In todays episode I am reading and responding to Scott Alexander (https://substack.com/profile/12009663-scott-alexander) essay on Atomic Communitarianism.
Liberalism made a promise. Do what you want, as long as it doesn’t break my arm or pick my pocket, and I’ll extend you the same courtesy. Clean line, in theory.
In practice the line never holds. People want to make the world in the image of their values. Often, both sides end up arguing that the other parties way of living counts as harm too, and the fight liberalism was supposed to end just moves somewhere else: control of the same government, fought over by everyone in it.
What if there was something better? Not hard to imagine some cases. One is a tribe federation.
Rather than trying to convert and bash nation states of millions of people to conform to a parody of your world view, what if you just started an aligned community? You gather your friends and likeminded people to your banner and embodied your ideals. You start a new town as an expression of your political will. You go try to create your utopia.
And let others do the same.
That could be the world within a tribe federation.
People are encouraged to build tribes. Communities are given near free reign to organize as they please. There’s a celebration of real culture and distinction, rather its obliteration.
The central tribe federation oversees a few key rules, which we talk about in the episode, but in general differences between groups of people are respected and encouraged. And as a people, we get to run hundreds if not thousands of experiments in policy and organization to see what holds up.
Sounds pretty good to me.
Of course there are many problems which I only begin to discuss here.
Enjoy the conversation.
-Kristian
p.s. join our app to find your tribe, or start one. https://retribalize.ai (https://retribalize.ai)
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit retribalize.substack.com/subscribe (https://retribalize.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2)
14 Jun 2026
Tribalism: A Regression or Innovation?
Tribalism is coming back — that part isn't really up for debate. As the old global order breaks down, people are going to form tribes again. The only real question is whether we build them on purpose, or wait until we're forced to.
In this episode I take on the six biggest objections I get to retribalizing and building parallel institutions: that it's regressive, anti-modern, an echo chamber, a cult, a way of abandoning the world, or just feudalism waiting to happen. I take each one seriously — where the critics are right, and where I think they're missing something. This is part 2 of my parallel institutions series, and a roadmap for anyone who feels the pull to build something real with aligned people before the wave hits.
Ready to start? Retribalize.ai (http://Retribalize.ai) is our free app to meet aligned people and start building your team in real life.
And I just opened the Retribalize Academy (https://retribalize.org/landing/retribalize-academy/join) for our founding members — workshops, team matchmaking, and access to our invite-only residencies.
Peace,Kristian
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit retribalize.substack.com/subscribe (https://retribalize.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2)
30 May 2026
The 10 Failure Modes of Tribe Building
This episode is about the most common mistakes and ideologies that ruin tribe building. Most communities fail or get stunted somewhere on this list.
LINKS
App: Retribalize.ai (https://retribalize.ai)
The Retribalize Academy (https://retribalize.org/landing/retribalize-academy/join)
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit retribalize.substack.com/subscribe (https://retribalize.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2)
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Spotify
5.0 / 5
5 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 1 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
2
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
0
Contact ReTribalize Podcast
Guest appearances
Does not typically book guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of ReTribalize Podcast?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
