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Fruitless

Fruitless

A show about history, politics, faith, media, and the internet hosted by Josiah Sutton.

Josiah Sutton

160 episodesEN

Show overview

Fruitless has been publishing since 2022, and across the 4 years since has built a catalogue of 160 episodes, alongside 73 trailers or bonus episodes. That works out to roughly 170 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a fortnightly cadence.

Episodes typically run an hour to ninety minutes — most land between 11 min and 1h 42m — with run-times ranging widely across the catalogue. None of the episodes are flagged explicit by the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-language Society & Culture show.

The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 2 weeks ago, with 16 episodes already out so far this year. The busiest year was 2024, with 56 episodes published. Published by Josiah Sutton.

Episodes
160
Running
2022–2026 · 4y
Median length
1h 12m
Cadence
Fortnightly

From the publisher

A show about history, politics, faith, media, and the internet hosted by Josiah Sutton. Aiming for at least two free episodes per month. Artwork by Kipp Paulsen. More content can be found on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141

Latest Episodes

View all 160 episodes

[Preview] Tony Hawk, Where Art Thou? (MX #23)

Apr 30, 202610 min

Revolution in a Socialist Fashion (feat. Rike)

Apr 25, 20261h 27m

[Preview] Iran Delenda Est (feat. Tribunate's Gaius)

Apr 22, 202610 min

Destabilizer (feat. Y. L. Al-Sheikh)

Apr 10, 20261h 12m

[Preview] South of Simple Math (MX #22)

bonus

THIS IS A PREVIEW. IF YOU WANT TO LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE, CHECK OUT FRUITLESS ON PATREON HERE: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/154372459It's the March music exchange! In this installment, Josh and I discuss Simple Math by Manchester Orchestra and South of Heaven by Slayer. Also rage quitting jobs.Music by Manchester Orchestra, Slayer, and SHADE08 ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Mar 31, 202610 min

Ep 83A Beehive of Contradictions

On today’s episode, Chris and Josiah continue with the show’s recent focus on fascism by discussing Ur-Fascism by Umberto Eco. Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141Check out Fruitless on YouTubeFind more of Josiah’s work: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsuttonFollow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsuttonReferences"Ur-Fascism," Umberto Eco, https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/umberto-eco-ur-fascismMusic & Audio creditsTypical - MutemathYesterday – bloom.Comfort Eagle - CAKE ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Mar 30, 20261h 46m

[Preview] Soldiers Without Combat

bonus

THIS IS A PREVIEW. IF YOU WANT TO LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE, CHECK OUT FRUITLESS ON PATREON HERE: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/153865974On today's episode, Josh and Josiah talk about Claire Denis' 1999 arthouse drama about bored, shirtless French soldiers, Beau Travail (1999).Music by SHADE08 ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Mar 25, 202610 min

Ep 82The Anatomy of Fascism (Bookclub #8)

This is the eighth installment of the Fruitless Bookclub, a show-within-a-show, featuring Chris Barker and Jake the Lawyer, where we read all those nonfiction books we've been meaning to read. Today's episode is aboutBecome a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141Check out Fruitless on YouTubeFind more of Josiah’s work: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsuttonFollow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsuttonMusic & Audio creditsYesterday – bloom.And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda - The Pogues (originally by Eric Bogle)Fascist - Minutemen"SCOTT JENNINGS Talks Bush Presidency, Debates, CNN," The Adam Friedland Show, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQd6k_PVYx8I Might Need You to Kill - The ThermalsGreen Shirt - Elvis Costello & The AttractionsGoon Squad - Elvis Costello & The AttractionsRúdolf - ÞeyrTear the Fascists Down - Woodie Guthrie ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Mar 18, 20264h 6m

[Preview] Ultimate Sabotage Today (MX #21)

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THIS IS A PREVIEW. IF YOU WANT TO LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE, CHECK OUT FRUITLESS ON PATREON HERE: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/152401378It's the February music exchange! Shut up, no, it's not March. This episode is a February episode. In this installment, Josh and I discuss Ultimate Success Today by Protomartyr and Sabotage by Black Sabbath. Also we talk about Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie.Music by Protomartyr, Black Sabbath, and SHADE08 ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Mar 6, 202612 min

Ep 81Maréchal, Nous Voilà!

On today's episode, Chris Barker and Josiah discuss Claude Chabrol's 1993 documentary, The Eye of Vichy, co-written by historian Robert O. Paxton. They talk about France under Nazi occupation, the regime of Philippe Pétain, and how the French national identity made sense of defeat and collaboration. Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141Check out Fruitless on YouTubeFind more of Josiah’s work: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsuttonFollow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsuttonReferencesEye of Vichy (1993, dir. Claude Chabrol)Tu appelles Renée by Ruth Kapp HartzAudio creditsAudio from The Eye of Vichy (1993)Maréchal, nous voilà!, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmsdHnQ7RD8Yesterday – bloom.The Partisan - Leonard Cohen ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Feb 25, 20262h 12m

[Preview] The Hardest Men in Florida (FSC #3)

bonus

THIS IS A PREVIEW. IF YOU WANT TO LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE, CHECK OUT FRUITLESS ON PATREON HERE: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/151286472Welcome to the Fruitless Sports Corner (FSC): a semi-reoccurring series where Josiah, Nathan Thiessen, Chris Barker, and Jake the Lawyer talk about sports. On today's episode we discuss a long tweet, Ilian Malinin falling, how the Winter Olympics could improve the TV watching experience, cheating at curling, speed skaters being fast, axe throwing, Jake's weeb shit, hockey being a form of soccer, libertarian sports, Nebraska being a terrible state, Nate meeting some annoying Nebraska fans, loud college stadiums, Runza, NIL, Ruben Amorim, Nate being mad at the Packers, the Super Bowl and halftime show.Music by Viagra Boys and SHADE08 ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Feb 22, 202612 min

Ep 80The Occupied Twin Cities

On today's episode, Leo Dickenson and Josh Christianson join Josiah to discuss Operation Metro Surge and the fraud crisis that the Trump regime has used to justify the occupation of the Twin Cities. Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141Check out Fruitless on YouTubeFind more of Josiah’s work: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsuttonFollow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsuttonReferencesThumbnail was taken by photojournalist Jeff Wheeler for the Minnesota Star Tribune"How Minnesota became a hub for Somali immigrants in the U.S.," Joe Hernandez, NPR, https://www.npr.org/2025/12/03/nx-s1-5631809/somali-immigrants-minnesota-twin-cities-trump-ilhan-omar"Key figures in the long-running controversy over alleged fraudulent safety net programs in Minnesota," Ray Sanchez and Cheri Mossburg, CNN, https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/02/us/fraud-minnesota-programs-scandal-trump"Everything we know about Minnesota's massive fraud schemes," Jonah Kaplan and Joe Walsh, CBS News, https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/minnesota-fraud-schemes-what-we-know/"Minnesota investigators say child care centers accused of fraud are operating normally as governor drops reelection bid," Zoe Sottile and Andy Rose, CNN, https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/05/us/minnesota-child-care-fraud-investigation"Federal agents probe fraud allegations targeting Somali child care providers in Minnesota," Nick Schifrin and Jonah Anderson, PBS, https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/federal-agents-probe-fraud-allegations-targeting-somali-child-care-providers-in-minnesota"School districts could face funding gaps due to virtual learning, missing students during Operation Metro Surge," Gordon Severson, KARE 11, https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/ice-in-minnesota/school-districts-could-face-funding-gaps-due-to-virtual-learning-missing-students-during-operation-metro-surge/89-11755d76-3b77-4fed-a2d3-f766e332131b"Death raises new fraud allegations in Minnesota’s Medicaid-funded ICS program," A.J. Lagoe, Kelly Dietz, Steven Eckert, Gary Knox, KARE 11, https://www.kare11.com/article/news/investigations/kare-11-investigates-unattended-death-raises-new-fraud-allegations-minnesota-medicaid-funded-ics-program/89-61240443-b8c1-4a60-969b-0b601c5fbd5d“The Largest Funder of Al-Shabaab Is the Minnesota Taxpayer,” Ryan Thorpe and Christopher Rufo, City Journal, https://www.city-journal.org/article/minnesota-welfare-fraud-somalia-al-shabaab"Key source says story that prompted Trump tirade against Somalis is erroneous," Deena Winter, The Minnesota Star Tribune, https://www.startribune.com/city-journal-fraud-story-seattle-detective/601537870"Who is Nick Shirley, the 23-year-old MAGA journalist whose Minnesota fraud story went viral?," Hadas Gold, CNN, https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/30/media/nick-shirley-minnesota-somali-video"Fact check: What’s really happening with child care fraud in Minnesota," Chabeli Carrazana, The 19th, https://19thnews.org/2026/01/child-care-fraud-minnesota-fact-check/"ICE Reportedly Stole a 10th Grader’s Phone, Then Seemingly Sold It for Cash," Frank Landymore, https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/ice-reportedly-stole-10th-grader-230138675.html"Immigration officers assert sweeping power to enter homes without a judge’s warrant, memo says," Rebecca Santana, Associated Press, https://apnews.com/article/ice-arrests-warrants-minneapolis-trump-00d0ab0338e82341fd91b160758aeb2d"ICE plans $100 million 'wartime recruitment' push targeting gun shows, military fans for hires," Washington Post, https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2025/12/31/ice-wartime-recruitment-push/NSPM-7, https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/09/countering-domestic-terrorism-and-organized-political-violence/Timeline on Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Metro_Surge#Timeline_of_operation"Minneapolis Pastor Says He Was Detained by ICE After Joining Protest, Told 'You're White' and 'Wouldn’t Be Any Fun Anyway' on Release," Ashley Vega, People, https://people.com/minneapolis-pastor-says-ice-detained-him-after-joining-protest-told-he-wouldnt-be-any-fun-because-youre-white-11884703"ICE entered Minneapolis hospital without warrant, handcuffed patient to bed, community organizers say," Jason Rantala, CBS News, https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/hcmc-hennepin-healthcare-ice-patient-handcuffed/"Ecuador says ICE tried to enter its Minneapolis consulate — here's what happened," BBC, https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/cvgpdx1yr15o"Walz: ICE may leave MN soon," Fox 9 KMSP, https://www.fox9.com/video/fmc-ch876hzml20j4brmAudio creditsOpening audio is from several videos of community members at the scene of Alex Pretti's murder a few hours later; videos shared by Left Voice on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/leftvoice.bsky.social/post/3md6zzb4mzk2rYesterday – bloom.Day Without End - Protomartyr"ICE operations u...

Feb 12, 20262h 9m

Ep 79Into the Antoineverse (feat. Bryan Cebulski)

On today's episode, Bryan Cebulski joins Josiah to discuss François Truffaut's Antoine Dionel saga--a series of five semi-autobiographical films following Truffaut's life from troubled child, to horny young man, to horny married man, and finally to horny divorced man. Are these films self-critiques or self-justifications? Does Truffaut know what a real job is? Is Truffaut the more talented Kevin Smith? All this and more on today's episode.Follow Bryan on Letterboxd @bryanonion and Bluesky @bryanonion.bsky.socialBuy Bryan's novel, It Helps With the Blues, here: https://traumbooks.com/ithelpswiththeblues/Check out Bryan's blog here: https://bryancebulski.wordpress.com/Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141Check out Fruitless on YouTubeFind more of Josiah’s work: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsuttonFollow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsuttonReferenceThe 400 Blows (1959, dir. François Truffaut)Antoine and Colette (1962, dir. François Truffaut)Stolen Kisses (1968, dir. François Truffaut)Bed and Board (1970, dir. François Truffaut)Love on the Run (1979, dir. François Truffaut)Music & Audio creditsGénérique/Les Quatre Cents Coups - Jean ConstantinYesterday – bloom.L'amour En Fuite - Alain Souchon ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Jan 31, 20262h 38m

[Preview] 1000 Bows + Arrows (MX #20)

bonus

THIS IS A PREVIEW. IF YOU WANT TO LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE, CHECK OUT FRUITLESS ON PATREON HERE: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/149171850It's the first music exchange of 2026! In this installment, Josh and I discuss Bows + Arrows by The Walkmen and 1000 Hurts by Shellac. Also we talk about Guys.Music by The Walkmen, Shellac, and SHADE08 ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Jan 26, 202612 min

[Preview] Welcome to 2026 (Part Two)

bonus

THIS IS A PREVIEW. IF YOU WANT TO LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE, CHECK OUT FRUITLESS ON PATREON HERE: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/147927958/Continuing the tradition of kicking off the year with some low effort episodes while I (Josiah) recover from working the holidays, Caleb, James C. Liker, and eventually Josh joined me to hang out and mostly talk about movies. We spoil Bugonia. We also touch briefly on the recent ICE murder in Minneapolis. Music by SHADE08 ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Jan 11, 202610 min

Ep 78Welcome to 2026 (Part One)

It is a tradition now to kick off the new year with a low effort episode so that I can recover from the holidays. So this year, Chris Barker and Jake the Lawyer join Josiah to hang out and talk about craft beer and coffee, the "seizing"/"capture"/"kidnapping"/"abduction" of Maduro, declining literacy, and some sports.Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141Check out Fruitless on YouTubeFind more of Josiah’s work: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsuttonFollow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsuttonReference"Venezuelan Exiles Root for U.S. Military Action. Those Left Behind Oppose It," Ryan Dubé in The Wall Street Journal, https://www.wsj.com/world/americas/venezuelan-exiles-root-for-u-s-military-action-those-left-behind-oppose-it-01d3afe0Music & Audio creditsYesterday – bloom.One - Metallica ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Jan 6, 20262h 8m

[Preview] Angelic Holiday Guidance (feat. Phil Cozzi)

bonus

THIS IS A PREVIEW. IF YOU WANT TO LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE, CHECK OUT FRUITLESS ON PATREON HERE: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/146548844/For the final episode of 2025, Phil Cozzi returns to talk about The Bishop's Wife (1947), a Christmas movie about an angel teaching a workaholic Episcopal bishop to be nice to his wife. We also talk about Christmas movie tropes in general, and Phil does some theologizing. Music by SHADE08 ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Dec 24, 202511 min

Ep 77Descending Into Kevin Smith's Hell

This is the last episode of 2025 on the free feed. Josh, Alien, and Josiah take you on a journey through Kevin Smith's filmography. I'm so sorry that we're ending the year on this note.Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141Check out Fruitless on YouTubeFind more of Josiah’s work: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsuttonFollow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsuttonMusic & Audio creditsHungry - LiadiiiYesterday – bloom.We Don't Have to Take Our Clothes Off - Jermaine Stewart ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Dec 22, 20253h 17m

[Preview] If I Should Fall From Grace with Christmas Eve (MX #19)

bonus

THIS IS A PREVIEW. IF YOU WANT TO LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE, CHECK OUT FRUITLESS ON PATREON HERE: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/posts/146403025It's a very special holiday Christmas music exchange! In this installment, Josh and I discuss The Lost Christmas Eve by Trans-Siberian Orchestra and If I Should Fall From Grace with God by The Pogues. Also not being in the Christmas spirit. Music by Trans-Siberian Orchestra, The Pogues, and SHADE08 ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Dec 22, 202513 min

Ep 76The Invention of Decolonization (Bookclub #7)

After a year long hiatus, the Fruitless Bookclub is back. This is the seventh installment of that show-within-a-show, featuring Chris Barker and Jake the Lawyer, where we read all those nonfiction books we've been meaning to read. Today's episode is about The Invention of Decolonization: The Algerian War and the Remaking of France by Todd Shepard, a dense, academic look at the confusing constitutional crisis France experienced in the wake of Algerian independence. Join us as we discuss France's strange attempt to deny that Algeria was a colony, the racial implications of that denial, and how Charles de Gaulle used the crisis for his own political aims.Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141Check out Fruitless on YouTubeFind more of Josiah’s work: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsuttonFollow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsuttonMusic & Audio creditsYesterday – bloom.Mao Boy - Indochine ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Dec 10, 20253h 1m
© 2026 Josiah Sutton