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
Dec 31, 2023 • 1h 28min
2023: The Year In Review
As we close out 2023 and head into 2024 many of us are feeling a sense of deja vu - but with higher stakes. Take a trip through the events of 2023 with an eye to the future with some guests from this past year.
THANK YOU to all the patrons and supporters who help make this show possible in 2023. Find out more about Refuse Fascism and get involved at RefuseFascism.org. We're still on Twitter (@RefuseFascism) and other social platforms including Threads, Mastodon and Bluesky. Plus! Sam recently joined TikTok, check out @samgoldmanrf.
Send your comments to samanthagoldman@refusefascism.org or @SamBGoldman. Record a voice message for the show here. Connect with the movement at RefuseFascism.org and support:
· paypal.me/refusefascism
· donate.refusefascism.org
· patreon.com/refusefascism
Music for this episode: Penny the Snitch by Ikebe Shakedown
Guests featured on this episode:
Wendy Via Project 2025: Roadmap for Fascist Consolidation
Coco Das Q&A With The Refuse Fascism Editorial Board
Jeff Sharlet The Undertow: Scenes from a Slow Civil War
Paul Street Your Questions Answered
Thomas Zimmer The Insurrectionist House of Representatives
Fred Wellman The Fantasy of the Reasonable Republican with Fred Wellman
Sarah Posner The Nightmare That Is House Speaker Mike Johnson
Brynn Tannehill The Sweeping and Intensifying Fascist Attack on Trans People
David Gilbert The GOP Embrace of Fascist “Moms for Liberty”
Dr. Marvin Dunn Teach Truth Not Lies
Faisal Al-Juburi Fascist “Operation Lone Star” + Trump Indictment
Keyanna Jones Stop Cop City
Susan Neiman On Universalism Against Nationalism
Mark Joseph Stern The Fascist Attack On Medication Abortion
Dahlia Lithwick Ruling Through The Courts When They Don’t Have The Votes
Madiba Dennie The Court Is Wrong; Color-Blindness Serving White Supremacy
Mark Jacob Trump Indicted + Media Complicity in the Rise of Fascism
Janet Ward Fascism in America: Past and Present
Dec 17, 2023 • 43min
Q&A With The Refuse Fascism Editorial Board
As we close out the year and look towards 2024, members of the RefuseFascism.org Editorial Board answer questions submitted by supporters of the pod. You can become one of those supporters at patreon.com/refusefascism.
Follow Coco Das at @Coco_Das, Paul Street at paulstreet.substack.com and Sam at @SamBGoldman on Twitter or @samgoldmanrf on TikTok.
Mentioned in the Episode:
The Supreme Court Just Took on Abortion Again. It Won’t End Well.Jason Stanley on "undermining propaganda" with fascism: "Trump is robbing democracy of any meaning"
How to help the show? Rate and review wherever you get your podcasts; share with your friends! Get involved at RefuseFascism.org. We're still on Twitter (@RefuseFascism) and other social platforms including Threads, Mastodon and Bluesky. Plus! Sam recently joined TikTok, check out @samgoldmanrf.
Send your comments to samanthagoldman@refusefascism.org or @SamBGoldman. Record a voice message for the show here. Connect with the movement at RefuseFascism.org and support:
· paypal.me/refusefascism
· donate.refusefascism.org
· patreon.com/refusefascism
Music for this episode: Penny the Snitch by Ikebe Shakedown
Related episodes:
Project 2025: Roadmap to Fascist Consolidation
The Fascist Attack on Medication Abortion
Ruling Through The Courts When They Don't Have The Votes
The Post-Dobbs Human Rights Emergency
Dec 10, 2023 • 46min
The Evangelical Prophets Anointing Trump
Scholar Matthew D. Taylor discusses House Speaker Mike Johnson's links to the Christian Charismatic movement and their unwavering support for Trump. They explore Christian Nationalism, the New Apostolic Reformation, and the threat of theocracy. Topics include the rise of anti-Semitism, the power dynamics in American democracy, the 'appeal to heaven' movement, and the role of the New Apostolic Reformation in the January 6th events.
Dec 4, 2023 • 53min
Susan Neiman on Universalism Against Nationalism
Sam talks with Dr. Susan Neiman, Director of the Einstein Forum in Germany about the US-backed war Israel is waging against Gaza. Her latest book is Left Is Not Woke. Her first work of fiction, Nine Stories: A Berlin Novel, will be published in 2024. She has written two recent thought provoking essays for the The New York Review of Books:
Historical Reckoning Gone HaywireGermans’ efforts to confront their country's criminal history and to root out antisemitism have shifted from vigilance to a philosemitic McCarthyism that threatens their rich cultural life. (Published October 19)
Germany on EdgeIn recent weeks, Germany’s reflexive defenses of Israel and suppression of its critics have assumed a fevered pitch. (Published November 3)
More recently she authored The universalist tradition has been forgotten, the Enlightenment betrayedThe Hamas attack has devastated progressive Jews who are not prepared to celebrate the carnage as an act of liberation. (Published by The Newstatesman on November 29)
Mentioned in this episode:
A Trump dictatorship is increasingly inevitable. We should stop pretending. by Robert Kagen
‘A mass assassination factory’: Inside Israel’s calculated bombing of Gaza by Yuval Abraham
“The Only Democracy in the Middle East” Is a Fascist State by Paul Street
What the “Pause” in the Fighting in Gaza Has Not Paused: The Ongoing U.S.-Backed Palestinian Genocide by Israel from Revcom.us
How to help the show? Rate and review wherever you get your podcasts; share with your friends! Get involved at RefuseFascism.org. We're still on Twitter (@RefuseFascism) and other social platforms including Threads, Mastodon and Bluesky. Plus! Sam just joined TikTok, check out @samgoldmanrf.
Send your comments to samanthagoldman@refusefascism.org or @SamBGoldman. Record a voice message for the show here. Connect with the movement at RefuseFascism.org and support:
· paypal.me/refusefascism
· donate.refusefascism.org
· patreon.com/refusefascism
Music for this episode: Penny the Snitch by Ikebe Shakedown
Nov 20, 2023 • 49min
Project 2025: Roadmap for Fascist Consolidation
Sam talks with Wendy Via, Co-Founder and President at The Global Project Against Hate and Extremism, about their analysis of the publicly announced plan for "day one" of the next presidential administration (presumably headed by leading Republifascist candidate Donald Trump). Their report The Far-Right Playbook for American Authoritarianism: Project 2023 states in part, "Their aims include “bringing together conservative allies with a common goal: to take back our country from the radical Left by developing a robust governing agenda and the right people to implement it.” And it has been reported, though denied, that internal Project 2025 discussions have centered around the next conservative president invoking the Insurrection Act on
the first day in office to allow the military to quell civil unrest." Learn more about Wendy and the GPAHE's work at globalextremism.org and follow them at @globalextremism.
Mentioned in this episode:
The Republi-Fascist Specter Looms by Paul StreetBiden’s Camp Cheers on Trump’s CNN Town Hall: An “Opposition” Party that is Worse than Useless by Coco Das (May 13, 2023, still relevant) Behind the Curtain: Trump allies pre-screen loyalists for unprecedented power grab by Jim VandeHei and Mike Allen (Axios)Sweeping Raids, Giant Camps and Mass Deportations: Inside Trump’s 2025 Immigration Plans by Charlie Savage, Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan (NYT)
The “Is Donald Trump a Fascist?” Debate Has Been Ended—by Donald Trump by Chris Lehmann (The Nation)
Donald Trump Is A Fascist from Stephen ColbertDonations have surged to groups linked to conservative Project 2025 by Katherine Doyle (NBC)
*Patron-Only Event coming up:"Ask Us Anything" Zoom ChatWednesday November 29 8PM ETWith Sam, Coco and Paul; sign up for $5/month at patreon.com/refusefascism for invite
How to help the show? Rate and review wherever you get your podcasts; share with your friends! Get involved at RefuseFascism.org. We're still on Twitter (@RefuseFascism) and other social platforms including Threads, Mastodon and Bluesky. Plus! Sam just joined TikTok, check out @samgoldmanrf.
Send your comments to samanthagoldman@refusefascism.org or @SamBGoldman. Record a voice message for the show here. Connect with the movement at RefuseFascism.org and support:
· paypal.me/refusefascism
· donate.refusefascism.org
· patreon.com/refusefascism
Music for this episode: Penny the Snitch by Ikebe Shakedown
Related Episodes:
The Nightmare That Is House Speaker Mike Johnson
Ruling Through The Courts When They Don’t Have The Votes With Dahlia Lithwick
Fascism in America: Past and Present
Nov 13, 2023 • 46min
Censored Classrooms & The Freedom to Read
Sam talks with Kasey Meehan, Freedom to Read Program Director at PEN America. Their new report America's Censored Classrooms 2023 states, "Over the past three years, state legislators have launched an onslaught of educational gag orders—state legislative and policy efforts to restrict teaching about topics such as race, gender, American history, and LGBTQ+ identities in educational
settings." For more, visit pen.org. Also see: Banned in the USA: The Mounting Pressure to Censor and Educational Intimidation.
Plus, commentary on the latest developments post-November 2023 elections and other recent news.
Mentioned in this episode:
My life has been defined by genocide of Jewish people. I look on Gaza with concern by Jason Stanley
Institute for Middle East Understanding
Block Cop City
Thread from Sunsara Taylor about abortion rights
Recommended Reading:
Trump and allies plot revenge, Justice Department control in a second term
Sweeping Raids, Giant Camps and Mass Deportations: Inside Trump’s 2025 Immigration Plans
*Patron-Only Event coming up:
"Ask Us Anything" Zoom Chat
Wednesday November 29 8PM
With Sam, Coco and Paul; sign up for $5/month at patreon.com/refusefascism for invite
How to help the show? Rate and review wherever you get your podcasts; share with your friends! Get involved at RefuseFascism.org. We're still on Twitter (@RefuseFascism) and other social platforms including Threads, Mastodon and Bluesky. Plus! Sam just joined TikTok, check out @samgoldmanrf.
Send your comments to samanthagoldman@refusefascism.org or @SamBGoldman. Record a voice message for the show here. Connect with the movement at RefuseFascism.org and support:
· paypal.me/refusefascism
· donate.refusefascism.org
· patreon.com/refusefascism
Music for this episode: Penny the Snitch by Ikebe Shakedown
Related episodes:
Teach Truth Not Lies with Dr. Marvin Dunn
The GOP Embrace of Fascist “Moms for Liberty”
Stop Cop City
Stop The Genocide in Gaza
Nov 5, 2023 • 46min
The Nightmare That Is House Speaker Mike Johnson
Sam talks with writer Sarah Posner about Mike Johnson, the new Speaker of the House, third in line to the presidency and Christian Nationalist who spent around a decade as a lawyer with Alliance Defending Freedom (sic), the organization behind the recent wave of state level anti-abortion legislation, the 303 Creative SCOTUS case, and on the wrong side of many other battles.
Read Sarah's book UNHOLY: How White Christian Nationalists Powered the Trump Presidency, And the Devastating Legacy They Left Behind, get her latest commentary on MSNBC, and follow her on sarahposner.com.
Mentioned in this episode:
Mike Johnson’s Christian nationalist track record isn’t a mystery — it’s a tragedy by Sarah Posner on MSNBC
Mike Johnson, theocrat: the House speaker and a plot against America by Marci A. Hamilton in The Guardian
White Christian Nationalism, Now with a Gavel in a Tailored Suit by Robert P. Jones
How to help the show? Rate and review wherever you get your podcasts; share with your friends! Get involved at RefuseFascism.org. We're still on Twitter (@RefuseFascism) and other social platforms including Threads, Mastodon and Bluesky. Plus! Sam just joined TikTok, check out @samgoldmanrf.
Send your comments to samanthagoldman@refusefascism.org or @SamBGoldman. Record a voice message for the show here. Connect with the movement at RefuseFascism.org and support:
· paypal.me/refusefascism
· donate.refusefascism.org
· patreon.com/refusefascism
Music for this episode: Penny the Snitch by Ikebe Shakedown
Related episodes:
The Undertow: Scenes from a Slow Civil War with Jeff Sharlet
The Insurrectionist House of Representatives with Thomas Zimmer
The Extremist History of White Christian Nationalism --And What Comes Next with Bradley Onishi
American Crusades & the Supreme Court with Andrew Seidel
Oct 22, 2023 • 34min
Stop the Genocide in Gaza
Sam talks with Mark Tinkleman, co-producer of the podcast, about the genocide in Gaza and the dangerous unity between imperialist “democracy” and fascism, plus what’s happening in the House of Representatives and more. Views expressed in this episode are the opinions of Sam and Mark themselves. Follow Mark on Instagram at @marknoodler.
Recommended Signs of Hope
If Not Now
American Jews organizing our community to end U.S. support for Israel's apartheid system and demand equality, justice, and a thriving future for all.
Join the protest in DC on Wednesday October 25 calling for a ceasefire or find an event near you:
https://www.ifnotnowmovement.org/upcoming-events
Jewish Voice for Peace
On Wednesday afternoon, thousands of American Jews and allies showed up to Capitol Hill to demand a ceasefire in Gaza and an end to Israeli genocide of Palestinians.
Hyerpallergic: Art Organizations Around the World Go on Strike in Support of Gaza
Artists, galleries, and museums are closing their doors to demand a ceasefire in Gaza, where Israeli strikes have killed upwards of 4,200 Palestinian people.
Open letter to President Biden: we call for a ceasefire now
from Judith Butler, Masha Gessen, Rachel Kushner, Ben Lerner, V (formerly Eve Ensler) and others
Artists Call for Ceasefire Now
from Dua Lipa, James Schamus, Mark Ruffalo, Quinta Brunson, Rosario Dawson, Shailene Woodley and many others
An Open Letter From the Art Community to Cultural Organizations
Bassem Youssef on Piers Morgan's Show
History and Analysis
When the Devil Is Your Own: The horrifying continuity between 9/11 and 10/7
by Sarah Kendzior
Revcom.us on the history of Palestine in Israel and imperialism
The RNL — Revolution, Nothing Less! — Show episode 169:
No to Israel/U.S.! No to Hamas! Humanity Needs Revolution & the New Communism!
US right heats up inflammatory rhetoric on Palestine as Muslim groups worry
Outpouring of extreme statements from Republican politicians threatens safety of Arab Americans, groups warn
Professor Ilan Pappé: Israel Has Chosen to be a “Racist Apartheid State” with U.S. Support
As Gaza war rages, West Bank faces violent collective punishment
Gaza’s Last Stand? The Dangers of a Second Nakba
by Jamie Stern-Weiner
____________________________
No show next week - we'll be back November 5.
How to help the show? Rate and review wherever you get your podcasts; share with your friends! Get involved at RefuseFascism.org. We're still on Twitter (@RefuseFascism) and other social platforms including Threads, Mastodon and Bluesky. Plus! Sam just joined TikTok, check out @samgoldmanrf.
Send your comments to samanthagoldman@refusefascism.org or @SamBGoldman. Record a voice message for the show here. Connect with the movement at RefuseFascism.org and support:
· paypal.me/refusefascism
· donate.refusefascism.org
· patreon.com/refusefascism
Music for this episode: Penny the Snitch by Ikebe Shakedown
Oct 15, 2023 • 52min
Ruling Through The Courts When They Don’t Have The Votes With Dahlia Lithwick
Sam talks with Dahlia Lithwick about how the SCOTUS and this term fit into the growing fascist threat and the stakes of the cases they will potentially be hearing and deciding this year. Dahlia Lithwick writes about the courts and the law for Slate and hosts the podcast Amicus. She is the author of Women, the Law, and the Battle to Save America.
Mentioned in this episode:
A Monumental SCOTUS Term Begins: Our Reluctant Curtain-Raiser
This Supreme Court Term’s Grimmest Cases Share One Thing in Common
5-4 Podcast 2023-2024 Term Preview with Chris Geidner
ProPublica: We Don’t Talk About Leonard Podcast
Related Episodes:
The Court is Wrong; Colorblindness Serving White Supremacy
SCOTUS Openly Advances Fascism
SCOTUS, The Shadow Docket, and The Fascist Assault on the Environment
How to help the show? Rate and review wherever you get your podcasts; share with your friends! Get involved at RefuseFascism.org. We're still on Twitter (@RefuseFascism) and other social platforms including Threads, Mastodon and Bluesky.
Send your comments to samanthagoldman@refusefascism.org or @SamBGoldman. Record a voice message for the show here. Connect with the movement at RefuseFascism.org and support:
· paypal.me/refusefascism
· donate.refusefascism.org
· patreon.com/refusefascism
Music for this episode: Penny the Snitch by Ikebe Shakedown
Oct 8, 2023 • 48min
The Bloody Promises of the Orange-Hued Malignancy
Sam talks with writer and historian Paul Street (also on the RefuseFascism.org Editorial Board) about recent events including the fascist attempts to shut down the government, the ouster of Kevin McCarthy from the Speaker of the House, and the increasingly violent threats and promises of vengeance from current frontline candidate for president and as-yet unconvicted coup plotter Donald Trump. Follow Paul on his Substack and read his latest article, Nether the Fascist Trump Nor Imperialist Biden
Mentioned in this episode:
America needs to talk about the right’s ‘Red Caesar’ plan for U.S. dictatorship by Will Bunch
Trump’s Bloody Campaign Promises by David Remnick
Related episodes:
Fascism In America: Past and Present
Trump Indicted and Media Complicity in the Rise of Fascism
The Fantasy of the Reasonable Republican
How to help the show? Rate and review wherever you get your podcasts; share with your friends! Get involved at RefuseFascism.org. We're still on Twitter (@RefuseFascism) and other social platforms including Threads, Mastodon and Bluesky.
Send your comments to samanthagoldman@refusefascism.org or @SamBGoldman. Record a voice message for the show here. Connect with the movement at RefuseFascism.org and support:
· paypal.me/refusefascism
· donate.refusefascism.org
· patreon.com/refusefascism
Music for this episode: Penny the Snitch by Ikebe Shakedown
