Refuse Fascism
The Refuse Fascism podcast is an independent and all-volunteer show that produces weekly episodes that expose, analyze, and oppose the very real danger and threat of fascism coming to power in the United States.
Hosted by Sam Goldman, produced by volunteers with Refuse Fascism.
Latest episodes
Jan 5, 2025 • 1h 2min
Resistance on Hold: The Crisis of Inaction in Perilous Times
Sam comments on the fourth anniversary of the January 6th coup attempt. Then, she chats with co-producer of the pod, Mark Tinkleman, exploring questions we've received. In this conversation, Sam and Mark discuss the current political landscape in the U.S., focusing on the lack of visible resistance against the rising fascism represented by Trump/Republi-fascist return to power. They draw parallels with South Korea's history of mass mobilization against oppressive regimes, emphasizing the need for sustained and organized resistance. They highlight the urgency of action in the face of a rapidly deteriorating political situation and the necessity of mass action to disrupt the status quo. The discussion also addresses the phenomenon of people tuning out from political issues, the urgency of challenging the non-fascist majority, and the dangers of basing movements solely on popular opinion.
Mentioned In This Episode:
Stupid Stuff to Stop Saying in 2025
The Freedom to Dominate with Jefferson Cowie
No Election Can Legitimize Fascism! We REFUSE to Accept a MAGA Fascist USA
2024: Year in Review
Refuse Fascism Gear:
Refuse Fascism T-Shirts and Hoodies
In the Name of Humanity We REFUSE to Accept a FASCIST America T-Shirts and Hoodies (white ink on colored options)
In the Name of Humanity We REFUSE to Accept a FASCIST America T-Shirts and Hoodies (black ink on colored options)
Send your comments to samanthagoldman@refusefascism.org or @SamBGoldman and find her on TikTok: @samgoldmanrf. Record a voice message for the show here. Connect with the movement at RefuseFascism.org and support:
· patreon.com/refusefascism
· paypal.me/refusefascism
· donate.refusefascism.org
Music for this episode: Penny the Snitch by Ikebe Shakedown
Dec 30, 2024 • 1h 43min
2024: Year in Review
We find our power together, not by finding a way to get by or accommodate to the new horrific normal, but together paving a path for mass nonviolent noncooperation, mass nonviolent disobedience. Prepare for the fight ahead in 2025 with some guests from this past year including:
Zoltán Grossman
Lee McIntyre
Sasha Abramsky
Jefferson Cowie
Ece Temelkuran
Aziz Rana
Tom Schaller
Alberto Toscano
Graie Hagans
Amanda Tyler
Annika Brockschmidt
Robert P. Jones
Clarence Lusane
Matt Shuham
Paul Street
Rick Perlstein
Connect with us on social media @RefuseFascism on just about all platforms.
Refuse Fascism Gear:
Refuse Fascism T-Shirts and Hoodies
In the Name of Humanity We REFUSE to Accept a FASCIST America T-Shirts and Hoodies (white ink on colored options)
In the Name of Humanity We REFUSE to Accept a FASCIST America T-Shirts and Hoodies (black ink on colored options)
Send your comments to samanthagoldman@refusefascism.org or @SamBGoldman and find her on TikTok: @samgoldmanrf. Record a voice message for the show here. Connect with the movement at RefuseFascism.org and support:
· patreon.com/refusefascism
· paypal.me/refusefascism
· donate.refusefascism.org
Music for this episode: Penny the Snitch by Ikebe Shakedown
Dec 22, 2024 • 40min
How Trump’s Leveraging “Unitary Executive” Theory to Harness Supreme Power
Sam discusses "The Great Capitulation" and the need for us to come together now to defeat Trump/MAGA fascism through collective action.
Then she interviews veteran legal scholar, activist and political analyst, Marjorie Cohn, to discuss the implications of the "unitary executive" theory with Trump returning to power next month. They explore how this theory has evolved over time, its impact on the system of checks and balances, and the alarming agenda outlined in Project 2025, which aims to consolidate executive power. Cohn warns of the threats to civil liberties and democratic norms, emphasizing the need for organized resistance against fascism.
Read Marjorie's regular Truthout column Human Rights and Wrongs and learn more and connect at marjoriecohn.com.
Mentioned in this episode:
The Great Capitulation by Michelle Goldberg
Trump Is Using “Unitary Executive” Theory in His Bid to Amass Supreme Power by Marjorie Cohn
Refuse Fascism Gear:
Refuse Fascism T-Shirt
In the Name of Humanity We REFUSE to Accept a FASCIST America T-Shirt (white ink on colored options)
In the Name of Humanity We REFUSE to Accept a FASCIST America T-Shirt (black ink on colored options)
Find out more about Refuse Fascism and get involved at RefuseFascism.org. Find us on all the socials: @RefuseFascism. Plus, Sam is on TikTok, check out @samgoldmanrf. Support the show at patreon.com/RefuseFascism or Venmo: @Refuse-Fascism or Paypal.me/RefuseFascism.
Music for this episode: Penny the Snitch by Ikebe Shakedown
Dec 15, 2024 • 1h 28min
Gender Liberation, Radical Defiance & The Power of Street Art
Sam recaps some of the fascist developments from this past week and interviews author and activist, Raquel Willis, co-founder of The Gender Liberation Movement (@genderlib). Raquel discusses the current anti-trans landscape, focusing on the implications of the U.S. v. Skrmetti case and the broader cultural backlash against trans rights. Willis highlights the need for radical defiance and collective action to combat the ongoing threats to trans rights and healthcare access. You can follow Raquel on IG @raquel_willis.
Then Sam speaks with Philadelphia-based street artist YOMI to discuss art, fascism, and resistance. Follow Yomi's work @yomitgmb.
Mentioned in this episode:
Resist Trump? On Immigration, Top Democrats See Room for Compromise. (NY Times)
Texas is Coming for New York Abortion Providers by Jessica Valenti
They're Killing Us by Jessica Valenti
Trump Picks Chloe Cole's Anti-Trans Lawyer Harmeet Dhillon To Lead DOJ Civil Rights Post by Erin Reed
Dec 18 in Philadelphia: March to Defend Immigrant Lives, Dec 18 in Philadelphia
Other actions on Dec 18 International Migrants Day
Refuse Fascism Gear:
Refuse Fascism T-Shirt
In the Name of Humanity We REFUSE to Accept a FASCIST America T-Shirt (white ink on colored options)
In the Name of Humanity We REFUSE to Accept a FASCIST America T-Shirt (black ink on colored options)
Find out more about Refuse Fascism and get involved at RefuseFascism.org. Find us on all the socials: @RefuseFascism. Plus, Sam is on TikTok, check out @samgoldmanrf. Support the show at patreon.com/RefuseFascism or Venmo: @RefuseFascism or Cashapp: $RefuseFascism or Paypal.me/RefuseFascism.
Music for this episode: Penny the Snitch by Ikebe Shakedown
Dec 8, 2024 • 59min
Refusing Trump’s Orders: Military Resistance to Mass Deportation
Central to Trump's fascist agenda is his pledge to carry out the largest mass deportation effort in the nation's history. Trump has affirmed that efforts will involve a national emergency declaration and the military. To discuss this topic Sam interviews Brittany Ramos DeBarros, an army veteran and Organizer Director of About Face: Veterans Against the War (on Instagram @vetsaboutface).
Recommended reading: Trump’s Mass Deportation Plan Can’t Happen If US Military Members Resist It by Rory Fanning
Resources/mentioned in this episode:
The Supreme Court’s Hearing on Trans Rights Was Bigotry Masquerading as Law by Elie Mystal
Trans Rights Activists Hold Sit-In at Capitol to Protest Johnson’s Bathroom Ban by Chris Walker
Idaho Will Enforce Abortion Travel Ban by Jessica Valenti
Meet Kash Patel, Donald Trump’s New Roy Cohn (Amicus podcast)
Refuse Fascism Gear:
Refuse Fascism T-Shirt
In the Name of Humanity We REFUSE to Accept a FASCIST America T-Shirt (white ink on colored options)
In the Name of Humanity We REFUSE to Accept a FASCIST America T-Shirt (black ink on colored options)
Find out more about Refuse Fascism and get involved at RefuseFascism.org. Find us on all the socials: @RefuseFascism. Plus, Sam is on TikTok, check out @samgoldmanrf. Support the show at patreon.com/RefuseFascism or Venmo: @RefuseFascism or Cashapp: $RefuseFascism or Paypal.me/RefuseFascism.
Music for this episode: Penny the Snitch by Ikebe Shakedown
Nov 24, 2024 • 1h 14min
"Day One" Dictator & Trump's Monstrous Mass Deportation Plans
Sam gives an update on Trump's new appointments to his Revengers cabinet and their implications, shouts out Evan Greer's disruption of anti-trans bigot Rep. Nancy Mace, and underscores the qualitative changes in governance that fascism represents and calls for collective action against MAGA fascism NOW not waiting until atrocities are underway. Sam also discusses Trump's plans for mass deportations of at least 11 million people, drawing parallels to historical atrocities and emphasizing the urgent need for mass defense, disruption and disobedience to support our immigrant siblings and stop the fascists from implementing their nightmare program.
This week we re-run two interviews featuring contributors to the June issue of The New Republic titled "What American Fascism Would Look Like." Emmanuel Guerisoli discusses his essay The "Day One" Dictatorship (co-authored by Federico Finchelstein). Emmanuel is a postdoctoral fellow at the Zolberg Institute on Migration and Mobility at the New School. He can be followed at @emmaGuerisoli. Then, Francisco Goldman discusses his essay From Texas to Massachusetts: On the border in a fascist America. Francisco is a novelist and journalist. His most recent novel is Monkey Boy, a Pulitzer Prize finalist. He can be followed on ex-Twitter at @PacoGoldman or on Instagram @franciscogoldman.
Mentioned in this episode:
“Put Them in Trauma”: Inside a Key MAGA Leader’s Plans for a New Trump Agenda by Molly Redden and Andy Kroll, ProPublica, and Nick Surgey, Documented
Ep 213: Fascist Riots in the UK, Fascist Plots in the US
Border Militias Prepare to Assist With Donald Trump’s Mass Deportation Plans by Tess Owen
American Families United Act by Andrew Moriarity
Trump 2.0 Poses an Even Bigger Threat to Migrants. Here’s How We Fight Back. by Silky Shah
Trump’s border czar pick supports using Texas ranch for mass deportations by Alejandro Serrano
How millions of US children would be hurt by Trump’s mass deportation plan: ‘Deep harm is intentional’ by Robin Buller
Trump’s Cabinet: Forging a Fascist Machine (revcom.us)
Resources to spread the message, "In The Name of Humanity, We Refuse To Accept a Fascist America":
Sticker Pack
Printable Poster in color
Printable Poster in black and white
Refuse Fascism Shop
Refuse Fascism T-Shirts:
Original
New (with slogan above)
Find out more about Refuse Fascism and get involved at RefuseFascism.org. Find us on all the socials: @RefuseFascism. Plus, Sam is on TikTok, check out @samgoldmanrf. Support the show at patreon.com/RefuseFascism
Music for this episode: Penny the Snitch by Ikebe Shakedown
Nov 17, 2024 • 49min
Trump’s Opening Salvo, Dems Roll Out The Welcome Mat + Christians Against Christian Nationalism
Sam discusses what to make of Biden's warm welcome of Trump back to the White House and pledge to "accommodate him," legislation that gives you a preview of how Trump & Co see their strategy kicking off, Trump's cabinet of horrors, and more recent developments.
Then, Amanda Tyler (@AmandaTylerBJC) is the executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty. Amanda is the lead organizer of Christians Against Christian Nationalism and she is the author of How to End Christian Nationalism.
Mentioned in the episode:
Why Democrats are aiding and facilitating fascism, what this shows about this system, and what decent people need to be doing by Bob Avakian
House GOP Moves to Ram Through Bill That Gives Trump Unilateral Power to Kill Nonprofits by Noah Hurowitz
What are recess appointments and how could Trump use them to fill his Cabinet? by Stephen Groves
Meet Pete Hegseth, the Man Who Will Lead the Entire US Military — A Man Deemed an ‘Extremist’ by the US Military by Jeff Sharlet
How to Hear a Fascist by Rick Perlstein
What White Christians Have Wrought by Robert P. Jones
Resources to spread the message, "In The Name of Humanity, We Refuse To Accept a Fascist America":
Sticker Pack
Printable Poster in color
Printable Poster in black and white
Refuse Fascism Shop
Refuse Fascism T-Shirts:
Original
New (with slogan above)
Find out more about Refuse Fascism and get involved at RefuseFascism.org. Find us on all the socials: @RefuseFascism. Plus, Sam is on TikTok, check out @samgoldmanrf. Support the show at patreon.com/RefuseFascism
Music for this episode: Penny the Snitch by Ikebe Shakedown
Nov 10, 2024 • 1h 1min
No Election Can Legitimize Fascism! We REFUSE to Accept a MAGA Fascist USA
Post-election 2024, we're not telling you how to feel, we're just glad you're feeling something. Hang onto your humanity with us and pledge to refuse to accept a fascist America urgently and visibly in the coming weeks.
Paul Street and Andy Zee joined Refuse Fascism host Sam Goldman for an online forum informed by listener questions on November 8, 2024 sponsored by Refuse Fascism in association with The RNL - Revolution Nothing Less - Show. We're sharing excerpts from the forum which can be watched in its entirety on YouTube. Follow Paul Street at paulstreet.substack.com.
For resources mentioned by Andy Zee, see revcom.us and follow @therevcoms and @bobavakianofficial on social media.
Resources to spread the message, "In The Name of Humanity, We Refuse To Accept a Fascist America":
Sticker Pack
Printable Poster in color
Printable Poster in black and white
Refuse Fascism Shop
Refuse Fascism T-Shirts:
Original
New (with slogan above)
Find out more about Refuse Fascism and get involved at RefuseFascism.org. Find us on all the socials: @RefuseFascism. Plus, Sam is on TikTok, check out @samgoldmanrf. Support the show at patreon.com/RefuseFascism
Music for this episode: Penny the Snitch by Ikebe Shakedown
Nov 3, 2024 • 56min
What you Need to Know Before the Election For Whatever Comes Next
With the election in just two days, Sam recaps essential points on refusing fascism in the event of various scenarios that may arise over the next few days and weeks. While there is much that we do not know about what will happen on Tuesday and after, we do know this: fascism is never legitimate. No election, fair or fraudulent, can legitimize a fascist regime. Join the online forum: Refuse Fascism Responds to the 2024 Election Friday, Nov 8 at 8PM ET. Sign-up to join us: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_FvJFMP5qSZO1pDEWtLaCxA
Then, Sam talks with Robert P. Jones, president and founder of Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI). His latest book is The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy. Check out Dr. Jones' writing at www.whitetoolong.net and listen to The Convocation Unscripted podcast on YouTube or follow on Substack: convocation.substack.com
Mentioned in this episode:
Radical Reports by Teddy Wilson
That “Little Secret” Between Trump and Johnson? Here’s What It Could Mean. by Elie Mystal
The Republican Supreme Court just blessed an illegal voter purge by Ian Millhiser
By popular demand! Get your Refuse Fascism T-Shirt here: bonfire.com/refuse-fascism-pod-shirt
Find out more about Refuse Fascism and get involved at RefuseFascism.org. Find us on all the socials: @RefuseFascism. Plus, Sam is on TikTok, check out @samgoldmanrf. Support the show at patreon.com/RefuseFascism
Music for this episode: Penny the Snitch by Ikebe Shakedown
Additional Resources:
Election Violence Is Already Here by Tess Owen
Meet the Far-Right Constitutional Sheriffs Ready to Assert Control if Trump Loses by Leah Feiger
How Republicans Could Help Trump Steal the Election from Harris by Justin Glawe and Asawin Suebsaeng
Oct 27, 2024 • 56min
The 2024 Election: The Future Hangs In The Balance
Paul Street and Andy Zee joined Refuse Fascism host Sam Goldman for an online forum informed by listener questions on October 25, 2024 sponsored by Refuse Fascism and The RNL - Revolution Nothing Less - Show. We're sharing excerpts from the forum which can be watched in its entirety on YouTube. Follow Paul Street at paulstreet.substack.com.
By popular demand! Get your Refuse Fascism T-Shirt here: bonfire.com/refuse-fascism-pod-shirt
Find out more about Refuse Fascism and get involved at RefuseFascism.org. Find us on all the socials: @RefuseFascism. Plus, Sam is on TikTok, check out @samgoldmanrf. Support the show at patreon.com/RefuseFascism
Music for this episode: Penny the Snitch by Ikebe Shakedown
