Hello and welcome to the second episode of Interregnum, a new fortnightly show with author Richard Seymour.

I spoke with Richard about his article, The Cruelties of Self-Help Culture, which recently

appeared in the New Statesman. We talked about the magical thinking propagated by what Richard

calls the success wing of self-help literature, and why its claim that success depends

almost solely on

individual effort is so appealing. We also talked about the history of self-help culture and the

significance of Samuel Smiles, the Victorian Liberal Reformer and author of the 1859 book,

Self-Help, Illustrations of Character and Conduct. We also chatted about the mindfulness

phenomenon, and finally we discussed Richard's plans to write a self-help book from the left.

Today's show is brought to you by PTO supporters on Patreon, and also by Verso Books,

who have lots of great titles that may be of interest to PTO listeners.

Verso are delighted to announce the publication of feminism or death

how the women's movement can save the planet by Francois de Bonn in English for the first time.

Originally published in French in 1974,

radical feminist Francois de Bonn surveyed women's status around the globe,

proposing a politics of eco-feminism.

As Dobon prophesied, the planet placed in the feminine will flourish for all.

Never before published in English, this edition includes an introduction from scholars of ecology and feminism,

situating De Bonn's work within current feminist theory,

environmental justice organising, and anti-colonial feminism. Feminism or death,

how the women's movement can save the planet, is out now from Verso Books and part of their March Verso Book Club reading. And now to the interview with Richard.

If you would like to hear the extended hour-length version of today's episode of Interregnum,

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