24: Cruel Optimism: Can Ecosocialism Stop the Climate Crisis?

24: Cruel Optimism: Can Ecosocialism Stop the Climate Crisis?

In this week's episode, Jonas takes us through the latest wave of machinations within the Labour Party, arguing that Andy Burnham’s strategy is neither radical nor realistic. Afterwards, Joe asks some fundamental questions of eco socialist strategy, pondering to what extent we could mitigate the climate crisis and what vision of eco socialism is possible on a burning planet. READINGS C.L.R. James - The Black Jacobins [https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/26815/the-black-jacobins-by-james-c-l-r/9780241562079] Erik Olin Wright - How to Be an Anticapitalist in the Twenty-First Century [https://www.versobooks.com/en-gb/products/933-how-to-be-an-anticapitalist-in-the-twenty-first-century?srsltid=AfmBOorxesasU10POat2n10TtBB30ihk1UOy6_hLUBptte6YDzMZwi8D] China Miéville - Embassytown [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9265453-embassytown] CREDITS Hosted by Shanice McBean, Jonas Marvin and Joe Todd. Edited by Marcus Berdaut for ⁠Ampersounds Productions⁠ [https://www.ampersounds.productions/]. Design by Rachel Carr / rachelcarr.co.uk Music by Benjamin Tissot / 9INTLNTLWTYTDKVN After Hours Music by Marcus P / MADSQ4HJPOYFTZ1T Become a supporter: lifeoftheparty.uk [https://lifeoftheparty.uk] Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/life.ofthepartypodcast/]. This is an Ampersounds production.

23: Immigration: Is the Left Getting It Right?

In this week's episode, Joe raises doubts about the Green Party's choice of candidate in the Manchester mayoralty - spurring wider questions about leadership on the left. After discussing the Green Party's proposals for internal democratic reform, your hosts zoom out to discuss politics' most significant wedge issue: immigration. Shanice opens by critiquing the left's go to arguments, proposing an alternative lens for viewing the critical yet divisive immigration debate. READINGS Joshua Virasami - A World Without Racism: Building Antiracist Futures [https://www.plutobooks.com/product/a-world-without-racism/]The Productive State - A Framework for Manchesterism [https://www.mainstreamlabour.org/updates/new-publication-the-productive-state] Margaret Kennedy - The Feast [https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/3409731-the-feast] Resonance FM - English Stitch [https://www.resonancefm.com/programmes/69d794db50000b3c06000001] Please subscribe, comment and leave a review! Hosted by Shanice McBean, Jonas Marvin and Joe Todd. Edited by Marcus Berdaut for Ampersounds Productions [https://www.ampersounds.productions]. Become a supporter: lifeoftheparty.uk [https://www.lifeoftheparty.uk] Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/life.ofthepartypodcast]. This is an Ampersounds production.

22: Burnham Wins Makerfield: Is It Time For a Progressive Alliance?

Jonas runs through Burnham’s big win in Makerfield and what it might mean for the Labour Party and the country, while Joe gives a deep cut on progressive alliances, assessing their history, viability and whether the Greens should sign up. Live show London 3rd July - Get Your Tickets [https://www.tickettailor.com/events/lifeoftheparty/2251612] Readings All in: A Revolutionary Theory to Stop Climate Collapse [https://all-in.now/] Bitch: A Revolutionary Guide to Sex, Evolution and the Female Animal [https://dauntbooks.co.uk/shop/books/bitch-what-does-it-mean-to-be-female/⁠] The Secret History Donna Tartt [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29044.The_Secret_History⁠] Please subscribe, comment and leave a review! Hosted by Shanice McBean, Jonas Marvin and Joe Todd. Edited by Marcus Berdaut for Ampersounds Productions [https://www.ampersounds.productions⁠]. Become a supporter: lifeoftheparty.uk [http://lifeoftheparty.uk]

21: The First 6 Months of Mayor Mamdani

Shanice opens up the episode probing why the left’s response to the killing of Henry Nowak has been so lukewarm, whilst Joe gives us a deep dive into six months of Zohran Mamdani’s mayoralty, assessing what’s gone well and what challenges might arise for the young democratic socialist politician. Live show: London 3rd July - Get your tickets! [https://www.tickettailor.com/events/lifeoftheparty/2251612 ] Readings Patrick Radden Keefe - London Falling: A Mysterious Death in a Gilded [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/238226991-london-falling]City and a Family's Search for Truth [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/238226991-london-falling] H. V. Morton - In Search of England [https://www.abebooks.co.uk/book-search/title/in-search-of-england/author/h-v-morton/] Asad Haider - Mistaken Identity: Race and Class in the Age of Trump [https://www.versobooks.com/en-gb/blogs/news/4029-mistaken-identity-race-and-class-in-the-age-of-trump?srsltid=AfmBOooFD9muMiab5XODi8mncXGZVWfH3Zfr0FDJkcgd6eS6xzODBw7m] Please subscribe, comment and leave a review! Hosted by Shanice McBean, Jonas Marvin and Joe Todd. Edited by Marcus Berdaut for Ampersounds Productions [https://www.ampersounds.productions]. Become a supporter: lifeoftheparty.uk [https://www.lifeoftheparty.uk/support] Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/life.ofthepartypodcast]. This is an Ampersounds production.

20: LIVE SHOW! Andy Burnham and British Politics After the Local Elections (Norwich Transformed)

Who is Andy Burnham? What is Manchesterism? Should the Greens be afraid of Labour's so-called soft left? Jonas, Joe and Shanice dissect the state of British politics after the local elections, and ask where next for the Left in a rapidly disintegrating two-party system. This episode was recorded live at Norwich Transformed 2026. Please subscribe, comment and leave a review! Hosted by Shanice McBean, Jonas Marvin and Joe Todd. Edited by Marcus Berdaut for Ampersounds Productions. Become a supporter: lifeoftheparty.uk [https://www.lifeoftheparty.uk] Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/life.ofthepartypodcast]. This is an Ampersounds production.