Conspirituality Podcast Summary: Bonus Sample Episode - "How To Talk To Your Son About Fascism (Pt 2)"

Release Date: April 28, 2025

Introduction

In this bonus episode of the Conspirituality podcast, hosts Derek Beres, Matthew Remski, and Julian Walker delve into the critical topic of addressing fascist ideologies with the younger generation. The episode features a compelling conversation between host Matthew Remsky and guest Craig Johnson, Ph.D., a historian from the University of California, Berkeley, and the creator of the "15 Minutes of Fascism" podcast and YouTube channel. Johnson is also the author of How to Talk to Your Son About Fascism, a guide aimed at helping parents and educators steer young men away from extreme right-wing influences.

Understanding the Agency of Youth in Political Choices

The discussion begins with an exploration of the paradox surrounding young people's engagement with fascist ideologies. Johnson emphasizes the delicate balance between recognizing children’s agency in making political choices and acknowledging the manipulative tactics that infringe upon their autonomy.

Matthew Remsky introduces the conversation by highlighting the infectious nature of right-wing content online, comparing it to a virus that subtly recruits young minds without their conscious consent.

[00:58] Craig Johnson: "This is a very deep philosophical issue to start with. How do we theorize the agency of kids and sons for this book?"

Johnson responds by framing the central question of his book: "How do you stop someone from believing something?" He underscores the complexity of addressing deeply ingrained political beliefs, especially when they are propagated subtly to young individuals.

Fascist Propaganda Targeting Youth

Johnson sheds light on the strategic approaches used by fascist groups to attract young people. He explains how these groups often disguise their extremist messages within topics that naturally interest youth, such as video games, sports, and popular media.

[03:02] Craig Johnson: "A lot of this stuff works. That's how a lot of this propaganda, fascist propaganda is intentionally organized. This is why it uses Trojan horses like Gamergate or complaining about 'woke hiring' in Disney or Marvel movies."

By leveraging the interests of 10 to 20-year-olds, fascist propagandists create a bridge to engage them in more significant ideological discussions. This method makes the recruitment process less overt and more relatable to the target audience.

Case Study: The Daily Stormer and Targeted Propaganda

Johnson references specific examples to illustrate his points, notably mentioning Andrew Anglin, the creator of the Daily Stormer, a prominent neo-Nazi website in the United States. Anglin openly states his intention to target young individuals with fascist propaganda, aiming to normalize extremist beliefs through humor and memes.

[03:53] Craig Johnson: "When I make fascist propaganda, I'm going after 10-year-olds. That's my goal is to get them to make fascist jokes and to think about fascist things and to use fascist memes."

This candid admission by Anglin exemplifies the calculated nature of fascist propaganda campaigns, designed to infiltrate and influence the political leanings of impressionable youth.

Intervention Strategies for Parents and Educators

A significant portion of the discussion focuses on practical strategies for parents and educators to intervene when they observe young individuals engaging with right-wing content online. Johnson advocates for a nuanced approach that emphasizes open dialogue and critical thinking rather than confrontation.

[05:54] Craig Johnson: "What I can do is I can talk to you about the facts behind that belief. I can talk to you about where that propaganda came from. I can talk to you about what those people want you to do, why it's in their interests and not yours."

Johnson stresses the importance of addressing the underlying facts and motivations behind fascist ideologies. By educating young individuals about the origins and objectives of such propaganda, adults can empower them to make informed decisions and resist manipulative influences.

Philosophical Underpinnings of Propaganda and Agency

The conversation delves into the theoretical aspects of propaganda and its impact on individual agency. Johnson highlights that while adults are not typically engaged in deep political analysis of the messages they receive, children are even less likely to critically assess the content they encounter online.

[02:29] Craig Johnson: "Propaganda has its own entire theoretical universe about how do you think about the agency of people who experience propaganda."

This insight underscores the necessity of developing intervention methods that account for the psychological and social dynamics at play when combating the spread of extremist ideologies among youth.

Conclusion

In this insightful episode, Craig Johnson provides valuable perspectives on the mechanisms through which fascist ideologies infiltrate the minds of young individuals and offers actionable strategies for parents and educators to counteract these influences. By fostering open communication and critical thinking, adults can play a pivotal role in guiding the younger generation away from extremist paths.

Conspirituality continues to shed light on the complex interplay between conspiracy theories, spirituality, and extremist movements, offering listeners the tools and knowledge needed to navigate and challenge these pervasive influences in today’s society.

Notable Quotes:

• Craig Johnson [00:58]: "How do you stop someone from believing something?"
• Craig Johnson [03:02]: "That's why it uses Trojan horses like Gamergate or complaining about 'woke hiring' in Disney or Marvel movies."
• Craig Johnson [03:53]: "When I make fascist propaganda, I'm going after 10-year-olds."
• Craig Johnson [05:54]: "What I can do is I can talk to you about the facts behind that belief."

For more insights and comprehensive discussions, visit patreon.com/conspirituality or access all main feed episodes ad-free, along with four years of bonus content.