Workers' Lit

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Today we cover “The Unworthy,” a 2023 horror novel by Agustina Bazterrica (of “Tender is the Flesh” fame).

Religious trauma, oppression of women, lesbian sex jokes, puppy girls, this episode is 100% worth the obligatory purification ritual in the Tower of Silence you must undertake to listen.

Bad times in the USA...and elsewhere.

The Iran war rages, trans rights come under assault, millions of people take to the streets, and calls for a general strike are building.

It's just another week in 2026.

Articles referenced and quoted:

https://www.kenklippenstein.com/p/trump-goes-commando

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/communists-democrats-use-nokings-rally-call-may-day-strike-shut-down

https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/supreme-court-rules-against-conversion

This book sucks. But the episode? It goes hard.

We are joined by returning guest Talia Bhatt, writer and radical trans-feminist whose work covers epistemic injustice, Third World feminism, and ranked competitive breast growth (yes, she has RANGE!) to discuss "GamerGate's favorite feminist," Christina Hoff Sommers' anti-feminist rant from 1994, "Who Stole Feminism? How Women Have Betrayed Women."

We know you love it when the Lit Ladies eviscerate a horrible book. Enjoy.

You can find info on all of Talia’s work (including her new book, “Brown/Trans/Les”) at her website below:

https://taliabhatt.com/

Note: there are some audio problems with this episode. Our apologies!! We promise it's well worth the bumps in the sound to hear us cook this hard.

The war hasn't stopped.

Today we discuss the U.S. and Israel's murderous war against Iran and Lebanon as the Iran War escalates into what may be an even larger conflict. We get into the absurd communication style of the White House around the war, the confusion around what the point even is, and how we're all just trying to piece together our own little reality.

Also, we get sidetracked and talk about the Apostle Thomas for some reason.

Sources and links referenced here:

https://www.dropsitenews.com/p/israel-control-southern-lebanon-civilian-buildings-iran-destroyed-cuba-blockade-insulin-antibiotics

https://www.democracynow.org/2026/3/23/prysner_mike_conscience_war_military#:~:text=They%20have%20imposed%20this%20on,the%20beginning%20of%20the%20war.

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/02/opinion/trump-iran-war-future.html

The Hunger Games are finally at an end.

Welcome to "Mockingjay," Suzanne Collins' 2010 conclusion to the Hunger Games trilogy that will make you say, "Well that was depressing!" (though your mileage may vary on whether or not you consider that an endorsement.)

We get INTO IT about revolution, violence, retribution, propaganda, and the silly lizard guys underneath the Capitol.

"It's like toothpaste that's left the tube. Trans and queer people have become a fact of life in the United States, they won't be forced back into hiding."

We are absolutely thrilled to be joined by the brilliant activist, author, scholar, and artist Julia Serano for today's episode!

The queer (especially trans) community in the USA is facing a historic assault by the far right, but with that comes the opportunity for historic resistance! Listen to Julia talk about her journey as a thinker and creator, the trajectory of LGBTQ+ politics over the past 30 years, and her fears and hopes for the future.

You can check out Julia's work (and you really, really should!) here.

We normally talk books on Monday, but lyrics are a type of literature, and Nathan sure is waging the narrative battle.

Country music artist and writer Nathan Evans Fox joins us for a wide ranging discussion about Southern cultural and artistic traditions, the stranglehold of evangelical Christianity over the south (and this country), and the joy of writing a hillbilly hymn

Listen to Nathan's music, check out upcoming tour dates, and learn more about him here!

Read Nathan's writing on Substack here!

Break the siege!

Jacob is joined by organizer, writer, and Communications Director for Progressive International, James Schneider to discuss the Nuestra América Convoy  to Cuba.

Learn how organizations like Progressive International, The People's Forum, and many more were inspired by the brave actions of the Gaza Sumud Flotilla and now seek to break the blockade on Cuba.

The convoy will convene in Havana on March 21, 2026. It is all of our job not just to support it financially (though we should if we can!) but to spread its message in our own communities. Trump would love to strangle Cuba in silence, let's not let him!

Cuba needs your help! You can learn more and support the Nuestra América Convoy  for Cuba here.

Want to learn more about Trump's war on Cuba? Listen to our Workers' Lit episode on it here.

THIS GIRL IS ON FIIIIREEEEE

We're back for part 2 of The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins, 2009's "Catching Fire."

The first book was about survival, this book is about revolution. Revel with us in the drama of resistance, cringe at the fandom memories we unearth, and prepare for the forces of fascism to overplay their hand at the onset of the dreaded QUARTER QUELL!

Game time.

We keep the dystopian mood alive as we take on Suzanne Collins' 2008 YA smash hit, "The Hunger Games."

Join us for a conversation about colonialism, necessary vs. unjustified violence, fanfiction, bodily autonomy, and more!

What do YOU want to see out of a Workers' Lit Patreon? Email us at [email protected] to let us know!