Welcome back to Read & Reflect, the podcast where books spark deeper thinking and meaningful conversations. I’m your host, Jason Smith, and in this episode, we dive into On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century by Timothy Snyder—a powerful and timely guide to resisting authoritarianism and protecting democratic values.

Snyder, a Yale historian and expert on authoritarian regimes, offers twenty urgent lessons drawn from the darkest chapters of 20th-century history. In this episode, we break down those lessons and explore how they resonate in today’s political climate. From the dangers of “post-truth” to the importance of individual action, we reflect on the book’s key themes and its stark warnings about the fragility of democracy.

We also take a closer look at recent political developments that echo Snyder’s insights, including the Trump administration’s challenges to democratic norms and the situation in Turkey under President Erdoğan. The recent arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu provides a striking contemporary example of the threats Snyder warns about—particularly the use of legal institutions to silence opposition.

Whether you're new to On Tyranny or revisiting its lessons in light of current events, this episode invites you to think critically about your role as a citizen. We reflect on how history can help us recognize creeping authoritarianism—and how we can respond with courage, awareness, and action.

📚 Subscribe, rate, and share if you find value in today’s reflection. And don’t forget to join us next time for another powerful read.

Until then—keep reading, keep reflecting, and stay vigilant.

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