A few years before becoming a revolutionary figure, Madero discovered Spiritism, a religious philosophy founded by the French educator, Allan Kardec. Through spiritist practice, Madero learns of his ability to channel ghosts. Under the guidance of the spirit of his deceased younger brother, Raul, Madero commits himself to moral purification and ethical behavior through self-discipline, community service, and the promotion of Spiritism in Mexico. Raúl’s instruction relies on a series of conventional binary oppositions that contrast good and bad masculine qualities in order to construct an ideal “new man” capable of transcending the egotism, materialism, and violence inherent in dominant forms of masculinity, including the imposing figure of Mexico’s authoritarian president, Porfirio Díaz.

A special thanks to the Center for Humanities and the Arts at the University of Colorado and to the following historians, whose scholarship was influential for this podcast:

Manuel Guerra, Luna Enrique Krause, C.M. Mayo, Roberto Narváez, Alejandro Rojas, Ignacio Solares, Yolia Tortolero Cervantes

Production Credits

Produced by Steven Renderos 

Hosted by Robert Buffington & Sam Buffington

Music featured on this episode

"Coconut Cowboy" by Roy Williams 

"Toujours Seule" by Trabant 33

"I Cannot See You" by Cercles Nouvelles

"Of Sober Mind" by Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen