Anat Shenker-Osorio examines why certain messages falter where others deliver. We talk about why fabulously fighting fascism - together - is the thing that matters most right now. We begin with Anat's motivations and her journey in political activism, starting in kindergarten. She emphasizes the importance of direct political action and the need to promote positive messaging rather than just reacting to opposition narratives. Anat discusses effective communication strategies, the flaws of conventional polling, and the power of social proof. She also highlights the 3.5% rule: "no government has withstood a challenge of 3.5% of their population mobilized against it" (credit to Erica Chenoweth of the Harvard Kennedy School) and the significance of local involvement and visible resistance in dismantling authoritarian regimes. She calls for living your beliefs openly. Anat is the author of "Don't Buy It: The Trouble with Talking Nonsense About the Economy" and host of the "Words to Win By" Podcast. She delivers her findings packed in snark in the New York Times, The Atlantic, Boston Globe, Salon, The Guardian and Grist. Check out her "Ways to Resist" and "Freedom Over Fascism Toolkit" for more.
00:00 Introduction to People in Common
00:16 Meet Anat Shenker-Osorio
02:11 Anat's Early Activism Story
05:58 Philosophy and Inspiration
07:26 Challenges in Political Messaging
11:32 The Role of Public Opinion
20:00 The Fiction of Just Voting Our Way to Democracy
27:20 The Power of Joy and Proactive Campaigns
32:36 Challenging Norms and Living Your Beliefs
33:15 Strategies for Persuasion
37:14 Historical Context and Lessons
41:59 The Power of Social Proof
57:44 Local Action and Collective Effort
01:00:51 Final Thoughts and Call to Action
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