Episodit
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Comrades!
We are hard at work on the Stalin Eras, as you all know. Part 3 in particular, given the Moscow Trials, The Military Trial, Ezhovchina, and other major topics, this episode in particular has taken a LOT of work. We have also uncovered a bunch of archival material that we hope will create context that we believe has never been presented in the English language.
On top of that, a few listeners have given us feedback that, particularly given the very dense nature of the material, that they feel like they are falling behind and thus unable to engage with the discussion online and participate in the live-listens we do for every new Stalin Eras episode on the Patreon.
As such, we are taking an intermission of sorts (still slaving away in the podcast mines) to give people time to catch up and to give us the time to properly represent our vision in Part 3 as the DEFINITIVE collection of materialist analysis and historiography on the Stalin Era of Soviet History.
We didn't want to leave you hanging, so, here is a peek behind the Iron Curtain of the paywall, featuring our two most recent Q & Rae episodes. We hope you enjoy. Please consider subscribing so that we may continue to put the effort that we have put into the Stalin Eras into all of our future episodes.
We hope you're enjoying it, and solidarity forever.
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In the discussion for Part Two of “The Stalin Eras”, the gang responds to questions from Jen (aka Big Nasty), host of How the Red Was Won and overall badass comrade. The years in focus are, again, 1930-1934, and based upon the previous episode (which you should listen to if you haven't already).
We talk Stalin's sigma male grindset, writing letters to the man himself, the rise of fascism, and the contradictions facing the USSR at this time.
The Stalin Eras, inspired by the classic RevLeft Radio episode “Stalin: A Marxist-Leninist Perspective, mixes both narrative history (ala Blowback) and discussion (like classic Prolespod) to provide the most comprehensive English overview of the life and impact of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin in podcast format.
Whether you’re a socialist history enthusiast, someone who’s just curious to learn more than what you got in school about the Soviet Union, or even a total hater who just wants to rage, this series has something for everyone.
Support the show and get bonus content at patreon.com/prolespod
Recomended Resources on "Holodomor" as Genocide QuestionAcademics who do not consider the Ukraine famine of 1932-1933 to be a genocide include: J. Arch Getty, Stephen Wheatcroft, Mark Tauger, R.W Davies, Hiroaki Kuromiya, Ronald Grigor Suny, Stephen Kotkin to name a few.
Recommended Additional Reading
Stalin History & Critique of a Black Legend by Domenico Losurdo
Another View of Stalin by Ludo Martens
Recommended Additional Listening
Stalin: A Marxist-Leninist Perspective
Foundations of Leninism
Episode SourcesThe Lesser of Two Hells by Alvin D Coox
Practicing Stalinism by J Arch Getty
Excesses Are Not Permitted byJ Arch Getty
Origins of the Great Purges by J Arch Getty
I Change Worlds by Anna Louise Strong
I Was Stalin's Bodyguard by Achmed Amba
The Pattern Of Soviet Power by Edgar Snow
Revolution on my Mind by Jochen Hellbeck
Stalin's Library by Geoffrey Roberts
The Great Conspiracy by Michael Sayers & Albert E Kahn
Conjuring Hitler by Guido Giacomo Preparata
Molotov Remembers, Conversations with Felix Chuev
Black Bolshevik by Harry Haywood
Teachers of Stalinism by E Thomas Ewing
Stalin: From the Caucasus to the Kremlin, Christopher Read, 2017, Routledge Publishing
Next to Stalin by A.T. Rybin
Betrayal of an Ideal by G.A. Tokaev
Soviet Famine 1930–1933: "The Law of Spikelets" Myth Explained by PolistrumIn Search of New Facts: Interwar Japanese Military Intelligence Activities in the Baltic States and Finland: 1918–1940 by Shingo Masunaga,
Wrestling with Aspects of Interwar Stalinism by William J. Chase,
Why I resigned from the Trotsky Defense Committee by Mauritz Alfred Hallgren, 1937, International Publishers
Muder at the Kemerovo Mines by Ernst Fischer
Trial of the Major War Criminals before the International Military Tribunal (Nuremberg, 1949), Vol. 29
The Goebbels Diaries: 1942-1943 by Joseph Goebbels,
“Secret Hitler-Benes Negotiations in 1936-37.” bt Gerhard L. Weinberg
The Road to Terror. Stalin and the Self-Destruction of the Bolsheviks by J. Arch Getty and Oleg V. NaumovRussian Soviet Archives
U.S. Archives, Library of Congress
Czech Republic Archives
Vienna Bureau of the Austrian Chancellor
The Red Book, Leon Sedov, 1936, Byulletin Oppositsii, Nos.52-53, October 1936
The Prophet Outcast: Trotsky, (1929–1940), Isaac Deutscher, 1963, Vintage Russian Library
The Russian Enigma, Ante Ciliga, 1940, Pluto Press
“Red Wreckers in Russia.”,by John D Littlepage
My Life, byLeon Trotsky
Leon Sedov: Son, Friend, Fighter, Leon Trotsky
Harvard Trotsky Archive, Houghton Library, Harvard University
The Great Terror. A Reassessment by Robert Conquest
Bukharin and the Bolshevik Revolution 1888-1938 by Stephen Cohen
The Kirov Murder and Soviet History by Matthew LenoeMany, many diaries published on https://prozhito.org/
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Puuttuva jakso?
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In the narrative for Part Two of “The Stalin Eras”, Justin and Jeremy detail Soviet society and all that comes with it under Stalin’s leadership from 1930-1934.
This narrative, titled “Stewards of the Human Soul”, covers the varied personal experiences of Soviet citizens from the center to the periphery of the USSR, the winding down of rapid industrialization and collectivization, the controversial anti-religious and anti-kulak campaigns, the so called “show trials” on industrial sabotage, the true nature of internal opposition, and the astonishing results of the first five year plan.
Stay tuned for the next episode which will feature a full length discussion with guest host Jen of How the Red Was Won. Jen joins to guide an in-depth discussion about the era covered in this narrative episode.
The Stalin Eras, inspired by the classic RevLeft Radio episode “Stalin: A Marxist-Leninist Perspective, mixes both narrative history (ala Blowback) and discussion (like classic Prolespod) to provide the most comprehensive English overview of the life and impact of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin in podcast format.
Whether you’re a socialist history enthusiast, someone who’s just curious to learn more than what you got in school about the Soviet Union, or even a total hater who just wants to rage, this series has something for everyone.
Support the show and get bonus content at patreon.com/prolespod
Recomended Resources on "Holodomor" as Genocide QuestionAcademics who do not consider the Ukraine famine of 1932-1933 to be a genocide include: J. Arch Getty, Stephen Wheatcroft, Mark Tauger, R.W Davies, Hiroaki Kuromiya, Ronald Grigor Suny, Stephen Kotkin to name a few.
Recommended Additional Reading
Stalin History & Critique of a Black Legend by Domenico Losurdo
Another View of Stalin by Ludo Martens
Recommended Additional Listening
Stalin: A Marxist-Leninist Perspective
Foundations of Leninism
Episode SourcesThe Lesser of Two Hells by Alvin D Coox
Practicing Stalinism by J Arch Getty
Excesses Are Not Permitted byJ Arch Getty
Origins of the Great Purges by J Arch Getty
I Change Worlds by Anna Louise Strong
I Was Stalin's Bodyguard by Achmed Amba
The Pattern Of Soviet Power by Edgar Snow
Revolution on my Mind by Jochen Hellbeck
Stalin's Library by Geoffrey Roberts
The Great Conspiracy by Michael Sayers & Albert E Kahn
Conjuring Hitler by Guido Giacomo Preparata
Molotov Remembers, Conversations with Felix Chuev
Black Bolshevik by Harry Haywood
Teachers of Stalinism by E Thomas Ewing
Stalin: From the Caucasus to the Kremlin, Christopher Read, 2017, Routledge Publishing
Next to Stalin by A.T. Rybin
Betrayal of an Ideal by G.A. Tokaev
Soviet Famine 1930–1933: "The Law of Spikelets" Myth Explained by PolistrumIn Search of New Facts: Interwar Japanese Military Intelligence Activities in the Baltic States and Finland: 1918–1940 by Shingo Masunaga,
Wrestling with Aspects of Interwar Stalinism by William J. Chase,
Why I resigned from the Trotsky Defense Committee by Mauritz Alfred Hallgren, 1937, International Publishers
Muder at the Kemerovo Mines by Ernst Fischer
Trial of the Major War Criminals before the International Military Tribunal (Nuremberg, 1949), Vol. 29
The Goebbels Diaries: 1942-1943 by Joseph Goebbels,
“Secret Hitler-Benes Negotiations in 1936-37.” bt Gerhard L. Weinberg
The Road to Terror. Stalin and the Self-Destruction of the Bolsheviks by J. Arch Getty and Oleg V. NaumovRussian Soviet Archives
U.S. Archives, Library of Congress
Czech Republic Archives
Vienna Bureau of the Austrian Chancellor
The Red Book, Leon Sedov, 1936, Byulletin Oppositsii, Nos.52-53, October 1936
The Prophet Outcast: Trotsky, (1929–1940), Isaac Deutscher, 1963, Vintage Russian Library
The Russian Enigma, Ante Ciliga, 1940, Pluto Press
“Red Wreckers in Russia.”,by John D Littlepage
My Life, byLeon Trotsky
Leon Sedov: Son, Friend, Fighter, Leon Trotsky
Harvard Trotsky Archive, Houghton Library, Harvard University
The Great Terror. A Reassessment by Robert Conquest
Bukharin and the Bolshevik Revolution 1888-1938 by Stephen Cohen
The Kirov Murder and Soviet History by Matthew LenoeMany, many diaries published on https://prozhito.org/
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Breht O’Shea, host of Revolutionary Left Radio, joins to guide a discussion based on the events covered in the narrative for Part One (which you should listen too first, if you haven’t already!).
In this discussion, the gang led by Rae and Jeremy answer wide ranging questions about the nature of Stalin’s rise to prominence in the party, Lenin’s death, the dreaded NEP Men, the first five year plan, and the trials, tribulations, and triumphs in everyday life of Soviet citizens.
The Stalin Eras, inspired by the classic RevLeft Radio episode “Stalin: A Marxist-Leninist Perspective, mixes both narrative history (ala Blowback) and discussion (like classic Prolespod) to provide the most comprehensive English overview of the life and impact of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin in podcast format.
Whether you’re a socialist history enthusiast, someone who’s just curious to learn more than what you got in school about the Soviet Union, or even a total hater who just wants to rage, this series has something for everyone.
Support the show here: www.patreon.com/prolespod
Thematic Introduction Source: "Forword" of Stalin: A New World Seen Through One Man by Henri Barbusse
Episode Sources
I Change Worlds by Anna Louise Strong
Stalin: A New World Seen Through One Man by Henri Barbusse
The Great Conspiracy: The Secret War Against Soviet Russia
The Great Soviet Encyclopedia
Stalin: From the Caucasus to the Kremlin by Christopher Read
Small Comrades: A Revolutionizing Childhood in Soviet Russia 1917-1932.
Recommended Additional Reading
Stalin History & Critique of a Black Legend by Domenico Losurdo
Silencing the Past by Michel-Rolphe Trouillot
Recommended Additional Listening
The Indigenous Peoples of the Soviet Union w/ Alice and Dennis Bartels
Foundations of Leninism
Soviet Cinema
Stalin: A Marxist-Leninist Perspective
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In the narrative for Part One of “The Stalin Eras”, Rae and Jeremy detail Joseph Stalin’s life within the context of Soviet history through the monumental years of 1917-1929.
This narrative, titled “Reconstruction In One Country”, covers Soviet history from the early days of the October Revolution, through the Civil War and Imperialist interventions, the Volga Famine, Stalin’s rise in party leadership, the New Economic Program, ultimately ending with the start of rapid industrialization/collectivization, and the of Soviet Union’s first five year plan.
Stay tuned for the next episode which will feature a full length discussion with guest host Breht O’Shea of Revolutionary Left Radio. Breht joins to guide an in-depth discussion about the era covered in this narrative episode.
The Stalin Eras, inspired by the classic RevLeft Radio episode “Stalin: A Marxist-Leninist Perspective, mixes both narrative history (ala Blowback) and discussion (like classic Prolespod) to provide the most comprehensive English overview of the life and impact of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin in podcast format.
Whether you’re a socialist history enthusiast, someone who’s just curious to learn more than what you got in school about the Soviet Union, or even a total hater who just wants to rage, this series has something for everyone.
Support the show here: www.patreon.com/prolespod
Thematic Introduction Source: "Forword" of Stalin: A New World Seen Through One Man by Henri Barbusse
Episode Sources
I Change Worlds by Anna Louise Strong
Stalin: A New World Seen Through One Man by Henri Barbusse
The Great Conspiracy: The Secret War Against Soviet Russia
The Great Soviet Encyclopedia
Stalin: From the Caucasus to the Kremlin by Christopher Read
Small Comrades: A Revolutionizing Childhood in Soviet Russia 1917-1932.
Recommended Additional Reading
Stalin History & Critique of a Black Legend by Domenico Losurdo
Silencing the Past by Michel-Rolphe Trouillot
Recommended Additional Listening
The Indigenous Peoples of the Soviet Union w/ Alice and Dennis Bartels
Foundations of Leninism
Soviet Cinema
Stalin: A Marxist-Leninist Perspective
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In this introductory episode we cover the who, what, where, and why of “The Stalin Eras”, a multi-part series on the life and times of Joseph Stalin. In addition, we also lay the foundations of young Stalin’s life: from his humble birth in 1878 to his revolutionary career leading into the October Revolution of 1917.
This first narrative of the series, “From Soso to Stalin”, begins with his childhood, before movin into his time in church school followed by seminary, and finally his early days as a labor leader and journalist for the Party leading into the October Revolution. And ofcourse, we cover young Stalin’s daring bank robbery!
The Stalin Eras, inspired by the classic RevLeft Radio episode “Stalin: A Marxist-Leninist Perspective,” mixes both narrative history (ala Blowback) and discussion (like classic ProlesPod) to provide the most comprehensive English overview of the life and impact of Soviet leader, Joseph Stalin, in podcast format.
Whether you’re a socialist history enthusiast, someone who’s just curious to learn more than what you got in school about the Soviet Union, or even a total hater who wants to rage, this series has something for everyone.
Episode Sources
Reflections on Stalinism (2024) by J Arch Getty
Secret British ‘black propaganda’ campaign targeted cold war enemies (2022)
Stalin: Passage to Revolution (2020) by Ronald Grigor Suny
Revisioning Stalin and Stalinism Complexities, Contradictions, and Controversies (2020) Edited by James Ryan and Susan Grant
Stalin: From the Caucasus to the Kremlin (2017) by Christopher Read
US., Soviet Textbooks Give Different Accounts of History (1987)
Death of the department that never was (1978)
On Stalin (1953) by W.E.B Dubois
Recommend Reading
Stalin History & Critique of a Black Legend by Domenico Losurdo
The Collected Works of J.V. Stalin: Volume I
The Collected Works of J.V. Stalin: Volume II
Recommended Listening
Stalin: A Marxist-Leninist Perspective
Ep 61 - Foundations of Leninism
Was the Soviet Union Totalitarian? w/ Robert Thurston
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As we are VERY busy working on the Stalin Eras series which premiers as early release for paid Patreon subscribers on September 18, and for the main feed September 23, we did not feel that we could do a typical episode justice. Instead, we decided to put together an episode of short clips from almost all of our bonus content that is available to paid subscribers over on the Patreon page. There are timestamps below in case you have already heard some of the content or want to easily reference/skip something. The bits on media (particularly the X-Men 97 episode) contain spoilers, so be mindful of that also.
We tried to collect a mixture of humorous clips, serious clips, and thoughtful clips. Some of this content was recorded before Rae and Martín got decent microphones, so many apologies for the terrible audio quality on some of their parts.
We have all dedicated a lot of time and energy to this podcast and first and foremost we hope that you are enjoying it and finding it helpful in your lives. It takes a lot to bring bi-weekly content, as well as a constant stream of bonus content, and our hope is that we can eventually move away from full-time wage labor toward full-time revolutionary education and entertainment but we cannot do that without your help.
If it is within your means, please find a tier that interests you over at the ProlesPod Patreon page and smash that subscribe button. If you are unable to support financially, that's okay. We get it! We also have a free tier with study guides to accompany the main feed episodes, as well as occasional exclusive content and announcements. If you're an absolutely dedicated comrade, it really helps us reach more people if you post reviews on any of the sites like Spotify, Apple, or any other place that it might be available, and comment on our YouTube episodes!
Check out the Stalin Eras trailer, which drops today, and make sure to follow so that you can get notifications when the genre-bending episodes premier! It will be Soviet history as you've never heard it before...
0:35.5 - 3:11.5 Introduction 3:17.8 - 4:56.3 The Secret Speech Ep 6 - Ukraine: Birth of Nationalism 5:10.7 - 6:47.1 The Non-Politics of HBO's The Sympathizer (2024) 6:54.4 - 9:39.7 The Secret Speech Ep 3 - The CIA, MK Ultra, and U.S. Psychopathy 9:53.2 - 13:56.8 The Secret Speech Ep 8 - Foundations of Leninism (Theory Explained) 14:03.5 - 15:35.6 The Secret Speech Ep 2: Latvia's Red Partisans of World War II 15:44.8 - 17:28.7 The Secret Speech Ep 7 - Ukraine: Descent to Fascism 17:40.9 - 19:18.6 The Secret Speech Ep 3 - The CIA, MK Ultra, and U.S. Psychopathy 19:29.7 - 23:13.0 The Non-Politics of HBO's The Sympathizer (2024) 23:31.5 - 24:46.9 The Secret Speech Ep 1 - X-Men 97: A Marxist Perspective 25:04.0 - 28:03.0 Kids Who Die by Langston Hughes 28:04.8 - 28:48.4 The Sadistic Exploitation of America's Sweethearts 29:12.6 - 32:25.8 The Secret Speech Ep 8 - Foundations of Leninism (Theory Explained) 32:42.6 - 36:04.7 The Secret Speech Ep 3 - The CIA, MK Ultra, and U.S. Psychopathy 36:33.3 - 37:22.4 The Secret Speech Ep 6 - Ukraine: Birth of Nationalism 37:42.3 - 40:38.8 *SPOILERS* The Secret Speech Ep 1 - X-Men 97: A Marxist Perspective 40:54.0 - 48:36.8 Q & Rae #1: Family, Ethics of Socialist Content Creation, and Life Abroad 49:08.0 - 57:28.7 The Secret Speech Ep 4 - Taiwan: A Short Long History 57:49.4 - 1:00.1 The Secret Speech Ep 3 - The CIA, MK Ultra, and U.S. Psychopathy -
Join the Proles and friend of the pod, Joel, for our first ever episode focused solely on a theory text. If you’ve been following along with the TheoryBeats project on Patreon, you already know the text. It is the the monumental "Foundations of Leninism" by Joseph Stalin. Rae takes the lead on this one.
We’ll take you through each of the nine sections of this text, unpacking the history and context while making connections to other thinkers, theorists, and movements both historically and today.
You can find the full text freely available to read at:
https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1924/foundations-leninism/
Thank you to our (actual and legitimate, not a joke) sponsor, "Quotations from Michael Parenti" published by Red Prints Publishing through Marxist-Leninist Reading Hub. To learn more and to get a copy of the book, head here: https://www.mlreadinghub.org/books/quotations-from-michael-parenti
If you’d like to listen to the TheoryBeats, find studyguides, surprise drops, and more, don’t forget to head to Patreon.com/ProlesPod to subscribe. (Even the free tier has special stuff for you!)
If you like our work and want to support it, don’t forget to rate and review us on any of the podcast catchers, follow us on social media @ProlesPod and make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss our Stalin Eras series that’s coming up.
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CW: This episode contains frank discussions of murder, torture, and sexual assault of both adults and children, primarily in the context of anti-semitic pogroms against Jewish people. Please proceed carefully through the episode or skip it entirely if any of these things may be difficult for you to hear.
Justin picks up where Jeremy left off to cover the development of OUN/UPA, Stepan Bandera's insecure self-promotion, and how the Ukrainian Nationalists were no better than the Nazis. Slava Ukraini bad. As last time, we try to bring some levity to the discussion, but it is a disgusting period for Eastern Europe and we couldn't sugar coat it.
Sign up at Patreon where you can get access to early release episodes, study guides, bonus episodes, TheoryBeats, and MORE! YOU CAN DO SO FOR FREE, which will get you the study guides, merch, and other random drops.
Please subscribe on your favorite podcast catcher and rate or review to help extend our reach. Like and rate us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @prolespod and Tiktok @proles.pod
If you have any questions or comments, email us at [email protected]. May the spectre haunt your streets, and solidarity forever.
Sources:
Ukrainian Nationalists and the Holocaust by John-Paul Himka
Stepan Bandera: The Life and Afterlife of a Ukrainian Nationalist by Grzegorz Rossolinski-Liebe
Intro Music:
"ProlesPod Theme" by Ransom Notes
Midroll Ad:
Written and read by Jeremy
Music "Macho Man Reagan Sandwich" by DJ DTA
Outro Music:
Eastern Bloc Beats by DJ DTA
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CW: This episode contains frank discussions of murder, torture, and sexual assault of both adults and children, primarily in the context of anti-semitic pogroms against Jewish people. Please proceed carefully through the episode or skip it entirely if any of these things may be difficult for you to hear. To signal the depravity of racist language in quotes used in this episode we have used a bleep instead of "contextually stating" the slur or "n-wording" it.
Jeremy leads us in a discussion of the early history of what we now know as Ukraine, all the way through the early twentieth century, before taking a depressing turn into the brief period in which nationalists controlled the region from 1918-1921. This brief and tragic era of Ukraine is dominated by a “civil war” and countless pogroms, primarily perpetrated against Jewish residents of the area. We do our best to lighten the material in the first half of the episode, but honestly, there’s nothing to be joked about in the latter half.
Sign up at Patreon where you can get access to early release episodes, study guides, bonus episodes, TheoryBeats, and MORE! YOU CAN DO SO FOR FREE, which will get you the study guides, merch, and other random drops.
Please subscribe on your favorite podcast catcher and rate or review to help extend our reach. Like and rate us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @prolespod and Tiktok @proles.pod.
If you have any questions or comments, email us at [email protected]. May the spectre haunt your streets, and solidarity forever.
Resource Links - Soviet Books:
Ismail Badiou Soviet Book Archive (over a thousand soviet era books!)
Lazy Izdihar Soviet Book Archive
Sources:
The Gates of Europe by Serhii Plokhy
In the Midst of Civilized Europe by Jeffrey Veidlinger
Medieval Ukraine by Charles River Editors
Intro Music:
"ProlesPod Theme" by Ransom Notes
Midroll Ad
Written and read by Jeremy
Music "Gyro Maidan" by DJ DTA
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For this episode we’re joined by guest expert Beth Pitts for a journey into the heart of the Ecuadorian Amazon. We’re talking about the past, present, and future of indigenous resistance in Ecuador to begin to think about what their struggle can teach us, the benefits and limitations of taking legal action against the imperial nation-state, and the ways in which we can broaden our understanding of the frontline of struggle.
For our full interview with members of the Siekopai Remolino community, head over to the Patreon. (Don’t worry; we translated it into English.)
For information on the communities mentioned, access to their fundraisers, and our guest expert’s book:
Siekoya Remolino website: https://www.siekoyaremolino.org/ and Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/siekoyaremolino
Siekopai social media: Twitter: @Siekopai, Facebook: @Siekopai, Instagram: @Nacion.Siekopai
Sëra Foundation crowdfunding campaign: https://www.gofundme.com/f/siekopai-indigenous-amazonian-youth-foundation
Native People of Sarayaku website: https://sarayaku.org/
Children of the Jaguar documentary (Sarayaku): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ma1QSmtuiLQ
Interview Alexandra Narvaez (Sinangoe): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwmQMdGuBMc
Under Rich Earth documentary (Intag): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRinnhejBIw
Moon Guide to Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands: https://www.moon.com/?s=bethany+pitts
Don’t forget to subscribe to ProlesPod on your favorite podcast catcher. Rate, review, and share with your friends. It really helps us a lot.
If you want to keep the party going, make sure you’re subscribed to our Patreon where you can find the companion study guide to every episode (even at the free tier!!), TheoryBeats, early release of main feed episodes, The Secret Speech (bonus content), surprise drops, and you can be the first to know about our limited run merch.
If you have any questions or feedback, please email us at [email protected]. Find and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, TwitterX, and Tiktok.
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Charles Xu joins the show to give us a whirlwind tour of the history of Taiwan starting from about 15,000 years ago to the late 1980s to explain to us the origins of the current tensions between China and the West (led by the United States of America, ofcourse) that has been recklessly escalating to a war!
The history covered here is covered in much more detail on the Qiao Collective website which hosts their outstanding Taiwan: An Anti-Imperialist Resource.
Charles Xu is a member of the Qiao Collective. The Qiao Collective is a diaspora Chinese media collective challenging U.S. aggression in China.
Sign up at Patreon where you can get access to early release episodes, study guides, bonus episodes, TheoryBeats, and MORE! YOU CAN DO SO FOR FREE, which will get you the study guides, merch, and other random drops.
Please subscribe on your favorite podcast catcher and rate or review to help extend our reach. Like and rate us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @prolespod and Tiktok @proles.pod.
If you have any questions or comments, email us at [email protected]. May the spectre haunt your streets, and solidarity forever.
Intro Music:
"ProlesPod Theme" by Ransom Notes
Midroll Ad
Written and read by Jeremy
Music "Monstertruck Meow" by DJ DTA
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CW - This episode, almost from start to finish, tells a lot of horrific stories of both physical and mental abuse and mutilation of some of the most marginalized and at-risk types of folks. If this is something that will be difficult to get through for you, please skip the episode or take it slow.
In this episode, we discuss a topic that is widely known but often skimmed. Instead of focusing on the people involved or the "funny" cases, we talked more about the monstrous nature of the project and the blatant disregard for human life and wellbeing. All for a made up thing that they never even got close to figuring out.
Sign up at Patreon where you can get access to early release episodes, study guides, bonus episodes, TheoryBeats, and MORE! YOU CAN DO SO FOR FREE, which will get you the study guides, merch, and other random drops.
Please subscribe on your favorite podcast catcher and rate or review to help extend our reach. Like and rate us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @prolespod and Tiktok @proles.pod.
If you have any questions or comments, email us at [email protected]. May the spectre haunt your streets, and solidarity forever.
Intro Music:
"ProlesPod Theme" by Ransom Notes
Jolly West Music:
"Tusko's Last Parade" by DJ DTA
Vitamin midroll:
Written by Rae and read by Jeremy
Music "Mind Melters" by DJ DTA
Outro Music:
"Eastern Bloc Beats" by DJ DTA
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We are joined by Iskolat to discuss the heroric struggle of Latvia's Red Partisans during World War II - also known as the Great Patriotic War. For years this communist resistance stifled and sabotaged the Nazi occupation of Latvia. Focusing on the rarely discussed era of the Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic, we connect it's past to it's present working class struggles.
Note: This episode was filmed before before Rae and Martín joined the Prolespod.
Sign up at Patreon where you can get access to early release episodes, study guides, bonus episodes, TheoryBeats, and MORE! YOU CAN DO SO FOR FREE, which will get you the study guides, merch, and other random drops.
Please subscribe on your favorite podcast catcher and rate or review to help extend our reach. Like and rate us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @prolespod and Tiktok @proles.pod.
If you have any questions or comments, email us at [email protected]. May the spectre haunt your streets, and solidarity forever.
Intro Music:
"ProlesPod Theme" by Ransom Notes
Baltic Air midroll:
Written and read by Rae
Music "Baltic Dreams" by DJ DTA
Outro Music:
"Eastern Bloc Beats" by DJ DTA
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The unveiling of TheoryBeats, a new project by ProlesPod and DJ DTA. Let us know what you think!
To get all future TheoryBeats, you can sign up for any paid tier at the Patreon. There are a number of other cool perks and more on the way!
FoL Pt 1 Read by - Jeremy
Music by - DJ DTA
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In this episode of the podcast, we are joined by Evan from Left of the Projector Podcast to delve into a Marxist analysis of the new animated series X-Men '97. We explore the show's portrayal of the mutant struggle through a Marxist lens, examining characters like Magneto and Professor X as representations of different revolutionary strategies. We discuss the complex dynamics of Genosha, a nation of mutants, as it transitions from slavery to liberation, drawing parallels to real-world post-colonial struggles. We also analyze the show's depiction of the exploitation of mutant labor and the justification for their oppression, mirroring the dynamics of class struggle in capitalist societies. Additionally, we critique the show's portrayal of international relations and the hypocrisy of organizations like the UN. Finally, we touch upon the challenges faced by the mutant state after the revolution, including the constant threat of counter-revolution and the complexities of governance.
Sign up at Patreon where you can get access to early release episodes, study guides, limited-drop merch, bonus episodes, TheoryBeats, and MORE! YOU CAN DO SO FOR FREE, which will get you the study guides, merch, and other random drops.
Please subscribe on your favorite podcast catcher and rate or review to help extend our reach. Like and rate us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @prolespod and Tiktok @proles.pod.
If you have any questions or comments, email us at [email protected]. May the spectre haunt your streets, and solidarity forever.
Sources:
"Letter to American Workers" V.I. Lenin
https://www.marxists.org/archive/lenin/works/1918/aug/20.htm
Intro Music:
"X-men 97 Theme" by The Newton Brothers
Outro Music:
"Eastern Bloc Beats" by DJ DTA
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In this episode, we're joined by our two newest co-hosts, Rae and Martín, to take the Proles' first trip to Mexico. In this wide-ranging episode, we cover a (brief) workers' history of Mexico, the rise of the current president AMLO, what his presidency has meant for Mexican people, and some insight on the upcoming presidential election.
There were a shocking number of resources consulted for this episode, but those specifically referenced (in English) are here:
https://jacobin.com/2023/08/amlo-presidency-mexico-morena-pri-neoliberalism https://ausm.community/the-4t/ https://www.dissentmagazine.org/article/the-contradictions-of-amlo/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4C4O2WlWPHwA note that several of our sources are in Spanish, but if you're a Spanish speaker interested in the resource list, don't hesitate to reach out.
Please subscribe on your favorite podcast catcher and rate or review to help extend our reach. Like and rate us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @prolespod and Tiktok @proles.pod. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for updates on the re-launch of our Patreon.
If you have any questions or comments, email us at [email protected]. May the spectre haunt your streets, and solidarity forever.
Intro Music:
"Proles Pod Theme" by Ransom Notes
Outro Music:
"Eastern Bloc Beats" by DJ DTA
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In this episode, the Scottish comrades return to discuss the revolutionary life of John Maclean. No, not that one... or that one. The Scottish revolutionary that spent his entire life fighting for the proletariat and who was in jail when British fascist Winston Churchill rolled tanks on Glasgow during the Battle of George Square to destroy the voice of the oppressed.
Please subscribe on your favorite podcast catcher and rate or review to help extend our reach. Like and rate us on Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok, and Twitter @prolespod.
If you have any questions or comments, email us at [email protected] May the spectre haunt your streets, and solidarity forever.
Intro and Outro Music:
"Proles Pod Theme" by Ransom Notes
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In this episode, El discusses the birth and development of the proletariat within Scottland, as well as the ways in which the nobility and the British empire sabotaged them time and again.
Thank you for listening!
Please rate and review to help us extend our reach. You can follow us on the socials. If you'd like, you can sign up for free at our patreon. We have some cool stuff on the way, as well as some posts we make only there. You can email us at [email protected].
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In this long awaited return of the show the gang revisits East Germany, with new Proles co-host and host of Actually Existing Socialism - Tony - giving us a guide through attempts by Western capitalist nations to subvert the East German state from the post-war period to the installation of the Berlin Wall. Spoiler alert: It all goes back to the 5 Ds!
Please subscribe on your favorite podcast catcher and rate or review to help extend our reach. For early and exclusive content, sign up for free at www.patreon.com/prolespod. Like and rate us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @prolespod.
If you have any questions or comments, DM us on those platforms or email us at [email protected] All episodes prior to episode 4 can be found on YouTube, so go check that out as well! May the spectre haunt your streets, and solidarity forever.
Intro and Outro Music:"Proles Pod Theme" by Ransom Notes
Episode Sources:
"Exploiting and Securing the Open Border in Berlin: the Western Secret Services, the Stasi, and the
Second Berlin Crisis, 1958–1961""Drawing the Line: The American Decision to Divide Germany, 1944–1949"
The Prelude to Nationwide Surveillance in East Germany"
“Spying On Science: Western Intelligence in Divided Germany 1945-1961”
"Address given by Nikita Khrushchev on the GDR and Berlin (Moscow, 10 November 1958)"
"GDR: An Historical Outline"
"Britain and the Occupation of Germany, 1945-49"
"Killing Hope" - Näytä enemmän
