We discuss the Senedd election results. We go through what this means for Labour, Conservatives and Plaid. Also we discuss the future of the indy movement.

90. Welsh Election Debrief

Following the evictions of Palestinian families in the east Jerusalem neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrah at the beginning of May, the conflict in Israel-Palestine has begun once again to spiral into conflict, with Israel beginning new lethal attacks on Gaza that have killed over 200 people including many women and children. We were privileged to be joined by one of our heroes, the great dissident Professor Professor Norman Finkelstein, to explain not just the current situation but the whole history of the conflict and the nature of the state of Israel. As expected, Norm provides an expert tour de force. Strap in!

91. Explaining the Israel-Palestine conflict and the siege of Gaza with @normfinkelstein

Kieron talks to Dr Rhian Barfoot and Dr Rhys Trimble about the little-known Welsh poet, Dylan Thomas. They discuss Thomas's life and work, his "Welshness", the Dylan Thomas industry, and the ambivalence surrounding his legacy in Wales. Enjoy!

Rhian is a critic and author of Liberating Dylan Thomas: Rescuing a Poet from Psycho-sexual Servitude (UWP, 2014) https://www.uwp.co.uk/author/1438/

Rhys is a poet whose books include Swansea Automatic (2015) and the Red Book of Hergest Ward (2018). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhys_Trimble

Rhian and Kieron co-edited the recent collection New Theoretical Perspectives on Dylan Thomas (UWP, 2020) https://www.uwp.co.uk/book/new-theoretical-perspectives-on-dylan-thomas/

The collection on Apocalyptic poets discussed is Jim Keery, ed., Apocalypse: An Anthology(2021)

Dylan Thomas audio clips from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyavcLn2_uo&ab_channel=WALESintheMOVIESWALESintheMOVIES

92. Deso does Dylan w. Rhian Barfoot and Rhys Trimble

The Graveyard of Empires mini-series. Part 1.

After Afghanistan fell to the Taliban last month, the boys bring you a mini-series of reflective episodes on the war in Afghanistan and what the withdrawal of foreign troops means. The first episode in the series is with Dr Frank Ledwidge, a former military intelligence officer who served in Helmand province as a civilian adviser and who authored the devastating book 'Losing Small Wars: British Military Failure in Iraq and Afghanistan'. Frank talks us through the tragic failures of British strategy in Afghanistan and the culture which allowed these failures to happen. We cover everything from the history of British colonial presence in the country to the military industrial complex to daily life on the ground. Frank now regularly writes on defence and war for The Guardian.

93. British military failure in Afghanistan with Frank Ledwidge.

In part 2 of our mini-series on the fall of Afghanistan we were lucky enough to be joined by the one and only Professor Michael Hardt, author of the seminal work Empire. Michael talked to us about what the US withdrawal from Afghanistan means for US imperialism, whether there is a future for humanitarian intervention after Afghanistan, the differences between imperialism and his concept of 'empire', the nature of the modern global capitalist system, and a whole lot more. Hope you enjoy as much as we did.

94. Empire after Afghanistan with Michael Hardt

We were rejoined by our friend Frank Ledwidge to discuss war crimes conducted in the war on terror. Frank talked us through the enquiry into crimes committed by the Australian SAS,  the parallel British investigations into allegations against British special forces, the Overseas Operation Bill, Marine A, Soldier F and what the domestic response to war crimes says about our society.

95. War Crimes in the War on Terror with Frank Ledwidge.

In this episode we were joined by none other than Professor Walter Benn Michaels, the author of 'The Trouble with Diversity: How we learned to love identity and ignore inequality'. We talked about the rise of left neoliberalism and why it is wrong; the history of the civil rights movement and why it moved away from socialism; the material roots and role of racism in society; the role of Universities in marginalizing class analysis; the failure of the left to present an alternative analysis; the myth of 'class reductionism'; and how liberal anti-racism and all forms of progressive identity politics ultimately function to undermine socialism and aid capitalism. An extremely provocative episode with one of the best socialist thinkers around.

96. The trouble with diversity- in conversation with Walter Benn Michaels

Dan was joined by our good mate and all round legend Paul O'Connell to discuss the Labour Party and Labourism as a political culture, following Paul's recent article on Conter https://www.conter.scot/2022/1/25/labouring-under-illusions/. They discussed the history and defining features of Labourism, the new left debate on Labour as a vehicle for socialism, its analysis of the state, its relationship with imperialism, why the Labour party annoyingly refuses to die and ultimately why socialists urgently need to break with Labourism in order to tackle the current crisis of capitalism.

97. Understanding Labourism with Dr Paul O Connell (@pmpoc)

Well, that hiatus was longer than expected! Sorry everyone. But we are back, fear not. For episode 98 we were lucky enough to be able to speak to the incomparable Ned Thomas. Ned is the author of the modern classic 'The Welsh Extremist', as well as being the founder of Planet magazine, which has become a modern Welsh institution. He is truly a giant of Welsh political and cultural life and he shares his wisdom with us here on a wide range of topics, reflecting on a lifetime of activism and intellectual work. We talked about the Welsh language, Welsh identity, the nature of devolution, direct action, and loads more besides. Hope you enjoy x

98. In conversation with Ned Thomas

What's up everyone. For our 99th episode (!) we were joined by our friend Hussein Said to talk about his experiences in the Black Lives Matter movement and the environmental movement. We talked about class, policing, ecology and the problems the left faces in uniting these issues, as well as the intractable problem of identity politics seeping into leftist activism and much much more besides. This one is vital listening- Hussein is the man. If you want to donate to Asylum Justice you can do so here: https://www.asylumjustice.org.uk/fundraising/

99. Race, class, protest & the environmental movement with Hussein Said

Ladies and gentlemen...we got him. For our 100th episode we were joined by the one and only Michael Sheen. We talked about films, politics, the homeless world cup, and lots more besides. An honour and a privilege to talk to Michael, and thanks so much to all of you who've supported us over the last 6 years. We love you. Peace out X

Episode 100. In Conversation with Michael Sheen

Dan sat down with Chris, Gerald and Jordan from the ALU to discuss their amazing campaign to establish and organize a trade union in their Amazon warehouse in Staten Island. Despite a huge union busting campaign from Amazon, the ALU's campaign culminated in a successful recognition agreement, the first of its kind worldwide and a huge symbolic victory for the working class across the world. We discussed conditions in Amazon, organizing strategies, union busting, why we shouldn't talk politics in trade unions, covid, the importance of fighting back and much more besides. This one is a must listen for socialists and organizers of any kind. Enjoy!

101. Desolation meets the Amazon Labour Union

Desperate times call for desperate measures. The people's podcast returns to bring hope to the starving masses (starved of podcasts). We linked up with our old friend Huw to discuss the Gething affair. Here is a man who would not take it anymore. Here is a man who stood up! Here is...Huw Williams.

102. Getting Away with It feat. Huw Williams

This week's episode is about The Wales Bill with Richard Wyn Jones! Tell a friend!

12. Wales Bill feat. Richard Wyn Jones

Whaddup! This week we're joined by Rob Jones and Huw Pritchard to talk about justice. We cover Welsh law, the penal system and the new super prison being built in Wrexham. Tell a friend!

13 .Justice, Law and Prisons in Wales feat. Huw Pritchard, Rob Jones and Chuck D

Oh dip! This week we discuss policing and rioting with out good friend Mike Harrison. We cover the militarisation of the police and touch upon the Rebecca Riots and the Newport Uprising.

16. Policing and Protest feat. Mike Harrison

Waddup brah! This week we talk to Martin Johnes about Wales since 1939. We cover how identity has changed since then and what it means to be 'Welsh' also a bit of Devolution and Independence for you! Aren't you so lucky!

19. History of Wales (since 1939) feat. Martin Johnes

Waddup glib globs! In this episode we're joined by our good friend Mark Hooper. We talk Plaid, their manifesto and Mark's experience running for them. Election special yo!

24. Plaid Cymru Special feat. Mark Hooper

Ho ho ho, it's Christmas! Or at least just was. Enjoy our new episode with Rob Griffiths. We talk mainly about Lexit, but squeeze some stuff in about Corbyn too. Enjoy!

38. A Communist Christmas: In Conversation with Rob Griffiths

In this episode Dan drops some knowledge on Pierre Bourdieu. We cover his theories on Habitus, the different types of Capital and why you'll never stop being scum. Best enjoyed in the shower.

43. Big thinkers: Pierre Bourdieu and Social Class (in Wales)

Ohhh, Stugats! It's part 2 of our big thinkers series. In this episode we talk about the Italian Communist revolutionary and thinker Antonio Gramsci. We discuss his life, the prison notebooks, as many of his core concept as we can cram in,  fascism, and Gramsci's legacy today.  We also hopefully dispel some myths about Gramsci and try to stop people listening to Paul Mason.

51. Big thinkers number 2: Gramsci

This week we talked to our good friend Bethan Mckernan about the conflict in Yemen, Bethan's research within the Yemeni community in Cardiff, and Wales' role in the war. Enjoy with some khat!

52. Understanding the War in Yemen with Bethan Mckernan (@mck_beth)

Listen up Maniacs! This week we discuss Neoliberalism. We talk about the historic roots of the concept, the warped philosophy which underpins it, and how it was realised in practice through Thatcherism & Reaganism. We discuss Key texts by David Harvey, and Andrew Gamble, and in the second part of the podcast we discuss our boy Mark Fisher and show how Neoliberalism isn’t just an economic policy but a set of social relations which impacts our everyday lives. Neoliberalism is something that lives within each of us. Finally, as ever, we look at what all this means for wales and conclude that wales is a deeply Neoliberal state. Enjoy!

55. Desolation does Theory: Introduction to Neoliberalism

In this episode we finally make good on our promise of covering more culture. Dan's been usurped and our new host Kieron is here to tell us why poetry may not be for gimps (unconvinced)and what Raymond Williams was all about. Make sure to stay hydrated while listening.

57. Talking Raymond Williams and Culture with Kieron (@kieron_d_smith)

Put down your blades and light some incense it's time to talk poetry. This episode we're joined by real life poets Nia Davies (@niapolly) and Rhys Trimble (@rhystrimble) who tell us that poetry isn't for nonces. We cover how they got started, how to publish, the poetry scene in Wales and try to summon Baphomet. All hail the horned one.

60. Deso does poetry with Nia Davies(@niapolly) and Rhys Trimble (@rhystrimble)

For this episode we're joined by Patrick McGuinness (@padrigmcg) he talks to us about his beef with Leighton Andrews and Dai Smith, the literary scene in Wales and his new book Throw Me to the Wolves about his time on Take Me Out.

61. Patrick McGuinness Takes Us Out (@padrigmcg)

In this episode we met Joe Glenton author of Soldier Box, to talk us through his new documentary A Very British Institution: The UK Military and the Far-Right. We also talked about the army, structural racism, the links between the military and insurgent far right in the UK and what a radical defence policy might look like. Enjoy!

62. Militarism and the Far Right with Joe Glenton (@joejglenton)

Coming live from the Guardian Towers! We talk to 'Senior' Economics Editor Aditya Chakrabortty about Corbynism as a political vehicle, what will happen if he loses the election and touch a bit of Brexit too. Enjoy with some spaghetti!

63. Assessing Corbynism with Aditya Chakrabortty (@chakrabortty)

warning - this podcast is rated R: contains very strong language and very strong accents 

Dan travelled up to Merthyr to talk to our mates Ross and NEO about the key topics: expats, 'the psycho', JK Rowling's transphobia, Prince Phillip being dead, the movie Cats, 'I loves the diff' (argh) and the boys' new podcast.

65. Yoda Slam: Festive news round up with Ross (@EOIJONESYBOI) and NEO (@MULLEt_FAN_NEO)

Dan talks to immunologist Dr Christian Maine about Covid-19. Everything you always wanted to know about viruses(but were afraid to ask).

[2:05] What is a virus?

[4:10] How do viruses affect the immune system?

[6:10] How did the virus originate?

[7:55] Covid-19 as part of a group of coronaviruses.

[9:40] Symptoms and asymptomatic spread.

[13:30] Herd Immunity.

[16:15] Situation in the US.

[18:28] Viral spread.

[23:50]: Differences between antibody and antigen tests.

[30:58] Manufacturing tests.

[37:58] Manufacturing vaccines.

[40:25] Ending the lockdown before a vaccine.

[44:15] Can people who have had Covid-19 still carry/spread the virus?

[46:45] Is the virus likely to mutate?

73. Desolation goes Viral 3: Coronavirus primer w. Dr Christian Maine

Dan, Nath and Kieron discuss the latest Wales and UK developments in the Covid-19 crisis. Meanwhile Nath returns from gold prospecting, and Dan has started a new band.

74. Desolation goes Viral 4

Dan, Nath and Kieron forget to mute their mics on a low quality web-based conference service and discuss the latest in the Covid chronicles: a new saviour has arrived; Keir Starmer joins the Tory party; Welsh Government give up on testing; a politician from a bygone era is raised from the dead to advise on Welsh economic policy.

75. Desolation goes Viral 5: The Vaughan Effing Story

We spoke to Michael Higgins Jr., an organiser with the Brooklyn Gentrification Network, about the BLM movement, institutional racism, and why we need to defund the police.  

@ComplxBlackness

Subscribe at https://www.patreon.com/desolationradio

77. BLM in the US with Michael Higgins Jr. (@ComplxBlackness)

In this episode we're joined by our good comrade and uncle Tegid Roberts to talk about Universal Basic Income. He tells us how it could be implemented, what it would mean for society and how much we'd get. Please give us money.

78. Discussing UBI wth Tegid Roberts (@tegidroberts)

Tweet us your hopes and fears @desolationwales

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