Dissidents and Dictators

Dec 05 2024 157 ep. 31 mins 25

Dissidents and Dictators Podcast artwork

“Dissidents and Dictators” is a podcast dedicated to bringing listeners stories and analysis from those on the frontlines of the fight for democracy. Hosted by Casey Michel and Elisha Maldonado, the podcast features democracy campaigners, investigative journalists, artists, musicians, scholars, and many more targeted by authoritarian regimes around the world. Guests share their personal histories and how they’ve dedicated themselves to standing up to dictatorship. Mixing news, commentary, and humor, the podcast provides impactful, unflinching conversations from those who’ve sacrificed everything to spread democracy — and who want to share their story with the rest of us.

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How Consultants Became Dictators' Best Friends

Dec 05 2024 29 mins

Casey and Elisha talk about the latest revelations on how consulting firms in democratic countries became the best friends that dictators around the world could ask for. They discuss the recent news on how consulting firm McKinsey & Company opened its doors to clients in places like Saudi Arabia and China, and how these firms became allies for those trying to smother democracy. The

Indonesia's Democratic Crossroads with Benedict Rogers

Nov 21 2024 30 mins

Casey and Elisha sit down with Benedict Rogers, a well-traveled journalist and human rights advocate, to discuss his experiences and insights from across the globe. From his roots in London to his professional ventures in Indonesia, Burma, and China, Benedict shares his journey and the significant socio-political changes he's witnessed. We delve into major topics, such as Indonesia

Exposing Modi's Authoritarianism with Raqib Hameed Naik

Nov 07 2024 46 mins

Casey and Elisha sit down with Raqib Hameed Naik, an Indian journalist currently in exile because of his reporting. They discuss how Modi has degraded India's democracy and how Indian authorities are now targeting — and even allegedly assassinating — critics abroad. They discuss Raqib's own stories from Kashmir and why the world must wake up to what's now taking place in India.

Remembering Hong Kong with Mark Simon

Oct 19 2024 39 mins

Casey and Elisha chat with Mark Simon, previously one of Hong Kong's most prominent media executives — and a man now wanted by Beijing for his work exposing the crimes of the Chinese Communist Party. They talk about how the Chinese government has smothered media freedoms in Hong Kong and the ongoing trial of democracy activist Jimmy Lai.

Hope and Heroism in Nicaragua with Felix Maradiaga

Oct 17 2024 47 mins

Casey and Elisha talk with Nicaraguan democracy activist Felix Maradiaga about his lifelong push against authoritarian forces in Nicaragua. They discuss how Felix survived solitary confinement, Nicaragua's place in the global axis of authoritarianism, and what gives him hope for the future of Nicaraguan democracy. They also chat about the role of family for democratic activists.

For the Love of Venezuelans with Leopoldo López

Oct 10 2024 53 mins

Casey and Elisha open Season 2 with Leopoldo Lopez, the prominent Venezuelan politician and activist who has made a name for himself by building peaceful movements opposing the Maduro regime. For his efforts, he spent nearly seven years in prison, four in solitary confinement, and now lives in exile. The three discuss Lopez's upbringing in Venezuela, the family history that compell

The Dangers of CBDCs with Nick Anthony

Jul 18 2024 26 mins

Casey and Elisha are joined by Cato Institute policy analyst and HRF fellow Nick Anthony to talk about money, the world of central bank digital currencies, and how they pose significant risks to privacy, financial freedom, and markets. They also discuss which countries are the worst offenders so far and how you can track their devious ways.

The UAE's Political Infiltration Campaigns

Jul 11 2024 26 mins

Casey and Elisha discuss HRF's newest report, investigating the UAE's breathtaking political interference campaign in the U.S. From illicit lobbying efforts to massive donations to leading think tanks and universities, to even secretly hiring America's leading military officers, the UAE's political influence campaign is arguably bigger - and far more successful - than anything any

Nadia Hernández | Art as Protest

Jul 10 2024 22 mins

Each year, the Human Rights Foundation brings together activists and dissidents at the Oslo Freedom Forum to call out injustice and expose threats to liberal democracy. This year, we are sharing our message of hope and resistance directly with you, in a special four-part series by the Human Rights Foundation, produced by FP Studios. Part four: “Art as Protest" with Nadia Herná

Journalism in Exile with Carlos Chamorro

Jul 04 2024 25 mins

Casey and Elisha speak with renowned Nicaraguan journalist Carlos Chamorro, who's continued his groundbreaking work even from exile. They talk about the tactics the Ortega regime has used to silence dissent in Nicaragua, how important investigative journalism is to holding authoritarians to account, and hear all about a Miss Universe scandal no one talked about.