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Nato Green! Comedian! Union organizer! Friend! Delight! More! Nato is a hilarious comedian and an old friend and I'm excited to share this conversation with you! (And this is only the first HALF of our conversation. For part two, subscribe via Apple Podcasts OR simply click on over here to Patreon!) Also of course check out his newest hour special, "The Darkest Hour," on YouTube or as audio wherever you get that, for example, from wherever Blonde Medicine suggests you might get it! Trailer Here Now, here are some things that other people have said about Nato: "Nato is funny, smart, thoughtful, goofy and political. As of now, I suffer no consequences for my steadfast belief that Nato is one of the funniest comics in our country, but I would stage a sit-in." -Maria Bamford, Comedian "Righteous and hilarious, Nato is like finding a shot of bourbon at your co-worker's stupid vegan potluck." -Daniel Handler, aka Lemony Snicket "The antichrist" - The Episcopal Archbishop one time "In the latest hour from San Francisco comedian and labor organizer Nato Green, The Darkest Hour, Nato wanted to go beyond jokes about the news to understanding this political moment in history. A solid set of new material that he toured nationally, he carefully and humorously guides the audience through a large conversation about fascism, zionism, transphobia, white supremacy and the political spectrum. The show provides Nato's definitive explanation of American politics using a white board (an homage to a Mort Sahl bit from a 1967 tv show) which illustrates the basic idea that as Nato says, "centrists see their mission as fighting the left instead of fighting fascism, and thereby make way for fascism." This is an hour of work walking through how Nato was more angry at the failure of liberals to stop fascism than at fascists for being fascists. Nato Green is the country's only semi-functional hybrid of standup comedian and union organizer, so it stands to reason that this hour is part comedy special - part study group on how to defeat fascism. In the early phases working the hour on his national tour, The Darkest Hour was well received by countless audience members who told Nato after shows that they were feeling hopeful for the first time since Trump's inauguration. Said Nato, "there is comedy of escapism, but this is whatever is the opposite of that." Nato starred along with W. Kamau Bell and Janine Brito in the streaming series Laughter Against the Machine on Means.tv, the first worker-owned post-capitalist streaming platform. He also appears regularly doing political comedy chat on the podcasts The Bugle and The Bitchuation Room. His second comedy album The Whiteness Album was named a best comedy album on NPR's Bullseye. He appeared in the film Sorry to Bother You and his writing has appeared in the LA Review of Books, the San Francisco Examiner, In These Times, VICE, Huffington Post, and many more. Nato has been named San Francisco's Best Comedian by the SF Bay Guardian, SF Weekly, Huffington Post, SFist, and CBS. Nato wrote for Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell on FX, the show that the New York Times called "five years ahead of its time." He is currently working on his book slated for 2027 release on Haymarket Books which he describes as "a comedy book about union organizing" entitled Your Boss is Lying to You: And Other Life Lessons from the Break Room, the Bargaining Table, and the Picket Line." Now, more praise for Nato Green: "The best kind of comedy, both challenging as well as funny, while highlighting the forces that shape white identity." - Rinku Sen, The Maven "His determined presence has helped keep us honest. The perennial deadpan voice of San Francisco values." - San Francisco Chronicle "Nato is woke but an optimist, brilliant but not callous, and really needs this money to train his daughters for the revolution." –Francesca Fiorentini, Bitchuation Room Host "Nato is like a good litmus test for me because he's so smart. People turn to me for political opinions, and I turn to Nato." - W. Kamau Bell "Nato Green is one of the best political comics in America, and we need him now more than ever." - Guy Branum "The most dangerous comedian alive." -Jeff Chang, author of Who We Be: The Colorization of America "I've always tried to provide the soundtrack to the revolution. Nato Green provides the laugh track." -Boots Riley, director of "I Love Boosters" "A great album to play when you get home from a protest outside Trump Tower." —Jewcy "A densely-packed, culturally sensitive shitshow, which manages to celebrate and eviscerate in equal measure." - Paste Magazine "Punch lines that could potentially get him run out of whatever city he's performing in." — The Rumpus "The best kind of comedy, both challenging as well as funny, while highlighting the forces that shape white identity." - Rinku Sen, The Maven "A personal take on seemingly overwhelming issues that offer up jokes that don't feed into Trump fatigue." - Comedy Bureau "This new album includes maybe two of my top ten favorite punchlines of all time, delivered as if he almost forgot he wrote them." - Brock Wilbur, Paste Magazine
Subsumption in Kant, Hegel and Marx: From the Critique of Reason to the Critique of Society is the latest book from Dr Andres Saenz De Sicilia, an Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Northeastern University London. Andres' excellent title, published with Brill and released in soft cover with Haymarket Books late last year, is an in-depth exploration of the concept of subsumption as it appears in the works of three great thinkers, and the relevance of the paradigm for modern critical theory. In this book, Andres traces the concept of subsumption through Kant, Hegel, and Marx, in both its philosophical dimensions and its relevance to critical social theory. Andres examines the utilisation of subsumption as a conceptual framework whereby a particular is brought under a universal, up to the complex and dynamic operations of subsumption in modern-day capitalism, as a system that subsumes human life under the logic of value. As Andres illustrates through the intricate and careful argument in the book, following the use of subsumption in the work of these key theorists not only offers a new perspective to understand these thinkers, but helps articulate a historically-focused and robust framework to investigate the mechanisms of capitalist power. Of particular interest perhaps from a political economy perspective is Andres' investigation of Marx's journey through subsumption within the pages of Subsumption in Kant, Hegel and Marx, and also how the theoretical framework of subsumption helps us understand production and social reproduction under capitalism. Elliot Dolan-Evans is a sessional lecturer and tutor in law at Monash University and RMIT. His research investigates the political economy of global capitalism, forms of international governance, and questions of war and peace. His first book, Making War Safe for Capitalism: The World Bank, IMF and the Conflict in Ukraine, is now out with Bristol University Press. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network
Subsumption in Kant, Hegel and Marx: From the Critique of Reason to the Critique of Society is the latest book from Dr Andres Saenz De Sicilia, an Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Northeastern University London. Andres' excellent title, published with Brill and released in soft cover with Haymarket Books late last year, is an in-depth exploration of the concept of subsumption as it appears in the works of three great thinkers, and the relevance of the paradigm for modern critical theory. In this book, Andres traces the concept of subsumption through Kant, Hegel, and Marx, in both its philosophical dimensions and its relevance to critical social theory. Andres examines the utilisation of subsumption as a conceptual framework whereby a particular is brought under a universal, up to the complex and dynamic operations of subsumption in modern-day capitalism, as a system that subsumes human life under the logic of value. As Andres illustrates through the intricate and careful argument in the book, following the use of subsumption in the work of these key theorists not only offers a new perspective to understand these thinkers, but helps articulate a historically-focused and robust framework to investigate the mechanisms of capitalist power. Of particular interest perhaps from a political economy perspective is Andres' investigation of Marx's journey through subsumption within the pages of Subsumption in Kant, Hegel and Marx, and also how the theoretical framework of subsumption helps us understand production and social reproduction under capitalism. Elliot Dolan-Evans is a sessional lecturer and tutor in law at Monash University and RMIT. His research investigates the political economy of global capitalism, forms of international governance, and questions of war and peace. His first book, Making War Safe for Capitalism: The World Bank, IMF and the Conflict in Ukraine, is now out with Bristol University Press. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/critical-theory
Subsumption in Kant, Hegel and Marx: From the Critique of Reason to the Critique of Society is the latest book from Dr Andres Saenz De Sicilia, an Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Northeastern University London. Andres' excellent title, published with Brill and released in soft cover with Haymarket Books late last year, is an in-depth exploration of the concept of subsumption as it appears in the works of three great thinkers, and the relevance of the paradigm for modern critical theory. In this book, Andres traces the concept of subsumption through Kant, Hegel, and Marx, in both its philosophical dimensions and its relevance to critical social theory. Andres examines the utilisation of subsumption as a conceptual framework whereby a particular is brought under a universal, up to the complex and dynamic operations of subsumption in modern-day capitalism, as a system that subsumes human life under the logic of value. As Andres illustrates through the intricate and careful argument in the book, following the use of subsumption in the work of these key theorists not only offers a new perspective to understand these thinkers, but helps articulate a historically-focused and robust framework to investigate the mechanisms of capitalist power. Of particular interest perhaps from a political economy perspective is Andres' investigation of Marx's journey through subsumption within the pages of Subsumption in Kant, Hegel and Marx, and also how the theoretical framework of subsumption helps us understand production and social reproduction under capitalism. Elliot Dolan-Evans is a sessional lecturer and tutor in law at Monash University and RMIT. His research investigates the political economy of global capitalism, forms of international governance, and questions of war and peace. His first book, Making War Safe for Capitalism: The World Bank, IMF and the Conflict in Ukraine, is now out with Bristol University Press. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/intellectual-history
Subsumption in Kant, Hegel and Marx: From the Critique of Reason to the Critique of Society is the latest book from Dr Andres Saenz De Sicilia, an Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Northeastern University London. Andres' excellent title, published with Brill and released in soft cover with Haymarket Books late last year, is an in-depth exploration of the concept of subsumption as it appears in the works of three great thinkers, and the relevance of the paradigm for modern critical theory. In this book, Andres traces the concept of subsumption through Kant, Hegel, and Marx, in both its philosophical dimensions and its relevance to critical social theory. Andres examines the utilisation of subsumption as a conceptual framework whereby a particular is brought under a universal, up to the complex and dynamic operations of subsumption in modern-day capitalism, as a system that subsumes human life under the logic of value. As Andres illustrates through the intricate and careful argument in the book, following the use of subsumption in the work of these key theorists not only offers a new perspective to understand these thinkers, but helps articulate a historically-focused and robust framework to investigate the mechanisms of capitalist power. Of particular interest perhaps from a political economy perspective is Andres' investigation of Marx's journey through subsumption within the pages of Subsumption in Kant, Hegel and Marx, and also how the theoretical framework of subsumption helps us understand production and social reproduction under capitalism. Elliot Dolan-Evans is a sessional lecturer and tutor in law at Monash University and RMIT. His research investigates the political economy of global capitalism, forms of international governance, and questions of war and peace. His first book, Making War Safe for Capitalism: The World Bank, IMF and the Conflict in Ukraine, is now out with Bristol University Press. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/economics
Subsumption in Kant, Hegel and Marx: From the Critique of Reason to the Critique of Society is the latest book from Dr Andres Saenz De Sicilia, an Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Northeastern University London. Andres' excellent title, published with Brill and released in soft cover with Haymarket Books late last year, is an in-depth exploration of the concept of subsumption as it appears in the works of three great thinkers, and the relevance of the paradigm for modern critical theory. In this book, Andres traces the concept of subsumption through Kant, Hegel, and Marx, in both its philosophical dimensions and its relevance to critical social theory. Andres examines the utilisation of subsumption as a conceptual framework whereby a particular is brought under a universal, up to the complex and dynamic operations of subsumption in modern-day capitalism, as a system that subsumes human life under the logic of value. As Andres illustrates through the intricate and careful argument in the book, following the use of subsumption in the work of these key theorists not only offers a new perspective to understand these thinkers, but helps articulate a historically-focused and robust framework to investigate the mechanisms of capitalist power. Of particular interest perhaps from a political economy perspective is Andres' investigation of Marx's journey through subsumption within the pages of Subsumption in Kant, Hegel and Marx, and also how the theoretical framework of subsumption helps us understand production and social reproduction under capitalism. Elliot Dolan-Evans is a sessional lecturer and tutor in law at Monash University and RMIT. His research investigates the political economy of global capitalism, forms of international governance, and questions of war and peace. His first book, Making War Safe for Capitalism: The World Bank, IMF and the Conflict in Ukraine, is now out with Bristol University Press.
So here's the thing. I know I talk a lot about reading. It's pretty important to me. But all week I've been trying to prepare a different podcast, one NOT about the uncrackable justification for choice reading. But recently I heard from several teachers over in CHSE about thriving reading programs they had going, only to get shut down by folks who felt like reading in class was a waste of time. And then I kind of ended up in a rabbit hole, as I am wont to do. It's like researching the justification for choice reading became my guilty pleasure, sucking up all my time. I listened to audiobooks on my walks, pored over research roundups and articles at the coffee shop, hit up the hammock with my Penny Kittle, and stared and stared and stared at the growing evidence mounting in my endless Google doc of notes. The evidence is clear. The need for help for kids who don't read, don't like reading, and don't want to read is great. And yet STILL we are prioritizing reading snippets and drilling for tests to "improve" our readers' reading. I want you to have the information you need to fight. So here I am. Again. Despite my efforts to focus on something else this week. Let's dig deep. Illustration for The Cycles I share in this episode: The Infographic I mentioned: Go Further: Explore alllll the Episodes of The Spark Creativity Teacher Podcast. Launch your choice reading program with all my favorite tools and recs, and grab the free toolkit. Join our community, Creative High School English, on Facebook. Come hang out on Instagram. Enjoying the podcast? Please consider sharing it with a friend, snagging a screenshot to share on the 'gram, or tapping those ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ to help others discover the show. Thank you! Sources: Amato, Jarred. (2024). Just Read It. Corwin. Atwell, Nancie. (2007). The Reading Zone. Scholastic. Aukerman, M. & Schuldt, L. (2021). "What Matters Most? Toward a Robust and Socially Just Science of Reading." Reading Research Quarterly, 56(S1) pp. S85–S103 | doi:10.1002/rrq.40 Bains, A., Spaulding, C., Ricketts, J., & Krishnan, S. (2026). Providing choice enhances reading motivation. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology (2006), 79(4), 959–970. https://doi.org/10.1177/17470218251370916 Bishop, Rudine Sims. "Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Glass Doors." Perspectives: Choosing and Using Books for the Classroom. Vo. 6, No. 3, Summer 1990. https://scenicregional.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Mirrors-Windows-and-Sliding-Glass-Doors.pdf Accessed November 2, 2025. Briceño, Allison and Claudia Rodriguez-Mojica. (2022). Conscious Classrooms. PD Essentials. Bridges, Lois. (2018). The Joy and Power of Reading: A Summary of Research and Expert Opinion. Scholastic. Chavez, Felicia. (2021) The Anti-Racist Writing Workshop. Haymarket Books. Elley, W. B. (2000). The Potential of Book Floods for Raising Literary Levels. International Review of Education, 46(3–4), 233–255. Gallagher, Kelly. (2009). Readicide: How Schools are Killing Reading and What You Can Do About It. Routledge. Kerkhoff, Shea. (2026). Adolescent Literacy: Integrating the Sciences of Reading and Writing in Grades 4-12. Bloomsbury Academic. Kittle, Penny. (2013). Book Love. Heinneman. Miller, Donalyn and Susan Kelley. (2013). Reading in the Wild: The Book Whisperer's Keys to Cultivating Lifelong Reading Habits. Jossey-Bass. Morgan, Denise N., & Wagner, Christopher W. (2013). "What's the Catch?" Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 56(8), 659–667 doi: 10.1002/JAAL.193 National Endowment for the Arts. (2007, November). To Read or Not to Read. O'Grady, R. J. (2025). The reading renaissance: Reimagining literacy practices in secondary English education. ENGLISH IN EDUCATION. https://doi.org/10.1080/04250494.2025.2567939 Wilhelm, J. D. (2016). Recognising the power of pleasure: What engaged adolescent readers get from their free-choice reading, and how teachers can leverage this for all. Australian Journal of Language & Literacy, 39(1), 30. Willingham, Daniel. (2021). Why Don't Kids Like School? Jossey-Bass. 2nd Ed. (Audiobook)
John Washington returns to This Is Hell! to talk about his new book “The Case For Open Borders” published by Haymarket Books. (https://www.haymarketbooks.org/books/2199-the-case-for-open-borders) John Washington is a journalist covering the border, climate change, democracy, and more. He has written for The Atlantic, The Washington Post, The Nation, The Intercept, and other outlets. He is the author of The Case for Open Borders and The Dispossessed: A Story of Asylum at the US-Mexico Border and Beyond. Washington is also a translator of books by Anabel Hernandez, Sandra Rodriquez Nieto, and others. His most recent translations include The Hollywood Kid by Óscar Martínez and Juan Martínez, and Blood Barrios by Alberto Arce, which won a PEN Translates Award. Both were co-translated along with Daniela Ugaz. He lives in Tucson, Arizona. We will have new installments of Jeff Dorchen's Moment Of Truth, Rotten History, and Hangover Cure. We will also be sharing your answers to this week's Question from Hell! from Patreon. Help keep This Is Hell! completely listener supported and access bonus episodes by subscribing to our Patreon: www.patreon.com/thisishell
Matt and Daniel are joined by writer and journalist Mohammed el-Kurd to call out NY Mayor Zohran Mamdani's Bibi arrest threat, Rabbi Shmuley Boteach's World Cup portion-size complaints, and a tale of campus anti-semitism in the London Daily Telegraph that surely transpired exactly as written if it happened at all, which it definitely did.Visit https://halapalestine.com/ and use code BADHASBARA for 10% off. It helps the show! Products made in Palestine and delivered to your door.Please donate to Playgrounds for Palestine: https://playgroundsforpalestine.org/Subscribe to the Patreon https://www.patreon.com/badhasbaraMohammed el-Kurd's books at Haymarket Books: https://www.haymarketbooks.org/authors/1092-mohammed-el-kurdMohammed el-Kurd IG: https://www.instagram.com/mohammedelkurdMohammed el-Kurd X: https://x.com/m7mdkurd?lang=enBad Hasbara Merch: https://estoymerchandise.com/collections/bad-hasbara-podcastWhat's The Spin playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/50JoIqCvlxL3QSNj2BsdURWhat's The Spin Album List: https://bit.ly/whatsthespinlistSkad Skasbarska playlist: http://bit.ly/skadskasbarskaSubscribe/listen to Bad Hasbara wherever you get your podcasts.Spotify https://spoti.fi/3HgpxDmApple Podcasts https://apple.co/4kizajtSubstack https://substack.com/@badhasbaraSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/bad-hasbara/donationsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
This week, we're sharing an interview with M.V. Ramana about Nuclear energy, it's proposal as a clean option for power generation to counter the fossil fuel industry-exacerbated climate crisis, it's ties to weapons development and other topics. Nuclear is Not the Solution: The Folly of Atomic Power in the Age of Climate Change from Verso, 2024 Faculty page with writings linked: https://sppga.ubc.ca/profile/m-v-ramana/ AI and the Techno-Fascist Nightmare panel hosted by Counterpunch and Haymarket Books featuring Ramana Next week, we'll be sharing a chat with two local activists affiliated with Appalachians Against Uranium and their research on weapons production expansion underway in eastern Tennessee. . … . .. Featured Track: TFSR by The Willows Whisper
In February, the country broke an ominous record: over 68,000 people were being held in detention by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, more than ever before. President Trump has set a goal of deporting one million people from the United States annually—aiming to blow past the previous record, from 2013, of 432,000 deportations in a year.In order to achieve these draconian indicators of success, agents tasked with arresting and detaining immigrants are looking everywhere for possible targets. In an April 2025 speech, Border Czar Tom Homan told undocumented immigrants to “be looking over your shoulder.” Since then, immigrants—including many with legal status or on a path to adjusting their status—have been arrested everywhere from the grocery store to the courtroom. On any given day, some 60,000 people, most without any criminal record, are held in the more than 200 detention centers scattered across the United States.What can local communities who want to fight back do about this? Journalist John Washington's new book, How to Close a Camp: Dispatches from the Fight against Immigrant Detention, offers some possible answers. Coming out July 21 from Haymarket Books, the book offers a history of the use of detention camps in the United States, but it also provides a detailed compilation of resources for communities looking to investigate licenses, contracts, and environmental compliances as possible pressure points.John spoke with Border Chronicle reporter Caroline Tracey about How to Close a Camp for this week's podcast and about how, as he writes, “understanding that immigration detention camps are not abstract federal machines. They are, rather, deeply embedded in local political economies [via] zoning permits and tax breaks, local health departments that license medical providers, and municipal governments that issue for food services and utility hookups. Every one of these nodes is a potential pressure point.”
Notes and Links to Devin O'Shea's Work Devin Thomas O'Shea is the author of The Veiled Prophet: Secret Societies, White Supremacy, and the Struggle for St. Louis, publishing with Haymarket Books on June 23, 2026. His writing is in The Nation, the Iowa Review, Slate, LA Review of Books, Boulevard, and elsewhere. Buy The Veiled Prophet Devin Thomas O'Shea's Website Review and Informative Article for The Veiled Society in St. Louis Magazine At about 1:45, Devin details book tour information and ordering information for his book, The Veiled Prophet At about 2:50, Devin talks about the truth and fiction that goes with the book At about 3:30, Devin describes his work with QAnon-related podcasts and reporting At about 5:10, Jim Caviezel (!!!) Talk At about 6:15, Devin and Pete reflect on the state of QAnon in 2026 and the American public's viewpoint At about 13:30, Pete makes connections between the Veiled Prophets and history “rhyming” At about 18:20, The two discuss famous people from St. Louis and the McCloskey's At about 21:40, Devin responds to Pete's asking about seeds for the book At about 24:10, The two discuss the high-level capitalists, policymakers, and "landed gentry”-Devin discusses the key years of the 1870s and beginnings of the Veiled Prophet Society At about 27:15, At about 29:45, Pete notes the Orientalism associated with the symbology of the Veiled Prophet, and Devin expands on the early Prophet At about 32:10, The two reflect on class solidarity and racism and the “aggrieved white male” in early and modern times, with connections to the Veiled Prophet Society At about 35:00, Devin details Alonzo Slayback, a founder of the Society, and early philosophy and symbology and capitalistic views At about 36:55, Devin responds to Pete's musings about American political parties and past and present ideas of progressivism At about 38:10, Devin traces some early leadership in the Society and the ways in which “Mardi Gras-centric” clubs evolved/devolved At about 41:35, Devin expands upon the idea put forth in the book, adapted from Edward Said, of Orientalism as “projected feelings into an Aladdin…framework” At about 42:55, Devin talks about Alonzo Slayback's killing At about 45:45, The two reflect on the importance of the 1904 World Fair in Saint Louis, and the fact that 11/12 board members were part of the Veiled Prophet Society At about 49:30, Mary Smith and her controversy regarding her marriage is discussed At about 51:00, Patriarchy and connections to the Society are discussed At about 52:00, The commodification of the history of the Society and Societal connections to the Manhattan Project At about 54:30, Devin responds to Pete asking about Clark Clifford and Harry Truman and connections to local and federal governments At about 56:50, Devin reflects on the life and legacy of Thomas Dooley At about 58:50, Monsanto and other St. Louis connections and Black communities' protests, including ACTION, are discussed At about 1:02:40, The famed 1972 unmasking of the Veiled Prophet is discussed At about 1:04:00, Devin talks about going to the VP Fair as a kid At about 1:04:40, The two discuss the book's ending and St. Louis “potential” You can now subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and leave me a five-star review. You can also ask for the podcast by name using Alexa, and find the pod on Stitcher, Spotify, and on Amazon Music. Follow Pete on IG, where he is @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where he is @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both the YouTube Channel and the podcast while you're checking out this episode. Pete is very excited to have one or two podcast episodes per month featured on the website of Chicago Review of Books. The audio will be posted, along with a written interview culled from the audio. His conversation with Jeff Pearlman, a recent guest, is up now at Chicago Review. Sign up now for The Chills at Will Podcast Patreon: it can be found at patreon.com/chillsatwillpodcastpeterriehl Check out the page that describes the benefits of a Patreon membership, including cool swag and bonus episodes. Thanks in advance for supporting Pete's one-man show, DIY podcast and extensive reading, research, editing, and promoting to keep this independent podcast pumping out high-quality content! This month's Patreon bonus episode is the trailer episode for Pete's limited podcast series, Rage is a Gift: Evil Empire at 30. Pete reflects on the Importance (and the power of this capital "I") of Rage Against the Machine and their seminal Evil Empire album, which is celebrating 30 years of resistance. The limited podcast series will do a deep exploration of, and reflection on, the lyrics and context of each of the 12 powerful songs on the album. Pete has added a $1 a month tier for “Well-Wishers” and Cheerleaders of the Show. The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com. Please tune in for Episode 346 with Julie Buntin, whose debut, Marlena, was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle's John Leonard Prize and longlisted for the Center for Fiction's First Novel Prize. The novel was released in ten territories worldwide and named a best book of the year by over a dozen outlets, including The Washington Post, NPR, and Kirkus Reviews. The episode airs on July 14, Pub Day for her novel, Famous Men. This book is so, so good. Please go to ceasefiretoday.org, and/or https://act.uscpr.org/a/letaidin to call your congresspeople and demand an end to the forced famine and destruction of Gaza and the Gazan people. You can also donate at chuffed.org, World Central Kitchen, and so many more, and/or you can contact writer friend Ursula Villarreal-Moura directly or through Pete, as she has direct links with friends in Gaza.
This week, Ian spoke with G. Flint Taylor of People's Law Office in Chicago and his new book, The Conviction Machine: Prosecutors, Politicians, and Police Violence in Chicago, out now from Haymarket Books. The conversation vacillates between the past and the present as Taylor talks about the misconduct and cover-up by the FBI and Chicago PD in the assassination of Chicago Black Panther's Leader Fred Hampton, the forty year effort to free Andrew and Jackie Wilson, the tradition of movement lawyering, and the legacy of the People's Law Office. . ... . .. Featured Track: TFSR by The Willows Whisper
Flint Taylor, co-founder of the People's Law Office, joins us to discuss his new book, "The Conviction Machine: Prosecutors, Politicians, and Police Violence in Chicago" from Haymarket Books. Get your copy here: https://www.haymarketbooks.org/books/2733-the-conviction-machine Help keep This Is Hell! completely listener supported and access bonus episodes by subscribing to our Patreon: www.patreon.com/thisishell
What does the 2nd Mexican Empire, Confederate soldiers on the run, and the TV show The Office have to do with a white supremacist secret society in St. Louis? Author and historian Devin Thomas O'Shea joins us to talk about his fantastic new book "The Veiled Prophet: Secret Societies, White Supremacy, and the Struggle for St. Louis." Strap yourselves in, dear listeners, you are in for a wild ride!Our guest: Devin Thomas O'Shea is the author of “The Veiled Prophet: Secret Societies, White Supremacy, and the Struggle for St. Louis,” publishing with Haymarket Books in June 2026. His writing is in The Nation, the Iowa Review, Slate, LA Review of Books, Boulevard, and elsewhere.Buy the book!listener comments? Feedback? Shoot us a text!Lignum is a haven for culture, rest, and resistance. We believe in celebrating community and honoring the land that holds us. At our urban “milpa,” we practice indigenous science that respects the natural cycles of the region, and most of our workshops are hosted by indigenous and local experts. Every project we do is grounded in collective memory, creativity, and respect for the land and its people. Order "NEVER WILL IT BE LOST" and get $5 off!Support Lignum: A Cultural Haven in MéridaYour Hosts:Kurly Tlapoyawa is an archaeologist, ethnohistorian, and filmmaker. His research covers Mesoamerica, the American Southwest, and the historical connections between the two regions. He is the author of numerous books and has presented lectures at the University of New Mexico, Harvard University, Yale University, San Diego State University, and numerous others. He most recently released his documentary short film "Guardians of the Purple Kingdom," and is a cultural consultant for Nickelodeon Animation Studios.@kurlytlapoyawaRuben Arellano Tlakatekatl is a scholar, activist, and professor of history. His research explores Chicana/Chicano indigeneity, Mexican indigenist nationalism, and Coahuiltecan identity resurgence. Other areas of research include Aztlan (US Southwest), Anawak (Mesoamerica), and Native North America. He has presented and published widely on these topics and has taught courses at various institutions. He currently teaches history at Dallas College – Mountain View Campus. Find us: Bluesky...
Dans ce troisième et dernier épisode de notre mini-série Garde à vue : une critique du pouvoir policier, nous avons l'immense privilège d'accueillir Gwenola Ricordeau. Cette chercheuse de renom nous accompagne pour une réflexion approfondie sur les fondements de la pensée abolitionniste, tant sur le plan policier que carcéral.L'épisode est divisé en deux parties. Dans la première, nous discutons des racines de la pensée abolitionniste, et de la rupture qu'elle marque avec les critiques réformistes de la police. Dans la deuxième partie de l'épisode, nous discutons des perspectives féministes de l'abolitionnisme carcéral, ainsi que de la justice réparatrice, une notion qui gagne en visibilité dans les dernières années. Enfin, l'épisode se conclut sur le contexte politique actuel, ainsi que sur les effets qu'ont les dérives autoritaires sur le milieu de la recherche critique.À l'aune des récentes et horrifiantes révélations concernant les violences racistes au sein du SPVM, cet épisode apparaît d'autant plus d'actualité qu'il réitère l'impossibilité de voir naître de meilleures polices ni de meilleures prisons.Bonne écoute ! Ouvrages référésRicordeau, G. (2026). Tant qu'il y aura des prisons. Le Passager clandestin. 152p.Ricordeau, G. (2019). Pour elles toutes : Femmes contre la prison. Lux Éditeur. 240p.Ricordeau, G. (dir.). (2023). 1312 raisons d'abolir la police. Lux Éditeur. 352p.Suggestions de lectureDavis, A. (2003). Are Prisons Obsolete? Seven Stories Press. 128p.Purnell, D. (2021). Becoming Abolitionists: Police, Protests, and the Pursuit of Freedom. Astra House. 288p.Kaba, M. et Ritchie, A. J. (2022). No More Police : A Case for Abolition. The New Press. 400p.Kaba, M. (2021). We Do This ‘Til We Free Us : Abolitionist Organizing and Transforming Justice. Haymarket Books. 240p.Invitée : Gwenola RicordeauAnimation : Morange C. Lemire et Viviane IsabelleRéalisation et post-production : Morange C. Lemire et Viviane IsabelleVisuel : Viviane IsabelleCrédit musique : Gilles Ganassa et Lucie Ganassa
Dans ce troisième et dernier épisode de notre mini-série Garde à vue : une critique du pouvoir policier, nous avons l'immense privilège d'accueillir Gwenola Ricordeau. Cette chercheuse de renom nous accompagne pour une réflexion approfondie sur les fondements de la pensée abolitionniste, tant sur le plan policier que carcéral.L'épisode est divisé en deux parties. Dans la première, nous discutons des racines de la pensée abolitionniste, et de la rupture qu'elle marque avec les critiques réformistes de la police. Dans la deuxième partie de l'épisode, nous discutons des perspectives féministes de l'abolitionnisme carcéral, ainsi que de la justice réparatrice, une notion qui gagne en visibilité dans les dernières années. Enfin, l'épisode se conclut sur le contexte politique actuel, ainsi que sur les effets qu'ont les dérives autoritaires sur le milieu de la recherche critique.À l'aune des récentes et horrifiantes révélations concernant les violences racistes au sein du SPVM, cet épisode apparaît d'autant plus d'actualité qu'il réitère l'impossibilité de voir naître de meilleures polices ni de meilleures prisons.Bonne écoute ! Ouvrages référésRicordeau, G. (2026). Tant qu'il y aura des prisons. Le Passager clandestin. 152p.Ricordeau, G. (2019). Pour elles toutes : Femmes contre la prison. Lux Éditeur. 240p.Ricordeau, G. (dir.). (2023). 1312 raisons d'abolir la police. Lux Éditeur. 352p.Suggestions de lectureDavis, A. (2003). Are Prisons Obsolete? Seven Stories Press. 128p.Purnell, D. (2021). Becoming Abolitionists: Police, Protests, and the Pursuit of Freedom. Astra House. 288p.Kaba, M. et Ritchie, A. J. (2022). No More Police : A Case for Abolition. The New Press. 400p.Kaba, M. (2021). We Do This ‘Til We Free Us : Abolitionist Organizing and Transforming Justice. Haymarket Books. 240p.Invitée : Gwenola RicordeauAnimation : Morange C. Lemire et Viviane IsabelleRéalisation et post-production : Morange C. Lemire et Viviane IsabelleVisuel : Viviane IsabelleCrédit musique : Gilles Ganassa et Lucie Ganassa
aja monet is a surrealist blues poet, storyteller, and organizer born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. Aja Monet follows in the long legacy and tradition of poets participating and assembling in social movements. Her first full collection of poems is titled, My Mother Was a Freedom Fighter on Haymarket Books. Aja Monet also serves as the Artistic Creative Director for V-Day, a global movement to end violence against all women and girls. Her latest album release is The Color of Rain.
Aja monet is a surrealist blues poet, storyteller, and organizer born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. Aja Monet follows in the long legacy and tradition of poets participating and assembling in social movements. Her first full collection of poems is titled, My Mother Was a Freedom Fighter on Haymarket Books. Aja Monet also serves as the Artistic Creative Director for V-Day, a global movement to end violence against all women and girls. Her latest album release is The Color of Rain.
FW Jason interview Daniel Gross about his new book 'Unions of Our Own' from Haymarket Books. We talk about the difference between union organizing and union building, his experiences organizing at Borders and Starbucks, and his time in the IWW. Get the book now here:https://www.haymarketbooks.org/books/2724-unions-of-our-own So listen in and if you want to be a part of that future and join the one big union, or just have questions for us about organizing your workplace, reach out at ypsilanti@iww.com and remember, an injury to one is an injury to all. Enjoy!
Vicky Osterweil joins us to discuss her new book, "The Extended Universe How Disney Killed the Movies and Took Over the World" from Haymarket Books: https://www.haymarketbooks.org/books/2525-the-extended-universe "The Moment of Truth" with Jeff Dorchen follows the interview. Help keep This Is Hell! completely listener supported and access bonus episodes by subscribing to our Patreon: www.patreon.com/thisishell
The powerful #StopCopCity movement is part of the larger fight for police abolition, for racial, social, Indigenous, and environmental justice, and for the survival of every living creature on the planet. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss the book No Cop City, No Cop World: Lessons from the Movement, edited by Kamau Franklin, Micah Herskind, and Mariah Parker (and published by Haymarket Books), which is a collection of essays, letters, and poems from organizers, abolitionists, scholars, and activists sharing and analyzing the context, goals, strategies, victories, and challenges of the #StopCopCity movement in Atlanta, Georgia, and the lessons learned for the future of this movement and other movements home and abroad, and what we learn and take away from this incredible book in our continued learning and unlearning work and fight for collective liberation. Follow us on social media and visit our website! Patreon, Website, Instagram, Bluesky, TikTok, Threads, Facebook, YouTube, Leave us a voice message, Merch store
Ralph welcomes back union organizer, Chris Townsend, to discuss the reasons why the AFL-CIO shrinks from effectively fighting for its members and expanding the power of workers. Then, political scientist Lee Drutman lays out a system of proportional representation that would take away the incentive to gerrymander congressional districts. Plus, Ralph gives some quick takes on Thomas Massie's primary loss, fish hopped up on cocaine, and the situations in Lebanon and Ukraine.Chris Townsend has been a union member and labor leader for more than 45 years. He was most recently the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) International Union Organizing Director. Previously, he was an International Representative and Political Action Director for the United Electrical Workers Union (UE), and he has held local positions in both the SEIU and UFCW.[The upcoming AFL-CIO] convention is deliberately kept secret. It's what I describe as sort of a hideout strategy. It enables the leadership to not have to discuss or take positions that for them are difficult, such as: What is the labor movement going to do to confront the rampant lawlessness and criminality of the Trump regime? What is the labor movement going to do to address the rampaging inflation that is eating up living standards? There's no wage policy. There's no bargaining policy of the Federation. What are they going to do to address the ongoing national health care crisis and disaster?... And what are they doing about the crisis of the unorganized?Chris TownsendThe labor movement finds itself (I would submit) with the leadership disinterested in going out and organizing the unorganized. But even for those who do (and there are some), the laws—Taft-Hartley primary among them—provide such a minefield that we have to run through, that our ability to organize on any scale for decades has been stopped. And therefore, we are condemned to a perpetual shrinking size, resources, and whatnot. [And what] might help for folks to figure out how or why this is happening is that the labor movement is systematically being converted from trade union fighting organizations, membership-driven fighting organizations, to harmless not-for-profit organizations. And this is today's administrative layer of trade union leaders that don't see anything wrong with that. But that doesn't help anyone in the shop, in the office, in the workplace. And it doesn't help anyone looking to the labor movement for something better—better treatment, better wages, better benefits, better conditions, better health and safety in the workplace.Chris TownsendLee Drutman is a senior fellow in the Political Reform program at New America, where he focuses on electoral reform, Congress, and democratic health. He writes the newsletter Undercurrent Events and co-hosts the podcast Politics in Question. And he is the author of The Business of America is Lobbying and Breaking the Two-Party Doom Loop: The Case for Multiparty Democracy in America.The whole issue of gerrymandering is really just an outgrowth of this way that we use single-winner districts with winner-take-all votes. It's also what entrenches the two-party system in the US, which limits the choice of voters. So there's this one weird voting mechanism that we have that most countries have gotten rid of, that is an antiquated voting system, that preserves the two-party system and makes gerrymandering just inevitable—and that's the use of single-member districts. Now, in a proportional system, you take away the districts, and you do this statewide, you can carve up larger states into a few multi-member districts. And then seats get allocated proportionally by party share. That takes away the entire incentive of gerrymandering, it gives voters everywhere meaningful choices, meaningful votes, and it is just a superior system of representing the pluralism and diversity of our pluralistic and diverse society.Lee DrutmanPeople like the idea of proportional representation as basic fairness—that people think that parties should get seats in proportion to the share of votes they get. I did some polling on it a few years ago, and I'm hoping to do a little bit more… But I think that one of the challenges is people don't entirely understand how it works. And so it's a challenge to poll people on a concept that they don't know about. But I think more and more people understand it. And from the polling I've seen, at a principles-based level, people get the idea that proportionality is a form of fairness, and people like fairness.Lee DrutmanKaty O'Donnell is the editorial director at Haymarket Books, a radical, independent, nonprofit book publisher based in Chicago.News 5/22/26* Our first story this week has to do with what appears to be the impending downfall of ultrazionist media personality, Bari Weiss. Weiss, who resigned from the New York Times to found the Free Press and then sold that venture to become “Editor-in-Chief” for CBS News under the Ellison regime, is reportedly facing down the barrel of her role being scaled back substantially. Puck reports “As Paramount closes in on its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery…members of the senior leadership team have had informal discussions about changing Bari's mandate at CBS News—and, eventually, CNN—in ways that would give her less control over the linear product.” This piece cites her missteps stewarding CBS News, including her inability to improve the ratings for Evening News, even failing to secure new anchor Tony Dokoupil a travel visa to China in time for President Trump's recent visit to the People's Republic. While a total dismissal of Weiss seems unlikely in the near future, such a dramatic reduction in her clout would constitute a tremendous, humbling blow.* Moving to state-level news, last week, Colorado Democratic Governor Jared Polis announced he would be commuting the sentence of former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters, who was sentenced to nine years in prison for tampering with voting systems to overturn Joe Biden's victory in the Centennial State. Peters will now be eligible for parole June 1st. This move has been widely condemned, most notably by the Colorado Democratic Party which voted by a margin of over 90% to officially censure Polis. In a statement, the CDP wrote, “Reducing [Peters'] sentence now, under pressure from Donald Trump, is not justice…It sends a message to future bad actors that election tampering has consequences, unless you're friends with the president.” According to NBC, the CDP also banned Polis from being able to “participate as an honored guest, speaker or officially recognized representative of the Colorado Democratic Party at party-sponsored functions.”* In more positive state-level news, NPR reports Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has signed a bill banning prediction market sites like Polymarket and Kalshi – which allow consumers to “place…wager[s] on…future outcome[s], like sports, elections, live entertainment” – from operating in the North Star State. This makes Minnesota the first state in the nation to ban the prediction betting platforms. As this story notes, the Trump administration is pursuing legal action on behalf of the platforms, ensuring a legal battle over whether states can act to protect their own consumers from these predatory betting services. Minnesota Rep. Emma Greenman, who introduced the measure, is quoted as saying, “We as a state should decide how best and what regulations we think should attach to gambling, to protect public safety, to protect our kids.” The administration, meanwhile, specifically the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is arguing in court that prediction market industry regulation should be the sole preserve of the federal government.* Looking toward Congress, this week saw a number of high-profile primaries, including in the state of Pennsylvania. Leading up to that primary, the Pennsylvania machine went all out against the congressional campaign of State Representative Chris Rabb. Rabb, who had won the endorsements of everyone from AOC and Rashida Tlaib to Jamie Raskin and Philly DSA to the Philadelphia Inquirer, was targeted by a barrage of anonymous text messages to Philadelphia voters accusing him of “spreading conspiracy theories and holding extremist views,” per the Inquirer. What is remarkable about this smear campaign, however, is that it was organized by Philadelphia's Democratic City Committee and that it violated federal election law by failing to disclose that fact. In another troubling portend of things to come, one of the texts featured an “AI-generated image of Rabb acknowledging his supposed lack of legislative accomplishments in Harrisburg.” Rumors have long circulated that Governor Josh Shapiro wanted Rabb to lose, and worked the backrooms to this end while avoiding public statements.* Yet, despite all of that, Rabb prevailed – winning over his two establishment-backed opponents with around 45% of the vote compared to his opponents, who each won approximately 30% and 24% respectively. The Pennsylvania primaries turned out to be a good night for progressives more generally, with Bob Brooks – a firefighter's union chief and former state rep. who successfully united the Democratic Party behind him, winning the endorsements of both Governor Josh Shapiro and Senator Bernie Sanders. Brooks will face off against freshman Republican Congressman Ryan Mackenzie in November in the R+1 seventh district of Pennsylvania, while Rabb's general election campaign is seen as little more than a formality in the D+40 PA-03.* Yet, if it was a good streak for Democratic progressives, it was a very bad one for Trump critics within the GOP. This week, Thomas Massie lost his primary in Kentucky's fourth congressional district, buckling under the war chest deployed against him in what amounted to the most expensive House primary on record. Massie joked that “My vote was never for sale, so they bought a congressional seat. They found out what it cost.” Massie, perhaps Trump's most formidable intra-party opponent in the House during his second term, worked with Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna on bills ranging from the Epstein Files Transparency Act to War Powers Resolutions related to the administration's actions in Venezuela and Iran. In retaliation, Trump made it clear that he would go to any lengths to ensure Massie would not be reelected. That said, Massie will remain in the House until January and has indicated that he will make that time as painful for Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson as he possibly can. Moreover, during his concession speech, Massie's supporters chanted for him to run for president in 2028, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports. Whether he is even entertaining that thought is unclear, but if he did run as a right-wing independent candidate, one could easily imagine him capturing a large enough share of the vote to deny certain states to the Republican nominee. Meanwhile, his ally across the aisle, Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna, said in a statement that Massie “lost because he had the guts to stand up to the Epstein class and against the war…He won voters under 45 by 30 points…Tonight, I say to [his] voters who feel rejected by Trump. We welcome you. Join our coalition to take on a rotten system and stand for the working class over the Epstein class.”* Massie isn't the only Republican targeted in the latest round of Trump purges. Downballot, Trump loyalists have ousted the Indiana Republicans who resisted Trump's pressure to implement mid-decade redistricting, but the real scalps he is claiming are in the Senate. Last weekend, Republican Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana lost his primary runoff. Fox reports this makes Cassidy the “first elected Republican senator to lose renomination since Sen. Richard Lugar of Indiana in 2012.” Trump wasted no time in dancing on Cassidy's political grave, writing on Truth Social, “His disloyalty to the man who got him elected is now a part of a legend, and it's nice to see that his political career is OVER!” His supposed disloyalty, of course, refers to Cassidy's vote to convict Trump in the Senate trial for his second impeachment following January 6th. Former Senator Mitt Romney, who also voted to convict, is quoted in this article saying that Cassidy is a “person of character,” and that his “departure is a loss for the country.” Cassidy, however, is likely soon to be joined by longtime Texas Republican Senator John Cornyn. Cornyn is currently making his last stand against scandal-ridden Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in that runoff election. Trump has long prevaricated regarding whether and whom he would endorse in this race, at times leaning towards either candidate but remaining neutral up until this week, when he formally gave the nod to Paxton, per the Texas Tribune. This move has caused great consternation amongst Senate Republicans and cautious optimism among Democrats, who see Paxton as the weaker opponent to go up against Democratic nominee James Talarico in November – giving Democrats their best chance in years to flip a Senate seat in Texas.* What Cornyn's next move will be is a mystery, especially as he has not yet officially lost the Texas primary. Cassidy, however, appears to have chosen the Massie route of going down fighting. This week, Cassidy flipped his position to become the deciding vote in favor of the Senate War Powers Resolution on Iran – successfully pushing it through along with support from fellow Republican Senators Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, and Rand Paul, despite disloyal opposition from Democratic Senator John Fetterman. The measure was then sent back to the House, but fearful it might actually pass – Democratic holdout Jared Golden had vowed to vote yes, and war-weary House Republicans Thomas Massie, Warren Davidson, Brian Fitzpatrick and Tom Barrett were all signaling their support – leadership abruptly canceled the vote, per MSN.* One factor cited in the Republicans' calculus around this latest War Powers push was the absences of Members of Congress. In their view, the absences would have given Democrats the votes they needed to win. Two of these absences have garnered substantial attention in the media: those of Republican Congressman Tom Kean Jr. of New Jersey and Democratic Congresswoman Frederica Wilson of Florida. The 83-year-old Wilson, who was missing for a month with little public acknowledgment or explanation, has finally resurfaced, saying that she was undergoing a major eye surgery but still plans to seek reelection. In a remarkably tone-deaf comment, a source close to the Congresswoman was quoted in Axios saying “missing votes is not a sign she's sick or retiring…She shows up when she wants to.” Still, at least her absence has been explained and she has now returned to her duties in the House. Congressman Kean's disappearance is more mysterious. As of May 21st, Kean has not “been seen in Washington for more than 75 days,” NOTUS reports. When his absence first began to gain media traction, his Chief of Staff added fuel to the fire with the cryptic remark “there are no cameras where Tom is.” Now it is being reported that his neighbors back in New Jersey haven't seen hide nor hair either. There has been some indication that Kean is dealing with a personal or medical issue, but Speaker Mike Johnson claims to have no knowledge of the particulars. It is not controversial to say that being an American Member of Congress is too important to simply be AWOL for long periods of time, especially without deigning to explain why to one's constituents. Something must be done.* Finally, we turn to Latin America, where former president Evo Morales has leveled claims that the government of his native Bolivia, in coordination with the DEA and the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) is plotting to “detain or kill” him, TeleSUR reports. According to this report, “Morales detailed specific military units allegedly involved, including the Army's Ninth Division in the tropical region under Colonel Franz Andrade Loza, whom he said the government promised to promote to general and appoint as armed forces commander ‘if he finishes off Evo.'” Morales also “cited an F-10 unit under Lieutenant Colonel Carlos Giménez Ortuño,” a former aide to the defense minister in the government of the unelected U.S.-backed regime of Jeanine Áñez. These allegations sound somewhat outlandish, but in a moment when the U.S. has recently kidnapped Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, worked to undermine the governments of Mexico and Colombia via the Hondurasgate scheme, and just recently moved to indict 94 year old Raúl Castro for his role in an incident three decades ago when the Cuban government downed a civilian aircraft that entered their sovereign airspace, it does not seem so far fetched.This has been Francesco DeSantis, with In Case You Haven't Heard. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe
Notes and Links to Rachel León's Work Rachel León (she/they) is a writer, editor, and social worker, who has worked in child welfare for nearly two decades. She serves as Managing Director for Chicago Review of Books. Their debut novel, How We See the Gray, is out from Curbstone Books as of May 15, 2026. Buy How We See the Gray Rachel León Website Review of How We See the Gray from Kirkus Reviews At about 1:45, Rachel gives a summary of How We See the Gray and information about book events and purchasing At about 4:15, Rachel talks about her writing and reading background, as well as how visual art figured in to her early publications At about 6:30, Rachel highlights Gwendolyn Brooks' work as formative and transformative for her At about 7:50, Rachel cites Sarah Lippman and Justin Torres as contemporary writers who inspire her, including Torres' approach and “We” usage At about 10:10, Rachel responds to Pete asking about her reading life as an editor At about 16:10, Pete asks Rachel about seeds for How We See the Gray and the myriad ways in which her work in child welfare has informed her writing of the book At about 20:55, Rachel homes in on the time in the field that led her to write How We See the Gray and her current work At about 22:00, Rachel talks about her love for the band La Historia, and getting permission to use the band's lyrics in the book At about 24:00, Pete riffs on the book's collective voice and asks Rachel to talk about the usage of “We” in the book At about 26:30, Rachel responds to Pete's questions about case workers and their motivations, as well as ideas of “vocations” and working “in the trenches” At about 29:55, Pete lays out some of the book's exposition, and asks Rachel about ideas of Meredith, a main character, being too trusting/savior-ish in her work At about 33:25, The two discuss Meredith and her coparenting At about 34:50, Rachel talks about the youth of her characters and their relationship with idealism At about 36:50, Rachel expands on the ways in which main character Ebony has learned to “not let her guard down” At about 38:20, Rachel reflects on race and privilege and patronizing attitudes in the foster system, both outside the book and inside At about 42:30, Rachel talks about “mapping out” storylines and “microstories” and chronologies for her book At about 43:50, The two discuss double-standards regarding lack of responsibility for At about 44:55, Rachel expands on Rockford, Illinois, and her rationale in including slightly-adapted headlines from the local papers At about 47:15, Pete talks about foster parents in the book bucks expectations At about 48:00, Rachel responds to Pete asking about the “trauma-bonding” among coworkers and the benefits and disadvantages At about 52:00, Jamal and his versatile work is discussed At about 53:10, Meredith's drinking and the root causes are discussed At about 56:00, “Found families” through the foster system are discussed At about 56:50, Pete cites some of the book's vast profundity At about 58:00, Rachel talks about the treatment of LGBTQ+ young people in the system At about 1:01:23-AXE Body Spray profundity! At about 1:02, Medreith and being part of the system as a mother are discussed, and Pete asks Rachel about her views on the state of the “system” You can now subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and leave me a five-star review. You can also ask for the podcast by name using Alexa, and find the pod on Stitcher, Spotify, and on Amazon Music. Follow Pete on IG, where he is @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where he is @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both the YouTube Channel and the podcast while you're checking out this episode. Pete is very excited to have one or two podcast episodes per month featured on the website of Chicago Review of Books. The audio will be posted, along with a written interview culled from the audio. His conversation with Jeff Pearlman, a recent guest, is up now at Chicago Review. Sign up now for The Chills at Will Podcast Patreon: it can be found at patreon.com/chillsatwillpodcastpeterriehl Check out the page that describes the benefits of a Patreon membership, including cool swag and bonus episodes. Thanks in advance for supporting Pete's one-man show, DIY podcast and extensive reading, research, editing, and promoting to keep this independent podcast pumping out high-quality content! This month's Patreon bonus episode deals with short, powerful poems and prose that pack a punch-take that, alliteration! The episode features meaningful and resonant work from Robert Hershon, Mosab Abu Toha, Ernest Hemingway, Sara Abou Rashed, Khaled Juma, Andrea Cohen, and Marwan Makhoul. Pete has added a $1 a month tier for “Well-Wishers” and Cheerleaders of the Show. The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com. Please tune in for Episode 345 with Devin Thomas O'Shea is the author of The Veiled Prophet, publishing with Haymarket Books in June 2026. His writing appears in The Nation, The Iowa Review, Slate, Jacobin, Boulevard, and elsewhere. The episode airs on June 23, Pub Day for The Veiled Prophet. Please go to ceasefiretoday.org, and/or https://act.uscpr.org/a/letaidin to call your congresspeople and demand an end to the forced famine and destruction of Gaza and the Gazan people. You can also donate at chuffed.org, World Central Kitchen, and so many more, and/or you can contact writer friend Ursula Villarreal-Moura directly or through Pete, as she has direct links with friends in Gaza.
This week Jacobin Radio presents “In the Imperial Crosshairs: Trump's War and Its Consequences for the People of Iran and Ukraine,” a panel organized by Haymarket Books that took place on April 16. Moderated by Denys Bondar, the panel features four socialist voices from the United States, Iran, Russia, and Ukraine. They examine the catastrophic consequences of the US-Israeli war already being paid by the people of Iran and Ukraine — from the Strait of Hormuz to the streets of Kyiv — and by working people everywhere. Speakers include: - Ashley Smith (Ukraine Solidarity Network): Traces the strategic logic of Trump's imperial war, rooted in US relative decline and the drive to dominate China's energy supply chains. - Frieda Afary (Iranian-American socialist and author of Socialist Feminism: A New Approach): Discusses progressive opposition inside Iran, including feminist activists, labor organizers, and national minority movements, and why solidarity with these groups is the only principled position. - Aleksandra Zapolskaya (Coordinating editor of Posle media and anti-war activist): Explains what the war means for Russia and the Russian people living under a repressive regime that has crushed independent institutions, strangled the press, and imprisoned anti-war voices. - Denys Pilash (Editor of Commons journal and member of Sotsialnyi Rukh): Currently serving in the Ukrainian armed forces, he speaks from the front lines on why impunity for one aggressor opens the door for the next. The discussion also explores anti-war labor solidarity, the global implications of Orban's electoral defeat, and the debate around “campism.” Jacobin Radio with Suzi Weissman features conversations with leading thinkers and activists, with a focus on labor, the economy, and protest movements.
Leila Al-Shami returns with co-author Benjamin to discuss their new book by The People's Want, "Revolutions of Our Times: An Internationalist Manifesto" (Haymarket Books). "The Moment of Truth" with Jeff Dorchen follows the interview. Check out the new book from The People's Want: https://www.haymarketbooks.org/books/2732-revolutions-of-our-times Help keep This Is Hell! completely listener supported and access bonus episodes by subscribing to our Patreon: www.patreon.com/thisishell
The need for cross race, cross class organizing and solidarity is more important now than ever. Listen as Aaron and Damien AND special guest Beth Howard discuss the book Song for a Hard-Hit People: A Memoir of Antiracist Solidarity from a Coal Miner's Daughter by Beth Howard (and published by Haymarket Books), which shares an Appalachian organizer's personal and professional experiences from childhood to adulthood, critical lessons about solidarity, justice, organizing, strategy, and collective liberation, and the importance and impact of the fight and freedom struggle in the Appalachian region for all of us, and what we learn and take away from this incredible book in our continued learning and unlearning work and fight for collective liberation. A huge thank you to Beth Howard (bethhowardky.com) from Showing Up for Racial Justice for joining us in this conversation! Follow us on social media and visit our website! Patreon, Website, Instagram, Bluesky, TikTok, Threads, Facebook, YouTube, Leave us a voice message, Merch store
In this episode of CounterPunch Radio, MV Ramana speaks with Joshua Frank about the lies and misconceptions surrounding a nuclear power revival, atomic energy’s ties to weapons proliferation, and much more. The conversation took place in January at Page Against the Machine bookstore in Long Beach, California. M. V. Ramana is the Simons Chair in Disarmament, Global and Human Security at the School of Public Policy and Global Affairs, University of British Columbia, and the author of Nuclear is Not the Solution with Verso Books. Joshua Frank is co-editor of CounterPunch and co-host of CounterPunch Radio. He is the author of Atomic Days: The Untold Story of the Most Toxic Place in America, and the forthcoming, Bad Energy: The AI Hucksters, Rogue Lithium Extractors, and Wind Industrialists Who are Selling Off Our Future, both with Haymarket Books. Sponsored by Pilsen Community Books. The post Nuclear Madness: MV Ramana in Conversation w/ Joshua Frank appeared first on CounterPunch.org.
The migrant, refugee, and immigration crises around the world are the direct outcome of capitalist, imperialist globalization and climate change. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss the book Border & Rule: Global Migration, Capitalism, and the Rise of Racist Nationalism by Harsha Walia (and published by Haymarket Books), which examines and analyzes the impact of border policies, globalization, health crises, war, climate change, capitalism, and state violence on historical and present day migrant and refugee crises worldwide, and what we learn and take away from this incredible book in our continued learning and unlearning work and fight for collective liberation.Follow us on social media and visit our website! Patreon, Website, Instagram, Bluesky, TikTok, Threads, Facebook, YouTube, Leave us a voice message, Merch store
On today's show, host Ali Muldrow is in conversation with two of the editors of We Are Each Other’s Liberation: Black and Asian Feminist Solidarities, Rachel Kuo and Jaimee A. Swift. They discuss the challenging, contemplative, and moving essays that chart the long history of Black and Asian women in coalition and how these communities have, at times, been pitted against each other. The editors emphasize the intersection of disability justice and abolition in framing the collection to help readers analyze systems and relationships of power. Swift says that the book came about as she was watching Black women become the victims and survivors of COVID at the same time as anti-Asian hate crime was spiking around the country. Kuo says that the international solidarity movements of the 60s and 70s brought people together based on their shared relationship to power and shared analysis of US empire, capitalism, patriarchy, and racism, not especially their shared identity. Swift says “we need each other to challenge oppressive systems.” They also talk about the need for cop-free communities, coalition politics, the exhaustion of movement work, and how to build real joy without losing the seriousness of the fight. Rachel Kuo is an assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and cofounder of the Asian American Feminist Collective, which engages intersectional feminist politics grounded within Asian diasporic communities. Jaimee A. Swift is the creator and executive director of Black Women Radicals, dedicated to uplifting and centering Black women and gender-expansive people's radical activism in Africa and in the African diaspora. Featured image of the cover of We Are Each Other’s Liberation: Black and Asian Feminist Solidarities, available from Haymarket Books. Did you enjoy this story? Your funding makes great, local journalism like this possible. Donate hereThe post Black and Asian Feminists Imagine A Better World Together appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.
This episode was originally released in fall 2023 and is being re-aired today in light of discourse surrounding carceral approaches to public space and recent attacks on the term "carceral sanism" itself. To support the show and help make episodes like this one possible, become a patron at www.patreon.com/deathpanelpod Beatrice, Liat Ben-Moshe, and Leah Harris discuss the increasing wave of policies and legislation, from Eric Adams' stance on involuntary hospitalization to Gavin Newsom's Care Courts, that seek to criminalize madness and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They also discuss why it is so critical for the left to work against these policies, and how to understand the politics of what we have termed “carceral sanism.” This episode was originally recorded live as part of the 2023 Socialism Conference, organized by Haymarket Books. Transcript: https://www.deathpanel.net/transcripts/s23-resisting-carceral-sanism Show links: We're testing out a new Bookshop.org page (still under construction), where you can find books by past guests and book recommendations from the hosts. Find it here: bookshop.org/shop/deathpanel Get Health Communism here: bookshop.org/a/118130/9781839765179 Find Tracy's book Abolish Rent here: bookshop.org/a/118130/9798888902523 Find Jules' latest book, A Short History of Trans Misogyny, here: bookshop.org/a/118130/9781804291603
On this episode of CounterPunch Radio, Joshua Frank and Erik Wallenberg are joined by Brian Jones to discuss his new book, Black History Is for Everyone, out now with Haymarket Books. In Black History Is for Everyone, Brian Jones offers a meditation on the power of Black history, using his own experiences as a lifelong learner and classroom teacher to question everything—from the radicalism of the American Revolution to the meaning of “race” and “nation.” Brian Jones has taught many ages and grades in New York City's public schools and the City University of New York. He served as the inaugural director of the Center for Educators and Schools at the New York Public Library and was the associate director of education at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. He is also the author of The Tuskegee Student Uprising: A History. Catch Brian Jones on tour. Buy a copy of Black History Is for Everyone. The post Black History Is for Everyone w/ Brian Jones appeared first on CounterPunch.org.
Black history is for everyone, and there is so much that all of us can learn from it. Listen as Aaron and Damien AND special guest Stephanie Olson discuss the book Black History Is for Everyone by Brian Jones (and published by Haymarket Books), which explores and analyzes how teaching and learning Black history in real and meaningful ways can challenge our understanding of ourselves, race, nation, politics, and ongoing struggles for social justice, and what we learn and take away from this incredible book in our continued learning and unlearning work and fight for collective liberation. A huge thank you to Stephanie Olson for joining us in this conversation at the 2026 Maryland Student Affairs Conference! Follow us on social media and visit our website! Patreon, Website, Instagram, Bluesky, TikTok, Threads, Facebook, YouTube, Leave us a voice message, Merch store
Beatrice Adler-Bolton, Silky Shah and Harsha Walia discuss the brutal enforcement of immigration policing in Minneapolis and beyond, and why resistance calls for the abolition of much more than ICE. This episode was recorded live on February 12th 2026 in collaboration with Haymarket Books. You can watch the original livestream on youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9YJqx1zY2c To support the show and help make episodes like this one possible, become a patron at www.patreon.com/deathpanelpod Find Harsha Walia's book Border and Rule: Global Migration, Capitalism, and the Rise of Racist Nationalism here: https://bookshop.org/a/118130/9781642592696 Find Silky Shah's book Unbuild Walls: Why Immigrant Justice Needs Abolition here: https://bookshop.org/a/118130/9798888900840 Show links: Get Health Communism here: bookshop.org/a/118130/9781839765179 Find Tracy's book Abolish Rent here: bookshop.org/a/118130/9798888902523 Find Jules' latest book, A Short History of Trans Misogyny, here: bookshop.org/a/118130/9781804291603
Starting in the autumn of 2025, the US began attacking small civilian boats in or near Venezuelan waters, summarily executing over 126 people. January, 2026 began with it kidnapping Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro and his wife, and bringing them to the US. This month, just weeks after the kidnapping, Haymarket Books published the immensely useful and urgent book, Venezuela in Crisis. The historical range of the book begins with the regime of Hugo Chavez and ends with the 2024 elections in Venezuela.We are immensely fortunate to be able to speak with the editor and translator of this collection of essays, Anderson Bean, and two of its contributors, Emiliano Terán and Simón Rodríguez. The key argument of the book is that, even by his own admission, Chavez was not able to completely transform Venezuela into a socialist state. The book explains the roots of this failure, despite the inspiring successes of Chavismo. It then tracks an ever-increasing neoliberal and oppressive trend carried forward by Maduro, which is characterized by burgeoning extractivism, corruption, and suppression of human rights. We end by calling on socialists and progressives everywhere to resist the tendency to side with Maduro's false claims to socialism, and to focus instead on building solidarity with the people of Venezuela.Anderson Bean is a sociology professor at North Carolina A&T State University, a member of the Tempest Collective, and a North Carolina–based activist and editor. He is a contributor to Venezuela in Crisis: Socialist Perspectives (Haymarket Books) and the author of Communes and the Venezuelan State: The Struggle for Participatory Democracy in a Time of Crisis (Lexington Books).Simón Rodríguez is a Venezuelan socialist writer and journalist. He was a student organizer and later became professor at the Universidad de los Andes. When he was a member of the national leadership of the Socialism and Freedom Party, he ran as a candidate for the National Assembly in 2015. He is a founding member of Laclase.info and Venezuelanvoices.org and has published articles in Humania del Sur, NACLA Report on the Americas, The New Arab, and Rebelión and on dozens of electronic outlets, and his articles have been translated into six languages. He has given talks and lectures in Argentina, Brazil, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic. He is coauthor with Miguel Sorans of the book Why Did Chavismo Fail? A Left-Opposition Balance Sheet.Emiliano Terán is a sociologist from the Central University of Venezuela and has a master's degree in ecological economics from the Autonomous University of Barcelona. He is a PhD candidate in environmental science and technology at the same institution. He is also an associate researcher at the Center for Development Studies in Venezuela and a member of the Observatory of Political Ecology of Venezuela
I interviewed Brian Jones about his book Black History is for Everyone, in which he details his personal journey to understanding the truth and importance of that statement. You can find the book Black History is for Everyone at Bookshop.org and at Haymarket Books (currently 40% off as this episode posts). Music is by Evan Schaeffer.
On the day of a national anti-ICE general strike, host Esty Dinur is in conversation with writer Sophie Lewis about her book, Enemy Feminisms: TERFs, Policewomen, and Girlbosses Against Liberation. Lewis reckons with the white supremacy of bourgeois feminism but refuses to “be evicted from the house of feminism” because she doesn't want to cede ground to TERFS, femonationalists, and other enemy feminisms. Meanwhile, Lewis wants to recover histories of anti-fascist, anti-colonial, insurgent, and undercommons feminism. Dinur points to women like Kristi Noem, Pam Bondi, Caroline Levitt, Madeleine Albright, Condoleezza Rice, Hillary Clinton, and even Kamala Harris who have supported wars all over the world, and wonders, “are these the women I've fought for?” Lewis also discusses the right to pleasure within the gender liberation struggle, the mythology of feminist figures like Mary Wollstonecraft and May French Sheldon, “feminist misogyny,” and family liberation. Sophie Lewis is a self described ex-academic, writer, left activist and adoptive Philadelphian (transplanted from Europe). She is the author of several books, including Full Surrogacy Now, Abolish the Family, Enemy Feminisms, and the forthcoming essay collection FEMMEPHILIA. Sophie’s essays also appear everywhere from the New York Times to n+1 and the London Review of Books. She teaches short courses on social philosophy and theory online at the Brooklyn Institute for Social Research, and you can find her newsletter at patreon.com/reproutopia or browse her archive at lasophielle.org/. Sophie is currently working on a book for Penguin, The Liberation of Children (2027). Featured image of the cover of Enemy Feminisms, available from Haymarket Books. Did you enjoy this story? Your funding makes great, local journalism like this possible. Donate hereThe post Refusing Eviction from the House of Feminism appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.
Historian Alfred McCoy joins us to discuss his new book, "Cold War on Five Continents: A Global History of Empire and Espionage" from Haymarket Books. "The Moment of Truth" with Jeff Dorchen follows the interview. Check out Alfred's book here: https://www.haymarketbooks.org/books/2631-cold-war-on-five-continents Help keep This Is Hell! completely listener supported and access bonus episodes by subscribing to our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thisishell Please rate and review This Is Hell! wherever you get your podcasts. It really helps the show ascend the algorithm to reach new listeners.
American Lit has the potential to be an engaging, broadening, fascinating course. We're in what I consider an in-between era, where many schools are still providing the historical American lit canon to teachers, while other schools or independent teachers going around the system have moved into teaching a broader swirl of America's diverse stories. The American Lit curriculum I was handed twenty years ago was 98% written by dead white men. Since then, I've learned about the impact on our students when they can (and can't) see themselves in the books they read. When they can and can't see their identities. Their communities. Their problems. Their hopes. I learned from Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop's call for books in which students can see themselves and learn to understand others in her appeal to our collective humanity in her landmark essay, "Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Glass Doors." I learned from Felicia Rose Chavez, author of The Anti-Racist Writing Workshop, who shared her personal experience as a young reader: "It's startling as a young person of color to stare down the spines of literacy and note the neat annihilation of most of the world" (29). I learned from Dr. Claudia Rodriguez-Mojica and Dr. Allison Briceño, co-authors of Conscious Classrooms, that using culturally relevant texts can improve student outcomes by helping improve their comprehension, motivation & engagement. I learned more about pairing contemporary texts to the canon from the #distrupttexts movement, about "completing" the canon from Chavez, and about layering multicultural, multimodal texts from Dr. Gholdy Muhammad's Cultivating Genius. For me, it feels so clear. And yet I still see so many curriculums either still cleaving to the classics for the most part or abandoning books altogether in favor of textbooks and " short selections." So today I want to offer my American Lit dream. If I had an unlimited budget, and didn't have to worry about book challenges, this is an outline of the American Lit curriculum I would love to teach today. If you're an American Lit teacher, I hope you find an idea for a new unit or two or five that you'd be excited to try out. If you don't teach American Lit, I think you'll still get a lot of ideas about curriculum possibilities in terms of structure and balance from this episode, which you could remix with any authors you choose. Go Further: Explore alllll the Episodes of The Spark Creativity Teacher Podcast. Launch your choice reading program with all my favorite tools and recs, and grab the free toolkit. Join our community, Creative High School English, on Facebook. Come hang out on Instagram. Enjoying the podcast? Please consider sharing it with a friend, snagging a screenshot to share on the 'gram, or tapping those ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ to help others discover the show. Thank you! Sources: Chavez, Felicia. The Anti-Racist Writing Workshop. Haymarket Books, 2021. Bishop, Rudine Sims. "Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Glass Doors." Perspectives: Choosing and Using Books for the Classroom. Vo. 6, No. 3, Summer 1990. https://scenicregional.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Mirrors-Windows-and-Sliding-Glass-Doors.pdf Accessed November 2, 2025. Graham, S., MacArthur, C., & Hebert, M. (Eds). Best Practices in Writing Instruction. The Guilford Press, 2019. Hillocks Jr., G. Narrative Writing: Learning a New Model for Teaching. Heinemann, 2007. Kittle, Penny. Micro Mentor Texts. Scholastic Professional, 2022. Muhammad, Gholdy. Cultivating Genius. Scholastic, 2020. Potash, Betsy. "Students Need Diverse Texts and Choice, with Dr. Claudia Rodriguez-Mojica and Dr. Allison Briceño." The Spark Creativity Teacher Podcast, Episode 204. Resolution on Grammar Exercises to Teach Speaking and Writing. NCTE online: National Council of Teachers of English Position Statements: https://ncte.org/statement/grammarexercises/, Accessed January 2026. Schoenborn, Andy and Troy Hicks. Creating Confident Writers. W.W. Norton, 2020. Zemelman, Steven, Harvey Daniels and Arthur Hyde. Best Practice. Heinemann, 2005.
The violence surrounding Black communities in Chicago has been engineered and orchestrated by the state. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss the book Engineered Conflict: Structural Violence and the Future of Black Life in Chicago by David Omotoso Stovall (and published by Haymarket Books), which explores how state and institutional violence has targeted, displaced, and marginalized Black communities in Chicago throughout history, as well as how Black communities have resisted this structural violence and embraced humanity, and what we learn and take away from this incredible book in our continued learning and unlearning work and fight for collective liberation. Follow us on social media and visit our website! Patreon, Website, Instagram, Bluesky, TikTok, Threads, Facebook, YouTube, Leave us a voice message, Merch store
On today's show, host Esty Dinur is joined by Alfred W. McCoy to talk about his latest book, Cold War on Five Continents: A Global History of Empire and Espionage, available from Haymarket Books. His book offers an intimate portrait of both covert operatives and antiwar activists, thus humanizing a history often told in impersonal terms of nuclear arsenals or diplomatic ententes. Turning away from the usual focus of the Moscow-Washington stalemate, McCoy looks at the regions of the world where the Cold War was actually fought, arguing that Southeast Asia experienced the worst of Cold War violence. From South Vietnam to the Middle East, to Africa and Latin America the major world powers fought surrogate wars amounting to 20 million deaths. McCoy describes how the US spread its military around the world and operated covertly in Afghanistan, Angola, and elsewhere. He says that the first success of “the man on the spot,” Kermit Roosevelt Jr., was in Iran where he helped to install the Shah in “a spectacularly successful exhibit of regime change.” McCoy says that we're currently seeing a “radical shift in US geopolitical posture” moving away from “an international system of law and commerce to becoming a regional hegemony” as seen in what McCoy calls Trump's “tri-continental strategy.” Trump has decided to concentrate US power in the Americas, from Canada to Greenland and Venezuela. He says that Trump views oil and power as synonymous, but this is a miscalculation on Trump's part. McCoy sees the era of oil as over and the next horizon is in renewables and will be dominated by China. Alfred W. McCoy holds the Harrington chair in history at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Since earning a history doctorate in 1977, his teaching and writing have focused on Southeast Asian history, modern empires, and the covert netherworld of syndicate crime and state security. Featured image of the cover of Cold War on Five Continents: A Global History of Empire and Espionage, available from Haymarket Books. Did you enjoy this story? Your funding makes great, local journalism like this possible. Donate hereThe post From the Cold War to the Trump Regime's Geopolitics with Alfred McCo... appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.
We know we want kids to have choice. As much choice as possible in creating the education that is meaningful and helpful for them. That choice can come through choice over content, medium, expression of ideas, types of discussion, seating in the classroom, what to work on when, when to take a break...there are so many possibilities! If you make it a professional challenge to start seeing the possibilities for choice, you'll find them everywhere! As I've been working on choice as a theme for The Lighthouse this month, I knew that I wanted to create a final choice board project adaptable for any text that would provide a range of options for students. But I also knew I wanted to avoid the pitfalls of some of the choice projects I designed for my own classroom, when I ended up having to create seven different rubrics and rewire myself for a huge range of requirements on my different project options as I graded them. While I was glad to give my students those choices, it was frustrating how long it took to complete my comments. So I took some of my favorite types of projects, what I've learned about creating linked hyperdocs, and my strong desire for an easy grading situation and mashed it all up into an adaptable final project with nine choices, including one that allows students to create their own way to make meaning from what they've studied (so really, a million choices). I'm going to walk you through the process today, so you can do the same next time you'd like to create a project full of options, gifting your students agency as they synthesize what they've learned and create something new. Let's dive in. Go Further: Explore alllll the Episodes of The Spark Creativity Teacher Podcast. Snag three free weeks of community-building attendance question slides Join our community, Creative High School English, on Facebook. Come hang out on Instagram. Enjoying the podcast? Please consider sharing it with a friend, snagging a screenshot to share on the 'gram, or tapping those ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ to help others discover the show. Thank you! Sources Considered: Beghetto, Ronald. "Does Assessment Kill Student Creativity?" The Educational Forum, 2005. Beghetto, Ronald. Killing Ideas Softly: The Promise & Peril of Creativity in the Classroom. Information Age Publishing, 2017. Accessed Online through the Ebesco Database. Chavez, Felicia. The Anti-Racist Writer's Workshop. Haymarket Books, 2021. Gabriel, Elise. "Six Ways to Help Kids Grow their Creativity." Greater Good Magazine Online: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/six_ways_to_help_kids_grow_their_creativity. Accessed 28 October 2025. Gonzalez, Jennifer. "Meet the Single Point Rubric." Cult of Pedagogy Online: https://www.cultofpedagogy.com/single-point-rubric/. Accessed May 2025. Pringle, Zorana Ivcevic. The Creativity Choice. Public Affairs: 2025. Wiggins, Grant. "Creative." https://grantwiggins.wpcomstaging.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/creative.pdf. Accessed 28 October 2025.
If the 20th Century was the American Century, it was also UPS's Century. Joe Allen's The Package King: A Rank and File History of UPS (Haymarket Books, 2020), tears down the Brown Wall surrounding one of America's most admired companies—the United Parcel Service (UPS). The company that we see everyday but know so little about. How did a company that began as a bicycle messenger service in Seattle, Washington become a global behemoth? How did it displace General Motors, the very symbol of American capitalism, to become the largest, private sector, unionized employer in the United States? And, at what cost to its workers and surrounding communities? Will it remain the Package King in the 21st Century or will be dethroned by Amazon? Joe Allen worked for nearly a decade at UPS between its Watertown, Massachusetts and Chicago, Illinois Jefferson Street hubs. Allen's work life has largely involved different sections of freight and logistics including for such major employers as A.P.A Transport (Canton, Mass.), Yellow Freight (Maspeth, NY), and UPS. He has been a member of several Teamster local unions and a member of Teamsters for a Democratic Union. Schneur Zalman Newfield is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Borough of Manhattan Community College, City University of New York, and the author of Degrees of Separation: Identity Formation While Leaving Ultra-Orthodox Judaism (Temple University Press, 2020). Visit him online at ZalmanNewfield.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network
The Party Girls are Joined by sex workers' rights advocates Elene Lam and Chanelle Gallant to discuss their book “Not Your Rescue Project: Migrant Sex Workers Fighting for Justice” out now with Haymarket Books. In this episode, Jamie and Sam explore the ways in which migrant sex workers have pushed back against state repression and how their stories, expertise and forms of life can be a beacon that lights the way for all of us as we seek to undermine the state's capacity to surveil our movements. Elene Lam is the founder of Butterfly, a support network for Asian and migrant sex workers. Read Chanelle's article, "Sex Workers Are Being Abducted by ICE — and Abandoned by Respectability Politics": https://truthout.org/articles/sex-workers-are-being-abducted-by-ice-and-abandoned-by-respectability-politics/ Buy the book: https://www.haymarketbooks.org/books/2258-not-your-rescue-project SIGN UP NOW at https://patreon.com/partygirls to get all of our bonus content, Discord access, and a shout out on the pod! Follow us on ALL the Socials: Instagram: @party.girls.pod TikTok: @party.girls.pod Twitter: @partygirlspod BlueSky: @partygirls.bsky.social Leave us a nice review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you feel so inclined: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/party-girls/id1577239978 https://open.spotify.com/show/71ESqg33NRlEPmDxjbg4rO Executive Producer: Andrew Callaway Producers: Jon B., Ryan M. Design: Julie J.
You know how some spaces just make you feel excited to DO something? Whether it's a Cricut getting your wheels spinning with what-ifs, beautiful shelves of paint inviting you to decorate holiday pottery, or a giant stack of cookbooks suddenly causing you to wonder if it's time to fill the cookie jar, well-organized resources in a creative space can help bring out your creative side. Today, let's talk about how to choose and organize flexible resources for your ELA classroom, anytime you've got the budget and bandwidth. (Check out this post on how to use Donors Choose, if your budget is continuously falling short of your needs). Ooh, one more thing before we start. Throughout this podcast, I'm showcasing graphics and displays from the #evolvingEDdesign Toolkit, a vast free resource I made for you. You can grab it here. Go Further: Explore alllll the Episodes of The Spark Creativity Teacher Podcast. Get my popular free hexagonal thinking digital toolkit Join our community, Creative High School English, on Facebook. Come hang out on Instagram. Enjoying the podcast? Please consider sharing it with a friend, snagging a screenshot to share on the 'gram, or tapping those ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ to help others discover the show. Thank you! Links: The (Vast) Ed Design (Free) Toolkit: https://sparkcreativity.kartra.com/page/evolvingEDdesign The Do's and Don'ts of Donors Choose: https://nowsparkcreativity.com/2019/01/the-dos-and-donts-of-donors-choose-for.html The Power of the Writing Makerspace: https://nowsparkcreativity.com/2018/09/the-power-of-writing-makerspace-with.html The Ed Deck: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Ed-Deck-Lesson-Plan-Inspiration-ELA-Activities-and-Projects-Editable-5106443 Sources Considered, Consulted, and Cited for this Series & for the Toolkit: Abdaal, Ali. Feel Good Productivity. Celadon Books, 2023. "Aesthetics and Academic Spaces." Teachers College, Columbia University Youtube Channel: Curriculum Encounters Podcast, Episode 4. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuFs4Fyk-v0Bwtuy1eQJ3JkRTeL4Sjyz4 Accessed Oct. 21, 2025. Chavez, Felicia. The Anti-Racist Writing Workshop. Haymarket Books, 2021. Dintersmith, Ted. Documentary: Most Likely to Succeed. 2015. Dintersmith, Ted. What Schools Could Be. Princeton University Press, 2018. Doorley, Scott & Witthoft, Doorley. make space: How to Set the Stage for Creative Collaboration. John Wiley and Sons, 2012. "Exploring Google's Headquarters in San Francisco." Digiprith Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxGqbmFf9Qc. Accessed October 13, 2015. "High Tech High Virtual Tour." High Tech High Unboxed Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87xU9smFrj0 . Accessed October 15, 2025. "Inside YouTube's Biggest Office In America | Google's YouTube Headquarters Office Tour." The Roaming Jola Youtube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P26fDfFBx8I . Accessed October 14, 2025. Novak, Katie. Universal Design for Learning in English Language Arts. Cast Inc., 2023. Potash, Betsy. "Research-Based Practices to Ignite Creativity, with Dr. Zorana Ivcevic Pringle." The Spark Creativity Teacher Podcast, Episode 393. Pringle, Zorana Ivcevic. The Creativity Choice. Public Affairs, 2025. Ritchart, Ron and David Perkins. "Making Thinking Visible." Educational Leadership, February 2008, p.p. 57-61. https://pz.harvard.edu/sites/default/files/makingthinkingvisibleEL.pdf. Accessed October 13, 2025. Richardson, Carmen and Punya Mishra. "Scale: Support of Creativity in a Learning Environment," 2017. Accessed through Drive with permission. Richardson, Carmen and Punya Mishra. "Learning environments that support student creativity: Developing the SCALE." Thinking Skills and Creativity, Volume 27, March 2018, p.p. 45-54. Accessed online at https://doi-org.proxy2.cl.msu.edu/10.1016/j.tsc.2017.11.004, October 13, 2025. "Sensory Inquiry and Social Spaces." Teachers College, Columbia University Youtube Channel: Curriculum Encounters Podcast, Episode 2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtD_-k5QmOQ&list=PLuFs4Fyk-v0Bwtuy1eQJ3JkRTeL4Sjyz4&index=2 Accessed Oct. 23, 2025. Stockman, Angela. Make Writing: 5 Strategies that turn Writer's Workshop into a Maker Space. Hack Learning Series, 2015. Terada, Yuki. "Do Fidgets help Students Focus?" Edutopia Online: https://www.edutopia.org/article/do-fidgets-help-students-focus/. Accessed 4 November 2025. Utley, Jeremy. "Masters of Creativity (Education Edition) #1: Input Obsession (Design Thinking)." Stanford d.School Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LosDd3Q0yQw . Accessed October 15, 2025. Utley, Jeremy and Kathryn Segovia. "Masters of Creativity: Updating the Creative Operating System (Design Thinking)." Stanford d.School Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ggza7df7N7Y&t=2233s. Accessed October 17, 2025. "What is Curriculum and Where Might we Find It?" Teachers College, Columbia University Youtube Channel: Curriculum Encounters Podcast, Episode 4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yh_UhGATVwM&list=PLuFs4Fyk-v0Bwtuy1eQJ3JkRTeL4Sjyz4&index=1 Accessed Oct. 23, 2025.
The other day I found myself walking through a parking garage stairwell in Iowa City, and I realized they were using the same scent design as the local mall in Bratislava where we used to live. Half-shocked, half-amused, I climbed the cement stairs as I remembered riding the escalator through the same subtle scent cloud two years ago. The memory was visceral. Though we don't always think about it, our sensory experiences have a strong impact on how we feel and how we work. I do my best work in a situation where I feel comfortable. In fact, I generally prefer not to work at home because step one, for me, to working at home is often to clean the entire house, put music on, light a candle, pick flowers, make tea, etc. and so I spent an hour prepping to work before I do anything. I bet you've already put considerable time and effort into making your classroom a space where you feel comfortable and where students feel welcome. Today isn't about changing any of that; it's just about finding small places where you might be able to tune your sensory dashboard in class to make it work even better for you and your kiddos. By thinking specifically about the five senses - just like we have students do in their writing - you can find easy wins to make the workspace more welcoming, energizing, and comfortable for everyone inside. Throughout this podcast, and all the ones in this series, I'm showcasing graphics and displays from the #evolvingEDdesign Toolkit, a vast free resource I made for you. You can grab it here: https://sparkcreativity.kartra.com/page/evolvingEDdesign Please share your classroom design stories, questions, photos and ideas with the #evolvingEDdesign hashtag across platforms so we can continue the conversation off the pod! Go Further: Explore alllll the Episodes of The Spark Creativity Teacher Podcast. Snag three free weeks of community-building attendance question slides Join our community, Creative High School English, on Facebook. Come hang out on Instagram. Enjoying the podcast? Please consider sharing it with a friend, snagging a screenshot to share on the 'gram, or tapping those ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ to help others discover the show. Thank you! Links Mentioned: Edutopia Article on Fidgets Scottish Castle Fireplace Video Nasa Space Images Video Fun Stanford d.School Timer for Class Work (one of many they've created!) Sources Considered, Consulted, and Cited for this Series & for the Toolkit: Abdaal, Ali. Feel Good Productivity. Celadon Books, 2023. "Aesthetics and Academic Spaces." Teachers College, Columbia University Youtube Channel: Curriculum Encounters Podcast, Episode 4. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuFs4Fyk-v0Bwtuy1eQJ3JkRTeL4Sjyz4 Accessed Oct. 21, 2025. Chavez, Felicia. The Anti-Racist Writing Workshop. Haymarket Books, 2021. Dintersmith, Ted. Documentary: Most Likely to Succeed. 2015. Dintersmith, Ted. What Schools Could Be. Princeton University Press, 2018. Doorley, Scott & Witthoft, Doorley. make space: How to Set the Stage for Creative Collaboration. John Wiley and Sons, 2012. "Exploring Google's Headquarters in San Francisco." Digiprith Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxGqbmFf9Qc. Accessed October 13, 2015. "High Tech High Virtual Tour." High Tech High Unboxed Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87xU9smFrj0 . Accessed October 15, 2025. "Inside YouTube's Biggest Office In America | Google's YouTube Headquarters Office Tour." The Roaming Jola Youtube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P26fDfFBx8I . Accessed October 14, 2025. Novak, Katie. Universal Design for Learning in English Language Arts. Cast Inc., 2023. Potash, Betsy. "Research-Based Practices to Ignite Creativity, with Dr. Zorana Ivcevic Pringle." The Spark Creativity Teacher Podcast, Episode 393. Pringle, Zorana Ivcevic. The Creativity Choice. Public Affairs, 2025. Ritchart, Ron and David Perkins. "Making Thinking Visible." Educational Leadership, February 2008, p.p. 57-61. https://pz.harvard.edu/sites/default/files/makingthinkingvisibleEL.pdf. Accessed October 13, 2025. Richardson, Carmen and Punya Mishra. "Scale: Support of Creativity in a Learning Environment," 2017. Accessed through Drive with permission. Richardson, Carmen and Punya Mishra. "Learning environments that support student creativity: Developing the SCALE." Thinking Skills and Creativity, Volume 27, March 2018, p.p. 45-54. Accessed online at https://doi-org.proxy2.cl.msu.edu/10.1016/j.tsc.2017.11.004, October 13, 2025. "Sensory Inquiry and Social Spaces." Teachers College, Columbia University Youtube Channel: Curriculum Encounters Podcast, Episode 2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtD_-k5QmOQ&list=PLuFs4Fyk-v0Bwtuy1eQJ3JkRTeL4Sjyz4&index=2 Accessed Oct. 23, 2025. Stockman, Angela. Make Writing: 5 Strategies that turn Writer's Workshop into a Maker Space. Hack Learning Series, 2015. Terada, Yuki. "Do Fidgets help Students Focus?" Edutopia Online: https://www.edutopia.org/article/do-fidgets-help-students-focus/. Accessed 4 November 2025. Utley, Jeremy. "Masters of Creativity (Education Edition) #1: Input Obsession (Design Thinking)." Stanford d.School Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LosDd3Q0yQw . Accessed October 15, 2025. Utley, Jeremy and Kathryn Segovia. "Masters of Creativity: Updating the Creative Operating System (Design Thinking)." Stanford d.School Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ggza7df7N7Y&t=2233s. Accessed October 17, 2025. "What is Curriculum and Where Might we Find It?" Teachers College, Columbia University Youtube Channel: Curriculum Encounters Podcast, Episode 4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yh_UhGATVwM&list=PLuFs4Fyk-v0Bwtuy1eQJ3JkRTeL4Sjyz4&index=1 Accessed Oct. 23, 2025.
Hamid Dabashi returns to This Is Hell! to discuss his new book from Haymarket Books, "After Savagery: Gaza, Genocide, and the Illusion of Western Civilization." Jeff Dorchen edifies us with a new "Moment of Truth" after the interview. Check out Hamid's book here: https://www.haymarketbooks.org/books/2607-after-savagery Help keep This Is Hell! completely listener supported and access bonus episodes by subscribing to our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thisishell Please rate and review This Is Hell! wherever you get your podcasts. It really helps the show ascend the algorithm to reach new listeners.
I've got more and more respect, these days, for the humble webquest. Slash hyperdoc. Slash game board. Slash immersive digital multimedia experience. Slash clickable infographic. Slash playlist. Slash choice board. When it comes to sharing information and contemporary texts with your students, there is SO MUCH available online right now. Students can see actors practicing behind the scenes at the Royal Shakespeare Company. Read John Green's thoughts on drafting. Hear Jason Reynolds' read his children's book, There was a Party for Langston, while the illustrations wash across the screen. Students can learn MLA with Purdue, watch Joy Harjo read her own poetry, listen to our country's top researchers and academics and start-up founders on podcasts and Ted stages. So cool, right? With so many immersive, multimodal resources waiting for our students, building their roadmaps to what's available becomes an important (and fun) job. We want to present them with great options, and help them feel positive and excited about the experience of exploring. We want to give them possibilities across modes and from many perspectives, so students can use their agency to learn in ways that feel good to them, and connect to at least some aspects of what they discover. We want to provide options in terms of how they synthesize the information they take in so they can use it later. As I see it, here are some of the benefits to building quality webquests for students: students have choice in what to explore, starting with what seems most interesting to them and continuing to make choices until they're out of time plugging in to the kinds of contemporary connections available online (like listening to author interviews, visiting settings, seeing adaptations, and viewing connected social media) can often make learning feel more relevant for students you can build in resources across genres and modes, letting students listen, watch, read, explore, view, and zoom in according to their preferences it's easier to provide more viewpoints, voices, and perspectives, helping you to diversify your curriculum sharing a webquest is less stressful than giving a lecture, and more likely to keep students engaged you'll save a tree, since photocopying a packet of information won't be necessary you can take advantage of the incredible wealth of informational resources available online Today on the pod, let's talk through some examples. Be sure to grab the free templates that complement the episode! These are meant to make this whole process quick and easy for you as you get started, and then you can go on to develop your own. Get the Free Templates Here: https://sparkcreativity.kartra.com/page/webquesttemplates Sources Considered and Cited: Beers, Kylene and Robert Probst. Disrupting Thinking: Why How We Read Matters. Scholastic, 2017. This book features a helpful look at why relevance is key to engagement. Read more in this blog post. Chavez, Felicia Rose. The Anti-Racist Writing Workshop. Haymarket Books, 2021. Felicia Rose Chavez talks about letting students have a voice in the texts that form the curriculum, and "completing the canon" (97) to go well beyond the white Eurocentric voices so often enshrined there. Clapp, Edward. "5+3 = 8: The Eight Barriers to Access and Equity in the Creative Classroom." Participatory Creativity: Introducing Access and Equity to the Creative Classroom. MSU Article Retrieval Service. Accessed October 2025. The chapter from Edward Clapp discusses sharing models of creativity that don't just reflect individual creatives working in isolation, but also collective and collaborative creativity. Rodriguez-Mojica, Claudia and Allison Briceño. Conscious Classrooms. PD Essentials, 2022. (+ Related Podcast Interview). Claudia and Rodriguez-Mojica and Allison Briceño showcase the increase in student performance when they can see themselves in the texts they read. Muhammad, Gholdy. Cultivating Genius. Scholastic Teaching Resources, 2020. Gholdy Muhammad's Cultivating Genius calls for us to layer contemporary multimodal texts into our curriculum, something that reinforced my own long-term interest in this possibility. Ivcevic, Zorana. The Creativity Choice. Public Affairs, 2025. "Research-Based Practices to Ignite Creativity, with Dr. Zorana Ivcevic Pringle." The Spark Creativity Teacher Podcast. Episode 393. September, 2025. Ivcevic suggests that teachers use models and mentors of creative thought that allow students to see themselves, both in terms of their identity and in terms of the level of creativity. Stockman, Angela. Creating Inclusive Writing Environments in the K-12 Classroom. Eye on Education, 2020. Angela's work on multimodal texts, makerspace freedom, and creating more inclusive curriculum is helpful in this conversation.
Dr. Thema and phenomenal poet Aja Monet explore the poetry of coming home to yourself. They discuss growth, shifts, and breakthroughs within one's self and within relationships. aja monet is a Grammy-nominated Surrealist Blues Poet and cultural worker whose artistry transcends boundaries. As the recipient of the Nuyorican Grand Slam Poetry title, aja monet first made her mark in New York's Lower East Side, honing her voice and craft on the storied stages of a burgeoning poetry movement. She follows in the long legacy and tradition of poets participating and assembling in social movements. Her collaborative spirit has seen her shape and shift culture alongside internationally renowned artists, scholars, activists, and organizers. aja's first full collection of poems, my mother was a freedom fighter, is a powerful tribute to mothers, women, and girls striving for freedom, earning a nomination for a NAACP Image Award for Poetry in 2018. Her debut poetry album, when the poems do what they do , was nominated for a Grammy Best Spoken Word Poetry Album in 2024. The album explores themes of resistance, love, and the inexhaustible quest for joy. Awarded the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Award for Poetry (2019), the Nelson Mandela Changemaker Award (2024), The Harry Belafonte Voices for Social Justice Award (2024), the EBONY 100 Artist In Residence Award, and the Malcolm X & Dr. Betty Shabazz Vanguard Award (2025), aja also serves as the Artistic Creative Director for V-Day, a global movement to end violence against women and girls. In 2022, she created "VOICES," an audio play amplifying the stories of Black women across the diaspora and the African continent. aja monet released her latest book of poems, florida water, with Haymarket Books on June 3rd, 2025 and is currently working on her second studio album. Don't forget to like, comment, share, and subscribe.
The sisters are thrilled to share an episode of one of their favorite new pods, Love in a F*cked Up World hosted by past HTS guest, Dean Spade.On this episode, Mariame Kaba joins Dean to talk about the dangers of putting leaders on pedestals in our movements, what to do when you or someone you know is getting canceled, how to relate to the concept of hope in this time, how norms about sex and romance influence resistance work, and letting go of certainty.Transcript available at https://deanspade.net/podcastMariame is currently organizing a book drive to help keep Bluestockings cooperative bookstore in NYC open. Learn more and support the book drive here.Check out resources mentioned in this episode: Interrupting CriminalizationProject NIAWe Do this ‘Til We Free Us (Haymarket Books, 2021)Let This Radicalize You, by Kelly Hayes and Mariame Kaba (Haymarket Books, 2023)No More Police, by Mariame Kaba and Andrea J. Ritchie (The New Press, 2022)1 Million Experiments (podcast)