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 • 426 episodes

Varn Vlog

Latest Episodes

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

The Shadow Court and Protecting Democracy with Julie Suk

The Supreme Court is supposed to decide disputes, not run the country, so why does it feel like nine unelected justices can rewrite constitutional meaning with a single opinion? We sit down with Dr. Julie Suk, Fordham Law professor and author o...

September 24, 2026 • Season 2 • Episode 103 • 1:38:09

Alabama Prisons At A Breaking Point with Matthew Vernon Whalan

Today, we are joined by independent journalist, oral historian, and qualitative researcher Matthew Vernon Whalan to dissect his vital book out from Kersplebedeb: Bullock: Chronicles of Deprivation and Despair in the American Prison.While...

September 21, 2026 • Season 2 • Episode 102 • 1:20:35

Egypt After The Revolution with Hossam el-Hamalawy

Welcome back to the Vlog. Today, we are joined by acclaimed Egyptian journalist, activist, and labor historian Hossam el-Hamalawy to discuss his vital text out from Verso Books, Counter-Revolution in Egypt: State and Barracks.A ...

September 17, 2026 • Season 2 • Episode 101 • 1:50:39

What Happens To Class Politics In A Service Economy with Annie McClanahan

Welcome back to the Vlog. Today, we are joined by Dr. Annie McClanahan (Associate Professor of English at UC Irvine) to discuss her groundbreaking book, Beneath the Wage: Tips, Tasks, and Gigs in the Age of Service Work.While some space...

September 14, 2026 • Season 2 • Episode 100 • 1:20:42

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Fan Mail

Can you get rid of your corny intro and just keep the music😭😭😭 The music sets the scene up enough and is also probably the best podcast intro music I've heard... just take out the narration I'm begging you

Beverly Hills, California