Turning Modern Media Into Movement Building
Background
When DEFIANCE.org launched in October 2025, Americans opposed to the Trump administration faced a growing problem. There was no shortage of political news, commentary, outrage, or organizations asking people to donate and sign petitions. What was often missing was a clear answer to a much simpler question:
What can I actually do?
DEFIANCE.org was founded by former Department of Homeland Security Chief of Staff and whistleblower Miles Taylor and social entrepreneur and impact investor Xander Schultz to help answer that question.
Their vision was to build something different from either a traditional advocacy organization or media organization: a news platform, membership community, and action-oriented organization capable of responding quickly to threats to democracy.
As DEFIANCE.org began to take shape, Miles Taylor and Xander Schultz asked Scott Goodstein and Catalyst Campaigns to collaborate with their growing team and help evolve the effort. Catalyst brought experience in modern organizing, strategic communications, digital strategy, data architecture, branding, advertising, fundraising, and campaign development to help turn ambitious ideas into action.
Catalyst
DEFIANCE.org built its model around reaching people where they increasingly get their information and then giving them meaningful ways to take action.
DEFIANCE.News and its Substack infrastructure created a daily publishing platform for news, analysis, campaign updates, and calls to action. DEFIANCE Daily, a weekday podcast, created another regular connection with the growing community and has ranked among the top news podcasts in America.
The DEFIANCE.org Club deepened that relationship. Members can participate at any contribution level and receive weekly briefings, daily news, private conversations with leadership, and opportunities to become involved in the organization’s work. Most importantly, 100% of membership funds support actions and organizations fighting corruption and defending democracy.
As DEFIANCE.org grew, Goodstein and Catalyst worked across projects to help identify what was missing, pressure-test ideas, strengthen execution, and turn ambitious concepts into campaigns that could launch quickly and effectively.
Catalyst also supported initiatives including Obey Only Lawful Orders, GTFO ICE, State of the Swamp, FAFO, and the Trump-Epstein Bookmobile, providing varying combinations of branding, creative, digital, advertising, press, fundraising, and strategic support based on each effort’s needs.
Turning Media Into Action
DEFIANCE.org’s growing audience gave Taylor, Schultz, and their team the ability to support existing organizations, build partnerships, and rapidly launch new campaigns.
GTFO ICE — Get the Facilities Out, ICE!
Developed with Project Saltbox and Save America Movement, GTFO ICE created a nationwide rapid-response network to alert communities when proposed ICE detention facilities emerge. Catalyst supported the effort with campaign branding, creative, advertising, and digital infrastructure.
Obey Only Lawful Orders
Working with Whistleblower Aid, DEFIANCE.org launched a national campaign reminding servicemembers of their obligation to obey lawful orders and refuse manifestly illegal ones. Catalyst developed branding, design, messaging, and an advertising strategy that included geographically targeted digital media and billboards near major military installations.
Defending Independent Reporters
DEFIANCE.org created a rapid-response fund for independent journalists facing government retaliation, with Don Lemon and Georgia Fort among its first announced beneficiaries—demonstrating how its audience and fundraising infrastructure could quickly direct resources toward people and organizations facing immediate threats.
State of the Swamp
For Trump’s 2026 State of the Union, DEFIANCE.org joined the Portland Frog Brigade and COURIER to produce a four-hour national counter-program from the National Press Club featuring elected officials, journalists, organizers, veterans, and cultural figures. Catalyst supported the program with branding, visual identity, creative materials, advertising strategy, and programming recommendations.
Fight Against Federal Overreach (FAFO)
DEFIANCE.org helped launch a coalition connecting local prosecutors prepared to respond when federal officials violate state laws or constitutional rights. Catalyst supported press around the launch, helped evolve its list-building and supporter growth strategy, and rapidly built an alternative website when technical delays threatened the launch.
The Trump-Epstein Bookmobile
Working with the Institute for Primary Facts, DEFIANCE.org committed $100,000 to transform an installation containing approximately 3.5 million pages of Epstein-related records into a traveling national campaign. Branding, design, advertising, communications, and media strategy helped turn the records into a highly visible campaign built around public events, earned media, digital content, and grassroots engagement.
Outcome
In a matter of months, Miles Taylor and Xander Schultz turned their vision for DEFIANCE.org into something larger than a newsletter, podcast, membership program, or traditional advocacy organization.
They built a modern media and organizing platform capable of reaching a national audience, building community, raising money, supporting existing organizations, and quickly launching new campaigns.
Goodstein and Catalyst Campaigns supported that growth as an experienced, flexible resource able to move between strategy and execution as needs emerged—strengthening campaigns, communications, digital infrastructure, audience growth, and rapid response.
DEFIANCE.org demonstrates a different approach to modern organizing: use media to build a community, and give that community meaningful ways to take action.
By the Numbers
- 125,000+
Active subscribers & members - 100+
Actions launched to defend democracy - $500,000+
Raised & granted to support action - 25+
Pro-democracy organizations supported - Top 20
U.S. news podcast ranking for DEFIANCE Daily - $100,000
Committed to the Trump-Epstein Bookmobile - 3.5 Million
Pages of Epstein-related records taken on the road - 100%
Of membership funds support actions and organizations
Services Provided
Advertising Strategy • Audience Growth • Branding & Messaging • Campaign Development • Campaign Strategy • Coalition Building • Data Hygiene • Digital Strategy • Earned Media • Federal, State & Local Issue Advocacy • Grassroots Mobilization • Live Events & Programming • Membership & Fundraising Strategy • Merchandise Development • Organizational Support • Partnership Development • Rapid Response • Strategic Communications