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Ep 63 - The Stalin Eras: An Introduction (1878-1917)

Proles Pod

Release Date: 10/09/2024

Ep 83 - Reform or Revolution (Part I of II) show art Ep 83 - Reform or Revolution (Part I of II)

Proles Pod

In this two-part Theory Episode, the ProlesPod Squad takes on one of the most influential texts in socialist history: "Reform or Revolution" (1898) by Polish-German Marxist Rosa Luxemburg. Whether you're new to political theory, find socialist texts hard to get through, or just want to hear our unique take—this deep-dive is for you. We break it down, debate its meaning, and explore why this revolutionary classic still matters today. Luxemburgers unite!

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Ep 82 - Guatemalan Guerrillas show art Ep 82 - Guatemalan Guerrillas

Proles Pod

Digging into his own family's background, PhD Candidate, Brandon, is our subject matter expert. He combines archival research with ethnographic interviews to bring us the history of the guerrilla struggle, focusing on the era between the early 1960s and the early 1980s. We learn about tactics, tribulation, and Trotskyite treachery. You can sign up at  where you get access to early release episodes, study guides, the aforementioned bonus episodes, TheoryBeats, and MORE! YOU CAN DO SO FOR FREE, which will get you the study guides, merch, and other random drops. Please subscribe on your...

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Ep 81 - One Big Blanket and Other Hilarious Anti-Communist Arguments show art Ep 81 - One Big Blanket and Other Hilarious Anti-Communist Arguments

Proles Pod

The ProlesSquad shares and responds to some of the most poorly concieved yet commonly heard anti-communist arguments! You can sign up at  where you get access to early release episodes, study guides, the aforementioned bonus episodes, TheoryBeats, and MORE! YOU CAN DO SO FOR FREE, which will get you the study guides, merch, and other random drops. Please subscribe on your favorite podcast catcher and rate or review to help extend our reach. Like and rate us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter  and Tiktok @proles.pod. If you have any questions or comments, email us at...

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Ep 80 - MMT, Austerity, and Imperialism show art Ep 80 - MMT, Austerity, and Imperialism

Proles Pod

Virginia and Steve from / join Justin and Jeremy in a discussion of Modern Monetary Theory, how it can be used as a radicalizing tool, as well as what it means in the grand scheme of global economics. We go even more in depth on our Patreon exclusive bonus episode, so make sure you don't miss it! You can sign up at  where you get access to early release episodes, study guides, the aforementioned bonus episodes, TheoryBeats, and MORE! YOU CAN DO SO FOR FREE, which will get you the study guides, merch, and other random drops. Please subscribe on your favorite podcast catcher and rate...

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Ep 79 - Soviet Cartoons & Raising Socialist Children show art Ep 79 - Soviet Cartoons & Raising Socialist Children

Proles Pod

The Proles Squad is joined by communist Youtuber to talk about their recent work on soviet children's cartoons, women's liberation in the USSR, and socialist child rearing!  Sign up at  where you can get access to early release episodes, study guides, bonus episodes, TheoryBeats, and MORE! YOU CAN DO SO FOR FREE, which will get you the study guides, merch, and other random drops. Please subscribe on your favorite podcast catcher and rate or review to help extend our reach. Like and rate us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter  and Tiktok @proles.pod. If you have any...

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Ep 78 - The Stalin Eras: Part 6 Conclusions show art Ep 78 - The Stalin Eras: Part 6 Conclusions

Proles Pod

In the FINAL main-feed episode of the Stalin Eras, we sat back and took a look at where we started and where we ended up. Were we successful in what we set out to do? What did we learn? What do we hope listeners learned? How did the process change us? We answer these and more. Please comment what you learned, something that surprised you. We would love to see them. The Stalin Eras, inspired by the classic RevLeft Radio episode “Stalin: A Marxist-Leninist Perspective,  mixes both narrative history (ala Blowback) and discussion (like classic Prolespod) to provide the most comprehensive...

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Ep 77 - The Stalin Eras: Part 5 Criticisms and Contradictions show art Ep 77 - The Stalin Eras: Part 5 Criticisms and Contradictions

Proles Pod

The much anticipated criticisms and contradictions episode of The Stalin Eras! In this episode we wrestle with the following controversies during Stalin’s leadership of the USSR: the Gulag, anti-homosexuality laws, anti-abortion Laws, the “Final” Contradiction, and more! You don’t want to miss this one!  The Stalin Eras, inspired by the classic RevLeft Radio episode “Stalin: A Marxist-Leninist Perspective,  mixes both narrative history (ala Blowback) and discussion (like classic Prolespod) to provide the most comprehensive English overview of the life and impact of Soviet...

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Ep 76 - The Stalin Eras Part 4 Discussion (1939-1953) show art Ep 76 - The Stalin Eras Part 4 Discussion (1939-1953)

Proles Pod

As "The Stalin Eras” draws to a close, we discuss, in more granular detail, Joseph Stalin’s placement within the context of Soviet history, focusing on the years 1939 up to his death in 1953. Our host for this episode is (also) Jeremy, from Intervenciones Gringas! We talk accusations of imperialism, the final results of Stalin's theory of Socialism in One Country, and the contradiction of "orthodox" Marxism.  The Stalin Eras, inspired by the classic RevLeft Radio episode “Stalin: A Marxist-Leninist Perspective,  mixes both narrative history (ala Blowback) and discussion (like...

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Ep 75 - The Stalin Eras: Part 4.5 Narrative (1943-1953) show art Ep 75 - The Stalin Eras: Part 4.5 Narrative (1943-1953)

Proles Pod

In this final narrative of "The Stalin Eras”, we detail Joseph Stalin’s life within the context of Soviet history through the years 1943-1953. This narrative, titled “Long Live Comrade Stalin!" covers viscerally the experience of the Soviet people during the Great Patriotic War as well as the key ingredients to their victory, the early days of the cold war, and Stalin's final years.  The Stalin Eras, inspired by the classic RevLeft Radio episode “Stalin: A Marxist-Leninist Perspective,  mixes both narrative history (ala Blowback) and discussion (like classic Prolespod) to...

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Ep 74 - The Stalin Eras: Part 4.0 Narrative (1939-1942) show art Ep 74 - The Stalin Eras: Part 4.0 Narrative (1939-1942)

Proles Pod

In the narrative for Part 4.0 of "The Stalin Eras”, we detail Joseph Stalin’s life within the context of Soviet history through the years 1939-1942. This narrative, titled “Enemy at the Gates" highlights the pivotal years leading to the Nazi invasion of the USSR: the invasion of Poland, Soviet influence over the Baltics, the death of Leon Trotsky, and the start of Operation Barbarossa!  Stay tuned for the next episode which will continue the narrative through from 1943-1953, Stalin's final years.  The Stalin Eras, inspired by the classic RevLeft Radio episode “Stalin: A...

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More Episodes

In this introductory episode we cover the who, what, where, and why of “The Stalin Eras”, a multi-part series on the life and times of Joseph Stalin. In addition, we also lay the foundations of young Stalin’s life: from his humble birth in 1878 to his revolutionary career leading into the October Revolution of 1917. 

This first narrative of the series, “From Soso to Stalin”, begins with his childhood, before movin into his time in church school followed by seminary,  and finally his early days as a labor leader and journalist for the Party leading into the October Revolution.  And ofcourse, we cover young Stalin’s daring bank robbery!

The Stalin Eras, inspired by the classic RevLeft Radio episode “Stalin: A Marxist-Leninist Perspective,”  mixes both narrative history (ala Blowback) and discussion (like classic ProlesPod) to provide the most comprehensive English overview of the life and impact of Soviet leader, Joseph Stalin, in podcast format.

Whether you’re a socialist history enthusiast, someone who’s just curious to learn more than what you got in school about the Soviet Union, or even a total hater who wants to rage, this series has something for everyone.         

Episode Sources 

Reflections on Stalinism (2024) by J Arch Getty  

Secret British ‘black propaganda’ campaign targeted cold war enemies (2022)

Stalin: Passage to Revolution (2020) by Ronald Grigor Suny

Revisioning Stalin and Stalinism Complexities, Contradictions, and Controversies (2020) Edited by James Ryan and Susan Grant 

Stalin: From the Caucasus to the Kremlin (2017)  by Christopher Read

US., Soviet Textbooks Give  Different Accounts of History (1987)

Death of the department that never was (1978)

On Stalin (1953) by W.E.B Dubois 

Recommend Reading 

Stalin History & Critique of a Black Legend  by Domenico Losurdo

The Collected Works of J.V. Stalin: Volume I

The Collected Works of J.V. Stalin: Volume II 

Recommended Listening

Stalin: A Marxist-Leninist Perspective

Ep 61 - Foundations of Leninism 

Was the Soviet Union Totalitarian? w/ Robert Thurston