Best Refuse Fascism Podcasts (2025)

1
Kimmel Stays — Trump Must Go Now! 45:22

Play Pause

3h ago45:22

45:22

We’ve reached the stage of fascist consolidation where the regime directly censors the media (either “the hard way or the easy way” in FCC Chair Brendan Carr’s words). We’re sharing clips from the emergency demonstrations Refuse Fascism organized in response to ABC/Disney firing Jimmy Kimmel. While the fascists lionize Charlie Kirk and are attempti…

1
Fascists Can’t Dance 17:16

5h ago17:16

17:16

Fascists can’t create. They can only silence, steal, and twist music into something hollow. From Nazi Germany banning jazz, to the Catholic Church blacklisting artists in Ireland, to punk, disco, and hip-hop being targeted, authoritarian regimes have always feared music. Because music is messy, imperfect, alive… everything fascism can’t stand. In t…

1
The era of meme shooters is here 29:02

2m ago29:02

29:02

Memes have been written on weapons, quoted in manifestos, and cited by young attackers as the inspiration for acts of mass violence. It's a phenomenon that springs from groups of disaffected people communicating on the web through a convoluted language of impenetrable memes and irony. Utah Governor Spencer Cox has said about the 22-year-old man cha…

1
90. Kevin Levin and the Erasure of History 46:04

10h ago46:04

46:04

This is the audio from my LIVE conversation on Substack withKevin M. Levin today about about how we remember the past, what the Trump regime is doing to edit the waymarkers at historical sites, and how the future of history might go. Please subscribe to Freedom Over Fascism at www.freedomoverfascism.us. Part of the Democracy Group of Podcasts.…

1
Politics! Farewell Freeland, hello mega-projects 25:24

1d ago25:24

25:24

For the first time since June, MPs returned to the House of Commons to decide the path of Canada’s future. And just a few days into the fall session, it’s already looking like a busy season. After more than a decade in politics, Chrystia Freeland announced she is calling it quits. Pierre Poilievre and Mark Carney faced off for the first time in que…

1
Can Canada’s housing minister make homes cheaper? 28:36

3d ago28:36

28:36

The Liberal government has launched its $13-billion agency called “Build Canada Homes” which Prime Minister Mark Carney says will supercharge housing construction across the country. Today, Housing Minister Gregor Robertson talks to host Jayme Poisson about Canada’s housing affordability crisis, how the Liberal government is meeting the challenges …

1
The return of political violence 31:36

24h ago31:36

31:36

Following the assassination of Charlie Kirk we're joined by Bruce Hoffman, a Senior Fellow for counter terrorism and homeland security at the Council for Foreign Relations. He helps us understand the history of assassinations, the connections between violent rhetoric and incidents of material violence, and the online meme-world that communicates mo…

1
Donald Trump’s war on drug cartels 26:56

40m ago26:56

26:56

Donald Trump has declared a war on drug cartels. He’s wielded the flow of narcotics, namely fentanyl, into the U.S. as one of the major reasons behind aspects of his global trade war. He’s added a number of cartels to the foreign terrorist organisations list. And last month, the Trump administration stepped things up by quietly signing a Pentagon d…

1
The Danger Grows — So Must the Movement to Drive Trump Out 1:02:10

35m ago1:02:10

1:02:10

Sam speaks with Baltazar Enriquez from the Little Village Community Council in Chicago, which has been the center of Trump's threats in recent weeks. Then, we share excerpts from the organizers' webinar with Andy Zee, Sunsara Taylor and Coco Das held on Friday September 19, discussing how the murder of Charlie Kirk has nothing to do with any positi…

1
Kate Bush’s Wuthering Heights Is the Best Brontë Adaptation 20:18

4h ago20:18

20:18

Emerald Fennell’s new Wuthering Heights film has already stirred controversy, but I want to make the case that the best adaptation of Emily Brontë’s gothic masterpiece already exists and it isn’t on screen. In 1978, an 18-year-old Kate Bush captured the wild, haunting atmosphere of the novel in just four minutes of music, creating a version of Wuth…

1
89: Sick of this Show — Pro-Democracy Podcasts Unite, where I'm a guest on Nick Paro and Lawrence Winnerman's LIVE 56:27

9d ago56:27

56:27

Stephanie has a very wide ranging conversation with Nick Paro and Lawrence Winnerman about everything from the way we frame political discussion, to the trauma of the Challenger explosion, to being GenX (or Millennial, as the case may be), to what’s going to happen next. Take a look or listen to hear about what all of us think, and to hear my scien…

1
Fear, fury and Charlie Kirk’s killing 28:05

3d ago28:05

28:05

American conservative media figure and activist Charlie Kirk was one of the most prominent young voices of the American right. The founder of Turning Point USA, a close ally of Donald Trump, and a figure who helped shape the culture and pipeline of the MAGA movement. On Wednesday, he was shot at one of his trademark campus debate events at Utah Val…

1
Will Trump declare ‘war’ on Chicago? 30:50

9d ago30:50

30:50

As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal forces into Chicago — a city he’s referred to as the ‘murder capital’ of the world — we have a look at Trump’s long standing focus on Chicago, and how the city became a favourite metaphor in conservative politics. This month, Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to send federal forces into Chica…

1
Politics! Carney government ramps up 23:12

9m ago23:12

23:12

This coming Monday, MPs return to Ottawa for Parliament’s fall session, with the health of Canada’s economy front and centre. Last Friday, Prime Minister Carney unveiled a new set of measures designed, he says, to make Canada’s economy more resilient in the face of persistent U.S. tariffs. We also now have a leaked list of the major infrastructure …

1
88. Emma Brown, ED of Giffords on Hope and Action in Gun Reform 42:23

9d ago42:23

42:23

Stephanie Wilson talks with Emma Brown, Executive Director of Giffords, about the organization's efforts to promote gun safety laws. Started by Gabby Giffords and Mark Kelly, Giffords focuses on creating a big tent around the issue without requiring political conformity. The conversation covers Giffords' successful passage of 700+ state gun safety …

1
Does Canada have a violent crime problem? 29:57

12h ago29:57

29:57

Over the last few weeks, horrific crimes have dominated headlines across the country. There was a father of four who was killed after at least three suspects broke into his home in Vaughan, Ontario. There was a mass stabbing attack on Hollow Water First Nation, just north of Winnipeg. The suspect had been out on bail. Last weekend in Edmonton, a wo…

1
Is it over for Quebec’s François Legault? 23:34

1d ago23:34

23:34

Quebec has introduced a new bill that would ban prayer in public spaces. It’s the latest in a series of recent moves by the province to reinforce Quebec’s secularist values. It comes as Premier François Legault is embroiled in a spending scandal and polls that show he’s the least popular provincial leader in the country. Will falling back on Quebec…

1
Against the Mass Deportation Machine in the Sky 40:04

12d ago40:04

40:04

Trump and Hegseth have declared that with the renamed Dept. of War, the U.S. is "going on offense." Sam digests this, along with the news that unknown people have been murdered by this "most lethal" military through random strikes on boats recently near Venezuela and during Trump 1.0 just off the coast with North Korea. Then, she speaks with flight…

1
Kneecap’s Imperial Phase: What Sayōnara Says About Irish Culture 15:58

7d ago15:58

15:58

Kneecap’s brand new single “Sayōnara” is a cultural moment. In this video, Stephen White of The Last Mixed Tape breaks down why Kneecap are in their imperial phase, how their defiance on global stages like Glastonbury has made them cultural icons, and what Sayōnara tells us about Irish music and identity in 2025. From their stance on Gaza to the “F…

1
‘Queen of Canada’ cult leader arrested 32:07

4d ago32:07

32:07

On Wednesday, 16 people — including Romana Didulo, the cult leader known as the “Queen of Canada” — were arrested in the tiny Saskatchewan village of Richmound. RCMP released them the following day, but then re-arrested two unidentified individuals. Didulo and her followers have been holed up in a decommissioned school there for two years. Their pr…

1
The Alberta book ban saga 26:10

5d ago26:10

26:10

Late last week - a list of over 200 books, set to be removed from Edmonton school libraries by October made the rounds online. It was in response to an order set out by Alberta’s education ministry in July to take books with sexually explicit content from the shelves. This applied from kindergarten to Grade 12. On that list? Award-winning works lik…

1
87. Olga Nesterova of Onest Network. Independent Journalism, the Epstein Survivors, and What We Can Do to Break Through 47:12

15d ago47:12

47:12

Stephanie Wilson talks to independent journalist Olga Nesterova of ONEST Network for her conversation about the Epstein survivor press conference, discussion of the regime’s attempt to control the narrative, what it was like being a Ukranian growing up in Germany, going to school in the Netherlands and the United States, becoming nationalized as a …

1
What UNICEF saw in Gaza 38:55

6d ago38:55

38:55

Today on the show, James Elder is here. James is UNICEF’s global spokesperson, and he has made five trips to Gaza since the October attacks documenting what UNICEF has called a “war on children.” He joins us less than two weeks after a UN backed body officially designated the hunger crisis in Gaza a famine, one that the UN’s relief chief Tom Fletch…

1
Brazil stares down Trump and Bolsonaro 26:47

18d ago26:47

26:47

In a trial entering its final phase, former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro stands accused of attempting to stage a coup, leading an armed criminal organisation, and plotting to have the country’s current president and a Supreme Court justice killed. In response Bolsonaro ally U.S. President Donald Trump slapped Brazil with steep 50% tariffs and…

1
The threat next door: How NATO’s newest members are preparing to defend against Russia (via The House) 46:39

15d ago46:39

46:39

NATO’s secretary general has warned Russia could launch an attack on the alliance within the next five years. Talk to NATO’s two newest members, Finland and Sweden, and they’ll tell you preparation involves a lot more than just boosting military spending. As Canada seeks to strengthen ties with both countries, what can we learn from our newest NATO…

1
Nov 5: Drive the Trump Regime from Power 1:14:52

20d ago1:14:52

1:14:52

This week we're sharing highlights from the organizing webinar last week that kicked off the push towards the Nov 5 mobilization. Watch the full August 28 Organizing Webinar: The time has come for the fall of the Trump Fascist Regime Call for the 5th & organizing resources Commit to be in DC New Neil Young song: Big Crime "got to get the fascists o…

1
CMAT’s Euro-Country: The Right Artist at the Right Time 18:41

10d ago18:41

18:41

CMAT’s Euro-Country is a generational reckoning. In this review, I explore why only CMAT could have made this record, and why it could only have been made now.From the scars of the Celtic Tiger to the contradictions of modern Europe, Euro-Country is witty, heartbreaking, and politically sharp, a pop record that laughs, cries, and critiques all at o…

1
86. Ellie Leonard: Investigative Journalism, Jeffrey Epstein, and Deconstructing Past Truths 56:41

21d ago56:41

56:41

In this conversation, Stephanie Gerber Wilson speaks with Ellie Leonard, a writer and investigative journalist, about her deep dive into the Epstein case and the importance of independent journalism. They discuss the challenges of misinformation, the significance of human stories behind the headlines, and the role of faith and personal growth in na…

1
Is the International Criminal Court’s future in peril? 28:15

11d ago28:15

28:15

Last week, the U.S. released another round of sanctions against officials at the International Criminal Court, including a Canadian judge. They’re the latest in a string of attacks from the Trump administration this year, after the ICC issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gall…

1
Trump, the Smithsonian, and the battle over U.S. history 32:18

12d ago32:18

32:18

American history has always been contested, but recent decisions by U.S. President Donald Trump to reshape the way it’s taught and remembered have put museums, schools, and memorials squarely in the crosshairs. Earlier this year, Trump passed an executive order that called for the removal of what he referred to as “divisive, race-centered ideology”…

1
Politics! Carney's report card, Poilievre's return 25:08

13d ago25:08

25:08

Prime Minister Mark Carney campaigned on big promises and bold action to save a country in crisis. It's now been more than 100 days since his cabinet was sworn in, but details and tangible results are still thin on the ground. How much of a runway does he have to start delivering on his promises on things like national infrastructure, housing, and …

1
Young people can't find jobs. Is Canada's economy in trouble? 21:25

14d ago21:25

21:25

The unemployment rate for Canadians between 15 and 24 is at 15 percent, the highest it's been since 2010, not including the pandemic. Why can't young people find a job? And how do these numbers fit into the wider health of our economy at the moment? Economist and Atkinson Fellow on the Future of Workers Armine Yalnizyan is on the show to talk about…

1
Israel defies global outcry over Gaza City, West Bank 25:40

26d ago25:40

25:40

Airstrikes and tanks continued pounding the outskirts of Gaza City over the weekend, as Israel’s plans to seize the strip’s largest urban centre continued. A much bigger operation, widely condemned by the international community, could begin within days or weeks. This is all happening as the world’s leading authority on food crises is saying that G…

1
Trump’s DC Takeover - Straight Out of the Fascist Playbook 46:23

26d ago46:23

46:23

Sam recaps the latest ways that fascism is ratcheting forward including Trump’s latest threats to sic the military on other cities besides LA and DC. Then she speaks to Dr. Moustafa Bayoumi, author of ⁠Trump’s Washington DC takeover is straight out of a fascist playbook⁠ (The Guardian). Follow his work at ⁠moustafabayoumi.com⁠. What do we need to d…

1
Florence + The Machine: The Witch Returns 15:26

27d ago15:26

15:26

Florence + The Machine is back with Everybody Scream the first single from their upcoming album, Everybody Scream, set for release this Halloween. In this video, I dive into the song’s gothic sound, its themes of witchcraft and ritual, and how Florence continues to reclaim mystical imagery in her music.From Stevie Nicks to Kate Bush, from Irish fol…

1
Escape, immortality, AI: Silicon Valley's blueprint for the future 33:35

18d ago33:35

33:35

Elon Musk wants a million people living on Mars within 20 years. Jeff Bezos imagines a trillion humans in space, living in a constellation of space stations the size of major cities within a few generations. Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, is preparing for a future where rogue AI could destroy civilization, and is stockpiling land, gas masks, and gold i…

1
How Christian Zionism became a key force in U.S. politics 38:59

27d ago38:59

38:59

Christian Zionism — the belief that the modern state of Israel fulfills biblical prophecy — has existed as a theological concept for well over a century. But in the past couple decades its political power and influence in the United States has surged, with many of Donald Trump's closest political allies among its adherents. Today we're taking a loo…

1901
Are Canadian summers as we knew them over? 30:59

28d ago30:59

30:59

This summer is on track to being the second-worst wildfire season in Canadian history. It started earlier than usual with emergencies declared in the spring in Manitoba and Saskatchewan and is hitting locales that aren't typically fire-prone like Vancouver Island and Atlantic Canada. Meanwhile, fires from neighbouring provinces gave parts of southe…

1
Is Trump any closer to ending the war in Ukraine? 24:51

1M ago24:51

24:51

Over the last few days, US President Donald Trump has hosted a series of high-stakes talks to further the effort to end the war in Ukraine. First, on Friday, there was the summit in Alaska — Russian president Vladimir Putin’s first time in the US in nearly 20 years. Then on Monday, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky arrived at the White House f…

1
What the Air Canada strike is really about 27:02

25d ago27:02

27:02

It was a chaotic weekend for anyone flying with Air Canada. The airline canceled hundreds of flights after 10,000 flight attendants walked off the job. Less than 12 hours later, federal jobs minister Patty Hajdu had ordered them back to work — but the union took the unusual step of defying that order and continuing the strike. The main sticking poi…

1
Time For the Fall of the Trump Regime 1:05:22

1M ago1:05:22

1:05:22

Yesterday Refuse Fascism led marchers to the White House demanding Trump Must Go NOW, as Trump took federal control of the DC police and deployed national guard and other federal agencies onto the streets of the city to terrorize residents. Visit refusefascism.org for videos and coverage. We share Sam's speech from the kickoff rally at Dupont Circl…

1
U2, Sarajevo and Gaza: When Music Speaks Out And When It Doesn’t 22:44

23d ago22:44

22:44

In 1993, U2 used their stage to beam Sarajevo into the world during the Bosnian War. They gave space for civilians to speak under siege during their acclaimed ZooTV Tour. From that came ‘Miss Sarajevo’ with Luciano Pavarotti and one of the most powerful artistic responses to war. But in August 2025, when U2 spoke out on Gaza, their words told a dif…

1
Can Carney move fast enough on affordable housing? 27:42

25d ago27:42

27:42

This week, Canada's housing department released a document with more details on the Liberal government's plans to scale up affordable housing in the country. It's now seeking feedback from the public about it. Back in March, Prime Minister Carney vowed that his government would double the number of homes built annually in Canada to nearly half a mi…

1
The killing of Gaza’s journalists 34:31

1M ago34:31

34:31

Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has become the deadliest conflict for journalists in recent history. Among those killed was Anas Al-Sharif — one of the last remaining reporters in Northern Gaza, and one of the most recognizable media voices in the strip. In July, the Committee to Protect Journalists said that the public smear campaign against hi…

1
Why has Trump taken over D.C.? 26:13

1M ago26:13

26:13

National Guard troops descended on Washington D.C. after U.S. President Donald Trump vowed on Monday to take back the nation's capital and clear the streets of what he calls "crime, bloodshed, bedlam and squalor". It comes after the President spent the better part of the last week taking aim at D.C.'s leadership, homeless population and how crime t…

1
Cannabis megastores stoke tensions in Oka Crisis First Nation 29:15

1M ago29:15

29:15

35 years ago, the Kanien'kehá:ka of Kanehsatà:ke squared off with the Canadian army to defend their territory, culminating an armed standoff now known as the Oka Crisis, or the Siege of Kanehsatà:ke. Now, some community members worry that same territory is being threatened by an out-of-control boom of unregulated cannabis megastores with alleged co…

1
The Canadian army's long history of extremism 30:59

29d ago30:59

30:59

Last month, RCMP charged four people for their alleged involvement in a plot to forcibly take land north of Quebec city in what Mounties called an incident of "ideologically motivated violent extremism". Three of the men were denied bail last week. The accused, they charged, had planned to create an anti-government militia, but even more startling:…

1
For Those I Love: Carving the Stone & Confronting Toxic Masculinity 19:57

1M ago19:57

19:57

If grief was the language of For Those I Love’s debut, Carving the Stone is its translation into the language of a nation. David Balfe returns after four years with an album that moves from the deeply personal into the generational, tackling grief, class, violence, toxic masculinity, and the systems that keep us trapped. In this episode of The Last…

1
Can the Bad Bunny effect save Puerto Rico? 29:00

1M ago29:00

29:00

Bad Bunny, one of the most-streamed artists on the planet, is in the middle of his 30-concert residency in San Juan, Puerto Rico titled No me Querio Ir de Aqui, or "I don't want to leave here". Much like his latest album Debí Tirar Más Fotos, it is both a celebration of Puerto Rican culture and heritage but also a statement against the political an…

1
Politics! Poilievre's crucial byelection, Carney's tariff tightrope 27:15

1M ago27:15

27:15

Alberta's Battle River-Crowfoot is about as safe a riding as Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre could hope for as a place to regain a seat in the House of Commons in a byelection later this month. But he's facing pushback from some locals who feel they're being used as a means to an end by someone who won't represent their interests in Ottawa. Th…