Flipping Tables, Ep. 49: "Real Resistance with Historian Tad Stoermer"
Host: Monte Mader
Guest: Tad Stoermer, historian and author
Date: January 5, 2026
Overview
In this compelling episode, Monte Mader sits down with public historian Tad Stoermer to interrogate the realities and mythologies of American resistance—past and present. Drawing from Stoermer’s forthcoming book, A Resistance History of the United States, they unpack how history is constructed, manipulated, and often weaponized to uphold abusive authority, and explore what real resistance looks like for Americans as they approach a pivotal election year. The conversation is rich with personal stories, critical inquiry into American foundational narratives, and reflections on how individuals can—and must—participate in resistance, big or small.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Seeing America from Abroad and the Global Impact of US Politics
- Tad, now living in Denmark, compares the American and European perception of current US events, notably the ever-present "Trump-centered news" and the bewilderment from Europeans at the apparent lack of organized resistance in America.
- Europeans perceive US instability as not just a domestic issue, but a destabilizing force rippling across the globe, affecting relationships and trust (05:37).
- There’s a notable European tradition of organized opposition and protest that seems missing in current US culture—sparking questions about American passivity.
Quote:
"The questions that I get more often than what the hell is wrong with Donald Trump is what the hell is wrong with Americans? Why is there no real opposition?"
—Tad Stoermer, [06:17]
2. Personal Histories, Deconstruction, and the Power of Education
- Tad’s journey from a conservative military family and registered Republican to a public historian focused on resistance—a transformation sparked by exposure to higher education and firsthand political experience (10:35–17:00).
- He emphasizes that education's power isn't indoctrination, but learning to think differently and critically.
Quote:
"Education will do that, education will do that. It's insane how it was just... it wasn't indoctrination... it was just information."
—Tad Stoermer, [12:12]
3. The Construction and Use of Historical Mythology
- Most Americans, Tad argues, are taught a sanitized, nationalist, and mythologized version of history that masks the true nature and participants in American resistance (21:18).
- The "apologetic" approach to history prevents a nuanced understanding of foundational events, such as the Revolution, and disables authentic resistance.
4. What Was the American Revolution Really About?
- The Revolution is often conflated with the War of Independence and the Constitution, but these are distinctly different, with different actors and motives (40:30–44:03).
- The Patriots controlled the narrative and institutions, which made it easier to go along with them than to oppose them, contradicting the underdog mythology entrenched in American identity.
Quote:
"It was easier to go along with the Patriots than it was to oppose them... The Patriots actually had gained almost complete control of all the institutions and frameworks that mattered."
—Tad Stoermer, [31:22]
- Key myth debunked: Patriots did not risk as much as claimed; British retribution wasn't as severe or targeted as the lore suggests (34:53).
5. Parallel Resistance Traditions: France vs. America
- Monte and Tad probe why French resistance culture is so much more central and celebrated—France has a living tradition of protest and resistance fueled by historic revolutions, whereas American resistance tradition has been suppressed by institutional myth-making (54:34).
- US historical narrative demonizes resistance, even as it later celebrates its victors (65:25).
- The Constitution and systems created post-Revolution deliberately funneled dissent into “acceptable” channels, in effect neutralizing genuine resistance (60:40–62:43).
Quote:
"We have to hold all actual resistance as being illegitimate after 1780, nine after the Constitution, because the Constitution solved all problems. All resistance actually must just go through permitted channels established by the founders."
—Tad Stoermer, [60:40]
6. Real Resistance in American History: Past and Present
- Moments of resistance like the Underground Railroad, the passage of the 14th Amendment, and the Boston community’s defiance of the Fugitive Slave Act were fundamentally extralegal or directly opposed American institutions and law (62:43–82:59).
- True resistance rarely happens within establishment-approved boundaries. Critical change has always required stepping outside or breaking the rules.
Quote:
"The Underground Railroad was an illegal clandestine network and is a symbol of American resistance history. It’s not taught that way."
—Tad Stoermer, [62:43]
7. The Role of "Comfortable" People in Resistance
- Major change occurs when people with privilege or institutional power—“comfortable people”—move from opposition to actual resistance, as in the support networks behind John Brown (75:27–79:44).
- Micro-resistances (community-level actions, daily refusals) matter greatly and can snowball into wider movements, though acknowledging that these alone are not always enough ([85:00]).
Quote:
"Every single micro resistance matters... It's a contribution. But it's not enough. It's not sufficient."
—Tad Stoermer, [85:42]
8. The Weaponization of Narrative & Historical Deconstruction
- Monte relates her own deconstruction from Christian nationalism as fundamentally a process of historical and narrative deconstruction (30:08).
- Both emphasize the necessity of questioning the stories we’ve inherited—national, religious, and personal—and replacing them with evidence-based, less self-serving histories.
9. Complacency, Righteousness, and the American “Underdog” Myth
- American media and political rhetoric reinforce the notion that the US is always the righteous underdog, which breeds complacency and a belief in inevitable victory—deterring real engagement and resistance (60:00).
Quote:
"Even if we're the underdog, we're always going to win because we always come out on top, because we're always righteous and we're always justified."
—Monte Mader, [60:00]
10. Advice and Inspiration for Modern Resistance
- Americans must build trust networks, play their role—big or small—in resistance, and commit to pushing back against lies and abuses of authority (93:12–94:57).
- Every micro-resistance enacts defiance, but widespread, structural change demands escalation and solidarity.
Quote:
“You’ve got to push for the truth wherever you can...every little step matters. That is defying the lies that are told by abusive authority, which is their single greatest way to achieve that authority and maintain it.”
—Tad Stoermer, [94:12]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Historical Inquiry
“Most of American history is written from a nationalist perspective...in a kind of apologetics that just reinforces the greatness of the Founding...His [Jack Greene’s] method was to reject that entirely...focus on history as a series of problems you want to solve or at least questions you need to answer...go wherever the evidence leads you.”
—Tad Stoermer, [21:18] -
On Current Democratic Leadership
“It’s on often to me...that the Democrats often come to me as GOP light. They’re just not as bad...but they’re not effectively doing anything.”
—Monte Mader, [67:29] -
On Nonviolence vs. Violent Resistance
“Even Thoreau, who is considered the father of non violent resistance...said, 'Well, nonviolence will work if nonviolence will achieve your ends. But if nonviolence doesn't work, violence does.'”
—Tad Stoermer, [87:32]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- [02:00]–[05:19]: Tad’s perspective on US news and global implications from Denmark
- [10:35]–[17:00]: Tad’s background and journey to historical deconstruction
- [21:18]–[24:56]: How most American history is constructed and why it matters
- [31:18]–[35:44]: Myths of the American Revolution and what’s left out
- [40:30]–[44:03]: The crucial differences between revolution, war, and constitution
- [54:34]–[60:40]: France’s living resistance tradition vs. US myth-based narrative
- [62:42]–[63:40]: Legitimate resistance as defined by stepping outside permitted channels
- [75:27]–[79:44]: John Brown and the role of comfortable people in tipping collective action
- [82:59]–[85:52]: Micro-resistances: local, daily acts of refusal
- [93:12]–[94:57]: What Americans must do—build networks, tell truth, act in resistance
Essential Reading Recommendations
- James Baldwin, The Fire Next Time (essential for understanding race, justice, and enduring resistance)
- Ty Miles, All That She Carried (transformative story of Black womanhood and resistance)
- Pauline Maier, From Resistance to Revolution (critical for grasping the real origins and development of American opposition and rights discourse)
- Bonus: Pauline Maier, Ratification (for a deep dive into the messy, resistant, and often exclusionary process of forming the US constitution)
Actionable Takeaways for Listeners
- Understand your history is a collection of stories—interrogate who benefits from them.
- Lean into discomfort, especially if privileged; authentic change happens outside safety.
- Small acts of resistance matter: questioning, saying no, supporting real narratives.
- Build and rely on your trust network for both emotional and strategic support.
- Refuse to be lulled by American inevitability myth—complacency enables abuse.
- Remember, real resistance often means breaking or stepping outside the “proper” channels.
Conclusion
This episode functions as a primer and a rallying cry: Americans must re-examine the stories they have accepted about their country’s past, recognize how mythologies are used to defend power, and embrace resistance—at any scale—especially in a moment where silence, comfort, and “safe” opposition have resulted in the erosion of rights and truth. Stoermer and Mader point to history not as an anchor to nostalgia, but as a field guide for active solidarity and transformation.
Where to Find Tad Stoermer and the Book:
- Instagram, YouTube, Substack, TikTok: @tadstoermer (see his platforms for updates and discussions)
- A Resistance History of the United States out June 2, 2026 — available at independent booksellers; audiobook and ebook also coming.
Final Note from Monte:
Embrace your role in resistance, no matter how small, and especially as a white American—take the front line, leverage your privilege, and refuse to be complicit in silence.
“Step into your resistance. Every single step matters.”—Monte Mader