Communist Realism with Steven Vogel (& The Red Scare Cocktail)

Cocktails & Capitalism

In this episode, I speak with author, artist, and freelance creative director Steven Vogel. Steven is the creator of Black Lodges – an add-free online zine offering Marxist commentary about politics, music, culture, and art. I was thrilled to discover that this project has come to include a communist drinking club! According to Steven, this club is “absolutely necessary for maintaining your sanity” in this capitalist hellscape.

Years as a marketing specialist, designer, and idea person for major brands lead Steven to some fundamental realizations about capitalism. Watching as the fruits of his labor were stolen and converted into corporate profit, he discovered that he owned too little to ever become a capitalist. Endless work deprived Steven of happiness and health, leading to his hospitalization for two whole years. These experiences compelled him to leave the corporate world to focus entirely on Black Lodges.

Black Lodges is a communist newsletter project that shields itself from the corrupting influence of capital. It is entirely written, illustrated, designed and produced by Steven Vogel. Listeners can join the newsletter for free, but please consider supporting this anti-capitalist work by signing up for a paid subscription.

LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/blacklodgesvibe

Black Lodges newsletter: https://blacklodges.substack.com

Merch: https://blacklodges.bigcartel.com/

Twitter: @blacklodges

Episode Cocktail:

The Red Scare (a negroni)

1 oz gin

1 oz Campari

1 oz vermouth

Garnish: orange peel

Stir all ingredients with ice until chilled, strain into a rocks glass with ice, add garnish, and enjoy!

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Cocktails & Capitalism is an anticapitalist labor of love, but we could use your help to make this project sustainable. If you can support with even a dollar a month, that would really help us continue to educate, agitate, and amplify the voices of those who are working to dismantle capitalism and create a better world.

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This show is sponsored by Beautiful Trouble — an international network of organizers, artists, and trainers working to equip grassroots movements with the tools to become more creative, effective, and irresistible.