Best The Socialist Program Podcasts (2025)

1
Why Trump Wants State Control of Intel w/ Prof. Wolff 25:20

20h ago25:20

25:20

The Trump administration is considering buying a 10% stake in tech company Intel to prop up the struggling chip maker. Professor Richard Wolff & Brian Becker discuss why they might do this, what it means about the U.S. economy, and what it tells us about the U.S. government's competition with China.Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder …

1
What's wrong with the Democratic Party? 18:44

3h ago18:44

18:44

New data shows the Democratic Party is hemorrhaging voters. New York Times national political correspondent Shane Goldmacher broke the story and joins us to explain what the numbers mean as Democrats try to find their way out of the political wilderness. And, with voter enrollment numbers down, Democrats are working on new strategies to win electio…

1
Republicans in Ohio and Missouri push to repeal voter-approved abortion protections 24:10

21m ago24:10

24:10

After the Supreme Court struck down federal abortion rights in 2022, voters in Ohio and Missouri approved state abortion protections. Now, conservatives in the states are working to roll those rights back. Reporters Karen Kasler and Jason Rosenbaum break down those efforts. And, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has promised "a massive te…

1
Why Trump Wants State Control of Intel w/ Prof. Wolff 25:19

1d ago25:19

25:19

The Trump administration is considering buying a 10% stake in tech company Intel to prop up the struggling chip maker. Professor Richard Wolff & Brian Becker discuss why they might do this, what it means about the U.S. economy, and what it tells us about the U.S. government's competition with China. Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder…

1
Best Of 2025 Part 4: Today's Economic Failures 31:35

2d ago31:35

31:35

In this week's episode of the "Best Of Economic Update Series," we examine a comparison between the economic failures we face today caused by the same political forces and capitalists that we have encountered before, as well as the causes and effects of economic policies proven to fail. We hope you're enjoying this "Best Of" series. We will return …

1
Why Russia wants Ukraine's Donetsk region 23:48

19h ago23:48

23:48

The Kremlin is demanding that Ukraine give up the entire Donetsk Oblast as part of any ceasefire agreement. Russia analyst Kateryna Stepanenko explains why Donetsk is so important to Ukraine and why Russia wants control of it. Then, Brennan Center for Justice CEO Michael Waldman talks about President Trump's push to end mail-in voting, baselessly c…

1
Inside the new Fort Bliss detention center that will hold thousands of migrants 22:01

2d ago22:01

22:01

As many as 5,000 migrants may soon be detained at a new facility at Fort Bliss in Texas. The center opened on Sunday. KTEP’s Angela Kocherga joins us to explain more. And, just seven months into President Trump’s second term, nearly half of the goals outlined in Project 2025 have been achieved. During the 2024 campaign, Trump distanced himself from…

1
Green Socialist Notes, Episode 274 1:03:51

3d ago1:03:51

1:03:51

Howie talks about current events and takes viewer questions. Streamed on 8/10/25 Watch the video at: https://www.youtube.com/live/JMJdY4a-eYI Green Socialist Notes is a weekly livestream/podcast hosted by 2020 Green Party/Socialist Party presidential nominee, Howie Hawkins. Started as a weekly campaign livestream in the spring of 2020, the streams …

1
The World Turns Against Israel’s Killing Spree, Trump’s Takeover of D.C., Trump Meets Putin [Preview] 12:25

5d ago12:25

12:25

Brian and Layan discuss the rapidly expanding worldwide opposition as Israel intentionally slaughters journalists and starves Palestinian civilians. Even mainstream media figures are now denouncing Israel. They also expose the coup-like nature of Donald Trump’s militarization decree that intensifies an all-out attack against Black, Latino and immig…

1
The World Turns Against Israel’s Killing Spree, Trump’s Takeover of D.C., Trump Meets Putin [Preview] 12:24

6d ago12:24

12:24

Brian and Layan discuss the rapidly expanding worldwide opposition as Israel intentionally slaughters journalists and starves Palestinian civilians. Even mainstream media figures are now denouncing Israel. They also expose the coup-like nature of Donald Trump’s militarization decree that intensifies an all-out attack against Black, Latino and immig…

1
Spike Lee’s new joint reimagines a classic 35:14

5d ago35:14

35:14

Spike Lee’s latest film, “Highest 2 Lowest,” is his reinterpretation of Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 film, “High and Low.” Denzel Washington stars as a music mogul faced with a moral dilemma: Should he fork over $17 million to save his driver and friend’s son? Lee joins us to talk more about the film as it hits theaters Friday. And, radio legend Bruce Mor…

1
Missouri Republicans repeal paid sick leave law approved by voters 26:17

6d ago26:17

26:17

A voter-approved mandate in Missouri for employers to provide paid sick leave is set to go away later this month after Republican lawmakers repealed it. St. Louis Public Radio's Jason Rosenbaum. Then, this week, a glacial outburst sent millions of gallons of water surging down the Mendenhall River that runs through Juneau, Alaska. Public Safety man…

1
How Boston became a focal point in Trump’s immigration crackdown 27:05

7d ago27:05

27:05

Increased immigration enforcement is playing out across the U.S., and Boston is no exception. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have been spotted in neighborhoods across the city, and the detainment of Tufts University student Rumeysa Ozturk made headlines across the country. WBUR reporter Simón Rios, who has extensively covered immigratio…

1
Trump’s Police State in D.C. 25:04

8d ago25:04

25:04

Trump has declared a police state in D.C., announcing a federal military takeover. Despite recent violent crime rates in D.C. at a 30-year low, he cited “crime” as the reason—but Professor Richard Wolff & Brian Becker discuss his real goals. Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his wo…

1
Trump’s Police State in D.C. 25:05

9d ago25:05

25:05

Trump has declared a police state in D.C., announcing a federal military takeover. Despite recent violent crime rates in D.C. at a 30-year low, he cited “crime” as the reason—but Professor Richard Wolff & Brian Becker discuss his real goals.Professor Richard Wolff is an author & co-founder of the organization Democracy at Work. You can find his wor…

1
Best Of Series Part 3: Interviews Echoing Today 31:06

9d ago31:06

31:06

This week on Economic Update, we take a look back at some of Prof. Wolff's guest interviews from years past that still echo in today's global socio-economic setting. We hope you're enjoying this "Best Of" series. We will return to regular weekly updates on Labor Day, and as always, we thank you for your attention, support, and solidarity. The d@w T…

1
What Trump's takeover of the D.C. police means for fighting crime 20:17

8d ago20:17

20:17

President Trump put Washington, D.C. police under federal control, vowing to fight crime in the country’s capital. What does the move mean for mayors across the country as they try to keep their cities safe? Van Johnson, president of the African American Mayors Association, joins us. And, despite fears around crime, data shows that violent crime an…

1
Malaysian socialist: Why young people are turning to socialism | Green Left Show #65 24:13

10d ago24:13

24:13

Isaac Nellist spoke to Amanda Shweeta Louis from the Socialist Party of Malaysia (PSM) about the commercialisation of Malaysia’s education system, solidarity with Palestine and why young Malaysians are looking to socialism. Shweeta Louis is a featured speaker at the Ecosocialism 2025: Ecosocialism not Barbarism conference in Naarm/Melbourne over Se…

1
Israeli strike kills journalists in Gaza 20:18

9d ago20:18

20:18

Israel targeted a journalist tent in Gaza City, killing five Al Jazeera journalists Sunday, including prominent correspondent Anas al-Sharif. The Committee to Protect Journalists says at least 192 journalists have been killed since the start of the war nearly two years ago. Mohamed Moawad, Al Jazeera’s managing editor, joins us to talk about the lo…

1
Green Socialist Notes, Episode 273 with Special Guest Richard Smith 1:04:25

10d ago1:04:25

1:04:25

This week Howie is joined by ecosocialist author Richard Smith. Resources: Richard Smith’s website, https://www.richardanthonysmith.org/Richard Smith, Green Capitalism: The God that Failed (World Economics Association, 2016).Richard Smith, China’s Engine of Environmental Collapse (Pluto Press, 2020).Richard Smith, "Why China Cannot Decarbonise,” Ma…

1
Exploring the birthplace of the blues 22:28

13d ago22:28

22:28

On a recent reporting trip, Here & Now's Peter O'Dowd and Chris Bentley stopped in Clarksdale, Mississippi, a town known as the birthplace of the blues. They speak with Mayor Orlando Paden, who runs the blues club Red's, and Shelley Ritter, executive director of the Delta Blues Museum. Then, music journalist Betto Arcos goes to Bentonia, Mississipp…

1
Americans get most of their calories from ultra-processed foods, new study shows 20:25

13d ago20:25

20:25

New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found Americans consume more than half of their calories from ultra-processed food. Cleveland Clinic dietitian Julia Zumpano explains the health implications. And, President Trump’s new round of tariffs took effect Thursday, with more on the way. MSNBC’s Ali Velshi unpacks what this means…

1
How RFK Jr.'s cuts to mRNA vaccine funding could hurt public health 19:43

14d ago19:43

19:43

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is cutting nearly $500 million in funding for the development of mRNA vaccines that are used to fight COVID-19 and the flu. Dr. Paul Offit joins us to discuss what the move could mean for vaccine research and development. Then, the Department of Transportation is raising concerns about airlines using artificia…

1
How the World Changes: Understanding Historical Materialism 1:01:30

15d ago1:01:30

1:01:30

Before we can change the world, we have to understand how change occurs. Today's episode features a recording of our host Brian Becker teaching at the Summer School for Socialism, a class series hosted by The People's Forum in New York City. The class module in today's episode is titled "Change is Possible." How do systems of power rise and fall? B…

1
How the World Changes: Understanding Historical Materialism 1:01:27

16d ago1:01:27

1:01:27

Before we can change the world, we have to understand how change occurs. Today's episode features a recording of our host Brian Becker teaching at the Summer School for Socialism, a class series hosted by The People's Forum in New York City. The class module in today's episode is titled "Change is Possible." How do systems of power rise and fall? B…

1
Best Of Series Part 2: The Most Viewed Updates 29:01

16d ago29:01

29:01

This week on Economic Update, we revisit two of the most viewed episodes of Economic Update. The first features Professor Wolff's analysis of the key changes driving the emergence of a new economic world order, and the second provides a look at the causes and effects of China's economic achievements. You can see both episodes in their entirety at t…

1
Texas Democrats stalled an attempt to redraw voting maps. What's next? 26:58

15d ago26:58

26:58

Democratic lawmakers in Texas left the state to prevent a vote on redrawing the state’s congressional maps. The redrawn maps would create five more winnable U.S. House districts for Republicans. Democratic Texas state Rep. Armando Walle talks about where Democrats go from here. And, as the school year is about to start back up, Michigan’s education…

1
Republicans want to redistrict Texas. Could other states respond with their own maps? 26:35

16d ago26:35

26:35

Texas House Democrats fled the state in a bid to block a new congressional district map. The proposed redistricting would create five new Republican-leaning seats in the House. Texas Newsroom's Lauren McGaughy tells us more. Then, on Friday, President Trump fired the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Erika McEntarfer, after the July jobs repo…

1
Green Socialist Notes, Episode 272 1:00:17

17d ago1:00:17

1:00:17

Howie talks about current events and takes viewer questions. Streamed on 8/2/25 Watch the video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QT1C6pjEdJU&t Green Socialist Notes is a weekly livestream/podcast hosted by 2020 Green Party/Socialist Party presidential nominee, Howie Hawkins. Started as a weekly campaign livestream in the spring of 2020, the stre…

1
Lidia Thorpe: RED LINES against genocide | Green Left Show #64 19:42

20d ago19:42

19:42

Gunnai, Gunditjmara and Djab Wurrung independent senator Lidia Thorpe is the guest on this episode of the Green Left Show. Thorpe speaks with Alex Bainbridge about combatting genocide, both against First Nations people in this country and against Palestinians in Gaza. In particular, they discuss the Red Lines Package which will be reintroduced into…

1
How Nvidia became a $4 trillion company 18:25

20d ago18:25

18:25

AI is fueling the stock market, sending the value of tech companies like Nvidia and Microsoft into the stratosphere. This week, Microsoft's market valuation surged past $4 trillion. That's nearly the GDP of India. Roben Farzad, host of the podcast "Full Disclosure," explains Microsoft's role in the competition. And, Nvidia — which makes microchips …

1
How is the economy doing? 22:11

20d ago22:11

22:11

The Commerce Department reported on Wednesday that the U.S. economy grew at a 3% annual rate last quarter. That growth is smaller than it was last year. The Financial Times' Rana Foroohar joins us to put things in perspective. Then, former pardon attorney Liz Oyer explains why she thinks it would be "unprecedented" for President Trump to pardon con…

1
Inside China: Why They’re Opening 1,000 New Schools for Marxism w/ Prof. Hammond 46:11

21d ago46:11

46:11

In the decades since its 1949 revolution, China has emerged – or reemerged – as a global power, and the U.S. government sees China’s rise as an existential threat. Now there’s a bipartisan consensus, anchored in the Pentagon’s strategic doctrine, preparing for war and “great power conflict” with China. Brian Becker talks with Prof. Ken Hammond, who…

1
Inside China: Why They’re Opening 1,000 New Schools for Marxism w/ Prof. Hammond 46:08

22d ago46:08

46:08

In the decades since its 1949 revolution, China has emerged – or reemerged – as a global power, and the U.S. government sees China’s rise as an existential threat. Now there’s a bipartisan consensus, anchored in the Pentagon’s strategic doctrine, preparing for war and “great power conflict” with China. Brian Becker talks with Prof. Ken Hammond, who…

1
Why some advocates say Trump's plan to institutionalize homeless people won't work 21:40

21d ago21:40

21:40

A recent executive order from President Trump calls for sending some mentally ill or addicted homeless people to involuntary treatment, known as civil commitment. Los Angeles homelessness expert John Maceri explains more. And, both Democratic and Republican lawmakers are calling for Trump to address the hunger crisis in Gaza. Nahal Toosi, senior fo…

1
Contemporary Cube Theory 1:20:35

22d ago1:20:35

1:20:35

For centuries, humanity has been building monolithic structures known as the Cubes. Today, we finally get a glimpse into their construction - delivered by academic lecture and first hand account. Visit programaudioseries.com/37-contemporary-cube-theory/ for full transcript, credits, and list of references. Check out Modes of Thought in Anterran Lit…

1
Why The U.S. Won't End The Korean War 17:56

22d ago17:56

17:56

Coinciding with the 72nd anniversary of the signing of the armistice that ended military hostilities during the Korean War, a historic People's Summit for Korea took place in New York City between July 25th and 27th. Brian Becker, host of The Socialist Program, was a guest on one of the plenary panels entitled "The Long Revolution of the Democratic…

1
Why The U.S. Won't End The Korean War 17:55

23d ago17:55

17:55

Coinciding with the 72nd anniversary of the signing of the armistice that ended military hostilities during the Korean War, a historic People's Summit for Korea took place in New York City between July 25th and 27th. Brian Becker, host of The Socialist Program, was a guest on one of the plenary panels entitled "The Long Revolution of the Democratic…

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