Dustbowl Diatribes

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We'll dive into discussions of Christian community and Christian anarchism, the thought and practice of Catholic Worker houses past and present, why we're stuck in cycles of futility, and possible means of transcendence.

Laurie M Johnson & Spencer Hess


    • May 21, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 1h 18m AVG DURATION
    • 105 EPISODES


    Search for episodes from Dustbowl Diatribes with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from Dustbowl Diatribes

    Dustbowl Diatribes Season 3, Episode 32: Spencer Leonard on Freedom's Fraught, Geistic Obstacles

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2025 107:37


    Spencer Leonard talks to us about human potential, what constitutes freedom and progress, and why it seems particularly difficult to reach.

    Dustbowl Diatribes Season 3, Ep. 31: Neofeudalism as More Than a Metaphor, With Jodi Dean

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2025 80:43


    Spencer and Laurie talk with Prof. Jodi Dean about themes from her new book Capital's Grave: Neofeudalism and the New Class Struggle (Verso, 2025). The theme of neofeudalism is one we have returned to several times as it seems more and more clear that our economy has moved well past competition into monopolies and highly concentrated wealth.

    Dustbowl Diatribes Season 3, Ep. 30: Towelie on Tegridy Farms and Being “Post-Left”

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2025 9:45


    Laurie interviews a very special guest, and Spencer misses out on the best interview in Dustbowl Diatribes three seasons.

    Season 3, Ep. 29: The Three Great Catholic Revivals

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2025 73:24


    John Rao visits Dustbowl Diatribes for an episode tracing periods of "sleep" and revival in Catholic history.

    Season 3, Ep. 28: David McKerracher on Timenergy and the Multi-Layered Crises That Confront Us

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 8, 2025 123:44


    Spencer and Laurie talk to Dave McKerracher of Theory Underground about his book, Timenergy, and also his plans for farming.

    Season 3, Episode 27: Gazing Into the Abyss of Deep Pluralism (w/ Benjamin Studebaker)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 7, 2025 66:00


    Spencer and Laurie talk with Benjamin Studebaker about his new book, Legitimacy in Liberal Democracies. Studebaker will give a speech for the Maurin Academy March 3, 2025.

    Season 3, Episode 26: Fruitfulness or Effectiveness, A Conversation with Harry Murray

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 7, 2024 109:36


    Spencer and Laurie interview Catholic Worker and Sociology professor Harry Murray, who is also doing the "Harry Murray Sessions" for the Maurin Academy. The next Harry Murray session, this one on Nikolai Berdyaev's personalism and Christian existentialism, will be on December 16, 2024. To find out more about this and other classes from the Maurin Academy, visit our website at: https://pmaurin.org/2024/11/13/fall-2024-speaker-series-announcements-from-the-maurin-academy/

    Season 3, Ep. 25: The Gap in God’s Country (On Laurie’s new book, ft. Special Guest Caleb Owens)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2024 94:55


    Spencer and special guest Caleb Owens interview Laurie Johnson about her newly published book, The Gap in God's Country: A Longer View on Our Culture Wars. For more information about this book and where to buy it, as well as information about a series of talks she'll give on themes from the book, check out: https://pmaurin.org/2024/11/02/the-gap-in-gods-country-themes-discussion-with-laurie-johnson-coming-up/

    Season 3, Ep. 24: The Cutrone Zone is Back: Marxism & Politics (Cutrone’s New Book)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2024 106:03


    Spencer and Laurie visit with Chris Cutrone, a leading founder of the Platypus Affiliated Society and the author of a new book published by Sublation Media. Here's a link to Cutrone's latest book, Marxism and Politics: Essays on Critical Theory and the Party, 2006-2024, Sublation Media, 2024. Maurin Academy Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/maurinacademy

    Season 3, Ep. 23: Renée Roden on Peter Maurin’s Ideas and Practicing Personalism Today

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 24, 2024 89:28


    Spencer and Laurie talk to Catholic Worker Renée Roden about her experiences in the Catholic Worker movement and what she is doing now as she transitions to a new community. She also discusses the upcoming Peter Maurin Conference in Chicago: Sept. https://www.stgregoryhall.org/maurin.html

    Season 3, Ep. 22: Mary Versus Ideology with Alfredo Poggi

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2024 88:15


    Alfredo Poggi talks to Spencer and Laurie about his new book Magical Realism, Latin America, and the Appearance of Precritical Theory, published by Rowman & Littlefield. Poggi makes the bold argument for taking Marian visions at face value and seeing them as a powerful antidote to ideology. Poggi uses Latin American literary approach of magical realism to reveal a precritical perspective.

    Season 3, Ep. 21: Dustbowl Danse Macabre, Round 2: Cooperation vs. Collusion

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 20, 2024 112:21


    What happens when even basic business can't be effectively done? How did we get here? Spencer and Laurie digest more of John Rao's thoughts from various books and try to settle their argument from the last episode.

    Season 3, Ep. 21: Dustbowl Danse Macabre, Round 2: Cooperation vs. Collusion

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 20, 2024


    What happens when even basic business can't be effectively done? How did we get here? Spencer and Laurie digest more of John Rao's thoughts from various books and try to settle their argument from the last episode.

    Season 3, Episode 20: Dustbowl Danse Macabre

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2024 61:17


    Laurie and Spencer discuss the implications and reverberations of the recent Maurin Academy lecture by the last Marxist, Chris Cutrone, and their interview with John Rao on Traditionalism and the Roman School. Both men discussed the time period of the 1848 revolutions in Europe. Maurin Academy Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/maurinacademy Maurin Academy Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/the-maurin-academy-311669 Political Philosophy: https://political-philosophy.com Dustbowl Diatribes and ... Read more

    Season 3, Episode 20: Dustbowl Danse Macabre

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2024


    Laurie and Spencer discuss the implications and reverberations of the recent Maurin Academy lecture by the last Marxist, Chris Cutrone, and their interview with John Rao on Traditionalism and the Roman School. Both men discussed the time period of the 1848 revolutions in Europe. Maurin Academy Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/maurinacademy Maurin Academy Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/the-maurin-academy-311669 Political Philosophy: https://political-philosophy.com Dustbowl Diatribes and...... Continue Reading →

    Season 3, Episode 19: John Rao, proponent of the “Roman School,” critic of Emmanuel Mounier

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2024 82:45


    Dr. John Rao drops in to tell Laurie and Spencer about Traditionalism, The Roman School, Dorothy Day’s Catholicism, and his critique of Emmanuel Mounier’s brand of Personalism. You can find his writings here: http://jcrao.freeshell.org/, and his work with The Roman Forum here: http://www.romanforum.org/

    Dustbowl Diatribes Season 3, Episode 19: John Rao, proponent of the “Roman School,” critic of Emmanuel Mounier

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2024 82:45


    Dr. John Rao drops in to tell Laurie and Spencer about Traditionalism, The Roman School, Dorothy Day's Catholicism, and his critique of Emmanuel Mounier's brand of Personalism. You can find his writings here: http://jcrao.freeshell.org/, and his work with The Roman Forum here: http://www.romanforum.org/

    Season 3, Episode 18: David Holmgren on Energy Descent Scenarios and Climate Change

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2024 87:49


    Co-Founder of the Permaculture movement, David Holmgren, talks to Spencer and Laurie about his analysis and predictions in his book Future Scenarios, his assessment that we are still in the “Brown Tech” energy descent scenario, and the implications for society moving forward. Holmgren Design: https://holmgren.com.au Online Writing: https://holmgren.com.au/permaculture-ideas-and-actions/writings/ Future Scenarios: https://www.futurescenarios.org Maurin Academy Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/maurinacademy ... Read more

    Season 3, Episode 18: David Holmgren on Energy Descent Scenarios and Climate Change

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2024 87:49


    Co-Founder of the Permaculture movement, David Holmgren, talks to Spencer and Laurie about his analysis and predictions in his book Future Scenarios, his assessment that we are still in the "Brown Tech" energy descent scenario, and the implications for society moving forward. Holmgren Design: https://holmgren.com.au Online Writing: https://holmgren.com.au/permaculture-ideas-and-actions/writings/ Future Scenarios: https://www.futurescenarios.org Maurin Academy Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/maurinacademy...... Continue Reading →

    Dustbowl Diatribes Season 3, Ep 17: Zabib on Organized Sports, Trans Stuff, and Being a Tankie

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2024 4:41


    The micro-micro-niche internet celebrity Zabib take time out of her busy schedule to join Spencer to cover lots of ground in little time.

    Dustbowl Diatribes Season 3, Ep 17: Zabib on Organized Sports, Trans Stuff, and Being a Tankie

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2024 4:41


    The micro-micro-niche internet celebrity Zabib take time out of her busy schedule to join Spencer to cover lots of ground in little time.

    Season 3, Episode 16: Benjamin Peters on Fr. Hugo’s CW Retreats, “Ignatian Radicalism,” and the Nature-Grace Disputations

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2024 96:22


    Spencer and Laurie talk to Dr. Benjamin Peters about his book Called to Be Saints: John Hugo, the Catholic Worker, and a Theology of Radical Christianity. Maurin Academy Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/maurinacademy Maurin Academy Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/the-maurin-academy-311669 Political Philosophy: https://political-philosophy.com Dustbowl Diatribes and Political Philosophy are podcasts of the Maurin Academy, which can be found on almost all ... Read more

    Season 3, Episode 16: Benjamin Peters on Fr. Hugo’s CW Retreats, “Ignatian Radicalism,” and the Nature-Grace Disputations

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2024 96:22


    Spencer and Laurie talk to Dr. Benjamin Peters about his book Called to Be Saints: John Hugo, the Catholic Worker, and a Theology of Radical Christianity. Maurin Academy Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/maurinacademy Maurin Academy Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/the-maurin-academy-311669 Political Philosophy: https://political-philosophy.com Dustbowl Diatribes and Political Philosophy are podcasts of the Maurin Academy, which can be found on almost all...... Continue Reading →

    Season 3, Episode 15: Lincoln Rice on Practical Anti-Racism in the Catholic Worker Movement

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2024 86:06


    Laurie and Spencer interview Lincoln Rice of Casa Maria Catholic Worker, Milwaukee, and author of Healing the Racial Divide: A Catholic Racial Justice Framework Inspired by Dr. Arthur Falls, about what Arthur Falls’ strategy to combat racism, Falls’ relationship with the CW movement, the humanity of Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin, and issues of race ... Read more

    Season 3, Episode 15: Lincoln Rice on Practical Anti-Racism in the Catholic Worker Movement

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2024 86:06


    Laurie and Spencer interview Lincoln Rice of Casa Maria Catholic Worker, Milwaukee, and author of Healing the Racial Divide: A Catholic Racial Justice Framework Inspired by Dr. Arthur Falls, about what Arthur Falls' strategy to combat racism, Falls' relationship with the CW movement, the humanity of Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin, and issues of race...... Continue Reading →

    Season 3, Ep. 14: The High Price of Convenience, or Why Local, Seasonal Food is Worth It

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2024 72:20


    Laurie and Spencer interview Nat Bjerke-Harvey of Piccalilli Farm in Manhattan, KS, about what it takes to run a diversified local farm, and the reasons to put more effort and resources into eating seasonally and locally. Maurin Academy Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/maurinacademy Maurin Academy Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/the-maurin-academy-311669 Political Philosophy: https://political-philosophy.com Dustbowl Diatribes and Political Philosophy are podcasts of ... Read more

    Season 3, Ep. 14: The High Price of Convenience, or Why Local, Seasonal Food is Worth It

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2024 72:20


    Laurie and Spencer interview Nat Bjerke-Harvey of Piccalilli Farm in Manhattan, KS, about what it takes to run a diversified local farm, and the reasons to put more effort and resources into eating seasonally and locally. Maurin Academy Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/maurinacademy Maurin Academy Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/the-maurin-academy-311669 Political Philosophy: https://political-philosophy.com Dustbowl Diatribes and Political Philosophy are podcasts of...... Continue Reading →

    Season 3, Ep. 13: Michael Martin on Metaphysical Poetry and Farming

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 28, 2024 86:29


    Spencer and Laurie talk to Michael Martin of the Regeneration podcast about his diatribe against modernity, insights from his literary knowledge, and how he operates his biodynamic farm. The Maurin Academy: https://pmaurin.org Support us on Patreon and receive all our live and recorded classes, podcasts and sessions! https://www.patreon.com/maurinacademy

    Season 3, Ep. 13: Michael Martin on Metaphysical Poetry and Farming

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 28, 2024 86:29


    Spencer and Laurie talk to Michael Martin of the Regeneration podcast about his diatribe against modernity, insights from his literary knowledge, and how he operates his biodynamic farm. The Maurin Academy: https://pmaurin.org Support us on Patreon and receive all our live and recorded classes, podcasts and sessions! https://www.patreon.com/maurinacademy

    Season 3, Ep. 12: SECRET GRANGE REVEAL & Ralliement Ruminations

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 31, 2023 85:23


    Maurin Academy Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/maurinacademy Maurin Academy Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/the-maurin-academy-311669 Political Philosophy: https://political-philosophy.com Dustbowl Diatribes and Political Philosophy are podcasts of the Maurin Academy, which can be found on almost all podcast platforms! Follow the Maurin Academy on Twitter and Instagram for notifications about upcoming events, and get our free newsletter: https://pmaurin.org/newsletter/

    Season 3, Ep. 12: SECRET GRANGE REVEAL & Ralliement Ruminations

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 31, 2023 85:23


    Maurin Academy Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/maurinacademy Maurin Academy Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/the-maurin-academy-311669 Political Philosophy: https://political-philosophy.com Dustbowl Diatribes and Political Philosophy are podcasts of the Maurin Academy, which can be found on almost all podcast platforms! Follow the Maurin Academy on Twitter and Instagram for notifications about upcoming events, and get our free newsletter: https://pmaurin.org/newsletter/

    Dustbowl Diatribes Season 3, Ep. 11: How Do You Measure Success? (Ralliement Reprised)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 14, 2023 65:31


    Spencer and Laurie have a second conversation with Dr. Rich Myrick about his dissertation, "Action Libérale Populaire and the Legacy of Catholic Republicans in the French Third Republic." His work covers the period in France that was formative for Peter Maurin, co-founder of the Catholic Worker movement.

    Dustbowl Diatribes Season 3, Ep. 11: How Do You Measure Success? (Ralliement Reprised)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 14, 2023 65:31


    Spencer and Laurie have a second conversation with Dr. Rich Myrick about his dissertation, "Action Libérale Populaire and the Legacy of Catholic Republicans in the French Third Republic." His work covers the period in France that was formative for Peter Maurin, co-founder of the Catholic Worker movement.

    Dustbowl Diatribes Season 3, Ep. 10: Leo XIII's Ralliement and Peter Maurin's Exodus

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2023 75:50


    Spencer and Laurie talk to Rich Myrick about his dissertation, "Action Libérale Populaire and the Legacy of Catholic Republicans in the French Third Republic." His work covers the period in France that was formative for Peter Maurin, co-founder of the Catholic Worker movement.

    Dustbowl Diatribes Season 3, Ep. 10: Leo XIII's Ralliement and Peter Maurin's Exodus

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2023 75:50


    Spencer and Laurie talk to Rich Myrick about his dissertation, "Action Libérale Populaire and the Legacy of Catholic Republicans in the French Third Republic." His work covers the period in France that was formative for Peter Maurin, co-founder of the Catholic Worker movement.

    Season 3, Ep. 9: Are We Pringle-Serfs in a Tube? Chung and Cutrone Recap

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 9, 2023 63:57


    Spencer and Laurie recap their conversations with Chris Cutrone and Martin Chang and contemplate what it means to be potatoes in a sack or Pringles in a tube.

    Season 3, Ep. 9: Are We Pringle-Serfs in a Tube? Chung and Cutrone Recap

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 9, 2023 63:57


    Spencer and Laurie recap their conversations with Chris Cutrone and Martin Chang and contemplate what it means to be potatoes in a sack or Pringles in a tube.

    Dustbowl Diatribes S 3, Ep. 8: The Cutrone Zone Returns: Zombie Millennial Leftists, Post-Neoliberalism, and Catholic-Marxian Dialogue

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2023 147:03


    The Cutrone Zone is back for an interesting discussion on the usefulness of the term 'neofeudalism' for understanding capitalism, and a fairly deep dive into what Marxists should think of religion.

    Dustbowl Diatribes S 3, Ep. 8: The Cutrone Zone Returns: Zombie Millennial Leftists, Post-Neoliberalism, and Catholic-Marxian Dialogue

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2023 147:03


    The Cutrone Zone is back for an interesting discussion on the usefulness of the term 'neofeudalism' for understanding capitalism, and a fairly deep dive into what Marxists should think of religion.

    Dustbowl Diatribes SO 3, Ep. 7: Prospects for Catholic Social Teaching w/ Martin Chung

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2023 74:25


    Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/maurinacademy

    Dustbowl Diatribes SO 3, Ep. 7: Prospects for Catholic Social Teaching w/ Martin Chung

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2023 74:25


    Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/maurinacademy

    Dustbowl Diatribes Season 3, Ep 6: To Be or Not To Be Anti-Capitalist and/or Post-Liberal (Recap Take 2)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 6, 2023 82:37


    In "Take 2" of their recap of the start of season 3, Laurie and Spencer take another look at their conversations with Alex Christoyannopoulos and Sean Domencic, circling around the issues of Christian action as lived out in the Catholic Worker movement.

    Dustbowl Diatribes Season 3, Ep 6: To Be or Not To Be Anti-Capitalist and/or Post-Liberal (Recap Take 2)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 6, 2023 82:37


    In "Take 2" of their recap of the start of season 3, Laurie and Spencer take another look at their conversations with Alex Christoyannopoulos and Sean Domencic, circling around the issues of Christian action as lived out in the Catholic Worker movement.

    Dustbowl Diatribes S 3 Ep 5: What Tangled Webs We Weave When We Try to be Christian Anarchists

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 24, 2023 48:13


    Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/maurinacademy

    Dustbowl Diatribes S 3 Ep 5: What Tangled Webs We Weave When We Try to be Christian Anarchists

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 24, 2023 48:13


    Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/maurinacademy

    Season 3, Ep 4: Reviewing Douglas Lain’s Hot Takes on Quasi-Feudalism

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 29, 2023 43:37


    In part 1 of a two-part recap of Season 3 so far, we discuss our interview with Doug Lain of Sublation Media and the Diet Soap podcast. The original interview covered Lain's trajectory, his views on the theory of neo-feudalism, and the problem of increasing online censorship. As we unpack our conversation with Lain, we spend time on Lain's discomfort with the term "neofeudal" and his preference for "society of control" as a description of the current state of capitalism. We evaluate the tension between the approval of economic concentration/centralization for the advancement of future socialism and the disapproval of the use of corporate power via government pressures to inhibit some speech. We also talk about the tension between Lain's Marxism and our own views on industrial vs. regional/local agricultural production.

    Season 3, Ep 4: Reviewing Douglas Lain’s Hot Takes on Quasi-Feudalism

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 29, 2023 43:37


    In part 1 of a two-part recap of Season 3 so far, we discuss our interview with Doug Lain of Sublation Media and the Diet Soap podcast. The original interview covered Lain's trajectory, his views on the theory of neo-feudalism, and the problem of increasing online censorship. As we unpack our conversation with Lain, we spend time on Lain's discomfort with the term "neofeudal" and his preference for "society of control" as a description of the current state of capitalism. We evaluate the tension between the approval of economic concentration/centralization for the advancement of future socialism and the disapproval of the use of corporate power via government pressures to inhibit some speech. We also talk about the tension between Lain's Marxism and our own views on industrial vs. regional/local agricultural production.

    Season 3, Ep. 3: Adventures in Catholic Worker-hood (Sean Domencic of Tradistae & New Polity)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2023 83:23


    Spencer and Laurie interview Sean Domencic, co-founder of the Tradistae podcast (concluded in 2022) and blog, and frequent contributor to New Polity. Both outlets identify with the Catholic Worker movement and tend to be adjacent to traditionalism, but with a critical distance. This conversation helps us explore the Church-centric wing of the Catholic Worker movement.

    Season 3, Ep. 3: Adventures in Catholic Worker-hood (Sean Domencic of Tradistae & New Polity)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2023 83:23


    Spencer and Laurie interview Sean Domencic, co-founder of the Tradistae podcast (concluded in 2022) and blog, and frequent contributor to New Polity. Both outlets identify with the Catholic Worker movement and tend to be adjacent to traditionalism, but with a critical distance. This conversation helps us explore the Church-centric wing of the Catholic Worker movement.

    The Simpleton Podcast: Pursuing the “Real”

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2023 109:39


    Here's a repost of an interview Spencer Hess and Emily Larner did with Clark Massey, Founder of A Simple House https://www.asimplehouse.org/, and co-host of the Simpleton Podcast. https://youtu.be/QDYTKgD0C_Y

    The Simpleton Podcast: Pursuing the “Real”

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2023 109:39


    Here’s a repost of an interview Spencer Hess and Emily Larner did with Clark Massey, Founder of A Simple House https://www.asimplehouse.org/, and co-host of the Simpleton Podcast.

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