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Upstream

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

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes284Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsPoliticsSociety & Culture

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Latest Episodes

This is a free preview of the episode "Iran Pt. 5: Is the US-Iran Deal a Trap for Iran? w/ Elina Xenophontos" You can listen to the full episode by subscribing to our Patreon here: www.patreon.com/upstreampodcast

As a Patreon subscriber you... more

The hyper-individual, anti-collectivist ideology that defines and permeates Western societies has profound consequences in multiple realms, from mental health to ecological health to economic health—it's a way of living and thinking that has stained ... more

This is a free preview of the episode "China Pt. 9: Taiwan w/ Charles Xu and Feiyang Sun." 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 a... more

In this episode we're joined by Fadhel Kaboub for a conversation about the US dollar, its hegemony over the globe, and the emerging challenges to this hegemony. Fadhel Kaboub is a Tunisian-American economist, professor of economics at Denison Univers... more

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Recent Guests

Charles Xu
Member of Qiao Collective and Sovereign Media
Qiao Collective; Sovereign Media
Episode: [TEASER] China Pt. 9: Taiwan w/ Charles Xu and Feiyang Sun
Feiyang Sun
Member of Qiao Collective
Qiao Collective
Episode: [TEASER] China Pt. 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
Liz Oliva Fernández
Havana-based journalist, Belly of the Beast
Belly of the Beast
Episode: Cuba Pt. 5: Under Siege w/ Manolo De Los Santos & Liz Oliva Fernández
Torkil Lauesen
Author, The Long Transition Towards Socialism and the End of Capitalism; Unequal Exchange, Past, Present and Future
Iskra Books
Episode: [TEASER] The Long Transition Towards Socialism and the End of Capitalism w/ Torkil Lauesen
Ramsey Robinson
Mental health social worker, organizer, revolutionary
Peace and Freedom Party, San Francisco
Episode: A Socialist California w/ Ramsey Robinson
Matteo Capasso
Professor of Middle East Studies based in China and Editor of Middle East Critique
Middle East Critique (Taylor & Francis journal)
Episode: [TEASER] Iran Pt. 4: Towards a Multipolar World / Matteo Capasso
Renzo Llorente
Associate professor of philosophy at Saint Louis University-Madrid; author of The Political Theory of Che Guevara and The Political Thought of Fidel Castro
Saint Louis University Madrid, Spain
Episode: Cuba Pt. 4: Counterrevolution w/ Renzo Llorente
Helen Yaffe
Professor of Latin American Political Economy at University of Glasgow
University of Glasgow
Episode: Cuba Pt. 3: Che Guevara and the Building of Socialism w/ Helen Yaffe

Hosts

Robert Raymond
Host of Upstream with Della Duncan; long-running interviewer and co-host focused on anti-imperialist analysis.
Della Duncan
Co-host of Upstream; experienced interviewer with focus on global politics and socialist critique.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 2.8k ratings
  • Excellent analysis, very well produced

    Podcast Addict
    5
    failingmarx
    24 days ago
  • One of my favorites for fighting despair

    This podcast is one of a handful I listen to regularly and the only one I’ve ever paid to subscribe to! I love the way the hosts conduct the conversations, the expertise and variety of the guests, the way they handle complex topics and disagreements. They help me broaden my worldview and feel more connected to revolutionary movements throughout history and the world. Thanks y’all!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BeckaMMMM
    United Statesa month ago
  • ❤️

    Absolutely love this podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Evolutionary17
    United States2 months ago
  • Essential learning and knowledge

    This is a very informative and wonderful podcast. I've learned a lot and appreciate the knowledge sources and voices that they platform.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    msr01328
    United States2 months ago
  • Superb

    This show takes on the most important questions in a rapidly changing world from a solidly anti-imperialist stance with so many excellent guests. Their very well-produced content manages to be both approachable for anyone and intellectually challenging. I would highly recommend this show to anyone left in the dark by our corporate media.

    My only recommendations for the hosts would be to unlock two recent Patreon episodes: The Long Transition with Torkil Lauesen and Atlantic Slavery and the Pl... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lukewcamp
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Audiences appreciate the depth on Cuba, Palestine, and global South perspectives.
Fans highlight the hosts' interviewing skill and intellectual rigor.
Listeners praise accessible yet rigorous analysis and the breadth of topics.
A concise, thoughtful critique of imperialism with strong guest lineups and quality production.
Many note the show's educational impact and call for more Patreon episodes.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Rise (and Fall) of the US Dollar w/ Fadhel Kaboub
Q: Can you summarize why de-dollarization must be tied to decolonization of the economy?
Because the dollar's dominance is structurally tied to colonial-era economic functions; without transforming food, energy, and manufacturing, countries remain locked into debt service and external constraints that keep them dependent on dollar-based finance and trade.
Cuba Pt. 7: How Cuban Socialism Works w/ Helen Yaffe
Q: What does socialism look like in practice in Cuba, and what are its main characteristics?
Socialism in Cuba centers on state control of resources and production oriented toward the working class, with planning and social programs as core pillars. This includes nationalization, socialization of decision-making, and a strong emphasis on education, health care, and welfare. Planning is political in the sense that it prioritizes social needs over profits, and there are ongoing efforts to involve workers and communities in decision-making to safeguard social justice.
A Socialist California w/ Ramsey Robinson
Q: What would a day look like for a child in a socialist California?
A day would start with warmth from central heating in publicly built housing, attend a school with comprehensive mental health services and free education, have guaranteed meals, and rely on universal healthcare funded by the state, with parents holding union jobs that provide stability and time for family.
[TEASER] Iran Pt. 4: Towards a Multipolar World / Matteo Capasso
Q: All right, Matteo, it's great to have you back on the show. For anyone who might have missed you the first time around, or who just might not be familiar with you and your work, could you introduce yourself for us and talk a little bit about the work that you do?
Matteo Capasso explains his role as a professor and editor, focusing on Middle East studies, historical materialism, and sovereign development within the Global South, with emphasis on Libya, Syria, Palestine, and how imperial dynamics shape political economy in the region.
Cuba Pt. 4: Counterrevolution w/ Renzo Llorente
Q: Why did Cuba pursue a one-party system, and how is democracy defined in this framework?
The one-party model was justified as a means to preserve unity in the face of external threats and internal fragmentation, with democracy defined not only by multi-party competition but also by social equality, education, and empowerment. Fidel argued that multiple parties could still correspond to democracy if critical conditions—education, equality, and independence—were met.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About Upstream

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

A long-running show that probes economics, imperialism, and global politics through rigorous interviews with scholars, activists, journalists, and policymakers. Episodes frequently center anti-imperialist and anti-capitalist analyses, exploring Cuba, Palestine, Iran, Lebanon, and broader global South dynamics, often tying historical context to contemporary policy and strategy. A notable pattern is hosting academics alongside frontline storytellers to unpack complex theories and real-world consequences, with a clear emphasis on systemic critique and socialist perspectives. The show is likely particularly valuable for listeners seeking thoughtful, deeply sourced discussions that connect historical movements to present-day struggles and region... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Upstream?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Upstream:

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

How many episodes of Upstream are there?

Upstream launched 10 years ago and published 284 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. Charles Xu
2. Feiyang Sun
3. Fadhel Kaboub
4. Liz Oliva Fernández
5. Torkil Lauesen
6. Ramsey Robinson
7. Matteo Capasso
8. Renzo Llorente

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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