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The Final Straw Radio

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Rating
★★★★★
4.8
from
196 reviews
This podcast has
566 episodes
Language
English
Explicit
Yes
Date created
2016/08/18
Latest episode
2026/04/19
Average duration
78 min.
Release period
7 days

Description

The Final Straw Radio is a weekly, anarchist show eminating from occupied Cherokee lands in so-called North Carolina and featuring the voices of folks engaged in struggles for liberation and the creation of rad culture since 2009. We're also syndicated on a few community radio stations around the U.S. We frequently also feature radio commentaries from anarchist prisoner Sean Swain and are a proud member of CZN (The Channel Zero Network) and ARN (The A-Radio Network). Check out our past archives and ways to connect with us at https://thefinalstrawradio.noblogs.org

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Check latest episodes from The Final Straw Radio podcast


Hybachi LeMar Shares Some Thoughts + Updates On Xinachtli
2026/04/19
This week, we're sharing two segments: the main feature is an interview with the recently released anarchist organizer and writer Hybachi LeMar; but first up you'll hear Aarohi of the Xinachtli Freedom Campaign about the elder political prisoner's medical condition and the phone zaps to pressure the TDCJ to alleviate his medical neglect Xinachtli Phone Zap [ 00:01:48 ] Xinachtli is an elder, Chicano communist activist and political prisoner 30 years into a 50 year sentence for disarming a sheriff's deputy. Of that 30 years, he's spent 23 in solitary confinement. At age 73, Xinachtli has and continues to face medical neglect at the hands of the Texas prison system, with outside supporters having to apply pressure to get him things like a wheelchair or a proper diet. You'll hear Aarohi of the Xinachtli Freedom Campaign talk about his case and about the phone zaps about Xinachtli's condition as well as how to get in touch with the comrade. Links cashapp: $tierrayliberta venmo: @tierraylibertad newsletter: https://freexinachtli.substack.com/subscribe phone blast: bit.ly/xphoneblast xinachtlifreedomcampaign (at )protonmail( dot)com an older support site for Xinachtli is at FreeAlvaro.Net Past Interviews: Our 2024 interview with  Xinachtli talking about his conditions An audio of Xinachtli telling his story Hybachi LeMar [ 00:17:07 ] Then, an interview that's been a long time in the making. Hybachi LeMar is an anarchist who grew up in Chicago and began considering anarchism thanks to a letter he received from Anthony Rayson of the South Chicago Anarchist Black Cross Zine Distro during over a year in solitary confinement years ago. Since that time, Compa LeMar has been organizing with projects like IWOC, IWW IU613, the self-organized Liberation School in Englewood, food distribution mutual aid, the Chicago local organizing committee of the Black Autonomy Federation and is now the author of three collections of essays (listed at his website) as well as numerous zines. The majority of this chat has difficult audio quality because it was over prison phones. Happily at the end of the chat, we speak with Hybachi following his recent release, having maxed out his sentence and returned to his organizing and life in the streets of Chicago. There is a fundraiser ongoing to support Hybachi in his post-release life. After the interview, stay tuned for a reading of his essay On The Powers of Self-Reflection, produced by Slug. [ 01:02:03 ] There are a few mentions of mental distress and suicide in the chat, just a headsup. Compa LeMar mentions a few names in the episode of people that we've had on the show in the past, and we'll link those episodes where we can (Brianna Peril of IWOC, Sean Swain, Anthony Rayson of South Chicago ABC Zine Distro, True Leap). You can find ways to support Casey Goonan at their support site. Announcements B(A)D News Episode 100! If you're looking for more anarchist news beyond the Channel Zero Network podcasts, check out B(A)D News: Angry Voices from Around The World from the A-Radio Network (of which we are also a member). The March 2026 episode features: FrequenzeA presents an interview about environmental struggles in Russia. A-Radio Berlin presents a satiric piece called "Weird politics" where they talk about German military, AfD, and the wolf. Parias radio-show presents an interview about the repression the Community of Squatted Prosfygıka in Athens. The last contribution is from Radio Ausbruch that was visiting feralcrust, an Eco-anarchist Infoshop and Social Center close to Davao City, Philipines. The first of a series. . ... . .. Featured Track: TFSR by The Willows Whisper
The Life & Ideas of Johann Most (with Tom Goyens)
2026/04/12
This week, an interview with Tom Goyens, professor of history at Salisbury University and author of Johann Most: Life of a Radical, out last year from University of Illinois Press speaking about the life and times of the atheist and propagandist and his development from social democrat parliamentarian to socialist revolutionary to anarchist. For the chat we talk about Mosts's life, development and legacy, from the mid-1800's in Bavaria up to his death in 1906. Transcript PDF (Unimposed) - pending Zine (Imposed PDF) - pending Other links: Tom's prior book on radical German immigrants in the US, Beer and Revolution: The German Anarchist Movement in New York City, 1880-1914 Tom's compilation of the memoir of Helene Minkin, Storm in My Heart: Memories from the Widow of Johann Most Tom's wixsite: https://txgoyens.wixsite.com/tomgoyens Tom on facebook, instagram and bluesky
ABC Dresden on deBanking and US Anti-Antifascist Pressure
2026/04/05
This week, we're sharing a conversation with Nina at Anarchist Black Cross Dresden to speak about the political landscape in Germany, the Antifa Ost and Budapest Komplex cases and the impacts on anti-repression work in Germany since the Trump administration's declaration that a group they're calling Antifa Ost be added to the list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations that is kept by the US State Department. Transcript PDF (Unimposed) - pending Zine (Imposed PDF) - pending This sits alongside the US government prosecuting the Prairieland case in Texas that was the subject of our prior episode, and could be one step further toward an official declaration of war on Antifa in the US, whatever that means exactly. We really feel that these cases are important to keep up on as the administration telegraphs it's bizarre but frightening counterinsurgency strategies. Some German Context: ABC Dresden articles on deBanking: https://abcdd.org/en/2026/03/05/debanking-current-status/ https://abcdd.org/en/2025/12/18/debanking-attack-on-anarchist-black-cross-dresden-solidarity-work/ Past episodes on Antifa Ost and the Budapest Komplex including support links: https://thefinalstrawradio.noblogs.org/post/category/antifa-ost/ A past episode mentioning Lina E: https://thefinalstrawradio.noblogs.org/post/2022/07/03/stop-cop-city-intl-day-of-solidarity-with-antifascist-prisoners/ US Implications: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NSPM-7 Trump Admin calls for Anti-Antifa (…. ) summit in June / July this year: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-counterterror-officials-plan-antifa-summit-sources-say-2026-03-31/ Prairieland Case episodes: https://thefinalstrawradio.noblogs.org/post/category/prairieland-case/ NLG lawyer Mo Meltzer-Cohen on NSPM-7: https://thefinalstrawradio.noblogs.org/post/2025/09/28/the-implications-of-trumps-war-on-antifa-with-moira-meltzer-cohen/ WSJ on Trump weaponizing IRS against the US left: https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/trump-irs-investigations-left-leaning-groups-democratic-donors-612a095e . ... . .. Featured Track: TFSR by The Willows Whisper
Out Here For Them: Updates As Prairieland Federal Trial Ends
2026/03/29
This week we spoke with AC and E, two members of the DFW Support Committee about the recently finished federal trial for 9 defendants in the terrorism case around the Prairieland Detention Center noise demo in July of 2025. To recap the case, in the midst of increased racist and nativist rhetoric, ICE and CBP snatch squad deployments ripping apart communities across the US in the first year of Trump 2.0, and the buildup of immigrant rendition and imprisonment in the southwest there was a July 4th noise demonstration called for to happen outside the infamous Prairieland Detention Center outside Alvarado, Texas. During the protest, meant to be loud enough for people held there to hear that they were not forgotten, participants used bullhorns, shouted, shot off fireworks and painted slogans. In response the staff called the Alvarado police and upon arrival the cop drew his weapon and aimed at dispersing protestors. At this point the state narrative and that of the defendants diverge: on the one hand the state argues that this whole event was a planned ambush for law enforcement by a north Texas Antifa terrorist cell in black bloc meant to draw police into a fight and then liberate the prison; on the other side the defendants claim the event was escalated to targeted gunfire by defendant Song meant to deter deadly violence by the cop and allow the crowd to disperse without bloodshed. For the hour, you'll hear folks from DFW Defense Committee talking about what evidence and arguments were presented in court, what evidence and arguments were suppressed, the strange decisions of the judge in jury selection, venue and other elements effecting the ability of those facing decades in prison to mount and defense and where we're at now with the case. This case cannot be disconnected from the Trump administration's call to name Antifa as a domestic terrorist organization, to tie in projects and movements they consider to be enemies (ranging from Democrats to civil liberties groups, queer folk and immigrants rights advocates to anti-fascists, communists and anarchists and everyone in between) with the goal, some speculate, of more fully capturing the federal government under a white, christian nationalist and fascist regime. More on the case at PrairielandDefendants.Com A couple of useful links for the case: https://inthesetimes.com/article/prairieland-antifa-trial-protest-repression-fbi https://crimethinc.com/2026/03/25/handbills-for-no-kings-on-ice-anarchism-and-the-prairieland-case Past Prairieland episodes: https://thefinalstrawradio.noblogs.org/post/category/prairieland-case/ Next week, keep an ear out for a chat we plan to release with Nina of Anarchist Black Cross Dresden about the impacts of naming German antifascists as terrorists by the Trump Regime on the ability of various leftist, anti-repression groups there to do their work, to hold bank accounts for sending money to prisoners or pay for lawyers and about the shift towards the right electorally and politically that is being experienced in that country. You may be surprised about the parallels with the situation in the US. Past Antifa Ost interviews: https://thefinalstrawradio.noblogs.org/post/category/antifa-ost/ . ... . .. Featured Track: TFSR by The Willows Whisper
Homeless Organizing in Oakland and the Wood Street Movie
2026/03/22
This week on The Final Straw Radio, we're featuring an interview with three participants in the feature length documentary Wood Street, about the community that formed in a parking lot at 1707 Wood Street in Oakland. The location was a destination for people evicted from encampments around the city, who either refused or were denied the low number of shelter beds available, or didn't fit into the city lots for camping or recreational vehicles aka RVs. Over the course of 10 years at a few spots on the street, as guest John Janosko explains, residents got to know each other and build bonds to the place and each other as neighbors. The north portion of what became known as the Wood Street Commons was evicted by the city to build transitional tiny homes managed by a services organization called BOSS and residents at the south side of the Commons ramped up organizing with outside supporters to stop the city's eviction plan in 2023 through lobbying politicians and proposing alternative plans. The film shows this work, snippets of the lives of residents and the eventual eviction of the Wood Street Commons in 2023, with over 300 people losing their homes in the end. Since the eviction, the tiny home camp funding ended and it was vacated, the mayor Sheng Thao was recalled and indicted for corruption and the site became a parking lot for a minor league baseball park next door, but people have taken their energy and experience to keep advocating for themselves and other Oaklanders around issues of houselessness. For the hour we speak with John Janosko, a featured face in the film, as well as our past guest Freeway and the film's director Caron Creighton. The Wood Street Movie is touring a number of film festivals and looking to feature elsewhere, in hopes that the film can act as a support and inspiration for other homeless organizing in communities across the country. Our 2024 interview with Freeway: https://thefinalstrawradio.noblogs.org/post/2024/10/13/homeless-organizing-in-oakland-and-rural-relief-after-helene/ Capital City Film Festival, April 12: https://capitalcityfilmfest.com/event/wood-street RiverRun Film Festival, April 18 & 20: https://riverrunfilm.com/events/woodstreet/ Instagram: @woodstmovie & @woodstreetcommons Film website: www.woodstreetmovie.com Wood Street Commons website: www.woodstreetcommons.org . … . .. Featured Track: TFSR by The Willows Whisper
The US-Israeli War with Iran Spreads, Nuclear Weapons, Lebanon & Anti-Imperial Solidarity (with Elia Ayoub)
2026/03/15
This week, we're sharing our interview with Elia Ayoub, an anti-authoritarian historian and essayist originally from Lebanon, co-founder of From The Periphery media collective, co-host of The Fire These Times podcast and many more things. We spoke about the US and Israeli war on Iran, it's escalations into the wider region of west Asia, the Axis of Resistance, nuclear weapons, motivations of the various actors involved and thoughts on where that leaves anti-authoritarians in the imperial core countries like the US. Transcript PDF (Unimposed) Zine (Imposed PDF) Elia links You can contact Elia by email at [email protected] or on Signal at @ ayoub.02 Elia's blog ( https://www.hauntologies.net/ ) and Ko-Fi account ( https://ko-fi.com/eliaayoub ) Elia's Lebanon class: https://thefirethesetimes.com/lebanonclass/ Where you'll soon find Elias latest +972 article: https://www.972mag.com/writer/elia-ayoub/ From The Periphery Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/fromtheperiphery FTP website: https://fromtheperiphery.com/ The Fire These Times Podcast: https://firenexttime.net/why-neutral-anti-imperialism-keeps-losing/ Related Episodes: Our recent interview about Iran before the war: https://thefinalstrawradio.noblogs.org/post/2026/02/15/death-to-the-dictator-uprising-and-repression-in-iran-with-anarchism-perspective/ Past interviews we've done with Elia: https://thefinalstrawradio.noblogs.org/post/category/elia-j-ayoub/ Mutual Aid in Lebanon Instagrams featuring info on some mutual aid efforts in Lebanon: https://www.instagram.com/p/DVovwUojIYq/ https://www.instagram.com/beirutbydyke/p/DVbTtyciK7m/ Lebanon Emergency Relief: https://www.chuffed.org/project/171933-lebanon-emergency-relief A Queer Lebanese mutual aid project involving Elia's co-creator, Ayman Makruem: https://www.patreon.com/qmalebanon . ... . .. Featured Track: TFSR by The Willows Whisper
Why Is Asheville's Buncombe County Jail Full of People?
2026/03/08
This week, we're sharing an interview with Julie and Jeremy, two anarchists and participants in the Asheville Community Bail Fund. We speak about the US system of pre-trial incarceration aka bail and bond, the work of the bail fund locally, the overcrowding of the Buncombe County Jail here in Asheville, the ICE holds happening in the local jail, and how local policy choices regarding criminalization are being compounded by recent and new North Carolina legislation. Even if you aren't in Asheville or North Carolina, it's likely that much of this conversation will be pertinent to goings-ons in your neck of the woods (though hopefully not). Transcript PDF (Unimposed) Zine (Imposed PDF) If you're a regular listener to The Final Straw Radio, have a passion for enriching the anarchist media environment, feel like your values align with what you've heard on the show and want a chance to help out and hone your skills, we're always looking for help. If you've thought of getting a podcast or other media project going but aren't sure how to start, we can be a good jumping off point. Feel free to reach out via our emails Links https://avlcommunitybail.carrd.co/ https://www.patreon.com/Ashevillecommunitybailfund National Bail Fund Network: https://www.communityjusticeexchange.org Immigration Resources info: https://www.communityjusticeexchange.org/es/directorio-para-inmigracion Emancipate NC: https://emancipatenc.org/ Lecture on Crime Data: https://www.haymarketbooks.org/blogs/338-counting-crime-a-lecture-on-the-politics-of-crime-data-and-its-uses NC Coalition for Alternatives to the Death Penalty: https://nccadp.org/ North Carolina Laws discussed NC SB-153 – Border Protection Act (pending): https://www.acluofnorthcarolina.org/legislation/sb-153-border-protection-act-anti-immigrant/ NC HB-10: https://www.ncjustice.org/nc-justice-center-statement-on-house-bill-10-veto-override/ NC HB-318: https://www.carolinajournal.com/nc-senate-passes-criminal-alien-enforcement-act/ Iryna's Law (HB-307) https://southerncoalition.org/justice-system-reform/reframing-public-safety/public-safety-solutions-we-deserve-better-than-this/ https://lincnc.org/when-tragedy-becomes-a-banner-reflections-on-irynas-law-and-the-politics-of-grief/ Related Past interviews The Prairieland Case: https://thefinalstrawradio.noblogs.org/post/category/prairieland-case/ NSPM-7 conversation: https://thefinalstrawradio.noblogs.org/post/2025/09/28/the-implications-of-trumps-war-on-antifa-with-moira-meltzer-cohen/ Asheville politics and police repression https://thefinalstrawradio.noblogs.org/post/2024/05/09/clean-for-who-safe-for-who-asheville-business-improvement-district/ https://thefinalstrawradio.noblogs.org/post/2023/03/19/felony-littering-trials-under-way-in-asheville/ https://thefinalstrawradio.noblogs.org/post/2021/08/01/ashevilles-policing-crisis-with-ursula-wren-of-asheville-free-press/ Public surveillance by ALPR systems like Flock https://thefinalstrawradio.noblogs.org/post/2025/04/13/pushing-back-on-flock-cameras-with-kate-bertash/ https://thefinalstrawradio.noblogs.org/post/2025/11/02/southerners-against-surveillance-systems-infrastructure-with-ed/ . ... . .. Featured Track: TFSR by The Willows Whisper
Immigration Detention, Low Intensity Warfare and Popular Resistance to the Ubiquitous Border
2026/03/01
This week, you'll hear from Juan and Fatima, who people who've been organizing and thinking about the southern US border for a long time to speak about the escalations in border force violence and kidnappings by ICE and CBP around the US (including Minneapolis where Fatima resides), an explosion in proposed immigration detention (including near El Paso where Juan resides), the expansion of low intensity conflict and counter-insurgency in the southwest since the mixing in of language of the War on Crime, War on Drugs and the Global War on Terror and how autonomous mutual aid provides opportunities for scaling up community defense and prefiguring the world we want to see. Links https://www.immigrantsurvivors.org/statement-sw-key-sexual-abuse-case-dismissal https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/31/writing-from-manus-prison-a-scathing-critique-of-domination-and-oppression Fatima's essay: The Insurgent Southwest Grey Is The Color of Hope Book No Friends But The Mountain Book El Paso Groups Casa Carmelita Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Estrella del Paso Related Past Interviews Our recent interview with Donna Mae about resistance in Minneapolis Interview on Life During Wartime book Past interviews concerning immigration, including with people held on Manus Island Articles Of Note https://www.immigrantsurvivors.org/statement-sw-key-sexual-abuse-case-dismissal https://www.politico.com/news/2026/02/20/shutdown-stalemate-deepens-as-white-house-dems-dig-in-on-dhs-funding-00789614 https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/courts-have-ruled-4400-times-that-ice-jailed-people-illegally-it-hasnt-stopped-2026-02-14/ https://theintercept.com/2026/02/17/warehouses-immigration-detention-camp-prisons-immigrants/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2026/02/13/ice-detention-center-expansion/ https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/31/writing-from-manus-prison-a-scathing-critique-of-domination-and-oppression Announcements Peppy Moved to Halfway House We are happy to announce that Peppy has entered a halfway house where he will finish out his remaining incarceration. You can learn more about writing to him and what he likes to talk about at his support website. His crew is still fundraising for a post-release fund there as well found at FreePeppyAndKrystal.NoBlogs.Org Casey Goonan Moved Palestine solidarist Casey Goonan has been transferred from Mendota in California to what is likely to be their home for the foreseeable future, FCI Allenwood – Medium. You can learn more about getting into contact, updates on their case and how to support their commissary at FreeCaseyNow.NoBlogs.Org Hrdindu Roychowdhrury Moved Alleged Janes Revenge prisoner and Grand Jury Resister Hrdindu Roychowdhrury has been moved to FCI Thomson in Illinois. He just had a birthday and could use some sweet words. More on the move and how to write him at ABCF.Net Prairieland Case Updates The Prairieland Case was declared a mistrial and has been restructured in an audacious move by the Trump appointed judge Pitman. Restrictions applied to the case will could greatly limit the ability of the 9 defendants to make their cases where decades of their lives behind bars are at stake. You can learn more, including detailed notes from each day of trial, by visiting PrairielandDefendants.Com, find the defendants new updated Tarrant County mailing addresses and followcalls for support by finding their social media. . … . .. Featured Track: TFSR by The Willows Whisper
Rayhunter with Cooper Quintin plus deBanking the Movement in Germany
2026/02/22
This week, we're sharing two segments. First up, a chat with Cooper Quintin, a senior staff technologist at the Electronic Frontier Foundation and developer of the Rayhunter. Rayhunter is open-source firmware to turn specific hotspots into IMSI-catcher, effectively scanning for and logging any signs of fake cell towers (often known under the brand-name of Stingrays) in the area. Law enforcement has at times deployed these as a way of collecting information about phones in the area and could use it to intercept some communications like sms or phone calls. Cooper talks about what's known of law enforcement use of IMSI-catchers, what has been observed of the data collected by deployed Rayhunters, phone security at demonstrations and related topics. Transcript PDF (Unimposed) Zine (Imposed PDF) Then you'll hear Radio Ausbruch from Frieberg from this month's B(A)D News podcast from the A-Radio Network talking about the repression and deBanking of anti-repression projects like ABC Dresden and Rote Hilfe in Germany based on pressure from the US government related to the so-called Antifa Ost case. This carries heavy implications for prisoner support, anti-racist and other social struggles. Links Cooper at DefCon talking about Rayhunter: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=meC2JqNAbCA EFF on what Rayhunter has found so far: https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/09/rayhunter-what-we-have-found-so-far Github for Rayhunter: https://github.com/EFForg/rayhunter EFF Mattermost chat platform: https://opensource.eff.org/ A project for detecting Meta Rayban sunglasses: https://github.com/NullPxl/banrays Ouispy bluetooth scanning and notification tool: https://github.com/colonelpanichacks/oui-spy . ... . .. Featured Track: TFSR by The Willows Whisper
Death To The Dictator: Uprising and Repression in Iran (with Anarchism Perspective)
2026/02/15
This week, an interview with Aryanum, a member of the Persian-language anarchist group Anarchism Perspective, based in Iran and Afghanistan. Anarchism Perspective is a synthesist anarchist group based mostly in the region that organizes solidarity and resistance as well as publishing writings at Anarshism.com . For this episode, we speak about the recent uprising in Iran that was met with bloody repression by the regime, with internet blackouts and low-ball estimates of 30,000 dead at government hands from January 8th and 9th 2026 alone. Aryanum speaks about the posturing by monarchists supporting the return and enthroning of Reza Pahlavi II, the son of the last Shah, and the weaponization of Islam by the Mullahs of the regime and other topics. Transcript PDF (Unimposed) Zine (Imposed PDF) Anarchism Perspective links Website: https://anarshism.com email: [email protected] Anarchism Perspective Telegram: https://t.me/+RRUTo6xyoT468fgO & https://t.me/anarchism_perspective Insurrection Library: https://t.me/Insurrection_Library Other Links Critique of Mass Mobilization by Anarchism Perspective: https://www.anarshism.com/critique-mass-mobilization-strategy/ Aryanum's past writing on religion as a type of power: https://www.anarshism.com/funeral-theocracy-religious-capital-en/ Article on labor struggles in the run up to the uprising: https://classautonomy.info/workers-councils-reportedly-forming-in-iran/ It Could Happen Here interview: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/105-it-could-happen-here-30717896/episode/whats-happening-in-iran-317260060/ CNN report on mass deaths: https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/10/middleeast/tehran-iran-protests-deaths-arrests-intl Basij volunteer milita of IRGC: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basij Hrana (Kurdish human rights group): https://www.en-hrana.org/category/news/ https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/decolonize-anarchism-in-praise-of-burning-down-clerical-fascism-in-iran https://www.hauntologies.net/p/iranian-protesters-dont-owe-us-an Thread on mastodon about the usefulness of Delta Chat via locally run servers when the internet (and therefore connection to Signal) was cut off: https://archive.ph/GBR6A 70% of Iraniun population suffers from malnutrition: https://ghalamrorefah.ir/id/1959/ Another Farsi Group, Anarchist Front: https://t.me/AnarchistFront1 https://links.anarchist-front.org/ https://link.kompektiva.org/@anarchistfront https://anarchistfront.noblogs.org https://t.me/anegofromworldgap https://t.me/AnarchistFront . … . .. Featured Track: TFSR by The Willows Whisper
Rojava Revolution In Peril: a perspective from Tekoşîna Anarşîst and a voice in Qamişlo
2026/02/02
We're sharing this episode a little early so it's still timely as relates to the threats faced by the Rojava revolution in north and east Syria. First up, we'll hear some updates and assessments from Garzan, a member of Tekoşîna Anarşîst, an internationalist anarchist structure based in Rojava and aligned with the Syrian Defense Forces. Garzan's voice has been re-recorded for anonymity and a transcript of their audio is available in the show notes. Transcripts Garzan of TA Jînda PDF (Unimposed) Zine (Imposed PDF) Then, we hear from Jînda a western activist engaged in solidarity with the Rojava Revolution to speak about what the spread of Syrian transitional government and the Turkish-backed so-called Syrian National Army militia into areas formerly under control of the Syrian Defense Forces means for women and different ethnic and religious minorities. Some Further Reading You can follow TA by visiting https://tekosinaanarsist.noblogs.org/ where you can also follow their war updates To check out that report by Rojava Information Center on ISIS prisoners under the Syrian transitional government, visit https://rojavainformationcenter.org/2026/01/isis-escapes-as-a-result-of-syrian-army-assault/ An article that TA shared recently, though with some disagreement in the critique "Kurdish Reaction To The Current Situation In Rojava" by Zaher Baher is available here: https://libcom.org/article/kurdish-reaction-current-situation-rojava Our past interviews on Rojava: https://thefinalstrawradio.noblogs.org/post/category/rojava/ Revolution In Rojava: Democratic Autonomy and Women's Liberation in Syrian Kurdistan : https://classautonomy.info/revolution-in-rojava-democratic-autonomy-and-womens-liberation-in-the-syrian-kurdistan/ Rojava Information Center interview with Lonjin Abdo who founded Lelun organization to support survivors of human trafficking by Turkish-backed SNA in Afrin: https://rojavainformationcenter.org/2025/07/lonjin-abdo-lelun-interview/ Some Internationalist Structures to Keep Up with Calls for Support Emergency Committee For Rojava: https://www.defendrojava.org/ Internationalist Commune: https://internationalistcommune.com/ Rise Up For Rojava: https://riseup4rojava.org/en/ . ... . .. Featured Track: TFSR by The Willows Whisper
Being The Right Best Person: A Conversation with Donna Mae in Minneapolis
2026/02/01
This week, we spoke with Donna Mae, a longtime resident of Minneapolis and registered nurse working mostly with people who are unsheltered and use injection drugs. Donna lives in a neighborhood of the city that has had very heavy ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) and CBP (Customs and Border Patrol) activity and speaks for the hour about the last two months of invasion, organizing with neighbors, the legacy of the George Floyd Uprising and the aftermath of the murders of Renée Good and Alex Pretti, the recent General Strike and lessons for preparing in the next incursion, wherever that may be. Transcript PDF (Unimposed PDF) Zine (Imposed PDF) Some links for support Fundraiser for folks in the Phillips neighborhood: https://gofund.me/0ba86917d Southside Harm Reduction Services: https://shrs.org/get-involved/donate/ Minneapolis Indian Women's Resource Center: https://miwrc.salsalabs.org/miwrcgeneraloperations/index.html Additional Links A great recent interview with two folks doing rapid response in Minneapolis by The Beautiful Idea: https://thebeautifulidea.show/ice-vs-ice-on-the-ground-in-minneapolis/ Facial Recognition Tech Used in Minneapolis to Target Protestors: in the Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/jan/27/ice-facial-recognition-minnesota in Politico: https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/29/ice-tracking-tools-protesters-00755703   Rojava Updates Podcast Release Recently, armed conflict has flared between the Syrian Democratic Forces and both the Turkish-backed, so-called Syrian National Army militia and the forces aligned with the Syrian transitional government. In coming days we'll be sharing a timely podcast featuring an interview with a member of Tekoşîna Anarşîst and another with a western activist on the ground in Qamişlo to share their perspectives on the situation and updates on the changing terrain. We talk about the danger of a resurgence of ISIS, the humanitarian crisis growing due to the seige in Kobane and the fears of a renewed patriarchal governance, but also about organizing and international solidarity. This is a good time to get together with community in your area to figure out how you can support the revolution in Rojava. If you don't have a Rojava solidarity group in your area (start one), keep an ear out for calls to action via the Emergency Committee for Rojava: https://www.defendrojava.org/ In the meantime, check out this first podcast by the Youth Media project, Ronahi: https://www.ronahi.eu/2026/ronahi-podcast-episode-1/ . ... . .. Featured Track: TFSR by The Willows Whisper
Science, Radical Realism, and Anarchy (with William Gillis)
2026/01/25
This week, we're sharing an interview with Will Gillis, author of the recently published book Did The Science Wars Take Place: The Political and Ethical Stakes of Radical Realism, published via C4SS where Gillis holds the position as The Voltairine de Cleyre Chair in Centrifugal Studies and technical coordinator. Transcript PDF (Unimposed PDF) Zine (Imposed PDF) For the hour we talk about the so-called Science Wars of the 1990's, debates involving scientific approaches and shared understandings of a a measurable physical reality, post-modernism, the roles leftists and anarchists played in the debates and how cults and authoritarians employ anti-realist explanations of the world to limit their subjects' moves toward liberation. You can read more of William's writings at https://humaniterations.net and https://c4ss.org A few links to further scientific education: Quanta Magazine: https://www.quantamagazine.org/ Theoretical Minimum Lectures by Leonard Susskind: https://theoreticalminimum.com/ Milo Rossi youtube on archeology; https://www.youtube.com/@miniminuteman773 Stefan Milo youtube on archeology: www.youtube.com/@StefanMilo Angela Collier youtube on physics: https://www.youtube.com/@acollierastro self-training in physics video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cw97Tj5zxvA&pp=ygUcYW5nZWxhIGNvbGxpZXIgc2VsZi10cmFpbmluZw%3D%3D Sean Carrol's Mindscape podcast covers a lot of topics, linked from his website: https://www.preposterousuniverse.com/ . ... . .. Featured track: beatbuster by The Willows Whisper
Ketino of the Black Rose/Rosa Negra Anarchist Federation on Anarchism, Anti-Imperialism & Internationalism
2026/01/18
This week on The Final Straw Radio, we're featuring a conversation with our guest, Ketino, to speak about Especifist anarchism and anarchist approaches at anti-Imperialism. Ketino is a member in Florida of the Black Rose / Rosa Negra Anarchist Federation and they grew up in Cuba. You can learn more about Black Rosa, or BRRN, at BlackRoseFed.Org Transcript PDF (Unimposed) Zine (Imposed PDF) Other links: Black Rose's introduction to Anarchism Denunciation of Venezuela Coup by CALA (member groups listed) and sibling, BRRN ICOA -- International Coordination of Organized Anarchism wikipedia page Anarkismo Network Solidarity with Sudanese Anarchists (including ICOA-related signatories) Zabalaza Anarchist Communist Front – South Africa CES (a project offering education in Especifismo): https://especifismostudies.org/ First up, here are a few prisoner struggle updates Announcements Prisoners For Palestine It was announced on January 14th that members fo the Prisoners For Palestine hunger strike, from the Palestine Action case in the so-called UK, ended their strike after 73 days without food after a key demand was met with Elbit Systems being denied an important government contract. You can read their statements at PrisonersForPalestine.org and check out our November 30, 2025 episode for some background on the cases. Xinachtli From Xinachtli's support crew (Instagram at @FreeXinachtliNow): On January 1, Xinachtli (state name Alvaro Luna Hernandez) was transferred to the Carol Young Medical Facility. In the moment, this was a major victory getting him moved from McConnell, and Xinachtli shared that he felt the power of the people! However this victory was short-lived. The transfer was carried out without any notice to his attorney, and made Xinachtli unable to communicate with them before his latest court hearing on January 6, effectively blocking his right to counsel. Within days of the transfer, we also learned that Xinachtli had been placed in a cell with no running water, and a broken sink and toilet. In Xinachtli's words: "They bring me a bowl of water. I first use it to drink, and then I use the rest for hygiene for the remainder of the day. I also have not been able to flush the toilet in days. Prison conditions in the U.S. are deeply dehumanizing. For Xinachtli, who is attempting to recover after months of medical neglect, these conditions risk further delaying his recovery and compounding the harm he has already endured. We know that applying pressure works. A director of TDCJ called organizers earlier this month begging for an end to the "hundreds of calls." Contrary to their request, we will not stop until Xinachtli is FREE. Xinachtli's current demands are: That he be moved to a cell with running water and functioning plumbing. That he receive his ID card so he can purchase needed items and receive his commissary order from January 2. That he receive all of his personal property from the McConnell Unit. Contacts: • Carol Young Medical Facility TDC): (409) 948-0001 ◦ WARDEN: (**129) • Region III Director Jerry Sanchez: (281) 369-3736 • TDC) Executive Director: (936) 437-2101 You can sign up for slots and find tips for making calls, including scripts, at https://bit.ly/xphoneblast Repression in Alabama Prisons In the last few days, according to supporters of the Free Alabama Movement as we approach the February 8th call for a statewide work stoppage Kinetic Justice, Hannibal Ra Sun and Raoul Poole have been transferred to another prison and prisoners across the ADOC have had food rations cut. To learn how to advocate for these three FAM leaders now at Kilby CI and read the press release announcing the upcoming strike actions, check our shownotes : following their announcement of an upcoming labor strike, Melvin Ray, Robert Earl Council (Kinetik Justice), and Raoul Poole — three prominent voices in the film "The Alabama Solution" — were taken to Kilby Prison. In anticipation of the strike, the AL Dept. of Corrections has also reduced access to food in its prisons. This is a dangerous violation of [prisoners] constitutional rights. Call Kilby: (534) 215-6600 Demand they keep these men — and all those in state custody — safe. The Press Release announcing the strike is here: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 2, 2025 FREE ALABAMA MOVEMENT (FAM) ANNOUNCES STATEWIDE SHUTDOWN ADOC 2026 Effective February 8, 2026 Alabama — The Free Alabama Movement (FAM) announces a coordinated, statewide shutdown of Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) facilities beginning February 8, 2026. This nonviolent action comes in response to decades of unconstitutional sentencing practices, forced prison labor, and the ongoing humanitarian crisis throughout Alabama's prison system. With the release of the documentary The Alabama Solution, state officials can no longer deny or ignore the overwhelming evidence that Alabama's prison system is in catastrophic failure and requires immediate, sweeping reform. The documentary exposes systemic corruption, violence, and deliberate neglect that incarcerated people have endured for generations. The truth is no longer hidden behind prison walls — it is publicly available, undeniable, and morally urgent. Despite federal investigations, DOJ findings, and repeated warnings, the State of Alabama has failed to enact meaningful change. Therefore, incarcerated people across the state are exercising their lawful right to peaceful protest through a statewide shutdown and work stoppage. LIST OF DEMANDS Repeal Alabama's Habitual Felony Offender Act (HFOA) Abolish the outdated and excessively punitive enhancement statute that has produced life and virtual-life sentences far beyond any rehabilitative purpose and out of step with modern standards of justice. Make the Presumptive Sentencing Guidelines Retroactive Apply current presumptive sentencing standards to all eligible prior convictions so that people sentenced under older, harsher laws can receive the same fair and consistent treatment as those sentenced today. Make HJR 575 Retroactive (Drive-By Shooting Statute Reform) Apply the legislative clarification of Alabama's drive-by shooting statute retroactively so that individuals who were improperly charged or enhanced under the statute can receive review and relief. First-Time Offender / Capital Murder Reform Bill Create revised sentencing options for first-time offenders and end Juvenile Life Without Parole by providing parole eligibility after 20 years, recognizing the capacity for growth, change, and rehabilitation. Parole Board Reform and Clear, Objective Criteria Mandate transparent written standards, meaningful hearings, and review procedures that ensure fair, non-arbitrary parole decisions for every eligible incarcerated person. Medical Furlough & Compassionate Release Expansion Expand and enforce mechanisms for the release of elderly, terminally ill, severely disabled, and medically fragile individuals so they can receive appropriate care in the community instead of dying in prison. Establish a Statewide Conviction Review Unit Create an independent conviction review body with the authority and resources to investigate wrongful convictions, excessive sentences, and cases involving prosecutorial or judicial misconduct. Abolish Forced Prison Labor End uncompensated and coerced prison labor by guaranteeing fair wages, voluntary participation, safe working conditions, and basic labor protections for incarcerated workers. Strengthening Families Act (Including Conjugal Visits) Implement policies that protect and strengthen family bonds, including conjugal and overnight family visits, expanded contact visitation, increased access to phone and video communication, and parenting and family-support programs. STATEMENT FROM FAM "For decades, incarcerated men and women in Alabama have lived in conditions that violate human rights, constitutional protections, and basic dignity. With the undeniable evidence now in the open, we are left with no alternative but to demand justice through collective, peaceful action. This shutdown is not an act of hostility — it is an act of survival, truth, and human rights." Bennu Hannibal Ra-Sun Kinetic Justice Amun CALL TO ACTION We call upon: Civil rights and justice organizations Faith-based institutions National human rights observers State and federal officials Families, supporters, and the public to stand in solidarity and demand immediate reform of Alabama's prison system. PRESS CONTACT Free Alabama Movement (FAM) Email: [email protected] #StatewideShutdownADOC2026 . ... . .. Featured Track: Al Nather by Ma3azef from Nisf Madeena TFSR 1 v2 by The Willows Whisper
Anarchists At War in Spain, Myanmar and Rojava (with James Stout)
2026/01/11
This week, an interview with James Stout on his upcoming AK Press book: Against The State: Anarchists and Comrades at War in Spain, Myanmar, and Rojava, due out early January. You may recognize James as a contributor to the Cool Zone podcast It Could Happen Here (including the recent four parter, "Darién Gap: One Year Later" December 1-4th episodes, 2025), distributed by IheartMedia. For this episode, we talk about the idea of anarchist armies, discuss those three conflicts, left libertarian approaches to formalized armed resistance beyond a guerrilla unit, some of the novel technologies and international solidarities that have developed and a lot more. Transcript PDF (Unimposed) Zine (Imposed PDF) Other podcasts James has worked on Migrating To America: A Dream Worth Dying For Myanmar: Printing The Revolution Reports Related To Child Soldiers and Conscription among the SDF https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/10/02/northeast-syria-military-recruitment-children-persists https://snhr.org/blog/2025/10/08/condemning-the-widespread-detention-for-forced-conscription-by-the-syrian-democratic-forces-in-raqqa-and-deir-ez-zor-since-29-september-2025/

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Julezzzzzz22 2024/10/29
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Solidarity from Omaha NE! I lost track of your show but am resubscribing in light of the current Hurricane devastation. Stay strong everyone! Your wor...
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Archie from Twitter 2022/12/01
Tasty, healthy source of protein for a balanced podcast diet
TFSR opens a window into the concerns of modern anarchism. It does so in an inviting, entertaining, snark-free way. It doesn’t condescend to listeners...
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McCarrickless 2022/04/20
High value
In a world where value is often misattributed to toxic propaganda and objects, The Final Straw provides real value through conversation and informati...
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wizardrock_heartthrob 2021/01/09
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venusinvelvet 2019/12/10
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PRS6565 2020/06/18
Almost gave it 2 stars
This is comedy and was very entertaining. A show for suburban brats living in their parents basement and homeless people who refuse to get jobs.
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