Best Josiah Sutton Podcasts (2025)

1
A Panel of Honkies 1:31:30

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1h ago1:31:30

1:31:30

On today's episode, Josh and Josiah discuss Peter Watkin's 1971 film, Punishment Park, a mockumentary about the United States arresting political radicals and draft dodgers to use for police training. Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141 Check out Fruitless on YouTube Find more of Josiah’s work: https://linktr.ee/…

1
Unfit to Print: 11/4-11/11 2025, ft. Josh Boerman 1:25:59

37m ago1:25:59

1:25:59

Another crazy news week! We start with the summary, and then go into a discussion (featuring Josh Boerman) at around the 15-minute mark.Today's topics: huge electoral losses for the Republicans, the Zohran Mamdani victory, total Democrat capitulation on the shutdown, unceasing imperialism, too little (and too much!) water due to climate change, and…

1
Dark Woke: Woods All Black (Socialist Shelf) 1:30:50

6m ago1:30:50

1:30:50

This truly is a book for our moment. The pod dives into (friend of the pod) Lee Mandelo’s 2024 queer horror, “Woods All Black.” Looking for an intersection of queerness, rage, and resistance in the face of rising fascist undercurrents? Look no further! Episode art is an edited version of a Deviantart post (and later popular meme) by Endlen.…

1
Unfit to Print: All the news 10/28-11/4 2025 1:28:05

5d ago1:28:05

1:28:05

It’s our first ever news and current events episode! We start with a news summary, followed by commentary beginning at 16:37. Today's topics: The government shutdown, SNAP, looming war in Latin America, Sudan and Gaza, ICE raids, healthcare, transgender rights, and sea turtles making a comeback. If you can, please make a donation to Middlebury's Pr…

1
Huge Announcement! Workers' Lit 28:31

2d ago28:31

28:31

Probably our most important episode yet. Aysha U. Farah and Jen Big Nasty join the shelfers to...no wait, I'm seeing they're just joining the pod. Straight up. They're members of the show now. Let's goooo! We're excited to announce that this feed will be rebranding, with the umbrella name, "Workers' Lit." This is not because we're getting rid of Th…

1
[Preview] Darker Days in Meatspace (MX #17) 14:56

12d ago14:56

14:56

THIS IS A PREVIEW. IF YOU WANT TO LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE, CHECK OUT FRUITLESS ON PATREON HERE: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141 EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/142703140 It's October's music exchange (a few days late, but you had four whole horror episodes in October so I figured you're fine). In this installment, Josh …

1
[Preview] I Had a Terrible Thought 12:22

15d ago12:22

12:22

THIS IS A PREVIEW. IF YOU WANT TO LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE, CHECK OUT FRUITLESS ON PATREON HERE: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141 EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/142209377 The final episode of horror month! On today's episode, Josiah, Jackal, and Josh discuss John Darnielle's novel Wolf in White Van. Ambiguous on whether …

1
Ben Returns: Lions and Scavengers, ft. AJ Ditty 1:57:19

12d ago1:57:19

1:57:19

We’re covering Ben Shapiro again. We’re doing this for you, listeners. You asked us to do this. You inflicted this pain on us. YOU DID! It’s time to get into Ben’s most recent fascist screed, 2025’s “Lions and Scavengers,” and we’re joined by famed Ben hater and theatre understander (unlike Ben), AJ Ditty of the Worst of All Possible Worlds! As muc…

1
The Cost of Bearing Witness 1:41:44

16d ago1:41:44

1:41:44

Horror month continues! On today's episode, Jackal and Josiah discuss the fantastic horror mockumentary about xenophobia and scapegoating, Savageland (2015). Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141 Check out Fruitless on YouTube Find more of Josiah’s work: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsutton Follow Josiah on Twitter @jos…

51
Interview with M.J. Hoag 42:23

12d ago42:23

42:23

On today's short bonus episode, Josiah interviews West Des Moines mayoral candidate, M.J. Hoag. Find out more about M.J. here at his campaign website: https://mj4wdm.org Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141 Check out Fruitless on YouTube Find more of Josiah’s work: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsutton Follow Josiah on …

1
It’s Not My Fault!: Kamala Harris’ 107 Days, ft. Josh Mayfield 1:51:51

21d ago1:51:51

1:51:51

Oh wow. What a time. We really did this. At listener request, we covered Kamala Harris’ supposed tell-all “107 Days.” Whoo boy. Joining us is Josh Mayfield, a revolutionary organizer, artist, and generally a cool guy. Topics: how it’s not Kamala’s fault, how Kamala wants you to stop caring about Gaza, how Kamala hates her husband, and how fascism c…

1
[Preview] Fulci's Gory Bad Dream 11:33

18d ago11:33

11:33

THIS IS A PREVIEW. IF YOU WANT TO LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE, CHECK OUT FRUITLESS ON PATREON HERE: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141 EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/141301573 Horror month continues! On today's episode, Jackal and Josiah discuss a classic of Italian horror, Lucio Fulci's 1981 surrealist gore film, The Beyond.…

1
Shakespeare in the Dark: Station Eleven 1:32:36

1M ago1:32:36

1:32:36

What if a flu killed almost everyone and so you performed Shakespeare in a traveling band of vagabonds, and also famous actor flashbacks and creepy airport prophets and graphic novels and the 2008 financial crash were involved? And what if somehow it all worked? Welcome to “Station Eleven” by Emily St. John Mandel, where you’ll find all that and mo…

1
Candyman Candyman Candyman Candyman C... 2:10:34

1M ago2:10:34

2:10:34

It's horror month at Fruitless! On today's episode, Jackal and Josiah discuss Candyman (1991). Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141 Check out Fruitless on YouTube Find more of Josiah’s work: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsutton Follow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsutton References Candyman (1991, dir. Bernard Rose) Audio …

1
We Read Kash Patel's Children's Book 1:21:44

1M ago1:21:44

1:21:44

1
[Preview] City of Sunset Tree (MX #16) 12:22

1M ago12:22

12:22

THIS IS A PREVIEW. IF YOU WANT TO LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE, CHECK OUT FRUITLESS ON PATREON HERE: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141 EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/140334720 It's September's music exchange coming at you a few days late. Sorry about that. On this installment, Josh and I discuss City of Evil by Avenged Sevenf…

1
Wild Faith, ft. Talia Lavin 1:04:46

1M ago1:04:46

1:04:46

We’re delighted to welcome author and journalist Talia Lavin to the show to discuss her book, “Wild Faith: How the Christian right is taking over America.” This is a broad topic that we know a lot of you are interested in. We touch on the rise of the Moral Majority, the mainstreaming of the Satanic Panic, the unwavering faith of true believers, and…

1
From Patriot to Nomad (feat. Jacob Dallas) 2:20:08

2M ago2:20:08

2:20:08

On today's episode, Jacob Dallas (The Socialist Shelf) joins Jackal and Josiah to talk about Captain America and the way he evolved from a symbol of proud patriotic anti-fascism in the 1940s, to disenchanted liberal in the 70s, to heartbroken hero in the 2000s. Pre-order Jacob's novel, They Called Her Rebel, here: https://www.collectiveinkbooks.com…

1
Literally 1984 2:11:12

2M ago2:11:12

2:11:12

“1984 is a great fiction novel to read but it seems like it is becoming the reality we are currently living under more and more each day” —noted genius Madison Cawthorn Today we get into THE dystopian giant, Georgia Orwell’s 1949 novel, “1984.” We have mixed feelings. Learn about the very earnest and very annoying George Orwell, a man of often good…

1
[Preview] Fruitless Sports Corner (FSC #1) 15:00

2M ago15:00

15:00

THIS IS A PREVIEW. IF YOU WANT TO LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE, CHECK OUT FRUITLESS ON PATREON HERE: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141 EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/139132098 Welcome to the Fruitless Sports Corner (FSC): a now semi-reoccurring series where Josiah, Nathan Thiessen, Chris Barker, and Jake the Lawyer talk about…

1
Article Brain: The Pronouned Masses 1:05:16

2M ago1:05:16

1:05:16

Article Brain returns! Once again, we try to drive each other insane with articles, and this time both comes from close to home… Yeah scrapping all our institutions of public health is bad, but have you considered maybe they deserve it because sometimes doctors try to be trans inclusive? That’s what our first article seems to think. And then we tal…

1
Author Spotlight: Copaganda with Alec Karakatsanis 50:35

2M ago50:35

50:35

It’s a bonus episode!! Lenore sat down with Alec Karakatsanis, civil rights lawyer and author of the book, “Copaganda” and a newsletter by the same name, to talk about his writing, the deeply violent nature of the American police state, and the way our media plays an active role in carrying out police terror Get Alec’s book here! Read Alec’s newsle…

1
The Sleepers, ft. Josh Boerman 2:03:04

2M ago2:03:04

2:03:04

The Sleepers? Yeah, I sure do feel sleepy trying to get through this damn book! The great Josh Boerman returns to the pod to talk about Matthew Gasda’s truly heinous 2025 novel, “The Sleepers.” We discuss the hack nature of the “post left,” the long 2016, and the strange enduring rage a certain type of guy holds for Chapo Trap House. We also get re…

1
We're Just Here For the Bad Guys 1:53:56

2M ago1:53:56

1:53:56

On today's episode, Josh, Alien, and Josiah tackle Matt Johnson's 2013 black comedy, The Dirties. We discuss Matt Johnson's filmmaking career and his unique mockumentary style before exploring what this film has to say about the media environment surrounding school shootings. Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141 C…

1
Evil Blockbuster: Universal Harvester: ft. Josiah Sutton 1:52:02

2M ago1:52:02

1:52:02

It’s Iowa time. Josiah Sutton of Fruitless joins us to discuss John Darnielle’s (of “The Mountain Goats” tame) Midwestern Gothic semi-horror, “Universal Harvester.” Themes: Iowa, corn, VHS tapes, beer, loneliness, more Iowa. If you like our show, you’ll like Fruitless. Check it out now! Episode art is a whole lot going on at a barn…

1
[Preview] Steal This Wildlife (MX #15) 13:38

3M ago13:38

13:38

THIS IS A PREVIEW. IF YOU WANT TO LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE, CHECK OUT FRUITLESS ON PATREON HERE: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141 EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/137764349 Josh and I discuss Steal This Album by System of a Down and Wildlife by La Dispute. Also this is the 50th Patreon episode. Music by System of a Down, L…

1
Chapter 1: They Called Her Rebel 19:17

3M ago19:17

19:17

Hey! So due to some logistical issues and Covid-19 dunking on Lenore, this week’s episode will be late, but we still wanted to give you something to listen to for your Tuesday. Please enjoy this shameless self promo as Jacob reads the prologue and first chapter of his upcoming novel, “They Called Her Rebel.” Pre-order Jacob’s novel here!…

1
[Preview] Gemstones #4. Everything Works Out, Again 10:21

3M ago10:21

10:21

THIS IS A PREVIEW. IF YOU WANT TO LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE, CHECK OUT FRUITLESS ON PATREON HERE: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141 EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/gemstones-4-out-137047530 Joseph (@gross_online), Josiah, Josh, and James (@cigarette_liker) all reconvene to run through the house with a pickle in our mouth an…

1
MFW No Alternative D: Capitalist Realism ft. Jonathan Kennedy 1:34:51

3M ago1:34:51

1:34:51

More like capitalist fake-ism… This week we take on Mark Fisher’s 2009 philosophical work, “Capitalist Realism,” an explanation of the seeming all-encompassing, eternally-enduring, indestructible nature of capitalism (and the systems that propagate that myth). We are joined by filmmaker, writer, photographer, and Fisher-appreciator Jonathan Kennedy…

1
What the Buck (feat. Phil Christman) 2:05:09

3M ago2:05:09

2:05:09

On today's episode, Phil Christman joined Josiah to discuss Sam Tanenhaus' excellent new biography, Buckley: The Life and the Revolution That Changed America Pre-order Why Christians Should Be Leftists here: https://www.eerdmans.com/9780802884053/why-christians-should-be-leftists/ Check out Phil Christman's Substack The Tourist: https://philipchris…

1
Roach Dance: Kafka's, "The Metamorphosis" 1:19:11

3M ago1:19:11

1:19:11

We're going roach mode. This week we cover Franz Kafka's 1915 classic, "The Metamorphosis," a story about a man getting straight up turned into a giant cockroach...bro still tries to go to work. We get into the life of Kafka and the challenges of life as a Jewish man in early century Austria-Hungary. We discuss his numerous complexes and obsessions…

1
Resistance 2.0 (feat. Luke Savage) 1:17:27

3M ago1:17:27

1:17:27

On today's episode, Luke Savage (Michael & Us, @lukewsavage) joins Josiah to discuss the state of Resistance liberalism under the second Trump administration. Follow today's guest on Twitter @lukewsavage and Bluesky @lukewsavage.bsky.social Check out Luke's Substack: https://www.lukewsavage.com/ Listen to Michael & Us: https://www.patreon.com/c/mic…

1
Least Evil Finance Bro: American Psycho 1:35:16

3M ago1:35:16

1:35:16

Disclaimer: killing people is bad actually. Don't try Patrick Bateman's techniques at home. This week we check out Bret Easton Ellis' 1991 work of horror, "American Psycho." Join us as we dive into the absolute horrifying nihilism that is late century Wall Street and its logical conclusion: mass, indiscriminate torture and murder. We get into the e…

1
[Preview] Columbine and Martyrdom 10:44

4M ago10:44

10:44

THIS IS A PREVIEW. IF YOU WANT TO LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE, CHECK OUT FRUITLESS ON PATREON HERE: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141 EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/134976204 Content warning for in-depth and detailed discussion of school shootings. On today's episode, Josh and I end Christian Rock Summer 2025 on a somber not…

1
Article Brain #1: Frog Slurry 1:43:26

4M ago1:43:26

1:43:26

Welcome to a new subseries of The Socialist Shelf: Article Brain! Once a month, we'll take a break from the books for each of us to bring forward an article specifically designed to drive the other two insane. We'll read them, we'll laugh, we'll weep, we'll rage. This week we talk about: CNN's 2028 Democratic primary predictions, the NYT Opinion Se…

1
Holding Out for a !Hero (feat. Brian Alford) 2:41:13

4M ago2:41:13

2:41:13

Christian Rock Summer 2025 continues! On today's episode, Brian Alford (The Worst of All Possible Worlds, @spocksbrian) joined Josiah and Josh to discuss !Hero: The Rock Opera: a 2003 musical attempting to be "Jesus Christ Superstar for the MTV generation," featuring a CCM star-studded cast including Michael Tait, Rebecca St. James, Mark Stuart, an…

1
Long Live Queer Socialism! : Rainbow Solidarity, ft. Matéo Penado 1:53:37

4M ago1:53:37

1:53:37

Y'all like socialism? Y'all like queers? Get ready for some...queer socialism!! Matéo Penado of the Rainbow Collective joins us to talk about Leslie Feinberg's 2008 collection, "Rainbow Solidarity: In Defense of Cuba," an analytical, journalistic, and educational analysis of the history of the queer liberation struggle since the socialist Cuban rev…

1
His Pod Goes Casting On: Fire on the Mountain 1:47:04

4M ago1:47:04

1:47:04

We've seen plenty of dystopian futures...how about a utopian one? Terry Bisson's 1988, "Fire on the Mountain" explores an alternate timeline where Harriet Tubman was able to join John Brown at the Harper's Ferry raid, and with her tactical skill the raiders made it out and went on to start a nation-wide slave rebellion. How did history go different…

1
[Preview] Lost In The Sound of Inner Turmoil: Underoath 11:25

4M ago11:25

11:25

THIS IS A PREVIEW. IF YOU WANT TO LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE, CHECK OUT FRUITLESS ON PATREON HERE: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141 EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/133681381 Christian Rock Summer 2025 continues! On today's episode, Josiah, Josh, Nate, and James discuss the kings of Christian post-hardcore/metalcore/screamo:…

1
Gays Shouldn't Shut Up: Mélusine, ft. Aysha U. Farah and Lee Mandelo 2:16:37

4M ago2:16:37

2:16:37

Let's read a problematic gay fantasy novel!!! Author Lee Mandelo (Summer Sons, The Woods All Black, Feed Them Silence) and 5 time returning guest, writer, and podcaster, Aysha U. Farah (Life is Strange: Double Exposure, The Sky Left Us, All My Maidens Podcast) join us to discuss "Mélusine," a fantasy novel from 2005 by Sarah Monette (also known as …

1
Intro to Christian Rock (feat. Tom O'Mahony) 2:13:46

5M ago2:13:46

2:13:46

Christian Rock Summer is back for 2025! And this time, we're kicking it off with a more general introduction to the history of Christian rock. On today's episode, Josiah and Josh introduce Tom O'Mahony (@gotitatguineys, Beneath the Skin, Lions Led By Donkeys) to the edgier side of CCM. Follow today's guest on Twitter @gotitatguineys and Bluesky @go…

1
Hear the Gorilla Out: Ishmael, ft. Jen Big Nasty 1:53:41

4M ago1:53:41

1:53:41

Today, a gorilla will set us straight. This week we're covering "Ishmael," a 1992 philosophical dialogue between a man and a gorilla, written by Daniel Quinn. We are joined by Jen Big Nasty, host of the podcast, "How the Red Was Won" to figure out just what this huge, hairy cousin of humanity has to teach us about life. We go deep into environmenta…

1
[Preview] Freak Out, FIDLAR! (MX #14) 11:13

5M ago11:13

11:13

THIS IS A PREVIEW. IF YOU WANT TO LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE, CHECK OUT FRUITLESS ON PATREON HERE: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141 EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/132809608 Josh and I discuss FIDLAR by FIDLAR and Freak Out! by The Mothers of Invention. Music by FIDLAR, The Mothers of Invention, and SHADE08 ★ Support this p…

1
[Preview] Best Films of the 21st Century 11:30

5M ago11:30

11:30

THIS IS A PREVIEW. IF YOU WANT TO LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE, CHECK OUT FRUITLESS ON PATREON HERE: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141 Alien and Josiah go through their ballots for the New York Times' 100 Best Movies of the 21st Century. Music by SHADE08 ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★By Josiah Sutton

1
Saw Gerrera > Fail Organa: Star Wars, the Mask of Fear, ft. Manuclearbomb 2:02:26

5M ago2:02:26

2:02:26

Folks, we're not immune to the Andor hype! This week, we decided to return to the world of Star Wars to cover what can be seen as loosely as an Andor tie-in novel, Alex Freed's 2025 Star Wars novel "Reign of the Empire, the Mask of Fear". We are joined by Manuclearbomb of NotACast and My Brother, My Captain, My Podcast to unpack the rise of fascism…

1
Iran & the Logic of Escalation (feat. Keanu Heydari) 57:13

5M ago57:13

57:13

On today's episode, Keanu Heydari joins Josiah to discuss the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran in historical context. Read Keanu’s piece in the New International: https://newintermag.com/iran-israel-the-logic-of-escalation/ Follow Keanu on Bluesky @keanuheydari.bsky.social Find Keanu's work here: https://www.keanuheydari.com/ Become a Fr…

1
Episode 100: Cow Tools and Q&A 1:28:39

5M ago1:28:39

1:28:39

We did it, Shelfers. 100 EPISODES OF THE SOCIALIST SHELF!! To honor this beautiful occasion we answer some questions from you, our glorious listeners, and then get into perhaps the our most complex work of literature to date, Gary Larson's 1982 comic, "Cow Tools." If you're not familiar with Cow Tools, take a quick look at it now. Stay tuned during…

1
We Finally Talk About Movies: A Discussion with Resistance Cinema ATL 1:16:32

5M ago1:16:32

1:16:32

Don't worry, we're still a literature podcast, but we wanted to have our friends Jason and Ankita from Resistance Cinema ATL on the show to talk about their collective and the role of film (and art more generally) in revolutionary movements. We've got a handful of links here, so bear with us (and click on all of them you know you want to). Pre-orde…

1
Weiner Sucked 1:48:38

5M ago1:48:38

1:48:38

On today's episode, Jackal, Alien, and Josiah discuss Weiner (2016) and Anthony Weiner's story since the events of the film. Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141 Check out Fruitless on YouTube Find more of Josiah’s work here: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsutton Follow Josiah on Twitter & Bluesky @josiahwsutton(.bsky.s…

1
No Cop City, No Cop World, Ft. Mariah Parker 58:18

5M ago58:18

58:18

STOP COP CITY! We are honored to be joined by Mariah Parker, editor and writer for the new collection, "No Cop City, No Cop World," a history, recounting, and analysis of the battle around the "Cop City" project in Atlanta's Weelaunee forest that led to global attention, severe local unrest, capitalist panic, and the state murder of a peaceful prot…