Getting to the Root of it with Venus Roots

In this episode, Niki interviews Mika Erskog, South African researcher with Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research and host of the podcast The Crane: An Africa-China Podcast Dongsheng Collective. They discuss the relationship between China and the African continent, while dispelling the accusations that China is "imperialist," and what young progressive people in Africa are looking towards in this historical moment of self-determination. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this episode, Niki interviews journalist Kurt Hackbarth, the two discuss Mexico's upcoming historic election, why the US insists on smearing the Mexican president with media lies, and how the future of Mexico has major impacts across the Latin America and the globe. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this episode, Niki interviews acclaimed journalist and author, Vincent Bevins. In this conversation, the two discuss the trend of mass protests across the globe often resulting in the opposite of what people were demanding in the streets in the first place. They weave the history of anti-communism, US-backed right-wing coups, the weaking and demobilization of leftist organizations and parties, and the role of media. Vincent Bevins is the author of The Jakarta Method and If We Burn: The Mass Protest Decade and the Missing Revolution ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this episode, Niki interviews Ghanian-American doctor, Dr. Samira Addrey, Graduate of the Latin American School of Medicine in Cuba. In this conversation, the two discuss the legacy of not only the Latin American School of Medicine, but how Cuba has managed to develop some of the world's best doctors, biotech innovations, and their commitment to medical solidarity, despite the US blockade and all the crises it creates for Cuba and its people. Additional note regarding the situation in Cuba: "Right now the U.S. government is deliberately starving the Cuban people 90 miles to our South. We all must act now. A food crisis is unfolding on the island of an unprecedented scale. A country where hunger had been made a thing of the past is now running out of bread and other essential food items. We are launching an emergency campaign — Let Cuba Live: Bread for Our Neighbors. Our goal is to send 800 tons of wheat flour to Cuba as legal humanitarian aid, so that millions of people have bread for a month." Donate at: LetCubaLive.info/bread ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this episode, Niki interviews Palestinian labor organizer and author, Zaina Alsous, where the two discuss the history of Palestinian and Arab worker-led revolts, the significance of the largest US labor unions calling for an immediate ceasefire, and the limitations of our current ability to hold general strikes in the US and what is required to make this more possible. You can read more editorial work by Zaina here. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this interview, Niki interviews historian and journalist Vijay Prashad, where the two discuss the history of Palestinian resistance throughout Zionist occupation, why the US may have the power to destroy countries but cannot win wars, and where the seeds of hope lie in this revolutionary moment. Vijay Prashad is the Executive Director of Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research, the Chief Editor of Leftword Books, and the author of forty books. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

"The lesser of two evils politic has not served working class people." In this interview, Niki interviews presidential candidate for PSL (Party for Socialism and Liberation), Claudia De la Cruz. The two discuss the unfolding crises in the US - unemployment, inflation, housing/rent crisis, climate collapse, the threat of war, among other issues and how both Democrats and Republicans refuse to address these crisis and bring about solutions to most Americans. As a relentless genocide takes place on the Palestinian people, Biden, Democrats, and Republicans alike have made their commitments and interests clear. Soon, these same politicians will be asking Americans for their vote, but most people feel exhausted of business as usual. In this conversation, Niki and Claudia get into the specifics of what is at stake and what can be done. You can volunteer to be part of this campaign here. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this episode, Niki is interviewed by their best friend and comrade, Sabrina Beydoun. Niki reflects intimately on what themes have been anchoring her this past year of sabbatical and hiatus - the challenges of what it means to leave home and build anew, being in a place of transition and uncertainty, and unprecedented personal challenges, while reckoning that the only path forward is collective care and interdependence. Sabrina Beydoun is a Lebanese-American chef, writer, and cultural worker. You can read their substack, Nourished here. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this episode, Niki interviews Fariha Róisín, author of Who Is Wellness For? In the conversation, the two discuss the role of dignity in affirming one’s healing in the face of trauma, colonialism, capitalism, and other systems of oppression. They also unpack the relationship between spiritual warfare, commodification of wellness, and the corporate industries that intentionally invisibilize the violence behind popular wellness trends and practices. Audio disclaimer: I encourage you to listen on your laptop or car, as there is a bit of background noise coming from Fariha's audio. Otherwise, enjoy this tender conversation. Music by Magic City Hippies ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this episode, Niki interviews Elea Chang, disability justice advocate, community organizer, and artist. The two discuss the capitalist notion of the "pandemic being over," and the ways in which disability justice offers a pathway of care, solidarity, and safety in these uncertain times. In this, they also discuss the limitations of representation and identity politics in an economy that commodifies it all. Elea is the creator of Disabled and Here, an interview and stock images celebrating disabled BIPOC. This episode is in partnership with Open Collective Foundation. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

*This episode was originally published in May 2021* In this episode, Niki interviews Annika Hansteen-Izora, an art director, poet, and designer. The two reckon with the interests (profit, militarism, white supremacy, ableism - to name a few) that dictate social media platforms, algorithms, and the digital world at large, in a time where we are all spending hours on end on apps. Drawing from Afro-Futurism, Afro-Nowism, and speculative fiction, the two envision what communities centered in care and safety may look and feel like. Annika is currently the Creative Director of Design and UI at Somewhere Good, a new social media platform that centers people of color. Annika’s references and suggestions for folks to learn more from: Safiya Umoja Noble: Algorithms of Oppression Digital Doulas Take Restorative Justice to Cyberspace by. Yaa Addae Data healing concept by Neema Githere Data trauma concept by Olivia McKayla Ross Glitch Feminism by Legacy Russell Joy Buolamwini and Algorithmic Justice Mandy Harris Williams and #brownupyourfeed ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this episode, Niki interviews Nick Estes, Indigenous scholar, writer, and co-founder of The Red Nation. The two reflect on 2021's Jan 6th insurrection and some notable political differences between the political economy of the US vs socialist economies in the Global South. They also offer some critiques on the new Netflix sensation, Don't Look Up, while centering the need for Indigenous resistance as an antidote to the climate crisis. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this episode, Niki interviews Manolo De Los Santos, a Caribbean popular educator and the two discuss the November 15th protests in Cuba, what narratives we should be mindful of in hopes of supporting the lives of Cuban people on the island, and the dangers of advocating for US intervention. Manolo is the co-executive director of The People's Forum in NYC. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this episode, Niki interviews Claudia De La Cruz, Co-Executive Director of The People's Forum. The two discuss the recent events in Haiti, Cuba, and other political crises in the region and what this means for oppressed people globally. They also discuss the continuous historical patterns of what happens in moments like this, and the ways in which US media works in insidious ways to confuse and distract everyday people and ultimately serve elite interests. Support the podcast and become a patreon here. Music courtesy of Magic City Hippies. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this episode, Niki interviews Clarissa Brooks, an abolitionist movement journalist and organizer. The two discuss the dangers of status quo "objectivity" in journalism and media, and look alternatively, to grassroots examples of Black investigative journalists who hold political commitments and relationships with the communities they write about. They also discuss the attention economy and its impact on which stories are prioritized and centered. Clarissa's writing has been featured in Rolling Stone, THEM, NPR, Harper's Bazaar, Teen Vogue, Complex, among others. Support the podcast and become a patreon here. Music courtesy of Magic City Hippies. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this celebratory episode, Niki rings in the second anniversary of the podcast by getting into conversation with fellow gemini Mimi Zhu, writer and author of the forthcoming Book, Be Not Afraid of Love. The two discuss the realities that become more possible through storytelling for communities of color, the co-opting necessitated by corporate campaigns such as Stop Asian Hate and Pride, and the ways in which grief, loss, and migrant narratives all create openings for transformation and abolitionist values. Mimi's work explores themes of survival, queerness, alternate worlds rooted in interdependence/kinship/solidarity. Their work has been featured in the New York Times, PAPER Magazine, Guardian, SLATE, Artnet, NME, Bustle, JacobinMag, them., The Fader, INSIDER, VICE. They also write a monthly newsletter called WRITE, TO HEAL that includes essays, prompts, and curated playlists. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this episode, Niki interviews Sarah Jaffe, labor journalist and author. The two discuss Sarah's new book, Work Won't Love You Back: How Devotion to Our Jobs Keeps Us Exploited, Exhausted and Alone, which offers historical context on the gendered, racialized, and capitalist history impacting workers, families, and what kind of labor society deems as valuable or not. In this conversation, the two also discuss recent examples of workers resisting, organizing, and shifting the terrain for labor in response to COVID-19 and they challenge the notion that: if you love what you do, you won't work a day in your life. Sarah's work has been featured in The New York Times, The Nation, the Guardian, the Washington Post, The New Republic, the Atlantic, and elsewhere. She is the co-host, with Michelle Chen, of Dissent magazine’s Belabored podcast, as well as a columnist at The Progressive and New Labor Forum. Support the podcast and become a patreon here. Music courtesy of Magic City Hippies. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this episode, Niki interviews Fresco Steez, a cultural engineer and organizer who has designed countless slogans, visuals, and communications that center the notion of being Unapologetically Black. In this conversation, the two discuss the role of artists and cultural workers in revolutionary struggles, the potential and necessity behind popularizing radical ideas, and the two get vulnerable around commitments to agitate and organize whenever possible. You can learn more about Fresco's latest project with Levi's here. Support the podcast and become a patreon here. Music courtesy of Magic City Hippies. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this episode, Niki interviews Derecka Purnell, an abolitionist writer, organizer, lawyer. Derecka works to end police and prison violence by providing legal assistance, research, and trainings to community based organizations through an abolitionist framework. In this conversation, the two discuss the limits of identity politics, why anti-capitalism and abolition go together, lessons from the 2020 uprising and what's ahead under a new administration. Derecka's writings have been published in The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Guardian, Cosmopolitan, Harper’s Bazaar, Teen Vogue, The Appeal, Truthout, Slate, Boston Review, Huffington Post, Vox, and In These Times. She’s been featured on NPR, the Boston Globe, Slate’s What Next, and MSNBC, and is the former Editor-in-Chief of the Harvard Journal of African American Public Policy. Support the podcast and become a patreon here. Music courtesy of Magic City Hippies. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this episode, Niki interviews adrienne maree brown, the author of Pleasure Activism: The Politics of Feeling Good and Emergent Strategy: Shaping Change, Changing Worlds. In this conversation, the two discuss what it means to embody abolitionist values, strategies for discerning differences in movement work, boundaries on and offline, moving towards generative conflict more effectively, adrienne's new book, We Will Not Cancel Us, and dreamy longings for 2021. adrienne maree brown is a longtime movement facilitator, supporting the work of organizations and collectives. Her new book, We Will Not Cancel Us is an invitation for abolitionist organizers and movement workers. Episode transcript available here. Support the podcast and become a patreon here. Music courtesy of Magic City Hippies. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★