Feminism, Fascism, and the Future

In this episode we speak with Dr. Carly Thomsen, author of Reproductive Justice, Queerly. In this book, Dr. Thomsen shows us just how productive queer and feminist theory can be in creating a more feminist future for all of us.

In this episode of We Read a Book! Bianca and Laurie speak with Linda Robinson about her new book, Women in Power: Fighting for Democracy in the Age of Authoritarianism. Linda, an award winning journalist and foreign policy expert, tells the depressing story of how authoritarian and deeply misogynistic movements are pushing women out of political power and how, despite all this, some women are changing their countries and even the world.

In this episode of "We Talk to Really Smart People" we speak with author, journalist and fierce feminist Judith Levine about what she's thinking about fascism and how we can resist it. Have a listen, get inspired, and READ Judith.

In this episode of We Talk to Really Smart People, we talk with Maya Rupert, progressive political strategist, author and yes even occasional podcaster. Maya has the experience, the political imagination, and the can-do spirit we need right now. So have a listen, buy her book, and vote. It is not all we have to do, but it is something we must do if we want to create a more just and feminist future.

In this episode, we ask "Is Gender Studies F*d?" and the answers might surprise you. Yes, always, because of the neoliberal university ,because of the anti-gender movement and how much they hate feminism and women and truth, because they are shutting down departments all over the country. And no, we are already here in large numbers and spread out throughout the university. Gender Studies might be vulnerable to fascist attacks, but the experts we spoke to all agreed: even Trumpism cannot kill critical thinking!

In this episode of We Read a Book! we talk to author Jack El Hai about his book The Nazi and the Psychiatrist. The book tells the story of Dr. Douglas Kelley, a US Army psychiatrist in charge of high level Nazis awaiting trial at Nuremberg at the close of WWII. If this sounds familiar it's because the book was made into a movie with the dreamy Rami Malek as Dr. Kelley and the scarily authentic Russell Crowe as Hermann Göring. So have a listen and learn why Dr. Kelley believed that any culture, including the US, could become fascist. Then READ the book to learn more.

In this episode of We Read a Book! we talk to author Jack El Hai about The Nazi & the Psychiatrist. Last year's movie Nuremburg, with dreamy Rami Malek and Russell Crowe as a scarily belivable Hermann Göring, was based on this book. Jack tells us what psychiatrist Douglas Kelley discovered while watching over the high level Nazi officers awaiting trial at the end of the war: there was nothing unusual about German culture. Fascism can happen anywhere that people are willing to obey a charismatic leader without question. Sound like the US right now? Then have a listen, hear what Jack found while researching this book, and then READ the book. Remember, reading in this age of AI summaries is a revolutionary act and we are here to do it with you.

Have you met Vermont's progressive Congresswoman yet? Becca Balint is committed, optimistic, and ready to remake this world with a can-do spirit and lots of clear-eyed strategy. Plus she is feisty AF. Have a listen, learn something, and then let's all roll up our sleeves and work with her to create the feminist future we need.

In this episode of We Read a Book! we talk to Amy Littlefield about her new book Killers of Roe. Part whodunnit, part social history, part blueprint for protecting reproductive rights in the future, this is a must read for anyone who cares about feminism in the US and what we need to do to create the future we want!

This is the first in our new series: We Read a Book! In an age of AI summaries, reading is a revolutionary act so we are reading books that can tell us something about this moment we are in and how to build the feminist future we want. In this episode, we talk to Carolyn McConnell, author of Motherhood Discounted: Carework in America Before and After Roe. Have a listen, learn something, and read the book!