Podcast / Jul 7, 2026

Founding Myths—With Tad Stoermer

On this episode of Fighting Fascism, historian Tad Stoermer revisits the American founding, exploring the Revolution, the fight over the Constitution, and the enduring legacy of democratic dissent.

The Nation Podcasts
The Nation Podcasts

Here's where to find podcasts from The Nation. Political talk without the boring parts, featuring the writers, activists and artists who shape the news, from a progressive perspective.

Founding Myths w/ Tad Stoermer / Fighting Fascism
byThe Nation Magazine

To celebrate the 250th, we’re looking back at the founding with Tad Stoermer, author of the NYTimes bestseller “A Resistance History of the United States.” Why did the same people who kicked off the American Revolution actively oppose the adoption of the Constitution? Was Rhode Island always a mob state? What can we learn from the musical 1776, starring Mr. Feeny? All this and more on this special 4th (well, 6th) of July episode of Fighting Fascism.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

A copy of the ‘Declaration of Independence’, hangs at Bull House, a former home of Thomas Paine, on July 04, 2026 in Lewes, England.

(Dan Kitwood / Getty Images)

To celebrate the 250th, we’re looking back at the founding with Tad Stoermer, author of the New York Times bestseller A Resistance History of the United States. Why did the same people who kicked off the American Revolution actively oppose the adoption of the Constitution? Was Rhode Island always a mob state? What can we learn from the musical 1776, starring Mr. Feeny? All this and more on this special Fourth (well, sixth) of July episode of Fighting Fascism.

Subscribe to The Nation to support all of our podcasts: thenation.com/subscribe.

The Nation Podcasts
The Nation Podcasts

Here's where to find podcasts from The Nation. Political talk without the boring parts, featuring the writers, activists and artists who shape the news, from a progressive perspective.

Unpacking Platner / Fighting Fascism
byThe Nation Magazine

We said we'd talk about Graham Platner someday, and that day has arrived. We were all super excited about Platner. That excitement turned out to be misplaced. So what are the lessons we should draw from this saga? We also reflect back on the broader primary season, debate Woke 1, talk data centers, and look toward November, in this first just-us-cohosts-episode.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Subscribe to The Nation to Support all of our podcasts

Matt DaSilva

Matt DaSilva is a co-host of the Fighting Fascism podcast.

Jonathan Smucker

Jonathan Smucker is cofounder and executive director of Popular Comms, a cofounder of Pennsylvania Stands Up, and the author of Hegemony How-To: A Roadmap for Radicals. He has worked for over 25 years as a political organizer, campaigner, and strategist, and has trained thousands of organizers and social movement participants.

Aaron Regunberg

Aaron Regunberg is a climate lawyer, a contributing editor at The New Republic, and a former Rhode Island state representative.

More from The Nation

An official mail ballot drop box during a 2026 primary election in New York.

The Supremes, Trump, and Voting—Plus Colson Whitehead’s Harlem The Supremes, Trump, and Voting—Plus Colson Whitehead’s Harlem

David Cole explains the latest court rulings on Trump’s efforts to undermine Democratic voting, and John Powers comments on the new novel “Cool Machine.”

Jon Wiener

Graham Platner on June 7, 2026, in Portland, Maine.

Unpacking Platner Unpacking Platner

On today’s episode of Fighting Fascism, reflections on Graham Platner, the lessons of primary season, debates over “wokeness,” data centers, and what lies ahead in November.

US President Donald Trump and Air Force Col. Christopher M. Robinson walking to board Air Force One on August 14, 2026.

Israel Strikes Syria, Trump Escalates the Economic War on Iran, the US Seems to Move Toward Diplomacy With North Korea Israel Strikes Syria, Trump Escalates the Economic War on Iran, the US Seems to Move Toward Diplomacy With North Korea

Danny and Derek unpack the week’s global news, from Israel, Syria, Gaza, and Iran to Sudan, Ukraine, Korea, US tariffs, and Trump’s military agenda.

Derek Davison and Daniel Bessner

Signage outside a polling location during a primary election in Miami, Florida, on Tuesday, August 18, 2026.

Protecting the Midterms—at the Grassroots and in the Courts Protecting the Midterms—at the Grassroots and in the Courts

Leah Greenberg and Vanita Gupta join the show to discuss preparations to protect voting, ballot counting, and election certification in the midterms.

Jon Wiener

Anti-ICE protesters rally outside the Delaney Hall ICE detention facility in Newark, New Jersey, on June 3, 2026.

How to Close a Camp—With John Washington How to Close a Camp—With John Washington

John Washington joins Fighting Fascism to discuss the fight against immigrant detention, the activists working to close camps, and their role in authoritarianism.

Trump’s Chaotic Foreign Policy

Trump’s Chaotic Foreign Policy Trump’s Chaotic Foreign Policy

David Klion on restrainers, neo-conservatives, and a flaky president.

Jeet Heer

x