Teach Me Communism

Christine is painting their nails and Grady keeps them company by telling them all about the Chilean Coup of 1973. Our story has a socialist president, Star Trek aesthetics, a literal lady killer, and some good old fashioned U.S. trickery. We also spend a long time looking up how big a hectare is.   Check us out on social media: Merch: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/teach-me-communism?ref_id=100...

What do your technology hating relatives have to do with a revolutionary movement in the 1800s? How many secret meetings in Sherwood Forest does it take to make meaningful change? And will there be free t-shirts? We talk labor, tech, privacy, and our old pal Al Gore Rhythms (purposefully misspelled to please the tech overlords).   Check us out on social media: Merch: https://www.teepublic.com/stor...

Today we go the Communist Movie Club to watch the much talked about film, Don’t Look Up. We talk about Leo’s beard, J Law’s cute alt look, and oh yeah, the actual themes of climate change, media, and capitalism. Does this film’s metaphor hold up? Listen and find out!   Check us out on social media: Merch: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/teach-me-communism?ref_id=10068 Instagram: @teachmecommunism...

We pick up right where we left off, with the Tito-Stalin split. How will Yugoslavia survive without its major trading partner? Well, they try some market socialism and it doesn’t go super well. And then our good pal the US of A shows up to uh… “fix things”. Also, when is a revolution helped or hindered by technology?   Check us out on social media: Merch: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/teach-me-...

Today's topic is Yugoslavia, including its oddly named communist parties, a cool anthem, and its complicated relationship with the USSR. Part 1 covers the time period of the founding of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia to the start of the Informbiro period. Tune in next week for Part 2!   Check us out on social media: Merch: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/teach-me-communism?ref_id=10068 Instagram: @tea...

Christine’s the teacher this week, and they’re talking about the life and times of Ito Noe, Japanese feminist author and anarchist. We learn about the Meiji and Taisho eras of Japan as well as what happens when you mix an oppressive imperial state with a budding anarchist movement. Hint: it doesn't end well.   Check us out on social media: Merch: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/teach-me-communism...

It’s movie night and we’re talking about Warren Beatty’s Reds. Topics include the role of art and revolution, party infighting, and cute dogs. Christine is way too into young Edward Herrmann.   Check us out on social media: Merch: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/teach-me-communism?ref_id=10068 Instagram: @teachmecommunism Twitter: @teachcommunism Gmail: teachmecommunism@gmail.com Patreon: Patreon...

Let’s DIG IN to our series on Christian Socialism! Starting off with the Diggers, an agrarian socialist movement from the 1600s. Topics include geese, parsnips, dragons, and cheese. Jesus says ACAB and we decide which heretical society we would join.   Check us out on social media: Merch: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/teach-me-communism?ref_id=10068 Instagram: @teachmecommunism Twitter: @teachc...

We’re back, and this time, we’re trying to make heads or TAILS of George Orwell’s allegory for when communism goes wrong. Grady gives us some of Orwell’s background and clarifies the historical parallels made in the book. Christine hates a donkey and loves ribbons.   Check us out on social media: Merch: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/teach-me-communism?ref_id=10068 Instagram: @teachmecommunism T...

What do Medievalism, wallpapers, and socialism have in common? They were all interests of one William Morris, noted British designer and activist. We talk art, religion, environmentalism, and of course, leftist drama.   Check us out on social media: Merch: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/teach-me-communism?ref_id=10068 Instagram: @teachmecommunism Twitter: @teachcommunism Gmail: teachmecommunism@...

Updated version! Christine accidentally uploaded the raw cut of this, so here's the actual finished version without bathroom breaks and bad audio quality. Sorry ya'll! Join us for a piece of leftist Americana as Grady and Christine learn about and listen to The Almanac Singers, including greats like Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, and more. We also have wine and discuss the state of the left. Find the...

Join us for a tale of socialist reform, betrayal, and interventionism as we discuss the long and complicated conflict between the USSR and rebel forces in Afghanistan. We learn about the healing properties of Coca-Cola. Christine has an epiphany about the Taliban. We look up cool flag designs and Olympic mascots.   Check us out on social media: Merch: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/teach-me-comm...

Another trip to the mailbag to answer some questions about: the spectrum between workers and bosses, another interpretation of the Borg, vaccine mandates, a closer look at the Hue Massacre, veganism, and when to fully devote yourself to the cause.   Check us out on social media: Merch: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/teach-me-communism?ref_id=10068 Instagram: @teachmecommunism Twitter: @teachcomm...

Co-ops: What are they, how are they structured, how do they work? What's the difference between a consumer-owned or worker-owned co-op? Are they good for the cause? We answer these questions and more.   Check us out on social media: Merch: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/teach-me-communism?ref_id=10068 Instagram: @teachmecommunism Twitter: @teachcommunism Gmail: teachmecommunism@gmail.com Patreon...

The title sounds like a setup for a bad Halloween joke, but in this episode, we're taking a look at a Philosophy Tube video called Witchraft, Gender, and Marxism. If this sounds like the perfect combination of topics for Christine to sink their teeth into, you are correct. Happy Halloween! (^w^) That is a pumpkin emoticon.   Check us out on social media: Merch: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/tea...

Another biography, and this time, it's that guy with the cool hair and glasses. We talk about Trotsky's many contributions (and machinations) in the Soviet Union, which include a ton of newspapers, party in-fighting, an affair with hottie Mexican painters, and assassination plots. Merch: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/teach-me-communism?ref_id=24617&utm_campaign=24617&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_so...

More space communism! This episode covers Deep Space 9 and Voyager, as well as many other topics because honestly this was a 4 hour recording session and it was a doozy. But a fun doozy.   Check us out on social media: Merch: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/teach-me-communism?ref_id=24617&utm_campaign=24617&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=Teach%2BMe%2BCommunism   Instagram: @teachmecommunism Twit...

It’s time for one of our favorite topics: Fully-Automated Luxury Gay Space Communism! But what does that have to do with Star Trek? Maybe more than you think. Plus, we’re joined by our first EVER guest, our dear friend, Kenny! Part 1 covers some basic world building, The Original Series, and The Next Generation.   Check us out on social media: Merch: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/teach-me-commu...

We’re back for part 2 of the bread book! Topics include hobbit houses, bad art takes, lifeboats, zoos, and grapes. Oh and like, anarchism, obviously.   Check us out on social media: Merch: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/teach-me-communism?ref_id=24617&utm_campaign=24617&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=Teach%2BMe%2BCommunism   Instagram: @teachmecommunism Twitter: @teachcommunism Gmail: teachmeco...

We’re putting on our anarchy-communist hats this week as we look at Peter Kropotkin’s seminal work, The Conquest of Bread. This covers chapters 1-5. Join us next week for part 2!   Find the reading here: https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/petr-kropotkin-the-conquest-of-bread Buy a shirt here: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/teach-me-communism?ref_id=24617   Check us out on social media: Inst...

We’re back for part 2 of the history of the socialist republic of Vietnam! This time: war, atrocities, and scandals. Plus, what’s an economy to do when they’re recovering from a war and have no trade partners? Is it still socialist?   Check us out on social media: Instagram: @teachmecommunism Twitter: @teachcommunism Gmail: teachmecommunism@gmail.com Patreon: Patreon.com/teachmecommunism   And lik...

Where does Labor Day come from? What's up with that other holiday in May? The answers to these questions and more include a case of mistaken identity, a parade, and unions! Plus, we answer a listener question about how to avoid burnout to stay radical as you age.   Check us out on social media: Instagram: @teachmecommunism Twitter: @teachcommunism Gmail: teachmecommunism@gmail.com Patreon: Patreon...

Sorry, no new episode this week! Grady is out sick (don't worry, it's not covid-related). We'll be back next week with a new episode! In the meantime, Christine is hard at work on t-shirt designs! So if there's any request for cool show quotes let us know.   Check us out on social media: Instagram: @teachmecommunism Twitter: @teachcommunism Gmail: teachmecommunism@gmail.com Patreon: Patreon.com/te...

This week, we're learning about the history of Vietnam, from its origins as a French colony all the way up to its partition in 1954. Christine plans the heroic arc of the podcast. We talk brand recognition for communists. T-shirts are finally hinted at.   Check us out on social media: Instagram: @teachmecommunism Twitter: @teachcommunism Gmail: teachmecommunism@gmail.com Patreon: Patreon.com/teach...

We talk about the fascist dystopia presented in Terry Gilliam's 1985 movie Brazil, featuring lots dream sequences, retrofuturist technology, and characters as metaphors. Christine is a bit of a grouch in this one.   Check us out on social media: Instagram: @teachmecommunism Twitter: @teachcommunism Gmail: teachmecommunism@gmail.com Patreon: Patreon.com/teachmecommunism   And like and subscribe to...