Podcasts

Future Histories explores and discusses visions of the future and historical perspectives on social and technological developments. Since 2019, Jan Groos has been offering in-depth interviews with experts from various disciplines, including science, politics, art and activism, on his podcast. Future Histories is characterised in particular by its interdisciplinary approach, covering a wide range of topics from digital socialism and degrowth communism to algorithmic governance and plurinational constitutionalism.

A key aspect of the podcast is the discussion of alternative economic and social models, which are closely linked to the topics of economic and organisational democracy. Episodes such as the one with Kohei Saito on degrowth communism or the conversations with Silvia Federici on progress, reproduction and commoning show how technological and social innovations can contribute to the promotion of democratic structures in the economy and society. Highly recommended listening!

Linke Theorie is a theory podcast that explores various aspects of capitalism and its effects on everyday life. The podcast aims to present leftist theories and arguments in an accessible way, making it valuable for both those with prior knowledge and newcomers alike.
Linke Theorie also engages with historical and current debates on social justice, anti-racism, and class society. It explains complex economic and social structures while discussing alternative perspectives and possible solutions.

There are episodes with a theoretical focus and others with a practical orientation. This approach helps listeners understand the theoretical foundations more clearly while also seeing how they apply in real-life contexts. Each episode features in-depth analyses and interviews with experts who provide diverse viewpoints, fostering a comprehensive education in leftist theory.

The connection to economic and organizational democracy stems from ongoing discussions about alternative economic models and the need for democratic structures in both the economy and society. Topics such as the appropriation of natural resources within the capitalist world system or the question of whether modern societies are still class societies highlight the deep inequalities of the current system and emphasize the importance of democratic decision-making at all levels.

Democracy at Work is a U.S.-based organization that produces a range of podcast formats to highlight the systemic problems of capitalism and promote democratic alternatives — particularly through cooperatives. Their programming includes:

Economic Update, hosted by Richard D. Wolff. This weekly podcast breaks down complex economic topics in an accessible way. Wolff discusses current economic developments and issues such as wages, taxes, debt, prices, and profits. The goal of the podcast is to empower listeners to better understand and analyze both their personal financial situations and the economy at large.

Cities After..., hosted by Miguel Robles-Durán. This biweekly podcast examines the contradictions of capitalism in urban environments and imagines visions for anti-capitalist futures. Robles-Durán explores reforms related to cities and workplaces, emphasizing the need for democratic structures in both realms.

All Things Co-op is a podcast focused on the cooperative movement. It explores how cooperatives function and the role they can play in promoting democratic workplaces. The show features interviews and discussions with practitioners and theorists alike.

Wohlstand für Alle, hosted by Ole Nymoen and Wolfgang M. Schmitt, appears weekly and deals with various economic topics. In each episode, the hosts analyse and discuss economic contexts from a critical perspective and offer their listeners new insights into current economic and social debates.

A recurring theme of the podcast is criticising established economic structures and theories. Wohlstand für Alle also sheds light on economic developments and their social impact, providing a platform for critical economic discussions that also shed light on what alternative economic models and democratic structures in the economy could look like.

The podcast Systemrelevant is produced by leading researchers from the Hans Böckler Foundation in collaboration with host Marco Herack. Systemrelevant covers a wide range of topics at the intersection of politics and economics, including macroeconomic dynamics, ecological and social challenges, and the conditions necessary for a fair and participatory world of work.

Each episode offers in-depth analysis of current economic and political issues. For example, the episode "How Co-Determination Can Save Democracy" explores the importance of workplace participation and its impact on the democratic climate in Europe.

The podcast’s analyses help to shed light on the complex interrelations between the economy, politics, and society, enabling listeners to better understand and critically engage with these topics.

Corporate Therapy is hosted by Human Nagafi, Mary-Jane Bolten, and Patrick Breitenbach. It is a critical management podcast that focuses on analyzing and discussing issues and phenomena related to work and organizations.

The title says it all: Corporate Therapy puts corporate structures—and sometimes even the hosts themselves—on the couch to foster deeper understanding and, at times, develop potential solutions.
The podcast covers a wide range of topics, including power structures within companies, labor migration, the role of trade unions, and the challenges posed by digitalization and automation.

One of the podcast’s key strengths is its inclusion of experts from academia, politics, and business who share their insights and experiences.