American Socrates

Charles M. Rupert
  • 5.0 (6)
  • PHILOSOPHY

Think Deeper. Live Better. Tired of shallow takes and surface-level answers? American Socrates helps you cut through the noise and see the world more clearly. This is a podcast for anyone who wants to think for themselves, challenge assumptions, and live a more intentional, meaningful life. Host Charles M. Rupert brings the power of critical thinking and timeless philosophical insight into everyday questions—like how to find purpose, make good decisions, grow as a person, and navigate a world full of misinformation and confusion. From art to relationships, social justice to success at work, no topic is off-limits. This isn’t a lecture on famous philosophers. It’s a wake-up call for your mind. New episodes every Wednesday. Ready to see what you've been missing? Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere you listen. Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/corals/mountain-pine License code: NT1UAGETRXVL46SM

  1. Who Invented the Idea of Debt?

    1D AGO

    Who Invented the Idea of Debt?

    Send us a text Debt isn’t just money owed — it’s one of the oldest tools of social control. In this episode of American Socrates, we explore David Graeber’s Debt: The First 5,000 Years and traces the history of debt from ancient Mesopotamia to modern America. We unpack how debt has always carried moral weight, shaping who obeys, who suffers, and who is forgiven. From Biblical jubilees and Roman debt crises to student loans, credit cards, and mortgages today, we reveal how both political parties have structured a system that keeps working-class people in chains while protecting creditors. Learn how debt disciplines our lives, fuels inequality, and limits freedom — and hear about movements like the Debt Collective and policy efforts led by Elizabeth Warren that fight for forgiveness and economic justice. This episode shows that understanding debt as a political, not personal, problem is the first step toward reclaiming your freedom. Support the show

    30 min
  2. Why Do Poor People Exist?

    DEC 17

    Why Do Poor People Exist?

    Send us a text In this episode of American Socrates, we explore the myths about poverty in the United States. Poverty isn’t caused by laziness or bad choices—it’s built into the system. From outdated government definitions of poverty to wage stagnation, skyrocketing housing and healthcare costs, and the decline of unions, we break down the forces that trap millions of Americans in struggle. We expose how both Republicans and Democrats have gutted safety nets, how race and gender inequalities deepen the crisis, and how poverty has been turned into profit for corporations, landlords, and the prison industry. Most importantly, we reframe the question: not “what’s wrong with poor people?” but “what’s wrong with a system that produces poverty in abundance?” With raw stories, urgent statistics, and a fiery call to action, this episode invites working people to see through the lies—and imagine a future where poverty is no longer profitable. Support the show

    29 min
  3. Is Working Hard Really a Virtue?

    DEC 10

    Is Working Hard Really a Virtue?

    Send us a text In this episode of American Socrates, we explore the true value of work and challenge the myth that effort automatically equals virtue. From the Protestant Work Ethic to modern corporate life, we examine how meaningless labor can drain dignity, isolate workers, and trap us in a cycle of exhaustion. Using stories, metaphors, and real-world examples, we unpack why so many “essential” jobs remain undervalued, and how the system pushes us to work for survival rather than purpose. Finally, we imagine alternatives — from basic income to worker cooperatives — and offer practical steps listeners can take to reclaim control, meaning, and fulfillment in their work and life. Support the show

    26 min
  4. Is Your Job B******t?

    DEC 3

    Is Your Job B******t?

    Send us a text In this episode of American Socrates, we break down David Graeber’s groundbreaking book Bullshit Jobs and explore why so many modern jobs feel pointless, frustrating, or downright meaningless. From flunkies and goons to box-tickers and taskmasters, we explain each type of “b******t job” in a way U.S. listeners can relate to. We also dive into the structural forces of capitalism that create these roles, showing why efficiency often produces more work that serves appearances rather than real social value. Along the way, we reflect on alienation, wasted labor, and the paradoxical way meaningless jobs can command high salaries while essential work often goes undervalued. Finally, we offer practical strategies for reclaiming purpose at work, finding meaningful labor, and thinking critically about the systems that shape our jobs. Perfect for anyone who’s ever felt frustrated by their work, this episode combines analysis, humor, and reflection to make sense of the modern workplace and inspire listeners to ask: How can my labor truly matter? Support the show

    29 min
  5. Careers are Dead. What Comes Next?

    NOV 26

    Careers are Dead. What Comes Next?

    Send us a text In this episode of American Socrates, we explore why traditional careers are disappearing and what it means for workers today. From generational trades like millers and shoemakers to the mid-20th-century “sweet spot” of lifelong careers, we trace how industrialization and rapid technological change have shortened skill lifespans and made career paths unpredictable. We discuss the rise of skill obsolescence, the challenges for modern education, and the importance of soft skills — like critical thinking, problem-solving, and adaptability — that last a lifetime. Listeners will learn how to navigate the modern labor market, future-proof their skills, and rethink what it means to build a meaningful, adaptable career. Support the show

    24 min
  6. Do You Own Your Labor, Or Does Your Boss?

    NOV 19

    Do You Own Your Labor, Or Does Your Boss?

    Send us a text In this episode of American Socrates, I take on the question of who really owns our labor and what it means to be free in a system that rents out our lives by the hour. Drawing from Locke, Marx, and the reality of working-class struggle, we unpack alienation, wage slavery, and the dream of reclaiming ownership of ourselves. I don’t want this to be an academic debate, but instead a bold call for working people to question the systems that make them feel hopeless and isolated, to help them imagine a life beyond debt and dead-end jobs, and to demand true freedom. If you’ve ever felt drained by work and wondered if there’s more to life than the next paycheck, this episode is for you. Photo by Stockcake Support the show

    31 min
  7. Who's Afraid of the Big, Bad Marx?

    NOV 12

    Who's Afraid of the Big, Bad Marx?

    Send us a text Most of us grow up hearing warnings about Karl Marx — socialism steals, communism destroys freedom, and Marxism equals totalitarianism. But how much of that is true, and how much is fear shaped by caricature? In this episode of American Socrates, we explore the real Marx: his critique of capitalism, his insights on class struggle, and his concept of alienation — all from a working-class perspective. We contrast Marx’s ideas with the historical misinterpretations that fueled the rise of the Soviet Union, Maoist China, and other state-controlled regimes, showing why fear of “Big Bad Marx” often misses the mark. Through concrete examples from modern American workplaces—warehouses, tech, the service industry and the trades—we reveal how Marx’s analysis of exploitation and labor still resonates today. By the end, listeners will gain a clearer understanding of Marx, distinguish philosophy from historical distortion, and find practical ways to reflect on the value of their own labor. Keywords: Karl Marx, socialism, communism, capitalism, labor, alienation, working-class perspective, Soviet Union, Marxist critique, modern work, gig economy. Support the show

    29 min
  8. Do We Live with Less Freedom Than Medieval Peasants?

    NOV 5

    Do We Live with Less Freedom Than Medieval Peasants?

    Send us a text In this episode of American Socrates, we take a deep dive into life before capitalism, exploring feudalism, debt, and the shift to modern wage labor. From the predictable obligations of medieval serfs to the precarious freedom of today’s workers, we examine how stability and autonomy have been historically valued — and often set in conflict. Drawing on David Graeber’s insights on debt and Ellen Meiksins Wood’s analysis of enclosure, we unpack how capitalism’s “freedom” can disguise insecurity, and why understanding this history matters for building fairer, more balanced systems today. Listeners will walk away questioning modern work, rethinking freedom, and imagining alternatives that combine security and agency. Support the show

    28 min
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5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Think Deeper. Live Better. Tired of shallow takes and surface-level answers? American Socrates helps you cut through the noise and see the world more clearly. This is a podcast for anyone who wants to think for themselves, challenge assumptions, and live a more intentional, meaningful life. Host Charles M. Rupert brings the power of critical thinking and timeless philosophical insight into everyday questions—like how to find purpose, make good decisions, grow as a person, and navigate a world full of misinformation and confusion. From art to relationships, social justice to success at work, no topic is off-limits. This isn’t a lecture on famous philosophers. It’s a wake-up call for your mind. New episodes every Wednesday. Ready to see what you've been missing? Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere you listen. Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/corals/mountain-pine License code: NT1UAGETRXVL46SM

Information

  • Creator
    Charles M. Rupert
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    54
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Charles M. Rupert
  • Show Website
    American Socrates