Workers' Lit

Epizodes

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  “The Works of Vermin,” or, The LGBTQ+ Community Does War Crimes. Ft. Maria Ingrade Mora. 17.08.2026 1h 25min

  This book is weird, and horny, and gnarly, and gross, and exciting, and an all around winner.Welcome to our discussion of “The Works of Vermin,” Hiron Ennes’ 2025 speculative fantasty slam dunk of a novel. Seriously, go buy this one. Go read it. The episode will still be here when you’re done.And we’re not alone! Maria Ingrade Mora, author of “A Wild Radiance” and many others joins us as we descend into this labyrinth of class, gender, angst, repression, and artistic agonies.Questions we discuss: Can art be a revolution? What makes a good plot twist work? Where is the line between effective and overwrought prose? Is it possible to get head so good you join a new political movement?Go check out Maria’s work and get a copy of “A Wild Radiance!”https://www.mariamora.net/Go support Workers’ Lit on Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/workerslit(Production Note: Lenore’s internet was a problem so she had to drop out of the episode midway through and we didn’t get any of her audio. As such there may be an occasional odd-sounding moment in the first half because we had to cut around Lenore. Apologies for any confusion this may create!)
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  “The Communist Manifesto,” Or: A Fun, Gay Little Intro to Marx 10.08.2026 1h 37min

  It’s the big one. Our most requested text ever. The spectre haunting Europe is now haunting our podcast.It’s 1848’s “The Communist Manifesto” from Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels!What are the origins of this earth shattering text? Where does it still hold up, and what needs adjusting for a modern context? Did Marx and Engels ever kiss? We discuss it all!If you ever wanted to learn about the foundation of communism but bounced off the age of the work or lack of context, this is perfect. And if you’re a certified Marx expert there’s still stuff to love. It’s a good episode!!Go support Workers’ Lit on Patreon!https://patreon.com/workerslitRead or listen to the Communist Manifesto yourself here, it’s not long!https://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/download/pdf/Manifesto.pdfhttps://www.marxists.org/audiobooks/archive/marx-engels/communist-manifesto/index.htm
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  "Communion: Finding My Way Back To Faith," or, Just Dance Vance 2, ft. AJ Ditty 03.08.2026 1h 45min

  We've returned to the dark abyss that is the mind of Just Dance Vance.AJ Ditty of The Worst of All Possible Worlds podcast joins us to take on Vice President JD Vance's newest book, "Communion: Finding my way back to faith." Vance tells us all how he totally became an authentic Catholic, definitely believes in God, and certainly isn't merely trying to set up a 2028 presidential run.Topics in this discussion include Vance's quirky millennial-ness, Vance as wife guy, the networks of money behind Vance, and some helpful tips to shut down anyone who tries to say this dude is worth your time.Link to our original episode on JD Vance (Hillbilly Elegy):https://open.spotify.com/episode/0MiUlc8fho79aP1twvVDDzCheck out The Worst of All Possible Worlds: https://www.patreon.com/WorstOfAllGet tickets to see AJ's play, "Heart of Duckness":https://portlandstage.my.salesforce-sites.com/ticket/#/events/a0SPa00000dFOunMAGGo support Workers' Lit on Patreon!https://patreon.com/workerslit
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  The Incandescent ft. Brandon Crilly 27.07.2026 1h 28min

  Grab your three-ringed binders, highlighters, and spellbooks, this week we're talking about "The Incandescent," a 2025 academia fantasy novel by Emily Tesh.We've got schools, and labor concerns, and demons, and bisexuality, and a fantastic guest: Brandon Crilly, author, organizer, and all around cool guy. You may know his novels, such as "Catalyst" and "Castoff," or perhaps his work on The Expanse RPG. Know him or not, you'll be a fan by the end of this episode!You can check out everything Brandon's up to here:https://linktr.ee/brandoncrillyGo support us on Patreon, where we release exclusive content such as author interviews (including an upcoming one with Brandon himself!)https://Patreon.com/workerslit
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  Angela Davis' "Women, Race, and Class." Ft. RevolutionaryTh0t 20.07.2026 1h 56min

  It’s time to talk about a true living legend: Angela Davis.Educational YouTuber and podcaster RevolutionaryTh0t joins us to talk about the life of one of the greatest thinkers and organizers of our time before we hop into the 1981 book, “Women, Race, and Class.”Fair warning, this book gets into the truly brutal American history of its three titular topics, so please be aware this episode features discussion of sexual and racial violence.RevolutionaryTh0t is a non-binary socialist trying to undo decades of Red Scare propaganda and get people to believe in themselves so we can build a better world - one in which the individual can come to full fruition. Check out their fantastic YouTube Channel, as well as the podcast “Half The Sky,” at the links below.https://www.youtube.com/@revolutionaryth0thttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/half-the-sky-podcast/id6786116578Go support us and get bonus content at our Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/workerslitListen to the eugenics episode of “Ill Conceived” referenced on the pod here:https://open.spotify.com/episode/6Y7D9TuIhTD10Awoa3ZdRr?si=akdhoPwvQ_WZWWYJT42ZWA
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  Use of Weapons by Iain M. Banks 13.07.2026 1h 53min

  Pull up a chair listeners, and heed the tale of a man named Zakalwe…This month’s listener-chosen episode is “Use of Weapons” by Iain M. Banks, a 1990 sci-fi novel and one of the most famous entries in “The Culture” series.Imagine an alien civilization so advanced that they spend all their time trying to help other species develop. Now imagine they have to recruit a mercenary to help them with extremely sticky situations. Now imagine that mercenary is the most obnoxiously try-hard faux cool jerk with deep-seated trauma surrounding cuck chairs.Imagine that and you’ve got this book.Want to suggest and help pick out future episode topics? Want access to weekly bonus content? Check out our Patreon!https://patreon.com/workerslit
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  Bonus Episode! "On Practice," ft. Rae of ProlesPod 10.07.2026 55min

  We are joined once again by Rae of the phenomenal ProlesPod, this time to discuss a deeply influential work of philosophy: Mao Zedong's 1937 essay, "On Practice."Perhaps one day we'll do our big Mao deep dive episode. This isn't that. Instead, this is a close look at a particular aspect of practical theory for changing the world...and regardless of your take on what came after, it cannot be denied the Chinese Communists were pretty damn effective at that whole, "changing the world thing." You can read or listen to the essay here:https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/mao/selected-works/volume-1/mswv1_16.htmhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86RIzuWVsYAGo check out ProlesPod! It's a podcast about history, politics, and culture...without the liberalism.https://prolespod.libsyn.com/Go check out Half The Sky, Rae and Lenore's other podcast for communist women (and women adjacent).https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/half-the-sky-podcast/id6786116578And finally, make sure you support us on Patreon!https://patreon.com/workerslit
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  Imperialism, The Highest Stage of Capitalism by Vladimir Lenin 06.07.2026 1h 31min

  Let's get into some THEORY (don't worry, we make it fun)!Lenore, Jacob, and Jen are discussing the revolutionary Vladimir Lenin's famous 1916 text, "Imperialism, The Highest Stage of Capitalism." Despite being more than 100 years old, this book feels deeply relevant in 2026...terrifyingly so.We talk about the life of Lenin, leader of the Bolsheviks, before going through the book chapter by chapter, showing how capitalism creates monopoly which chases after greater profits that eventually leads to imperialism and war. It's intense stuff, but it brings great clarity to the world we live in.The entire book is available here:https://www.marxists.org/archive/lenin/works/1916/imp-hsc/The USSR is a complex and divisive topic. If you're interested in a primer on Soviet history, check out this video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fb5grDNww6USupport us on Patreon!https://patreon.com/workerslitCheck out "Half The Sky!"https://podcasts.apple.com/ro/podcast/half-the-sky-podcast/id6786116578
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  Did I Shave My Legs For This? [Half The Sky Promo Episode] 01.07.2026 1h 38min

  Hey Lit Ladies and Lads (but especially ladies for this one!) Today's episode is episode three of a new show featuring both Jen Big Nasty and Lenore. Episodes of Half The Sky won't typically go up on the Workers' Lit feed, but we figured, why not give you a sample?Half the Sky is an attempt to provide a perspective often lacking from the podcast space: that of women (and women-adjacent folks). If and when those voices are present, they are quite often offset by their dude counterparts. And so (at least on the mic) HTS is a bro-free zone.Our hosts on this very special audio journey (in addition to Lenore and Jen) are Rae of ProlesPod, Luna Oi!, and Revolutionary Th0t.Episode three is a thoughtful yet approachable conversation about beauty standards. What does it look like to be objectified? Are there times that objectification can be leveraged beneficially? How do each of the hosts, with their very separate and unique experiences, view their relationship to what they were taught or socialized as children? Is Toe-Man good? Bad? Is advocating for Toe-Man liberalism? All of these questions and more are answered within...https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/half-the-sky-podcast/id6786116578Find the girlies elsewhereOn socials: Instagram.com/HalftheSkyPod(More are coming, we swear!) Lenore and Jen Big Nasty on Workers’ Lit: Patreon.com/WorkersLitRae on ProlesPod: Patreon.com/ProlesPodLuna Oi YT: Youtube.com/LunaOiRevolutionary Th0t YT: Youtube.com/@revolutionaryth0tJen Big Nasty on How the Red Was Won: Patreon.com/HowtheRedWasWon
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  Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin 29.06.2026 1h 42min

  We've had queer joy, it's time for some queer suffering.Jacob and Lenore dive into the life of one of the greatest to ever do it, the legendary James Baldwin. A pioneer, artist, and leader for Black liberation and Gay liberation alike, Baldwin is among the finest of all American writers and public intellectuals.First, we cover his life story, and incredible legacy. Then, we discuss his subversive and beautiful 1956 novel, "Giovanni's Room."What conditions create internalized homophobia, and where does it lead? How does one live as themselves in a world designed to destroy them? What protocol is necessary to handle a thicc baddie in jeans? All will be discussed.We need you to keep this show going! Please go support us on Patreon.www.patreon.com/workerslit
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  Important Announcement: Listen or Read Episode Description 24.06.2026 5min

  It's an important podcast announcement!Folks, the numbers don't lie. While we appreciate all the good feedback and interest we've received for our political/news episodes, Workers' Lit is very much a podcast about literature, first, foremost, and entirely.As such, we've elected to change what our release schedule looks like.We will be ending our Thursday news/politics episodes to double down on our weekly literature episode, which will still come out every Monday. We will alternate weeks, covering fiction and nonfiction with Aysha and Jen as third mic (along with, as always, Lenore and Jacob) respectively. But don't worry, our news and politics talk isn't going away entirely! For Patrons we will be releasing bonus content several times a month, including our monthly video episode, where we'll get into current political happenings, a monthly installment of Article Brain, where we'll lose our minds at the worst of the worst in modern article technology, regular author interviews, video game episodes, and more!We're sorry to anyone this may disappoint and hope you all continue to stay with us as we work to make Workers' Lit the very best podcast about books for hot, cool, gay, and/or working class people there's ever been.www.patreon.com/workerslit
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  The Mystery of The Bitten Peach 22.06.2026 1h 21min

  A lesbian bottom is on a time traveling adventure in ancient China. We know y’all love this stuff.It’s the most recent book we’ve ever covered: Cecilia Tan’s 2026 novella, “The Mystery of the Bitten Peach.” Follow a young woman with the power to travel through time navigate her feelings of disconnect with her culture, identity, and sexuality. It’s good. And it’s published by our friends at Neon Hemlock. Go get it!https://www.neonhemlock.com/books/bitten-peachSupport us on Patreon!www.patreon.com/workerslitSources and references in this episode:https://strangehorizons.com/wordpress/non-fiction/articles/interview-cecilia-tan/https://www.kaleidoscoperomance.com/post/interview-with-author-cecilia-tanhttps://www.ceciliatan.com/archives/landingpage/homehttps://open.spotify.com/episode/4tDXd9zABFy161jTFaO6zG?si=8YenxOcwSNe5-yli5PpWjQ
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  Iran, Elections, And Empire. A Conversation With Greg Stoker 18.06.2026 1h 14min

  Today we’re joined by Greg Stoker, anti-imperialist activist, journalist, host of the Colonial Outcasts podcast, and independent candidate for U.S. House Texas District 31.Greg talks to us about a range of topics such as his campaign, the role of veterans in liberation movements, Graham Platner’s whole deal, and the (possible?) end of the Iran War.Support Greg’s Campaign and check out his podcast below:https://www.stokerfortexas.com/https://m.youtube.com/@ColonialOutcastsSupport Workers’ Lit on Patreon!And keep an eye out for a new podcast project on women in the socialist movement from Lenore and Jen very soon!
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  Gregor the Overlander 16.06.2026 1h 15min

  We put out the call to Patreon, and Patreon answered! Patreon decided on today’s topic: Suzanne Collins’ 2003 middle grade fantasy novel, “Gregor the Overlander.”This is Suzanne’s first novel, and she gets into themes about poverty, futurelessness, family, war, and changing diapers. It’s cute! It’s good! You’ll like this one.To help choose future episode topics go check out our Patreon!Www.patreon.com/workerslit
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  Unity, Solidarity, Struggle: The Task of the American Left, ft. Black Red Guard 11.06.2026 1h 7min

  The American left has a LOT of work to do.We’re joined in this episode by Black Red Guard, an organizer with the DSA, YouTuber, and that guy who made the excellent “cracker control” tweet you’ve probably seen. BRG joins us for a vital conversation about the work ahead of any liberatory movement in the United States, how to build principled left unity, the American labor movement, the Iran war, and even the Knicks!Check out BRG’s YouTube and Twitter below!https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCpYZYH_1VTB9q8Leg0TrROAhttps://x.com/OGBlackRedGuardSupport Workers’ Lit on Patreon!
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  We Return To Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew 08.06.2026 1h 33min

  We’re talking about THE evangelical author once again. The man known as Jacksie, the drunken Inkling terror, the OG Christian furry, the most miserable convert in all of England. It’s C.S. Lewis!!In this episode we learn how all adventures in Narnia began as we cover the 1955 prequel, “The Magician’s Nephew.” Lewis will answer questions you never asked such as: where did the lamp post and wardrobe COME FROM? He has a hot evil woman that’s seven feet tall though, so he’s kind of cooking from time to time.If you want to hear our Lewis bio, check out our episode on “The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe” from two years ago. Apologies for the audio, but it’s good.We need your support! Go to www.patreon.com/workerslit and help us keep this show rolling. Every few bucks helps (and makes us very pleased indeed).
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  Let’s Talk About That Ballroom 04.06.2026 1h 10min

  Nothing says “declining empire” like an all-out show of ruling class decadence!In this episode Jen, Lenore, and Jacob discuss Trump’s increasingly wild vanity projects, Republican (and one very big and very dumb Democrat) attempts to defend them, and what it means to live in a country that couldn’t care less about its 250th birthday.Go support us on Patreon!Also, shout out to RXKNephew for his John Fetterman song, from which we have added tasteful snippets where appropriate.Sources for this episode:https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/the-white-house/https://www.foxnews.com/media/fetterman-why-he-supports-trumps-ballroom-his-shock-democrats-who-doubt-last-assassination-attempthttps://www.cnn.com/2026/06/01/politics/what-we-know-ufc-fight-white-househttps://www.cnbc.com/2026/05/30/trump-considers-dropping-freedom-250-concerts-in-dc-after-artists-pull-out.htmlhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Triumphal_Arch
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  On Queer Horror, with Cursed Morsels Press 01.06.2026 1h 4min

  Y’all loved the Neon Hemlock episode, so here’s yet another episode where we sit down with someone in weird, queer, independent publishing!Eric Raglin of Cursed Morsels press talks to us about why us queers love horror, the definition of antifascist art (and how it differs from/intersects with action), and the ongoing battle of writing versus slop.Go support Cursed Morsels’ incredible work below:https://cursedmorsels.com/Go support Workers’ Lit on Patreon here;www.patreon.com/workerslit
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  Hard Drive Mag Is Dead, Long Live GG Tribune! Ft. The GG Tribune Founders 29.05.2026 52min

  What do you do when the video game comedy website you write for is bought out and you stop getting paid and everything gets a lot worse?You start your own worker-run, people-first, video game comedy website that rules, that's what!We are joined by the founders of the GG Tribune to discuss the horrific behavior of the new owner of Hard Drive Magazine, their break from it, and the work they're doing to make actually cool stuff! This is a story of labor struggle, the fight for artistic autonomy, and of course...the battle for the narrative.Go support GG Tribune today!https://ggtribune.com/Also, don't forget to support Workers' Lit on Patreon!www.patreon/com/workerslit
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  Wallace Shawn's "The Fever," ft. Ethan (People's New Republic). 26.05.2026 1h 41min

  Yes, THAT Wallace Shawn wrote a play about reckoning with capitalism’s horrors as a privileged person in the imperial core. Written in 1990, it hits like a dozen punches to the gut.Ethan of People’s New Republic and The Sandcastle Business joins us to discuss his own staging of this show, the impacts it’s had on him, and the brutality of the challenge it poses.Listen to Ethan read the entirety of the play here:https://open.spotify.com/episode/4xJMz8zB5xbHHU1hFbifGb?si=0gEWZZLjTSeqJVrNzPnrAQCheck out the Workers’ Lit Patreon below!Www.patreon.com/workerslitCheck out Jacob’s guest appearance on People’s New Republic, alongside the show Sandcastle Business!https://open.spotify.com/episode/7LFMgtdTVjhnoed8eRbUjl?si=xpK7lfGwS8iFRMptdw4kyghttps://open.spotify.com/show/5Zys77kT2JBZPByOUXrvvZ?si=fxuUfUvmRDaG6MaYG4krXg