Podcast
What Do We Want? Conversations with the International Left
While the far-right continues to gain ground around the world, the international left has arguably never been so fragmented. Many of its most prominent figures use different labels to describe themselves (socialists, progressives, populists…). Their platforms and styles vary. Even exchange among them is relatively limited. And yet, they do seem to share a set of common foes and a broad commitment to using state power to improve the lives of ordinary working-class people. In certain countries, they're even on the rise or already in government. In this show, Cole Stangler explores these differences and the specificities of national contexts all the while underlining the commonalities, with a basic question: What do we want? (Hosted by Cole Stangler. )
- Episodes
- 8
- Releases
- Every two weeks
- Typical length
- 45 min
- On air since
- 2026
- Latest episode
- 1 month ago
Episodes
8 episodes, newest first
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42 min
Organizing and Winning in Rural France: Lumir Lapray
Show notes
Lumir Lapray, activist and author of S'organiser: Reprendre le pouvoir, mode d'emploi (Payot, 2026), talks about the importance of community organizing, the politics of rural France and the rural US, and how to broaden support for progressive movements as the far-right gains momentum.
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42 min
Fighting for Socialism in Turkey: Erkan Baş
Show notes
Erkan Baş, president of the Workers' Party of Turkey (TİP) and a member of the Turkish Parliament discusses socialism, political repression under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the impact of Islamist politics on Turkish democracy, Kurdish self-determination, and more.
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43 min
The Green Alternative to Britain's Political Establishment: Mothin Ali
Show notes
Mothin Ali, deputy leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, discusses the rise of the Greens in the UK and strategies for fighting the far-right. He shares insights about the party's electoral successes, its support for Palestine, the importance of connecting with ordinary people... and much more. Dans cet entretien, Mothin Ali, vice-président du Parti vert de l'Angleterre et du pays de Galles, nous parle de la progression des Verts, de la lutte contre l'extrême droite, du soutien du parti à la Palestine et de la nécessité de rester proche des gens et de leurs préoccupations. Une discussion riche sur la politique britannique actuelle… et bien plus encore.
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49 min
Governing from the Left: Lessons from Mexico with Rafael Barajas "El Fisgón"
Show notes
Episode in Spanish / Épisode en espagnol Rafael Barajas aka "El Fisgón", a renowned Mexican cartoonist and director of the training institute for the country's popular governing party Morena discusses Mexican politics. He talks about the legacy of Andrés Manuel López Obrador, the success of current president Claudia Sheinbaum, the need for international solidarity against the far-right, and much more.
Rafael Barajas, « El Fisgón », célèbre caricaturiste mexicain et directeur de l'institut de formation de Morena, discute de la politique mexicaine. Il parle de l'héritage de Andrés Manuel López Obrador, du succès de l'actuelle présidente Claudia Sheinbaum, et de la nécessité d'une solidarité internationale contre l'extrême droite...
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36 min
The Future of the French Left and Rebuilding Left Unity with Lucie Castets
Show notes
Episode in French / Épisode en français Lucie Castets, the former prime minister nominee of France's New Popular Front alliance and the newly-elected mayor of the 12th arrondissement of Paris discusses the state of the French left, recent municipal elections, the necessity for left unity, and strategies for success in 2027 and beyond. Lucie Castets, ancienne candidate au poste de première ministre du Nouveau Front populaire et future maire du 12ᵉ arrondissement de Paris, parle de l'état de la gauche en France, des élections municipales et des raisons pour lesquelles elle croit toujours en l'union de la gauche.
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48 min
Texas Isn't as Conservative as You Think: Author David Griscom
Show notes
In the third episode of "What Do We Want? Conversations with the International Left," Cole interviews David Griscom, journalist and author of "The Myth of Red Texas: Cowboys, Populism, and Class War in the Radical South" (OR Books, 2026). A conversation about the forgotten history of left-wing radicalism in Texas, why the state moved to the right, its politics today, and the importance of class-based politics for future victories. Dans le troisième épisode, Cole interviewe David Griscom, journaliste et auteur de « The Myth of Red Texas: Cowboys, Populism, and Class War in the Radical South » (OR Books, 2026). Une conversation sur l'histoire oubliée de la gauche au Texas, les raisons pour lesquelles l'État a basculé à droite, la situation politique actuelle et l'importance d'une politique de classe pour remporter des victoires futures.
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47 min
Taking on the Democratic Establishment: Kat Abughazaleh for Congress
Show notes
In the second episode, Cole interviews Kat Abughazaleh, a 26-year-old Palestinian-American journalist and candidate for Congress in Illinois. She talks about abolishing ICE, the challenges of campaigning as an outsider, and why self-determination matters, from Gaza to Ukraine, and more…
Dans le deuxième épisode, Cole interviewe Kat Abughazaleh, une journaliste palestino-américaine de 26 ans qui se présente aux élections du Congrès dans l'Illinois. Elle parle de l'abolition de l'ICE, de sa campagne électorale en tant qu'outsider, et de l'importance de l'autodétermination, de Gaza à l'Ukraine…
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46 min
Fighting for Democracy and the Working Class Today: US Rep. Delia Ramirez
Show notes
In the first episode of "What Do We Want? Conversations with the International Left," Cole interviews Rep. Delia Ramirez of Illinois, member of the "Squad" and one of the leading progressives in Congress. A conversation about resisting authoritarianism and the scapegoating of immigrants, the future of the Democratic Party, the role of money in politics and what US foreign policy could look like in the post-Trump era.
Dans le premier épisode de « What Do We Want ? Conversations with the International Left », Cole s'entretient avec la représentante Delia Ramirez de l'Illinois, l'une des principales figures progressistes du Congrès. Une conversation sur la résistance à l'autoritarisme et la stigmatisation des immigrés, l'avenir du Parti démocrate, le rôle de l'argent en politique et ce à quoi pourrait ressembler la politique étrangère des États-Unis à l'ère post-Trump.
0:00 Intro 0:53 What's the vision you're fighting for? 3:40 Why is Trump going so far with ICE? 8:58 Is this fascism? 11:40 How should Dems stand on immigration? 18:08 Moment of opportunity for progressives? 23:57 How important is Mamdani for US left? 28:00 Why winning concrete reforms matters 30:25 Challenge of money in US politics? 35:50 A real shift among Dems on Israel? 40:20 Does US left want to restore ties with Europe?
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