In a moment that demands not just outrage but strategy, cohosts Aaron Regunberg, Jonathan Smucker, and Matt DaSilva, are here with concrete lessons to facilitate listeners fight back.
The Nation has announced the launch of “Fighting Fascism,” a new podcast devoted to resisting authoritarianism, featuring cohosts Aaron Regunberg, Jonathan Smucker, and Matt DaSilva. The show aims to provide practical guidance and historical context for individuals and communities seeking to counter rising authoritarian trends through informed action.
According to The Nation’s announcement, the podcast emerges from a recognition that effective resistance requires more than emotional response—it demands strategic thinking, organized effort, and accessible tools for civic engagement. The cohosts bring complementary backgrounds in activism, political organizing, and policy analysis to the project.
The podcast’s debut aligns with broader public discourse about democratic resilience, particularly in the United States, where concerns about institutional integrity and civic participation have intensified in recent years. By focusing on actionable strategies rather than solely diagnostic critique, “Fighting Fascism” seeks to bridge the gap between awareness and effective response.
About the Cohosts
Aaron Regunberg serves as a senior fellow at Demos, a progressive think tank focused on economic and political equality. His work has centered on democracy reform, campaign finance, and voting rights advocacy. Regunberg previously held elected office in the Rhode Island House of Representatives, where he focused on government transparency and civic engagement initiatives.
Jonathan Smucker is the author of “Hegemony How-To: A Roadmap for Radicals” and has extensive experience in grassroots organizing and movement building. He co-founded Beyond Chaos, an organization dedicated to helping activists develop strategic thinking and long-term planning skills. Smucker’s work emphasizes the importance of durable organizational structures in social movements.
Matt DaSilva brings experience in digital activism and communications strategy, having worked with various progressive organizations on online engagement and narrative development. His background includes roles in media advocacy and digital organizing efforts aimed at amplifying underrepresented voices in public discourse.
Together, the cohosts intend to draw on their diverse experiences to explore historical examples of successful resistance movements, analyze contemporary challenges to democratic norms, and offer practical frameworks for individual and collective action.
Podcast Format and Content Approach
Each episode of “Fighting Fascism” combines historical analysis, contemporary case studies, and practical toolkits designed to help listeners translate concern into action. The show emphasizes strategies that have proven effective in past struggles against authoritarianism, adapting those lessons to current contexts.
Topics covered include building resilient community organizations, understanding the tactics of authoritarian movements, developing effective communication strategies, and creating sustainable long-term resistance efforts. The podcast too examines lessons from historical movements such as the civil rights struggle, anti-apartheid efforts, and European resistance to fascism in the 20th century.
The Nation describes the podcast as part of its broader commitment to providing not just analysis of political developments but also resources for civic engagement. This approach reflects an evolving role for political journalism in an era where audiences increasingly seek both understanding and pathways to involvement.
Context and Timing
The launch of “Fighting Fascism” comes amid ongoing national conversations about the state of American democracy, including debates over voting access, institutional norms, and the role of civil society in checking governmental power. Various surveys and academic studies have documented fluctuating levels of public trust in democratic institutions and concerns about political polarization.
While the podcast does not focus exclusively on U.S. Developments, its cohosts’ primary areas of expertise and The Nation’s editorial focus suggest an initial emphasis on domestic contexts, with attention to transnational patterns and international solidarity efforts where relevant.
The show joins a growing ecosystem of podcasts and digital resources dedicated to political education and civic empowerment, reflecting audience demand for content that combines insight with practical utility in navigating complex political landscapes.
Where to Listen
“Fighting Fascism” is available on major podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music, as well as through The Nation’s website. New episodes are released on a regular schedule, with accompanying show notes providing links to referenced resources, recommended readings, and organizational contacts mentioned in each episode.
Listeners can subscribe through standard podcast applications or visit The Nation’s dedicated podcast page for direct streaming options and access to archived episodes. The Nation encourages audience feedback and topic suggestions through its website and social media channels to help shape future content.
As part of its launch, The Nation has made the first several episodes available for immediate listening, allowing audiences to sample the show’s approach and determine its relevance to their interests in democratic resistance and civic engagement strategies.