The Skeptical Leftist Podcast

In this episode Justin and I dive into Adolph Reed’s Class Notes to tackle the failures of performative politics and the rise of identity-driven activism. We break down Reed’s critique of neoliberalism, symbolic gestures, and the commodification of struggle while making the case for class-based organizing as the only path to real solidarity and change. It’s a deep and fiery conversation about how...

In this episode of The Skeptical Leftist , I talk with Damien Marie at Hope about axiology—the philosophy of value and worth—and its relevance to how we make ethical decisions. We break down the concepts of intrinsic and extrinsic value, look at how capitalism distorts our understanding of human worth, and explore how axiology can clarify morality in practical ways. The conversation also touches o...

In this episode of Red Reviews, we dive into Erich Fromm’s The Revolution of Hope and explore how hope—not blind optimism—can be a radical tool for social change. We tackle the dangers of a mechanized society, critique the unchecked power of big tech, and discuss what a truly democratic, humanistic use of technology could look like. Along the way, we dig into the environmental costs of generative...

In this episode, we explore how systems of hierarchy have shaped humanity, from ancient rulers to modern billionaires. Why do hierarchies exist? Are they inevitable, or can we dismantle them? Together, we’ll examine the role of prehistory, morality, and resistance in understanding our current world. From mounds and pyramids to the structures of capitalism, we connect the dots and challenge the nar...

In this episode of Red Reviews, we dive into Kohei Saito’s Slow Down: The Degrowth Manifesto and explore its bold reinterpretation of Marx’s ideas on ecology and capitalism. We unpack the concept of degrowth, debate its critiques, and ask if Marx’s later writings hold the key to addressing the climate crisis. Along the way, we challenge the myths of consumer blame, examine systemic solutions, and...

In this video, Chris from It Had to Be Said joins me for a deep dive into Boiler Room . We explore the film’s themes of ambition, greed, and the toxic hustle culture that fuels them, all while connecting the story to modern parallels like crypto scams and hustle culture myths. If you’ve ever wondered about the cost of chasing success, this conversation is for you. Make sure to check out Chris’s ch...

In this episode of Red Reviews , Justin and I dive into Naomi Klein's latest work, Doppelganger: A Trip into the Mirror World . We unpack the concept of the "mirror world," where misinformation distorts reality, and examine how diagonalism—blurring the lines between left and right—has created some of the strangest political figures of our time. From Naomi Wolf’s baffling transformation to the role...

In this episode of The Skeptical Leftist Podcast , I talked to with Matt McManus, a political theorist and author who identifies as a liberal socialist. While this idea might seem unusual at first, Matt dives into how it blends individual rights with collective well-being in a thoughtful and relevant way. We break down what liberal socialism means, how it stacks up against anarchism, and why it mi...

In this episode of Red Reviews , Justin and I take a deep dive into Grace Blakeley’s Vulture Capitalism . In it, Blakeley tears apart the lies we’re told about “free markets” and “freedom” under capitalism. We talk about Boeing, the 2008 financial crash, and how neoliberalism has turned our entire economy into a rigged game for the rich. But it’s not all doom and gloom—we also dig into ideas for f...

In this episode, I sat down with Steve Shives to talk about how we both went from New Atheism’s golden age to something a little more… let’s say, nuanced. We talk about why the New Atheist movement felt like home at first and why it didn’t go deep enough when it came to actual social change. Steve doesn’t hold back on what he thinks about some of the big names in the atheist world and how his focu...

This week, Justin and I are talking about gender and the manufactured panic surrounding it. We’re digging into the fear tactics, misinformation, and the fake ‘gender debate’ that keeps us from addressing real issues—like the rights and dignity of trans and non-binary people, access to gender-affirming healthcare, and the fight against discrimination. With insights from Judith Butler’s Who's Afraid...

In this episode of Red Reviews , Justin and I tackle one of the biggest questions for leftists: where do Marxism and Anarchism actually meet? Inspired by Daniel Guérin’s For a Libertarian Communism , we explore how these two ideologies—often seen as opposing forces—come together in their shared goal of dismantling state control and capitalist exploitation. Guérin’s work is a powerful roadmap for t...

In this episode, I chat with psychoanalysts Avgi Saketopoulou and Ann Pellegrini about their new book, Gender Without Identity . We dig into how gender isn’t some fixed core identity but something shaped by cultural interactions, and yeah, sometimes trauma. Avgi and Ann take apart the mainstream ideas of gender, questioning the whole "core identity" thing, and instead offer a way more nuanced take...

In this stream, we gather a diverse group of progressives to discuss the U.S. election—an event we all wish was over but can't ignore. Our panel, including Foxy Jazzabelle, my usual cohost Justin Clark, Steve Shives, Chrisi from Chrisiousity, and SomeRandomG33k (who organized the stream), dive into the messy reality of the election and its consequences. With varied perspectives but a shared worry...

In this episode of Red Reviews, Justin and I take a deep dive into Christian Parenti’s Radical Hamilton to explore the side of Alexander Hamilton that mainstream history often overlooks. Far from the establishment figure he’s made out to be, Hamilton had some truly radical ideas about how to structure the American economy. We break down his bold vision for a powerful state, how his ideas clash wit...

In this episode, we dig into Technofeudalism by Yanis Varoufakis and ask: Are we just digital serfs in today’s world? We break down how tech giants have created a new kind of feudalism, controlling our data and our lives without us even realizing it. From social media to cloud services, these corporations are the new lords, and we're left doing the work to keep their platforms running. We talk abo...

In this episode, I sit down with Jessa McLean, a political organizer turned grassroots activist, to explore her journey from running with the NDP to embracing direct action. We dive into the realities of party politics, the power of tenant organizing, and why Jessa believes real change has to come from the ground up. She shares candid insights on the failures of the political system, the burnout t...

In this episode, Justin and I take a critical look at Lenin through the lens of Anton Pannekoek’s Lenin as Philosopher . We dig into whether Lenin was the revolutionary he claimed to be or if his vision ended up reinforcing the authoritarian systems he was supposedly against. We break down Pannekoek’s arguments, challenge some common ideas about Lenin, and explore what all this means for today’s l...

In this episode of Red Reviews, Justin and I dig into Less is More by Jason Hickel. We break down the core ideas behind degrowth, challenge the myth that endless growth is necessary, and explore how ditching growth-obsessed capitalism could create a fairer, more sustainable world. We also talk about how the public wouldn’t need to sacrifice as much abundance if the wealthy gave up their unearned p...

In this episode, I talked to Lucretia McEvil to dive deep into anarchist and leftist theory, exploring how these ideas shape our worldview and guide us in a world that often feels like it's falling apart. We discuss the challenges of staying positive when it seems like the world resists change at every turn, and reflect on how we navigate the struggle for a better future. Whether you're fe...

In this episode, we dive into Stephen J. Gould’s Rocks of Ages and explore his compelling argument for "Non-Overlapping Magisteria" — the idea that science and religion each have their own domains and don’t need to clash. Join us as we unpack how Gould’s perspective offers a refreshing take on the age-old conflict between fact and faith, and what it means for our understanding of both. Y...

In this episode, we dive deep into David Halberstam's classic book The Best and the Brightest , exploring how some of America's most esteemed minds led the country into one of its most significant foreign policy disasters—the Vietnam War. We unpack the failures of leadership, the hubris of the so-called "best and brightest," and the devastating implications of their decisions. Th...

Hey everyone, welcome back to the show. Today, we’re revisiting some older bonus content, originally from August of 2021, part of our Red Reviews series—this one’s Red Reviews #6. Even though it’s been a while since we recorded it, the issues we discuss are still very much relevant today. We’ll be diving into how some on the left can lose their way when they start shifting to the right, forgetting...

I had a great chat with Eric Wickham from Big Shiny Takes. We covered a range of topics from Canadian politics and homelessness to the state of media bias. It was a fun and informative conversation that I think you’ll enjoy. Here are some links for stuff we talked about https://www.unrigged.ca/ https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/capital-gains-tax-budget-1.7176370 https://proof.utoronto.ca/2023/new-d...

Unearth a forgotten gem from our archives! In this episode, we revisit a discussion on the decline of the secular movement, the Intellectual Dark Web (IDW), and the impact of sexual misconduct allegations. Join us for a nostalgic look back at a pivotal time in cultural and intellectual discourse. Here are a few links for subjects we touched on https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/the-science-of-transg...