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Upstream

Upstream
Capitalism
Socialism
Imperialism
United States
China
Palestine
Marxism
Global South
Cuba
US Imperialism
Climate Change
Colonialism
Israel
Zionism
Neoliberalism
Class Struggle
Venezuela
Communism
Labor Movement
Working Class

Conversations and audio documentaries exploring a wide variety of themes pertaining to economics and politics, hosted by Della Z Duncan and Robert R. Raymond

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes303Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureNewsPolitics

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Latest Episodes

In this episode, the latest in our From the Frontlines series, we're joined by Anthony Rogers-Wright for a conversation on data centers (and how to fight successfully them). Anthony Rogers-Wright is an environmental/urban planner, researcher, policy ... more

This is a free preview of the episode "Decolonizing Money (plus an Introduction and Exchange on Anarchism) w/ Julio Linares." You can listen to the full episode by subscribing to our Patreon here: www.patreon.com/upstreampodcast

As a Patreo... more

We have unlocked our episode "Nathan Fielder's 'The Curse' w/ Carlee." Enjoy!

What happens when the contradictions of living under late capitalism are revealed in excruciating detail? What happens when our performances break down? When they break u... more

In this conversation, episode 12 in our ongoing series on Cuba, we're joined by Niki Franco, AKA Venus Roots, for a discussion on what the radically different histories of Cuba and Puerto Rico can teach us about colonialism, capitalism, socialism, an... more

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Recent Guests

Julio Linares
Economic anthropologist and author of “Decolonizing Money: The Promise of Abolishing the US Dollar.”
Episode: [TEASER] Decolonizing Money (plus an Introduction and Exchange on Anarchism) w/ Julio Linares
Niki Franco
Caribbean abolitionist community organizer, writer, facilitator of collective study, and author of Flies in the Tropics.
1804 Books
Episode: Cuba Ep. 12: The Two Sisters, Cuba and Puerto Rico w/ Niki Franco AKA Venus Roots
Max Haiven
Canada Research Chair in Radical Imagination at Lakehead University; author and game designer
Lakehead University
Episode: Gamified Capitalism and 21st Century Fascism w/ Max Haiven
Henry Hakamäki
Co-host of Guerrilla History; Editor and Translator
Iskra Books
Episode: [TEASER] Cuba Ep. 11: Actually Existing Ecology w/ Henry Hakamäki & Salvatore Engels-Di Mauro
Salvatore Engels-Di Mauro
Professor of Geography and Environmental Studies at SUNY New Paltz; co-translator of the English edition
SUNY New Paltz; Iskra Books
Episode: [TEASER] Cuba Ep. 11: Actually Existing Ecology w/ Henry Hakamäki & Salvatore Engels-Di Mauro
Carsey Blanton
Songwriter, touring musician, and organizer with Artists Against Apartheid and People's Songs
Artists Against Apartheid; People's Songs
Episode: The Cultural Cold War: Folk Music and Communism w/ Carsie Blanton
Ken Hammond
Professor of History at New Mexico State University; PSL organizer; author
New Mexico State University; Party for Socialism and Liberation
Episode: [TEASER] China Ep. 11: Tibet w/ Ken Hammond
Chris Gilbert
Professor of Political Studies at Bolivarian University, Caracas; writer on Venezuela
Bolivarian University; Monthly Review Online
Episode: Venezuela Ep. 7: On Ascending a High Mountain w/ Cira Pascual Marquina and Chris Gilbert
Cira Pascual Marquina
Researcher and popular educator at El Panal Commune, Caracas; co-author on Commune-themed works
El Panal Commune; Monthly Review Online
Episode: Venezuela Ep. 7: On Ascending a High Mountain w/ Cira Pascual Marquina and Chris Gilbert

Hosts

Robert R. Raymond
Host of Upstream and co-host/interviewer; long-running show co-lead with Della Duncan
Della Duncan
Co-host of Upstream; lead interviewer and discussion facilitator

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 8.3k ratings
  • Up with the revolution

    Excellent analysis and guests along with some really great production. One of the best podcasts on the left!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Renito7
    United States3 months ago
  • Must listen to.

    Free Palestine!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    adthhufb
    United States3 months ago
  • Glad for this to exist

    Really appreciate all the voices this podcast platforms. All of them have been unafraid in speaking truth to power.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jun4osh
    Canada4 months ago
  • Crucial

    This podcast is by far one of the richest resources for anyone doing the work of deprograming dominant culture propaganda and sensing into the life affirming worlds asking of us to do that work and show up for liberation.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    terrible programing
    United Kingdom4 months ago
  • Excellent analysis, very well produced

    Podcast Addict
    5
    failingmarx
    5 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Many note high production quality and the hosts' ability to handle complex topics accessibly.
Listeners praise deep, thoughtful interviews with experts and activists.
Fans highlight the show as essential for understanding global political economy from a left perspective.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

[UNLOCKED] Nathan Fielder's "The Curse" w/ Carlee
Q: Can you talk about the show as an example of consciousness raising?
Carlee argues that The Curse exposes the contradictions obscured by capitalist realism and unsettles viewers' expectations, potentially creating new ways to think about media and social reality.
[UNLOCKED] Nathan Fielder's "The Curse" w/ Carlee
Q: What do you think about the idea of working-class aesthetics being repackaged as a consumer style?
Carlee describes brands and products that borrow the appearance of working-class authenticity to sell to consumers who do not share the labor or conditions associated with it.
[TEASER] Decolonizing Money (plus an Introduction and Exchange on Anarchism) w/ Julio Linares
Q: I'm wondering if you can talk a little bit about what you're seeing happening right now in your neck of the woods and what you've been participating in lately.
Linares describes housing protests and encampments in Spain, their response to evictions and rising costs, and their connections to earlier movements and organizing elsewhere.
[TEASER] Decolonizing Money (plus an Introduction and Exchange on Anarchism) w/ Julio Linares
Q: If you could tell us a little bit about yourself and specifically how you became interested in the topic that we will be discussing partially today, mostly in the second half of our conversation, the topic of Decolonizing Money?
Linares traces his interest from studying economics in Taiwan and working on bamboo housing in Guatemala to researching microfinance in Bangladesh. His fieldwork led him to examine debt, poverty, and money from an anthropological perspective.
Cuba Ep. 12: The Two Sisters, Cuba and Puerto Rico w/ Niki Franco AKA Venus Roots
Q: So tell us about the material reality of Puerto Rico. What is actually happening there by way of today's reality?
Franco describes recurring electricity and water crises, high utility costs, privatized public services, school closures, and an unelected fiscal board. She argues these conditions receive less attention than Cuba's crises and are connected to U.S. corporate and colonial control.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Upstream

What is Upstream about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show centers on leftist political economy, imperialism, anti-capitalist critique, and global South solidarity. Episodes blend historical analysis, contemporary geopolitics, and theory with practical case studies, featuring guests ranging from Marxist scholars and economists to Indigenous thinkers, regional experts, and social movement organizers. The hosts guide wide-ranging conversations that connect labor history, revolutionary strategy, and macroeconomic structures to current events, often highlighting sovereignty, decolonization, and mutual-aid frameworks. A standout trait is its rigorous materialist lens paired with accessible dialogue, plus a willingness to critique established power structures and mainstream narratives. Listeners... more

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How many listeners does Upstream get?

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What are the audience demographics for Upstream?

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How many subscribers and views does Upstream have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Upstream 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 Upstream?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Upstream:

1. Guerrilla History
2. Rev Left Radio
3. Red Menace
4. Millennials Are Killing Capitalism
5. The Socialist Program

How many episodes of Upstream are there?

Upstream launched 11 years ago and published 303 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 Upstream?

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 Upstream?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Upstream from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Upstream?

Recent guests on Upstream include:

1. Julio Linares
2. Niki Franco
3. Max Haiven
4. Henry Hakamäki
5. Salvatore Engels-Di Mauro
6. Carsey Blanton
7. Ken Hammond
8. Chris Gilbert

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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