The Anti-Authoritarian Podcast Series

EP10. Defending Democratic Institutions From Within.

Elected Authoritarians don’t seize power with tanks—they quietly capture courts, parliaments, parties, and electoral boards. In this episode of the Anti-Authoritarian Toolkit Podcast, we explore how democracy defenders can resist from inside the system when civic space is under attack. From judges and civil servants to election officials and whistleblowers, we uncover the tactics, alliances, and moral courage it takes to hold the line, protect institutions, and turn them into sites of democratic pushback—keeping hope alive even in captured states. Mussa Assad [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mussa-j-assad-1b63566a/?originalSubdomain=tz]has been the Controller and Auditor General of the Republic of Tanzania and is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Accounting at the University of Dar Es Salaam. Deus Valentine [https://hrf.org/member/deus-valentine/] is co-founder and Chief Executive Officer at the Centre for Strategic Litigation  Mentioned and recommended in the episode: * My Voice My Choice [https://www.myvoice-mychoice.org/] * Learn about the Anti-Authoritarian Toolkit and over 50 plays for defeating authoritarians.  * Join the Community of Democracy Defenders at dhub.org [https://dhub.org] The Anti-Authoritarian Podcast Series is produced by Democracy Hub. Executive production: Agustina Manuele Production: Denise Menache Audio recording and processing: Manuel Clemente, Chuco Sounds Editing: Andy Cukier

EP9. Smart Opposition Coordination.

Authoritarians learn from each other—so must we. In this episode of the Anti-Authoritarian Toolkit Podcast, we explore how democracy defenders can mobilize global solidarity, engage international allies, and turn local struggles into powerful cross-border movements. From diaspora activism and diplomatic advocacy to media and human rights networks, we unpack what works—and what doesn’t—when connecting local fights for freedom to the global movement for democracy. Aakar Patel [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aakar_Patel] is a leading voice in human rights and democracy advocacy. Aakar is the Chair of Amnesty International India and a seasoned journalist, writer, and activist. Lana Čop [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lana-%C4%8Dop-673b91142/?originalSubdomain=fr] is a Slovenian activist and campaigner. She is the Head of Operations of Democracy Hub. Mentioned and recommended in the episode: * My Voice My Choice [https://www.myvoice-mychoice.org/] * Learn about the Anti-Authoritarian Toolkit and over 50 plays for defeating authoritarians.  * Join the Community of Democracy Defenders at dhub.org [https://dhub.org] The Anti-Authoritarian Podcast Series is produced by Democracy Hub. Executive production: Agustina Manuele Production: Denise Menache Audio recording and processing: Manuel Clemente, Chuco Sounds Editing: Andy Cukier

EP8. Building Alliances Across Borders.

Authoritarians learn from each other—so must we. In this episode of the Anti-Authoritarian Toolkit Podcast, we explore how democracy defenders can mobilize global solidarity, engage international allies, and turn local struggles into powerful cross-border movements. From diaspora activism and diplomatic advocacy to media and human rights networks, we unpack what works—and what doesn’t—when connecting local fights for freedom to the global movement for democracy. Aakar Patel [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aakar_Patel] is a leading voice in human rights and democracy advocacy. Aakar is the Chair of Amnesty International India and a seasoned journalist, writer, and activist. Lana Čop [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lana-%C4%8Dop-673b91142/?originalSubdomain=fr] is a Slovenian activist and campaigner. She is the Head of Operations of Democracy Hub. Mentioned and recommended in the episode: * My Voice My Choice [https://www.myvoice-mychoice.org/] * Learn about the Anti-Authoritarian Toolkit and over 50 plays for defeating authoritarians.  * Join the Community of Democracy Defenders at dhub.org [https://dhub.org] The Anti-Authoritarian Podcast Series is produced by Democracy Hub. Executive production: Agustina Manuele Production: Denise Menache Audio recording and processing: Manuel Clemente, Chuco Sounds Editing: Andy Cukier

EP7. How Movements Keep Democracy Alive.

When democracy is threatened, it’s not politicians who save it—it’s people. This episode dives into how civic movements rise to defend freedom, rebuild trust, and drive democratic change from the ground up. Through lessons from organizers around the world, the Anti-Authoritarian Toolkit Podcast unpacks how to turn shared purpose into collective power, sustain commitment, and keep the spark of democracy burning strong. Srdja Popovic [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sr%C4%91a_Popovi%C4%87_(activist)] is the director of the Center for Applied Nonviolent Actions and Strategies (CANVAS [https://canvasopedia.org/]). For over two decades, Srdja and his team have been a guiding force for pro-democracy activists in more than 50 countries, sharing expertise on nonviolent resistance, movement building, and strategic action. He was also one of the key leaders of Otpor!, the Serbian youth movement that played a pivotal role in overthrowing Slobodan Milošević in 2000.  Nika Kovač [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nika_Kova%C4%8D]is a Slovenian activist and campaigner. She is the Executive Director of Democracy Hub. Mentioned and recommended in the episode: * “Blueprint for a Revolution” [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blueprint_for_Revolution], by Srdja Popovic * “Pranksters vs. Autocrats” [https://www.amazon.com/Pranksters-vs-Autocrats-Nonviolent-Democracy/dp/1501756052], by Srdja Popovic * CANVAS Library [https://canvasopedia.org/publications/#] * “The Dictator's Learning Curve” [https://www.amazon.com/Dictators-Learning-Curve-Inside-Democracy/dp/030747755X], by William J. Dobson [https://www.amazon.com/William-J-Dobson/e/B006T8B3FI/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1]  * “This Is Not Propaganda”, by Peter Pomerantsev * “Nothing Is True and Everything Is Possible”, by  Peter Pomerantsev [https://www.amazon.com/Peter-Pomerantsev/e/B00LJQ32QS/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1]  * “How Democracies Die” [https://www.amazon.com/How-Democracies-Die-Steven-Levitsky/dp/1524762938], by Steven Levitsky [https://www.amazon.com/Steven-Levitsky/e/B001HCVZ8G/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1] and Daniel Ziblatt [https://www.amazon.com/Daniel-Ziblatt/e/B001JSJHXI/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_2]  * “Social Dilemma” [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11464826/] by Jeff Orlowski-Yang (movie) * Learn about the Anti-Authoritarian Toolkit and over 50 plays for defeating authoritarians.  * Join the Community of Democracy Defenders at dhub.org [https://dhub.org] The Anti-Authoritarian Podcast Series is produced by Democracy Hub. Executive production: Agustina Manuele Production: Denise Menache Audio recording and processing: Manuel Clemente, Chuco Sounds Editing: Andy Cukier

EP6. The Power of Democratic Leadership.

Elected authoritarians thrive on the image of the decisive, solitary leader—the one who claims to know best. But real strength in leadership looks very different. This episode of the Anti-Authoritarian Toolkit Podcast explores models of inclusive, collaborative, and compassionate leadership that deliver results and rebuild trust. Featuring stories of leaders who lead with empathy and courage, we unpack how democracy can reclaim the meaning of strength—and why the future belongs to those who govern together, not alone. Lisa Witter [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lwitter/?originalSubdomain=de] is Co-Founder and CEO of Better Politics Foundation [https://www.betterpolitics.foundation/], one of the world’s leading conveners of political leadership entrepreneurs and innovators, that aims to Renewing leadership, reimagining politics and rebuilding trust in political institutions. Federica Vinci [https://www.linkedin.com/in/federica-vinci-80b06ab0/] is Program Coordinator at Democracy Hub Mentioned and recommended in the episode: * “Playground”, by Richard Powers [https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/11783.Richard_Powers] * “Inside the Political Mind” [https://www.amazon.com/Inside-Political-Mind-Politics-Development/dp/0197784194], by Greg Power [https://www.amazon.com/Greg-Power/e/B0CSPQQX4P/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1] * “Thinking, Fast and Slow” [https://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Fast-Slow-Daniel-Kahneman/dp/0374533555/ref=sr_1_1?adgrpid=162121810759&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.LvyZaYKAv2lkRGPuQO63nz4TLBRsALrOl3bYb1HQcTXUpeuBCEArYBc8Wl0yFd3FJJub54fGxU086UI2MqwhdIQ8sI2yeuccFpcxedMqcrx_b9BIjUC9RBDCJK8eS5hZ416cNX_Jm7OXCDMI1QdIHBV_7hhjMtnolBT1-mUqroEXiwB_kbfNbdRpCglyAmz2RZ_DEJrh_K_cAQPY2jy3B0d1ZmeOP2x5KRVbH2R4yC0.GeJnb4R03vNWMi-yZSXVDxmU9AVEUf990YvTFbPomkE&dib_tag=se&hvadid=700617459786&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9221161&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=3673641778858898565&hvtargid=kwd-25827466034&hydadcr=23802_13754232&keywords=thinking+fast+and+slow&mcid=8429fbdd09813ad7908a229167bbb957&qid=1762273191&sr=8-1], by  Daniel Kahneman [https://www.amazon.com/Daniel-Kahneman/e/B001ILFNQG/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1] * “The Ezra Klein Show” [https://open.spotify.com/show/3oB5noYIwEB2dMAREj2F7S?si=52c3f5e6d48c440e] (podcast) * Ground News  [https://ground.news/] * Learn about the Anti-Authoritarian Toolkit and over 50 plays for defeating authoritarians.  * Join the Community of Democracy Defenders at dhub.org [https://dhub.org] The Anti-Authoritarian Podcast Series is produced by Democracy Hub. Executive production: Agustina Manuele Production: Denise Menache Audio recording and processing: Manuel Clemente, Chuco Sounds Editing: Andy Cukier