Rephonic
Artwork for This Is Hell!

This Is Hell!

This Is Hell!
Capitalism
Gaza
Climate Change
Israel
Neoliberalism
United States
Democracy
Trump Administration
Inequality
Racism
Colonialism
Fascism
White Supremacy
Feminism
Police Violence
Artificial Intelligence
Venezuela
George Floyd
Christian Nationalism
Social Justice

Manufacturing Dissent since 1996

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes515Founded21 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
News

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for This Is Hell!

Latest Episodes

Flint Taylor, co-founder of the People's Law Office, joins us to discuss his new book, "The Conviction Machine: Prosecutors, Politicians, and Police Violence in Chicago" from Haymarket Books. Get your copy here: www.haymarketbooks.org/books/2... more

Artist and writer Molly Crabapple joins This Is Hell! to talk about her new book, “Here Where We Live Is Our Country: The Story of the Jewish Bund." Molly is the author of two books, her 2015 memoir, "Drawing Blood," and "Brothers of the Gun: A Memoi... more

Lauren Fadiman joins us to discuss her new piece in The Baffler, "The Invention of Antifa: The courts decree a new domestic terrorist": thebaffler.com/salvos/the-invention-of-antifa-fadiman

Robin Anderson joins This Is Hell! to talk about her her new book “The Complicit Lens: US Media Coverage Of Israel’s Genocide In Gaza” published by OR Books. orbooks.com/catalog/the-complicit-lens/ Robin Andersen is professor emerita of media... more

Key Facts

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

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Economic Update with Richard D. Wolff
Economic Update with Richard D. WolffDemocracy at Work, Richard D. Wolff
Know Your Enemy
Know Your EnemyMatthew Sitman
Guerrilla History
Guerrilla HistoryGuerrilla History

Recent Guests

Henry Burke
Senior researcher at the Revolving Door Project; former Capitol Hill staffer
Revolving Door Project
Episode: AI Grifters in Power & Reactionary Third Way Centrist Dems / Henry Burke
Volodymyr Ishchenko
Research associate at the Institute of Eastern European Studies, Freie Universität Berlin; sociologist and author
Freie Universität Berlin; author of Towards the Abyss, Ukraine from Maidan to War
Episode: Ukraine Going From Maidan To War / Volodymyr Ishchenko
Andy Worthington
Investigative journalist, author, and campaigner; expert on Guantanamo and the War on Terror
andyworthington.co.uk
Episode: Death by AI / Andy Worthington
Diane Wilson
Executive Director of San Antonio Bay Estuarine Waterkeeper; activist and Goldman Prize winner
San Antonio Bay Estuarine Waterkeeper
Episode: Fighting Against The Corporate Monsters Of Plastic / Diane Wilson
Séamus Malekafzali
Journalist and writer
The Nation
Episode: 2026 Listener Favorites (so far): Imperial Boomerangs / Séamus Malekafzali
Mohamad Bazzi
Director of the Hagop Kavorkian Center for Near Eastern Studies and Journalism Professor at New York University
New York University
Episode: Trump's Imperial Presidency / Mohamad Bazzi
Timothy Mitchell
Political theorist and historian
Columbia University
Episode: Breaking The Earth To Steal The Future / Timothy Mitchell
Caroline Light
Senior lecturer and director of undergraduate studies at Harvard
Harvard University
Episode: White America's Attachment to Lethal Self-Defense / Caroline Light
Alex de Waal
Director of the World Peace Foundation; author
World Peace Foundation
Episode: World War X / Alex De Waal

Host

Chuck Mertz
Host known for long-form, investigative interviewing and anti-establishment perspective

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 1.3k ratings
  • True stuff about compelling earth-based events that you're very unlikely to hear elsewhere

    Podcast Addict
    5
    RuminatingStoic
    6 months ago
  • True stuff about compelling earth-based events that you're very unlikely to hear elsewhere

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Ruminating_Stoic
    6 months ago
  • my favourite interview show

    seriously, incredible guests from across the left, and chuck is the best interviewer out there, insightful and probing questions that engage deeply with the work. the show has a fun, irreverent, only slightly jaded diy vibe i very much enjoy, and it’s completely listener supported, so no ads ever!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Tnbuddy
    United Kingdom10 months ago
  • Did Some Episodes Get Deleted?

    It seems like a lot of episodes from 2020/21 that i saved for listening to later has vanished. can someone let me know if they’ll be added back or if they’ve been stored/saved somewhere else. please let me know.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ob4cl95
    United Statesa year ago
  • Burley interview c. 11:11–

    Podchaser
    articolate
    2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Reviews emphasize the show's role as a critical, explanatory resource for understanding power structures and social justice.
Some criticisms exist around perceived license to attribute causation to capitalism, reflecting a debate-style engagement rather than consensus.
Listener sentiment highlights deep respect for long-form, probing interviews and the host's ability to let guests speak at length.
Audience expresses appreciation for the show's humor and humanity amid serious analyses.
Feedback praises coverage of diverse topics and rigorous research, though a few listeners note variations in sound quality across episodes.

Top News Podcasts

The Daily
The DailyThe New York Times
Pod Save America
Pod Save AmericaPod Save America
Serial
SerialSerial Productions & The New York Times
The Ben Shapiro Show
The Ben Shapiro ShowThe Daily Wire
Candace
CandaceCandace Owens
The Tucker Carlson Show
The Tucker Carlson ShowTucker Carlson Network
The Dan Bongino Show
The Dan Bongino ShowCumulus Podcast Network | Dan Bongino

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ukraine Going From Maidan To War / Volodymyr Ishchenko
Q: What do we miss when we attribute the Ukraine war to Putin alone?
We miss the structural and class-based dynamics rooted in post-Soviet capitalism, elite competition, and the broader crisis of Western liberal order that shape decisions and mobilization.
Fighting Against The Corporate Monsters Of Plastic / Diane Wilson
Q: What is the status and impact of the Formosa settlement on plastic pollution in the Bay?
Wilson explains the settlement achieved zero discharge of plastic at Formosa and established a monitoring system and trust to fund community projects, while noting ongoing enforcement and potential expansion to other plants.
Death by AI / Andy Worthington
Q: Does AI change the rules of war, or do humans apply the rules via AI?
AI complicates the application of post-WWII war rules because it scales targeting and removes traditional checks; the onus is on humans to reassert oversight and redefine accountability.
Death by AI / Andy Worthington
Q: What has Andy learned from the Gaza genocide in the context of AI and warfare?
Andy argues that the real lesson is the erosion of civilian protections when AI is used for targeting, the normalization of mass violence, and the need for human oversight to prevent automated slaughter.
Trump's Imperial Presidency / Mohamad Bazzi
Q: Why is it important that Trump claims he has no advisors, and how does that affect decision-making?
The host and Bazzi discuss how denying reliance on advisors can obscure the reality of complex policy dynamics, and can be used to present a simplified, decisive narrative to the public while real debate and caution are left behind, potentially increasing risk.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About This Is Hell!

What is This Is Hell! about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show features long-form, deeply sourced conversations that challenge mainstream narratives on geopolitics, economics, technology, and social justice. Recent episodes orbit the intersections of AI, state power, and corporate influence; imperialism and foreign policy; environmental justice; and radical critiques of capitalism. The host(s) prioritize thorough, context-rich discussions with researchers, journalists, and activists, often highlighting historical patterns, power asymmetries, and accountability. The format tends to favor expansive interviews over quick takes, offering listeners nuanced perspectives on global events, policy, and dissent. A notable strength is the show's ability to connect complex topics—like the politics of AI,... more

Where can I find podcast stats for This Is Hell!?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for This Is Hell!. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to This Is Hell! and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does This Is Hell! get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for This Is Hell!, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for This Is Hell!?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for This Is Hell!, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does This Is Hell! have?

To see how many followers or subscribers This Is Hell! has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to This Is Hell!?

These podcasts share a similar audience with This Is Hell!:

1. Jacobin Radio
2. Behind the News with Doug Henwood
3. Economic Update with Richard D. Wolff
4. Know Your Enemy
5. Guerrilla History

How many episodes of This Is Hell! are there?

This Is Hell! launched 21 years ago and published 515 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact This Is Hell!?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for This Is Hell!?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for This Is Hell! from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for This Is Hell!?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of This Is Hell!. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on This Is Hell!?

Recent guests on This Is Hell! include:

1. Henry Burke
2. Volodymyr Ishchenko
3. Andy Worthington
4. Diane Wilson
5. Séamus Malekafzali
6. Mohamad Bazzi
7. Timothy Mitchell
8. Caroline Light

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.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days