In this episode Kevin sit talks to Dr. Benjamin Studebaker to discuss, Plato, comparisons of modern politics to the Roman Empire, Trotsky’s theory of permanent revolution, questiosn of legitimization of politial systems, the potential for revolution or reform, fascism and whether it a useful term in today’s political dynamics, and more. Guest Biography: Benjamin Studebaker […]
Episode Archive
The Restaurant Workers Bill of Rights with Eva Putzova (#83)
In this episode Kevin talks to Eva Putzova of ROC United about the Restaurant Workers Bill of Rights (RWBR) . About the RWBR: The early weeks of the COVID pandemic gave us a glimpse into the necessity for widespread solidarity with restaurant and other essential workers. The last few years, if not before then, showed […]
The Synthesis of Marxism and Buddhism
We’re back! In the last several month Kevin, the Host of the Sensible Socialist has taken a step back and done a deep dive into the philosophy of Buddhism. In this return episode, Kevin talks with Graham Priest. Graham Priest is Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at the CUNY Graduate Center in New York. Hailing originally from South London, […]
The Death of the Left (#81)
In this episode Kevin talks with Chris Cutrone about the thesis that the left is dead. They discuss the Platypus Affiliated Society, what he means by the death of the left, a brief history of the left in the 20th century, a discussion of the Millennial left, the question of DSA and the gradualist approach, […]
Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights with Thamil Ananthavinayagan (#80)
In this episode Thamil Ananthavinayagan comes back on to discuss the topic of Economic, Social, and Cultural rights from a TWAILer’s perspective. If you like this channel, please consider subscribing on YouTube, liking this video, or support us at http://www.patreon.com/sensiblesocialist
James Lindsay Doesn’t Understand Marxism (#79)
In this episode Kevin talks to Breht O’Shea of Rev Left Radio to talk about anti-communist pseudo-intellectual James Lindsay’s misunderstandings, bad faith takes, and overall hilariously juvenile perspective on Marxism. Lindsay rose to prominence in the Grievance Studies affair, but has since moved on to criticism Critical Race Theory and Marxism, just the latest in […]
Identity, Marxism, Systems Theory, And Eastern Philosophy With Hans-Georg Moeller (#78)
Hans-Gerog Moeller is professor of Philosophy at the University of Macau. His research focuses on Social and Political Thought and on Chinese and Comparative Philosophy. He is author of You and Your Profile: Identity after Authenticity, The Moral Fool: A Case for Amorality and several book on Daoist philosophy. He his own YouTube channels Carefree […]
The London Revolution 1640 -1643 with Michael Sturza (#77)
If you like this content, please support us at patreon.com/sensiblesocailist In this episode Kevin talks to Michael Sturza a life-long socialist political activist about his book and the events, class dynamics and long shadow of the London Revolution of 1640-43. They talk about the rise of capitalism in England, the role of free trade and […]
A Talk with a Listener Part 2 – Sensible Socialist (#76)
In this second conversation with a listener of the Sensible Socialist, we focus on issues specifically related to worker cooperatives and a cooperative society. We discuss issues of scaling, funding, ideology, wishful thinking, and the role of efficiency and in inefficiency. you like this podcast and want to support it go to Patreon.com/sensiblesocialist
Wokeism, Elitism, and Media with Batya Ungar-Sargon (Episode 75)
If you enjoy this content please support us at ww.patreon.com/sensiblesocialist In this episode Kevin talks to Batya Ungar-Sargon, Deputy Opinion Editor at Newsweek about the topic of her most recent book Bad News: How Woke Media Is Undermining Democracy (https://www.encounterbooks.com/books/bad-news/). They talk about what each means when they call themselves a socialist, the phenomenon of […]
Where we are and where to go with Brandon Madsen (#74)
If you like this show please like, subscribe, and got to http://www.patreon.com/sensiblesocialist to support us directly. In this episode Kevin brings back Brandon Madsen (DSA- Reform and Revolution Caucus) to review the current state of things. They discuss Dialectics, Class Struggle, Using Historical Materialism, the role of Technology, The Modern American Class Structure, America’s failed […]
Thoughts on Martian Social Design with Allyson Kim (#73)
If you enjoy the show, please support it by donating on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/sensiblesocialist In this episode we talk to Allyson Kim, a Cultural Entrepreneur and Social Designer, currently studying Social Design at the Center for Social Design at the Maryland Institute College of Art. Allyson Kim, like Kevin, is interested in the social design of […]
A Chat with Ben Burgis (#72)
In this return episode of the Sensible Socialist, Kevin talks to Ben Burgis about his background and some fairly nerdy philosophic issues, and the inimitable Christopher Hitchens. Ben Burgis is philosophy professor, a columnist for Jacobin Magazine, among others. He hosts his own podcast called Give Them An Argument, and he is stating a new […]
A Talk With A Listener (Part 1) – Episode 71
Support the Podcast – Patreon.com/sensiblesocialist In this episode I talk with a listener who reached out with some questions for me. We have a wide ranging discussion on a number of different topics. I hope you find it interesting.
Operation Wall Guardian
In this episode legal scholars and human rights advocates Thamil Ananthavinayagan and Wasem Ahmad join Kevin to discuss the hum costs of the current hostilities in Gaza, the rules of International Humanitarian Law, and how they apply in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. To learn more about Al Haq check out their website: https://www.alhaq.org/
Discussion with Destiny (#69)
The audio of my chat with popular streamer Destiny about socialism and cooperatives.
Leninism in the 21st Century (#68)
In this episode I talk with Brandon Madsen about Leninism and it’s applicability in the 21st century. If you like this podcast, please support it at patreon.com/sensiblesocialist Download: .mp3
A Left Critique of International Law (#67)
In this episode I speak with Dr. Thamil Ananthavinayagan about international law and what a eft critique looks like. Thamil is a proponent of the Third World Approaches to International Law perspective, which aims to put international law in its proper place – as the well spring of imperialism and colonization. In our conversation we […]
Interview With Noah Hutton – Director, Editor, and Writer of Lapsis (#66)
In this episode host Kevin Gustafson talks with Noah Hutton, the writer, director, editor and score composer of the new film Lapsis. Lapsis was selected to premiere at SXSW in the narrative feature competition and has since won the grand jury prize at BIFAN in South Korea. At its core, the film is political, both […]
Episode 65 – A Socialist Rebuttal of Sam Harris and Jack Goldstone
On January 26, 2021 Sam Harris released an episode of his podcast Making Sense about Inequality and Revolutions with George Mason University professor Jack Goldstone. In this video, Sensible Socialist host Kevin Gustafson talks with Brett O’Shea of Rev Left Radio, Cinar Ackin of All Things Coop, and Veteran Guest Aaron Firouz discuss the shortcomings […]
Episode 64 – Biden, Guaidó, and the Bolivarian Revolution
Anya Parampil, Max Blumenthal, and Brandon Madsen join Kevin to discuss the Biden Administration’s continued recognition of Juan Guaidó as president of Venezuela, the history of the Bolivarian revolution, and a bit of a debate about how socialists should view it and the government headed by Maduro and the PSUV.
Episode 63 – DSA and the Dirty Break
In this episode Brandon Madsen and Aaron Firouz join host Kevin Gustafson to discuss the DSA and the Dirty Break Strategy. The strategy, as the name suggests, that rather than making a clean break from the Democratic Party, DSA should begin to move towards becoming a party itself, or at least more party-like and begin […]
Episode 62 – What Socialists Should Think About The Capitol Riots and Biden
Welcome back! We’ve returned now and we’re on video. In this return episode Kevin sits down with DSA member Brandon Madsen and CPUSA member Josh Morris to discuss the January 6th Putsch, the state and big tech crackdown, the growing strength of tech workers and unionization efforts at Google, as well as looking at the […]
Episode 61 – Voting for Joe Biden with Aaron Firouz
In this episode I debate with my friend and comrade Aaron Firouz about voting for Joe Biden. I cannot bring myself to do so, but Aaron makes compelling arguments why, despite understandable reservations, one would be right to vote for Sleepy Joe. Haven’t decided yet how you’re gonna vote? Listen to this. .mp3
Episode 60 – The F Word – With Ashton Rome
In this episode we talk with Ashton Rome. Ashton is a long time leftist organizer and activist who was active in organizing in Ferguson Missouri after the death of Michael Brown. Ashton recently wrote an article in Left Voice discussing the potential fascist backlash from the social, political, and economic unrest currently going on. We discussed the […]
Episode 59 – A Socialist Perspective on the George Floyd Protests
In this episode I discuss my thought son the George Floyd protest, the connection of white supremacy to capitalism in America, the role of the police in a capitalist system, and the prospects for abolition of police under the current system. Download: .mp3
Episode 58 – The Youth (with Caden Metcalf)
In this episode I talk with Caden Metcalf about the interest in Socialism and radical ideas by young people. We talk about the impact of Bernie Sander’s campaign, a looming economic crisis, the cost of higher education, lies and propaganda still taught in schools and the impact of Coronavirus on young people. Download: .mp3
Episode 57 – Why You Should Join DSA
In this episode I talk with Brandon Madsen, a long time socialist revolutionary, about why socialist should join DSA. We talk DSA’s history, Democratic Centralism, DSA’s big tent, and the potential of a new party representing the working class, among other things. Download: .mp3
Episode 56 – Albert Lee for Congress
In this episode we talk with Albert Lee, a socialist candidate for office in Oregon’s 3rd district. We talk about the 3rd district, the incumbent, his polices, running a campaign during COVID, running as a Socialist and Bernie Sander’s dropping out. Download: .mp3
Episode 55 – Marxism-Leninism-Maoism
In this episode we talk to Hex from Red State Radio about Marxism-Leninism-Maoism. We talk about what differentiates Leninism from Marxism, and Maoism from Leninism. We talk about China’s communist experiment, Mao-Tse-Tung thought, the revolutionary potential of the peasantry, and more. Download: .mp3
Episode 54 – Understanding Socialism with Richard Wolff (Part 2)
In this episode I continue my discussion with Richard Wolff about his book Understanding Socialism. We talk about Yugoslavia, Milovan Djilas, the lengths to which the ruling class will go to shut down socialist movements, and how the Nazi’s were not socialists. Download: .mp3
Episode 53 – Understanding Socialism With Richard Wolff (Part 1)
In this episode I talk with Dr. Richard Wolff about his new book Understanding Socialism and the three socialism’s of the twentieth century. Download: .mp3
Episode 52 – Bernie is Out, What Now
What do we do now? Hint: A lot
Episode 51 – COVID Capitalism
In this episode we talk about COVID capitalism, and the consequences of the unfolding crisis. Download .mp3
Episode 51 – COVID Capitalism
In this episode we talk about COVID capitalism, and the consequences of the unfolding crisis. Download .mp3
Episode 50 – Super Tuesday
In this episode we talk about Super Tuesday. How did we get here? What is Elizabeth Warren Doing? Joe Biden, really? And what are the scenarios with which we can look forward? Download: .mp3
Episode 49 – Socialism 101
In this episode I play back the audio of a lecture I did for a high school class introducing them to socialism. Download: .mp3
Episode 48 – Iran and US Imperialism (With Ben Norton)
In this episode I speak with Ben Norton about US/Iranian relations that lead us up to the 2020 attacks in Iraq and potential opening of a new war between these powerful countries. Ben Norton is a journalist, writer, and filmmaker. He is the assistant editor of The Grayzone, and the producer of the Moderate Rebels podcast, […]
Episode 47 – India’s Anti-CAA Protests
In this episode we talk with New Socialist Alternative member Naveen Angamuthu from Bangalore, India. In this episode we talk about Indian political history, the Rise of RSS and BJP, The neo-liberal policies of Narendra Modi, and the failure of the the Indian Left to lead the rising militancy of the Indian working class. Download: […]
Episode 46 – The Monroe Doctrine
In this episode we review the history of interventions in Latin America by the United States via the longest tenant of US foreign policy – The Monroe Doctrine. Download: .mp3
Episode 45 – Marx’s Conception of History (with Josh Morris)
In this episode we speak with Josh Morris about history as a subject, teaching history, Hegel, Francis Fukuyama, Marx, the Materialist Conception of History, and more.
Episode 44 – Class Consciousness (With Rev Left Radio)
In this episode I talk with Brett from Rev Left Radio about the role of class consciousness, raising consciousness, ideology, hegemony, and a little bit about leftist podcasts. Download: .mp3
Episode 43 – A Talk With Spencer Schecht
In this episode I talk with environmentalist and co-founder of Green Drinks DC Spencer Schecht about a bunch of different stuff. It is a fairly wide ranging and winding conversation, but I think it is the kind of conversation many of us on the left have with friends and colleagues. Download: .mp3
Episode 42 – The Agricultural Question (with Ben Stewart)
What about the Peasants?
Episode 41 – Engel’s Socialism Utopian And Scientific
In this episode I read Engel’s Socialism: Utopian and Scientific and allow it to prove for itself why it needs little additional discussion. Download: .mp3
Episode 40 – Mass Shootings
In this episode we talk about mass shootings in the US – the causes and why it only seems to happen here. Download – .mp3
Episode 39 – Julian Assange
In this episode I speak with Davey Heller about Julian Assange as we discuss how the left should view this important figure. Download: .mp3
Episode 38 – Reform or Revolution
In this episode I talk with Alka Mysore about Rosa Luxemburg’s answer to Eduard Bernstein on the question of reform or revolution. Download .mp3 Red Rosa Graphic Novel by Kate Evans
Episode 37 – Anti-Fascism with Michael Shallal
In this episode I talk with Michael Shallal, an organizer with DC United Against Hate, about the rise of fascism in America and around the world and what we can do to fight it. Download: .mp3
Episode 36 – Jordan Peterson’s Critique of Marxism
In this episode we go through Jordan Peterson’s critique of Marxism in the recent debate he had with Slavoj Zizek. Download – .mp3
The Sensible Socialist 