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 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 is co-founder and Chief Executive Officer at the Centre for Strategic Litigation

Mentioned and recommended in the episode:

• My Voice My Choice

• Learn about the Anti-Authoritarian Toolkit and over 50 plays for defeating authoritarians.

• Join the Community of Democracy Defenders at 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

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 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 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

• Learn about the Anti-Authoritarian Toolkit and over 50 plays for defeating authoritarians.

• Join the Community of Democracy Defenders at 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

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 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 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

• Learn about the Anti-Authoritarian Toolkit and over 50 plays for defeating authoritarians.

• Join the Community of Democracy Defenders at 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

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 is the director of the Center for Applied Nonviolent Actions and Strategies (CANVAS). 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 is a Slovenian activist and campaigner. She is the Executive Director of Democracy Hub.

Mentioned and recommended in the episode:

• “Blueprint for a Revolution”, by Srdja Popovic

• “Pranksters vs. Autocrats”, by Srdja Popovic

• CANVAS Library

• “The Dictator's Learning Curve”, by William J. Dobson

• “This Is Not Propaganda”, by Peter Pomerantsev

• “Nothing Is True and Everything Is Possible”, by Peter Pomerantsev

• “How Democracies Die”, by Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt

• “Social Dilemma” 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

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

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 is Co-Founder and CEO of Better Politics 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 is Program Coordinator at Democracy Hub

Mentioned and recommended in the episode:

• “Playground”, by Richard Powers

• “Inside the Political Mind”, by Greg Power

• “Thinking, Fast and Slow”, by Daniel Kahneman

• “The Ezra Klein Show” (podcast)

• Ground News

• Learn about the Anti-Authoritarian Toolkit and over 50 plays for defeating authoritarians.

• Join the Community of Democracy Defenders at 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

Polarization poisons democracy. It turns citizens against each other, weakens institutions, and gives elected authoritarians the opening they need to erode freedom from within. In this episode of the Anti-Authoritarian Toolkit Podcast, we explore how to break the cycle—sharing strategies from around the world to bridge divides, rebuild trust, and strengthen democratic resilience. From narrative change to grassroots dialogue, we unpack what works, what doesn’t, and how democracy defenders can turn division into renewed common purpose.

Tim Dixon co-founded More in Common, one of the leading organizations dedicated to understanding and addressing polarization worldwide. Through groundbreaking research and innovative campaigns, More in Common has mapped the hidden dynamics of social division.

Ricken Patel is co-chair of Democracy Hub. He was the founding CEO of Avaaz from 2005 to 2021.

Mentioned and recommended in the episode:

• More in Common, publications

• Learn about the Anti-Authoritarian Toolkit and over 50 plays for defeating authoritarians.

• Join the Community of Democracy Defenders at 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

Stories shape how people see the world—and elected authoritarians know it. They use powerful narratives to frame themselves as saviors, simplify complex realities, and rally people around fear or pride. But stories can also strengthen democracy. In this episode of the Anti-Authoritarian Toolkit Podcast, we explore how democracy defenders can reclaim the narrative and tell stories that inspire action, belonging, and hope. From crafting messages that connect emotionally to building visions of the future people want to be part of, we unpack how storytelling can become one of our strongest tools to counter authoritarian narratives and strengthen democratic movements.

Arun Chaudhary is a filmmaker, storyteller, and political strategist who has redefined how campaigns and movements connect with people through narrative and visuals. He was the official White House videographer during President Barack Obama’s administration. He was also the Creative Director for Bernie Sanders' presidential campaign.

Agustín Frizzera is Program Director of Democracy Hub.

Mentioned and recommended in the episode:

• “Plunkitt of Tammany Hall”, by George Washington Plunkitt

• “Crowds and Power”, by Elias Canetti

• "The Hour of the Furnaces" by Solanas and Getino (film)

• Learn about the Anti-Authoritarian Toolkit and over 50 plays for defeating authoritarians.

• Join the Community of Democracy Defenders at 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

Authoritarians have mastered the digital battlefield—using money, reach, and compelling narratives to dominate timelines and shape public opinion. But the fight for democracy is also happening online, and it’s time we caught up. In this episode, we dive into how democracy defenders can reclaim the digital space with smart, creative, and relentless strategies. From building influencer networks and leveraging platforms like WhatsApp to crafting content that resonates personally and emotionally, we explore how to create adaptable digital ecosystems that connect allies, amplify truth, and turn online spaces into engines of democratic power.

Razi Thalib is a digital strategist and tech entrepreneur at the forefront of leveraging technology for social impact. He was the lead digital strategist in Indonesia's 2024 Anies Baswedan presidential campaign.

Pedro Telles, Program Director of Democracy Hub.

Mentioned and recommended in the episode:

• “Growth Hacker Marketing”, by Ryan Holiday

• “Steal Like an Artist” by Austin Kleon

• “Hooked”, by Nir Eyal

• Learn about the Anti-Authoritarian Toolkit and over 50 plays for defeating authoritarians.

• Join the Community of Democracy Defenders at 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