Best Kristen R Ghodsee Podcasts (2025)

1
Introducing: The Ongoing Transformation 39:47

14h ago39:47

39:47

Today we’re sharing an episode of a podcast called The Ongoing Transformation. It’s a biweekly podcast featuring conversations about science, technology, policy, and society. They speak with interesting thinkers—leading researchers, artists, policymakers, social theorists, and other luminaries—about the ways new knowledge transforms the world. The …

1
[TEASER] The Alliance of Sahel States Pt. 1: Burkina Faso – An Anti-imperialist Introduction w/ Prudence Iticka 18:20

1d ago18:20

18:20

This is a free preview of the episode "The Alliance of Sahel States Pt. 1: Burkina Faso – An Anti-imperialist Introduction w/ Prudence Iticka." You can listen to the full episode by subscribing to our Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/upstreampodcast As a Patreon subscriber you'll get access to at least one bonus episode a month (usually two or…

1
The Progress Report: Crime Plummets in 2025! 16:17

6d ago16:17

16:17

On this week's Progress Report, Zachary and Emma serve up a fresh batch of good news you probably missed: U.S. crime rates are dropping to record lows, a bold new law is aimed at taking down revenge porn and AI deepfakes in just 48 hours, and Guinea-Bissau is throwing its very first art biennale, despite having almost no galleries or art schools. W…

1
The View from Canada with David Frum 1:02:00

8d ago1:02:00

1:02:00

What does Canada think about Donald Trump’s America? Zachary and Emma speak with David Frum, author, staff writer at The Atlantic, political commentator, and former speechwriter for President George W. Bush. A Canadian American, David elaborates on Canada’s strategic integration with the U.S., the implications of recent shifts including Trump’s tar…

1
Post Capitalist Parenting Pt. 2: Reimagining the Family w/ Kristen Ghodsee 1:32:26

9d ago1:32:26

1:32:26

There is nothing natural about the way we arrange families under capitalism—in fact, there are many who would argue that there is something quite unnatural about narrowing the experience of romance and child-rearing into the rigid form of the nuclear family. That there are much better ways of arranging these things might come as a surprise to some—…

1
The Progress Report: Would You Let Snakes Bite You for Science? 14:49

13d ago14:49

14:49

On this week's Progress Report, Zachary and Emma break down some surprising stories of progress, from China’s clean energy boom finally driving down emissions, to Hungary’s unexpected rise as a solar power leader, to a dramatic drop in infant hospitalizations thanks to a new RSV vaccine. Plus, hear the wild tale of the American who built up immunit…

1
Modern Money and Marketcrafters with Chris Hughes 53:55

15d ago53:55

53:55

How can we reshape the American economy? Zachary and Emma speak with Chris Hughes, Facebook co-founder, Chair of the Economic Security Project, and author of “Marketcrafters: The 100-Year Struggle to Shape the American Economy.” Chris discusses the differences between marketcraft and Trump’s tariffs, how marketcraft has succeeded with antitrust and…

1
[TEASER] The Imperial Boomerang w/ Julian Go 20:37

16d ago20:37

20:37

This is a free preview of the episode "The Imperial Boomerang w/ Julian Go." You can listen to the full episode by subscribing to our Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/upstreampodcast As a Patreon subscriber you will have access to bi-weekly episodes ranging from conversations to readings and more. Signing up for Patreon is a great way to make …

1
Introducing The Hidden Economics of Remarkable Women (HERO) 25:14

17d ago25:14

25:14

Today we’re sharing an episode of a podcast from our friends at Foreign Policy called The Hidden Economics of Remarkable Women (HERO). It’s a series about women creating change through economic empowerment and it features female leaders from across the world. This episode was recorded live at this year's Munich Security Conference and focuses on th…

1
The Progress Report: Ancient Scrolls Decoded by AI! 14:49

20d ago14:49

14:49

This week on The Progress Report, Emma and Zachary dive into the mysterious world of ancient Herculaneum scrolls—charred by Vesuvius, now decoded by AI and particle accelerators. Maryland smashes its conservation goals, becoming the first U.S. state to hit “30 by 30.” And, are we really past peak alcohol consumption? We unpack what it means for the…

1
The Supreme Court vs. Donald Trump with Stephen Vladeck 53:29

22d ago53:29

53:29

It’s time for a lesson on the U.S. Supreme Court. Zachary and Emma speak with Stephen Vladeck, CNN's Supreme Court analyst, law professor at the University of Texas, and author of the newsletter One First. The Supreme Court is at a crucial historical moment as it clashes with the Trump Administration. Stephen, Zachary, and Emma dive into the contro…

1
From the Frontlines: Organizing Against Amazon w/ Chris Smalls and Mars Verrone 1:08:51

23d ago1:08:51

1:08:51

Chris Smalls had no idea the direction his life would take when he was discharged in 2020 for organizing a walk out in protest against Amazon’s safety protocols during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. He had no idea he was about to embark on one of the most challenging David and Goliath unionization efforts of our century. In this episode…

1
The Progress Report: Science Tastes Like Chicken 15:10

27d ago15:10

15:10

This week on The Progress Report, hosts Zachary Karabell and Emma Varvaloucas share a roundup of positive news from around the globe. Starlink has surged to become Nigeria’s second-largest internet provider, offering much-needed fast and reliable connectivity despite government concerns about foreign control. Japanese scientists have made a breakth…

1
Is the US Repeating Brexit's Mistakes? with Gillian Tett 59:05

29d ago59:05

59:05

By The Progress Network with Zachary Karabell and Emma Varvaloucas

1
150 - A.K. 47 - Bonus Episode - Capitalism, Socialism, and Esteem with Prof. Scott Sehon 29:58

30d ago29:58

29:58

Kristen Ghodsee revisits her discussion about arguments for socialism with Bowdoin College professor of philosophy, Scott R. Sehon. This conversation focuses on the role of esteem and how it is increasingly commodified in a capitalist society. Mentioned in this podcast: Book by Scott R. Sehon: Socialism: A Logical Introduction Article in the Wall S…

1
[TEASER] China Pt. 5: Towards an Ecological Civilization w/ Tings Chak 18:35

30d ago18:35

18:35

This is a free preview of the episode " China Pt. 5: A Socialist Approach to Ecological Development w/ Tings Chak". You can listen to the full episode by subscribing to our Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/upstreampodcast As a Patreon subscriber you will have access to bi-weekly episodes ranging from conversations to readings and more. Signing…

1
The Progress Report: We've Got Aliens! 16:32

1M ago16:32

16:32

In this week's episode of The Progress Report, Zachary and Emma discuss positive news stories, including New Mexico’s free childcare program that has lifted 120,000 people out of poverty, an FBI initiative addressing unresolved crimes in Indian Country across the US, and the signs of life on a distant planet that NASA just detected. What Could Go R…

1
Navigating and Negotiating the Middle East with Dr. Jon Alterman 57:51

1M ago57:51

57:51

What does the future of the Middle East look like? Zachary and Emma speak with Dr. Jon Alterman, senior vice president and director of the Middle East Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, where he holds the Brzezinski Chair in Global Security and Geostrategy. They discuss the complexities of achieving peace between Israel …

1
A History of the CIA, Coups, and Assassinations w/ Vijay Prashad 1:13:23

1M ago1:13:23

1:13:23

“What is the price of an assassin’s bullet? Some dollars here and there. The cost of the bullet. The cost of a taxi ride, a hotel, an airplane, the money paid to hire the assassin, his silence purchased through a payment into a Swiss bank, the cost to him psychologically for having taken the life of one, two, three, or four. But the biggest price i…

1
149 - A.K. 47 - Bonus Episode - Embrace your political despair 17:59

1M ago17:59

17:59

Kristen Ghodsee shares a conservation with a previous guest from March 2022, a self-described anarchist activist, about the value of feeling one’s political despair and using it to generate political creativity. Mentioned in this episode: I Want a Better Catastrophe Also this article: "Kollontai: Leaving behind Menshevik pacifism" Send us a text Th…

1
The Progress Report: Brazil Could Go Right! 18:50

1M ago18:50

18:50

In this episode of the Progress Report, Zachary Karabell and Emma Varvaloucas dig into some seriously overlooked good news. Brazil and South Korea have both pushed back against anti-democratic power grabs—and won. From Bolsonaro facing trial to South Korea's president getting the boot after a wild six-hour martial law stunt, democracy is holding it…

1
What American Global Empire? with Daniel Bessner & Derek Davison 53:48

1M ago53:48

53:48

What can be done to change United States foreign policy? Zachary and Emma speak to US foreign policy experts and co-hosts of the American Prestige podcast, journalist Daniel Bessner and historian Derek Davison. Daniel is the author of Democracy in Exile and Derek runs the Foreign Exchanges newsletter. They discuss the American public’s engagement w…

1
[TEASER] How Fascism Works 21:36

1M ago21:36

21:36

This is a free preview of the episode "How Fascism Works." You can listen to the full episode by subscribing to our Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/upstreampodcast As a Patreon subscriber you will have access to bi-weekly episodes ranging from conversations to readings and more. Signing up for Patreon is a great way to make Upstream a weekly …

1
The Progress Report: All Aboard the 3D Express! 16:16

2M ago16:16

16:16

In this week’s Progress Report, Zachary Karabell and Emma Varvaloucas highlight some truly global good news—stories that are too often buried under the avalanche of daily doomscrolling. Emma brings data from the World Health Organization showing that maternal mortality has dropped by over 40% since 2000, with real success stories in sub-Saharan Afr…

1
The Antitrust Advocate with Matt Stoller 50:57

2M ago50:57

50:57

What would the U.S. look like after a corporate breakup? Zachary and Emma speak with author of the BIG newsletter, host of the Organized Money podcast, and director of research at the American Economics Liberties Project, Matt Stoller. They discuss the major political issues from concentrated economic power, the bipartisan movement against monopoli…

1
From the Frontlines: State Repression and Anti-Imperialist Organizing w/ Calla Walsh 1:45:50

2M ago1:45:50

1:45:50

The moniker The Merrimack Four might be something you’re already familiar with—perhaps you saw the headlines in the late fall of 2023 about a handful of direct actionists being arrested on the rooftop of a facility owned by a major weapons manufacturer in New Hampshire. Maybe you heard about the multiple felony charges that were being pressed again…

1
148 - A.K. 47 - The New Morals 21:22

2M ago21:22

21:22

Kristen R. Ghodsee reads a 1930 interview with Alexandra Kollontai about the new morality around love and marriage in the Soviet Union. Kollontai argues that romantic love and relationships will no longer be the most important thing in women’s lives because they will have the support of the socialist state in reducing their responsibilities for dom…

1
The Progress Report: The World Bank Goes Nuclear 13:55

2M ago13:55

13:55

In this week's episode of The Progress Report, Emma highlights positive news stories, including potential changes in the World Bank's nuclear energy policy, innovative cancer treatments, decreasing breast cancer mortality rates, and bipartisan efforts to combat ticket price gouging. What Could Go Right? is produced by The Progress Network and The P…

1
Are We the Real Fossil Fools? with Emily Atkin 53:58

2M ago53:58

53:58

Why doesn't the media name and shame the real villains of the climate change story? How can tobacco industry-like litigation impact fossil fuel companies? What are the obstacles of transitioning to a clean energy future? Zachary and Emma speak with journalist, author, and founder of the Heated Substack, Emily Atkin. They discuss the Trump administr…

1
[TEASER] China Pt. 4: Unlearning Anti-China Propaganda w/ Li Jingjing 25:00

2M ago25:00

25:00

This is a free preview of the episode "China Pt. 4: Unlearning Anti-China Propaganda w/ Li Jingjing". You can listen to the full episode by subscribing to our Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/upstreampodcast As a Patreon subscriber you'll get access to at least one bonus episode a month (usually two or three), our entire back catalog of Patreo…

1
The Progress Report: Ebola Scare and Obamacare 20:27

2M ago20:27

20:27

In this episode of The Progress Report, Zachary and Emma discuss recent bipartisan agreements on U.S. gun laws including the Supreme Court’s upholding of Biden-era rule on ghost guns, the impact of Obamacare on healthcare access, and Uganda’s record-breaking rapid response to an Ebola outbreak. What Could Go Right? is produced by The Progress Netwo…

1
DOGE, Democracy, and Everything Between with Matthew Yglesias 59:48

2M ago59:48

59:48

Is Trump’s massive government reform necessary? Can the U.S. build better after DOGE? How efficient are government programs like food stamps and Medicaid? Zachary speaks with Vox co-founder and author of the Slow Boring Substack Matthew Yglesias. They discuss current Republican strategies, ideas for a Democratic response, American and Canadian rela…

1
Marx's Capital Vol. 1 w/ David Smith 2:47:19

2M ago2:47:19

2:47:19

Capitalism is a social phenomenon—yes, it is deeply grounded in concrete, material reality—but it’s a reality that ultimately relies on a series of tricks and spells, awash in deceit and veiled in subterfuge. What is capitalism, exactly? How does it function? Why are we seemingly trapped inside of it? And, perhaps most importantly, how can we break…

1
The Progress Report: Construction: It’s Electric! 14:20

2M ago14:20

14:20

In this episode of The Progress Report, Zachary and Emma discuss some encouraging developments around the world, including a new nasal surgery in London that restores smell for long COVID patients, promising advancements in HIV prevention with the lenacapavir injection, and Oslo’s push to electrify construction sites for a quieter, more sustainable…

1
[UNLOCKED] China Pt. 1: A Socialist Introduction w/ Jason Hickel 1:34:11

2M ago1:34:11

1:34:11

The world that we all grew up in is no longer a reality—although, in many ways, those in power are grasping onto it with the desperation of drowning men flailing, lashing out—furious, terrified, and in denial of what is staring them in their faces: imminent death. The rest of us are watching this process unfold before our very eyes—also terrified, …

1
Everything Is Tuberculosis, But It Doesn’t Have to Be with John Green 36:08

2M ago36:08

36:08

Today, Zachary and Emma are diving into a global health crisis that doesn’t get nearly enough attention—tuberculosis (TB). It’s one of the deadliest infectious diseases in the world, yet it has been largely ignored by wealthy nations and Big Pharma. But one person who refuses to let that stand is #1 New York Times bestselling author, YouTuber, and …

1
[TEASER] China Pt. 3: Bourgeois Democracy vs Socialist Democracy w/ Vijay Prashad 17:53

2M ago17:53

17:53

This is a free preview of the episode "China Pt. 3: Bourgeois Democracy vs Socialist Democracy w/ Vijay Prashad." You can listen to the full episode by subscribing to our Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/upstreampodcast As a Patreon subscriber you'll get access to at least one bonus episode a month (usually two or three), our entire back catal…

1
The Progress Report: Erasing Hidden Hazards 18:59

3M ago18:59

18:59

In this episode of The Progress Report, Zachary and Emma dig into the rape kit backlog, the long-term effects of war, and the idea that good news often arises from the resolution of past issues. The conversation emphasizes the necessity of recognizing progress and constructive stories to foster collective well-being. What Could Go Right? is produce…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Kristen R Ghodsee Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

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