Revolutions of Our Time

Hello dear listener! Unfortunately due to some technical issues, your regularly scheduled programme couldn't come out on time this week, so Adam recorded this mini episode as a consolation. In honour of Amsterdam Pride, Adam gives a very brief history of Pride, including a notable tactic developed by the Gay Activist Alliance, and how Amsterdam Pride is different from some of the movements. Apolog...

Welcome to the second of our two-part series about Pope Francis! In this episode, we look at Francis' papacy. Francis never declared himself a revolutionary, but his papacy was full of small rebellions that made the Vatican uneasy and emboldened movements on the margins. From displaying himself unadorned and dressed in white, to bringing food to the rough sleepers of Rome, to complimenting Fid...

Welcome to another episode of Revolutions of Our Time, the first of a two-part episode on Pope Francis! In this episode, we discuss Jorge Mario Bergoglio's early life and his ascendancy to Bishop of Rome. We discuss what it means to resist, and whether someone someone working quietly behind the scenes gets to claim they are resisting, or whether silence in the face of oppression always equals...

Welcome back to Revolutions of Our Time! In this episode we discuss Greta Thunberg and how it was that she came to assume her leadership position within the environmental movement. It seems that this wasn't exactly something she sought out, but rather something that emerged as a media phenomenon based on her perceived Moral Authority. You might have noticed that until her participation in the...

Welcome back to another episode of Revolutions of Our Time! In this episode, we talk about Martin Luther, his 95 theses, and how the Catholic Church lost its total dominance over Europe. We spend some time looking at the historical context around Luther, such as: The Divine Right of Kings The excesses of the medieval church The time when there were three Popes who all excommunicated each other Ass...

Welcome to the second episode outside of our preseason! In this episode we are talking about how Amsterdam became the cycling city that it is today. Not only is this topic a fascinating microcosm of Dutch politics, but it illustrates a point which we have made a few times on the podcast: the importance of knowing your role. Dutch cycling protests brought together activists, theatrics, urban planne...

Welcome to the final episode of the pre-season! In this episode, Sam and Adam discuss why this podcast takes a left-wing perspective, and try to clear up some confusion about the Left which are prevalent. In this episode, we discuss: Our personal journeys to the left Why the way out of this mess lies in leftwing solutions Various terminology around left and left-of-centre ideologies Socialist succ...

In this episode, Sam and Adam discuss the tactics by which revolutions are suppressed. In looking at the ways in which power fights back against protest, or works to prevent protests, we can understand where their power comes from, and how we act to counteract this power. This episode is theory heavy, but also full of tips for how you can find your role within a cause that is close to your heart....

Why is it that the Youth so often seem to be at the forefront of protests? Is it simply that they have more time? In this episode Sam and Adam discuss the role of the youth in protests. They talk about how the youth can bring creativity and energy, and also the risks of having youth at the helm (not least of which that eventually, they will no longer be young). They also dance around an all import...

In this episode, Sam and Adam discuss the different forms of protest, and how they can be effective in different contexts. This episode highly focuses on the concept of alienation, explaining what it is and why solidarity is the solution, theories of direct action (e.g., sit-ins, strikes) vs. symbolic protest, and the value of protest for community and individuals. We also briefly talk about the j...

This episode, recorded in November, is not a part of the pre-season, but is an engagement with specific protests in the style are aiming for moving forwards. In this episode, we examine Just Stop Oil. We look at their aims, their tactics, and controversies. Questions to consider include: What do we think about defacing works of art and culture as a tactic within protest movements? What can be vind...

Today, we attempt to speedrun the history of every revolution, ever. Or a lot of them, at least. In practice, we start in the 16th century and move forwards from there. As a project to give a leftist context to the world we're in, it's ambitious. But we nevertheless hope you enjoy! This episode was recorded in January 2025.

This episode was recorded in December 2024. Welcome to the first episode of Revolutions of Our Time! If you're feeling a little disheartened at the state of the world and want to understand how to drive change for the better, well, us too. This podcast exists to examine progressive social movements, their successes and their failures, and to tease out interesting lessons to take away with us....