Varn Vlog

Prepare to have your views on environmental management within socialist regimes challenged as Dr. Salvatore Engel-Di Mauro, a seasoned geography professor and respected author, joins us to dismantle long-held myths and scrutinize Western misconceptions. Our conversation with Dr. Salvatore Engel-Di Mauro navigates the intricate landscape of environmental policies, contrasting the exaggerated narrat...

Discover the intricate intersections of race, privilege, and class politics through the lens of Dr. Jared K Clemons from Temple University, who joins us for a profound exploration that goes beyond the surface level of today's racial discourse. We dissect the labels of 'racist' or 'anti-racist,' and delve into the political economy's role in shaping these conversations...

Navigate the fragmented yet fervent world of eco-socialism with us and our returning guest, Matt Huber. Together, we peel back the layers of this movement's evolution, discussing key junctures, figures, and the diverse ideologies from bright green optimism to de-growth and capital-as-power theorists. We'll take you on a journey through the historical threads that shape the current eco-so...

Embark with John Michael Colon and I on a journey through the intricate world of heterodox economics as we unravel the legacy of Frederick S. Lee, a titan in the field whose ideas stand in stark opposition to the mainstream. Prepare to have your understanding of economic dynamics challenged and expanded as we dissect the limitations of neoclassical economics and its inability to foresee crises lik...

Uncover the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with me and esteemed guest Mason Herson-Hord, director of the Institute for Social Ecology. Together, we'll navigate the often misunderstood narratives and ideologies that have shaped this historical struggle. From the deep-seated roots of Zionism to the rise of grassroots resistance movements, this discussion offers an enlightening...

Reflect on the pages of history with us as we unravel the complexities of the Soviet Union's past alongside the insightful minds from Cosmonaut Magazine—Donald , Christian, and Connor . Our engaging discussion takes us through the ideological and economic tensions of the Russian Revolution, shining a light on the nuances of the New Economic Policy and the philosophical struggles within the Bo...

Embark on a journey into the chilling depths of Michael Shea's weird fiction with the insightful Danny Anderson as our guide. As we unravel Shea's unique spin on cosmic horror, you'll discover how this master of the macabre carved out a space that's both hauntingly familiar and alarmingly otherworldly. Together, we illuminate the dark corners of class struggle and revolution wo...

What do the Australian political landscape and the struggle for social justice look like under the microscope? Join us on a journey that traverses the fascinating contours of Australian politics, history, and culture, guided by our esteemed guest, Farron. A thorough exploration awaits, from the complexities of maintaining ethnic identity in Australia to the rise of evangelicalism and the impact of...

Ever wondered how the political landscape of Ireland shapes its global presence? Get ready to unravel the complexities of Irish politics with our guest, Professor Nicholas Kiersey, an acclaimed expert on the matter. We kick off our conversation with a fresh perspective on the recent events in Ireland, the seismic shift in public consciousness during the 2008 economic crisis, and its aftermath. Tog...

Ready to peel back the layers of the complex world of Marxism? Brace yourselves for a spirited exploration of the 'warm' and 'cold' streams of Marxism, as Chris N, Jason N, and I traverse the arcane terrain of political determinism, volunteerism, and the revolutionary ideas that underpin Ernst Bloch's theory.  We'll grapple with the works of Alvin Gouldner and Enzo Tr...

Prepare yourself for a mind-expanding conversation with Matt and Alex from the Long 70s podcast. We're rewinding time, unlocking the secrets of an era that stretched from 1968 to 1984/85 and has left far-reaching impacts on our world today. From the emergence of new left politics to the influence of the cultural Cold War, we unravel the dynamics that shaped the late 60s and 70s. We shine a sp...

Think you know everything about immigration policies under the Biden administration? Buckle up, because we're about to challenge your beliefs with our guest Dan Melo, as we explore the often turbid waters of these policies. We’re pulling back the curtain on the striking similarities to the Trump era and how political distractions have overshadowed the need for viable solutions to pressing iss...

Daniel of " What is Politics " returns. Have you ever wondered about the intricacies of left-right political realignments, or the paradoxes of Maoism? Do you find the dynamics of power and authority in political systems as intriguing as we do? Then you're in the right place. Joined by the creator of the "What is Politics?" YouTube channel, we navigate the complex terrain o...

Are we so entranced by the vision of an egalitarian society that we overlook who truly stands to benefit from social justice movements? Today, we're lifting the lid on the influence of elites in these movements with Fredrik deBoer, author of the intriguing book, "How Elites Ate the Social Justice Movement”. Together, we examine the glaring disparity in representation within the progressi...

While the introduction music is that of Varn Vlog on this podcaster, this series will be simultaneously released on both the Varn Vlog podcast feed and the Regrettable Century podcast feed .   This is a long-running series we are doing on understanding social technologies, relationships of production, and how we get here:  i.e. what is the social and class history of the past.    In this episode,...

Ready to challenge your perspective on climate crisis and socialism? Join us as we welcome Jason W Moore. In a riveting discourse, Jason shares his experiences with the eco-socialist movement, shedding light on the challenges and tensions that exist, including his encounters with Monthly Review and its editor John Bellamy Foster. He doesn’t shy away from illuminating the leftist tendency towards s...

Untangle the complex ideas of Marx with us as we journey through history in a captivating conversation with Jared Baxter of Mimbre's School , exploring his course Introduction to Marx and Modern Revolution. In a mind-bending exploration of Marx's early views on social democracy and bourgeois revolutions, we zoom in on the genesis of the modern state and shed light on the distinctions bet...

Imagine a world where liberalism is the uncontested victor - is it possible, or are we fooling ourselves? Join us as we embark on a fascinating journey through the theories of Francis Fukuyama, weighing the merits and criticisms of his controversial 'End of History' argument. Has liberalism truly triumphed, or is its current dominance just a temporary phase? We invite you to venture into...

Picture this - Detroit, from its ascension to the status of the fourth largest city in the U.S. in the 1920s to the infamous municipal bankruptcy and near collapse of the auto industry. How did this happen? Well, that's precisely what we explore with our guest, Josiah Rector, an urban historian, assistant professor at the University of Houston, and author of Toxic Debt. Rector's expertis...

Prepare to embark on a historical journey with our knowledgeable guest, Cyber Dandy, as we unearth the intriguing history of the International Workers of the World (IWW) and its complex relationship with anti-communism. Through tales of ideological evolution, infamous 'Red Scares', and the unique living conditions of 19th-century miners, we'll transport you back in time to navigate...

Are you ready to traverse through time and uncover the enthralling period of Early Medieval Poetry in Anglo-Saxon Britain? Join us and our guest, Andrew Rader Hansen, a poet and law school candidate, as we journey back into the past, unearthing the captivating cultures, intricate poetry, and complex histories of this epoch often shrouded in mystery. Venture with us into the fascinating world of An...

Ever wondered how your marital status or romantic relationship is shaped by society's norms and expectations? How about the notion of family abolition, a concept that offers a radical look at the institution of family as we know it? This episode draws you into a stimulating conversation with our guest, Daniel Tutt. Delving into the complexities of family formation and class dynamics, we chall...

Have you ever wondered how drugs and publishing might intersect in a world of counterculture? Journey with us and guest Sean Howe as we explore the shadowy life of Thomas Forcade, a paradoxical figure of the 60s and 70s counterculture. We shed light on the radical politics of the era and delve into the tension between the counterculture 'heads' and the politicos 'fists.' Togeth...

Prepare to step into the labyrinth of Marxist philosophy! Journey with us and our esteemed guest, Amogh Sahu, a PhD candidate from Columbia University, as we dive into the minds of George Lukacs and Antonio Gramsci. Unravel the complexities of Lukash's Marxist methodology and its often misunderstood form, standpoint epistemology. Grasp new insights as we explore the unique understanding the o...

Are we reliving the 60s crisis of liberalism? Unfurl the complexities of this era and contrast it with today's political climate in our latest episode of VarmVlog. We glance back at the rise of the administrative state, and how it sparked political controversy, then cast an eye on the right wing response and its profound impact on the current crisis of liberalism. The 90s saw a fragmented lef...