Dustbowl Diatribes

Spencer and Laurie finish up their discussion of Abbé Sieyès’ famous essay “What is the Third Estate,” and begin an interestingly related and not digressive conversation on the excessive and luxurious expressions of the Baroque period.

Laurie and Spencer discuss Abbé Sieyès' famous essay "What is the Third Estate," which lit a match under the French Revolution. Was the third estate up to the task of civil society?

Laurie and Spencer interview Paul Kingsnorth, author of New York Times bestseller Against the Machine: On the Unmaking of Humanity, about what we're up against.

Spencer and Laurie discuss AI, data centers and the possibility of ethical guidelines from the Church and other sources in this July 2026 episode of Dustbowl Diatribes. The "Secret Grange," for patrons of the Maurin Academy only, followed.

Spencer and Laurie interview Chris Smaje, author of (most recently) Finding Lights in a Dark Age.

Spencer and Laurie discuss Isaiah Berlin's liberal nationalism and ask whether liberalism can be held in balance with nationalism, and even whether this uncomfortable mix is inevitable.

For April Fools this year, we cover a millennial touchstone television series about growing up, or at least about trying to.

Spencer and Laurie discuss the topic of patriotism, which was touched upon briefly in the last Dustbowl episode, and also in the Secret Grange episode that followed (for patrons only), on their interview with Charles Coulombe, a monarchist and author of multiple books, including The Compleat Monarchist. The discussion involves the value of patriotism, what ... Read more

Spencer and Laurie talk to Charles Coulombe, a monarchist and author of multiple books, including The Compleat Monarchist. His views on the intellectual and spiritual milieux leading up to the emergence of the Catholic Worker movement, as well as his views on American history, and what’s wrong and right with American Catholicism, offer a unique ... Read more

Dustbowl Diatribes and Political Philosophy are podcasts of the Maurin Academy, and can be found on almost all podcast platforms! https://pmaurin.org Maurin Academy Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/maurinacademy John Paul II Catholic Worker Farm: https://jpiicatholicworkerfarm.com Follow the Maurin Academy and the JPII Farm on Instagram for notifications about upcoming events.