Workers' Lit

Imperialism, The Highest Stage of Capitalism by Vladimir Lenin 06.07.2026 1ч 31мин

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

Did I Shave My Legs For This? [Half The Sky Promo Episode] 01.07.2026 1ч 38мин

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

Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin 29.06.2026 1ч 42мин

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

Important Announcement: Listen or Read Episode Description 24.06.2026 5мин

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

The Mystery of The Bitten Peach 22.06.2026 1ч 21мин

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

Iran, Elections, And Empire. A Conversation With Greg Stoker 18.06.2026 1ч 14мин

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!

Gregor the Overlander 16.06.2026 1ч 15мин

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

Unity, Solidarity, Struggle: The Task of the American Left, ft. Black Red Guard 11.06.2026 1ч 7мин

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!

We Return To Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew 08.06.2026 1ч 33мин

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).

Let’s Talk About That Ballroom 04.06.2026 1ч 10мин

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

On Queer Horror, with Cursed Morsels Press 01.06.2026 1ч 4мин

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

Hard Drive Mag Is Dead, Long Live GG Tribune! Ft. The GG Tribune Founders 29.05.2026 52мин

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

Wallace Shawn's "The Fever," ft. Ethan (People's New Republic). 26.05.2026 1ч 41мин

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

How to Sell a Genocide ft. Adam Johnson 21.05.2026 1ч 12мин

Buy the book you goofballs you know you want to. Buy Adam Johnson's "How to Sell a Genocide: The Media's Complicity in the Destruction of Gaza" today! Brilliant media analyst and host of the "Citations Needed" podcast Adam Johnson joins the pod to discuss his book about the media's truly criminal coverage of Israel and Palestine, as well as the U.S. (and its proxies') relationship to the Middle East more generally.You listen to this podcast because we discuss the battle for narrative. This is that at its most quintessential.Check out Citations Needed!

The Virtu: Doctrine of Labyrinths Book 2 18.05.2026 1ч 18мин

How do you feel about gay trauma? How about getting disabled because of your annoying twink brother? How about some mild, one-sided incest? How about two of the best ladies in podcasting on their absolute A-game?If you answered yes to any of these questions, listen to our episode on Sarah Monette's 2006 fantasy novel, "The Virtu."If you want the backstory before you proceed, we did an episode (with the great Lee Mandelo!) on the first book in the series, "Melusine."For more fun content and to help us keep the lights on, go support us on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/WorkersLit

Are YOU a terrorist? It’s more likely than you think! 13.05.2026 1ч 14мин

The White House has rolled out a new counter-terrorism strategy. It’s nuts.Are you Muslim? How about trans? Are you an immigrant, or related to one? How about on the left in any way? How about opposed to fascism? If you answered yes to any of these questions, I’ve got bad news: you’re on the list.We get into Trump’s bizarre counter-terrorism czar, Sebastian Gorka, the narratives involved in justifying “pre-crime” arrests, and the need to kick this nonsense in the teeth ASAP.Also, a tangent on Chick-Fil-A lemonade and respecting the troops.Go support us on Patreon!Links mentioned in episode:https://open.substack.com/pub/kenklippenstein/p/insane-pre-crime-strategy-unveiledhttps://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-USCT-Strategy-1.pdfhttps://thegrayzone.com/2024/11/25/sebastian-gorka-british-intelligence-asset/amp/

The Dispossessed 11.05.2026 1ч 46мин

It’s our first Patron chosen episode! Shout out to all who submitted and voted, especially Dark Jackal who submitted Ursula K. Le Guin’s 1974 work of political sci-fi, “The Dispossessed.”Want to suggest and vote on an episode for next month? Become a Patron and support our work!Imagine an imperfect but noble anarchist utopia in space, now imagine it’s orbiting a capitalist world. Can you imagine trouble ensuing? You should, because it does.In this episode we get into the brilliant life and work of one of the greatest sci-fi writers of all time, discuss how chairs can make you horny, look at the sexism/bigotry that can crop up in leftist circles, and ask ourselves: is it gay to hook up with your homie for a single decad?

The Everything Episode. Also Available in Video! 07.05.2026 1ч 23мин

We’re gonna shoot straight: we had a guest drop out a few hours before we recorded. So we made the best of it, turned on our webcams, and talked about…everything.The MET Gala, Cuba, King of the Hill, Final Fantasy, the Supreme Court, Iran, Being Gay. All of it.We decided to make a video episode out of this, which you can watch on our Youtube. If you want more video episodes of us chatting (and answering your questions!) go support us on Patreon!patreon.com/cw/WorkersLit

Dengue Boy, ft. Vajra Chandrasekera 04.05.2026 1ч 24мин

What if you were a giant mosquito in a climate hell future, and the mosquito was trans, and the trans mosquito destroyed the stock market and also a school bully, and the school bully possessed a VR headset that allowed him to be the guy that runs the stock market, and the guy that runs the stock market is responsible for your mosquito-fication, so you have to confront him as you bring about a new mosquito-themed age of the earth?Welcome to Michel Nieva’s 2025 novel, “Dengue Boy,” translated by Rahul Bery.Joining us to dive into this strange and rich text is author of “The Saint of Bright Doors” and “Rakesfall,” Vajra Chandrasekara. Together we will unpack just what it means to confront your inner trans revolutionary mosquito as the world burns.Learn more about Vajra’s work and buy his books here!We have a Patreon! Sign up to support us and get cool bonus content here!

Bonus Author Interview: Joe Kassabian and “The Highlands Burn” 01.05.2026 56мин

It’s time for more BONUS CONTENT!We are joined by host of the “Lions Led By Donkeys” podcast, Joe Kassabian, to discuss his upcoming gunpowder fantasy novel, “The Highlands Burn.”What is gunpowder fantasy? Where are all the Armenians in sword and sorcery? How do you build an interesting magic system? All this and more in this fantastic interview!Pre-order “The Highlands Burn”Listen to Lions Led By DonkeysBecome a Workers’ Lit patron!