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206 afleveringen, van nieuw naar oud
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The Unworthy. Also: PATREON!!
6 april 2026 · 1 uur 19 min
PRIORITY: We finally got a Patreon! Supporting us there wins you 1 million Lit Points. Lees meer
Go check it here: https://www.patreon.com/cw/WorkersLit
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.
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Iran. No Kings. Trans Rights. General Strike?
2 april 2026 · 1 uur 9 min
Bad times in the USA...and elsewhere. Lees meer
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
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Who Stole Feminism? Ft. Talia Bhatt
30 maart 2026 · 1 uur 38 min
This book sucks. But the episode? It goes hard. Lees meer
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.
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The Iran War Continues
26 maart 2026 · 1 uur 12 min
The war hasn't stopped. Lees meer
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
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Mockingjay: The Conclusion of the Hunger Games Saga
23 maart 2026 · 1 uur 48 min
The Hunger Games are finally at an end. Lees meer
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.
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Julia Serano Says Queer People Aren't Going Anywhere!
18 maart 2026 · 1 uur 6 min
"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." Lees meer
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.
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The Battle for Country Music, God, and The South ft. Nathan Evans Fox
16 maart 2026 · 1 uur
We normally talk books on Monday, but lyrics are a type of literature, and Nathan sure is waging the narrative battle. Lees meer
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!
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Nuestra América Convoy to Cuba, ft. James Schneider
11 maart 2026 · 43 min
Break the siege! Lees meer
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.
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The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
10 maart 2026 · 1 uur 15 min
THIS GIRL IS ON FIIIIREEEEE Lees meer
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!
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The Hunger Games
4 maart 2026 · 1 uur 37 min
Game time. Lees meer
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 workerslit@gmail.com to let us know!
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War on the Iranian People and the American Mind, ft. Rev Left Radio
2 maart 2026 · 1 uur 32 min
The American ruling class is at war. Lees meer
Physically, they are at war with Iran, pummeling the country with unrelenting airstrikes, slaughtering civilians, and doing their best to make yet another nation unlivable.
But they are fighting another war: a psychological war against every one of us. They are building a world of declining literacy, misinformation, confusion, and fear.
Combine those two wars and you get an apathetic American populace even as its own country murders untold innocents
Breht O’Shea of RevLeft joins Aysha, Jen, and Jacob to discuss these dual wars and how we can fight back.
Check out RevLeft here or wherever you get your podcasts!
Note: due to the urgency of the events of the Iran War we switched episode release order this week, releasing the politics episode on March 2 with our literature episode (on The Hunger Games) slated for March 4. Be ready for that!
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Who Paid The Pipers of Western Marxism? Ft. Rae of ProlesPod
25 februari 2026 · 1 uur 27 min
Lenore and Jen are joined by Rae of ProlesPod to discus Gabriel Rockhill's new book, "Who Paid the Pipers of Western Marxism?" You may be asking: what is a piper? Well, that part's not important. Lees meer
What IS important is the way the CIA and other U.S. government forces spent the 20th century infiltrating the media and every level of academia, squelching dangerous opposition, promoting capitalist propaganda, and even bolstering controlled left opposition that posed no threat to U.S. empire.
ProlesPod is a podcast about history, politics, and culture... without the liberalism. You can listen to ProlesPod here or wherever you get your podcasts.
If this episode interests you, why not go check out the book itself? You can buy it here.
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The Running Man, ft. Left of the Projector
23 februari 2026 · 1 uur 12 min
Last time we covered Stephen King, we were walking a long ways. Now we're running. We're speeding up, folks! Lees meer
Today we're covering King's 1982 dystopian novel, "The Running Man." Joining us are Evan and Bill from the "Left of the Projector" podcast. Together, we'll get mad at how clearly Stephen wrote this book in just one week and then...didn't fix it.
Topics include the fetishization of the working class, super-individualism, King's recurring bigotries, and 9/11.
If you're wondering if there's a version of this story we like, you're in luck! In just a few days a pt 2. about the 2025 Edgar Wright adaptation will be up on Left of the Projector feed, ft. Aysha, Lenore, and Jacob, so go over there and subscribe to those fine folks to be ready to hear it!
Listen to Left of the Projector here or wherever you get your podcasts
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Bonus Author Interview: Nick Mamatas
20 februari 2026 · 37 min
It's a bonus interview with the great science fiction author, Nick Mamatas! Lees meer
We talk about Nick's new book, the horrors of Silicon Valley, and Shakespeare adaptations.
Don't miss out: go get your copy of "Kalivas! Or Another Tempest" right now.
You can follow him on Bluesky @nmamatas.bsky.social
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A Discussion with Representative Ruwa Romman, Candidate for Governor of Georgia
18 februari 2026 · 1 uur 2 min
2026 is an election year, and we have no intention of ignoring it! Lees meer
We are joined by candidate for Governor of Georgia, Representative Ruwa Romman.
Ruwa represents GA’s 97th House of Representatives district in Gwinnett County and is the first Muslim and Palestinian woman to ever be elected to the GA House of Representatives. She is a long time organizer, served as a delegate of the Uncommitted movement in 2024, and has a plan to build an affordable, better Georgia for ALL, not just the 1%.
In this conversation we hit on hot-button issues such as internal Democratic Party conflict, police and ICE brutality, overcoming identity-based gaps in building a winning coalition, and the importance of building a mass movement that will not only bring good candidates into office, but govern alongside them and hold them accountable.
Not from Georgia? No worries, this conversation has something for everyone!
Want to read more about, donate to, and/or volunteer to the Ruwa Romman Campaign? Check out her website here!
https://www.ruwaforgeorgia.com/
Episode art comes from AP photo of Representative Ruwa Romman.
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The Minority Report and Sci-Fi, ft. The Pod Universe
16 februari 2026 · 1 uur 30 min
We promise we're super mature with Philip K. Dick's last name. Mostly. Lees meer
This week we're taking on Philip K. Dick's 1956 sci-fi novelette, "The Minority Report." What if you could solve crime before it happens? What if said process led to a lot of violence and exploitation? What if you dealt with all that that while worrying that your wife was cheating on you with your hotter assistant? That's more or less the vibe here.
We go further and discuss science fiction's broader contribution (positive and negative) to our culture's political imagination, and think about the future of the genre.
We couldn't have done this without our remarkable guests: Dalton and Dylan of The Pod Universe. If you like cool sci-fi, great podcast, and boundless creativity, you'll love their work. After all, they're making a whole cinematic universe...in podcast form!!
Check out The Pod Universe here.
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How to kill a country without anybody noticing: America’s war on Cuba
11 februari 2026 · 1 uur 4 min
Can you kill a country with hardly anyone noticing? The Trump Administration intends to try with Cuba. Lees meer
In this episode we examine the criminal blockade on Cuba, and the way knowledge of it is essentially non-existent among Americans. Plus, we touch on different levels of information warfare based on class strata, Marco Rubio's plots, and...Elmo's feud with Taylor Swift??
Support the Let Cuba Live Campaign here:
https://www.letcubalive.info/
Articles quoted in this episode:
https://www.dropsitenews.com/p/cuba-united-states-oil-blockade-trump-mexico-claudia-sheinbaum
https://www.dropsitenews.com/p/marco-rubio-is-deliberately-blocking
Elmo v. Rocco:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgyAWij3SLk
Episode art features a political cartoon by Carlos Latuff
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Gaywyck: The First Gay Gothic Romance
9 februari 2026 · 1 uur 37 min
Gay. Gothic. Romantic. I know you’re already cheering, and you should be, because we’re covering Vincent Verga’s 1980 novel “Gaywyck.” Lees meer
Why must breathy bodice rippers feature only the heteros? There’s plenty of good gay drama to be had, and gay drama Gaywyck delivers.
We discuss the genre of the gothic romance, the groundbreaking nature of Verga’s willingness to not pull punches, and the place weird queer fiction like this is situated in the narrative.
Cover art comes from the original publication of Gaywyck.
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On Trans-Feminism and Gender War, ft. Talia Bhatt
4 februari 2026 · 1 uur 21 min
This is a really, really, REALLY cool guest. Lees meer
Today we are joined by Talia Bhatt, writer and radical trans-feminist whose work covers epistemic injustice, Third World feminism, and ranked competitive breast growth (yes, she has RANGE!)
Want to know more? Just listen! She’ll explain it better than we can.
You can find info on all of Talia’s work (including her new book, “Brown/Trans/Les”) at her website below:
https://taliabhatt.com/
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Indie Publishing, Ft. Neon Hemlock
2 februari 2026 · 1 uur 3 min
What's more literary than talking about one piece of literature? Talking about the very nexus from which literature flows! Lees meer
Today we sat down with Dave Ring of Neon Hemlock, an independent press for speculative fiction, rad zines, and queer chapbooks.
Discussion topics range from the mission of Neon Hemlock to the state of publishing in the Age of Slop to the importance of queer art.
Links to check out the things we mention in this episode:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/davering/what-elegant-stars
https://www.neonhemlock.com/books/bitten-peach
https://www.neonhemlock.com/books/cyberscion
https://www.neonhemlock.com/books/shatter-the-sun
https://www.bafflingmag.com/issue-twenty-two/crowdfund-your-new-citizen-body-a-performance
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Signs_of_AI_writing
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On the Narrative Battle: Hamilton, Rightwing Media, ICE's Lies, and More
28 januari 2026 · 1 uur 2 min
Welcome to Workers' Lit, your favorite show about the battle for narrative. Lees meer
Has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?
Today we talk about our focus as a show before discussing the ongoing narrative war in our culture...on several fronts. First, we made Jen watch Hamilton, so we chat about that, which turns into a bit of a side conversation about right-wing films.
Then we get back into ICE and mass deportations. Is Trump on the back foot? Will the Democrats step up? Is the so-called "Joe Rogan Coalition" getting squeamish on MAGA? All that and more.
Finally, we acknowledge Holocaust Remembrance Day and read Bend the Arc's statement.
Read Bend the Arc's Statement Here.
Read Prem Thakker's piece in Zeteo we quote here
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United States of Banana, ft. Karlo Yeager Rodríguez
26 januari 2026 · 1 uur 25 min
9/11, Hamlet, the Statue of Liberty, Segismundo, Zoroastrianism, Puerto Rican Independence, Bananas: If you hear all those terms and think, “wow, this sure does sound like the building blocks of a great book,” then congrats, you’re award-winning author Giannina Braschi. Lees meer
We are joined by brilliant writer and host of Podside Picnic, Karlo Yeager Rodríguez, to discuss Braschi’s 2011 postmodern novel, “The United States of Banana.”
This book gets real weird with it, so follow along as we spring Segismundo from his prison beneath the Statue of Liberty’s skirt, fight an American occupation with coconuts and witticisms, and set sail to liberate Puerto Rico!
Go read Karlo’s newest short story, “Blanquitos,” here!
Go listen to Podside Picnic here!
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On Donald Trump: A Year In Review
21 januari 2026 · 1 uur 11 min
We are officially one year into Donald Trump’s second term. How’s everybody feeling? Lees meer
This week we discuss the nightmare 365 days that have passed, the battles to come, and the framework that’ll beat Trump for real.
Also, we congratulate Usha Vance and her pool boy on their soon-to-be-born child.
(We had some technical issues on sound today, so sorry about that!)
Articles quoted from in today’s episode:
https://zeteo.com/p/our-year-from-hell-trump-first-draft
https://zeteo.com/p/trump-robbery-285-days-to-stop
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The Great Gatsby, ft, Joshua Ilon of the Penumbra Podcast
19 januari 2026 · 1 uur 33 min
It’s time to get real old-sporty Lees meer
This week we narrowly avoided death-by-pool to deliver you a discussion of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1925 gilded age masterpiece, “The Great Gatsby.”
Joining us is Joshua Ilon, voice actor on The Penumbra Podcast (Juno Steel, Mr. Serling, Jacob, Sir Tristan the Cold) to discuss just how ridiculously relevant Gatsby has become in 2026, our own fraught gilded age.
Listen to the Penumbra Podcast here!
Listen to Kevin and Harley of Penumbra’s episode of Workers’ Lit about “The Secret History”
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On ICE: The State's Fascist Thugs
14 januari 2026 · 46 min
It's time to break the ICE. Lees meer
Jen and Jacob discuss the dramatic week that's passed since the murder of Renée Nicole Good, the latest stats on ICE, Trump, and Congress' popularity, and the campaigns in motion to hold these fascists to account.
Read Renée's poem here:
https://poets.org/2020-on-learning-to-dissect-fetal-pigs
Sources cited in the episode:
https://www.filesforprogress.org/datasets/2026/1/dfp_ice_shooting_minneapolis.pdf
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2026/jan/04/ice-2025-deaths-timeline
https://zeteo.com/p/keith-ellison-minnesota-ice-trump-vance
https://www.cnn.com/polling/approval/trump-cnn-poll-of-polls
https://news.gallup.com/poll/1600/congress-public.aspx
https://substack.com/home/post/p-184378952
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T.S. Eliot’s “The Wasteland,” ft. The Eclectic Radical
12 januari 2026 · 1 uur 21 min
April is the cruelest month, but it’s January so we should be good. Lees meer
Today we’re discussing T.S. Eliot’s 1922 modernist poetic masterpiece, “The Wasteland.” We also discuss Eliot himself…who’s a lot less cool than his poem.
Joining us as we wander the wasteland is Chris Richards, AKA The Eclectic Radical. You can check out his work here!
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On Venezuela: A Discussion with Vijay Prashad
8 januari 2026 · 1 uur 6 min
Author and Executive Director of the Tricontinental Institute for Social Research, Vijay Prashad, returns to the show to discuss the United States' kidnapping of Nicolas Maduro and Cilia Flores, Trump's claim that the United States now owns Venezuela's oil industry, and American foreign policy in the age he calls "hyperimperialism." We also get into Venezuela's unique and tumultuous history as it struggles to build socialism despite US aggression. Lees meer
Is all the discussion of Venezuela, Maduro, sanctions, international law, and all that jazz a little confusing? Vijay breaks it down perfectly.
Also, stick around to hear Vijay's thoughts on the American education system in one of our best tangents ever.
Check out the Tricontinental Institute here!
The episode art is Vijay with Nicolas Maduro himself.
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LA Confidential, ft. Brian Wishart
5 januari 2026 · 1 uur 41 min
It's crime time. Lees meer
We're ringing in 2026 with James Ellroy's 1990 work of nasty neo noir, "LA Confidential." And we're mad about it! Why are there so many bizarre little policemen running around in this book???
Joining us is Brian Wishart of "Moviepod: A Reclaimed Cinema Podcast" to unpack the weird freak that is James Ellroy, get exasperated over this absurd book, and occasionally acknowledge parts that are good.
Check out Brian's podcat here!
Learn about LA Police Gangs (in real life) here.
Episode art is from the novel's second edition cover.
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The War Crimes Episode: Nigeria, Venezuela, and the Crimes of American Empire
31 december 2025 · 1 uur 11 min
We took a weeklong break from talking about the news, but it's time to get back into the doings of the United States government...namely, starting new wars. Lees meer
Today we discuss Trump's Christmas strikes on Nigeria, the bombing of a Venezuelan port, and preparations being made inside Venezuela itself for siege and war. Also, we mention our favorite holiday movies.
Articles referenced in this episode:
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/nigerian-residents-of-jabo-are-rattled-after-close-u-s-airstrikes-made-their-homes-shake-and-the-sky-glow-red
https://www.democracynow.org/2025/12/29/nigeria_strikes
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/12/30/trump-bombs-venezuelan-land-for-first-time-is-war-imminent
https://substack.com/home/post/p-182894927?source=queue
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Three Scenes in the Life of a Trotskyist, w/ Andy Boyd
29 december 2025 · 45 min
IT'S TIME FOR SOME THEATER!!! Lees meer
We're delighted to have Andy Boyd back on the show to discuss her play, "Three Scenes in the Life of a Trotskyist." Are you looking for a show about the betrayal of the young radicals of the early 20th century in the face of their own success and a conservative culture? No? Well, you should be, and it's this play!
Go buy the written version of "Three Scenes in the Life of a Trotskyist" here!
Go check out Andy Boyd and her other work here!
The image in the episode art comes from the play's staging at The Tank in NYC. The actors shown are Jeff Gonzalez and Charlie Hurtt.
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How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Was the Grink There?)
23 december 2025 · 1 uur 3 min
Classic alert! Lees meer
It's Christmas...so it's time to talk about Dr. Seuss' 1957 children's classic, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas."
What is a Grinch? Are the residents of Whoville bourgeois? Was the Grink there? All these questions and more, answered!
We hope y'all like the new theme music from the talented SoloMonk!
Feeling generous? Feel free to send some of that generosity our way: https://buymeacoffee.com/workerslit
Credit to the classic, "Was the Grink there?" tweet from @murrman5 for the joke we make like thirty times.
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The Attack On LGBTQ+ Rights, and How We Fight Back! Ft. Pigeon of “2 Whits, 1 Cup”
17 december 2025 · 1 uur 21 min
There’s a war on LGBTQ+ Rights in the US. The sooner we treat it as such the better. Lees meer
The Workers are joined today by Pigeon of “2 Whits, 1 Cup,” an exvangelical, queer podcast about the evangelical radio drama, “Adventures in Odyssey” to discuss the Trump Administration—and every other powerful institution’s—increased aggression towards the queer community.
Topics include the Department of Justice’s new prison rules, S 1071, the betrayal of the Democratic Party, TPUSA and other anti-trans vigilante orgs, digital mass surveillance, the Arlington retreat, and how when we fight, we win!
Check out Jacob’s episode with 2 Whits, 1 Cup here!
Articles cited in this episode:
https://www.npr.org/2025/12/04/nx-s1-5630490/prison-doj-safety-memo-changes-trans-lgbtq-inmates
https://fdt.beehiiv.com/p/a-bill-to-disinter-a-serial-killer-from-a-military-cemetery-psyche-it-s-now-an-omnibus-appropriation
https://zeteo.com/p/social-media-children-ban-australia-us
https://www.techpolicy.press/age-verification-is-locking-trans-people-out-of-the-internet/
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2025/dec/11/meta-shuts-down-global-accounts-linked-to-abortion-advice-and-queer-content
https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2025/12/trans-inmates-win-right-to-gender-affirming-care-as-judge-calls-it-a-serious-medical-need/
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The Saint of Bright Doors
15 december 2025 · 1 uur 31 min
Them doors are about to get real bright. Lees meer
It's time to hop into Vajra Chandrasekera's crazy 2023 fantasy novel, "The Saint of Bright Doors."
We've got revolution, we've got being bisexual, we've got family trauma, we've got cults, we've got it ALL with this book!!
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Workers Discuss: Idiotic Institutional Collapse, ft. Nelson of What's Left of the South
10 december 2025 · 58 min
So…bad news. Pretty much all American institutions are imploding into their most idiotic possible forms. However, since that includes journalism, you’ll probably hear elsewhere that this is good news. Go figure. Lees meer
This week, the workers are joined by Nelson from the “What’s Left of The South” podcast to talk about the attempts of different mega-corporations to take over Warner Bros, the ascendence of the Unitary Executive Theory of Government, the Texas senate race, and Indigenous people fighting back against colonialism and climate change.
What’s Left of the South is a great podcast about southern working class history. Check it out here!
Articles quoted in today’s episode:
https://zeteo.com/p/the-maga-moguls-media-takeover
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/12/08/supreme-court-slaughter-trump-firings-00681078
https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/900-acres-bordering-yosemite-returned-to-tribe-that-was-expelled-175-years-ago/
And of course, check out the Costco Guys’ new hit Christmas song
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On the Beach, ft. Brian Alford
8 december 2025 · 1 uur 28 min
Nuclear war kinda sucks. Lees meer
We are joined by returning guest and apocalypse-understander Brian Alford of The Worst of All Possible Worlds podcast to discuss Nevil Shute's 1957 end-of-the-world novel, "On The Beach."
What if the world was ending, but we were in Australia and being real polite about it? Have you been wondering what that'd be like? We know you have, so listen on!
Listen to Brian's fantastic podcast, The Worst of All Possible Worlds
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Bonus Interview: Hell Bent with Brian Recker
6 december 2025 · 30 min
It's a bonus author interview! Lees meer
We're joined by author, public theologian, and all-around cool guy Brian Recker to talk about his new book, "Hell Bent: How the Fear of Hell Holds Christians Back from a Spirituality of Love"
If you were raised evangelical, this one will hit hard, but even if you weren't, this is a great discussion (and book!) about the politics of hell, liberatory (and anti-liberatory) forms of Christianity, and the way a fear of divine punishment hangs over our society...and how we all deserve to escape that fear.
Buy a copy of Hell Bent here!
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Tgirls Who Stare at Aircraft Carriers: WL News, 12/4/25
5 december 2025 · 59 min
The US is up to some bad stuff, folks. Lees meer
We start by discussing the evangelical cabal (and Jacob's ties to it), move into the DC shooting (and the Pentagon's responsibility for it), and then talk about US meddling in Latin America, Pete Hegseth, and Jen's suspicious absence.
Finally, Starbucks takes a big L (and we're very pleased).
Articles referenced in this episode:
https://www.propublica.org/article/roommates-steve-berger-mike-johnson-andy-ogles-right-wing-influence-townhouse
https://www.dropsitenews.com/p/national-guard-shooter-rahmanullah-lakanwal-afghanistan-zero-units-cia-imprisonment
https://www.dropsitenews.com/p/honduras-vote-election-libre-trump
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The Secret History: ft. The Penumbra Podcast
2 december 2025 · 1 uur 34 min
This week Aysha and Jacob face down the twin horrors of Dionysian madness and class anxiety with Donna Tartt’s brilliant 1992 work of literary fiction/inverted mystery, “The Secret History.” Lees meer
We are joined by Kevin Vibert and Harley Takagi Kaner of “The Penumbra Podcast.” In the opinion of the Workers’ Lit team these two are among the greatest audio dramatists literally of all time…so yeah, they’re quite qualified to talk about some bomb-ass fiction.
Themes: Closeted bisexual angst, middle class angst, academic angst, and hiding-a-murder angst.
Go listen to the Penumbra Podcast!
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MAGA’s Mad, MTG’s Sad: WL News, ft. Jason Robinson
27 november 2025 · 1 uur 25 min
The world remains quite weird. Lees meer
This week we’re joined by Jason Robinson of “48 Minutes of Dogs Barking” and “Submitted for the Approval of the Midnight Pals” to talk about Marjorie Taylor Greene and the so called “MAGA Civil War,” some standout Epstein emails and the wackiest online reactions to them, the so-called “Seditious Six” scandal, and some truly horrid news out of Texas.
Also, Jacob shares some college lore.
Listen to “48 Minutes of Dogs Barking,” a podcast about the weird corners of the internet
Listen to “Submitted for the Approval of the Midnight Pals,” an audio drama about famous horror authors telling stories around a campfire
We’re experimenting with format for this side of the show, so please comment or email us (workerslit@gmail.com) with your thoughts!
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Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus
25 november 2025 · 1 uur 46 min
It’s Alive!!! Lees meer
It’s time to make up a guy to get mad at with Mary Shelley’s 1818 genre-creating classic, “Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus.”
We join Victor as he falls in love with his sister, gets real depressed, and is sooooo mean to the poor little monster.
Class critique, religious skepticism, a Guillermo Del Toro adaptation, this book’s got it all!
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Workers' Lit News: Sorry to Burst Your Bubble, ft. Johnny Amizich
20 november 2025 · 1 uur 29 min
Epstein scandals! A tumbling economy! Nicki Minaj standing up for Christendom! AI in massive trouble! What a week to talk about the darn news. Lees meer
We are joined by Johnny Amizich, writer for Hard Drive and host of the podcast "Culture Dumpster," to talk about the happenings of the last week, with special attention put on the AI bubble. Johnny explains it well here, and for further reading, check out Ed Zitron's blog (which we refer to several times throughout the episode).
Go listen to Culture Dumpster!
Support the Palestinian Children's Relief Fund here.
Learn how to support the Starbucks strike here.
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The Computer is my Friend: Neuromancer, ft. Trevor Strunk
18 november 2025 · 1 uur 50 min
What if you could really, really, REALLY go on the computer? Lees meer
William Gibson asks this vital question in his 1984 sci-fi classic, "Neuromancer," and today we're joined by Trevor Strunk of "No Cartridge" to consider just that!
How did AI get so lame? Why are tech oligarchs the worst? How do we feel about hot women with claws? All will be revealed...
Go listen to "No Cartridge," one of the best podcasts out there about video games!
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Unfit to Print: 11/4-11/11 2025, ft. Josh Boerman
12 november 2025 · 1 uur 26 min
Another crazy news week! We start with the summary, and then go into a discussion (featuring Josh Boerman) at around the 15-minute mark.Today's topics: huge electoral losses for the Republicans, the Zohran Mamdani victory, total Democrat capitulation on the shutdown, unceasing imperialism, too little (and too much!) water due to climate change, and a socialist victory in Atlanta. Lees meer
Listen to Josh's fantastic podcasts, The Worst of All Possible Worlds AND Ill Conceived!
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Dark Woke: Woods All Black (Socialist Shelf)
11 november 2025 · 1 uur 31 min
This truly is a book for our moment. Lees meer
The pod dives into (friend of the pod) Lee Mandelo’s 2024 queer horror, “Woods All Black.”
Looking for an intersection of queerness, rage, and resistance in the face of rising fascist undercurrents? Look no further!
Episode art is an edited version of a Deviantart post (and later popular meme) by Endlen.
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Unfit to Print: All the news 10/28-11/4 2025
5 november 2025 · 1 uur 28 min
It’s our first ever news and current events episode! Lees meer
We start with a news summary, followed by commentary beginning at 16:37.
Today's topics: The government shutdown, SNAP, looming war in Latin America, Sudan and Gaza, ICE raids, healthcare, transgender rights, and sea turtles making a comeback.
If you can, please make a donation to Middlebury's Prism Center for Queer and Trans Life in Lia Smith's honor.
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Huge Announcement! Workers' Lit
4 november 2025 · 29 min
Probably our most important episode yet. Lees meer
Aysha U. Farah and Jen Big Nasty join the shelfers to...no wait, I'm seeing they're just joining the pod. Straight up. They're members of the show now. Let's goooo!
We're excited to announce that this feed will be rebranding, with the umbrella name, "Workers' Lit." This is not because we're getting rid of The Socialist Shelf (you couldn't escape us that easily), but because we're adding a second show to the feed: "Unfit to Print," a weekly news roundup that starts with a structured summary of the last week's events and then launches into a more relaxed discussion of the current state of affairs.
That's right, two episodes a week! Listeners, you asked for current events, you asked for more content, you asked for more Aysha and Jen, now you're getting it all!
We're extremely excited to bring Aysha onto the Socialist Shelf side and Jen onto the Unfit to Print side. This is going to be a lot of work, but we're extremely excited to grow this project and hope y'all will be along for the ride!
Please support us by following on social media, leaving a review, and telling your friends!
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Ben Returns: Lions and Scavengers, ft. AJ Ditty
28 oktober 2025 · 1 uur 57 min
We’re covering Ben Shapiro again. We’re doing this for you, listeners. You asked us to do this. You inflicted this pain on us. YOU DID! Lees meer
It’s time to get into Ben’s most recent fascist screed, 2025’s “Lions and Scavengers,” and we’re joined by famed Ben hater and theatre understander (unlike Ben), AJ Ditty of the Worst of All Possible Worlds!
As much as we joke, this is a pretty good episode if you want to learn to dissect the arguments of the intellectual-sounding right. Also…learn Ben Shapiro’s connections to Sephiroth.
Are you listening to Worst of All Possible Worlds? Why the hell not? Go check it out right now. Go go go!!
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It’s Not My Fault!: Kamala Harris’ 107 Days, ft. Josh Mayfield
21 oktober 2025 · 1 uur 52 min
Oh wow. What a time. We really did this. Lees meer
At listener request, we covered Kamala Harris’ supposed tell-all “107 Days.” Whoo boy.
Joining us is Josh Mayfield, a revolutionary organizer, artist, and generally a cool guy.
Topics: how it’s not Kamala’s fault, how Kamala wants you to stop caring about Gaza, how Kamala hates her husband, and how fascism cannot be beaten at the ballot box.
Check out Josh’s brilliant art here!
Art is Coconut Us.
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Shakespeare in the Dark: Station Eleven
14 oktober 2025 · 1 uur 33 min
What if a flu killed almost everyone and so you performed Shakespeare in a traveling band of vagabonds, and also famous actor flashbacks and creepy airport prophets and graphic novels and the 2008 financial crash were involved? And what if somehow it all worked? Lees meer
Welcome to “Station Eleven” by Emily St. John Mandel, where you’ll find all that and more.
Fair warning, we summarize the plot in about the same way the book presents it, so things get disjointed…but we’re all having fun, right?
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We Read Kash Patel's Children's Book
7 oktober 2025 · 1 uur 22 min
Yeah. We read Kash Patel's book for kids. It's about as good as you expect. Lees meer
The now FBI Director's 2022, "Plot Against The King" is an allegorical tale sure to delight and amaze...or something like that.
Episode art is the book's cover but with that epic Kash Flare