How do we pursue justice when 'losing is likely'? How can faith teach us to better care for the earth? Why does the technocratic language of the  White Western Left, fail in providing spiritual reasons for overturning Capitalism?  I discussed all this with  Dr. Brad East of Abilene Christian University & his essay for The Point Magazine: 'When Losing is Likely, Wendell Berry's Conservative Radicalism' Dr. East's essay for The Point Magazine, When Losing is Likely, Wendell Berry's...

I spoke to Chang Che of SupChina for a fascinating conversation on Wang Huning, the strategist behind Xi Jinping & the Modern CCP We discuss Wang's role in crafting China's authoritarianism to implement capitalist reforms, how Wang's writings convinced party leaders that America would ultimately collapse, the current state of Nihilism in both the US and China amongst young people, and the contrasting legacy of China's 'Covid-Zero' and America's "Covid for Everyone".  For more w. Chang...

I spoke to Paul Passavant, author of: Policing Protest: The Post-Democratic State and the Figure of Black Insurrection. We discuss the policing of protest in America, how public spaces have slowly become privatized and thus subject to policing, and the future of protest inside an increasingly authoritarian U.S  For more w. Dr. Passavant you can find his book here, out on Duke University Press: https://www.dukeupress.edu/policing-protest Music by Prod Riddiman:...

I spoke to Central Asia expert Colleen Wood on the history of Russian Colonialism in Central Asia. Topics include how Russia structured Central Asia economies, how the Soviet system sought to instill Nationalism and break traditional viewpoints on nature, and how the influx of Russians fleeing Putin's War is raising new questions about "whiteness" and racism within the region.  For more of Colleen's work please check out her website here: https://colleenwood.rocks/ Music by Scarim:...

We spoke to Ananth Krishnan of The Hindu & The India-China Newsletter for a deep dive on how India sees China & how China sees India.  We discuss the points of cooperation and tension between the two nations, the horrific synchronicity islamophobic nationalism in both nations, the differences in how these countries see spaces like Tibet, The LAC or Taiwan, and if authoritarianism is the future for India & China.  For more if Ananth's writing you can see his work regularly in...

I spoke to policy expert Temur Umarov on the economic relationships between Central Asia, Russia & China as well as how regional policies (Xinjiang, One Belt One Road, The War in Ukraine) are impacting capitalism throughout the region.  It's a fascinating conversation on Neoliberalism, Shock Therapy, and the global importance of Central Asia. For more w. Temur, you can find his biography here: https://carnegiemoscow.org/experts/1738 Music by Scarim:...

I spoke to academic & activist Lokman Tsui on the loss of Press Freedom in Hong Kong.  Lokman (a former journalism professor at Chinese University of Hong Kong) explains the history of Hong Kong's once robust free press, how this was dismantled after Hong Kong's massive democracy protests, what the media 'red lines' are now in Hong Kong, and his hope for how Hong Kong can regain a free press.  For more w. Lokman, please follow his Twitter at: https://twitter.com/lokmantsui Music by...

I spoke to Dr. Quito Swan of Indiana University on revolutionary scientist Pauulu Kamarakafego and his journey through the Black Pacific, Black Atlantic & Africa to decolonize science.  We discuss the differences between the Black Pacific & Black Atlantic, how colonizers used their hold over science to cower the colonized, and how revolutionaries like Paulu (Known as ROOSE in his native Bermuda) sought to turn science against the colonizers and decolonize science. For more w. Dr....

We spoke to Dr. Sabina Knight of Smith for a two-part conversation on her book: Chinese Literature: A Very Short Introduction. In Part 2 (our conclusion) we discuss the literature of China's May 4th movement, the literature of the cultural revolution & Nobel-Prize winning author Mo Yan  In part one, we discussed the historic & contemporary influence that Daoism, Confucianism & Anti-War Poetry have had on China's literature & literary culture. For more w. Dr. Knight you can...

I spoke to Dr. Maria Repnikova, author of "Chinese Soft Power" to discuss how Chinese and Russian State Media report on Ukraine to their domestic audiences. We also discuss Hong Kong, Aileen Gu, "Little Pinks", Patriarchy, Chomsky and "Wolf Warriors"  For more of Dr. Repnikova's work you can see her website here: https://www.mariarepnikova.com/ Music by Scarim: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vajWNeGy1Og 

I spoke to Daniel Steinmetz-Jenkins of The Nation on Liberalism, a subject that despite its omnipresence, I find perplexing and mysterious.  Daniel unpacks the history of liberalism, the many different strands and threads of this ideology,  engages with left wing critique of liberalism  and addresses if liberalism will soon (or already has) give way to fascism.  It's a fascinating discussion, and while it did not (and never will) turn me from an anarchist to a liberal, it did help me better...

I spoke to the AP's Huizhong Wu on how the shocking images of a chained woman(小花梅, "Little Plum Blossom") in Feng County, Jiangsu has sparked unprecedented fury on China's heavily censored internet.  Topics of our conversation include the vast class divide between the Eileen Gu's & rural women of China, Human trafficking, Mental Health Care, and why a global audience should care about Little Plum Blossom   For more w. Huizhong, please follow her work at the Associated Press. She can...

I spoke to Joe Kassabian, a Yerevan based researcher on Armenia, Azerbaijan & the 2020 war for Artsakh (also known as Nagorno-Karabakh)  Joe explains the long historical roots of Armenian/Azeri conflict, how geopolitical powers like Isreal, Turkey & Russia became involved, Armenia's future and what the global left can learn from centuries of non-violent & armed Armenian resistance.  For more w. Joe you can check out his podcast Lions Led by Donkeys on Apple & Spotify:...

We spoke to Dr. Sabina Knight of Smith for a two-part conversation on her book: Chinese Literature: A Very Short Introduction.  In part one, we discuss the historic & contemporary influence that Daoism, Confucianism & Anti-War Poetry have had on China's literature & literary culture.  For more w. Dr. Knight you can find her book here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/chinese-literature-a-very-short-introduction-9780195392067?cc=us&lang=en& And on Twitter at:...

I spoke to Dr. Jessica Namakkal on her book, Unsettling Utopia: The Making & Unmaking of French India. This is Part 2 of our conversation,  we discuss the utopian community of Auroville. Located outside of Pondicherry (a former French colonial territory), we discuss Auroville's founding, if its practices constitute settler colonialism, and what Auroville represents about the idea of a utopian life.  For more w. Jessica Namakkal her personal website is here:...

I spoke to Journalist Joanna Lillis for an update on Kazakhstan's protests, why Russia was involved in their suppression, protester violence as strategy or sabotage and the future of governance in the country.  For more w. Joanna please follow her reporting in the Economist or Eurasianet, you can also read her book, Dark Shadows: Inside The Secret World of Kazakhstan.  Music by Prod. Riddiman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzh0n6BI0N4

I spoke to Dr. Jessica Namakkal on her book, Unsettling Utopia: The Making & Unmaking of French India.  In Part 1 of our conversation, we discuss the history of French India, its unique decolonial movement and the complex identities of its revolutionaries.  Part 2 (out soon) we discuss the utopian community of Auroville. Located outside of Pondicherry (a former French colonial territory), we discuss Auroville's founding, if its practices constitute settler colonialism, and what...

I spoke to journalist Taylor Moore on her story for the Chicago Reader, 'A silence louder than words: How allegations of sexual abuse exposed cracks in the foundation of Young Chicago Authors, Free Write Arts & Literacy, and the city’s spoken word community'  We discuss these allegations, the actors involved, the successes & failures of restorative justice in resolving these allegations, and where Chicago's creative writing scene will go from here.  Taylor's Twitter is :...

I spoke with Dr. Robert Nichols author of, 'Theft is Property: Dispossession & Critical Theory'. It's one of the most important books I've ever read on  capitalism, settler colonialism & indigenous critiques of both.  I discuss w. Dr. Nichols how indigenous philosophy both augments and challenges  white & Eurocentric critiques of capitalism. How the concept of property & property law was designed to steal indigenous land, and how modern indigenous groups are fighting back...

I spoke to Journalist Nga Pham on reporting the contemporary stories shaping Vietnam. We discuss the mysterious Billionaires behind VIETGROUP, how Covid and Climate Change are affecting Vietnam's populace, and what vision both young and old have for the future of the country.  You can find more of Nga's breaking stories here:https://twitter.com/ngahpham Music by Zach Sutton:  https://www.youtube.com/c/ZachSutton

We spoke to Writer & Organizer Zikri Rahman on Malaysia's Lawan Protests and the political conditions that spawned them. We discuss the growing dissent towards Malaysia's Ruling Elite, how the next generations of Malaysia's want to define (and decolonize) the narrative around their country, and how the Lawan movement connects to other regional and global struggles for democracy, equality and freedom.  For more w. Zikri, you can check out his Twitter here:...

I spoke to writer and organizer Dean Spade on their Book - Mutual Aid: Building Solidarity During This Crisis (And The Next). We discuss a fascinating array of topics: Covid, Anarchism, #NoDAPL, Ella baker, #FreeJessicaReznick, Angela Davis, Joy James. Throughout our conversation we try to center this central question - how can Mutual Aid help us heal ourselves, so we can heal the world.  For more of Dean's work please check out: http://www.deanspade.net/  Music by: Gold Streak Beats :...

I was thrilled to speak with Jesse Appell, who was one of China's most well-known foreign stand-up comics and now is one of the US's best known tea importers.  We discuss Jesse's journey through China's stand-up comedy scene, the challenges he faced as a foreign performer, and how he turned himself into a tea importer when borders closed, as a way to continue his connection with China.  For more on Jesse you can check out his Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessesteahouse/?hl=enAnd his...

We spoke to organizer Minsun Ji on Squid Game and how the labor movements of South Korea inspired the series. We discuss the Ssangyong Motor strikes, the legendary Jeon Tae-il's rallying cry to workers "We are Not Machines!" & contemporary Neoliberalism in South Korea.  For more with Minsun you can check out her work with Labor Co-ops at : https://www.laborcoopconnections.com/ The three pieces of Minsun's writing we discuss we can find here:  On Squid Game:...