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Dissidents and Dictators

Human Rights Foundation

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“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, an ...
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Strangers on the Internet

Irina Manta & Michelle Lange

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Want the academic take on dating in the modern world? Legal scholar Irina Manta and psychologist Michelle Lange bring you the latest on how to swipe your way through dating apps, find love, navigate complex relationships, and avoid narcissists and other predators. Come learn about cutting-edge research and find out how to make online dating work for YOU! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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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 wha…
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On the day before the U.S. presidential election of 2024, Irina and Michelle examine the impact of this event on relationships. First and foremost, what happens if two romantic partners disagree on their choice of presidential candidate? The Dating Professors also discuss questions such as what if a partner neglects household duties to engage in po…
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On this episode, Irina and Michelle dissect the new Netflix hit show "Nobody Wants This," a tale of a non-religious woman who falls in love with a rabbi and of the mayhem that ensues. The Dating Professors then go on to discuss interfaith dating generally. What are the things to watch out for? In what ways are religious beliefs likely to affect rom…
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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.…
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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 f…
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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 Venezuel…
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Irina speaks with dispute resolution specialist Steven Wolhandler, who uses his dual background in law and psychology to help people handle emotional predators. The author of "Protecting Yourself from Emotional Predators: Neutralize the Users, Abusers, and Manipulators Hidden Among Us," Steven dispenses practical advice on how to recognize, avoid, …
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On this episode, Irina speaks with psychologist Justena Kavanagh who specializes in helping people to overcome coercive control and other narcissistic abuse. Justena talks about the different insidious forms that narcissism can take, including relational narcissism. She explains why these behavior types are so difficult to uncover and combat. Juste…
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Irina's special guest on this episode is no other than her husband (and "Strangers on the Internet" sound editor) Carlos Farini. They discuss the beginning of their relationship, from Bumble to exclusivity in three dates. Carlos also explains what he would say to men who do not value relationships and/or do not wish to date smart women. Come find o…
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In this episode, Irina discusses all things interracial dating with Prof. Solangel Maldonado of the Seton Hall University School of Law. Solangel introduces listeners to her new book "The Architecture of Desire: How the Law Shapes Interracial Intimacy and Perpetuates Inequality." How have not only anti-miscegenation laws but also laws related to pr…
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Dr. Rebecca Davis, the Miller Family Early Career professor at the University of Delaware, recently completed the first major account of the history of sex and sexuality in America in three decades. She talks with Irina and Michelle about her new book "Fierce Desires," which complicates our understanding of how issues such as gender identity and se…
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On this episode, Irina speaks with clinician Dr. Christine Cocchiola and divorce coach Amy Polacko about their new book "Framed: Women in the Family Court Underworld." These coauthors describe the devastating consequences that many women experience when they try to leave their abusers and to protect their children during and after divorce. The podc…
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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.…
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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 mo…
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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 a…
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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…
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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 Three: “AI f…
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Over the weekend, the Iranian Supreme Court overturned the death sentence of Toomaj Salehi, the Iranian hip-hop artist who was charged with "corruption on earth" for his defense of the "Women, Life, Freedom" movement. His friend and social media manager, Negin Niknaam, joins Casey and Elisha to talk about Salehi. he also brings a special message fr…
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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 Two: “Shini…
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Casey and Elisha are joined live from the Oslo Freedom Forum by real-life "Hotel Rwanda" hero Paul Rusesabagina and two of his children, daughters Carine and Anaise Kanimba, to talk about the banana beer recipe you probably haven't tried but should, family, adoptions, Rwanda, kidnappings, and an extraordinary international campaign that led to free…
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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 produced by FP Studios and the Human Rights Foundation.Part One: “The P…
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Casey and Elisha sit down with Bill Browder, the driving force behind the creation and expansion of Magnitsky sanctions over the past decade. They talk about how corrupt officials in Russia and elsewhere hate Magnitsky sanctions, and the allies Bill has found in his fight for justice. They also talk about the proposed Navalny Act, honoring slain Ru…
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Each year, the Human Rights Foundation brings together activists, dissidents, leading thinkers and innovators to Oslo, Norway, home of the Nobel Peace Prize, to empower and embolden others in their fight for freedom and democracy. This event is called The Oslo Freedom Forum.This year, we are sharing our message of hope and resistance directly with …
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In the fifth part of this coverage of the sexual misconduct allegations against ex-George Mason University (GMU) law professor and former FTC Commissioner Joshua Wright, Irina invites back Dilan Esper, an experienced litigator in areas that include defamation law and the First Amendment. Together, they analyze the most recent legal developments in …
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Casey sits down with Alex Dukalskis and Adam Scharpf, a pair of academics whose groundbreaking work shines new light on why dictatorships hire Western public relations firms. They talk about just how widespread the issue is, and what PR firms actually do for their dictatorial clients. They also chat about the PR industry's ethics as a whole, and wh…
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What are the neurobiological underpinnings of relationships? Irina and Michelle delve into that question and its implications with St. Louis University professor and director of SLU's relationships and brain sciences research laboratory Dr. Dixie Meyer. She explains how couples co-regulate their emotions and what can go awry in the process, whether…
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On today’s episode, Casey and Elisha are joined by Rwandan opposition leader Victoire Ingabire and Kate Gibson, part of her international legal team, to discuss the case they filed with the East African Court of Justice to restore Ingabire’s civic rights after being absurdly convicted of terrorism and genocide denial, for which she spent eight year…
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One of the chief complaints of dating app users (and especially straight women) is that commitment phobia abounds in those they meet. Can people with commitment phobia ever change? And if so, can they ever be nudged into such change? What happens when someone commits out of fear of losing the other person? Irina and Michelle discuss all that and mo…
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Casey and Elisha speak with Masih Alinejad, one of the leading journalists and campaigners highlighting the crimes of the regime still in power in Iran. They discuss Masih's journey, as well as the recent abduction and assassination attempts against her in the US and how the democratic world can continue standing up against the despots in Tehran. T…
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Casey and Elisha talk about Casey's new book, "Foreign Agents," on all the ways dictators use lobbyists in the US to entrench their regimes and stamp out democratic movements. They talk about how regimes from Moscow to Beijing and beyond rely on these Americans to do their dirty work, and how these foreign lobbyists became henchmen and foot-soldier…
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On this episode, Arkansas State University philosophy professor Michele Merritt joins us from Tennessee with her engineer husband Paul Hiebing. The couple discusses meeting online and navigating life from dating in Florida to getting married, moving states twice, and adding both kids and pets. How have they weathered mental health challenges, inclu…
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Casey and Elisha chat with Joey Siu, a 25-year-old Hong Konger with a bounty on her head, after the Chinese Communist Party accused her of violating its draconian national security law. In 2019, Siu played a pivotal role in organizing large-scale pro-democracy protests. Now, living in exile, her work has anything but slowed. Siu talks about what it…
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Casey speaks with Russian opposition figure Anastasia Shevchenko, who was the first person to face criminal prosecution under Russia's so-called "undesirable organizations" law. Anastasia talks about how her role as a mother propelled her into the fight against both corruption and dictatorship, as well as the new documentary focusing on her work an…
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According to recent data and media reports, Gen Z has some enthusiasm for dating in the workplace. Is that a good idea, however? Irina and Michelle dissect the pros and cons of finding a significant other at work. What happens if things fall apart and people have to keep collaborating after a break-up? And how might scenarios play out if there is a…
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Casey and Elisha talk with Rushan Abbas, the founder of Campaign for Uyghurs, about the Chinese Communist Party's ongoing genocide against Uyghurs. They discuss some of the policy successes in recent years helping shine a light on Beijing's crimes, and a new congressional caucus aiding Uyghurs. They also talk about Rushan's journey into activism - …
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Casey and Elisha speak with HRF's Africa policy officer, Mo Keita, talks about the recent arrest of Swazi activist and former podcast guest, Tanele Maseko. They talk about how the Swazi regime's efforts to silence critics continue to backfire and how to support the pro-democratic reformers targeting Africa's last absolute monarchy.To listen to Case…
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On this episode, Irina and Michelle chat with psychotherapist and sex addiction specialist D.J. Burr. In recovery from sex addiction himself, D.J. explains the condition and the path toward improvement. He discusses how trauma connects to addiction, how dating apps cause special problems for those with addiction, and why he thinks porn can never be…
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Casey and Elisha are joined by Karim Zidan, one of the world's foremost experts on how authoritarian regimes use the world of sports for their own ends. Karim discusses the history of the intersection of sports and politics, why the term "sportswashing" may already be outdated, and how depressing it is to be a Seattle Mariners fan.Learn more about …
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Ideas Beyond Borders Founder Faisal Al Mutar joins Casey and Elisha to discuss the importance of creating a sense of national security for Iraqis as well as his experience combatting the villainy of authoritarianism and extremism. Then there’s the habibi effect.Show notes:To learn about Faisal Al Mutar: https://oslofreedomforum.com/speaker/faisal-a…
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Elisha and Casey talk with Jay Nordlinger, a senior editor at National Review and one of the leading writers covering the threats of modern dictatorship. They talk about Jay's focus on authoritarians across the political spectrum, the community of writers and activists trying to take down tyrants, and why the offspring of dictators aren't always wh…
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"Opposites attract," the old adage goes. Is that really true, however? Irina and Michelle delve into the ways that disparities are a drawback versus advantage in relationships. What are some of the Dating Professors' personal habits and preferences that they think would cause conflict if a mate was diametrically different? Come listen to an explora…
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It's well-known at this point that Bitcoin has many uses, from the fun to the financial. But did you know Bitcoin can also help democratic movements flourish and find funding? Casey and Elisha talk with author and HRF Chief Strategy Officer Alex Gladstein about how Bitcoin has grown into a tool to fight dictatorships and how new technologies can he…
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After her husband, human rights lawyer Thulani Maseko, was assassinated in front of her, Swazi human rights defender Tanele Maseko picked up right where he left off: peacefully (and powerfully) speaking truth to power. In this episode, she talks with Casey and Elisha about the politics of Swaziland, Africa's last absolute monarchy, her husband's le…
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On this episode, Irina and Michelle talk to German visual artist Sebastian, whom Irina met on a long train ride in Europe over a decade ago. He is a photographer, comic artist, graphic designer, illustrator, silk-screen printer, painter, and musician who has lived as a digital nomad for some time. From photographing Iggy Pop to having his work appe…
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Casey and Elisha talk with Ukrainian MP Lisa Yasko about Ukraine’s upcoming anniversaries—both the 10-year anniversary of Ukraine’s successful democratic revolution and the two-year anniversary of Russia’s expanded invasion. They discuss how Ukrainians remain on the frontlines of the fight against dictatorship and why democracies must continue supp…
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