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.

Podcasting since 2021 • 326 episodes

Varn Vlog

Latest Episodes

Doomscolling Through Fandom to Politics: Unraveling the Digital Influence on Ideologies with Joshua Citarella

Exploring the intersection of fandom culture and political engagement reveals a new landscape of activism and ideology. Our discussion with Joshua Citarella of Doomscroll emphasizes how passionate fandoms are shaping today's political cli...

March 31, 2025 • Season 2 • Episode 7 • 3:01:01

Cultural Shifts in the Age of Social Media from Art Bell to TikTok with Katherine Dee

Katherine Dee, the writer behind the "Default Blog" on Substack, joins us to explore the unexpected legacy of Art Bell and how his non-political, free-form radio style contrasts with today's charged conspiracy culture. Discover the intriguing i...

March 24, 2025 • Season 2 • Episode 5 • 1:37:29

Liberalism Meets Socialism: Unpacking Their Surprising Connections with Matt McManus

We begin a NEW season here at Varn Vlog after 4 years of recording. The episode explores the complexities of liberal socialism, emphasizing its potential to bridge the ideals of liberalism and socialism through mutual values like equality and f...

March 17, 2025 • Season 2 • Episode 4 • 1:00:38

The Paradoxical Paths of Noam Chomsky with Dr. Chris Knight

The episode dives into the complex duality of Noam Chomsky as a linguist and an activist, revealing the schism between his scientific work and political beliefs. Through insights from Dr. Chris Knight, listeners explore how Chomsky's theories, ...

March 10, 2025 • Season 2 • Episode 3 • 1:34:10

Constitutional Crossroads: Examining Trump's Impact on American Democracy with Elijah Emery

What if the very pillars of American democracy are being shaken right before our eyes? Join me and our insightful guest, Elijah Emery, a law student with a keen eye for constitutional intricacies, as we explore the Trump administration's conten...

March 06, 2025 • Season 2 • Episode 2 • 1:25:07

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Fan Mail

Hey there human-I-assume-is-on-the-other-side-of-this, I'm listening in from West Virginia and while I get a good doompilling when I listen in about the wider world, I'm wondering if there's a focus on the periphery i.e. in the rural areas or the rust belt specifically especially regarding farming in any past or upcoming episode. Passing references have been made to a "rural strategy" that should be adopted by either a movement or current political entity so it isn't left to rot like it currently is. Anything in the works that shines a light on my little corner of the world?

Wheeling, West Virginia