Unpopular Front artwork

Unpopular Front

85 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 3 years ago - ★★★★★ - 7 ratings

Join Ben Udashen and friends as they examine society and politics. It's a voice for the Left and Loud.

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Episodes

NEW SHOW – Red Diaper Baby

September 26, 2020 21:52 - 1 hour - 62.3 MB

Hello all. I hope you all weren’t waiting around on the website for the past month waiting for another Unpopular Front. I started a new show with my nanny friend Brynn Platt talking about childcare and socialism. If you like this episode, go on over to RDBshow.com and subscribe on your preferred medium! Thanksssssss

Zoomer Groomer Behavior w/ River Page and Quinn Albright (8.19.20)

August 19, 2020 14:39 - 55 minutes - 54.7 MB

Talking about the Alex Morse saga, gay sex panic, middle class leftism vs. working class solidarity, and more with River Page (@leftyotter) and Quinn Albright (@itsquinnmydude). Read River’s piece in Twink Revolution about Alex Morse and Gay Sex Panics here. For More Episodes go to UnpopularFront.com or subscribe on your favorite podcast player. Follow Ben […]

Pandemic Powergrab w/Rob Larson (8.7.20)

August 07, 2020 19:01 - 1 hour - 42.1 MB

Checking in on our economy with Rob Larson form Current Affairs and Haymarket Books. Also: Kwame Ture’s socialism and universality. unpopularfront.com

Perpetually Correct (7.30.20)

July 30, 2020 20:08 - 1 hour - 73.3 MB

Always right, perfect in all things, and pure. With Jeff Barrois. www.unpopularfront.com facebook.com/unpopularfront

Michael Brooks and the Coming of Spring

July 22, 2020 23:26 - 1 hour - 94.2 MB

Remembering one of the greats with Jeff Barrois Please consider giving a donation in Michael’s name to the Wildfire Project

Conflict Averse, but War Prone w/ Joshua Kahn Russell (7/13/20)

July 13, 2020 13:00 - 1 hour - 90.5 MB

Speaking with veteran organizer, activist, and director of the Wildfire Project, Joshua Kahn Russell about the current wave of political action, co-optation, strategy, and spiritual balance. One of my favorite episodes yet. Also: Open letters? Close that tab, bro. Support the Wildfire project at http://wildfireproject.org/

Professionalized and Dumber Than Ever (7.4.20)

July 04, 2020 14:36 - 1 hour - 126 MB

What better way to commemorate Independence Day than by shitting on America’s favorite public service: The Police. Check out Brian’s show Seattle Sucks at seattle.sucks

Season 3 (6.25.20)

June 26, 2020 16:35 - 1 hour - 107 MB

Talking uprisings, police defunding, and elections with Jeff Barrois from Good Morning Comrade

Sibling Spouse (3.29.20)

March 29, 2020 19:02 - 1 hour - 80.5 MB

More Coronacasting: Joe Biden and Times Up, Movement vs. Elite Politics, and what you call a genderqueer sister wife. patreon.com/unpopularfront unpopularfront.com

“You Should Smile More” w/ Ari Robbins Green (3.25.20)

March 24, 2020 04:01 - 1 hour - 93.5 MB

Back with Chip Guy and my original podcast pal Ari. Talking babies and Coronavirus, the Elizabeth Warren question, civility, and becoming a Karen to convert the Karens. Music: my high school band, Rounds. We were really good. Check out more at Unpopularfront.com Follow Ben on Twitter @marxistmanny Patreon.com/unpopularfront

YidPol w/ Haley Brown (3.15.20)

March 15, 2020 19:14 - 1 hour - 104 MB

Back at it talking the presidential primary, civility, queer politics, Charlotte Clymer, and the power of (Jewish) love. Music: My highschool indie band, Yung Chomsky, and me in my 30s.

It’s 2020, I’m Trying To Cut Social Security (1.21.20)

January 21, 2020 14:05 - 40 minutes - 46.4 MB

It’s 1995, I’m Trying To Cut Social Security It’s 2010, I’m Trying to Cut Social Security It’s 2020, I’m Trying To Cut Social Security

Primordial Drama (1.18.20)

January 18, 2020 22:13 - 46 minutes - 53.1 MB

Election DRAMA and liberals trying to own the left with race science.

Quitin’ Squishin’ (12.26.19)

December 27, 2019 01:00 - 34 minutes - 39.3 MB

A few New Years resolutions are on the docket today.

Radical History For All, Part 2 w/ Harvey J Kaye (12.20.19)

December 20, 2019 19:18 - 46 minutes - 52.8 MB

Part 2 of my conversation with the incredible Harvey J Kaye. Also: Responding to Gen Z Maoists about the military. unpopularfront.com

Radical History For All, Part 1 w/ Harvey J Kaye (12.16.19)

December 16, 2019 10:00 - 1 hour - 73.6 MB

I am beyond pleased to release the first Unpopular Front two part episode with the incredibly smart and kind Prof. Harvey J. Kaye! We had so much good material we’re gonna need another episode. Talking about American radical politics from Paine to Lincoln to King and beyond. Check out Harvey’s newest book “Take Hold Of […]

Guys Being Dudes w/ Matthew Hodges (12.9.19)

December 09, 2019 15:40 - 1 hour - 77.2 MB

Talking masculinity, gender wars, and plains politics with Matthew Hodges (@mattthegweat on Twitter). For more episodes go to unpopularfront.com Follow Ben on Twitter @marxistmanny facebook.com/unpopularfront.

KHive Therapy (12.4.19)

December 04, 2019 17:31 - 31 minutes - 36.1 MB

Talking about why people are defensive about therapy, why it’s good, and how it could be better. Also, Kamala Harris is truant in the 2020 primary.

Robotos Bolivianos w/ Justin Ward (11.25.19)

November 25, 2019 11:00 - 44 minutes - 51 MB

Talking media coverage, pro-coup bots, and Bolivia with Justin Ward (@justward). How has media coverage changed with technology? Who is benefitting from a military coup in Bolivia? How can Americans think about Latin America beyond immigration? TALK TO YOUR FAMILY ABOUT THIS AT THANKSGIVING. Twitter: @marxistmanny facebook.com/unpopularfront more episodes at Unpopularfront.com Music: WUME

Abolishing Silicon Valley w/ Wendy Liu (11.18.19)

November 18, 2019 16:27 - 53 minutes - 61.7 MB

Talking tech industry with the great Wendy Liu (@dellsystem). Is the tech industry bringing us to the new society, or bringing us back to the 19th century? Who is a worker in the tech economy? Check out her upcoming book “Abolish Silicon Valley” out in 2020 on Repeater Books! facebook.com/unpopularfront Twitter.com/marxistmanny unpopularfront.com Music by WUME […]

South Park Centrists and #JEDKH (11.14.19)

November 14, 2019 17:51 - 36 minutes - 41.3 MB

Culture Warrior, reporting for duty! First up: Talking about some of the pitfalls of pop culture analysis for politics around South Park. Then, why ceding ground to the right around Jeffery Epstein would be political malpractice. Twitter: @marxistmanny www.unpopularfront.com patreon.com/unpopularfront

OK, Coup’er (11.11.19)

November 11, 2019 19:57 - 31 minutes - 35.9 MB

A Latin American coup shows how our anti-fascism has to be international, and how OK Boomer is not a slur, but also kind of limited beyond memes. Twitter: @marxistmanny Music: WUME and Omnigrad

Beating The Gentry (11.06.19)

November 06, 2019 20:37 - 21 minutes - 24.2 MB

Reflections on Seattle’s municipal elections, gentrification, and the hollowness of “corruption”. Twitter: @marxistmanny Music by WUME and Ben Udashen

All Slave Catchers Are Bastards w/ Brian Platt (10.21.19)

October 21, 2019 17:32 - 1 hour - 94 MB

Talking with the great Brian Platt from Seattle Sucks to learn about the history of policing, Seattle’s attempts at police reform (after being caught), and some Texas history. Twitter: @marxistmanny, @brian_noname unpopularfront.com

Kamala Wants Banning Privileges (10.18.19)

October 18, 2019 22:00 - 46 minutes - 40 MB

Debate recap, big endorsements, and reflections on unemployment in America. Twitter: @marxistmanny unpopularfront.com

International Relations 2: Gaming Edition (10.14.19)

October 14, 2019 13:31 - 1 hour - 64.4 MB

Toughening up, talking down, and making sense of gaming international relations. Twitter: @marxistmanny

Why So Serious (About Mental Health)… w/ Ben Burgis (10.7.19)

October 07, 2019 09:57 - 1 hour - 59.5 MB

Talking with the great Ben Burgis about his new article in Jacobin about the necessity of mental health coverage in Medicare For All, how mental health manifests throughout the economy, and how the Joker is a product of failed public health policy, not an incel fantasy. Also: Greta gone pagan, why democracy doesn’t work without […]

Yang Warfare w/ Brenden Gallagher (9.19.19)

September 19, 2019 15:57 - 53 minutes - 30.2 MB

“Hello #yanggang!!! Your techno-god is just another libertarian dope!!!” Follow Ben on Twitter at @marxistmanny Like us on Facebook! Support us on Patreon!

Wonk World w/ Bea from the Death Panel Podcast (9.14.19)

September 14, 2019 15:29 - 43 minutes - 28.3 MB

Joining me today is Bea from the great health justice podcast Death Panel. We’re talking about the new healthcare plan from Elizabeth Warren as well as comparing the different bills in congress. How does the wonk stance make bad policy seem smart? Why do we need to decommodify healthcare? Follow Ben on Twitter at @marxistmanny […]

Warrin’ With Warren (9.6.19)

September 06, 2019 16:26 - 20 minutes - 13.8 MB

Talking about Elizabeth Warren’s trip to Seattle and how her path to the nomination is out of step with the left. Twitter: @marxistmanny Facebook: facebook.com/unpopularfront Watch Ari’s Video Series on Trans Pregnancy!

Change, Not Adjustment (8.19.19)

August 19, 2019 17:54 - 20 minutes - 13.1 MB

Shorter solo episode talking about alienation, mass violence, and mental health. Twitter: @marxistmanny Facebook: facebook.com/unpopularfront Watch Ari’s Video Series on Trans Pregnancy!

The Spirit of The Staircase w/ Brynn Roth and The Blue Angels

August 03, 2019 22:11 - 54 minutes - 36.1 MB

Childcare, socialism, and domestic work on this episode of Unpopular Front talking with Brynn Roth (@gabethecat1). Brynn is a fellow nanny and ex-preschool worker who I met through Seattle Sucks who rules and is starting a new show, More Than Rosie, about working class women. CHECK OUT BRYNN’S FUNDRAISER FOR RAICES TEXAS: Seattle Beer Authority, […]

A Gold Star For The Best Little Boy In The World w/ Rich Juzwiak (7.20.19)

July 20, 2019 16:38 - 50 minutes - 32.4 MB

Talking with Rich Juzwiak from Jezebel about his article “Define ‘Homophobic’” about Pete Buttigieg and the ‘rough edges’ of gay culture. How have assimilationists and radicals shown different approaches towards queer politics? What does the response to Dale Peck’s scathing and vulgar critique of Pete show about our political culture? Also: Squad up for THE […]

Cybergoths w/ Moxie Cotton (7.9.19)

July 09, 2019 17:52 - 59 minutes - 37.7 MB

Talking with the great award winning drag queen, Moxie Cotton (@mizmoxiecotton). Our first drag queen interview?!?! On this socialist podcast!?! Also: Kamala’s double take on everything she did in the debate and why critics of cancelling student loan debt are be disingenuous. Twitter: @benudashen Follow us on Facebook Support us on Patreon Subscribe on iTunes, […]

Meet Me On That Battlefield w/ Ari Robbins (7.3.19)

July 04, 2019 02:48 - 1 hour - 54.4 MB

Chippin’ in with Chip Guy Ari Robbins! Talking about the first (two) Democratic presidential debates and the state of the race. Twitter: @benudashen Follow us on Facebook Support us on Patreon Subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, or Your Favorite Podcast Player Theme Music by Wume

Freedom, Not Just For The CHUDs w/ Rob Larson (6.29.19)

June 29, 2019 15:02 - 45 minutes - 37 MB

Talking freedom, platform monopolies, and more with professor and author Rob Larson (@ironicprofessor). Sorry about the tech issues, blame the platform monopolists. Twitter: @benudashen Follow us on Facebook Support us on Patreon Subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, or Your Favorite Podcast Player Theme Music by Wume

Socialism Is A Mood w/ David Griscom (6.21.19)

June 21, 2019 20:46 - 1 hour - 38.8 MB

Clarifying socialism with fellow Texan, David Griscom. How does the New Deal relate to us in 2019? Are Bernie Sanders, AOC, and other democratic socialists just “socialist?” Are jalapenos good on everything? Twitter: @benudashen Follow us on Facebook Support us on Patreon Subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, or Your Favorite Podcast Player Theme Music by Wume

SWERF ‘n TERF w/Zoe Naseef (6.18.19)

June 18, 2019 13:21 - 1 hour - 43.8 MB

Talking rainbow capitalism, sex work, and Vanderpump Rules with the great Zoe Naseef from the Season of the Bitch podcast. Has Pride become another capitalist haven for straight people? How did radicals start the modern queer liberation movement? Is DJ James Kennedy the worst man in America? Twitter: @benudashen Follow us on Facebook Support us […]

Beard Boyz and Empire w/ Adrian Bonenberger (6.15.19)

June 16, 2019 14:38 - 44 minutes - 29.4 MB

EDIT: I accidentally uploaded the wrong episode because whoops. Talking about imperialism, military culture, and the personal personal grooming habits of the American male on this episode of Unpopular Front. We have the great Adrian Bonenberger from Wrath Bearing Tree to talk about his article in the New Republic “The Sum of All Beards”. Twitter: […]

Hostile Learning Environment w/ Jeffery Barrois (6.10.19)

June 10, 2019 13:08 - 1 hour - 41.3 MB

Talking about public education with teacher and online pal Jeffery Barrois (@eminentprof). Check out his show Good Morning Comrade. Twitter: @benudashen Follow us on Facebook Support us on Patreon Subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, or Your Favorite Podcast Player Theme Music by Wume

TRAPed Out w/ Lucian Clark (6.3.19)

June 03, 2019 11:20 - 38 minutes - 26.2 MB

I’m baaaaaaack. Talking about abortion with internet friend Lucian Clark (@tinyawoo) Twitter: @benudashen Follow us on Facebook Support us on Patreon Subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, or Your Favorite Podcast Player Theme Music by Wume

My Pillow Prophecy w/ Sparky Abraham (5.13.19)

May 13, 2019 11:20 - 58 minutes - 40.4 MB

Today on the show we have Sparky Abraham from Current Affairs to talk about his latest article “The Case For Free College”. How has the market distorted the purpose of education? Is college the best way to improve the economy? Should that even matter? At the top of the show talking about the Uber/Lyft Strike […]

Mayo Joe w/ Gabriel Winant (5.6.19)

May 06, 2019 11:20 - 1 hour - 36.3 MB

Today on the show we have Gabriel Winant and talk about labor history, Joe Biden, and his Guardian Column Don’t Be Fooled: Joe Biden Is No Friend Of Unions. At the top of the show: Bernie Sanders interviews some 80s goths and why “electability” is dumb, sexist, and impractical. Also: Ben’s first retraction, this time […]

Scientology For Brunch w/ Claire Downs and Brendan Gallagher (4.29.19)

April 29, 2019 11:20 - 1 hour - 42.3 MB

Getting down in the content mines with Claire Downs and Brenden Gallagher, as they talk with Ben about the entertainment industry, the WGA mass agent firings, and why Scientology is a better career path than UCB at this point. Also talking about the rising call for giving the incarcerated the right to vote and why […]

Concierge Cultural Marxists w/ David Slavick (4.22.19)

April 22, 2019 11:20 - 1 hour - 53.4 MB

Talking about think tanks, policy making, and DC culture with the great David Slavick. How does power warps policy maker’s perspectives? Do we need to get rid of these institutions? Why the hell do so many wonks in DC like punk? Also: Judging left of center politicians on charitable giving is the ultimate capitalist red […]

Stoner Renters, Unite! w/ Emma Caterine (4/15/19)

April 15, 2019 11:20 - 1 hour - 69.7 MB

Talkin’ law with lawyer and activist Emma Caterine. Why should we decriminalize sex work? How do create a socialist prosecutor? How to deal with the tension between abolitionist perspective and using the state in for our favor? Should stoner renters unite, because they have nothing to lose but their bong rips? Also: Why a Fox […]

Sludgey Receipts w/ Alex Kotch (4.9.19)

April 08, 2019 10:30 - 1 hour - 83.2 MB

Today’s guest is Alex Kotch, a money-in-politics reporter at Sludge. We go through his reporting on the DCCC’s new fundraising rules, the vile Sackler family’s foray into anti-Islam hate groups, and how he uncovered Beto O’Rourke’s fundraising shenanigans. Ben also goes into the current state of the Kickstarter Workers Union, now available for funding on […]

Logician’s Lament w/ Ben Burgis (4.1.19)

April 01, 2019 11:20 - 1 hour - 47.1 MB

Today’s guest is Ben Burgis, the author of Give Them An Argument: Logic For The Left. We talk about how to best engage with the right, when deplatforming works (and when it doesn’t), how to argue best without sounding like a wonky dork, and why so many people in my orbit are named Ben Also: […]

Elite Degeneration w/ Liza Featherstone (3.25.19)

March 25, 2019 12:00 - 58 minutes - 40.8 MB

Today we have Liza Featherstone on to talk about her new book from OR Books, Divining Desire. We talk the history of the focus group, how socialism can make sex better, neoliberal feminism, and how education organizing is changing the tide against the status quo of “Education Reform”. Also: the Mueller Report is delivered and […]

How The Irish Became Wypipo (3.21.19)

March 22, 2019 00:25 - 31 minutes - 21 MB

In this dispatch, talking about Irish-American history, Bernadette Devlin, the horrific Christchurch Mosque massacre, and why it’s good to yell at Chelsea Clinton. Twitter: @benudashen Follow us on Facebook Support us on Patreon Music from Yung Chomsky and Cole James Cash

Guests

Katie Halper
1 Episode
Rob Larson
1 Episode

Books

Lord of the Flies
1 Episode

Twitter Mentions

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@marxistmanny 9 Episodes
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