Episodes
The Socialist Program presents a new special 3-part, more than 5-hour-long podcast series on the legacy of Russian Marxist V.I. Lenin, based on a class series by Brian Becker at The People’s Forum in November and December 2023, enhanced with historical audio recordings and more. This series provides a specific approach to studying Lenin's writings for a new generation of socialist organizers. It discusses the war in Gaza and the struggle of the Palestinian people for national liberation, and...
Published 04/22/24
The Socialist Program presents a new special 3-part, more than 5-hour-long podcast series on the legacy of Russian Marxist V.I. Lenin, based on a class series by Brian Becker at The People’s Forum in November and December 2023, enhanced with historical audio recordings and more. This series provides a specific approach to studying Lenin's writings for a new generation of socialist organizers. It discusses the war in Gaza and the struggle of the Palestinian people for national liberation, and...
Published 04/22/24
The Socialist Program presents a new special 3-part, more than 5-hour-long podcast series on the legacy of Russian Marxist V.I. Lenin, based on a class series by Brian Becker at The People’s Forum in November and December 2023, enhanced with historical audio recordings and more. This series provides a specific approach to studying Lenin's writings for a new generation of socialist organizers. It discusses the war in Gaza and the struggle of the Palestinian people for national liberation, and...
Published 04/22/24
In this patrons-only Q&A seminar, Brian & Nicole discuss the danger of a regional war in the Middle East, U.S. crackdown on supporters of Palestine, China's proposal to the US to commit to no nuclear first strikes, a class analysis of modern U.S. society, and more. Links referenced during the seminar: Video show with Mohammad Marandi: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdCyssFsWsc Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/posts/iran-doesnt-want-102492180 Petition to reinstate Professor Jodi...
Published 04/18/24
What is Iran’s military and political strategy now that it has struck back against Israel’s illegal bombing of its embassy, and with another cycle of escalation looming? Israel’s strikes killed over a dozen people, including two Iranian generals, while Iran’s response produced no casualties. Why is Israel escalating? What does global public opinion look like towards the U.S. Empire on one side and the “Axis of Resistance” on the other? What consequences could the U.S. face in the region if...
Published 04/17/24
U.S. officials are saying a negotiated ceasefire is near in Gaza, but Israel just killed Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh’s three sons in an airstrike, after bombing Iran’s embassy in flagrant violation of international law last week.  Brian Becker is joined by Mohammed Nabulsi, organizer with the Palestinian Youth Movement and an attorney based out of Houston. Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at...
Published 04/11/24
On today's episode Walter Smolarek and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss the favorite new complaint against China voiced most recently by U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. She argues that China is producing too much. What does this mean and what does it say about the U.S. economy? Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his work at rdwolff.com. Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our...
Published 04/10/24
Jorge Arreaza, former Venezuelan Minister of Foreign Affairs, describes the historic fight against U.S. imperialism in Venezuela, Latin America & all over the world. Brian Becker is joined by Jorge Arreaza, Executive Secretary of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America – People’s Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP) and former Venezuelan Minister of Foreign Affairs. Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at...
Published 04/05/24
Large labor unions have joined the massive movement in solidarity with the Palestinian people and have publicly called for a ceasefire in Gaza, an end to weapons shipments to Israel, and more. This involvement of the labor movement in the fight for Palestine is key for the Palestinian cause and for building solidarity among U.S. workers. Brian Becker is joined by Aminah Sheikh, labor and community organizer in Toronto, and Husayn Karimi, a labor organizer and a host of the labor podcast On...
Published 04/03/24
A massive terrorist attack targeting civilians in Moscow killed more than 140 people and wounded hundreds more. Meanwhile, the Biden administration and the Pentagon are demanding billions for more war against Russia in the asymmetric, proxy war being waged in Ukraine. Brian Becker is joined by Eugene Puryear, the author of the article “Should We Really Blame NATO for the Ukraine War?,” a political activist, and a co-host of The Freedom Side LIVE, a live video show every Thursday from 3 p.m....
Published 03/28/24
On today's episode Brian and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss US attempts to minimize China's production of computer chips, the scale of which is proving to be a big draw for US-based corporations. Is it really possible to ice China out of the global supply chain? Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his work at rdwolff.com. Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at...
Published 03/27/24
Israeli general’s son turned activist for Palestine Miko Peled describes why this huge shift in support for Palestinians is a turning point and “the beginning of the end of Israel.” Brian Becker is joined by Miko Peled, a human rights activist and son of Israeli general. He is the host of The Miko Peled Podcast and author of “The General’s Son - A Journey of an Israeli in Palestine” and "Injustice: The Story of the Holy Land Foundation Five.” You can find his podcast, books, and much more at...
Published 03/21/24
On today's episode Walter Smolarek and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss the new push by U.S. officials to pressure financial institutions in the global south to enforce U.S. sanctions against Russia. Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his work at rdwolff.com. Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram. We rely on the generous support...
Published 03/20/24
The Israeli killing spree in Gaza has sparked a global movement united in support of the Palestinian people. Meanwhile the U.S. government sets imaginary “red lines” while facilitating the genocidal colonial project. This is a turning point in global history, and the Palestine solidarity movement in the West has a crucial role to play. Brian Becker is joined by Mohammed Nabulsi, organizer with the Palestinian Youth Movement and an attorney based out of Houston. Please make an...
Published 03/14/24
On today's episode Brian and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss Congress's attempt to ban TikTok and what's coming for the United States if it does. Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his work at rdwolff.com. Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram. We rely on the generous support of our listeners to keep bringing you consistent,...
Published 03/13/24
The United States has vetoed a ceasefire resolution in Gaza three times in the United Nations, but is now blaming Hamas for the absence of one. In the negotiations, Hamas outlined their demands for a permanent ceasefire, return of Palestinian prisoners for the exchange of Israeli hostages, and a complete withdrawal of forces. But few of its stated positions get reported accurately in the Western media.   Brian Becker is joined by Layan Sima Fuleihan, a popular educator, organizer, the...
Published 03/07/24
On today's episode Brian and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss why five people in the world have nearly $1 trillion of our society's money when inventors, academics, and well renowned people in other fields get prizes or one-time cash rewards. And how can Jeff Bezos operate Amazon without profit for nine years whereas most businesses can only go a few months? Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his work at rdwolff.com.
Published 03/06/24
On February 25, active duty U.S. Airman Aaron Bushnell set himself on fire in front of the Israeli embassy in protest of the war on Gaza. He screamed “Free Palestine” as he burned. His heroic act has shown the profound shift in U.S. consciousness against Israel’s war on Palestine, and inspired even greater resistance. Brian Becker is joined by Mike Prysner, a veteran, anti-war activist, producer of The Empire Files & host of the podcast "Eyes Left.” Please make an urgently-needed...
Published 02/29/24
On today's episode Brian and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss Trump's approach to inflation...and why blaming immigrants and other countries doesn't work. Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his work at rdwolff.com. Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram. We rely on the generous support of our listeners to keep bringing you...
Published 02/28/24
On the second anniversary of the Russian military intervention into Ukraine and the 10th anniversary of the U.S.-backed coup that created a pro-NATO puppet government in Ukraine, Brian and Vijay Prashad discuss U.S. long-term strategy toward Russia, Europe, and the Middle East. Brian Becker is joined by Vijay Prashad, the Executive Director of the Tricontinental Institute for Social Research, Chief Editor of LeftWord Books, and a prolific author, most recently publishing a new book with Noam...
Published 02/22/24
On today's episode Walter Smolarek and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss why workers have so much credit card debt while financial giant Capital One tries to buy another financial giant, Discover, for more than $35 billion. Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his work at rdwolff.com. Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram. We rely...
Published 02/21/24
Joe Biden can’t remember the names of Hamas or the president of Mexico, but he is still all in for Israel’s genocide against Palestinians, pushing Ukrainians to keep fighting and dying, and sending billions of dollars abroad for weapons.  Brian Becker is joined by Eugene Puryear, the author of the book “Shackled and Chained,” a political activist, and a co-host of The Freedom Side LIVE, a live video show every Thursday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern on BreakThrough News. Please make an...
Published 02/15/24
On today's episode Brian and Prof. Richard Wolff discuss what really causes inflation as housing costs continue to spike, increasing six percent–triple the Federal Reserve’s target.Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his work at rdwolff.com.Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram. We rely on the generous support of our listeners...
Published 02/14/24
The Israeli state was born in 1948 when zionists colonized Palestine. What are the colonial roots of Israel and what role does Israel play in the pursuit of policies mirroring the interests of U.S. and western imperialism? Brian is joined by Richard Becker, the author of the newly updated book, "Palestine, Israel, and U.S. Empire," published by 1804 Books.Please make an urgently-needed contribution to The Socialist Program by joining our Patreon community at patreon.com/thesocialistprogram....
Published 02/13/24