{"podcast":{"title":"Macro N Cheese","slug":"macro-n-cheese-703488","podcast_index_feed_id":703488,"rss_url":"https://feeds.captivate.fm/macroncheese/","website_url":"https://realprogressives.org/macro-n-cheese/","image_url":"https://artwork.captivate.fm/b7b2cda0-c8a3-426e-a72b-0ea3b2aecba5/13f729d0-e63e-11ea-b295-23a26c6e62ba.png","author":"Steven D Grumbine","episode_count":300,"summary":"A podcast that critically examines the working-class struggle through the lens of MMT or Modern Monetary Theory. Host Steve Grumbine, founder of Real Progressives, provides incisive political commentary and showcases grassroots activism. Join us for a robust, unfiltered exploration of economic issues that impact the working class, as we challenge the status quo and prioritize collective well-being over profit. This is comfort food for the mind, fueling our fight for justice and equity!","last_synced_at":"2026-07-19T00:18:34.311510+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/macro-n-cheese-703488"},"episode":{"title":"Ep 384 - Metabolic Rifts: Capitalism's Assault on the Earth System with Ian Angus","slug":"ep-384-metabolic-rifts-capitalism-s-assault-on-the-earth-system-with-ian-angus","published_at":"2026-06-13T11:30:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/macro-n-cheese-703488/ep-384-metabolic-rifts-capitalism-s-assault-on-the-earth-system-with-ian-angus","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/macro-n-cheese-703488","url":"https://macroncheese.captivate.fm/episode/ep-384-ian-angus","audio_url":"https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/54bc7201-5186-498f-8f18-ea0d19232599.mp3","summary":"** Come to Macro ‘n Chill, the online gathering where we listen to the podcast together and discuss what we learned and where we agree or disagree. Tuesday, June 16, 8pm ET/5pm PT. Use this link to register: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/Qm85bGIOSF2H_uNMwOmWtQ Ecosocialist author, Ian Angus, talks with Steve about his book Metabolic Rifts: Capitalism's Assault on the Earth System. They explore the deep, sometimes invisible ways that capitalism disrupts the planet’s fundamental life cycles –– from soil depletion and artificial fertilizers to the carbon cycle driving global warming. Ian traces the concept of “metabolic rift” from Marx and Engels through a long socialist lineage, making the case that ecological critique has always been central to the Marxist tradition. (Indeed, some Marxists might argue that “eco-” is an unnecessary qualifier; “socialism” is enough!) Steve brings up the MMT basics challenging the austerity narrative that blocks ecological reconstruction. He reminds us that the state, as the currency issuer, can de-commodify the essentials of life, namely food, water, housing, and healthcare. However, as Ian bluntly states: “The problem is that it’s not our government, it’s their government.” Reformism and electoralism are dead ends. While listeners may disagree with some of Ian's interpretations of Soviet history, those comments do not negate the episode's compelling analysis that capitalism’s DNA demands endless accumulation and profit. Combating the ecological crisis is inseparable from the struggle to overcome capitalism. Ian Angus is founder and editor of the online ecosocialist journal, Climate & Capitalism and a founding member of the Global Ecosocialist Network. Among his many books are The War Against the Commons: Dispossession and…","meta_description":"** Come to Macro ‘n Chill, the online gathering where we listen to the podcast together and discuss what we learned and where we agree or disagree. Tuesda…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":3840,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/macro-n-cheese-703488/episodes/ep-384-metabolic-rifts-capitalism-s-assault-on-the-earth-system-with-ian-angus/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/macro-n-cheese-703488/ep-384-metabolic-rifts-capitalism-s-assault-on-the-earth-system-with-ian-angus.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}