Podcast
Unf*cking The Republic
Hosted by UNFTR Media · EN
Unf*cking The Republic® (UNFTR) is dedicated to progressive politics, leftist economic theories, and social justice in the United States. Join us for deep dives into socialism, labor rights, climate justice, and the fight against inequality. Whether you're curious about Marxist ideas, modern social movements, or progressive policies, UNFTR delivers thoroughly sourced critiques, analyses, and interviews with the historical context mainstream media won't provide. Subscribe for informative and unabashedly progressive coverage of the leftist political and economic landscape.
72episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The Controlled Demolition of the U.S. Economy: Shadow Banks, Dollar Debasement and Basis Trades.
Oct 24Tap to summarizeThe U.S. economy is headed for financial collapse. Repo market stress. Private credit market liquidity crunch. Subprime lending crisis. Spiraling deficits. Basis trade exposure. Dollar debasement. U.S. states in recession. Oil market contango. Tariff and trade wars. Each of these are like explosive devices hiding in the corners of the economic edifice that is the U.S. economy. And the Federal Reserve just released a shocking paper that exposes the biggest potential threat of all. Explosive devices have been set all around the economy and a new bomb was just uncovered in the most unlikely of places. Chapters Intro: 00:05:21 Chapter One: The Road to Economic Hegemony. 00:06:24 Chapter Two: Collision Course. 00:30:55 Chapter Three: Hidden Bomb. 00:35:50 Chapter Four: Bring It Home, Max. 00:44:50 Resources The Lead Left: Middle Market & Private Credit – 2/10/2025 Mark Zandi on X Axios: 22 states are in a recession or close to it, new analysis finds The Fed: The Cross-Border Trail of the Treasury Basis Trade FSB: Leverage in Nonbank Financial Intermediation: Final report Morningstar: Official data dramatically underestimates hedge funds' involvement in the Treasury market, Fed paper finds Federal Reserve Bank of New York: Repo Operations Fidelity: Investor behind Zions, Western Alliance bad loans is tied to $270 million in troubled debt Car Dealership Guy: Tricolor: The messy collapse of a subprime auto lender explained Investopedia: Basis Trading: Definition, How It Works, Example The Guardian: What is private credit, and should we be worried by the collapse of US firms? OilPrice.com: Oil Market Braces for Contango and Shale Slowdown -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook, Bluesky, TikTok and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com. Join our Discord at unftr.com/discord. Become a member at unftr.com/memberships. Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility. Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media (mannyfacesmedia.com). Original music is by Tom McGovern (tommcgovern.com). The show is hosted by Max and distributed by 99.Support the show: https://www.unftr.com/membershipsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Trump and the Fed: Why Trump is Determined to Fire Jerome Powell.
Aug 1100:18:18Tap to summarizeTreasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently took himself out of the running to take over as Chair of the Federal Reserve at the end of Jerome Powell’s term. (Or when Trump fires him illegally.) Perhaps it has something to do with his serious flub recently when he said the quiet part out loud about privatizing Social Security. Either way, Trump is on a mission to cut the Federal Funds rate to as low as one percent. In today’s episode, we game it out to explain what would happen if rates suddenly dropped so low in this economic environment. (Spoiler: It would be catastrophic for the average American.) Then we reveal what Trump’s actual motives might be for doing so. Chapters Intro: 00:00:40 Post Show Musings: 00:14:59 Resources The New York Times: Trump says Treasury’s Bessent rules out replacing Powell as the Fed chair. MSNBC: Bessent walks back suggestion that Trump accounts are 'backdoor' to privatize Social Security UNFTR Resources Trump Accounts. Stablecoin and the Stable Genius: Donald Trump’s Plan to be the Central Banker to the World Video: Trump’s SHADOW CRYPTO Network is WORSE Than You Think Project 2025. -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook, Bluesky, TikTok and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com. Join our Discord at unftr.com/discord. Become a member at unftr.com/memberships. Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility. Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media (mannyfacesmedia.com). Original music is by Tom McGovern (tommcgovern.com). The show is hosted by Max and distributed by 99.Support the show: https://www.unftr.com/membershipsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Trump vs. Lula: Trump’s Arrogance Toward Brazil and the LAC Is a Threat to Us All.
Aug 4, 202500:24:59Tap to summarizeDonald Trump recently announced a new round of tariffs including outrageous ones on Brazil that bring the effective tariff rate to 50%. Forget that we have a surplus with Brazil or that they’re one of the biggest economies in Latin America, one of our closest allies historically and the biggest democracy in South America. Trump’s upset that the Lula administration is targeting his friend Jair Bolsonaro, dubbed the “Trump of the Tropics.” Or so he claims. There’s a lot more to this ridiculous and misguided trade war than hurt feelings and bad economics. It’s about Brazil’s leadership of the BRICS+ alliance that threatens to undermine Trump’s plan to personally become the central banker to the world. Resources Jeffrey Group: Brasil June 6th, 2025 IMF: IMF Staff Completes 2025 Article IV Visit to Brazil OECD: OECD Economic Outlook, Volume 2025 Issue 1 Deloitte: Brazil economic outlook, March 2025 Al Jazeera: Trump’s hefty tariff on Brazil expected to push the country towards China The Guardian - President Lula hits back as Trump tariffs threaten US-Brazil trade showdown VoxDev: Understanding Brazil’s falling income inequality PBS: Argentina secures IMF loan and ends most capital controls in key milestones for President Milei MeidasTouch: Trump’s PANICKED MOVE delivers DEATHBLOW Atlantic Council: The stablecoin race -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook, Bluesky, TikTok and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com. Join our Discord at unftr.com/discord. Become a member at unftr.com/memberships. Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility. Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media (mannyfacesmedia.com). Original music is by Tom McGovern (tommcgovern.com). The show is hosted by Max and distributed by 99.Support the show: https://www.unftr.com/membershipsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Income Inequality in the U.S.: Why You’re Struggling.
Jul 24, 202500:21:54Tap to summarizeIncome inequality is often spoken about but still widely misunderstood. There’s a reason why the vast majority of Americans are barely getting by while the top income earners continue to pull ahead. We’re entering a new phase of capitalism, however, and it stands to affect even some of those who were previously untouched by economic downturns. There is trouble brewing that threatens the preeminence of the U.S. Dollar as the cheap and easy money era comes to a grinding halt. Few of the old tools in the Fed and Treasury toolkit will be as effective as they once were, and the Trump administration seems determined to build a private shadow central banking system that will make matters worse for everyone but the uber-wealthy. Resources US Leading Indicators Art Market Research: Benchmark Indices for the Art Market Book Love Jodi Dean: Capital’s Grave: Neofeudalism and the New Class Struggle UNFTR Episode Resources Stock Buybacks Surge: Another Red Flag for the U.S. Economy. -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook, Bluesky, TikTok and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com. Join our Discord at unftr.com/discord. Become a member at unftr.com/memberships. Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility. Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media (mannyfacesmedia.com). Original music is by Tom McGovern (tommcgovern.com). The show is hosted by Max and distributed by 99.Support the show: https://www.unftr.com/membershipsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Show Notes.
Jul 21, 202501:41:51Tap to summarizeMax and 99 are back together to cover emails, comments and headlines! Tune in and enjoy. Chapters Intro: 00:00:19 Headlines: 00:23:46 Emails: 1:07:20 Memberships: 1:34:20 Reviews: 1:34:55 Outro: 1:35:07 Headlines CNN: Senate Judiciary Committee Republicans advance nomination of former Trump lawyer Emil Bove as Democrats walk out The Hill: Favorable views of Democratic Party lowest in decades: Polling CBS News: 20 states sue DHS, FEMA for cuts to disaster mitigation program Resources Max’s Meidas Touch Contributor Playlist Steven Semler: Polygraph UNFTR Resources Progressive Spotlights We Watched Tucker So You Don’t Have To. Is It Time To Worry? -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook, Bluesky, TikTok and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com. Join our Discord at unftr.com/discord. Become a member at unftr.com/memberships. Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility. Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media (mannyfacesmedia.com). Original music is by Tom McGovern (tommcgovern.com). The show is hosted by Max and distributed by 99.Support the show: https://www.unftr.com/membershipsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Our Eroding Empire: Max Unfiltered. It’s Now or Never.
Jul 18, 202500:23:42Tap to summarizeDonald Trump is implementing the Project 2025 playbook faster than anyone anticipated, and old guard Democrats have no idea how to combat him. But there’s another endgame coming into focus that will shock even astute political observers. This “Max Unfiltered” episode plants the seeds for upcoming episodes that examine how Trump and his allies are planning to loot the Treasury and control the world’s money supply. It turns out they aren’t just intent on destroying the system to remain in power—they’re setting themselves up to BE the power. Full disclosure: it’s a bit of a rant, but it’s the foundation for more to come. Resources Civiqs: Donald Trump: Job Approval, Second Term The Untouchables: The Chicago Way UNFTR Resources Mamdani’s Mayoral Bid Exposes the Real Threat to NYC Video: The Case AGAINST Buttigieg in 2028 The Prosperity Doctrine. F*ck Milton Friedman. Libertarians Are Exhausting: But They Might Be On To Something(s). Manufacturing Dissent. “Project 2025.” Video: Yanis Varoufakis on Technofeudalism and the End of Capitalism 5 Non-Negotiables Video: Old Democrats Must Go or Trump NEVER Will -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook, Bluesky, TikTok and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com. Join our Discord at unftr.com/discord. Become a member at unftr.com/memberships. Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility. Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media (mannyfacesmedia.com). Original music is by Tom McGovern (tommcgovern.com). The show is hosted by Max and distributed by 99.Support the show: https://www.unftr.com/membershipsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Immigration Smokescreen: Masking Trump’s War on the Poor.
Jul 14, 202500:21:40Tap to summarizeThe Trump administration has declared war on immigrants and poor people and is using immigration as a smokescreen to cover for Medicaid cuts in the so-called Big Beautiful Bill. Henchmen like Stephen Miller and Scott Bessent are promoting the false narrative that “illegal” immigrants are receiving Medicaid coverage and responsible for much of the fraud and abuse in the system. It’s a specious argument to distract from the fact that they’re cutting healthcare for millions of vulnerable Americans. Access the episode resources. Chapters Intro: 00:00:36 Chapter One: Cruelty. 00:01:55 Chapter Two: Smokescreen. 00:05:29 Chapter Three: Emergency. 00:10:35 Chapter Four: Theft. 00:14:47 Post Show Musings: 00:16:48 Outro: 00:20:21 Resources New York Times: A List of Nearly Everything in the G.O.P. Bill, and How Much It Would Cost or Save Rising: Stephen Miller “Torches ICE” New York Times: The Senate Wants Billions More in Medicaid Cuts, Pinching States and Infuriating Hospitals KFF: 5 Key Facts About Immigrants and Medicaid FactCheck.org: A False Claim About Illegal Immigration and Medicaid - FactCheck.org Healthinsurance.org: Can undocumented immigrants get Medicaid? KFF: Potential Impacts of 2025 Budget Reconciliation on Health Coverage Video: Trump's WAR on Immigrants and Poor People -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook, Bluesky, TikTok and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com. Join our Discord at unftr.com/discord. Become a member at unftr.com/memberships. Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility. Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media (mannyfacesmedia.com). Original music is by Tom McGovern (tommcgovern.com). The show is hosted by Max and distributed by 99.Support the show: https://www.unftr.com/membershipsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →The SALT Deduction: How “Tax Relief for Homeowners” Became Another Giveaway to the Rich.
Jul 10, 202500:15:30Tap to summarizeToday we’re diving into one of the most contentious tax battles happening in Washington right now—the State and Local Tax deduction (SALT). Now, if you’ve been hearing politicians talk about “tax relief for hard-working homeowners” or “supporting middle-class families,” you might think this sounds pretty good, right? But here’s the thing— like so many tax policies that sound great on the surface, the SALT deduction is actually one of the most regressive tax breaks in our entire system. We’re talking about a policy that overwhelmingly benefits wealthy households while doing absolutely nothing for the majority of Americans. And right now, Congress is debating whether to make this tax break even more generous. Resources Brookings: The SALT tax deduction is a handout to the rich. It should be eliminated not expanded CNBC: Trump’s ‘big beautiful bill’ passes SALT deduction limit of $40,000. Here’s who benefits Forvis Mazars: Be Wary of Pre-Emptive Tax Planning on Itemized Deductions & SALT TIME: A Wonky Tax Break for the Well-Off Is a Bigger Problem for Democrats Than You'd Think Gottheimer: RELEASE: SALT Caucus Co-Chairs, Members Meet & Discuss Fight to Restore State and Local Tax Deduction Tax Foundation: A More Generous SALT Deduction Cap in the Big, Beautiful Bill Would Cost Revenue and Primarily Benefit High Earners RSM US: Bill limits SALT deductions for some financial and professional services firms -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook, Bluesky, TikTok and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com. Join our Discord at unftr.com/discord. Become a member at unftr.com/memberships. Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility. Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media (mannyfacesmedia.com). Original music is by Tom McGovern (tommcgovern.com). The show is hosted by Max and distributed by 99.Support the show: https://www.unftr.com/membershipsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →BONUS: 2025 Manny + 99 Takeover.
Jun 26, 202501:17:55Tap to summarizeManny and 99 jumped into the studio to have some fun and connect while Max was away. They covered headlines, some music recommendations and general UNFTR business. Enjoy! Access episode resources. Chapters Intro: 00:00:00 Housekeeping: 00:02:13 Headlines: 00:09:01 Recommendations: 00:46:00 Memberships: 01:00:26 Outro: 01:00:50 Outro pt. 2: 01:16:26 Resources FMF Day sale through June 30 UNFTR’s 5NN POLITICO: MAGA right attacks Zohran Mamdani’s religion following his win News Beat Podcast Free The Press Substack Hip Hop Can Save America! Substack Rolling Stone: People Are Discovering NYC Mayoral Candidate Zohran Mamdani’s Rap Past UNFTR Discord AP News: Fed’s Powell repeats warning about tariffs as some GOP senators accuse him of bias Contraband Camp: How the Growth of AI is Endangering the Health of Black People Manny Faces Book HHCSA Discord Silent Knight SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden of Black Genius) Tunde Adebimpe: Thee Black Boltz Goose: Everything Must Go Matt Berninger: Get Sunk Max for MTN Buy UNFTR Coffee NPR: Chew On This: Is It Chomping Or Champing? UNFTR Resources Zohran Mamdani Has Already Won. Video: Zohran Mamdani Already Won: Leading the Race & the Way Max for MTN: Why Zohran Won the NYC Primary Mamdani’s Mayoral Bid Exposes the Real Threat to NYC The Economics of Racism. Video: The Economics of Racism. -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook, Bluesky, TikTok and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com. Join our Discord at unftr.com/discord. Become a member at unftr.com/memberships. Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility. Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media (mannyfacesmedia.com). Original music is by Tom McGovern (tommcgovern.com). The show is hosted by Max and distributed by 99.Support the show: https://www.unftr.com/membershipsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Zohran Mamdani Has Already Won: Leading the Race and Leading the Way.
Jun 23, 202500:51:37Tap to summarizeWe’re only a day away from the New York City Democratic Primary for mayor and early voting turnout is the largest in years. No matter what happens, Zohran Kwame Mamdani has already won the race. Mamdani’s candidacy has galvanized the national media in a way that a local primary race has rarely ever done. CNN, MSNBC, Zeteo, Hasan Piker, MeidasTouch, Pod Save America, The Breakfast Club, Bulwark Podcast and, of course, UNFTR (ahem) have all featured Mamdani. In some ways, he might be even more popular as a national political figure among leftists than he is among New York City voters. We’ll find out in a matter of days. There are those, however, who see this race as an isolated case and in no way a bellwether in a broader political sense. They would be wrong. Chapters Intro: 00:40 Post Show Musings: 00:19:10 Outro: 00:46:37 Resources The City: Who Votes the Most in New York? West Siders, Older People and College Grads POLITICO: Mario Cuomo was disappointed, 'homo' signs or not Zohran For NYC Emerson Polling: New York City 2025 Mayoral Poll: Mamdani Surges into Second, Cuomo Holding Lead One Month Out Emerson Polling: New York City Mayoral Poll: Mamdani Catches Cuomo In Rank Choice Voting FairVote: Ranked Choice Voting UNFTR Resources Phone A Friend: Zohran Mamdani. Video: Zohran for NYC Mayor: The Democratic Socialist Taking Over Gotham Video: Zohran Mamdani Already Won: Leading the Race & the Way FMF Day Sale through June 30 -- If you like #UNFTR, please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify: unftr.com/rate and follow us on Facebook, Bluesky, TikTok and Instagram at @UNFTRpod. Visit us online at unftr.com. Join our Discord at unftr.com/discord. Become a member at unftr.com/memberships. Buy yourself some Unf*cking Coffee at shop.unftr.com. Visit our bookshop.org page at bookshop.org/shop/UNFTRpod to find the full UNFTR book list, and find book recommendations from our Unf*ckers at bookshop.org/lists/unf-cker-book-recommendations. Access the UNFTR Musicless feed by following the instructions at unftr.com/accessibility. Unf*cking the Republic is produced by 99 and engineered by Manny Faces Media (mannyfacesmedia.com). Original music is by Tom McGovern (tommcgovern.com). The show is hosted by Max and distributed by 99.Support the show: https://www.unftr.com/membershipsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →