Folgen

  • E107: [TEASER] Fireside Chat – Hope Dies Last

    E107: [TEASER] Fireside Chat – Hope Dies Last
    Jul 24 2025
    Teaser of our latest Fireside Chat, available in full exclusively for our supporters on Patreon. A couple of years ago, John from WCH and Ade from our Farsi-language sister project, Daily Worker History Farsi, were interviewed for the Hope Dies Last podcast by musician and journalist Ryan Harvey. Ryan didn't end up having the time to finish the episode, so we thought we would turn it into a Fireside Chat, for people to learn a bit more about WCH and Daily Worker History Farsi. John and Ade talk about their respective projects in Iran, and in English, what inspires them, how they organise, and more.
    • Listen to the full episode here on Patreon
    More information
    • Daily Worker History Twitter
    • Daily Worker History Telegram
    • Daily Worker History Instagram
    • Ryan Harvey Website
    • Archive of the Hope Dies Last podcast
    Acknowledgements
    • Thanks to our Patreon supporters for making this podcast possible. Special thanks to Jazz Hands, Jamison D. Saltsman, Fernando López Ojeda and Old Norm.
    • Final editing by Tyler Hill. Some initial editing by Ryan Harvey.







    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/working-class-history--5711490/support.
    Mehr anzeigen Weniger anzeigen
    12 Min.
  • E106: [TEASER] Radical Reads – China in Global Capitalism

    E106: [TEASER] Radical Reads – China in Global Capitalism
    Jul 2 2025
    This is a teaser preview of one of our Radical Reads episodes, made exclusively for our supporters on patreon. You can listen to the full 122-minute episode without ads and support our work at https://www.patreon.com/posts/e106-radical-in-129688227In this episode, we speak to Eli Friedman and Kevin Lin about their new book, China in Global Capitalism: Building International Solidarity Against Imperial Rivalry. The book (co-written with Rosa Liu and Ashley Smith) does an excellent job of looking at the actions of the Chinese state from the perspective of workers and marginalised groups to produce a picture of a capitalist nation that is not simply 'the same' as other nations, but not all that different either.The full episode is out longest Radical Read yet, and covers a range of topics from the conditions and struggles of China's working class both inside the workplace and out, to women's and LGBT+ rights. We also talk about China's relationship to its "internal peripheries" of Tibet and Xinjiang, as well as its international relationships in Africa, Israel and, of course, with the US. We also discuss what building international solidarity from below might look like in the current context.Listen to the full episode here:E106: Radical Reads - China in Global CapitalismMore informationBuy China in Global Capitalism from an independent bookshopYou can also buy Eli’s previous book, China on Strike: Narratives of Workers’ RefusalCheck out our excellent collection of books about Chinese history and politics in our online storeListen to a three-part series about Chinese migrant worker poetry by our sister-podcast, Working Class LiteratureFull show notes for this episode, including further reading and listening, as well as sources, are available on the webpage for this episode: https://workingclasshistory.com/podcast/e106-radical-reads-china-in-global-capitalism/AcknowledgementsThanks to our patreon supporters for making this podcast possible. Special thanks to Jazz Hands, Fernando Lopez Ojeda, Nick Williams and Old Norm.The episode image is of the G.Tech Technology Factory in Zhuhai, China. Credit: Chris (with additional design by WCH). CC BY-SA 2.0.Edited by Tyler HillOur theme tune is Montaigne’s version of the classic labour movement anthem, ‘Bread and Roses’, performed by Montaigne and Nick Harriott, and mixed by Wave Racer. Download the song here, with all proceeds going to Medical Aid for Palestinians. More from Montaigne: website, Instagram, YouTubeBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/working-class-history--5711490/support.
    Mehr anzeigen Weniger anzeigen
    28 Min.
  • WCL13: Jack Hilton, Rochdale Caliban, part 2

    WCL13: Jack Hilton, Rochdale Caliban, part 2
    Jun 18 2025
    Part 2 of our double episode on working-class author Jack Hilton, with Jack Chadwick whose literary detective work rescued Hilton from almost total obscurity. This part covers his novel Caliban Shrieks in more detail and how it compares to other working-class novels from the same period; his later writing and life, and how his writing career would come to an end (despite George Orwell’s efforts); and, finally, the amazing series of events that led to the rediscovery and republication of Caliban Shrieks.
    Our podcast is brought to you by patreon supporters of both Working Class Literature and Working Class History. Our supporters fund our work, and in return get exclusive early access to podcast episodes, bonus episodes, free and discounted merchandise and other content. Join us or find out more at patreon.com/workingclasshistory

    More information
    • Buy Caliban Shrieks from an independent bookshop
    • Listen to the bonus episode to this double episode, exclusively for our supporters on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/wcl-13-1-jack-129501458
    • Full show notes including sources, photos, and eventually a full transcript are available on our website: https://workingclasshistory.com/podcast/wcl12-13-jack-hilton-rochdale-caliban/
    Acknowledgements
    • Image: Jack Hilton. Credit: Jack Chadwick.
    • Thanks to all our patreon supporters for making this podcast possible. Special thanks to Jazz Hands, Fernando Lopez Ojeda, Nick Williams and Old Norm.
    • Our theme tune is Bella Ciao, thanks for permission to use it from Dischi del Sole. You can purchase it here or stream it here.
    • This episode was edited by Jesse French.


    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/working-class-history--5711490/support.
    Mehr anzeigen Weniger anzeigen
    40 Min.
  • WCL12: Jack Hilton, Rochdale Caliban, part 1

    WCL12: Jack Hilton, Rochdale Caliban, part 1
    Jun 11 2025
    Part 1 of our double episode about Jack Hilton, a working-class author, World War I veteran, unemployed movement organiser, and trade union activist from Rochdale, north-west England.

    For this episode, we spoke to Jack Chadwick whose literary detective work rescued Hilton from almost total obscurity. We discussed Hilton's life growing up in Rochdale's slums, starting work at nine years old, and his activism in the National Unemployed Workers' Movement. We also talked about how he began writing, how Caliban Shrieks was celebrated within the London literary scene, and his long-term (and complex) relationship to George Orwell.

    More information
    • Buy Caliban Shrieks from an independent bookshop
    • Full show notes including sources, photos, and eventually a full transcript are available on our website: https://workingclasshistory.com/podcast/wcl12-13-jack-hilton-rochdale-caliban/
    Acknowledgements
    • Image: Jack Hilton. Credit: Jack Chadwick.
    • Thanks to all our patreon supporters for making this podcast possible. Special thanks to Jazz Hands, Fernando Lopez Ojeda, Nick Williams and Old Norm.
    • Our theme tune is Bella Ciao, thanks for permission to use it from Dischi del Sole. You can purchase it here or stream it here.
    • This episode was edited by Jesse French.


    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/working-class-history--5711490/support.
    Mehr anzeigen Weniger anzeigen
    56 Min.
  • E105: [TEASER] Fireside Chat – Organising in the public sector

    E105: [TEASER] Fireside Chat – Organising in the public sector
    Jun 5 2025
    This is a teaser preview of one of our Fireside Chat episodes, made exclusively for our supporters on Patreon. You can listen to the full 104-minute episode without ads and support our work at https://www.patreon.com/posts/e105-fireside-in-127749416

    In this episode, we spoke to one of our hosts, John, about his experiences organising at work in the public sector, first as an agency worker, then a permanent employee, and as a member and representative of Unison, the UK’s largest public sector union.

    In the full episode, we go into detail about some small local disputes and victories, and how these connected with the dynamics of large, national disputes – in particular, the public sector pensions dispute of 2011. We also talk about the relationship between union officialdom and struggles on the shopfloor.

    While these experiences are specific to John, we do think many of the dynamics are pretty common, with similarities with many workplaces – especially office-based ones.

    Our podcast is brought to you by our Patreon supporters. Our supporters fund our work, and in return get exclusive early access to podcast episodes, ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, free and discounted merchandise and other content. Join us or find out more at patreon.com/workingclasshistory

    Acknowledgements
    • Thanks to our Patreon supporters for making this podcast possible. Special thanks to Jazz Hands, Fernando López Ojeda and Old Norm.
    • Edited by Jesse French
    • Our theme tune is Montaigne’s version of the classic labour movement anthem, ‘Bread and Roses’, performed by Montaigne and Nick Harriott, and mixed by Wave Racer. Download the song here, with all proceeds going to Medical Aid for Palestinians. More from Montaigne: website, Instagram, YouTube.


    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/working-class-history--5711490/support.
    Mehr anzeigen Weniger anzeigen
    23 Min.
  • E104: Pirates, part 2

    E104: Pirates, part 2
    Apr 23 2025
    Second of a double podcast about the Golden Age of Piracy, with historian Marcus Rediker.
    Our podcast is brought to you by our patreon supporters. Our supporters fund our work, and in return get exclusive early access to podcast episodes, ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, free and discounted merchandise and other content. Join us or find out more at patreon.com/workingclasshistory
    Part 2 covers the extent of piracy, how pirates organise themselves, how colonial powers fought them, the decline of pirates, and their legacy today.
    More information, and eventually a transcript on the webpage for this episode here: https://workingclasshistory.com/podcast/e103-pirates/
    Get Marcus's Books:
    • Marcus Rediker, Villains of All Nations: Atlantic Pirates in the Golden Age
    • Marcus Rediker and David Lester, Under the Banner of King Death: Pirates of the Atlantic, a Graphic Novel
    Acknowledgements
    • Thanks to our Patreon supporters for making this podcast possible. Special thanks to Jazz Hands, Jamison D. Saltsman, Fernando López Ojeda, Nick Williams and Old Norm.
    • Written by Audrey Kemp and Tyler Hill
    • Produced by Tyler Hill
    • Episode graphic: Contemporary illustration of the execution of two pirates. Courtesy Wikimedia Commons
    • Our theme tune is Bella Ciao, thanks for permission to use it from Dischi del Sole. You can purchase it here or stream it here.


    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/working-class-history--5711490/support.
    Mehr anzeigen Weniger anzeigen
    30 Min.
  • E103: Pirates, part 1

    E103: Pirates, part 1
    Apr 16 2025
    First in a double podcast about the Golden Age of Piracy, with historian Marcus Rediker. The legendary pirates of this era weren’t just thieves—they were daring rebels challenging the very systems of power and authority of their time. Fighting every colonial empire, and creating their own ways of living free from authority, pirates became symbols of liberty and resistance to working-class and poor people everywhere.
    Our podcast is brought to you by our patreon supporters. Our supporters fund our work, and in return get exclusive early access to podcast episodes, ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, free and discounted merchandise and other content. Join us or find out more at patreon.com/workingclasshistory
    Part 1 covers the historical and economic background, the different eras of piracy in the golden age, about life at sea, how people became pirates.
    Our patreon supporters can listen to part 2 now early, covering the extent of piracy, how pirates organise themselves, how colonial powers fought them, the decline of pirates, and their legacy today: available here for early listening for our patreon supporters.
    More information, and eventually a transcript on the webpage for this episode here: https://workingclasshistory.com/podcast/e103-pirates/
    Get Marcus's Books:
    • Marcus Rediker, Villains of All Nations: Atlantic Pirates in the Golden Age
    • Marcus Rediker and David Lester, Under the Banner of King Death: Pirates of the Atlantic, a Graphic Novel
    Acknowledgements
    • Thanks to our Patreon supporters for making this podcast possible. Special thanks to Jazz Hands, Jamison D. Saltsman, Fernando López Ojeda, Nick Williams and Old Norm.
    • Written by Audrey Kemp and Tyler Hill
    • Produced by Tyler Hill
    • Episode graphic: Painting depicting the capture of Blackbeard, by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris, 1920. Courtesy Wikimedia Commons
    • Our theme tune is Bella Ciao, thanks for permission to use it from Dischi del Sole. You can purchase it here or stream it here.


    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/working-class-history--5711490/support.
    Mehr anzeigen Weniger anzeigen
    36 Min.
  • E102: [TEASER] Fireside Chat – Luigi Mangione

    E102: [TEASER] Fireside Chat – Luigi Mangione
    Apr 9 2025
    This is a teaser preview of one of our Fireside Chat episodes, made exclusively for our supporters on Patreon. You can listen to the full 65-minute episode without ads and support our work at https://www.patreon.com/posts/e102-fireside-124623473
    The date this episode aired, March 19, Luigi Mangione was scheduled to have his first court hearing on federal death penalty charges, accused of assassinating healthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
    So we sat down for a Fireside Chat about the case, about the US healthcare system, about Mangione and his past, about media and public reactions to the killing, and about historical parallels and differences with past assassinations.
    Our podcast is brought to you by our Patreon supporters. Our supporters fund our work, and in return get exclusive early access to podcast episodes, ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, free and discounted merchandise and other content. Join us or find out more at patreon.com/workingclasshistory

    Acknowledgements
      • Thanks to our patreon supporters for making this podcast possible. Special thanks to Jazz Hands, Jamison D. Saltsman, Fernando López Ojeda, and Old Norm.
      • Edited by Jesse French
      • Our theme tune is Montaigne’s version of the classic labour movement anthem, ‘Bread and Roses’, performed by Montaigne and Nick Harriott, and mixed by Wave Racer. Download the song here, with all proceeds going to Medical Aid for Palestinians. More from Montaigne: website, Instagram, YouTube.


    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/working-class-history--5711490/support.
    Mehr anzeigen Weniger anzeigen
    13 Min.