Home
Categories
EXPLORE
True Crime
Comedy
Business
Sports
Society & Culture
History
Fiction
About Us
Contact Us
Copyright
© 2024 PodJoint
00:00 / 00:00
Sign in

or

Don't have an account?
Sign up
Forgot password
https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Podcasts211/v4/ce/ad/fe/ceadfeb5-9cc0-d684-4701-759b13bf6c93/mza_15802480779939286106.jpg/600x600bb.jpg
Getting to the Root of it with Venus Roots
niki franco
44 episodes
2 hours ago
join niki franco (venus roots), a community organizer, writer, and facilitator of spaces for collective study, as she leans into conversations of radical truth-telling with artists, theorists, and organizers living in a world of rigid binaries and multiple truths. she navigates the urgency of solidarity, ancestral preservation, and dismantling systems of oppression that inform and deform our lives. @venusroots www.venusroots.com
Show more...
Society & Culture
News,
Politics
RSS
All content for Getting to the Root of it with Venus Roots is the property of niki franco and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
join niki franco (venus roots), a community organizer, writer, and facilitator of spaces for collective study, as she leans into conversations of radical truth-telling with artists, theorists, and organizers living in a world of rigid binaries and multiple truths. she navigates the urgency of solidarity, ancestral preservation, and dismantling systems of oppression that inform and deform our lives. @venusroots www.venusroots.com
Show more...
Society & Culture
News,
Politics
Episodes (20/44)
Getting to the Root of it with Venus Roots
War on Venezuela and Latin America, with Manolo de los Santos

In this episode, Niki interviews Manolo Los Santos to discuss the alarming political escalations in Latin America, particularly focusing on U.S. imperialism and its impact on countries like Venezuela. They explore the historical context of military dictatorships, the current geopolitical landscape, and the interconnectedness of global struggles for liberation and dignity. 

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Show more...
1 day ago
42 minutes

Getting to the Root of it with Venus Roots
Why Is the US Escalating Against Venezuela? with Zoe Alexandra of Peoples Dispatch

In this episode, Niki interviews journalist Zoe Alexandra of Peoples Dispatch to discuss the escalating military presence of the U.S. in the Caribbean, particularly focusing on Venezuela. They explore the implications of U.S. sanctions, the role of media in shaping public perception, and the historical context of U.S. interventions in Latin America. The conversation highlights the regional responses to U.S. aggression, the current mood in Venezuela, and calls for action among listeners to challenge the narratives surrounding these issues.

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Show more...
2 months ago
57 minutes

Getting to the Root of it with Venus Roots
Perfect Victims, with Mohammed el-Kurd

In this episode, Niki interviews Palestinian poet, author, and organizer, Mohammed el-Kurd to discuss his latest book, Perfect Victims: And The Politics of Appeal. The two unpack the complicity of western institutions on the genocide of Palestinians, shallow identity politics, the weaponization of anti-semitism, the New York War Crimes, and our responsibility to embody hope in such dark times. 

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Show more...
4 months ago
50 minutes

Getting to the Root of it with Venus Roots
The Encampments, with Kei Pritsker

In this episode, Niki interviews Kei Prister, co-director of The Encampments, to discuss the new film, the impact of the student intifada a year later, and what this fight signals for the future of the US empire and most importantly, what it says about young people's thirst for liberation. 

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Show more...
8 months ago
54 minutes

Getting to the Root of it with Venus Roots
Love in a F*cked up World, With Dean Spade

In this Valentine's Day special episode, Niki interviews Dean Spade, a queer and trans organizer, attorney, and an author. They ground the conversation in Dean's new book, Love in a F*cked up World: How to Build Relationships, Hook Up, and Raise Hell Together. The two discuss how oppressive systems impact our relationships (romantic and otherwise), the role of conflict, and what we must learn from less alienated societies to survive ongoing crises.

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Show more...
10 months ago
1 hour 7 minutes

Getting to the Root of it with Venus Roots
Seed Saving as an Antidote to Colonization, with Vivien Sansour of Palestine Heirloom Seed Library

In this episode, Niki interviews Vivien Sansour, founder of Palestine Heirloom Seed Library. In this conversation, the two discuss the ritual of seed saving among colonized peoples and the many ways in which saving the land's fruits is a way of returning to our humanity and our dignity. 

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Show more...
10 months ago
31 minutes

Getting to the Root of it with Venus Roots
The Incoming Trump Administration, with Eugene Puryear

In this episode, Niki interviews Eugene Puryear, an author, journalist, and host of Breakthrough News. In this conversation, the two discuss the incoming Trump administration and its implications on the Palestinian struggle, the global south at large, and what we can expect these next four years.

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Show more...
11 months ago
50 minutes

Getting to the Root of it with Venus Roots
Audre Lorde and June Jordan's Black Feminism and Palestine, with Marina Magloire

In this episode, Niki interviews Marina Magloire, Atlanta-based Black Feminism scholar, professor, and author of We Pursue Our Magic: A Spiritual History of Black Feminism. In this conversation, the two discuss the complicated relationship between two iconic queer Black feminist poets, Audre Lorde and June Jordan, and their opposing views on Zionism for the majority of their lives.

You can read Marina's essay, Moving Towards Life: Exploring the correspondence of June Jordan and Audre Lorde, Marina Magloire assembles an archive of a Black feminist falling-out over Zionism here.

Audre Lorde's Uses of the Erotic
June Jordan's I Must Become a Menace to My Enemies

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Show more...
1 year ago
49 minutes

Getting to the Root of it with Venus Roots
US Out of Korea, with Jamie Tyberg of Nodutdol

In this episode, Niki interviews Jamie Tyberg, organizer with Nodutdol to discuss why the Korean War is so unknown amongst Americans, why there are "two" Koreas, the US' continued and increasing aggression against the Korean peninsula and what that means for the region and the rest of the world, why a ceasefire is not enough, and the fight for reunification of Korean families.

Nodutdol's latest campaign, US Out of Korea launches all over the US on July 27th.

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Show more...
1 year ago
39 minutes

Getting to the Root of it with Venus Roots
Why Is The US Calling China Imperialist Towards Africa? with Mikaela Nhondo Erskog

In this episode, Niki interviews Mika Erskog, South African researcher with Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research and host of the podcast The Crane: An Africa-China Podcast Dongsheng Collective. They discuss the relationship between China and the African continent, while dispelling the accusations that China is "imperialist," and what young progressive people in Africa are looking towards in this historical moment of self-determination.

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Show more...
1 year ago
50 minutes

Getting to the Root of it with Venus Roots
Why Is The US Smearing Mexico's President, with Kurt Hackbarth

In this episode, Niki interviews journalist Kurt Hackbarth, the two discuss Mexico's upcoming historic election, why the US insists on smearing the Mexican president with media lies, and how the future of Mexico has major impacts across the Latin America and the globe. 

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Show more...
1 year ago
54 minutes

Getting to the Root of it with Venus Roots
Why Mass Protests Don't Equate to Revolution, with Vincent Bevins

In this episode, Niki interviews acclaimed journalist and author, Vincent Bevins. In this conversation, the two discuss the trend of mass protests across the globe often resulting in the opposite of what people were demanding in the streets in the first place. They weave the history of anti-communism, US-backed right-wing coups, the weaking and demobilization of leftist organizations and parties, and the role of media.

Vincent Bevins is the author of The Jakarta Method and If We Burn: The Mass Protest Decade and the Missing Revolution

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Show more...
1 year ago
57 minutes

Getting to the Root of it with Venus Roots
The Legacy of Cuban Medical and Healthcare Solidarity, with Dr. Samira Addrey

In this episode, Niki interviews Ghanian-American doctor, Dr. Samira Addrey, Graduate of the Latin American School of Medicine in Cuba. In this conversation, the two discuss the legacy of not only the Latin American School of Medicine, but how Cuba has managed to develop some of the world's best doctors, biotech innovations, and their commitment to medical solidarity, despite the US blockade and all the crises it creates for Cuba and its people.

Additional note regarding the situation in Cuba:
"Right now the U.S. government is deliberately starving the Cuban people 90 miles to our South. We all must act now. A food crisis is unfolding on the island of an unprecedented scale. A country where hunger had been made a thing of the past is now running out of bread and other essential food items. We are launching an emergency campaign — Let Cuba Live: Bread for Our Neighbors. Our goal is to send 800 tons of wheat flour to Cuba as legal humanitarian aid, so that millions of people have bread for a month."

Donate at: LetCubaLive.info/bread 

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Show more...
1 year ago
1 hour 11 minutes

Getting to the Root of it with Venus Roots
Organized Labor, Unions, Strikes and Palestine, with Zaina Alsous

In this episode, Niki interviews Palestinian labor organizer and author, Zaina Alsous, where the two discuss the history of Palestinian and Arab worker-led revolts, the significance of the largest US labor unions calling for an immediate ceasefire, and the limitations of our current ability to hold general strikes in the US and what is required to make this more possible.

You can read more editorial work by Zaina here.

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Show more...
1 year ago
51 minutes

Getting to the Root of it with Venus Roots
On Palestinian Resistance and Why the US Can't Win Wars, with Vijay Prashad

In this interview, Niki interviews historian and journalist Vijay Prashad, where the two discuss the history of Palestinian resistance throughout Zionist occupation, why the US may have the power to destroy countries but cannot win wars, and where the seeds of hope lie in this revolutionary moment.

Vijay Prashad is the Executive Director of Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research, the Chief Editor of Leftword Books, and the author of forty books.

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Show more...
1 year ago
48 minutes

Getting to the Root of it with Venus Roots
Neither Democrats nor Republicans Save Us, So Now What? With PSL Presidential Candidate, Claudia De la Cruz

"The lesser of two evils politic has not served working class people." In this interview, Niki interviews presidential candidate for PSL (Party for Socialism and Liberation), Claudia De la Cruz. The two discuss the unfolding crises in the US - unemployment, inflation, housing/rent crisis, climate collapse, the threat of war, among other issues and how both Democrats and Republicans refuse to address these crisis and bring about solutions to most Americans.

As a relentless genocide takes place on the Palestinian people, Biden, Democrats, and Republicans alike have made their commitments and interests clear. Soon, these same politicians will be asking Americans for their vote, but most people feel exhausted of business as usual. In this conversation, Niki and Claudia get into the specifics of what is at stake and what can be done.

You can volunteer to be part of this campaign here.

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Show more...
2 years ago
46 minutes

Getting to the Root of it with Venus Roots
One Year Ago, I Went on Hiatus!

In this episode, Niki is interviewed by their best friend and comrade, Sabrina Beydoun. Niki reflects intimately on what themes have been anchoring her this past year of sabbatical and hiatus - the challenges of what it means to leave home and build anew, being in a place of transition and uncertainty, and unprecedented personal challenges, while reckoning that the only path forward is collective care and interdependence. 


Sabrina Beydoun is a Lebanese-American chef, writer, and cultural worker. You can read their substack, Nourished here.

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Show more...
2 years ago
1 hour 7 minutes

Getting to the Root of it with Venus Roots
Who Is Wellness For? With Fariha Róisín
In this episode, Niki interviews Fariha Róisín, author of Who Is Wellness For? In the conversation, the two discuss the role of dignity in affirming one’s healing in the face of trauma, colonialism, capitalism, and other systems of oppression. They also unpack the relationship between spiritual warfare, commodification of wellness, and the corporate industries that intentionally invisibilize the violence behind popular wellness trends and practices. Audio disclaimer: I encourage you to listen on your laptop or car, as there is a bit of background noise coming from Fariha's audio. Otherwise, enjoy this tender conversation.
Show more...
3 years ago
1 hour

Getting to the Root of it with Venus Roots
Pandemic Ain't Over, with Elea Chang
In this episode, Niki interviews Elea Chang, disability justice advocate, community organizer, and artist. The two discuss the capitalist notion of the "pandemic being over," and the ways in which disability justice offers a pathway of care, solidarity, and safety in these uncertain times. In this, they also discuss the limitations of representation and identity politics in an economy that commodifies it all. Elea is the creator of Disabled and Here, an interview and stock images celebrating disabled BIPOC.
Show more...
3 years ago
49 minutes

Getting to the Root of it with Venus Roots
Connection in a Digital World, with Annika Hansteen-Izora
In this episode, Niki interviews Annika Hansteen-Izora, an art director, poet, and designer. The two reckon with the interests (profit, militarism, white supremacy, ableism - to name a few) that dictate social media platforms, algorithms, and the digital world at large, in a time where we are all spending hours on end on apps. Drawing from Afro-Futurism, Afro-Nowism, and speculative fiction, the two envision what communities centered in care and safety may look and feel like.
Show more...
3 years ago
48 minutes

Getting to the Root of it with Venus Roots
join niki franco (venus roots), a community organizer, writer, and facilitator of spaces for collective study, as she leans into conversations of radical truth-telling with artists, theorists, and organizers living in a world of rigid binaries and multiple truths. she navigates the urgency of solidarity, ancestral preservation, and dismantling systems of oppression that inform and deform our lives. @venusroots www.venusroots.com