Planet: Critical

Bruno Skvorc is a blockchain expert committed to save Web 3.0 from privatisation. He joins me to discuss how the blockchain can liberate individuals from reliance on private and state-owned systems, why the NFT space is currently going mad, how we can expect to be advertised to in the future, and the alternatives he and his community are building on to save this phenomenal technology from the grips of the market. He also reveals which states pose the most threat to revolutionary tech—the answer may surprise you. Listen here or catch it on Apple or Spotify. Enjoy! Follow Bruno on Twitter. Planet: Critical is a resource for a world in crisis. Subscribe to get interviews like this delivered to your inbox every week. Get full access to Planet: Critical at www.planetcritical.com/subscribe

Reverend Billy is the world-famous secular preacher singing out against climate change, corporate greed and consumerism. Billy has been pounding the streets of New York for decades, preaching against Disney, against mindless consumption, and against the corporations putting our planet in danger. Together with his choir, The Church of Stop Shopping, Reverend Billy uses song and arrest as a form of protest, trespassing into banks, labs and private land to sing about the dangers of the sixth extinction event—and what we can do to stop it. Billy joins me to discuss his journey to secular preaching and the faith in humanity that drives the particular and beautiful protests of The Church of Stop Shopping. This is preaching like you’ve never heard it before. Listen here or catch it on Apple or Spotify. Enjoy! Planet: Critical is a resource for a world in crisis. Subscribe to get interviews like this delivered to your inbox every week. Get full access to Planet: Critical at www.planetcritical.com/subscribe

Platform is for people who are pissed off with capitalism. Subscribe to get episodes like this delivered to your inbox every week. On this week’s episode is Dan Leibsohn, a long-time problem solver in the alternative economy space. Dan set up an alternative community cash checking which provides loans and cash at a much lower rate than the predatorial financial schemes who exist purely to scam those in poverty out of even more money. Dan explains how the banking system traps people in poverty, and explains how some counter-intuitive approaches—like providing pay-day loans—have really helped members of his community lift themselves out of poverty. Dan is a real proactive expert in this field with a wealth of knowledge to learn from. Listen to the episode here or find it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Discover Community Check Cashing here! Get full access to Planet: Critical at www.planetcritical.com/subscribe

This week I’m joined by James Dyke, a senior lecturer in Global Systems at the University of Exeter. James reveals why net-zero targets for carbon emissions do nothing but provide an excuse to continue business as usual, posing an existential threat to humanity. He goes into great detail about the interplay of politics, economies, culture and the industrialisation connecting us all, explaining that while there is no one quick fix to the climate crisis, decarbonisation is possible—if we get rid of fossil fuels. There’s a lot to learn in what James has to say. Listen here or catch it on Apple or Spotify. Follow James on Twitter and get a copy of his book, Fire, Storm & Flood. Planet: Critical is a resource for a world in crisis. Subscribe to get interviews like this delivered to your inbox every week. Get full access to Planet: Critical at www.planetcritical.com/subscribe

This week I’m joined by David Anderson, a “helper of helpers” who works in the non-profit/alternative currency space. David joined me to discuss one of his main projects, Simbi, an online marketplace which promotes “volunteership, mutual aid, education and community development.” The idea is people can seek or offer aid to other users but, importantly, earn and pay in simbi credits, the non-profit’s own cryptocurrency. The aim is to relieve the pressure of having to use fiat money ($,€,£) for everything because, as David brilliantly articulates, that kind of money is becoming increasingly scarce for many people. I thoroughly enjoyed this discussion. David points out that, contrary to a lot of crypto theory out there, alternative currencies can play a very important role within existing economies. David doesn’t think simbi credits should ever replace the dollar—rather, giving people more options to earn credits for the things they need, in markets built around community, provides immediate relief and resources to populations experiencing increasing precarity. I’m sure you’ll love it. Listen directly here or catch it on Apple or Spotify. Learn more about Simbi and sign up to be a user! Platform is for people who are pissed off with capitalism. Subscribe to get episodes like this delivered to your inbox every week. Get full access to Planet: Critical at www.planetcritical.com/subscribe

You know when you have one of those conversations that manages to crystallise feelings into thoughts and direction? This is one of those. I am so thrilled to present Linda Havenstein as this week’s guest, a phenomenal artist who explores and tests both capitalism and language through her incredible work. We delve deep into the irony of the art market, the profound terror of creating within a capitalism regime, and dispel the long-told myth of the suffering artist. It was a gift to speak with Linda, and I’m honestly humbled to share it with you all today. Listen here or catch it on either Apple or Spotify. Treat yourself to Linda’s work here. She also has an ongoing exhibition at Kiz Windows in Berlin, and simultaneous shows September 17th to 19th at Berlin’s Unblock Fair Art Fair; Stockholm’s Market Art Fair; and Amsterdam’s Unseen Art Fair. Keep your eyes peeled for her solo show at Dorothee Nilsson Gallery in Berlin January 21 to March 5 next year. Platform is for people who are pissed off with capitalism. Subscribe to get episodes like this delivered to your inbox every week. Get full access to Planet: Critical at www.planetcritical.com/subscribe

On this week’s show is Will Evans, co-creator of Ignition Brewery, the UK’s first brewery and taproom bar staffed exclusively by people with learning disabilities. Will explains that his colleagues were typically offered jobs that kept them hidden in back rooms or storage centres—but Ignition Brewery has successfully shown that his colleagues exceed in everything, from public facing roles, to managing the bar and making the beer. This is a wonderful story of community, be sure to check it out. You can also listen on Apple or Spotify. Visit Ignition Brewery in Lewisham or online. Platform is for people who are pissed off with capitalism. Subscribe to get episodes like this delivered to your inbox every week. Get full access to Planet: Critical at www.planetcritical.com/subscribe

This week I’m joined by British filmmaker, Marc Silver, whose documentaries demand deep investigation into culture, society, and the self. Marc is well-known for 3 1/2 minutes, ten bullets, a documentary which told the story of Jordan Davis’ murder in 2012 and invites viewers to better understand their own relationship to race and judgement. We discuss this film, his upcoming project about extractive capitalism as understood through Amazonian ayuahasca ceremonies, and the power that storytelling has to invite change, nurture growth and demand better. This is a powerful interview, do not miss it. You can also listen on Apple or Spotify. Platform is for people who are pissed off with capitalism. Subscribe to get episodes like this delivered to your inbox every week. Get full access to Planet: Critical at www.planetcritical.com/subscribe

On this week’s episode is Chiara Ciccarello, an Italian artist based in Germany, who joined me to discuss the fascinating Discuvry project, a home she built with her husband out of wood found on the streets of Berlin. After an arson attack—rumoured to have been coordinated by the landowner—shut down the space they’d been living in for years, Chiara and Yuki began travelling the world, showcasing Discuvry and what can be achieved when you take life—and home—into your own hands. Chiara’s website: www.ciccaboom.com Platform is for people who are pissed off with capitalism. Subscribe to get episodes like this delivered to your inbox every week. Get full access to Planet: Critical at www.planetcritical.com/subscribe

On this week’s episode is housing activist and all-round Leftie, Gordon Maloney. One of the founding members of Living Rent, Gordon has campaigned for a fair and equitable housing market for years, growing Living Rent from a campaign to a red-blooded organisation with thousands of members all over the U.K. Gordon joins me to discuss the future of British politics, The Left, and what fighting the housing battle has taught him about community, organising, and politicking. Despite his humble objections, you might just be listening to the future Scottish First Minister… Watch this episode here. You can also listen on Apple or Spotify. Check out Living Rent here. Platform is for people pissed off with capitalism. Subscribe to get episodes like this delivered to your inbox every week. Get full access to Planet: Critical at www.planetcritical.com/subscribe