Varn Vlog
Abandon all hope ye who subscribe here. Varn Vlog is the pod of C. Derick Varn. We combine the conversation on philosophy, political economy, art, history, culture, anthropology, and geopolitics from a left-wing and culturally informed perspective. We approach the world from a historical lens with an eye for hard truths and structural analysis.
Episodes
295 episodes
Unraveling the Esoteric Threads: Exploring Marx, Hegel, and Modernity with Dr. Justin Sledge
What do Hegel, Marx, and esoteric traditions have in common? Join us for an enlightening episode featuring Dr. Justin Sledge from the Esoterica channel as we explore this fascinating intersection. Dr. Sledge shares his insights into the influen...
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Season 1
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Episode 279
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1:37:59
Realities of Modern Socialism: A Critical Exploration of Sam Gindin's 'Socialism for Realists'
Is modern socialism merely a revenge fantasy against historical colonizers? Join Elijah Emery and C. Derick Varn as we critically examine Sam Gindin's "Socialism for Realists...
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Season 1
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Episode 278
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1:39:59
Living in the Darkest Timeline: A Conversation with Bram Gieben
What if our apocalyptic narratives are actually masking the true dystopia we live in today? Join us as we challenge conventional wisdom in our latest episode, featuring a thought-provoking conversation with Bram Gieben, author of "The Darkest T...
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Season 1
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Episode 277
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2:04:59
Unpacking the Southern Roots and Impact of Neoliberalism: A Discussion with Connor Harney
Can neoliberalism be truly understood without examining its Southern roots? In this episode, Marxist writer and thinker Connor Harney joins us to unpack the complex history and dynamics behind the rise and persistence of neoliberalism. We trace...
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Season 1
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Episode 276
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2:35:32
Boundless and Bottomless (Bonus): Putin Vs. Putin by Aleksandr Dugin with Donald Parkinson
Step into the complex world of geopolitics as we engage in a provocative dialogue with Donald Parkinson from the Marxist Unity Group and Cosmonaut Magazine. Ever wondered how Aleksandr Dugin's perspectives on Vladimir Putin shift when viewed fr...
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Season 1
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Episode 275
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2:52:21
Thompson vs Althusser: A Legacy of Revolutionary Ideas
E.P. Thompson versus Louis Althusser—what if their debate reshaped our understanding of Marxist theory forever? Join Nicolas D. Villareal as we unpack Thompson's contentious critiques of Althusser, revealing the misunderstandings and secondary ...
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Season 1
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Episode 274
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2:45:23
From Bern-Out to Burn out With Jules Taylor
What complexities lie beneath the recent shifts in the U.S. left? Join us on Varn Vlog as we sit down with Jules Taylor of the "No Easy Answers" podcast to dissect the nuanced landscape of leftist politics in America. From the financial woes of...
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Season 1
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Episode 273
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2:46:26
Living in Today’s Dystopia: Unpacking Apocalyptic Realities, Water Security, and Transhumanism
What if the apocalypse is already here, but we're too busy imagining zombies and nuclear winters to notice? On this episode, Bram E. Gieben, author of "The Darkest Timeline: Living in a World with No Future," unpacks the eerie realization that ...
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Season 1
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Episode 272
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2:04:59
The Enduring Legacy of Loren Goldner: Left Communism, Marxism, and Cultural Critiques
What if the horizon of the workers' movement has truly ended? On this thought-provoking episode, we welcome Ross Wolfe to dissect the enduring legacy and contemporary relevance of Loren Goldner a monumental figure in left communism. We delve in...
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Season 1
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Episode 271
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1:54:15
The Many, Many Deaths of the Millennial Left with Alex Gendler
Is the millennial left crumbling under its own weight, or is it poised for a groundbreaking resurgence? Join us on VarmVlog as we dissect the intricate evolution and fragmentation of the millennial left post-Bernie Sanders. With insights from A...
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Season 1
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Episode 270
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2:04:43
Moving Beyond the Debates On the Professional Managerial Class with Foppe De Haan
Curious about how the Professional Managerial Class (PMC) fits into today's leftist strategy debates? Join us as Dutch socialist Foppe De Haan takes us through his personal journey within the Dutch Socialist Party, his discontent with its appro...
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Season 1
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Episode 269
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1:30:26
Historical Contexts in Modern Reporting: Joe Payne on Chumash War and California's Complex Dynamics
Can local journalism survive in an age dominated by tech giants and algorithm-driven content? Join us as Joe Payne of Political Payne returns to Varn Vlog after a three-year hiatus to share his firsthand experiences and insights into the evolvi...
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Season 1
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Episode 268
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2:42:39
Exploring Leftist Stability, Political Trends, and Global Conflicts: A Deep Dive with Amogh Sahu
Ever wondered why smaller Marxist groups are financially stable while larger organizations like the Democratic Socialists of America struggle? Our guest, Amogh Sahu, brings clarity to this and other enigmas within leftist movements by pulling b...
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Season 1
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Episode 267
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2:52:03
Revolutionary Pessimism: A Deep Dive into Marxist Theory
Chirs and Jason of the regrettable century return. Is revolutionary optimism just delusional wishful thinking? Join us as we dissect the tension between revolutionary optimism and pessimism within Marxist theory. We scrutinize Maoist and ...
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Season 1
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Episode 266
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2:21:47
(Bonus) Boundless and Bottomless Seas : Unpacking Dugin's Influence and Global Political Dynamics with Jules Taylor
This audio episode is available on the youtube channel and was made available to patrons a month ago. Embark on an intellectual voyage with Jules Taylor, the esteemed podcast host and producer, as we dissect the enigmatic ideologies shapi...
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Season 1
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Episode 265
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3:16:31
Transforming the Global Working Class: Economic Evolution and the Communist Perspective with Phil Neel
Discover the fate of the global working class through the expert lens of communist geographer Field Neal, as we dissect the seismic transformations rippling through shrinking industrial sectors and spiking productivity. This episode traverses t...
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Season 1
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Episode 264
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1:44:48
Deciphering Economic Growth: Interest Rates and Modern Monetary Theory with Warren Mosler
Uncover the surprising consequences of the Federal Reserve's interest rate decisions with Warren Mosler, a leading economist and the insightful voice behind Modern Monetary Theory. As we navigate the bewildering relationship between monetary po...
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Season 1
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Episode 263
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1:07:17
The Pulse of a Movement: Insights from the 2024 Labor Notes Conference
Embark on a journey to the heart of labor's battleground with Kellen Gildersleeve and Nurse John, as they unpack the electrifying atmosphere of the 2024 Labor Notes Conference. From the rousing victory of the United Auto Workers in the South to...
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Season 1
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Episode 262
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1:54:03
Traversing Ideologies: American Politics, Secularism, and Historical Thought with Justin Clark
Join the intellectual odyssey with our guest, Justin Clark, public historian and director of digital initiatives at the Indiana Historical Bureau, as we weave through a labyrinth of political ideologies, historical narratives, and the evolution...
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Season 1
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Episode 261
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1:57:14
Rethinking Social Equity Through the Lens of Historical Materialism with Ridhiman Balaji
Embark on an intellectual exploration with Ridhiamn Balaji, whose insights into the welfare state and socialism challenge the status quo. This episode traverses the European origins of welfare policies, the cautionary stances of Marxists toward...
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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1:33:26
Decoding the Transformation of Leftist Thought: An In-Depth Analysis with Amogh Sahu
Embark on an intellectual odyssey with us and our esteemed guest, Amogh Sahu, a formidable doctoral candidate at Columbia University, as we traverse a decade's worth of leftist thought and its profound transformations. Reflecting on our shared ...
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Season 1
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Episode 260
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2:31:08
Shattering Myths The Other Side of Ukraine's Conflict with Dr. Ivan Katchanovski
Uncover the hidden narratives of the Euromaidan massacre with Dr.Ivan Katchanovski, a political scientist who dares to challenge the accepted story of the 2014 protests in Ukraine. Through a meticulous examination of evidence, Dr. Katchanovski ...
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Season 1
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Episode 259
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1:11:45
Ralf Ruckus Explores China's Political Left
Embark on a captivating journey with Ralf Ruckus, esteemed author and co-founder of the Gong Chao Collective, as we dissect the complex tapestry of the Chinese Left and its evolution. Ralf's insights challenge conventional perceptions, revealin...
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Season 1
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Episode 258
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1:44:37
Unearthing Eco-Socialism: Dr. John Bellamy Foster on Marxism, the Metabolic Rift, and a Sustainable Future
Join the profound journey into the heart of eco-socialism with Dr. John Bellamy Foster, a guiding voice in the discourse on the environment and socioeconomic systems. Our thought-provoking conversation peels back the layers of the metabolic rif...
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Season 1
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Episode 257
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1:13:31
Voices of Change: Palestinian Solidarity and the Uncommitted Campaign
As we wade through the turbulent waters of political advocacy, our latest episode brings to the forefront the passionate voices Clarissa Cunningham, Dr. Elektra Kosopoulou, and Maryam Syed. These dynamic women, whose lives are steeped in academ...
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Season 1
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Episode 256
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1:30:40