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Upstream

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

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes291Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureNewsPolitics

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Latest Episodes

In this episode we're joined by Abby Martin for a conversation on her film, "Cuba after Castro: The Island in the Crosshairs." Abby Martin is a journalist, activist, founder of "The Empire Files," and director of the films "Gaza Fights for Freedom," ... more

This is a free preview of the episode "China Ep. 10: The Dialectics of Chinese Labor w/ Immanuel Ness" You can listen to the full episode by subscribing to our Patreon here: www.patreon.com/upstreampodcast

As a Patreon subscriber, you'll ge... more

In this episode we're joined by Charisse Burden-Stelly for a conversation on Cuba and the long history of US red scares through the lens of the US Department of State's recent report on Cuba: "Cuba: The Capital of 21st Century Communism." Charisse Bu... more

This is a free preview of the episode "Inventing Reality: The Politics of News Media" You can listen to the full episode by subscribing to our Patreon here: www.patreon.com/upstreampodcast

As a Patreon subscriber, you'll get access to biwee... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Charisse Burden-Stelly
Associate Professor of African American Studies at Wayne State University; author of Black Scare, Red Scare, Theorizing Capitalist Racism in the United States
Wayne State University; Black Alliance for Peace; Movement Builders; Anti-Imperialist Scholars Collective
Episode: Cuba Ep 9: Conjuring up the Red Menace w/ Charisse Burden-Stelly
Mohamed Khougali
Sudanese psychotherapist, author of Politically Unconscious, The Psychic Aftermath of the Sudanese Revolution
Iskra Books; Black Radicals (Germany)
Episode: Sudan Ep. 1: The Unconscious Revolution w/ Mohamed Khougali
August Nimtz
Professor of Political Science and African American and African Studies and Distinguished Teaching Professor at the University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota
Episode: [TEASER] 250 Years of Bourgeois Democracy w/ August Nimtz
Gregg Castro
Culture Director for the Association of Ramaytush Ohlone; writer and activist
Association of Ramaytush Ohlone
Episode: Honorable Harvest: Indigenous Economics w/ Gregg Castro
Charles Xu
Member of Qiao Collective and Sovereign Media
Qiao Collective; Sovereign Media
Episode: [TEASER] China Ep. 9: Taiwan w/ Charles Xu and Feiyang Sun
Feiyang Sun
Member of Qiao Collective
Qiao Collective
Episode: [TEASER] China Ep. 9: Taiwan w/ Charles Xu and Feiyang Sun
Fadhel Kaboub
Tunisian-American economist, professor at Denison University, President of the Global Institute for Sustainable Prosperity, author of Global South Perspectives
Denison University; Global Institute for Sustainable Prosperity
Episode: The Rise (and Fall) of the US Dollar w/ Fadhel Kaboub
Manolo De Los Santos
Founder of the People's Forum and researcher at Tricontinental Institute for Social Research
People's Forum; Tricontinental Institute for Social Research
Episode: Cuba Ep. 5: Under Siege w/ Manolo De Los Santos & Liz Oliva Fernández
Liz Oliva Fernández
Havana-based journalist, Belly of the Beast
Belly of the Beast
Episode: Cuba Ep. 5: Under Siege w/ Manolo De Los Santos & Liz Oliva Fernández

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 2.8k 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 Statesa month ago
  • Must listen to.

    Free Palestine!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    adthhufb
    United Statesa month 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
    Canada2 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 Kingdom2 months ago
  • Excellent analysis, very well produced

    Podcast Addict
    5
    failingmarx
    3 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.

Apple Podcasts
#215
Finland/Society & Culture

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Sudan Ep. 1: The Unconscious Revolution w/ Mohamed Khougali
Q: Could you give a broad sense of what the book Politically Unconscious is about and what drove you to write it?
The book blends historical analysis of Sudan's left and colonial history with a psychosocial lens, using praxis psychotherapy to connect individual therapeutic emergence with collective political change, and to contextualize the current moment within longer historical processes.
The Democratic Party w/ Cecilia Guerrero
Q: What is the present role of the Democratic Party domestically and internationally according to your analysis?
The host argues that both parties function as mediation and co-optation vehicles for capital, with the Democrats often acting as a stabilizing force for imperialist interests; the guest provides specific examples from domestic labor movements and foreign interventions to illustrate this point.
The Democratic Party w/ Cecilia Guerrero
Q: How did the Democratic Party become framed as the left, and what is the historical basis for that claim?
The guest explains that the label of the left is a narrative built over decades, tied to the party's mediation and reformist strategies that appealed to various working-class groups while maintaining capitalist interests, and highlights how this narrative obscures class-driven power dynamics.
[TEASER] 250 Years of Bourgeois Democracy w/ August Nimtz
Q: Can you introduce yourself and share a little about the work you do?
August Nimtz introduces himself as a scholar who connects Marxist theory with contemporary political developments, focusing on how elections interact with street-level political action and the historical role of Lenin, Engels, and Marx in shaping strategic approaches to power.
Honorable Harvest: Indigenous Economics w/ Gregg Castro
Q: How do indigenous concepts in the book translate to today's economic and environmental crises?
Castro explains that gifts from the earth create reciprocity; abundance should be stored in relationships, and communities must act with care, permission, and balance to counter scarcity.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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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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Which podcasts are similar to Upstream?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Upstream:

1. Rev Left Radio
2. Red Menace
3. The Socialist Program
4. The Red Nation Podcast
5. Jacobin Radio

How many episodes of Upstream are there?

Upstream launched 11 years ago and published 291 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 Upstream?

Recent guests on Upstream include:

1. Charisse Burden-Stelly
2. Mohamed Khougali
3. August Nimtz
4. Gregg Castro
5. Charles Xu
6. Feiyang Sun
7. Fadhel Kaboub
8. Manolo De Los Santos

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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