This Wreckage

Sean and Varn tackle the important question regarding the release of the much-vaunted 'Epstein Files': which ones of 'our faves' might be implicated? How do we avoid the 'socialism of fools' after this and Gaza? What does the Epstein story tell us about the rot at the heart of our ruling class? What do the files tell us about the absolute state of barbarism we currently live in and must find some way to work ourselves out of?
N.B. at one point in the main episode Sean, in reference to diversity within Judaism, mentions the Satmar Hasidic community in NYC but neglects to mention why he brought it up which is because they one of the main sects that rejects Zionism on religious principle. To listen to the paywalled section where Sean and Varn elaborate more on these questions become a patron at www.patreon.com/thiswreckage and to watch the video recording of the whole thing become a patron of Varn at www.patreon.com/varnvlog
Those interested in information about the Independent Labor Club can go to ILClabor.com and sign up.
If you are in the Philadelphia area the ILC is having a first meetup for the Greater Philly chapter at Wissahickon Brewing Company on American Street Saturday, February 21st from 7pm to 8:30pm.
For more info you can email ILCofPhilly at gmail dot com. Hope to see you there!
Song: Gary Numan - This Wreckage

The hosts of Blowback Podcast report back from Colombia and Cuba!
For an extended version of this episode, support the show at http://patreon.com/thiswreckage
In Bogota, they attended a conference of the Progressive International that drafted a declaration for countering the Donroe Doctrine. And in Havana, they witnessed immediate results of Trump's full blockade of oil imports, leaving the island with only 3 weeks of fuel before the power grid fails.

Along the way we talk about various forms of ice protests in New York, the lack of internationalist power among the (North) American left, the twisting road of recent US-Cuban foreign policy, the afterlife of the Pink Tide, and some tips on visiting Cuba while you still can.
Show notes: Rubio seeks regime change in Cuba: https://www.bellyofthebeastcuba.com/rubio-no-end-to-cuba-sanctions-without-regime-change
The Progressive International's San Carlos Declaration: https://progressive.international/wire/2026-01-25-nuestra-amrica/en/
Trump says US in talks with Cuban leadership: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/01/us-is-in-talks-with-cuban-leadership-says-trump-after-blockade-threats
Russia supplying air defenses? https://www.defensenews.com/global/the-americas/2026/02/02/russian-cargo-plane-arrives-in-cuba-echoing-frantic-caracas-buildup/
Song: Celina González - Décimas de la Revolución

Gavin and Hope from the Chicago chapter of the Independent Labor Club join Sean to discuss national news and local chapter news in Chicagoland.

Join us for a conversation about the recent events (pig murders) in Minneapolis, what it means to organize against the state, how not to become fodder in blue vs red politics and what autonomous class self-activity looks like amid general crisis.

For access to the bonus portion of this episode become a supporter of our work

Click on the link for information and to sign up for the Independent Labor Club of North America: www.ilclabor.com
For info on upcoming events from Chicago ILC
Check out Gavin's history podcast: West Bank Robbery

Sean and Andy are joined by Connor Mulhern, lead researcher at the Reactionary International Research Consortium, and Henry Wallace, head honcho at the New International Magazine and Franco-American raconteur, to discuss the networks of power and influence behind the rise of right populist movements across the globe.
How might this reactionary global influence network compare to the unsuccessful 20th century attempt to create a fascist international or the relative successes of the Mount Pelerin Society later on? Where does an increasingly reactionary Silicon Valley fit in? What is the connection between Trumpism and the burgeoning European post-fascist movement? And how might they be confronted and defeated without the working class allying itself with the avatars of a dying liberal order like Keir Starmer and Kaja Kallas?
https://reactionary.international/cases/
https://www.newintermag.com/washington-is-no-ally/
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/11/opinion/national-security-strategy-us-europe.html
To listen to the full episode and all our wonderful bonus content become a supporter of our show at http://patreon.com/thiswreckage
Song: JPEG Mafia - Vulgar Display of Power

Our thoughts on the wars, foreign and domestic, covering Greenland, Canada, China, Venezuela, EU, NATO, Israel, Minneapolis, the consolidation of neo-fascist lumpen imperialism

Support the show at http://patreon.com/thiswreckage
Show notes:
EU’s “anti coercion tool”, the Trade bazooka, turns against Trump https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/18/world/europe/greenland-us-trade-war.html
Estonia's suppression of Russian minority: https://www.lemonde.fr/en/russia/article/2025/03/26/estonia-s-parliament-bans-local-voting-for-non-europeans-targeting-russians_6739540_140.html

Israeli War Keynesianism:
https://jacobin.com/2025/09/israel-war-economy-reservist-compensation
https://www.972mag.com/israel-genocide-economy-gaza-war/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-rolls-out-tax-benefits-to-lure-back-tech-talent-and-investments-after-gaza-war/
https://www.boi.org.il/en/communication-and-publications/regular-publications/monetary-policy-reports/monetary-policy-report-first-half-of-2025/
Rise of Nazis and a capitalist ‘Dual State’, not dual power: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/18/opinion/renee-good-ice-immunity.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2025/05/trump-executive-order-lawlessness-constitutional-crisis/682112/
https://www.nplusonemag.com/issue-50/politics/the-fork-in-the-road-2/

Song: Andrew Bird - Dear Old Greenland