Revolutions of Our Time

In this episode of Revolutions of Our Time, the boys take a look a the first 100 days of Zoran Mamdani's mayoralty of New York City. We look at his successes, the headline figures, and the issues which are likely to face him as he continues in the role.The episode largely chases Mamdani's celebratory speech where he highlights what his office has been working on, and what they're hoping to work on in the future. --Thanks to Johnnie for our cover art. Thanks to AudioCoffee on SoundCloud for our theme music.

In our third episode on Iran, Sam and Adam discuss the events leading up to and following the 1979 Revolution and how these created the conditions necessary for what is happening today.This time period saw Iran transform from an ally to the United States and Israel, to part of the "Axis of Evil" described by George W. Bush in 2002. We look at how a broad coalition of anti-Shah protestors became the Islamic Revolution, and how the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps took total control of the country. We also look at Irans nuclear ambitions, strategies to disarm the country, and how the current US administration destroyed those agreements, leading them to escalate into the brutal bombardment we see today.--Thanks to Johnnie for our cover art. Thanks to AudioCoffee on SoundCloud for our theme music.

In this episode of Revolutions of Our Time, the boys look at the history of Iran, from the earliest days of the country to the 1970s, prior to the Islamic Revolution. This is a lot of history to cover, but it's vital for understanding why Iran has so often been in the sights of various empires, looking to tap its precious resources and strategic location.We've split this episode into two parts, because the Islamic Revolution is the precursor for the US and Israel's bombardment of the country today. The book that Adam couldn't remember the name of was The Art of Not Being Governed by James Scott. --Thanks to Johnnie for our cover art. Thanks to AudioCoffee on SoundCloud for our theme music.

Welcome back to another episode of Revolutions of Our Time. In this episode, the boys discuss the situation that has emerged over the last ten days in Iran. We try to unpick what has actually happened in Iran, what American and Israeli interests in Iran are, some consequences of the initial conflict, and we try to take some guesses at what happens next.In the next episode, we'll look at the storied history of Iran through the 20th century, to try and understand how we got here in the first place.This is an ongoing crisis, and we'll update our socials with news of any protests we hear about to keep you informed about where you can make your voice heard.--Thanks to Johnnie for our cover art. Thanks to AudioCoffee on SoundCloud for our theme music.

In this episode, the boys discuss some of the protests around the winter olympics. They discuss:Whether athletes representing their country means they carry responsibility for doing soWhether sports can be apoliticalThe responsibility of the Olympics to host communitiesThe Olympics as a stage for geopoliticsUnusual doping methodsStay safe, look after each other, and keep fighting the good fight. --Thanks to Johnnie for our cover art. Thanks to AudioCoffee on SoundCloud for our theme music.

Welcome to another episode of Revolutions of Our Time. In this episode, the boys discuss what's been happening in Minneapolis. It's not a light topic, but it's important to try to understand. This episode covers:Historical comparisons between ICE and the GestapoWhy ICE is (ostensibly) occupying MinneapolisThe killings of René Good and Alex PrettiHow people are fighting back.As promised in the episode, here is the link to Teen Vogue's article on ICE Watch. Stay safe, look after each other, and keep fighting the good fight. --Thanks to Johnnie for our cover art. Thanks to AudioCoffee on SoundCloud for our theme music.

Welcome to the first episode of 2026! In this episode the boys recap some of the protest and revolutions that happened in the latter half of 2025 and in the earliest days of 2026. At the end of the episode, Adam gives some rapid-fire predictions on the geopolitical bingo card for the coming year. With Adam's track record on predictions, assume that what will happen is the opposite of what he guessed. --Thanks to Johnnie for our cover art. Thanks to AudioCoffee on SoundCloud for our theme music.

Hello and welcome to another episode of Revolutions of Our Time!In this episode, we discuss Zohran Mamdani and how he came to win the New York mayoral election. We look at his up-bringing and consider how this may have affected his campaign. We look at the role of social media and how Mamdani chose to engage with it, seeing if we can tease some lessons for supposedly "left" politicians in the US and UK. And we look at what is an important level of social proof of one's commitment to the cause. We even have a brief update following Mamdani and Trump's meeting in the oval office. If you can't make it the Big Apple, stop here for your Mamdani fix!--Thanks to Johnnie for our cover art. Thanks to AudioCoffee on SoundCloud for our theme music. Thanks to freesound_community on Pixabay for audio effects.

Welcome to another episode of Revolutions of Our Time! In this episode, Sam and Adam discuss the UAE. This whole country is a master class in marketing. The unbelievable wealth of the Emirates has bought them an outsized influence in the world, allowing them to purchase football teams, build unbelievably tall skyscrapes, and cover up their role in the ongoing genocide in Sudan. The boys not only discuss how the UAE has successfully laundered its reputation, but discuss how to resist the country when they so successfully done so. The BDS movement might get you to stop drinking a Coca Cola, but could it stop you from supporting Man City? Ultimately, they argue the success of this might hinge on convincing people of something that they, in their hearts, know to be true: Dubai sucks.--Thanks to Johnnie for our cover art. Thanks to AudioCoffee on SoundCloud for our theme music.

Welcome to another episode of Revolutions of Our Time! In this episode, Sam and Adam discuss resistance to Donald Trump's regime, especially in terms of what Sam has seen at No King's Protests. We also cover some of the more energetic resistance to ICE, legal action against the Trump administration, and snarky Democrat Gavin Newsom.Congratulations to Zohran Mamdani on his win in New York. Our thoughts on him were cut from this episode awaiting an episode dedicated to him shortly!--Thanks to Johnnie for our cover art. Thanks to AudioCoffee on SoundCloud for our theme music. Thanks to freesound_community on Pixabay for audio effects.

Welcome to another episode of Revolutions of Our Time! In this episode, we discuss the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This was born of the Post-War era and was a promise of dignity, justice, and a better world for all. But today, in an age of mass surveillance, rising authoritarianism, and collapsing social contracts, that promise feels more like a stain on the conscience of global power. So today, we're asking the fundamental question: In 1948, the world promised us universal human rights, so why does it feel like we're still waiting for the delivery of that promise? What happened to the promise of universal human rights?Today we're diving in to see what we pull from this declaration from 1948, what we can and should be applying today, and provide a bit of a critique from the Leftist perspective.--Thanks to Johnnie for our cover art. Thanks to AudioCoffee on SoundCloud for our theme music.

Welcome to a mini episode of Revolutions of Our Time. In this brief episode, we look at the Gaza Peace Plan, provide a summary, and take a little look at some of the dangers and implications. Tune in next week for your regularly scheduled programming!--Thanks to Johnnie for our cover art. Thanks to AudioCoffee on SoundCloud for our theme music.

Hello and welcome to another episode of Revolutions of Our Time! In this episode we examine general strikes and how they helped to bring about regime change in Czechoslovakia, end some unpopular laws in India, and secure naval protection for the Sumud Flotilla (albeit temporarily). We look at what they have in common, why they were effective, and, as always, try to tease out some lessons for the future.NOTE: This episode was recorded before the interception of the flotilla by Israel. An update has been provided. Also at one point Adam said the Czechoslovakia was part of the Soviet Union, when I meant Soviet sphere of influence. He extends his sincere apologies for this.--Thanks to Johnnie for our cover art. Thanks to AudioCoffee on SoundCloud for our theme music. Thanks to freesound_community on Pixabay for audio effects.

Welcome to another episode of Revolutions of Our Time, part two of our episode on the Taiping Rebellion! In part two, Sam and Adam look at what happened after Hong Xiuquan conquered Nanjing. This included the intervention of foreign powers like the British and French for the right to sell opium, rampant starvation and slavery, and Hong Xiuquan, a would-be Plato, starting to act like the emperor he overthrew.This isn't the traditional kind of rebellion we cover, but there are still lessons to be drawn from this period of history, including what not to do and the tactics of imperial foreign powers. This episode draws heavily on God's Chinese Son: The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom of Hong Xiuquan by Jonathan Spence and Autumn in the Heavenly Kingdom: China, the West, and the Epic Story of the Taiping Civil War by Stephen Platt. Check them out to find out more!--Thanks to Johnnie for our cover art. Thanks to AudioCoffee on SoundCloud for our theme music.

Welcome to another episode of Revolutions of Our Time! In this episode, we take a look at the early like of Hong Xiuquan who, after failing his bureaucratic exams, proclaimed himself to be the younger brother of Jesus Christ. This proclamation led to the deaths of 20 - 30 million people and remains the second deadliest conflict in history after the Second World War.Sam and Adam examine fascinating area of history to see what, if any, lessons we can draw around protest, rebellion, and the conditions which lead to them.This episode draws heavily on God's Chinese Son: The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom of Hong Xiuquan by Jonathan Spence and Autumn in the Heavenly Kingdom: China, the West, and the Epic Story of the Taiping Civil War by Stephen Platt. Check them out to find out more!--Thanks to Johnnie for our cover art. Thanks to AudioCoffee on SoundCloud for our theme music.

Hello dear listener! Another mini episode this week as we work on a much longer episode about the Taiping Rebellion. Instead, find this. brief summary of recent protests in Indonesia, France, the UK, and Nepal that we are watching with interest.Stay safe, look out for each other, and keep fighting the good fight. ---Thanks to Johnnie for our cover art. Thanks to AudioCoffee on SoundCloud for our theme music. Thanks to freesound_community on Pixabay for audio effects.

Welcome back to another episode of Revolutions of Our Time! In this episode, we discuss the degree to which Christ can be considered as a proto-socialism figure, and how a Marxist perspective and ideology and be complimentary with certain religious traditions as a liberatory force. Ultimately, we are talking about Liberation Theology. Liberation theology focuses on using theology and religion as a tool to liberate the oppressed, and is often directly counter to official Church doctrine. Liberation Theology never fully embraced Marxism, but did borrow tenets from it, leading to challenges when butting up against formal religious structures. ----Thanks to Johnnie for our cover art. Thanks to AudioCoffee on SoundCloud for our theme music.

Welcome to another episode of Revolutions of Our Time! In this episode, recorded on 24 August 2025, we are looking at some current events. Specifically, we take an in-depth look at the protests which have been rocking Serbia since November 2024. The protests were sparked following the collapse of the canopy of a train station in Novi Sad, Serbia. Quickly, however, the protests became about the deeper systemic issues in Serbian governance. In this episode we look at the context around these protests, how they have developed and where they might go in the future. This is the first episode dedicated to looking at the unfolding of on-going protests in-detail, and gave us both some insight for how to cover on-going protests in future!--Thanks to Johnnie for our cover art. Thanks to AudioCoffee on SoundCloud for our theme music.

Welcome back to Revolutions of Our Time! This episode is something of an unintentional Part 2 for our episode on The Word for World Is Forest. In this episode, we take a look at the importance of fiction for shaping the future, for better or for worse. In this episode we look at:The meaning of Solar PunkHow politics grew out of an aestheticThe necessity of hopeThe dangers of having appropriable aestheticsHow the right has weaponised artWe end the episode by looking at actions you can take to build solar punk ideals and incorporate them into your life. And we hope you do!---Thanks to Johnnie for our cover art. Thanks to AudioCoffee on SoundCloud for our theme music.

Welcome back to a very special episode of Revolutions of Our Time!In this episode, we welcome Ike Ndolo. Ike is a Catholic worship music leader who was really at the forefront of the Catholic Church's revitalization to win over the hearts and minds of the youth.Ike lives a life in protest. A devout man, Ike has spoken out against the the right wing populism which has engulfed America, especially in Church circles. Ike is a vocal supporter of Palestine and has lost work because of this. Nevertheless, he remains determined to speak out for justice. Earlier this year, Ike released a song called God in the Rubble, a powerful and raw take on what's happening in Gaza. At various times in the song he is speaking to the people of Gaza, but also to the people of the United States, trying to rally those in Church communities to his cause. Thanks so much to Ike for coming on; we had a fantastic time speaking to him! He was a great guest and a great sport. We look forward to speaking to him again in the future.If you want to hear more from Ike, you can find him on instagram: @ikendoloThanks to Johnnie for our cover art. Thanks to AudioCoffee on SoundCloud for our theme music.

Welcome to another episode of Revolutions of Our Time! In this episode, we look at the fictional revolution which takes place in Ursula K. Le Guin's The Word for World Is Forest in which humans are attempting to colonise the water and forest world of Athshe, destroying the environment and brutalising the natives in their wake.As part of this, we look at how fiction can serve as a model for analysing reality, and, within that, how colonisation impacts both the colonisers and the colonised. Content warning, this episode discusses fiction and contains reference to assault and sexual violence in the context of that fiction. Apologies for some janky audio in this episode. We are working to improve it in future.Thanks to Johnnie for our cover art. Thanks to AudioCoffee on SoundCloud for our theme music. Thanks to freesound_community on Pixabay for audio effects.

Welcome back to another episode of Revolutions of Our Time! In this episode, we look at various protest movements that took place in the first half of 2025. We start looking in December 2024 at the revolutions in Syria and Luigi Mangione's alleged assassination of Brian Thompson. We take a look at martial law in South Korea, elections in Germany and Canada, anti ICE protests, anti-corruption protests in Togo and Kenya, and Pro-Palestinian action across the world. We celebrate successes in Mongolia, the disarmament of the PKK, and the mass demonstrations in Serbia.We look forward to seeing all that excites us and scares us for the second half of 2025!Thanks to Johnnie for our cover art. Thanks to AudioCoffee on SoundCloud for our theme music.

Hello dear listener! Unfortunately due to some technical issues, your regularly scheduled programme couldn't come out on time this week, so Adam recorded this mini episode as a consolation. In honour of Amsterdam Pride, Adam gives a very brief history of Pride, including a notable tactic developed by the Gay Activist Alliance, and how Amsterdam Pride is different from some of the movements. Apologies for the shorter episode and thank you for your understanding.Thanks to Johnnie for our cover art. Thanks to AudioCoffee on SoundCloud for our theme music. PS Adam forgot to press publish apologies 🙃

Welcome to the second of our two-part series about Pope Francis!In this episode, we look at Francis' papacy. Francis never declared himself a revolutionary, but his papacy was full of small rebellions that made the Vatican uneasy and emboldened movements on the margins. From displaying himself unadorned and dressed in white, to bringing food to the rough sleepers of Rome, to complimenting Fidel Castro on his healthcare reforms, to condemning unfettered capitalism, Francis seemed to strive for a life dedicated to the poor and working-class - something which can not be said of every Pope throughout history. But the Francis is not without his criticisms, and he has now shuffled off this mortal coil, leaving the institution of the Church behind. In this episode, we question the impact of Francis. We ask whether protest rooted in care and symbolic acts can be effective, or whether these movements are too easily absorbed by the institution of which they are a part. Can protest from within ever be revolutionary? And what do we do now that we have an American Pope?!Join us as we explore these questions on the latest episode of Revolutions of Our Time!Thanks to Johnnie for our cover art. Thanks to AudioCoffee on SoundCloud for our theme music.

Welcome to another episode of Revolutions of Our Time, the first of a two-part episode on Pope Francis!In this episode, we discuss Jorge Mario Bergoglio's early life and his ascendancy to Bishop of Rome. We discuss what it means to resist, and whether someone someone working quietly behind the scenes gets to claim they are resisting, or whether silence in the face of oppression always equals complicity. And, once you have quietly resisted and worked your way up the ranks, perhaps even to the pinacle of power, can you continue to resist? This is part one of a two-part series on the reign of Pope Francis. In part two, we discuss how much responsibility the leader of the church really holds. The Catholic Church is 2,000 years old. How much can even the most ardent reformer do?Thanks to Johnnie for our cover art. Thanks to AudioCoffee on SoundCloud for our theme music.

Welcome back to Revolutions of Our Time!In this episode we discuss Greta Thunberg and how it was that she came to assume her leadership position within the environmental movement. It seems that this wasn't exactly something she sought out, but rather something that emerged as a media phenomenon based on her perceived Moral Authority. You might have noticed that until her participation in the Freedom Flotilla, the media had stopped talking about Greta Thunberg. Why is that? In this episode, we consider this question as well as others including:What are the benefits and risks of a movement having a figurehead?What does the reaction to Greta’s turn to Palestine tell us about how to organise our protests?What is the value of sticking to a single cause? Is there any validity to Greta’s criticism for turning to Palestine and other issues?Thanks to Johnnie for our cover art. Thanks to AudioCoffee on SoundCloud for our theme music.

Welcome back to another episode of Revolutions of Our Time! In this episode, we talk about Martin Luther, his 95 theses, and how the Catholic Church lost its total dominance over Europe.We spend some time looking at the historical context around Luther, such as:The Divine Right of KingsThe excesses of the medieval churchThe time when there were three Popes who all excommunicated each otherAssassins Creed BrotherhoodThe printing pressInstitutional corruptionWe discuss the protestant uprisings themselves and ponder the question, "can a movement survive when its most visible leaders pull back from the cause?"Also, Adam learns what Episcopalianism is. To find out more about the protest which shattered Europe and paved the way for much of the modern world, check out this episode!Thanks to Johnnie for our cover art. Thanks to AudioCoffee on SoundCloud for our theme music.

Welcome to the second episode outside of our preseason! In this episode we are talking about how Amsterdam became the cycling city that it is today.Not only is this topic a fascinating microcosm of Dutch politics, but it illustrates a point which we have made a few times on the podcast: the importance of knowing your role. Dutch cycling protests brought together activists, theatrics, urban planners, social scientists, and electoral politics to bring about lasting change - a change which is now, perhaps, suffering from it's own success. If you, too, want to ride your bicycle, check out this latest episode of Revolutions of Our Time!Thanks to Johnnie for the cover art. Thanks to AudioCoffee on SoundCloud for our theme music. Sorry to anyone who got the previous version of this where I uploaded the wrong file!

Welcome to the final episode of the pre-season! In this episode, Sam and Adam discuss why this podcast takes a left-wing perspective, and try to clear up some confusion about the Left which are prevalent.In this episode, we discuss:Our personal journeys to the leftWhy the way out of this mess lies in leftwing solutionsVarious terminology around left and left-of-centre ideologiesSocialist successes throughout historyAnd, as always, have a little laugh along the way.Thanks to Johnnie for our cover art. This episode was recorded in March 2025.

In this episode, Sam and Adam discuss the tactics by which revolutions are suppressed. In looking at the ways in which power fights back against protest, or works to prevent protests, we can understand where their power comes from, and how we act to counteract this power. This episode is theory heavy, but also full of tips for how you can find your role within a cause that is close to your heart.Episode recorded late January 2025.

Why is it that the Youth so often seem to be at the forefront of protests? Is it simply that they have more time?In this episode Sam and Adam discuss the role of the youth in protests. They talk about how the youth can bring creativity and energy, and also the risks of having youth at the helm (not least of which that eventually, they will no longer be young).They also dance around an all important and damning question: do Sam and Adam still count as young?This episode was recorded in January 2025.

In this episode, Sam and Adam discuss the different forms of protest, and how they can be effective in different contexts. This episode highly focuses on the concept of alienation, explaining what it is and why solidarity is the solution, theories of direct action (e.g., sit-ins, strikes) vs. symbolic protest, and the value of protest for community and individuals. We also briefly talk about the jacking of protests (i.e., how to spot an undercover cop (skinny jeans)), and take a little dive into theory, looking at Gramsci’s concept of hegemony and the importance of counter-narratives in challenging dominant power structures. Sources for this episodes are available here.

This episode, recorded in November, is not a part of the pre-season, but is an engagement with specific protests in the style are aiming for moving forwards. In this episode, we examine Just Stop Oil. We look at their aims, their tactics, and controversies. Questions to consider include:What do we think about defacing works of art and culture as a tactic within protest movements?What can be vindicated by history?When is it appropriate to criticise tactics?What would be the alternative to Just Stop Oil’s tactics?This was recorded prior to Just Stop Oil announcing an end to Direct Action. We'll have to do a follow up!

Today, we attempt to speedrun the history of every revolution, ever. Or a lot of them, at least. In practice, we start in the 16th century and move forwards from there. As a project to give a leftist context to the world we're in, it's ambitious. But we nevertheless hope you enjoy! This episode was recorded in January 2025.

This episode was recorded in December 2024. Welcome to the first episode of Revolutions of Our Time! If you're feeling a little disheartened at the state of the world and want to understand how to drive change for the better, well, us too. This podcast exists to examine progressive social movements, their successes and their failures, and to tease out interesting lessons to take away with us.We're starting out with a little pre-season where we talk about protests in the abstract, as well as give an outline for how our episodes are going to work moving forwards. In this episode, we talk about the role of class struggle and material conditions in shaping society, we touch on historical materialism and why we're interested in theory alongside practice, and we have a shot at answering two questions: why then? Why now?