Shows
Radio Free Humanity: The Marxist-Humanist PodcastRFH 138 Confronting the Paranormal Fringe (with Matthew Hongoltz-Hetling)Radio Free Humanity Ep. 138: “Episode 138: Confronting the Paranormal Fringe (with Matthew Hongoltz-Hetling).” The co-hosts welcome author Hongoltz-Hetling to discuss his latest book. Current-events segment: Xi outmaneuvers Trump.
Radio Free Humanity is a podcast covering news, politics and philosophy from a Marxist-Humanist perspective. It is co-hosted by Gabriel Donnelly and Andrew Kliman. We intend to release new episodes every two weeks. Radio Free Humanity is sponsored by Marxist-Humanist Initiative (MHI), but the views expressed by the hosts and guests of Radio Free Humanity are their own. They do not necessarily reflect the views and positions of MHI.
2025-05-231h 00
MHI CastInside the 2025 MHI Annual Industry ReportUnpack the key insights and trends from the 2025 MHI Annual Industry Report, “The Digital Supply Chain Ecosystem: Orchestrating End-to-End Solutions.” Discover how supply chain leaders are doubling down on innovation, addressing workforce challenges, and implementing technology to build a resilient supply chain future.
2025-04-2927 min
MHI CastInside the 2025 MHI Annual Industry ReportUnpack the key insights and trends from the 2025 MHI Annual Industry Report, “The Digital Supply Chain Ecosystem: Orchestrating End-to-End Solutions.” Discover how supply chain leaders are doubling down on innovation, addressing workforce challenges, and implementing technology to build a resilient supply chain future.
2025-04-2900 min
Radio Free Humanity: The Marxist-Humanist PodcastRFH 135: Grossmanism and the Specter of Physical QuantitiesCo-hosts Andrew Kliman and Gabriel Donnelly dive deep into Henryk Grossman’s model and theory of capitalist breakdown. They discuss Andrew’s upcoming new article on Grossman, and Andrew’s dialogue with
a Grossman defender. MHI has recently published an article by Michael Rednitz, “Grossman’s “Correction” of Marx’s Law of the Tendential Fall in the Rate of Profit,” and the co-hosts also discuss its contributions to the
critique of Grossmanism. This episode is a continuation of MHI’s prior engagements with Grossmanism, including two prior episodes of
this podcast series. In episode 53 we first discussed Grossman’s model and theory of capitali...
2025-04-1159 min
The MHI Industry Leadership PodcastEp 26 - Ensuring Safety in Robotics: Expert Insights on AGVs and AMRsDive into the vital topic of safety in mobile robotics on this episode of the MHI Industry Leadership Podcast, hosted by Christian Dow and Frank Schwartz. Featuring industry experts Brian Keiger, VP at Conveyco and Chair of the Mobile Automation Group at MHI, and Alessandra Palmisano, Market Application Engineer for Safety at SICK Sensors, this discussion sheds light on the critical safety aspects of Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) and Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs). Uncover the myths, learn about the evolution of safety standards, and get a glimpse into the future of safety technologies in automation. Whether you are involved...
2024-06-2839 minRadio Free Humanity: The Marxist-Humanist PodcastRFH Ep 117 The Politics of Marx’s Capital—Interview with William Clare RobertsGabriel and Andrew welcome William Clare Roberts, author of Marx's Inferno: The Political Theory of “Capital,” in which he reads the first volume of Capital as a work of political theory. They discuss differences between this and other ways of reading Capital, its engagement with Proudhonism and related non-Marxist tendencies on the left, Marx’s relation to the radical republican tradition, and the specificity of his concept of capitalist exploitation. They also discuss “Hell” imagery in radical literature, Will’s contention that “volume one of Capital must be taken as Marx’s last testament,” and more.
Plus current-events segment: The situation in Rafah a...
2024-05-171h 03MHI CastThe Collaborative Supply Chain: An Inside Look at MHI’s 2024 Annual Industry ReportIn this episode, we speak with several guests to delve deeper into the 2024 MHI Annual Industry Report, which offers a comprehensive overview of supply chain technology, trends, and future outlook.
2024-04-1900 minMHI CastThe Collaborative Supply Chain: An Inside Look at MHI’s 2024 Annual Industry ReportIn this episode, we speak with several guests to delve deeper into the 2024 MHI Annual Industry Report, which offers a comprehensive overview of supply chain technology, trends, and future outlook.
2024-04-1815 minMHI CastTake advantage of the MHI Solutions Community ExpertiseAccess to solutions is pivotal in resolving pressing challenges, driving innovation, and ensuring adaptability to changing circumstances in your material handling, warehousing and supply chain operations. The MHI Solutions Community can provide that critical access.
2023-12-1415 minMHI CastTake advantage of the MHI Solutions Community ExpertiseAccess to solutions is pivotal in resolving pressing challenges, driving innovation, and ensuring adaptability to changing circumstances in your material handling, warehousing and supply chain operations. The MHI Solutions Community can provide that critical access.
2023-12-1400 minThe MHI Industry Leadership PodcastEp 22 - Enhancing Conveyor Safety: Expert Insights from MHI’s CSS Industry Group Leaders
Welcome to the MHI Industry Leadership Podcast, where we delve into crucial topics shaping the material handling industry. In this special episode on conveyor safety, we are joined by Ben Harper from Leuze Electronic and Jeremy McCullough from SEW-EURODRIVE, both esteemed members of the Conveyor and Sortation Systems (CSS) Industry Group of MHI.
Conveyor safety is at the forefront of our discussion, a topic underscored by alarming U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics data reporting 9,000 injuries and 40 deaths annually. Harper and McCullough share their expertise, discussing trends, the integration of safety measures into operations, and the relevance of safety s...
2023-11-1550 minThe MHI Industry Leadership PodcastEp 20 - Energizing Mobile Automation
Dive into the latest MHI Leadership Podcast episode on 'Energizing the Mobile Automation Market'. Join esteemed guests, Danny Wong of JBT Corporation and Harold A. Vanasse from EnerSys, both from MHI's MAG Industry Group.
The duo delves into power systems for automated equipment, shedding light on crucial factors. From how energy systems impact automation investment payback periods to the nuances in battery charging patterns for automated versus manual equipment, they provide invaluable insights.
Future tech, like wireless charging and maintenance-free battery technologies, is also explored. Their prime advice? Partner with a holistic energy systems expert who offers diverse technology options an...
2023-10-2445 min
MHI CastProMat 2023 Innovation AwardsIn this episode of the MHI cast, we speak with the winners of the 2023 MHI Innovation and StartUp Awards. Our guests include Jordan Tlumak and Dave Collins from OneRack, Rebecca Lennartz from Hai Robotics, Thomas Zoehrer for sSy.ai, and Jonathan Hurst from Agility Robotics.
2023-05-1928 minMHI CastProMat 2023 Innovation AwardsIn this episode of the MHI cast, we speak with the winners of the 2023 MHI Innovation and StartUp Awards. Our guests include Jordan Tlumak and Dave Collins from OneRack, Rebecca Lennartz from Hai Robotics, Thomas Zoehrer for sSy.ai, and Jonathan Hurst from Agility Robotics.
2023-05-1900 min
MHI CastThe Responsible Supply Chain - An Inside Look at MHI’s 2023 Annual Industry ReportFor a special episode, we speak with several guests to delve deeper into the 2023 version of the MHI Annual Industry Report, which offers a comprehensive overview of industry trends, perspectives, and case studies.
2023-04-2414 minMHI CastThe Responsible Supply Chain - An Inside Look at MHI’s 2023 Annual Industry ReportFor a special episode, we speak with several guests to delve deeper into the 2023 version of the MHI Annual Industry Report, which offers a comprehensive overview of industry trends, perspectives, and case studies.
2023-04-2400 minThe MHI Industry Leadership PodcastEp 15 - Fall Protection and Accident Avoidance in Industrial Workplaces: Best Practices and Emerging TrendsAre you interested in learning about the latest trends and best practices in industrial safety? If so, then you won't want to miss the latest episode of the MHI Industry Leadership podcast. Our guests, Barbara Cheatham and Mark McClain, are experts in fall protection and accident avoidance, and they share their insights and experiences on a variety of important topics.
During our conversation, we covered a wide range of issues related to safety in the workplace, including employee training, fall prevention solutions, and emerging technologies. However, what I found most interesting about our discussion was t...
2023-04-1834 minThe MHI Industry Leadership PodcastEp 14 - Increasing Supply Chain Agility with WMS: A Guide for the C-SuiteIn today's fast-paced business world, supply chain agility and resilience have become more important than ever. To stay competitive, businesses need to optimize their operations and minimize costs, while also ensuring their customers receive the best possible service. Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) have emerged as a key tool for achieving these goals. By automating and streamlining warehouse processes, WMS solutions can increase efficiency, accuracy, and visibility across the supply chain.
But how do you convince the C-suite to invest in a WMS solution? That's where our latest episode of the MHI Industry Leadership Podcast comes in. Our...
2023-04-1042 minThe MHI Industry Leadership PodcastEp 13 - Collaboration in Material Handling: Insights from Industry Experts from the MHI Solutions Community
Welcome to the MHI Industry Leadership podcast! In this episode, we have an incredible lineup of guests from the MHI Solutions Community who will share their valuable insights on collaboration between solutions providers, suppliers, and practitioners. Joining us are Andy Lockhart, Director of Strategic Engagement for Warehouse Solutions, North America, Vanderlande, Les Makant, Product Sales Manager for Fives Intralogistics Corp., and Allana Calamari, Territory Development Manager for Murrelektronik.
They will be discussing the tangible benefits that come from collaboration between suppliers and practitioners, how to achieve true collaboration in today's fast-paced market, the importance of having a business continuity or d...
2023-03-2932 min
MHI CastIntroducing the Advanced Energy CouncilIntroducing the Advanced Energy Council, the MHI group dedicated to new energy solutions. We’re speaking with the chair and vice-chair about this new group.
Applications are open now and if you’d like more information you can reach out to Kia Schmidt – kschmit@mhi.org.
2023-01-1713 minMHI CastIntroducing the Advanced Energy CouncilIntroducing the Advanced Energy Council, the MHI group dedicated to new energy solutions. We’re speaking with the chair and vice-chair about this new group. Applications are open now and if you’d like more information you can reach out to Jayesh Mehta - jmehta@mhi.org.
2023-01-1700 minMHI CastEvolution to Revolution: An inside look at MHI’s 2022 Annual Industry ReportWe’re in the process of not only recovering economically from a global pandemic but also building a more resilient supply chain. To give industry professionals some insight into current trends, MHI and Deloitte publish the Annual Industry Report, and in this episode of MHI cast, we’re going to go over what members can expect from the 2022 edition.
2022-05-2414 minMHI CastEvolution to Revolution: An inside look at MHI’s 2022 Annual Industry ReportWe’re in the process of not only recovering economically from a global pandemic but also building a more resilient supply chain. To give industry professionals some insight into current trends, MHI and Deloitte publish the Annual Industry Report, and in this episode of MHI cast, we’re going to go over what members can expect from the 2022 edition.
2022-05-2400 min
MHI CastThe MODEX 2022 Innovation AwardsIn this episode of MHI Cast, we speak with the winners of the MODEX Innovation Awards, as presented by MHI. Guests include Jonathan Katz from Veryable, Jack Smylie from Ancra Systems, and Elliot Katz from Phantom Auto. Each guest shares about the innovations their tech has brought to their respective spaces over the past year.
2022-05-0527 minMHI CastThe MODEX 2022 Innovation AwardsIn this episode of MHI Cast, we speak with the winners of the MODEX Innovation Awards, as presented by MHI. Guests include Jonathan Katz from Veryable, Jack Smylie from Ancra Systems, and Elliot Katz from Phantom Auto. Each guest shares about the innovations their tech has brought to their respective spaces over the past year.
2022-05-0500 min
Radio Free Humanity: The Marxist-Humanist PodcastRFH Episode 67: A Metabolic Mess: On Foster & Clark’s “The Robbery of NatureThe co-hosts discuss Brendan’s just-published review-essay on John Bellamy Foster and Brett Clark’s 2020 book, The Robbery of Nature: Capitalism and the Ecological Rift, which Brendan found to be dishonest, inconsistent, irrelevant, and embarrassing.
After summarizing their theory of capitalism’s ecological crisis, Brendan explains that it fails to fit the facts: contrary to what Foster & Clark argue, the crisis is the product of economic growth, not economic stagnation. He then pinpoints important theoretical problems that plague their account, emphasizing that all the problems have a single source, the authors’ need to shoehorn the ecological crisis into the Monthly Review s...
2022-04-291h 04Radio Free Humanity: The Marxist-Humanist PodcastRFH Ep.64 Ukraine Fights for National Self-Determination Against Russian ImperialismAnne Jaclard of MHI and the co-hosts discuss the organization’s editorial, “Ukraine Fights for National Self-Determination Against Russian Imperialism.” Topics include: (1) the right of national self-determination; (2) Putin’s repudiation of this right to justify his imperialist invasion of Ukraine; (3) slaughter of Ukrainian civilians and displacement of millions; (4) opposition to the invasion within Ukraine, within Russia, and around the world; (5) “left” apologetics––blaming the US and NATO, support for a multi-polar capitalist order, and the effort to impose forced neutrality on Ukraine; (6) the nuclear threat; and (7) the relationship between Putinism and Trumpism.
Current-events segment: “Unite the Left to Defend Ukraine,” an appeal by the All...
2022-03-1359 minRadio Free Humanity: The Marxist-Humanist PodcastRFH Ep. 59 Ecological CrisisRFH Ep. 59 Ecological Crisis by MHI
2022-01-0759 minRadio Free Humanity: The Marxist-Humanist PodcastRFH Ep. 58 Triple ThreatRFH Ep. 58 Triple Threat by MHI
2021-12-241h 05Radio Free Humanity: The Marxist-Humanist PodcastRFH Ep. 57 Post RittenhouseThe co-hosts welcome Ron E. Turing and MHI’s Anne Jaclard to discuss the trials in Kenosha, Charlottesville, and Brunswick, Georgia. A participant in the Kenosha protests, Turing is the author of “Rittenhouse Verdict: Vigilante Violence against BLM Goes Unpunished.” They discuss Rittenhouse’s claim of “self-defense” and the right wing’s perversion of that concept, the presiding judge’s bias, whether the verdict in Kenosha will intimidate potential protesters, whether the verdicts in the Arbery and Charlottesville trials will slow the emboldening of racist vigilantes––and more.
Plus current-events segment: Supreme Stench––the Court’s prepares its overthrow of abortion rights.
2021-12-101h 03
MHI CastMHI’s Newest Industry Group – SLAMs into ActionThe supply chain is a long and complicated mechanism with many moving parts. From the point of manufacturing to the last 100 feet, this is an industry that has solutions for every touchpoint along the way.
In this episode of MHI cast, we’ll be focusing on that last 100 feet as we talk to the Chair and Vice-Chair of MHI’s newest industry group, SLAM – Scan, Label, Apply, Manifest.
2021-11-3010 minMHI CastMHI’s Newest Industry Group - SLAMs into ActionThe supply chain is a long and complicated mechanism with many moving parts. From the point of manufacturing to the last 100 feet, this is an industry that has solutions for every touchpoint along the way. In this episode of MHI cast, we’ll be focusing on that last 100 feet as we talk to the Chair and Vice-Chair of MHI’s newest industry group, SLAM – Scan, Label, Apply, Manifest.
2021-11-3000 minRadio Free Humanity: The Marxist-Humanist PodcastRFH Ep. 56 Jacobin's AutopsyRFH Ep. 56 Jacobin's Autopsy by MHI
2021-11-2645 minRadio Free Humanity: The Marxist-Humanist PodcastEpisode 50: Marxism vs. Resurgent Tankieism (interview with László Molnárfi, in Ireland)Episode 50: Marxism vs. Resurgent Tankieism (interview with László Molnárfi, in Ireland) by MHI
2021-08-251h 01
MHI CastIndustry Leadership ProgramLeadership is an incredibly important skill, which is why MHI created the Industry Leadership Program available for WERC and MHI members who are looking to grow into leadership positions or perhaps are new to the responsibilities involved.
2021-08-1616 minMHI CastIndustry Leadership ProgramLeadership is an incredibly important skill, which is why MHI created the Industry Leadership Program available for WERC and MHI members who are looking to grow into leadership positions or perhaps are new to the responsibilities involved.
2021-08-1600 minRadio Free Humanity: The Marxist-Humanist PodcastEpisode 48: Keith Kahn-Harris on Denialism––and Post-DenialismThe co-hosts welcome Keith Kahn-Harris, author of Denial: The Unspeakable Truth. They discuss what the various kinds of denialism have in common, strategies to fight denialism, and confronting the “post-denialist” environment into which Kahn-Harris thinks we’re moving. Much of the discussion focuses on his claims that denialism is a bad-faith strategy that people resort to when their true desires have become unspeakable, and that conflicts between denialists and their opponents are not just about the facts, but ultimately about morality.
Radio Free Humanity is a podcast covering news, politics and philosophy from a Marxist-Humanist perspective. It is co-hosted by Brenda...
2021-07-231h 02Radio Free Humanity: The Marxist-Humanist PodcastEpisode 47: Ravi Bali on Conducting Arguments in an Honest, Revolutionary MannerThe co-hosts welcome back Ravi Bali to discuss his recently-published essay, “On Conducting Arguments in an Honest, Revolutionary Manner.” Ravi explains why he thinks truth-seeking should be an important goal for revolutionaries, and why revolutionaries should debate differences among us, instead of assuming that it’s sufficient to agree about “the fundamentals.” He and the co-hosts also discuss procedures that allow for proper debate; examples of bad, and better, argumentative practices; and much more.
Radio Free Humanity is a podcast covering news, politics and philosophy from a Marxist-Humanist perspective. It is co-hosted by Brendan Cooney and Andrew Kliman. We intend to release...
2021-07-0957 minRadio Free Humanity: The Marxist-Humanist PodcastEpisode 46: Argumentation and Exploitation—Interview with Ben Burgis (Part 2)The co-hosts welcome back popular leftist podcast host Ben Burgis. Andrew continues to “give him an argument” about his endorsement of G. A. Cohen’s “plain argument” about capitalist exploitation. Ben responds. They also evaluate Marx’s theory of exploitation in its original form. A key point of contention is whether Andrew is merely objecting to Cohen’s premise that workers are the only people who create the product (as Ben insists), or whether Andrew accepts the premise (as he insists) but denies that Cohen’s premises lead to the conclusion that workers are exploited.
Plus current-events segment on “the Left” serving the...
2021-06-2559 minRadio Free Humanity: The Marxist-Humanist PodcastEpisode 45: Argumentation and Exploitation - Interview with Ben Burgis (Part 1)Radio Free Humanity is a podcast covering news, politics and philosophy from a Marxist-Humanist perspective. It is co-hosted by Brendan Cooney and Andrew Kliman. We intend to release new episodes every two weeks. Radio Free Humanity is sponsored by Marxist-Humanist Initiative (MHI), but the views expressed by the co-hosts and guests of Radio Free Humanity are
their own. They do not necessarily reflect the views and positions of MHI.
We welcome and encourage listeners’ comments, posted on this episode’s page of the MHI website.
Please visit MHI’s website for information on philosophy & organization, Marxist-Humanist archives, and its online public...
2021-06-121h 01Radio Free Humanity: The Marxist-Humanist PodcastEpisode 44: “The State and Revolution” ReconsideredThe co-hosts take a new look at V. I. Lenin’s 1917 work, The State and Revolution. They discuss the significance of its return to Marx and Engels’ view that the state machine needs to be broken (“smashed”)––it isn’t a neutral mechanism that can simply be taken over––and how this differed from orthodox post-Marx Marxism. They also discuss the work’s relevance to today’s struggle for Black lives and why Lenin developed his argument through careful interpretation of what Marx and Engels wrote. In the latter part of the segment, they turn to the economic dimension of The State and Revoluti...
2021-05-281h 04Radio Free Humanity: The Marxist-Humanist PodcastEpisode 43: The Struggle for Black Lives After the Minneapolis VerdictBrendan and Andrew welcome Gabriel Donnelly, author of “Minneapolis After the Third Precinct,” and Anne Jaclard and Aaron Williams, main authors of Marxist-Humanist Initiative’s (MHI’s) editorial, “On the Conviction of George Floyd’s Murderer.” They discuss the implications of the verdict in Minneapolis––was it justice, a victory for Black Lives Matter, a breakthrough in the struggle for police accountability?––as well as Justice Department investigations of police departments, police-reform legislation, and how the struggle for Black lives can move forward now. Donnelly discusses why the Minneapolis police department wasn’t dismantled, even though a veto-proof majority of the city council voted t...
2021-05-161h 03MHI Cast2021 MHI Innovation Awards
The MHI Innovation Awards are our way of joining the need of the attendees, who came to ProMatDX for their supply chain needs, with the innovative products our exhibitors have developed.
In this episode, we’re speaking with the winners of the 2021 MHI Innovation Awards to find out about their solutions and what effect they’ll have on your supply chain.
2021-05-1014 minMHI Cast2021 MHI Innovation AwardsThe MHI Innovation Awards are our way of joining the need of the attendees, who came to ProMatDX for their supply chain needs, with the innovative products our exhibitors have developed. In this episode, we’re speaking with the winners of the 2021 MHI Innovation Awards to find out about their solutions and what effect they’ll have on your supply chain.
2021-05-1000 minRadio Free Humanity: The Marxist-Humanist PodcastEpisode 42: A Libertarian Walks Into a Bear - interview with Matthew Hongoltz-HetlingRadio Free Humanity is a podcast covering news, politics and philosophy from a Marxist-Humanist perspective. It is co-hosted by Brendan Cooney and Andrew Kliman. We intend to release new episodes every two weeks. Radio Free Humanity is sponsored by Marxist-Humanist Initiative (MHI), but the views expressed by the co-hosts and guests of Radio Free Humanity are their own. They do not necessarily reflect the views and positions of MHI.
We welcome and encourage listeners’ comments, posted on this episode’s page of the MHI website.
Please visit MHI’s website for information on philosophy & organization, Marxist-Humanist archives, and its online public...
2021-04-301h 00
MHI Cast2021 MHI Annual Industry ReportIn this episode of the MHI cast, we’re speaking with the panel of experts from ProMatDX about the 2021 MHI Annual Industry Report – “Innovation Driven Resilience: How Technology and Innovation Help Supply Chains Thrive in Unprecedented Times.”
2021-04-1613 minRadio Free Humanity: The Marxist-Humanist PodcastEpisode 40: COVID-19 Containment and the “Freedom-Loving” BacklashJoining the co-hosts are Dr. Michael Fitzpatrick, a London physician active in the fight against COVID; John Gillott, a British sociologist of science and author of Bioscience, Governance and Politics; and Ravi Bali of Marxist-Humanist Initiative. They discuss governmental efforts to contain the pandemic, the backlash against these efforts—often justified by invocations of “freedom”––in the United Kingdom as well as the United States, and how opponents of containment efforts have spread misinformation. Some of the discussion focuses on recent articles, by Fitzpatrick and by Gillott, which criticize the “lockdown-skeptical” line taken by Spiked, a British online publication that emerged out of...
2021-04-021h 01Radio Free Humanity: The Marxist-Humanist PodcastEpisode 39: Michael Heinrich and F. H. Pitts’ Attempt to Eliminate Marx’s Crisis TheoryRadio Free Humanity is a podcast covering news, politics and philosophy from a Marxist-Humanist perspective. It is co-hosted by Brendan Cooney and Andrew Kliman. We intend to release new episodes every two weeks. Radio Free Humanity is sponsored by Marxist-Humanist Initiative (MHI), but the views expressed by the co-hosts and guests of Radio Free Humanity are their own. They do not necessarily reflect the views and positions of MHI.
We welcome and encourage listeners’ comments, posted on this episode’s page of the MHI website.
Please visit MHI’s website for information on philosophy & organization, Marxist-Humanist archives, and its online public...
2021-03-201h 01MHI Cast2021 MHI Annual Industry ReportIn this episode of the MHI cast, we’re speaking with the panel of experts from ProMatDX about the 2021 MHI Annual Industry Report - “Innovation Driven Resilience: How Technology and Innovation Help Supply Chains Thrive in Unprecedented Times.”
2021-03-1400 minRadio Free Humanity: The Marxist-Humanist PodcastTrump’s Base––Interview with David Norman Smith (Part 2) -- Ep. 38The co-hosts continue their interview with David Norman Smith (https://www.marxisthumanistinitiative.org/episode-36-trumps-base-interview-with-david-norman-smith-part-1), a sociologist at the University of Kansas, about his research into the characteristics of Trump supporters and why they support Trump. Smith discusses questions about authoritarian attitudes that he contributed to a major voter survey, links between prejudice and desire for authoritarian leadership, and how Trump supporters’ attitudes compare to those of other voters. He and the co-costs also explore different views of economic policy within Trump’s base and whether support for Trump is due to “economic anxiety.” Much of the discussion deals with the “74...
2021-03-0658 minRadio Free Humanity: The Marxist-Humanist PodcastAOC’s Well-Being vs. Greenwald’s Sexist, Red-Brown Politics -- Ep. 37Anne Jaclard of Marxist-Humanist Initiative and the co-hosts defend Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s video (https://www.instagram.com/p/CKxlyx4g-Yb/?hl=en) on the Trumpites’ fascistic Capitol Insurrection, and AOC’s refusal to collaborate with Ted Cruz, against Glenn Greenwald’s sexist, red-brown attack on her (starting at 11:17 here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_tpgGvUUro). Much of the discussion focuses on Greenwald’s presumption that women who suffer no physical injury haven’t been harmed, and on the desire to unite “the left” and “the right” that underlies his rant. Limitations of other criticisms of Greenwald from the left are explore...
2021-02-2059 minRadio Free Humanity: The Marxist-Humanist PodcastTrump’s Base––Interview with David Norman Smith (Part 1) -- Ep. 36The co-hosts interview David Norman Smith, a sociologist at the University of Kansas, about his research into the characteristics of Trump supporters and why they support Trump. Smith discusses questions about authoritarian attitudes that he contributed to a major voter survey, links between prejudice and desire for authoritarian leadership, and how Trump supporters’ attitudes compare to those of other voters. He and the co-costs also explore different views of economic policy within Trump’s base and whether support for Trump is due to “economic anxiety.” Much of the discussion deals with the “74.2 Million Question”––why is support for Trump so unshakeable?––an...
2021-02-061h 00Radio Free Humanity: The Marxist-Humanist PodcastDunayevskaya on the Independence of the Black Struggle from the “General Class Struggle” -- Ep. 35Brendan and Andrew take a new look at the extensive “notes” that Raya Dunayevskaya made (https://www.marxisthumanistinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/RD-on-Coolidge.pdf) in preparation for a May 1946 Workers Party debate with “David Coolidge” (Ernest Rice McKinney) on the “Negro Question.” Coolidge held that class oppression is “primary” while racial oppression is “secondary”––a view that has resurfaced in recent years in Jacobin magazine and elsewhere (see our “Jaco-dustbin of History” ep.) (https://www.marxisthumanistinitiative.org/episode-21-consigned-to-the-jaco-dustbin-of-history). Similarly, Coolidge rejected, while Dunayevskaya advocated, the idea that revolutionaries should support an independent Black movement distinct from the “labor movement,” and their attitudes toward national...
2021-01-231h 06Radio Free Humanity: The Marxist-Humanist PodcastDunayevskaya on the “Vulgarization of Marxism” and Russian State-Capitalism -- Ep. 34Brendan and Andrew take a new look at Raya Dunayevskaya’s 1944 polemic, “A Restatement of Some Fundamentals of Marxism Against Carter’s Vulgarization.” (https://www.marxisthumanistinitiative.org/a-restatement-of-some-fundamentals-of-marxism-against-carters-vulgarization-2) They explore its relevance to vulgarizations of Marxism that we confront today, which identify surface manifestations of capitalism as the system’s essence.
The discussion also situates Dunayevskaya’s contribution within its political-theoretical context—a debate over whether Stalinist Russia was a bureaucratic collectivist or a state-capitalist society. Joseph Carter, a leading Workers Party theorist and proponent of the former view, argued that Russia could not be capitalist because it was not dominated by t...
2021-01-091h 00Radio Free Humanity: The Marxist-Humanist PodcastMaking Marx Make Sense: The Early Years -- Ep. 32Brendan interviews Andrew about his role in the development of the temporal single-system interpretation of Karl Marx’s value theory (TSSI). The interview focuses especially on Andrew’s personal experiences during the early years. In response to charges that Marx’s value theory and falling-rate-of-profit theory are logically invalid––leveled with increasing stridency in the late 1970s and early 1980s––Andrew and others independently discovered the TSSI and thereby showed that the logical errors attributed to Marx are actually created by his critics’ misinterpretations.
In the episode’s current-events segment, the co-hosts discuss recent Salon pieces by Amanda Marcotte (https://www.salon.com/2020...
2020-12-0557 min
MHI CastMHI’s Solutions CommunityIn this episode, we talk with John Reichert and John Ashodian about MHI’s Solutions Community, which recently held its fall meeting. Find out how Community members are using their unique perspectives to help the supply chain industry during the pandemic.
2020-11-2310 minMHI CastMHI’s Solutions CommunityIn this episode, we talk with John Reichert and John Ashodian about MHI’s Solutions Community, which recently held its fall meeting. Find out how Community members are using their unique perspectives to help the supply chain industry during the pandemic.
2020-11-2300 minRadio Free Humanity: The Marxist-Humanist PodcastMarx’s Crisis Theory: New Spanish Defense -- Ep. 31Brendan and Andrew welcome back (https://www.marxisthumanistinitiative.org/episode-19-spanish-edition-of-reclaiming-marxs-capital-interview-with-translator) Guillem Murcia López, a translator of the Spanish edition (https://www.elviejotopo.com/libro/reivindicando-el-capital-de-marx/) of Reclaiming Marx’s “Capital.” They discuss a forthcoming Spanish book collection that defends various dimensions of Marx’s work. The interview focuses on a chapter by Guillem that pushes back against the criticisms––in an influential book (https://www.akal.com/libro/el-orden-de-el-capital_34494/) by Spanish leftists Luis Alegre and Carlos Fernández Liria––of Marx’s falling-rate-of-profit theory and its place within his theory of economic crisis. Guillem argues that their criticisms rest on a discredite...
2020-11-2159 minRadio Free Humanity: The Marxist-Humanist PodcastUse-Value and Exchange-Value … and Value: Ep. 30The co-hosts discuss a Yale University colloquium talk, “Use-Value and Exchange-Value … and Value,” that Andrew delivered on October 7. Much of the discussion is about common misconceptions regarding the concepts and the relations among them. The co-hosts also discuss how the key opposition in Marx’s theory––between use-value and value––differs from the opposition between use-value and exchange-value that classical economists had focused on, and the significance of this difference for revolutionary theory and practice. And Brendan inquires about Andrew’s writing process.
The video of the colloquium talk and the discussion that followed, the text of Andrew’s text, and the quotations h...
2020-11-071h 03Radio Free Humanity: The Marxist-Humanist PodcastKenya’s Response to COVID-19 (contrasted to that of Trumpist USA) -- Ep. 29The co-hosts and Anne Jaclard interview Dr. Pauline Muchina, author of “Please Aid Kenyan Children & Women Facing COVID-19, Floods, Locusts.” (https://www.marxisthumanistinitiative.org/international-news/please-aid-kenyan-children-women-facing-covid-19-floods-locust.html) Although Kenya is much poorer than the United States, and corruption remains rampant there, the death rate from COVID-19 in Kenya is only two percent of the US rate. Muchina accounts for this difference by discussing how the government, the public, and civil-society organizations in Kenya have responded to the pandemic. During the interview (recorded on Sept. 11), the participants also discuss Kenya’s other social and economic problems (debt, ethnic violence, land distri...
2020-10-241h 03Radio Free Humanity: The Marxist-Humanist PodcastLebanon’s Protest Movement Since the Beirut Explosion -- Ep. 28Jade Saab, who previously appeared on the podcast to discuss “The Uprising in Lebanon,” (https://www.marxisthumanistinitiative.org/episode-6-the-uprising-in-lebanon) returns to provide an update in the wake of the explosion in August that devastated Beirut and triggered the resignation of Lebanon’s government. He and the co-hosts discuss how the country’s protest movement has responded to these and other events; the role that the French government has been playing; and the future of Lebanon’s current political system, based on power-sharing among religious sects. The segment concludes with a discussion of the role of activity, and the role of thought...
2020-10-101h 02MHI CastThe Rise of Robotics in Material HandlingIn this episode of MHI Cast, we talk with two members of The Robotics Group, Matt Kulp and Tyler McCoy. TRG is MHI’s newest Industry Group. Its goal is to inspire user confidence and foster the adoption of robotic solutions in supply chain applications.
2020-09-3012 minMHI CastThe Rise of Robotics in Material HandlingIn this episode of MHI Cast, we talk with two members of The Robotics Group, Matt Kulp and Tyler McCoy. TRG is MHI’s newest Industry Group. Its goal is to inspire user confidence and foster the adoption of robotic solutions in supply chain applications.
2020-09-3000 minRadio Free Humanity: The Marxist-Humanist PodcastReading “American Civilization on Trial” in Costa Rica -- Ep. 27Raya Dunayevskaya’s pamphlet, “American Civilization on Trial: Black Masses as Vanguard” (ACOT) (http://www.marxisthumanistinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/American-Civilization-on-Trial.pdf) argues that the pivotal moments of forward movement in the US have always been those moments when white working people took their lead from the black masses and coalesced with them. When some young Costa Rican progressives read Marxist-Humanist Initiative’s (MHI’s) editorial on the uprising following George Floyd’s murder (https://www.marxisthumanistinitiative.org/mhieditorial/us-explodes-with-protests-over-police-murder-of-george-floyd.html), which drew attention to Dunayevsakaya’s argument, they decided to read ACOT. They formed a study group, in which Anne Jaclard of MHI...
2020-09-261h 02Radio Free Humanity: The Marxist-Humanist PodcastDialogue with Patrick Murray on the Value-Form Paradigm, Part 2 -- Ep. 26Brendan and Andrew continue their dialogue with Patrick Murray, the noted value-form theorist. (The value-form paradigm is a Marx-inspired strand of political economy that focuses on the market.) Patrick responds to Andrew’s arguments that Marx’s views on the origin of profit, intra-firm trade, and the quantity theory of money presuppose that commodities’ prices are determined before they are sold. And, as in Part 1 (https://www.marxisthumanistinitiative.org/episode-25-dialogue-with-patrick-murray-on-the-value-form-paradigm-part-1), much of the discussion focuses on whether, in Marx’s theory, a commodity’s value is only potential before it is sold; whether “co-constitutive” value-form theory collapses into a more extreme v...
2020-09-131h 06Radio Free Humanity: The Marxist-Humanist PodcastDialogue with Patrick Murray on the Value-Form Paradigm, Part 1 -- Ep. 25Brendan and Andrew welcome Patrick Murray, the noted value-form theorist, onto the podcast. (The value-form paradigm is a Marx-inspired strand of political economy that focuses on the market.) Patrick responds to the recent, two-episode RFH discussion––“The Value-Form Paradigm vs. Marx’s ‘Capital’”––and enters into extended dialogue with the co-hosts. Much of the discussion focuses on whether, in Marx’s theory, a commodity’s value is only potential before it is sold; whether “co-constitutive” value-form theory collapses into a more extreme version in which actual values are ultimately determined only in exchange; and whether Marx held that the magnitude of a commodity’s value is...
2020-08-291h 01Radio Free Humanity: The Marxist-Humanist PodcastThe Rise of the Extreme Right in Europe -- Ep. 23The co-hosts interview Ralph Keller, who has been studying the resurgence of the extreme right in Germany and elsewhere in the European Union. They discuss the extent of the resurgence; why the resurgence is taking place; the influence of far-right ideas on ordinary people; and mainstream political parties’ appropriation of far-right ideas. Although no extreme-right group is yet in government anywhere in the European Union, Keller argues that the resurgence of the extreme right should nonetheless be an urgent matter of concern now, because its influence extends far beyond its hard-core adherents. He and the co-hosts also discuss the relationship be...
2020-07-311h 00Radio Free Humanity: The Marxist-Humanist PodcastA Post-Capitalist Future––Not by Politics Alone -- Ep. 22Brendan interviews Andrew about his With Sober Senses essay, “Not by Politics Alone: Thinking Through a Post-Capitalist Future.” (https://www.marxisthumanistinitiative.org/alternatives-to-capital/not-by-politics-alone-thinking-through-a-post-capitalist-future.html) They discuss what’s wrong with thinking that we can transcend capitalism simply through decentralized decision-making, or experimentation, or by putting different people, with different priorities, into power—and why it’s dangerous to put the whole burden of working out answers on the backs of the completely “new people” that revolution will supposedly create. The discussion calls attention to the economic problems that will need to be solved, such as the need for economic coordination...
2020-07-181h 03Radio Free Humanity: The Marxist-Humanist PodcastConsigned to the Jaco-dustbin of History -- Ep. 21Owing to the leading role of African-Americans, Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign imploded, and now an uprising for Black lives and against police violence has swept the US and the world. The co-hosts lay out the case that these events have delivered body blows to the theory and strategy of Jacobin magazine and others on the anti-neoliberal “left,” consigning them to the Jaco-dustbin of history.
Brendan and Andrew argue that the recent upsurge constitutes mass repudiation of so-called “class-based”—economistic and color-blind––politics. They also argue that Sanders’ campaign imploded, not because of directives issued by Democratic Party bosses, but because voters, led by mil...
2020-07-041h 06Radio Free Humanity: The Marxist-Humanist PodcastCockshott versus Marx––Interview with “RV” -- Ep. 20Scottish computer scientist Paul Cockshott and his devotees have frequently portrayed Marx as a proponent of their own “labor theory of value.” But a recent essay by “RV,” (https://paulcockshott.wordpress.com/2020/05/17/guest-post-pauls-theory-and-marxs-theory-of-value-a-response/) a young Belgian activist and theorist, has exposed sharp differences between Cockshott’s theory and Marx’s actual theory. In this interview, RV explains to the co-hosts what the differences are, why they are important, and what impelled him to push back against the efforts to “force Marx, at all costs, to hold” Cockshott’s theory. They also discuss RV’s suggestion that we should let these two different theori...
2020-06-191h 02Radio Free Humanity: The Marxist-Humanist PodcastEpisode 19: Spanish Edition of “Reclaiming Marx’s ‘Capital’”––Interview with TranslatorThe co-hosts interview Guillem Murcia López, a translator of the just-published Spanish edition (https://www.elviejotopo.com/libro/reivindicando-el-capital-de-marx/) of Andrew’s book Reclaiming Marx’s “Capital’: A Refutation of the Myth of Inconsistency (https://www.marxisthumanistinitiative.org/product/reclaiming-marxs-capital). They discuss the book’s political and intellectual relevance to Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries, the work involved in translating it and securing its publication in Spain, the phenomenon of academics building their careers around their own clever "corrections" of Marx, and more. Later in the interview, Brendan has Andrew explain how the temporal single-system interpretation of Marx’s value theory...
2020-06-061h 02
MHI CastMHI’s 2020 Innovation AwardsOn this episode of the MHI cast, we are joined by Greg Baer, MHI’s Director of Sales, as well as the three winners of our 2020 Innovation Awards. Jeff Papadelis, Jeff Hedges and Jonathan Hurst each describe the innovation that won their company an Innovation Award at MODEX 2020.
2020-05-2928 minMHI CastMHI’s 2020 Innovation AwardsOn this episode of the MHI cast, we are joined by Greg Baer, MHI’s Director of Sales, as well as the three winners of our 2020 Innovation Awards. Jeff Papadelis, Jeff Hedges and Jonathan Hurst each describe the innovation that won their company an Innovation Award at MODEX 2020.
2020-05-2900 minRadio Free Humanity: The Marxist-Humanist PodcastThe Value-Form Paradigm vs. Marx’s “Capital,” Part 2 -- Ep. 18The second half of a two-part interview on the “value-form paradigm”—a Marx-inspired and market-focused strand of political economy. Some years ago, the noted value-form theorist Patrick Murray (http://copejournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/patrick-murray-avoiding-bad-abstractions.pdf) responded to criticisms of the paradigm, leveled by Andrew (http://copejournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/andrew-kliman-on-capitalism_s-historical-specificity-and-price-determination.pdf) and others in a published symposium. (http://copejournal.com/critique-of-political-economy-vol-1/) In this episode––guided by Brendan’s questioning, and for the first time anywhere––Andrew continues his reply to Murray.
The co-hosts discuss the source of profits, the quantity theory of money, and intra-firm trade. The discussion focuses on Andrew’s argu...
2020-05-231h 06
MHI CastRack SafetyThe late Dan Clapp, former Chairman of RMI’s Engineering committee discusses rack safety and why it is so important.
RMI had two presentations at MODEX this year and you can listen to both of them on MHI Cast.
Listen to Dan’s presentation on Storage Rack Safety 101 HERE or Carlos Oliver’s presentation, Planning Your Rack System & Traditional and E-Commerce HERE.
For other RMI resources, visit mhi.org/rmi.
2020-05-1213 minMHI CastRack SafetyThe late Dan Clapp, former Chairman of RMI’s Engineering committee discusses rack safety and why it is so important. RMI had two presentations at MODEX this year and you can listen to both of them on MHI Cast. Listen to Dan’s presentation on Storage Rack Safety 101 HERE or Carlos Oliver’s presentation, Planning Your Rack System & Traditional and E-Commerce HERE. For other RMI resources, visit mhi.org/rmi.
2020-05-1200 minRadio Free Humanity: The Marxist-Humanist PodcastThe Value-Form Paradigm vs. Marx’s “Capital,” Part 1 -- Ep. 17Some years ago, Andrew participated in a published symposium (http://www.copejournal.com/critique-of-political-economy-vol-1/) on the “value-form paradigm”—a Marx-inspired and market-focused strand of political economy. Andrew (http://www.copejournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/andrew-kliman-on-capitalism_s-historical-specificity-and-price-determination.pdf) and others criticized the value-form paradigm, and the noted value-form theorist Patrick Murray (http://www.copejournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/patrick-murray-avoiding-bad-abstractions.pdf) responded to them.
In this episode (and a future one), Andrew replies to Murray’s paper—for the first time anywhere. He and Brendan discuss differences between Marx and value-form theory regarding how commodities’ values are determined and whether capitalism is essentially a monetary sys...
2020-05-0859 min
Radio Free Humanity: The Marxist-Humanist PodcastDunayevskaya’s Revolutionary Interpretation of Hegel’s Dialectical Philosophy -- Ep. 15Brendan interviews Andrew about his just-published With Sober Senses article, “Ceaseless Self-Movement: Dunayevskaya’s Interpretation of the Dialectic of the Absolute.” (https://www.marxisthumanistinitiative.org/philosophy-organization/ceaseless-self-movement-dunayevskayas-interpretation-of-the-dialectic-of-the-absolute.html) They discuss Hegel’s concept of “absolute negativity” and its importance to Marx’s and Dunayevskaya’s understanding of the process of revolutionary transformation. The discussion also highlights Dunayevskaya’s radical break from the tradition of "post-Marx Marxists," who held that the Hegelian dialectic culminates in a “synthesis,” a closed system that reconciles all contradiction. Brendan and Andrew then explore the claim that Dunayevskaya was misreading Hegel.
In this episode’s current-events segment, the co-hosts di...
2020-04-111h 06
MHI CastEmbracing the Digital MindsetMHI CEO, George Prest, and Thomas Boykin of
Deloitte, discuss the theme of the 2020 MHI Annual
Industry Report – embracing the digital mindset.
2020-03-3015 minMHI CastEmbracing the Digital MindsetMHI CEO, George Prest, and Thomas Boykin of Deloitte, discuss the theme of the 2020 MHI Annual Industry Report – embracing the digital mindset.
2020-03-3000 minRadio Free Humanity: The Marxist-Humanist PodcastThe New Game-Changing Inequality Database -- Ep. 14The co-hosts discuss the new prototype account for the distribution of “personal income” (https://www.bea.gov/data/special-topics/distribution-of-personal-income)—what share of income is obtained by the top 1%, the bottom 10%, and so on—unveiled earlier this month by the U.S. government agency that reports Gross Domestic Product statistics. Andrew thinks that this new “distributional national account” is likely to soon change the ways in which we discuss and think about income inequality; Brendan finds out why. They also discuss how the government’s conclusions, and its approach to measuring income inequality, differ from those of the “distributional national account” that Th...
2020-03-281h 07Radio Free Humanity: The Marxist-Humanist PodcastThe Tankie Craze, Part 2—Disillusioned Radical Youth Fighting Stalinism -- Ep. 13In a previous episode of this podcast series (https://www.marxisthumanistinitiative.org/episode-9-the-tankie-craze-resurgent-stalinism-among-youth), MHI organizational secretary Anne Jaclard discussed her relationships with former “Tankie” and “soft-Stalinist” youth who are now disillusioned with Stalinism and have reached out to MHI. The latest episode features two of these youth––Logan and James (last names withheld). They join Anne and the co-hosts to discuss what attracted them to Stalinism, their experiences, and why they became disillusioned with it. They also reflect on why Stalinism attracts other young people, how to combat it, and why they have turned toward Marxist-Humanism.
In this episode’s current-even...
2020-03-131h 04
2020-03-1135 minMHI CastSolutions Community of MHI : Do you have a Labor Shortage? The Solutions Community of MHI can helpThis will include ideas on the latest warehouse labor savings and labor savings process improvements.
2020-03-1138 min2020-03-1100 minMHI CastSolutions Community of MHI : Do you have a Labor Shortage? The Solutions Community of MHI can helpThis will include ideas on the latest warehouse labor savings and labor savings process improvements.
2020-03-1100 minMHI CastHow MHI’s Solutions Community is Tackling Labor ShortagesMHI’s Executive VP of Membership and Industry Leadership, Christian Dow, discusses the tools MHI’s Solutions Community offers to members to address supply chain labor shortages– ahead of their MODEX 2020 session, “Solutions Community of MHI: Do You Have a Labor Shortage? The Solutions Community of MHI Can Help”.
2020-03-1013 minMHI CastHow MHI's Solutions Community is Tackling Labor ShortagesMHI's Executive VP of Membership and Industry Leadership, Christian Dow, discusses the tools MHI's Solutions Community offers to members to address supply chain labor shortages– ahead of their MODEX 2020 session, "Solutions Community of MHI: Do You Have a Labor Shortage? The Solutions Community of MHI Can Help".
2020-03-0900 minRadio Free Humanity: The Marxist-Humanist PodcastInequality of Wealth in the U.S. -- Ep. 12Brendan interviews Andrew about his recent study “Wealth Inequality in the U.S.: Its Level, Trend, and Significance” (https://www.marxisthumanistinitiative.org/economics/wealth-inequality-in-the-u-s-its-level-trend-and-significance.html). They discuss differences between what the wealthy own and what working people own––the massive difference in the amount, but also how the “wealth” of the working class differs in kind from the capital owned by the wealthy. They also discuss why Emmanuel Saez and Gabriel Zucman (associates of Thomas Piketty) claim that inequality of wealth has skyrocketed while other researchers dispute this, and how and why politicians like Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren are making use o...
2020-02-281h 04Radio Free Humanity: The Marxist-Humanist PodcastDefending, and Transcending, Liberal Democracy -- Ep. 11The co-hosts interview Adam Plante, a young New York City education activist and Marxist-Humanist thinker, about his work on liberal democracy. With respect to the current moment, they discuss such topics as Plante’s view that the rise of Trump and other authoritarian strongmen is a threat specifically to socialist values; why the threat of Trumpism has been minimized; Plante’s contention that the actions of “leftists” who remain silent and or encourage Trump are literally suicidal; his thoughts on efforts by anti-neoliberal “leftists” to appeal to Trump’s base; and why Plante himself didn’t get swept up in soft-on-Trump “l...
2020-02-141h 06
Radio Free Humanity: The Marxist-Humanist PodcastMarx’s “Critique of the Gotha Program” -- Ep. 10Brendan and Andrew discuss Karl Marx’s Critique of the Gotha Program (https://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1875/gotha/), written in 1875 to oppose the merger of two German socialist parties—one of which was supposedly Marxist—and the program of the new united party. The discussion focuses largely on the Critique’s commentary on the nature of a communist society, the transformation from one mode of production to another (and the corresponding political transition period), and the challenges of achieving real equality and freedom within a newly created communist society. Brendan and Andrew also explore the significance of Marx’s critique...
2020-01-311h 03
Radio Free Humanity: The Marxist-Humanist PodcastThe Tankie Craze--Resurgent Stalinism among Youth -- Ep. 9Anne Jaclard, MHI’s organizational secretary and a veteran of the left ever since the 1960s, joins Brendan and Andrew to discuss and offer follow-up reflections on “Both Times as Tragedy: the Resurgence of Stalinism among Today’s ‘Left’ Youth,” (https://www.marxisthumanistinitiative.org/philosophy-organization/video-mhi-panels-at-left-forum-conference-confronting-right-left-authoritarianism-confronting-trumpism.html) a talk she gave at last year’s Left Forum. They discuss her surprise upon discovering this retrograde trend; former “Tankie” youth who are now disillusioned with Stalinism and have reached out to MHI; why it is important for socialists to oppose the resurgence of Stalinism; and how to combat it. The discussion grapples with why...
2020-01-171h 01
Radio Free Humanity: The Marxist-Humanist PodcastA Long Journey From Marxists to Marx, Part 2 -- Ep. 8This is the long-promised second part of Brendan Cooney’s reflections on his political-theoretical evolution, in an interview conducted by his RFH co-host, Andrew Kliman. The discussion now turns mainly to Brendan’s critique of David Harvey’s theory of capitalist economic crisis.
This concluding part of the interview should be listened to in conjunction with Part 1 (Episode 5) (https://www.marxisthumanistinitiative.org/episode-5-a-long-journey-from-marxists-to-marx-part-1), which mapped Brendan’s initial attraction to thinkers such as Harvey, his eventual disillusionment, and his journey to Marxist-Humanism. It focused especially on what Brendan has called “That 70’s Show”––the intellectual climate in which the work of such think...
2020-01-0355 min
Radio Free Humanity: The Marxist-Humanist PodcastImplications of the UK Elections -- Ep. 7Why was the Labour Party trounced so decisively in the December 12 parliamentary elections? What lessons should the pro-Corbyn left take away from the elections? Given that the strategy of much of the US left—including heavy emphasis on economic populism—is similar in striking ways to Labour’s, do the election results contain lessons for it as well? And how has the election affected the likelihood of the UK’s exit from the European Union?
The co-hosts discuss these and other issues with Ravi Bali, a London-based housing activist and Marxist-Humanist. Their three-way dialogue is part of MHI’s effort to develop...
2019-12-201h 00
Radio Free Humanity: The Marxist-Humanist PodcastThe Uprising in Lebanon -- Ep. 6The co-hosts interview Jade Saab, a Lebanese-Canadian Ph.D. student and author of “Uprising in Lebanon Aims to Replace Entire Political System,” published last month in With Sober Senses. Saab provides us with an update on the state of revolt since his article was published and engages in additional reflections on the uprising and its trajectory.
Some of the issues discussed in the interview are: the roots and causes of the continuing uprising in Lebanon; the movement’s demands; the social composition of and differences within the movement; and the directions in which Lebanon might go if the revolt succeeds in ove...
2019-12-061h 10
Radio Free Humanity: The Marxist-Humanist PodcastA Long Journey From Marxists to Marx Part 1 -- Ep. 5Brendan Cooney reflects on his political-theoretical evolution in this two-part interview, conducted by his RFH co-host, Andrew Kliman. They discuss the founding of his educational blog, Kapitalism101; Brendan’s initial attraction to thinkers such as David Harvey; his eventual disillusionment; and his journey to Marxist-Humanism. Part 1 of the interview focuses especially on what Brendan has called “That 70’s Show”––the intellectual climate in which the work of Harvey and others is rooted, in which “[a] false-dichotomy between ‘open-minded reinterpretations’ and ‘deterministic orthodoxy’ is too-often erected as a substitute for a real argument.” In Part 2 (which will be the main segment of Episode 6 of RFH) the...
2019-11-2259 min
Radio Free Humanity: The Marxist-Humanist PodcastGreen New Deal, Interview with Brendan Cooney -- Ep. 4RFH co-host Brendan Cooney has written and spoken extensively about “left economic populism,” including the Green New Deal (GND). In this episode, Andrew interviews Brendan about the GND, both as environmental policy and as left-populist politics. The interview includes a discussion of Brendan’s provocative call for “More Green, Less New Deal,” Bernie Sanders’ GND plan, the lack of realism of GND proposals (and why that matters)—and much more.
In this episode’s current-events segment, Brendan and Andrew discuss Paul Heideman’s recent Jacobin magazine article on “white working-class” Trump voters, which doesn’t quite promise that a Democratic Party committed to econo...
2019-11-081h 08
Radio Free Humanity: The Marxist-Humanist PodcastBrexit-Interview with Chris Gilligan -- Ep. 3The United Kingdom is scheduled to leave the European Union at the end of this month. Are Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s strong-arm tactics going to succeed in making Brexit happen now, “deal or no deal”? And would that be good or bad—and for whom? Is Brexit moving UK politics in a more reactionary direction?
These are among main questions we discuss with Chris Gilligan, a UK pro-migration activist and author of Northern Ireland and the Crisis of Anti-racism, in this episode of Radio Free Humanity. We also discuss claims by both the Remain and Leave camps that the other si...
2019-10-2558 min
Radio Free Humanity: The Marxist-Humanist PodcastFighting White Nationalism. Episode 2Radio Free Humanity: The Marxist-Humanist Podcast
Ep. 2: Fighting White Nationalism
In this episode of “Radio Free Humanity: The Marxist-Humanist Podcast,” we draw lessons from Karl Marx’s political writings to better understand the political orientation needed today to best fight the scourge of white nationalism. Andrew Kliman discusses some of his writings on this topic. You can read more about this in Part 5 of Marxist-Humanist Initiative’s 2018 document “Resisting Trumpist Reaction (and Left Accommodation)”:
https://www.marxisthumanistinitiative.org/mhieditorial/resisting-trumpist-reaction-and-left-accommodation-marxist-humanist-initiatives-perspectives-for-2018.html
We also discuss a presentation that Andrew gave at the Left Forum in NYC on June 30th of 2019. You can view the...
2019-10-111h 04
Radio Free Humanity: The Marxist-Humanist PodcastObama-Trump Voters. Episode 1Why did some Obama voters flip to Trump in 2016? Some have argued that Obama-Trump voters were motivated by anti-neoliberal sentiment and that therefore the left should pander to the interests of this “forgotten white working class.” However, evidence suggest that this claim of the anti-neoliberal Obama-Trump voter is not accurate. In this episode we get to the bottom of the mystery of the Obama-Trump voter. We will be discussing Andrew Kliman’s recent work analyzing Obama-Trump voters, contrasting his findings with the thinking of much of the mainstream left.
In this episode we also take a moment to discuss some of the...
2019-09-2754 min