Understanding fascism, its historical roots, ideological foundations, and contemporary manifestations has never been more important for informed citizenship in our complex seriously messed up political landscape.
While academic texts and documentaries provide valuable insights, podcasts offer a uniquely accessible format for exploring this weighty subject through in-depth conversations with historians, political scientists, and survivors. The audio medium allows for nuanced discussions that can illuminate the psychological, social, and economic conditions that enable fascist movements to take hold, while also examining how democratic institutions can resist authoritarian threats.
The following podcast episodes represent some of the most thoughtful and educational podcast content available on fascism, offering listeners various perspectives from leading experts who help contextualize both historical fascist regimes and the warning signs we must remain vigilant about today.
THE REST IS HISTORY – Fascism
What constitutes fascism and what are its origins? Nobody acknowledges being a fascist, yet the label remains a common insult thrown around frequently. Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook explore the historical development of this most reviled political system.
BELOW THE RADAR – Fascist Strongmen with Ruth Ben-Ghiat
Ruth Ben-Ghiat, a History and Italian Studies Professor at NYU, talks with Am Johal about fascism and how leaders use “strongman” personas to gain power. They examine today’s politics through Ruth’s book “Strongmen: From Mussolini to the Present,” connecting Mussolini’s approach to figures like Berlusconi, Orban, and Trump, and how they grow increasingly corrupt and dependent on extremists. Together with a prior episode featuring Alberto Toscano, these discussions provide historical context for understanding contemporary fascist movements.
STAR-SPANGLED FASCISM PODCAST – Episode 1 – Special Guest – Rachel Maddow
Rachel and Bradley examine the beginnings of fascist organizations in America during the 1920s and 1930s. They provide detailed coverage of these movements’ leaders, their followers, and the Americans who opposed them.
DAN SNOW’S HISTORY HIT – Fascism in America
The emergence of fascism in America during the 1920s and 1930s mirrored fascism’s growth in Germany during the same period, featuring blame tactics, spreading of misinformation, and attempts to undermine democratic institutions. Dan speaks with Rachel Maddow, presenter of the popular Ultra podcast and The Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC, to examine how Nazi ideology penetrated America’s top government positions, while also highlighting the overlooked American champions who sacrificed everything to prevent it.
ORIGIN STORY – Fascism: The fraternity of violence
Few labels get used as casually today as “Fascist” but what does this ultimate political denouncement actually signify? What are fascism’s origins? Do all fascists qualify as Nazis, and were the Nazis themselves truly fascists? Examining figures from Mussolini and Nietzsche to Adolf Hitler, Ian Dunt and Dorian Lynskey explore fascism’s toxic mixture of brutality, bigotry, antisemitism, mystical thinking, intellectual hostility and strangely contemporary visual design. They uncover a savage, irrational ideology that simultaneously fixates on cutting-edge technology and ancient legends – and which unavoidably propels itself toward warfare.
STUFF YOU SHOULD KNOW – What exactly is Fascism?
Fascism represents a particular political ideology that’s frequently misapplied to describe any dictatorial, oppressive movement or government. Josh and Chuck explore the beginnings, development and characteristics of fascism in this episode.
I DON’T SPEAK GERMAN – 128: How to Talk to Your Son About Fascism, with Craig A. Johnson
Jack and Daniel host Craig A. Johnson – scholar, researcher, antifascist, and presenter of the (outstanding) podcast 15 Minutes of Fascism – to discuss his (outstanding) new book How to Talk to Your Son About Fascism, a guide on contemporary fascist and far-right movements, in all their forms and variations, designed for people concerned that a youth in their lives (particularly a young man, naturally) is being drawn into extremism.
NOW & THEN – Fascism: Meanings and Methods
The word ‘fascism’ is frequently cited today by speakers across the Left and Right political spectrum. Heather and Joanne begin by establishing the definition and engage in a discussion grounded in historical context, spanning from the early fascist elements of Southern slavery, through the fascist blueprints created by Mussolini and Hitler, to the present dangers of fascist ideology and themes becoming mainstream in the United States.
THE HISTORY OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY – The Anatomy of Fascism
Fascist regimes operate according to the fascist leader’s perspectives rather than any documented doctrine. And what does the leader desire? Domestically, to glorify “our” exceptional civilization; internationally, conflict.
FUTURE TENSE – The roots of techno-authoritarianism
Does the essence of the “Futurist” movement persist today in figures like Elon Musk and America’s fascination with tech-oligarchs? The Italian poet and visionary Filippo Tommaso Marinetti nearly perished in an automobile accident, and from that incident emerged the “Futurist” movement. It subsequently influenced Benito Mussolini’s fascism with a dynamic focus on revolutionary technology, warfare and establishing a totalitarian tomorrow.
CONSPIRITUALITY – Brief: Is It Fascism?
Derek and Julian examine Robert Paxton’s 2004 work, The Anatomy of Fascism, in the context of 2025 America.
DAN SNOW’S HISTORY HIT – THE LEADERS: Mussolini
Once a political powerhouse with aspirations of a revived Roman Empire, Mussolini’s transformation from a defiant socialist youth to Italy’s fascist dictator represents a tale of arrogance, violence and eventual failure. In this third episode of The Leaders series, Dan reunites with Professor Phillips O’Brien, author of ‘The Strategists’. They analyze Mussolini’s ascent to authority, the disastrous choices that caused Italy’s destruction during World War II and his final collapse.
THE PROF G POD – How to Fight Fascism in America – with Timothy Snyder
Timothy Snyder, a prominent historian specializing in authoritarianism, Ukraine, and Eastern Europe, speaks with Scott about dangers facing American democracy, parallels to 1930s fascism, and what continues to inspire his optimism.
THE NEXT PICTURE SHOW – #466: Kill ‘Em All, Pt. 1 – Starship Troopers
This week focuses on space bugs as symbols of fascistic societies’ contempt for perceived inferior life forms. Inspired by Bong Joon Ho’s new MICKEY 17, they revisit Paul Verhoeven’s STARSHIP TROOPERS, whose 1997 satirical message wasn’t universally understood. The panel debates how effectively Verhoeven executed his propaganda critique and discusses the film’s lasting impact and why such a movie couldn’t be made in today’s Hollywood.
THE POLITICSGIRL PODCAST – How to Make a Dictator: A Conversation with Strongman Expert Ruth Ben-Ghiat
Authoritarian propaganda offers hollow promises of national unity under a leader claiming only they can solve problems. Authoritarian expert Ruth Ben-Ghiat discussed with the host how shock tactics distract from plans to harm democracy and target those who don’t show absolute loyalty. The Trump rally incident doesn’t change who Trump is or his intentions if he gains power. Ruth’s warnings about strongman tactics are now more urgent as they witness authoritarianism’s playbook unfolding.
BEHIND THE BASTARDS – Part One: Carl Schmitt: The Mind Behind Modern Fascism
Robert guides Blake Wexler through the biography and era of Carl Schmitt, a legal academic from Imperial Germany who developed the framework for how fascist movements could dismantle liberal democracy from the inside.
THE FASCISM BAROMETER – How We Got Here and How We Get Out with Kenyon Farrow
Kenyon Farrow, an experienced writer and movement strategist, appears with Ejeris on the Fascism Barometer to explore the background of fascist and authoritarian politics in America. Kenyon also presents concepts for escaping this crisis, outlining roles that individuals, activist groups, and politicians should adopt in both immediate and future responses.
HISTORY EXTRA PODCAST – Fascism: everything you wanted to know
Richard Bosworth addresses listener questions about the authoritarian ideology that arose in Italy a century ago. He discusses with Spencer Mizen how Mussolini gained power, what distinguished Italian Fascism from Nazism, and whether “fascist” is overused today.
RACHEL MADDOW PRESENTS: ULTRA – Episode 1: Trip 19
It began with an aircraft accident. The tragic, enigmatic crash of a passenger plane during summer 1940 created a scene of destruction in rural Virginia — and left many unresolved mysteries. The crash’s cause remained uncertain. Among the numerous fatalities was an active U.S. senator. His presence aboard the flight and the peculiar circumstances surrounding the disaster would ultimately expose dangers to American democracy itself.