“Fascism isn’t just about power—it’s about controlling the stories we tell. It warps narratives to justify oppression, trapping us in cycles of dominance and despair. But stories can also resist, break those cycles, and open the door to something new.“

This is how YouTuber and hardcore Trekkie Jessie Gender starts her video essay “The Stories Fascism Fears Most“ which we highly recommend. A few weeks ago, Elia Ayoub sat down with Jessie to talk about it. They got into their love of Star Trek - because of course they did - as well as other franchises like The Matrix.

This is a special crossover episode between The Fire These Times and Resistance is Fertile, hence why it’s only Elia this time around. This won’t be a regular occurrence though! Elia and carla joy bergman will be recording most of the RIF episodes together, and we’ve already got a couple of episodes lined up for y’all.

Support the making of RIF on Patreon

RIF BlueSky: @thestartrekpod.bsky.social‬

RIF IG

Elia’s work

carla’s work

Jessie Gender’s YouTube channel

Music by NinePulse

Tech by Chris Bergman

RIF is co-produced by carla and Elia

Transcripts (arriving shortly)

Thanks for listening!

Episode One: Let’s Go!

In the first episode of Resistance is Fertile, carla and Elia share why they are making this podcast, what Star Trek (and stories in general) mean to them, and also talk a bit about some of the characters and plot-lines that resonate with them most. In short, episode one is an introduction to the show and a bit of a teaser of what's to come!

Mentioned: DS9 S6E25 ("Sweet Sound of Her Voice"), DS9 S4E2 ("The Visitor"), DS9 S3E11/12 ("Past Tense"), TNG S7E24 ("Preemptive Strike"), DS9 S1E1 ("Emissary"), DS9 S4E6 ("Little Green Men"). Star Trek: Discovery S2E7 ("Light and Shadows").

Show Notes

Support RIF: Patreon

RIF BlueSky: @thestartrekpod.bsky.social‬

Elia’s work

carla’s work + CAW

Music by NinePulse

Tech by Chris Bergman

RIF is co-produced by carla and Elia

Transcripts

thanks for listening!