Gaslit Nation

In this special bonus show, Gaslit Nation reminds you that Hitler and Trump rose to power in very similar ways, and why we must stay grounded in that historical truth. The fate of the world literally depends on it. The Holocaust and World War II happened, because people didn't want to believe it would be so bad. Normalcy bias is a dangerous coping mechanism. 
As the world marks the 81st anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, with Putin, like Hitler, hiding in his bunker, reports of his hands shaking, of parades canceled or scaled back across Russia–it's a reminder that we can stand up to fascism, when we align our will with a higher purpose, like Ukraine and its allies. 
To celebrate the power of remembering, and Andrea's birthday (caaaaake!), we're opening this Monday's Gaslit Nation Salon at 4pm E.T. with a reading of the first 10 pages of her screenplay, about the power of forbidden love in a time of fascism. To join us, look out for the Zoom link posted Monday morning on Patreon. This week's bonus show, available in full for our subscribers at the Truth-teller ($5/month) level and higher, we continue on with Gal Beckerman about his new book How to Be a Dissident. Listen to Part I here. 
Want to hear Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chats, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at Patreon.com/Gaslit!
Show Notes: 
How to Be a Dissident https://www.gaslitnationpod.com/episodes-transcripts-20/2026/5/5/how-to-be-a-dissident
Putin, 73, Spotted 'In Pain' With Sickly Shriveled Hand https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/putin-73-spotted-pain-sickly-155649060.html
Hitler and the Nazis: Evil on Trial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6eIox2vOiA
Jessica Valenti on The Heritage Foundation's Plan to Subjugate Women https://jessica.substack.com/p/new-project-2025-250-years-heritage

On this hopeful Gaslit Nation, we confront the MAGA fascist takeover with a look at the ultimate antidote: how to be a dissident. Andrea talks with The Atlantic's Gal Beckerman about his inspiring new book, How to Be a Dissident. While the establishment chooses conformity to protect their wealth, we explore the rare, stubborn individuals—from the abolitionists to the neighbors in Minnesota forming mutual care networks—who ask themselves the only question that matters: Can I live with myself if I obey in advance?
As the toppling of Kremlin allies Assad and Orban, and soon Trump, have reminded us: the human spirit's desire for expression is the one thing a dictatorship can never defeat.
Join us this Thursday for part two of our discussion on the Gaslit Nation Bonus Show–how to survive the stomach ache of fear and build an unrelenting culture of resistance. To listen to the full episode, subscribe to our Patreon at the Truth-Teller level ($5/month) or higher. And don't forget to save the date: we are opening our May 11th Gaslit Nation Salon at 4 p.m. ET to celebrate Andrea's birthday with an exclusive reading of a smutty screenplay in progress. Every bit of support gives us the freedom to tell the truth, so thank you for making this show possible–we could not make Gaslit Nation without you. 
Join our community of listeners and get bonus shows, ad free listening, group chats with other listeners, ways to shape the show, invites to exclusive events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Discounted annual memberships are available. Become a Democracy Defender at Patreon.com/Gaslit
 EVENTS AT GASLIT NATION:
Gaslit Nation Salons take place Mondays 4pm ET over Zoom and are recorded and shared on Patreon.com/Gaslit for our community

New! There's now a California Signal Group for Gaslit Nation listeners to find each other and connect in that state. Join on Patreon. 

The Gaslit Nation Outreach Committee discusses how to talk to the MAGA cult. Join on Patreon. 

Minnesota Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other. Join on Patreon. 

Vermont Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other. Join on Patreon. 

Arizona-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to connect. Join on Patreon. 

Indiana-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to join. Join on Patreon. 

Florida-based listeners are going strong meeting in person. Be sure to join their Signal group. Join on Patreon.

As always, keep it kind in our chat groups, extend grace and assume good faith. A culture of care is how we build a better world.

Here's what you missed at last week's Gaslit Nation Salon: a lively debate among our listeners over whether Trump, or his allies, somehow staged the WHCD assassination attempt.
The discussion opens with a look at the same heightened "unreality" created by Putin in Russia, thanks to a well-funded propaganda operation and conspiracy theories to come to power and stay in power.
To join today's Gaslit Nation Salon, find the Zoom link, along with our recordings, at Patreon.com/Gaslit. Thank you to everyone who supports the show. We could not make Gaslit Nation without you.

In this week's Gaslit Nation Bonus Show, Daniella Mestyanek Young, The Knitting Cult Lady, author of the new book The Culting of America, explains how to get justice for survivors and protect children from Christian nationalist cults to Epstein's transnational crime network–better laws, better leaders, and ban home-schooling. "When countries outlaw homeschooling, it is one of the best protections that children can be given," she says.
This week's bonus show also includes a look at serial predator Eric Swallwell, a rising star of the Democratic Party establishment, who has long been plagued by rumors. But despite that, he was the establishment's chosen one to lead the fourth largest economy in the world as California's governor, an important stepping stone to the White House. How can a predator protect us from Epstein's crime cult–which hasn't been brought to justice–or release the full files, as mandated by law? They can't. 
While the interview with The Knitting Cult Lady is available to all listeners, to hear the full episode be sure to subscribe at the Truth-teller tier ($5/month) or higher and support the show. Save the date! We're opening the May 11th (Andrea's birthday!) Gaslit Nation Salon at 4pm ET with a reading of an excerpt of one of Andrea's screenplays. Come one, come all, and celebrate with us at Patreon.com/Gaslit. Thank you to everyone who supports the show. 
For a look at how to take back our country from John Robert's pro-Jim Crow Supreme Court, check out the expert advice from past guests in our show notes. 
Show Notes:
Supreme Court Resources:
Ari Berman on standing up to the GOP's minority rule: https://www.gaslitnationpod.com/episodes-transcripts-20/2024/4/23/minority-rule

Elie Mystal on expanding the Supreme Court: https://www.gaslitnationpod.com/episodes-transcripts-20/2024/10/15/expand-the-court-the-elie-mystal-interview

Leah Litman on the lawless MAGA cult and the Supreme Court: https://www.gaslitnationpod.com/episodes-transcripts-20/2025/5/21/lawless?rq=Supreme%20Court

Who will protect us from the Supreme Court? https://www.gaslitnationpod.com/episodes-transcripts-20/2023/12/06/supreme-court-jesse-eisinger-part-1?rq=Supreme%20Court

Six Solutions to Fix the Supreme Court https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/policy-solutions/six-solutions-fix-supreme-court

The only way to end the class divide: the case for abolishing private schools https://www.theguardian.com/news/2018/aug/24/the-only-way-to-end-the-class-divide-the-case-for-abolishing-private-schools
How California Democrats Got Behind Swalwell — and Quickly Abandoned Him https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/12/us/california-democrats-eric-swalwell.html
The whisper network that caught up to Eric Swalwell https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/13/influencers-allegations-eric-swalwell-00869517
How Did California Democrats Let Eric Swalwell Get This Far, Anyway? They surely knew about his misconduct ages ago. And more broadly, California Democrats aren't doing their party any favors. https://newrepublic.com/article/208972/democrats-boot-eric-swalwell-california
Why Democrats Are Accusing the FBI of Trying to 'Smear' Rep. Eric Swalwell https://www.aol.com/news/why-democrats-accusing-fbi-trying-200552331.html
How Eric Swalwell's fall was brought on by a network of women who organized online https://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/npr/nx-s1-5784021/how-eric-swalwell-s-fall-was-brought-on-by-a-network-of-women-who-organized-online
Manhattan prosecutor investigates abuse claims against congressman Eric Swalwell https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c7vq0jnn0yro
Swalwell pushes back, and a Dem crime shift in Sacramento https://www.politico.com/newsletters/california-playbook-pm/2026/04/07/swalwell-pushes-back-and-a-dem-crime-shift-in-sacramento-00862465 
How Eric Swalwell Rose to the Top of Democratic Politics as Rumors Followed Him https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/04/15/nation/eric-swalwell-resigned-governor-race/
GOP's Chances of Winning House After Supreme Court Voting Rights Act Move https://www.newsweek.com/gop-chances-winning-house-supreme-court-voting-rights-act-11897294

Is America a cult? How can we help those trapped in cult-like thinking? Discussing her new book The Culting of America, Daniella Mestyanik Young, a US Army veteran, intelligence officer, and survivor of the notorious Children of God cult, joins Gaslit Nation to help us identify coercive control in our own lives, and in our White House. 
Daniella breaks down the "sex cult math" of her upbringing, identifying the same tactics of coercive control now fueling the MAGA movement. Trump has pulled disparate groups into a singular cult of personality, where he is viewed as a "flawed vessel" of a "perfect God" delivering a Christian theocracy coming after our rights. 
As a counter-terrorism expert, Daniella warns that the "arrogance" of Trump and his son-in-law Jared Kushner's war of choice in Iran is a classic cult leader trap. Tyrants lose when they start "sampling their own Kool-Aid," she points out. She also advises on how to help those in your life who have fallen down the conspiracy theory rabbit hole of cult-like thinking, to help them find their way to reality. This is an episode not to miss. 
Save the date! At the Gaslit Nation Salon on Monday May 11 4pm ET, we'll start with a special reading of an excerpt of one of Andrea's screenplays. To join the festivities, become a member at Patreon.com/Gaslit - thank you to everyone who supports the show. 
Want to hear Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chats, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at Patreon.com/Gaslit!
Show Notes:
Yes, Some Government Conspiracies Are Real, like MKUltra: Welcome to The Church Committee Report https://www.gaslitnationpod.com/episodes-transcripts-20/2026/1/28/the-playbook-for-defeating-maga-the-church-committee-report?rq=The%20Playbook%20for%20Defeating%20MAGA%3A%20The%20Church%20Committee%20Report 
EVENTS AT GASLIT NATION:
Gaslit Nation Salons take place Mondays 4pm ET over Zoom and are recorded and shared on Patreon.com/Gaslit for our community

New! There's now a California Signal Group for Gaslit Nation listeners to find each other and connect in that state. Join on Patreon. 

The Gaslit Nation Outreach Committee discusses how to talk to the MAGA cult. Join on Patreon. 

Minnesota Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other. Join on Patreon. 

Vermont Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other. Join on Patreon. 

Arizona-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to connect. Join on Patreon. 

Indiana-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to join. Join on Patreon. 

Florida-based listeners are going strong meeting in person. Be sure to join their Signal group. Join on Patreon. 

As always, keep it kind in our chat groups, extend grace and assume good faith. A culture of care is how we build a better world.