Historian Craig Johnson, an expert on the radical right and host of Fifteen Minutes of Fascism, dives deep into how fascism appeals to young men. He discusses the constructed nature of masculinity, the phenomenon of irony poisoning, and innovative strategies to counteract these dangerous ideologies. Johnson emphasizes the vital role of parents in guiding conversations about fascism, equipping young people to resist extremist influences. Their engaging dialogue offers essential insights for educators and concerned family members alike.
46:32
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
insights INSIGHT
Fascism's Core Is Misogyny
Fascism deeply intertwines with misogyny and enforced sexual hierarchies.
It uniquely promotes male supremacy as a core political belief, unlike other ideologies.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Promote Diversity to Resist Fascism
Encourage diverse environments to reduce susceptibility to fascist recruitment.
Seeing people unlike oneself as fully human counters extremist scapegoating narratives.
insights INSIGHT
Fascism's Coolness Eventually Cringes
Fascism gains popularity among youth partly due to its initial 'coolness' and rebellious appeal.
This coolness can fade as fascism becomes mainstream and rigid, making it cringe over time.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Craig Johnson's "How to Talk to Your Son About Fascism" offers a guide for parents and educators on preventing young men from joining the extreme right wing. The book delves into the appeal of fascism to young men, exploring the intersection of masculinity, social constructs, and political ideologies. Johnson provides a framework for understanding how fascism recruits young people and offers practical advice on intervention strategies. He emphasizes the importance of open communication and critical thinking in countering fascist narratives. The book also highlights the role of diversity and inclusion in building resilience against extremist ideologies.
Antifascist Dad
12 Conversations to Have with Young People in Tough Times
Matthew Remski
Antifascist Dad offers a framework for parents and educators to have meaningful conversations with tweens and teens about fascism, social justice, and personal empowerment. The book aims to provide accessible tools for navigating complex societal issues.
Historian Craig Johnson (PhD Berkeley) hosts Fifteen Minutes of Fascism, which covers the global rise of the radical right. He’s the author of an excellent new book, How to Talk to Your Son about Fascism, a guide for parents and educators on keeping young men out of the extreme right wing.
In this first of a two-part interview, Matthew and Craig discuss definitions of fascism, why it appeals to young men (or how masculinity is socially constructed), irony poisoning, and whether fascism can be fought through accelerating cringe cycles.
Part 2 drops in Patreon on Monday. That episode centers on an exploration of strategy: how do we theorize the agency of kids becoming political actors? How do we maintain trust while engaging with a family member sliding to the right?
Conspirituality 
