Jane Fonda on How to Turn Rage Into Hope: On with Kara Swisher

The podcast episode features Kara Swisher interviewing legendary actor and activist Jane Fonda. The conversation is framed around Jane's lifelong activism, especially her recent efforts to fight for democracy and environmental issues. Jane discusses how her PACs, including the Jane Fonda Climate Pack and the Committee for the First Amendment, are strategized to influence politics and combat threats against democracy and the environment. Kara introduces Jane’s importance as a Hollywood icon who walks the walk in activism, contrasting her with some Hollywood celebrities who are less engaged.

Jane recaps her extensive activism over decades, emphasizing her current focus on fighting climate change and defending democracy amidst rising authoritarianism. She talks about the 'fire drill Fridays' protests, the focus on down-ballot elections, and supporting candidates who oppose fossil fuel industry influence. Jane underscores the importance of electoral activism, small donor mobilization, and strategic support for local races, which have led to significant wins like flipping state legislatures and congressional seats. She advocates for a combination of protests, non-compliance actions, and electoral work to build a resilient democracy.

Jane highlights the deep link between climate change and democracy, asserting they are interdependent crises that must be addressed together. She warns that authoritarian regimes seek to weaken the pillars of support—military, financial, cultural—and that defending democracy requires fighting on multiple fronts. The urgency is compounded by the clock ticking on climate and the encroaching threat of authoritarianism, with Jane stressing the importance of ongoing grassroots organizing, protests, and strategic electoral work.

Jane discusses the importance of art and free expression as fundamental to democracy, recalling the historic creation of the Committee for the First Amendment during the McCarthy era. She explains how authoritarian regimes target art and education early to control narratives and suppress dissent. The revival of this committee aims to empower artists and cultural workers to oppose authoritarianism through training and actions such as boycotts, strikes, and non-compliance. Jane emphasizes that celebrity activism, humor, and cultural resistance are vital tools in confronting oppressive regimes.

Jane compares her past grassroots efforts — traveling to 80 cities during the Vietnam era — with today’s digital media environment. She advocates for U.S. citizens to reconnect with local organizing, listen to communities, and avoid complacency by engaging directly with people. She critiques the current media landscape, dominated by right-wing narratives, and emphasizes the importance of ubiquity in messaging and grassroots outreach to counter misinformation and authoritarian narratives.

Jane expresses concern over media industry consolidations, such as mergers involving Warner Bros., and the threat they pose to free expression and cultural diversity. She criticizes efforts by political figures, including the Trump administration, to restrict artistic and journalistic freedom. She underscores the importance of resisting corporate mergers and authoritarian influence in the arts, and advocates for stronger protections for free speech within the entertainment sector.

Throughout the conversation, Jane shares her perspective on maintaining hope in challenging times. She discusses how activism and taking action lift her depression, giving her purpose. She advocates for community engagement, meditation, adequate sleep, and avoiding loneliness as means of staying hopeful and resilient. Jane recounts her own journey of confronting mortality and living intentionally, encouraging listeners to accept death as part of life, which can inspire deeper significance and purpose.

Jane offers insights into her view of leadership, kindness, and understanding even towards difficult figures like Donald Trump. She emphasizes that understanding trauma and wellness can foster empathy, and that true change often comes from within. She advocates for small acts of kindness, honest conversations, and focusing on what is within one’s power—like community organization and education—to create meaningful societal change.