Radioactive: How Father Coughlin Brough Antisemitism and Demagoguery to American Mass Media

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During the Great Depression, the most dangerous man in America was a “radio priest” from Detroit. Father Charles Coughlin, a Catholic priest, broadcasting pioneer and celebrity, used his nationwide radio sermons to promote fascism and antisemitic conspiracy theories in the run-up to WWII. He became America’s first mass-media demagogue, cultivating a loyal following of violent Nazi gangs, and created a new method for spreading hate to the masses…that continues to be emulated today.

Andrew Lapin — who grew up near Coughlin’s church in Royal Oak, MI — will share clips from his podcast and insights from his research into Coughlin’s life and methods.

Local journalist Andrew Lapin is the creator and host of “Radioactive,” a podcast about Father Coughlin at Michigan Radio from Tablet Studios and the WNET Group, and the Managing Editor of Local News for the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Previously he was the editor-in-chief of the Detroit Jewish News and a film critic for NPR, Vulture, The Economist and other outlets.

Masks Required. Also available via Zoom.

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