Best C Derick Varn Podcasts (2025)

1
Diving into the Wreckage: Into the Train Wreck w/ C. Derick Varn 1:01:34

5d ago1:01:34

1:01:34

Sean and Varn catch up on the first 100 days or so of Trump 2.0, the inanities and indignities of history forced to move again in dumb, but possibly productive ways. Most of all this moment calls for humility amidst radical political and economic changes we might only be able to 'sane-wash' in 20 or 30 years, if ever. How have recent events challen…

1
Ethics Unbound: Marx's Revolutionary Framework with Vanessa Wills 2:03:47

6h ago2:03:47

2:03:47

Dr. Vanessa Wills takes us on an intellectual journey through the heart of Marx's ethical vision – perhaps the most misunderstood aspect of his revolutionary philosophy. As we trace her path from anti-war activism to Marxist scholarship, Dr. Wills demolishes the persistent myth that Marx had no ethics or moral framework. Instead, she reveals how hi…

1
Breaking Constitutional Boundaries with Elijah Emery 2:05:47

4d ago2:05:47

2:05:47

America's constitutional foundation is buckling under the weight of executive fiat, with a president governing almost exclusively through executive orders while Congress passes fewer bills than at any point in history. Elijah Emery comes back to discuss the following: • Executive power has been expanding since WWII, but the current administration r…

1
The Dark Side of Jimmy Carter with Robert Buzzanco 1:00:49

7d ago1:00:49

1:00:49

Behind the celebrated image of Jimmy Carter as a Nobel Peace Prize-winning humanitarian lies a presidential legacy that demands closer examination. This revealing conversation with historian Robert Buzzanco challenges the sanitized narrative of Carter's presidency, exposing how he functioned as a crucial transitional figure between postwar liberali…

1
&&& 🌿420🌳 SPECIAL- Walter Benjamin's 👼On The Concept of History 😇 9:56

7d ago9:56

9:56

For the full episode support the show at http://patreon.com/theantifada &y & &ers smoke a joint and read Walter Benjamin's On the Concept of History Read along: https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/benjamin/1940/history.htm Song: Johnny Thunders - You Can't Put Your Arms Around a Memory

1
The Journey of Freedom: Unpacking Hegel's Philosophy with Borna Radnik 1:31:01

11d ago1:31:01

1:31:01

The episode explores Hegel's complex understanding of freedom as self-determination and its historical evolution through time, juxtaposed with Kant and Rousseau's perspectives. It emphasizes that freedom is a relational and collective struggle that necessitates recognition and social action, questioning the practical implications of Hegel's thought…

1
From Cold War Legacies to Modern Political Challenges with Daniel Bessner 1:10:18

14d ago1:10:18

1:10:18

Is U.S. foreign policy under President Biden really different from Trump's approach? Join us as we welcome Daniel Bessner from the American Prestige podcast to unravel this and other pressing questions, with a bold examination of leftist perspectives on international relations. We scrutinize the position of Palestine within American leftist discour…

1
E286: Indefinite Baseball General Strike 2027 w/ Tipping Pitches 1:03:43

14d ago1:03:43

1:03:43

Alex Bazeley and Bobby Wagner of the labor-focused baseball podcast Tipping Pitches join Andy to chat about the 2025 season, the upcoming 2026 showdown by the players' union and owner on the salary cap, the gap between "rich" and "poor" teams, why we might miss the Yankee Empire one day, and why leftists stay interested in America's Pastime as Amer…

1
Navigating Socialist Strategy and Tensions in the Post-Trump Era with Sudip Bhattacharya 1:22:52

21d ago1:22:52

1:22:52

Sudip Bhattacharya joins us to unravel the post-Trump landscape of socialist strategy, wading through the murky waters of political transitions and internal leftist tensions. How can we nurture class consciousness and fight against anti-DEI rhetoric that threatens to strip away essential rights? Together, Sudip and I confront these urgent questions…

1
E285 - Liberation Day 1:04:24

21d ago1:04:24

1:04:24

Sean and Andy discuss JDPon Don's Great Reset, the #HandsOff protests, the Mar-A-Lago accords, and the death of the American Dream In the fun half, available for patrons, we chat about Bong Joon Ho's Mickey 17 and it's sauce-obsessed Musk-Trump hybrid villain Support the show at http://patreon.com/theantifada! Ken Klip on Hands Off protest: https:/…

1
Independent Labor Assembly 4: Trump, Tariffs and the Working Class 1:27:35

24d ago1:27:35

1:27:35

This is a recording of the ILC's fourth public assembly at Woodbine Space in Queens on March 29th, 2025 featuring Cyrus Cappo of John Jay College CUNY, Daniel Jacobs of Sublation/Platypus Affiliated and Ryan Castello of the Maoist Communists Union. For more info on the Independent Labor Club of North America-including upcoming events, how to join, …

1
From Dawn to Decadence, Part 3: Is Samir Amin's Challenge to Eurocentric Narratives About Decadence? 1:52:35

25d ago1:52:35

1:52:35

What if the concept of decadence holds the key to understanding our societal and political structures today? This episode challenges traditional narratives by dissecting Samir Amin's unfinished work on revolution and decadence through a Marxist lens. We navigate through Afibung's critique of decadence theory, contrasting Marxist views with more coh…

1
Doomscolling Through Fandom to Politics: Unraveling the Digital Influence on Ideologies with Joshua Citarella 3:01:01

28d ago3:01:01

3:01:01

Exploring the intersection of fandom culture and political engagement reveals a new landscape of activism and ideology. Our discussion with Joshua Citarella of Doomscroll emphasizes how passionate fandoms are shaping today's political climate, shifting the nature of activism beyond traditional frameworks and leading to a more dynamized political id…

1
E284 - Betar, then Ezra w/ Eli Valley (Part 1) 1:10:21

28d ago1:10:21

1:10:21

To listen to the full episode support the show at http://patreon.com/theantifada Political cartoonist and writer Eli Valley joins us to talk about his new book Museum of Degenerates: Portraits of the American Grotesque, another Senate Antisemitism hearings, the future of the Israeli-American fascist alliance, and a bit about AI, Jabotinski, Betar, …

1
E283- Once Upon a Time in Aragua (Part 2) 15:14

1M ago15:14

15:14

Preview of Part 2 in which we talk more with Jarrod and Zhana about the pitfalls of performatively moving on from identity politics, the Bukele-prison model of the fascist future, the historical anti-revolutionary basis of the 1798 Enemy Aliens Act, how a union protection racket in Chavez's Venezuela became the gang Trumpists believed were poised t…

1
Cultural Shifts in the Age of Social Media from Art Bell to TikTok with Katherine Dee 1:37:29

1M ago1:37:29

1:37:29

Katherine Dee, the writer behind the "Default Blog" on Substack, joins us to explore the unexpected legacy of Art Bell and how his non-political, free-form radio style contrasts with today's charged conspiracy culture. Discover the intriguing intersections between Bell's approach and modern figures like Joe Rogan and Alex Jones, and how these dynam…

1
E283 - Prison Planet w/ Jarrod Shanahan, Zhana Kurti (Part 1) 1:01:02

1M ago1:01:02

1:01:02

Jarrod and Zhana return to talk about their new book "Skyscraper Jails: The Abolitionist Fight Against Jail Expansion in New York City"! We look at how the liberal apparatus used identity politics and divert the abolitionist movement to expand incarceration, and check in how the De Blasio-era plan to closer rikers and replace it with four "communit…

1
Liberalism Meets Socialism: Unpacking Their Surprising Connections with Matt McManus 1:00:38

1M ago1:00:38

1:00:38

We begin a NEW season here at Varn Vlog after 4 years of recording. The episode explores the complexities of liberal socialism, emphasizing its potential to bridge the ideals of liberalism and socialism through mutual values like equality and freedom with Dr. Matt McManus. The discussion engages with historical perspectives, critiques from Marxists…

1
AI Caramba 2: Crap Fartman vs Ned Ludd w/ Jathan Sadowski 1:02:51

1M ago1:02:51

1:02:51

Our artificial intelligence miniseries returns with a guest spot by This Machine Kills cohost, Jathan Sadowski, about his brand new second book The Mechanic and the Luddite: a Ruthless Criticism of Technology and Capitalism. For the full episode support the show at http://patreon.com/theantifada Song: Manuel Göttsching - E2 - E4…

1
&&& - Minne&polis Te&mster Strike of 19&4 1:03:28

2M ago1:03:28

1:03:28

Audio from a Twitch stream in which &ers & &y go through the history of the Minneapolis General Strike of 1934 and reflect on what lessons we can take from it as we approach the National Strike on May 1, 2028 If you like what we do support the show at http://patreon.com/theantifada Past episode of &&&: https://www.patreon.com/collection/500909 http…

1
The Paradoxical Paths of Noam Chomsky with Dr. Chris Knight 1:34:10

2M ago1:34:10

1:34:10

The episode dives into the complex duality of Noam Chomsky as a linguist and an activist, revealing the schism between his scientific work and political beliefs. Through insights from Dr. Chris Knight, listeners explore how Chomsky's theories, while revolutionary, risk disconnecting from social context and the critical implications this has for und…

1
Constitutional Crossroads: Examining Trump's Impact on American Democracy with Elijah Emery 1:25:07

2M ago1:25:07

1:25:07

What if the very pillars of American democracy are being shaken right before our eyes? Join me and our insightful guest, Elijah Emery, a law student with a keen eye for constitutional intricacies, as we explore the Trump administration's contentious policy decisions that challenge the core principles of U.S. constitutional law. We start with the au…

1
E282 - Garveyism 1 w/ John Garvey 58:53

2M ago58:53

58:53

Sean is joined by old friend, John Garvey, to introduce our new miniseries: Garveyism! In this first episode we discuss some current events--the Ukrainian War as seen from Brighton Beach, horse racing subsidies and working class social life, and the first month of the Trump Administration. The series will continue monthly with bonus episodes featur…

1
(New Season) Navigating the Complexities of Poetry: Politics, Language, and Cultural Impact with Bianca Stone 2:38:16

2M ago2:38:16

2:38:16

This episode navigates the intricate relationship between poetry and politics, featuring insights from poet Bianca Stone. We discuss the nuances of non-didactic poetry, the historical implications of literary voices, and how poetry serves as a vessel for personal and collective experiences. Bianca Stone is a Vermont-based poet. Stone’s newest book …

1
(300th Episode) Hungry Ghosts in the Capitalist Machine: Unraveling Consumerism, Politics, and Activism with Mike Watson 1:44:52

2M ago1:44:52

1:44:52

The episode dives deep into the connection between capitalism and our digital identities, exploring themes of addiction, anxiety, and the pursuit of validation in the online realm. Mike Watson articulates the detrimental effects of social media on mental health while highlighting the need for authentic community engagement beyond mere digital expre…

1
E281 - Remember the Alamo Workers w/ NYC Alamo United 1:12:09

2M ago1:12:09

1:12:09

Sean and Andy chat with a worker organizer at one of the three Alamo Drathouse locations striking against seasonal firings. We cover how Barbenheimer weekend inspired the union effort, frustrating interactions with management, the weird subterranean Wall Street location, some ancient NYC organizing history, service sector organizing, and how a work…

1
From Dawn To Decadence, part 2: Samir Amin's Decadence Theory 1:47:42

2M ago1:47:42

1:47:42

What if the revolutions that shaped our world were never meant to begin in the most advanced nations? Join VarnVlog and Regrettable Century as we unravel the intricate tapestry of revolutionary decadence and world systems theory, exploring the profound insights of Samir Amin, Giovanni Arrighi, and Emmanuel Wallerstein. We embark on a journey throug…

1
E280: Imagining the Burger Reich w/ Phil Neel 56:42

2M ago56:42

56:42

Hinterland author Phil Neel returns to explain value-form to an American by asking us to imagine a burger. Listen to the full episode by joining our paid or free membership tiers at http://patreon.com/theantifada Phil Neel's burger essays: https://brooklynrail.org/2024/12/field-notes/quarter-pounds-of-flesh/ https://brooklynrail.org/2025/02/field-n…

1
Unraveling Legitimacy: Political Narratives and Ideological Shifts with Benjamin Studebaker 2:14:59

3M ago2:14:59

2:14:59

Benjamin Studebaker unpacks the complexities of legitimacy and ideology in liberal democracies, revealing how these narratives shape our understanding of political engagement. The conversation emphasizes the need for constructive alternatives within political discourse and challenges listeners to confront the narratives they adopt and the implicati…

1
E279: What's going on? 51:10

3M ago51:10

51:10

NEWS EP! We sort out the class forces behind the Muskite restructuring underway, the meaning of the tariff trade war, and argue for why we should stay partisans of woke. For the full episode, support the show at http://patreon.com/theantifada Ganz: https://www.unpopularfront.news/p/what-happened-here-c9f Nolan: https://www.hamiltonnolan.com/p/dark-…

1
BONUS: Severance Season 2 w/ Rax King, Mattie Lubachansky & Jaya Saxena 15:31

3M ago15:31

15:31

full episode: https://www.patreon.com/posts/bonus-our-lives-121342801 Our guests from this week's AI episode stick around with Sean to continue the hijinks about our tech oligarchy and discuss the first couple of episodes of AppleTV's television show Severence about how working for a mid-20th century capitalist firm is creepy and kinda suss ngl.…

1
Fragments of Unity: Navigating the Evolving Landscape of Leftist Politics with Alex Strekal 1:40:07

3M ago1:40:07

1:40:07

The episode explores the fragmentation of the left in America following the Bernie Sanders phenomenon. It examines the dissatisfaction with the Democratic Party, the struggle of third parties like the Green Party, and the rise of alternative political ideologies among disillusioned leftists. • Reflection on Bernie Sanders' impact and legacy • Analy…

1
AI Caramba 1: The Martin Files w/ Rax King, Mattie Lubchansky, Jaya Saxena 1:28:27

3M ago1:28:27

1:28:27

Sean didn't have the guts to name this new podcast series about AI as Rax, Mattie and Jaya would have it: Unintelligent Fartelligence. Feel free to boo him in the comments. For the bonus episode support the show at http://patreon.com/theantifada Song: Manuel Göttsching - E2-E4

1
The Death Left?: From Millennial Waves to Modern Challenges in Politics 2:43:03

3M ago2:43:03

2:43:03

Join us for a thought-provoking conversation with Chris Catron as we dissect the evolving dynamics of leftist movements, from the millennial wave to the emerging Zoomer left. We're making the bold statement that the recent Leninist turn intertwined with neo-Kautskyism is reshaping contemporary leftist politics. Exploring the rise of neo-Stalinist a…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

C Derick Varn Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen