Podcasts

These shows used to be listed in random order because there weren't so many of them. But the list has grown a lot since, so I've sorted them into three categories: favourites, shows I always listen to (and honestly look forward to new episodes); recommendations, shows I try to keep up with; and lastly, defunct, shows that discontinued production. Most of these shows are hosted on several platforms. I used to use [evil-Swedish-audio-streaming-giant] for all of them, though I now switch between Anytime Player on Android and the aforementioned Swedish browser client on PC.

Favourites

Jacobin

Jacobin was the first podcast I ever listened to. Their defunct show on YouTube (RIP 2019-2022) introduced me to most other shows listed here. The podcast only has one or two shows that strictly "belong" to Jacobin, while the rest are reuploaded from affiliate podcasts. I first learned about The Jacobin Show on YouTube in 2019, after I read this article about why crowdfunding sucks. I was instantly hooked on their work, because it was the first time I found an active media outlet that took positions I agreed with. I don't fully agree with every single position these hosts take, and I don't listen to The Dig anymore because it strays too far from class politics for me. But the rest is far more palatable than mainstream media, which often express milquetoast neoliberal positions on current events.

Cargo Cult

I don't know much about either of the hosts, but I heard them on an episode of GTAA (another show listed below). Despite how funny the show can get, it really is a tech podcast that broaches anything big tech in a casual and sardonic way.

Economic Update

One of my favourite economists is Richard D. Wolff because he always explains complex economic ideas in plain language. His understanding of the economy and current events is refreshing and pragmatic. Like a lot of other podcasts on this list, I disovered this after hearing Wolff's interviews on The Jacobin Show. I've always enjoyed hearing his thoughts on the current state of the economy, whether in the US or internationally.

Class Unity

Class Unity comprises episodes that are sometimes gossip about contemporary politics (with a focus on class), interviews with interesting people I've never heard of anywhere else, and deliberately educational discussions about history. What the group, Class Unity, represents is much better explained on their website, https://classunity.org. Some time in 2021, I joined one of their somewhat frequent reading groups. The reading group centered on heteredox macroeconomics (and Modern Monetary Theory). It was hosted by a member of Class Unity, Daniel Burnfin. I was really impressed with how well Burnfin led the group and how much he (and the other reading group members!) understood the topics covered in the book. Sadly, I ended up dropping out of the group after only one meeting due to other commitments, as well as how difficult the content was for me, but I still learned from what I read and heard from the one session I attended. I'm particularly effusive about this podcast because they represent politics I align with most, perhaps even moreso than Jacobin's, which is anti-elite, analytical, and humanist at its core.

Recommended

This Is Revolution

TIR has three episode "types": the main show features Jason Myles interviewing guests on their various works. I sometimes skip the intro on these just to get to the interviews. I try to avoid the Champagne Room (post-show) and Philosophy for the People episodes (I already listen to Ben Burgis on his own show).

Give Them An Argument

Ben Burgis takes a mostly academic and sometimes philosophical approach to current political affairs in the U.S. Solid show overall, though their counter-reactionary chatter often goes around in circles. I get that that's the point of the show, but I personally think right wing media never really says anything new, and unfortunately reactions to such media are unlikely to yield a novel outcome either.

American Prestige

Derek Davison and Daniel Bessner's sarcasm is the only way I can follow current events around the world without being bored. Their interviews can get very academic (and therefore somnolent or sleep-inducing) depending on their guests, but I mostly keep up with their weekly news updates which are always informative. It's also depressing as hell, which is standard fare in today's world.

Ones and Tooze

Adam Tooze is one of today's greatest living intellectuals. I don't always agree with his or his co-host's perspectives, but I think they're enlightening to listen to nonetheless. The appeal of the show for me is the topic variety, like the economics of love, fireworks, or the Tour de France. The show itself covers two topics each week, almost always related to business or economics. Technocratic, but palatable.

Bungacast

This one's a bit strange because I like the work of the people involved with Bungacast's affiliate, Damage magazine, more than I like the podcast itself. Catherine Liu, Amber A'Lee Frost, Ben Fong, and Leigh Phillips are among my favourite guests and Damage contributors. One particular highlight for me is episode 430, "Welcome to the Tourist Age", featuring Marco d'Eramo.

Woke Bros

Wozny "Big Woz" Lambre and Nando Vila are two of my favourite podcast hosts. I couldn't get enough of Nando's humour when he was co-hosting Jacobin Weekends on YouTube and ended up finding him here. Sadly, Vila is too busy with the film world now, and Woz doesn't really stick to a schedule.

Defunct

A World To Win

Grace Blakely is an intellectual force of nature. She mostly covered UK events and interviews guests from Europe. Sadly, I think the show ended, and without any announcement, too! If you don't mind old episodes about the UK, Europe, and sometimes beyond, the recordings are all still available.

Disclaimer

Podcasts ultimately range from switch-your-brain-off entertainment to genuinely valuable edutainment. I wouldn't recommend listening to any of these shows without doing something else on the side. If you really want to dive into something, better to read about it, or watch a video. I usually have to occupy myself with cleaning, cooking, or hobbies to maintain my attention, at the cost of information retention.