Episodes

This time Eric welcomes to the show author and activist Ray Acheson to discuss their brand new book “Abolishing State Violence: A World Without Bombs, Borders, and Cages” (Haymarket, 2022). Eric and Ray explore the nature of abolitionism, its historic roots, and the ways in which it is a framework emerging from the oppressed and marginalized. Ray discusses their anti-nuclear work and how the Left should respond to the growing calls for nuclear energy to tackle the climate crisis. The conversatio...

This time Eric welcomes back author and economist Michael Hudson to discuss his new book “The Destiny of Civilization: Finance Capitalism, Industrial Capitalism, or Socialism” available from CounterPunch. Eric and Michael discuss the nature of financialization, neoliberalism, and how these ideas form the basis of the modern global capitalist system. The discussion also explores the role of the US Dollar, the nature of debt as a weapon, US financial imperialism, and so much more. The post Michae...

This week Eric welcomes back to CounterPunch economist, author, and scholar Richard Wolff to discuss the state of the US and global economy. Prof. Wolff provides his analysis of the inflation issue and what banks, corporations, and the US Government can and should (but probably won’t) do. Eric and Richard also discuss unemployment, interest rates, the crypto collapse, the future of the US dollar as a global reserve currency, and much more. Don’t miss the latest CounterPunch Radio! The post Rich...

This time Eric welcomes back economic analyst and journalist Doug Henwood to discuss the economic situation in the US and globally. Doug provides his analysis of the causes and implications of the current rise in inflation, and how much of the Left has failed to properly analyze the situation. Eric and Doug also discuss issues ranging from “de-dollarization” and the impact of Russia’s war in Ukraine to the political fallout for Democrats in coming elections and more. Don’t miss this week’s Count...

This time Eric welcomes back to CounterPunch Radio author and historian Shalon van Tine for a discussion of the greatest Russian/Soviet films of all time. Eric and Shalon present their top 5 films and go back and forth discussing various aspects of these films and filmmakers. If you are a film nerd or just a student of history, this is an indispensable conversation for you exclusively at CounterPunch. The post Shalon van Tine appeared first on CounterPunch.org.

This time Eric chats with historian and author Doug Greene about his brand new book “A Failure of Vision: Michael Harrington and the Limits of Democratic Socialism.” Doug explains who Michael Harrington was, the role he played on the socialist left in the 60’s and beyond, and the Democratic Socialists of America, the organization he founded. Eric and Doug discuss the nature of democratic socialism and the historical conditions in the US that led to its prominence on the Left. This critical look ...

This time Eric welcomes historian and author Marcus Rediker to CounterPunch Radio to discuss how the study of history can impact our politics today. Marcus explains what he means by studying “history from below” and how that perspective translates to our thinking of present day struggles. The conversation touches on the nature of slave resistance on the Atlantic, how and why that history has been suppressed, and the importance of unearthing it for future generations. Marcus also introduces the a...

This time Eric welcomes back Jason Stanley, Professor of Philosophy at Yale University and author of the bestselling book “How Fascism Works.” Eric and Jason discuss the war in Ukraine, the nature of the propaganda and disinformation, the manipulation of historical narratives and much more. The discussion also explores how Putin’s Russia aligns with some of the core elements of fascism identified in Stanley’s book. Don’t miss this important CounterPunch Radio! The post Jason Stanley appeared fi...

On this 200th episode of CounterPunch Radio, Eric welcomes back to the show award-winning journalist and author Barrett Brown to discuss the roles of private intelligence firms, fascist billionaires, and careerist mainstream journalists in undermining democracy and doing the bidding of the corrupt institutions of the US State. Barrett discusses his role with Anonymous and Wikileaks, his time in prison, his release in 2016, and how the Trump-Clinton election broke the brains of so many on the lef...

This time Eric chats with Dr. Rashid Khalidi, Edward Said Professor of Arab Studies at Columbia University and author of The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine: A History of Settler Colonialism and Resistance 1917-2017. The conversation explores the early years of the Zionist movement and how it was perceived by prominent Palestinians, including Dr. Khalidi’s ancestors, and the inextricable link between Zionism, colonialism, and imperial power. Eric and Rashid discuss everything from attempts to er...

This time Eric marks the passing of legendary actor and civil rights icon Sidney Poitier with a conversation with Aram Goudsouzian, Professor of History at the University of Memphis and author of Sidney Poitier: Man, Actor, Icon. The discussion touches on everything from Poitier’s early life and training as an actor to his tenuous relationship with Black radical politics in the 1960s. The second half of the conversation explores Poitier’s lasting impact and relevance to today. The post Aram Gou...

This time on CounterPunch Radio, author and journalist Jacqueline Keeler joins Eric to discuss a range of critical issues affecting Native people in the US and Canada, including the ongoing struggle against pipelines and extractive industries, the impact of COVID on Native communities, the fight against native mascotry, and more. Jacqueline also helps reframe how we think of US history, the American Revolution and Founding Fathers, and the nature of the settler-colonial presence on this continen...

This time Eric welcomes to the show author and researcher Helen Yaffe to discuss the post-revolutionary history of Cuba, the recent protests, the effects of US imperialism and the blockade, and Cuba’s response to COVID. The post Helen Yaffe appeared first on CounterPunch.org.

Author and Washington editor of Harper’s Magazine Andrew Cockburn joins CounterPunch to discuss his new book “The Spoils of War: Power, Profit, and the American War Machine.” The post Andrew Cockburn appeared first on CounterPunch.org.

This time Eric welcomes back to the show Dave Zirin to discuss his latest book “The Kaepernick Effect” which explores how Colin Kaepernick’s decision to kneel sparked a movement for social justice and became a universal symbol of resistance and rebellion against white supremacy and injustice. Eric and Dave also discuss several sports issues, including the future of baseball in an age of extreme inequality and profit-driven baseball executives who care little for the game. Don’t miss this great c...

Marxist economist and author Michael Roberts returns to CounterPunch to discuss the state of US imperialism following the end of the Afghanistan War and how it relates to the profitability of capital in the 21st Century. He also explains the capitalist nonsense called the Austrian School of Economics, and provides his predictions for the global economy in the coming decade. The post Michael Roberts appeared first on CounterPunch.org.

Environmental and climate journalist Robert Hunziker joins CounterPunch+ and CounterPunch Radio to discuss his latest writing about the climate apocalypse unfolding around us. Eric and Robert discuss the Arctic emergency, methane nightmares, the toxic planet, the anthropogenic rocketship, the death of our coral reefs and wetlands, and so much more. Don’t worry, there’s a little inspiration at the end! The post Robert Hunziker appeared first on CounterPunch.org.

On the latest CounterPunch Radio: Film critic and host of the Filmsuck podcast, Eileen Jones, stops by to chat with Eric about American movies, the birth and death of indie cinema, why so many movies are so bad these days, and, of course, her Top 5 films all leftists must see. The post Eileen Jones appeared first on CounterPunch.org.

This week Eric welcomes back to the show CounterPunch regular Paul Street to discuss Bidenism, Trumpism, and other contagious diseases. Paul doesn’t hide his contempt for all the right people, so listen today and subscribe to CounterPunch+ where you can read all of Paul’s writings. The post Paul Street appeared first on CounterPunch.org.

Scott Parkin, a climate organizer and Counterpuncher, joins Eric to discuss climate activism and the indigenous-led resistance movement against pipelines in North America. The post Scott Parkin appeared first on CounterPunch.org.

On this special episode of CounterPunch Radio, Eric pays tribute to former Senator Mike Gravel who passed away this week at the age of 91. The interview was recorded March 5, 2013 just hours after the news of the death of Hugo Chavez. Gravel was a man of principle who used his position in the US Senate to fight against the draft and the War in Vietnam, and who famously used used his filibuster to read the Pentagon Papers into the congressional record, thereby making the revelations about US crim...

In this emergency podcast, Eric welcomes back author, journalist, and CounterPunch contributor Ramzy Baroud to discuss the latest Israeli aggression against the Palestinians, the political and social significance of the Palestinian uprising and solidarity movements around the world, and the global significance of what’s happened. Ramzy details Israeli ethnic cleansing, the genocidal agenda, and the importance of Palesitnian agency in their struggle for liberation. Don’t miss this important discu...

This week Eric welcomes antiwar activist and founder of peace organization Code Pink, Medea Benjamin, to discuss Biden and the state of US imperialism today. The conversation explores everything from Biden’s role in reestablishing stability for the Empire to the ways in which the US war machine continues its crimes all over the world. Eric and Medea discuss the situation in Yemen, the Biden Administration’s posture towards Iran, the shifting narrative on Palestine, drones as weapons of mass dest...

This week Eric welcomes to the show veteran journalist and CounterPunch contributor Dave Lindorff, who is also the author of the groundbreaking book “Killing Time: An Investigation into the Death Row Case of Mumia Abu-Jamal” (2002). Eric and Dave discuss the political and cultural significance of Mumia and his case, as well as the circumstances regarding his case and the misconduct by the Philadelphia establishment. They also touch on everything from Mumia’s relation to Black Lives Matter and co...