Upstream

Manolo De Los Santos, founder of the People’s Forum and researcher at Tricontinental, offers a concise mini bio as a scholar of Cuban and Latin American leftist politics. He traces Indigenous resistance and the island’s role in plantation slavery. He examines the 1902 pseudo-independence, Batista-era inequality and U.S. domination. He outlines the social conditions that set the stage for revolution.

A dramatic reading of Michael Parenti’s opening chapter explores how plutocracy and autocracy have historically aligned. The discussion traces elite funding of Mussolini and Hitler, corporate gains from repression, and privatization schemes. It also touches on patriarchy, racial scapegoating, the theatrical allure of pseudo-revolution, and links to modern neofascist trends.

Amber Murrey, an Associate Professor at the University of Oxford and a scholar-activist focused on Pan-African thought, dives into the life of Thomas Sankara. They discuss Sankara's early experiences with French colonialism and how it shaped his revolutionary policies after a 1983 coup. Murrey highlights his fight against imperialism and key initiatives in women's empowerment, self-reliance, and ecological sustainability. The conversation also touches on the significance of Sankara's assassination and its implications for Burkina Faso's sovereignty.

In this conversation with Jeff Schuhrke, a labor historian and author, listeners explore the complex history of U.S. labor's support for Zionism. Schuhrke contrasts the Jewish Labor Bund's socialist approach with the nationalist agenda of Zionism. He delves into the financial and ideological backing from U.S. unions, particularly during pivotal moments like WWII and the Nakba. The discussion also addresses parallels between labor actions and anti-apartheid movements, and the need for renewed internationalist politics within the labor movement today.

Cecilia Guerrero, Chair and founding member of A Luta Sigue, shares her insights as an organizer in Tennessee. She dives into the terror tactics of ICE and how mass deportations serve capitalist agendas. Cecilia highlights the role of imperialism in driving immigration and explains the exploitation faced by immigrant workers. She advocates for a united class struggle instead of a rights-based approach and discusses the revolutionary potential of immigrant labor. Her critique of liberal politics emphasizes the need for a dedicated workers' party to galvanize genuine change.

Join Nathalie Nahai, a behavior science expert exploring psychology in the digital age, and Manda Scott, a novelist and shamanic practitioner, as they reflect on a transformative year. They delve into the challenges and joys of AI, the importance of storytelling for cultural regeneration, and their hopes for a brighter future. Manda shares insights on inner work and systemic change, while Nathalie discusses fostering community connection through rituals. Together, they ponder how to choose kindness over bitterness in these uncertain times.

The conversation delves into the challenges of living with long COVID and mold sensitivity, detailing the struggle of frequent relocations to avoid health hazards. The discussion highlights the tensions between profit-driven housing construction and tenant health. Gary Snyder's essay on bioregionalism is introduced, emphasizing the significance of 'place' and emotional connections to landscapes. Reflections on childhood, local vernacular, and the loss of natural spaces to urban development add depth to this poignant exploration of connection to the land.

Jeff Schuhrke, a labor historian and activist, takes listeners on a riveting journey through the complex relationship between US labor and global anti-communism. He reveals how major labor organizations, like the AFL-CIO, transformed into tools of US foreign policy, participating in coup efforts across Latin America and beyond. Schuhrke explains the deradicalization of labor movements during the Cold War and discusses the consequences of this shift for workers globally, advocating for a return to anti-imperialist internationalism.

In this engaging discussion, Stephanie Weatherbee Brito, a popular educator and coordinator for the International People's Assembly, sheds light on the political landscape of Mexico. She unpacks the rise of Morena and the concept of the Fourth Transformation, connecting it to Mexico's historical shifts. Stephanie discusses the impact of neoliberalism on earlier revolutionary gains and the fragmentation of the left. She also contrasts Morena's reformist agenda with the Zapatistas' autonomy project, highlighting the complex dynamics of contemporary Mexican politics.

Andrew Fanning, Research & Data Analysis Lead at Doughnut Economics Action Lab, dives into the transformative concept of Doughnut Economics. He vividly explains its evolution from Donut 1.0 to 3.0 and highlights alarming ecological overshoot trends threatening our planet. Fanning discusses the stark inequalities between country groups and the implications of continuing with GDP as a success metric. He advocates for a systems change towards a post-growth future, emphasizing the significance of localizing targets and using insightful indicators for actionable progress.