Diet Soap - a podcast
Douglas Lain
The Diet Soap podcast began in 2009 in response to the economic crisis of 2008. Since then it has gone through many transformations, including becoming the podcast for a critical theory imprint out of the UK. Today the Diet Soap podcast is running under its original name for Sublation Media.Sublation Media includes a book publishing effort for critical theory and left politics, a magazine that covers current events and theoretical issues, youtube videos on theory and politics, and finally the Diet Soap podcast. The podcast is where we continue to interrogate the left and each other while having a good time.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Feb 20, 2026 • 1h 21min
Episode 670: Why Socialists Should LOVE America
Chris Cutrone speaks out in defense of the American Revolution as vital to the struggle for socialism.Why Marxists loved Americahttps://www.sublationmag.com/post/why-marxists-loved-americaSupport Sublation Mediahttps://patreon.com/dietsoap
Feb 17, 2026 • 1h 18min
Episode 669: Try Being Civil?
Benjamin Studebaker and Douglas Lain discuss the question of civility in politics. What is the purpose of the principle of charity? Is civility a hindrance to politics? Support Sublation Mediahttps://patreon.com/dietsoap
Feb 13, 2026 • 55min
Episode 668: Noam Chomsky’s reputation will never recover
Ralph Leonard, freelance writer for Sublation Magazine and the New Statesman among other publications, joins Doug to discuss the career and reputation of Noam Chomsky and discuss his recent article on Chomsky that appeared in the New Statesman:Ralph Leonard on Chomsky in the New Statesmanhttps://www.newstatesman.com/ideas/2026/02/noam-chomskys-reputation-will-never-recover-from-the-epstein-filesSupport Sublation Media https://patreon.com/dietsoap
Feb 6, 2026 • 58min
Episode 667: Is Trump Ushering In an AI Dystopia?
Chris Cutrone discusses how Trump, Elon, International Capital, and Capital itself are ushering in a world littered with personal robots, self-driving cars, AI therapists, and other Kitsch Crap that could easily have been lifted from an old issue of Amazing Stories. Support Sublation Media:https://patreon.com/dietsoap
Jan 29, 2026 • 1h 13min
Episode 666: Are You ALREADY Dead?
Danny Mulligan and Douglas Lain discuss Ernest Becker, death anxiety, and modernity in this episode of the Diet Soap Podcast.Support Sublation Media:https://patreon.com/dietsoap
Jan 23, 2026 • 1h 2min
Episode 665: Chris Cutrone on IRAN
Douglas Lain and Chris Cutrone discuss the uprisings in Iran and their meaning within the history of the left.Support Sublation Media:https://patreon.com/dietsoap
Oct 31, 2025 • 1h 3min
Episode 664: Chris Cutrone on Jared Kushner and Gaza
Chris Cutrone, a member of the Platypus Affiliated Society and a sharp commentator on Marxist theory, dives into the complexities of Jared Kushner's role in the recent peace deal in Gaza. He contrasts mob-style politics with bureaucratic diplomacy, analyzing how personalities influenced negotiations. The discussion shifts to the impact on Israeli sovereignty and Palestinian identity, questioning the relevance of national liberation in a post-oil landscape. Cutrone also explores the potential for Gaza's transformation into a capitalist hub, considering economic integration versus sectarian politics.
Oct 17, 2025 • 1h 15min
Episode 663: Spencer Leonard on Trump's Attacks on the Left
In this episode of the Spencer Leonard hour Professor Leonard discusses the new executive orders from the Trump administration, orders that specifically target "anti-capitalists" and "antifa."Support Sublation Media on Patreonhttps://patreon.com/dietsoap
Sep 18, 2025 • 1h 26min
Episode 662: Did Marxism Die With Charlie Kirk?
In this Spencer Leonard Hour, we discuss how Marxism rose up in the last fifteen years only to fall away again. What destroyed the burgeoning neo-Marxist movement?Support Sublation Media https://patreon.com/dietsoap
Sep 15, 2025 • 1h 3min
Episode 661: Why We Can't Think About Charlie Kirk
Benjamin Studebaker, author of influential works on democracy, joins to delve into the assassination of Charlie Kirk and its broader implications. They examine the polarized narratives emerging from the incident and the unsettling parallels with historical political violence. Operation Gladio's controversial legacy is unpacked, revealing ties to domestic terrorism and the significance of critical investigation into past events. They also discuss how algorithm-driven social interactions shape public discourse and the impact of young individuals on corporate and educational norms.
