Upstream
Business & Finance
About
Conversations and audio documentaries exploring a wide variety of themes pertaining to economics and politics, hosted by Della Z Duncan and Robert R. Raymond
Episodes
- The Rise (and Fall) of the US Dollar w/ Fadhel Kaboub
In this episode we're joined by Fadhel Kaboub for a conversation about the US dollar, its hegemony over the globe, and the emerging challenges to this hegemony. Fadhel Kaboub is a Tunisian-American economist, professor of economics at Deni…
- [TEASER] Cuba Pt. 6: The Political Thought of Fidel Castro w/ Renzo Llorente
This episode previews a discussion on Fidel Castro's political thought with associate professor Renzo Llorente. It covers Castro's radicalization, ideological influences like Marxism-Leninism and anti-imperialism, his perspectives on Latin…
- [TEASER] The Long Transition Towards Socialism and the End of Capitalism w/ Torkil Lauesen
In this episode, Torkil Lauesen discusses his thesis on the long transition towards socialism and the end of capitalism, examining historical revolutions and attempts at building socialism.
- A Socialist California w/ Ramsey Robinson
Ramsey Robinson joins the Upstream podcast to discuss his campaign for Governor of California with the Peace and Freedom Party. The episode explores the need for socialism, the impacts of capitalism on mental health, and Robinson's vision…
- [UNLOCKED] Palestine Pt. 17: Capital Accumulation at Any Cost w/ Jason Hickel
In "Palestine Pt. 17: Capital Accumulation at Any Cost," Jason Hickel joins the discussion on Palestinian liberation within the context of global anti-capitalism and anti-imperialism. The episode explores Palestine's geopolitical role, the…
- [TEASER] Iran Pt. 4: Towards a Multipolar World / Matteo Capasso
Matteo Capasso joins the discussion on Iran Pt. 4, focusing on the global implications of the war. The episode examines the war
- Cuba Pt. 4: Counterrevolution w/ Renzo Llorente
In this episode of Upstream, Renzo Llorente discusses the history and forms of counterrevolution against Cuba since 1959. The conversation covers socialist societies, sabotage, the Bay of Pigs, political prisoners, party systems, and the c…
- [TEASER] Palestine Pt. 17: Capital Accumulation at Any Cost w/ Jason Hickel
This episode features Jason Hickel discussing Palestinian liberation in the context of global capitalism and imperialism. Topics include Palestine's geopolitical role in West Asia, Israel's function as a US proxy, the "Board of Peace," the…
- [UNLOCKED] Lebanon Pt. 1: Resisting Occupation w/ Hussein Assaf
In this episode, journalist Hussein Assaf discusses the ongoing assault on Lebanon by Israel and the United States. The conversation covers the political landscape of Lebanon, Hezbollah's relationship with Iran, and the role of information…
- Iran Pt. 3: The Empire vs. Iran w/ Bikrum Gill
This episode features Bikrum Gill discussing the relationship between imperialism, sovereignty, and capitalism in Iran. The conversation examines why Iran
- [UNLOCKED] Atlantic Slavery and the Plantation System w/ David McNally
David McNally discusses his book "Slavery and Capitalism: A new Marxist History" on Upstream, examining the capitalist character of Atlantic slavery and the plantation system. The conversation covers the industrial scale of the system, Mar…
- [TEASER] The Political Economy of Love in Capitalism w/ Kristen Ghodsee
This teaser episode of Upstream features Kristen Ghodsee discussing the political economy of love under capitalism. It explores how capitalism co-opts and commodifies components of love and friendship, transforming them into exchange-value…
- [TEASER] Iran Pt. 2: The Impacts of Economic Strangulation w/ Elina Xenophontos
This episode of Upstream features Elina Xenophontos discussing the history and impacts of sanctions on Iran. The conversation delves into how these sanctions have affected Iran's economic and political landscape since the 1979 Islamic Revo…
- [UNLOCKED] How Fascism Works (a Michael Parenti Reading)
This episode features a reading and analysis of Michael Parenti's "How Fascism Works," examining historical fascism, its connection to plutocracy and autocracy, and applying its concepts to contemporary neofascism in the United States.
- US Labor & Imperialism Pt. 2: Zionism w/ Jeff Schuhrke (Palestine Pt. 16)
This episode delves into US labor's historical support for Zionism, examining the ideological, financial, and military backing provided during the Nakba and the creation of Israel. It contrasts Zionism with the Jewish Labor Bund and explor…
- [UNLOCKED] Immigration, ICE, and Working Class Rebellion w/ Cecilia Guerrero
This episode examines the root causes of immigration, the impact of ICE operations, and the responses from working-class communities. It applies a materialist lens to deportation and the scapegoating of vulnerable groups, contrasting a rig…
- [BONUS] The Turn of the Year (or A Solstice Celebration) w/ Manda Scott and Nathalie Nahai
In a holiday bonus episode of Upstream, host Della is joined by Manda Scott and Nathalie Nahai to discuss insights from the past year, concerns about AI, and sources of hope. They also touch upon regenerative livelihoods and a course offer…
- [TEASER] Reconnecting to the Land and to Place
This teaser previews an episode from Upstream featuring Robbie reading Gary Snyder's essay "The Place, The Region, The Commons." It touches on bioregionalism, environmentalism, and personal health struggles under capitalism.
- US Labor & Imperialism Pt. 1: the War Against Communism w/ Jeff Schuhrke
This episode features Jeff Schuhrke discussing US labor's historical involvement in the global anticommunist efforts throughout the 20th century. The conversation delves into the evolution of US labor movements, their shift towards anticom…
- From the Frontlines: Tenant Organizing w/ Josh Poe and Tara Raghuveer
Tara Raghuveer and Josh Poe join the Upstream podcast to discuss tenant organizing. They cover the work of tenant unions like KC Tenants and the Kentucky Tenant Union, their organizing efforts with the Tenant Union Federation, and the root…
- [TEASER] Imperialism in the Twenty-First Century w/ John Smith
This teaser previews an episode on 21st-century imperialism with author John Smith. It covers how modern imperialism functions through market mechanisms and economic instruments rather than solely military force and colonialism, exploring…
- China Pt. 8: Mao Zedong and Maoism with Yueran Zhang
This episode features Yueran Zhang discussing Mao Zedong and Maoism. The conversation covers Mao's biography, the Chinese Revolution, the philosophy and political practice of Maoism, and its influence on modern revolutionary movements. It…
- Migration as Economic Imperialism w/ Immanuel Ness
Immanuel Ness joins Upstream to discuss migration as economic imperialism. The episode examines the causes of migration, including structural elements of global capitalism and consequences like war and ecological devastation. Ness argues a…
- [TEASER] Venezuela Pt. 2: Socialist Communes and Anti-Imperialism w/ Chris Gilbert
Chris Gilbert joins Upstream to discuss Venezuela's socialist communes from a Marxist, anti-imperialist viewpoint. The episode differentiates these communes from popular and anarchist models and examines their significance in the Bolivaria…
- Post Capitalist Parenting Pt. 5: Raising Children in the Midst of Global Crisis w/ Jo delAmor
This episode features Jo delAmor discussing parenting in the context of global crisis. The conversation touches on Joanna Macy's Work That Reconnects, parenting paradigms under capitalism, overcoming separation through interconnectedness,…
- [TEASER] Alliance of Sahel States Pt. 3: Hyperimperialism and the Fight for Sovereignty w/ Mikaela Nhondo Erskog
This episode of Upstream features Mikaela Nhondo Erskog discussing hyperimperialism and the Alliance of Sahel States' fight for sovereignty. Topics include a new anti-LGBTQ law in Burkina Faso, the impact of Western influence, and developm…
- Post Capitalist Parenting Pt. 4: Midwifery and Birthing w/ Robina Khalid
In this episode of Upstream's Post Capitalist Parenting series, midwife Robina Khalid discusses the history of obstetrics, its capitalist roots, and the role of midwifery. Khalid shares her vision for post-capitalist birthing, encouraging…
- Palestine Pt. 15: The Gaza Freedom Flotilla w/ Chris Smalls & Huwaida Arraf
Chris Smalls, a Freedom Flotilla participant, and Huwaida Arraf, a Freedom Flotilla organizer, discuss the Gaza Freedom Flotilla, its history, and the movement to break the siege of Gaza. They also cover international law, US labor politic…
- [TEASER] China Pt. 7: A Socialist Response to the COVID Pandemic w/ Creighton Ward, Kevin Li, and Alessandro Zancan
This Upstream episode, Part 7 of a series on China, discusses the Zero COVID policy, featuring guests Creighton Ward, Kevin Li, and Alessandro Zancan. The conversation covers policy elements, results, and contrasts China's approach with We…
- Marx's Capital Vol. 2 w/ Richard Wolff and Shahram Azhar
This episode of Upstream delves into Karl Marx's Capital Vol. 2 with economists Richard Wolff and Shahram Azhar. It explores how Vol. 2 expands on Vol. 1 by analyzing the full circulation process of capital, differentiating capital as a pr…
- [TEASER] Third Worldism and the Bandung Spirit w/ Pranay Somayajula
This teaser episode introduces the concepts of Third Worldism and the Bandung Spirit, referencing the 1955 Bandung Conference. It touches upon the historical context of colonialism and resistance from nations of the Global South.
- NATO Pt. 2: The Long War on the Third World w/ Pawel Wargan
This episode features Pawel Wargan discussing NATO's historical role and impact on the Global South, which the episode describes as a protracted genocide. The conversation covers NATO's origins, its actions in regions like Africa and Polan…
- [TEASER] Alliance of Sahel States Pt. 2: A View from Within w/ Inem Richardson
This episode features a conversation with Inem Richardson, President and Co-Founder of the Thomas Sankara Centre for African Liberation and Unity. They discuss her journey to Burkina Faso, the revolution, achievements of the current govern…
- NATO Pt. 1: An Anti-Imperialist Introduction w/ Elina Xenophontos
This episode introduces NATO as a tool of imperialism, rather than a defensive alliance. Guest Elina Xenophontos, an international law and economic globalization specialist, explores NATO's historical role in opposing communism, enforcing…