A Different Lens

We chat with friend of the show, activist and independent analyst, Mark Provost regarding the current economic policies being pursued by Donald Trump. Specifically, we discuss the ongoing tariff wars and their effect on the economy, Trump's seeming attempted move to withdraw from the integrated global economic order, and if corporations will push back on his policies.

Today we chat with author and Black Agenda Report Executive Editor and Senior Columnist Margaret Kimberley about the recent argument between US President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky, discussing the incident itself, the larger purpose of the US cozying up to Russia, and what this argument tells us about how evolving US-European relations. Ms. Kimbereley can be followed on Bluesky at @margaretkimberley.bsky.social and on X @freedomrideblog.   Shownotes Full Meeting between President Trump, VP Vance and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy in Oval Office   A transcript of Trump and Zelenskyy's Oval Office argument | AP News   Trump-Zelensky transcript in full: Every word of astonishing White House exchange over Ukraine-Russia war | The Independent   Volodymyr Zelensky seeks to thaw relations with US after White House spat   Black Agenda Report   Black Agenda Report (@blackagendareport.bsky.social) — Bluesky  

Today we chat with friend of the show Bryan Gordon regarding artificial intelligence, ranging from exactly how it is defined to its potential effects on society in the future. For more subscribe to his Substack entitled Drifting Systems. Shownotes The Future is Schizophrenic

In the first episode of 2025, we chat with Vernon T. Bateman and our Education Chair Dr. Derek Ford about Vernon's fight against his being wrongly incarcerated and his fight for justice and how, amongst that, he and Derek have forged a strong bond of friendship.   Shownotes FreeVernon.org 26 years Too Long: Vernon T. Bateman's Fight for Freedom Mommy I Want 2 Fly by Vernon T. Bateman If Bullets Could Cry by Vernon T. Bateman Baby22 Gun Safety LLC

Today we sit down with PhD student and researcher Oliver Dodd to discuss the history of the FARC in Colombia. Specifically we discuss the history of the organization, it's evolution over time, how they have related to the working people of Colombia, and what is going on currently in the present day.

We sit down with writer and Hampton contributor Peter S. Baron to discuss the history of America's support for Israel, why the US continues to prop up Israel, and if the tide is turning. We also touch on the recent killing of key Hezbollah members by Israel and the fall out from that. Shownotes Palestine: The Human Cost of Capitalist Exploitation If Only We Knew: How Ignorance Creates and Amplifies the Greatest Risks Facing Society

Today we sit down with writer and activist Eli Morey to discuss the late July elections in Venezuela, how the US has responded, the internal going ons in the country, and Venezuela-Argentina relations.   Shownotes Debunking myths about Venezuela: What's really going on? Venezuela Presidential Election: International Organizations Call on Authorities to Guarantee Transparency Voting Trends: Do They Favor Machado/González or Maduro? Venezuelan forces surround embassy sheltering opposition figures A court in Argentina orders the arrest of Venezuela's president and his right-hand man

Today we talk to international affairs specialist Dr. Gilbert Doctorow to discuss recent battlefield events in the Ukraine-Russia war, the possibility of a diplomatic completion to the war, and delving into Russia-China and Russian-North Korean relations.   Shownotes Gilbert Doctorow  Gilbert Doctorow Substack   Episode #162: US/NATO-Russia Conflict with Dr. Gilbert Doctorow Putin demands more land to end Ukraine war, terms Kyiv rejects as ‘complete sham'   Vladimir Putin lays out six conditions for ending the war in Ukraine Ukraine's Zelenskyy charting ‘comprehensive plan' to end war with Russia Negotiated outcome most likely result of Russia-Ukraine war, major poll says France, allies to ‘finalize' plan to send military trainers to Ukraine Russia and North Korea sign partnership deal that appears to be the strongest since the Cold War China Can End Russia's War in Ukraine With One Phone Call, Finland Says Beijing and Moscow Go From ‘No Limits' Friendship to Frenemies in Russia's Backyard How China and Russia Compete, and Cooperate, in Central Asia

We chat with  independent political analyst and friend of the show Dan Welch to have a free flowing conversation regarding the 2024 Presidential election and the recent Biden-Trump debate.   Shownotes Dan Welch Interview with Press TV on Trump-Biden Debate June 28, 2024

Today we discuss the Holodomor famine, what caused it, the response to it, and its relevance in contemporary politics. We also talk about the difference between socialism and fascism and how there has been a concerted effort to equate the two ideologies.   Shownotes Further Reading   Khrushchev's Secret Speech, 'On the Cult of Personality and Its Consequences,' Delivered at the Twentieth Party Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union   On Stalin's Team: The Years of Living Dangerously in Soviet Politics   Stalin: History and Critique of a Black Legend    

Today we sit down with friend of the show, activist Mark Provost, to discuss the 2024 Presidential elections. In this episode we touch on a variety of topics: the Israel-Gaza war, the overall economy, housing, and voters who are not fond of Trump or Biden and how all of these flow into and can affect the upcoming election cycle.   Shownotes   The Colorado River Is Shrinking. See What's Using All the Water (NYT)   Reading The Numbers: 130 Million American Adults Have Low Literacy Skills   Do More Than Half of Americans Read Below 6th-Grade Level? (Snopes)   Meet 'double disapprovers': swing voters who could decide the presidential election   ‘No doubt' Netanyahu preventing hostage deal, charges ex-spokesman of Families Forum

Today we talk to Margaret Kimberley, the Executive Editor and Senior Columnist of Black Agenda Report, discussing Israel's war on Gaza and the larger political situation surrounding it as well as delving into the 2024 elections with the seeming match-up between Trump and Biden and the issue with the push to take Trump off the election ballot.   Shownotes Black Agenda Report Israel in talks with Congo and other countries on Gaza ‘voluntary migration' plan Killing of Hamas leader in Lebanon stokes escalation fears Biden Convinced Netanyahu to Halt a Pre-Emptive Strike Against Hezbollah Hamas video via Asa Winstanley of Electronic Intifada Watch Blinken react to Biden calling Xi a ‘dictator How Israel Could Lose America_ Netanyahu Risks Letting the War in Gaza Jeopardize an Essential Alliance Margaret Kimberley response to PBS Newshour report on Israeli propaganda Biden just knifed labor unions in the back. They shouldn't forget it

Today we chat with author and activist Chris Fry to discuss the issue of artificial intelligence, how it is and can be utilized,  the effect it would have on the working class, and what are some reasons to maintain hope.   Shownotes Artificial Intelligence and the Class Struggle

Today we do a deep dive into The Great Purge, really discussing the overall situation and getting into the specifics of who was involved, what they did, and the reasoning behind it. Shownotes Further Reading

Today, we chat with Dr. Shawgi Tell, a professor of education at Nazareth University about his article entitled "Charter Schools and the Privatization (and Profitization) of Education." In the interview we discuss how charter schools differ from public schools, the strange ways in which they are funded, and how the strange space they occupy being private institutions while delivering a public good.   Shownotes Charter Schools and the Privatization (and Profitization) of Education Network for Public Education Network for Education Policy Centers    

We continue our series on Stalin with Dr. Nick Partyka today, specifically delving into collectivization of Soviet farms, what was occurring previously, and even discussing kulaks and the de-kulakization campaigns.   Shownotes Further Reading

Today we are talking to historian and professor Dr. Francis J. Gavin about his article in the Texas National Security Review entitled "I Was Wrong. Now What?" In the interview we go and discuss the idea of intellectual humility, why it's so hard to find in academic/analytical circles and the larger society, and why in the media it is so difficult to admit that you don't know something.   Shownotes I Was Wrong. Now What?

We get back into our series on Stalin with Labor Issues Chair Dr. Nick Partyka, discussing Stalin's rise in the Soviet government in the 1920s, discussing everything from economic policies to how Soviet government officials were even chosen.   Shownotes Note that the reading lists are cumulative rather than being contained to a single section of the series Further Reading (Pastebin) On Stalin Series: Part One, Part Two, Part Three

Today we chat with friend of the show Mark Provost about the situation in East Palestine, using it as a launching pad to discuss larger issues in the US and around the world, from the environment and climate change to economics, in both the short and long-term.   Shownotes Norfolk Southern Allows Monitoring Teams to Order Crews to Ignore Safety Alerts White supremacists behind over 80% of extremism-related U.S. murders in 2022 Fed can't tame inflation without ‘significantly' more hikes that will cause a recession, paper says How the Capitalist Market Produces Fictitious Commodities Why Karl Polanyi Still Matters New study: Gulf of Mexico warming twice as fast as global oceans 3 men in 3 days die after falling through ice on Vermont's Lake Champlain Why UK supermarkets are rationing fruit and vegetables   Other episodes with Mark Provost Episode #96: Democrats and Grassroots Progressvism with Mark Provost Episode #137: The Virus, Economics, and The Aftermath with Mark Provost

Today we have a roundtable of several past interviewees Cyrarh Hawkins, Bryan Gordon, and our own Labor Issues Chair Dr. Nick Partyka, to discuss the topic of mass shootings in the US, everything from the issues of guns, to mental health, to the urban/rural divide on the question of the gun.

In our first episode of the new year, we interview Professor Emeritus Kenneth J. Surin about his two most recent articles in Counterpunch, discussing the economic and social problems in the UK, drawing parallels to what is going on in the US, and if there is any hope to be had in such a bleak situation.   Shownotes The Twilight Zone of the UK's Holographic Politics “How To Stay Warm Without Turning The Heating On”: UK Poverty And Its “Moron Premium”

This Christmas Eve we talk to our Labor Issues Chair Dr. Nick Partyka as we continue our Stalin series.    We discuss the immediate aftermath of the October 1917 Revolution and the subsequent civil war that went on, from the specificities of the political climate to the New Economic Plan and what was happening culturally in Russia at the time. We also delve into how the new government interacted with women and minorities.   Shownotes Further Reading Material/Sources (Pastebin)   On Stalin Part 1 On Stalin Part 2

Today we chat with friend of the show, independent political analyst Dan Welch, regarding the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, really focusing in on the Nordstream explosions, rumors of nuclear weapons usage, and the mindset of the war that is presented to/absorbed by many in the West, especially the US.   Shownotes   Analyst: Who can smell the gas? Winds of change disperse the stench of Old World lies as Russia, China rise   Frank talk with Biden on Ukraine may help   Will Russia use nuclear weapons? Putin's warnings explained   Gazprom makes Nord Stream 2 supply gesture even as Italy and Moldova suffer new supply woes   Russia's Novak Says Possible to Repair Nord Stream Pipelines   German minister asks for more ‘solidarity' from U.S. and EU to help lower soaring natural gas prices as winter approaches   German minister criticizes U.S. over ‘astronomical' natural gas prices   Energy traders are making a killing exporting US natural gas to Europe as prices soar - with some single shipments bringing in $200 million

We sit down with our Labor Issues Chair, Dr. Nick Partyka, and his friend Miguel to discuss the war in Ukraine, really delving into people's ideas about the war, the media disinformation, and how social media has played such a role in (mis)informing people about the situation. Later on, we discuss the US-Taiwan-China situation somewhat, focusing on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's recent visit to Taiwan.

We sit down to talk with Hampton's own Labor Issues Chair, Dr. Nick Partyka, in the second part of our Stalin series. In this episode, we talk about Stalin's rise to leadership on the Bolshevik Party, his relationship with Lenin, the October 1917 Revolution, and the Russian civil war. If there are any questions, comments, or concerns, please email me at devondb@mail.com.

Today we chat with George Ciccariello-Maher about the recent historic elections in Colombia, the problems the government faces, the rising tide of leftism in Latin America, and how the US and corporations may have to work with these new governments.   Shownotes GeoMaher Venezuela Analysis- Colombia

Today we chat with indepedent political analyst and friend of the show Dan Welch primarily about the Uvalde shooting and the larger possible political implications, especially regarding how police are viewed in US society.

We sit down to talk with Hampton's own Labor Issues Chair, Dr. Nick Partyka, in the first of a larger series of episodes dicussing Stalin's life and legacy. In this episode, we talk about first discuss why we wanted even to make this series and then delve into Stalin's early life and young adulthood.  If there are any questions, comments, or concerns, please email me at devondb@mail.com. Shownotes Rumours continue about Putin's health – with little to back them up

We chat with Dr. John Bellamy Foster, talking about the history of the Ukraine-Russia conflict, how it fits in with the push for US nuclear primacy, and finally end with media recommendations to learn more about the conflict. Shownotes Dr. John Bellamy Foster The U.S. Proxy War in Ukraine: How the Past Became the Present “Notes on Exterminism” for the Twenty-First-Century Ecology and Peace Movements U.S. Is in a Proxy War With Russia: Panetta Defense Planning Guidance US biggest spoiler of Ukraine situation, European security The Rise of U.S. Nuclear Primacy Inside A Real-Life War Game: China And U.S. Square Off Over Taiwan- MSNBC Why Is the Wartime Press Corps So Hawkish? Donbass-Insider Black Agenda Report Black Alliance for Peace

We chat with activist and Black Alliance For Peace Members, Djibo Sobukew about his recent article dicussing coups in western Africa, the ethnic conflict occurring on the continent, the US/NATO role in increasing political instability, and end on the role that Russia and China have been playing on the continent.   Shownotes West African “Coup Contagion” Analysis Black Agenda Report Black Alliance For Peace

We chat with our Education Chair Dr. Derek Ford, discussing many of the concepts and ideas in his most recent book entitled "Encountering Education: Elements for a Marxist Pedagogy." Shownotes Buy the book here. Sign up for the April 16th webinar here.

Today we chat with friend of the show and independent political analyst Dan Welch about the ongoing war in Ukraine. Specifically we focus in on pushing back against 'whataboutism' arguments and how it inhibits critical thinking, the role of the media in framing the situation, specifically how there are accusations of Russian propaganda while ignoring the massive amounts of Ukrainian propaganda, and what the end game looks like.   Shownotes (230) USA HYPOCRISY & LIES: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT RUSSIA AND UKRAINE - YouTube   (230) WHAT THE US GOVERNMENT DOES NOT WANT YOU TO KNOW ABOUT THE CONFLICT IN UKRAINE (A MUST WATCH) - YouTube   Beyond NATOstan, millions root for Russia (presstv.ir)   Analyst: US addicted to sanctions, an act of war better left in middle ages (presstv.ir)   Just say no to NATO: Russia faces down the Empire, with China's backing (presstv.ir)   Analyst: Arrogant American Empire playing with fire in Eastern Europe (presstv.ir)   (230) "Soaring energy commodity prices devastates economy, people's livelihoods" - YouTube   Putin: to defend Russia, we had no other way of proceeding | Urmedium   (230) UN says remains supportive of sovereignty of Ukraine - YouTube   18 Year Old Ukrainian Volunteers   Ukrainians being forced off buses

Today we sit down with Dr. Gilbert Doctorow, an international affairs specialist, to discuss the current crisis between the US/NATO and Russia, delving into the historical context, how the media is portraying everything, and where to get more information on the situation itself.   Shownotes Gilbert Doctorow AntiWar.com Ray McGovern Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity Common sense and self-preservation go mainstream in Washington, D.C.: capitulation to Russian demands becomes discussable

In the first episode of the new year, we discuss with Summer imperialism, how the media propagates imperialism, and the reasoning for modern wars under capitalist logic. Resources  Liberation News RT Press TV  Liberation School Tricontinental  Breakthrough news  The People's Forum Leftoutmag  The Grayzone  People's Democracy   Belly of the Beast Cuba Jacobin  Breaking The Chains     Podcasts: Reading With Comrades The Socialist Program  The Punch Out w/ Eugene Puryear It's Not You, It's Capitalism

Today we sit down with journalist Sonali Kolhatkar to discuss the Great Resignation and its causes, the problems that workers are facing, and why we should be cautiously optimistic for the future. Shownotes Record Number of U.S. Workers are Quitting and Striking Sonali Kolhatkar Twitter SonaliKolhatkar.com Sonali Yes! Magazine Sonali Independent Media Institute Rising Up With Sonali    

Today we sit and chat with our Labor Issues Chair, Dr. Nick Partyka to discuss authoritarianism. We delve into the definitions of the word, how such ideas can play into anti-socialism and anti-communism, and why anti-authoritarianism seems to be so prevalent in the American left.

Today we talk to Hampton's own Education Chair Derek Ford, about his most recent article on Liberation School discussing ideology, what it is, how Marx and his contemporaries differed in their view of ideology, and why it is important to today's political movements.   Shownotes What Is Ideology by Derek Ford Breakthrough News

Today we talk to a friend of mine, Elliot, about his interest and views on Buddhist thought, his own political views, and if there can be a gap bridged between religious and atheist leftists.

We sit down with Professor Aviva Chomsky to discuss the recent protests in Cuba, the history of Cuban racial unity and strife, and how the island nation is dealing Covid. Shownotes Episode #116: David, Goliath, and US-Cuban Relations with Aviva Chomsky The Cuba Reader: History, Culture, and Politics History of the Cuban Revolution OnCuba

Today we have a special joint episode with Ember Kelly of The Fourth U Dimension, the official podcast of The Fourth Universalist Society in the City of New York.​ In this wide-ranging discussion, we interview each other on a number of topics from the role of religion in leftist politics to our respective podcasts.   Ember Kelley is the Director of Religious Education at Fourth Universalist Society. Learn more about Fourth Universalist at 4thu.org

Today we talk to leftist game developer David Cribb aka Colestia3 about politics in gaming, how he began to make video games, conspiracies, about the video games he has made, most notably A Hand With Many Fingers, and we even have some post-interview banter included. Shownotes David Cribb Twitter David's Patreon David Itch Page A Hand With Many Fingers Beneath Conspiracy Theories, the Class War  

We talk with Alex and Mandy, the hosts of the podcast Pillow Scream Radio, about veterans issues, how leftist groups interact with veterans and the unique perspective vets bring to the table, and delve into US policy regarding Russia and China.   Shownotes Pillow Scream Radio Pillow Scream Radio Twitter DSA Veterans Veterans For Peace About Face

Today we talk with activist Ajamu Baraka about his own activism, the Black Alliance for Peace, Black liberation, and the longstanding solidarity between Black people and Palestinians. Shownotes Ajamu Baraka Twitter Ajamu Baraka Facebook Black Alliance For Peace: Linking Palestine Solidarity with African Liberation Ajamu Baraka Black Agenda Report

Today we chat with Mint Press News contributor Alan MacLeod about how Taiwan is actively using its finances to influence US policy with regards to China, compare it to other nations interfering in US affairs, and if a conflict between the US and China will even take place.   Shownotes   Tanks and Think Tanks: How Taiwanese Cash is Funding the Push to War with China   Alan MacLeod Twitter

Today we chat with our Education Chair Derek Ford about his recently released podcast series from Liberation School entitled “Reading Capital With Comrades.” We discuss Marx's Capital, how it applies to the 21st century, and even delve into some of the social aspects of the left, discussing the importance of theory. Shownotes Reading Capital with Comrades (Apple Podcasts) Reading Capital with Comrades Liberation School Theory and revolution: Addressing the break of ideological continuity Capital Volume 1, Volume 2, Volume 3

Today we sit down with Ben, Chris, and Ethan from the Center for Communist Studies to discuss how they each joined CCS, the formation of their Communist academic journal Peace, Land, and Bread, and what keeps them going. Shownotes Center for Communist Studies Peace, Land, and Bread CCS Twitter CCS Facebook PLB Twitter Other episodes with Ben Stahnke/CCS: Episode #124: Centering Communism Episode # 147: Leftist Unity Roundtable

Today we sit down with author and journalist Margaret Kimberley to discuss the events of 2020, from the Coronavirus and economics to social uprisings to foreign policy and military moves, ending with her hopes and goals for the new year, Shownotes Covid-19 Relief Bill Doubles Healthcare Budget- For Congress Black Agenda Report Prejudential: Black America and the Presidents  

We have a wide ranging discussion roundtable on the idea of leftist unity with a variety of activists and academics such as activists Stacy Smith and Laura Saylor, Erin Kate, a mental health therapist and PhD candidate Kentucky, Ben Stahnke, co-founder of the Center for Communist Studies, Hampton contributor AJ Reed, and Hampton Labor Issues Chair Dr. Nick Partyka. Shownotes, more information on participants, and relevant websites can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/episode147shownotes

We sit down with Jasmine Banks, the Executive Director of UnKoch Our Campus. In the interview we discuss the involvement of the Koch brothers on college campuses, the role of the police in colleges, and how people can support the UnKoch campaign. Shownotes UnKoch My Campus

Today we sit down with Dan Plaat, host of the radio show/podcast, The 3 Lefts Show. We talk about his interest in pursuing architecture, delve into his political history, and discuss the politics of Albany, NY and the Albany Green Party. Shownotes Demos Designs 3 Lefts Show

Today we sit down with Green Party Vice Presidential Candidate Angela Walker (@angelanwalker) to discuss  the Green Party's recent troubles with ballot access in Wisconsin, the Democratic Party as it relates to Black people, and what the Green Party offers people in contrast to the Democrats. Shownotes Challenge Would Drop Green Party From Wisconsin Presidential Ballot See also: Judge removes Green Party candidates from ballot; accuses Montana GOP of ‘constructive fraud' About Angela Walker Green Party Platform