Novara Media

The ACFM crew offer a weird-left perspective on the role of the hero (and heroine) in politics and culture. Nadia, Jem and Keir assess theories of Great Men, the myth of the hero’s journey and the lure of the anti-hero with ideas from Weber and Hegel and music from Tina Turner and Sonic Youth.

Find the books and music mentioned in the show: https://novara.media/acfm

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Last week, a terrorist attack in Indian-occupied Kashmir sparked a rapid military escalation: planes were shot down, thousands were arbitrarily detained, the houses of suspect’s families were blown up.

How did we get to a situation in which the safety of the whole world is threatened by the occupation of Kashmir?

Richard Hames spoke to Kashmiri scholar Mohamad Junaid about the brinkmanship of India and Pakistan, what daily life is like under endless occupation, and, of course, The British Empire.

Not long ago, Kieren Owen AKA Jimmy The Giant was in the ‘alt right pipeline’. He believed in the tyranny of the welfare system, thought ‘woke culture’ was dangerous for society and that Tommy Robinson’s imprisonment was a result of draconian government censorship.

So how did he become one the most incisive commentators of the online left?

In conversation with Ash Sarkar, Jimmy The Giant discusses how he escaped the alt-right pipeline, why the establishment are so afraid of Gary Stevenson and why the left is consistently failing to connect with people.

Ash Sarkar, Michael Walker and Aaron Bastani debate: could the Labour Party be heading for a trouncing?

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Ash Sarkar, Michael Walker and Aaron Bastani debate one of the most pressing questions of the day: can Reform UK win a general election?

Might it even win the next one?

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A new Pope has been chosen by the conclave.

But how much can one man, even one appointed by the Holy Spirit, do to transform one of the most powerful institutions in the world?

Richard Hames spoke to Matthew Sitman of the Know Your Enemy podcast about what role the church can play in our crisis-ridden age, and the contradictions of being a gay – and socialist – convert to Catholicism.

What do Christianity and communism have in common? 

Are Nuns missing out on their lives, or living their best one?

And can attending church once a week provide a more healing alternative to modern wellness culture, not least because you’re forced to turn off your phone for an hour?

Seeking answers to all these questions, Ash Sarkar sits down for a conversation with Lamorna Ash, journalist and author of ‘Don’t Forget We’re Here Forever’.  They explore whether it’s true that the younger generation is searching for meaning in the teachings of Jesus, and what’s behind this unexpected turn towards religion.

They talk about Lamorna’s journey into faith, being queer at Bible Study, and why Christians – like communists – are so good at imagining a better world.

Aaron and Michael share their first thoughts on the 2025 local election results.

Just Stop Oil has ended its campaign of direct action, yet many activists still face years in prison. In the final episode, Rivkah and Clare find out whether their commitment to their cause has wavered. They also speak to veteran climate campaigner Roger Hallam, currently serving a four-year sentence, about his role in sending young activists to prison.

CN: This episode contains mention of suicide. For support with your mental health, contact samaritans.org.

Read Clare’s story about right-wing journalists infiltrating activist groups on Novara Media.

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In episode three, Clare and Rivkah find out what it’s like to see your loved ones locked up. How do the Just Stop Oil prisoners’ families make sense of their crimes? When your partner is in prison, how can your relationship survive? And what’s it like to know your fiancée would choose activism over you?

Final episode coming on 2 May.

Help us build people-powered media: https://novara.media/support