STARK REALITY with James Dier aka $mall ¢hange

About STARK REALITY with James Dier aka $mall ¢hange

STARK REALITY is a podcast hosted by Jim Dier aka $mall ¢hange, a DJ and record collector based in NYC. Each episode features a longform interview and short mix or playlist not only on music but also progressive/leftist politics. And whatever really, not looking to define it too much... For more information about Jim Dier aka Small Change go to www.djsmallchange.com (https://djsmallchange.com/)

Publisher

JASONCHARLES.NET PODCAST NETWORK

Category

music · news

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

27 Nov 2019

Latest episode

6 Apr 2026

Latest episodes

45 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   6 Apr 2026

   STARK REALITY Episode 85 Guest SINA RAHMANI of "The East Is A Podast"

   For Episode 85 of STARK REALITY, Host James Dier aka DJ $mall ¢hange rolls out the tattered red carpet to the Great White North aka Canada, and talks to special guest SINA RAHMANI (https://eastpodcast.com/). Sina is the creator and host of The East is a Podcast (https://eastpodcast.com/), a show that focuses a critical lens on the history of the present of the modern Middle East and North Africa, featuring interviews with experts and archival mashups. his twitter: @urorientalist (https://x.com/UrOrientalist) Sina completed his Ph.D. in Comparative Literature at UCLA. He is a translator, scholar, and writer. His work has been published in the PMLA, Iranian Studies, boundary 2, Radical History Review, and Public Books. He does this podcast in his spare time, of which he has plenty. He has never gone fishing. Needless to say, his podcast is really dope and a great source of info on West Asia and what is going on in this terrible world in general, from an anti imperialist perspective. Well worth doing a deep dive, he has a lot of excellent guests and his rants are always on point. He also helps produce a number of other quality leftist podcasts, Red Nation with Nick Estes, Office Hours with Adam Hussian (of Rev Left Radio), and many others. In our discussion we talk about Iran, ofc, the concept of Kayfabe, how Americans are the most propagandized ppl on the planet, media, social media platforms in the West, how podcasting has changed in the 8 years he's been doing his podcast, and more. Sina is the man and was very appreciative of his time and perspective. Go check his interviews and guests at www.eastpodcast.com (https://www.eastpodcast.com) - you will definitely learn something. Recorded March 31st, 2026. James Dier aka $mall ¢hange www.djsmallchange.com (http://www.djsmallchange.com) www.facebook.com/djsmallchange (http://www.facebook.com/djsmallchange) www.soundcloud.com/smallchange666 (http://www.soundcloud.com/smallchange666) T/IG: @djsmallchange Nickel and Dime Radio on WFMU http://wfmu.org/playlists/nd (http://wfmu.org/playlists/nd) For all of Host James Dier aka DJ $mall ¢hange's in-depth interviews and exclusive guest playlists, Subscribe to both STARK REALITY and STARK REALITY PLAYLISTS on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stark-reality-playlists-episode-70-shirley-brahas-new/id1562000503?i=1000664174423), Mixcloud or live & direct on uptownradio.net / jasoncharles.net Podcast Network Music Channel's STARK REALITY Series Page (https://jasoncharles.net/show/stark-reality/) See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

2. 

   23 Feb 2026

   STARK REALITY Episode 84 Guest DJ MISS HAP aka SELAM

   For Episode 84 of STARK REALITY, Host James Dier aka DJ $mall ¢hange rolls the tattered red carpet out to Ridgewood, Queens to interview his friend Selam aka DJ Miss Hap (https://www.instagram.com/misshapselam) Selam has been slaying it around Brooklyn and NYC for a decade; great DJ and digger who has deep crates in reggae, disco, soul, and a number of genres. And of course has excellent politics which is why she has been someone he's wanted to interview for a min now. They talk about a number of tings, DJing in NYC these days, working at a record shop (shouts to Record City in BK (https://www.instagram.com/recordcitybk/)), ICE arrests, Palestine, the worthless Democratic Party aka controlled opposition, some favorite records like the Love Joys LP on Wackies, etc etc. Slight delay getting this out since it was recorded on Oct 20th of 2025 so apologies for that. An excellent conversation though so hope you enjoy - cheers! For all of Host James Dier aka DJ $mall ¢hange's in-depth interviews and exclusive guest playlists, Subscribe to both STARK REALITY and STARK REALITY PLAYLISTS on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stark-reality-playlists-episode-70-shirley-brahas-new/id1562000503?i=1000664174423), Mixcloud or live & direct on uptownradio.net / jasoncharles.net Podcast Network Music Channel's STARK REALITY Series Page (https://jasoncharles.net/show/stark-reality/) See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

3. 

   8 Jan 2026

   STARK REALITY Episode 83 Guest REGGIE JOHNSON Returns, for "Electric Intifada" Benefit

   For Episode 83 of STARK REALITY, Host James Dier aka DJ $mall ¢hange presents a special edition and keeps it semi local to roll the tattered red carpet out to NYC for a 2nd conversation with radio veteran, promoter and activist REGGIE JOHNSON. This episode is part of a promo for an event that Jim and Reggie are throwing January 24th at Starr Bar in Brooklyn (https://www.starrbar.com/), a benefit for Electronic Intifada. They of course talk about a range of topics, Palestine, the important role of independent journalism since corp media is propaganda, recent bs with Venezuela, David Mancuso and his ethos with the Loft parties, the great work Electronic Intifada has done covering this genocide, and much more. You can find info for the January 24th event and tickets here: https://posh.vip/e/intifada-is-freedom-a-benefit-for-electronic-intifada (https://posh.vip/e/intifada-is-freedom-a-benefit-for-electronic-intifada) REGGIE JOHNSON is a pro audio engineer, radio show host, party promoter and all around good ppls. He's been working as an engineer behind the boards at WBAI (https://wbai.org/)Pacifica for a few decades, and co-hosting Jeanie Hopper's Liquid Sound Lounge (http://www.liquidsoundlounge.com/lounge/)since '98. His own radio show From the Soundboard (https://wbai.org/program/?program=105) has been running since 2007, a 'program that usually focuses on concerts regardless of genre. This is where the artist and (or) group perfects the art of the "call and response" with its audience.' He does great deep dives on all kinds of artists and groups like Gal Costa, Link Wray, Yusef Lateef, Paul Robeson, Ramsey Lewis and many others. He's also helped promote parties since 1998 and has a longtime summer thing called Beats & BBQ. In his own words, he's 'just an average individual who believes in Socialist principles through music, arts and action. Everything is connected to everything.' Listen to Reggie's first in-depth Stark Reality interview and exclusive African funk playlist at the links below, or wherever you get your podcasts: https://jasoncharles.net/podcast/stark-reality/reggie-johnson-the-stark-reality-interview (https://jasoncharles.net/podcast/stark-reality/reggie-johnson-the-stark-reality-interview) https://jasoncharles.net/podcast/stark-reality/reggie-johnsons-exclusive-african-funk-stark-reality-playlist (https://jasoncharles.net/podcast/stark-reality/reggie-johnsons-exclusive-african-funk-stark-reality-playlist/) For all of Host James Dier aka DJ $mall ¢hange's in-depth interviews and exclusive guest playlists, Subscribe to both STARK REALITY and STARK REALITY PLAYLISTS on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stark-reality-playlists-episode-70-shirley-brahas-new/id1562000503?i=1000664174423), Mixcloud or live & direct on uptownradio.net / jasoncharles.net Podcast Network Music Channel's STARK REALITY Series Page (https://jasoncharles.net/show/stark-reality/) See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 19 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

26

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

27

Contact STARK REALITY with James Dier aka $mall ¢hange

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.