Advertise on podcast: On Offense with Kris Goldsmith

For years, people have asked me the same question: Where are the veterans? In this episode, Ken Harbaugh and I answer. Ken is a former Navy pilot, veteran advocate, filmmaker, and president of VALOR Media Network. We discuss the experiences that transformed his understanding of service—from his daughter’s medical crisis and his work building veteran-led organizations to his reporting from Ukraine and firsthand exposure to the future of drone warfare. We also announce the Veterans Day Democracy March. On Wednesday, November 11, veterans and allies from across the country will gather in Washington, D.C., for a peaceful, lawful national action in support of constitutional government, lawful election results, and the rule of law. Why are we organizing now for an event after Election Day? Because the work of democracy does not end when the polls close. We expect Trump and his allies to challenge election results that threaten their hold on power, and preparation cannot begin after the crisis has already started. The march is organized around three points of unity: The voters decide. The results stand. No president is above the Constitution. America must keep faith with those who serve. The Veterans Day Democracy March is being organized through the Unite for Veterans Coalition. Veterans Fighting Fascism, VALOR Media Network, and other coalition partners are mobilizing veterans, creators, advocates, artists, and allies from across the country. Ken and I also discuss what real patriotism demands, why the oath does not expire when the uniform comes off, and what veterans owe the country when its democratic institutions are under attack. I also explain why On Offense will be taking a break for at least the month of August while I focus on writing my book. The podcast may be taking a pause. The work is not. LEARN MORE AND GET INVOLVED Join and support the Veterans Day Democracy March: VeteransFightingFascism.org Follow Ken on The Ken Harbaugh Show: TheKenHarbaughShow.Substack.com Preorder War Is a Racket, featuring a new introduction by Kristofer Goldsmith: Penguin Random House Subscribe to On Offense: OnOffense.Substack.com

Lindsey Graham’s death has me thinking about the choices that define a political legacy. As someone who spent years lobbying Congress on behalf of veterans, I saw firsthand the difference between politicians who were willing to listen—and those who simply weren’t. Graham built a career championing American military intervention while resisting reforms that would better protect the men and women sent to fight those wars. His life raises a question that extends far beyond one senator: What does political courage actually look like? My guest this week, Reed Galen, took a very different path. A longtime Republican strategist who worked for George W. Bush, John McCain, and other Republican leaders, Reed eventually concluded that remaining inside the party meant compromising principles he wasn’t willing to abandon. Today, through Civic Forum, he is trying to build a different kind of civic movement—one grounded in honest conversation, local engagement, and the belief that democracy requires more than simply reacting to authoritarianism. We discuss whether America’s institutions can still be reformed, why political parties struggle to speak honestly about economic power, what meaningful civic organizing looks like, and why ordinary people should start locally if they want to make a real difference. Follow Reed’s work on Substack and learn more about Civic Forum. I also wrote the introduction to a new edition of Major General Smedley Butler’s War Is a Racket, which will be published by Steerforth Press this September. Preorder the book here. On Offense with Kris Goldsmith is a podcast about fighting for democracy and organizing against fascism—because being on defense is not enough.

For years, we've been told that young white men are drifting to the political right. But what if we're asking the wrong questions? When I met fitness coach and content creator Colin Davis, I was reminded of my best friend who died at 18. It made me wonder: if he'd lived, who would he have become? Would he have followed the same path I did—or would he have been swept into the culture and politics that have transformed so many communities across America? Colin represents something too many people misunderstand. He works in a space—fitness and gym culture—that has become increasingly associated with the political right, yet he's building a different vision of masculinity rooted in community, personal responsibility, and democratic participation. In this episode, we discuss: How gym culture became intertwined with right-wing politics Why young men are searching for belonging The role of healthcare, economics, and social isolation What progressives often misunderstand about young white men Why local organizing matters more than most people realize How strength and empathy can exist together This isn't a conversation about young men. It's a conversation with one. Follow Colin Davis: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colin_coaches/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@colin_coaches If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a rating and review, and share it with someone who would appreciate the conversation.

Americans are angry. Millions of people recognize the danger posed by authoritarianism. So why does opposition so often feel fragmented, exhausted, and ineffective? My guest this week is historian, Army veteran, and returning On Offense guest Tad Stoermer, author of A Resistance History of the United States. In his new book, Tad argues that Americans have been taught a version of history that encourages us to trust institutions, celebrate founders, and wait for change rather than understanding how ordinary people have actually resisted abuses of power throughout American history. We discuss: Why so many Americans feel exhausted after a decade of political crisis The difference between protest and resistance What today’s opposition can learn from the Underground Railroad and the abolitionist movement Why Tad believes “pacifiers” hold democratic movements back What we’ve misunderstood about George Washington, the American founding, and the mythology surrounding both Why resistance movements need a vision for the future, not just a reaction to the present How ordinary people can identify their role in a broader movement for democratic change This is not a conversation about nostalgia. It’s a conversation about power, organizing, and what it takes to build something capable of confronting authoritarianism. As always, I end by asking the same question: What can you do to go on offense? Tad’s answer may challenge everything you’ve been told about how change happens in America. Follow Tad Stoermer:Tad Stoermer on Substack Buy the book:A Resistance History of the United States by Tad Stoermer

What happened to QAnon? Most Americans stopped talking about it after January 6. The headlines faded. The QAnon Shaman disappeared from the news. The movement seemed to dissolve. But according to former Congressman and January 6 investigator Denver Riggleman, QAnon never really went away. In this episode of On Offense, Kris Goldsmith sits down with Riggleman to discuss how QAnon evolved from an internet conspiracy theory into a broader political identity, why conspiracy culture remains deeply embedded in American politics, and what the January 6 investigation revealed about the networks and personalities behind the movement. Drawing on his book The Breach, Riggleman explains how conspiracy movements adapt, fragment, and survive—and why understanding those movements is essential for anyone concerned about the future of American democracy. Topics include: QAnon and its lasting influence on American politics The role of Mike Flynn and other influential figures The January 6 attack and its aftermath Radicalization, conspiracy culture, and political identity How extremist movements evolve over time What Americans still misunderstand about January 6 If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to On Offense on your favorite podcast app and visit OnOffense.Substack.com for additional reporting, analysis, and interviews.

Gal Beckerman, staff writer at The Atlantic and author of How to Be a Dissident, joins Kris Goldsmith to discuss conformity, authoritarianism, propaganda, and the pressures that cause ordinary people to stay silent while democratic institutions erode around them. But more importantly, they discuss what makes dissidents different — and the values, behaviors, and habits that shape people willing to resist normalization during moments of democratic decline. Drawing from dissident movements across history — and from the lived reality of Trump’s second administration — Beckerman argues that resistance begins long before politics. It begins with the refusal to normalize cruelty, corruption, fear, and obedience. Together, Kris and Gal discuss: why authoritarianism depends on adaptation and exhaustion; how propaganda reshapes identity and social behavior; the psychological pressure to conform; why some people comply while others “sit apart”; the role of community and “neighborism” in resisting authoritarian politics; why “hopeful pessimism” may be necessary for democratic survival; and what integrity looks like in moments of democratic decline. This is a conversation about how human beings behave when institutions fail — and how we choose who we become in the process. Buy How to Be a Dissident by Gal Beckerman:https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/816867/how-to-be-a-dissident-by-gal-beckerman/ Subscribe to On Offense on Substack:https://onoffense.substack.com/ Subscribe to VALOR Media Network:https://www.youtube.com/@VALORMediaNetwork

Omer Aziz, author of Shadows of the Republic: The Rebirth of Fascism in America and How to Defeat It for Good, joins Kris Goldsmith to discuss why fascism in America cannot be understood purely as an electoral or political phenomenon. Drawing from history, media culture, masculinity, religion, and modern online radicalization, Aziz explains how fascist movements use spectacle, identity, belonging, and entertainment to recruit followers — and why democratic movements consistently underestimate those forces. Kris and Omer discuss the rise of right-wing influencer culture, the collapse of civic institutions and “third spaces,” the radicalization of young men, why Trump may ultimately be remembered as a symptom rather than the endpoint of a broader movement, and why defeating Trump electorally will not be enough to defeat the conditions that produced him. They also examine: the relationship between fascism and spectacle Joe Rogan and the entertainment ecosystem surrounding MAGA why fascism appeals to some marginalized groups propaganda and media normalization anti-fascism as community and purpose the dangers of complacency after electoral victories how democratic movements can begin rebuilding civic culture from the ground up Omer Aziz is a writer, lawyer, and former foreign policy advisor. He is the author of Shadows of the Republic and Brown Boy, and his work has appeared in The Atlantic, Harper’s, The New York Times, and the Boston Globe. Subscribe to On Offense with Kris Goldsmith on Substack: https://onoffense.substack.com/

Former January 6 investigative counsel Tim Heaphy joins Kris Goldsmith for a difficult conversation about whether American democracy still works — and whether it can survive what’s happening now. Heaphy, a former U.S. Attorney and author of Harbingers and the forthcoming We Are the Answer: How to Save Our Democracy, helped lead major investigations into both the Charlottesville Unite the Right rally and the January 6 insurrection. But this interview isn’t about revisiting history. It’s about the present moment. Kris and Tim discuss the Trump administration’s indictments of former FBI Director James Comey and the Southern Poverty Law Center, the weaponization of the justice system, political violence, disinformation, institutional collapse, accountability, and whether Americans should still have faith in the systems meant to protect democracy. Throughout the conversation, Kris challenges Heaphy’s core belief that institutions can still function if enough people stay engaged. Can democracy be repaired? Or are we already past that point? Links: Buy We Are the Answer: How to Save Our Democracy by Tim Heaphy Subscribe to On Offense on Substack Support Task Force Butler Institute Support Veterans Fighting Fascism

Most people think accountability is someone else’s job. But what happens when the institutions that are supposed to hold power accountable stop doing it? In this episode of On Offense, Kris Goldsmith sits down with the founder of The Existentialist Republic, Chris Armitage to examine growing concerns around Chief Justice John Roberts, the Supreme Court, and the broader accountability crisis at the highest levels of power. This conversation focuses on: Conflicts of interest and ethics concerns surrounding John Roberts What it means when the Supreme Court won’t police itself How power operates when there are no real consequences What everyday Americans can actually do to push back If the people at the top aren’t going to hold themselves accountable, the pressure has to come from somewhere else. It has to come from you. TAKE ACTION: Read Chris Armitage’s work and follow his guidance on holding Chief Justice John Roberts accountable: 👉 TheExistentialistRepublic.com Look for his piece on Roberts’ financial conflicts and guidance on contacting the DC Bar Office of Disciplinary Counsel. FOLLOW & SUPPORT: Subscribe to On Offense on Substack: 👉 https://onoffense.substack.com/ Watch and subscribe on YouTube: 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@ValorMediaNetwork CREDITS: Producer: Gina Kim Edited by: The Lombardos for VALOR Media Network If you value this work, make sure you’re subscribed and have downloads enabled.

BREAKING: The Department of Justice has charged the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) over its use of paid informants inside extremist groups. This episode was recorded before that news broke—but it explores the exact kind of work now at the center of that controversy: infiltrating extremist networks, documenting their activity, and the real cost of doing it. Our guest in this episode was one of SPLC's top investigative reporters. --- The fight against extremism isn’t just about ideas—it’s about resources. In this episode of On Offense, Kris Goldsmith sits down with investigative journalist Michael Edison Hayden to discuss his new book, Strange People on the Hill, and the real-world consequences of extremist movements embedding themselves in local communities. When a white nationalist organization purchased a castle overlooking Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, it wasn’t just a bizarre headline—it was part of a broader strategy. Hayden’s reporting reveals how extremist ideologies move from the fringe into positions of power, and what happens when ordinary people are forced to confront them in their own backyard. This conversation goes beyond the headlines to examine the human cost of this work—the burnout, the mental health toll, and the reality faced by the small number of researchers, journalists, and community members who take on these movements directly. This is a story about one town—and a warning for the rest of the country. Get the book:Strange People on the Hill by Michael Edison Hayden Follow Michael Edison Hayden: Bluesky: michaelehayden.bsky.social Substack: michaeledisonhayden.substack.com Podcast: Posting Through It Subscribe to On Offense: Substack: onoffense.substack.com Take action locally:Veterans Fighting Fascism On Offense is produced by Gina Kim and edited by the Lombardos for VALOR Media Network.

In this special episode of On Offense, Kris Goldsmith takes you inside the anti-ICE concert and fundraiser that brought Minneapolis together after the killings of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti. Featuring live performances by the Dropkick Murphys, this episode captures the sound, energy, and urgency of a community refusing to back down in the face of fear, violence, and political intimidation. You’ll hear exclusive interviews with Dropkick Murphys frontman Ken Casey and Gina Christ, owner of the Black Forest Inn, whose restaurant sits across the street from where Alex Pretti was killed and became a gathering place for grief, solidarity, and resistance. Together, they talk about how this concert came together in just a few weeks, what it meant to bear witness in Minneapolis, and what the rest of the country needs to understand about what’s happening there now. If you want to see the full concert and livestream, or donate to support the community directly, visit AbolishICE.live. In this episode: Live performances from the Dropkick Murphys An exclusive interview with Ken Casey An exclusive interview with Gina Christ of the Black Forest Inn On-the-ground audio from Minneapolis The story behind the AbolishICE.live concert and fundraiser If you value this kind of reporting, make sure you’re subscribed to On Offense with Kris Goldsmith wherever you get your podcasts.

Who gets to decide who is a terrorist? In this episode of On Offense, Kris Goldsmith sits down with Ian Austin, a former Army Ranger who deployed six times and is now facing federal charges tied to an anti-ICE action in Minnesota. Ian says he went to Minneapolis because he saw something he recognized: fear, force, and a government using power against civilians in ways that felt disturbingly familiar. In this conversation, he talks about war, PTSD, moral injury, activism, and what it feels like to be prosecuted by the same government he once fought for. This is a raw interview about trauma, conscience, protest, and the cost of taking action when democracy is under attack. Support Ian Austin’s legal defense: https://www.gofundme.com/f/ian-austin-support-fund Watch the Abolish ICE concert and fundraiser featuring Dropkick Murphys: https://abolishice.live Subscribe to On Offense: Substack: https://onoffense.substack.com Follow Kris Goldsmith: Linktree: https://linktr.ee/KrisGoldsmith If this episode matters to you, share it widely.

In this deeply emotional episode of On Offense, Kris Goldsmith brings listeners to Minneapolis for two conversations recorded in the wake of the killing of Alex Pretti and the federal immigration crackdown that has shaken the city. First, Kris sits down with Matt Gordon, better known online as @USMCAngryVeteran, to talk about why he has been traveling the country since Donald Trump’s return to office, what he has seen on the ground, and why veterans have a responsibility to speak out when Americans are being terrorized by their own government. Then the episode takes an unexpected turn. After the interview, Kris realizes that the veteran Matt had been talking about throughout their conversation was sitting right there in the room. That veteran is Riveter — a Minnesotan, a street medic, and a former patient of Alex Pretti, the VA nurse whose death has become a symbol of what Minneapolis has endured. Together, Matt and Riveter speak with Kris about grief, joy, service, community, and what it means to fight for democracy here at home. If this episode moves you, please watch the full concert and fundraiser at AbolishICE.live and donate to support the local community. Veterans Fighting Fascism is collecting the donations, but not keeping a penny. Every dollar is going directly to people in Minneapolis who need help right now. This is the first of several Minneapolis interviews coming to On Offense in the weeks ahead, including conversations with Dropkick Murphys frontman Ken Casey, Black Forest Inn owner Gina Christ, and former Army Ranger Ian Austin. Subscribe to On Offense on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and Substack, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.

The Courts vs. DHS: ICE, Executive Power & the Rule of Law Federal judges across the country are being forced to confront a question that sits at the core of constitutional democracy: when DHS and ICE push the boundaries of their authority, who stops them? In this episode of On Offense, Kris Goldsmith is joined by legal journalist Chris Geidner, founder of Law Dork, to break down what’s actually happening inside the courts as immigration detention policies, executive actions, and long-settled legal frameworks are tested under pressure. This conversation is about more than immigration policy. It’s about whether institutions still function when they’re stressed — and what it looks like when judges, lawyers, journalists, and ordinary people defend the rule of law in real time. Follow and support Chris Geidner: 📰 Law Dork: https://www.lawdork.com/ 🦋 Chris Geidner on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/chrisgeidner.bsky.social 🦋 Law Dork News on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/lawdorknews.bsky.social More from Kris and Task Force Butler: 📚 Start or join an Antifascist Book Club: https://veteransfightingfascism.org 🧰 Field manuals and organizing tools: https://taskforcebutler.org Support On Offense Subscribe on Substack: https://onoffense.substack.com/p/courts-vs-dhs-judges-stopping-ice

Hate doesn’t stay on the margins. It shows up in city council meetings, school board races, local sheriff elections, and “community” groups that want to look normal while they build power. In this episode, I’m joined by Phil Williams, chief investigative reporter at NewsChannel 5 Nashville and the writer behind Hate Comes to Main Street. Phil has documented how extremist networks embed themselves locally—how they recruit, intimidate, and normalize their presence in civic life—and what it takes to push back before they take over. We talk about: How hate groups move from online propaganda to real-world influence Why local politics is where extremist movements test strategies first How intimidation campaigns target journalists—and why sunlight still works What you can do in your own town to go on offense Read and subscribe to Phil’s work: https://www.hatecomestomainstreet.com/ If you’re serious about acting locally: Start or join an Antifascist Book Club: https://veteransfightingfascism.org Access antifascist field manuals and organizing tools: https://taskforcebutler.org Support this work: On Offense is my full-time focus. If this episode helped you understand how hate embeds locally—and how to push back—consider becoming a paid subscriber at https://weareonoffense.com. No one’s coming to save your town. But you can defend it. Let’s go on offense.