Hello, friends. We’ll be exploring something that’s rarely discussed in the mainstream yet feels essential as we approach the election: the psychoanalytic roots of authoritarianism and fascism. This isn't just about politics; it’s about diving into the unconscious patterns, instincts, and fears that often drive us and even our leaders, shaping our societies in ways we may not realize. Later tonight, I will post a LECTURE on how psychoanalysis views fascism—and what we can do to change our Internal Structures (FREE POST)—and then a Small Group Discussion on Saturday from Noon-1:00 p.m. PST (PAID SUBSCRIBERS). The following Podcast details some “Food for Thought” before our Saturday NoonTeach-In.
As Freud taught us with his free clinics, this ability to dig into the unconscious to address underlying aggression isn’t just for a few elite circles but should be available for everyone. The lack of accessible mental health resources—and the barriers to understanding our deeper selves—are part of a political and spiritual crisis that includes but also extends beyond capitalism and state power to the problem of evolution. When access to real help is limited — especially help that provides for psychoanalysis and the exploration of our unconscious motivations — we get farther from a society—and soul—rooted in empathy, truth, and justice.
Psychoanalysis isn’t just traditional talk therapy. It’s the study of the unconscious and powerful because that self-study uncovers parts of us we may not even know are there. These parts emerge in our moods, dreams, fears, and habits – even the ones that logic and cognitive techniques like CBT can’t always resolve. The therapy I practice uses the unique relationship between the patient and therapist to reveal, process, and heal these deeper patterns. This involves bearing something we call “transference,” where old, unconscious expectations of others are placed onto the therapist, allowing us to gently, safely change the neural pathways that hold us back.
So, why talk about this now? Because we’re in a time where authoritarianism is creeping back across the globe. Or said another way, we are experiencing the transference of child abuse’s tendency to make us into victims and abusers (perhaps as a cry for help). Political thinkers like Timothy Snyder have warned us that this isn’t just a problem for other places or people; it's a global and personal challenge. For over 70 years after WWII, nations have built democratic structures around shared values of liberty, and now, that stability is under strain. People are rightfully scared – we feel the stakes are high, and they are. However, perhaps the problem is that we have not yet created a Constitution to articulate the ideals needed to fight the Inner Despot and fashion an Inner Democracy of Free People and Feelings.
This TEACH-IN is meant to provide context and resilience. No, our inner work alone may not change the election outcome – although depth psychological ideas suggest that personal transformation can ripple outward to affect the collective. At a minimum, understanding our unconscious fears and biases can ground us, helping us feel more at home and less vulnerable to manipulation by the “strong man” figures that authoritarianism depends on.
When we get strong and know our own shadow, we build a stronger defense system against those who seek to control us by exploiting our fears. But suppose we do not face our shadows, where we hate ourselves and others. In that case, Fascism preys on the psyche’s dissociation and chaos, turning us into external “players” to manage our inner turmoil. When we do the work to know ourselves – integrating shadow and light – we resist this pull and take our place as agents of humanity’s evolution. In the words of 19th-century philosopher Nietzsche, we become “open people,” not in some false “superhuman” way, but as genuinely self-aware, resilient individuals.
I’ll be hosting a free teach-in this Thursday, and on Saturday, I’m offering a small group discussion for paid subscribers. Together, we’ll explore how these forces live within us and what hope looks like today. At $6 a month, paid subscribers can access these monthly discussions and additional exclusive content, such as E-books, classes, and GROUP SEMINARS.
As we go forward, let’s remember that voting is essential. But so does understanding why we’re vulnerable to authoritarianism. The roots of fascism lie in the psyche, in the unconscious. By exploring this terrain, we gain the power to resist for ourselves and future generations. I look forward to diving deep with you all.
Let’s talk, let’s learn, and, as always, feel free to share your thoughts and questions.
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