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Filmmaker Christopher Jason Bell (Failed State, Miss Me Yet) joins me for a special Halloween edition of Struggle Session. We delve into some of our favorite horror films and recent releases including Weapons , Hellraiser , Saw , Cure , Ganja & Hess , The Exorcist , The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and more. We also talk about Chris’ short film The Confection starring Alex Ptak and Simone Norman, free...

Dr. Jonathan Howard chief of the neurology service at Bellevue Hospital joins us to discuss his book We Want Them Infected: How the Failed Quest for Herd Immunity Led Doctors to Embrace the Anti-vaccine Movement and Blinded Americans to the Threat of COVID . This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit strugglesession.substac...

Writer Kaila Yu joins me to discuss her new book Fetishized: A Reckoning with Yellow Fever, Feminism, and Beauty. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit strugglesession.substack.com/subscribe

Ezra Klein has been on a roll with a series of podcasts defending Charlie Kirk’s legacy, arguing for Democrats to run more anti-abortion candidates to win in pro-abortion states, & and making the case for a value-free politics to Ta-Nehisi Coates. Briahna Joy Grey of Bad Faith joins me to to break it all down. This was a live stream on the Bad Faith YouTube Channel recorded 9/20/25 This is a publi...

Ross Benes joins us to discuss his book 1999: The Year Low Culture Conquered America and Kickstarted Our Bizarre Times . We explore the cultural landscape of the late 90s including the impact of The Jerry Springer Show on reality TV, the influence of Vince McMahon on politics, how Juggalos defined outsider culture, Nu metal's MTV-sponsored angst, and the rise of video games from kiddie hobby to bi...

Is Ed Wood worst director of all time? Not a chance says our guest. On today's Struggle Session writer Will Sloan joins us to discuss is new book Ed Wood: Made In Hollywood USA. We talk about the infamous director’s artistic legacy, how his films challenge the concept of “bad” movies, the enduring charm of Plan 9 from Outer Space, and the shockingly progressive Glen or Glenda. Plus voicemails on b...

On today's Struggle Session Joshua Gooch joins us to talk his new book Capitalism Hates You: Marxism and The New Horror Film. We discuss what modern horror has to offer horror, and vice versa. We also analyze some recent horror films including Hereditary, Gaia, The Witch and more. Joshua also gives his picks for essential horror classics for all young radicals. _______________________ Guest Links:...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit strugglesession.substack.com This episode is a special crossover with Briahna's podcast Bad Faith. Enjoy! ------------------------------------------ A Brief History of Violence screenwriter & co-host of The Movies that Made Me Josh Olson and Struggle Session co-host Leslie Lee III join the show to discuss the movie everyone's talking ab...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit strugglesession.substack.com

On today's action-packed episode Trevor Beaulieu of Champagne Sharks joins Leslie to discuss Captain America: Brave New World! From the reshoots to the surprisingly radical comic series that inspired it, we cover it all. We also talk about Sam Raimi's M.A.N.T.I.S. starring Carl Lumbly, a Black superhero show so far ahead of it's time that the studio destroyed it. Guest Links: http://champagneshark...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit strugglesession.substack.com On today's episode journalist Taylor Lorenz joins us to discuss current events including the Rachel Zegler/Gal Gadot Snow White Controversy, Jeffrey Goldberg's war crime text chat saga, and the dismantling of public health measures amidst the ongoing pandemic. Taylor is the founder of User Mag which covers t...

On today's terrifying episode, Leslie is joined by Alexander Chatziioannou for a deep dive into the world of horror video games. We discuss Alex's book From Ants to Zombies: Six Decades of Video Game Horror, the evolution of horror games, the significance of iconic titles like Resident Evil, and the impact of remakes and indie games on the genre. Guest Links: https://www.bitmapbooks.com/products/f...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit strugglesession.substack.com On another spooky and sexy edition of Vampire Castle , Jamie is once again joins by her brother in darkness Leslie to discuss Robert Eggers’ horny and polarizing Nosferatu (2024). Is it original enough to justify making yet another movie based on Bram Stoker’s 1897 gothic novel? How does it stack up to Franc...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit strugglesession.substack.com On today's all new episode of Struggle Session Leslie is joined by Aaron Casias & Carlee Gomes, the hosts of the hit podcast Hit Factory. We discussed the best and worst films of the year including Furiosa , Nickel Boys , Gladiator II , The Substance , Do Not Expect to Much From the End of the World and more...

On today's episode of Struggle Session, Leslie is joined by Matt Bors and Ben Clarkson, the creators of the hit comic series Justice Warriors to discuss political thrillers. From the Manchurian Candidate to Enemy of the State, Marathon Man to The Days of the Condor and The Jackal, we discussed the greats of the genre and how they inspired the latest volume of Justice Warriors. Guest Links: https:/...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit strugglesession.substack.com We misunderstimated him. On today's episode filmmaker Christopher Jason Bell joins us to discuss his documentary series Miss Me Yet?  which takes a year by year view of what it was like to live through the George W. Bush administration. Guest Links: Miss Me Yet - https://means.tv/programs/missmeyet https://l...

Listen 'bub, we've got a special episode for all the mutant lovers! Leslie and special guest Elana Levin pop their claws and rip into the X-Men '97. We discuss what made the reboot and the original X-Men cartoon series some of the best comic book adaptions. This is part of a crossover with Graphic Policy Radio where Leslie and Elana discussed Batman: Caped Crusader. Be sure to check that out! Visi...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit strugglesession.substack.com On this special crossover episode Jamie is joined by Jamie Peck (@jamie_elizabeth) of the podcast Party Girls to discuss two cult classic zombie movies from the father of the genre, George A. Romero: "Night of the Living Dead" (1968) and "Day of the Dead" (1985). In these two spine-chilling films, the left-l...

On today's blockbuster episode Noah Kulwin and Brendan James hosts, of the outstanding show Blowback, join us to talk about their new season and it's subject, Cambodia. Please consider supporting the show by subscribing: Guest Links: https://blowback.show/ Send an email or voicemail to  thestrugglesession@gmail.com  Keep up with and contact Leslie: https://msha.ke/lleeiii Tips via cash app | venmo...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit strugglesession.substack.com WE AIN'T GOT TIME TO BLEED! On today's episode Aaron Thorpe is back and jacked to discuss the Predator series, including the sequels, reboots, and crossovers. Predator (1987), Predator 2 (1990), Predators (2010), The Predator (2018), Prey (2022), Alien vs. Predator (2004), Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007)...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit strugglesession.substack.com Let's kick off spooky season with some xenomorphs! Special guest Jeff Zhang joins us to discuss the latest corporate mishap from Weyland-Yutani in our review of Alien: Romulus. Did it live up to the hype? Let's talk about it! Thank you so much for your subscriptions, support, and kind words. Support the show...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit strugglesession.substack.com COVID-19! It's everywhere. Let's talk about it with Julia Doubleday of The Gauntlet ( https://www.thegauntlet.news/). Thank you so much for your subscriptions, support, and kind words. Send an email or voicemail to  thestrugglesession@gmail.com  Leslie would love to hear from you! Guest links: Additional rea...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit strugglesession.substack.com On today's episode special guest writer and comedian Kate Willett  joins us to talk about her new stand-up special Loopholes! We also discuss why popular comedians are still talking about "cancel culture" and why the politics of Amy Schumer and Jerry Seinfeld aren't funny at all. Send an email or voicemail t...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit strugglesession.substack.com On today's special two-part episode Leslie chats with Josie Riesman , author of the New York Times Best Seller Ringmaster: Vince McMahon and the Unmaking of America about the apparent downfall of Vince McMahon. Ringmaster  was one of my favorite books of last year and you don’t have to know or care about wre...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit strugglesession.substack.com FX's acclaimed police drama The Shield presented a darker and more realistic depiction of policing. On today’s episode I had a great conversation with Joe Mayall about the series and his article Twenty Years Ago, The Shield Captured the Brokenness of American Policing.  Read it here: https://jacobin.com/2023...