Best Socialist Feminism Podcasts (2024)

1
138 - Bonus Episode – Socialism: A Logical Introduction with Professor Scott Sehon 23:42

4M ago23:42

23:42

Kristen Ghodsee speaks to Scott R. Sehon, a professor of philosophy, about his new book, Socialism: A Logical Introduction, and why we should use arguments to make a case for socialism and against capitalism. The first ten U.S.-based listeners to email Alexandra.kollontai.podcast@gmail.com with a name and address will get a free copy of Professor S…

1
137 - A.K. 47 - Bonus Episode - Claudia Jones's 8 March 1950 International Women's Day Speech 22:01

4M ago22:01

22:01

For International Women's Day, Kristen Ghodsee reads the Black Trinidadian activist and journalist Claudia Jones's speech for International Women's Day in 1950. This speech, (and the published version which appeared afterwards) led to Jones's arrest and eventual deportation from the United States. Jones was a member of the CPUSA, and believed that …

1
136 - A.K. 47 - "Diplomat, Novelist, Leader - Versatile Mme. Kollontay" 20:00

5M ago20:00

20:00

Kristen Ghodsee reads a profile of Alexandra Kollontai which appeared in the Washington Post on May 15, 1927 when Kollontai was serving as the Soviet ambassador to Mexico. Mentioned in this episode: The hardcover of Everyday Utopia is on sale at Amazon.com for $14.99 (50% off) Thanks so much for listening. This podcast has no Patreon account and re…

1
135 - A.K. 47 - Bonus Episode - 5th Anniversary Conversation about Parenthood 32:59

6M ago32:59

32:59

Kristen Ghodsee and her daughter share a conversation about Kollontai's pro-natalism and the current discourse about the BirthStrike. Are the relevant moral imperatives about having or not having children? And how does the climate crisis factor into people's decisions? We also discuss the future of the podcast and the newly discovered fact that it …

1
134 - A.K. 47 - The Labor of Women in the Evolution of the Economy - Part 3 17:53

7M ago17:53

17:53

Kristen Ghodsee reads the final part of Alexandra Kollontai's 1921 essay, "The Labor of Women in the Evolution of the Economy" to explore Kollontai's arguments for the socialization of the family and the socialist uses of the maternal instinct. Although Kollontai is openly pro-natalist, and emphasizes that motherhood is a social obligation to help …

1
133 - A.K. 47 - The Labor of Women in the Evolution of the Economy - Part 2 22:36

7M ago22:36

22:36

Kristen Ghodsee reads the second part of Alexandra Kollontai's 1921 essay, "The Labor of Women in the Evolution of the Economy" to explore Kollontai's arguments for the socialization of the family and the socialist uses of the maternal instinct. Although Kollontai is openly pro-natalist, and emphasizes that motherhood is a social obligation to help…

1
132 - A.K. 47 - The Labor of Women in the Evolution of the Economy - Part 1 22:38

8M ago22:38

22:38

Kristen Ghodsee reads the first part of Alexandra Kollontai's 1921 essay, "The Labor of Women in the Evolution of the Economy." A portion of this essay on abortion was discussed on the 6 March 2019 episode, but here Ghodsee digs in to Kollontai's argument for the socialization of the family. Mentioned in this episode: The eight Season 22 finalists …

1
131 - A.K. 47 - Bonus Episode - The Fun Manifesto 27:59

9M ago27:59

27:59

In this bonus episode, Kristen Ghodsee welcomes back her now almost 22-year-old daughter to discuss a theory of fun. What would a society look like if we prioritized the ability of everyone to have as much fun as they wanted (in whatever form that fun might take)? Rather than worrying about the fitness benefits of different human behaviors, maybe a…

1
130 - A.K. 47 - The Workers Opposition - Part 5 19:45

10M ago19:45

19:45

Kristen Ghodsee reads the fifth and final part of Alexandra Kollontai's 1921 text: "The Workers Opposition." Mentioned in this episode are: Science Magazine podcast, "Everyday Utopia: In Praise of Radical Alternatives to the Traditional Family Home," September 28, 2023 Atlas Obscura Podcast, “Twin Oaks,” September 25, 2023 Freakonomics Radio, “When…

1
Deep dive: the 1918 pandemic 20:08

10M ago20:08

20:08

What got you through lockdown? Was it the Zoom calls with your relatives, the What’s App groups for your street? For me it was being able to order copious amounts of craft materials through Amazon, to fill those endless hours at home with my daughter. So imagine what it was like in 1918 when they had none of these things? How did they ever get thro…

1
129 - A.K. 47 - The Workers Opposition - Part 4 20:48

11M ago20:48

20:48

Kristen Ghodsee reads the fourth part of Alexandra Kollontai's 1921 text: "The Workers Opposition" and moans a bit about joining Instagram: @kristenghodsee Mentioned in this episode are: WIRED, Have a Nice Future Podcast, “Maybe you should just join a commune.” August 23, 2023 Everyday Anarchism, “Everyday Utopia - Kristen Ghodsee,” August 23, 2023…

1
128 - A.K. 47 - The Workers Opposition - Part 3 20:20

11M ago20:20

20:20

Kristen Ghodsee reads the third part of Alexandra Kollontai's 1921 text: "The Workers Opposition." Thanks so much for listening. This podcast has no Patreon account and receives no funding. If you would like to support the work being done here, please spread the word and share with your friends and networks, and consider exploring the following lin…

1
Lockdown Legends: the women of the vaccine clinics 26:15

12M ago26:15

26:15

During lockdown Averil Pooten Watan organised pop up clinics for undocumented migrants, many of whom were working with older and other vulnerable people. She illustrates the huge impact community volunteers can have. By reaching out to the most marginalised, she not only saved lives, but stopped the spread of Covid-19. In this fifth series of Rebel…

1
127 - A.K. 47 - The Workers Opposition - Part 2 23:34

12M ago23:34

23:34

Kristen Ghodsee reads the second part of Alexandra Kollontai's 1921 text: "The Workers Opposition." Check out these upcoming events: Online - How To Academy, August 3 (6:00pm GMT) Online - Second Life Book Club, August 9 (12:00pm Pacific Time) In person - Society for Ethical Culture Sunday Platform, August 13 (11:00am EDT) In person - Half King Rea…

1
126 - A.K. 47 - The Workers Opposition - Part 1 21:55

12M ago21:55

21:55

Kristen Ghodsee reads the first part of Alexandra Kollontai's 1921 text: "The Workers Opposition." Mentioned in this episode are these upcoming events: Online - How To Academy, August 3 (6:00pm GMT) Online - Second Life Book Club, August 9 (12:00pm Pacific Time) In person - Society for Ethical Culture Sunday Platform, August 13 (11:00am EDT) In per…

1
Lockdown Legends: The women of the food bank pt 2 14:33

12M ago14:33

14:33

Chrys Christy works with community groups and the police in one of East London’s most deprived areas. When lockdown struck she had one major concern – how would people get food. She knew the community would need help. In this fifth series of Rebel Women, we’re resetting a little. Because the women we’re featuring this time were definitely not our u…

1
125 - A.K. 47 - Introduction to The Workers Opposition 25:57

1y ago25:57

25:57

On the eve of a possible UPS strike in the United States, Kristen Ghodsee reads a 1968 introduction to Alexandra Kollontai's 1921 pamphlet written in support of the Workers Opposition. This was a fundamental critique of Bolshevism from within the Party ranks, which was squashed and ended Kollontai's political career in the USSR. Mentioned in this e…

1
Lockdown Legends: the women of the foodbank 19:05

1y ago19:05

19:05

In March 2020, Tracey Rogers was working at Leyton Sixth Form College. As they shut the college gates for the last time, Tracey decided she was going to spend her time in lockdown redecorating the house. Three years later the paints and wallpaper are still sitting in a cupboard unused. Although she never got the decorating done, she would go on to …

1
Lockdown Legends: women of the mutual aid network 15:53

1y ago15:53

15:53

Guen Murroni was a member of Sister’s Uncut, an organisation fighting cuts to domestic violence services. She was involved in media campaigns and direct actions to bring attention to the numbers of women who die every day at the hands of their partners. Then in March 2020, a conversation with one of the Sisters took her on a different journey. In t…

1
Lockdown Legends: women of the scrub hubs 20:49

1y ago20:49

20:49

During the 2020 Covid Crisis, Jennie Caminada was part of a group of ordinary people who saved lives. Yet none set foot in a hospital, and all but one were women. In this fifth series of Rebel Women, we’re resetting a little. Because the women we’re featuring this time were definitely not our usual “troublemakers”. Some of them may have been in the…

1
124 - A.K. 47 - Conversation Piece 21:38

1y ago21:38

21:38

Kristen Ghodsee reads Cathy Porter's 1980 translation of Kollontai's 1922 short story, "Conversation Piece," about a woman having to choose between the man she loves romantically and the man she loves intellectually and spiritually. Mentioned in this episode: Listen to Kristen Ghodsee on the New York Times's Ezra Klein Show (also available on Spoti…

1
Hiatus announcement 1:24

1y ago1:24

1:24

We're going on hiatus for three main reasons: firstly life has gotten in the way, secondly our patreon wasn't sufficient to cover our costs, and finally solidarity with the Writers' Strike. We'd like to thank all of our listeners and contributors. We'll see you in the future! Music by Tryad

1
123 - A.K. 47 - A 1982 Review of Kollontai's "A Great Love" in the New York Times 19:29

1y ago19:29

19:29

Kristen Ghodsee reads an April 25, 1982 review of a [then] new English translation of Alexandra Kollontai's collection, "A Great Love," translated by Cathy Porter. Mentioned in this episode are: A list of utopian summer reading recommendations at Literary Hub.com. A new podcast interview at Revolutionary Left Radio. An excerpt of Everyday Utopia in…

1
122 - A.K. 47 - Bonus Episode - the Anti-Sexist Kollontai Vodka of Italy 16:25

1y ago16:25

16:25

Kristen Ghodsee reads an article about the creation in 2019 of the Kollontai Vodka Antisessista by a group of self-managed workers in Milan. Sales from this vodka are used to finance a autonomist literary cafe in Bari. The whole project is a wonderful example of the contemporary legacy of Kollontai and her continuing inspiration for feminists and a…

1
121 - A.K. 47 - "Alexandra Kollontay: The World's One Woman Ambassador" Part 2 19:45

1y ago19:45

19:45

Kristen Ghodsee reads the second half of a biographical article written by the American Katharine Anthony and published in The North American Review in September 1930. At this point in time, Kollontai was serving as the Soviet ambassador to Norway, and Katharine Anthony was introducing Kollontai to an American audience as a feminist and women's rig…

1
120 - A.K. 47 - "Alexandra Kollontay: The World's One Woman Ambassador" Part 1 19:42

1+ y ago19:42

19:42

Kristen Ghodsee reads the first half of a biographical article written by the American Katharine Anthony and published in The North American Review in September 1930. At this point in time, Kollontai was serving as the Soviet ambassador to Norway, and Katharine Anthony was introducing Kollontai to an American audience as a feminist and women's righ…

1
The Furies: Classical Goddesses of Vengeance with Eleni Giamarellou (St Andrews) 50:00

1+ y ago50:00

50:00

I am very happy to share this conversation with literary critic Eleni Giamarellou (@ElenGiamm). Join us as we dive into the exciting and terrifying world of classical mythology. Eleni's work pays special attention to the story of the Furies, goddesses of vengeance. We also discuss Aeschylus, a giant figure in greek tragedy, ritual, divinity as well…

1
#IWD: Stepford Daughters (Johanna Isaacson on horror feminism) 1:06:31

1+ y ago1:06:31

1:06:31

For International Women's Day Ani's chatting to guest Johanna Isaacson about horror feminism. We're particularly drawing on her recent book Stepford Daughters: Weapons for Feminists in Contemporary Horror (2022). You can find more of Jo's work for free at Blindfield Journal, and she runs the Facebook page/group Anti-capitalist feminists who love ho…

1
119 - A.K. 47 - Bonus Episode - Clara Zetkin on the Establishment of 8 March as International Communist Women's Day 19:47

1+ y ago19:47

19:47

To celebrate International Women's Day in 2023, Kristen Ghodsee reads an abridged version of Clara Zetkin's article on the official establishment of March 8 as International Communist Women's Day. The article is from International Press Correspondence, Vol. 2 No. 18, published on 8 March 1922. Clara Zetkin was the leader of the women's section of t…

1
118 - A.K. 47 - Alexandra Kollontai in Mexico 17:38

1+ y ago17:38

17:38

Kristen Ghodsee reads two news items about Alexandra Kollontai from December 25, 1926 and April 21, 1927, during the time that Kollontai served as the Soviet ambassador to Mexico. Ghodsee also shares some exciting news about her forthcoming book. Thanks so much for listening. This podcast has no Patreon account and receives no funding. If you would…

1
117 - A.K. 47 - The First Steps Towards the Protection of Motherhood 24:50

1+ y ago24:50

24:50

Kristen Ghodsee reads and discusses Alexandra Kollontai's 1918 essay, "The First Steps Towards the Protection of Motherhood." Kollontai saw motherhood as a "obligation" and "sacred duty" of women, and was very pro-natalist in her politics. But many of the policies she implemented between 1917 and 1918 reflected the desires of working women who atte…

1
116 - A.K. 47 - Kollontai Seizes the Alexander Nevsky Monastery for War Veterans 24:00

1+ y ago24:00

24:00

In this episode, Kristen Ghodsee speaks with professor Page Herrlinger at Bowdoin College about the political ramifications of Alexandra Kollontai's untimely seizure of the Alexandra Nesky monastery on January 19, 1918. As Commissar of Social Welfare, it was Kollontai's responsibility to find a place for the wounded soldiers returning from the fron…

1
Early Modern Melancholia with Emily Betz from St Andrews University. 39:20

1+ y ago39:20

39:20

I am thrilled to be bringing you this conversation with Emily Betz (@Emily_E_Betz). Emily is a cultural historian with a focus on the history of medicine, here we discuss her work on early modern melancholia. Emily also takes us through perceptions of this elusive decease over time and I wonder why it became known as 'the english decease'. Enjoy!…

1
115 - A.K. 47 - Bonus Episode - Should we put a value on friendship? 23:09

1+ y ago23:09

23:09

In this episode, Kristen Ghodsee and her daughter discuss the "value" of our relationships. Why is it an achievement to have a hundred thousand followers on social media (most of whom you will never know), but not an achievement to have ten really close friends? Thanks so much for listening. This podcast has no Patreon account and receives no fundi…

1
West German Sexual Revolutions and Socialist Feminism with Charlotte Oakes (St Andrews) 51:02

1+ y ago51:02

51:02

It is with great pleasure that I can introduce you to Charlotte Oakes. Charlotte is currently pursuing her masters in Modern History at St Andrews University. Her research focuses on West German feminism. In episode we discuss how sexual liberation may have hindered Germany's coming to terms with its past, what changed after the reunification and s…

1
Cannabis, Spain and 'histories of drugs' with Joshua Hill (St Andrews University) 40:30

1+ y ago40:30

40:30

I very happy to introduce you to drug historian Joshua Hill. Josh's main area of interest is cannabis use in Francoist Spain, but in this episode we also discuss interesting topics like how the cultural perception of drugs can change, social trends and the individual experience of people using drugs in the past. Thank you for listening to this fasc…

1
114 - A.K. 47 - Bonus Episode - 4th Anniversary Interview: "Self care is out; community care is in" 24:32

1+ y ago24:32

24:32

Kristen Ghodsee and her daughter discuss the what's in and out for the new year, including Kollontai, Kir Royale cocktails, and community care. Mentioned in the episode are Rebecca Amsellem's podcast, "The Method;" the Palgrave Handbook of Communist Women's Activists around the World, Sophie Lewis's new book, Abolish the Family, Liza Featherstone's…

1
Extended Reality with guest Lidia Grigorut 29:35

1+ y ago29:35

29:35

Lidia Grigorut guests to discuss extended reality: a term including virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality. We discuss possible futures, how political economy shapes technology, and what the heck is the deal with the MetaVerse. More info and a music-free version at jetpack1917.info

1
Where next for the women's movement 36:48

1+ y ago36:48

36:48

This is the final episode in this current series, and we’re trying something a little different. You may have heard some of your favourite podcasts doing live shows. This episode is our attempt at that although we did it a bit back to front. We ran the event – Where next for the women’s movement? - then decided to turn it into a podcast, so more pe…

1
“My British sense of pride comes from collective resistance” 24:42

1+ y ago24:42

24:42

Sonali Bhattacharyya is an award winning play write and screen writer. She is also one of the most prolific activists I have ever met, working with everyone from grassroots groups like Don’t Pay, organisers of the energy bill strike; to co-Chair of Momentum, a movement building popular support for socialist ideas and policies. Her writing and her a…

1
113 - A.K. 47 - "Russian Women Are Still Charming" 22:08

1+ y ago22:08

22:08

Kristen Ghodsee reads a 21 January 1923 piece from the New York Times. A labor leader from Seattle gives his impressions of women in Russia, including his attendance at the World Congress of Women held in Moscow. Discussed in this episode are the current protests against mandatory headscarves for women in Iran in the context of the Soviet campaign …

1
“It’s the first time I felt truly ungovernable” 18:41

1+ y ago18:41

18:41

Resistance was in Ziggy Melamed’s DNA, as both her parents were highly political. So it was no surprise she joined the Socialist Workers’ Party as a teenager. But she was restless, frustrated with the organisation's hierarchical structures. Then a protest in 1996 changed everything. In this fourth series of Rebel Women, we have partnered with the M…

1
112 - A.K. 47 - "Heroine of the Bolsheviki Upheaval In Petrograd" 20:20

1+ y ago20:20

20:20

In this episode Kristen Ghodsee reads a newspaper article from the periodical Current Opinion from 18 January 1918, just months after the Russian Revolution. The article, "Madame Kollontay: Heroine of the Bolsheviki Upheaval In Petrograd," is a profile of Kollontai by an American newspaper using Swiss sources. Much of the information is incorrect, …

1
“We were the feminist alternative to Jackie magazine.” 19:52

1+ y ago19:52

19:52

In the depths the Winter of Discontent, as the Women’s Liberation movement was crumbling, Jane Conor and a group of idealistic young women brought Shocking Pink into the world; a feminist fanzine, with a neon glow, that would grab the attention of everyone, from the BBC to The Sun. In this fourth series of Rebel Women, we have partnered with the Mu…

1
111 - A.K. 47 - Women Workers Struggle for Their Rights - Part 7 19:54

1+ y ago19:54

19:54

In this episode, Kristen Ghodsee finally finishes the second essay in the 1919 pamphlet, "Women Worker's Struggle for Their Rights," where Kollontai implicitly acknowledges the important work of bourgeois feminists in ensuring that socialist men took women's issues seriously. Thanks so much for listening. This podcast has no Patreon account and rec…

1
🎃 Horror we overlooked #3: 2000's-20's 🎃 1:02:00

1+ y ago1:02:00

1:02:00

🎃 Happy Halloween! 🧙‍♀️ In this finale, we conclude our reviews of horror we overlooked in last year's roundup of faves down the decades. We wrap up with recs from the 2000's-20's. Recs: Anything by Takashi Miike, Ginger Snaps (2000), Battle Royale (2000), In My Skin (2002), Three... Extremes (2004), Pontypool (2008), Thirst (2009), Death Note (200…

1
Horror we overlooked #2: 1980's-90's 1:49:42

1+ y ago1:49:42

1:49:42

Last year we picked favourite horror movies through the decades. This year we're reviewing horror we overlooked. In Part 2 of 3, we cover the 1980's-90's. Recs: Possession (1981), The Evil Dead (1981), Evil Dead II (1987), Mr Wrong (1984), Nightmare on Elm St (1984), plus documentaries Never Sleep Again: The Elm St Legacy (2010), Scream Queen: My N…

1
Horror we overlooked #1: 1970's 1:30:11

1+ y ago1:30:11

1:30:11

Ghosts, Nazis, and mutated bears! Oh my! Last Halloween we picked our favourite horror movies from each decade. However, any list of great horror movies will always be incomplete, so this year we're reviewing ones we overlooked. In the first of three parts, we review horror from the 1970's. Spoilers for the following: Multiple Maniacs (1970), The C…

1
“We didn’t stop racism but we made it fashionable to be an anti-racist” 22:37

1+ y ago22:37

22:37

Ruth Gregory’s grandmother was a suffragette, and her parents early members of CND. In 1976 she would make her own mark on the world, as she joined the Rock Against Racism collective. Using music, the group would change the cultural landscape of Britain. In this fourth series of Rebel Women, we have partnered with the Museum of Youth Culture to bri…

1
110 - A.K. 47 - Bonus Episode - Kollontai and College Sex - Part 2 17:32

1+ y ago17:32

17:32

After a three-month hiatus while she dealt with the aftermath of a nasty bout of COVID-19, Kristen Ghodsee returns for a two-part conversation with her daughter, who is now a junior at her university. These episodes explore questions of contemporary sexual politics on college campuses and whether Kollontai's work on "winged" and "wingless" eros can…

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