
Dissidents and Dictators
“Dissidents and Dictators” is a podcast dedicated to bringing listeners stories and analysis from those on the frontlines of the fight for democracy. Hosted by Casey Michel and Elisha Maldonado, the podcast features democracy campaigners, investigative journalists, artists, musicians, scholars, and many more targeted by authoritarian regimes around the world. Guests share their personal histories and how they’ve dedicated themselves to standing up to dictatorship. Mixing news, commentary, and humor, the podcast provides impactful, unflinching conversations from those who’ve sacrificed everything to spread democracy — and who want to share their story with the rest of us.
Latest episodes

Jul 10, 2024 • 23min
Nadia Hernández | Art as Protest
Each year, the Human Rights Foundation brings together activists and dissidents at the Oslo Freedom Forum to call out injustice and expose threats to liberal democracy.
This year, we are sharing our message of hope and resistance directly with you, in a special four-part series by the Human Rights Foundation, produced by FP Studios.
Part four: “Art as Protest" with Nadia Hernández & Carlos Vives

Jul 4, 2024 • 26min
Journalism in Exile with Carlos Chamorro
Casey and Elisha speak with renowned Nicaraguan journalist Carlos Chamorro, who's continued his groundbreaking work even from exile. They talk about the tactics the Ortega regime has used to silence dissent in Nicaragua, how important investigative journalism is to holding authoritarians to account, and hear all about a Miss Universe scandal no one talked about.

Jul 3, 2024 • 26min
Arthur Holland Michel | AI for Activists
Each year, the Human Rights Foundation brings together activists and dissidents at the Oslo Freedom Forum to call out injustice and expose threats to liberal democracy.
This year, we are sharing our message of hope and resistance directly with you, in a special four-part series by the Human Rights Foundation, produced by FP Studios.
Part Three: “AI for Activists" with Arthur Holland Michel

Jun 27, 2024 • 22min
Women, Life, Free Toomaj with Negin Niknaam and Claudia Bennett
Over the weekend, the Iranian Supreme Court overturned the death sentence of Toomaj Salehi, the Iranian hip-hop artist who was charged with "corruption on earth" for his defense of the "Women, Life, Freedom" movement. His friend and social media manager, Negin Niknaam, joins Casey and Elisha to talk about Salehi. he also brings a special message from him, obtained in secret, exclusively for Human Rights Foundation and podcast listeners. HRF's legal and programs officer, Claudia Bennett, also joins to talk about what's next in the judicial process.

Jun 26, 2024 • 24min
Sebastien Lai: Shining the Light
Each year, the Human Rights Foundation brings together activists and dissidents at the Oslo Freedom Forum to call out injustice and expose threats to liberal democracy.
This year, we are sharing our message of hope and resistance directly with you, in a special four-part series by the Human Rights Foundation, produced by FP Studios.
Part Two: “Shining the Light” with Sebastien Lai

Jun 20, 2024 • 1h 4min
Inside Hotel Rwanda with Paul Rusesabagina
Casey and Elisha are joined live from the Oslo Freedom Forum by real-life "Hotel Rwanda" hero Paul Rusesabagina and two of his children, daughters Carine and Anaise Kanimba, to talk about the banana beer recipe you probably haven't tried but should, family, adoptions, Rwanda, kidnappings, and an extraordinary international campaign that led to freedom. Paul also walks us through the last hours of his time in solitary confinement and what he was thinking all the while.

Jun 19, 2024 • 29min
Anastasia Shevchenko: The Price of Freedom
Each year, the Human Rights Foundation brings together activists and dissidents at the Oslo Freedom Forum to call out injustice and expose threats to liberal democracy.
This year, we are sharing our message of hope and resistance directly with you, in a special four-part series produced by FP Studios and the Human Rights Foundation.
Part One: “The Price of Freedom” with Anastasia Shevchenko

Jun 13, 2024 • 25min
Remembering Magnitsky, Remembering Navalny
Casey and Elisha sit down with Bill Browder, the driving force behind the creation and expansion of Magnitsky sanctions over the past decade. They talk about how corrupt officials in Russia and elsewhere hate Magnitsky sanctions, and the allies Bill has found in his fight for justice. They also talk about the proposed Navalny Act, honoring slain Russian democratic activist Alexei Navalny. What’s up next for Bill? Freeing another Russian prisoner: Vladimir Kara-Murza.

Jun 12, 2024 • 2min
Reclaim Democracy: Stories from the Oslo Freedom Forum
Each year, the Human Rights Foundation brings together activists, dissidents, leading thinkers and innovators to Oslo, Norway, home of the Nobel Peace Prize, to empower and embolden others in their fight for freedom and democracy. This event is called The Oslo Freedom Forum.
This year, we are sharing our message of hope and resistance directly with you, in a special four-part series produced by FP Studios and the Human Rights Foundation.

Jun 6, 2024 • 56min
Honoring #ThisFlag with Evan Mawarire
Casey speaks with leading Zimbabwean democracy activist Evan Mawarire, chatting about taking down tyrants, Evan’s struggle against the Mugabe regime, and how Zimbabwe’s flag became a symbol of democracy. They also discuss how Evan became one of, and potentially the, most charismatic democratic activists in the world.
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