad-Paul, the mind behind the influential books "The Communist Necessity" and "Continuity and Rupture" among others. Together, they delve deep into JMP's profound exploration of communism and Maoism, unpacking key concepts like revolutiona…

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[BEST OF] Buddhism and Marxism w/ Della from Upstream 1:21:42

3M ago1:21:42

1:21:42

ORIGINALLY RELEASED Aug 1, 2023 When you think about the philosophies and practices of Buddhism and Marxism, you might not immediately think that they have much in common. However, you might be surprised at how much overlap and complementary resonance there actually is between these two rich and beautiful traditions. We’ve brought on Breht O’Shea, …

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[BEST OF] What Is To Be Done? Understanding Communist Strategy 1:54:41

3M ago1:54:41

1:54:41

ORIGINALLY RELEASED Oct 23, 2023 UPSTREAM INTERVIEW W/ BREHT AND ALYSON: What Is To Be Done? This is the question so profoundly posed by the Russian Revolutionary and Bolshevik leader, Vladimir Lenin, in his landmark text of the same name. Although it was written well over a century ago, this text, the questions it asked, and the paths forward that…

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[BEST OF] Our History Is the Future: The Long Tradition of Indigenous Resistance 1:23:29

3M ago1:23:29

1:23:29

ORIGINALLY RELEASED May 20, 2021 In this episode, we speak with Nick Estes, author of Our History Is the Future, about the powerful throughline connecting the 1890 massacre at Wounded Knee, the 1973 AIM occupation, and the 2016 resistance at Standing Rock. Far from isolated events, these are chapters in a living history of Indigenous struggle again…

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[BEST OF] Islamic Mysticism: Rumi, Sufism, and Authentic Spirituality 2:08:49

3M ago2:08:49

2:08:49

ORIGINALLY RELEASED Feb 17, 2025 Dr. Rory Dickson is a professor of Islamic Religion and Culture and author of several publications on Sufism, the mystical path within Islam. He joins Breht to have an incredibly deep conversation about the Sufi poet Rumi, his life and work, Rumi's relationship to his teacher Shams of Tabriz, the concepts of fana (a…

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[BEST OF] The Battle of Blair Mountain: The Largest Labor Uprising in U.S. History 2:59:36

3M ago2:59:36

2:59:36

ORIGINALLY RELEASED Jul 28, 2020 Chris and Dave from the Mandatory OT and IWW join Breht to cover the fascinating and crucially important history of the Battle of Blair Mountain, the largest labor uprising in American history and the largest armed uprising in America since the Civil War. In this powerful episode, we dive deep into the largest labor…

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[BEST OF] On Cuba and Haiti: The Fight for Liberation & Self-Determination in the Caribbean 1:20:56

3M ago1:20:56

1:20:56

ORIGINALLY RELEASED Apr 4, 2024 Musa Springer, Erica Caines, & Onyesonwu Chatoyer from Hood Communist join Breht O'Shea to discuss their participation in The Second International Meeting of Theoretical Publications of Left Parties and Movements in Havana, Cuba before discussing the history and current events playing out in Haiti. Together they conv…

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[BEST OF] W.E.B. Du Bois: Black Reconstruction in America 1:34:56

3M ago1:34:56

1:34:56

ORIGINALLY RELEASED Jul 24, 2023 Dr. Gerald Horne, renowned historian, prolific author, and leading scholar of African American history, joins host Breht O'Shea and guest co-host PM Irvin for the inaugural episode of a compelling new series dedicated to exploring the profound life and influential work of W.E.B. Du Bois. A towering figure in America…

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[BEST OF] The Noam Chomsky Interview: Fragility of US Power w/ Vijay Prashad 1:57:22

3M ago1:57:22

1:57:22

ORIGINALLY RELEASED Aug 19, 2022 In this landmark episode, we sit down with the legendary Noam Chomsky and renowned historian Vijay Prashad to discuss their insightful new book, The Withdrawal: Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan, and the Fragility of U.S. Power. Exploring the aftermath of America's military engagements, Chomsky and Prashad illuminate the com…

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[BEST OF] Chilean Coup of 1973: Salvador Allende, Augusto Pinochet, & the CIA 1:27:28

3M ago1:27:28

1:27:28

ORIGINALLY RELEASED May 21, 2018 Professor of History at ASU, Alex Aviña, returns to RLR to discuss the Chilean coup of 1973. In this gripping episode, Alex and Breht delve deep into the tragic and pivotal events surrounding the Chilean Coup of 1973. Learn about Salvador Allende's courageous attempt to build democratic socialism, Augusto Pinochet's…

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[BEST OF] St. Francis of Assisi: Patron Saint of Ecology & Brother to All Creation 2:00:02

3M ago2:00:02

2:00:02

ORIGINALLY RELEASED Dec 21, 2021 Professor Adnan Husain, Medieval European and Middle Eastern Historian and Director of the School of Religion at Queens University, joins Breht to discuss the life of St. Francis of Assisi. Together they discuss St. Francis of Assisi's legacy within Christianity, nature mysticism, Imitatio Christi, Francis's meeting…

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[BEST OF] "The 18th Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte" by Karl Marx 1:37:55

3M ago1:37:55

1:37:55

ORIGINALLY RELEASED Mar 19, 2024 Alyson and Breht explain and explore Karl Marx's classic work "The 18th Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte." Together, they discuss Marx’s incisive analysis of Louis Bonaparte’s rise to power, the complex interplay between historical events and class struggle, and the profound insights into how revolutions unfold and regre…

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[BEST OF] Politics in Command: Analyzing the Error of Economism 1:18:06

4M ago1:18:06

1:18:06

ORIGINALLY RELEASED Dec 8, 2022 J. Moufawad Paul returns to the show to discuss his newest book "Politics in Command: A Taxonomy of Economism". Together, Breht and JMP discuss what economism is, what Lenin's critique of it was, how it acts as a keystone of revisionism, its dialectical opposite "voluntarism", how they are tied to movementism, the ne…

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[BEST OF] The Spectre Still Haunts: Breaking the Imperialist Chain w/ Hakim 1:45:10

4M ago1:45:10

1:45:10

ORIGINALLY RELEASED Sep 21, 2021 The one and only Hakim joins Breht to discuss the Iraq war from the perspective of Iraqis, the western left, Lenin, Reform AND Revolution, the importance of anti-imperialist struggle, contradictions and crises, the global south, etc. At the end, Hakim fields a bunch of common anti-socialist talking points and disman…

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[BEST OF] A Spectre, Haunting: On The Communist Manifesto 59:39

4M ago59:39

59:39

ORIGINALLY RELEASED Mar 6, 2023 In this insightful episode, bestselling author and acclaimed literary critic China Miéville joins Breht to explore his newest book, "A Spectre, Haunting: On The Communist Manifesto." Together, they examine the enduring literary power and historical significance of Marx and Engels' groundbreaking text, unpacking its v…

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[BEST OF] The American Indian Movement (AIM) 2:43:37

4M ago2:43:37

2:43:37

ORIGINALLY RELEASED Aug 23, 2020 In this fascinating episode Nick Estes, Historian, author of "Our History is the Future" and co-founder of The Red Nation, joins Breht to discuss the history and legacy of the American Indian Movement, including the history of indigenous resistance in America, the origins and ideology of AIM, the Siege of Wounded Kn…

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[BEST OF] Michael Brooks: Meditation, Materialism, and Marxism 2:01:58

4M ago2:01:58

2:01:58

ORIGINALLY RELEASED Jul 24, 2019 This is a re-upload of an episode we did with Michael Brooks, who tragically passed away in 2020 at the age of 36. Michael's impact lives on and we humbly carry on his radical spirit of loving kindness, compassion, proletarian internationalism, and genuine existential decency. More than anything, we honor and carry …