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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 of the views presented in the episode.

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.

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 running it’s own candidates were possible, but remain open to running as Democrats where advantageous. In the recent edition of Reform and Revolution Magazine, from the caucus of DSA that shares its name, perspectives on the Dirty Break are presented and discussed. And we do that here.

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 new Biden administration and what that means for left organizing after Trump. This was the first of what I hope to be many conversations with Brandon and Josh as well as a slate of other great guests. Stay Tuned. Download .mp3

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

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

https://sensiblesocialistcom.files.wordpress.com/2020/05/episode-58-the-youth.mp3 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

https://sensiblesocialistcom.files.wordpress.com/2020/05/episode-57-why-you-should-join-dsa.mp3 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

https://sensiblesocialistcom.files.wordpress.com/2020/05/episode-56-albert-lee-for-congress.mp3 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

https://sensiblesocialistcom.files.wordpress.com/2020/04/episode-55-marxism-leninism-maoism.mp3 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  

https://sensiblesocialistcom.files.wordpress.com/2020/04/episode-54-understanding-socialism-part-two.mp3 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

https://sensiblesocialistcom.files.wordpress.com/2020/04/episode-53-understanding-socialism-part-1.mp3 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

https://sensiblesocialistcom.files.wordpress.com/2020/04/episode-52-bernie-out-what-now-1.mp3 In this episode we discuss Bernie’s sudden withdrawal from the Democratic nomination contest and what we should do now. Hint: The American Labor Party. Download: .mp3

https://sensiblesocialistcom.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/episode-51-covid-capitalism.mp3 In this episode we talk about COVID capitalism, and the consequences of the unfolding crisis. Download .mp3

https://sensiblesocialistcom.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/episode-51-covid-capitalism.mp3 In this episode we talk about COVID capitalism, and the consequences of the unfolding crisis. Download .mp3

https://sensiblesocialistcom.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/episode-50-super-tuesday.mp3 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

https://sensiblesocialistcom.files.wordpress.com/2020/02/episode-49-socialism-101.mp3 In this episode I play back the audio of a lecture I did for a high school class introducing them to socialism. Download: .mp3

https://sensiblesocialistcom.files.wordpress.com/2020/01/episode-48-iran-and-us-imperialism.mp3 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, which he co-hosts with editor Max Blumenthal. His website is BenNorton.com and he tweets at @BenjaminNorton. Download: .mp3

https://sensiblesocialistcom.files.wordpress.com/2020/01/episode-47-india-anti-caa-protests.mp3 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: .mp3