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Against the Stream

RCI - www.marxist.com
Donald Trump
Ukraine
Gaza
United States
Capitalism
Israel
Russia
European Union
Iran
Working Class
Corruption
China
NATO
Class Struggle
France
Economic Crisis
Syria
Hamas
Ukraine War
Spain

In Against the Stream, our weekly current affairs podcast, members of the International Secretariat of the Revolutionary Communist International sit down to discuss the main events shaping global affairs. In an increasingly turbulent world situation, these discussions look behind the headlines of the mainstream press and the statements of politicians, to bring out the real processes and interests ... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes69Founded2 years ago
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PoliticsNews

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Artwork for Against the Stream

Latest Episodes

What will be the future of Israel and the Gulf countries? What is the possible order of the Middle East and Asia? Those questions are the starting point for this week's Against the Stream – a special Q&A episode where Hamid Alizadeh and Jorge Martín ... more

Six prime ministers in ten years. Labour just lost fifteen hundred council seats. Has Britain become ungovernable?

In this week's Against the Stream, Hamid Alizadeh sits down with Adam Booth, editor of The Communist, the paper of the Revolutionary C... more

YouTube

Trump is in Beijing. He thinks he has gone to negotiate from a position of strength, but in reality, he is negotiating from a position of weakness. That is the story of American imperialism in 2026.

In this week's episode of Against the Stream, Hami... more

YouTube

Europe was the birthplace of capitalism. Now it's in freefall.In this week’s Against the Stream, Hamid Alizadeh and Jorge Martín dive into the deepening crisis gripping the continent. Germany is launching a trillion-euro rearmament drive while simult... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Adam Booth
Editor of The Communist, paper of the Revolutionary Communist Party in Britain
The Communist / Revolutionary Communist Party in Britain
Episode: Capitalism is ungovernable.
Jorge Martín
Political commentator featured on the episode to discuss Trump, China, and imperialism.
Episode: The meaning of Trump’s trip to China
Zarah Sultana
Prominent ex-Labour MP advocating for radical changes
Episode: Zarah Sultana calls to nationalise economy + Trump plots coup in Venezuela
Alan Woods
Marxist theoretician and author
Marxist.com
Episode: What is Trumpism? – with Alan Woods

Hosts

Hamid Alizadeh
Host of Against the Stream; discussions framed through a Marxist lens with focus on current events and imperialism.
Jorge Martín
Co-host on Against the Stream; expert on international revolutionary movements and imperialism.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 666 ratings
  • This podcast convinced me

    I was always progressive minded, but the RCI and RCA podcasts convinced me that communism is the only real path forward to create the progress I always wanted for everyone. They always have poignant analysis and provide clear direction, I hope they succeed in building the party!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Blargasoar
    United Statesa month ago
  • Looking forward to...

    Being a traditional Canadian social democrat open to drastic changes, I was brought into the communist conversation by my 19 y old son. We agree on the diagnostic but he is convinced violence is the only means of revolution, which I heartedly and perhaps naively hope isn't. I appreciate listening to your accurate analysis's of our dystopian capitalist system. But I must admit getting slightly bored with the repetitive review of capitalism's characteristics and symptoms, applied to every news eve... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    6665Mtl
    Canadaa month ago
  • Amazingly Good!

    A weekly world perspective on the most important two or three things happening around the globe. Very precise analysis from e revolutionary trotskyist standpoint.

    Looking forward to it every week ♡

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Franz Hagmann
    Switzerland9 months ago
  • Real political news analysts

    Thank you against the stream for a weekly dose of razor sharp sane intelligent discussion on the depraved chaotic capitalist ruling class.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Pbulldog
    Australiaa year ago
  • Best analysis of world events!

    This podcast is a must have in the weekly media diet of anyone who wants to be properly informed about the world and who aspires to change it! Each episode dives below the surface of events and uncovers the underlying processes that govern the world around us.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Alice likes Marx
    Canadaa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Safer space for readers seeking anti-imperialist, class-based analysis and action guidance.
The best source for global up-to-date Marxist analysis with a focus on workers' struggles.
A sharp weekly briefing from a Trotskyist-leaning perspective that cuts through mainstream framing.
Clear, actionable insights for organizing and resistance within capitalist systems.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#169
Poland/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#199
Spain/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#215
Russia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#216
Denmark/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Cuba under siege – how to defend the revolution
Q: In a society where there's no profit, why would people want to work? What would be the incentive?
People work to contribute to society and benefit their communities rather than for private profit; in socialism, the motivation comes from personal fulfillment and community interest.
Iran CATASTROPHE + Epstein scandal out of control | AGAINST THE STREAM
Q: Do communists support violence?
No, while communists do not advocate for violence, they argue that the ruling class perpetuates violence through their systems. They emphasize that the working class must defend itself against this ongoing violence.
The rise and fall of the Kurdish liberation movement + Epstein files
Q: Do you think that people are too stupid to make a revolution?
No, obviously not. It's just not true that people are stupid. Their consciousness changes based on experience.
Where is Iran going? + Maduro kidnapping + ICE protests
Q: How do you qualify the possibility of the workers taking power without a revolutionary party?
It's theoretically possible but without a revolutionary party, serious mistakes can occur which can lead to defeat, as seen in historical examples like the Paris Commune and the German uprisings.
Zarah Sultana calls to nationalise economy + Trump plots coup in Venezuela
Q: Isn't the primary force that determines the outcomes of revolutions the consciousness that emerges through struggle?
Consciousness changes quickly during a revolution, but leadership is necessary to guide the movement towards its conclusion.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
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Age Range
Household Income
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Frequently Asked Questions About Against the Stream

What is Against the Stream about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show provides a steady stream of global affairs analysis from a clearly anti-imperialist, working-class perspective. Episodes frequently critique capitalism, U.S. foreign policy, and interventions in the Middle East and Latin America, while highlighting solidarity with socialist and revolutionary movements. The format typically features a small team of hosts dissecting current events through a Marxist lens, with emphasis on structural power, economic inequality, and calls for organized working-class action. This combination of rigorous political critique, historical context, and actionable organizing insight tends to appeal to listeners who want beyond mainstream narratives and are interested in systemic change.

Noteworthy traits inclu... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Against the Stream?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Against the Stream:

1. Spectre of Communism
2. Communists of America
3. Marxist Voice
4. A World on Fire
5. Marxist Audio Archive

How many episodes of Against the Stream are there?

Against the Stream launched 2 years ago and published 69 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Against the Stream?

Recent guests on Against the Stream include:

1. Adam Booth
2. Jorge Martín
3. Zarah Sultana
4. Alan Woods

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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