Sign up to save your podcasts
Or
Share A.K. 47 - Selections from the Works of Alexandra Kollontai
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Or
A.K. 47 - Selections from the Works of Alexandra Kollontai
A.K. 47 - Selections from the Works of Alexandra Kollontai episodes
- 96 - A.K. 47 - New Woman - Part 5
Kristen Ghodsee discusses two key themes in Kollontai's 1918 essay, "New Woman." The first is the persistence of nostalgia for an imagined traditional family of the past that might save us from the difficulties and loneliness of late capitalism. Kollontai herself understood that many "new women" in the early years of the Soviet Union were nostalgic for the sheltered lives of their mothers and grandmothers. Flaming this nostalgia for a "golden age" of the past is a typical rhetorical strategy of the reactionary, far right. The second theme is the recent preponderance of anti-capitalist films in the mainstream media, such as Parasite and Squid Game.
Kristen Ghodsee's author website: www.kristenghodsee.com
Popular Books:- Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism: And Other Arguments for Economic Independence
- Red Valkyries: Feminist Lessons from Five Revolutionary Women
Send us Fan Mail
Thanks so much for listening. This podcast has no Patreon-type account and receives no funding. There are no ads and there is no monetization. If you'd like to support the work being done here, please spread the word with your networks.
Kristen R. Ghodsee is the award-winning author of twelve critically acclaimed books published in over 20 languages, and a University of Pennsylvania Professor of Russian and East European Studies. Check out Kristen Ghodsee's recent books:- Everyday Utopia
- Red Valkyries
- Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism
- Second World, Second Sex
Subscribe to Kristen Ghodsee’s free, episodic newsletter at: https://kristenghodsee.substack.com
Learn more about Kristen Ghodsee's work: www.kristenghodsee.com or request to follow her on Instagram @prof_kristen21 min - 95 - A.K. 47 - New Woman - Part 4
Kristen Ghodsee reads Part 4 of Alexandra Kollontai's 1918 essay: "New Woman" where Kollontai discusses the relationship between life and art in the representation of female characters in literature.
Kristen Ghodsee's author website: www.kristenghodsee.com
Popular Books:- Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism: And Other Arguments for Economic Independence
- Red Valkyries: Feminist Lessons from Five Revolutionary Women
Send us Fan Mail
Thanks so much for listening. This podcast has no Patreon-type account and receives no funding. There are no ads and there is no monetization. If you'd like to support the work being done here, please spread the word with your networks.
Kristen R. Ghodsee is the award-winning author of twelve critically acclaimed books published in over 20 languages, and a University of Pennsylvania Professor of Russian and East European Studies. Check out Kristen Ghodsee's recent books:- Everyday Utopia
- Red Valkyries
- Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism
- Second World, Second Sex
Subscribe to Kristen Ghodsee’s free, episodic newsletter at: https://kristenghodsee.substack.com
Learn more about Kristen Ghodsee's work: www.kristenghodsee.com or request to follow her on Instagram @prof_kristen24 min - 94 - A.K. 47 - Self-Indulgent Bonus Episode of Doom - Mycenaeans, Cancer, and the Omicron Variant
In this episode, Kristen Ghodsee attempts to read the last part of Alexandra Kollontai's 1918 essay, "New Woman," but fails. Instead, she reflects on the sudden appearance of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus, the end of the Mycenaean civilization and the Greek dark ages, and some bad news about a good friend back home.
Mentioned in this episode are the books: Everything was Forever, Until it Was No More by Alexei Yurchak and Beautiful World, Where Are You? by Sally Rooney.
Kristen Ghodsee's author website: www.kristenghodsee.com
Popular Books:- Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism: And Other Arguments for Economic Independence
- Red Valkyries: Feminist Lessons from Five Revolutionary Women
Send us Fan Mail
Thanks so much for listening. This podcast has no Patreon-type account and receives no funding. There are no ads and there is no monetization. If you'd like to support the work being done here, please spread the word with your networks.
Kristen R. Ghodsee is the award-winning author of twelve critically acclaimed books published in over 20 languages, and a University of Pennsylvania Professor of Russian and East European Studies. Check out Kristen Ghodsee's recent books:- Everyday Utopia
- Red Valkyries
- Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism
- Second World, Second Sex
Subscribe to Kristen Ghodsee’s free, episodic newsletter at: https://kristenghodsee.substack.com
Learn more about Kristen Ghodsee's work: www.kristenghodsee.com or request to follow her on Instagram @prof_kristen16 min - 93 - A.K. 47 - New Woman - Part 3
Kristen Ghodsee reads Part 3 of Alexandra Kollontai's 1918 essay: "New Woman" where Kollontai discusses the relationship between life and art in the representation of female characters in literature.
Kristen Ghodsee's author website: www.kristenghodsee.com
Popular Books:- Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism: And Other Arguments for Economic Independence
- Red Valkyries: Feminist Lessons from Five Revolutionary Women
Send us Fan Mail
Thanks so much for listening. This podcast has no Patreon-type account and receives no funding. There are no ads and there is no monetization. If you'd like to support the work being done here, please spread the word with your networks.
Kristen R. Ghodsee is the award-winning author of twelve critically acclaimed books published in over 20 languages, and a University of Pennsylvania Professor of Russian and East European Studies. Check out Kristen Ghodsee's recent books:- Everyday Utopia
- Red Valkyries
- Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism
- Second World, Second Sex
Subscribe to Kristen Ghodsee’s free, episodic newsletter at: https://kristenghodsee.substack.com
Learn more about Kristen Ghodsee's work: www.kristenghodsee.com or request to follow her on Instagram @prof_kristen20 min - 92 - A.K. 47 - New Woman - Part 2
Kristen Ghodsee reads Part 2 of Alexandra Kollontai's 1918 essay: "New Woman" where Kollontai discusses the relationship between life and art in the representation of female characters in literature.
You can join Kristen Ghodsee's newsletter here
[Note from Kristen Ghodsee: "Apologies for the weird "shushing" sound in the background. I do not have my regularly recording equipment with me in Europe so I have been using my phone. I think the earbuds somehow captured the sound of my hair lightly rubbing against the puffer vest I was wearing when I recorded this episode. I can't figure out what else it could be, but I will make sure to put my hair up next time!]
Kristen Ghodsee's author website: www.kristenghodsee.com
Popular Books:- Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism: And Other Arguments for Economic Independence
- Red Valkyries: Feminist Lessons from Five Revolutionary Women
Send us Fan Mail
Thanks so much for listening. This podcast has no Patreon-type account and receives no funding. There are no ads and there is no monetization. If you'd like to support the work being done here, please spread the word with your networks.
Kristen R. Ghodsee is the award-winning author of twelve critically acclaimed books published in over 20 languages, and a University of Pennsylvania Professor of Russian and East European Studies. Check out Kristen Ghodsee's recent books:- Everyday Utopia
- Red Valkyries
- Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism
- Second World, Second Sex
Subscribe to Kristen Ghodsee’s free, episodic newsletter at: https://kristenghodsee.substack.com
Learn more about Kristen Ghodsee's work: www.kristenghodsee.com or request to follow her on Instagram @prof_kristen27 min - 91 - A.K. 47 - New Woman - Part 1
Kristen Ghodsee reads Part 1 of Alexandra Kollontai's 1918 essay: "New Woman" where Kollontai discusses the relationship between life and art in the representation of female characters in literature.
Kristen Ghodsee's author website: www.kristenghodsee.com
Popular Books:- Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism: And Other Arguments for Economic Independence
- Red Valkyries: Feminist Lessons from Five Revolutionary Women
Send us Fan Mail
Thanks so much for listening. This podcast has no Patreon-type account and receives no funding. There are no ads and there is no monetization. If you'd like to support the work being done here, please spread the word with your networks.
Kristen R. Ghodsee is the award-winning author of twelve critically acclaimed books published in over 20 languages, and a University of Pennsylvania Professor of Russian and East European Studies. Check out Kristen Ghodsee's recent books:- Everyday Utopia
- Red Valkyries
- Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism
- Second World, Second Sex
Subscribe to Kristen Ghodsee’s free, episodic newsletter at: https://kristenghodsee.substack.com
Learn more about Kristen Ghodsee's work: www.kristenghodsee.com or request to follow her on Instagram @prof_kristen20 min - 90 - A.K. 47 - Working Woman and Mother - Part 3
Kristen Ghodsee reads the third part of Alexandra Kollontai's 1916 essay, "Working Woman and Mother," and discusses reform vs. revolution.
Upcoming events - Second World, Second Sex. Socialist Women’s Global Solidarity in the Cold War
Videos- France 24 English, “Women Under Socialism: A Better Emancipation,” October 6, 2021
- Second Life Book Club, “Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism,” September 9, 2021
Interviews
- Judit Bertan, “Kristen R. Ghodsee: "A las aplicaciones de citas no les interesa que tengas buen sexo" La Provincia, October 11, 2021
- Guiseppe Pavino, “"El socialisme d’estat va ser terrible en algunes coses, però beneficiós en d’altres,” La Directa, October 7, 2021
- Emma Pons Valls, “"Als països socialistes les relacions personals eren millors: era una manera de viure diferent" Public.es, October 4, 2021
- Sílvia Marimon Molas, “Kristen Ghodsee: "Las parejas que comparten la crianza de los hijos tienen mejores relaciones sexuales"“ Ara, October 2, 2021
- Xavi Ayén, ¿Tienen las mujeres mejor sexo bajo el socialismo?, La Vanguardia, September 30, 2021
- Sandra Vicente, Kristen Ghodsee: “El capitalismo no respeta a las madres, pero nos necesita, ¿quién va a comprar iPhone si dejamos de tener bebés?” El Salto, September 30, 2021
- Gislle Nath, “Interview: Kristen Ghodsee, ‘Vrouwen die seks niet moeten ruilen voor economische zekerheid zijn gelukkiger in bed’” De Standaard, September 18, 2021
Send us Fan Mail
Thanks so much for listening. This podcast has no Patreon-type account and receives no funding. There are no ads and there is no monetization. If you'd like to support the work being done here, please spread the word with your networks.
Kristen R. Ghodsee is the award-winning author of twelve critically acclaimed books published in over 20 languages, and a University of Pennsylvania Professor of Russian and East European Studies. Check out Kristen Ghodsee's recent books:- Everyday Utopia
- Red Valkyries
- Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism
- Second World, Second Sex
Subscribe to Kristen Ghodsee’s free, episodic newsletter at: https://kristenghodsee.substack.com
Learn more about Kristen Ghodsee's work: www.kristenghodsee.com or request to follow her on Instagram @prof_kristen21 min - 89 - A.K. 47 - Bonus Episode - Interview with Rebecca Amsellem in Paris, France
In this episode, Kristen Ghodsee interviews the French-Canadian feminist activist and fellow Kollontai aficionado, Rebecca Amsellem in Paris, France. Rebecca is the editor of a well-known feminist newsletter in France, Les Glorieuses, and she has contributed an essay a forthcoming edited volume about the impact Alexandra Kollontai has had on her life and work. In this conversation, Ansellem discusses Kollontai's views on love and revolution as well as why Kollontai is not better known in France.
The edited collection is called: Une bibliothèque féministe, out in October 2021
Rebecca will be speaking at 18:30 at the librairie à République in Paris: "Lancement et rencontre avec Agathe le Tailandier pour son livre " Ma bibliothèque féminite" + invitées surprises!"
The Les Glorieuses newsletter is a great way to practice your French! Rebecca also publishes two newsletter in English. If you want to keep abreast of French feminist politics and economics, look no further:
Impact: https://lesglorieuses.fr/les-newsletters/impact-eng/
Economics: https://lesglorieuses.fr/les-newsletters/economics/
Kristen Ghodsee's author website: www.kristenghodsee.com
Popular Books:- Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism: And Other Arguments for Economic Independence
- Red Valkyries: Feminist Lessons from Five Revolutionary Women
Send us Fan Mail
Thanks so much for listening. This podcast has no Patreon-type account and receives no funding. There are no ads and there is no monetization. If you'd like to support the work being done here, please spread the word with your networks.
Kristen R. Ghodsee is the award-winning author of twelve critically acclaimed books published in over 20 languages, and a University of Pennsylvania Professor of Russian and East European Studies. Check out Kristen Ghodsee's recent books:- Everyday Utopia
- Red Valkyries
- Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism
- Second World, Second Sex
Subscribe to Kristen Ghodsee’s free, episodic newsletter at: https://kristenghodsee.substack.com
Learn more about Kristen Ghodsee's work: www.kristenghodsee.com or request to follow her on Instagram @prof_kristen16 min - 88 - A.K. 47 - Working Woman and Mother Part 2
In this episode, Kristen Ghodsee reads Part Two of Alexandra Kollontai's 1916 essay, "Working Woman and Mother." This is an excellent essay to examine Kollontai's rhetorical strategies for reaching literate working class women. In this pamphlet, she starts by telling the stories of four pregnant women named Masha, and how their class positions determine society's different levels of concern for the "sacred" state of motherhood.
As mentioned in the last episode, there are three in-person events coming up in Europe (Delta variant willing). Kristen Ghodsee will be speaking at the:- Manifiesta in Oostende, Belgium on September 12, 2021
- Finestres Bookstore in Barcelona, Spain on September 29, 2021
- Gender and Materiality in Central and Eastern Europe in the XX Century in Paris, on October 1, 2021
Also see the new TikTok channel: sexandsocialism101
And Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism in Korean!
Kristen Ghodsee's author website: www.kristenghodsee.com
Popular Books:- Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism: And Other Arguments for Economic Independence
- Red Valkyries: Feminist Lessons from Five Revolutionary Women
Send us Fan Mail
Thanks so much for listening. This podcast has no Patreon-type account and receives no funding. There are no ads and there is no monetization. If you'd like to support the work being done here, please spread the word with your networks.
Kristen R. Ghodsee is the award-winning author of twelve critically acclaimed books published in over 20 languages, and a University of Pennsylvania Professor of Russian and East European Studies. Check out Kristen Ghodsee's recent books:- Everyday Utopia
- Red Valkyries
- Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism
- Second World, Second Sex
Subscribe to Kristen Ghodsee’s free, episodic newsletter at: https://kristenghodsee.substack.com
Learn more about Kristen Ghodsee's work: www.kristenghodsee.com or request to follow her on Instagram @prof_kristen21 min - 87 - A.K. 47 - Working Woman and Mother - Part 1
In this episode, Kristen Ghodsee reads Part One of Alexandra Kollontai's 1916 essay, "Working Woman and Mother." This is an excellent essay to examine Kollontai's rhetorical strategies for reaching literate working class women. In this pamphlet, she starts by telling the stories of four pregnant women named Masha, and how their class positions determine society's different levels of concern for the "sacred" state of motherhood.
Also mentioned in this essay are three in-person events coming up in Europe ( Delta variant willing). Kristen Ghodsee will be speaking at the:- Manifiesta in Oostende, Belgium on September 12, 2021
- Finestres Bookstore in Barcelona, Spain on September 29, 2021
- Gender and Materiality in Central and Eastern Europe in the XX Century in Paris, on October 1, 2021
Also see the new TikTok channel: sexandsocialism101
Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism in Korean!
Kristen Ghodsee's author website: www.kristenghodsee.com
Popular Books:- Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism: And Other Arguments for Economic Independence
- Red Valkyries: Feminist Lessons from Five Revolutionary Women
Send us Fan Mail
Thanks so much for listening. This podcast has no Patreon-type account and receives no funding. There are no ads and there is no monetization. If you'd like to support the work being done here, please spread the word with your networks.
Kristen R. Ghodsee is the award-winning author of twelve critically acclaimed books published in over 20 languages, and a University of Pennsylvania Professor of Russian and East European Studies. Check out Kristen Ghodsee's recent books:- Everyday Utopia
- Red Valkyries
- Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism
- Second World, Second Sex
Subscribe to Kristen Ghodsee’s free, episodic newsletter at: https://kristenghodsee.substack.com
Learn more about Kristen Ghodsee's work: www.kristenghodsee.com or request to follow her on Instagram @prof_kristen21 min
About A.K. 47 - Selections from the Works of Alexandra Kollontai
From the publisher's feed
Kristen R. Ghodsee reads and discusses 47 selections from the works of Alexandra Kollontai (1872-1952), a socialist women's activist who had radical ideas about the intersections of socialism and…
women's emancipation. Born into aristocratic privilege, the Ukrainian-Finnish Kollontai was initially a member of the Mensheviks before she joined Lenin and the Bolsheviks and became an important revolutionary figure during the 1917 Russian Revolution. Kollontai was a socialist theorist of women’s emancipation and a strident proponent of sexual relations freed from all economic considerations. After the October Revolution, Kollontai became the Commissar of Social Welfare and helped to found the Zhenotdel (the women's section of the Party). She oversaw a wide variety of legal reforms and public policies to help liberate working women and to create the basis of a new socialist sexual morality. But Russians were not ready for her vision of emancipation, and she was sent away to Norway to serve as the first Russian female ambassador (and only the third female ambassador in the world). In this podcast, Kristen R. Ghodsee – a professor of Russian and East European Studies at the University of Pennsylvania and the author of Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism: And Other Arguments for Economic Independence (Bold Type Books 2018) – selects excerpts from the essays, speeches, and fiction of Alexandra Kollontai and puts them in context. Each episode provides an introduction to the abridged reading with some relevant background on Kollontai and the historical moment in which she was writing.