Proles Pod

Rae and Tony sit down with Holly High—frequent guest on Tony's other podcast, Actually Existing Socialism—to discuss the present-day realities of Laos' socialist people's democracy. Holly is an anthropologist whose fieldwork in Laos uses ethnographic methods and anthropological analysis to explore everyday human experience. Check out Holly's Substack, Revolutions in Reproduction, and subscribe for a chance to win a free copy of one of her books. Support the show Join us on Patreon for early-release episodes, study guides, bonus content, TheoryBeats, and more! You can even sign up for free to access study guides, merch updates, and surprise drops. Stay connected: Subscribe on your favorite podcast app, and don't forget to rate and review it helps the show reach more comrades.Follow us on: Twitter/X: @prolespod Instagram & Facebook: @prolespod Upscrolled: @prolespod Have questions or comments? Email us at [email protected] Have questions, comments, or ideas that are too spicy for the FBI? Email us at [email protected]

*]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id= "request-WEB:46689808-d0dc-4eed-be4c-a712e949e949-0" data-testid= "conversation-turn-2" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> Luna Oi and EJ join the show for a grounded, hilarious, and wide-ranging conversation on what socialist construction actually looks like in Vietnam today—the wins, the contradictions, the setbacks, and yes, a bit of extra beef along the way. They also dive into their ambitious translation project, bringing Vietnamese Marxism-Leninism textbooks to a broader audience and unpacking why that work matters right now. Access Free Vietnamese Marxist Leninist Textbook PDF Here Buy Vietnamese Marxist-Leninist Textbook Physical Copy Here Support the show Join us on Patreon for early-release episodes, study guides, bonus content, TheoryBeats, and more! You can even sign up for free to access study guides, merch updates, and surprise drops. Stay connected: Subscribe on your favorite podcast app, and don't forget to rate and review it helps the show reach more comrades.Follow us on: Twitter/X: @prolespod Instagram & Facebook: @prolespod Upscrolled: @prolespod Have questions or comments? Email us at [email protected] Have questions, comments, or ideas that are too spicy for the FBI? Email us at [email protected]

Where Are the Girls?! In honor of International Working Women's Day, Rae is joined by several girls (and girls adjacent) to ask and answer a question that weighs heavily on left spaces: Where are the girls?! Why are so many communist spaces male dominated, what are the impediments to getting women and people of other genders to join, and once they've joined, are there specific considerations that make it difficult for them to stay? Joining Rae are Pame Ledesma of Y Las Palabras and correspondent of Means Morning News, Lenore and Jen Big Nasty of Workers' Lit and How the Red Was Won, Revolutionary Th0t, and Princess Marx. And don't forget to head over to Patreon.com/ProlesPod for the bonus episode Slumber Party Edition.

Back in the summer of 2024, back in the BSE (Before Stalin Eras) period of the Proles reboot - Rae, Tony, and Jeremy joined Breht on RevLeft Radio to talk Marxism. If you haven't heard it! Check it out. If you have, listen again! Support the show: Join us on Patreon for early-release episodes, study guides, bonus content, TheoryBeats, and more! You can even sign up for free to access study guides, merch updates, and surprise drops. Stay connected: Subscribe on your favorite podcast app, and don't forget to rate and review it helps the show reach more comrades.Follow us on: Twitter/X: @prolespod Instagram & Facebook: @prolespod Upscrolled: @prolespod Have questions or comments? Email us at [email protected] Have questions, comments, or ideas that are too spicy for the FBI? Email us at [email protected]

We did it! Somehow. And somehow there are now more episodes post-comeback than in the original run. It doesn't really feel that way. These past two years have flown by. It feels like only yesterday that Justin was saying, "I think we should invite the guy who does the AES podcast to join Proles." We're grateful to Tony and Rae for putting up with the brothers J, and for adding insight we wouldn't have. But we also want to thank all of you, our listeners, without whom we would just be four people with ADHD screaming into the void. We love you, comrades. We love you so much we decided to forgo our typical format and answer your burning questions about soup and other serious matters. We hope you enjoy. And we hope we last to episode 200 without being taken out by the US State Department. Intro Music: "ProlesPod Theme" by Ransom Notes Outro Music: "Eastern Bloc Beats" by DJ DTA

This episode, which was recorded toward the end of November 2025, nonetheless tells an intersting story that gives context to the historical moment we have found ourselves in. It adresses the role of the left in latin american movements, the future, philosophy, and the failure of social democracy. We are joined by Dr Marc Becker and Dr Brandon Sanchez who are experts on these areas and histories. Support the show: Join us on Patreon for early-release episodes, study guides, bonus content, TheoryBeats, and more! You can even sign up for free to access study guides, merch updates, and surprise drops. Stay connected: Subscribe on your favorite podcast app, and don't forget to rate and review it helps the show reach more comrades.Follow us on: Twitter/X: @prolespod Instagram & Facebook: @prolespod Upscrolled: @prolespod Have questions or comments? Email us at [email protected] Have questions, comments, or ideas that are too spicy for the FBI? Email us at [email protected] May the spectre haunt your streets and solidarity forever.

Andre is back! This time they join Rae and Jeremy for a conversation on how to study and read theory. The discussion covers recommended readings, practical reading tips, and other useful guidance to help listeners better undersand and engage with Marxism-Leninism. Andre's Beginner Communist Resource Video Beginner Friendly Theory Primers: Georges Politzer, Elementary Principles of Philosophy (ProleWiki Link) (Foreign Language Press version) Maurice Cornforth, Dialectical Materialism: An Introduction (Volumes 1-3) PDF Hosted On Prolewiki, Buy a physical copy from Aakar Books Basic Curriculum of the Principles of Marxism Leninism (Translated by Luna Nyugun) Potential Reading Lists For Getting Into The Classics ML Reading Hub's List ProleWiki's Absolute Beginner's List Marxist Internet Archive's List Recommended Auxiliary Theory Texts: J.M Blaut, Marxism And Eurocentric Diffusionism Domenico Losurdo, Flight From History? The Communist Movement between Self-Criticism and Self-Contempt Two Members of the Bolshevik Tendency, Nationhood Or Genocide: The Struggle of the Native People Against Canadian and American Imperialism Leslie Feinberg, Lavender & Red Love Is Law: Cuba's Queer Rights Revolution Miscellaneous Mentioned Or Cited Texts for Part 2: Vladimir Lenin, The Three Sources and Three Component Parts of Marxism Kim Jong-Il, Giving Priority To Ideological Work Is Essential For Acomplishing Socialism Kim Jong-Il, On The Juche Idea George Jackson, Blood In My Eye Audiobook reading of the Losurdo essay

On this very special (clip show) espisode, we bring you three separate types of cOnTeNt you can access on Patreon if you so choose. Card Carrying Communist is a bit more fun and less structured--we came up with several dozen bonkers questions which end up randomized for our guests. The Secret Speech allows us to address topics we didn't get to on the main feed. And Q&Rae is pretty much what it sounds like: Rae asks whichever Proles are available at the time a bunch of listener-submitted (and Rae-submitted) questions. If you like what you hear, you can sign up at Patreon where you get access to early release episodes, study guides, the aforementioned bonus episodes, TheoryBeats, and MORE! YOU CAN DO SO FOR FREE, which will get you the study guides, merch, and other random drops. Please subscribe on your favorite podcast catcher and rate or review to help extend our reach. Like and rate us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @prolespod and Tiktok @proles.pod. If you have any questions or comments, email us at [email protected]. May the spectre haunt your streets, and solidarity forever.

The gang's all here! On the first classic Proles episode in a while, the crew reads through texts written by Kim Il-Sung and Kim Jong-Il. We unpack what makes Juche and the DPRK unique inheritors of the tradition of Marxism-Leninism as well as dialectical and historical materialism. Jeremy covers the Juche Idea, Tony talks governance and reuinification, and Rae gives us a look at Korean theater, music, and art. We've started including a short preview of our bonus episodes at the end of the main feed, so stay around for those! You can sign up at Patreon where you get access to early release episodes, study guides, the aforementioned bonus episodes, TheoryBeats, and MORE! YOU CAN DO SO FOR FREE, which will get you the study guides, merch, and other random drops. Please subscribe on your favorite podcast catcher and rate or review to help extend our reach. Like and rate us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @prolespod and Tiktok @proles.pod. If you have any questions or comments, email us at [email protected]. May the spectre haunt your streets, and solidarity forever. Sources: Kim Il sung (1948-1994) Reminiscences: With the Century Let Us Create South-South Cooperation On Eliminating Dogmatism and Formalism and Establishing Juche in Ideological Work On Achieving the National Reunification by the Great Unity of the Nation Ours is the Socialism of Juche Kim Jong Il (1994-2011) On the Art of the Drama On the Art of Music Abuses of Socialism Are Intolerable On the Juche Philosophy Kim Jong Un (2011-present) Let Us Brilliantly Accomplish the Revolutionary Cause of Juche Dissecting Kim Jong Un's Plenum Speech on North Korea's 2024 Plans DPRK news http://www.rodong.rep.kp/en/index.php?MUBAMkAxQA== http://www.pyongyangtimes.com.kp/ https://www.nknews.org/ Intro Music: "ProlesPod Theme" by Ransom Notes Outro Music: "Eastern Bloc Beats" by DJ DTA

Rae and Jeremy are joined by returning guest, Frank Gruba-McCallister, for a meander through the philosophy that drives Frank's own, expanding on the role of capitalism in the human experience, as well as the ways in which Marx overlaps and applies to interpretations of mental health and healing. Frank is the co-author of The Revolutionary Psychologist's Guide to Radical Therapy, and runs the r/counterpsych page. Support the show: Join us on Patreon for early-release episodes, study guides, bonus content, TheoryBeats, and more! You can even sign up for free to access study guides, merch updates, and surprise drops. Stay connected: Subscribe on your favorite podcast app, and don't forget to rate and review it helps the show reach more comrades.Follow us on: Twitter/X: @prolespod Instagram & Facebook: @prolespod TikTok: @proles.pod Have questions or comments? Email us at [email protected]. May the spectre haunt your streets and solidarity forever.

This is a bit of a departure from our usual format. Rather than having a specific topic, our guest Andre will give brief summaries and reviews of a number of texts which they recommend as a foundation for anyone who is interested in Marxism or Marxism-Leninism. I would say that this is a great episode for you to share with left-n00bs who you don't want to go down any dark paths of tendency, but it's also great for those who are looking for things to read on the specific subtopics addressed. We're talking overcoming anti-AES propaganda, decolonial theory and history, as well as what Andre calls "the endless Cold War." Reading and Viewing Recommendations: Andre's Beginner Communist Resource Video Quote Reading From The Russians Are Coming Quote Reading From Socialism Betrayed Main Books And Their Respective Follow-Ups: Anna Louise Strong, This Soviet World V.L Allen, The Russians Are Coming: The Politics of Anti-Sovietism Roger Keeran and Thomas Kenny, Socialism Betrayed: Behind the Collapse of the Soviet Union Aimé Césaire, Discourse On Colonialism Walter Rodney, How Europe Underdeveloped Africa Eduardo Galeano, Open Veins of Latin America: Five Centuries of the Pillage of a Continent A.B Abrams, Atrocity Fabrication And Its Consequences: How Fake News Shapes World Order Samir Amin, The Liberal Virus: Permanent War And The Americanization Of The World A.B Abrams, Power And Primacy: A History of Western Intervention in the Asia-Pacific (2023 Updated Edition) Other Cited Texts: Stuart Hall, When We Are All Enemies of the State Karl Marx, Theses On Feuerbach Basic Curriculum of the Principles of Marxism Leninism (Translated by Luna Nyugun) Georges Politzer, Elementary Principles of Philosophy (ProleWiki Link) (Foreign Language Press version) Maurice Cornforth, Dialectical Materialism: An Introduction (Volumes 1-3) PDF Hosted On Prolewiki Vincent Bevins, If We Burn: The Mass Protest Decade And The Missing Revolution Domenico Losurdo, Flight from History? The Communist Movement between Self-Criticism and Self-Contempt Agustín Lage Dávila, The Knowledge Economy And Socialism: Science And Society In Cuba Kyle Ferrana, Why The World Needs China: Development, Environmentalism, Conflict Resolution & Common Prosperity Douglas Valentine, The CIA As Organized Crime: How Illegal Operations Corrupt America And The World Albert Szymanski, Human Rights In The Soviet Union: Including Comparisons With The U.S.A Extra Recommended Readings: E.H Carr, The Soviet Impact On The Western World Anna Lousie Strong, In North Korea: First Eye-Witness Report Albert Szymanski, Is The Red Flag Flying? The Political Economy of the Soviet Union Today Support the show: Join us on Patreon for early-release episodes, study guides, bonus content, TheoryBeats, and more! You can even sign up for free to access study guides, merch updates, and surprise drops. Stay connected: Subscribe on your favorite podcast app, and don't forget to rate and review it helps the show reach more comrades.Follow us on: Twitter/X: @prolespod Instagram & Facebook: @prolespod TikTok: @proles.pod Have questions or comments? Email us at [email protected]. May the spectre haunt your streets and solidarity forever. Find Weeb Revolution on YouTube.

In this whirlwind episode, The Leninist Lawyer (@LovelyLeninist) takes us deep into the world of Soviet law from the 1917 Revolution to end of Stalin's life in 1953. What exactly is socialist law? Did the USSR have a jury system? And how did the Soviet legal apparatus differ from so-called Western justice? We answer all and more in this intriguing episode. Support the show: Join us on Patreon for early-release episodes, study guides, bonus content, TheoryBeats, and more! You can even sign up for free to access study guides, merch updates, and surprise drops. Stay connected: Subscribe on your favorite podcast app, and don't forget to rate and review it helps the show reach more comrades.Follow us on: Twitter/X: @prolespod Instagram & Facebook: @prolespod TikTok: @proles.pod Have questions or comments? Email us at [email protected]. May the spectre haunt your streets and solidarity forever. Follow The Leninist Lawyer: @LovelyLeninist

Rae and Jeremy sit down with Nathan from Schizophrenic Reads to talk about anti-intellectualism, radical empathy, and the ways in which our consumer culture turns us into hedonistic assholes. You can sign up at Patreon where you get access to early release episodes, study guides, the aforementioned bonus episodes, TheoryBeats, and MORE! YOU CAN DO SO FOR FREE, which will get you the study guides, merch, and other random drops. Please subscribe on your favorite podcast catcher and rate or review to help extend our reach. Like and rate us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @prolespod and Tiktok @proles.pod. If you have any questions or comments, email us at [email protected]. May the spectre haunt your streets, and solidarity forever. You can find Nathan HERE! Intro Music: "ProlesPod Theme" by Ransom Notes Outro Music: "Eastern Bloc Beats" by DJ DTA

The Stalin Eras: Sources & Supplemental Material: https://www.patreon.com/posts/141308561 The Stalin Eras: Bonus Episodes: https://www.patreon.com/collection/798550 The Stalin Eras: Link Tree with Playlist https://linktr.ee/thestalineras

ATTENTION THEORY HEADS: this one's for you. Tony is subjected to misandry (JK, JK) as he, Rae, and Jen do a deep dive into Alexandra Kollontai's 1923 essay, "Winged Eros." They discuss misconceptions about Kollontai as a person, dating under capitalism vs socialism, the family unit, and much more. You can sign up at Patreon where you get access to early release episodes, study guides, the aforementioned bonus episodes, TheoryBeats, and MORE! YOU CAN DO SO FOR FREE, which will get you the study guides, merch, and other random drops. Please subscribe on your favorite podcast catcher and rate or review to help extend our reach. Like and rate us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @prolespod and Tiktok @proles.pod. If you have any questions or comments, email us at [email protected]. May the spectre haunt your streets, and solidarity forever. Text Version of Winged Eros Audio Version of Winged Eros Intro Music: "ProlesPod Theme" by Ransom Notes Outro Music: "Eastern Bloc Beats" by DJ DTA

In this episode, we sit down with Jon and Frank to talk about their newly published edited collection, The Revolutionary Psychologist's Guide to Radical Therapy. We explore what "radical psychological practice" means, the ways capitalism undermines mental health, and why therapy without a class analysis risks hitting a dead end. Along the way, we touch on the possibilities and limitations of mainstream therapy, how radical approaches can open up new paths to collective well-being, and much more. CounterPsych Reddit Jon's Other Project: The TTRPG Surreal Punk Sources: Gruba-McCallister, F. P. (2019). Embracing disillusionment: Achieving liberation through the demystification of suffering.University Professors Press. Gruba-McCallister, F. P. (2025). Radical healing: No wellness without justice. University Professors Press. Hook, J., & Gruba-McCallister, F. P. (Eds.) (2025). The revolutionary psychologist's guide to radical therapy. Palgrave Macmillan. To be released 11-30-25. Available for pre-order on Amazon. Link to Order Book Friere, P. (1970). Pedagogy of the oppressed. Herder and Herder. Fromm, E. (1955). The sane society. Fawcett Publications, Inc. Parker, I. (2018). Marxist theory and psychotherapy. In B. Cohen (Ed.), Routledge international handbook of critical mental health (pp. 244-250). Routledge.

Tony abandons the rest of the crew to their devices, and things predictably go off the rails. We talk about the weak chins of continuing series, whether or not there are encoded messages in Rian Johnson movies, and discuss the futility of anti-capitalist messaging without a political program to back it up. You can sign up at Patreon where you get access to early release episodes, study guides, the aforementioned bonus episodes, TheoryBeats, and MORE! YOU CAN DO SO FOR FREE, which will get you the study guides, merch, and other random drops. Please subscribe on your favorite podcast catcher and rate or review to help extend our reach. Like and rate us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @prolespod and Tiktok @proles.pod. If you have any questions or comments, email us at [email protected]. May the spectre haunt your streets, and solidarity forever. Intro Music: "ProlesPod Theme" by Ransom Notes Outro Music: "Eastern Bloc Beats" by DJ DTA

Tony and Jeremy sit down with Alex Z (Southern Catholic Worker) to talk about John Brown and Co, their raid on Harper's Ferry, the aftermath, and the legacy of John Brown on politics and the Civil War. You can sign up at Patreon where you get access to early release episodes, study guides, the aforementioned bonus episodes, TheoryBeats, and MORE! YOU CAN DO SO FOR FREE, which will get you the study guides, merch, and other random drops. Please subscribe on your favorite podcast catcher and rate or review to help extend our reach. Like and rate us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @prolespod and Tiktok @proles.pod. If you have any questions or comments, email us at [email protected]. May the spectre haunt your streets, and solidarity forever. Sources: John Brown, Abolitionist: The Man Who Killed Slavery, Sparked the Civil War, and Seeded CIvil Rights by David S. Reynolds Midnight Rising: John Brown and the Raid that Sparked the Civil War by Tony Horowitz The Old Man: John Brown at Harpers Ferry by Truman Nelson John Brown by W.E.B. Du Bois Anti-Racism in US History: The First Hundred Years by Herbert Aptheker Intro Music: "ProlesPod Theme" by Ransom Notes Outro Music: "Eastern Bloc Beats" by DJ DTA

Tony and Jeremy sit down with Alex Z (Southern Catholic Worker) to talk about John Brown's early life, along with his trials and tribulations as a worker, father, and husband. This episode takes us all the way up to the period before he begins planning for the raid on Harper's Ferry (which means many skirmishes with and some broadsword swinging on pro-slavery dorks). You can sign up at Patreon where you get access to early release episodes, study guides, the aforementioned bonus episodes, TheoryBeats, and MORE! YOU CAN DO SO FOR FREE, which will get you the study guides, merch, and other random drops. Please subscribe on your favorite podcast catcher and rate or review to help extend our reach. Like and rate us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @prolespod and Tiktok @proles.pod. If you have any questions or comments, email us at [email protected]. May the spectre haunt your streets, and solidarity forever. Sources: John Brown, Abolitionist: The Man Who Killed Slavery, Sparked the Civil War, and Seeded CIvil Rights by David S. Reynolds Midnight Rising: John Brown and the Raid that Sparked the Civil War by Tony Horowitz The Old Man: John Brown at Harpers Ferry by Truman Nelson John Brown by W.E.B. Du Bois Anti-Racism in US History: The First Hundred Years by Herbert Aptheker Intro Quote: An excerpt from a speech given by Malcolm X in 1965. Intro Music: "ProlesPod Theme" by Ransom Notes Outro Music: "Eastern Bloc Beats" by DJ DTA

What do Andor, The Hunger Games, and Severance really say about capitalism and socialist revolution? In this episode of Prolespod, we critically examine these popular sci-fi and dystopian series through a socialist lens. We unpack the anti-capitalist themes, revolutionary narratives, and class struggle depicted in each — and ask how far these shows can really go while being produced by profit-driven corporations. Support the show and listen to the bonus episode which focuses on Sinners at patreon.com/prolespod

In this two-part Theory Episode, the ProlesPod Squad takes on one of the most influential texts in socialist history: "Reform or Revolution" (1898) by Polish-German Marxist Rosa Luxemburg. Whether you're new to political theory, find socialist texts hard to get through, or just want to hear our unique take—this deep-dive is for you. We break it down, debate its meaning, and explore why this revolutionary classic still matters today.

In this two-part Theory Episode, the ProlesPod Squad takes on one of the most influential texts in socialist history: "Reform or Revolution" (1898) by Polish-German Marxist Rosa Luxemburg. Whether you're new to political theory, find socialist texts hard to get through, or just want to hear our unique take—this deep-dive is for you. We break it down, debate its meaning, and explore why this revolutionary classic still matters today.

In this very special release, Justin talked with Iranian communist and comrade, Araaz, about life in Iran, the effects of the attacks by Israel, and the context of life under the Islamic Revolutionary Government. We weren't sure what we expected this episode to be, but it surpassed those expectations. You can sign up at Patreon where you get access to early release episodes, study guides, the aforementioned bonus episodes, TheoryBeats, and MORE! YOU CAN DO SO FOR FREE, which will get you the study guides, merch, and other random drops. Please subscribe on your favorite podcast catcher and rate or review to help extend our reach. Like and rate us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @prolespod and Tiktok @proles.pod. If you have any questions or comments, email us at [email protected]. May the spectre haunt your streets, and solidarity forever. Intro Music: "ProlesPod Theme" by Ransom Notes Outro Music: "Eastern Bloc Beats" by DJ DTA

Digging into his own family's background, PhD Candidate, Brandon, is our subject matter expert. He combines archival research with ethnographic interviews to bring us the history of the guerrilla struggle, focusing on the era between the early 1960s and the early 1980s. We learn about tactics, tribulation, and Trotskyite treachery. You can sign up at Patreon where you get access to early release episodes, study guides, the aforementioned bonus episodes, TheoryBeats, and MORE! YOU CAN DO SO FOR FREE, which will get you the study guides, merch, and other random drops. Please subscribe on your favorite podcast catcher and rate or review to help extend our reach. Like and rate us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @prolespod and Tiktok @proles.pod. If you have any questions or comments, email us at [email protected]. May the spectre haunt your streets, and solidarity forever. Sources: Days of the Jungle: The Testimony of a Guatemalan Guerrilla (1972-1976) by Mario Payeras Turcios Lima: His Biography and Documents by Dulcila Cañizares The Guerrilla Movement in Guatemala by Adolpho Gilly Autobiography of a Guerrilla: Guatemala 1960-1968 by Ricardo Ramirez Intro Music: "ProlesPod Theme" by Ransom Notes Outro Music: "Siberian Trails" by DJ DTA

The ProlesSquad shares and responds to some of the most poorly concieved yet commonly heard anti-communist arguments! You can sign up at Patreon where you get access to early release episodes, study guides, the aforementioned bonus episodes, TheoryBeats, and MORE! YOU CAN DO SO FOR FREE, which will get you the study guides, merch, and other random drops. Please subscribe on your favorite podcast catcher and rate or review to help extend our reach. Like and rate us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @prolespod and Tiktok @proles.pod. If you have any questions or comments, email us at [email protected]. May the spectre haunt your streets, and solidarity forever.

Virginia and Steve from Macro N Cheese Podcast/Real Progressives join Justin and Jeremy in a discussion of Modern Monetary Theory, how it can be used as a radicalizing tool, as well as what it means in the grand scheme of global economics. We go even more in depth on our Patreon exclusive bonus episode, so make sure you don't miss it! You can sign up at Patreon where you get access to early release episodes, study guides, the aforementioned bonus episodes, TheoryBeats, and MORE! YOU CAN DO SO FOR FREE, which will get you the study guides, merch, and other random drops. Please subscribe on your favorite podcast catcher and rate or review to help extend our reach. Like and rate us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @prolespod and Tiktok @proles.pod. If you have any questions or comments, email us at [email protected]. May the spectre haunt your streets, and solidarity forever. Sources: Reclaiming the State by Bill Mitchell and Thomas Fazi Seven Deadly, Innocent Frauds of Economic Policy by Warren Mosler Modern Money Theory by L. Randall Wray The Deficit Myth by Stephanie Kelton Global South Perspectives by Fadhel Kaboub Jason Hickel's Substack Intro Music: "ProlesPod Theme" by Ransom Notes Outro Music: "Average Folk" by DJ DTA

The Proles Squad is joined by communist Youtuber RevolutionaryTh0t to talk about their recent work on soviet children's cartoons, women's liberation in the USSR, and socialist child rearing! RevolutionaryTh0t's Youtube Channel RevolutionaryTh0t's Instagram Sign up at Patreon where you can get access to early release episodes, study guides, bonus episodes, TheoryBeats, and MORE! YOU CAN DO SO FOR FREE, which will get you the study guides, merch, and other random drops. Please subscribe on your favorite podcast catcher and rate or review to help extend our reach. Like and rate us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @prolespod and Tiktok @proles.pod. If you have any questions or comments, email us at [email protected]. May the spectre haunt your streets, and solidarity forever. Intro Music: "ProlesPod Theme" by Ransom Notes

In the FINAL main-feed episode of the Stalin Eras, we sat back and took a look at where we started and where we ended up. Were we successful in what we set out to do? What did we learn? What do we hope listeners learned? How did the process change us? We answer these and more. Please comment what you learned, something that surprised you. We would love to see them. The Stalin Eras, inspired by the classic RevLeft Radio episode "Stalin: A Marxist-Leninist Perspective, mixes both narrative history (ala Blowback) and discussion (like classic Prolespod) to provide the most comprehensive English overview of the life and impact of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin in podcast format. Whether you're a socialist history enthusiast, someone who's just curious to learn more than what you got in school about the Soviet Union, or even a total hater who just wants to rage, this series has something for everyone. Support the show at www.patreon.com/prolespod

The much anticipated criticisms and contradictions episode of The Stalin Eras! In this episode we wrestle with the following controversies during Stalin's leadership of the USSR: the Gulag, anti-homosexuality laws, anti-abortion Laws, the "Final" Contradiction, and more! You don't want to miss this one! The Stalin Eras, inspired by the classic RevLeft Radio episode "Stalin: A Marxist-Leninist Perspective, mixes both narrative history (ala Blowback) and discussion (like classic Prolespod) to provide the most comprehensive English overview of the life and impact of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin in podcast format. Whether you're a socialist history enthusiast, someone who's just curious to learn more than what you got in school about the Soviet Union, or even a total hater who just wants to rage, this series has something for everyone. Support the show at www.patreon.com/prolespod Recommended Supplemental Listening Was the Soviet Union Totalitarian w/ Robert Thurston Stalin's Constitution & Life in 1930s Soviet Union w/ Samantha Lomb Understanding Siege Socialim w/ Gabriel Rockhill Recommended Supplemental Reading Western Marxism: How it was Born, How it Died, How it can be Reborn by Domenico Losurdo For a Few Canards More: Counter Inquiry on Stalin and the Soviet Union by Aymeric Monville Episode Sources Love - Family Life - Career: Behind the Soviet Law Limiting Abortions and Increasing Aid to Mothers 1936 Sexuality and Socialism: History, Politics, and Theory of LGBT Liberation by Sherry Wolf Lavender and Red by Leslie Feinberg Criminal Proesecution of Homosexuals in the Soviet Union (1946-1991) - Numbers and Discourses by Uladzmir Valodzin Homosexual Desire in Revolutionary Russia: The Regulation of Sexual and Gender Dissent by Dan Healey The Gulag: A Very Short Introduction by Alan Barenberg Belomor: Criminality and Creativity in Stalin's Gulag by Julie S. Draskoczy Stalin: History and Critique of a Black Legend by Domenico Losurdo The Gulag - Espresso Stalinist Collection of Qoutes About Gulag 'Factory of invalids': Mortality, disability and early release on medical grounds in GULAG, 1930-1955

As "The Stalin Eras" draws to a close, we discuss, in more granular detail, Joseph Stalin's placement within the context of Soviet history, focusing on the years 1939 up to his death in 1953. Our host for this episode is (also) Jeremy, from Intervenciones Gringas! We talk accusations of imperialism, the final results of Stalin's theory of Socialism in One Country, and the contradiction of "orthodox" Marxism. The Stalin Eras, inspired by the classic RevLeft Radio episode "Stalin: A Marxist-Leninist Perspective, mixes both narrative history (ala Blowback) and discussion (like classic Prolespod) to provide the most comprehensive English overview of the life and impact of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin in podcast format. Whether you're a socialist history enthusiast, someone who's just curious to learn more than what you got in school about the Soviet Union, or even a total hater who just wants to rage, this series has something for everyone. Support the show at www.patreon.com/prolespod Recommended Supplemental Listening East Germany: Stasi State or Socialist Paradise? w/Bruni de la Motte The Rise of, Life In, and Fall of the German Democratic Republic The Subversion of East Germany (1945-1961) The American Soldier Who Defected to East Germany (Part 1) w/ Victor Grossman The Czechoslovak Socialist Republic (1948-1990) w/ Julia Mead Critiquing Stalin's Black Legend w/ Henry Hakamäki & Salvatore Engel-Di Mauro Class Based Affirmative Action in Socialist Poland w/ Agata Zysiak Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic 101: Pre-history to World War II w/ Iskolat Was the Soviet Union Totalitarian w/ Robert Thurston Understanding Siege Socialim w/ Gabriel Rockhill Latvia's Red Partisans of World War II Romania and Ceaușescu Stalin Was a Mensch - A Look at the "Antisemitism" of the USSR Recommended Supplemental Reading Western Marxism: How it was Born, How it Died, How it can be Reborn by Domenico Losurdo For a Few Canards More: Counter Inquiry on Stalin and the Soviet Union by Aymeric Monville Sources Stalin's Wars: From World War to Cold War, 1939-1953 by Geoffrey Roberts Stalin: History and Critique of a Black Legend by Domenico Losurdo The Great Patriotic War of the Soviet Union, 1941-45: A Documentary Reader by Alexander Hill World War II: Myths and the Realities by Oleg Rzheshevsky The Soviets Expected It by Anna Louise Strong Stalin: From the Caucasus to the Kremlin by Christopher Read

In this final narrative of "The Stalin Eras", we detail Joseph Stalin's life within the context of Soviet history through the years 1943-1953. This narrative, titled "Long Live Comrade Stalin!" covers viscerally the experience of the Soviet people during the Great Patriotic War as well as the key ingredients to their victory, the early days of the cold war, and Stalin's final years. The Stalin Eras, inspired by the classic RevLeft Radio episode "Stalin: A Marxist-Leninist Perspective, mixes both narrative history (ala Blowback) and discussion (like classic Prolespod) to provide the most comprehensive English overview of the life and impact of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin in podcast format. Whether you're a socialist history enthusiast, someone who's just curious to learn more than what you got in school about the Soviet Union, or even a total hater who just wants to rage, this series has something for everyone. Support the show at www.patreon.com/prolespod Recommended Supplemental Listening East Germany: Stasi State or Socialist Paradise? w/Bruni de la Motte The Rise of, Life In, and Fall of the German Democratic Republic The Subversion of East Germany (1945-1961) The American Soldier Who Defected to East Germany (Part 1) w/ Victor Grossman The Czechoslovak Socialist Republic (1948-1990) w/ Julia Mead Critiquing Stalin's Black Legend w/ Henry Hakamäki & Salvatore Engel-Di Mauro Class Based Affirmative Action in Socialist Poland w/ Agata Zysiak Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic 101: Pre-history to World War II w/ Iskolat Was the Soviet Union Totalitarian w/ Robert Thurston Understanding Siege Socialim w/ Gabriel Rockhill Latvia's Red Partisans of World War II Romania and Ceaușescu Stalin Was a Mensch - A Look at the "Antisemitism" of the USSR Recommended Supplemental Reading Western Marxism: How it was Born, How it Died, How it can be Reborn by Domenico Losurdo For a Few Canards More: Counter Inquiry on Stalin and the Soviet Union by Aymeric Monville Sources Stalin's Wars: From World War to Cold War, 1939-1953 by Geoffrey Roberts Stalin: History and Critique of a Black Legend by Domenico Losurdo The Great Patriotic War of the Soviet Union, 1941-45: A Documentary Reader by Alexander Hill World War II: Myths and the Realities by Oleg Rzheshevsky The Soviets Expected It by Anna Louise Strong Stalin: From the Caucasus to the Kremlin by Christopher Read

In the narrative for Part 4.0 of "The Stalin Eras", we detail Joseph Stalin's life within the context of Soviet history through the years 1939-1942. This narrative, titled "Enemy at the Gates" highlights the pivotal years leading to the Nazi invasion of the USSR: the invasion of Poland, Soviet influence over the Baltics, the death of Leon Trotsky, and the start of Operation Barbarossa! Stay tuned for the next episode which will continue the narrative through from 1943-1953, Stalin's final years. The Stalin Eras, inspired by the classic RevLeft Radio episode "Stalin: A Marxist-Leninist Perspective, mixes both narrative history (ala Blowback) and discussion (like classic Prolespod) to provide the most comprehensive English overview of the life and impact of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin in podcast format. Whether you're a socialist history enthusiast, someone who's just curious to learn more than what you got in school about the Soviet Union, or even a total hater who just wants to rage, this series has something for everyone. Support the show at www.patreon.com/prolespod Recommended Supplemental Reading Western Marxism: How it was Born, How it Died, How it can be Reborn by Domenico Losurdo For a Few Canards More: Counter Inquiry on Stalin and the Soviet Union by Aymeric Monville Recommended Supplemental Listening Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic 101: Pre-history to World War II w/ Iskolat How Stalin Tried to Prevent World War II w/ Michael Jabara Carley Was the Soviet Union Totalitarian w/ Robert Thurston Understanding Siege Socialim w/ Gabriel Rockhill The American Ambassador Who Supported Stalin w/ Dominique Petit-Wagner Stalin's Constitution & Life in 1930s Soviet Union w/ Samantha Lomb Sources Stalin's Wars: From World War to Cold War, 1939-1953 by Geoffrey Roberts Stalin: History and Critique of a Black Legend by Domenico Losurdo The Great Patriotic War of the Soviet Union, 1941-45: A Documentary Reader by Alexander Hill Stalin: From the Caucasus to the Kremlin by Christopher Read The Boy in the Woods: A True Story of Survival During the Second World War by Maxwell Smart Soviet Russia and the Baltic Republics by Philip Farr The Baltic Riddle: Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania—Key Points of European Peace by Gregory Meiksins Russia, Finland and the Baltic W.P. and Zelda K. Coates

In this episode, we switched it up a bit to discuss some of the wild events that have been happening and analyze their impact, what we think about them etc. From the "Roman Salute" to the California wildfires, we got it all here. With silliness throughout. You can sign up at Patreon where you get access to early release episodes, study guides, the aforementioned bonus episodes, TheoryBeats, and MORE! YOU CAN DO SO FOR FREE, which will get you the study guides, merch, and other random drops. Please subscribe on your favorite podcast catcher and rate or review to help extend our reach. Like and rate us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @prolespod and Tiktok @proles.pod. If you have any questions or comments, email us at [email protected]. May the spectre haunt your streets, and solidarity forever. Intro Music: "ProlesPod Theme" by Ransom Notes Midroll written and read by Rae Midroll music "Bidenika" by DJ DTA Outro music "Eastern Bloc Beats" by DJ DTA

Ameed and Cody from Good Shepherd Collective join Rae and Jeremy in a Q&A on the conditions and complications related to the struggle of the Palestinian people. Questions were collected from you, the listener. We did our best to condense similar questions together but also to give a solid variety, across multiple topics. Some are covered in the main feed episode. Some in the Patreon bonus. You can sign up at Patreon where you get access to early release episodes, study guides, the aforementioned bonus episodes, TheoryBeats, and MORE! YOU CAN DO SO FOR FREE, which will get you the study guides, merch, and other random drops. Please subscribe on your favorite podcast catcher and rate or review to help extend our reach. Like and rate us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @prolespod and Tiktok @proles.pod. If you have any questions or comments, email us at [email protected]. May the spectre haunt your streets, and solidarity forever. Sources: Gaza Mutual Aid Solidarity Ahel Gaza Palestine Action Gaza Funds Workshops 4 Gaza Defund Racism Intro Music: "ProlesPod Theme" by Ransom Notes Midroll written and read by Rae Midroll music "Profit Meets Precarity" by DJ DTA

In the Part 3 Discussion, we cover evidence for the Moscow Trials (more to come in the Part 3.5 Narrative), The Spanish Civil War, Molotov-Ribbentrop, and more. Our host is Legacy Prole, Taylor! The Stalin Eras, inspired by the classic RevLeft Radio episode "Stalin: A Marxist-Leninist Perspective, mixes both narrative history (ala Blowback) and discussion (like classic Prolespod) to provide the most comprehensive English overview of the life and impact of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin in podcast format. Whether you're a socialist history enthusiast, someone who's just curious to learn more than what you got in school about the Soviet Union, or even a total hater who just wants to rage, this series has something for everyone. Support the show at www.patreon.com/prolespod Recommended Additional Reading Stalin History & Critique of a Black Legend by Domenico Losurdo Western Marxism: How it was Born, How it Died, How it can be Reborn by Domenico Losurdo Recommended Additional Listening Stalin's Constitution & Life in 1930s Soviet Union w/ Samantha Lomb How Stalin Tried to Prevent World War II w/ Michael Jabara Carley Stalin: A Marxist-Leninist Perspective Foundations of Leninism Sources Stalin's Constitution: Soviet Participatory Politics and the Discussion of the 1936 Draft Constituion by Samantha Lomb The New Soviet Constitution: A Study in Socialist Democracy by Anna Louise Strong Stalinist Values: The Cultural Norms of Soviet Modernity, 1917–1941 The Bloomsbury Handbook of the Spanish Civil War Broué, P. (1990). Party opposition to Stalin (1930-1932) and the first Moscow trial. In J. W. Strong (Ed.), Essays on revolutionary culture and Stalinism. Selected papers from the Third World Congress for Soviet and East European studies. Craig, G. A. (1951). Documents on German Foreign Policy 1918–1945. Series D (1937–1945). Volume III. Germany and the Spanish Civil War 1936–1939. London: His Majesty's Stationery Office. Volodarsky, B. (2015). Stalin's agent. The life and death of Alexander Orlov. London and New York: Oxford University Press.

Our longest and most controversial episode. This narrative, titled "War Is Already Here" (using the latest archival scholarship) details the legitimacy of the controversial Moscow Trials, the origins of the "Great Terror", the climax of the Spanish Civil War, war with Japan and apocalyptically - the beginning of a second globe spanning conflict! The Stalin Eras, inspired by the classic RevLeft Radio episode "Stalin: A Marxist-Leninist Perspective", mixes both narrative history (ala Blowback) and discussion (like classic Prolespod) to provide the most comprehensive English overview of the life and impact of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin in podcast format. Whether you're a socialist history enthusiast, someone who's just curious to learn more than what you got in school about the Soviet Union, or even a total hater who just wants to rage, this series has something for everyone. Support the show at www.patreon.com/prolespod Recommended Supplemental Reading Stalin History & Critique of a Black Legend by Domenico Losurdo Western Marxism: How it was Born, How it Died, How it can be Reborn by Domenico Losurdo For a Few Canards More: Counter Inquiry on Stalin and the Soviet Union by Aymeric Monville Recommended Supplemental Listening How Stalin Tried to Prevent World War II w/ Michael Jabara Carley Was the Soviet Union Totalitarian w/ Robert Thurston Understanding Siege Socialim w/ Gabriel Rockhill The American Ambassador Who Supported Stalin w/ Dominique Petit-Wagner Stalin's Constitution & Life in 1930s Soviet Union w/ Samantha Lomb Sources Stalin's Failed Alliance: The Struggle for Collective Security, 1936-1939 by Michael Jabara Carley Nomonhan, 1939: The Red Army's Victory That Shapped World War II by Stuart D. Goldman Stalin and War, 1918-1953: Patterns of Repression, Mobilization, and External Threat by David Shearer International Communism and the Origins of World War II by Jonathan Haslam Marshal of Victory: The Autobiography of General Georgy Zhukov The Bloomsbury Handbook of the Spanish Civil War ed. Antonio Cazorla-Sanchez, Alison Ribeiro De Menezes, Adrian Shubert Reflections on Stalinism ed. J.Arch Getty, Lewis Siegelbaum How Russia Blasted Hitler's Spy Machine by Joseph E. Davies Soviet Archives

In the narrative for Part Three of "The Stalin Eras", Tony and Jeremy detail Joseph Stalin's life within the context of Soviet history through the years 1935-1936. This narrative, titled "Triumph and Tribulations" highlights the USSR as a rising star to both the global proletariat and colonized peoples, the utter triumph of socialist construction during the Great Depression, the highly progressive 1936 Soviet Constitution, and finally the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War! Stay tuned for the next episode which will continue the narrative through from 1936-1939 focusing mostly on the controversial Moscow Trials, the Great Purge, the climax of the Spanish Civil War, and apocalyptically - the beginning of World War II. The Stalin Eras, inspired by the classic RevLeft Radio episode "Stalin: A Marxist-Leninist Perspective, mixes both narrative history (ala Blowback) and discussion (like classic Prolespod) to provide the most comprehensive English overview of the life and impact of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin in podcast format. Whether you're a socialist history enthusiast, someone who's just curious to learn more than what you got in school about the Soviet Union, or even a total hater who just wants to rage, this series has something for everyone. Support the show at www.patreon.com/prolespod Recommended Additional Reading Stalin History & Critique of a Black Legend by Domenico Losurdo Western Marxism: How it was Born, How it Died, How it can be Reborn by Domenico Losurdo Recommended Additional Listening Stalin's Constitution & Life in 1930s Soviet Union w/ Samantha Lomb How Stalin Tried to Prevent World War II w/ Michael Jabara Carley Stalin: A Marxist-Leninist Perspective Foundations of Leninism Sources Stalin's Constitution: Soviet Participatory Politics and the Discussion of the 1936 Draft Constituion by Samantha Lomb The New Soviet Constitution: A Study in Socialist Democracy by Anna Louise Strong Stalinist Values: The Cultural Norms of Soviet Modernity, 1917–1941 The Bloomsbury Handbook of the Spanish Civil War Broué, P. (1990). Party opposition to Stalin (1930-1932) and the first Moscow trial. In J. W. Strong (Ed.), Essays on revolutionary culture and Stalinism. Selected papers from the Third World Congress for Soviet and East European studies. Craig, G. A. (1951). Documents on German Foreign Policy 1918–1945. Series D (1937–1945). Volume III. Germany and the Spanish Civil War 1936–1939. London: His Majesty's Stationery Office. Volodarsky, B. (2015). Stalin's agent. The life and death of Alexander Orlov. London and New York: Oxford University Press.

Comrades! We are hard at work on the Stalin Eras, as you all know. Part 3 in particular, given the Moscow Trials, The Military Trial, Ezhovchina, and other major topics, this episode in particular has taken a LOT of work. We have also uncovered a bunch of archival material that we hope will create context that we believe has never been presented in the English language. On top of that, a few listeners have given us feedback that, particularly given the very dense nature of the material, that they feel like they are falling behind and thus unable to engage with the discussion online and participate in the live-listens we do for every new Stalin Eras episode on the Patreon. As such, we are taking an intermission of sorts (still slaving away in the podcast mines) to give people time to catch up and to give us the time to properly represent our vision in Part 3 as the DEFINITIVE collection of materialist analysis and historiography on the Stalin Era of Soviet History. We didn't want to leave you hanging, so, here is a peek behind the Iron Curtain of the paywall, featuring our two most recent Q & Rae episodes. We hope you enjoy. Please consider subscribing so that we may continue to put the effort that we have put into the Stalin Eras into all of our future episodes. We hope you're enjoying it, and solidarity forever.

In the discussion for Part Two of "The Stalin Eras", the gang responds to questions from Jen (aka Big Nasty), host of How the Red Was Won and overall badass comrade. The years in focus are, again, 1930-1934, and based upon the previous episode (which you should listen to if you haven't already). We talk Stalin's sigma male grindset, writing letters to the man himself, the rise of fascism, and the contradictions facing the USSR at this time. The Stalin Eras, inspired by the classic RevLeft Radio episode "Stalin: A Marxist-Leninist Perspective, mixes both narrative history (ala Blowback) and discussion (like classic Prolespod) to provide the most comprehensive English overview of the life and impact of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin in podcast format. Whether you're a socialist history enthusiast, someone who's just curious to learn more than what you got in school about the Soviet Union, or even a total hater who just wants to rage, this series has something for everyone. Support the show and get bonus content at patreon.com/prolespod Recomended Resources on "Holodomor" as Genocide Question Academics who do not consider the Ukraine famine of 1932-1933 to be a genocide include: J. Arch Getty, Stephen Wheatcroft, Mark Tauger, R.W Davies, Hiroaki Kuromiya, Ronald Grigor Suny, Stephen Kotkin to name a few. Recommended Additional Reading Stalin History & Critique of a Black Legend by Domenico Losurdo Another View of Stalin by Ludo Martens Recommended Additional Listening Stalin: A Marxist-Leninist Perspective Foundations of Leninism Episode Sources The Lesser of Two Hells by Alvin D Coox Practicing Stalinism by J Arch Getty Excesses Are Not Permitted byJ Arch Getty Origins of the Great Purges by J Arch Getty I Change Worlds by Anna Louise Strong I Was Stalin's Bodyguard by Achmed Amba The Pattern Of Soviet Power by Edgar Snow Revolution on my Mind by Jochen Hellbeck Stalin's Library by Geoffrey Roberts The Great Conspiracy by Michael Sayers & Albert E Kahn Conjuring Hitler by Guido Giacomo Preparata Molotov Remembers, Conversations with Felix Chuev Black Bolshevik by Harry Haywood Teachers of Stalinism by E Thomas Ewing Stalin: From the Caucasus to the Kremlin, Christopher Read, 2017, Routledge Publishing Next to Stalin by A.T. Rybin Betrayal of an Ideal by G.A. Tokaev Soviet Famine 1930–1933: "The Law of Spikelets" Myth Explained by Polistrum In Search of New Facts: Interwar Japanese Military Intelligence Activities in the Baltic States and Finland: 1918–1940 by Shingo Masunaga, Wrestling with Aspects of Interwar Stalinism by William J. Chase, Why I resigned from the Trotsky Defense Committee by Mauritz Alfred Hallgren, 1937, International Publishers Muder at the Kemerovo Mines by Ernst Fischer Trial of the Major War Criminals before the International Military Tribunal (Nuremberg, 1949), Vol. 29 The Goebbels Diaries: 1942-1943 by Joseph Goebbels, "Secret Hitler-Benes Negotiations in 1936-37." bt Gerhard L. Weinberg The Road to Terror. Stalin and the Self-Destruction of the Bolsheviks by J. Arch Getty and Oleg V. Naumov Russian Soviet Archives U.S. Archives, Library of Congress Czech Republic Archives Vienna Bureau of the Austrian Chancellor The Red Book, Leon Sedov, 1936, Byulletin Oppositsii, Nos.52-53, October 1936 The Prophet Outcast: Trotsky, (1929–1940), Isaac Deutscher, 1963, Vintage Russian Library The Russian Enigma, Ante Ciliga, 1940, Pluto Press "Red Wreckers in Russia.",by John D Littlepage My Life, byLeon Trotsky Leon Sedov: Son, Friend, Fighter, Leon Trotsky Harvard Trotsky Archive, Houghton Library, Harvard University The Great Terror. A Reassessment by Robert Conquest Bukharin and the Bolshevik Revolution 1888-1938 by Stephen Cohen The Kirov Murder and Soviet History by Matthew Lenoe Many, many diaries published on https://prozhito.org/

In the narrative for Part Two of "The Stalin Eras", Justin and Jeremy detail Soviet society and all that comes with it under Stalin's leadership from 1930-1934. This narrative, titled "Stewards of the Human Soul", covers the varied personal experiences of Soviet citizens from the center to the periphery of the USSR, the winding down of rapid industrialization and collectivization, the controversial anti-religious and anti-kulak campaigns, the so called "show trials" on industrial sabotage, the true nature of internal opposition, and the astonishing results of the first five year plan. Stay tuned for the next episode which will feature a full length discussion with guest host Jen of How the Red Was Won. Jen joins to guide an in-depth discussion about the era covered in this narrative episode. The Stalin Eras, inspired by the classic RevLeft Radio episode "Stalin: A Marxist-Leninist Perspective, mixes both narrative history (ala Blowback) and discussion (like classic Prolespod) to provide the most comprehensive English overview of the life and impact of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin in podcast format. Whether you're a socialist history enthusiast, someone who's just curious to learn more than what you got in school about the Soviet Union, or even a total hater who just wants to rage, this series has something for everyone. Support the show and get bonus content at patreon.com/prolespod Recomended Resources on "Holodomor" as Genocide Question Academics who do not consider the Ukraine famine of 1932-1933 to be a genocide include: J. Arch Getty, Stephen Wheatcroft, Mark Tauger, R.W Davies, Hiroaki Kuromiya, Ronald Grigor Suny, Stephen Kotkin to name a few. Recommended Additional Reading Stalin History & Critique of a Black Legend by Domenico Losurdo Another View of Stalin by Ludo Martens Recommended Additional Listening Stalin: A Marxist-Leninist Perspective Foundations of Leninism Episode Sources The Lesser of Two Hells by Alvin D Coox Practicing Stalinism by J Arch Getty Excesses Are Not Permitted byJ Arch Getty Origins of the Great Purges by J Arch Getty I Change Worlds by Anna Louise Strong I Was Stalin's Bodyguard by Achmed Amba The Pattern Of Soviet Power by Edgar Snow Revolution on my Mind by Jochen Hellbeck Stalin's Library by Geoffrey Roberts The Great Conspiracy by Michael Sayers & Albert E Kahn Conjuring Hitler by Guido Giacomo Preparata Molotov Remembers, Conversations with Felix Chuev Black Bolshevik by Harry Haywood Teachers of Stalinism by E Thomas Ewing Stalin: From the Caucasus to the Kremlin, Christopher Read, 2017, Routledge Publishing Next to Stalin by A.T. Rybin Betrayal of an Ideal by G.A. Tokaev Soviet Famine 1930–1933: "The Law of Spikelets" Myth Explained by Polistrum In Search of New Facts: Interwar Japanese Military Intelligence Activities in the Baltic States and Finland: 1918–1940 by Shingo Masunaga, Wrestling with Aspects of Interwar Stalinism by William J. Chase, Why I resigned from the Trotsky Defense Committee by Mauritz Alfred Hallgren, 1937, International Publishers Muder at the Kemerovo Mines by Ernst Fischer Trial of the Major War Criminals before the International Military Tribunal (Nuremberg, 1949), Vol. 29 The Goebbels Diaries: 1942-1943 by Joseph Goebbels, "Secret Hitler-Benes Negotiations in 1936-37." bt Gerhard L. Weinberg The Road to Terror. Stalin and the Self-Destruction of the Bolsheviks by J. Arch Getty and Oleg V. Naumov Russian Soviet Archives U.S. Archives, Library of Congress Czech Republic Archives Vienna Bureau of the Austrian Chancellor The Red Book, Leon Sedov, 1936, Byulletin Oppositsii, Nos.52-53, October 1936 The Prophet Outcast: Trotsky, (1929–1940), Isaac Deutscher, 1963, Vintage Russian Library The Russian Enigma, Ante Ciliga, 1940, Pluto Press "Red Wreckers in Russia.",by John D Littlepage My Life, byLeon Trotsky Leon Sedov: Son, Friend, Fighter, Leon Trotsky Harvard Trotsky Archive, Houghton Library, Harvard University The Great Terror. A Reassessment by Robert Conquest Bukharin and the Bolshevik Revolution 1888-1938 by Stephen Cohen The Kirov Murder and Soviet History by Matthew Lenoe Many, many diaries published on https://prozhito.org/

Breht O'Shea, host of Revolutionary Left Radio, joins to guide a discussion based on the events covered in the narrative for Part One (which you should listen too first, if you haven't already!). In this discussion, the gang led by Rae and Jeremy answer wide ranging questions about the nature of Stalin's rise to prominence in the party, Lenin's death, the dreaded NEP Men, the first five year plan, and the trials, tribulations, and triumphs in everyday life of Soviet citizens. The Stalin Eras, inspired by the classic RevLeft Radio episode "Stalin: A Marxist-Leninist Perspective, mixes both narrative history (ala Blowback) and discussion (like classic Prolespod) to provide the most comprehensive English overview of the life and impact of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin in podcast format. Whether you're a socialist history enthusiast, someone who's just curious to learn more than what you got in school about the Soviet Union, or even a total hater who just wants to rage, this series has something for everyone. Support the show here: www.patreon.com/prolespod Thematic Introduction Source: "Forword" of Stalin: A New World Seen Through One Man by Henri Barbusse Episode Sources I Change Worlds by Anna Louise Strong Stalin: A New World Seen Through One Man by Henri Barbusse The Great Conspiracy: The Secret War Against Soviet Russia The Great Soviet Encyclopedia Stalin: From the Caucasus to the Kremlin by Christopher Read Small Comrades: A Revolutionizing Childhood in Soviet Russia 1917-1932. Recommended Additional Reading Stalin History & Critique of a Black Legend by Domenico Losurdo Silencing the Past by Michel-Rolphe Trouillot Recommended Additional Listening The Indigenous Peoples of the Soviet Union w/ Alice and Dennis Bartels Foundations of Leninism Soviet Cinema Stalin: A Marxist-Leninist Perspective

In the narrative for Part One of "The Stalin Eras", Rae and Jeremy detail Joseph Stalin's life within the context of Soviet history through the monumental years of 1917-1929. This narrative, titled "Reconstruction In One Country", covers Soviet history from the early days of the October Revolution, through the Civil War and Imperialist interventions, the Volga Famine, Stalin's rise in party leadership, the New Economic Program, ultimately ending with the start of rapid industrialization/collectivization, and the of Soviet Union's first five year plan. Stay tuned for the next episode which will feature a full length discussion with guest host Breht O'Shea of Revolutionary Left Radio. Breht joins to guide an in-depth discussion about the era covered in this narrative episode. The Stalin Eras, inspired by the classic RevLeft Radio episode "Stalin: A Marxist-Leninist Perspective, mixes both narrative history (ala Blowback) and discussion (like classic Prolespod) to provide the most comprehensive English overview of the life and impact of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin in podcast format. Whether you're a socialist history enthusiast, someone who's just curious to learn more than what you got in school about the Soviet Union, or even a total hater who just wants to rage, this series has something for everyone. Support the show here: www.patreon.com/prolespod Thematic Introduction Source: "Forword" of Stalin: A New World Seen Through One Man by Henri Barbusse Episode Sources I Change Worlds by Anna Louise Strong Stalin: A New World Seen Through One Man by Henri Barbusse The Great Conspiracy: The Secret War Against Soviet Russia The Great Soviet Encyclopedia Stalin: From the Caucasus to the Kremlin by Christopher Read Small Comrades: A Revolutionizing Childhood in Soviet Russia 1917-1932. Recommended Additional Reading Stalin History & Critique of a Black Legend by Domenico Losurdo Silencing the Past by Michel-Rolphe Trouillot Recommended Additional Listening The Indigenous Peoples of the Soviet Union w/ Alice and Dennis Bartels Foundations of Leninism Soviet Cinema Stalin: A Marxist-Leninist Perspective

In this introductory episode we cover the who, what, where, and why of "The Stalin Eras", a multi-part series on the life and times of Joseph Stalin. In addition, we also lay the foundations of young Stalin's life: from his humble birth in 1878 to his revolutionary career leading into the October Revolution of 1917. This first narrative of the series, "From Soso to Stalin", begins with his childhood, before movin into his time in church school followed by seminary, and finally his early days as a labor leader and journalist for the Party leading into the October Revolution. And ofcourse, we cover young Stalin's daring bank robbery! The Stalin Eras, inspired by the classic RevLeft Radio episode "Stalin: A Marxist-Leninist Perspective," mixes both narrative history (ala Blowback) and discussion (like classic ProlesPod) to provide the most comprehensive English overview of the life and impact of Soviet leader, Joseph Stalin, in podcast format. Whether you're a socialist history enthusiast, someone who's just curious to learn more than what you got in school about the Soviet Union, or even a total hater who wants to rage, this series has something for everyone. Episode Sources Reflections on Stalinism (2024) by J Arch Getty Secret British 'black propaganda' campaign targeted cold war enemies (2022) Stalin: Passage to Revolution (2020) by Ronald Grigor Suny Revisioning Stalin and Stalinism Complexities, Contradictions, and Controversies (2020) Edited by James Ryan and Susan Grant Stalin: From the Caucasus to the Kremlin (2017) by Christopher Read US., Soviet Textbooks Give Different Accounts of History (1987) Death of the department that never was (1978) On Stalin (1953) by W.E.B Dubois Recommend Reading Stalin History & Critique of a Black Legend by Domenico Losurdo The Collected Works of J.V. Stalin: Volume I The Collected Works of J.V. Stalin: Volume II Recommended Listening Stalin: A Marxist-Leninist Perspective Ep 61 - Foundations of Leninism Was the Soviet Union Totalitarian? w/ Robert Thurston

As we are VERY busy working on the Stalin Eras series which premiers as early release for paid Patreon subscribers on September 18, and for the main feed September 23, we did not feel that we could do a typical episode justice. Instead, we decided to put together an episode of short clips from almost all of our bonus content that is available to paid subscribers over on the Patreon page. There are timestamps below in case you have already heard some of the content or want to easily reference/skip something. The bits on media (particularly the X-Men 97 episode) contain spoilers, so be mindful of that also. We tried to collect a mixture of humorous clips, serious clips, and thoughtful clips. Some of this content was recorded before Rae and Martín got decent microphones, so many apologies for the terrible audio quality on some of their parts. We have all dedicated a lot of time and energy to this podcast and first and foremost we hope that you are enjoying it and finding it helpful in your lives. It takes a lot to bring bi-weekly content, as well as a constant stream of bonus content, and our hope is that we can eventually move away from full-time wage labor toward full-time revolutionary education and entertainment but we cannot do that without your help. If it is within your means, please find a tier that interests you over at the ProlesPod Patreon page and smash that subscribe button. If you are unable to support financially, that's okay. We get it! We also have a free tier with study guides to accompany the main feed episodes, as well as occasional exclusive content and announcements. If you're an absolutely dedicated comrade, it really helps us reach more people if you post reviews on any of the sites like Spotify, Apple, or any other place that it might be available, and comment on our YouTube episodes! Check out the Stalin Eras trailer, which drops today, and make sure to follow so that you can get notifications when the genre-bending episodes premier! It will be Soviet history as you've never heard it before... 0:35.5 - 3:11.5 Introduction 3:17.8 - 4:56.3 The Secret Speech Ep 6 - Ukraine: Birth of Nationalism 5:10.7 - 6:47.1 The Non-Politics of HBO's The Sympathizer (2024) 6:54.4 - 9:39.7 The Secret Speech Ep 3 - The CIA, MK Ultra, and U.S. Psychopathy 9:53.2 - 13:56.8 The Secret Speech Ep 8 - Foundations of Leninism (Theory Explained) 14:03.5 - 15:35.6 The Secret Speech Ep 2: Latvia's Red Partisans of World War II 15:44.8 - 17:28.7 The Secret Speech Ep 7 - Ukraine: Descent to Fascism 17:40.9 - 19:18.6 The Secret Speech Ep 3 - The CIA, MK Ultra, and U.S. Psychopathy 19:29.7 - 23:13.0 The Non-Politics of HBO's The Sympathizer (2024) 23:31.5 - 24:46.9 The Secret Speech Ep 1 - X-Men 97: A Marxist Perspective 25:04.0 - 28:03.0 Kids Who Die by Langston Hughes 28:04.8 - 28:48.4 The Sadistic Exploitation of America's Sweethearts 29:12.6 - 32:25.8 The Secret Speech Ep 8 - Foundations of Leninism (Theory Explained) 32:42.6 - 36:04.7 The Secret Speech Ep 3 - The CIA, MK Ultra, and U.S. Psychopathy 36:33.3 - 37:22.4 The Secret Speech Ep 6 - Ukraine: Birth of Nationalism 37:42.3 - 40:38.8 *SPOILERS* The Secret Speech Ep 1 - X-Men 97: A Marxist Perspective 40:54.0 - 48:36.8 Q & Rae #1: Family, Ethics of Socialist Content Creation, and Life Abroad 49:08.0 - 57:28.7 The Secret Speech Ep 4 - Taiwan: A Short Long History 57:49.4 - 1:00.1 The Secret Speech Ep 3 - The CIA, MK Ultra, and U.S. Psychopathy

Join the Proles and friend of the pod, Joel, for our first ever episode focused solely on a theory text. If you've been following along with the TheoryBeats project on Patreon, you already know the text. It is the the monumental "Foundations of Leninism" by Joseph Stalin. Rae takes the lead on this one. We'll take you through each of the nine sections of this text, unpacking the history and context while making connections to other thinkers, theorists, and movements both historically and today. You can find the full text freely available to read at: https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/stalin/works/1924/foundations-leninism/ Thank you to our (actual and legitimate, not a joke) sponsor, "Quotations from Michael Parenti" published by Red Prints Publishing through Marxist-Leninist Reading Hub. To learn more and to get a copy of the book, head here: https://www.mlreadinghub.org/books/quotations-from-michael-parenti If you'd like to listen to the TheoryBeats, find studyguides, surprise drops, and more, don't forget to head to Patreon.com/ProlesPod to subscribe. (Even the free tier has special stuff for you!) If you like our work and want to support it, don't forget to rate and review us on any of the podcast catchers, follow us on social media @ProlesPod and make sure you're subscribed so you don't miss our Stalin Eras series that's coming up.

CW: This episode contains frank discussions of murder, torture, and sexual assault of both adults and children, primarily in the context of anti-semitic pogroms against Jewish people. Please proceed carefully through the episode or skip it entirely if any of these things may be difficult for you to hear. Justin picks up where Jeremy left off to cover the development of OUN/UPA, Stepan Bandera's insecure self-promotion, and how the Ukrainian Nationalists were no better than the Nazis. Slava Ukraini bad. As last time, we try to bring some levity to the discussion, but it is a disgusting period for Eastern Europe and we couldn't sugar coat it. Sign up at Patreon where you can get access to early release episodes, study guides, bonus episodes, TheoryBeats, and MORE! YOU CAN DO SO FOR FREE, which will get you the study guides, merch, and other random drops. Please subscribe on your favorite podcast catcher and rate or review to help extend our reach. Like and rate us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @prolespod and Tiktok @proles.pod If you have any questions or comments, email us at [email protected]. May the spectre haunt your streets, and solidarity forever. Sources: Ukrainian Nationalists and the Holocaust by John-Paul Himka Stepan Bandera: The Life and Afterlife of a Ukrainian Nationalist by Grzegorz Rossolinski-Liebe Intro Music: "ProlesPod Theme" by Ransom Notes Midroll Ad: Written and read by Jeremy Music "Macho Man Reagan Sandwich" by DJ DTA Outro Music: Eastern Bloc Beats by DJ DTA

CW: This episode contains frank discussions of murder, torture, and sexual assault of both adults and children, primarily in the context of anti-semitic pogroms against Jewish people. Please proceed carefully through the episode or skip it entirely if any of these things may be difficult for you to hear. To signal the depravity of racist language in quotes used in this episode we have used a bleep instead of "contextually stating" the slur or "n-wording" it. Jeremy leads us in a discussion of the early history of what we now know as Ukraine, all the way through the early twentieth century, before taking a depressing turn into the brief period in which nationalists controlled the region from 1918-1921. This brief and tragic era of Ukraine is dominated by a "civil war" and countless pogroms, primarily perpetrated against Jewish residents of the area. We do our best to lighten the material in the first half of the episode, but honestly, there's nothing to be joked about in the latter half. Sign up at Patreon where you can get access to early release episodes, study guides, bonus episodes, TheoryBeats, and MORE! YOU CAN DO SO FOR FREE, which will get you the study guides, merch, and other random drops. Please subscribe on your favorite podcast catcher and rate or review to help extend our reach. Like and rate us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @prolespod and Tiktok @proles.pod. If you have any questions or comments, email us at [email protected]. May the spectre haunt your streets, and solidarity forever. Resource Links - Soviet Books: Ismail Badiou Soviet Book Archive (over a thousand soviet era books!) Lazy Izdihar Soviet Book Archive Sources: The Gates of Europe by Serhii Plokhy In the Midst of Civilized Europe by Jeffrey Veidlinger Medieval Ukraine by Charles River Editors Intro Music: "ProlesPod Theme" by Ransom Notes Midroll Ad Written and read by Jeremy Music "Gyro Maidan" by DJ DTA

For this episode we're joined by guest expert Beth Pitts for a journey into the heart of the Ecuadorian Amazon. We're talking about the past, present, and future of indigenous resistance in Ecuador to begin to think about what their struggle can teach us, the benefits and limitations of taking legal action against the imperial nation-state, and the ways in which we can broaden our understanding of the frontline of struggle. For our full interview with members of the Siekopai Remolino community, head over to the Patreon. (Don't worry; we translated it into English.) For information on the communities mentioned, access to their fundraisers, and our guest expert's book: Siekoya Remolino website: https://www.siekoyaremolino.org/ and Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/siekoyaremolino Siekopai social media: Twitter: @Siekopai, Facebook: @Siekopai, Instagram: @Nacion.Siekopai Sëra Foundation crowdfunding campaign: https://www.gofundme.com/f/siekopai-indigenous-amazonian-youth-foundation Native People of Sarayaku website: https://sarayaku.org/ Children of the Jaguar documentary (Sarayaku): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ma1QSmtuiLQ Interview Alexandra Narvaez (Sinangoe): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwmQMdGuBMc Under Rich Earth documentary (Intag): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRinnhejBIw Moon Guide to Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands: https://www.moon.com/?s=bethany+pitts Don't forget to subscribe to ProlesPod on your favorite podcast catcher. Rate, review, and share with your friends. It really helps us a lot. If you want to keep the party going, make sure you're subscribed to our Patreon where you can find the companion study guide to every episode (even at the free tier!!), TheoryBeats, early release of main feed episodes, The Secret Speech (bonus content), surprise drops, and you can be the first to know about our limited run merch. If you have any questions or feedback, please email us at [email protected]. Find and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, TwitterX, and Tiktok.