From Socialist Streamers to Scholars (with Cole Costello)

Alex sits down with Cole Costello, a PhD candidate at the University of Montana, to unpack the idea of “political pilgrims” and how ideology shapes where people go—and what they see. The conversation dives into the state of left-wing politics in the U.S., from online spaces to real-world activism, using figures like Hasan Piker as a case study. They explore the recent controversy around Piker’s trip to Cuba, where he joined a leftist convoy that drew backlash for perceived performative activism amid the country’s economic crisis. From streamers to scholars, the episode examines whether modern political movements are building solidarity—or just new kinds of spectacle.