Oats for Breakfast

Episode Notes In this episode, we tackle the housing crisis with James Hardwick, a seasoned activist with over a decade of experience supporting adults facing poverty and houselessness. Drawing on his insightful series of articles for Canadian Dimension, we explore some pressing questions in the housing debate. Can immigration be blamed for rising housing costs? Will building more homes solve the crisis? What approaches should be taken to address homelessness? You can find James' articles on housing here: https://canadiandimension.com/articles/author/james-hardwick Have thoughts about the show? You can write to oatsforbreakfastpod [at] gmail [dot] com. Music: "Home Sweet Home" by Willbe. This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes Norman Finkelstein is a political scientist whose work focuses on the Israel-Palestine conflict. He is the author of numerous books, including Image and Reality of the Israel-Palestine Conflict and Gaza: An Inquest into its Martyrdom. This conversation is largely about one of Professor Finkelstein’s first books: The Rise and Fall of Palestine. Published almost two decades ago, the book is based on the time Finkelstein spent in the West Bank, while the first intifada was underway. We talked about Rise and Fall and about how the book's contents relate to what’s happening in Gaza today. Our conversation also touched on the US election results and what they might mean for Gaza and the wider region. Have thoughts about the show? You can write to oatsforbreakfastpod [at] gmail [dot] com. Music: "Home Sweet Home" by Willbe. This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes This episode of Oats for Breakfast features an interview with journalist and filmmaker Paul Jay about a recent essay he wrote titled, "Trump’s Unholy Alliance: Risking the Apocalypse for Dollars.” The essay looks at the two major poles of support that Trump’s current run for the presidency has based on: Silicon Valley tech billionaires on the one hand and Christian nationalists on the other. During the podcast interview, Paul discusses why a second Trump term would be qualitative different and, more dangerous, than previous Republican presidencies, including Trump’s first term in office. We also talk about what it might take, over the long term, to beat back the advances that the far-right has been making in the US and Canada. Find more from Paul Jay here: https://theanalysis.news/ If you'd like to get in touch with us, you can email oatsforbreakfastpod [at] gmail [dot] com Music: "Home Sweet Home" by Willbe. This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes This episode features an interview with M.V. Ramana about his book Nuclear is Not the Solution: The Folly of Atomic Power in the Age of Climate Change (Verso 2024). Professor Ramana delves into the common misconception that nuclear energy is a viable fix for the climate crisis, explaining why it's neither cost-effective, timely, nor safe. With renewable sources like solar and wind now economically competitive, he argues that nuclear energy's risks and delays are unnecessary distractions from real climate solutions. If you'd like to get in touch with us, you can email oatsforbreakfastpod [at] gmail [dot] com Music: "Home Sweet Home" by Willbe. This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes Oats chats with political scientist Adolph Reed Jr. about his 2022 book The South: Jim Crow and Its Afterlives. The discussion features personal reflections from Adolph Reed about what everyday life was like during the Jim Crow era. We also talk about the concepts of "race" and "race relations", as they are understood today, are a the product of that era; about how Jim Crow gets unhelpfully analogized with reference to the modern-day prison system; and a few other related things. Have thoughts about the show? Share them by writing to oatsforbreakfastpod [at] gmail [dot] com. Music: "Home Sweet Home" by Willbe. This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes In this episode, we reflect on the work and ideas of Noam Chomsky, the esteemed linguist and public intellectual, who recently suffered a stroke which has rendered him unable to participate in public discourse. Chomsky has been a beacon of inspiration and insight for many on the Left for decades, and his absence is being deeply felt. We delve into some of Chomsky's core ideas — exploring his incisive critique of US foreign policy, his staunch defence of free expression, and the political philosophies that shaped his thought, from anarchism to Zionism. A fair number of biographical details also come up throughout the discussion, offering a look at the man behind the ideas. Have thoughts about this episode? Share them with us by writing to oatsforbreakfastpod [at] gmail [dot] com. Music: "Home Sweet Home" by Willbe. This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Episode Notes After a three-year hiatus, Oats for Breakfast is making a comeback. In this return episode, we chat with Montreal-based journalist Anaïs Elboujdaini about her experience of being in Israel on October 7, 2023—the day of the Hamas attack. We also discuss the reporting she has been doing on Gaza since that time. Support Anaïs and read the stories mentioned in the episode here: https://linktr.ee/anaiselboujdaini Follow Anaïs on Instagram so you can keep up with her work: https://www.instagram.com/anais.reporter If you'd like to get in touch with us, you can email oatsforbreakfastpod [at] gmail [dot] com Music: "Home Sweet Home" by Willbe. This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

In collaboration with Jamhoor, Oats for Breakfast hosts a discussion on the ongoing public health catastrophe in India. Those interested in supporting relief efforts in India can find a list of organizations and people looking for donations here: https://mutualaidindia.com/

Oats chats with post-doctoral fellow Adam King about the failed attempt to organize an Amazon fulfillment centre in Bessemer, Alabama. You can read the piece that our discussion is based on here: https://readpassage.com/p/what-the-failed-amazon-union-drive-means-for-labour-everywhere/ Notes go here

We chat with Professor Navyug Gill about the ongoing farmers' protest in India. The discussion touches on: the intent of the Indian government to further neoliberalize and corporatize the farming sector the scale of the protest and the farmers' demands the nature of the BJP and its broader agenda reforms that would actually benefit farmers and agriculture in India and lots more. This episode of Oats for Breakfast was produced in collaboration with Jamhoor (https://www.jamhoor.org/), a Toronto-based media organization that amplifies marginalized and progressive voices from South Asia. Access the episode transcript here: https://oatspodcast.com/podcast/episode-64-the-indian-farmers-protest/

Oats chats with Julian von Bargen about a book he recently co-edited, 'Challenging the Right, Augmenting the Left: Recasting Leftist Imagination.' We dig into the book's treatment of the environmental crisis, political parties and movements, as well as about the history of civil liberties and the free speech debate. Support Oats for Breakfast by becoming a patron: https://www.patreon.com/oatsforbreakfast

Oats chats about housing injustice in Toronto with Brendan Jowett, a tenant lawyer who has fought to prevent the clearance of homeless encampments in city parks during the pandemic. We discuss Toronto's deepening housing crisis, the rent strike movement, and what people can do to get involved in fighting against housing injustice. Support Oats for Breakfast by becoming a patron: https://www.patreon.com/oatsforbreakfast

We chat with author and activist Charlie Demers about Primary Obsessions, a novel about a psychologist who helps people overcome mental health problems by day and tries to solve a murder mystery by night. You can grab a copy of Primary Obsessions from wherever you get your books. Subscribe to Charlie's latest essays and podcast here: https://charliedemers.substack.com/ Charlie will be giving a talk on March 3 about Comedy, Free Expression, & Social Justice. Check it out here: https://cfe.ryerson.ca/events/comedy-free-expression-social-justice Support Oats for Breakfast by becoming a patron: https://patreon.com/oatsforbreakfast

Oats chats with Kyle Bailey about the limits of stakeholder capitalism, corporate citizenship, and corporate social responsibility. The discussion is based on a journal article Kyle wrote, which can be accessed here: https://www.ppesydney.net/issue-86-summer-2020-2021/

We follow up our broad discussion about agriculture by zooming in on the local urban agriculture movement -- we chat about its positive aspects as well as its limits. Learn more about the Black Creek Community Farm here: https://www.blackcreekfarm.ca/

Episode Notes Oats chats about the problems within the modern-day food system, whether technological achievements like GMOs are a good thing, and about the limits of traditional agricultural societies. Support Oats for Breakfast by becoming a patron: www.patreon.com/oatsforbreakfast

Episode Notes This episode of Oats for Breakfast features a discussion with Adolph Reed Jr. that was organized and live-streamed by Ryerson University's Centre for Free Expression. You can access the full video version of the discussion on the CFE's website: https://cfe.ryerson.ca/key-resources/podcasts/anti-black-racism-and-inequality-what-be-done Support Oats for Breakfast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/oatsforbreakfast

Oats for Breakfast will be on hiatus for the month of November. We'll be back again in December. The Patreon billing has been paused so patrons won't be charged this month.

Oats for Breakfast chats with podcaster Andre Goulet about the recently-launched Harbinger Media Network, an initiative that's bringing together left-wing content creators from around the country. Find out more about Harbinger here: https://harbingermedianetwork.com/

Oats interviews sociologist Lisa Kowalchuk about 'We Resist: Defending the Common Good in Hostile Times', a volume she co-edited. We also chat about the working conditions of nurses in Central America and about St. James Town Storeys, a Toronto-based podcast that Lisa co-hosts. 'We Resist': https://www.mqup.ca/we-resist-products-9780228001423.php St. James Town Storeys: https://stjamestownstoreys.com/

Oats for Breakfast sits down to chat about Kirsten Ghodsee's 2018 book 'Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism: And Other Arguments for Economic Independence.' The discussion explores the nature of gender and sexual relations in the Eastern Bloc countries—the upsides and the downsides—while also considering how socialists should orient themselves to gender/sex issues in the present-day West. Support Oats for Breakfast by becoming a patron: https://www.patreon.com/oatsforbreakfast

Oats for Breakfast chats with Joseph Anderson about his recent book, 'Capitalist Pigs: Pigs, Pork, and Power in America.' The book surveys the role that swine played in the making of American capitalism, from the colonial period to the present. You can purchase a copy of the book here: https://wvupressonline.com/node/780 Support Oats for Breakfast by becoming a patron: https://www.patreon.com/oatsforbreakfast

On this bonus episode of the podcast Oats sits down with Henry, a left-wing content creator known as Deathnography. We chat about memes, podcasting, music, and anthropology.

Oats for Breakfast interviews Meryam Haddad, a socialist candidate in the Green Party of Canada's leadership race. We chat about Meryam's platform, why she calls herself a socialist, how she intends to win over voters to the Green Party, and more. Find our more about Meryam's candidacy on her campaign website: https://www.meryam2020.ca Support Oats for Breakfast by becoming a patron: https://www.patreon.com/oatsforbreakfast

Oats for Breakfast chats with Rio de Janeiro-based human rights lawyer Rhaysa Ruas about social and political circumstances in Brazil. The wide-ranging discussion touches on the COVID-19 crisis, the rise and fall of the Workers' Party, as well as the destruction of the Amazon forest and indigenous communities that inhabit it. Support the Oats for Breakfast by becoming a monthly patron: https://www.patreon.com/oatsforbreakfast

Oats interviews Freddie deBoer about his book, "The Cult of Smart: How Our Broken Education System Perpetuates Social Injustice." In the book Freddie argues that, to the extent that educational outcomes are the result of inherent differences between individuals, a system that distributes rewards based on educational outcomes should be regarded as unfair. Find out how you can get a copy of "The Cult of Smart" on Freddie's website: https://fredrikdeboer.com/ Help us make the Oats podcast by becoming a monthly supporter: https://www.patreon.com/oatsforbreakfast

Oats for Breakfast chats with Yana Ludwig, a socialist running for office in one of the most conservative states in the US. Yana is a candidate in Wyoming's Democratic Party Senate primary, set to take place on August 18th. We chat about her platform, about how her campaign is trying to win over workers in the coal industry, and more! Yana's campaign website: https://www.yana4wyo.com/ Support the Oats for Breakfast podcast: https://www.patreon.com/oatsforbreakfast

Oats chats with Dimitri Lascaris about his candidacy in the Green Party's leadership race. Dimitri tells us about how he became a socialist, the need to abolish billionaires, the impact that COVID-19 has had in long-term care facilities in Quebec and Ontario, his hopes for advancing a progressive agenda that can grow the Green Party, Canada's failed bid to win a UN Security Council seat, and a lot more. Find out more about Dimitri's candidacy by going to his campaign website: https://www.teamdimitri.ca/ Become a supporter of the Oats for Breakfast podcast: https://www.patreon.com/oatsforbreakfast

Oats for Breakfast chats about the recent wave of protests that were sparked by George Floyd's murder in Minneapolis. We get into a critical discussion about the potential impacts of the protests on the upcoming US election, the merits of defunding the police, whether racism explains patterns in policing, as well as about the way anti-racism is promoted.

Oats first hosted a discussion about COVID-19 on episode 40 (which was published on February 10, 2020), well before the pandemic attained global proportions. In this episode we go back to review what we thought about the disease back then and offer a reassessment. We also chat about China's relatively successful efforts in dealing with its outbreak and try to come to terms with why Canada and especially the US are faring comparatively worse. Oats for Breakfast relies on listener support to sustain itself. You can support us by becoming a patron: www.patreon.com/OatsForBreakfast

We return from our month long hiatus to chat about our experience of travelling back to Canada and (after developing some symptoms) our efforts to try to get tested for COVID-19. Everything worked out OK for us in the end, but our experience suggests that the response to the COVID-19 crisis is not being managed particularly well in Canada. Oats for Breakfast relies on listener support to sustain itself. You can support us by becoming a patron: www.patreon.com/OatsForBreakfast

Oats will be on hiatus during May. A couple of us need to travel back to Canada and managing the logistics of that are going to make it difficult to continue publishing podcast content. Since we won't be publishing content and therefore won't have our usual costs this month, Patreon billing was paused. We hope to see you all again in June!

We continue the discussion we were having last time about the way the COVID-19 crisis is playing out in the Global South. We chat about preachers who want to protray the virus as a form of divine punishment, the rise of domestic abuse, as well as the economic depravation and hunger resulting from the crisis. Oats for Breakfast relies on listener support to sustain itself. You can support us by becoming a patron of the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/oatsforbreakfast

In this episode we chat a bit about the experience we've had with the COVID-19 crisis while being in the Global South before getting into a broader discussion of the social and political developments that are taking place in our surroundings. We take up the issues of policing, the strife of daily wage earners, minority scapegoating, and more. The outlook for much of the Global South is not good but we also point to the case of Kerala, where an effective lockdown and provisioning strategy has allowed the spread of the virus to be contained. Oats for Breakfast relies on listener support to sustain itself. You can support us becoming a patron of the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/oatsforbreakfast

Oats chats with Dru Oja Jay and Sam Hersh about the ongoing efforts to organize rent strikes across Canada. We talk about the impact the COVID-19 crisis has had on renters, the desperation that's leading many to forgo paying rent, the kind of coalition-building that will be required if a rent strike movement is to win needed political victories, and more. Check out CancelRent.ca if you'd like to find ways to get involved in rent strike organizing. Oats relies on listener support to sustain itself. You can help support us by becoming a patron: https://www.patreon.com/oatsforbreakfast

In the second part of our collaborative discussion with Jamhoor.org, we chat about some of the protest movements currently active in India and Pakistan, including the anti-war Pashtun Tahafuz Movement and the Shaheen Bagh protests. We also talk about the repression in Kashmir, and about how inter-ethnic and inter-religious conflict can help to undermine the class struggle in South Asia.

Oats for Breakfast, in collaboration with Jamhoor.org, hosts a discussion about South Asia. We chat about Hindutva and the closing off of space for dissent in India, some of the seemingly-parallel trends currently underway in Pakistan, the contradictions of minority nationalism, as well as a whole lot else. Oats relies on listener support to sustain itself. Support us by becoming a monthly patron: https://www.patreon.com/oatsforbreakfast

Oats continues the dicussion about Jagmeet Singh's 'Love & Courage.' In this segment, while digging deeper into Singh's book, we try to take stock of his recent condemnation of the pro-Palestine movement, we compare him with Bernie Sanders, and chat about the challenges involved in pushing the NDP to the Left.

Oats hosts a critical discussion about Jagmeet Singh's book, 'Love & Courage: My Story of Family, Resilience, and Overcoming the Unexpected.' (We're not trying to mean — we promise! We're just trying to understand why it is that the NDP remains committed to centrism, even while the electoral Left in the US and elsewhere is going through a resurgence.)

Oats chats with Vancouver-based writer, activist, and comedian Charlie Demers about indigenous sovereignty, pipeline resistance, and the contradictions of resource of development.

The second part of our discussion about the coronavirus outbreak. This time we chat about some of the conspiracy theories that are spreading about the virus as well as about the rise of anti-Chinese sentiment — and we try to think through what the best way for leftists to respond to conspiracy theories and xenophobia.

We sit down to chat about the coronavirus outbreak, its social and cultural implications, and we use the opportunity to highlight some aspects of the Chinese state — especially the capacity of the central state to retain legitimacy even when Chinese citizens lose trust in local and regional layers of the state. The personal account (of a woman from Wuhan) that we reference during the episode can be accessed here: https://www.reddit.com/r/China_Flu/comments/evjzso/my_mom_passed_away_in_an_isolated_ward_in_wuhan_a/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x

We continue our discussion about HBO's 'Watchmen.' This time we get into chatting reparations, particularist and universalist policy measures, as well as the tendency of liberal storytellers to seek individualist solutions to social problems.

Oats hosts a discussion on HBO's 'Watchmen,' a superhero drama series that deals with issues of race and racism in the present-day United States.

The last instalment in our series on Islam and Muslims. We chat about the Arab Gulf, terrorism, and whether Muslims would benefit from socialist universalism.

The second part of our series on Islam and Muslims. We continue chatting about and developing the themes we started discussing last week.

We kick off the new year with a three-part series on Islam and Muslims. Over the course of the series, Muslim contributors to Oats for Breakfast will take part in discussions about their relationship to Islam as well as about the developments that have flowed out of the Muslim world's experience with capitalist modernity.

We continue chatting with Michael Smith and Claire-Anne Lester. This time the discussion looks at the range of the political spectrum in South Africa, the student and labour movements, as well as the 2012 Marikana Massacre and what it tells us about the nature of the post-Apartheid state.

Oats chats with Michael Smith and Claire-Anne Lester about South Africa. Our discussion touches on Nelson Mandela's legacy, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, as well as how the South African left has approached questions about race, identity, and belonging.

Oats chats about Martin Scorsese's 'The Irishman' as well as the book that the film is based on, Charles Brandt's 'I Heard You Paint Houses.' Our discussion explores the interface between the labour movement, the state, and organized crime in post-War American capitalism.