The Skeptical Leftist Podcast

This week, Justin and I are talking about gender and the manufactured panic surrounding it. We’re digging into the fear tactics, misinformation, and the fake ‘gender debate’ that keeps us from addressing real issues—like the rights and dignity of trans and non-binary people, access to gender-affirming healthcare, and the fight against discrimination. With insights from Judith Butler’s Who's Afraid of Gender, we’re breaking down the lies and exposing the real stakes they don’t want us to see.

You can get the book here

https://z-library.sk/book/28106498/164331/whos-afraid-of-gender.html

Or purchase it at these bookstores online

https://www.akpress.org/who-s-afraid-of-gender.html

https://redemmas.org/titles/41691-who-s-afraid-of-gender/

https://bookshop.org/p/books/who-s-afraid-of-gender-judith-butler/19994814

Check out Justin's links and follow him

https://www.justinclark.org/

https://www.instagram.com/justinclarkph/

https://www.tiktok.com/@justinclarkph

https://bsky.app/profile/justinclarkph.bsky.social

https://www.threads.net/@justinclarkph

https://www.in.gov/history/

https://blog.history.in.gov/

https://newspapers.library.in.gov/

And check out my linktree

https://linktr.ee/Skepticalleftist

If you enjoyed the show, consider supporting us on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/skepticalleftist  to help keep the content coming. You can also subscribe to my Substack https://theskepticalleftist.substack.com/  for updates and extra content or get bonus episodes through Spotify https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/skepticalleftist/subscribe . Every bit makes a difference! If that’s not your thing, sharing the episode with friends or on social media goes a long way too. Thanks for listening and for your support!

And please, if you can, support the Cathedral Community Fridge https://www.cathedralcommunityfridge.com/  or your local community fridge. Mutual aid matters—let’s help each other thrive!

In this episode of Red Reviews, Justin and I tackle one of the biggest questions for leftists: where do Marxism and Anarchism actually meet? Inspired by Daniel Guérin’s For a Libertarian Communism, we explore how these two ideologies—often seen as opposing forces—come together in their shared goal of dismantling state control and capitalist exploitation. Guérin’s work is a powerful roadmap for those of us who want a world where people have real freedom and power over their own lives. We’re digging into what libertarian communism actually looks like in practice and why this synthesis matters for anyone dreaming of a world built on solidarity, mutual aid, and true liberation. If you’re curious about where radical thought can take us, this one’s for you.

You can find For a Libertarian Communism here

https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/daniel-guerin-for-a-libertarian-communism

https://www.pmpress.org/index.php?l=product_detail&p=823

Read more on Daniel Guerin

https://libcom.org/article/guerin-daniel-1904-1988

Check out Justin's links and follow him

https://www.justinclark.org/

https://www.instagram.com/justinclarkph/

https://www.tiktok.com/@justinclarkph

https://bsky.app/profile/justinclarkph.bsky.social

https://www.threads.net/@justinclarkph

https://www.in.gov/history/

https://blog.history.in.gov/

https://newspapers.library.in.gov/

And check out my linktree

https://linktr.ee/Skepticalleftist

If you enjoyed the show, consider supporting us on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/skepticalleftist  to help keep the content coming. You can also subscribe to my Substack https://theskepticalleftist.substack.com/  for updates and extra content or get bonus episodes through Spotify https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/skepticalleftist/subscribe . Every bit makes a difference! If that’s not your thing, sharing the episode with friends or on social media goes a long way too. Thanks for listening and for your support!

And please, if you can, support the Cathedral Community Fridge https://www.cathedralcommunityfridge.com/  or your local community fridge. Mutual aid matters—let’s help each other thrive!

In this episode, I chat with psychoanalysts Avgi Saketopoulou and Ann Pellegrini about their new book, Gender Without Identity. We dig into how gender isn’t some fixed core identity but something shaped by cultural interactions, and yeah, sometimes trauma. Avgi and Ann take apart the mainstream ideas of gender, questioning the whole "core identity" thing, and instead offer a way more nuanced take that dives into the messy complexities of gender in psychoanalysis. We also take a hard look at the bullshit legislative attacks on trans people and how transness gets framed as a problem by those in power. This is a deep dive into gender theory and trauma that anyone interested in real, meaningful inclusivity needs to hear.

You can follow Ann and Avgi on their websites

Ann Pellegrini’s Websitehttps://annpellegrini.com

Avgi Saketopoulou’s Websitehttps://avgisaketopoulou.com

Unconscious in Translation:https://www.uitbooks.com/shop/gender-without-identity 

Little District Books:https://www.littledistrictbooks.com/products/gender-without-identity

My thoughts on the bookThis book challenges the idea that gender is fixed or inherent, instead showing how it’s shaped by trauma and cultural experiences. It’s dense and complex, but it dives into important questions we need to be asking about how gender forms. Saketopoulou and Pellegrini do an excellent job of pushing beyond conventional thinking.

It’s not a light read, but for those who care about really understanding the intersection of gender and trauma, it’s well worth the effort. The psychoanalytic approach might sometimes feel heavy, but the depth they go into pays off.

If you’re looking for a book that challenges the mainstream understanding of gender identity and forces you to confront the uncomfortable realities of how we construct gender, Gender Without Identity is one to pick up. It’s thought-provoking and timely for anyone who’s serious about moving these conversations forward.

Check out my linktreehttps://linktr.ee/Skepticalleftist

If you enjoyed the show, consider supporting us on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/skepticalleftist  to help keep the content coming. You can also subscribe to my Substack https://theskepticalleftist.substack.com/  for updates and extra content or get bonus episodes through Spotify https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/skepticalleftist/subscribe . Every bit makes a difference! If that’s not your thing, sharing the episode with friends or on social media goes a long way too. Thanks for listening and for your support!

And you can get a copy of Gender Without Identity from these sites
And please, if you can, support the Cathedral Community Fridge https://www.cathedralcommunityfridge.com/  or your local community fridge. Mutual aid matters—let’s help each other thrive!

In this stream, we gather a diverse group of progressives to discuss the U.S. election—an event we all wish was over but can't ignore. Our panel, including Foxy Jazzabelle, my usual cohost Justin Clark, Steve Shives, Chrisi from Chrisiousity, and SomeRandomG33k (who organized the stream), dive into the messy reality of the election and its consequences. With varied perspectives but a shared worry about the future, we explore what might happen if Harris loses and what another Trump term could mean.

Even though we're exhausted by election talk, this one could be consequential. Join us for a candid, sometimes frustrated, but always insightful conversation about what's at stake.

Links for where to find our panelists

Foxy

https://linktr.ee/FoxyJazzabelle

Steve

https://www.youtube.com/steveshives

https://www.threads.net/@steve.shives

https://www.instagram.com/steve.shives/

https://bsky.app/profile/steveshives.bsky.social

https://x.com/steve_shives

https://www.facebook.com/thatguysteveshives

Chrisi

https://www.youtube.com/@chrisiousity

https://x.com/chrisiousity

SomeRandomG33k

https://www.youtube.com/c/SomeRandomG33k

https://www.twitch.tv/somerandomg33k

https://x.com/SomeRandomG33k

Justinhttps://www.justinclark.org/https://www.instagram.com/justinclarkph/https://www.tiktok.com/@justinclarkphhttps://bsky.app/profile/justinclarkph.bsky.socialhttps://www.threads.net/@justinclarkphhttps://www.in.gov/history/https://blog.history.in.gov/

https://newspapers.library.in.gov/

And check out my linktreehttps://linktr.ee/Skepticalleftist

If you enjoyed the show, consider supporting us on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/skepticalleftist  to help keep the content coming. You can also subscribe to my Substack https://theskepticalleftist.substack.com/  for updates and extra content or get bonus episodes through Spotify https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/skepticalleftist/subscribe . Every bit makes a difference! If that’s not your thing, sharing the episode with friends or on social media goes a long way too. Thanks for listening and for your support!

And please, if you can, support the Cathedral Community Fridge https://www.cathedralcommunityfridge.com/  or your local community fridge. Mutual aid matters—let’s help each other thrive!

In this episode of Red Reviews, Justin and I take a deep dive into Christian Parenti’s Radical Hamilton to explore the side of Alexander Hamilton that mainstream history often overlooks. Far from the establishment figure he’s made out to be, Hamilton had some truly radical ideas about how to structure the American economy. We break down his bold vision for a powerful state, how his ideas clash with today’s capitalist system, and why his legacy matters more than ever. 

Here are links booksellers where you can purchase Radical Hamilton

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/557157/radical-hamilton-by-christian-parenti/9781786633927

https://www.versobooks.com/en-ca/products/586-radical-hamilton

https://bookoutlet.ca/book/radical-hamilton-economic-lessons-from-a-misunderstood-founder/parenti-christian/9781786633927B

Check out Justin's links and follow him

https://www.justinclark.org/

https://www.instagram.com/justinclarkph/

https://www.tiktok.com/@justinclarkph

https://bsky.app/profile/justinclarkph.bsky.social

https://www.threads.net/@justinclarkph

https://www.in.gov/history/

https://blog.history.in.gov/

https://newspapers.library.in.gov/

And check out my linktree

https://linktr.ee/Skepticalleftist

If you enjoyed the show, consider supporting us on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/skepticalleftist  to help keep the content coming. You can also subscribe to my Substack https://theskepticalleftist.substack.com/  for updates and extra content or get bonus episodes through Spotify https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/skepticalleftist/subscribe . Every bit makes a difference! If that’s not your thing, sharing the episode with friends or on social media goes a long way too. Thanks for listening and for your support!

And please, if you can, support the Cathedral Community Fridge https://www.cathedralcommunityfridge.com/  or your local community fridge. Mutual aid matters—let’s help each other thrive!

In this episode, we dig into Technofeudalism by Yanis Varoufakis and ask: Are we just digital serfs in today’s world? We break down how tech giants have created a new kind of feudalism, controlling our data and our lives without us even realizing it. From social media to cloud services, these corporations are the new lords, and we're left doing the work to keep their platforms running. We talk about how we got here, what it means for our future, and whether we can fight back against this digital domination.

Here are some independent and radical booksellers that carry Technofeudalism by Yanis Varoufakis:

Check out Justin's links and follow him

https://www.justinclark.org/

https://www.instagram.com/justinclarkph/

https://www.tiktok.com/@justinclarkph

https://bsky.app/profile/justinclarkph.bsky.social

https://www.threads.net/@justinclarkph

https://www.in.gov/history/

https://blog.history.in.gov/

https://newspapers.library.in.gov/

And check out my linktree

https://linktr.ee/Skepticalleftist

If you enjoyed the show, consider supporting us on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/skepticalleftist  to help keep the content coming. You can also subscribe to my Substack https://theskepticalleftist.substack.com/  for updates and extra content or get bonus episodes through Spotify https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/skepticalleftist/subscribe . Every bit makes a difference! If that’s not your thing, sharing the episode with friends or on social media goes a long way too. Thanks for listening and for your support!

And please, if you can, support the Cathedral Community Fridge https://www.cathedralcommunityfridge.com/  or your local community fridge. Mutual aid matters—let’s help each other thrive!

In this episode, I sit down with Jessa McLean, a political organizer turned grassroots activist, to explore her journey from running with the NDP to embracing direct action. We dive into the realities of party politics, the power of tenant organizing, and why Jessa believes real change has to come from the ground up. She shares candid insights on the failures of the political system, the burnout that comes with it, and the empowerment she found through community-driven movements. Whether you’re interested in grassroots activism or want a deeper understanding of how to disrupt the status quo, this conversation is a must-listen.

You can find Jessa's stuff here:

Check out my linktree

https://linktr.ee/Skepticalleftist

If you enjoyed the show, consider supporting us on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/skepticalleftist  to help keep the content coming. You can also subscribe to my Substack https://theskepticalleftist.substack.com/  for updates and extra content or get bonus episodes through Spotify https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/skepticalleftist/subscribe. Every bit makes a difference! If that’s not your thing, sharing the episode with friends or on social media goes a long way too. Thanks for listening and for your support!

And please, if you can, support the Cathedral Community Fridge https://www.cathedralcommunityfridge.com/  or your local community fridge. Mutual aid matters—let’s help each other thrive!

In this episode, Justin and I take a critical look at Lenin through the lens of Anton Pannekoek’s Lenin as Philosopher. We dig into whether Lenin was the revolutionary he claimed to be or if his vision ended up reinforcing the authoritarian systems he was supposedly against. We break down Pannekoek’s arguments, challenge some common ideas about Lenin, and explore what all this means for today’s leftist movements.

Here are a couple of independent booksellers where you can purchase Lenin as Philosopher by Anton Pannekoek:

Justin made a lot of notes for this episode so we thought it would be cool to share those with youhttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1a_QPXGakTBmXiyk8_At_fd9A1Ak7ZEI0r2efiNMSQn0/edit?usp=sharing

Check out Justin's links and follow him

https://www.justinclark.org/

https://www.instagram.com/justinclarkph/

https://www.tiktok.com/@justinclarkph

https://bsky.app/profile/justinclarkph.bsky.social

https://www.threads.net/@justinclarkph

https://www.in.gov/history/

https://blog.history.in.gov/

https://newspapers.library.in.gov/

And check out my linktree

https://linktr.ee/Skepticalleftist

If you enjoyed the show, consider supporting us on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/skepticalleftist  to help keep the content coming. You can also subscribe to my Substack https://theskepticalleftist.substack.com/  for updates and extra content or get bonus episodes through Spotify https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/skepticalleftist/subscribe . Every bit makes a difference! If that’s not your thing, sharing the episode with friends or on social media goes a long way too. Thanks for listening and for your support!

And please, if you can, support the Cathedral Community Fridge https://www.cathedralcommunityfridge.com/  or your local community fridge. Mutual aid matters—let’s help each other thrive!

In this episode of Red Reviews, Justin and I dig into Less is More by Jason Hickel. We break down the core ideas behind degrowth, challenge the myth that endless growth is necessary, and explore how ditching growth-obsessed capitalism could create a fairer, more sustainable world. We also talk about how the public wouldn’t need to sacrifice as much abundance if the wealthy gave up their unearned privileges. It’s about building a future where everyone can thrive

Here are a couple of links to independent booksellers where you can find Less is More by Jason Hickel:

Check out Justin's links and follow him

https://www.justinclark.org/

https://www.instagram.com/justinclarkph/

https://www.tiktok.com/@justinclarkph

https://bsky.app/profile/justinclarkph.bsky.social

https://www.threads.net/@justinclarkph

https://www.in.gov/history/

https://blog.history.in.gov/

https://newspapers.library.in.gov/

And check out my linktree

https://linktr.ee/Skepticalleftist

your support is what keep this show and all my work possible

In this episode, I talked to Lucretia McEvil to dive deep into anarchist and leftist theory, exploring how these ideas shape our worldview and guide us in a world that often feels like it's falling apart. We discuss the challenges of staying positive when it seems like the world resists change at every turn, and reflect on how we navigate the struggle for a better future. Whether you're feeling defeated by the state of things or looking for fresh perspectives, this conversation offers hope, insight, and a reminder of why we keep pushing forward

You can find her links here

https://snipfeed.co/mcevil

https://x.com/mcevil_lucretia

https://www.youtube.com/@lucretia_macevil/videos

And check out my linktree

https://linktr.ee/Skepticalleftist