About this episode

Jared Yates Sexton and Sarah Kendzior discuss the current state of authoritarianism, popular discontent, and the need for a politics that values human life.

It’s been way too long since I sat down with my friend Sarah Kendzior and got a lay of the land. We start things in a different place in this iteration. After a decade of discussing the gathering dangers of authoritarian kleptocracy, we began by sharing the signs we’re seeing of popular discontent and hope, including the rejection of traditional political narratives that obscure the actual conditions in this country and around the world, as well as the growing democratic movement against authoritarians of all stripes. Then, we survey the state of things, the rejection of corporate media and faux-resistance, and the need for a politics that cherishes human life and actually works to make the world better for everyone. If you haven’t read them already, I cannot recommend Sarah’s books highly enough of her newsletter (link above) that is one of the most necessary reads in this moment. Dispatches From A Collapsing State desperately needs your support. This project enjoys no corporate support or funding and runs entirely on your subscriptions. If this work has helped you or matters to you, please consider becoming a paid subscriber today This is a public episode. If you'd like to…

People in this episode

Host: Jared Yates Sexton

Guest: Sarah Kendzior

Topics covered

• authoritarianism
• democracy
• political narratives
• media criticism
• human rights

Keywords

• authoritarian kleptocracy
• popular discontent
• democratic movement
• corporate media
• politics

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Dispatches From A Collapsing State

More episodes of Audio From A Collapsing State | Jared Yates Sexton

• There's No Hiding It Anymore: The Check-In with Jared Yates Sexton and Danielle Moodie · July 15, 2026 · 59 min
• Screw Civility Politics, Bring on the Fighters: On Lindsey Graham, Mitch and Trump's FascIsm · July 13, 2026 · 1h 3m
• The Check-In with Jared Yates Sexton and Danielle Moodie · July 8, 2026 · 57 min
• The Scam Turns 250: The Check-In with Jared Yates Sexton and Danielle Moodie · July 1, 2026 · 57 min
• Moderate Democrats Finally Wake Up to Fight Against Progressives! · June 29, 2026 · 54 min
• A Democratic Reality Check: The Check-In with Jared Yates Sexton and Danielle Moodie · June 24, 2026 · 56 min

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Audio From A Collapsing State | Jared Yates Sexton podcast page.