Talking Strategy, Making History Castos https://tsmh.castos.com Each episode will focus on a different aspect or example of the general theme. Our kick-off frame is the awkward position that progressives find themselves in. It seems obvious, at least to a significant portion of Leftists, that “working within the Democratic Party” has to be part of any realistic strategy for making substantive, social democratic or radical change in the United States. What is far less clear is what this means practically, in terms of organization and elections. For many years, the slogan of the Left has been to work both “inside and outside” the Democratic Party. But what does that “inside” part actually look like? The podcast project comes from our experience as progressive activists--and from the urgency of now. Dick Flacks taught sociology at UC Santa Barbara and Umiversity of Chicago for 60 years. He's of the founding generation of Students for a Democratic Society and helped write the Port Huron Statement (along with Tom Hayden and the big Lebowski). He and his late wife Mickey recntly published a memoir of their lives--political and personal. It's called MAKING HISTORY/MAKING BLINTZES: HOW TWO RED DIAPER BABIES FOUND EACH OTHER AND DISCOVERED AMERICA. He's written a lot about the American Left--most notably MAKING HISTORY: THE AMERICAN LEFT AND THE AMERICAN MIND. His weekly radio show called'The Culture of Protest' can be heard 6 pm Thursdays on www.kcsb.org. Daraka Larimore-Hall is vice-chair of the Democratic Party of California and a political and organizational consultant working primarily for social democratic parties and trade unions abroad. A lifelong political activist, Daraka first met Dick when he was in Jr High School, and first getting involved in local progressive politics in Santa Barbara. Since then, Daraka has been a national leader and staffer for DSA, a board member of the International Union of Socialist Youth, an activist and elected officer of United Auto Workers Local 2865, as well as active in the Democratic Party at all levels. He received his PhD, supervised by Dr. Flacks, in 2013. Per Hoel is the producer/director of our effort. Per helped found the DSA chapter in Santa Barbara in the aftermath of the Sanders campaign in 2016. He's a professional videographer and multimedia designer and works in instructional design. Sat, 28 Mar 2026 01:02:55 +0000 en © 2020 US https://episodes.castos.com/5f6bb53e578f82-46238013/images/Talking-Strategy-1400-x-1400-px-.png Talking Strategy, Making History https://tsmh.castos.com Each episode will focus on a different aspect or example of the general theme. Our kick-off frame is the awkward position that progressives find themselves in. It seems obvious, at least to a significant portion of Leftists, that “working within the Democratic Party” has to be part of any realistic strategy for making substantive, social democratic or radical change in the United States. What is far less clear is what this means practically, in terms of organization and elections. For many years, the slogan of the Left has been to work both “inside and outside” the Democratic Party. But what does that “inside” part actually look like? The podcast project comes from our experience as progressive activists--and from the urgency of now. Dick Flacks taught sociology at UC Santa Barbara and Umiversity of Chicago for 60 years. He's of the founding generation of Students for a Democratic Society and helped write the Port Huron Statement (along with Tom Hayden and the big Lebowski). He and his late wife Mickey recntly published a memoir of their lives--political and personal. It's called MAKING HISTORY/MAKING BLINTZES: HOW TWO RED DIAPER BABIES FOUND EACH OTHER AND DISCOVERED AMERICA. He's written a lot about the American Left--most notably MAKING HISTORY: THE AMERICAN LEFT AND THE AMERICAN MIND. His weekly radio show called'The Culture of Protest' can be heard 6 pm Thursdays on www.kcsb.org. Daraka Larimore-Hall is vice-chair of the Democratic Party of California and a political and organizational consultant working primarily for social democratic parties and trade unions abroad. A lifelong political activist, Daraka first met Dick when he was in Jr High School, and first getting involved in local progressive politics in Santa Barbara. Since then, Daraka has been a national leader and staffer for DSA, a board member of the International Union of Socialist Youth, an activist and elected officer of United Auto Workers Local 2865, as well as active in the Democratic Party at all levels. He received his PhD, supervised by Dr. Flacks, in 2013. Per Hoel is the producer/director of our effort. Per helped found the DSA chapter in Santa Barbara in the aftermath of the Sanders campaign in 2016. He's a professional videographer and multimedia designer and works in instructional design. Richard Flacks episodic Each episode will focus on a different aspect or example of the general theme. Our kick-off frame is the awkward position that progressives find themselves in. It seems obvious, at least to a significant portion of Leftists, that “working within the Democratic Party” has to be part of any realistic strategy for making substantive, social democratic or radical change in the United States. What is far less clear is what this means practically, in terms of organization and elections. For many years, the slogan of the Left has been to work both “inside and outside” the Democratic Party. But what does that “inside” part actually look like? The podcast project comes from our experience as progressive activists--and from the urgency of now. Dick Flacks taught sociology at UC Santa Barbara and Umiversity of Chicago for 60 years. He's of the founding generation of Students for a Democratic Society and helped write the Port Huron Statement (along with Tom Hayden and the big Lebowski). He and his late wife Mickey recntly published a memoir of their lives--political and personal. It's called MAKING HISTORY/MAKING BLINTZES: HOW TWO RED DIAPER BABIES FOUND EACH OTHER AND DISCOVERED AMERICA. He's written a lot about the American Left--most notably MAKING HISTORY: THE AMERICAN LEFT AND THE AMERICAN MIND. His weekly radio show called'The Culture of Protest' can be heard 6 pm Thursdays on www.kcsb.org. Daraka Larimore-Hall is vice-chair of the Democratic Party of California and a political and organizational consultant working primarily for social democratic parties and trade unions abroad. A lifelong political activist, Daraka first met Dick when he was in Jr High School, and first getting involved in local progressive politics in Santa Barbara. Since then, Daraka has been a national leader and staffer for DSA, a board member of the International Union of Socialist Youth, an activist and elected officer of United Auto Workers Local 2865, as well as active in the Democratic Party at all levels. He received his PhD, supervised by Dr. Flacks, in 2013. Per Hoel is the producer/director of our effort. Per helped found the DSA chapter in Santa Barbara in the aftermath of the Sanders campaign in 2016. He's a professional videographer and multimedia designer and works in instructional design. Richard Flacks rflacks@igc.org false https://feeds.castos.com/gqrz yes "Support our show!" <![CDATA[#55: Daraka & Dick Talk About the State of California Democrats]]> Sat, 28 Mar 2026 01:02:55 +0000 Richard Flacks https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/13132/episode/2407853 https://tsmh.castos.com/episodes/daraka-and-dick-talk-about-the-state-of-california-democrats #55: Daraka & Dick Talk About the State of California Democrats
Daraka has been a long time leader for progressive movement in the California Democratic Party. He was chair of the Santa Barbara County Democratic Party for many years, and elected vice chair of the state party a few years ago. In this episode we examine the messy governor' primary, and the absence of statewide progressive and labor leadership. The proposed billionaire wealth tax iitiative and Gavin Newsom's character are scrutinized--and we identify hopeful paths for the political future. 
Read Daraka's incisive piece on left political strategy in the current issue of the Nation: https://www.thenation.com/authors/daraka-larimore-hall/
Music: Bette Midler, 'All you fascists bound to lose!"

Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast

info@nextdaypodcast.com

]]> false #55: Daraka & Dick Talk About the State of California Democrats
Daraka has been a long time leader for progressive movement in the California Democratic Party. He was chair of the Santa Barbara County Democratic Party for many years, and elected vice chair of the state party a few years ago. In this episode we examine the messy governor' primary, and the absence of statewide progressive and labor leadership. The proposed billionaire wealth tax iitiative and Gavin Newsom's character are scrutinized--and we identify hopeful paths for the political future. 
Read Daraka's incisive piece on left political strategy in the current issue of the Nation: https://www.thenation.com/authors/daraka-larimore-hall/
Music: Bette Midler, 'All you fascists bound to lose!"

Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast

info@nextdaypodcast.com

]]> 00:49:38 <![CDATA[#54: Talking with Ali Esbati About What's Left of Nordic Social Democracy]]> Sat, 14 Feb 2026 08:26:00 +0000 Richard Flacks https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/13132/episode/2362731 https://tsmh.castos.com/episodes/54-talking-with-ali-esbati-about-whats-left-of-nordic-social-democracy Ali Ekbati was a leader of Sweden's Left Party  in 2014 when he was elected to parliament where he served for a decade. In recent years he's been a popular blogger and economic analyst, now living in Oslo, Norway from where he spoke with us. His family emigrated to Scandinavia from Iran when he was a child. The conversation helps illuminate the current stagnation of the once exemplary Scandinavian social democratic model--and some openings for a new left politics based on multicultural solidarity. We close with Norwegian  musical evidence for hope.

]]> false Ali Ekbati was a leader of Sweden's Left Party  in 2014 when he was elected to parliament where he served for a decade. In recent years he's been a popular blogger and economic analyst, now living in Oslo, Norway from where he spoke with us. His family emigrated to Scandinavia from Iran when he was a child. The conversation helps illuminate the current stagnation of the once exemplary Scandinavian social democratic model--and some openings for a new left politics based on multicultural solidarity. We close with Norwegian  musical evidence for hope.

]]> 01:02:46 <![CDATA[#53 Talking with University of Minnesota Professor Joshua Page on the streets of Minneapolis]]> Mon, 02 Feb 2026 01:27:38 +0000 Richard Flacks https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/13132/episode/2345367 https://tsmh.castos.com/episodes/53-talking-with-university-of-minnosota-professor-joshua-page-on-the-streets-of-minneapolis #53 Talking with University of Minnesota Professor Joshua Page on the streets of Minneapolis. Josh Page is  the Fink Professor of Sociology and Law at the University of Minnesota. He is the author of The Toughest Beat: Politics, Punishment, and the Prison Officers Union in California and co-author  of Breaking the Pendulum: The Long Struggle over Criminal Justice ; just published is Legal  Plunder:The Predatoryi Dimensions of Criminal Justice (co-authored with Joe Soss). He shared eye-witness commentary and historical context for the astonishing MInneapolis resistance movement, and the insights of an expert on policing about ICE.
Music: "Streets of Minneapolis" Bruce Springsteen.

"To subcribe to our podcast go to Patreon.com/tsmh. For a transcript of this and all previous episodes, go to tsmh.castos.com

]]> false #53 Talking with University of Minnesota Professor Joshua Page on the streets of Minneapolis. Josh Page is  the Fink Professor of Sociology and Law at the University of Minnesota. He is the author of The Toughest Beat: Politics, Punishment, and the Prison Officers Union in California and co-author  of Breaking the Pendulum: The Long Struggle over Criminal Justice ; just published is Legal  Plunder:The Predatoryi Dimensions of Criminal Justice (co-authored with Joe Soss). He shared eye-witness commentary and historical context for the astonishing MInneapolis resistance movement, and the insights of an expert on policing about ICE.
Music: "Streets of Minneapolis" Bruce Springsteen.

"To subcribe to our podcast go to Patreon.com/tsmh. For a transcript of this and all previous episodes, go to tsmh.castos.com

]]> 00:51:19 <![CDATA[#52 Talking with reform activist Sam Rosenthal about How Democrats lost in 2024 and what is to be done]]> Mon, 05 Jan 2026 03:59:48 +0000 Richard Flacks https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/13132/episode/2313187 https://tsmh.castos.com/episodes/52-talking-with-reform-activist-sam-rosenthal-about-how-democrats-lost-in-2024-and-what-is-to-be-do #52 Talking with Democratic Party reformer Sam Rosenthal about how the Democrats lost in 2024 and what is to be done.


Sam Rosenthal is political director of Roots Action, whose autopsy of the 2024 election offers a springboard for creating a strategy to change the party. Sam has, as well, been a national leader in DSA's eletoral activity. We're all preoccupied with the Venezuela situation (which happened the day after Daraka and Dick talked with Sam) but that increases the urgency for devising effective political strategy--and this episode is of use for that end. The Roots Action report is at Autopsy-The-Democratic-Party-In-Crisis.pdf
Sam's band "Personal Spaces" has several records out and can be heard on Apple Music, etc. We concluded the episode with one of the tracks.

Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast

info@nextdaypodcast.com

]]> false #52 Talking with Democratic Party reformer Sam Rosenthal about how the Democrats lost in 2024 and what is to be done.


Sam Rosenthal is political director of Roots Action, whose autopsy of the 2024 election offers a springboard for creating a strategy to change the party. Sam has, as well, been a national leader in DSA's eletoral activity. We're all preoccupied with the Venezuela situation (which happened the day after Daraka and Dick talked with Sam) but that increases the urgency for devising effective political strategy--and this episode is of use for that end. The Roots Action report is at Autopsy-The-Democratic-Party-In-Crisis.pdf
Sam's band "Personal Spaces" has several records out and can be heard on Apple Music, etc. We concluded the episode with one of the tracks.

Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast

info@nextdaypodcast.com

]]> 01:02:30 <![CDATA[#51 Talking about Seattle's astonishing mayoral election with union organizer Michael Laslett & Prof Jim Gregory]]> Sat, 13 Dec 2025 04:34:50 +0000 Richard Flacks https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/13132/episode/2286661 https://tsmh.castos.com/episodes/51-talking-about-seattles-astonishing-mayoral-election-with-union-organizer-michael-laslett-prof #51 Talking about Seattle's astonishing mayoral election with union organizer Michael Laslett & Prof. Jim Gregory
Seattle's mayoral election was, like the Mamdani victory in NY, an important progressive victory. Veteran community organizer Kate Wilson, defeated the incumbent, liberal mayor. We (Dick Flacks & Daraka Larimore Hall) invited University of Washington labor historian Jim Gregory and  veteran Seattle union leader Michael Laslett to explore how Seattle's class struggle history, and contemporary grassroots battles with Amazon and other corporate giants, led to this outcome--and, why we need to pay attention to Seattle going forward. 
music: Michael Laslett performs "They All Sang Bread & Roses" by Si Kahn.

Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast

info@nextdaypodcast.com

]]> false #51 Talking about Seattle's astonishing mayoral election with union organizer Michael Laslett & Prof. Jim Gregory
Seattle's mayoral election was, like the Mamdani victory in NY, an important progressive victory. Veteran community organizer Kate Wilson, defeated the incumbent, liberal mayor. We (Dick Flacks & Daraka Larimore Hall) invited University of Washington labor historian Jim Gregory and  veteran Seattle union leader Michael Laslett to explore how Seattle's class struggle history, and contemporary grassroots battles with Amazon and other corporate giants, led to this outcome--and, why we need to pay attention to Seattle going forward. 
music: Michael Laslett performs "They All Sang Bread & Roses" by Si Kahn.

Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast

info@nextdaypodcast.com

]]> 00:55:21 <![CDATA[#50 Daraka & Dick talking about what the recent election might mean for living in the USA]]> Tue, 11 Nov 2025 03:12:06 +0000 Richard Flacks https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/13132/episode/2202137 https://tsmh.castos.com/episodes/50-daraka-dick-talking-about-what-the-recent-election-might-mean-for-living-in-the-usa #50 Daraka & Dick Talking About the Recent Election
Mamdani's astonishing campaign in NYC along with the Democratic sweep last week inspired us to grab our mics for a conversation. How will Mamdani be able to bring the change his supporters are hoping for? How can the electoral repudiation of MAGA be built on and to what ends? We try to go beyond the horse race patter and cynical tone of media and online chatter. We're pushing instead hope to help fuel the hard work ahead.
Music: "Zohran Mamdani for Mayor" Red Dawn t7

]]> false #50 Daraka & Dick Talking About the Recent Election
Mamdani's astonishing campaign in NYC along with the Democratic sweep last week inspired us to grab our mics for a conversation. How will Mamdani be able to bring the change his supporters are hoping for? How can the electoral repudiation of MAGA be built on and to what ends? We try to go beyond the horse race patter and cynical tone of media and online chatter. We're pushing instead hope to help fuel the hard work ahead.
Music: "Zohran Mamdani for Mayor" Red Dawn t7

]]> 01:01:35 <![CDATA[#49 Talking with faculty leaders about the Trump assault on the University of California]]> Mon, 27 Oct 2025 06:58:10 +0000 Richard Flacks https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/13132/episode/2172669 https://tsmh.castos.com/episodes/49-talking-with-faculty-leaders-about-the-trump-assault-on-the-univerity-of-california #49: Talking with faculty leaders resisting the Trump assault on the University of California
Prof. Jessica Taft, co-president of the Council of UC Faculty Associations (CUCFA) and Prof. Charmaine Chua, CUCFA director of campus organizing, talk about the new lawsuits challenging the Trump  coercive actions against UC, sponsored by a historic coalition of university based unions, CUCFA and the national AAUP. We talk about the nature of the assault on higher education, and ways to organize in response, and the episode is a chance to get to know two outstanding leaders of the rising generation of academics dedicated to democracy. 
Jessica Taft teaches Latin American Studies, and directs the Dolores Huerta Research Center for the Americas at UC Santa Cruz. She's written several books about youth activism.  Charmaine Chua has just joined the Geography Department at UC Berkeley, after several years teaching Global Studies at UCSB. One of her multiple current projects is a book she's co-writing on "how to beat Amazon".  Daraka, who is also of the new generation, was unable, at the last minute, to be on the call. He was missed...but will be back.
Music: "I'm going to say it now" by Phil Ochs
I hope it's possible to correct?

]]> false #49: Talking with faculty leaders resisting the Trump assault on the University of California
Prof. Jessica Taft, co-president of the Council of UC Faculty Associations (CUCFA) and Prof. Charmaine Chua, CUCFA director of campus organizing, talk about the new lawsuits challenging the Trump  coercive actions against UC, sponsored by a historic coalition of university based unions, CUCFA and the national AAUP. We talk about the nature of the assault on higher education, and ways to organize in response, and the episode is a chance to get to know two outstanding leaders of the rising generation of academics dedicated to democracy. 
Jessica Taft teaches Latin American Studies, and directs the Dolores Huerta Research Center for the Americas at UC Santa Cruz. She's written several books about youth activism.  Charmaine Chua has just joined the Geography Department at UC Berkeley, after several years teaching Global Studies at UCSB. One of her multiple current projects is a book she's co-writing on "how to beat Amazon".  Daraka, who is also of the new generation, was unable, at the last minute, to be on the call. He was missed...but will be back.
Music: "I'm going to say it now" by Phil Ochs
I hope it's possible to correct?

]]> 01:05:09 <![CDATA[#48 Talking with David Duhalde on Understanding DSA]]> Mon, 01 Sep 2025 01:05:28 +0000 Richard Flacks https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/13132/episode/2128660 https://tsmh.castos.com/episodes/48-talking-with-david-duhalde-on-understanding-dsa "#48: Talking History and Strategy with David Duhalde
David is a long tme DSA leader. He served as deputy director of DSA  and as director of the DSA Fund. We invited him back to reflect on his recent article which situates DSA today within the long history of American socialist organization. Ww try to draw good lessons from the past that can help going forward.
Music: "Understanding Marx"  by the Economics Rock & Roll Band"

]]> false "#48: Talking History and Strategy with David Duhalde
David is a long tme DSA leader. He served as deputy director of DSA  and as director of the DSA Fund. We invited him back to reflect on his recent article which situates DSA today within the long history of American socialist organization. Ww try to draw good lessons from the past that can help going forward.
Music: "Understanding Marx"  by the Economics Rock & Roll Band"

]]> 01:20:42 <![CDATA[#47 Talking with J.W. Mason about what can Zohran accomplish?]]> Tue, 22 Jul 2025 08:51:21 +0000 Richard Flacks https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/13132/episode/2094735 https://tsmh.castos.com/episodes/47-talking-with-jw-mason-about-what-can-zohran-acfir #47 Talking with JW Mason about what Zohran can accomplish
Jpsh Mason is an economics professor at John Jay College, CUNY and a senior fellow at Groundwork, whose recent article in Dissent provides much insight into what Mamdani, if elected,  can do to advance the "democratic socialist"  agenda that helped inspire his grassroots victory in the NY mayoral primary. You may be surprised by his take.
 It's the first of what we hope will be several podcast conversations wth participat-observers aimed at illuminating how the campaign has been organized and what it may mean.
Josh blogs at The Slack Wire. (RSS feed.) You can sign up for his free email newsletter at Substack.
Music: from the original cast album of Fiorello!  "The Bum Won!"

 

Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast

info@nextdaypodcast.com

]]> false #47 Talking with JW Mason about what Zohran can accomplish
Jpsh Mason is an economics professor at John Jay College, CUNY and a senior fellow at Groundwork, whose recent article in Dissent provides much insight into what Mamdani, if elected,  can do to advance the "democratic socialist"  agenda that helped inspire his grassroots victory in the NY mayoral primary. You may be surprised by his take.
 It's the first of what we hope will be several podcast conversations wth participat-observers aimed at illuminating how the campaign has been organized and what it may mean.
Josh blogs at The Slack Wire. (RSS feed.) You can sign up for his free email newsletter at Substack.
Music: from the original cast album of Fiorello!  "The Bum Won!"

 

Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast

info@nextdaypodcast.com

]]> 01:01:18 <![CDATA[#46 Talking with Michael Podhorzer on how to understand elections]]> Sat, 21 Jun 2025 04:16:20 +0000 Richard Flacks https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/13132/episode/2071112 https://tsmh.castos.com/episodes/46-talking-with-michael-podhorzer-on-how-to-understand-elections #46: Talking with Michael Podhorzer about how to understand elections
Michael recently retired as Political  Director of the AFL-CIO.  He's a brilliant analyst of election data and pioneered the use of data for progressive electoral strategy. His Substack site: www.weekendreading.net, where you'll find a bunch of the analysis we talk about.
Subscribe to TALKING STRATEGY MAKING HISTORY AT PATREON.COM/TSMH where you can get a good deal of bonus listening opportunities, including lots of political music. 
The song at the end: 'The Mandate" by Charlie King

 

Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast

info@nextdaypodcast.com

]]> false #46: Talking with Michael Podhorzer about how to understand elections
Michael recently retired as Political  Director of the AFL-CIO.  He's a brilliant analyst of election data and pioneered the use of data for progressive electoral strategy. His Substack site: www.weekendreading.net, where you'll find a bunch of the analysis we talk about.
Subscribe to TALKING STRATEGY MAKING HISTORY AT PATREON.COM/TSMH where you can get a good deal of bonus listening opportunities, including lots of political music. 
The song at the end: 'The Mandate" by Charlie King

 

Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast

info@nextdaypodcast.com

]]> 01:06:25 <![CDATA[#45 Talking with Nelson Lichtenstein about the state of the unions]]> Fri, 30 May 2025 23:55:32 +0000 Richard Flacks https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/13132/episode/2054413 https://tsmh.castos.com/episodes/45-talking-with-nelson-lichtenstein-about-the-state-of-the-unions Prof. Nelson Lichtenstein returns to talk with us about his new book, an anthology of writings about the labor movement over the last 75 years from the pages of DISSENT magazine, called LABOR'S PARTISANS, that history illuminates the current scene.

Nelson shares well informed insights' about the potentials and problems for workers organizing in this critical time. 


Music: "Step by Step" performed by Charlie King and 'Annie Patterson. 
Support the podcast and get bonus stuff by subscribing at Patreon.com/tsmh and share.

]]> false Prof. Nelson Lichtenstein returns to talk with us about his new book, an anthology of writings about the labor movement over the last 75 years from the pages of DISSENT magazine, called LABOR'S PARTISANS, that history illuminates the current scene.

Nelson shares well informed insights' about the potentials and problems for workers organizing in this critical time. 


Music: "Step by Step" performed by Charlie King and 'Annie Patterson. 
Support the podcast and get bonus stuff by subscribing at Patreon.com/tsmh and share.

]]> 00:58:14 <![CDATA[#44 Talking with Eric Blanc about how workers are now self-organizing]]> Sun, 13 Apr 2025 21:59:59 +0000 Richard Flacks https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/13132/episode/2012565 https://tsmh.castos.com/episodes/44-talking-with-eric-blanc-about-how-workers-are-now-self-organizing Eric Blanc is sociologiste/labor activist whose new book WE ARE THE UNION documents the spreading efforts by workers to initiate and carry forward union organizing without dependence on professional organizers. We explore some key examples and talk about what this  might promise for empowering the working class.
music: "You are the U in Union" a Si Kahn Song performed by Joe Jencks

]]> false Eric Blanc is sociologiste/labor activist whose new book WE ARE THE UNION documents the spreading efforts by workers to initiate and carry forward union organizing without dependence on professional organizers. We explore some key examples and talk about what this  might promise for empowering the working class.
music: "You are the U in Union" a Si Kahn Song performed by Joe Jencks

]]> 00:50:42 <![CDATA[#43 Talking about Class, Identity Politics & DEI]]> Sat, 15 Feb 2025 06:00:48 +0000 Richard Flacks https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/13132/episode/1974945 https://tsmh.castos.com/episodes/42-talking-about-class-identity-politics-dei #43 Talking about class, race, identity politics & DEI
Daraka and Dick critically examine a lot of the talking points and arguments in Democratic circles about how class, race, sexuality and immigration are intertwined--and offer some thoughts about how a\
 democratic popular working-class majority can be built and sustained.  
music 'Black Brown and  White Blues by Bill Broonzy

]]> false #43 Talking about class, race, identity politics & DEI
Daraka and Dick critically examine a lot of the talking points and arguments in Democratic circles about how class, race, sexuality and immigration are intertwined--and offer some thoughts about how a\
 democratic popular working-class majority can be built and sustained.  
music 'Black Brown and  White Blues by Bill Broonzy

]]> 01:08:27 <![CDATA[#42 Talking with Harley Augustino About Deep Organizing]]> Thu, 06 Feb 2025 00:03:25 +0000 Richard Flacks https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/13132/episode/1967580 https://tsmh.castos.com/episodes/42-talking-with-harley-augustino-about-deep-organizing After years of legendary success as a labor and community organizer, Harley embarked on a journey to recruit and train organizers and volunteers to reach out to working-class voters in swing states. In this conversation, he reflects on this work, inspired by finding many folk ready to listen and engage.

 
Music: 'Step by Step"  Sung by Sweet Honey in the Rock

]]> false After years of legendary success as a labor and community organizer, Harley embarked on a journey to recruit and train organizers and volunteers to reach out to working-class voters in swing states. In this conversation, he reflects on this work, inspired by finding many folk ready to listen and engage.

 
Music: 'Step by Step"  Sung by Sweet Honey in the Rock

]]> 00:55:19 <![CDATA["#41: Starting Season 4: 3R's for Trump Time]]> Mon, 06 Jan 2025 10:58:54 +0000 Richard Flacks https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/13132/episode/1935176 https://tsmh.castos.com/episodes/41-starting-season-4-3rs-for-trump-time Daraka suggests a 3 R framework for organizing and action in the coming time: REFORM, REALIGNMENT, RESISTANCE--and in this episode we  describe what each of these might involve. We promise from now on to strive to be 'Grunny". To find out what we're talking about, click on.. Give us your ideas, suggestions and feedback--and subscribe at: patreon.com/tsmh
Music: Kris Kristofferson  passed away  in 2024. He wrote quite a few politically engaged songs. One of these, written in the 1990's seems chillingly apt right now: "Don't Let the Bastards Get You Down'.  "

 

Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast

info@nextdaypodcast.com

]]> full 41 4 false Daraka suggests a 3 R framework for organizing and action in the coming time: REFORM, REALIGNMENT, RESISTANCE--and in this episode we  describe what each of these might involve. We promise from now on to strive to be 'Grunny". To find out what we're talking about, click on.. Give us your ideas, suggestions and feedback--and subscribe at: patreon.com/tsmh
Music: Kris Kristofferson  passed away  in 2024. He wrote quite a few politically engaged songs. One of these, written in the 1990's seems chillingly apt right now: "Don't Let the Bastards Get You Down'.  "

 

Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast

info@nextdaypodcast.com

]]> 00:47:36 <![CDATA[BONUS: Talking About Ethel Rosenberg with her son, Michael Meeropol]]> Mon, 02 Dec 2024 06:24:50 +0000 Richard Flacks https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/13132/episode/1911965 https://tsmh.castos.com/episodes/bonus-talking-about-ethel-rosenberg-with-her-son-michael-meeropol "BONUS: Talking About Ethel Rosenberg with her son, Michael Meeropol
For Dick interviewed Michael Meeropol for his weekly radio show 'Culture of Protest". triggered by new evidence that Ethel Rosenberg was executed along with Julius even though the government knew she was not guilty. President Biden is being petitioned to declare her exonerated before he leaves office. The conversation illuminates the case, and the sons' experience and development.. Listen and share this revelatory episode. The petition can be found at www.rfc.org.
Music: 'Julius & Ethel" by Bob Dylan. 'Strange Fruit" performed by Shirley Verrett

]]> full false "BONUS: Talking About Ethel Rosenberg with her son, Michael Meeropol
For Dick interviewed Michael Meeropol for his weekly radio show 'Culture of Protest". triggered by new evidence that Ethel Rosenberg was executed along with Julius even though the government knew she was not guilty. President Biden is being petitioned to declare her exonerated before he leaves office. The conversation illuminates the case, and the sons' experience and development.. Listen and share this revelatory episode. The petition can be found at www.rfc.org.
Music: 'Julius & Ethel" by Bob Dylan. 'Strange Fruit" performed by Shirley Verrett

]]> 00:54:10 <![CDATA[BONUS: Jeremy Brecher talks about the Green New Deal From Below]]> Wed, 20 Nov 2024 07:02:17 +0000 Richard Flacks https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/13132/episode/1901386 https://tsmh.castos.com/episodes/bonus-jeremy-brecher-talks-about-the-green-new-deal-from-below Jeremy Brecher 's books on social change have changed how many activists think about labor and anti-globalization movements.

On Dick Flacks' long running radio show he etalksabout his just published book: THE GREEN NEW DEAL FROM BELOW., and we've added this conversation to our podcast series.

Do you know about the Liliput Strategy? To comment on this or other episodes, go to patreon.com/tsmh
music: Iris Dement, 'Working on a World"

]]> false Jeremy Brecher 's books on social change have changed how many activists think about labor and anti-globalization movements.

On Dick Flacks' long running radio show he etalksabout his just published book: THE GREEN NEW DEAL FROM BELOW., and we've added this conversation to our podcast series.

Do you know about the Liliput Strategy? To comment on this or other episodes, go to patreon.com/tsmh
music: Iris Dement, 'Working on a World"

]]> 00:52:19 <![CDATA[#40 Dick & Daraka Talk Post-Election]]> Tue, 19 Nov 2024 13:12:43 +0000 Richard Flacks https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/13132/episode/1897862 https://tsmh.castos.com/episodes/40-dick-daraka-talk-post-election "n which Daraka and Dick talk about the most important things Left activists should learn from the election results and what we need to figure out. Can we imagine a Democratic Party that's intersectional and working class? 
Music: 'What We Want" by Joe Hill (on the 109th anniversary of his execution) performed by the Shelby Bottom duo

 

Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast

info@nextdaypodcast.com

]]> false "n which Daraka and Dick talk about the most important things Left activists should learn from the election results and what we need to figure out. Can we imagine a Democratic Party that's intersectional and working class? 
Music: 'What We Want" by Joe Hill (on the 109th anniversary of his execution) performed by the Shelby Bottom duo

 

Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast

info@nextdaypodcast.com

]]> 00:43:59 <![CDATA[#39 Talking About Democratic Prospects with Harold Meyerson]]> Wed, 11 Sep 2024 07:12:39 +0000 Richard Flacks https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/13132/episode/1832892 https://tsmh.castos.com/episodes/39-talking-about-democratic-prospects-with-harold-meyerson Harold Meyerson is editor at large of Americn Prospect,  Formerly a columnist forrthe Washington Post and the LA Times, a much respected reporter on the labor movement, the Demoratic Partty and California politics.

He was one of the founders of DSA  (Democratic Socialists of America) and we talk to him abut the Demoratic conventions of 2024, 1968 and 1980 (all of which he atttended) --and much else.


Music: Keb Mo, PUT A WOMAN IN CHARGE

]]> false Harold Meyerson is editor at large of Americn Prospect,  Formerly a columnist forrthe Washington Post and the LA Times, a much respected reporter on the labor movement, the Demoratic Partty and California politics.

He was one of the founders of DSA  (Democratic Socialists of America) and we talk to him abut the Demoratic conventions of 2024, 1968 and 1980 (all of which he atttended) --and much else.


Music: Keb Mo, PUT A WOMAN IN CHARGE

]]> 00:51:25 <![CDATA[#38 Talking with Maurice Isserman: Learning from the Tragedy of American Communism]]> Sat, 10 Aug 2024 07:48:51 +0000 Richard Flacks https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/13132/episode/1804750 https://tsmh.castos.com/episodes/38-talking-with-maurice-isserman-learning-from-the-tragedy-of-american-communism Historian Maurice Isserman’s new book: Reds: The Tragedy of American Communism helps us think about how the organized left ought to be organized. We talk about the past’s relevance to the present; Maurice, like us, is an  activist, vitally concerned with building a Left that’s democratic and effective. The episode ends with the voice of Swedish singer-songwriter Molly Nilssen. It’s a track on her just released CD, Unamerican Activiities.  The track is called “American Communist Party” 

 

Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast

info@nextdaypodcast.com

]]> false Historian Maurice Isserman’s new book: Reds: The Tragedy of American Communism helps us think about how the organized left ought to be organized. We talk about the past’s relevance to the present; Maurice, like us, is an  activist, vitally concerned with building a Left that’s democratic and effective. The episode ends with the voice of Swedish singer-songwriter Molly Nilssen. It’s a track on her just released CD, Unamerican Activiities.  The track is called “American Communist Party” 

 

Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast

info@nextdaypodcast.com

]]> 00:58:26 <![CDATA[#37 Talking with Phyllis Bennis]]> Tue, 02 Jul 2024 00:17:17 +0000 Richard Flacks https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/13132/episode/1777401 https://tsmh.castos.com/episodes/37-talking-with-phyllis-bennis Phyllis Bennis is a unique left journalist, having dedicated her life's work to reporting from the UN and helping the antiwar movements understand international law and diplomacy. She's a long time activist for Palestinian justice, a fellow at the Institute for Policy 'studies, and international advisor for Jewish 'voice for Peace. And an alumna of UC Santa Barbara.


Muisc: David Rovics "This is Genocide"

]]> false Phyllis Bennis is a unique left journalist, having dedicated her life's work to reporting from the UN and helping the antiwar movements understand international law and diplomacy. She's a long time activist for Palestinian justice, a fellow at the Institute for Policy 'studies, and international advisor for Jewish 'voice for Peace. And an alumna of UC Santa Barbara.


Muisc: David Rovics "This is Genocide"

]]> 00:48:23 <![CDATA[#36 Talking with Vlad and Matthew, leftwing zionists]]> Sat, 15 Jun 2024 04:36:33 +0000 Richard Flacks https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/13132/episode/1763121 https://tsmh.castos.com/episodes/36-talking-with-vlad-and-matthew-leftwing-zionists Daraka & Dick engage with Vladidas Khaykin, anti-semitism specialist with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), abd Matthew Finkelstein, co-founder, Progressive Zionists of California. They spell out their experience of leftwing anti-semitism and we all try to define a common ground for a just peace.
closing music: David Broza "Yiyeh Tov (It will be better)"

 

Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast

info@nextdaypodcast.com

]]> full false Daraka & Dick engage with Vladidas Khaykin, anti-semitism specialist with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), abd Matthew Finkelstein, co-founder, Progressive Zionists of California. They spell out their experience of leftwing anti-semitism and we all try to define a common ground for a just peace.
closing music: David Broza "Yiyeh Tov (It will be better)"

 

Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast

info@nextdaypodcast.com

]]> 01:05:50 <![CDATA[#35 Talking with Sherene Sekaily, Palestine Scholar]]> Thu, 06 Jun 2024 02:54:11 +0000 Richard Flacks https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/13132/episode/1757519 https://tsmh.castos.com/episodes/35-talking-with-sherene-sekaily-palestine-scholar #35 Talking with Sherene Seikaly, Palestine Scholar
Daraka and Dick converse with one of the leading Palestinian intellectuals in academia. It was an enlightening and heart-wrenching encounter for us--and perhaps you'll feel that as well.
Music: Jerusalem Youth Choir: 'A Different Way"

]]> full false #35 Talking with Sherene Seikaly, Palestine Scholar
Daraka and Dick converse with one of the leading Palestinian intellectuals in academia. It was an enlightening and heart-wrenching encounter for us--and perhaps you'll feel that as well.
Music: Jerusalem Youth Choir: 'A Different Way"

]]> 00:46:43 <![CDATA[#34 Talking with Rosie, UCSB Protester]]> Thu, 16 May 2024 07:24:41 +0000 Richard Flacks https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/13132/episode/1743472 https://tsmh.castos.com/episodes/34-talking-with-rosie-ucsb-protester A conversation with Rosie, a media spokesperson for the Palestinian solidarity encampment at UC Santa Barbara. We talk about why and how she's engaged, the impact of the protest on campus, how participants respond to concerns about anti-semitism, and how she defines the movement's goals. We learned a lot.


Music: Phil Ochs: "I;m gonna say itn now" Declan Griffin is our producer.

]]> false A conversation with Rosie, a media spokesperson for the Palestinian solidarity encampment at UC Santa Barbara. We talk about why and how she's engaged, the impact of the protest on campus, how participants respond to concerns about anti-semitism, and how she defines the movement's goals. We learned a lot.


Music: Phil Ochs: "I;m gonna say itn now" Declan Griffin is our producer.

]]> 00:54:40 <![CDATA[#33 Daraka & Dick talking about the campus protests]]> Tue, 23 Apr 2024 03:30:37 +0000 Richard Flacks https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/13132/episode/1726527 https://tsmh.castos.com/episodes/33-daraka-dick-talking-about-the-campus-protests Daraka and Dick use the current Columbia student protests as a springboard for examining the way efforts to control the student movement are threatening the framework of campus democracy and free expression--and how and why 'anti-semitism' labelling is being weaponized. Are there ways out of this mess?
closing song: 'it Isn't Nice" by Malvina Reynolds, sung by Barbara Dane & the Chambers Brothers 

 

Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast

info@nextdaypodcast.com

]]> false Daraka and Dick use the current Columbia student protests as a springboard for examining the way efforts to control the student movement are threatening the framework of campus democracy and free expression--and how and why 'anti-semitism' labelling is being weaponized. Are there ways out of this mess?
closing song: 'it Isn't Nice" by Malvina Reynolds, sung by Barbara Dane & the Chambers Brothers 

 

Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast

info@nextdaypodcast.com

]]> 00:50:23 <![CDATA[#32 Talking With Palestinian-American Activist Murad "Moe" Samara]]> Thu, 14 Mar 2024 20:44:28 +0000 Richard Flacks https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/13132/episode/1688783 https://tsmh.castos.com/episodes/32-talking-with-palestinian-american-activist-murad-moe-samara A conversation with Murad  "Moe" Samara, Palestinian American Democratic Party leader, Moe is an envirnmental scientist, ather of five, and a signifiant voice in Sacramento politics.  He describes the gap between the  Biden adminIstration and Arab American and youth Democratic Party activists, expressing hope for a war ending poicy, and fear if there isn't.


Closing music: David Rovics "if a Song Could Raise an Army

]]> false A conversation with Murad  "Moe" Samara, Palestinian American Democratic Party leader, Moe is an envirnmental scientist, ather of five, and a signifiant voice in Sacramento politics.  He describes the gap between the  Biden adminIstration and Arab American and youth Democratic Party activists, expressing hope for a war ending poicy, and fear if there isn't.


Closing music: David Rovics "if a Song Could Raise an Army

]]> 00:49:07 <![CDATA[#31 Talking with Meretz Party leader Uri Zaki]]> Sat, 10 Feb 2024 06:31:43 +0000 Richard Flacks https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/13132/episode/1658727 https://tsmh.castos.com/episodes/31-talking-with-meretz-party-leader-uri-zaki He’s one of the key voices of Israel’s electoral left. He defends Israel’s need to end Hamas control of Gaza, while bitterly attacking Netanyahu and his rightwing regime. The conversation illumuinates the grim political frustrations of the situation—while providing rays of hope for change.

Music: “Mashup for Change” Jerusalem Youth Chorus
]]> false He’s one of the key voices of Israel’s electoral left. He defends Israel’s need to end Hamas control of Gaza, while bitterly attacking Netanyahu and his rightwing regime. The conversation illumuinates the grim political frustrations of the situation—while providing rays of hope for change.

Music: “Mashup for Change” Jerusalem Youth Chorus
]]> 01:06:37 <![CDATA[#30 Talking With Jewish Currents Editor Arielle Angel]]> Thu, 11 Jan 2024 08:53:00 +0000 Richard Flacks https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/13132/episode/1630461 https://tsmh.castos.com/episodes/30-talking-with-jewish-currents-editor-arielle-angel Jewish Currents is the magazine of the Jewish Left in the US. Arielle Angel is the remarkably thoughtful and engaged editor-in-chief. We talk about Israel's war on Gaza, the possibilities for the future, anti-semitism and its weaponization--and what is to be done.

Music credit: 'Sholom, Salaam" sung by Ziggy Marley and the Jerusalem Youth Choir

]]> 30 false Jewish Currents is the magazine of the Jewish Left in the US. Arielle Angel is the remarkably thoughtful and engaged editor-in-chief. We talk about Israel's war on Gaza, the possibilities for the future, anti-semitism and its weaponization--and what is to be done.

Music credit: 'Sholom, Salaam" sung by Ziggy Marley and the Jerusalem Youth Choir

]]> 00:55:19 <![CDATA[#29 Daraka & Dick talk about the Jewish Question]]> Thu, 11 Jan 2024 00:27:03 +0000 Richard Flacks https://permalink.castos.com/podcast/13132/episode/1630661 https://tsmh.castos.com/episodes/29-daraka-dick-talk-about-the-jewish-question This episode introduces a new season focused on the War On Gaza and its ramifications. Daraka and Dick talk about their perspectives on the situation and how their personal life stories shape where they stand--and we preview forthcoming episodes on these matters. The first of these episodes--a conversation with Arielle Angel, editor of Jewish Currents--is ready for you now.
Music credit: Everyone Neath Their Vine and Figtree sung by Alexa Sunshine-Rose

]]> 29 false This episode introduces a new season focused on the War On Gaza and its ramifications. Daraka and Dick talk about their perspectives on the situation and how their personal life stories shape where they stand--and we preview forthcoming episodes on these matters. The first of these episodes--a conversation with Arielle Angel, editor of Jewish Currents--is ready for you now.
Music credit: Everyone Neath Their Vine and Figtree sung by Alexa Sunshine-Rose

]]> 00:49:03