How We Do It

Adam sits down with David Griscom, host of The Jacobin Show and Left Reckoning, and author of The Myth of Red Texas (Nation Books, 2026), to excavate the buried radical history of the Lone Star State. They start with the present: Talarico's primary win and what class-war rhetoric is proving in Texas politics. Then they go back: the proletarianized cowboy, the fence-cutting wars against British and Northern capital, the Southern Farmers Alliance, the stolen populist election. The "California hypothesis" gets debunked. And the question by the end isn't whether Texas has a radical tradition; it's why nobody told you about it.Become a HWDI Sponsor and get access to this week's B-Side:Patreon: https://patreon.com/hwdipodSubstack: https://substack.com/@hwdipod ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

We're joined by Steve Maher, co-author with Scott Aquanno of The Fall and Rise of American Finance: From J.P. Morgan to BlackRock (Verso, 2024). The book argues that financialization did not hollow out the "real" economy or shrink the state. Instead, it intensified competitive discipline to maximize efficiency, profits, and the exploitation of labor, backed by an increasingly authoritarian state. That means reforming finance won't get us somewhere different. There is no postwar golden age to return to. So what do we do? Tune in to find out...Become a supporter of this show and get B-Sides and other exclusive content: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/hwdipod Substack: https://hwdipod.substack.com/ ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Today we're joined by (Dr.) Danny Bessner, a professor of international studies and co-host of the American Prestige podcast, about the legacy of Cold War liberalism, its influence on US foreign policy, and what a democratic socialist approach to international affairs might entail. We dive into the contradictions of elite-driven policies, the role of class power, and the challenges faced by a potential progressive presidency in navigating global military and economic systems.Become a supporter of this show and get B-Sides and other exclusive content: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/hwdipod Substack: https://hwdipod.substack.com/ ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Get access to the entire episode by becoming a sponsor member today: Patreon: https://patreon.com/hwdipod Substack: https://hwdipod.substack.comShow NotesWe sit down with political geographer and author Matt Huber to dig into his book Climate Change as Class War: Building Socialism on a Warming Planet (Verso Books, 2022). Huber opens not with doom, but with a power analysis: the climate movement is losing because it's been organized around the wrong class. He breaks down how the professional-managerial class — NGOs, scientists, carbon pricing advocates — has dominated climate politics while ignoring the working class, which has both the numbers and the structural leverage to actually force change. Drawing on Marx's concept of the "hidden abode of production," Huber argues that climate responsibility is concentrated in the capitalist class that owns and profits from carbon-intensive systems — not diffused across individual consumers. The carbon footprint, after all, was a concept invented by BP.From there we get into why degrowth is a political dead end, how the Green New Deal was co-opted by means-tested identity politics and NGO capture before it could become a genuine working-class program, and why decarbonization is fundamentally an electricity problem — one that should be led by the skilled, unionized workers who actually know how these systems work. Huber makes the case for the rank-and-file strategy, points to the UAW reform caucus and the nascent CREW inside the IBEW as proof of concept, and closes with a simple directive: stop treating climate as a single-issue movement, rebuild the labor movement, and win power first.How We Do It is a socialist podcast focused on strategy, class power, and the political challenges facing the left today. Subscribe, share, and support the show. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Get access to the entire episode by becoming a sponsor member today: Patreon: https://patreon.com/hwdipod Substack: https://hwdipod.substack.comShow NotesWe sit down with political geographer and author Matt Huber to dig into his book Climate Change as Class War: Building Socialism on a Warming Planet (Verso Books, 2022). Huber opens not with doom, but with a power analysis: the climate movement is losing because it's been organized around the wrong class. He breaks down how the professional-managerial class — NGOs, scientists, carbon pricing advocates — has dominated climate politics while ignoring the working class, which has both the numbers and the structural leverage to actually force change. Drawing on Marx's concept of the "hidden abode of production," Huber argues that climate responsibility is concentrated in the capitalist class that owns and profits from carbon-intensive systems — not diffused across individual consumers. The carbon footprint, after all, was a concept invented by BP.From there we get into why degrowth is a political dead end, how the Green New Deal was co-opted by means-tested identity politics and NGO capture before it could become a genuine working-class program, and why decarbonization is fundamentally an electricity problem — one that should be led by the skilled, unionized workers who actually know how these systems work. Huber makes the case for the rank-and-file strategy, points to the UAW reform caucus and the nascent CREW inside the IBEW as proof of concept, and closes with a simple directive: stop treating climate as a single-issue movement, rebuild the labor movement, and win power first.How We Do It is a socialist podcast focused on strategy, class power, and the political challenges facing the left today. Subscribe, share, and support the show. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this week's episode, Adam talks with Jacobin editor and NYC DSA member Nick French about the rise of democratic socialism at the municipal level. Using Zohran Mamdani’s political trajectory as a focal point, they explore how socialist organizers are navigating the shift from insurgent campaigns to the realities of governing.The conversation digs into the evolution of the Democratic Socialists of America, changing electoral strategy on the left, and the tension between movement politics and institutional power. Along the way, they examine the promises — and contradictions — of “municipal socialism,” the role of grassroots organizing, and what it really takes to turn bold demands into durable political change.To hear the entirety of this episode, become a patron of HWDI at https://www.patreon.com/hwdipod ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this week's B-Side, I continue my conversation with Daniel Wortel-London, author of ˆThe Menace of Prosperity: New York City and the Struggle for Economic Development, 1865–1981. We discuss what he would do if he could give advice to Mayor Mamdani: public banking, developing an inside-outside strategy, linking up with social movements and much more. We discuss DSA, co-ops, and all kinds of policies and strategies being utilized by democratic socialists worldwide. This a free teaser of the full episode. To support this project and get access to our full back catalog of B-Sides, become a patron today: http://www.patreon.com/hwdipod ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this inaugural episode of How We Do It, I chat with Daniel Wortel-London, author of "The Menace of Prosperity," about the intersection of economic policies and social movements in New York City's history from 1865 to 1981. We discuss the significance of understanding fiscal policy for socialists and explore historical moments that shaped economic development, including the fiscal crisis of the 1970s. Daniel emphasizes the need to redefine fiscal imaginaries to empower citizens in shaping equitable economic narratives. ******************** Support this project by becoming a patron and get access to our weekly B-Side and other subscriber content: http://www.patreon.com/HWDIpod ******************** Chapters: 0:05 Welcome to How We Do It 0:54 Introducing Daniel Wortel-London 2:15 Understanding Fiscal Policy 6:35 The Excitement of New York City DSA 7:00 The Menace of Prosperity 12:33 The Growth Machine of New York 14:59 Henry George's Vision 22:01 The Rise of Public Ownership 23:58 The Producer's Mindset 30:58 A Call to Action 33:59 The Future of Socialist Leadership 40:21 Public Housing and Its Legacy 51:56 Reflections on the 1970s Crisis 54:06 Closing Thoughts and Next Steps ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Sam Gindin joins us to address recent claims about the death of neoliberalism in the wake of the latest turn to stimulus-based policies. Can it be? -- of course not... Gindin explains why. Become a patron of DPS to hear this ep in its entirety: http://www.patreon.com/deadpundits ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Joining us this week is James Schneider, former communication director for Jeremy Corbyn, cofounder of Momentum (UK), and current comms guy for Progressive International. He's here to discuss a new series out at Novara called "How We Win: A Socialist Strategy for the 2020s." Read the intro and find the rest of the essays here: https://novaramedia.com/2021/03/12/introducing-how-we-win-a-socialist-strategy-for-the-2020s/ --------------- Become a patron of DPS here: http://www.patreon.com/deadpundits ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

After an extended intro by Adam, we're joined by Matt Karp who wrote a great essay a few months ago called "The Politics of a Second Gilded Age" (https://jacobinmag.com/2021/02/the-politics-of-a-second-gilded-age). Listen to this episode in its entirety by becoming a patron: http://www.patreon.com/deadpundits ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Brad Chester from DSA's Collective Power Networks joins us today to account for his crimes against the independent socialist movement -- jk, but a piece he published in Feb of 2021 dares to ask the question, "Does our obsession with an independent worker's party hurt the socialist movement today?" This question leads to a number of fascinating debates concerning electoral politics, socialist strategy, and so on. You can find his essay here: https://dsaorganizer.org/2021/02/09/breaking-bad-how-obsession-with-an-independent-workers-party-hurts-the-socialist-electoral-project/ *** Support this project of political education by becoming a patron: http://www.patreon.com/deadpundits *** ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Eric Blanc joins us to talk about a recent essay he wrote assessing the break that founded the UK Labour Party, of which there are tremendous resonances with the socialist movement in the U.S., today. ***Support this podcast by becoming a patron today: http://www.patreon.com/deadpundits *** Tune in for this wide-ranging and informative discussion. You can find the essay here: https://jacobinmag.com/2021/02/labour-party-uk-lessons-socialists Thanks, Patrons! ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Adam Hilton is back on DPS to talk about his book on the Democratic Party. Also, we talk a lot about... you guessed it, the Democratic Party. *** Become a patron of DPS today: http://www.patreon.com/deadpundits *** Find his book here: https://www.upenn.edu/pennpress/book/16211.html ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Micah Uetricht joins us to talk about Mike Davis's project and, accordingly, how his writings map on to some interesting rifts inside the socialist movement today. Find Micah's essay here: https://www.thenation.com/article/culture/mike-davis-old-gods-set-night/ *** Support this project of political education by becoming a patron today: http://www.patreon.com/deadpundits *** ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

This is part 2 of my Ed Rooksby Tribute. Enjoy. Jonah Wedekind put together this incredible bibliography of Ed's work: https://rooksbyism.wordpress.com/bibliography/ *** Become a patron to support this project of political education today: http://www.patreon.com/deadpundits *** ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Ed Rooksby passed away this weekend after a prolonged and public struggle with Long Covid. I've ventured yet another eulogy for a close friend of the show and re-aired an interview I conducted with him from a couple years ago. Please enjoy as s tribute to the incredible intellect of this man. He will be missed terribly. Part two will follow later this week. His blog can be found here: https://edrooksby.wordpress.com/ *** This show is able to function entirely due to support from listeners like you. Please help continue this project of democratic socialist education by subscribing here: http://www.patreon.com/deadpundits *** ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Max Shanly joins us to talk about the history of the Labour Party and how subsequent generations have produced the conditions that both allowed the Corbyn project to flourish and resulted in its demise. Many of these valuable lessons about party democracy are applicable to the US context as well, so listen up! ** Support this project by becoming a patron: http://www.patreon.com/deadpundits *** The book under consideration is Leo Panitch and Colin Leys, Searching for Socialism: The Project of the Labour New Left from Benn to Corbyn (https://www.versobooks.com/books/3161-searching-for-socialism) ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

** This episode has been reposted, as an earlier version was truncated for some reason... ** Joining us today is Sam Gindin, who gives a master class on the origins of our modern capitalist system along the way of paying tribute to his late friend and mentor, Leo Panitch. "Still a Marxist After All" (2009) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ot4UgatUDE *** Support DPS and become a patron: http://www.patreon.com/deadpundits *** ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Steve Maher, assistant editor of The Socialist Register, joins us to talk about the life, work, and legacy of Leo Panitch. Check out the updated version of The Socialist Challenge Today, which was co-authored by Maher, as well as Sam Gindin and Leo Panitch: https://www.haymarketbooks.org/books/1473-the-socialist-challenge-today *** Support this project by becoming a patron: http://www.patreon.com/deadpundits *** ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★