Today I spoke to Zahra Amanpour, an Iranian-American woman whose life has been shaped by Iran’s struggle for freedom. Born during the 1979 revolution, Zahra grew up in the resistance movement—her parents were activists, and her father was killed in 1988 during one of the regime’s mass roundups. Now living in America where she runs an economic development business called Main Street Assembly, she remains deeply connected to the Iranian resistance and offered a firsthand perspective on what’s happening on the ground. The most recent uprisings began on December 28th, sparked by the collapse of Iran’s currency, and within days protests erupted across approximately 95 cities—essentially every town, city, and village in the country. This is fundamentally a feminist movement led by women, with Maryam Rajavi at the helm. Women have been specifically targeted by the regime for 45 years, and in response, they’ve become the backbone of the resistance—leading chants, confronting guards, and driving the struggle for freedom

The conversation delves into the themes of institutional breakdown, democratic erosion, and the global power dynamics and risk assessment. It explores the significance of the current moment, the impact of the World Economic Forum, and the rupture of the world order, as well as the implications for the United States and the global economy. The conversation delves into the assessment of threats and posturing, the impact of leadership changes on military behavior, and the implications of national security planning and ideological shifts. It explores the duty of the military to not follow unlawful orders and the erosion of military guardrails due to leadership changes. Additionally, it discusses the impact of ideological shifts on national security planning and the behavior of military personnel.

Takeaways

• Institutional breakdown and democratic erosion
• Global power dynamics and risk assessment Military duty to not follow unlawful orders
• Impact of leadership changes on military behavior

Chapters

• 00:00 Impact on the United States and Global Economy
• 32:00 Assessing Threats and Posturing
• 43:07 Military Guardrails and Leadership
• 56:03 National Security Planning and Ideological Shifts

Amanda Litman, founder of Run for Something, discusses the importance of local leadership and the impact of young, diverse candidates in politics. She emphasizes the need for authentic, human-centered leadership and the role of mentorship in shaping the future of politics. The conversation also explores the significance of grassroots activism and the power of community engagement in driving meaningful change.

Takeaways

• Local leadership is crucial for driving change and progress in communities.
• Authenticity, mentorship, and human-centered leadership are essential qualities for effective political leadership.

Chapters

• 00:00 Empowering Activists and Engaging Locally

In this conversation, Doug Friednash discusses the intersection of law and politics, focusing on the legal avenues available at local and state levels to address pressing issues such as immigration policy, community protection, and the role of grassroots activism. He emphasizes the importance of leadership, public trust in media, and the need for a unified message to engage voters effectively. The discussion also touches on the current state of democracy, the impact of federal leadership, and the necessity for long-term planning in political strategy.

Takeaways

The separation of powers is crucial in today's political climate.

Local leaders play a vital role in community protection.

Public trust in media is alarmingly low.

Democratic leadership must become more proactive.

The state of democracy is concerning and needs attention.

The DOJ's actions reflect a troubling trend in governance.

Distractions in political discourse can undermine important issues.

Immigration enforcement requires significant reform.

Grassroots activism is essential for political change.

Long-term planning is necessary for effective political strategy.

Titles

Navigating Legal Avenues in Politics

State vs. Federal: The Power Struggle

Sound bites

"We need to unify our message."

"Activism starts at the local level."

"We need leaders with a plan."

Keywords

legal avenues, immigration policy, grassroots activism, state government, public trust, democracy, leadership, political strategy, community protection, media influence

Keywords

Project 2112, ex-vangelicals, Christian nationalism, community building, authoritarianism, evangelicalism, cognitive dissonance, curiosity, Seven Mountains mandate, Israel

Summary

In this conversation, Heather Cronk, founder of Project 2112, discusses her journey from evangelicalism to organizing ex-vangelicals against rising Christian nationalism. She shares insights on the importance of community building, the impact of cognitive dissonance, and the need for curiosity in conversations about faith and politics. The discussion also delves into the authoritarian tendencies within evangelicalism, the significance of Israel in evangelical theology, and the Seven Mountains mandate, which outlines a strategy for Christian dominion over various societal sectors. Heather emphasizes the importance of creating alternative spaces for ex-vangelicals and the need for empathy and understanding in bridging divides.

I spoke with Anat Shenker-Osorio about the current political climate, the importance of narrative control, and the need for accountability in leadership. They discuss the interconnectedness of domestic and foreign issues, the limitations of voting as a means of achieving democracy, and the necessity of collective action and general strikes. Anat emphasizes the importance of naming the threat of fascism and the role of leadership in mobilizing resistance against the MAGA regime.

In this conversation, Stephanie interviews Vaughn Joy about her book 'Selling Out Santa,' which explores the cultural significance of Christmas films in Hollywood during the post-World War II era. The discussion delves into how these films reflect American identity, the impact of McCarthyism and the blacklist on Hollywood, the evolution of gender roles, and the representation of race and sexuality in Christmas cinema. Joy emphasizes the secular nature of American Christmas and how films served as social mirrors, revealing the ideological conservatism of the time.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Freedom Over Fascism and Guest Introduction

02:31 Exploring 'Selling Out Santa' and Its Cultural Significance

05:32 The Role of Christmas Films in American Identity

07:42 Secular vs. Religious Christmas: A Cultural Discussion

10:27 Hollywood's Response to McCarthyism and the Blacklist

12:46 The Shift in Film Content Post-Blacklist

15:15 The Ideological Influence of Ayn Rand on Hollywood

17:48 The Evolution of Gender Roles in Christmas Films

20:05 Race and Representation in Christmas Cinema

22:27 The Impact of the Hays Code on Film Content

25:09 Teenage Representation in Christmas Films

27:22 Conclusion and Reflections on Cultural Narratives

In this conversation, Stephanie Gerber Wilson and Dr. Deborah Shushan explore the complexities of the Jewish American community's response to the Israel-Palestine conflict, particularly in light of recent events. They discuss the historical context, the impact of October 7th, and the divisions within the community regarding support for Israel and the Palestinian cause. The conversation delves into the narratives that shape identity, the role of education, and the generational differences in perspectives on Israel. They also touch on the political dynamics influencing the conflict and the broader implications for American democracy.

In this conversation, Rabbi Sandra Lawson discusses the intersection of Jewish identity, liberation theology, and social justice. She emphasizes the importance of building relationships across different communities, particularly between Jewish and Black communities, and the need for a more inclusive understanding of Jewish values in activism. The conversation also touches on the complexities of current Jewish identity, the impact of whiteness on Jewish experiences, and the necessity of having difficult conversations about race and identity within the Jewish community.

Takeaways

Judaism is fundamentally about liberation and empathy.

The Jewish community must engage with other marginalized groups.

Building relationships is key to solidarity and activism.

Multiple narratives exist within the Jewish experience.

Whiteness complicates Jewish identity and activism.

Difficult conversations about race are necessary for growth.

Activism should be grounded in Jewish values and teachings.

The younger generation seeks a more inclusive Jewish identity.

Understanding history is crucial for current social justice work.

Solidarity requires genuine relationships, not transactional interactions.

Titles

Exploring Jewish Identity with Rabbi Sandra Lawson

Judaism and Liberation: A Conversation with Rabbi Lawson

Sound bites

"Judaism is liberation theology."

"We must learn from each other."

"Whiteness has infiltrated Judaism."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Rabbi Sandra Lawson

02:56 Judaism as Liberation Theology

08:18 Historical Narratives and Community Connections

14:57 Fractures and Alliances in Jewish and Black Communities

20:01 The Complexity of Multiple Truths

25:30 Building Relationships Across Differences

27:39 Local Action for Global Change

28:56 Navigating Overwhelm and Engagement

31:46 Cultural Cleavages in the Jewish Community

34:10 Creating Space for Diverse Conversations

37:46 The Role of Organizations in Modern Judaism

44:26 Whiteness and Identity in Judaism

Keywords

Judaism, Rabbi Sandra Lawson, Jewish community, liberation theology, civil rights, anti-Semitism, Black community, activism, social justice, identity

Summary

In this episode of Freedom Over Fascism Live, Dr. Stephanie Gerber Wilson interviews Treb Courie, the legal director of the Orders Project. They discuss the complexities of military law, the role of the Orders Project in assisting service members with legal issues, and the implications of international law on military operations. The conversation also covers the legal boundaries of orders given to service members, particularly in the context of domestic deployments and operations in the Caribbean. Courie emphasizes the importance of understanding the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and the law of armed conflict, as well as the challenges faced by service members in navigating these legal landscapes.

Takeaways

The Orders Project assists service members with legal advice.

Service members must follow lawful orders unless manifestly unlawful.

The UCMJ governs military discipline and justice.

International law informs military operations but is complex.

Domestic deployments raise legal questions under the Posse Comitatus Act.

Service members are encouraged to seek legal advice for hypotheticals.

Military justice operates under a different system than civilian law.

The military can federalize National Guard troops under certain conditions.

Psychological operations are restricted against US citizens.

Confidentiality is maintained in attorney-client communications.

Titles

Navigating Military Law: The Orders Project Explained

Understanding Legal Boundaries for Service Members

Sound bites

“Remember your oath to the Constitution.”

“Orders must be manifestly unlawful to disobey.”

“We are not at war with a nation.”

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Freedom Over Fascism Live

03:43 Understanding the Orders Project

09:57 Navigating Legal Advice for Service Members

17:02 The Role of International Law

21:30 The Caribbean Operations and Legal Implications

25:19 Military Justice System Explained

34:07 National Guard and Federalization Issues

39:20 Dubious Orders and Legal Boundaries