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 • 430 episodes

Varn Vlog

Latest Episodes

Leninism in the Age of Populism: Anti-Economism, Strategy & The Left with PK Gandakin

In this episode of VarnVlog, C. Derick Varn sits down with PK Gandakin, editor-in-chief of Geese Magazine and communist organizer, to discuss the state of the American left, the limits of modern economism, and the strategic relevance of Lenin t...

October 12, 2026 • Season 2 • Episode 108 • 2:15:49

The Masculinity Vacuum with Bram Geiben

In this episode of VarnVlog, C. Derick Varn is joined by Bram Geiben, editor at Revol Books and host of Strange Exiles, to discuss the evolving crisis of masculinity, the limits of modern identity politics, and how theory gets transformed into ...

October 08, 2026 • Season 2 • Episode 107 • 3:24:53

From Dawn to Decadence: The Decadent Society

Welcome to a special, long-form collaboration: The Regrettable Century and VarnVlog combined in our Captain Planet team of pessimism. Today, we are opening up a comprehensive multi-part investigation into New York Times columnist Ross Douthat's...

October 05, 2026 • Season 2 • Episode 106 • 1:37:04

Brandon Lightly on the New Democracy and National Fronts

In this episode of Varn Vlog, you and Brandon Lightly analyze the failures of the "New Democracy" and "National Front" strategies as globalized Marxist frameworks.Key points include:Indonesia: D.N. Aidit’s PKI collapsed because ...

October 01, 2026 • Season 2 • Episode 105 • 2:22:59

Ben Burgis on Confessing Class Reductionism

Today, we are joined by philosopher, columnist, and host of Give Them an Argument, Ben Burgis, for a wide-ranging, deeply analytical dive into his recent Sublation pamphlet, Confessions of a Class Reductionist, and his upcoming co-edited volume...

September 28, 2026 • Season 2 • Episode 104 • 2:15:07

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Fan Mail

As an old-school Varn head (have been listening since the Diet Soap days), I have to say that your recent conversation with Adam Turl ranks as one of my favorite episodes thus far. Can't (yet) put my finger on extactly why that is. But overall, as it relates to our present state of affairs, I think everything covered in that episode is as spot-on as spot-on can be. Salient, relevant, and maybe even prescient. Subtley profound and practically insightful. To me, listening to this episode is like walking along a fruitful path of inquiry, analysis, critique, and exploration, and then arriving at genuine understanding. I know, I know - I'm really pouring it on! Just trying to express/point out how much of a stand out episode it is (for me at least). Hopefully you see where I'm coming from! Take Care, - J.

R API D City, South Dakota