Cable Street

This week I'm joined by the other co-founder here at The Cable, Taylor Scollon, to talk about this week world. We discuss the unhinged attacks on Ilhan Omar, new polling on a progressive American agenda, the vacuousness of Mayor Pete, what Finish elections can teach us about today's politics and a segment called The Book Club™ (patent pending) where we talk about books we're reading this week.

In 2016 you were likely subjected to pepe memes - that little green frog with the shit-eating grin. It turns out he was a far-right trojan horse used to propagate far-right ideas.Memes are huge part of politics, especially on the far-right. These people who otherwise would be considered extremists, have increasingly used memes, or meme magic, or memetic warfare (the list goes on) to subversively push their far-right ideology on otherwise normal people.Memes are themselves not inherently bad. But when harnessed by harmful actors, they can be incredibly dangerous. To discuss memes and how the far-right has weaponized them, I was joined by Dr. Heather Suzanne Woods from Kansas State University and Leslie A. Hahner from Baylor University to talk about their book Make America Meme Again: The Rhetoric of the Alt-Right.We talked about how memes have created a new universal way of communicating between online communities, how the far-right has weaponized memes, how people go from sharing memes to marching in white supremacist rallies and whether the left can hope to match this new way of communicatingShow NotesMake America Meme Again - ebookHow mainstream media helps weaponize far-right conspiracy theories - The ConversationDr. Heather Suzanne Woods - TwitterLeslie Hahner - Twitter

This is a sneak peek of our members-only episode. To get access to all members content, join The Cable today. Teachers in America are leading the fight against neo-Liberalism and the erosion of public institutions. Strikes in West Virginia, Oakland, Los Angeles and Chicago have to lead to real improvements in public schools. Teachers unions are winning and winning big.Who are these people leading these fights? Is this part of a union resurgence around in America? And what does this tell us about the prospects of the broader fight against privatization?In this episode, I'm joined by Lois Weiner. She's a teacher, union activist and researcher who writes about teachers’ work, urban education, and labor. Her book, “The future of our schools: Teachers unions and social justice," is widely read by activists in the Anglophone world. It explains the nature of neoliberalism’s global project to destroy public education and the role of transformed teachers unions in reversing the attacks.Show NotesThe Future of Schools: Teachers Unions and Social Justice - purchase hereTwitter profileAdditional ReadingsWhat a Teachers Movement Can Look Like - read hereLabour Renaissance in the Heartland - read hereA Lesson Plan for Organized Labour - read here

It's not a stretch to say the Green New Deal, a radical proposal to address climate change and inequality, would not be where it is today without the efforts of the Sunrise Movement. They're an upstart environmental activist group lead by young people uniting to solve climate change and, in the process, are upending American politics. I had the pleasure of chatting with Sunrise Movement organizer Mile Goodrich and the author of The Climate Movement's Decades-Long Path to the Green New deal (link) from Dissent.We talked about why the broader environmental movement is so afraid to build political power needed to win, the importance of moving fast and breaking things, the influence of Alexandria Ocasio Cortez and what the future holds for the Sunrise Movement. Show NotesMiles Goodrich - TwitterSunrise Movement - Website

Political parties are stale, old and white. Big bold progressive ideas that are reshaping politics and, hopefully, the world are not necessarily coming from traditional political parties. And if they are, it's because of insurgent political forces, many times powered by outside groups. It's clear that these outside groups are exerting an incredible amount of influence to drive political party agendas, including groups like the Justice Democratcs who helped elect Alexandria Ocasio Cortez and the Sunrise Movement who've single-handidly put the Green New Deal on the political agenda.In this episode of Cable Street, I talk to Natasha Josette a working group member and spokesperson for Momentum. They describe themselves as a people-powered, grassroots movement working to transform Britain in the interests of the many, not the few.We discussed why she got involved in the organization, the role in plays vis-a-vis the Labour Party and the importance of Momentum in engaging with traditionally non-political people.

Here's a member's-only episode from last August 2018.Why are progressives bad at storytelling? Is there a way to harness left-wing nationalism that isn't xenophobic or insular? And is the left too concerned with definitions instead of winning?In this episode of Cable Street, I’m joined by professor Richard Sandbrook to discuss how progressives must harness nationalism and storytelling to win elections.I encourage everyone to listen to Episode 29 before or after this one. In it David Adler explains why the left shouldn't embrace insular-focused nationalism that shuts out outsiders. Richard's argument isn't to embrace xenophobic nationalism, but an inclusive nationalism to counter the right.

Europe is under siege by populist right-wing political movements. But Nordic countries have withstood much of the political pressure we see throughout Europe. Why is that?One theory I have is because of the nordic welfare state. I've wanted to explore this idea, and learn more about the nordic welfare state model, for a long time. My guest in this episode is Mikko Kuisma. He's a Research Fellow in Comparative Public Policy from University of Tübingen who specializes in political economy of European welfare states. We dive deep into the Nordic welfare state, Nordic politics and why these countries have held off the rise of populist political forces. TwitterMikko's website

Right-wing nationalism opposes refugees, immigrants and outsiders and is arguably the fundamental feature that defines modern right-wing western political parties and movements. So why is the left trying to copy them?David Adler from Diem25 joins me to explain the rise of left-wing nationalism in places like Germany and France, why these leaders are embracing it, why it’s wrong and how it ignores the very traditions left-wing movements were founded upon. We also discuss why we must focus on taking control of international institutions if a progressive agenda is to be successful. Show NotesMeet Europe's Left Nationalists - The NationWe shouldn't rush to save the liberal order. We should remake it - The GuardianRelated EpisodesA path forward for refugees w/ François Crépeau - listenDebunking Misinformation About the UN Migration Compact w/ Sharry Aiken - listen

This is a teaser clip of a members-only episode. If you want access to the full episode, subscribe to Cable Street for as little as $5 per month.Borders define our world, for good and bad. Far-right authoritarian leaders and political parties increasingly use borders as a weapon to further their own quest for power. Unfortunately, progressive responses have verged on outright adoption of that frame, delineating groups as friend and enemy based on where they were born. Results show adopting these ideas tend to help far-right parties.My guest Daphne Büllesbach from European Alternatives believes the transnationalism is the answer to far-right authoritarianism. We explore what this means in the context of Europe, whether it’s possible and what transnationalism looks like in practice. We also discuss the upcoming European elections and the chances for a progressive alternative. Show NotesEuropean AlternativeThe Nation State Must be Overcome - read the article

The 2020 democratic primary is quickly approaching. The UK could be plunged into an election. Far-right parties are ascendent in the European elections. In this look-forward to 2019, I share the interesting and important ideas that I believe that will shape power, politics and policy throughout 2019. Scroll down to see the full list.This episode is the very first interview on Cable Street (how time flies!). I talk to pollster Frank Graves about popuslim, the far-right, anti-elite attitudes and other broad-based forces shaping Canada and the world. It’s a great place to start as we ease into 2019.Don't worry, we have a new episode coming out this week, so stay tuned :) Here are other episodes I recommend:#16: Why Did Progressive Parties Abandon Working-Class Voters? - listen hereThroughout the 1990s, leftwing parties abandoned working-class voters. Why did this happen? And what does it mean for progressive parties today? I talk to political scientist Tom O’Grady about his research on working class parties.We also talk about Tom's fascinating analysis about how politicians can shape public opinion, and why progressives need to lead and shape ideas rather than follow.#13: Why Progressives Suck at Telling Stories (Members-Only) - listen hereWhy are progressives bad at storytelling? How can we harness leftwing nationalism? And is the left too concerned with definitions instead of winning? The far-right is winning but that doesn't mean progressives are doomed. Guest Richard Sandbrook offers some compelling arguments for how the left can win in the long-run.#12: Monopolies are Destroying The World - listen hereUS Democrats are increasingly adopting anti-corporate language and policies. My guest Matt Stoller explains why the root cause of inequality, corporate power and declining middle class is linked to the rise in corporate monopolies, and what politicians can do about it.

Hi all. 2019 is shaping up to be a tumultuous year. The far-right is gaining power around the world, the economy is facing headwinds, Trump is going crazy - you get the idea.Rather than look back at 2018, I want to look to the future. Over the next few days, I'll be sharing older episodes on topics I believe will shape 2019 and beyond.This first episode is about leaders who will play a major role in world politics in 2019. This first episode is an interview with Edwin Ackerman from Syracuse University about Andrés Manuel López Obrador, the leftwing President of Mexico. When we first talked, Obrador wasn't yet President. After a short time in office, he's already leaving a mark. The interview is based on an article Edwin wrote for Jacobin titled A Potential Breakthrough in MexicoI won't ruin the episode, but Obrador is already leaving a mark. As one of the few leftwing leaders to succeed in 2019 by offering a truly leftwing vision, his success could have a lasting impact around the world. Here's a list of other episodes I recommend listening about leaders to watch in 2019.#5: Remember the Name Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez w/ Raina Lipsitz - listen hereAlexandria Ocasio-Cortez has quickly become the voice of a generation as the youngest person ever elected to Congress. She singlehandidly put the Green New Deal on the national agenda and is shifting the overturn window in a progressive direction. I talk to reporter Raina Lipsitz about her experience covering Ocasio-Cortez's insurgent campaign.#14: Italy's Donald Trump w/ Vito Laterza - listen hereMatteo Salvini, Italy Deputy Prime Minister, is Italy's Donald Trump, if Trump was actually effective. Salvini is a leading figure in Europe's anti-immigrant/refugee movement and will shape not only Italy, but Europe for years to come. Guest Vita Laterza breaks down Italian politics, and discusses Matteo Salvini, the Five Star Movement and what Italy's rightward, anti-immigrant shift means for the rest of Europe.#15: Is Abdul El-Sayed the Answer to Far-Right Populism? w/ Maximillian Alvarez - listen hereAbdul El-Sayed lost his insurgent primary campaign to become Michigan Governor. Understanding his campaign and eventual loss is valuable as we move into the Democratic Presidential primary season. The forces that shaped his campaign - progressive outsider versus institutional insider, leftwing populism versus centrism, materialism - will be the forefront of US politics.

Katy Lee from Agence France-Presse joins me to discuss the yellow vest movement. She's a reporter living in Paris who has first-hand experience covering these protests.The movement began as a response to French President Emmanuel Macron's increase in the gas tax. But is has grown far beyond that. Rather than a protest against climate change, Katy explains the yellow vests are fundamentally a response to growing inequality and austerity that have disproportionately targeted the poor and middle class. It's not a revolt against government, rather a revolt against government inaction. We talk about how the yellow vests started, their demands, breaking down misconceptions and examine how France's political actors are responding.

Why is it a bonus? Because I'm dropping another episode later this week. So stay tuned!Lots of misinformation is flying around about the United Nations Global Migration Compact that was passed this week. Immigration and refugee lawyer Sharry Aiken joins the show again (our first repeat guest!) to break down the facts and debunk far-right misinformation about the Compact. Sharry is an Associate Professor at Queen’s Law with a cross appointment to Cultural Studies. She is an expert on immigration and refugee law and has appeared before the Supreme Court of Canada in a number of precedent setting immigration cases. She teaches immigration law, refugee law, administrative law, law and poverty, public international law, and international human rights law. Show NotesGlobal Compact TextAn overview of the CompactData sources relevant to migrant rightsPrevious episode with Sharry where we discussed Canadian and American immigration policy

Nationalism apps, Nelson Mandela and a radicalized youth movement - welcome to Poland's far-right political movement.Christian Davies is a writer for the Guardian and is based out of Poland. He joins me to discuss how Poland is careening ever closer to far-right authoritarianism. In fact, it may be farther along the path than countries like Hungary which receive far more media coverage. Yet there's also signs of hope (shocking I know!). We talk about how EU integration has radicalized a generation of Polish youth, the fluid nature of Polish far-right movements and political parties, the app-ification of Polish nationalism, how the far-right has co-opted the left's economic arguments and the dreary prospects of a progressive alternative to Poland right-wing Law and Justice Party.Thanks again to everyone fo listening to the show. If you have any questions or show ideas, email them to me at geoff@thecable.co or DM me on Twitter at @geoff_sharpeShow Notes and ReadingsChristian Davis - The GuardianDon’t judge Poland by what has happened here since 2015 - The GuardianPoland's first openly gay politician says progressives can win - The GuardianHead of Polish supreme court defies ruling party's retirement law - The GuardianHero’s welcome in Poland awaits hitman who killed Mandela’s ally - The Guardian

Unlocked means I'm making a members-only episode available to everyone. Enjoy!Episode DescriptionCan history explain the future? If not, it sure looks similar.Historian Benjamin Hett painstakingly outlines Hitler's rise to power and the conditions that led to the fall of the Weimar Republic, including the rise of globalization, post-World War One myths and the failure of existing norms and political parties.The conditions chronicled by Hett appear eerily similar to our current political climate. Hett offers his insight if 2018 is our generation's 1920s, and what we can do about it. And yes, Trump is discussed.Show Notes: Death of Democracy: Hitler's Rise to Power and the Downfall of the Weimar Republic = purchaseNew York Times Book Review of Death of Democracy

In this teaser clip from our other podcast Family Compact, Geoff speaks with media commentator, activist and Anti-Hate Canada Chair Bernie Farber about the history of anti-Semitism in Canada and how it's evolved over time. This clip is about Bernie's personal experience growing up with anti-Semitism in Ottawa, Canada.Show NotesListen to the episode on iTunesListen on other podcast networks

It's doubtful our grandparents fighting in WW2 expected fascism to return almost 80 years later, but here we are...In this episode of Cable Street, I talk to Mark Bray, author of Antifa: The Anti-Fascist Handbook, about the rise of fascism around the world.He explains the historical context of fascism and Antifa, why there is no moral equivalency between the two, and why centrist political forces and liberal democratic institutions struggle to deal with the rise of fascism within their own borders.-----We've launched a new membership tier at TheCable.co/join. Head over to website to learn more and help keep The Cable running.

This podcast can be depressing. I promise this episode isn't as bad!My guest this week is François Crépeau. He's a professor from McGill and is the Director for the Centre for Human Rights and Legal Pluralism.François joined me to discuss the complex issues surrounding refugees and asylum seekers. Between 2011 and 2017, François was the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants where he gained first-hand experience meeting asylum seekers and visiting refugee camps Francois explains the historical context of the current refugee and asylum seeker situation, why democracies have difficulty dealing with non-citizens and share a positive outlook on the current migrant challenges around the world. Show NotesFrançois Crépeau - biography

That title isn’t a lie. Brazil is on the cusp of electing Jair Bolsonaro as President, a man who many are calling a fascist. Alex Hochuli joins me to explain Brazilian politics, the rise of Jair Bolsonaro, what his election means for Brazil and why the most popular politician in Brazil is locked up in prison.Show NotesAlex Hochuli - Twitter, WebsiteAlex’s podcast Aufhebunga BungaBrazil’s Ultra-PoliticsBrazil’s Anti-Politics Election

In this week's members-only episode, available only to Cable members, Geoff sits down with Cynthia Miller-Idriss for part 2 (or part 1 since this part was recorded first) of our interview, where they discuss the state of German politics.Like the rest of Europe, far-right populism is rising in Germany. Cynthia gives a detailed overview of German politics, the far-right AFD, the failure of traditional German political parties, and a far-right rally in Chemnitz that shocked the entire country.In this teaser clip, Cynthia explains what caused the recent rise in support for AFD.Make sure to catch Geoff's previous interview with Cynthia where they discussed how far-right white supremacists use branding to normalize their ideas.Support our work and get access to this full episode by becoming a Cable member today: https://thecable.co/join/

In episode #19, I talk to cultural sociologist professor and far-right expert Cynthia Miller-Idriss about how the far-right uses branding to normalize their ideas and messages. This is part 2 of my interview with Cynthia. Part 1 is an update on German politics, the far-right AFD's growing power and how a German city called Chemnitz is at the epicentre of Germany's rising far-right movement. To access Part 1 of my interview with Cynthia, you must purchase a Cable membership. It costs as little as $4.16 per month and helps support all the work we do - click here learn more

How do we reconcile free speech, internet monopolies and stopping far-right ideas from spreading? That's the question I try to answer with my guest Yasha Levine. Yasha is a journalist and author of Surveillance Valley: The Secret Military History of the Internet. Yasha explains the internet's conception and connection to government and the military, how it's shaping politics, and why he's concerned about internet monopolies' power to censor people - even someone like Alex Jones. Later this week subscribers receive additional analysis and reading based on each week's episode. This week I explore internet censorship and how internet companies have enabled far-right movements to grow. Become a member today to get access to this and other members-only content. If you haven't done so, make sure to subscribe to Family Compact, our new show about Canadian politics. This week we interview the Executive Director of Anti-Hate Canada Evan Balgord, and understand why Toronto police protected white nationalists during a march in Toronto. Spoiler alert - they should not have done it. Show Notes Yasha Levine on Twitter Surveillance Valley - The Secret Military History of the Internet

Get your survival gear and dietary supplements ready, cus we're talking about Alex Jones Listen to an excerpt from tomorrow's podcast with investigative journalist and author Yasha Levine. He explains why the censorship power of big social media companies is so problematic, even when applied to someone like Infowars' Alex Jones. Make sure to rate and review us on your favourite podcast network :) Subscribe to Family Compact, our new show about Canadian politics. This week we interview the Executive Director of Anti-Hate Canada Evan Balgord, and understand why Toronto police protected white nationalists during a march in Toronto. Spoiler alert - they should not have done it.

Listen to a teaser clip from the newest episode of Family Compact, our show on Canadian politics Listen to Episode #4 Subscribe to Family Compact

What does the show Queer Eye have to do with the far-right? Quite alot. In this episode of Cable Street I chat with writer and activist Laurie Penny abotu her article The Queer Art of Failing Better. We discuss populism and the far-right as a gendered issue, whether the message of Queer Eye offers a path forward for dealing with the far-right, and the dangers of people like Jordan Peterson. Every episode includes a members-only analysis that explores each podcast topic. In this week’s analysis, we analyze why men are more likely to join the far-right, and the broader gender divide in today’s politics. To become a member, visit thecable.co/join to learn more and use the code “CableStreet” to get your first month for only $1. Subscribe to Family Compact The Cable’s new show covering Canadian politics. Show Notes The Queer Art of Failing Better Peterson’s Complaint Books by Laurie Penny Hannah Gadsby’s Nanette - link to Netflix

We launched a new pod about Canadian politics. If you hate Canadian punditry, you might enjoy this. Taylor & Geoff discuss what happened at last weekend's Conservative Convention and their courageous stand against... giving citizenship to people born here? Then Geoff sits down with Buzzfeed Canada writer and author Scaachi Koul to discuss her close call at Rebel Live and the pathological tendencies of Canada's right wing. Sorry about the cicadas. --- Want more from The Cable? Become a subscriber today and get premium episodes and content: Join today Subscribe on iTunes

In the 1990s, progressive parties turned away from working-class policies and embraced more rightwing ideas. So why did this happen? Political scientist Tom O'Grady thinks he has the answer. His analysis shows that the type of elected official matters a great deal. The decline of working class politicians, and the rise of the careerist managerial-class can help explain it. We also talk about his fascinating analysis about how politicians can shape public opinion, and why progressives need to lead, rather than follow, public opinion. To access members-only episodes, bonus readings and additional analysis by me, your host Geoff Sharpe, please purchase a cable membership. You can use the code "cablestreet" to get the first month for only $1 - join today Show Notes Tom O'Grady - Website, Twitter Decline in working class politicians, shifted Labour towards right wing policy - read here Politicians must dare to shape public opinion, not just follow it - read here

Is a 33-year-old progressive Muslim doctor the answer to far-right populism? On August 7th, Michigan Democrats will choose their candidate for Governor. The race is between establishment Democratic candidate Gretchen Whitmer, and Abdul El-Sayed, a man many are calling the face of a new progressive vision for America. By the time you listen to this, the primary may be over. But El-Sayed's impact won't be forgotten. In this episode of Cable Street, I chat with Maximillian Alvarez, a columnist at The Baffler who wrote "The Vital Possibility of Abdul El-Sayed". Maximillian explains why Abdul is not only a powerful orator, but has developed a comprehensive set of compelling progressive policies that should serve as a blueprint for future candidates. Our discussion goes beyond just El-Sayed, and examines the working class in Michigan as a microcosm of the challenges facing America's poor. Be sure to check out Maximillian's podcast Working People in the show notes below. Show Notes Maximillian Alvarez: Twitter, The Baffler Profile, Website The Baffler: The Vital Possibility of Abdul El-Sayed Podcast: Working People Podcast Twitter: Working People

While the world watches America burn, the world's eighth largest economy just elected a populist party. And they have their own version of Donald Trump... Anti-immigrant rhetoric, fake news, a populist comedian? While some far-right populist themes are similar, Italy has its own unique brand of politics. In this episode of Cable Street, we sit down Vito Laterza to discuss Italian politics, populist leader Matteo Salvini, the Five Star Movement and what Italy's rightward, anti-immigrant shift means for the rest of Europe. Show Notes Vito Laterza - Twitter, Biography The New Anti-Migrant National Consensus

Why are progressives bad at storytelling? How can we harness leftwing nationalism? And is the left too concerned with definitions instead of winning? In this episode of Cable Street, I’m joined by professor Richard Sandbrook to discuss why progressives must harness nationalism and storytelling to win more elections.

In this episode of Cable Street, I'm joined by Matt Stoller discuss how the rise of monopolies has contributed to income inequality. Matt is a Fellow at the Open Markets Institute, and an expert on monopolies, and has written for the New York Times, the Washington Post, The New Republic, Vice, and Salon. Matt argues that the root cause of income inequality and the rise of populist politics is due to the power and influence of monopolistic companies. Companies like Amazon, Facebook and Walmart are lowering wages, hurting growth, reducing worker bargaining power and increasing corporate influence. The solution? Break them up. It's been done before and we can do it again. We also discuss what this means for politics, and what can be done to stop it. Show Notes Matt Stoller - Twitter Open Market Institute How Democrats Killed Their Populist Soul - Article link

This is a teaser for a members-only episode of Cable Street. Members get access to our weekly members-only episode, exclusive videos, a members-only community and monthly updates from The Cable founders. Become a Cable member for as little as $4.16 per month at thecable.co/join Use the code CableStreet at checkout to get your first month for only $1. Political Scientist Lucan Way from the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy discusses why some democracies are backsliding towards authoritarianism. Lucan Way - Biography

Low paying jobs. Deeply in debt. Can't afford a home. Refuse to vote. Love avocado toast. These are just a few of the characteristics used to describe millennials in the western world. Another characteristic? Anti-democratic. At least that's according to one research study that showed younger people no longer have faith in democratic institutions. To discuss how millennials are shaping governments around the world, I sat down with researcher David Coletto from Abacus Data. We discussed how millennials are shaping policy and political movements, how they feel about democracy, their inclination towards populist politicians, and the intergenerational conflict that exists between them and older generations. Show Notes David Coletto An Entire Generation Has Lost Faith in Democracy - source

This is a teaser for a members-only episode of Cable Street. Members get access to our weekly members-only episode, exclusive videos, a members-only community and monthly updates from The Cable founders. Become a Cable member for as little as $4.16 per month at thecable.co/join Use the code CableStreet at checkout to get your first month for only $1. Historian Benjamin Hett joins Cable Street to discuss his new book called Death of Democracy, which chronicles how Hitler took power in Weimar Germany. Death of Democracy: https://www.amazon.com/Death-Democracy-Hitlers-Downfall-Republic/dp/1250162505 The book was recently reviewed by the New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/14/books/review/benjamin-carter-hett-death-of-democracy.html

Is satire an effective way to criticize the far-right? In this wide-ranging interview, internet provocateur Nathan Bernard explains his approach to critiquing the far-right, why censorship is ineffective and the differences between far-right YouTube personalities like Jordan Peterson and Mike Cernovich. Show Notes Bernard Media - https://bernardmedia.org/ Apple iWatch Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMLXfF5s_N8

As white supremacy and neo-Nazis increase their activities, so too has the coverage of their actions. In this episode of Cable Street, I chat with reporter Martin Patriquin about his work covering neo-Nazis. We discuss how reporters research neo-Nazi networks, the pressure reporters face in response to their stories, the response from these groups, and how reporting on issues has a real-world impact on fighting hate. The Racist Podcaster Who Started a Neo-Nazi Coffee Company to Fund White Nationalism - https://www.vice.com/en_ca/article/59qb93/the-racist-podcaster-who-started-a-neo-nazi-coffee-company-to-fund-white-nationalism Canadian Anti-Hate Network - http://antihate.ca/

In this episode of Cable Street, I talk to Edwin Ackerman from Syracuse University about his piece for Jacobin called "A Potential Breakthrough in Mexico". We discuss the history of Mexican politics and the current political landscape, the role of corruption in this campaign, whether he is actually a populist candidate and the unique characteristics of Lopez Obrador that made his supporters hopefull and warry of the man they call AMLO. A Potential Breakthrough in Mexico - https://jacobinmag.com/2018/06/morena-lopez-obrador-amlo-mexico-elections

How did Democratic candidate Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a 28-year-old socialist written off by the establishment, defeat the fourth most powerful Democratic member of the House of Representatives? Does her victory herald a new left-wing populist movement in America? In this episode of Cable Street, I chat with journalist Raina Lipsitz from the Nation about her story "Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Fights the Power". We discuss unique factors that propelled Ocasio-Cortez, discuss whether this is replicable on a broader scale and progressive forces changing politics and the Democratic Party. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Fights the Power - https://www.thenation.com/article/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-fights-power/

I'm joined by Sharry Aiken, Associate Professor at Queen’s Law and Co-Chair of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Centre for International Justice, to discuss Canadian and American immigration policy. We discuss why it's incorrect to call asylum seekers "illegals", Trump's family separation policy and the need for a progressive approach to borders.

I sit down with Brad Galloway, an ex-white supremacist skinhead, to talk about his experience in the far-right, how the movement is changing, how he got out, and the different ways we can deal with both the far-right movement at-large, as well as individuals involved in it. For more information on Brad, you can read the following stories: CBC Skinhead Documentary: http://www.cbc.ca/cbcdocspov/episodes/skinhead Neo-Nazis Can Be Deradicalised and Make Amends: https://www.vice.com/en_au/article/wjbk49/neo-nazis-can-be-deradicalised-and-make-amends

In the very first episode of Cable Street, I sit down with pollster Frank Graves to discuss his research on populism in Canada. We cover some of the biggest questions about populism, including whether it could happen in Canada (hint: it can and is), the populism gender divide, and the continuing erosion of Canada's middle class. This episode is a great starting-off point for anyone looking to understand the forces driving populism in Canada, America and around the world. Here's a link to Frank's research: http://www.ekospolitics.com/index.php/2018/02/at-the-crossroads-of-hope-and-fear/

Welcome to Cable Street. a podcast that critically explores the rise of populism and far-right movements around the world.