Latest Content for Old Mole Variety Hour

  Focusing on Housing & Houselessness and hosted by Frann Michel, this episode includes these segments: Portland's Housing Crisis and Solutions:  In 2015, the City of Portland declared a housing emergency.  Ten years later, more people in Portland are unhoused or preca... Read more

Laurie Mercier speaks with antiwar and climate activist Janet Weil, who discusses the Veterans for Peace Climate Crisis and Militarism Project. They also discuss why environmental movements have avoided including militarism as an urgent concern for stemming climate catas... Read more

Patricia Kullberg hosts this episode of the Mole, which includes the following segments: War and Climate Chaos: Laurie Mercier speaks with antiwar and climate activist Janet Weil, who discusses the Veterans for Peace Climate Crisis and Militarism Project. They also disc... Read more

         In the Great Recession (2007-2009), Wall Street crashed the economy but got rewarded with billions of dollars in government bailouts, while millions of Americans—unemployed, homeless, desperate—had nowhere to go for help. When a small group of people responded ... Read more

  Jan Haaken talks with local teachers Stephen Siegel and Ellen R about the movement among educators to resist right-wing and Zionist attacks on critical pedagogy and the struggle within the NEA around cutting ties with the ADF. The teachers also recommend these resource... Read more

  Promise Li discusses the response in Los Angeles to the militarized federal ramping up of ICE detentions.  He discusses the role of the LAPD, the complicity of Democratic politicians, and the popular response that built on networks generated through mask blocs and oth... Read more

  Dianne Feeley discusses Trump's brutal immigration policies and ways that those of us with citizenship can support our neighbors and build opposition to deportations.   This July 2025  talk is an earlier version of her discussion available in the September-October 202... Read more

  This episode focuses on solidarities, alliances, and connections. Hosted by Frann Michel, it features these segments: Critical Pedagogy Against Genocide:  Jan Haaken talks with Portland-area teachers Stephen Siegel and Ellen R  about the movement among educators to r... Read more

  This Labor Day episode celebrates the labor of moles and other radio-makers. Hosted by Jon Nelson, it features these segments: KBOO Out Loud with Nathan Vandiver Laurie Mercier talks with KBOO Station manager Nathan Vandiver about the impacts of the Corporation for Pub... Read more

  Laurie Mercier talks with KBOO Station manager Nathan Vandiver about the impacts of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) cuts on KBOO and other community radio stations. In addition to the financial challenges these cuts present, they also threaten the abilit... Read more