Refuse Resist

   In this episode, I interviewed Ethan Whitman, an activist, organizer, and artist from Central Florida who has a deep knowledge of mutual aid. As always, we discuss his life and journey to the left as well as the importance of mutual aid when organizing in our communities as socialists. The book Mutual Aid, by was discussed as well. 

In this episode, I interview Jonathan Soto, Puerto Rican organizer, activist, and historian. We discuss this history of the Puerto Rican Struggle against colonialism from the past to the present. 

My guest on this episode is Pedro "Poney" Aranjo from the legendary Brazilian thrash metal band Violator. Violator was created in 2002 and has produced five full-length albums. Their music is aggressive, fun, and has always provided very interesting commentary on the political and economic situation in Brazil and around the world. This conversation with Pedro was so much fun and even if you're not a metalhead, I think you'll find some of the things we discussed about music, it's intersection with politics, and the struggle for justice in Latin America very interesting.

Having dabbled in many corners of life, J.E. (Janet) Clarke’s experience can be described as arcane. Her interest in political philosophy, writing and science fiction began as a teen. Originally laissez faire libertarian/Objectivist, Ms. Clarke participated in Army ROTC, received her bachelor’s in Economics, a minor in Philosophy and a Masters in Criminal Justice. Afterwards, she obtained a stockbrokers license and worked as a Portfolio analyst at a boutique wealth management firm.  She credits that real life exposure of how markets do and don’t work (paired with her continued passion for philosophical analysis and truth) as a wake up call to the conceptual mistakes of neoliberal economic models… and its political assumptions. Now retired, Ms. Clarke might best be described as left-libertarian, though she feels such labels often fall short. 

   In this episode I spoke with Hugo, who is relatively new to the left. We discussed how and why he abandoned apathy, embraced political action, activism, and also why he embraced socialist ideas. Being Afro-Latino and seeing so much violence happening to young black men at the hands of police he realized he couldn't sit on the sidelines anymore. We also discussed his thoughts on the Israeli occupation of Palestine, his vision of a socialist future and how we can achieve it. 

On this episode, we discuss praxis, what value protesting has, his journey to the left as well as how he keeps his sanity through spirituality. Josh has spent most of his career as an educator at the high school and college level. He is also a Black Lives Matter ally and organizer in New York City.

Introduction, my personal journey of becoming a socialist, and what the show is going to be about.