Help us report Season 3 of Extremely American

Summary

Podcast Summary: Extremely American – Help Us Report Season 3

Host: Heath Druzen
Producer: NPR
Air Date: May 18, 2026
Episode Theme: Sneak peek and call for listener support for Season 3, focusing on the evolution and dangerous resurgence of white supremacist movements in America.

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Overview

In this special episode, host Heath Druzen offers a firsthand look at the upcoming third season of Extremely American, inviting listeners to help fund this ambitious investigative project. The episode promises an immersive exploration into the takedown of a violent neo-Nazi terror group known as "the Order," their enduring influence on modern white supremacist movements, and the fight against extremist ideology infiltrating American democracy. Listeners are urged to support the project through donations amid recent cuts to public radio funding.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Season 3 Announcement & Funding Appeal

• Context & Urgency:
  • Heath introduces Season 3, describing it as "listener funded" for the first time due to diminished public funding ([00:34]).
  • This funding model is presented as essential for the in-depth, on-the-ground reporting that defines the podcast’s style.
• Scope of Investigation:
  • The season will cover the dramatic story of a neo-Nazi terrorist group, high-profile crimes (murder, bank robberies), a nationwide manhunt, and the quiet rebuilding of American hate.
  • The narrative spans states and foreign countries—underscoring the expansive reach and complexity of white supremacist movements.

Importance of Listener Support

• Why Listener Funding Matters:
  • Heath underlines the high costs of immersive journalism, stating,

    "I go where the story is to make the kind of immersive podcasts that take listeners inside the extremist movements I report on. And that's why we need your partnership this time." ([01:34])

• Impact from Public Radio Cuts:
  • Heath ties the need for support to the elimination of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and other public radio cuts ([02:30]).

Season 3 Story Teaser (Trailer)

• Level of Danger:
  • FBI agent underscores the threat,

    "These people are extremely dangerous. Whether it's murder, robbery, or whatever, if the intent is to further their cause that they feel they're walking in God's pathway." ([02:59])

• Emergence of the Order:
  • Heath recounts,

    "Forty years ago, a neo Nazi terrorist cell set off on a mission to ignite a race war." ([03:15])

  • A leader of the Order states,

    "The fate of every last white man, woman and child on this planet lies squarely on the shoulders of us. We cannot fail." ([03:21])

• Impact and Infamy:
  • News footage announces the assassination of Alan Berg, a prominent radio host targeted by the Order ([03:37]).
  • Dramatic recounting of the group's downfall:

    "And then all of a sudden, out the window of the back window, he opens fire with a machine gun. And the bullets are slapping the tree next to me." – FBI agent or eyewitness ([03:49])

• Legacy of Hate:
  • Heath reveals that surviving members of the Order shaped the modern white supremacist movement, even from prison ([04:00]).
  • A member references the group’s ideological rallying cry:

    "Just remember what you're doing this for... We're doing this for the 14 words. What is the 14 words? We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children." ([04:16])

• Modern Relevance:
  • Heath connects the historical story to the present:

    "I'll take you through the thrilling hunt for the Order, the shocking connection the group has to some of the most influential white supremacists of today. And I'll talk to the people who are fighting back against this newest wave of hate." ([04:34])

• Shifting Political Landscape:
  • Activists warn,

    "They're not Christians and they're not conservatives. They are white supremacists. We're trying to take take over the government." ([04:51])

  • "A true actual right wing takeover is happening right now in the state of Idaho, and there's nothing that these people can do about it." ([05:07])

Call to Action

• Repeatedly, listeners are guided to support the project at extremelyamerican.org or via show notes ([05:16]).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Heath Druzen on listener involvement:

  "It's you who will help me travel to sit down with the FBI agent who took down Nazi terrorists... You'll help me get face to face with ex neo Nazis who are sounding the alarm..." ([01:52])

• FBI Agent on extremist threat:

  "These people are extremely dangerous. Whether it's murder, robbery, or whatever, if the intent is to further their cause that they feel they're walking in God's pathway." ([02:59])

• The Order’s chilling ideology:

  "We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children." ([04:16])

• Activist perspective on current dangers:

  "They're not Christians and they're not conservatives. They are white supremacists. We're trying to take take over the government." ([04:51])

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Timeline of Important Segments

• 00:34 — Heath introduces Season 3 and funding appeal
• 01:34 — Explanation of immersive reporting and need for resources
• 02:30 — Funding cuts to public radio; importance of listener support
• 02:59 — FBI agent describes white supremacist threat (start of trailer)
• 03:15 — Historical context: the Order’s birth and mission
• 03:37 — Dramatic example: Alan Berg assassination
• 03:49 — Shootout account from law enforcement
• 04:00 — Rebuilding white supremacist movements from prison
• 04:16 — Ideology of the "14 words" explained
• 04:34 — Modern connections to current white supremacist leaders
• 04:51 — Activist comments on extremist infiltration
• 05:07 — Statement about right-wing takeover in Idaho
• 05:16 — Final call to action

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Tone & Language

• The episode is urgent, direct, and determined, matching the gravity of the subject matter.
• Heath Druzen’s narration is both journalistic and personal, inviting listeners behind the scenes and into the story.
• Quotes from law enforcement, former extremists, and activists offer a sobering, unfiltered look at white supremacist ideology and tactics.

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Summary Takeaways

• Season 3 will take listeners on an immersive journey through a pivotal chapter in American extremism, illustrating both historic crimes and their modern legacy.
• The podcast aims to connect the past and present, showing how the Order’s influence endures within today’s mainstream politics.
• Listener funding is positioned as essential—empowering investigative journalism that exposes anti-democratic movements for a broader public.

Support the journalism at extremelyamerican.org.

Transcript

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[Heath Druzen]

Hey Extremely American listeners, this is your host, Heath Druzen. I've got exciting news and an invitation to be part of what comes next in Extremely American. I'm working on the third season of the podcast and I'll give you a sneak peek in a minute. But first, this season is going to be listener funded. That means you can help make it happen by making a tax deductible [e-mail] that's extremelyamerican.org you can also click on the link in the show Notes the upcoming season is about white supremacists. It's a wild story about the takedown of a neo Nazi terrorist group and the surprising ways they were allowed to develop the modern hate movement even from prison. A movement that has infiltrated the highest ranks of government and undermined American democracy. This season there's murder, bank robberies, and a desperate manhunt followed by a quiet rebuilding of American hate. The tale spans multiple states and even several foreign countries. And if you listen to the podcast, you know I like to take listeners on the ground with me. That's a long way of saying this reporting is expensive. I go where the story is to make the kind of immersive podcasts that take listeners inside the extremist movements I report on. And that's why we need your partnership this time. It's you who will help me travel to sit down with the FBI agent who took down Nazi terrorists. You'll help me meet the activists fighting back against modern white supremacists. And you'll help me get face to face with ex neo Nazis who are sounding the alarm about a movement that is gaining power and influence even in the White House. I've already started the reporting because it's too timely and vital to wait until all our funding is lined up. Support the final stretch of reporting and production with your tax deductible donation to extremelyamerican.org with cuts to public radio like the elimination of the Corporation for public broadcasting. Listeners like you are more important than ever. And if you want to hear a little more about what you're funding with that donation, here's a trailer to give you a sneak peek of season three.

[FBI Agent or Eyewitness]

These people are extremely dangerous. Whether it's murder, robbery, or whatever, if the intent is to further their cause that they feel they're walking in God's pathway.

[Heath Druzen]

Forty years ago, a neo Nazi terrorist cell set off on a mission to ignite a race war.

[Neo Nazi Terrorist Leader]

The fate of every last white man, woman and child on this planet lies squarely on the shoulders of us. We cannot fail.

[Heath Druzen]

From their stronghold in Idaho, the Order terrorized the western US in the name of white supremacy.

[News Reporter]

Police have confirmed that longtime KOA radio talk show host Alan Berg was shot and killed tonight in downtown Denver until

[Heath Druzen]

it all ended in a fiery shootout with the FBI.

[FBI Agent or Eyewitness]

And then all of a sudden, out the window of the back window, he opens fire with a machine gun. And the bullets are slapping the tree next to me.

[Heath Druzen]

Their leader was killed. But out of the ashes of the Order, hate has been making a comeback in America. Surviving members of the group have quietly helped build the modern white supremacist movement, even from federal prison.

[White Supremacist Member]

Just remember what you're doing this for. In my case, like a lot of you out in the audience, we're doing this for the 14 words. What is the 14 words? We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children.

[Heath Druzen]

I'm Heath Druzen, and In extremely the 14 words, I'll take you through the thrilling hunt for the Order, the shocking connection the group has to some of the most influential white supremacists of today. And I'll talk to the people who are fighting back against this newest wave of hate.

[Extremism Expert or Activist]

They're not Christians and they're not conservatives. They are white supremacists. We're trying to take take over the government.

[Heath Druzen]

And unlike in the days of the Order, the new crop of white supremacists is making inroads into mainstream politics.

[Extremism Expert or Activist]

A true actual right wing takeover is happening right now in the state of Idaho, and there's nothing that these people can do about it.

[Heath Druzen]

Support the project@extremely american.org that's extremelyamerican.org or just click the link in the show notes. Thanks for listening and being a part of this.

[Julio Torres]

On NPR's Wildcard podcast, Julio Torres says he doesn't need to prove himself to anyone.

When someone makes me feel like I have to prove something to them, I just walk away.

[Extremism Expert or Activist]

Really.

[Julio Torres]

I'm like, seek help

watch or listen to that wildcard conversation on the NPR app or on YouTube @NPRWildcard.