Sam talks with Mike Rothschild, author of the forthcoming book Jewish Space Lasers: The Rothschilds and 200 Years of Conspiracy Theories (preorder now!). From Terry Matalas: "Like Mike Rothschild’s incredible deconstruction of QAnon in The Storm Is Upon Us, Jewish Space Lasers takes a thoroughly engrossing deep dive into the absurd conspiracy theories surrounding Judaism’s ‘royal family.’ It unpacks that age-old stereotype ‘the Jews control everything’ and brilliantly examines the mysterious dyn...
Aug 27, 2023•44 min•Season 4Ep. 27
Sam talks with attorney and writer Madiba Dennie about the SCOTUS ruling from this June which eliminated race conscious education admissions. Follow her work at madibadennie.com and @AudreLawdAMercy . Plus more commentary on the brewing crisis escalated by the most recent indictments of Trump. Refuse Fascism is more than a podcast! You can get involved at RefuseFascism.org. We're still on Twitter (@RefuseFascism) and other social platforms including Threads and Mastodon. Se...
Aug 13, 2023•40 min•Season 4Ep. 26
Sam talks with Faisal Al-Juburi from RAICES Texas about the continuing brutal mistreatment of immigrants and asylum seekers in Texas, which has now placed razor wire barriers in the Rio Grande. RAICES first came to national attention during the family separation crisis under the Trump regime but has been providing services and advocacy for immigrants for decades. Follow and support their work at raicestexas.org . Plus: commentary on the latest batch of Trump indictments which finally point out h...
Aug 07, 2023•43 min•Season 4Ep. 25
Sam talks with Dale Anderson, an organizer with Choose Democracy Now about what’s happening at the ground level in Sarasota, Florida as a case study of the spreading fascism in the US. Find out more about their work at choosedemocracynow.org . Plus commentary from C. Clark Kissinger excerpted from the recent Q&A discussion with hosts of the show and Refuse Fascism patrons. Mentioned in this episode: Trump’s Attacks on the Legal System Are a Preview of How He Plans to Govern by Sasha Abramsky...
Jul 31, 2023•39 min•Season 4Ep. 24
Sam talks to women in Iowa, where a new abortion ban was just signed into law, making essentially all abortion services unobtainable. Lyz Lenz ia a journalist based in Iowa and author of several books including Belabored: A Vindication of the Rights of Pregnant Women. Find her on Twitter https://twitter.com/lyzl or her website https://lyzlenz.com/. Allison Simpson founded We Won’t Go Back - Dubuque Area and Bridgett Kearney is active with the group (which you can join if you are nearby, details ...
Jul 16, 2023•59 min•Season 4Ep. 23
Sam talks with David Gilbert, Senior Reporter with Vice.com about his recent coverage of the "Moms for Liberty" movement which just held their National Summit in Philly. Read his recent piece The GOP Is Lining Up to Pay Homage to America's Newest Extremist Group, Moms for Liberty and follow him on Twitter https://twitter.com/daithaigilbert and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/davidgilbertwriter/. Mentioned in this episode: Annika Brockschmidt: At Moms for Liberty Summit 'Mama Bears' Declare S...
Jul 09, 2023•45 min•Season 4Ep. 22
Sam talks with Paul Street about the recent rulings from the Supreme Court including overturning affirmative action, legalizing discrimination against LGBTQ (and possibly other?) people, Moore v Harper (the "independent state legislature theory" case) and more. Follow Paul on Substack: https://substack.com/@paulstreet Also listen to episode 160: SCOTUS, The Shadow Docket, & The Fascist Assault on the Environment https://open.spotify.com/episode/1nddQh2o8s3Cpka64Dmm8s Mentioned in this episod...
Jul 02, 2023•55 min•Season 4Ep. 21
Sam shares reflections on the one year anniversary of the overturn of Roe. Read the statement from Rise Up 4 Abortion Rights: https://riseup4abortionrights.org/june-24-2023-one-year-without-roe-take-your-fury-back-into-the-streets/ “Moms for Liberty” [sic] will be holding their national summit June 29 - July 2 in Philadelphia (cheers to the protestors). Producer Mark Tinkleman shares some commentary on this fascist movement. Then, Sam interviews Karen Svoboda, CEO of Defense of Democracy about t...
Jun 25, 2023•40 min•Season 4Ep. 21
Sam interviews Stephen Vladeck, law professor and author of the NY Times bestseller, The Shadow Docket, How the Supreme Court Uses Stealth Rulings to Amass Power and Undermine the Republic . Follow Steve on Twitter at @steve_vladeck and sign up for his Substack here: stevevladeck.substack.com . Then, we talk to Julian Gonzalez, senior legislative counsel Earth Justice about the recent ruling that undermines the Clean Water Act and related attacks on the environment coming from the Supreme Court....
Jun 18, 2023•49 min•Season 4Ep. 20
History was made this past week as Trump was finally federally indicted for keeping classified documents, mishandling them and obstructing all attempts to retrieve them from his bathroom and ballroom in Mar-a-Lago (among other places). Sam Goldman comments on this new situation and the calls for violence to retaliate from Trump and other Republifascist leaders. Then, Sam interviews Mark Jacob, a former editor at the Chicago Tribune and Sun-Times, about the way the media has handled and in some w...
Jun 11, 2023•52 min•Season 4Ep. 19
Sam talks to educator Michael Vavrus, professor emeritus at The Evergreen State College, about his new book Teaching Anti-Fascism: A Critical Multicultural Pedagogy for Civic Engagement . From a review by Noah De Lissovoy (The University of Texas at Austin): “Teaching Anti-Fascism brilliantly excavates the historical and contemporary sources of fascism in colonialism, anti-Blackness, and monopoly capitalism, and demonstrates that authoritarianism is embedded both in far-right movements and in th...
May 28, 2023•44 min•Season 4Ep. 18
Sam talks to Wajahat Ali about Tucker Carlson’s white supremacist legacy and anticipated next steps in the aftermath of his firing from FOX News. If you’re on Twitter you probably already follow Wajahat @WajahatAli . You can also read his latest book Go Back to Where You Came From And Other Helpful Recommendations on How to Become American or listen to the podcast he co-hosts, Democracy-Ish. Then, Coco Das talks to open source researcher Aric Toler who uncovered the details of the Allen Texas ma...
May 22, 2023•57 min•Season 4Ep. 17
Coco Das comments on the recent CNN-hosted Trump Town Hall (aka Klan rally) and Democratic reactions. Read her commentary here: Biden’s Camp Cheers on Trump’s CNN Town Hall: An “Opposition” Party that is Worse than Useless. Follow her on Twitter at @Coco_Das . Plus: Sam interviews Akin Olla, National Press Secretary for the Dream Defenders, and contributing opinion writer for The Guardian, about the Dream Defenders' recent mobilization against Florida Governor Ron Desantis. Follow @Dreamdefe...
May 14, 2023•44 min•Season 4Ep. 16
Sam talks to Brynn Tannehill, former naval aviator and author of several books including American Fascism: How the GOP is Subverting Democracy and her latest, My Child Told Me They're Trans ... What Do I Do?: A Q&A Guide by Parents of Thriving Trans Children . A wave of legislation targeting trans people is sweeping the country. Read a roundup of some of these laws here (from HRC) . Follow Brynn on Twitter at @BrynnTannehill and read her recent article for New Republic, "The End of Trans Ame...
May 07, 2023•55 min•Season 4Ep. 15
Sam interviews Fred Wellman, veteran and host of the On Democracy podcast, former executive director of the Lincoln Project about the state of the Republican Party (and its fascist base) and the lessons from recent years of the limitations of “politics as usual.” Follow Fred at @FPWellman and read his writings at fpwellman.substack.com . Refuse Fascism is more than a podcast! You can get involved at RefuseFascism.org. We're still on Twitter ( @RefuseFascism ) and other social platforms...
Apr 30, 2023•47 min•Season 4Ep. 14
Sam Goldman and Coco Das ( @Coco_Das ) discuss the latest developments in the plans to institute a full abortion ban (which hit a speedbump on Friday with SCOTUS deciding to maintain the status quo access for mifepristone while the Kacsmaryk ruling works its way through appeals) as well as other developments in the past week. Recommended reading: Male Supremacy Is at the Core of the Hard Right’s Agenda Weekly Roundup of Anti-LGBTQ+ Legislation Advancing In States Across the Country Rise Up 4 Abo...
Apr 23, 2023•47 min•Season 4Ep. 13
This week we cover the fascist attack on medication abortion that has now made its way all the way up to the Supreme Court. Sam talks to Mark Joseph Stern, Senior Writer at Slate.com, who recently wrote The Lawless Ruling Against the Abortion Pill Has Already Prompted a Constitutional Crisis . Next, Sam shares an interview with Dr. Elizabeth Newhall, an Obstetrician and Gynecologist who participated in the effort to gain FDA approval of mifepristone. Follow Mark on Twitter @mjs_DC Mentioned in t...
Apr 16, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Season 4Ep. 12
Sam talks to Dr. Christine Ryan, Legal Director at Global Justice Center about the open letter issued by 200 other human rights organizations to the UN about the human rights emergency that is occurring in the US as abortion is criminalized in many states since Roe was overturned ( read here ). Follow Dr. Ryan on Twitter at @christinegjc . Recommended Reading: Trump’s Indictment: A Time for Vigilance, Not Complacency: https://refusefascism.org/2023/04/01/trumps-indictment-a-time-for-vigilance-no...
Apr 02, 2023•51 min•Season 4Ep. 11
Sam talks to Jeff Sharlet, author and journalist ( The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power, C Street: The Fundamentalist Threat to American Democracy) and now his new book The Undertow: Scenes from a Slow Civil War . It's a must-read for understanding the moment we're in from someone who has closely followed the American fascist movement. Follow Jeff on Twitter at @JeffSharlet and Instagram: jeffsharlet . Refuse Fascism is more than a podcast! You can get involved at...
Mar 26, 2023•51 min•Season 4Ep. 10
Coco Das ( @Coco_Das) and Paul Street ( @Streetwriter17 ) in conversation with Sam Goldman ( @SamBGoldman) answer listener questions on fascism and recent events. Find or organize a protest at Rise Up 4 Abortion Rights: Fascist Judges: Keep Your Hands Off Abortion Medication! Mentioned in this episode: Christian Fascist Matthew Kacsmaryk’s Coming Ruling and the Need to Abandon Liberal Surrender and Complicity by Paul Street Trump Might Face Criminal Charges—But He’s Unlikely to Face Justice ...
Mar 19, 2023•51 min•Season 4Ep. 9
Sam talks with journalist Katelyn Burns about the fascist offensive against trans people. Follow her work here and on Twitter at @transscribe and listen to her podcast Cancel Me, Daddy . Mentioned in the episode: LGBTQ Institute in Germany Was Burned Down by Nazis Anti-Gender Campaigns in Europe: Mobilizing against Equality The New York Times's War on Trans Kids (If Books Could Kill) Sign the petition! Drop the Charges on the Tampa 4! Stop DeSantis' Attacks on Diversity! Rhea Law, Step Down! Ref...
Mar 12, 2023•42 min•Season 4Ep. 8
What's happening in Florida to education under fascist governor Ron DeSantis, and how are students responding and resisting? Featuring interviews with: Rafael Kadaris , a correspondent on the Revolution Nothing Less Show . Articles and resources he mentions can be found at Revcom.us . Ben and Stephanie are student organizers with Stand For Freedom Florida (on Instagram at @standforfreedomfl). Support their efforts: https://www.gofundme.com/f/protect-educational-freedoms-in-florida Recommended re...
Mar 05, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Season 4Ep. 7
Sam talks to Dr. Carrie Baker, Professor at Smith College and contributing editor of Ms. magazine about the lawsuit that could be decided in the coming days which would potentially eliminate access to medication induced abortions in the US. Follow her work at Ms. magazine here and follow her on Twitter at @CarrieNBaker . Also see: Fascist Judges: Keep Your Hands Off Abortion Medication! ( RiseUp4AbortionRights.org ) Mentioned in the episode: Episode 124: Talking Forced-Birth in Victorian Times a...
Feb 26, 2023•41 min•Season 4Ep. 6
Sam interviews Adam Tritt, teacher and founder of Foundation 451, an organization formed in response to the bans on books in Florida schools. Find out more at their website foundation451.org and donate to support their free banned books campaign here . Recommended reading: Biden’s Abortion Aside by Jessica Valenti Refuse Fascism is more than a podcast! You can get involved at RefuseFascism.org. We're still on Twitter ( @RefuseFascism ) and other social platforms including the newest addition: ma...
Feb 12, 2023•44 min•Season 4Ep. 5
Sam talks with Werner Lange, retired educator and pastor, Chair of the Ohio Peace Council and author of Onward Christian Soldiers: the MAGA March toward a Fascist America about the historical and modern day fascist movement. Read his recent piece, "A Lesson for America 90 Years After Hitler's Ascension to Power" in Common Dreams where he writes, "the House Freedom Caucus is the functional equivalent of the NSDAP." Then, we re-share a clip from an interview with Andrea Chalupa from Season 1 in Oc...
Feb 05, 2023•51 min•Season 4Ep. 4
Back by popular demand! Sam talks with Dr. Thomas Zimmer, historian at Georgetown University and co-host of the podcast Is This Democracy? Follow him on Twitter at @tzimmer_history and subscribe to his substack at thomaszimmer.substack.com where you can read his latest commentary: "On the Murder of Tyre Nichols." They discuss just a handful of the latest attempts to shore up traditional hierarchies through aggressive fascist measures in a variety of arenas including the House of Representatives ...
Jan 29, 2023•47 min•Season 4Ep. 3
Coco Das reads t he statement from Rise Up for Abortion Rights on the 50th anniversary of Roe. Follow Coco on Twitter at @Coco_Das and connect with Rise Up for Abortion Rights on all platforms at riseup4abortionrights.org . Then, Sam interviews Julie F. Kay, human rights lawyer for gender equality & religious freedom and architect of the Irish abortion lawsuit ABC v. Ireland, co-author with Kathryn Kolbert of Controlling Women: What We Must Do Now to Save Reproductive Freedom . Follow her on...
Jan 22, 2023•58 min•Season 4Ep. 2
Sam Goldman, Paul Street and Anthony DiMaggio discuss the continuing impact of the Trump coup attempt that seemed to culminate with the physical assault on the Capitol on January 6, 2021. The House special committee's report was released in the final days of 2022 with the recommendation that the now Republican-controlled Congress bar Trump from ever holding office again, as well as be criminally prosecuted. Neither outcome is likely as the events of the first week back in session show the GOP is...
Jan 08, 2023•56 min•Season 4Ep. 1
We take a look back at 2022 with the help of previous guests including: Sussan Tahmasebi Jasmin Ramsey Marcela García Susana Chiarotti Sunsara Taylor Andrew Seidel Coco Das Bradley Onishi Samuel Perry Andrew Seidel Thomas Zimmer Wajahat Ali Paul Street Rachael Wachstein Danielle Moodie Henry Giroux Follow @RefuseFascism on all the socials now including mastodon.world/@refusefascism . Thank you to everyone who is donating during giving season! Don't forget to include your mailing address if you g...
Dec 31, 2022•1 hr 11 min•Season 3Ep. 49
Sam Goldman talks to Gwen Frisbie-Fulton, organizer and writer, about the recent attack on power stations in Moore County, North Carolina, and how the attacks on drag story hours are being used by the larger fascist movement. Read Was Moore County attack another antI-LGTBQ act? in the Greensboro News & Record and follow Gwen at @gwen_fulton . Then, we talk to drag performers about the joys and benefits of drag story hours, not just for the LGBTQ community but for everyone who wants to bring ...
Dec 26, 2022•57 min•Season 3Ep. 48
