Greg Stoker is a veteran, anti-imperialist organizer, political commentator, and activist. He is the host of the podcast “Colonial Outcasts,” and a co-founder of RFE Media. Greg and I talk about the recent discourse surrounding James Hetfield and Metallica’s statements concerning political artists, and a broader conversation around musicians, entertainers,and the culpability and responsibility within the industry.
Chris Bell is a screenwriter, producer and director who has been a fixture of the NYC independent filmmaking scene for the better part of this last decade. His most recently released work is his feature length film Failed State, as well as previous series and short films such as Miss Me Yet, Attention Shoppers, and The Winds That Scatter. Chris and I break down Failed State, its inspirations, and the unique blending of documentary and fiction throughout the film. We discuss Chris's political perspectives and how they are interwoven into the way that he creates art, and the role that movies and entertainment can play in shaping political consciousness.
Daniel Maté is an award-winning songwriter, lyricist, composer, and musical theatre writer, with work that has been performed at places including the Kennedy Center and Lincoln Center. He’s also the co-host of Bad Hasbara, where he combines comedy, satire, and political analysis to take a critical look at Zionism and Israeli propaganda. Daniel and I discuss the function of different conversations in the context of Palestine, the NAZA documentary, Ed Sheeran and Macklemore, and the broader scope of the silence within the music industry and entertainment at large.
James Ray is an organizer, writer, and political commentator out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. James sits down with me in this latest episode to discuss Congressman Ro Khanna’s visit to the West Bank, his detainment, and his continued incoherent beliefs on Palestine, occupation, apartheid, and genocide. We go over some of Khanna’s interviews and conversations following his venture to Palestine, what his statements reveal about the limits of liberal zionism and U.S. politicians’ shifts over the past three years, and how that change in landscape is a bit of a double edged sword.
Heath Howard is a progressive congressional candidate running in New Hampshire’s 1st congressional district in the Democrat primary on September 8th. Heath sits down with me to discuss his background in politics as a state legislator, how a severe injury in high school helped develop his politics, his experience in working within a Republican held state government, and how his grassroots approach is in contrast to his opponents’ establishment strategy and fundraising.
Hunter Dunn of the 50501 Movement returns to the show to discuss the recent sexual assault and rape allegations of Senate Candidate Graham Platner. We chat about the growing red flags that were vehemently dismissed by progressives with large platforms, why these allegations are so much more damning that some others in his checkered past, and what the left needs to broadly assess and reflect on going forward.
Maude Stout, vocalist of Illinois hardcore band Splitjaw, joins me to talk about the band's latest EP Truth & Reconciliation, writing political music, the roots of hardcore, organizing in local scenes, and why heavy music still has something meaningful to say. We also discuss Palestine, religion, trans rights, the state of punk and metal, and the responsibility artists have to speak up during moments of political crisis.
Nick of metal band No Business and I sit down together to break down the unique cultural phenomenon of Christ core- metalcore, hardcore, and deathcore music influenced heavily by the Christian faith. We discuss why it is the one sub sect of Christian music that was on par with its secular counterparts, some of the most monumental records (and their at times extremely problematic members and messages), how modern Christian influenced bands in the heavy scene are speaking out against the reactionary evangelical movement, and why Underoath isn't on either of our type five album lists.
Hunter Dunn is the National Press Coordinator and Organizer of the 50501 Movement, the decentralized progressive grassroots movement throughout the United States. Hunter has recently made appearances in the Jubilee Surrounded series in debating the likes of Patrick Bet David and even more recently, Dave Rubin, and subsequently Piers Morgan Uncensored. Hunter and I discuss these latest media appearances, how right wing pundits are not up to the task of honest discussion, whether or not these online debate events are justifiable or useful, and what’s next for the 50501 Movement.
Adam Elara is the front man of the band Sikeen, out of the Los Angeles area. Sikeen labels itself as an Arab and Desi rock band. The band draws from a vast range of influences, from modern metal and metalcore to pop punk and the likes of Blink-182, as well as everything from Dakbe to Tool.
Jacob Dallas is one of the co-hosts of the podcast Workers’ Lit, which covers everything from political and historical literature, to pop culture, and the current news of the day. Jacob is also the author of the book, They Called Her Rebel, which is a fantasy novel about late state capitalism, people power, and queer love.
Adam Johnson is a journalist and media analyst, whose work has been featured in The Nation, The Intercept, Los Angeles Times, In These Times, and The San Francisco Chronicle in addition to his own Substack, The Column, and being the cohost of the Citations needed podcast. Adam has recently released his book, “How To Sell A Genocide,” which analyzes how liberal media used the vast resources and tools at its disposal to create consent for the Genocide in Gaza from October 2023-2025.
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