Varn Vlog

Ready for a deep look into history through the lens of Christopher Lasch's writings? Join us as we shift through the various eras of American radicalism, dissect the myth of the New Deal, and delve into Lasch's disquiet with 1980s conservatism. This episode has it all - history, politics, and an insightful analysis into Lasch's work. We're not stopping there. Our conversation c...

Join us for a thought-provoking exploration with our esteemed guest, Spencer Leonard, as we dissect the intricate connections between Bonapartism and Imperialism, using the French Revolution as the backdrop. We navigate through the complexities of the Bonaparte dynasty and Marx’s interpretations of this political era, drawing exciting parallels to modern politics. We also delve into the paradoxes...

Are you ready to journey back in time, traversing the landscapes of class conflict and crisis within the realms of feudal France and England? We promise an engaging tour that illuminates the contrasts between feudalism and signorism, explores the adoption of Cointel Pro tactics, and ponders gravely on the role of debt and hard currency in medieval societies. From examining the victories of rural c...

Dive into the depths of the murky waters of Marxist value theory with Colin Drumm, the founder of Mimbres School, for an enlightening exploration. We examine the labyrinth of different interpretations, their birth in a politically charged context, and the reflections of Marx's idealistic concept of a liberal economy, sans state, in his work. We unwrap Petty's theories of surplus value, s...

Have you ever wondered about the complexity and depth of J.R.R. Tolkien's works? Our guest, Alexander Prashauser, an artist and mathematician from Austria, reveals how his childhood fascination with Tolkien's books led him to a profound understanding of literature, politics, and human nature. Journey with us through the mythical worlds of The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Silmar...

Ever wondered how the complexity of Language Modeling (LLMs) and cybernetics can revolutionize the way we communicate and interact? Are you curious about the sociopolitical implications of such advancements? Join us in an enlightening discussion with the well-versed Mark Rainey, as we dissect these technologies and their potential impact on our society. Our journey begins with an exploration of LL...

Robert J. Myles   is Senior Lecturer in New Testament at Wollaston Theological College in Perth, Western Australia and the University of Divinity. He lives in Perth, Australia.  He is the co-author of Jesus: A Life in Class Conflict and the editor of Class Conflict in the New Testament.  Strap yourself in for an enlightening journey into the fascinating crossroads of Marxism and Christianity, wher...

Ridhiman Balaji is an economist and activist who has worked with the Anarcho-Syndicalist Review. He also is a serious student of Marxist economics.  He comes on to discuss the misunderstanding between Marxists and anarchists.  Curious about the complex dynamics between Anarchists and Marxists? Eager to understand the nuances of critical ideologies that shaped the course of history? Then join us on...

Can philosophy ever be more than just armchair theorising? Join us as we unearth the insightful world of Catholic philosopher, Alasdair McIntyre, with intellectual aficionado, Julian Ossolay Ossolay. We embark on a stimulating journey through McIntyre's philosophical evolution, tracing his footsteps from his early Marxist days to his conversion to Catholicism and his later works. We examine w...

Jules Delisle, human behavioral ecologist and nurse, joins us on this fascinating journey through the complex world of anthropology and its implications on modern society. She is an associate and organizer of the Mimbres School .  Together, we dissect the limitations of social and behavioral sciences, questioning common assumptions about modern liberalism and challenging the over-reliance on quant...

Are you prepared to have your understanding of the political right stretched and reshaped? That's precisely what our conversation with Mac Manus, a lecturer at the University of Michigan and author of The Emergence of Post-Modernity, promises to deliver. The episode explores the influence of key figures such as Nietzsche, Jordan Peterson, and Ludwig von Miesse on right-wing thought, unravelin...

In this Strange Matters/Varn Vlog collaboration, we discuss Mira Lazine's account of organizing the McUnion in Strange Matters Issue 2. What if we told you that the friendly face behind your fast food order is grappling with challenges you'd never even imagined? We're inviting you into a raw, deep, and humanizing conversation with Mira Lazine, who has been on the front lines of unio...

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,...

In an exhilarating journey through economic history, we welcome renowned author Steve Paxton to our podcast. His works "Unlearning Marx" (Zer0 Books 2021) and "The End of Capitalism" (Zer0 Book  2023) serve as the compass, guiding our exploration. With Steve's insights, we unravel the transformation of societies from feudalism to capitalism and ponder on what might succeed...

Prepare to embark on a historical voyage through the intricate and fascinating relationship between money, law, and the Bank of Canada – all brought to life by our distinguished guest, Harvard SJD candidate, Dan Rohde. Dare yourself to venture beyond the borders of typical understanding as we dissect the complexities of monetary issuance during Canada's colonial era, the transition to the gol...

Are machines truly the future of our societal structure, or could they prove to be a catalyst for complexity and class struggle? Join me and Nico Villarreal as we challenge the conventional narrative and shed light on the intersections of Artificial Intelligence, universal machines, and capitalism, inspired by Nico's incisive article, "Artificial Intelligence, Universal Machines, and the...

Ever wondered why modern monetary theorists have been alarmingly silent on the debt ceiling controversy? Or why Democrats, who traditionally champion labor causes, seem to have neglected critical issues like the Supreme Court and the potential for a Federal Reserve Bank-induced recession? These are the pressing questions we tackle in our riveting discussion with the insightful Steve Grumbine, foun...

In this lively conversation with Malu Castro, we embark on an intriguing exploration of land organization and sustainability, with a primary focus on Hawaii. Castro's fascinating transformation from an orchestrator of professional revolutionaries to an investigator of land and indigenous rights offers a fresh perspective on the unique challenges and paradoxical situations that have arisen as...

James of Prolekult films, Luke of the Prolekult Podcast, and I talk about the paradoxes of British Trotskyism, the British left in general, and more. What if I told you that the history of British Trotskyism could illuminate your understanding of American leftism? Come join us for a captivating exploration with James and Luke of Prolekult as we unearth the roots of British Trotskyism, tracing it b...

Chris and Jason form Regrettable Century join for this discussion. Ready for a journey into the labyrinth of American Trotskyism? Buckle up and join us as we take a deep dive into the complex history and dynamics of this ideology. From its inception in 1928 to its splintering evolution, we dissect the intricate facets of bureaucratic collectivism, state capitalism, and the role of the Socialist Wo...

Let's embark on a journey through the labyrinth of Trotskyism and its complex world of factions and ideologies with the Regrettable Century's Jason and Chris and The Measure's Taken's Stephen Hammel.  Even after the disappearance of questions that made Trotskyism unique, it managed to survive well past 1992. Have you ever wondered why? We are here to unravel the mystery. In our...

Get ready to challenge your perspective as we embark on a journey through the intriguing world of economics, Marxism, and the nuances of Modern Monetary Theory (MMT). We're joined by none other than Jonathan Kadmon from Real Progressives, a progressive change advocate with a unique take on socialism, commodities, and state-based insurance initiatives. Jonathan shares his insight into these co...

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,...

Doug Greene is an independent communist historian from the Boston area. He has written biographies of the communist insurgent Louis Auguste Blanqui and DSA founder Michael Harrington. Stalinism has left a complex and controversial legacy throughout history. How have interpretations of Stalinism been shaped by debates between anti-communists, Soviet defensists, and various figures of Western Marxis...

Ben Lewis is the author of "Oswald Spengler and the Politics of Decline" and the primary translator at Marxism Translated ).  We discuss his recent book on Spengler and Spengler's complicated legacy.  Are you ready to unlock the enigmatic mind of Oswald Spengler and his intriguing theories that have influenced modern discourse? Our esteemed guest, Ben Lewis of Marxism Translated, gu...