Freedom Over Fascism: Fireside Chats

In this Freedom Over Fascism Fireside Chat, I talk with Michele Hornish, co-founder and executive director of Every State Blue, about why it matters to run candidates in every district—including the reddest and most overlooked ones. Michele explains how Every State Blue supports state legislative candidates, why down-ballot races can help build broader political power, and how small actions can make a difference over time.

• Every State Blue funds Democratic candidates in under-resourced state legislative districts through state projects and the national First In Line effort.
• Running candidates everywhere can help build local political infrastructure, even when a district is not immediately competitive.
• Candidates in uncontested districts can hold elected officials accountable, connect with neighbors, recruit volunteers, register voters, and learn what matters in their communities.
• Michele describes research indicating that running a candidate in a previously uncontested district can increase vote share for the top of the ticket by 1.5 percent.
• Funding candidates for practical needs—such as gas, yard signs, websites, and campaign materials—can help them organize and present themselves professionally.
• Every State Blue prioritizes candidates who have raised the least, directing support to those with the fewest resources.
• The discussion revisits Howard Dean’s 50-state strategy and the importance of building political infrastructure beyond competitive races.
• Uncontested and underfunded races exist in blue states as well as red states.
• Long-term political power is built through consistent organizing across election cycles, not only through short-term campaigns.
• People can help by sharing candidates’ posts, voting early, talking with friends and neighbors about voting, and supporting local races with small donations.
• Michele shares examples from Missouri, Iowa, Ohio, Texas, and other states to illustrate how local candidates can contribute to broader turnout and organizing efforts.
• The conversation closes with a reminder: people may not be able to do everything, but everyone can do something.

Welcome to Season 8 of Freedom Over Fascism Fireside Chats!

Our American story is complicated and nuanced. How have we come to this moment where our children's future is in question? Where freedom and equality take a backseat to cruelty and lies, and where history itself is being rewritten.

I'm Dr. Stephanie Wilson, and I host Freedom Over Fascism Fireside Chats, which feature no BS conversations about power and how to engage with it, solutions to this moment's problems, and strategies for engaging with each other in order to create a society where liberty and justice are for all of us.

Join me at freedomoverfascism.us or wherever you get your podcasts.

In this episode, Corey Nathan and Dr. Stephanie Wilson explore the importance of curiosity, nuance, and persistent dialogue in bridging political and cultural divides. They discuss how small, relational interactions can influence societal change and the value of staying in community despite differences.

keywordspolitics, religion, dialogue, nuance, curiosity, societal change, community, democracy, engagement, hope

key topics

• The role of curiosity and nuance in political and religious conversations
• The importance of staying in community despite disagreements
• The metaphor of salt and soup to illustrate influence and change
• The concept of dissidence versus activism in fighting for democracy
• The impact of relational, not transactional, dialogue on societal change
• The importance of persistent engagement and asking questions
• The influence of historical thinkers like Hannah Arendt and Orwell
• The significance of election integrity and structural political work

In this episode, Dr. Stephanie Wilson hosts Norbese Flint, president of All Above All and For All Our Futures, to explore how culture, storytelling, and community-building drive social change. Their discussion illuminates the importance of imagination, local activism, and cultural narratives in shaping a future where justice thrives.

• The transformative potential of sci-fi, especially Afrofuturism, in envisioning future Black identities and possibilities.
• How media like Star Trek and Andor inspire hope and strategic thinking about societal change.
• The enduring power of comics, TV shows, and storytelling in normalizing diverse identities and challenging stereotypes.
• The necessity of grassroots organizing—building community locally, virtually, and through shared interests.
• Practical steps for reclaiming community and fostering activism, even for those feeling disconnected or hesitant.
• How cultural work and policy advocacy are intertwined, and the importance of collaborating with media creators to shape narratives.
• The role of education and representation in humanizing marginalized groups and combating hierarchy and hierarchy-based oppression.
• The urgent need to model alternative futures through storytelling and tangible policy, emphasizing collective liberation.

Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction and episode overview
02:05 - Norbese Flint's background and activism
03:42 - Afrofuturism and imagining Black futures
06:23 - Star Trek as a blueprint for a post-scarcity society
08:00 - The significance of Andor in understanding rebellion and sacrifice
10:16 - Lessons from science fiction on tyranny and hope
11:28 - Creating a post-scarcity world in reality
12:26 - The influence of comic books and media in shaping social norms
14:04 - The power of storytelling in normalization and representation
16:29 - Honoring the legacy of reproductive justice pioneers
17:51 - The importance of daily community actions in resistance
19:45 - Rebuilding local connections post-pandemic
22:55 - How to catalyze community through interest-based organizations
29:37 - Tools and strategies for breaking isolation and building community
32:27 - Practical ways to foster in-person and virtual connection
35:07 - Historical roots of comics as cultural resistance
38:50 - The role of media in reflecting and challenging social norms
42:27 - Representation of LGBTQ+ communities in media and its impact
44:38 - Culture as a foundation for humanizing and empowering marginalized groups
50:01 - The rising threat of licit and illicit eugenics and how to oppose it
51:00 - Cultivating narratives of collective flourishing in media and policy
52:34 - Collaboration between culture creators and policy advocates
55:10 - Strategies for engaging entertainment industries in social justice work
57:11 - Connecting online activism with grassroots community efforts
58:44 - Final reflections and upcoming initiatives

In this conversation, Stephanie Gerber Wilson and Tara McGowan discuss the current landscape of independent media, the challenges faced by legacy media, and the importance of grassroots support for journalism. They explore the role of local journalism, the significance of political engagement, and the need for new leadership in times of crisis. The discussion emphasizes the importance of community, the impact of voter suppression, and the necessity of a long-term vision for change in the political landscape.

This conversation is from the archives but is perhaps more important now than ever before. I talked to Dr. Matthew Taylor, author of The Violent Take it By Force.

Dr. Taylor explains the New Apostolic Reformation and the Seven Mountains Mandate, which is crucial to understanding this moment with Hegseth and military commanders telling troops that they're lighting the signal fires for Armageddon. This interview blew my mind into tiny little pieces and its a must listen right now.

Please support this podcast with a paid subscription at freedomoverfascism.us.

The conversation covers topics related to health disparities, social determinants of health, and the impact of political polarization on public health. It delves into the challenges of access to healthcare, the influence of social factors on health outcomes, and the intersection of politics and public health. The conversation delved into the importance of community and collaboration, highlighting the significance of independent media and the Substack community. It also explored the impact of unstructured conversations and the value of deep dives into expertise.

Takeaways

• Health disparities and access to healthcare
• Social determinants of health
• Political polarization and its impact on public health Community and Collaboration
• Independent Media and Substack Community

Chapters

• 00:00 Health Disparities and Access to Healthcare
• 19:03 Social Determinants of Health
• 28:49 Political Polarization and Public Health
• 54:39 Independent Media and Substack Community

The conversation delves into the concept of war gaming and scenario planning for future events, emphasizing the lack of a plan and backbone in addressing the current moment. It explores the creation of fictional scenarios for future exploration, providing historical background and context for the game scenarios. The discussion also covers game mechanics, the influence of civil society and institutional power, anticipating the future, and potential outcomes and leverage for a peaceful transfer of power. The conversation delves into the dynamics of power in politics, strategic coalition building, and the impact of historical models on shaping scenarios. It explores the predictability of human behavior, the need for strategic responses, and the significance of federalism, state power, and civic resilience. The role of language, public perception, and the Epstein files in power dynamics is also highlighted, along with the quest for power and the importance of winning and protecting election results.

Takeaways

• War gaming for future scenarios
• Enforcing peaceful transfer of power Power dynamics in politics
• Strategic coalition building

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to War Gaming and Scenario Planning
• 10:15 Game Mechanics and Decision Making Process
• 16:24 Potential Outcomes and Leverage for Peaceful Transfer of Power
• 33:22 The Game of Power
• 39:37 Historical Models and Scenarios
• 45:05 Understanding the Pace of Change
• 51:20 Federalism and State Power
• 56:33 Civic Resilience and Language

Marlon Weems and Stephanie Gerber Wilson discuss a range of topics including this history of racialized America, how aggressive federalism might work, state power, and the challenges facing the Democratic Party; ie they don't know how to wield power. They delve into the historical context of racism and slavery, interrogate the concept of whiteness, and explore the implications of these issues in contemporary society. The dialogue emphasizes the need for a more assertive political strategy and the importance of understanding the historical roots of current social dynamics.

Are you aware of the silent war happening on our beliefs?

In our latest chat with Rachel Maron, we dive deep into the concept of epistemic warfare—how our understanding and trust are being manipulated every day.

In a world where misinformation and ideological battles rage on, understanding the dynamics of epistemic warfare has never been more crucial. I have a thought-provoking conversation with Rachel Maron, exploring the nature of trust, knowledge, and the ongoing struggle for truth in today’s society.

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