The Journeyman: Unfiltered

Marlon Weems
  • 5.0 (3)
  • POLITICS

Former Wall Street pro Marlon Weems gives his insights on the intersection of politics, the economy, and anti-Black racism. thejourneyman.substack.com

  1. A Show With No Name

    3D AGO

    A Show With No Name

    Air date: 2/12/2026 About the Show A Show With No Name with Marlon Weems and Arturo Dominguez digs into the week’s political chaos, media narratives, and the business incentives shaping power. This episode centered on DOJ politics, the Epstein files, immigration enforcement, market corruption, and the Democratic Party’s strategy crisis. Key Themes * Pam Bondi & DOJ credibility: The hosts react to Bondi’s combative congressional performance, especially her refusal to clearly condemn hiring a Jan. 6 participant and her posture toward oversight, arguing it reflects a deeper collapse of institutional norms. * Epstein files & elite impunity: They argue the continued downplaying of the Epstein files is indefensible, noting that if full accountability would “collapse the system,” then the system deserves to collapse. They stress this should transcend party politics. * Immigration & private detention profiteering: The conversation highlights how detention has become a business model—billions in public money flowing to private facilities—creating perverse incentives to hold people longer rather than process cases faster. * Constitutional rights vs. enforcement theater: They criticize warrantless searches, masked raids, and militarized optics, arguing this is about power and profit more than public safety. * Market manipulation & political corruption: Drawing on Marlon’s finance background, they discuss extreme market swings around tariff announcements and the appearance of insider trading by political figures, calling this era uniquely corrupt. * Democrats: opposition or caretakers? Citing commentary about party leadership, they argue that too many Democrats are waiting their “turn at the wheel” instead of actively confronting authoritarian drift. * 2028 and the bench: They’re skeptical of a Gavin Newsom–style “consultant-driven” politics and stress the need for candidates who can actually energize voters, not just manage optics. * Texas politics check-in: The episode closes with a look at Texas races, turnout challenges, and the need for more firebrand energy rather than cautious centrism. Why It Matters The throughline is institutional decay plus profit motives: from DOJ credibility, to immigration detention, to crypto and market games, the hosts argue we’re watching a system that increasingly protects insiders, monetizes suffering, and shrugs at accountability—while politics debates vibes instead of consequences. Notable Moments * The blunt reaction to Bondi’s performance at her most recent congressional hearing and the hiring of a pardoned Jan. 6 participant. * The “if it collapses the system, let it collapse” line on the Epstein files. * The breakdown of how detention math turns human lives into a revenue stream. * The warning that today’s market behavior and political crypto ventures would have been career-ending scandals in any prior era. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thejourneyman.substack.com/subscribe

    1 hr
  2. From Ballots to Boycotts: Power, Profit, and the Coming Reckoning

    FEB 11

    From Ballots to Boycotts: Power, Profit, and the Coming Reckoning

    The Big Picture In this episode of The Journeyman Unfiltered, Marlon Weems is joined by Danielle Moodie for a wide-ranging, urgent conversation about U.S. politics, state power, and the economic forces reshaping daily life. The discussion opens with a look at the New Jersey race where Tom Malinowski, a mainstream Democrat, conceded to Analilia Mejia, a progressive challenger. Weems framed this development as part of a broader national pattern of voters rewarding candidates who “stand ten toes down” on their values. From there, the conversation widens into a sobering examination of how power is being exercised—and normalized—across the country. The Journeyman. is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. What’s Driving the Moment Moodie argues that the rise of progressive challengers reflects voter frustration with a donor-driven political class and a hunger for authenticity, especially around issues like Gaza, policing, and state violence. Both hosts point to a climate in which repression is no longer abstract or distant, but increasingly visible and personal—changing who feels vulnerable and how quickly public opinion shifts. The throughline is that what was long tolerated when it affected marginalized communities is now being felt more broadly. ICE, Policing, and the Architecture of Fear A major portion of the conversation focuses on the expansion of ICE and DHS infrastructure and the normalization of militarized enforcement in everyday spaces—near schools, clinics, and places of worship. Moodie describes this as a deliberate strategy: create uncertainty, fear, and disruption that discourages civic participation and fractures communities. Both frame Minnesota and similar flashpoints as test cases for how far the federal government can go—and what might be rolled out nationally. The Political Economy of Repression Weems connects the dots between enforcement policy and profit, noting how private prison and detention-related stocks surged and how incarceration is increasingly treated as a business model. The discussion moves from there into a broader critique of late-stage capitalism: wealth concentration, insider trading in Congress, and an economic system that rewards extraction and brutality while hollowing out democratic accountability. Why Strikes and Boycotts Keep Coming Up Moodie makes the case that traditional protest alone is no longer enough—and that real leverage lies in coordinated economic action, including strikes and consumer boycotts. Weems builds on that by arguing that today’s billionaire class is uniquely vulnerable because so much of its wealth is tied to stock prices and consumer behavior, not just static assets. The shared conclusion: sustained, organized economic pressure is one of the few tools left that can force accountability. Markets, AI, and the Next Bubble The conversation closes with a warning about financial markets, AI investment mania, and resource extraction—especially water and energy—being driven by a small cluster of dominant tech firms. Weems likens the moment to past bubbles he’s seen up close, arguing that the combination of sky-high valuations, political instability, and social anger is not sustainable. Something, they agree, is going to give. About Danielle Moodie Danielle Moodie is the editor of The DAM Digest on Substack and the host of The Danielle Moodie Show, which airs Monday through Thursday on YouTube and Substack. She also co-hosts Democracy-ish with Wajahat Ali. Moodie keeps her work free because, as she puts it, “critical thinking dies behind a paywall.” About Marlon Weems Marlon Weems is the publisher of The Journeyman on Substack and the host of The Journeyman Unfiltered. A former Wall Street professional turned independent writer and commentator, Weems focuses on the intersection of politics, economics, media, and power. He also co-hosts A Show With No Name with Arturo Dominguez and keeps his work free to counter the flood of propaganda and misinformation. Read more: This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thejourneyman.substack.com/subscribe

    54 min
  3. The Journeyman Unfiltered: Blackstack, Ownership, and Building Outside the Gate

    FEB 3

    The Journeyman Unfiltered: Blackstack, Ownership, and Building Outside the Gate

    Air date 11/14/2025 Guest: Jacquie Verbal, founder of BlackstackHost: Marlon Weems, The Journeyman Opening In this episode, Marlon welcomes Jacquie Verbal and frames the conversation around independent journalism, Black creators, and building durable media outside legacy institutions. The Journeyman is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. What Is Blackstack? * Blackstack began as a Substack publication and evolved into a print-first, creator-owned platform for Black writers. * Jacquie curates and edits unpublished work by Black authors, helping them grow visibility and audience. * The project now includes a print magazine, zines, and a growing subscriber base (~12,000). Why Print Still Matters * Jacquie argues that digital platforms are fragile—algorithms change, companies pivot, platforms disappear. * Print creates permanence, ownership, and community connection. * Zines are a bridge between digital writing and physical media, allowing writers to control their work and distribution. Zines, Workshops, and Ownership * Monthly zine workshops teach writers how to turn newsletters into physical artifacts. * A new membership model allows creators to sell their zines, retaining ownership. * Core philosophy: Black writers should not have to surrender control of their stories to publish. Substack as a Growth Engine—and a Risk * Both discuss how the Substack app dramatically expanded discoverability, especially for Black writers. * Marlon breaks down Substack’s business model: * Revenue tied to paid subscribers (10% platform cut). * Rapid growth in paid subs → rising valuation. * Recent funding rounds signal a likely future IPO. * Upside: growth, tools, audience. * Risk: dependency on a platform ultimately owned and controlled by powerful investors. Valuation and Creator Power * Marlon draws parallels between Blackstack and high-profile creator exits (podcasts, newsletters, media brands). * Key point: Small, independent creator businesses have real enterprise value. * The lesson isn’t envy—it’s strategy. Media Gatekeeping & Double Standards * Sharp critique of legacy media: * Stories buried (Epstein/Trump). * Ethical failures are excused when profitable. * Questionable figures are elevated while serious Black work is ignored. * Discussion of how Black journalists are held to higher standards while others are rehabilitated for clicks and book sales. Memoir, Memory, and Why Documentation Matters * Marlon reflects on his memoir and doubts about traditional publishing. * Jacquie pushes back: documentation is resistance. * Black history, Black institutions, and Black firsts must be recorded—especially when institutions won’t do it for us. Closing Theme The future isn’t asking for permission.It’s: * Owning your work * Building parallel institutions * Creating value where none was “supposed” to exist As Jacquie puts it, the goal is not just to be seen, but to leave receipts. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thejourneyman.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 1m
  4. Livestream Recap: Politics, Power, and the Cost of “Compromise”

    FEB 2

    Livestream Recap: Politics, Power, and the Cost of “Compromise”

    Air date: 11/13/2025 Host: Marlon WeemsGuests: Dr. Allison Wills, Arturo DomínguezTheme: Governance failures, healthcare cruelty, media accountability, and Democratic leadership 🟣 Opening: Corporate Control & Forced “Performance” * The conversation opens with a disturbing report: Target employees allegedly being required to smile within 10 feet of customers. * Dr. Wills explains why this is harmful—particularly for Black workers, women, and people dealing with mental health challenges. * Framed as another example of corporate overreach and tone-deaf management during economic stress. The Journeyman. is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. 🟣 Community & Origins * Dr. Wills shares her background as a psychologist and writer focused on race, gender, culture, and history. * Discussion of Writers and Editors of Color (WEOC)—how collective amplification helped marginalized writers break through algorithmic and institutional barriers. * Reflection on Substack as a refuge from toxic legacy platforms. 🟣 Government Shutdown Fallout * Strong critique of how the shutdown played out: * Democrats briefly held leverage but caved too early. * Millions face loss of healthcare subsidies and food assistance. * Key point: holding the line mattered because pressure was already building (airports, markets, courts). * The argument that Democrats surrendered momentum at the exact moment public opinion was shifting in their favor. 🟣 Supreme Court, SNAP, and a Missed Moment * Breakdown of how Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson was poised to rule against Trump on SNAP benefits. * If Democrats had waited 48 more hours, the courts likely would have restored benefits. * Instead, leadership folded—rendering the legal win moot. * Framed as self-inflicted political malpractice. 🟣 Healthcare as Economic Violence * Dr. Wills shares personal experiences with: * Asthma medication jumping from $15 to $300+ overnight * Being uninsured despite working full-time * Crowdfunding medication costs * Larger point: Americans are constantly forced to choose between food and medicine. * Consensus: life-saving drugs should never be market commodities. 🟣 Epstein, Trump, and Selective Outrage * The panel argues the Epstein revelations change nothing for anyone acting in good faith. * Trump’s record of racism, sexual assault allegations, corruption, and abuse of power was already clear. * Harsh critique of people suddenly “drawing the line” now, while ignoring harm to Black people, immigrants, and women for years. 🟣 Charlie Kirk Resolution: A Breaking Point * Outrage over the bipartisan passage of House Resolution 719, which effectively glorified Charlie Kirk under the guise of condemning political violence. * Guests read directly from the language, calling it a whitewashed canonization of extremism. * The unanimous Senate vote is described as: * A betrayal * Proof of elite political solidarity over moral clarity * Conclusion: this wasn’t about violence—it was about legitimizing white nationalist ideology. 🟣 “Vote Blue No Matter Who” — Reconsidered * The panel questions unconditional loyalty to Democratic leadership. * Distinction drawn between: * Progressives * Moderates * Democrats In Name Only (DINOs) * Argument against third-party fantasies: * Real change happens through primaries, pressure, and purging dead weight. * Senate is described as a country club, disconnected from voters and insulated from consequences. 🟣 Closing Takeaway * This moment demands values alignment, not blind partisanship. * Voters deserve representatives who fight—not ones who negotiate away leverage before it matters. * Accountability starts inside the party, not by lowering expectations. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thejourneyman.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 1m
  5. Minneapolis, the Color Revolutions, and Why This Moment Feels Different

    JAN 30

    Minneapolis, the Color Revolutions, and Why This Moment Feels Different

    Air Date: January 25, 2026 In this livestream, I talk through why the events unfolding in Minneapolis remind me less of a typical protest cycle and more of the color revolutions of the early 2000s—the Orange Revolution in Ukraine, the Rose Revolution, and the Arab Spring. Drawing on history, media dynamics, and real-time citizen reporting, I explain why state power is reacting so aggressively, why the lies are coming so fast, and why unexpected unity is what truly rattles systems that assume control. About This Livestream This was an unscripted, real-time conversation—part analysis, part historical framing, part personal reflection. I connect what we’re seeing on the ground in Minneapolis to earlier moments when governments lost narrative control, underestimated public resolve, and discovered too late that information—and people—were no longer manageable. Key Themes * What the color revolutions actually were—and why they matter now * Why disputed legitimacy, not chaos, is the real trigger for state overreaction * How Minneapolis echoes Ukraine (2004–05) more than conventional U.S. protest movements * Why authoritarian systems move first to control information * How real-time citizen reporting has outpaced cable news * The shock of cross-demographic unity and why it changes the playbook Media, Power & Information One of the core arguments in this discussion is that legacy media no longer controls the first draft of reality. In moments like this, independent writers, livestreamers, and on-the-ground witnesses often know more—and sooner—than institutional outlets. That gap is not accidental, and it explains both the confusion and the escalation we’re seeing. Why This Moment Is Escalating Historically, governments expect fragmentation: different groups, different grievances, no shared story. What they don’t expect is coordination, visibility, and solidarity—especially across lines that are usually kept separate. That’s when force replaces persuasion, and when narrative control breaks down. What to Watch Next * How officials frame legitimacy versus “law and order” * Whether information access remains open * How quickly narratives shift once unity becomes undeniable * Which institutions adapt—and which double down Related I also host A Show With No Name with Arturo Dominguez, where we dig deeper into immigration, state power, and media narratives. More conversations on this topic are coming. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thejourneyman.substack.com/subscribe

    53 min
  6. Prediction Markets, AI, Media Power, and the Political Economy Ahead of 2026

    12/27/2025

    Prediction Markets, AI, Media Power, and the Political Economy Ahead of 2026

    Air Date: 12/10/2025 Key Themes Prediction Markets as Infrastructure, Not Entertainment: Marlon explains that platforms like Polymarket and Kalshi should not be viewed as novelty “betting” products, but as large-scale sentiment-pricing engines. Drawing on his fintech research work for TABB Group—where Wall Street’s long-standing interest in monetizing sentiment and behavioral data was already evident—he frames Intercontinental Exchange’s $2B investment in Polymarket and CNN’s integration of Kalshi data as the logical next step: folding belief itself into market and media infrastructure. Egberto deepens the critique, warning that these systems present “raw data without context,” which creates an illusion of objectivity while quietly steering narratives. Once capital owns the pipes, he argues, independence disappears regardless of how disruptive a platform began. AI Is Not Magic — It’s Ownership and Incentives: Egberto repeatedly demystifies AI, stressing that it is not autonomous intelligence but human-built systems operating on massive datasets under profit-maximizing incentives. He pushes back against AI mysticism, arguing that fear-based narratives obscure the real issue: who controls the models and who benefits from them. Marlon agrees, connecting this directly to his fintech and markets background. Just as trading algorithms reflect the priorities of their designers, AI systems reflect the incentives of their owners. He emphasizes that the underlying value of AI is human-generated knowledge—often produced by independent writers and analysts whose work is absorbed without compensation. Capital Capture vs. Democratic Control Egberto returns repeatedly to a central warning: capitalism absorbs what it cannot kill. Independent innovations—whether in AI, prediction markets, or media—are quickly purchased, consolidated, and folded into existing power structures. Without regulation, technological progress simply accelerates inequality. Marlon reinforces this point with a markets analogy familiar from his TABB Group work: consolidation doesn’t reduce risk, it concentrates it. What appears efficient in the short term often becomes systemically dangerous over time. Creators, Media, and Invisible Labor Egberto highlights the structural unfairness facing independent creators: they produce analysis, insight, and cultural value that is freely harvested by AI systems and media companies, while receiving none of the downstream economic upside. He frames this as a modern form of uncompensated labor. Marlon connects this to the Substack ecosystem and independent media more broadly, noting that creators are expected to survive on thin margins while their work quietly trains systems that may later compete with or replace them—an echo of earlier fintech disruptions he analyzed as an SME. Healthcare, Risk Models, and Human Cost When the discussion turns to healthcare, Egberto delivers a sharp critique of AI-driven risk management. He argues that in a profit-first system, advanced data models will be used primarily to deny care more efficiently rather than improve outcomes. Marlon builds on this by explaining how market logic inevitably pushes people out of coverage and into emergency care, raising costs system-wide. He frames this as another case where sophisticated modeling masks deeply unsustainable incentives. Politics, Pundits, and Grassroots Reality Egberto challenges mainstream political punditry, arguing that consultants and media figures consistently misread voters because they are structurally disconnected from grassroots reality. He points to recent political successes driven by direct engagement rather than consultant orthodoxy. Marlon agrees, noting that the persistence of failed strategies mirrors what he’s seen in markets: bad models survive not because they work, but because they serve entrenched interests. Why This Conversation Matters This livestream offers a shared diagnosis from different but complementary vantage points. Egberto grounds the conversation in moral clarity and democratic necessity, while Marlon connects those concerns to lived experience inside Wall Street and fintech research—particularly his work as a subject-matter expert for TABB Group analyzing how data, incentives, and power interact. Together, they argue that without regulation, ownership reform, and creator-centric models, AI, media, and markets will amplify the very inequalities they claim to solve. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thejourneyman.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 6m
  7. A Show With No Name?

    12/14/2025

    A Show With No Name?

    The Journeyman. is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Air date: 12/02/2025 About This Episode In this wide-ranging conversation, Marlon Weems and Arturo Domínguez break down escalating U.S. military actions in the Caribbean, the real consequences of sanctions on Venezuela, and what these moves reveal about a deeper collapse of institutional competence inside the Trump administration. What begins as a discussion of foreign policy quickly expands into a sharp analysis of corruption, elite criminality, and the normalization of incompetence at the highest levels of power. ⸻ About Arturo Domínguez Arturo Domínguez is the editor of Antagonist Magazine, a decolonized journalism project focused on Latin America, immigration, policing, and human rights. His work challenges U.S.-centric narratives and centers the lived realities of communities affected by imperial policy, sanctions, and state violence. ⸻ Key Themes • U.S. military escalation in the Caribbean and Venezuela • Why sanctions consistently fail — and still keep getting used • The destabilization risks facing Latin America and the Caribbean • Trump-era governance: incompetence, corruption, and impunity • Market manipulation, insider advantage, and elite self-dealing • How power, wealth, and spectacle have replaced accountability ⸻ Why This Matters This episode connects U.S. foreign policy abroad with institutional decay at home. The same forces driving reckless military action — arrogance, impunity, and elite self-enrichment — are hollowing out democratic governance inside the United States. The result is a government that is louder, more dangerous, and less serious than ever. ⸻ About Marlon Weems Marlon Weems is the writer behind The Journeyman, an independent, un-paywalled newsletter covering politics, economics, markets, and media power. A former Wall Street professional and fintech analyst, Marlon brings a structural, historical lens to current events — connecting policy decisions, market behavior, and democratic risk. He is also the founder of The Journeyman Network, a creator-owned media collective focused on independent analysis and accountability journalism. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thejourneyman.substack.com/subscribe

    58 min
  8. Inside the Billionaire Influence Machine: A Conversation with Eleanor Anstruther

    12/04/2025

    Inside the Billionaire Influence Machine: A Conversation with Eleanor Anstruther

    Air date: 11/19/25 About Eleanor In this conversation, I sat down with UK-based writer and political commentator Eleanor Anstruther to explore the forces shaping politics on both sides of the Atlantic. She brings a sharp, historically grounded perspective to questions of power, culture, and democratic stability. Billionaire Influence We dug into the expanding role of billionaire networks—especially Peter Thiel’s political and technological footprint—and how elite funding structures quietly shape public life. Eleanor unpacked the strategic motives behind these networks and why they matter right now. Tech & Democracy Together we connected the dots between tech-sector influence, global political realignments, and the rise of creator-led media. We talked about how concentrated power in technology is reshaping narratives, public discourse, and the future of democratic institutions. US–UK Parallels From culture wars to economic pressure points, we traced the similarities between U.S. and U.K. politics, and what they reveal about broader shifts in governance and political identity. Thank you Egberto Willies, Nick Paro, Caro Henry, Francesca Bossert, John H, and many others for tuning into my live video with Eleanor Anstruther! Join me for my next live video in the app. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thejourneyman.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 11m
See All (53)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Former Wall Street pro Marlon Weems gives his insights on the intersection of politics, the economy, and anti-Black racism. thejourneyman.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Marlon Weems
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    53
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Marlon Weems
  • Show Website
    The Journeyman: Unfiltered