The Sand in the Gears: Chris Geidner on the Legal Pushback Against Trump’s War on Rights
Release Date: 04/03/2025
We Survive Together or Not at All
Wide Awake America
This week, Nadine Smith talks with Suzanne Pharr, author of Homophobia: A Weapon of Sexism, to talk about the re-release of her prophetic 1996 book, In the Time of the Right: Reflections on Liberation. Suzanne traces the rise of right-wing authoritarianism, the radicalization of churches, and how systems of domination play out from domestic violence to national politics. She shares lessons from decades of organizing alongside Black women and urges us to rebuild face-to-face community as a path to collective liberation
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Control, Chaos, and Community: Melissa Ryan on What Comes Next
Wide Awake America
Melissa Ryan, one of the leading experts on far-right extremism and online disinformation, joins this episode of Wide Awake America to break down how the right built a powerful online machine—and what it will take to fight back. As the founder of the Control Alt-Right Delete newsletter, Melissa has tracked the rise of white nationalism, authoritarian movements, and the digital playbook behind them. We talk Elon Musk, media collapse, and why building real community, not just better messaging, is the key to reclaiming power.
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The Sand in the Gears: Chris Geidner on the Legal Pushback Against Trump’s War on Rights
Wide Awake America
Legal journalist Chris Geidner joins Wide Awake America to unpack the mounting legal threats to LGBTQ rights, the erosion of democratic norms, and how ordinary people can push back. From courtroom battles to everyday resistance, this episode is a call to stay informed and stay in the fight.
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Resilience in the Wild: How Nature Grounds Us in Turbulent Times
Wide Awake America
Woniya Thibeault joins Wide Awake America with Nadine Smith to discuss how ancestral skills offer more than survival—they ground us amid today’s political turbulence. From winning Alone Frozen to teaching resilience through connection with nature, Woniya shares how reclaiming these practices can empower us to face an uncertain world with confidence and community.
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The Media's Crisis of Courage
Wide Awake America
In this episode, Nadine sits down with Eric Deggans, NPR’s first full-time TV critic, media analyst, and author of Race-Baiter: How the Media Wields Dangerous Words to Divide a Nation. They tackle the state of journalism today, the impact of social media and AI on news consumption, and the ethical dilemmas facing reporters in an age of weaponized lies and political intimidation. From the rise of influencers to the decline of local news, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone concerned about the future of truth and accountability in media. --------- Welcome to Wide Awake America,...
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Trump's War On Public Health and the Lessons of The Black Angels
Wide Awake America
Trump’s War on Public Health and the Return of Deadly Diseases In this episode of Wide Awake America, we examine how Trump’s war on science has paved the way for new and deadly disease outbreaks, including the largest tuberculosis outbreak in modern U.S. history. With public health agencies gutted, vaccine skepticism on the rise, and research suppressed, we are facing a resurgence of infectious diseases—including drug-resistant TB—that could set us back decades. We also revisit the heroism of the Black Angels, the Black nurses who risked everything to combat tuberculosis when white...
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Impossible to Inevitable: Evan Wolfson's Lessons on Fighting the Backlash
Wide Awake America
Evan Wolfson knows about defying the odds. In 1983, he argued for same-sex marriage in his Harvard Law thesis—an idea dismissed as impossible at the time. Three decades later, he led Freedom to Marry to a nationwide victory. Now, as LGBTQ rights and democracy face renewed threats, Wolfson’s strategic insights are more urgent than ever. In a recent conversation on Wide Awake America, he shared his take on the current landscape and what comes next.
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Leaving the Light On: The Road Out of MAGA
Wide Awake America
In this compelling episode of Wide Awake America, host Nadine Smith sits down with Rich Logis, founder of Leaving MAGA, to explore his extraordinary journey out of the MAGA movement. Once a dedicated Trump supporter, Logis shares how doubt crept in, what finally pushed him to leave, and how he now helps others break free from the grip of political extremism. From confronting the myths that held him in place to grappling with the loss of an entire community, Logis offers a raw and honest look at what it takes to walk away. He explains why many MAGA supporters feel trapped, the emotional toll of...
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Hope As A Counteroffensive To Russian Propaganda
Wide Awake America
Journalist Tim Mak shares powerful firsthand accounts of ordinary Ukrainians' resilience amidst the war and reveals how these stories counter Russian propaganda. He explains the broader stakes of the conflict, not just for Ukraine, but for democracies worldwide, including the United States. Tune in to hear why this fight is about more than just borders—it’s about the future of freedom and self-determination.
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Mary McLeod Bethune's Blueprint for Freedom Today
Wide Awake America
Come January 20th, a convicted felon and an adjudicated rapist will occupy the White House, having run primarily as a hateful voice of racism, xenophobia, and assorted bigotries. He and his backers want us to feel overwhelmed, powerless, and immobilized. But history shows us how to access our strength and rise together to meet this moment. Mary McLeod Bethune is one such guide, and her story, beautifully captured in Noliwe Rooks’ book, A Passionate Mind in Relentless Pursuit, offers lessons we urgently need today.
info_outlineLegal journalist Chris Geidner joins Wide Awake America to unpack the mounting legal threats to LGBTQ rights, the erosion of democratic norms, and how ordinary people can push back. From courtroom battles to everyday resistance, this episode is a call to stay informed and stay in the fight.