Gaslit Nation

Gaslit Nation provides a deep dive on the news, skipping outrage to deliver analysis, history, context, and sharp insight on global affairs. Hosted by journalist and filmmaker Andrea Chalupa, an expert on authoritarian states who warned America about Russia and election hacking before the 2016 election.

Bolsonaro Blitz (Zoom Link for Today’s Salon - 4pm ET!) 09/22/2025

Bolsonaro Blitz (Zoom Link for Today’s Salon - 4pm ET!) A quick reminder to our community of supporters that the Zoom link for today’s salon at 4pm ET was posted on Friday. . Wannabe Trump and eager student of Steve Bannon’s dark arts, Jair Bolsonaro, was sentenced this month to 27 years in prison for inciting his supporters to violently overthrow democracy in Brazil. And where was Bolsonaro during the coup attempt? Florida, of course: a state otherwise known as the Republican National Committee. There, his close allies, including his son, met with Bannon after losing the 2022 election, in the lead up to their January 8, 2023 insurrection. So why did Brazil hold its coup plotters accountable while America did not? The short answer: white people. For generations, white America has enjoyed relative prosperity and peace, told endlessly that this is the greatest country on Earth, ever. That has lulled many into a dangerous, willful coma of complacency, one that Stephen Miller and MAGA’s disastrous policies will shatter, the hard way. Will it take years, or will it take decades? That depends on how we use the next 12 months to help mobilize a resilient grassroots resistance–more on that in coming episodes. Featured in this special episode, for more on Brazil’s inspiring resistance, listen to this excerpt from our Gaslit Nation Book Club discussion in August, where we looked at two powerful films about art and resistance. (2006), by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, follows a Stasi officer whose heart is changed by spying on artists. We also discussed (2024) by Walter Salles, based on about his extraordinary mother, Eunice Paiva, who stood up to Brazil’s military dictatorship, fought for justice for her disappeared husband–a dissident politician, and later championed indigenous rights in the Amazon as a human rights lawyer. . We’re sharing this excerpt now to celebrate Bolsonaro’s conviction and as a reminder that America must wake up. In the weeks ahead, Gaslit Nation will ramp up for the 2026 Midterms, sharing strategies to protect our vote and counter Republican ratf*cking. Stay tuned. Meanwhile, our September Book Club read is the short but powerful by Sarah Bradford. Join the discussion at the Gaslit Nation Salon this Monday, September 29, at 4 PM. See you there! Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at ! Show Notes AP News Reuters — Los Angeles Times — Washington Post — The Atlantic — ACLU — https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/supreme-court-grants-trump-broad-immunity-for-official-acts-placing-presidents-above-the-law /episode/index/show/gaslitnation/id/38313100

KPop Demon Hunters Antifa 09/19/2025

KPop Demon Hunters Antifa A Gaslit Nation listener once asked me: What’s the canary in the coal mine for American democracy? My answer: when they come for the comedians. Because when authoritarians kill the jokes, they kill the dissent. Look at Russia. In Putin’s early years, Kukly, a wildly popular political satire by smack-talking puppets, mocked him mercilessly. One of his first moves? Force media consolidation. Suddenly, the show vanished. Fast forward 25 years to today, you can’t hold an anti-war sign in Moscow without being arrested. As The New York Times reported back in 2000: “‘Kukly’ is political satire. But that is like calling an ermine a rodent. By turns vicious, obscene, hilarious and knowing, it has long been the most popular television show in Russia. At 10 p.m. on any given Sunday, more than half the nation’s sets are riveted on the program.” [Emphasis mine]. Now it’s happening here. Trump and the far-right are consolidating media ownership, especially local stations, while evangelicals push their “Seven Mountains Mandate” to seize control of religion, family, government, business, education, arts, and, of course, media. Trump is their “God’s imperfect vessel"–like many strongmen featured in the Old Testament, bulldozing what’s left of democracy in a white-rage backlash to the Civil Rights movement. Formerly “woke” Disney CEO Bob Iger, who previously denounced Trump’s Muslim ban and Florida’s anti-gay laws, is now in the crosshairs, pressured by Nexstar and Sinclair, Republican-aligned networks with monopoly-level reach. But Disney did this to itself, and the country, by giving a convicted felon a $15 million “charitable contribution” to his “presidential library” to settle a defamation suit. That surrender paved the way for the widespread mainstream media capitulation helping Trump consolidate power. Jimmy Kimmel has now been silenced for saying what Gaslit Nation also pointed out: Charlie Kirk’s killer came from the same white, male, MAGA gun culture that empowered Trump. That truth cost Kimmel his platform, so far, but thanks to you, our listeners, we can keep saying it. So who rescues us as Trump tries to turn America into Russia? Enter . Netflix’s massive hit–its most watched film–is a reminder that the free market still caters to the people. America’s greatest export isn’t oil or weapons. It’s culture, humor, art. Our comedians are resistance fighters with punchlines. Which means one of the best ways to fight fascism is simple: dictators hate truth and humor. Every single one of us pointing out the truth, and having a damn good time while doing it, will break the fever of this dystopian feverdream. Because pay attention to Kimmel’s monologue that got him pulled from air: he goes into length on Trump’s Epstein cover-up. for yourself or in the end of this week’s bonus show. , Charlie Kirk’s murder is being used as part of the larger Epstein cover-up. For our Patreon members, this week’s lively salon has already been posted, along with the Zoom link for next week’s salon. See you Monday at 4pm ET. If you would like to join our weekly hang outs and help support our independent journalism, get all episodes add free, bonus shows and more, be sure to join our community of listeners at Thank you to everyone who supports the show–we could not make Gaslit Nation without you! Show Notes: ABC agrees to give $15 million to Donald Trump’s presidential library to settle defamation lawsuit Trump Celebrates Kimmel Suspension As Right Rages Over Charlie Kirk Killing: Live Updates Seven Questions with Perry Sook TV's Impious Puppets: On Kremlin's Hit List? What is the ‘Seven Mountains Mandate’ and how is it linked to political extremism in the US? 1990 report: Ivana Trump told her lawyer Donald Trump kept Hitler speeches beside bed Clip: Clip: Jimmy Kimmel Surprised That Bombshell Jeffrey Epstein Tapes About Trump Friendship Aren’t Getting More Attention Jimmy Kimmel’s Epstein monologue: /episode/index/show/gaslitnation/id/38286425

Power, Profits, and Protest: Trump, Russia, and the Middle East 09/17/2025

Power, Profits, and Protest: Trump, Russia, and the Middle East This September marks eight years since Donald Trump cozied up to pariah dictator Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt on the sidelines of the United Nations—a secret meeting that reportedly triggered a highly secretive Mueller investigation into whether Trump accepted a $10 million bribe from el-Sisi when his 2016 campaign was desperate for cash. Last summer, Gaslit Nation ran a special episode unpacking this sweeping corruption scandal; and Fast forward to Trump’s Middle East tour this past spring, where he once again explicitly told the world that American foreign policy under his influence isn’t about democracy or the rule of law: it’s about making deals that just so happen to enrich him and his family. Joining Gaslit Nation to explain what Trump’s fire sale of influence to the highest bidder means for the Middle East and us here at home is , co-founder and Executive Director of the , a powerhouse MENA human rights organization, and co-author of . Gatnash brings a razor-sharp analysis of Russia’s expanding grip on the Middle East, the unbreakable spirit of the Syrian people fighting for freedom, and the surprising ways bitcoin is being used as a lifeline for human rights activists who know how to navigate its pitfalls. He also tears into the so-called “two-state solution”— last week—as nothing more than political theater, and shares his vision of what Palestinians and Israelis truly need to secure real, lasting peace. This week’s bonus show dives into MAGA’s latest wave of threats against the opposition and what a full-scale crackdown could look like–what’s likely, what’s unlikely, and what’s already happening that we need to pay attention to. Catch the full discussion this Friday morning by joining our Patreon community. Thank you to everyone who makes Gaslit Nation possible–we could not make our show without you! EVENTS AT GASLIT NATION: September 29 4pm ET – Join the Gaslit Nation Book Club for a discussion of Minnesota Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other: Vermont Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other: Arizona-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to connect, Indiana-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to join, Florida-based listeners are going strong meeting in person. Be sure to join their Signal group, Have you taken Gaslit Nation Salons take place Mondays 4pm ET over Zoom and the first ~40 minutes are recorded and shared on Patreon for our community Show Notes: Qatar, Russia sign agreement to jointly invest 2 billion euros into sovereign wealth funds Michael Flynn, Russia and a Grand Scheme to Build Nuclear Power Plants in Saudi Arabia and the Arab World Why Qatar is Bribing Trump House Democrats ask Trump for proof he did not take $10 million 'cash bribe' from Egypt Trump touts Saudi relationship as "bedrock of security and prosperity" amid $600 billion investment deal 2 Trump-aligned GOP operatives face foreign agent charges for helping Qatar Trump Jr. and Other Aides Met With Gulf Emissary Offering Help to Win Election The Qatar bribery allegations featuring Trump, Michael Cohen, Michael Flynn, and the Steele dossier, explained Qatar pursues US-Iranian nuclear steps after detainee swap Exclusive: Qatar held separate talks with US, Iran touching on nuclear, drones Iran seeks Russia’s support for its nuclear talks with US /episode/index/show/gaslitnation/id/38244570

Who Killed Charlie Kirk? Follow the Epstein Trail. 09/11/2025

Who Killed Charlie Kirk? Follow the Epstein Trail. Charlie Kirk is dead—taken out by an extremely skilled sniper in deep-red Utah. The MAGA Nazi built an empire scapegoating Black people, trans folks, and women, and cheered on Trump’s authoritarian destruction. Get ready for the martyrdom of this incel king and the coming retribution against democracy defenders. Let’s look at what really happened. Back in July, Kirk had demanded transparency from the Trump White House over Trump’s longtime friend: the pedophile Jeffrey Epstein who ran the real life QAnon–we play Kirk’s own words at the end of this episode. Instead, Trump turned the FBI and DOJ into personal security forces, relying on them and Mike Johnson in Congress to continue his Epstein cover-up. Now Kirk’s dead. And the shooter? Nowhere to be found. The killer obviously blended in with the predominantly white and male crowd. Was he a professional sniper? Was this a Russian op, or Kirk’s death looks less like a random act and more like a message: Shut up about Epstein. And it’s working. Trump is already using Kirk’s murder to stir up his base, threatening political opponents, and fueling his full-blown authoritarian crusade. But don’t be fooled—this isn’t about “leftist violence.” The data is clear: Refuse to be silenced. Demand the full Epstein files. Demand justice for the victims. Because the real danger to MAGA isn’t those who enjoy what’s left of their Constitutionally protected rights—it’s the MAGA base waking up to the truth: Trump is at the center of the Epstein cover-up, because he, like Epstein, is a pedophile. Release the Epstein files. Show Notes: First-of-its-kind Look at Left, Right, and Islamist Extremists Explores Similarities, Differences. According to the University of Maryland’s Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice: Far-right extremist violence is significantly worse than far-left violence – there’s no comparison. The data shows that American society should take right-wing violence far more seriously, like it takes Islamist extremism. Anyone both-sidesing political violence in America is gaslighting you. Top Democrat Calls for Congressional Probe Into Ties Between Jeffrey Epstein and Peter Thiel: Thiel was one of many whose financial ties to the dead financier should be probed, a prominent senator believes. Charlie Kirk talks Epstein, urges Trump administration to act Zero Fail: The Rise and Fall of the Secret Service by Carol Leonnig https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/543941/zero-fail-by-carol-leonnig/ See Epstein’s full ‘birthday book,’ with alleged personal messages from Trump, Clinton and others House Oversight receives Epstein estate files, including 'birthday book' : Democrats have posted a photo of the provocative message the president allegedly wrote. MSNBC: Witness Describes Charlie Kirk Shooting: Nazi Martyr Horst Wessel: Beware the mobilizing martyrdom by American fascists U.S. Military Service is the Strongest Predictor of Carrying Out Extremist Violence https://theintercept.com/2025/01/02/military-veterans-extremism-attack-new-orleans-vegas/ /episode/index/show/gaslitnation/id/38183250

Time for a New American Revolution 09/10/2025

Time for a New American Revolution America has always had a sadistic streak. From the very beginning, this so-called land of liberty was built on slavery and genocide. Yes, the Founding Fathers were less “philosopher kings” and more “sweaty men in wigs who owned human beings and thought democracy was something best kept away from women, the poor, and anyone who wasn’t them.” Fast-forward 250 years, and the far-right is still running the same playbook: cruelty as ideology. Immigrants? Cage them. LGBTQ+ kids? Target them. Women? Control them. The planet? Burn it. What Republicans call “policy” is really just sadism with a tax cut. Our Constitution was carefully crafted by white elites terrified of ordinary people voting. Thanks to the Electoral College and the Senate, minority rule is baked into the system. In fact, the last two Republican presidents to win the White House actually lost the popular vote. Democracy? More like demo-crazy. Joining us this week to build a real democracy from the ashes of Trump’s MAGA dumpster fire is Osita Nwanevu, a contributing editor for The New Republic, a columnist for The Guardian, and the author of the new book If America truly wants to live up to its mythology, it needs to finally make good on the promise of liberty and justice—for all. EVENTS AT GASLIT NATION: September 29 4pm ET – Join the Gaslit Nation Book Club for a discussion of Minnesota Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other, available on Patreon. Vermont Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other, available on Patreon. Arizona-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to connect, available on Patreon. Indiana-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to join, available on Patreon. Florida-based listeners are going strong meeting in person. Be sure to join their Signal group, available on Patreon. Have you taken Gaslit Nation Salons take place Mondays 4pm ET over Zoom and the first ~40 minutes are recorded and shared on for our community /episode/index/show/gaslitnation/id/38137700

Rebel Women of the Gilded Age 09/03/2025

Rebel Women of the Gilded Age What do theme parties, abortion rights, and feminist rebellion have in common? Historian Jennifer Wright unearths women who, in their own subtle and not so subtle ways, defied the patriarchy, mocking original incel Anthony Comstock whose 19th-century repressive tactics are being used today in the far-right’s war on women. In her dazzlingly researched books about Gilded Age legends like Mamie Fish, a character on the HBO series The Gilded Age, and innovative abortionist Madame Restell, Wright shows us that women have always found ways to wield power, even in times of deep inequality and political repression. Whether through eccentric parties or underground abortion networks, these women worked with what they had, where they were, and often did it with excitement. Mamie Fish, for instance, bent society to her will through legendary parties, supporting seamstresses on strike, and introducing actresses and artists into elite circles. Her antics, from dog banquets to a monkey posing as a prince, weren’t just performance; they were power. And then there’s Madame Restell: the go-to abortionist of 19th-century New York who never lost a patient and defied the patriarchy until the very end, possibly faking her own death to escape persecution. What are the rebel women of the Gilded Age trying to tell us? We need creativity in our resistance. Culture is fuel. Fashion, parties, and art can democratize power and offer joy in dark times. When we make activism fun, inclusive, and rooted in lived human experience, we inspire people to join the fight. For more on rebel women of the Gilded Age check out Jennifer Wright’s books and also . Now go throw a theme party fundraiser and get creative at your next protest. EVENTS AT GASLIT NATION: September 29 4pm ET – Join the Gaslit Nation Book Club for a discussion of Minnesota Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other, available on Patreon. Vermont Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other, available on Patreon. Arizona-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to connect, available on Patreon. Indiana-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to join, available on Patreon. Florida-based listeners are going strong meeting in person. Be sure to join their Signal group, available on Patreon. Have you taken Gaslit Nation Salons take place Mondays 4pm ET over Zoom and the first ~40 minutes are recorded and shared on for our community /episode/index/show/gaslitnation/id/38067760

“Pace yourself.” – TEASER 08/28/2025

“Pace yourself.” – TEASER Our opening clip was the 1989 trailer for , the breakthrough Michael Moore documentary and a favorite of Erica Smiley, Executive Director of Jobs With Justice and one of the most powerful voices in today’s labor movement. Smiley is reshaping how we think about power, not just at work, but across our democracy. She co-authored , making the case that collective bargaining isn’t only about wages. It’s about people reclaiming control over the decisions that define their lives. From Amazon warehouses to grassroots coalitions, her work connects the dots between economic justice and political freedom. In a time of rising authoritarianism, Erica Smiley is showing us that organized people, not organized money, can win. It’s a lesson worth remembering, especially in the wake of New York City’s mayoral race. Want more conversations like this? Join the Gaslit Nation Salon, live every Monday at 4pm ET. It’s our weekly Zoom gathering for listeners to vent, connect, strategize, and build community while documenting this moment in real time. Sign up at Patreon.com/Gaslit. Annual memberships are discounted, and we’re grateful to everyone who keeps the show going. You can also give the gift of membership to help others join the fight. And if you’re headed to the beach, or just need a break from doomscrolling, don’t miss the Gaslit Nation graphic novel, Follow our morally bankrupt narrator, Judge Lackey, as he navigates the dark comedy of authoritarianism, dodging accountability and panicking over activists and journalists. Find it at your local library or at Bookshop.org. EVENTS AT GASLIT NATION: NEW DATE! Thursday July 31 4pm ET – the Gaslit Nation Book Club discusses Antoine de Saint Exupéry’s The Little Prince written in the U.S. during America First. Minnesota Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other, available on Patreon. Vermont Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other, available on Patreon. Arizona-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to connect, available on Patreon. Indiana-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to join, available on Patreon. Florida-based listeners are going strong meeting in person. Be sure to join their Signal group, available on Patreon. Have you taken Gaslit Nation Salons take place Mondays 4pm ET over Zoom and the first ~40 minutes are recorded and shared on for our community Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at ! /episode/index/show/gaslitnation/id/37289055

Building Real Democracy Starts on the Shop Floor 08/27/2025

Building Real Democracy Starts on the Shop Floor The fight for democracy in America didn’t begin, or end, at the ballot box. As labor organizer Erica Smiley, executive director of and co-author of , reminds us, our democracy has always been "in training," a work in progress shaped as much by picket lines as polling places. "Unions are schools for democracy," Smiley explains. In workplaces where people of all backgrounds must build consensus and fight for fair contracts, we learn the skills that sustain a pluralistic society. It's no surprise, then, that authoritarian movements often begin by attacking labor rights and education, because that’s where people learn to resist. From union-busting in the U.S. to neoliberal trade policies abroad, the erosion of collective bargaining has left millions disenfranchised not just politically, but economically. And that’s not just bad for workers: it’s fatal for democracy itself. If we want to rebuild democracy, we can’t just “vote harder.” We need to organize smarter. That means backing unions, pushing for economic policies that distribute power, and demanding that corporations, especially those exploiting AI and automation, share the wealth they’re extracting from human labor. As Smiley says, “Whoever’s in the White House, they still need us to make the cars.” That power can’t be ignored, unless we choose not to use it. We may not know what the next 15 years will bring. But if we organize now, we might just build a democracy worth fighting for. The song you heard in this week’s Gaslit Nation is “This Time” by Howard Jeffrey. Check out his music here: . If you have a song to share on our show, submit your music to us at Gaslit Nation – we love hearing from you!: Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at ! EVENTS AT GASLIT NATION: August 25 4pm ET – Join the Gaslit Nation Book Club for a powerful discussion on The Lives of Others and I’m Still Here, two films that explore how art and love endure and resist in the face of dictatorship. Minnesota Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other, available on Patreon. Vermont Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other, available on Patreon. Arizona-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to connect, available on Patreon. Indiana-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to join, available on Patreon. Florida-based listeners are going strong meeting in person. Be sure to join their Signal group, available on Patreon. Have you taken Gaslit Nation Salons take place Mondays 4pm ET over Zoom and the first ~40 minutes are recorded and shared on for our community /episode/index/show/gaslitnation/id/37264820

Andor: The Tony Gilroy Interview 08/21/2025

Andor: The Tony Gilroy Interview "I have friends everywhere." In this special episode, we’re joined by Tony Gilroy, the creative force behind the electrifying Star Wars series Andor. Critics and activists on the frontlines in America have praised Andor for its powerful portrayal of resistance, and with Season 2 up for 14 Emmy Awards, it’s clear this is no ordinary space opera. Gilroy’s vision grounds the story in centuries of history, showing us what it means to resist empire in all its brutality. Andor is an urgent guide for Americans today. For more than three decades, Gilroy has been shaping modern cinema with blockbusters and fearless storytelling. He gave us Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, and wrote and directed the critically acclaimed political thriller Michael Clayton, which earned him Oscar nominations for both screenplay and direction. His credits include Armageddon and the first four entries of the Bourne series (in which he directed the fourth), Devil's Advocate, Dolores Claiborne, The Cutting Edge, State of Play, and many, many other films. The son of World War II veteran and Tony and Pulitzer-winning playwright and filmmaker Frank Gilroy, and brother to acclaimed film editor John Gilroy and Oscar-nominated writer-director Dan Gilroy (an Emmy-nominated writer on Andor), Tony Gilroy doesn’t just tell stories: he builds immersive worlds where power, corruption, and resistance collide, worlds that help us make sense of our own. We’re thrilled to welcome him to Gaslit Nation to discuss this dark chapter in America’s history and, through his art, remind us of the courage it takes to stand and fight back. For Gaslit Nation listeners who want the full breakdown of the convicted felon/war criminal distraction circus and what comes next for the Free World, our latest salon digs into the Putin-Trump gaslighting sideshow in Alaska and how the war can actually end. You can watch the recording at . Thank you to everyone who makes our independent journalism possible! Don’t miss Monday’s salon at 4pm ET, only on Patreon, where we’ll dive into two powerful films about resisting dictatorship: The Lives of Others and I’m Still Here. The Lives of Others tells the haunting story of artists defying the East German Stasi, while I’m Still Here tells the story of a woman whose husband is disappeared by Brazil’s military dictatorship in the 1970s, and how she transforms her country for the better. These two films are reminders that light will always defeat darkness: it’s just a matter of time, and collective courage and defiance. Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at ! Show Notes: Trailer: Andor (Season 2) Andor Clip featured in episode: “You’re coming home to yourself.” 'The world is behaving irrationally' - Putin's warm welcome gets cold reaction in Ukraine Kremlin critics say Russia is targeting its foes abroad with killings, poisonings and harassment https://apnews.com/article/russia-attacks-poisoning-killing-litvinenko-skripal-5ddda40fd910fe3f8358ea89cb0c49f1?utm_source=copy&utm_medium=share Gaslit Nation Action Guide: https://www.gaslitnationpod.com/action-guide /episode/index/show/gaslitnation/id/37889700

How to Start a Ukraine-Style Revolution: The Marci Shore Interview 08/20/2025

How to Start a Ukraine-Style Revolution: The Marci Shore Interview Hello Gaslit Nation listeners! This conversation was recorded before war criminal Putin and convicted felon Trump staged their grotesque spectacle on the blood-red carpet in Alaska. For our analysis of that hellscape—and what it means for Ukraine and democracy defenders everywhere—be sure to check out the recording of the August 18th salon, coming soon to Patreon.com/Gaslit. Thank you for listening and supporting the show! * In Ukraine’s Revolution of Dignity, we find a roadmap for fighting oligarchy, injustice, and despair. Historian Marci Shore, author of , reminds us that revolutions rarely begin with grand plans. The 2014 EuroMaidan uprising started with students protesting a classic bait-and-switch. President Viktor Yanukovych, the Ukrainian Trump, ditched a long-promised agreement to move Ukraine closer to the European Union. Instead he took a massive bribe from Russia. When peaceful protesters gathered, Yanukovych sent in his riot police to beat them, like in Russia. This backfired. Their parents showed up. Then their neighbors. Then thousands more across the country. Within days, Kyiv was packed with hundreds of thousands of furious, freezing citizens demanding dignity, decency, and an end to oligarch rule. Yanukovych has been in exile in Russia ever since, awaiting his American counterpart, Trump. August 24 marks 34 years since Ukraine overwhelmingly voted to break free from Kremlin rule and declare its political independence. Ukraine’s Independence Day is a reminder to never bet against people who’ve had enough. As historian Marci Shore shares urgent lessons for us today, saying, “The fact that it can happen at all means that somehow we human beings have that in us. We somehow have that capacity, and we have to cling to that hope.” Marci also discusses the debate many are having in America today: Do we stay or do we go? She and her husband the historian Tim Snyder made headlines when news broke they had relocated to Toronto, for impotant opportunities, ringing an alarm that authoritarian experts had left America. Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at ! EVENTS AT GASLIT NATION: August 25 4pm ET – Join the Gaslit Nation Book Club for a powerful discussion on The Lives of Others and I’m Still Here, two films that explore how art and love endure and resist in the face of dictatorship. Minnesota Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other, available on Patreon. Vermont Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other, available on Patreon. Arizona-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to connect, available on Patreon. Indiana-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to join, available on Patreon. Florida-based listeners are going strong meeting in person. Be sure to join their Signal group, available on Patreon. Have you taken Gaslit Nation Salons take place Mondays 4pm ET over Zoom and the first ~40 minutes are recorded and shared on for our community Show Notes: Small Acts of Democratic Resistance https://democracyseminar.newschool.org/forum/ Counting Sheep: A Guerrilla Folk Opera Gaslit Nation’s interview with Nataliya Gumenyuk New Yorker: Donald Trump’s Politics of Plunder /episode/index/show/gaslitnation/id/37251895

“If you can't find the job you want, create it.” – TEASER 08/15/2025

“If you can't find the job you want, create it.” – TEASER Our opening clip featured the poet June Jordan reciting her powerful piece A Menace to My Enemies. Jordan is a sheroe of this week’s guest, the unstoppable Mona Eltahawy: journalist, feminist firebrand, and global truth-teller whose voice cuts through the noise like no one else. Mona is the author of , , and her latest, Bloody Hell!: Adventures in Menopause From Around the World. Her work spans continents and revolutions, from the frontlines of Egypt’s Arab Spring to the ongoing fight against patriarchy, white supremacy, and fascism everywhere. She’s here to inspire rebellion, liberation, and the refusal to be silenced. Want to be part of conversations like this? Join the Gaslit Nation Salon, live every Monday at 4pm ET on Zoom. Meet fellow listeners, trade insights, vent your rage, and help build a living archive of resistance. Sign up at Patreon.com/Gaslit. Annual memberships are discounted, and to everyone who already supports the show—thank you. You make this space possible. Looking for a summer read that pairs well with revolution? Pick up the Gaslit Nation graphic novel, Follow our shady narrator, Judge Lackey, as he bumbles through the dark comedy of authoritarianism, dodging accountability and panicking over activists and journalists. Find it at your local library or at . EVENTS AT GASLIT NATION: August 25 4pm ET – Join the Gaslit Nation Book Club for a powerful discussion on The Lives of Others and I’m Still Here, two films that explore how art and love endure and resist in the face of dictatorship. Minnesota Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other, available on Patreon. Vermont Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other, available on Patreon. Arizona-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to connect, available on Patreon. Indiana-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to join, available on Patreon. Florida-based listeners are going strong meeting in person. Be sure to join their Signal group, available on Patreon. Have you taken Gaslit Nation Salons take place Mondays 4pm ET over Zoom and the first ~40 minutes are recorded and shared on for our community Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at ! Show Notes: June Jordan reciting her poem “A Menace to My Enemies” /episode/index/show/gaslitnation/id/37288890

Smash the Patriarchy with Rage and Risk: Lessons from Mona Eltahawy 08/13/2025

Smash the Patriarchy with Rage and Risk: Lessons from Mona Eltahawy If you're still waiting for someone to save democracy, Mona Eltahawy has news for you: you are the one you’ve been waiting for. A fearless Egyptian-American journalist and author of and her latest book , Eltahawy is no stranger to authoritarianism. While covering Arab Spring protests in Cairo, she was seized by Egyptian security forces and sexually assaulted and beaten, her arm and hand broken. Now, she warns, America is slipping toward the same strongman rule in Egypt. And too many are sleepwalking through it. Eltahawy's prescription is feminism that terrifies, carried out by both women and men. Because anyone can be a feminist. This is feminism as revolution. As she puts it, “There is no revolution without rage, and there is no revolution without risk.” Her work urges women to embrace power, ambition, anger, and militant self-defense, not to provoke, but to defend. And for their allies to support them. Learn to protect yourself. Teach your daughters common-sense self-defense and how to take up space. Her hope is that more of us, especially white women in the U.S., will stop cosplaying resistance and start embodying it. “The Handmaid’s Tale is not a documentary,” she says. “Get out of the TV and into the streets.” EVENTS AT GASLIT NATION: August 25 4pm ET – Join the Gaslit Nation Book Club for a powerful discussion on The Lives of Others and I’m Still Here, two films that explore how art and love endure and resist in the face of dictatorship. Minnesota Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other, available on Patreon. Vermont Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other, available on Patreon. Arizona-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to connect, available on Patreon. Indiana-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to join, available on Patreon. Florida-based listeners are going strong meeting in person. Be sure to join their Signal group, available on Patreon. Have you taken Gaslit Nation Salons take place Mondays 4pm ET over Zoom and the first ~40 minutes are recorded and shared on for our community Show Notes: Journalist On Being Sexual 'Prey' In Egypt Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at ! /episode/index/show/gaslitnation/id/37265070

“Human sacrifice is central to great powers.” – TEASER 08/07/2025

“Human sacrifice is central to great powers.” – TEASER Our show opens with Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata, a favorite of philosopher Kate Manne, one of the sharpest minds dissecting power, privilege, and the politics of gender. Kate is a professor at Cornell University and the author of groundbreaking books like , , and her latest, , which takes on fatphobia with the same fearless clarity she brings to misogyny and moral philosophy. Her work is a lifeline for understanding how injustice is baked into our culture, and how we can start dismantling it. If you’ve ever felt the weight of double standards, moral policing, or body shame, Kate Manne has words that will crack open your world and help put it back together stronger. Want to keep the conversation going? Join the Gaslit Nation Salon, live every Monday at 4pm ET. It’s our weekly Zoom gathering where we break down the headlines, swap strategies, share survival tips, and connect with other listeners who get it. Sign up at Patreon.com/Gaslit. Discounted annual memberships are available, and we’re so grateful to everyone who keeps the show going. Need a summer read to match the moment? Check out the Gaslit Nation graphic novel, Follow our cunning narrator, Judge Lackey, as he bumbles through the dark art of authoritarianism, clinging to power and dodging those meddling activists and journalists. Find it at your local library or at . EVENTS AT GASLIT NATION: August 25 4pm ET – Join the Gaslit Nation Book Club for a powerful discussion on The Lives of Others and I’m Still Here, two films that explore how art and love endure and resist in the face of dictatorship. Minnesota Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other, available on Patreon. Vermont Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other, available on Patreon. Arizona-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to connect, available on Patreon. Indiana-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to join, available on Patreon. Florida-based listeners are going strong meeting in person. Be sure to join their Signal group, available on Patreon. Have you taken Gaslit Nation Salons take place Mondays 4pm ET over Zoom and the first ~40 minutes are recorded and shared on for our community Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at ! /episode/index/show/gaslitnation/id/37288825

Naming the Rot: Kate Manne Exposes the Lies Holding Up the Patriarchy 08/06/2025

Naming the Rot: Kate Manne Exposes the Lies Holding Up the Patriarchy Courage often starts with saying the obvious out loud, unapologetically. Philosopher and author Kate Manne brings that rare, dangerous clarity, taking on the everyday cruelties of structural misogyny and the moral contortions America performs to pretend everything’s fine. Manne, author of Down Girl: The Logic of Misogyny, Entitled: How Male Privilege Hurts Women, and Unshrinking: How to Face Fat Phobia, challenges how we understand injustice. It’s not just “out there.” It’s built into our systems, our norms, even our language. We don’t need to wait for sweeping reforms to act with integrity. Real change begins with small, daily acts of moral attention. What do we excuse? Whose pain do we ignore? What stories do we let slide by unchallenged? Misogyny, Manne argues, isn’t just about hatred; it’s a control system. A mechanism of the patriarchy designed to punish women who won’t conform. In Manne’s hands, philosophy isn’t abstract; it’s a wrecking ball. A tool for exposing rot and naming the machinery of oppression. Her message is clear: transformation begins with how we think, how we speak, and how we show up, for ourselves and for each other. That’s the real work of justice. And it belongs to all of us. Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at ! EVENTS AT GASLIT NATION: August 25 4pm ET – Join the Gaslit Nation Book Club for a powerful discussion on The Lives of Others and I’m Still Here, two films that explore how art and love endure and resist in the face of dictatorship. Minnesota Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other, available on Patreon. Vermont Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other, available on Patreon. Arizona-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to connect, available on Patreon. Indiana-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to join, available on Patreon. Florida-based listeners are going strong meeting in person. Be sure to join their Signal group, available on Patreon. Have you taken Gaslit Nation Salons take place Mondays 4pm ET over Zoom and the first ~40 minutes are recorded and shared on for our community /episode/index/show/gaslitnation/id/37249860

The Little Prince - TEASER 08/02/2025

The Little Prince - TEASER Welcome to the opening discussion of this past week’s thought-provoking salon on by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Though often labeled a children’s book, The Little Prince, translated into over 500 languages and dialects, second only to the Bible, sparked a wide-ranging discussion that revealed its deeper, more political dimensions. In our discussion, Gaslit Nation listeners drew connections between the book’s themes and the current tragedy and disinformation war on Gaza, while others reflected on the absurdity of adulthood depicted in the story. Our conversation touched on the divine feminine, the corrupting influence of institutional power, especially within the Catholic Church, and the existential weight behind Saint-Exupéry’s deceptively simple prose. We began by exploring the historical context in which the book was written: a time of fractured resistance to fascism, eerily reminiscent of our own era. Just as the French Resistance struggled with internal divisions and the desperate need for leadership, so too does America today, caught between rising authoritarianism and a detached political establishment. Most amazingly, this conversation took place on July 31st: the 81st anniversary of Saint-Exupéry’s death during a reconnaissance mission off the coast of Marseille. His little plane crashed into the sea, just two months before the liberation of Paris. UPCOMING BOOK CLUB EVENTS: August – The Lives of Others and I’m Still Here Two films where art challenges dictatorship—from East Germany to Brazil. Book club: August 25 4pm ET September – Harriet, the Moses of Her People by Sarah Hopkins Bradford Harriet Tubman’s story, in her own words based on interviews with The General herself. Book club: September 29 4pm ET October – Deaf Republic by Ilya Kaminsky + Total Resistance by H. Von Dach Poetry and guerrilla strategy: tools for survival and defiance. Book club: October 27 4pm ET November – Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer Indigenous wisdom and science for reconnection and gratitude. Book club: November 24 4pm ET December – The Forest Song by Lesya Ukrainka An eco-feminist Ukrainian play that sings of love, rebellion, and resilience. Book club: January 29 Get the full story and support independent journalism! Join our community at to hear the complete discussion and unlock exclusive benefits. As a member, you’ll enjoy ad-free episodes of Gaslit Nation, bonus shows, behind-the-scenes content, Q&A sessions, access to our private group chats, invites to live events like our weekly political salons every Monday at 4 PM ET on Zoom, and so much more. Become a patron today at ! /episode/index/show/gaslitnation/id/37644950

“Always be learning.” – TEASER 07/31/2025

“Always be learning.” – TEASER We opened with the trailer from Andor, a series that’s earned a top spot on the watch list of this week’s guest: the fearless Erin Reed, a real-life member of the Rebel Alliance and one of the most essential journalists working today. Erin is the creator of , the go-to source for breaking news on LGBTQ+ rights, trans healthcare, and the rising tide of attacks on civil liberties across the country. Her reporting has exposed the truth behind anti-trans legislation, tracked authoritarian policies in real time, and armed millions with the facts they need to fight back. Her courage, clarity, and compassion make Erin one of the most vital voices in the resistance, and we’re honored to have her on the show. Want to join the conversation? Come to the Gaslit Nation Salon, live every Monday at 4pm ET. It’s a community of listeners, activists, and fellow travelers where we unpack the headlines, share strategies, vent our frustrations, and build a living archive of this moment in history. Sign up at Patreon.com/Gaslit. Annual memberships are discounted, and your support keeps our show alive. Thank you to everyone who helps make Gaslit Nation possible. Looking for a summer read that pairs rage with laughter? Check out the Follow our delightfully shady narrator, Judge Lackey, as he stumbles through a step-by-step guide to seizing and holding power, dodging accountability, and panicking over activists and journalists. Grab it at your local library or at . EVENTS AT GASLIT NATION: NEW DATE! Thursday July 31 4pm ET – the Gaslit Nation Book Club discusses Antoine de Saint Exupéry’s The Little Prince written in the U.S. during America First. Minnesota Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other, available on Patreon. Vermont Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other, available on Patreon. Arizona-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to connect, available on Patreon. Indiana-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to join, available on Patreon. Florida-based listeners are going strong meeting in person. Be sure to join their Signal group, available on Patreon. Have you taken Gaslit Nation Salons take place Mondays 4pm ET over Zoom and the first ~40 minutes are recorded and shared on for our community Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at ! /episode/index/show/gaslitnation/id/37288685

Trans Rights Matter: The Erin Reed Interview 07/30/2025

Trans Rights Matter: The Erin Reed Interview In a world awash with disinformation and fear-based politics, what cuts through the noise isn’t perfection; it’s authenticity. As , a trailblazing journalist and trans rights advocate, puts it: the most effective leaders and allies are the ones who show up with sincerity, values, and courage. Reed knows this from experience. Alongside her wife, Montana state legislator Zooey Zephyr, they’ve faced the harshest forms of political repression, from being silenced in state chambers to watching harmful laws passed in the name of "protecting" sports or children. And yet, their fight continues, fueled by love, clarity, and hope. So how can you support the trans community in meaningful ways? Stand Firm in Your Values – Democratic Party leaders especially shouldn't be “Republican-lite” or speak through the filter of 12 consultants. Speak from the heart, like Kentucky’s Andy Beshear, who stood up for trans rights and still won big in a deep red state. Educate Yourself and Others – Learn the real facts. Trans athletes aren’t “cheating.” They’re barely even represented in elite sports. Medical care for trans youth isn’t a free-for-all; it’s cautious, professional, and consent-driven. And no, no one is performing surgeries in school cafeterias. Be Visible. Be Vocal. – When institutions cave to pressure and erase diversity programs, allies must speak up. Trans people aren’t always in the room, but you might be. Build Solidarity – Globally and locally. Anti-trans disinformation spreads across borders. So should our support. Reach out to advocate groups abroad and build an international coalition of support and solidarity. History is watching. As Reed reminds us, this is our civil rights moment. Whether you’re an activist, a parent, a lawmaker, or a friend, your genuineness, your voice, and your love can help shape a more just future. All it takes is a spark. The song you heard in this week’s Gaslit Nation is “Tear the Fascists Down” by Deena Marie. Check out her music here: If you have a song to share on our show, submit your music to us at Gaslit Nation – we love hearing from you! More info: Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at ! EVENTS AT GASLIT NATION: NEW DATE! Thursday July 31 4pm ET – the Gaslit Nation Book Club discusses Antoine de Saint Exupéry’s The Little Prince written in the U.S. during America First. Minnesota Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other, available on Patreon. Vermont Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other, available on Patreon. Arizona-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to connect, available on Patreon. Indiana-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to join, available on Patreon. Florida-based listeners are going strong meeting in person. Be sure to join their Signal group, available on Patreon. Have you taken Gaslit Nation Salons take place Mondays 4pm ET over Zoom and the first ~40 minutes are recorded and shared on for our community /episode/index/show/gaslitnation/id/37250395

“Outrage is natural, but it must be paired with quiet thinking.” – TEASER 07/24/2025

“Outrage is natural, but it must be paired with quiet thinking.” – TEASER We opened with , a powerful performer who inspires this week’s guest, Jamila Raqib. She once saw him live in an unforgettable setting: the ancient Roman ruins of Carthage, Tunisia. Jamila Raqib is a powerhouse for peace and democracy. As Executive Director of the Albert Einstein Institution, she has spent years training people across the globe in militant nonviolent resistance. Her work fuels the kind of courage that topples dictators and changes the course of history. She trained under legendary activist Gene Sharp whose book the Gaslit Nation Book Club read back in March, brought the fight for freedom to the frontlines, and she’s just getting started. Want more bold conversations like this? Join the Gaslit Nation Salon, live every Monday at 4pm ET. Meet fellow listeners, unpack the news, share strategies, vent, and build a real-time record of this moment in history. Sign up at Patreon.com/Gaslit. Annual memberships are discounted, and you can even give the gift of membership. If you’re packing for the beach or hiding from the heat, take along a little inspiration. is our graphic novel starring the delightfully dodgy Judge Lackey. He’ll walk you through the do’s and don’ts of becoming a dictator and staying one, all while trying to outwit the pesky activists and journalists out to ruin his grip on power.Grab your copy at your local library or at Bookshop.org. EVENTS AT GASLIT NATION: NEW DATE! Thursday July 31 4pm ET – the Gaslit Nation Book Club discusses Antoine de Saint Exupéry’s The Little Prince written in the U.S. during America First. Minnesota Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other, available on Patreon. Vermont Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other, available on Patreon. Arizona-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to connect, available on Patreon. Indiana-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to join, available on Patreon. Florida-based listeners are going strong meeting in person. Be sure to join their Signal group, available on Patreon. Have you taken Gaslit Nation Salons take place Mondays 4pm ET over Zoom and the first ~40 minutes are recorded and shared on for our community Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at ! /episode/index/show/gaslitnation/id/37288585

Fire in Our Peace: The Power of Nonviolent Resistance 07/23/2025

Fire in Our Peace: The Power of Nonviolent Resistance They want us to believe that silence is strength. That if we keep our heads down, the storm will pass. But we are the storm. And our storm doesn’t need fists. It needs strategy, courage, and the fire of militant nonviolence. In the latest episode of Gaslit Nation, Jamila Raqib, the executive director of the , delivers a masterclass in radical defiance without a single weapon raised. Raqib doesn’t just talk resistance. She teaches the art of war, the nonviolent kind, built on discipline, planning, and unshakeable conviction. She carries forward the torch of Gene Sharp, the quiet revolutionary whose writings, like have armed movements from Serbia to Syria. His ideas are dangerous, not because they incite chaos, but because they illuminate how to take power back without bloodshed. And dictators fear that more than any rifle. This is militant nonviolence. It’s strategic. It’s disruptive. And when practiced with precision, it brings regimes to their knees. Blueprint for the Battle Ahead Raqib outlines a crucial truth: power is not monolithic. It comes from the obedience of people, workers, civil servants, police, students. Withdraw that obedience, and even the strongest tyrant collapses. Take . Take . The world keeps giving us proof that nonviolent action isn’t weak; it’s lethal to authoritarianism when wielded with discipline. These movements succeeded not because they were polite, but because they were strategic. Organized. Defiant. This is how repression backfires. Every crackdown becomes fuel. Every jail cell, every bullet, every propaganda campaign becomes a rallying cry, if activists know how to use it. Weapons of the Peaceful Warrior Raqib reminds us that art is a weapon. Culture is armor. Community is infrastructure. And technology is a battlefield. Whether it empowers or undermines you depends on how well you understand it. Movements rise and fall on logistics, not just slogans. Fear will always be there. That’s normal. But as Raqib insists, fear doesn’t mean stop. It means go smart. Fear is a compass, if it scares the regime, you're probably doing something right. Nonviolence is Not Passive. It's Precision. This conversation isn’t about kumbaya. It’s about battle-readiness. It’s about studying the terrain of power, exploiting the cracks, and toppling giants with the slow, grinding force of disciplined resistance. Nonviolence doesn’t mean surrender. It means refusing to give your enemy the war they want. It means winning on your terms. And in a time of rising fascism, digital surveillance, and global despair, we must turn to the tools that have worked, again and again. So study Gene Sharp. Listen to Raqib. Organize like your life depends on it, because it does. This is not the time for feel-good hashtags. This is the time for public education, mass mobilization, and strategic action. Nonviolent resistance is not soft. It’s the hardest fight there is. But it’s the one that wins. EVENTS AT GASLIT NATION: NEW DATE! Thursday July 31 4pm ET – the Gaslit Nation Book Club discusses Antoine de Saint Exupéry’s The Little Prince written in the U.S. during America First. Minnesota Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other, available on Patreon. Vermont Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other, available on Patreon. Arizona-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to connect, available on Patreon. Indiana-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to join, available on Patreon. Florida-based listeners are going strong meeting in person. Be sure to join their Signal group, available on Patreon. Have you taken Gaslit Nation Salons take place Mondays 4pm ET over Zoom and the first ~40 minutes are recorded and shared on for our community Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at ! /episode/index/show/gaslitnation/id/37278510

“Trust your instincts.” – TEASER 07/17/2025

“Trust your instincts.” – TEASER We opened with the legendary James Baldwin, because this week, we’re passing the mic to someone walking boldly in Baldwin’s footsteps: Amber Wallin, Executive Director of the State Revenue Alliance and a fearless fighter for tax justice, equity, and economic power from the ground up. Whether she’s calling out lawmakers, organizing communities, or reshaping policy, Amber is part of a new generation of leaders who refuse to back down. Here she shares the thinkers, art, and music that inspires her in the fight as she takes the Gaslit Nation Self-Care Q&A. Because self-care is an act of resistance. Want more fierce, unfiltered conversations like this? Join the Gaslit Nation Salon, live every Monday at 4pm ET. It’s our weekly dose of truth, strategy, and righteous rage with listeners from around the world. Sign up now at Patreon.com/Gaslit. Annual memberships are discounted, and your support keeps us going. Hitting the beach or binging podcasts from the couch this summer? Take along our graphic novel: Follow our corrupt narrator, Judge Lackey, as he bungles his way through authoritarianism, dodging activists and desperately clinging to power.Grab it at your local library or at BookShop.org. EVENTS AT GASLIT NATION: NEW DATE! Thursday July 31 4pm ET – the Gaslit Nation Book Club discusses Antoine de Saint Exupéry’s The Little Prince written in the U.S. during America First. Minnesota Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other, available on Patreon. Vermont Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other, available on Patreon. Arizona-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to connect, available on Patreon. Indiana-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to join, available on Patreon. Florida-based listeners are going strong meeting in person. Be sure to join their Signal group, available on Patreon. Have you taken Gaslit Nation Salons take place Mondays 4pm ET over Zoom and the first ~40 minutes are recorded and shared on for our community Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at ! /episode/index/show/gaslitnation/id/37288520

Tax the Rich, Save Democracy: The Truth They Don’t Want You to Know 07/16/2025

Tax the Rich, Save Democracy: The Truth They Don’t Want You to Know We are told that if we tax the rich, that jobs will disappear. That prosperity will dry up. But the numbers tell a different story. In the latest Gaslit Nation, Amber Wallin, executive director of the State Revenue Alliance, joins Andrea to expose the lie at the heart of our economic system. The rich are not fleeing. They are flourishing. And when we make them pay their fair share, everyone flourishes. Wallin comes armed with data and clarity. She dismantles the disinformation that has allowed the ultra-wealthy to hoard billions while public schools crumble and hospitals close. States that tax high-income earners are not bleeding millionaires. They are gaining revenue and creating more millionaires. They are investing in their people. They are proving what we already know deep down: we can tax the rich and build a society that works for everyone. The Battle Behind the Budget For decades, tax policy in America has been a weapon wielded against working people. It has been shaped by lobbyists, shielded by myths, and sold to the public as necessary sacrifice. But history shows us something else. It shows how tax codes have been intentionally designed to protect wealth at the top and starve communities at the bottom. Wallin makes it clear. We are not fighting numbers. We are fighting a system that tells us scarcity is natural while billionaires pay less in taxes than teachers. Tax Justice Is Democracy in Action Economic inequality is a threat to democracy. When wealth concentrates, power concentrates. And when power concentrates, freedom erodes. That is why taxing the rich is not a fringe idea. It is a democratic emergency. Wallin also emphasizes something often ignored in these conversations: gender equity. Women, especially women of color, are hit hardest by unfair tax systems. Correcting that is not just about fairness. It is about building systems that’s humane. No One Is Coming to Save Us. We Are the Movement. This conversation is a call to action. States hold tremendous power to reshape the economy. Community organizing, public pressure, and clear messaging can push forward tax reforms that fund schools, roads, housing, and healthcare. Essential services are not luxuries. They are rights. And the money to pay for them exists. The only question is whether we have the courage to demand it. Wallin says it best: free markets are not free. They are designed by and for the wealthy, unless we intervene. Tax policy is not boring. It’s political warfare. And the sooner we treat it that way, the sooner we win. We are in a moment of extraordinary possibility. Trust your instincts. Trust the data. And above all, trust the power of the people to build wealth and power for everyone. EVENTS AT GASLIT NATION: NEW DATE! Thursday July 31 4pm ET – the Gaslit Nation Book Club discusses Antoine de Saint Exupéry’s The Little Prince written in the U.S. during America First. Minnesota Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other, available on Patreon. Vermont Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other, available on Patreon. Arizona-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to connect, available on Patreon. Indiana-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to join, available on Patreon. Florida-based listeners are going strong meeting in person. Be sure to join their Signal group, available on Patreon. Have you taken Gaslit Nation Salons take place Mondays 4pm ET over Zoom and the first ~40 minutes are recorded and shared on for our community Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at ! /episode/index/show/gaslitnation/id/37278360

Smash the Oligarchy. Smash the Patriarchy. 07/14/2025

Smash the Oligarchy. Smash the Patriarchy. On July 14, 1789, ordinary French citizens stormed the Bastille, shattering the myth of royal divine right. Three months later, thousands of women marched on Versailles, demanding bread, justice, and dignity, driving the revolution forward with courage and resolve. As Ursula K. Le Guin reminds us, “We live in capitalism. Its power seems inescapable. So did the divine right of kings. Any human power can be resisted and changed by human beings.” Gaslit Nation Presents: Smash the Oligarchy. Smash the Patriarchy. Our summer series features women on the frontlines of the far-right assault on our democracy, our bodies, and our minds. Hear from: – Economic justice advocate explaining why taxing the rich benefits all. – Leader in nonviolent resistance, training movements worldwide against authoritarianism. – Journalist tracking anti-trans legislation and arming communities to fight back. – Philosopher exposing misogyny’s corrupting power in culture and politics. – Queer Arab feminist, author, and survivor confronting patriarchy and tyranny globally. – Historian illuminating resistance and revolution lessons from Eastern Europe. – Labor organizer championing collective power and workplace democracy for economic justice. Our summer bonus shows prove rest is resistance. Join our fearless guests on Gaslit Nation’s Self-Care Q&A for inspiring ways to recharge. We win by being the sand in their gears, and we will win! Our special summer series shows you how. Tune in all summer long at Gaslit Nation. For the hottest of hot takes, see you at the Monday salons, only on Patreon. Want an exclusive look at the film the Kremlin fears? Fact Checker Patreon members and higher Subscribe at Guardian of the Fourth Estate or higher for a signed copy of this summer’s must-read, Limited signed copies available. Join Gaslit Nation on Patreon at various levels for ad-free shows, bonus episodes, Monday salons, chat groups, and more. Annual subscriptions are discounted, and memberships make great gifts. Thanks to all who support our independent journalism. We could not make Gaslit Nation without you! /episode/index/show/gaslitnation/id/37406445

Homeschool Hell 07/10/2025

Homeschool Hell Chrissy Stroop, a leading voice in the #Exvangelical movement, brings historical insight and personal experience to a conversation that traces the Christian right’s rise to power from the Reagan era to its disturbing alignment with Russian authoritarianism today. This week’s bonus show explores how evangelical leaders used strategic alliances, particularly the anti-abortion movement, to unite conservative Christians and Catholics under a single political banner. Stroop explains how this coalition gained momentum during Reagan’s presidency and has since embedded itself deeply into U.S. policymaking. Particularly troubling is the influence of Christian nationalists on education through the deregulation of homeschooling, often leaving children vulnerable due to lack of oversight. Stroop also highlights how Christian nationalism, once cloaked in calls for "religious freedom," now openly embraces authoritarian tactics. The alignment with Vladimir Putin’s regime, admired by many on the far right, underscores a global trend toward anti-democratic ideologies under the guise of defending “traditional values.” Yet, amidst the bleak realities, Stroop points to reasons for hope. Grassroots activism is on the rise, as communities across the country push back against oppressive legislation and public protests grow more frequent. Organizers are working tirelessly to safeguard democracy and protect civil liberties, especially for marginalized groups targeted by these far-right movements. The episode is a sobering reminder of how deeply Christian nationalism is embedded in American history, but also a call to action. As this bonus show emphasizes, defending democracy requires vigilance, public engagement, and an unwavering commitment to truth. EVENTS AT GASLIT NATION: NEW DATE! Thursday July 31 4pm ET – the Gaslit Nation Book Club discusses Antoine de Saint Exupéry’s The Little Prince written in the U.S. during America First. Minnesota Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other, available on Patreon. Vermont Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other, available on Patreon. Arizona-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to connect, available on Patreon. Indiana-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to join, available on Patreon. Florida-based listeners are going strong meeting in person. Be sure to join their Signal group, available on Patreon. Have you taken Gaslit Nation Salons take place Mondays 4pm ET over Zoom and the first ~40 minutes are recorded and shared on for our community Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at ! Show Notes: Chrissy Stroop is a co-founder of the independent media site The Flytrap: And she writes the newsletter The Bugbear Dispatch: Check out her work there Right-wing extremism and homeschooling go hand in hand by Chrissy Stroop https://flux.community/chrissy-stroop/2023/08/right-wing-extremism-and-homeschooling-go-hand-in-hand/ Washington Post Editorial Board: Donald Trump’s weapons freeze on Ukraine could bring catastrophe https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/07/02/ukraine-russia-war-trump-weapons-freeze-missiles/ Palantir’s Builds Big Brother for Trump: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/30/technology/trump-palantir-data-americans.html?unlocked_article_code=1.Tk8.on-Q.rokoAAstmOw5&smid=url-share /episode/index/show/gaslitnation/id/37278315

Was America a Mistake? 07/09/2025

Was America a Mistake? What if the American Revolution wasn’t a noble birth of liberty, but a costly wrong turn? Before muskets were raised at Lexington and Concord, the British Empire was already inching toward something remarkable: the abolition of slavery. In 1772, just three years before the war began, the landmark Somerset decision in England ruled that slavery had no basis in common law. While it didn’t outlaw slavery across the empire, it signaled growing discomfort with the institution. British abolitionists like Granville Sharp and Thomas Clarkson were building momentum. By 1807, Britain banned the slave trade; by 1833, it abolished slavery entirely. Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, the American colonies, especially in the South, were deeply entrenched in slavery. Many of the Revolution’s leading voices were enslavers who feared that continued British rule might imperil their human property. In fact, during the war, the British offered freedom to enslaved people who escaped and joined their forces. The Americans, despite their soaring rhetoric about liberty, were far more reluctant to do the same. In this light, the Revolution was not just a fight for freedom: it was also, for some, a fight to preserve slavery. Had the colonies remained within the empire, they likely would have been pulled along Britain’s abolitionist trajectory. Slavery might have ended decades earlier, without the catastrophic toll of a Civil War. Instead, the United States forged its identity through violent rupture, glorifying revolution and enshrining ideals it could not yet fulfill. America’s foundational rebellion may have delayed justice rather than advanced it. Peace, reform, and patient negotiation–Canada’s path–might have built a fairer, stabler society. Liberty, contrary to our cherished American myths, isn’t always won on the battlefield. Sometimes, it’s secured by fighting for reform and changing from within. EVENTS AT GASLIT NATION: NEW DATE! Thursday July 31 4pm ET – the Gaslit Nation Book Club discusses Antoine de Saint Exupéry’s The Little Prince written in the U.S. during America First. Minnesota Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other, available on Patreon. Vermont Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other, available on Patreon. Arizona-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to connect, available on Patreon. Indiana-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to join, available on Patreon. Florida-based listeners are going strong meeting in person. Be sure to join their Signal group, available on Patreon. Have you taken Gaslit Nation Salons take place Mondays 4pm ET over Zoom and the first ~40 minutes are recorded and shared on for our community Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at ! Show Notes: Slave Nation: How Slavery United the Colonies & Sparked the American Revolution We Could Have Been Canada: Was the American Revolution such a good idea? Bernie Sanders clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZWzADxM_kw /episode/index/show/gaslitnation/id/37278595

The Project 2025 Bill 07/03/2025

The Project 2025 Bill Trump’s “Big Evil Bill” sped through Congress, to sell off public lands, gut healthcare, destroy rural hospitals, outlaw state AI regulation for a decade, make it harder to take out loans to go to college, and unleash an immigration enforcement regime bigger than anything we’ve ever seen. ICE will now have a budget bigger than the FBI, DEA, U.S. Bureau of Prisons combined. This is an oligarchy fever dream that will painfully backfire on everyone. Trump’s Big Evil Bill is the blueprint of Project 2025 in action: a theocratic, authoritarian takeover of our democracy. This bill will expand presidential powers, weaken the lower courts, and crush humanitarian protections and put our already militized police state on Russian Olympian super steroids. Russell Vought, Trump’s OMB Director and the architect of Project 2025, made sure the money was there to turn July 4th into a funeral for the American Revolution by installing a mad king. But here’s the truth hiding in the despair: the more pain this bill causes, the more people it radicalizes. Just as past generations rose up during times of injustice, many Americans, especially those who embraced Trump’s con, like those manosphere-brain rotted Gen Z men, will be forced to wake up. They’ll see the betrayal. They’ll feel it. And some will finally fight back. The far-right had a 40-year plan. We need ours. One model: The Gay Revolution by historian Lillian Faderman. It's the story of how love, courage, and relentless organizing by small groups of determined people, many forced to become activists because of state cruelty like the kind we’re now seeing, and won against impossible odds. The Gay Revolution is our roadmap of hope, and it pays tribute to the countless men and women, many who risked everything, many whose names we may never know, to cast out the darkness with love and defiance. Go to the and choose action. Choose empathy. Choose to be the liberation this moment demands. EVENTS AT GASLIT NATION: NEW DATE! Thursday July 31 4pm ET – the Gaslit Nation Book Club discusses Antoine de Saint Exupéry’s The Little Prince written in the U.S. during America First. Minnesota Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other, available on Patreon. Vermont Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other, available on Patreon. Arizona-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to connect, available on Patreon. Indiana-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to join, available on Patreon. Florida-based listeners are going strong meeting in person. Be sure to join their Signal group, available on Patreon. Have you taken Gaslit Nation Salons take place Mondays 4pm ET over Zoom and the first ~40 minutes are recorded and shared on for our community Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at ! Show Notes: The song featured in this episode is First They Came for Queers by Mr. Madam Adam. Find more of their music here: How to Protect Your Community from ICE: https://www.teenvogue.com/story/ice-watch-programs-immigrants-how-to-start How Trump’s bill will supercharge mass deportations by funneling $170bn to Ice https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jul/02/immigration-trump-big-beautiful-bill Donald Trump’s weapons freeze on Ukraine could bring catastrophe Pardoned Jan. 6 Rioter Who Threatened Police Joins Justice Dept. House taking key vote on Trump's "big, beautiful bill," after GOP holdouts threaten final passage https://www.cbsnews.com/news/house-vote-big-beautiful-bill-rules-committee/ /episode/index/show/gaslitnation/id/37277235

Brett Kavanaugh is Ruining People’s Sex Lives 07/02/2025

Brett Kavanaugh is Ruining People’s Sex Lives This week on Gaslit Nation, we’re joined by the fearless, brilliant Carter Sherman, an award-winning journalist at The Guardian and one of the sharpest voices covering reproductive rights and sexual politics. Her new book, , is a battle cry for Gen Z, a generation navigating the fallout of a stolen Supreme Court, Me Too, incel culture, and a pornified internet. We dive into how young people are rewriting the rules of intimacy in the face of political oppression. Carter’s reporting brings us inside the bedrooms and minds of Gen Zers who are coming of age in a country where Roe v. Wade was overturned exactly as we knew it would be. A generation told they’re free is now wrestling with the reality that their rights are under siege, and for many, that anxiety has become physical. As one woman told Carter, she couldn’t even have sex without being hounded by Kavanaugh’s voice in her head. This isn’t just a story of fear; it’s one of resistance. Carter shares how young people are pushing back, from Kansas voters defending abortion rights to college students canvassing in swing states. But she also warns of the growing threat: the rise of the Manosphere, where boys are radicalized by algorithm and learn to hate women before they can legally drink. What can young women and young men agree on? That the Democratic Party brand is toxic, because it's Republican Lite. The Second Coming is a deeply reported, fiercely human portrait of a generation caught between tech, trauma, and tyranny. This week’s bonus show will look at the horror of Trump’s Big Evil Bill passing through Congress, and our discussion of Lillian Faderman’s landbook book The Gay Revolution–a resistance blueprint for us today. Thank you to everyone who supports Gaslit Nation–we could not make this show without you! Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at ! EVENTS AT GASLIT NATION: NEW DATE! Thursday July 31 4pm ET – the Gaslit Nation Book Club discusses Antoine de Saint Exupéry’s The Little Prince written in the U.S. during America First. Minnesota Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other, available on Patreon. Vermont Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other, available on Patreon. Arizona-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to connect, available on Patreon. Indiana-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to join, available on Patreon. Florida-based listeners are going strong meeting in person. Be sure to join their Signal group, available on Patreon. Have you taken Gaslit Nation Salons take place Mondays 4pm ET over Zoom and the first ~40 minutes are recorded and shared on for our community /episode/index/show/gaslitnation/id/37244470

Read and Resist: The Gaslit Nation Book Club 06/30/2025

Read and Resist: The Gaslit Nation Book Club After Trump’s return to power in January 2025, Gaslit Nation launched a book club not just to inform, but to fortify. Each selection is a lifeline offering strategy, moral clarity, and community in an age of disinformation and despair. This isn’t just a book club. It’s a survival toolkit for our time. Read with us. Build with us. Let’s overcome the chaos together. Join us on the last Monday of every month at 4 PM ET at the Gaslit Nation Salon for a live discussion of that month’s book or film. Recordings are available on Patreon, along with bonus shows, ad-free episodes, and more, at Patreon.com/Gaslit. Discounted annual and gift memberships available. Check out our schedule below: February – Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl and The Stranger by Albert Camus Survival and absurdity under totalitarianism: one man finds purpose in a concentration camp, another questions meaning under occupation. March – From Dictatorship to Democracy by Gene Sharp A handbook of nonviolent action, this foundational text offers strategic tools for dismantling authoritarian regimes. April – Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler A near-future America unravels. A young Black woman builds a new belief system—and a movement—amid societal collapse. May – Stride Toward Freedom by Martin Luther King Jr. How the Montgomery Bus Boycott was won. MLK’s essential guide to grassroots organizing. June – The Gay Revolution by Lillian Faderman The LGBTQ+ rights movement through the stories of those who led it, showing small groups of people make the difference. Book club this coming Monday June 30 4pm ET. July – Le Petit Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry A wartime allegory on wonder, loss, and resistance. Book club: July 28 4pm ET August – The Lives of Others and I’m Still Here Two films where art challenges dictatorship—from East Germany to Brazil. Book club: August 25 4pm ET September – Harriet, the Moses of Her People by Sarah Hopkins Bradford Harriet Tubman’s story, in her own words based on interviews with The General herself. Book club: September 29 4pm ET October – Deaf Republic by Ilya Kaminsky + Total Resistance by H. Von Dach Poetry and guerrilla strategy: tools for survival and defiance. Book club: October 27 4pm ET November – Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer Indigenous wisdom and science for reconnection and gratitude. Book club: November 24 4pm ET December – The Forest Song by Lesya Ukrainka An eco-feminist Ukrainian play that sings of love, rebellion, and resilience. Book club: January 29 /episode/index/show/gaslitnation/id/37214275

How to Contain Russia (Listen to the full episode on Patreon!) 06/26/2025

How to Contain Russia (Listen to the full episode on Patreon!) At a time when democracy is under siege from Kremlin-backed strongmen to MAGA disinformation machines, this week’s Gaslit Nation bonus show offers much-needed hope. We unpack the NATO summit, celebrate a major grassroots victory in New York City, and also discuss how to contain Russia with security expert Candace Rondeaux, author of First up: NATO is finally stepping up. All member nations, except Spain, have committed 5% of their GDP to defense and security by 2035. Predictably, Trump is already trying to take credit, but this shift isn’t about him. It’s a direct response to Putin’s ongoing war in Ukraine. European leaders have learned how to handle Trump’s ego: offering flattery when necessary while quietly strengthening defenses against the very aggression he once downplayed. That’s not concession; it’s strategic diplomacy. Meanwhile, in New York City, there’s real reason to celebrate: Zohran Mamdani’s victory in the Democratic primary for mayor is a major win for grassroots organizing and progressive politics. His campaign, alongside Brad Lander and others, championed public investment, reallocated resources from the NYPD’s military-sized budget, and pushed back against Fox News crime porn fearmongering and disinformation. It’s a clear signal that authentic, coalition-driven campaigns have the power to break through. Is the Democratic Party establishment listening? And finally, don’t miss our powerful conversation with Candace Rondeaux, who outlines how to contain Russian fascism and the ongoing threat of the Wagner Group. As we’re always saying at Gaslit Nation: fascists don’t stop until they’re stopped. Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at ! Show Notes Putin’s Sledgehammer – Candace Rondeaux: Manufacturing Impunity (Global Rights Compliance): Trump’s NATO Summit – AP News: Zohran Mamdani’s Victory Speech: Russian Parcel Attacks in Europe – Reuters: Lander & Mamdani Cross Endorsement Video: Danish Study on Mental Health & Society – Newsweek: IPS Study: Wealth Expands After Taxing the Rich: Join Weekly Protests at Fox News (Rise and Resist): Support Gaslit Nation on Patreon: /episode/index/show/gaslitnation/id/37161895

Anne Applebaum: How Democracies Fail 06/25/2025

Anne Applebaum: How Democracies Fail With the world on the brink of another war, there’s no one more essential to hear from than Anne Applebaum, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and author of Gulag, Iron Curtain, Red Famine (which cites Andrea’s grandfather, a Holodomor survivor), Twilight of Democracy, and Autocracy Inc. In this urgent conversation, we go to the frontlines of authoritarianism, from MAGA’s playbook at home to Putin’s alliances abroad, from Orban’s Hungary to the rising threat of war with Iran. We begin in Poland. In 2023, a broad democratic coalition ousted the far-right, anti-LGBTQ+ Law and Justice party, which had spent years eroding democratic institutions. But in a razor-thin presidential race this year, that same authoritarian force clawed its way back. The takeaway? Democracy isn’t a destination. It’s a constant, high-stakes battle. “Everybody always wants to write the story of populism and say that it's over, or it's here for good, or we're finished, or we've won. And that's not what the story is going to look like,” says Applebaum. “This is the ongoing struggle that all of us will be in, probably for the next few decades, maybe into the foreseeable future. The argument about the nature of the state is now here with us. And neither one side nor the other has achieved a definitive victory, I would say, either in Europe or in the United States.” Then, Iran. Trump launched airstrikes without congressional approval or public debate, risking another U.S. war. Many in the Iranian opposition welcome blows to the brutal regime, but without strategy or legality, this is more of Trump’s lawless chaos. Meanwhile, Putin watches. His alliance with Iran is not ideological, but tactical, with one shared mission: destabilize democracies and sow chaos worldwide. Applebaum discusses how Hungary became the MAGA model, what Poland’s resistance can teach the U.S., and why the fight for democracy is far from over. This isn’t a time for hope alone. It’s a time to act. Because autocracy isn’t resting. And neither can we. Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, ad-free episodes, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at ! EVENTS AT GASLIT NATION: NEW! We now have a Minnesota Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other, join on Patreon. NEW! We now have a Vermont Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other, join on Patreon. June 30 4pm ET – America has been here before. Book club discussion of NEW! Arizona-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to connect, join on Patreon. Indiana-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to join, join on Patreon. Florida-based listeners are going strong meeting in person. Be sure to join their Signal group, join on Patreon. Have you taken Gaslit Nation Salons take place Mondays 4pm ET over Zoom and the first ~40 minutes are recorded and shared on for our community /episode/index/show/gaslitnation/id/37143340

Impeach Trump Now 06/19/2025

Impeach Trump Now Welcome to the skeptic’s guide to impeachment. Why is a third impeachment effort of Trump necessary? Because demanding impeachment puts every member of Congress on trial, revealing who we can trust and who is bought off. Meet unanimous consent: the Senate’s dirty little secret, and the power Democrats refuse to use. Imagine if all it took to stop the Senate in its tracks was one simple word: No. Unanimous consent is a very real procedural quirk that gives every single senator, regardless of party or seniority, enormous power. All they have to do is deny consent. Just say no, and legislative business slows to a crawl. Now here’s the catch: Republicans use this tool constantly. Democrats? Almost never. And that’s not because they can’t; it’s because they choose not to. How does unanimous consent work? In the Senate, many of the chamber’s archaic rules can be bypassed if no one objects. This process is called unanimous consent. It’s used for everything from skipping quorum calls to fast-tracking nominations. The idea is to keep things moving. But here’s the shocking part: any senator, at any time, for any reason, can halt this entire process by simply saying, “I object.” Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville famously abused this mechanism to block military promotions for nearly a year. And he paid no price for it. Why? Because it’s perfectly within Senate rules. And yet, while authoritarianism rises, civil liberties are under siege, and people are being literally kidnapped off American streets, not a single Democratic senator has used this tool to slow the machinery down. By mid-April, according to Keira Havens, an organizer of Citizens Impeachment, along with former Congressional staffer for Senator Tina Smith of Minnesota, there were already around 500 recorded unanimous consent agreements in the 2025 Congressional Record. That’s around 500 times every single senator, including vocal Democrats like Elizabeth Warren and Cory Booker, gave the green light to fast-track Senate business. They could have slowed things down. They didn’t. In fact, shortly after Cory Booker gave an impassioned speech in a historic filibuster marathon, the Senate : Jared Kushner’s father, convicted felon Charles Kushner, to become the Ambassador to France. (Poor France!) Unanimous consent isn't some obscure loophole. It’s an incredibly accessible and completely legal form of leverage: a filibuster on easy mode. You don’t need to prepare a speech. You don’t need to command the floor. Senate Dems just say one word: No. So why aren’t Democrats using it? The excuses vary: wait for the midterms, preserve decorum, respect procedure. But these excuses fail a democracy in crisis. There won’t be a midterm rescue if authoritarianism cements itself into place now. Senators like Elizabeth Warren and Chris Murphy speak out against abuses of power, but actions speak louder than works, especially under the watchful eye of history. It's time to hold Trump and his lawless administration accountable. What Can You Do? Start using the hashtag: #DemsJustSayNo Tweet at your senators: @SenWarren, @CoryBooker, @ChrisMurphyCT — Why do you keep consenting 500+ times? Educate others. “Unanimous consent” = silent agreement. Break the silence. Join or support organizing efforts like Citizens Impeachment that are pushing for real accountability. The Senate is designed to give each senator power. But power unused is power surrendered. Republicans understand that. Democrats need to learn fast actions speak louder than words. They can say no. They should say no. And if they won’t, we the people must demand accountability now. The video of Part II of our discussion will publish on Patreon Monday morning along with the Zoom link for our next Gaslit Nation salon later that day at 4pm ET. See you there! Show Notes: : Opening Clip of Rep. Melissa Hortman: Hortman Files House Protest Over Legislature's Treatment Of Women Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hortman Calls Out White Male Colleagues https://www.teenvogue.com/story/melissa-hortman-calls-out-white-male-colleagues-minnesota Clip of Brad Lander: https://bsky.app/profile/hellgatenyc.com/post/3lrtdzsz4ps2q The two Michael Wolff interviews referenced towards the end of the interview: The lawmakers using taxpayer money to pay for ads Charles Kushner Senate Vote Confirmation: ICE agents storm Irvine couple's home in search for answers about posters placed around LA https://abc7.com/post/ice-agents-storm-michael-changs-parents-irvine-home-search-answers-posters-placed-around-la/16298909/ EVENTS AT GASLIT NATION: NEW! We now have a Minnesota Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other. Join on Patreon. NEW! We now have a Vermont Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other. Join on Patreon. June 30 4pm ET – America has been here before. Book club discussion of NEW! Arizona-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to connect, available on Patreon. Indiana-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to join, available on Patreon. Florida-based listeners are going strong meeting in person. Be sure to join their Signal group, available on Patreon. Have you taken Gaslit Nation Salons take place Mondays 4pm ET over Zoom and the first ~40 minutes are recorded and shared on for our community Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, ad-free episodes, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at ! /episode/index/show/gaslitnation/id/37080215

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