Episode 104: “All is for All”

In this week’s edition of Coffee with Comrades, we continue our exploration of the three prevailing leftist tendencies with a discussion of the big, scary c-word: communism. I said this last week and, doubtless, I’ll say it again next Tuesday, but I wanna provide a quick caveat before we launch into today’s edition of the program. A lot of people have a lot of different feelings and perspectives on what “socialism,” “communism,” and “anarchism” mean. Plenty of folks simply regurgitate whatever they hear on social media—for good or ill. Others actually take the time to read the theory. Some of those folks form their own perspectives and insights, while a good chunk of others just follow a party-line. Don’t take my word for things here. This episode series is meant to serve as a very brief introduction to each of these rich, vast, and complex ideological positions. So, take everything I have to say here with a grain of salt, read and explore these theories for yourself, and—most importantly—use these ideas to improve the lives and material conditions of your friends, family, neighbors, and comrades. That said, this discussion of communism did get the stamp-of-approval from one of my Marxist-Leninist comrades so, take that for whatever it’s worth. Also, if you think it would be helpful, you can check out the PowerPoints for each of these introductory philosophical episodes.  PowerPoints: Socialism Communism Anarchism Notes: Support Coffee with Comrades on Patreon, follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and visit our website. Coffee with Comrades is a proud affiliate of the Channel Zero Network. Coffee with Comrades is a proud part of the Rev Left Radio Federation. Our logo was designed by Sydney Landis. Support her work, buy some art. Music:  Intro: “I Ain’t Got No Home in this World” by Woody Guthrie  Interlude: “The Red Flag” by Billy Bragg  Outro: “Common People” by Street Dogs

Episode 103: “Socialism, A Broad Introduction”

So, a lot of listeners who’re new to left politics have asked us in the past to do introductions to the major theoretical and ideological positions on the broad left. The good news is we’ve done just that! Last year, I sat down with some friends and comrades in the Center for Participant Education to outline, in broad strokes, the differences between socialism, communism, and anarchism. What you’ll hear today is the first of those dialogues. This edition of the podcast is all about the economics, politics, and philosophical perspectives of socialism as it is broadly construed. I talk about Marxism, labor, and try to distinguish socialism from communism. Keep in mind, this is all coming from someone who falls pretty firmly into anarchic tendencies, so take everything I have to say with a grain of salt. I encourage you, first and foremost, to investigate different positions on the revolutionary left for yourself and think critically about these ideas so that you can come up with you own convictions and conceptions. Just the same, I hope this mini-series paints each of these distinct philosophies in a fair, clear, and concise light so that you can hopefully begin to understand and distinguish the differences between these complex and complicated philosophies. Also, if you think it would be helpful, you can check out the PowerPoints for each of these introductory philosophical episodes.  PowerPoints: Socialism Communism Anarchism Notes: Support Coffee with Comrades on Patreon, follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and visit our website. Coffee with Comrades is a proud affiliate of the Channel Zero Network. Coffee with Comrades is a proud part of the Rev Left Radio Federation. Our logo was designed by Sydney Landis. Support her work, buy some art. Music:  Intro: “I Ain’t Got No Home in this World” by Woody Guthrie  Interlude: “R.E.D.” by A Tribe Called Red Outro: “Work Song” by Hozier

Episode 102: “The Kids Will Save Themselves”

This week, I am joined by two lovely guests: Soph and Izzy. I wanted to check in with two of the coolest kids I know to get a new perspective on the world. While I obviously think it’s valuable to listen to authors and journalists, musicians and community-organizers, or chat with other podcasters, I think it’s equally important to elevate the imaginations, passions, and perceptions of younger generations.  To get those viewpoints on the program, I sat down with my partner Megan’s two kids, Soph and Izzy. In this episode, we chat about raising chickens, climate change, bees and trees and penguins, boring liberal black lives matter protests, homeschooling, COVID-19, and so much more. I think this is definitely a unique episode, so it may not be for everyone, but I found our conversation immensely edifying and I hope you will, too. Support Coffee with Comrades on Patreon, follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and visit our website. Coffee with Comrades is a proud affiliate of the Channel Zero Network. Coffee with Comrades is a proud part of the Rev Left Radio Federation. Our logo was designed by Sydney Landis. Support her work, buy some art. Music:  Intro: “I Ain’t Got No Home in this World” by Woody Guthrie  Interlude: “Burn the House Down” by AJR Outro: “Dove and Fist” by Stick to Your Guns

Episode 101: “Proletarian Shopping” ft. Vicky Osterweil

This week, I’m pleased to be joined by the lovely Vicky Osterweil, author of the new book In Defense of Looting: A Riotous History of Uncivil Action. In this wide-ranging conversation, we talk about the inextricable nature of class and race, the abolition of whiteness as a necessary step for police and prison abolition, the efficacy of riots, and why joy is what scares cops and politicians the most whenever the looting starts.  Follow Vicky on Twitter and pick up a copy of her book.  Support Coffee with Comrades on Patreon, follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and visit our website. Coffee with Comrades is a proud affiliate of the Channel Zero Network. Coffee with Comrades is a proud part of the Rev Left Radio Federation. Our logo was designed by Sydney Landis. Support her work, buy some art. Music:  Intro: “I Ain’t Got No Home in this World” by Woody Guthrie  Interlude: “Start a Riot” by Duckwrth, Shaboozey  Outro: “Blue Lies” by Year of the Knife 

Episode 100: “The Big Hundo”

Holy shit, y’all. We made it. 100 Episodes. Kinda mind-boggling.  This week, we’re joined by Abdul Y. Malik to talk about the NBA Wildcat Strike. We also answer questions sent in by comrades who listen to the show! Stick around ’til the very end for bloopers.  Read Abdul’s piece on the NBA Wildcat Strike and follow him on Twitter.  Check out Kino Lefter wherever you get your podcasts.  Support Coffee with Comrades on Patreon, follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and visit our website. Coffee with Comrades is a proud affiliate of the Channel Zero Network. Coffee with Comrades is a proud part of the Rev Left Radio Federation. Our logo was designed by Sydney Landis. Support her work, buy some art. Music – Intro: “I Ain’t Got No Home in this World” by Woody Guthrie – Interlude: “I Wrote This To Start a Fire” by Time – Interlude: “Where Do We Go When We Die” by Thornhill  – Outro: “Whatever Happened to Man’s Best Friend” by Good Tiger