Kiko's Freethinker's Forum

Jacob (Marxist Saw) and Jae examine worker exploitation and what production value means in Capitalism and the debunk the myths surrounding Marxism and other Leftist ideologies; Jacob specifically proposes a centralized democracy based on the Soviet model instead of a corporate democracy (what we currently live under in the United States). In the vein of Jae's book If Voices Were Fire (see links be...

Spike Cohen, 2020 Vice Presidential Candidate for the Libertarian Party rejoins the forum to discuss his activist work with You Are The Power, the difficulties for Third Party and Independent candidates and the problem with government ineffectiveness. Spike's Official Website: Spike Cohen | YOU Are The POWER! You Are The Power official site: You Are The Power

Contact | Jon Stasevich For President 2024 (jonstasevich2024.com) https://www.ballotaccesscoalition.com

Dr. Sarah Soarinina Ohmer, Associate Professor of Latin American Studies, African American Studies and Women’s Studies at Lehman College in the Bronx, NY contemplates trauma in Afro-diasporic literature and warns about internal colonial mindsets that still affect Black communities in the Western World in this introspective and insightful Part One. 

Professor Raewyn Connell joins the forum to raise awareness of improving gender relations and gives a history of Masculinities, in conjunction with international women's and gay liberation movements. She explains how her coined term hegemonic masculinity came to exist. Connell also clarifies misconceptions surrounding notions such as the nuclear family, dominance and power and homosociality. &nbsp...

In this episode I am joined by activists Paula Iasella, Susan McLucas and Mike Miccioli to discuss the significance of Julian Assange and WikiLeaks regarding press freedom and human rights. Julian Assange, a political prisoner and prolific publisher of international war crimes, is currently imprisoned in HM Prison Belmarsh in London (U.K.) and faces possible extradition to the United States, which...

Dr. Ramón Muñiz Sarmiento, professor at Owensboro Community and Technical College in (Owensboro, Kentucky), is the author of the books La paz en el infierno, Dramaturgas cubanas del siglo XIX, En el espacio en blanco, and Como un tiempo lejano amongst other publications. We discussed Ramón's experience(s) growing up in Cuba during the Special Period and afterwards in adulthood becoming a professor...

Jon Stasevich is an Independent candidate running for the Office of President of the United States in 2024.  We discuss his positions on several issues including health care, gun ownership, ending the War on Drugs and the economy. Please check out his website and YouTube channel in the links below. Jon Stasevich's Official Website: About Us | Jon Stasevich For President 2024 (jonstasevich2024.com)...

Tracy Carson joins the pod to discuss the importance of direct-action measures to generate discussion and legislative actions on issues such as Medicare For All and complete student loan debt cancellation. The crux of our discussion deals with pinpointing what it will take for third-party candidates to successfully run political campaigns and specifically why Black voters should leave the duopoly....

Dr. Jared Ball, professor at Morgan State University, discusses his book The Myth and Propaganda of Black Buying Power, the role and the history of HBCU's, and how the mainstream media functions as a way to combat radical politics. Ball argues that post World War II capitalism continues to encourage the mythologization of Black entrepreneurial and business success when the statistics do not suppor...

In the final part of our three-part interview Tyler and I talk about the influence and reach of podcasters such as Joe Rogan and Jimmy Dore. We compare and contrast the two and discuss if some the criticisms directed at them are warranted. 

In Part 2 of our three-part conversation, Tyler and I continue the discussion of his evolving political views and the realization that the blue and red factions work together and achieve the same outcomes. Additionally, Tyler prioritizes his most important social issues; we follow this segment with an examination of Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump. 

In Part 1 of this unique three-part interview Tyler shares some insight into the local dynamics of Franklin, Tennessee (a suburb located south of Nashville) and his origins. As a politically homeless voter, Tyler has plenty to inquire about including the broken electoral system of interchangeable D's and R's, the questionable function of the President and the Electoral College. The forum addresses...

In Part 2 of our delightful two-part interview J. Clark tells the forum how he entered the podcasting arena. Subsequently, he elaborates on his college experience at Olivet Nazarene University. Most of Part 2 explores what Black liberation means for each of us and how reparations play a part in this experience.   J.'s Podcast (J. Clark Reel Mindset): https://open.spotify.com/show/4Bzc8atOTE9cDlaZ6...

In Part One of my two-part interview with J. he discusses the bifurcated nature of perceptions between PWIs and HBCUs. J. explains the movement in the ever-increasing popularity of HBCUs. We also debate the influence of capitalism in higher education and especially in the commercial hip-hop music industry. J. concludes Part 1 highlighting our broken political system and then we segue into a brief...

In Part 2 of our two-part interview, Spike considers coalition building within the electoral process and strategies to enhance the viability of third parties. Moreover, Cohen weighs the ineffectiveness of our broken health care system and addresses the student loan crisis.

In Part 1 of the two-part interview Spike Cohen, 2020 Vice Presidential Candidate for the Libertarian Party, joins the forum to discuss the Libertarian Party platform, origins and principles. Cohen gives insight into his organization You Are The Power and its grassroots activism. He explains the divergences within the party and makes a case that the LP is more effective than the Republicrats. You...

In Part 2 of this incredibly informative two-part interview, Jae elaborates on ways to combat the manipulation of mainstream media narratives regarding Leftist ideologies. We also talked about issues around the gun control debate and closed the talk highlighting criticisms of the 2018 Outline article published about them. 

In Part One of our two-part talk, Jae details their upbringing in East Tennessee and explains various Leftist ideologies such as libertarian socialism, Marxism-Leninism and anarchist views that have inspired Carico's activism over the years. We discuss the pros and the cons involving strategic ways to combat different forms of fascism. Carico concludes Part 1 sharing about their band Sound Bandits...

Margaret Kimberley, a co-founder of Black Agenda Report and the author of Prejudential: Black America and The Presidents talks about the legacy of Glen Ford and the establishment of Black Agenda Report. She unpacks the state of crisis in U.S. empire and exposes the illusion of “Left” and “Right” politics. Moreover, we discuss the incompetency of the Biden administration and consider Prejudential:...

In Part 3 of this three-part discussion, Ben transitions from Gematria and Kaballah and builds a philosophical case for ‘God’ from his unique perspective. Subsequently, he underscores the importance of artificial intelligence (AI) going forward. We conclude by mentioning the precarity of Julian Assange’s circumstances. Julian Assange In His Own Words, edited by Karen Sharpe | OR BOOKS The WikiLeak...

In Part Two of Ben's three-part conversation, we discuss the meaning of the word "Deep State" and some of its leading actors. Ben proposes that we consider both science and spirituality which leads to a contemplation with regard to defining God. The importance of Gematria is also introduced.  Divulgence Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDKfKFyXfxM&t=712s Number Games: 9/11 to Coronavirus h...

In Part One of the three-part interview with Ben Sedaghatfar, he opens up about growing up in Iran and subsequently immigrating to Nashville, Tennessee. He explains how the mainstream media distracts the general public from our greatest challenges. To contextualize and give nuance to the Israel-Palestine conflict, Sedaghatfar compares the situation to the pro-choice/pro-life divide. We will never...

In Part 2 of the interview, gubernatorial candidate Constance Every (I) details her education platform. Additionally, she considers the opioid crisis that has harmed Tennesseans and proposes a plan to legalize cannabis and addresses issues of policing and public safety.  We will never place episodes behind a paywall, but if you want to contribute to this independent podcast you can send donations...

In Part 1 of my interview with Constance Every, Tennessee gubernatorial candidate (I) and local activist, we discuss her non-profit organizations Sleeves4Needs and Black Coffee Justice. Constance's military background and personal formation are highlighted in Part One. We conclude the first segment discussing the misallocation of taxpayer dollars in the local and state economies and the importance...