Last Born In The Wilderness

[Intro: 11:25 | Outro: 56:58 | Book Pre-sale: http://bit.ly/ORBITgr] In this episode, I speak with Filipino citizen and activist Ja Reyalidad from his residence in Manila. We discuss the current situation in the Philippines in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, as the nation undergoes a national lockdown. As Ja explains, large segments of the Filipino population, particularly in the crowded metropolitan areas of the nation (like Manila), are facing staggering levels of "involuntary hunger" as the nation grapples with the outbreak of COVID-19. Very little is being done to aid the most affected (the working class and poor), as social distancing measures are imposed, domestic travel is severely limited, and testing kits and personal protective equipment (PPE) is being hoarded by the political and economic elites. To make matters even worse, President Duterte "took to the airwaves with a chilling warning for his citizens: Defy the lockdown orders again and the police will shoot you dead." "I will not hesitat

In this episode, I speak with author, journalist, and political researcher Shane Burley. We discuss mutual aid in the time of COVID-19, the "Autumn of the Alt Right," and the underlying structure of conspiracy theories in the age of information. We begin this discussion with Shane describing what mutual aid and solidarity looks like in our time of the coronavirus pandemic, with millions of workers in the United State without jobs as a result of widespread economic disruption and lack of a comprehensive government aid. As Shane describes in his recent article published at Waging Nonviolence: “In almost every city around the United States mutual aid networks have started to form — ranging from projects for resource distribution to simple options like fundraising, compiling lists of resources and contacts, and creating “chat threads” so that people in the same area can stay in contact with one another. The speed with which these groups have arrived, and the depth of care that many of them offer, have started to

[Intro: 9:53 | Outro: 1:40:30 | Video: https://youtu.be/dc0g6LoJOMQ] In this episode, I speak with Gods & Radicals Press co-founders and Empires Crumble co-hosts Alley Valkyrie and Rhyd Wildermuth. This discussion was recorded on March 22nd, 2020 from each of our respective locations, with Alley currently living in France and Rhyd in Luxembourg. We discuss the "state of exception" and “a world that has stopped” in the midst of this global pandemic and state-mandated lockdowns, as discussed in Alley’s essay ‘Dispatches From a World That Has Stopped,’ and Rhyd’s essay ’Pandemics and the State of Exception.’ “As a New Yorker living in France, living in a world that has stopped carries with it a specific cultural trauma that my friends, my neighbors, and my partner here do not share. It carries recollections and triggers that I honestly thought I left behind on the other side of the ocean. It carries the reminder of how we are defined and wired by past traumas, and the insidious manner in which such traumatic e

In this episode, I speak with Brian Mier, journalist and co-editor at Brasil Wire and correspondent for TeleSur English. I ask Brian to discuss the current political situation in Brazil under far right president Jair Bolsonaro, as the nation begins to reel from the coronavirus pandemic and the wholly inadequate, and frankly psychopathic, response from President Bolsonaro. The editors at Brasil Wire starkly condemned the Brazilian president in their recent article ‘Bolsonaro and Coronavirus: A Tragedy Foretold’: “In the past weeks, as the scale of the pandemic was already clear to the world, we have heard from Bolsonaro, his allies and his supporters that Coronavirus is a hoax, “communist”, and a “little flu”. These messages are spread on social media and invisibly on the WhatsApp platform, which was infamously the primary channel used to deliver him votes at the 2018 election. Such as sustained flow of disinformation to discourage public safety has extremely disturbing implications. The population is being

[Intro: 9:56 | Book Pre-sale: http://bit.ly/ORBITgr] In this episode, I speak with Joe Brewer — change strategist, complexity researcher, cognitive scientist, and evangelist for the field of culture design. We discuss living regeneratively in the COVID-19 pandemic and the message Gaia is sending in the midst of this crisis, community resilience in the age of planetary collapse, the Earth Regenerators study group, and the Earth Regeneration Fund and the "Regenerative Death Clause" as presented in his recent essay ‘A “Regenerative Death Clause” for Coronavirus.’ “This fund becomes a mechanism for removing land from speculative markets and establishing around it the safeguards enabled by land trusts and cooperative land banks. It de-risks other investments by creating tracking and validation systems for the regenerative actions that begin to flow around the work of people who join the Earth regeneration effort. I am thinking of a specific way that this vision might materialize in the midst of the Coronavirus

[Intro: 12:14 | Book Pre-sale: http://bit.ly/ORBITgr] In this episode, I speak with Forrest Palmer, writer and editor at Wrong Kind of Green.  Forrest and I discuss the impact the novel coronavirus COVID-19 is currently having on US society, as it wreaks havoc on human health and the global capitalist economy at large. We explore what the response to this pandemic means in the grand scheme of things as we confront numerous cascading crises, whether that be ecological, climatological, economic, or cultural in nature. As Forrest illustrates so well in this discussion, this pandemic is but a precursor of things to come, as we collectively head towards the inevitable collapse of industrial civilization, and our potential extinction as a species as well. Episode Notes: - Learn more about Forrest’s work at: http://www.wrongkindofgreen.org - The song featured in this episode is “All Things to All Men (feat. Roots Manuva)” by The Cinematic Orchestra from the album Every Day. WEBSITE: https://www.lastborninthewi

[Intro: 9:04 | Book Pre-sale: http://bit.ly/ORBITgr] In this episode, I speak with Mikkel Krause Frantzen, author of ‘Going Nowhere, Slow — The Aesthetics and Politics of Depression,’ published by Zero Books. We discuss depression, capitalist realism, and revolution, as discussed in his essay ‘A Future with No Future: Depression, the Left, and the Politics of Mental Health,’ published at Los Angeles Review of Books. “An adequate diagnosis of depression — and its context — is not enough in itself. It is common wisdom, however, that the diagnosis does not necessarily entail the cure. Just because we know what’s wrong does not mean that we will be able to deal with it. On the contrary, one of the primary symptoms of depression is that what you need to do is precisely what you cannot do, at least not alone and on your own. Or in the plain words of Ann Cvetkovich: “Saying that capitalism (or colonialism or racism) is the problem does not help me get up in the morning.” Also, there is no reason to believe that ab

In this episode, I speak with John Feffer, director of Foreign Policy In Focus (FPIF) at the Institute for Policy Studies. We discuss the impact the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has had on the global economic system, as laid out in his article, Will the Coronavirus Kill Globalization?, published at FPIF and CounterPunch. There are plenty of adequate resources currently available on the nature of the coronavirus, including how it spreads, the common symptoms to look out for, and the demographics most likely to suffer and potentially die from exposure to it. What needs to be explored a bit more is the impacts this global pandemic has had and will continue to have on the global economic system as numerous governments respond to this public health emergency. I ask John to provide some insight into the impact this virus has had on globalization at large, with whole sectors of the global supply chain experiencing dramatic shortages as numerous economic sectors shut down, impeding international trade into the fo

[Intro: 13:19 | Book Pre-sale: http://bit.ly/ORBITgr] In this episode, I speak with prolific writer and dissident Kollibri terre Sonnenblume. We discuss two articles he recently published, the first ‘Russiagate: The Toxic Gift That Keeps on Giving’ published at CounterPunch, and ‘Coming Atrocities’ published on his website. We begin this discussion by addressing the McCarthy-era tactics, other forms of character assassination, the corporate media and the DNC have directed against the Bernie Sanders campaign as we approach the 2020 presidential election in November. As Kollibri lays out in his article for Counterpunch: “The new McCarthyism that accompanied Russiagate has exacted a terribly corrosive effect on political and social discourse, besides the damage it has incurred on alternative media. Anyone disagreeing with the mainline neoliberal Democratic agenda runs the risk of being slandered as a “Russian bot,” “Russian asset,” “Putin puppet” or something else equally as asinine. Maligning dissent—or even

[Intro: 12:55] In this interview, I speak with Brian Pace, PhD, evolutionary ecologist and co-host of the Psymposia podcast Plus Three. We discuss his recently published article at Psymposia ‘Lucy In The Sky With Nazis: Psychedelics and the Right Wing.’ Brian dispenses with much of the cultural baggage that surrounds psychedelic use, including assumption that psychedelic use alone will lead individuals towards more egalitarian and anti-authoritarian attitudes and dispositions.  “As psychedelics reenter the public imagination on an industrial scale, advocates and reformers need to take a hard look at the assumption that the drugs themselves can bring about social progress. Decriminalization, medicalization, and legalization are advancing, but the socioeconomic context, the setting, in which the psychedelic renaissance unfolds, is capitalism. The climate has been irrevocably destabilized and right-wing extremism has risen. There is certainly room for change. Yet there have long been vague implications that w

[Intro: 11:51] In this episode, I speak with John Halstead — pagan writer, (former) activist, and author of 'Another End of the World is Possible.’ We discuss his two most recent essays published at Gods & Radicals Press — 'We Did Start the Fire: Climate Change and the Curse of Hope' and 'Why I Stopped Protesting and Started a Garden.’ “Human civilization is a fire. It’s been burning since we’ve been human. And the human story is not a straight line, but a circle, a great ring of fire.” (http://bit.ly/2TaUCwQ) In this discussion with John, we begin by examining some of the ideas he explores in his most recent writing, including where the Anthropocene began and where it will ultimately lead. In 'We Did Start the Fire: Climate Change and the Curse of Hope,’ John asserts that fire, or rather humankind’s long-standing relationship with fire, is where humanity’s complex and often impactful relationship with the biosphere truly began, with the crescendo in this process being the rise of industrial capitalism and

[Intro: 6:56] In this interview, I speak with Indigenous artist, activist the author Gord Hill. We discuss the recent events at the Unist’ot’en Camp on the Wet’suwet’en First Nation’s territory in B.C., Canada, and the wave of solidarity actions that have sprung up across Canada the past several weeks in response to the RCMP’s invasion of their territory. Over the past several weeks, the RCMP has invaded Wet’suwet’en sovereign territory and arrested numerous land defenders, including three Matriarchs — Freda Huson (Chief Howilhkat), Brenda Michell (Chief Geltiy), and Dr. Karla Tait (https://youtu.be/EgfVO6U5QuA) — to enforce an injunction to proceed with the construction of the Coastal GasLink pipeline project through their unceded territory. I ask Gord to update us on the dramatic acts of solidarity that have sprung up around Canada since this invasion began, in particular with the ongoing blockades spearheaded by members of the Mohawk Nation of railroads and roads, shutting down large sectors of the Canad

[Intro: 8:45] In this episode, I speak with Christian Braga — photojournalist, activist, and member of the media collective Farpa (“It is, therefore, a product of the restlessness that moves us, that spurs us every day in search of images that matter”). This interview was recorded in São Paulo, and interpreted by Mirna Wabi-Sabi. Christian’s striking and stirring photographic work has helped elevate the perspectives of the most oppressed populations in Brazil. His vivid documentation of such catalyzing events as the release of former Brazilian president Lula da Silva from his false imprisonment in 2018 (http://bit.ly/3bLDOnr), the first Indigenous Women’s March in Brasilia this past year (http://bit.ly/2V6okoh), and the ongoing deforestation and plundering of natural resources in the Amazon (http://bit.ly/2SVplwn) by illegal mining operations, has reframed the national and global discussion around these struggles. In discussing this work, Christian provides his insights into the role independent journalists

[Intro: 6:36] This interview with anthropologist and linguist Joshua Birchall was recorded in his office at the Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi in Belém, Brazil. Joshua has been doing field work in Indigenous communities in the Brazilian state of Rondônia and in parts of Bolivia for over a decade, documenting dying languages before they completely disappear from the human collective for good. Languages are disappearing at an increasing and alarming rate, with Indigenous communities in Amazonia at the forefront of this trend. As Joshua explains in this discussion, of the 26-or-so known languages in the region he does field work in, two-thirds of those languages have less than 50 speakers left. This indicates that one of the most linguistically diverse regions on the planet is on the verge of losing a majority of its speakers within a few generations, if that. Along with documenting these languages for their continued use and preservation, Joshua has a deep understanding of the role language plays in the cultura

[Intro: 21:27 | Video: https://youtu.be/fRvq7kHEJl0] In this interview with Karina Ramos, historian and member the Brazilian Association of African Studies, we discuss the roots and contemporary struggles of Afro-Brazilian religious traditions and communities in Brazil (in particular Rio), and how contemporary forms of State and social oppression of these communities has manifested. This interview was recorded and filmed in Rio de Janeiro, with interpretation by Mirna Wabi-Sabi.   "Since the beginning of the 20th century, spaces of sociability and cultural manifestations of African matrix are attacked, black men and women are expropriated of their rights and their most basic conditions of existence. There is not an interval of time within the line of events in the history of Rio de Janeiro where blacks and their cultural manifestations have not suffered with public power." (http://bit.ly/3b03rR1) Since Karina’s article was published in 2018, the forms of persecution experienced by spiritual communities of

Elisa Quadros, ativista anarquista e co-organizadora do evento 'Mais amor, menos capital' no Rio de Janeiro, conta sua história como uma das dissidentes e prisioneiras políticas mais conhecidas do Brasil devido à perseguição implacável da mídia, da polícia, e de milicianos desde seu envolvimento nos protestos em massa de 2013. Ouça o episódio completo em áudio (inglês): http://bit.ly/LBWmllc Assista à primeira entrevista com o ativista André Miguéis: https://youtu.be/uu7YCQLaLX8 Esta entrevista foi gravada em colaboração com Mirna Wabi-Sabi -- teórica política, jornalista e editora da Gods & Radicals Press. Mirna era a intérprete e gravou grande parte das imagens do evento. Saiba mais sobre o trabalho dela: https://medium.com/mirna-wabi-sabi Agradecimentos especiais a Nora Lynn Kommer por sua ajuda na gravação. Gravado 20 de dezembro de 2019.

André Miguéis, da Mídia Independente Coletiva (MIC), discute as origens radicais do evento 'Mais amor, menos capital' no Rio de Janeiro e seu objetivo final de construir solidariedade e poder político de base no Brasil. Ouça o episódio completo em áudio (inglês): http://bit.ly/LBWmllc Assista à segunda entrevista com a ativista Elisa Quadros: https://youtu.be/oUFDj0c66DM Esta entrevista foi gravada em colaboração com Mirna Wabi-Sabi -- teórica política, jornalista e editora da Gods & Radicals Press. Mirna foi a intérprete e gravou grande parte das imagens do evento, e nada disso seria possível sem ela. Saiba mais sobre o seu trabalho: https://medium.com/mirna-wabi-sabi Agradecimentos especiais a Nora Lynn Kommer por sua ajuda na gravação. Gravado 20 de dezembro de 2019.

In this episode, I speak with Timothy Lenton, director of the Global Systems Institute at the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom. We discuss his research into climate tipping points presented in the article ‘Climate tipping points — too risky to bet against’ published at Nature. To adequately comprehend global climate change and how its impacts will play out in the near and distant future, identifying various tipping points in the Earth’s intersecting systems, and how crossing them will amplify and accelerate global warming, needs to be more seriously understood. “Politicians, economists and even some natural scientists have tended to assume that tipping points in the Earth system — such as the loss of the Amazon rainforest or the West Antarctic ice sheet — are of low probability and little understood. Yet evidence is mounting that these events could be more likely than was thought, have high impacts and are interconnected across different biophysical systems, potentially committing the world to long

[André Miguéis: 32:56 | Elisa Quadros: 38:10] In this episode, I speak with André Miguéis and Elisa Quadros — radical political organizers of the ‘More Love, Less Capital (Mais Amor, Menos Capital)’ event in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, recorded on December 20th, 2019. This is the first episode featuring interviews conducted from Brazil in collaboration with Mirna Wabi-Sabi — political theorist, journalist, and editor at Gods & Radicals Press. This episode begins with a 30-minute discussion between myself and Mirna on our impressions of the ‘More Love, Less Capital,’ including what the event is serving in the broader struggle against capitalism and the right-wing political system in Brazil, especially under the neofascist presidency of Jair Bolsonaro. We contextualize the importance of this event in building solidarity outside the centers of power in Brazil, as has been demonstrated since its fiery beginnings during the large-scale protests and occupations in 2013. From there, we present interviews with André Mi

[Intro: 10:23 | Outro: 1:38:01] In this episode, I speak with yoga practitioner, teacher, and author of ‘Practice and All Is Coming: Abuse, Cult Dynamics, and Healing in Yoga and Beyond’ Matthew Remski. As Matthew revealed in his article ‘Yoga’s Culture of Sexual Abuse: Nine Women Tell Their Stories’ published at The Walrus, contemporary yoga has an appalling and pervasive sexual abuse problem. “Modern yoga has been fraught with stories of charismatic male yoga teachers who promoted their teachings as spiritually pure and later abused, or otherwise took advantage of, students who believed their mentors were gurus or saints.” (http://bit.ly/2SFaNT8) Not only is sexual misconduct and abuse an all-to-common occurrence in countless yoga studios around the world, “somatic dominance” (as Matthew has termed it) is often employed by yoga instructors to assert control over their students, creating a dynamic that leads to “trauma bonding” — a crucial process that occurs between cult leaders and their followers as a