Old Mole Variety Hour

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Airs at: Mon, 10/06/2025 at 9:00am - 10:00am

Airs at: Mon, 02/02/2026 at 9:00am - 10:00am
Produced by: 
KBOO
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Views, Reviews, and Interviews from a socialist-feminist, anti-racist and anti-colonial point of view.

 

Every Monday from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM.

A program of social and political commentary from a socialist-feminist, anti-racist and anti-colonial point of view.

The Old Mole burrows down to the roots of the great issues of our time – the struggles of ordinary people for democratic and sustainable ways of life.  The Mole goes where corporate media fear to tread, supporting grassroots challenges to top-down authority and giving voice to movements that shake the foundations of an unjust society.  The Moles' perspective is democratic, anti-capitalist, feminist, anti-colonial and anti-racist.  We count Karl Marx as a friend but are open to other voices from the left. The show includes analyses of global politics and economics, local grassroots activism, segments on the Left & the Law, and reviews of films, books, music, and theater. 

Contributors include: Julian Ankney, Larry Bowlden, Joe Clement, Norm Diamond, Kevin Foster, Jan Haaken, Desiree Hellegers, Patricia Kullberg, Luisa Martinez, Laurie Mercier, Frann Michel, Denise Morris, Bill Resnick, Victoria Saucedo, Sophie Smith, Mike Snedecker, Roben White, Matt Witt

Here is why we call this show "The Old Mole"

For individual segments and more content: View more Old Mole content

Check out our Program Blog

Subscribe to our podcast (see above; search the show name on iTunes; also available on Googleplay)

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Our theme song is the traditional "Mole in the Ground," sometimes performed by Clayton & Ernie, sometimes by Joe Clement,  and sometimes blended with other versions, like the one by dj/rupture, sung by Sindhu Zagoren on the album Special Gunpowder, or Blind Boy Paxton  

Our graphic lettering is by Charlie Ertola. Host portraits by Clayton Morgareidge.
 

You can leave comments for the Moles by clicking on the comment section for any of our audio pieces.  

Streams: 
KBOO Stream 1
Program status: 
Current

Alternative Mental Health

Airs at: Mon, 10/04/2010 at 12:00am
Produced for Old Mole Variety Hour
 Jan Haaken talks with David Oaks about the Alternatives 2010 conference and peer-managed alternatives to traditional mental health. Read more

Old Mole Variety Hour October 4th

Airs at: Mon, 10/04/2010 at 12:00am
Produced for Old Mole Variety Hour
 Joe Clement hosts today's membership-drive episode. Between pitching segments are discussions of privatizing education, the war-documentary "Restrepo," and the alternative mental health movement. Below are links to individual segements: Bill Resnick interviews Diane Rav... Read more

Better Paths to Good Teaching

Airs at: Wed, 09/29/2010 at 12:00am
Produced for Old Mole Variety Hour
 Sonia Nieto is an experienced teacher and the author of several books on public school education.  In this conversation with the Old Mole's Norm Diamond, Nieto describes the challenges of educating and supporting good teachers as well as the contributions to teaching ma... Read more

September 27 Old Mole Variety Hour

Airs at: Mon, 09/27/2010 at 12:00am
Produced for Old Mole Variety Hour
 Norm Diamond hosts this edition of the Mole with a look at the opportunities and challenges for progressive, liberating eduation.  Norm talks with two local highschool teachers about the use of role playing in helping students to see the world from the perspective of in... Read more

Ethnic Studies in Perspective

Airs at: Mon, 09/27/2010 at 12:00am
Produced for Old Mole Variety Hour
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 Ethnic Studies Week October 1-7, 2010 is a nationally coordinated week of actions to defend ethnic studies and academic freedom. It was inspired by opposition to the May 11 passage of HB 2281 in Arizona banning ethnic studies in the AZ public schools and the May 21 pass... Read more

Teaching Global Politics with Role Playing

Airs at: Mon, 09/27/2010 at 12:00am
Produced for Old Mole Variety Hour
 High school students can learn to see the world through the eyes of indigenous people and other nations.  Two Portland teachers, Julie O'Neill and Tim Swinehart, explain how role playing in the classroom can help young people achieve a broader perspective on global issu... Read more

Arne Duncan and Our Schools

Airs at: Mon, 09/27/2010 at 12:00am
Produced for Old Mole Variety Hour
Arne Duncan, Obama's Secretary of Education, and previously CEO of Chicago Public Schools, is a fan of charter schools.  In this discussion with the Old Mole's Bill Resnick,  Chicago journalist David Moberg describes the illusions and failures behind the charter school m... Read more

Rally Against Privatizing City Jobs

Airs at: Mon, 09/20/2010 at 12:00am
Produced for Old Mole Variety Hour
 A Rally against the privatization of Portland city services and the farming out of  jobs to private companies will be held on Wednesday, September 29, 4 pm at Chapman Square, SW 4th and Main.  Wesley Buchholtz, shop steward for Local 43 and member of the bargaining coun... Read more

Book Mole: "Next of Kin"

Airs at: Mon, 09/20/2010 at 12:00am
Produced for Old Mole Variety Hour
 Joanna Trollope's novel Next of  Kin is a family drama set on a small farm facing the challenges of surviving in a world dominated by agribusiness.  Our Book Mole Larry Bowlden describes it as one of those rare books that "provide an oasis of hope and solace even while ... Read more

September 20 Old Mole Variety Hour

Airs at: Mon, 09/20/2010 at 12:00am
Produced for Old Mole Variety Hour
 Hosted by Clayton Morgareidge, this program deals with Israel's treatment of its Arab citizens, how oppression drives the oppressor mad, a rally in Portland against the privatization of city jobs and services, and a novel by British writer Joanna Trollope.   For inform... Read more