Varn Vlog

C. Derick Varn
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Abandon all hope ye who subscribe here. Varn Vlog is the pod of C. Derick Varn. We combine the conversation on philosophy, political economy, art, history, culture, anthropology, and geopolitics from a left-wing and culturally informed perspective. We approach the world from a historical lens with an eye for hard truths and structural analysis. 

  1. Grade Scandals, Bureaucracy, and the Truth About the Teacher Shortage with Chris Papst

    11 g. temu

    Grade Scandals, Bureaucracy, and the Truth About the Teacher Shortage with Chris Papst

    Why are public school budgets skyrocketing while student proficiency scores tank? How do districts artificially inflate graduation rates while leaving children entirely illiterate? In this episode of Varnblog, we sit down with Emmy award-winning investigative journalist Chris Papst to uncover the disturbing reality exposed in his new book, Failure Factory. For nearly a decade, Chris Papst and his team at Project Baltimore have investigated the deep-seated corruption, administration failures, and academic integrity issues within the Baltimore public school system. In this eye-opening conversation, Chris breaks down why Baltimore encapsulates a playbook used by major urban school districts across the United States to prioritize funding over educational outcomes. We pull back the curtain on shocking grade-changing scandals, the erasure of standardized testing, and the systematic hiding of school violence data to avoid "persistently dangerous" labels. Chris also explains the toxic structural mechanics that are driving real educators out of the profession, revealing that the nationwide teacher shortage is a direct symptom of unmanageable classroom conditions and a total lack of administrative discipline enforcement. If you are a parent, taxpayer, or educator looking to understand how the bureaucratic state manipulates public education, this breakdown of the "50% rule" and institutional data juking is essential listening. ✨ Order Chris Papst’s book, Failure Factory: How Baltimore City Public Schools Deprive Taxpayers and Students of a Future, available now! Send us Fan Mail Musis by Bitterlake, Used with Permission, all rights to Bitterlake Support the show Crew: Host: C. Derick Varn Intro and Outro Music by Bitter Lake. Intro Video Design: Jason Myles Art Design: Corn and C. Derick Varn Links and Social Media: twitter: @varnvlog blue sky: @varnvlog.bsky.social You can find the additional streams on Youtube Current Patreon at the Sponsor Tier: Jordan Sheldon, Mark J. Matthews, Lindsay Kimbrough, RedWolf, DRV, Kenneth McKee, JY Chan, Matthew Monahan, Parzival, Adriel Mixon, Buddy Roark, Daniel Petrovic,Julian, Drea, Free Beer

    46 min
  2. Solidarity or Silence?: How Leftist Politics Often Overlooks the Disabled with Anthony David Vernon

    4 dni temu

    Solidarity or Silence?: How Leftist Politics Often Overlooks the Disabled with Anthony David Vernon

    This podcast and YouTube episode features an in-depth conversation with Anthony David Vernon, a philosopher and educator, exploring the intersection of disability studies, left-wing politics, and the systemic failures of accessibility in a post-pandemic world. The discussion challenges the "normative" framework of society, examining how both civic institutions and political movements often fail to truly incorporate the voices and needs of the disabled community. Key Discussion Highlights The ADA and the "Checkmark" Problem: Vernon argues that because the ADA is enforced primarily through personal lawsuits and remains largely unfunded, it often results in "checkmark" compliance rather than true accessibility. The Post-Pandemic Erasure: The conversation explores how the rush to move past COVID-19 safety measures has prioritized "normative desires" over the accessibility needs of high-risk and disabled individuals. Multimodality as Justice: Implementing "ready-made" scaffolding and multiple points of entry into education and digital spaces benefits all learners, not just those with a formal diagnosis.   Referenced Works (APA Format) Albers, B. (2022). Able-bodied leftists cannot abandon disabled solidarity to move on from COVID. Truthout. https://truthout.org/articles/abled-bodied-leftists-cannot-abandon-disabled-solidarity-to-move-on-from-covid/ Data for Progress. (2023, October 3). Disabled voters do not believe politicians care about disabled Americans. https://www.dataforprogress.org/blog/2023/10/3/disabled-voters-do-not-believe-politicians-care-about-disabled-americans Hryhorec, S. (2025, October 26). LET ME IN: Mark Butler’s office isn’t accessible [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEfbZzCspDk Iacoboni, G. (2023). Why politics is failing disabled people and what to do about it. Independent Social Research Foundation (ISRF). https://isrf.org/blog/why-politics-is-failing-disabled-people-and-what-to-do-about-it Rotarou, E. S., & Sakellariou, D. (2024). Neoliberalism and disability: The systemic erasure of access. Social Science & Medicine. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277953623007189 University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. (n.d.). Disability studies and political theory: A framework for inclusion. https://scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/425af050-0220-49dc-b28d-f86d976dcf02/content Varn, C. D. (2023, October). Multimodal availability for those with learning disabilities. PeerCentered. https://www.peercentered.org/2023/10/multimodal-availability-for-those-with.html Vernon, A. D. (2023, December). Silence: Non-verbal communication in philosophy. Activated Thinker. https://medium.com/activated-thinker/silence-non-verbal-communication-in-philosophy-d5d148ba8a1d Willies, E. (2025, June 16). Anthony David Vernon advocates for social democracy as a tool of rebellion against fascism [Video]. YouTube.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rs7l6jNGDzw Send us Fan Mail Musis by Bitterlake, Used with Permission, all rights to Bitterlake Support the show Crew: Host: C. Derick Varn Intro and Outro Music by Bitter Lake. Intro Video Design: Jason Myles Art Design: Corn and C. Derick Varn Links and Social Media: twitter: @varnvlog blue sky: @varnvlog.bsky.social You can find the additional streams on Youtube Current Patreon at the Sponsor Tier: Jordan Sheldon, Mark J. Matthews, Lindsay Kimbrough, RedWolf, DRV, Kenneth McKee, JY Chan, Matthew Monahan, Parzival, Adriel Mixon, Buddy Roark, Daniel Petrovic,Julian, Drea, Free Beer

    1 godz. 30 min
  3. Karl Marx’s Ethics of Human Flourishing with Sam Badger

    29 cze

    Karl Marx’s Ethics of Human Flourishing with Sam Badger

    In this episode of Varn Vlog, we sit down with Sam Badger to explore the moral philosophy hidden within Marxian theory. While Karl Marx is famously derisive of "moralism," this discussion unpacks how his work actually outlines a robust "Ethics of Human Flourishing"—a vision of human liberation rooted in the realization of our creative and social potential beyond the constraints of capital. We delve into Sam’s latest research, comparing Marx’s views on character development and well-being with Aristotelian ethics, while highlighting how Marx’s focus on labor and class status creates a unique framework for modern social movements. Key Topics Covered: The Ethics of Character: How Marx defines the "good life" through the lens of historical context and labor. Alienation and Well-being: The impact of capitalist structures on individual development and freedom. Beyond Aristotle: Why Marx’s version of flourishing is inclusive of the working class, unlike classical elite-focused ethics. Modern Social Movements: Using Marx’s ethical framework to address today’s economic and social inequalities. Referenced Work: Book Citation: Badger, Sam. Karl Marx's Ethics of Human Flourishing. 1st ed. New York: Bloomsbury Academic, 2026. (ISBN: 9798216251026). Connect With the Guest: Sam Badger’s Substack: sambadger.substack.com Send us Fan Mail Musis by Bitterlake, Used with Permission, all rights to Bitterlake Support the show Crew: Host: C. Derick Varn Intro and Outro Music by Bitter Lake. Intro Video Design: Jason Myles Art Design: Corn and C. Derick Varn Links and Social Media: twitter: @varnvlog blue sky: @varnvlog.bsky.social You can find the additional streams on Youtube Current Patreon at the Sponsor Tier: Jordan Sheldon, Mark J. Matthews, Lindsay Kimbrough, RedWolf, DRV, Kenneth McKee, JY Chan, Matthew Monahan, Parzival, Adriel Mixon, Buddy Roark, Daniel Petrovic,Julian, Drea, Free Beer

    1 godz. 49 min
  4. The Stranger Side of Ancient Philosophy: Materialism & Metaphysics with Max Wade

    15 cze

    The Stranger Side of Ancient Philosophy: Materialism & Metaphysics with Max Wade

    What did "materialism" actually mean to the ancients, and how does it differ from our modern scientific understanding? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Max Wade (Ph.D., Boston College) to bridge the gap between ancient Greek ontology and modern philosophical debates. We dive deep into the "weirdness" of ancient thought, exploring why the Stoics believed in physical gods and why the Epicureans were the only true ancient materialists. Dr. Wade challenges the secularized modern reading of Socrates and Plato, revealing how their theories of divine design were actually a reactionary response to pre-Socratic natural philosophy. In this episode, we discuss: The Miriology of Being: Why the relationship between parts and wholes is the key to unlocking ancient ontology. Active vs. Passive Matter: The crucial distinction that separates Platonists, Aristotelians, and Stoics from the Epicureans. The "Swerve": Why materialism and determinism were considered incompatible in the ancient world. Plato’s Atlantis & Egyptian Wisdom: Why reading Plato literally misses his point about the soul's forgetfulness and eternal truth. Marxism & Hegel: How modern materialism is often a misreading of ancient concepts through a German Idealist lens. About Our Guest: Dr. Max Wade is a scholar of ancient philosophy whose dissertation focused on Plotinus’ Ontology of Artifacts. Follow his work at maxway.substack.com. Send us Fan Mail Musis by Bitterlake, Used with Permission, all rights to Bitterlake Support the show Crew: Host: C. Derick Varn Intro and Outro Music by Bitter Lake. Intro Video Design: Jason Myles Art Design: Corn and C. Derick Varn Links and Social Media: twitter: @varnvlog blue sky: @varnvlog.bsky.social You can find the additional streams on Youtube Current Patreon at the Sponsor Tier: Jordan Sheldon, Mark J. Matthews, Lindsay Kimbrough, RedWolf, DRV, Kenneth McKee, JY Chan, Matthew Monahan, Parzival, Adriel Mixon, Buddy Roark, Daniel Petrovic,Julian, Drea, Free Beer

    2 godz. 12 min
  5. Revolutionary Strategy Today with the Angry Workers Collective

    8 cze

    Revolutionary Strategy Today with the Angry Workers Collective

    The working class is everywhere now. So why does it keep slipping out of view the moment we try to talk about power, strategy, and organization? We sit down with Marco from the Angry Workers Collective to dig into a question that quietly haunts modern labor politics: wage work has been universalized across the globe, yet movements get described with vague labels instead of clear class segments and material interests.  We work through two tools that sharpen the picture: uneven and combined development and class composition. That means looking at how global capitalism links regions through credit, supply chains, migration, and war, while also tracking how cooperation, technology, and workplace discipline produce different working class experiences. From warehouses to factories to schools and hospitals, the episode pushes beyond nostalgia for 20th century union templates and asks what kinds of “advanced points” can actually radiate outward today, and how political bridges get built across fragmented sectors.  The conversation gets especially concrete in the health sector. We talk about workplace political committees, the Vital Science project, and why hospitals are not just “care work” but complex social production tied to pharma, equipment, data, and community life. From there we connect anti-war sentiment to material questions of worker control, planning, and who decides what our labor is used for as militarization creeps into civilian institutions. If you care about working class strategy, global supply chains, migrant labor, and what “revolution” could practically mean in the 21st century, this is for you.  Subscribe for more, share this with a coworker, and leave a review with the workplace question you want answered next. Send us Fan Mail Musis by Bitterlake, Used with Permission, all rights to Bitterlake Support the show Crew: Host: C. Derick Varn Intro and Outro Music by Bitter Lake. Intro Video Design: Jason Myles Art Design: Corn and C. Derick Varn Links and Social Media: twitter: @varnvlog blue sky: @varnvlog.bsky.social You can find the additional streams on Youtube Current Patreon at the Sponsor Tier: Jordan Sheldon, Mark J. Matthews, Lindsay Kimbrough, RedWolf, DRV, Kenneth McKee, JY Chan, Matthew Monahan, Parzival, Adriel Mixon, Buddy Roark, Daniel Petrovic,Julian, Drea, Free Beer

    1 godz. 15 min
  6. Up vs. Down: Bypassing the Two-Party Sorting Mechanism with Travis Misurell

    4 cze

    Up vs. Down: Bypassing the Two-Party Sorting Mechanism with Travis Misurell

    Is American democracy broken, or is it just rigged? In this episode of VarmBlog, we sit down with Travis Misurell, founder of the Think: The Future is Now Coalition (Fink), to discuss a radical new framework for political engagement: moving beyond the traditional left-vs-right binary to an "Up vs. Down" perspective. We dive deep into the Digital Politics Hub (DP Hub), a materialist infrastructure project designed to bypass party gatekeepers and empower the common voter. Misurell explains how current systems manipulate our choices before we even reach the ballot and shares his vision for a citizen-owned democracy powered by transparent, digital infrastructure. Inside This Episode: The Up-Serving vs. Down-Serving Conflict: Why most politicians serve big donors and "power-boosters" rather than the grassroots. The Civic Tag Revolution: How candidates can define themselves in their own words—focusing on advocacy and identity rather than rigid party platforms. The Failure of Civic Tech: Why previous platforms failed (and why a "people-first" movement is the only way forward). AI & Open-Ended Data: How Fink uses AI to aggregate thousands of citizen priorities without the framing biases of traditional polling. The Nevada Pilot: Why Nevada was chosen as the testing ground for this new model of election reform. Digital Democracy Phase 2: A look at the future "toolbox" of citizen-owned technology, from tracking insider trading to creating a national "democracy score" for every candidate. Connect with the Movement: Ready to reclaim your vote? Join the coalition and help build a level playing field for every candidate. Visit the Hub: hub.futureis.org Take Action: Add your name and share your community's top priorities to help drive the data that candidates need to see. Send us Fan Mail Musis by Bitterlake, Used with Permission, all rights to Bitterlake Support the show Crew: Host: C. Derick Varn Intro and Outro Music by Bitter Lake. Intro Video Design: Jason Myles Art Design: Corn and C. Derick Varn Links and Social Media: twitter: @varnvlog blue sky: @varnvlog.bsky.social You can find the additional streams on Youtube Current Patreon at the Sponsor Tier: Jordan Sheldon, Mark J. Matthews, Lindsay Kimbrough, RedWolf, DRV, Kenneth McKee, JY Chan, Matthew Monahan, Parzival, Adriel Mixon, Buddy Roark, Daniel Petrovic,Julian, Drea, Free Beer

    53 min
  7. Decoding the Tragedy of Noam Chomsky with Dr. Chris Knight

    1 cze

    Decoding the Tragedy of Noam Chomsky with Dr. Chris Knight

    In this episode of Varn Vlog, we welcome back British anthropologist and activist Dr. Chris Knight, author of Decoding Chomsky, to discuss the startling revelations surrounding Noam Chomsky’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. We go beyond the headlines to examine the deep-seated contradictions in Chomsky’s career, his historical ties to the military-industrial complex, and what these scandals mean for the future of the American Left. Key Topics Covered: The Epstein Revelations: Analyzing the surprising extent of emails and mutual involvement between the Chomskys and Jeffrey Epstein, including claims of financial advice and legal support during family disputes. The "Two Chomskys": Dr. Knight explains the "firewall" between Chomsky’s public persona as an anti-militarist critic and his decades-long career at MIT, working within Pentagon-funded laboratories alongside figures he regarded as war criminals. Science vs. Politics: A deep dive into how Chomsky’s linguistic theories—specifically Universal Grammar and the "language module"—may have served the interests of military command and control systems. The Cognitive Revolution’s Legacy: How the shift toward "mind over matter" in the human sciences served as a counter-materialist program that undermined traditional Marxist and scientific analysis on the Left. About Our Guest: Dr. Chris Knight is a renowned British anthropologist and a leading critic of Noam Chomsky’s scientific and political legacy. His book, Decoding Chomsky: Science and Revolutionary Politics, has seen a massive resurgence in interest as scholars and activists seek to understand the collapse of Chomsky’s reputation. Supplementary Reading Grandin, G.  (2025, December 15). What the Noam Chomsky–Jeffrey Epstein e-mails tell us. The Nation. https://www.thenation.com/article/society/noam-chomsky-jeffrey-epstein-emails/ Brown, Justin (2026, February 17).  In defence of Noam Chomsky. (2026, February 11). Countercurrents. https://countercurrents.org/2026/02/in-defence-of-noam-chomsky/ Knight, C. (2026, February 6). The Chomsky/Epstein puzzle. CounterPunch. https://www.counterpunch.org/2026/02/06/the-chomsky-epstein-puzzle/ Knight, C. (2026, February 9). There are two Noam Chomskys: The one you love, and the one that was friends with Jeffrey Epstein. Novara Media. https://novaramedia.com/2026/02/09/there-are-two-noam-chomskys-the-one-you-love-and-the-one-that-was-friends-with-jeffrey-epstein/ Structural silence: Chomsky, Epstein, and the architecture of elite immunity. (2025, December 8). UniLiterate. https://uniliterate.com/2025/12/structural-silence-chomsky-epstein-and-the-architecture-of-elite-immunity/ Vadrot, F., & Giudice, F. (2026, February 15). The moment critical capital meets financial capital. Substack. https://substack.com/home/post/p-187860978 Hedges, C. (2026, February 14). Noam Chomsky, Jeffrey Epstein and the philosophy of despair. Send us Fan Mail Musis by Bitterlake, Used with Permission, all rights to Bitterlake Support the show Crew: Host: C. Derick Varn Intro and Outro Music by Bitter Lake. Intro Video Design: Jason Myles Art Design: Corn and C. Derick Varn Links and Social Media: twitter: @varnvlog blue sky: @varnvlog.bsky.social You can find the additional streams on Youtube Current Patreon at the Sponsor Tier: Jordan Sheldon, Mark J. Matthews, Lindsay Kimbrough, RedWolf, DRV, Kenneth McKee, JY Chan, Matthew Monahan, Parzival, Adriel Mixon, Buddy Roark, Daniel Petrovic,Julian, Drea, Free Beer

    1 godz. 8 min
  8. The Prospects of DSA: Party Building, Power, and the Marxist Unity Group

    25 maj

    The Prospects of DSA: Party Building, Power, and the Marxist Unity Group

    Approximately two years into the second Trump administration, the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) is at a critical crossroads. In this semi-annual check-in, we sit down with members of the Marxist Unity Group (MUG)—Cliff Connolly, Gene Allen, and Amy Wilhelm—to discuss the evolving landscape of American socialist politics. In this deep dive, our panel explores the significant shift following the passing of Resolution Seven, which officially declared the DSA's intent to transition into an independent, mass-based political party. We tackle the "New York contradictions," the limits of holding executive office without legislative support, and the struggle to maintain a revolutionary program in a "multi-tendency" organization. In This Episode, We Discuss: The Blueprint for a Party: Why the DSA is moving away from being a "political advocacy non-profit" toward a formal party structure. Executive vs. Legislative Power: Analyzing the challenges faced by elected officials like Zohran Mamdani in New York and the dangers of "shortcuts" to power. The Utility of Protests: Why street movements like "No Kings" are vital for recruitment even if they don't immediately "move the needle" on foreign policy. Building a Worker State: The development of a revolutionary program aimed at ending capitalism in the United States. Member Protagonism: How doubling down on internal democracy and STV (Single Transferable Vote) is the key to retaining the DSA's 100k+ membership. Connect with the Marxist Unity Group: Website: marxistunity.com Publications: Check out Light and Air and the Bulletin for internal and external socialist theory. Read: Cliff Connolly’s latest piece in Democratic Left regarding the Security Commission’s de-escalation and safety trainings. Send us Fan Mail Musis by Bitterlake, Used with Permission, all rights to Bitterlake Support the show Crew: Host: C. Derick Varn Intro and Outro Music by Bitter Lake. Intro Video Design: Jason Myles Art Design: Corn and C. Derick Varn Links and Social Media: twitter: @varnvlog blue sky: @varnvlog.bsky.social You can find the additional streams on Youtube Current Patreon at the Sponsor Tier: Jordan Sheldon, Mark J. Matthews, Lindsay Kimbrough, RedWolf, DRV, Kenneth McKee, JY Chan, Matthew Monahan, Parzival, Adriel Mixon, Buddy Roark, Daniel Petrovic,Julian, Drea, Free Beer

    1 godz. 25 min
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O programie

Abandon all hope ye who subscribe here. Varn Vlog is the pod of C. Derick Varn. We combine the conversation on philosophy, political economy, art, history, culture, anthropology, and geopolitics from a left-wing and culturally informed perspective. We approach the world from a historical lens with an eye for hard truths and structural analysis. 

Informacje

  • Twórca
    C. Derick Varn
  • Lata aktywności
    2021 - 2026
  • Odcinki
    404
  • Klasyfikacja
    Dla dorosłych
  • Prawa autorskie
    © 2026 Varn Vlog
  • Witryna programu
    Varn Vlog

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