Episodes

  • E113: [TEASER] Radical Reads – Forces of Labour

    E113: [TEASER] Radical Reads – Forces of Labour
    Nov 26 2025
    This is a teaser preview of one of our Radical Reads episodes, made exclusively for our supporters on patreon. You can listen to the full 67-minute episode without ads and support our work at https://www.patreon.com/posts/e113-radical-of-143322722

    In this episode, we discuss Beverly Silver's pioneering work, Forces of Labour: Workers' Movements and Globalisation Since 1870, a book which was hugely influential on many of us at Working Class History. The book is epic in its breadth (looking at labour unrest around the world and across a long period of time), but also firmly committed to viewing class struggle from the bottom up.

    But most important about the book is how deeply materialist and methodical it is in how it outlines the concrete conditions that gave space for working-class struggle, and how those struggles forced capital to think of new strategies in order to deal with it. Moreover, in doing so, her book also helps us to think and to strategise about working-class organising today.

    Listen to the full episode here:
    • E113: Radical Reads – Forces of Labour
    More information
    • Buy Forces of Labour from an independent bookshop (or read it online here)
    • Check out our collection of books about labour movement history in our online shop
    • See the webpage for this episode at https://workingclasshistory.com/podcast/e113-radical-reads-forces-of-labour/
    Acknowledgements
    • Thanks to our patreon supporters for making this podcast possible. Special thanks to Jazz Hands.
    • Episode graphic consists of two photos: textile strikers in Paterson, in the US, 1913, courtesy National Parks Gallery, and textile strikers in Egypt, 2007, courtesy Hossam el-Hamalawy https://www.flickr.com/photos/elhamalawy
    • Edited by Jesse French
    • Our theme tune is Montaigne’s version of the classic labour movement anthem, ‘Bread and Roses’, performed by Montaigne and Nick Harriott, and mixed by Wave Racer. Download the song here, with all proceeds going to Medical Aid for Palestinians. More from Montaigne: website, Instagram, YouTube
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    18 mins
  • WCH Podcast and Patreon Update

    WCH Podcast and Patreon Update
    Oct 30 2025
    An update for you on the Working Class History podcast and its future.
    In short, we began releasing much more frequent podcast episodes 18 months ago, in an effort to get more supporters on Patreon. While we were able to grow our support, it has not been sufficient to cover our increased costs, and we have now run out of episodes. So we will be taking an end of season break, to work on new episodes to release in the New Year.
    Patreon is how listeners like you make our work possible, and enables us to cover the cost of making the podcast. Some series we work on take several years, hundreds of hours of work, and cost thousands of dollars, not to mention all of our other costs. Learn more and join us at https://patreon.com/workingclasshistory
    The price of our exclusive content on Patreon hasn't gone up since 2020, whereas inflation has gone up by 25% and costs have gone up even more.
    So in the New Year we are going to have to increase the cost of our Patreon benefits to new members. However, if you join us on Patreon before then, you will be able to permanently lock in the 2020 price of $5 per month (or even cheaper if you subscribe annually). So please join us today to access great benefits like early access to all episodes without ads, and access to our exclusive bonus episodes every month.
    In 2026, the cost of a subscription to new members will increase to $6 per month, so don't delay, join us today to support the dissemination of people's history, at this time of attacks on the genuine teaching of factual history around the world.
    Learn more and sign up at https://patreon.com/workingclasshistory

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/working-class-history--5711490/support.
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    5 mins
  • E112: [FREE EPISODE] Radical Reads - Be Gay Do Crime

    E112: [FREE EPISODE] Radical Reads - Be Gay Do Crime
    Oct 18 2025
    As part of our Radical Reads series, we speak about our latest book, Be Gay, Do Crime: Everyday Acts of Queer Resistance and Rebellion, with editors Zane McNeill, Blu Buchanan and Riley Clare Valentine.Radical Reads is one of our Patreon-only exclusive series, where we discuss texts – both old and new – that have either influenced the WCH project, or texts that we generally think that people involved in radical and working-class movements should be engaging with, discussing, and using to inform their activism. Our podcast is brought to you by our Patreon supporters. Our supporters fund our work, and in return get exclusive early access to podcast episodes without ads, bonus episodes, free and discounted merchandise and other content. Supporters also get access to two exclusive podcast series: Radical Reads and Fireside Chats. Join us or find out more at patreon.com/workingclasshistoryAs attacks on queer and trans people around the globe escalate, we felt it was more important than ever to highlight stories of LGBT+ resistance throughout history. Be Gay, Do Crime: Everyday Acts of Queer Resistance and Rebellion is your ultimate guide to LGBTQ+ resilience and revolt. Packed with hundreds of snapshots of radical queer history for every day of the year, this book celebrates the bold, the brave, and the beautifully defiant moments that have shaped the fight for justice. In this episode, we discuss the book, our current moment, the connections between LGBT+ movements and other aspects like race, class, gender and disability. We look at historical repression of queer identities, colonialism, and talk about what stories from the past can point to away towards a better future.Hope you enjoy this episode, and make sure to get hold of a copy of the book, available in our online store with global shipping.Listen without ads here on PatreonBuy the book hereFull show notes here on our websiteY’all Means All: The Emerging Voices Queering Appalachia – Z. Zane McNeill – Zane’s previous book with PM Press, in our online store.Deviant Hollers: Queering Appalachian Ecologies for a Sustainable Future – Zane McNeill and Rebecca Scott – a collection of texts using the lens of queer ecologies to explore environmental destruction in Appalachia while mapping out alternative futuresFollow Riley on BlueskyAcknowledgementsThanks to our Patreon supporters for making this podcast possible. Special thanks to Jazz Hands.The episode graphic is of LGBT Pride in São Paulo, 2014, taken by Ben Tavener, bentavener.com, CCA 2.0.Edited by Jesse FrenchOur theme tune is Montaigne’s version of the classic labour movement anthem, ‘Bread and Roses’, performed by Montaigne and Nick Harriott, and mixed by Wave Racer. Download the song here, with all proceeds going to Medical Aid for Palestinians. More from Montaigne: website, Instagram, YouTubeBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/working-class-history--5711490/support.
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    1 hr and 53 mins
  • E111.1: [TEASER] Poll tax revolt, bonus episode

    E111.1: [TEASER] Poll tax revolt, bonus episode
    Oct 1 2025
    Preview extract of a bonus episode of our double podcast on the successful mass direct action campaign against the UK poll tax in the late 1980s and early 1990s. In conversation with Dave Morris from the Tottenham Anti-Poll Tax campaign and Haringey Solidarity Group. This part covers more information about Dave’s life and activism, different left strategies within the campaign, undercover police infiltration of the campaign, and community organising today.

    Our podcast is brought to you by our Patreon supporters. Our supporters fund our work, and in return get exclusive early access to podcast episodes without ads, bonus episodes, two exclusive podcast series – Fireside Chats and Radical Reads – as well as free and discounted merchandise and other content. Join us or find out more at patreon.com/workingclasshistory
    • Listen to the whole exclusive bonus episode without ads by joining us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/e111-1-poll-tax-138554022
    More information
    • Haringey Solidarity Group
    • Danny Burns, Poll Tax Rebellion (AK Press, 1992).
    • Sources, photos, more information and eventually a transcript on the webpage for this episode: https://workingclasshistory.com/podcast/e110-111-poll-tax-revolt/
    Acknowledgements
    • Thanks to our Patreon supporters for making this podcast possible. Special thanks to Jazz Hands, Fernando López Ojeda, Nick Williams and Old Norm.
    • Episode graphic: Courtesy James Bourne/Wikimedia Commons CC by SA 4.0
    • Our theme tune is Bella Ciao, thanks for permission to use it from Dischi del Sole. You can purchase it here or stream it here.
    • Edited by Engin Hassan


    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/working-class-history--5711490/support.
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    7 mins
  • E111: Poll tax revolt, part 2

    E111: Poll tax revolt, part 2
    Sep 24 2025
    Second of a double podcast episode about the successful mass direct action campaign against the UK poll tax in the late 1980s and early 1990s. In conversation with Dave Morris from the Tottenham Anti-Poll Tax campaign and Haringey Solidarity Group. This part covers repercussions from the poll tax riot, the non-payment campaign, legal defence, repression, how the struggle was won, and lessons for today
    Our podcast is brought to you by our Patreon supporters. Our supporters fund our work, and in return get exclusive early access to podcast episodes without ads, bonus episodes, two exclusive podcast series – Fireside Chats and Radical Reads – as well as free and discounted merchandise and other content. Join us or find out more at patreon.com/workingclasshistory
    • Listen to an exclusive bonus episode by joining us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/e111-1-poll-tax-138554022
    More information
    • Haringey Solidarity Group
    • Danny Burns, Poll Tax Rebellion (AK Press, 1992).
    • Sources, photos, more information and eventually a transcript on the webpage for this episode: https://workingclasshistory.com/podcast/e110-111-poll-tax-revolt/
    Acknowledgements
    • Thanks to our Patreon supporters for making this podcast possible. Special thanks to Jazz Hands, Fernando López Ojeda, Nick Williams and Old Norm.
    • Episode graphic: Courtesy James Bourne/Wikimedia Commons CC by SA 4.0
    • Our theme tune is Bella Ciao, thanks for permission to use it from Dischi del Sole. You can purchase it here or stream it here.
    • Edited by Engin Hassan


    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/working-class-history--5711490/support.
    Show More Show Less
    45 mins
  • E110: Poll tax revolt, part 1

    E110: Poll tax revolt, part 1
    Sep 17 2025
    First of a double podcast episode about the successful mass direct action campaign against the UK poll tax in the late 1980s and early 1990s. In conversation with Dave Morris from the Tottenham Anti-Poll Tax campaign and Haringey Solidarity Group.This part covers the background, Thatcherism, introduction of the tax in Scotland, the beginnings of resistance, and the poll tax riot.
    Our podcast is brought to you by our Patreon supporters. Our supporters fund our work, and in return get exclusive early access to podcast episodes without ads, bonus episodes, two exclusive podcast series – Fireside Chats and Radical Reads – as well as free and discounted merchandise and other content. Join us or find out more at patreon.com/workingclasshistory
    • Listen to part 2 early and without ads by joining us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/e111-poll-tax-2-138013003
    • Listen to an exclusive bonus episode by joining us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/e111-1-poll-tax-138554022
    More information
    • Haringey Solidarity Group
    • Danny Burns, Poll Tax Rebellion (AK Press, 1992).
    • Sources, photos, more information and eventually a transcript on the webpage for this episode: https://workingclasshistory.com/podcast/e110-111-poll-tax-revolt/
    Acknowledgements
    • Thanks to our Patreon supporters for making this podcast possible. Special thanks to Jazz Hands, Fernando López Ojeda, Nick Williams and Old Norm.
    • Episode graphic: Courtesy James Bourne/Wikimedia Commons CC by SA 4.0
    • Our theme tune is Bella Ciao, thanks for permission to use it from Dischi del Sole. You can purchase it here or stream it here.
    • Edited by Engin Hassan


    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/working-class-history--5711490/support.
    Show More Show Less
    43 mins
  • WCL14: Live from the Working Class Literature Festival

    WCL14: Live from the Working Class Literature Festival
    Aug 20 2025
    Following our double-episode on the Florence Working-Class Literature Festival back in February, our co-host Matt was invited to this year’s festival, recording this episode on-site at the ex-GKN factory in Florence. Featuring the various writers, researchers, organisers, and activists in attendance, this episode captures the atmosphere of the festival at this critical time for the GKN struggle.
    Our podcast is brought to you by patreon supporters of both Working Class Literature and Working Class History. Our supporters fund our work, and in return get exclusive early access to podcast episodes, bonus episodes, free and discounted merchandise and other content. Join us or find out more at patreon.com/workingclasshistory
    Taking place on 4-6 April 2025, the opending day of the festival marked the 1367th day since the 400+ workforce at the GKN car parts factory in Florence was first made redundant. They subsequently seized the factory and remain in control of it to this day, despite receiving their third – and now final – redundancy notice in the days leading up to this year’s festival.Recorded on-site at the occupied GKN factory on the outskirts of Florence, this episode features the voices of various writers, researchers, organisers, and activists that we spoke to while at the festival. These conversations took place against a frenzy of activity, both for the festival but also the GKN struggle itself.

    Acknowledgements
    • Thanks to all our patreon supporters for making this podcast possible. Special thanks to Jazz Hands, Fernando Lopez Ojeda, Nick Williams and Old Norm
    • Our theme tune for these episodes is ‘Occupiamola’ (or ‘Let’s Occupy It’) as sung on a GKN workers’ demonstration in 2024. Many thanks to Reel News London for letting us use their recording. Watch the documentary it’s taken from here
    • This episode was edited by Jesse French
















    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/working-class-history--5711490/support.
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr
  • E109: Women in the miners' strike, part 2

    E109: Women in the miners' strike, part 2
    Aug 14 2025
    Concluding part of our double episode about the crucial role played by women in the great miners’ strike in Britain, 1984-5, in conversation with Heather Wood, chair of the Easington women’s strike support group.
    Our podcast is brought to you by our Patreon supporters. Our supporters fund our work, and in return get exclusive early access to podcast episodes without ads, bonus episodes, two exclusive podcast series – Fireside Chats and Radical Reads – as well as free and discounted merchandise and other content. Join us or find out more at patreon.com/workingclasshistory
    Part 2 is about the formation of a national organisation and national protest, the media, the end of the strike, the effect on the women, and possibilities for the future.
    These are re-edited and improved versions of our original episode 13. More information, sources, and eventually a transcript on the webpage for this episode: https://workingclasshistory.com/podcast/e108-women-in-the-miners-strike/

    Acknowledgements
    • Thanks to our Patreon supporters for making this podcast possible. Special thanks to Jazz Hands, Fernando López Ojeda, Nick Williams and Old Norm.
    • Episode graphic: Courtesy Heather Wood
    • Music courtesy of the Easington Colliery Brass Band
    • Speech recording courtesy of Amber Films and Can’t Beat it Alone. The full film in multiple parts can be seen at www.amber-online.com
    • This version edited by Tyler Hill. Original editing by Jesse French.


    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/working-class-history--5711490/support.
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    25 mins