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.
Episodes
305 episodes
Exploring Meta-Ethics and Hope in Leftist Politics: A Deep Dive into Moral Intuitions and Philosophical Traditions
Curious about the moral underpinnings of leftist politics? Join us as we sit down with Devin Gouré and Charles Dashings from the Moral Minority Podcast to navigate the often-neglected realm of me...
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Season 1
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Episode 290
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1:37:13
Reimagining Economic Systems: The Role of Design in Democratic Planning with Eric Meier
Can art and design reshape the future of our economic systems? Join us for a compelling conversation with Eric Meier, formerly Greta, co-founder of the Internation...
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Season 1
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Episode 288
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1:13:15
Reimagining Democracy: A Critical Analysis of America's Constitutional Framework with Lucas de Hart and Luke Pickerel
What if the very framework meant to safeguard democracy is actually undermining it? Lucas de Hart and Luke Pickerel join us from the Democratic Constitution blog and podcast, who of...
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Season 1
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Episode 289
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1:19:32
Navigating Progressive Politics in Nevada with Zee Cohen-Sanchez
Note: This was recorded in September during the early parts of the Harris campaign, some characterizations now I don't agree with. Get ready to unpack the complexities of progressive politics in Nevada with grassroots organizer Zee ...
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Season 1
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Episode 287
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1:10:54
From Dawn To Decadence, part 1: Cultural Shifts and Economic Myths
What if modern society is hurtling towards decadence just like the Roman Empire, yet we remain blissfully unaware of it? Join us as we embark on a journey with the Regrettable Brothers, Chris and Jason, to explore this possibility and unravel t...
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Season 1
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Episode 286
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1:58:25
Rethinking Sweatshops: Labor Exploitation from the Industrial Revolution to the Gig Economy
Ridhiman Balaji offers a profound examination of sweatshops and labor exploitation, challenging us to rethink everything we know about these complex global issues. From the historical roots in the Industrial Revolution to the alarming similarit...
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Season 1
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Episode 285
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1:18:26
Unpacking the Failures of the Millennial Left: A Conversation with Alex Hochuli
Could the millennial left's political failures be traced back to a misalignment with historical Marxist frameworks? Join us on VarmVlog as we unpack this and more in an eye-opening conversation with Alex Hochuli, author of
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Season 1
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Episode 284
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1:57:46
Marx, De-Growth, and Climate Crisis: A Critical Analysis with Lee Phillips and Matt Huber
Can Marx help us navigate the climate crisis, or is de-growth socialism the answer? Join us for an in-depth discussion with Lee Phillips and Matt Huber as we unravel Kohei Saito's controversial interpretations of Marx's writings on natural limi...
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Season 1
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Episode 283
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1:30:07
Evolution of Privilege: From the French Revolution to Modern Social Justice with Stephan Bertram-Lee
Have you ever wondered how the concept of privilege has evolved from the French Revolution to modern times? Join us as we sit down with Stephan Bertram-Lee, a PhD student who has just completed a groundbreaking dissertation on the history and l...
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Season 1
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Episode 282
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1:45:25
Unpacking the 2024 Election: Harris's Strategies, Right-Wing Sympathies, and Geopolitical Ramifications
What does the 2024 U.S. presidential election mean for the future of American politics? Join us as Elijah Emery unpack the unpopularity of both major candidates and the labyrinthine electoral system that confounds even seasoned pundits. We prob...
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Season 1
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Episode 281
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2:14:33
State Power and Revolutionary Tactics: Unpacking Anarchist Theory with Zoe Baker
Ever wondered if the state really just serves capitalist interests? Zoe Baker, a libertarian socialist philosopher, joins us to sift through the logical arguments and historical contexts behind anarchist positions. From Brexit to Kropotkin’s nu...
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Season 1
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Episode 280
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1:29:18
Unraveling the Esoteric Threads: Exploring Marx, Hegel, and Modernity with Dr. Justin Sledge
What do Hegel, Marx, and esoteric traditions have in common? Join us for an enlightening episode featuring Dr. Justin Sledge from the Esoterica channel as we explore this fascinating intersection. Dr. Sledge shares his insights into the influen...
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Season 1
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Episode 279
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1:37:59
Realities of Modern Socialism: A Critical Exploration of Sam Gindin's 'Socialism for Realists'
Is modern socialism merely a revenge fantasy against historical colonizers? Join Elijah Emery and C. Derick Varn as we critically examine Sam Gindin's "Socialism for Realists...
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Season 1
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Episode 278
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1:39:59
Living in the Darkest Timeline: A Conversation with Bram Gieben
What if our apocalyptic narratives are actually masking the true dystopia we live in today? Join us as we challenge conventional wisdom in our latest episode, featuring a thought-provoking conversation with Bram Gieben, author of "The Darkest T...
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Season 1
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Episode 277
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2:04:59
Unpacking the Southern Roots and Impact of Neoliberalism: A Discussion with Connor Harney
Can neoliberalism be truly understood without examining its Southern roots? In this episode, Marxist writer and thinker Connor Harney joins us to unpack the complex history and dynamics behind the rise and persistence of neoliberalism. We trace...
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Season 1
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Episode 276
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2:35:32
Boundless and Bottomless (Bonus): Putin Vs. Putin by Aleksandr Dugin with Donald Parkinson
Step into the complex world of geopolitics as we engage in a provocative dialogue with Donald Parkinson from the Marxist Unity Group and Cosmonaut Magazine. Ever wondered how Aleksandr Dugin's perspectives on Vladimir Putin shift when viewed fr...
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Season 1
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Episode 275
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2:52:21
Thompson vs Althusser: A Legacy of Revolutionary Ideas
E.P. Thompson versus Louis Althusser—what if their debate reshaped our understanding of Marxist theory forever? Join Nicolas D. Villareal as we unpack Thompson's contentious critiques of Althusser, revealing the misunderstandings and secondary ...
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Season 1
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Episode 274
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2:45:23
From Bern-Out to Burn out With Jules Taylor
What complexities lie beneath the recent shifts in the U.S. left? Join us on Varn Vlog as we sit down with Jules Taylor of the "No Easy Answers" podcast to dissect the nuanced landscape of leftist politics in America. From the financial woes of...
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Season 1
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Episode 273
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2:46:26
Living in Today’s Dystopia: Unpacking Apocalyptic Realities, Water Security, and Transhumanism
What if the apocalypse is already here, but we're too busy imagining zombies and nuclear winters to notice? On this episode, Bram E. Gieben, author of "The Darkest Timeline: Living in a World with No Future," unpacks the eerie realization that ...
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Season 1
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Episode 272
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2:04:59
The Enduring Legacy of Loren Goldner: Left Communism, Marxism, and Cultural Critiques
What if the horizon of the workers' movement has truly ended? On this thought-provoking episode, we welcome Ross Wolfe to dissect the enduring legacy and contemporary relevance of Loren Goldner a monumental figure in left communism. We delve in...
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Season 1
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Episode 271
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1:54:15
The Many, Many Deaths of the Millennial Left with Alex Gendler
Is the millennial left crumbling under its own weight, or is it poised for a groundbreaking resurgence? Join us on VarmVlog as we dissect the intricate evolution and fragmentation of the millennial left post-Bernie Sanders. With insights from A...
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Season 1
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Episode 270
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2:04:43
Moving Beyond the Debates On the Professional Managerial Class with Foppe De Haan
Curious about how the Professional Managerial Class (PMC) fits into today's leftist strategy debates? Join us as Dutch socialist Foppe De Haan takes us through his personal journey within the Dutch Socialist Party, his discontent with its appro...
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Season 1
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Episode 269
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1:30:26
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Historical Contexts in Modern Reporting: Joe Payne on Chumash War and California's Complex Dynamics
Can local journalism survive in an age dominated by tech giants and algorithm-driven content? Join us as Joe Payne of Political Payne returns to Varn Vlog after a three-year hiatus to share his firsthand experiences and insights into the evolvi...
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Season 1
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Episode 268
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2:42:39
Exploring Leftist Stability, Political Trends, and Global Conflicts: A Deep Dive with Amogh Sahu
Ever wondered why smaller Marxist groups are financially stable while larger organizations like the Democratic Socialists of America struggle? Our guest, Amogh Sahu, brings clarity to this and other enigmas within leftist movements by pulling b...
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Season 1
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Episode 267
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2:52:03
Revolutionary Pessimism: A Deep Dive into Marxist Theory
Chirs and Jason of the regrettable century return. Is revolutionary optimism just delusional wishful thinking? Join us as we dissect the tension between revolutionary optimism and pessimism within Marxist theory. We scrutinize Maoist and ...
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Season 1
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Episode 266
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2:21:47
