Cocktails & Capitalism

Don't miss this deep dive into Target's dystopian mass surveillance police partnership. I spoke with South Minneapolis activist and freelance journalist Marjaan Sirdar about his astounding findings after completing a 12-part investigative series titled 21st Century Jim Crow in the North Star City: How Target Corp., the City of Minneapolis, and Hennepin County Created a Domestic Spy Program that Rolled Back Civil Rights on its Black Population.We discuss Target's high-tech forensics labs, its broad surveillance of anyone who even enters its stores or parking lots, and its partnership with law enforcement to surveil and police Black and homeless youth and adults around their stores. We also dive into Target's role in the wrongful conviction of 15-year-old Madhi Ali, who has already spent half his life in prison for a triple homicide he did not commit. LINKS:21st Century Jim Crow in the North Star City Madhi Ali's storyPeople Powered PodcastCALLS TO ACTION:-PROTECT YOUR DATA, AVOID TARGET AND DELETE TARGET APP-PUSH FOR EXPANDED DEMANDS FOR THE TARGET BOYCOTT:   -Divest from policing   -Divest from funding prosecutors & city attorneys   -Transparency regarding uses of customer data   -Divest from its massive surveillance apparatus   -Call for exoneration of Madhi Ali   -Expunge Downtown 100 + the geo-restriction lists-PUT PRESSURE ON TARGET TO MEET ABOVE DEMANDS-CONTACT HENNEPIN CO ATTORNEY'S OFFICE (612)348-5550 citizeninfo@hennepin.us Request review of cases Target has touched-PETITION: Target, stop funding police!-MADHI ALI PETITION-WRITE TO MADHI ALI, j-pay: OID #236437Support the showCocktails & Capitalism is an anticapitalist labor of love, but we could use your help to make this project sustainable. If you can support with even a dollar a month, that would really help us continue to educate, agitate, and amplify the voices of those who are working to dismantle capitalism and create a better world. https://www.patreon.com/cocktailsandcapitalismFollow us on Instagram and TwitterSome episodes on YouTube. Subscribe & enjoy! Cheers!

I had the honor of speaking with award-winning Palestinian-American producer, content creator, and storyteller Jenan Matari back in June. Jenan has been harnessing the power of her voice and her social media platform to shine light on Palestine's history and present reality amidst this genocide. We spoke about the ways that social media has been used for Palestine -- from combating propaganda to raising funds for evacuations to mobilizing students and protestors across the world.In Jenan's words, "Palestine is proof that when we connect with each other through applications like this, it can move the needle towards whatever world we're working towards outside of colonialism and capitalism."We also touched on Jenan's Palestinian roots and her work to make PR affordable for minority owned and operated brands through ZAYTOUN Publicity. FOLLOW JENAN ON IG: @jenanmatari@jenan.matari  DONATE to Anas' campaign, Sun of Freedom, which is feeding orphaned & disabled folks in Gaza. (Anas is a wheelchair basketball player)The Free Palestine Cocktail100   ml Watermelon Juice30     ml Lime Juice15     ml Simple Syrup (1:1 ratio) to tasteSmall pinch of salt25     ml green juice of choice (celery, apple, kale)Optional:25     ml Clear spirit of your choice: Tequila, Gin, Vodka, Arak, etc Watermelon slice for garnish Freeze a small layer of green juice in a glass ahead of time. Combine watermelon juice, lime juice, simple syrup, & a pinch of salt in a mixing tin and shake with cubed ice until properly diluted and chilled. Fill glass (containing frozen green juice) with crushed ice, then fine strain the watermelon mixture  over the ice. This will create layers that resemble a watermelon. Glassware:  Collins glass or your favorite tall clear drinking vesselSupport the showCocktails & Capitalism is an anticapitalist labor of love, but we could use your help to make this project sustainable. If you can support with even a dollar a month, that would really help us continue to educate, agitate, and amplify the voices of those who are working to dismantle capitalism and create a better world. https://www.patreon.com/cocktailsandcapitalismFollow us on Instagram and TwitterSome episodes on YouTube. Please like & subscribeThis show is sponsored by Beautiful Trouble — an international network of organizers, artists, and trainers working to equip grassroots movements with the tools to become more creative, effective, and irresistible.

I'm joined by Tariq Ra'ouf, a Palestinian freelance journalist and advocate for diversity and inclusion who was recently fired by Apple after speaking out about the company's complicity in and silence about the genocide in Gaza. After losing over a dozen family members, Tariq has been working with Palestinian and Congolese activists to organize an international day of action to demand that Apple break its silence about the genocides in Palestine and the Congo. TAKE PART IN THE DAY OF ACTION DEMANDING AN END TO APPLE'S SILENCE ABOUT PALESTINE AND THE CONGO this Friday Sept 20th. On iPhone release day, show up at Apple stores where you can…stand at new product tablesBook Genius Bar appointmentsBook Apple Vision Pro demo appointmentsLine up, walk away when you're supposed to payContact store business teams and ask “Why does Apple do business in Israel?”To organize an action, reach out to @applesagainstapartheidEMAIL TIM COOK! Go to Apples4ceasefire.com and click the button to generate a pre-written email. (Customize subject line & some wording to bypass filters)COCKTAIL / MOCKTAIL PAIRING:BAD APPLEThis blended and strained drink can be made as a cocktail or mocktail.  The recipe makes 2 drinks.1 Apple (like Fuji, gala, honeycrisp)Water — 2 oz  (60 ml) Lemon juice — 1.5 oz  (45 ml)  Grenadine — 1 oz  (30 ml)Sugar — 2 tspGin (or Kombucha) — 2 oz  (60 ml)Blend all ingredients (except kombucha for the mocktail). Strain & add strained juice to a shaker w ice. Shake vigorously & pour into a coupe or martini glass (any sort clear glass will do.) If you're making mocktails, add the kombucha at the very end. Garnish w apple peel twist & enjoy!Support the showCocktails & Capitalism is an anticapitalist labor of love, but we could use your help to make this project sustainable. If you can support with even a dollar a month, that would really help us continue to educate, agitate, and amplify the voices of those who are working to dismantle capitalism and create a better world. https://www.patreon.com/cocktailsandcapitalismFollow us on Instagram and TwitterSome episodes on YouTube. Please like & subscribeThis show is sponsored by Beautiful Trouble — an international network of organizers, artists, and trainers working to equip grassroots movements with the tools to become more creative, effective, and irresistible.

With Palestine Action racking up the victories, it was high time that I spoke with veteran actionist Shibby about the network's mind blowing direct  action successes. We discuss the recent shutdown of a facility in Tamworth, the viral action that just took place in Scotland, and the high-level, low-level, and covert strategies that have been used by these brave activists. We also touch on the ongoing efforts to ban Palestine Action in the UK, and why such a ban will fail to prevent this network from continuing its righteous work. In addition to hosting Revolutionary Lumpen Radio, Shibby is a veteran activist with Palestine Action. We begin with the story of his radicalization.Get plugged in to Palestine Action, attend a trainingJoin the Palestine Action telegram channelFollow @pal_action on Instagram and twitterSubscribe to their newsletterSupport PA defendants and any actionists in jailThe Free Palestine Cocktail100 ml Watermelon Juice30 ml Lime Juice15 ml Simple Syrup (1:1 ratio) to tasteSmall pinch of salt25  ml green juice of choice (celery, apple, kale)Optional:25 ml Clear spirit like Mezcal, Tequila, Gin, Vodka, Arak, etc etc Watermelon slice for garnishFreeze a small layer of green juice in a glass ahead of time. Combine watermelon juice, lime juice, simple syrup, & a pinch of salt in a mixing tin and shake with cubed ice until properly diluted and chilled. Fill glass (containing frozen green juice) with crushed ice, then fine strain the watermelon mixture  over the ice. This will create layers that resemble a watermelon. Glassware:  Collins glass or your favorite tall transparent drinking vesselGarnish:  Small watermelon wedge and/or raisinsSupport the Show.Cocktails & Capitalism is an anticapitalist labor of love, but we could use your help to make this project sustainable. If you can support with even a dollar a month, that would really help us continue to educate, agitate, and amplify the voices of those who are working to dismantle capitalism and create a better world. https://www.patreon.com/cocktailsandcapitalismFollow us on Instagram and TwitterSome episodes on YouTube. Please like & subscribeThis show is sponsored by Beautiful Trouble — an international network of organizers, artists, and trainers working to equip grassroots movements with the tools to become more creative, effective, and irresistible.

Too few understand the genocide that is raging in the Congo. Human rights activist Gaëtan-Dauphin Nzowo of Friends of the Congo joins me to examine the country's economic & geopolitical significance and how this genocide has been driven by extractive capitalism. As Gaëtan points out, “most Congolese don't have a smartphone to document the atrocities” committed against them, but the labor and blood of the Congolese people continues to supply the materials needed for our smartphones, laptops, and electric vehicles.We honor the legacy of independence leader Patrice Lumumba, who was assassinated for daring to speak out against the plundering of his nation by foreign powers. We also discuss how the Congolese struggle for independence is intricately connected with the struggles of folks in Sudan, Haiti, and Palestine. Gaëtan-Dauphin Nzowo works with Friends of the Congo, an organization dedicated to raising awareness MD bringing lasting change to this conflict-plagued region. He is a construction inspector & civil engineering designer, and he currently serves as the president of the National Society of Black Engineers in Portland, Oregon. Gaëtan is the co-founder of New Young Congolese Scholars, and a board member at the Understanding Racism Foundation. As an active member of the Congolese Action Youth Platform, Gaëtan has been fighting to recognize Genocost (genocide for economic gain) in the Congo. ACTIONS TO TAKE:-Donate to Friends of the Congo-Follow @congofriends and @gaetan_nzowo_official on IG-Purchase Equal Exchange fair trade coffee, Congo Coffee Project (more below)COCKTAIL:Fairly-traded coffee from the CONGO COFFEE PROJECT through Equal Exchange. Purchases help the Panzi Foundation support survivors of sexual violence in the DRCSupport the Show.Cocktails & Capitalism is an anticapitalist labor of love, but we could use your help to make this project sustainable. If you can support with even a dollar a month, that would really help us continue to educate, agitate, and amplify the voices of those who are working to dismantle capitalism and create a better world. https://www.patreon.com/cocktailsandcapitalismFollow us on Instagram and TwitterSome episodes on YouTube. Please like & subscribeThis show is sponsored by Beautiful Trouble — an international network of organizers, artists, and trainers working to equip grassroots movements with the tools to become more creative, effective, and irresistible.

I spoke with activist and veteran Greg Stoker about the recent campus protests in solidarity with Palestine, police repression, and imperialism. We explore the concept of the “imperialist boomerang” and how it relates to the brutal crackdowns we're seeing on college campuses.“APD, KKK, IOF, they're all the same!” and “There's no riot here. Why are you in riot gear?” were among the chants heard at the UT Austin Gaza Solidarity encampment. Greg witnessed droves of state troopers in riot gear cracking down on Palestine supporters and arresting over 100. In the face of state repression, UT protestors kettled the cops and even succeeded in pushing the police off campus. He tells me these officers were “tactically outmaneuvered by arts majors,” adding that “as a roided-out cop, that's kind of embarassing.”Greg Stoker served in the US Army special Operations Command during the war in Afghanistan. More recently, he launched Colonial Outcasts, an “anti-imperialist, anti-war, and anti-establishment” podcast that I highly recommend.Follow Greg on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Check out Colonial Outcasts, and watch on YouTube Colonial Outcast Cocktail Crafted by bartender Jesse Torres-45 ml Gin  -15 ml Select Aperitivo, other red aperitivo, or Campari-8 ml  Simple Syrup-15 ml Lemon Juice -22 ml Grapefruit Juice  -Small pinch of salt   -Miineral water Combine all ingredients except mineral water in a mixing tin and shake with cubed ice until properly diluted and chilled. Fine strain into Collins glass filled with cubed ice and top with mineral water. Express a grapefruit peel over the drink, cut, and garnish with a grapefruit swath.Support the Show.Cocktails & Capitalism is an anticapitalist labor of love, but we could use your help to make this project sustainable. If you can support with even a dollar a month, that would really help us continue to educate, agitate, and amplify the voices of those who are working to dismantle capitalism and create a better world. https://www.patreon.com/cocktailsandcapitalismFollow us on Instagram and TwitterSome episodes on YouTube. Please like & subscribeThis show is sponsored by Beautiful Trouble — an international network of organizers, artists, and trainers working to equip grassroots movements with the tools to become more creative, effective, and irresistible.

This exclusive interview with an A15 comrade explores the historic global economic blockade that took place on April 15th in solidarity with Palestine. Recognizing the global economy's complicity in genocide, folks in 82 cities across 19 countries took action to block the arteries of capitalism. These protestors targeted major economic choke points to maximize impact, resulting in millions if not billions of dollars in lost profits for the capitalist class.As forces mobilized to attack Rafah, the A15 call to escalate resonated with so many people. This global coordinated economic blockade was a complete departure from symbolic acts of protest, as A15 activists directly impacted the material economic system that profits off of genocide.  Listen to gain a better understanding of the politics and thoughtful organizing behind the success of this historic international action.a15action.comInitial proposal Solidarity agreementsWrap up video on A15CALLS TO ACTION:–Follow @a15actions on Instagram, Twitter, FB, YouTube–A15 BAIL FUND–Boost actions & support requests from A15 cities & encampments–Watch for calls re: arrestees. Make calls to demand their charges be droppedTHE A15 INTIFADA COCKTAIL30ml   Mezcal30ml   Campari or red aperitivo30ml   Red Italian-style Vermouth 2 dash Chocolate Bitters (optional)2 Jalapeño slices Add mezcal & jalapeño slices to a mixing tin & muddle. Add the rest of the ingredients & stir with cubed ice for about ten seconds until drink is properly chilled and diluted. Strain into your favorite glass filled with cubed ice. Garnish with a jalapeño slice. Crafted by bartender Jesse Torres.Support the Show.Cocktails & Capitalism is an anticapitalist labor of love, but we could use your help to make this project sustainable. If you can support with even a dollar a month, that would really help us continue to educate, agitate, and amplify the voices of those who are working to dismantle capitalism and create a better world. https://www.patreon.com/cocktailsandcapitalismFollow us on Instagram and TwitterSome episodes on YouTube. Please like & subscribeThis show is sponsored by Beautiful Trouble — an international network of organizers, artists, and trainers working to equip grassroots movements with the tools to become more creative, effective, and irresistible.

“Beautiful Trouble was birthed by seasoned organizers who really wanted to document not only social movement successes…but really dig into what makes an action work.” In this episode, I speak with trainer and organizer Rae Abileah about Beautiful Trouble – a global network of organizers, artists, and trainers helping to equip activists and social movements with the strategic tools to become more effective and irresistible. Rae explains the diverse ways that Beautiful Trouble has been helping activists in the field, from mentoring and trainings to offering hands-on campaign strategy and direct action planning. We discuss the Beautiful Trouble toolbox of tactics, stories, theories, etc., which is available online, as a book, and as a deck of strategy cards.Rae Abileah is the former co-director of Code Pink.  Her facilitation work through The Nature Conservancy's Agility Lab supports teams  working on freshwater protection and climate adaptation.  She also runs her own creative strategy consultancy, CreateWell. LINKS & CALLS TO ACTION:-Beautiful Trouble website beautifultrouble.org and toolbox: beautifultrouble.org/toolbox-Follow on Instagram, FB, Twitter-Send in your action ideas to Bt- GRANTS FOR ACTIONS!  The Get Up Rise Up Direct Action Fund provides small grants to creative, beautiful actions calling for ceasefire, and those targeting the fossil fuel industry and its infrastructure. Grants of up to $1,000 are awarded There is a monthly deadline for submitting applications: https://beautifultrouble.org/directactionBeautiful Sunrise Cocktail 22ml   Mezcal froSupport the showCocktails & Capitalism is an anticapitalist labor of love, but we could use your help to make this project sustainable. If you can support with even a dollar a month, that would really help us continue to educate, agitate, and amplify the voices of those who are working to dismantle capitalism and create a better world. https://www.patreon.com/cocktailsandcapitalismFollow us on Instagram and TwitterSome episodes on YouTube. Please like & subscribeThis show is sponsored by Beautiful Trouble — an international network of organizers, artists, and trainers working to equip grassroots movements with the tools to become more creative, effective, and irresistible.

“For me, dismantling the fossil fuel industry is a form of mental healthcare” – Tori Tsui  This week on Cocktails & Capitalism, I speak with the UK-based climate justice activist, researcher, speaker, and writer Tori Tsui. We discuss the relationship between mental health and the climate crisis, breaking down some of the core concepts that are illuminated in Tori's recent book, It's Not Just You: How to Navigate Eco-Anxiety and the Climate Crisis.The episode explores common misperceptions about eco-anxiety, the Eurocentric nature of the concept, and why it's so problematic to call eco-anxiety a mental illness. Calls to Action:-Follow Tori Tsui on Instagram and Twitter-Read Tori Tsui's book Its Not Just You: How to Navigate Eco-Anxiety and the Climate Crisis which can be purchased here.-Support the StopRosebank campaign to halt the development of the largest undeveloped oil field in the North Sea. StopCambo LinkTree. StopCombo.org-Follow  @stopcambo on IGIt's Not Just You Cocktail 45ml  Three Spirit Livener NA Spirit 45ml  Blood Orange juice22ml   Lime Juice22ml   Rose Tea Syrup1 dash Rose water (optional)60ml  Sparkling Mineral WaterCombine all ingredients except sparkling water in a mixing tin and shake with cubed ice until diluted and chilled. Add sparkling water to the mixing tin and strain into a Collins glass filled with cubed ice and rimmed with salt. Garnish with a grapefruit slice and a rose petal.Support the showCocktails & Capitalism is an anticapitalist labor of love, but we could use your help to make this project sustainable. If you can support with even a dollar a month, that would really help us continue to educate, agitate, and amplify the voices of those who are working to dismantle capitalism and create a better world. https://www.patreon.com/cocktailsandcapitalismFollow us on Instagram and TwitterSome episodes on YouTube. Please like & subscribeThis show is sponsored by Beautiful Trouble — an international network of organizers, artists, and trainers working to equip grassroots movements with the tools to become more creative, effective, and irresistible.

Osage scholar Jimmy Lee Beason II offers an Indigenous perspective on Killers of the Flower Moon and the history of the Osage murders that the book and film depict. In this Cocktails & Capitalism interview, we discuss the true history of the Reign of Terror–a horrific string of murders of Osage committed by white settlers pillaging Osage oil wealth. In addition to providing deeper context for the recent Martin Scorsese film, our conversation highlights some of the impact of this dark chapter on the lives of the Osage people.A member of the Osage Nation, Jimmy Lee Beason II is a professor and writer who teaches in the Indigenous American Indian Studies Department at Haskell University. He was a guest on a prior episode about the residential school system — a system designed to remove Indigenous children from their communities and strip them of their culture. The university where Jimmy teaches was once the site of one of these residential schools. By teaching and mentoring Indigenous students, Jimmy works to combat the legacy of Indigenous erasure perpetuated by the residential school system.Links and Calls to Action:Follow @osage_scholarDonate to the Osage Nation Foundation hereAdvocate for oil headrights to go back to the Osage peopleContact Professor Jimmy Lee Beason II for speaking engagements: pahuska8@gmail.comMocktail Pairing: The Lily(Crafted by Jesse Torres)Jimmy chose to name this mocktail after Lily Gladstone to honor her representation of Indigenous perseverance and her historic accomplishment as the first Native American actor to win the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture.  45ml  Apple Cider (or whiskey if you prefer)15ml   Persimmon (or pear) syrup  (see below)15ml   Elderflower syrup (or sweetened elderflower tea)15ml   Lemon juice 30ml  Ginger beer 1 dash bitters Shake everything except ginger beer with ice and strain over fresh ice. Top with ginger beerPersimmon (or pear) Syrup 225g          Persimmons (or pears)200ml        Honey250ml      WaterRinse, de-stem, and medium dice persimmons (or pears). Add to honey and water and bring to a boil. Lightly simmer for 20 minutes. Stir to thoroughly combine. Remove from heat and let cool for about five minutes. Fine strain and let cool. Bottle and label, adding the date. Persimmon Syrup must be refrigerated and is good for up to 2 weeks.Support the showCocktails & Capitalism is an anticapitalist labor of love, but we could use your help to make this project sustainable. If you can support with even a dollar a month, that would really help us continue to educate, agitate, and amplify the voices of those who are working to dismantle capitalism and create a better world. https://www.patreon.com/cocktailsandcapitalismFollow us on Instagram and TwitterSome episodes on YouTube. Please like & subscribe

Students at UC Davis just won an historic victory by passing a bill that divests all student funds from apartheid Israel. I spoke with three of the women who were instrumental in making this happen, including the political director, the president, and the social media coordinator for the UC Davis chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP). We discussed the magic moment when the bill passed, the work that went into this success, and how they are helping to empower students at other universities to achieve similar victories.Already, students at many other UCs have followed suit, passing a similar divestment bills and resolutions. (UC Riverside,  UC Los Angeles, UC Santa Cruz, and UC San Diego). We hope this is just the beginning of an avalanche of university divestment victories like those that were vital to the end of South African apartheidLINKS:SJP at UCD LinktreeFollow @sjpatucd2 and @sjpatucd on Instagram!Follow @sjpatucdavis on Twitter!Shamouti Sour(The name is a tribute to the Palestinian people and their connection to the fruits of their land, as Shamouti oranges originate from Yaffah -- an occupied city in Palestine)      60ml   Orange juice (fresh if possible)      22ml   Lemon juice       8ml     Simple syrup      22ml   Olive brine Combine all ingredients in a shaker tin and shake briefly with ice. Strain into a glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with a half orange slice and an olive.Cocktail crafted by bartender Jesse TorresSupport the showCocktails & Capitalism is an anticapitalist labor of love, but we could use your help to make this project sustainable. If you can support with even a dollar a month, that would really help us continue to educate, agitate, and amplify the voices of those who are working to dismantle capitalism and create a better world. https://www.patreon.com/cocktailsandcapitalismFollow us on Instagram and TwitterSome episodes on YouTube. Please like & subscribe

Jewish organizer and activist Max Geller joins me to talk about the birth of new Palestine Action chapters around the world in response to the intensified genocide that has been raging for 4 straight months.As discussed in last year's episode featuring Jodie Jones, Palestine Action is a UK-based network of activists that has permanently shut down 2 arms factories and caused millions in damages to Israel's arms dealers. The main target of this network is Elbit Systems, which Max describes as the “most evil company in the entire world." Calls to Action:Follow Palestine action on Twitter and Instagram (UK, US, France, Italy, Scotland)Take a Palestine Action direct action trainingHelp provide arrestee, court, and prison supportDonate to their Legal Defense FundCocktail Pairing: The Direct Actionist45ml  Rye Whiskey22ml  Campari15ml   Cynar or bitter amaro8ml    Peaty Scotch (like Laphraig)Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass and stir with plenty of cubed ice until drink is properly diluted and chilled. Strain into a chilled coupe glass. Cut an orange peel and flame the oils over the drink: Express the oils by squeezing the peel in half with one hand while using the other to hold a lighter or match. Release the orange oils into the flame over the drink so the flaming oils land on top of the drink. Discard orange peel and garnish with a fresh Bay Laurel leaf. Note: use any good Peaty Scotch available such as Laphraig, Ardbeg, Bruichladdich, Caol Ila, or Lagavulin. Cocktail crafted by bartender Jesse Torres.Support the showCocktails & Capitalism is an anticapitalist labor of love, but we could use your help to make this project sustainable. If you can support with even a dollar a month, that would really help us continue to educate, agitate, and amplify the voices of those who are working to destroy capitalism and create a better world. https://www.patreon.com/cocktailsandcapitalismFollow us on Instagram and TwitterSome episodes on YouTube. Please like & subscribe

In this episode, I speak with Francisco Pérez about Economics for Emancipation, a free online and in-person course on "capitalism, solidarity, and how we get free.” Francisco is an Assistant Professor of Economics at the University of Utah and senior economist at the Center for Economic Democracy. He's the former director of the Center for Popular Economics, a nonprofit collective of political economists whose programs and publications demystify the economy and put useful economic tools in the hands of people fighting for social and economic justice. Follow at  Francisco Pérez (@Platanomics) on Instagram and TwitterFollow @economics4emancipation on Instagram and @econ4freedom on TwitterEconomics for Emancipation is a course created by the Center for Economic Democracy (CED) and the Center for Popular Economics (CPE). The current version of this course is the result of many years of work first led by the CPE – a collective which was founded in 1979 by radical (or heterodox) economists out of the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Since 2019, CPE has partnered with the Center for Economic Democracy (CED) to update and redesign its curriculum into “Economics for Emancipation” (E4E).  During the 2020 Covid crisis, CPE and CED worked to adapt E4E for virtual learning geared towards regional cohorts of just transition and social justice organizers, and thus was born this offering.E4E has been shaped by decades of dialogue between progressive economists, grassroots organizers, and rank & file union workers; we hope it will strengthen your analysis, fuel your spirit and connect you to efforts challenging this economic system at its root.COCKTAIL PAIRING:Cuba LibreUse a Cuban rum like Havana Club if you're able to get it (outside of the US). Probitas is a good substitute that you can find in the US.1 1/4 oz Light rum 3 oz cola like Coke1/4 oz lime juiceAdd all to Collins glass filled with ice. Garnish with lime wedge.Support the showCocktails & Capitalism is an anticapitalist labor of love, but we could use your help to make this project sustainable. If you can support with even a dollar a month, that would really help us continue to educate, agitate, and amplify the voices of those who are working to destroy capitalism and create a better world. https://www.patreon.com/cocktailsandcapitalismFollow us on Instagram and TwitterSome episodes on YouTube. Please like & subscribe

This week, I speak with Sara Bannoura, a Palestinian organizer, artist, and journalist who has been fighting for a ceasefire from her home in St. Louis, Missouri. The daughter of a Christian pastor, Sara was born in Bethlehem, Palestine. We talk about the childhood experiences that exposed the violent and dehumanizing reality of Israel's occupation, including some of Sara's early encounters with IOF soldiers.As an organizer, Sara works with the St. Louis Palestine Solidarity Committee (STLPSC), a group that was instrumental in pushing the city to pass a resolution calling for a ceasefire. In December, Sara and others in St Louis were victorious in shutting down the local Boeing facility. This facility supplies missiles, warheads, guidance systems, and F-15 fighter aircraft to the Israeli military, all of which are being used against the Palestinian people in this ongoing genocide. LINKS: Instagram for Sara BannouraSt Louis Palestine Solidarity CommitteeThe St Louis for a Ceasefire Toolkit helped to push the city of St. Luis to call for a ceasefire. They are working on a toolkit to help others replicate this victory in cities across the US.Cocktail pairing: The Old Fashioned (Sara's favorite!)1.5 oz whiskey2 dashes bittersI cube of sugarOrange twistCherrySupport the showCocktails & Capitalism is an anticapitalist labor of love, but we could use your help to make this project sustainable. If you can support our work with even a dollar a month, that would really help us continue to strengthen the class consciousness of folks suffering under capitalism around the globe. https://www.patreon.com/cocktailsandcapitalism

I had the honor of speaking with the brilliant Palestinian journalist and activist, Hebh Jamal. We talked about the heartbreaking reality of this ongoing genocide, “the politics of condemnation,” and Israel's targeting of the brightest Palestinian minds, including the beloved poet and professor Refaat Alareer.Hebh got involved in activism as a teen around the issues of school segregation and education inequality in the New York education system. She helped to organize a large student walkout in response to Trump's racist Muslim travel ban. Currently based in Germany, Hebh has written extensively about the country's repression of pro-Palestine voices and protests. Many of Hebh's powerful writings have been published in Al Jazeera, Mondoweiss, The New Arab, 972 Magazine, and Middle East Eye. She also has a substack called The Diaspora Journal that you should subscribe to. Here are some of the articles we discussed:– “A Letter to my Gazan Palestinian Son”– “Germany's weaponization of antisemitism to target migrants and Arabs is what must be condemned”CALL TO ACTION: “GO TO YOUR LOCAL PROTESTS”Support the showCocktails & Capitalism is an anticapitalist labor of love, but we could use your help to make this project sustainable. If you can support our work with even a dollar a month, that would really help us continue to strengthen the class consciousness of folks suffering under capitalism around the globe. https://www.patreon.com/cocktailsandcapitalism

In this Cocktails & Capitalism conversation, I speak with Egyptian activist, entrepreneur, model, and feminist Merhan Keller. We connected between her recent trips to volunteer with the Egyptian Red Crescent where she has helped provide emergency supplies to displaced Palestinians fleeing Israel's genocidal bombardment.Merhan explains how her work as a model led to her vital involvement in the Egyptian #MeToo movement. We also discuss her personal connection to the Palestinian struggle and the tragic loss of her uncle in Egypt to an Israeli airstrike on a school during the Naksa of '67. Our conversation centers around the constant theme of glorious anger -- the anger we channel into action when faced with injustice. “And that's the beauty of it. When you have that rage inside you, you elevate.” Call to action!You can help the Palestinian people by volunteering with or donating to the Egyptian or Palestinian Red Crescent.Egyptian Red Crescent       Volunteer / DonatePalestinian Red Crescent       Volunteer / DonateThe Merhan Keller (Mocktail or Cocktail)       -88 ml Carrot juice       -44 ml Milk       -15 ml Lemon Juice       -Optional:  44 ml Tequila        -Optional: sugar to your likingTo make, chop carrots and place in blender. Add a little sugar if you'd like. Cover with a little water, blend, and strain. Add carrot juice, milk and lemon juice to a glass. Add tequila and ice (both optional). Support the showCocktails & Capitalism is an anticapitalist labor of love, but we could use your help to make this project sustainable. If you can support our work with even a dollar a month, that would really help us continue to strengthen the class consciousness of folks suffering under capitalism around the globe. https://www.patreon.com/cocktailsandcapitalism

We're joined by Jewish comedian, activist, and cohost of the Palestine Pod, Michael Schirtzer, who explains why and how he became so deeply committed to the cause of Palestinian justice and liberation. Speaking just days after congress approved a resolution equating anti-Zionism with antisemitism, we discuss how the term “antisemitism” has been used to shut down valid criticisms of Israel. LINKS:—The Palestine Pod—Speech by Palestinian lawyer Lara Elborno at the Stop The War Coalition rally in London on 12.2.24 http://tinyurl.com/583ys8pe—Follow these IG accounts: @michael_schirtzer, @thepalestinepod, @gazangirl, @palestinianyouthmovement, @wolpalestine, @palestine.academy, CALLS TO ACTION—Advocate for Palestine at home, at work, local councils, etc—Get involved with the Palestinian Youth Movement, Within Our Lifetime Palestine, Palestine Action UK, Palestine Action US, —Get engaged in our community with local organizers for Palestine (like local Students for Justice in Palestine chapters)The Free Palestine Cocktail100   ml Watermelon Juice30     mlLime Juice15     mlSimple Syrup (1:1 ratio) to tasteSmall pinch of saltOptional:25     mlMidori Melon Liqueur or green juice25     mlClear spirit of your choice: Mezcal, Tequila, Gin, Vodka, Arak, etc etc Combine all ingredients except (Midori or other green ingredient) in a mixing tin and shake with cubed ice until drink is properly diluted and chilled. Fine strain into a Collins glass or your favorite transparent drinking vessel filled with pebble or crushed ice. If adding Midori, add Midori first and layer the watermelon on top to create the look of a watermelon's rind and flesh. Garnish with a small watermelon wedge and top with a few raisins.Glassware:  Your favorite transparent drinking vesselGarnish:  Small watermelon wedge and raisinsCOCKTAILS & CAPITALISM MERCH!Punk With A CameraSupport the showCocktails & Capitalism is an anticapitalist labor of love, but we could use your help to make this project sustainable. If you can support our work with even a dollar a month, that would really help us continue to strengthen the class consciousness of folks suffering under capitalism around the globe. https://www.patreon.com/cocktailsandcapitalism

This week, I speak with organizer, writer, and podcaster Jamie Peck about the mass action that shut down the construction of Cop City last week. We talk about the ridiculous and extreme police response to this nonviolent direct action and the creative tactics employed by protestors to keep each other safe.We also discuss:-how a Georgia State Police officer endangered protestors and risked starting a fire by throwing a tear gas canister into the forest-why the movement chose to engage in this form of nonviolent mass action-the ridiculous press conference during which the Atlanta Police tried to paint the protestors as v**lent by displaying the gardening tools protestors brought to plant saplingsJamie Peck is one of the speakers who traveled the country on the Weelaunee Worldwide Mass Action Speaking Tour to encourage folks to participate in this action. Follow Jamie on Instagram @jamiepeck666 and check out her podcast, Everybody Loves Communism She's also a founder and former host of The Antifada podcast, and she worked with the Majority Report as a producer and contributor.From The Guardian:  “Atlanta police condemned for heavy-handed action at Cop City protestOfficers used flash-bang grenades, teargas canisters, tanks and snipers and accused participants of ‘terrorism'THE STOP COP CITY COCKTAIL (SIMPLIFIED VERSION)30 ml blueberry shrub40 ml vodka or whiskeySoda water or waterIceBlueberry Shrubb Recipe350g Blueberries350ml Granulated Sugar225ml Vinegar (wine, apple cider, or unseasoned rice)Mash berries, add sugar, & stir to combine. Seal & let sit at room temperature for ~24 h. Periodically shake or stir to dissolve sugar.Strain, slowly add vinegar, & taste. It should taste sweet & sharp but not overpowering, so add more sugar or vinegar to your liking. Label & cover with lid.Shelf stable for up to 1 year.Support the showCocktails & Capitalism is an anticapitalist labor of love, but we could use your help to make this project sustainable. If you can support our work with even a dollar a month, that would really help us continue to strengthen the class consciousness of folks suffering under capitalism around the globe. https://www.patreon.com/cocktailsandcapitalism

A mass action is about to take place in the Weelaunee Forest to stop the construction of Cop City in Atlanta. In this episode, I speak with Barry (they/them) who describes this upcoming event that will take place November 10th to 13th. We talk about the rich ecosystem of tactics folks have used to halt this project and how the movement has decided to engage in mass nonviolent direct action.To learn and get involved, go to BLOCKCOPCITY.ORGTopics discussed in this episode:-The “spokescouncil” model for organizing a mass event consisting of “affinity groups”-Repression of the referendum campaign after it collected 116,000 signatures to place Cop City on the ballot-Repressive charges handed to protestors and how the organization of this mass event takes safety concerns and legal protections for protestors into consideration-Links to Palestine and Israel's brutal treatment of the Palestinian people, including the GILEE program Support the showCocktails & Capitalism is an anticapitalist labor of love, but we could use your help to make this project sustainable. If you can support our work with even a dollar a month, that would really help us continue to strengthen the class consciousness of folks suffering under capitalism around the globe. https://www.patreon.com/cocktailsandcapitalism

Sixty-one people were just indicted for their alleged involvement in the movement to Stop Cop City. These folks were slapped with RICO charges, which were designed to go after the mob. Some were charged for crimes as small as handing out fliers, serving as a legal observer during a protest, and organizing a bail fund.Our guest is abolitionist organizer Micah Herskind, who has been involved with and written extensively about the movement to Stop Cop City. You can read his Primer on Cop City in Scalawag here. Follow Micah Herskind on Twitter: @micahinATLAs we discuss, the RICO indictment seeks to criminalize and shut down the decentralized movement against the massive urban warfare training center for police known as Cop City. The indictment even lists “mutual aid” “solidarity” and “collectivism” as essential to what they are calling an “organized criminal enterprise” against Cop City. This is an outrageous abuse of power by the state which threatens to strip away our very right to protest.YOU CAN HELP THE FOLKS FACING THESE INSANE CHARGES by donating to the Atlanta Solidarity Fund. https://atlsolidarity.org/This episode was hosted by Dr. Erika Okamoto of the Cocktails & Capitalism podcast — a show that pairs crafted beverages with stories distilled from our capitalist hellscape. You can support this anticapitalist independent media project by contributing any amount through Patreon: https://tinyurl.com/mw4a4burSupport the showCocktails & Capitalism is an anticapitalist labor of love, but we could use your help to make this project sustainable. If you can support our work with even a dollar a month, that would really help us continue to strengthen the class consciousness of folks suffering under capitalism around the globe. https://www.patreon.com/cocktailsandcapitalism

The Hot Labor Summer Tour is about to  begin! Human rights lawyer Steven Donziger and ALU President Chris Smalls  have joined forces to share their stories in cities across the country.  We're joined by Chris , Steven , and Devon Young, the producer of this Little Secret tour.  Devon explains that Little Secret blends music, comedy, and talks from organizers and activists, creating events that folks really want to go to. (Having visited Little Secret LA, I can attest to that)Get your tickets! smallsdonzigertour.comTune in for a preview of the subjects Chris and Steven will be discussing on the tour, including the labor and climate movements, the criminal justice system, and how they've managed to challenge the power of massive corporations. Tour dates:          Denver July 12          NYC July 19          Atlanta July 22          Los Angeles July 29          Chicago August 17          Detroit August 18If you can't make it to one of these shows, please help us spread the word! You can also support the work of these two by donating here: https://www.smallsdonzigertour.com/Follow: Little Secret on IG @littlesecret_LA for updates about the tourSteven Donziger on IG @stevendonziger and Twitter @sdonzigerChris Smalls on IG @chris.smalls_ and Twitter Devon Young on IG cuteanon__HOT LABOR SUMMER COCKTAILTo celebrate Hot Labor Summer — a hashtag popularized by Chris Smalls — our resident anticapitalist bartender Jesse Torres crafted a delicious spicy cocktail by the same name. It's perfect for on the patio, by the pool, or on the picket line.60ml Kentucky Bourbon or Cognac (other spirits substitute nicely)30ml Pineapple juice15ml Good quality Grenadine15ml Lime juice1 dash Aromatic BittersJalapeños (for muddling)Muddle 2-3 slices of jalapeños in a shaker tin with the bourbon. Add the rest of the ingredients and shake well with ice. Double strain into a rocks glass rimmed with chili lime salt like Tajin, and fill with ice. Garnish with a grilled pineapple spear or jalapeño slice.Support the showCocktails & Capitalism is an anticapitalist labor of love, but we could use your help to make this project sustainable. If you can support our work with even a dollar a month, that would really help us continue to strengthen the class consciousness of folks suffering under capitalism around the globe. https://www.patreon.com/cocktailsandcapitalism

In this season 3 finale, Steven Donziger describes his epic battle against oil giant Chevron, connecting the dots between his own struggle against a multinational corporation and the fight to stop Cop City. In both stories, the consequences for standing up against corporate power to protect people and the planet have been chilling. Steven highlights the outrageous, unprecedented forms of corporate-backed state oppression that have come in retaliation for his legal advocacy work and the civil disobedience of protestors in Atlanta: “I've never seen a corporate prosecution; I've never seen a corporation allowed to jail somebody anywhere–much less in the United States–but it happened to me; and I've never seen peaceful protestors charged with domestic terrorism.”Liked this discussion? Go see Steven live on the Hot Labor Summer Tour! He'll be traveling the country alongside Amazon Labor Union president Chris Smalls to spread the word about their battles against corporate power. Catch them in Denver on July 12th, NYC on the 19th, Atlanta on the 22nd, Los Angeles on the 29th, Chicago on August 17th, and Detroit on August 18th. I plan to attend the LA show, so I hope to see some of you there!Support Steven Donziger's legal defense fund here. Sign this petition to the United Nations seeking a legal ruling that the Biden Administration restore Steven's full freedom including his right to international travel.Check out freedonziger.comI recently launched a new show called The Left Wing with my friends Desmond Price of Independent Thought and Jon Cooper of Counterpoint Politics. The Left Wing is a YouTube channel and audio podcast on Apple, Spotify, etc. In it, we engage in good-faith political discussions about important events in the news from a range of Leftist perspectivesThe Donziger CocktailThis equal parts drink can be served warm or with ice.Ingredients:-80 ml (2 oz) red wine-80 ml (2 oz) horchata lojana sweetened with honey or sugar-10 ml Lemon juice (a small squeeze)Garnish: lemon wheelBrew tea. Add sugar or honey to your liking. Let cool. In a glass or mug, add 80 ml red wine, 80 ml horchata lojana, and a squeeze of lemon juice (~10 ml). Add ice and a lemon wheel as garnish. Enjoy!How to make horchata lojana if you can't find a mix:-1 tea bag lemon tea or lemon balm tea-1 tea bag camomile tea-1 tea bag mint tea-1 tea bag hibiscus tea-500 ml hot water -Honey or sugar, to taste (I use a lot of honey, close to 4 tbsp / 60 ml)Steep tea bags in hot water. Mix in honey or sugar. Allow to cool.Support the showCocktails & Capitalism is an anticapitalist labor of love, but we could use your help to make this project sustainable. If you can support our work with even a dollar a month, that would really help us continue to strengthen the class consciousness of folks suffering under capitalism around the globe. https://www.patreon.com/cocktailsandcapitalism

Fossil fuel profiteers don't deserve a moment of peace. The youth-led group Climate Defiance is using direct action to expose the politicians most responsible for the climate crisis and compel them to act with the urgency this crisis deserves.I spoke with Rylee Haught – the group's student recruitment lead – just a day after Climate Defiance shut down Joe Manchin's keynote address in protest of the Senator's role in greenlighting the Mountain Valley Pipeline. We talk about Manchin's fossil fuel interests, the success of this action, and the other incredible actions the group has organized, including their successful blockade at the White House Correspondents Dinner.We also discuss:         Senator Joe Manchin's profiteering off of fossil fuels        Disruption as a strategy        Disruption vs working within the normal channels        How to shut down a board meeting or other event        Sit ins, blockades, and other tacticsCalls to action:Follow Climate Defiance on Twitter, TikTok, FB, and Instagram!Get involved through their website / sign their Pledge of ResistanceSupport by donating!! As Rylee says in the episode, “We are a Small scrappy group of Gen-Zers, so definitely send us some funds if you can!”Shoutout to bartender Jesse Torres for crafting the Climate Defiance cocktail! This is such a special drink to honor the work of this group of young, determined climate activists!Climate Defiance Cocktail This is a riff of a riff on the Corpse Reviver no. 2. It's a bright and refreshing cocktail and a delightful drink for any occasion or time of day. Serve it on the rocks with soda for an even lighter option. Climate Defiance Cocktail 22ml  Tequila blanco22ml  Giffard Blue curaçao 22ml  **Don Ciccio Cinque Aperitvo bianco 22ml  Lime juice Optional: Mezcal rinse Method:  Pour all ingredients except into a shaker and shake well with ice. (Optional: Rinse a coupe or martini glass with mezcal and dump out any excess.) Strain into the rinsed glass and garnish with a maraschino cherry. ** The Don Ciccio Cinque can be substituted with any other light colored amaro or aperitivo such as Suze, Malört, Salers, Luxardo Bitter Bianco, Cocchi Americano, or Lillet blanc.  Support the showCocktails & Capitalism is an anticapitalist labor of love, but we could use your help to make this project sustainable. If you can support our work with even a dollar a month, that would really help us continue to strengthen the class consciousness of folks suffering under capitalism around the globe. https://www.patreon.com/cocktailsandcapitalism

In this episode, author and movement facilitator adrienne maree brown shares her desire to see our movements become welcoming sanctuaries “where we get to taste and feel this world we're trying to co-create.” Unfortunately, this is far from the reality that many of us experience in Leftist spaces. As adrienne explains, capitalism and other oppressive systems tend to infiltrate our movements, making us competitive, critical, and eager to punish. “It's been breaking my heart to be inside of movements and feel how these huge systems that we're trying to take down infiltrate our practices. We become competitive with each other, we become hypercritical of each other, we become punitive with each other.”adrienne has 25 years of experience as a movement facilitator supporting social and environmental justice work. Vast praxis and reflection in conversation with other changemakers have grounded her deep insights about cancel & call-out culture. For more on these topics, I highly recommend adrienne's short book We Will Not Cancel Us.Adrienne has also written extensively about pleasure activism, emergent strategy, abolition, radical imagination, & transformative justice. She recently published a work of visionary fiction titled Maroons, the second novel in the Black Dawn trilogy set in the abandoned urban landscape of Detroit in the aftermath of a supervirus that targets Black people. You can find this trilogy and her other books on AK Press!Check out adrienne's wonderful podcasts: How to Survive the End of the WorldOctavia's ParablesThe Emergent Strategy Podcast. Follow adrienne on Twitter ( @adriennemaree ) and Instagram ( @adriennemareebrown )Big thanks to Anjali Pinto who took the above photo of adrienne. THE MAROONS COCKTAILA cocktail in honor of adrienne maree brown and her recent novel by the same name.      60ml Tequila Reposado     30ml Grapefruit juice      15ml  Lemon juice      22ml  Cinnamon syrup      30ml turmeric tea blend      2 quarter-sized slices of raw ginger Brew turmeric tea according to package instructions but use two tea bags instead of one to make a strong brew. Let tea cool and then add the ginger slices and Tequila to a cocktail shaker and make well. Add the rest of the ingredients and shake with ice. Fine strain into a rocks glass will with cubed ice and garnish with a lemon slice and sprinkle of turmeric powder.Huge thanks to our resident bartender Jesse Torres for crafting this delicious, sexy drink in honor of adrienne and her work!Support the showCocktails & Capitalism is an anticapitalist labor of love, but we could use your help to make this project sustainable. If you can support our work with even a dollar a month, that would really help us continue to strengthen the class consciousness of folks suffering under capitalism around the globe. https://www.patreon.com/cocktailsandcapitalism

Have you heard of TigerSwan? This company profits off of the surveillance and suppression of pipeline protests. Staffed with former military personnel from the War on Terror, TigerSwan has developed a hyper-militarized counterinsurgency approach to dealing with protestors resisting fossil fuel projects. TigerSwan first made a name for itself by monitoring, infiltrating, and disrupting Indigenous-led protests against the development of the Dakota Access Pipeline. A recent article in The Intercept states “To TigerSwan, the emergence of Indigenous-led social movements to keep oil and gas in the ground represented a business opportunity” (Intercept).Much of what we now know about TigerSwan was recently revealed after the company failed to obtain a security license and was later forced to release over 50,000 pages of documents. The company fought to keep these documents private, which is no wonder since they detail the company's ruthless targeting of pipeline protestors. MAIN SOURCE: “After Spying on Standing Rock, TigerSwan Shopped Anti-Protest ‘Counterinsurgency' to Other Oil Companies” The InterceptCOCKTAIL PAIRING:THE FOREST DEFENDER                                 2 oz    White Rum½ oz    Lime Juice¼ ozSt. Germain Elderflower¼ oz    Celery Juice¼ ozSimple Syrup⅛ tsp   Matcha powder         Cucumber wheelAdd all ingredients into a shaker, muddle a cucumber, and shake hard with ice. Double strain into a chilled coupe. Garnish with a thinly-sliced cucumber wheel.Glassware:  CoupeGarnish:  Cucumber wheelBIG THANKS to Jesse Torres ( @jessejamz ) for crafting this delicious custom cocktail!Support the showCocktails & Capitalism is an anticapitalist labor of love, but we could use your help to make this project sustainable. If you can support our work with even a dollar a month, that would really help us continue to strengthen the class consciousness of folks suffering under capitalism around the globe. https://www.patreon.com/cocktailsandcapitalism

It shouldn't be illegal to feed hungry, unhoused folks, and yet this is now the case in Houston and cities across America. Shere Dore is a homeless advocate in Houston who has been working to feed her unhoused neighbors since 2011. She is a devoted member of Food Not Bombs – a movement composed of volunteers who come together in cities around the world to provide food for hungry and unhoused folks. Shere has been rewarded for her important work with 8 TICKETS from the city of Houston since March 1st. Collectively, the volunteers in Houston FNB have received 22 tickets for feeding homeless folks outside of the public library. The end of this episode contains a tribute to forest defender Tortuguita, who was killed for protesting the development of Cop City. Tort was a volunteer with  Tallahassee  Food Not Bombs.   I connected with the folks at the Tallahassee Food Not Bombs group Tort volunteered with, and people had such wonderful things to say about Tort. At the end of this episode, you'll hear from a member of this group. RESOURCES: Houston FNB site Follow Houston FNB! Facebook & InstagramFollow Tallahassee FNB InstagramSupport Tallahassee FNB SUPPORT HOUSTON FNB!How to VOLUNTEER with a FNB chapter or start one!Mutual Lemon-Aid MocktailMakes 2 liters6Large lemons with shiny and healthy looking skins350mlJuice from the six lemons250mlGranulated sugar (by volume)1.5LWaterlarge pinch of saltPeel the lemons with a peeler, getting as much of the peel off as possible while leaving  the white pith. Put peels in a container, cover with granulated sugar and massage the peels with your hands or a muddler to release the oils into the sugar. Cover and let stand for 3 to 24 hours if possible. Periodically stir the mixture to help incorporate the oil into the sugar. Juice the six lemons and filter out any seeds. After letting the peels and sugar sit, add the lemon juice, water, and salt and stir well until all the sugar is incorporated. Strain out the lemon peels and chill well before serving. To serve, simply pour over ice in your favorite glasses and garnish with a lemon peel. You can also add your favorite spirit for a boozy option. Enjoy!  Glassware:  Collins glassGarnish: Lemon wheelABV: 0%Pro tip: take about five cardamom pods & smash to break open. Gently toast the pods in a pan on the stove until fragrant—a few minutes. Add  pods to the lemon peel and sugar mixture and let steep while the sugar is drawing out the oils from the peels. Remove the pods when you filter out the peels. Support the showCocktails & Capitalism is an anticapitalist labor of love, but we could use your help to make this project sustainable. If you can support our work with even a dollar a month, that would really help us continue to strengthen the class consciousness of folks suffering under capitalism around the globe. https://www.patreon.com/cocktailsandcapitalism

This week, I dive into the massive wave of strikes and protests that have surged in France over the past 3 months. At it's peak, the protests swelled to over a million people, bringing young and old together on the streets.This is now the 12th week of action that has been underpinned by strikes and acts of civil disobedience organized by unions and workers across the country. We recorded this episode a couple weeks ago, and since then there have been some major developments to report. On Friday April 14th, France's constitutional council approved President Emmanuel Macron's pension reforms. This paved the way for Macron to sign these reforms into law, which he did the very next day, Saturday the 15th. The new law will go into affect in September. These hugely unpopular developments sparked a new round of protests during which many were arrested and fires were ignited across the country.  In the western city of Rennes (“REN”), the entrance to a police station was set ablaze. Trade union members also engaged in creative acts of civil disobedience by dumping gas and power meters outside a government building.Protestors continue to call for raising taxes on the wealthy and employers rather than raising the retirement age, but these calls have been completely ignored.This morning Macron addressed the country about the new pension laws, stating that these changes “were needed to guarantee everyone's pension” and that “gradually working more means also producing more wealth for our whole country.” During his address, people across the country banged saucepans together to drown out his words, their rallying cry being “Macron won't listen to us? We won't listen to him!”  France's main labor unions have called for another mass protest on May 1st, International Workers' Day. I've joined forces with my dear friend and fellow podcaster Desmond Price of the Independent Thought podcast to create a bi-weekly news segment called Under the Radar. In it, we discuss important news articles that deserve much more attention and amplification. As always, I'll be highlighting stories that shine light on our capitalist hellscape, which are often the same stories that major corporate media outlets ignore or suppress.  We'll be sharing the full discussion, including the video, with our Patreon supporters every other week.And I want to add that this is where I'll be sharing my own views and reactions much more readily than I tend to do during my interviews. If you want to hear me get fired up about the evils in our capitalist world, this Under the Radar segment is for you!Patreon for Cocktails & Capitalism: https://www.patreon.com/cocktailsandcapitalism?utm_campaign=creatorshare_creatorPatreon for Independent Thought: https://www.patreon.com/Independentthought?utm_campaign=creatorshare_fanSupport the showCocktails & Capitalism is an anticapitalist labor of love, but we could use your help to make this project sustainable. If you can support our work with even a dollar a month, that would really help us continue to strengthen the class consciousness of folks suffering under capitalism around the globe. https://www.patreon.com/cocktailsandcapitalism

In this episode, I speak with The Lever's Rebecca Burns about the explosive Norfolk Southern train derailment that produced a toxic mushroom cloud over East Palestine, Ohio. We talk through the events that unfolded on February 3rd when train cars carrying over a million pounds of hazardous chemicals went off the tracks, explaining how this nightmare was a product of corporate greed. Rebecca outlines the regulatory failures that led to this disaster. We discuss the role that the chemical and rail lobbies have played in creating the unsafe conditions for this catastrophic derailment. Rather than investing in maintenance, their workforce, or upgrades to Civil War-era breaking systems, railroad companies like Norfolk Southern have been sinking their growing profits into executive pay and stock buybacks.The 7 largest freight railroad companies in the US (including Norfolk Southern) spent $191 billion on stock buybacks and shareholder dividends from 2011-2021. At the very same time, these companies were firing workers like crazy, slashing their workforces by 30%. In so many ways, this preventable corporate disaster was directly connected to the labor movement and the crushing of the rail worker strike by the Biden administration. While these workers had been asking for paid time off, the railroad industry has refused to offer reasonable schedules, forcing workers to abide by their draconian model of “precision scheduled railroading.”We also discuss the human side of this corporate catastrophe, including the health impacts on the people of East Palestine and the noble efforts of locals like the folks at River Valley Organizing to stand up for the wellbeing of those in the affected area. The Lever Cocktail 45 ml Gin15 ml Suze bitter aperitif 15 ml honey 22 ml lemon juice 30 ml turmeric tea blend Brew turmeric tea using 2 tea bags to make a strong brew. Let tea cool and then add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker. Shake with ice. Strain into a rocks glass with cubed ice and garnish with a lemon slice and a sprinkle of Cayenne pepper.RESOURCES:The Lever levernews.comRebecca Burns in The Lever & on Twitter“Rail Companies Blocked Safety Rules Before Ohio Derailment”River Valley Organizing (also on Twitter & IG)Railroad Workers United (Twitter & IG)Support the showCocktails & Capitalism is an anticapitalist labor of love, but we could use your help to make this project sustainable. If you can support our work with even a dollar a month, that would really help us continue to strengthen the class consciousness of folks suffering under capitalism around the globe. https://www.patreon.com/cocktailsandcapitalism

This conversation with Amy Westervelt and Paul Paz y Miño examines and condemns the extreme charges that have been used against Cop City protestors, Steven Donziger, and others for defending people and the planet.In the first half of the discussion, we talk about Chevron's brutal legal assault against those who have tried to hold the company accountable for its deliberate pollution of Ecuador, focusing on the use of the RICO Act against Steven Donziger.We then shift our discussion to the insane domestic terrorism charges for 42 protestors involved in the Stop Cop City movement and potential RICO indictments in the coming days, explaining how these charges are part of a dangerous trend of escalating legal tactics that the state and corporations use to suppress dissent. Paul Paz y Miño is the associate director of Amazon Watch, an environmental org that  works with Indigenous communities in the rainforest. They were listed as a non-party co-conspirator in the RICO case against Donziger.Amy Westervelt is an investigative climate journalist who hosts a number of amazing podcasts including Drilled, Damages, Rigged, and Hot Take. These shows shine light on the crimes of the fossil fuel industry.Also discussed:-The Green Scare-Standing Rock-Charges for Standing Rock protestors-Criminal infrastructure laws-The Patriot Act-The legality of these insane charges-Chilling effects on the climate movement COCKTAIL PAIRING:The Forest Defender           2 oz    White Rum½ oz    Lime Juice¼ ozSt. Germain Elderflower¼ oz    Celery Juice¼ ozSimple Syrup⅛ tsp   Matcha powder         Cucumber wheelAdd all ingredients into a shaker, muddle a cucumber, and shake hard with ice. Double strain into a chilled coupe. Garnish with a thinly-sliced cucumber wheel.RESOURCES:Atlanta Community Press Collective, article on upcoming indictmentsUnicorn Riot article on RICO chargesAl Jazeera articleAtlanta Solidarity Fund statement on possible RICO charges. Support them hereGuardian articleSupport the showCocktails & Capitalism is an anticapitalist labor of love, but we could use your help to make this project sustainable. If you can support our work with even a dollar a month, that would really help us continue to strengthen the class consciousness of folks suffering under capitalism around the globe. https://www.patreon.com/cocktailsandcapitalism

This week, I speak with Kamau Franklin about the insane charges for Stop Cop City protestors, including possible RICO indictments in the coming days. We discuss Sunday's massive police raid which resulted in 35 arrests and 23 domestic terrorism charges, bringing the total number of domestic terrorism charges for #StopCopCity activists to 44. While RICO charges have not been issued, community organizations in Atlanta including Community Movement Builders and the Atlanta Solidarity Fund have announced that they expect these indictments in the coming weeks. The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act was created in the 70's to go after the mafia. It targets organized criminal enterprises, enabling extended penalties including sentences of 5 to 20 years and the seizure of financial assets from individuals and organizationsKAMAU FRANKLIN is a community organizer, writer, lawyer, and cofounder of Community Movement Builders, a national Black collective that works to build sustainable, self-determining communities through cooperative economics and community organizing. A fundamental component of this work is building resistance to police brutality and overpolicing. I recently spoke with Kamau and 2 other activists from the movement to Stop Cop City and defend the Atlanta forest, and I highly recommend that folks go back and listen to this important discussion.HOW TO HELP:Show up to Weelaunee Park!Donate to the Atlanta Solidarity Fund!Sign this and this petitionSend automated emails to #StopCopCity funders, contractors, and city officialsGET PLUGGED INTO THE MOVEMENT:Communitymovementbuilders.orgDefendtheatlantaforest.orgFollow and share! @defendATLforest on Twitter and @stopcopcity on InstagramTHE STOP COP CITY COCKTAIL(SIMPLIFIED VERSION)30 ml blueberry shrub40 ml vodka or whiskeySoda water or waterIceBlueberry Shrubb350g Blueberries350ml Granulated Sugar225ml Vinegar (wine, apple cider, or unseasoned rice)Mash berries, add sugar, & stir to combine. Seal & let sit at room temperature for ~24 h. Periodically shake or stir to dissolve sugar.Strain, slowly add vinegar, & taste. It should taste sweet & sharp but not overpowering, so add more sugar or vinegar to your liking. Label & cover with lid. Shelf stable for up to 1 year.Support the showCocktails & Capitalism is an anticapitalist labor of love, but we could use your help to make this project sustainable. If you can support our work with even a dollar a month, that would really help us continue to strengthen the class consciousness of folks suffering under capitalism around the globe. https://www.patreon.com/cocktailsandcapitalism

Rick of the Decolonized Buffalo podcast joins me to talk about Leftist misconceptions regarding Indigenous issues. An Indigenous socialist who is a member of the Comanche Nation, Rick has spent time organizing with PLS and the Socialist Party. While he advocates for getting involved in organizing, he has had a number of problematic, often racist experiences with non-Natives in Leftist organizing spaces. Rick shares these experiences, explaining that they often stem from racist misconceptions regarding Indigenous history, issues, and social structures.You can listen to the Decolonized Buffalo podcast on Apple , Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts! Follow the show on Instagram, and you can follow Rick on Twitter. If you check out his shared drive, you'll find an amazing collection of leftist and decolonial books and other free resources. COCKTAIL PAIRING: The Sovereignty MargaritaChamoyada Margarita-3 oz mango juice-1 oz silver tequila-1 oz triple sec-.5 oz fresh lime juice-1 tbsp kosher salt-1 tbsp chili powder-⅛ tsp lime zest -chamoy for coating glass-lime wheel for garnishSupport the showCocktails & Capitalism is an anticapitalist labor of love, but we could use your help to make this project sustainable. If you can support our work with even a dollar a month, that would really help us continue to strengthen the class consciousness of folks suffering under capitalism around the globe. https://www.patreon.com/cocktailsandcapitalism

Have you ever wondered why we tip in the US? It seems like such an American thing to do and if you've ever traveled abroad, you almost immediately notice that most other countries don't participate in this system. But why is that and where did it come from? In this episode we explore tipping in America with our resident anti-capitalist bartender and long time service industry worker, Jesse Torres. He takes us on an in-depth look at the history of tipping, explaining how this system of payment is rooted in classism and racism that exploits and alienates workers—especially and disproportionally women, queer folks, and people of color.Are there alternatives to tipping and how can service industry workers move to a better system? Join the discussion as we work towards reimagining service industry wages and business models and look at current examples of change already happening across the country.Support the show

In this episode, I speak with 3 activists working to STOP COP CITY – a highly militarized police training facility that would pave over one of the largest remaining forests in Atlanta. These 3 are part of a broad coalition of activists without centralized leadership who have come together to resist this development and defend the Atlanta Forest. Days after we recorded this episode, fellow activist and forest defender Tortuguita was shot and killed by the police during a massive raid. Calls for an independent investigation into this killing have been growing, as the version of events publicized by the police seems highly questionable. 7 more activists were arrested and charged with domestic terrorism.Cop City would be located right next to black and brown working class neighborhoods in Atlanta. These communities would be subjected to increased police harassment as well as the environmental consequences of destroying the forest: poorer air quality, hotter summers, and less protection from flooding. This $90 million military-grade urban warfare training center would be the largest facility of its kind in America. It would have a testing area for explosives, 12 firing ranges, a helicopter landing pad, and a center for practicing crowd control. In addition to boosting police morale and recruitment in the wake of the 2020 uprising, Cop City would serve a much more sinister function: to expand the police state and crush movement building in America and around the globe.In addition to exposing the fundamental connection between capitalism and policing, this episode examines the legacy of racial oppression that Cop City would inherit. We discuss the theft of this land from the Muscogee people as well as its use as a slave plantation and prison farm. We also address the important role that Indigenous and Queer activists have played within this movement.CALLS TO ACTION:*DONATE to the Atlanta Solidarity Fund to support legal costs *Call Atlanta Police Foundation investors, ask them to divest from Cop City (stopreevesyoung.com) *Form an action committee in your city!*GO TO THE PARK IN SOLIDARITY! RESOURCES:*Defend the Atlanta Forest website*Follow Defend the Atlanta Forest on  Twitter, IG, FB, Telegram,and TikTok*Al Jezeera video: Police vs Atlanta: The Battle Over Cop City*Democracy Now video with Kamau Franklin*Kamau Franklin's article in TruthOut: STOP COP CITY COCKTAIL:45mlBourbon Whiskey15mlPine Liqueur (or more bourbon)30mlBlueberry Shrubb (we'll post the recipe on Instagram)15mlElderberry syrupSoda waterAdd all ingredients except the soda water to a shaker and shake  with ice. Fine strain into a Collins glass with ice & top with soda water. Garnish with a pine tip &blueberries.Support the show

Reagan and Velveeta have been working with fellow dancers to unionize the Star Garden Topless Dive Bar. While the club is contesting the results of their union vote from back in November, it looks like these ladies will succeed in forming the only stripper union in America! This will be the second unionized strip club in the history of the country, the first being the Lusty Lady in San Francisco which closed in 2013. We discuss the physical harassment and other unsafe working conditions that drove the Star Garden dancers to unionize. After petitioning their employer, 18 dancers were locked out of their workplace in March of ‘22. As a result, the women were driven to escalate their tactics to striking and picketing in front of the club. They've since collected union cards and voted in an official union election. Moving forward, the Actors Equity Association will assist these women as they bargain for a contract. To raise money for the out-of-work dancers on strike, Reagan and Velveeta and some other dancers in the community have been using a side project, the Stripper Co-Op, to put on brilliantly unique and vibrant pop-up strip shows at various venues. The money raised through the Co-Op is distributed fairly amongst the strippers, and they also donate a portion to mutual aid. Donations made between the Stripper Co-Op and its previous virtual iteration, the Cyber Clown Girls, total over $50,000 from May 2020 to the present to over 100 different orgs. The Stripper Co-Op was also inspired by the worker-owned Lusty Lady.Follow @stripperstrikenoho on Instagram and Twitter! @stripstrikenohoPlease support their strike fund here! Sign their petition for safety here!You can also follow their Stripper Co-op on Instagram: @stripperco_op or Shoutout to @jessejamz for crafting the lovely fancy version of the Stripper Strike cocktail! Cheers & solidarity!Stripper Strike60 ml Gin (like Las Californias)15 ml Lime juice60 ml Fever Tree Pink Grapefruit Tonic Water   Lime wedge ( garnish)Stripper Strike, fancy version60 ml Gin (like Las Californias)15 ml Lime juice30 ml Ruby Red Grapefruit Juice 10 ml Grenadine or Jamaica (Hibiscus) syrup (recipe below) 45 ml Tonic Water Small pinch of Salt Add all ingredients except the Tonic Water to a cocktail shaker & shake well with cubed ice. Fine strain into a Collins or rocks glass & top with the Tonic Water. Take the peel of a grapefruit & express over the drink & garnish. Glassware:  Collins or rocks glassGarnish: Grapefruit peelABV: 14%You can find Jamaica at your local Mexican or Central American food store. You can also use a well-made grenadine in place of the Jamaica, if unavailable. Jamaica Syrup75g Jamaica500ml Sugar, granulated white500ml WaterUsing a pan and stove, add water, sugar, and Jamaica and bring to a boil. Let lightly simmer for 20 minutes. Fine strain into a container to let cool. Then bottle and label. Jamaica Syrup must be refrigerated and is good for up to one month.Support the show

This week, I speak with a Jodie of Palestine Action – a UK-based network of activists using sustained direct action to shut down businesses profiting off of the violent oppression of Palestinians. They've already shut down two facilities owned and operated by Elbit Systems, and their tireless work has led to the cancellation of 280 million worth of British military contracts with Israel. Jodie paints a vivid picture of what it looks like to engage in direct action. We break down the meaning of direct action and how it differs from participating in protests. We discuss what this has looked like for Palestine Action, from lock-ons to large-scale property damage used to shut down  facilities by making these blood-soaked capitalist enterprises untenable & unprofitable. Elbit Systems is Israel's largest weapons provider. They produce the drones that monitor and attack Palestinians as well as technology for the apartheid wall. This Israeli company advertises its products as “battle tested” because they've been used extensively against a captive Palestinian population. It uses Gaza as a  “weapons testing lab” so that it can market and sell its products to oppressive regimes around the world. Their drones and weaponry have been used in Myanmar, Kashmir, and on the US-Mexico border wall. GET INVOLVED!Join Pal Action & sign up for the newsletter!https://www.palestineaction.org/join-the-resistance/Participate in a workshop! https://bit.ly/PalActionWorksFollow PalAction on…Insta: https://www.instagram.com/pal_action/Twitter: https://twitter.com/Pal_actionTelegram: https://t.me/palactionDonate to support their work! https://www.palestineaction.org/donate/DRINK PAIRING:Molotov MocktailThis wonderful wintery drink can be served hot or cold! It's a spirit-free cocktail, but as per Jodie's request, the flavors really hit your taste buds "like a sledgehammer" Molotov Mocktail2LWater350gFresh Cranberries (one 12oz package)350mlSweetener—Granulated Sugar, Honey, or Maple Syrup2Cinnamon Sticks12Whole Cloves10Whole Allspice Berries1Star Anise5Fresh Ginger Slices, peeled (about the size of a quarter)2Black Tea sachets 60mlLemon JuiceMETHOD: Add water and cranberries to a pot and bring to a boil. Cover and let simmer for 30 minutes. Add sugar, whole spices, and ginger and simmer for an additional hour, covered. Turn off the heat, add the tea sachets, and let steep for five minutes. Add the lemon juice and stir to incorporate. Strain out all the solids and let cool completely.Serve hot or chilled and poured over ice! Garnish with a lemon slice and a star anise. Enjoy!Tip: to make this boozy, add 45ml of your favorite spirit. Vodka, gin, bourbon, and light rum work best but use whatever you like. A red wine like Burgundy or Merlot work in this as well.Support the show

In this episode, Jessica Burbank explains the origins of her anticapitalist views. We discuss her working class background, her family's economic hardships during the 2008 economic crash, and the massive bank bailouts that led her to dive deep into the field of economics. Next, we pivot to a discussion of capitalism as an undemocratic system designed “by and for the bosses.” We explore how this for-profit system manufactures scarcity, tying this fundamental tenet of capitalism to the kind of predatory practices of the oil and gas industries. These companies have engaged in horrific price gouging as American's suffer through the economic hardships of an ongoing pandemic. (For more on this topic, watch Jessica's video with More Perfect Union titled “Why Gas Prices Are So High Right Now.”)Jessica is an organizer and political analyst whose work with More Perfect Union and The Young Turks shines light on so many important issues, from military spending to the labor movement.  Don't miss her Ted-X talk – “A New Direction for the U.S. Economy” – wherein Jessica calls for revolution and the complete overhaul of our economic system. Follow Jessica Burbank on TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, and Substack. Be sure to watch her videos about CIA history. Check out her work with The Young Turks:Rebel HQUnbossed with Senator Nina Turner (YouTube show and podcast)(“Unhoused On Skid Row In Need Of Basic Facilities”)Jessica Burbank's recommended reading:Stephanie Kelton's book The Deficit Myth and her substack The Lens. Longer listCOCKTAIL:   DAIQUIRDATION The name is a play on the economic term “backwardation” that describes a situation in which the “futures” price of an asset is lower than the current price of the same asset)This is a delicious take on the classic daiquiri with the addition of guava since this is Jessica's favorite kind of juice. Because guava juice varies in sweetness, you might want to adjust the amount of simple syrup to your liking. Daiquirdation2 oz rum1 oz guava juice1 oz lime1/4 oz simple syrup3 dashes bittersFill a shaker with ice, add all ingredients, and shake well. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and enjoy!Support the show

When invited to speak at the recent Gates Foundation Goalkeepers 2030 event, Mikaela Loach seized the opportunity to announce that capitalism is causing climate change and “billionaires shouldn't exist.” This young climate justice activist has been fighting fossil fuel projects in the UK using a variety of tactics. She is one of three claimants who has taken the UK government to court for handing over taxpayer money to fossil fuel companies in violation of their commitments to reach net zero emissions. Mikaela has been heavily involved in the #StopCambo campaign that successfully shut down development of the Cambo oil field. She and others in this campaign continue to fight the development of Rosebank, the biggest untapped oil field in the North Sea. If the oil and gas in this massive field are burned, they will create more CO2 than all the total emissions from all 28 low-income countries. #StopeRosebankMikaela is a 5th year medical student and the co-host of the YIKES Podcast – a show that focuses on the things that make us go “Yikes!” – from the climate crisis to racial capitalism. She just announced that she has a book coming out called IT'S NOT THAT RADICAL: Climate Action to Transform Our World. Pre-order the book here!Links:Follow & amplify the #StopRosebank campaign with @StopCamboPre-order Mikaela's book: It's Not That Radical: Climate Action to Transform Our WorldRead We Will Not Cancel Us by Adrienne Marie BrownCOCKTAIL: No More BillionairesMikaela Loach is a Climate Justice Activist and a lover of agave spirits. This drink combines the smokey elements of mezcal with the spice and richness of ancho chiles to make a cross between a Spicy Margarita and a Paloma. Be sure to use fresh grapefruit juice as it is key to making this drink bright and extra delicious. Italicus Bergamot Liqueur rounds out this cocktail and helps combine all the ingredients while also providing a lovely rich floral backdrop. 30     ml   Mezcal30    ml    Ancho Reyes Ancho Chile Liqueur  30    ml    Grapefruit juice15    ml    Lime juice15    ml    Italicus Bergamot Liqueur or St Germain8       ml    Simple Syrup (15ml if not using Italicus)    Small pinch of saltAdd all ingredients to a cocktail shaker and shake well with cubed ice. Fine strain into a rocks glass filled with ice and garnish with an expressed grapefruit peel.Glassware:      RocksGarnish:         Grapefruit peelABV:             20%Pro tip: Italicus is an Italian liqueur made with bergamot and floral botanicals. It adds a lovely and rich floral backdrop to this cocktail. You can substitute a couple dashes of floral or lavender bitters or St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur. Or you can just used 15ml of simple syrup instead.Support the show

This episode dives into the nightmarish reality of residential schools and their connection to capitalism. Here are some of the issues we discuss:The history of the residential school systemThe connection between residential schools and the militaryHow these facilities promoted capitalist valuesHow residential school allowed for the theft of land“Outing programs” that tried to make Indigenous children into farm laborers and servantsIndigenous erasure and how it was perpetuated by these “schools”Native activismProfessor Jimmy Lee Beason II is a member of the Osage Nation. He is also a Professor in the Indigenous American Indian Studies Department at Haskell University in Lawrence, Kansas – a facility that was once the site of a residential school. Through his work, he's able to share Indigenous history, culture, and values with Native youth and adults. In teaching and mentoring Indigenous students, Jimmy's decolonial work combats the legacy of Indigenous erasure perpetuated by the residential school system across Turtle Island. Follow Jimmy on Instagram @osage_native_scholar and you can find links to his written works and interviews on Linktree.Osage Native Cooler (spirit-free)This spirit-free cocktail is a refreshing non-alcoholic riff on a classic Cooler. Jimmy prefers cucumber and mint but try it with any fruit and herb combination like strawberry and basil or use cilantro instead of mint. A non-alcoholic spirit such as Seedlip helps to add the flavor and body of a alcoholic spirit without any of the booze and can really elevate and add complexity to your favorite spirit-free cocktail. Try finding one—it's worth the effort!Osage Native Cooler60    ml    Non-alcoholic Spirit like Seedlip Garden 10815    ml    Honey or simple sugar syrup22    ml    Fresh Lime Juice6        Slices of fresh cucumber6-8         Mint leaves                 Small pinch of salt1-3        Slices of Jalapeno (optional)            Mineral or carbonated water to top    In a cocktail shaker add the slices of cucumber, jalapeno (if using) and non-alcoholic spirit and muddle very well. Add the rest of the ingredients except the carbonated water and shake with ice. Fine strain into a Collins glass filled with cubed ice. Top with your favorite carbonated water and garnish with a slice of cucumber and mint bouquet.Glassware:      Collins glassGarnish:         Cucumber slice and Mint bouquetABV:             0%Pro Tip: if not using a non-alcoholic spirit, use 35ml of honey or simple sugar syrup, 45ml lime juice, and 30ml of water instead. Support the show

Join us for a fun deep dive into the history of Halloween and Día de los Muertos with Nash and Angel of the Death and Friends podcast. We talk about the ancient origins of Halloween, beginning with the Celtic bonfires, feasts, and drunken festivities that took place during Samhain. When the forces of colonialism, Catholicism, and capitalism arrive on the scene, the Pagan celebration is appropriated and severely distorted. We discuss how these communal celebrations slowly morph into the capitalist holiday that we now celebrate by purchasing candy, decorations, mass-produced costumes, and scary movies. Angel Luna helps us understand the connections between Halloween and Día de los Muertos. He explains the anticapitalist origins of sugar skulls – a tradition that grew out of political art critiquing the Mexican bourgeoisie. To give you a bit of Angel's background, he is a Chicago-based comedian and magician. If you need a magician for a wedding, a bar mitzvah, or a quinceniera, you should hit him up! Follow him on Twitter and IG.Nash Flynn is actually a returning guest who previously appeared on the show to talk about how capitalism ruined funerals. In addition to being a comedian, Nash is also a death historian who studies death-ways and burial rituals. She's also the host of the Tomorrow Today podcast that explores current research about the shape of the future.Follow Death and Friends on IG and TwitterFollow Nash on Twitter and IG~~~~~~~~~~Our cocktail pairing for this episode is the “October Veil,” a name that refers to the ancient belief that the veil between this world and the next is thinnest during Samhain. It was believed that the veil became so thin during this time of year that spirits could cross over into the world of the living. Big thanks to Jesse Torres for crafting this beautiful Halloween drink!October Veil CocktailUse your favorite spiced rum but we recommend using Chairman's Reserve, Bounty, or Foursquare. Any good dry fortified wine that isn't sweet like Madeira, Sherry, or Port will work great here too. 60 ml Chairman's Reserve St. Lucian Spiced Rum22 ml Dry Madeira or Sherry 22 ml Cinnamon syrup30 ml Pumpkin puree (canned)15 ml Lemon Juice15 ml Cranberry Juice2 dash Aromatic BittersAdd all ingredients to a cocktail shaker and shake well with one ice cube. Dump into a brandy snifter or other lovely glass and top with pebble or crushed ice. Add a straw and garnish with a rosemary sprig, fresh cranberries, and a dusting of powdered sugar. Glassware:  Brandy SnifterGarnish: Rosemary Sprig, Fresh Cranberries, Powdered SugarABV: 18%Cinnamon syrup2:1 ratio by weight of granulated demerara sugar to water. Using a pan and stove, add sugar to water and bring to a simmer (≈88°C—DO NOT BOIL). Add three broken cinnamon sticks to every 250ml of water and let simmer for twenty minutes until sugar is completely dissolved. Fine strain, bottle, and label. Shelf stable up to one month.Support the show

What is mutual aid? Joshua Potash helps me answer this question in an episode that connects the dots between mutual aid, capitalism and policing. We examine the anarchist origins of the term before we discuss how the practice of mutual aid can help us start to build a world outside of capitalism. Joshua Potash is an anticapitalist abolitionist who helped to found WSP Mutual Aid – a group that provides food, tenets, sweep defense, and other support for folks experiencing houselessness. He also works for Slow Factory, an institute that uses science, education, and regenerative design to advance climate justice and social equity. I am constantly sharing Joshua's brilliant takes from Twitter, where he uses his following to shine light on issues like policing, activism, and the rise of fascism. Follow WSP Mutual Aid on Twitter & IG  Support their work via Venmo or CashAppFollow Joshua Potash on Twitter and InstagramReading list: Solidarity Not Charity, Dean SpadeMutual Aid, Dean SpadeMutual Aid: A Factor in Evolution by Peter KropotkinJackson Rising~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~Mutual Lemon-Aid (spirit -free mocktail)Makes one drink1        Large lemon60    ml    Juice from the one lemon40    ml    Sugar250    ml    Water            small pinch of salt            Optional: 1 cardamom pod  Makes approximately 2 liters of Lemonade6        Large lemons350    ml    Juice from the 6 lemons250    ml    Sugar1.5    L    Water            large pinch of salt                Optional: 5 cardamom pods  Peel lemons with a vegetable peeler, getting as much of the peel off as possible w/o much white pith. Put the peels in a container & cover with granulated sugar and massage the peels with your hands or a muddler to release the oils into the sugar. Cover & let stand for 3 to 24 hours. Periodically stir to incorporate the oil into the sugar. Juice the lemons & filter out seeds. After letting peels and sugar sit, add lemon juice, water, & salt. Stir until sugar is incorporated. Strain out lemon peels and chill well before serving. To serve, simply pour over ice and garnish with a lemon peel. Enjoy!Add your favorite spirit for a boozy option.Pro tip: take about five cardamom pods and smash to break open. Gently toast the pods in a pan on the stove until fragrant—just a few minutes. Add the pods to the lemon peel and sugar mixture and let steep while the sugar is drawing out the oils from the peels. Remove the pods when you filter out the peels.     Support the show

We're back with season 3! We begin by interviewing Chris Smalls – the founder and president of the Amazon Labor Union and the face of the growing labor movement in America. Chris tells us about his #hotlaborsummer tour and his travels across the country to lead protests in front of CEO mansions and penthouses. We discuss his “new school” approach to organizing that has done so much to energize young workers across America and beyond. On top of bringing the party to the picket line, Chris and others at the ALU are showing the world what solidarity looks like. Tune in to hear us discuss how the ALU provides mutual aid to fellow workers in a way that has created a powerful culture of support and solidarity. Amazon is the largest employer in America, so the fact that Chris, Derrick, and their fellow organizers have succeeded in unionizing the first Amazon location in history is a phenomenal accomplishment. Don't miss this episode, where we discuss how the labor movement is working to combat the heartless, exploitative forces of capitalism!Cheers & solidarity!HOT LABOR SUMMER COCKTAILTo celebrate Hot Labor Summer — a hashtag popularized by Chris Smalls — our resident anticapitalist bartender Jesse Torres crafted a delicious spicy cocktail by the same name. It's perfect for on the patio, by the pool, or on the picket line.60ml Kentucky Bourbon or Cognac (other spirits substitute nicely)30ml Pineapple juice15ml Good quality Grenadine15ml Lime juice1 dash Aromatic BittersJalapeños (for muddling)Method:Muddle 2-3 slices of jalapeños in a shaker tin with the bourbon. Add the rest of the ingredients and shake well with ice. Double strain into a rocks glass rimmed with chili lime salt like Tajin, and fill with ice. Garnish with a grilled pineapple spear or jalapeño slice.Support the show

Strap in for season 3 of the Cocktails & Capitalism podcast!  Here's a sneak preview of my recent interview with Chris Smalls, the founder and president of the Amazon Labor Union.  Don't miss this powerful episode, which drops next Tuesday, October 18th!This season will focus heavily on the growing labor movement. I'll be collaborating with organizers and activists who help me dive deep into topics like corporate propaganda, mutual aid, and capitalism's decay into fascism. Stay tuned for amazing interviews with inspirational individuals like Amy Westervelt, Joshua Potash, and PrepperPig.Tune in Tuesdays for your weekly dose of anticapitalist storytelling!Cheers & solidarity!Support the show

America's healthcare system is not only broken – it's exploitative. This reality became incredibly clear to Christy Snodgrass during her time as a nurse, leading her to leave nursing and throw herself into reforming the field of medicine to better serve struggling patients and healthcare workers. In the season 2 finale of Cocktails & Capitalism, Christy and I discuss the experiences that led her to become a patient advocate who has devoted her life to helping others navigate this expensive, convoluted, heartless system. Her story was so powerful that it made me cry, and that's saying a lot on this often dark and heavy podcast. I came across Christy's work when bartender Jesse sent me one of her many fantastic TikTok videos – one that offers clear steps for negotiating down your hospital bills. Her other videos show you how to save money in this expensive, fucked up medical system, how to apply for charity care, and how to find patient advocacy services. GO FOLLOW CHRISTY ON TIKTOK AND INSTAGRAM for more clear, practical advice on how to navigate our healthcare system.Christy is the founder of Healthcare Reformed – a company that provides patients and healthcare workers with the resources necessary to support their physical, emotional, and financial wellbeing. As stated on their website, Healthcare Reformed “strives to bring transparency to our complicated and often exploitative healthcare system.”Big thanks to Jesse Torres for crafting the perfect cocktail! The Christy PRN CocktailThis is a riff on the classic Whiskey Smash, a class of mixed beverage from the late 1800s. It is a direct descendant of the famous Julep category of drinks, of which, the Mint Julep reigns supreme. The Smash, while similar to the Julep, has the addition of some ornamental fruits (in our case, blackberries) for garnish and is always shaken so that the mint is “smashed”—hence the name.One of the earliest examples of a smash appears in the form of a Julep recipe in Jerry Thomas' 1862 How to Mix Drinks, or, The Bon Vivant's Companion. Though Thomas doesn't mention the Smash by name, his definition of the Julep clearly lays the foundation for the future of the category. Fast-forward to 1888 and turn to barman Harry Johnson, who, unlike Thomas, addresses the Smash directly as a separate cocktail from a Julep. Though he's not especially wordy on the topic, Johnson does include four distinct Smash recipes. His Old Style Whiskey Smash is a casual concoction of sugar, water, mint, “small pieces” of ice and one “wineglass” of whiskey (about 60ml). He added that to a glass with “fruits in season,”, gave it a mix and served it with a Julep strainer.Blackberry Whiskey Smash60    ml    Bourbon or Rye Whiskey22    ml    Simple Syrup (2:1)            Half a medium lemon cut into four equal pieces            About ten mint leaves            Four BlackberriesAdd simple syrup, lemons, mint, and blackberries to a shaker tin and muddle well to smash the blackberries and to press all the juice out of the lemon pieces. Fill the shaker with cubed ice and shake vigorously until properly chilled and diluted. Fine strain into a rocks glass filled with cubed ice. Garnish with a bouquet of mint, a thinly-sliced lemon wheel, and a couple of blackberries.Glassware:      Rocks or old fashioned glassSupport the show

Saadia Mirza joins us from Texas to break down the insanity of America's gun violence epidemic. Our discussion takes place in the aftermath of the Uvalde school shooting, at a time when there are too many mass shootings in America for the media to cover. Saadia shares how her connection to a victim of the Sandy Hook massacre led her to become incredibly outspoken about this ongoing American nightmare. She completely dismantles common myths pertaining to guns, including the myth that the only thing that can stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun. In addition, she explains the enormous human and financial cost of gun violence in America. Tune in to hear us discuss how the NRA, gun manufacturers, and the republican party have distorted the gun debate, pitting Americans against one another to amass wealth and power.  Be sure to follow Saadia Mirza on TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter for more crystal clear political commentary!Support the show

If we want to have any chance of countering the rising power of the right, we need to start healing the divides that have only deepened on the left. A big part of this is engaging in productive conversations with folks who aren't as far left but who nevertheless hold a lot of fundamental views in common. This is why I thought it would be good to dive into a discussion about how we can start to communicate across political divides.In this episode, I speak with Desmond Price about how he has learned to have good-faith conversations with folks across the political spectrum. Desmond is the host of Independent Thought – a podcast that brings a psychologically-savvy approach to politics. Tune in to hear how he's learned to engage in political discussions that change peoples' minds. Listen to Independent Thought wherever you get your podcasts! (Spotify, Apple,,etc)Follow IT on Twitter and InstagramCOCKTAIL:HEALING TEA  (spirit-free)2 bags of camomile tea300 ml hot water1 dashes cinnamon3 dashes turmeric2 shakes of ginger powder or a few slices of fresh gingerA few goji berries Mix all ingredients in a heat proof mug with hot water and let steep. If using real ginger, remove this and add in the goji berries. Stir and enjoy!HEALING TEA COCKTAIL54 ml tequila2 bags of camomile tea300 ml hot water1 dashes cinnamon3 dashes turmeric2 shakes of ginger powder or a few slices of fresh gingerA spoonful of honey (or more if you'd prefer)Juice from half a lemonMix all ingredients in a mug or a heat-proof container, let steep and cool or refrigerate to chill. Add ice and shake. Strain into a glass with ice and enjoy! Support the show

Speaking of Disney, Kane Lynch remarks that “their power and wealth is more like a nation than an entertainment company.” As you'll learn in this episode, they even have a secret police force called Global Intelligence and Threat Analysis. Previously, we explored Disney's role in exporting American capitalism around the globe. This week, Kane joins us again to discuss the corporation's efforts to recapture the whimsy and magic of Walt's legacy while reaching their corporate tentacles across the globe. We also explore the company's shady labor practices, their decisions to move jobs overseas rather than negotiating with striking animators, and their recent involvement in the culture wars with Florida's “Don't Say Gay” bill. Tune in to hear how to company went from exporting right wing capitalist ideology to being canceled by conservatives.Kane Lynch is a cartoonist and educator whose non-fiction and journalism comics and illustrations have appeared on The Nib, Slate, and Psychology Today and in the 2020 graphic novel titled Guantanamo Voices. He has a kids graphic novel coming out in 2024 titled First Steps. Follow him on Instagram and Twitter and check out his website here! Duck Blur30    ml    Shadow Ridge Gin15    ml    St. George Raspberry eau de vie15    ml    Giffard Crème de Peche de Vigne Liqueur    15    ml    Giffard Blue Curaçao 22    ml    Lemon JuiceOptional:    Egg WhiteAdd all ingredients to a shaker tin and fill with cubed ice. Shake vigorously until properly chilled and diluted. Fine strain into a chilled coupe of martini glass. Garnish with a little rubber ducky and smile. If using an egg white, add all ingredients except egg white to one half of a shaker. Add egg white to other shaker tin. Combine both tins and shake hard with ice for about 10 seconds. Strain out ice and shake hard for another 10 seconds. Fine strain into a large coupe or martini-style glass. Garnish with a little rubber ducky and smile.Huge thanks to Jesse Torres for crafting the perfect drink for this story! Support the show

Speaking of Disney – the company that has forced us “to share the same formative dreams” – film critic Richard Schickel writes, “As capitalism, it is a work of genius; as culture, it is mostly a horror.” In this episode, I speak with cartoonist and educator Kane Lynch, who walks us through the story of Walt Disney, the birth of the Disney empire, and the many ways the company has helped to export capitalist ideology around the globe. Tune in to hear how Disney cartoons were used as propaganda during WWII and later as a means of combating the spread of communism in Latin America. Kane Lynch is a cartoonist and educator whose non-fiction and journalism comics and illustrations have appeared on The Nib, Slate, and Psychology Today and in the 2020 graphic novel Guantanamo Voices. He also has a kids' graphic novel coming out in 2024 titled First Steps. Follow him on Instagram and Twitter, and check out his website here. .I'm brokenhearted to report that the creator of our amazing intro song, Tim Hunt, (a.k.a. DRMWVR), recently suffered a terrible accident.  He fell from a balcony, smashing 5 vertebrae and 7 ribs. He is currently paralyzed from the waist down, unable to feel or move his legs. While he is going to fight like hell for the chance to walk again, the mental, logistical, and financial challenges in front of him are insanely daunting. Everything that has the potential to give Tim the best chances of recovery is ridiculously expensive, including rent near his rehab center and a $30,000 electrode machine that will allow him to keep exercising his legs once he leaves the facility. If any of you have the ability to contribute to Tim's mutual aid fund,  it would do so much to help Tim take on the many challenges that lie ahead. I would appreciate it so much! You can contribute through his GoFundMe page right here, or through the link in his bio! Follow Tim on Instagram to see his art and watch his inspirational healing journey. I'm constantly being blown away by his strength in the face of adversity. I can barely navigate this capitalist hellscape on a good day! Also, check out his rad electronic music on SoundCloud and Spotify!Support the show

We're joined by filmmaker, storyteller, and poet Zachary Marlow, who tells us about his personal journey in relation to alcohol consumption. He shares how he was driven to drink to escape the alienating aspects of our capitalist hellscape, relating this addictive drive to society's destructive addiction to capitalism. Marlow is one of 3 hosts of the Moneyless Society podcast – a show that aims to envision a world free of the corrupting influence of the profit motive. This project is closely tied to the work of the Moneyless Society nonprofit, which is actively building out a networking and resource hub through which people can use their skills to satisfy the needs of society without the exchange of money. Follow Moneyless Society on FaceBook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok, and support them on Patreon. You can listen to their podcast on all major platforms (Google, Apple, Spotify, etc.) Escape from Capitalism Cocktail Makes two drinks1    med.    Mango, peeled and pitted 75    ml    Honey Ginger Syrup150    ml    Cream of Coconut (REAL, Coco Lopez, or freshly made)100    ml    Coconut Water10     drops    Cannabis Tincture (if not using Cannabis-infused Honey Ginger Syrup)200    g    Ice Cubes50    ml    Tart Cherry Juice, for each drink (fresh or bottled)Add all ingredients except cherry juice to blender, blend on high for 20 seconds. Pour into your two favorite cups and top with the tart cherry juice to float. Add a straw if you like, and garnish with a fresh cherry.Glassware:      Collins-style glassGarnish:         Fresh cherryABV:             0%Honey Ginger Syrup100ml     Ginger, freshly juiced100ml     Honey75ml    Hot Water (~60°C)Peel fresh ginger root and juice through a centrifugal or masticating juicer. Combine honey and hot water and stir until honey is dissolved. Add ginger juice. Taste to ensure consistency, bottle, and label. Honey Ginger Syrup must be refrigerated and is good for up to two weeks.If you don't have a juicer you can make Honey Ginger Syrup using your stove. 250ml    Honey250ml    Water175ml    Ginger, peeled and slicedPeel and slice ginger. Add all ingredients to a pot and bring to a low boil. Reduce heat and gently simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely. Fine strain, bottle, and label. Honey Ginger Syrup must be refrigerated and is good for up to two weeks. Note: You can also add the cannabis to the honey for the Honey Ginger Syrup. For this recipe, add 1g of cannabis to 250ml of honey. Add more or less depending on your tolerance. Support the show

We're joined once again by Indigenous advocate, bartender, and doom metal queen Chockie Tom, as well as our resident anticapitalist cocktail creator, Jessie Torres. In this episode, we discuss how the art of crafting cocktails can be used as a medium for storytelling, exploring the role of the bartender as a sort of subversive educator. This brings us to the incredible drink these two created for our previous episode on Indigenous empowerment in the drink and hospitality industry. Recipe below!Going forward, we plan to release bonus episodes as exclusive content for our wonderful Patreon supporters. But don't worry– our regular episodes will continue to feature the sidebar with Jesse :) Got feedback for us about bonus content? Hmu via Instagram DM or email cocktailsandcapitalism@gmail.com Padrekiller CocktailMakes two drinks250     ml     Tepache (recipe below)   or   Pineapple Sour Beer100    ml    Nixta Nixtamalized Corn Liqueur200    g    Frozen pineapple chunks 100    g    Steamed sweet corn30    ml    Cream of Coconut (REAL, Coco Lopez, or freshly made)200    g    Ice CubesAdd all ingredients to a blender and blend on high for 20 seconds. Pour into two cups and garnish with pineapple leaves, corn husk, and edible flowers.Glassware:      Collins-style glassGarnish:         Pineapple leaves, Corn husk, and edible FlowersABV:             2-6%Tepache recipe1             Pineapple, medium4.5    L        Water140    g        Piloncillo (raw sugar)2             Cinnamon sticks5    g        Allspice corns3    g        Cloves, whole5    g        Salt, coarseRemove the pineapple's head and save to use leaves as garnish, OR  grow a new pineapple from the head! Wash pineapple thoroughly, then peel it and remove all of the rind so that your pineapple ends up completely yellow. Save the flesh of the fruit, chopping it into chunks and freezing them to use later.In a large pot, heat ~1 litter of water, add the piloncillo and spices and allow it to boil. Lower heat and stir frequently until piloncillo is dissolved. Turn off the heat & allow  to cool  until it reaches room temperature. Add the remaining water and pineapple rind to the piloncillo water and stir. Transfer the Tepache to a container and cover with a piece of cloth or cheesecloth that will allow it to breathe but will keep insects out. Tie a string tightly around the mouth of the container to make sure that the cloth will stay in place. Place in a warm corner of your kitchen, away from drafts, open windows, AC units or vents. The natural yeast present in the rind will ferment the drink! It'll take ~ 3 days to ferment.Fine-strain into a clean container. Drink alone or as an ingredient in the Padrekiller cocktail!Support the show

We're joined by Chockie Tom, who works to increase Indigenous visibility and empowerment in the drink and hospitality industry. Chockie's advocacy efforts are deeply tied to her Pomo and Walker River Paiute heritage. As a bartender, consultant, and occasional brand ambassador, she has striven to increase Native involvement in the industry while helping people navigate this space for harm reduction. She helps bars and brands avoid cultural appropriation, promoting cultural appreciation and exchange while offering ways that businesses can give back to communities affected by colonization. Chockie even organized and moderated the very first Indigenous-led panel for Tales of the Cocktail, which you can watch on YouTube.Chockie is one of the co-founders of Doomersive – a decolonial cocktail program that challenges and subverts tiki culture. They've hosted tropical/immersive cocktail pop-ups in New York and London that substitute doom metal and satanic iconography in place of the racist appropriation and hypersexualization of Pacifica women that normally characterize the Tiki aesthetic. She even includes a “fundraging” aspect to this work, redirecting some of the money raised at these tropical ragers to support communities that have been negatively impacted by colonization. Follow Chockie Tom on Instagram @chocktails and on Twitter @chocktailsnyc You can support her work though PayPal and VenmoSupport the show

This week, we discuss the power of agitprop with prolific memelord @radleftdad. In keeping with his persona, he joins us in a pink ski mask and a sprinkle doughnut bucket hat. As a father of two toddlers, he manages to produce radical content during nap time. He describes how inequality, the pandemic, and fatherhood all contributed to his decision to start creating dank leftist & anticapitalist memes. Soon, @radleftdad will be releasing his own podcast titled Dagitprop. The show will feature free form interviews with leftist content creators. Don't miss it! Follow @radleftdad on Instagram, Twitter, Twitch, and please consider supporting his work! You can tip him through a link on his LinkTree page.COCKTAIL PAIRING: Agitprop Cocktail60      ml clear brandy (Blanche Armagnac like PM Spirits' Cobrafire or Delord, or substitute Pisco)5     ml    Simple Syrup, or 1 to 3 white granulated sugar cubes4      dashes Angostura Bitters1      slice Orange1     Maraschino or Amarena Cherry     30-60     ml    Sprite, Squirt, or Soda WaterPlace the sugar cube(s) in an Old Fashioned glass and add the bitters. Add the orange slice, Maraschino or Amarena cherry, and muddle together until it becomes a slushy, grainy mix, making sure to muddle the peel as well to release the aromatics. Add ice and top with the Blanche Armagnac and soda of your choice. Garnish with a fresh cherry and an orange peel. Tip: A “sweet” Old Fashioned uses a lemon-lime soda like Sprite, while a “sour” Old Fashioned uses a grapefruit soda like Squirt, and a “press” uses half seltzer and half lemon-lime soda. In Wisconsin, preferences often lean toward sweet, and typically the further north you go, the more sugar cubes you add to a drink.Glassware:      Old Fashioned GlassGarnish:         Maraschino or Amarena Cherry and Orange PeelABV:         26%Support the show