Centered From Reality
395 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 18 hours ago - ★★★★★ - 8 ratingsAlex Kopytko is a ”radical centrist” that wants to understand the extremes. He has worked in politics and has studied public policy and political science. Alex argues that centrism is less about being a contrarian, it is about being able to change your mind and embrace an openness to new ideas. He is concerned about where the United States is headed and through conversations with people from all sides of the political spectrum, he wants to know how Americans can limit the tribalism that is flourishing. As someone that dances along the center-right of the political spectrum, Alex thinks the country needs to come together and talk to one another before it could be too late. This podcast covers domestic politics, as well as political philosophy, and international issues.
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Episodes
Reichstag Moment: A Trump Assassination Attempt & A New Era of Political Violence
July 14, 2024 05:51 - 22 minutes - 31.1 MBIn this emergency podcast, Alex reacts to the breaking news surrounding an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. Trump is safe, but Alex reacts to the political and sociological issues surrounding this event and why it may reshape politics, lead to an era of violence, and change the dynmamics for the 2024 election.
The Dam is Breaking: Blue MAGA, Democratic Schisms, Funding Woes & Trumpian Gaslighting
July 11, 2024 03:41 - 26 minutes - 36 MBIn this episode, Alex focuses on why he thinks the dam may finally be breaking for Biden and his campaign future. Polls show that New York state may be closer than anyone hoped and fundraising for the re-election campaign may be drying up as more Democratic Senators are now coming out against Biden. Also, a piece by Tim Alberta in The Atlantic highlights why Trump’s campaign team consider Biden an electoral gift. Of course, Alex rants about soccer a bit as well.
France and UK Elections Send Warnings to a Flailing Biden Campaign (+ the US Isn’t Ready for FIFA & Fox Soccer Struggles)
July 10, 2024 04:54 - 42 minutes - 58.6 MBIn this episode, Alex starts by worrying about how the United States doesn’t appear ready to host a FIFA World Cup in a few years. As he has been watching both the Euro Cup and the American Cup, Alex has noticed that the Fox Soccer crew has not only had bad (and dumb) takes, but also just seems lackluster in understanding the nuances of the game. He cites an article in the Guardian that explains it all. For the rest of the episode, Alex looks at how recent elections in the UK and France can ...
SCOTUS Says 'Hold My Beer' & Orbánism is at the Door (+ Biden's Known Unknowns)
July 05, 2024 07:13 - 32 minutes - 44.4 MBIn this episode, Alex decides to rain on everyone’s Fourth of July parade by talking about the recent Supreme Court decision in Trump v the United States. This was the case surrounding presidential immunity that Trump’s legal team had pushed through district and appellate courts before it finally was heard by SCOTUS. This decision went 6-3 (with all conservative judges supporting the case), and while it strayed from granting the president absolute immunity, it blurred the lines for future pr...
SCOTUS Begins Dismantling the Administrative State (+ Flying Raw: a Dumb TikTok Trend)
June 30, 2024 20:46 - 32 minutes - 45.1 MBIn this episode, Alex focuses on three recent Supreme Court decisions that will arguably give government agencies less decisionmaking powers. These decisions will also give power back to the courts and to powerful private entitites that know how to evade litigation. Alex argues that this was all part of a long term plan from groups like the Federalist Society that wanted to dismantle the administrative state. Alex links these decisions to the Chevron decision in 1984. Later, Alex talks about...
Dishonest Donald v Comatose Joe (Debate Analysis + Honesty)
June 28, 2024 08:49 - 59 minutes - 81.3 MBIn this episode, Alex not only analyzes the Trump/Biden debate, but also provides serious commentary/concerns around whether President Biden can truly counter the web of lies that are spewed by someone like Trump. Alex is beyond worried.
Pregaming Debate Night (+ Bowman Loses & Boebert Wins)
June 27, 2024 21:27 - 20 minutes - 28.2 MBIn this quick episode, Alex gets ready for his lunch run while catching everyone up on some of the week’s political events; he apologizes for being away the last week. Later, Alex makes some predictions ahead of the debate tonight between Joe Biden and Donald Trump.
Trump’s Nefarious Plan for Bitcoin, Humiliation Rituals in DC & the Clean Hands Caucus
June 17, 2024 07:30 - 34 minutes - 46.8 MBIn this episode, Alex starts by talking about why he is angry — certain Republicans are willing to call Donald Trump an existential threat to democracy, but at the same time, some powerful Republicans compare Joe Biden to Trump. He argues that this will make it so that some anti-Trump voters may see no point in voting. He talks a lot about a Tom Nichols piece around this issue. Later, Alex laughs and cries about Donald Trump finally returning to the captiol for his birthday, three years aft...
Nationalism and Populism Surge in the European Elections
June 14, 2024 01:33 - 31 minutes - 42.8 MBIn this episode, Alex focuses on the good and bad results from the European Parliament (EP) elections that took place last week. The EP elections include 27 European countries and over 400 million people are eligible to vote making these elections the second biggest in the world after India. Alex notes that while the results varied country-to-country, a common trend was that the far-right did well, the left did okay, and incumbents and establishment parties lost seats. Alex focuses on France...
Trump's Battery v. Shark Scenario, the Taco Bell 50k, Hunter Found Guilty & Garland Held in Contempt of Congress
June 13, 2024 04:26 - 32 minutes - 44.6 MBIn this episode, Alex starts by letting his listeners know that he has decided to take part in the Taco Bell 50k/Ultramarathon in Denver, Colorado in October. This event requires 10 stops at Taco Bell (to eat specific meal items) along the 31 mile course. Next, Alex responds to Hunter Biden being found guilty on all three felonies around lying on a firearm application. The Republican response has been lackluster and Alex worries that a common shared understanding of justice has eroded in the...
A Pivotal Election for Mexico & A Troubling Hostage Rescue in Gaza
June 09, 2024 03:28 - 36 minutes - 50.5 MBIn this episode, Alex starts by reacting to some clips from Colin Cowherd’s well articulated and funny criticism of Trump’s view of America. Next, Alex analyzes Mexico’s presidential election that happened last week. It was historic because Mexico elected its first woman president, Claudia Sheinbaum. She is the hand-picked successor of the outgoing president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, and is part of his Morena Party. Many international democratic watchdogs worry that Sheinbaum will contin...
The Narva Scenario: NATO's Worst Nightmare (+ Praise for Colin Cowherd)
June 07, 2024 07:18 - 41 minutes - 56.7 MBIn this episode, Alex starts by congratulating Real Madrid on another Champion’s League Victory and then praises Colin Cowherd for providing sports listeners with a coherent criticism of Donald Trump following his guilty verdict. For the rest of the episode, Alex dives into the troubling situation in a little-known place, Narva, Estonia. It is mainly made up of ethnic Russians and is only a bridge away from the Russian border. Military experts and NATO officials worry that Putin may annex Na...
Justice: 34, Trump: 0 (But Will it Matter?)
May 31, 2024 07:37 - 21 minutes - 29.1 MBIn this quick episode, Alex reacts to the recent events that unfolded inside of the Manhattan court room where Donald Trump was found guilty on all 34 counts. He was found guilty for falsifying business records, which is a class E felony and could lead to fines, probation, or up to four years in prison. Alex doesn’t think Trump will end up in prison but thinks only time will tell. He talks about how the voting base will react, whether this will hurt Trump, and how his election team is alread...
Spain Recognizes Palestine, Extremism Infects the Ultra Running Community & Orange Juice Is on the Brink (of Extinction)
May 30, 2024 07:02 - 32 minutes - 45 MBIn this episode, Alex laments the fact that extremism and poltics have impacted the distance running community via gaslighting and posts. Then Alex dives into the tragedies and horrid situations unfolding in Rafah as Spain, Norway, and Ireland have recognized Palestine as a state in the international community. He argues that only the United States can help to convince Israel that Palestine must be a state and bolstered to rebuild while ridding it of Hamas. Finally, Alex is further worried a...
Alito, Trump & Abbott Greenlight Political Extremism: How Partisan Justice Muddles Democracy
May 28, 2024 05:55 - 30 minutes - 41.4 MBIn this episode, Alex discusses how the Republican party is slowly starting to greenlight political extremism and by doing so, is eroding law and order and faith in institutions. He starts by talking about a new Trump conspiracy that argues that the FBI was trying to assassinate Donald Trump when it raided Mar-a-Lago to retrieve classified documents. While this conspiracy falls flat when one looks at any evidence or facts, the narrative is dangerous and tells loyal Trump supporters that the ...
Nikki Haley Sells Out to an Alternative Political Reality
May 23, 2024 05:22 - 16 minutes - 22.1 MBIn this short reaction episode, Alex is furious at himself for thinking that Nikki Haley would do the right thing. Instead, Nikki Haley has said that she will vote for Donald Trump because Joe Biden has been a terrible and “catastrophic” president. Alex doesn’t know how Haley can square the circle making this argument, she spent the remaining weeks of her presidential campaign attacking Trump and saying he was unfit to be president. Alex argues that Haley falls into the superficial category ...
Bird Flu Spreads to Cows, Iran's President is Dead & the ICC Calls to Arrest Israeli and Hamas Leaders
May 21, 2024 02:52 - 34 minutes - 47 MBIn this episode, Alex starts by discussing how Ebrahim Raisi, Iran’s president, died in a helicoper crash in bad weather on Sunday. This event will likely cause political infighting and electoral chaos as Iran’s aging Ali Khamenei was likely looking to groom Raisi into his position down the road. Iran’s constitution requires an election within 50 days and it is likely to be neither free nor fair. Next, an International Criminal Court prosecutor has recommended arrest warrants for Binyamin Ne...
Biden, Trump & The End of Free Trade: Bipartisanship in all the Wrong Places
May 20, 2024 05:28 - 31 minutes - 43.8 MBIn this episode, Alex explains why he has enjoyed recording the podcasts outdoors, though this is only solidifying his phobia of birds. Then Alex spends the majority of the episode lamenting the fact that both political parties in the United States have moved away from supporting unfettered free trade and are moving towards protectionism. Last Tuesday, President Biden announced the US would put tariffs on many Chinese sectors, including 100% tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. Alex notes t...
Zelensky's Election Dilemma & Aaron Rodgers: Putin's Next Top Useful Idiot
May 18, 2024 23:29 - 25 minutes - 35.2 MBIn this episode, Alex focuses on Ukraine and Zelensky’s new dilemma — his 5 year term is over on May 20 but due to the war, he can’t hold elections. Alex understands why elections can’t be held while martial law is in place, but he also worries that this will help Russian propagandists spew disinformation that challenges Ukraine’s image as a democratic country. Later, Alex briefly touches on Aaron Rodgers’ recent appearance on Tucker Carlson’s show. Aaron Rodgers has reached his finally form...
Biden/Trump Agree on Debate, Lindsay Graham Goes Scorched Earth in Rafah & Biden's 99 Problems (& Gaza is One)
May 15, 2024 21:36 - 36 minutes - 49.9 MBIn this episode, Alex sits in his old room in Madrid and reflects on how anti-establishment talking points on Biden and others have become international. He talks about how the same talking points are being used from the US to Spain to Italy and beyond. Later, Alex takes a deep dive into Biden’s issues going into the election. Apparently Trump and Biden will debate twice, once in June and once in September. Alex also talks about Biden’s dilemma involving providing lethal weapons to Israel an...
Melancholy in Madrid: Cohen Testifies, McEntee Brags About Cruelty & Another Troubling Biden Poll
May 14, 2024 23:28 - 32 minutes - 44.9 MBIn this episode, Alex sits in a park in Madrid, Spain, where he reflects on why returning to Madrid always is bittersweet and brings back a lot of nostalgia. For the majority of the episode, Alex talks about Michael Cohen’s testimony in the Manhattan hush-money trial; he argues that Cohen is both the least trustworthy witness but also the most likely. Alex also talks about another troubling figure in the Trump Universe — Johnny McEntee. He is a Trump loyalist, former administration member, a...
Rants From a Greek Beach: A Stormy Testimony, RFK Jr. Brainworms & College Contradictions
May 09, 2024 16:28 - 38 minutes - 53.1 MBIn this episode, Alex sits on a Greek beach and reflects on the state of the world and his travel adventures. He starts with some comparisons between Greece and the United States. Then he gets into Stormy Daniels’ stormy testimony in Manhattan that detailed the horrid situation of having sex with Donald Trump. Alex is also irritated about the state of the other Trump cases and worries that the Manhattan case may be the only one that sees a trial. Later, Alex talks about RFK Jr. having actual...
Trump’s Unprecedented Catch-and-Kill-Scheme (+ Distance Running & a Quarter Life Crisis)
April 25, 2024 23:37 - 18 minutes - 25 MBIn this episode, Alex starts by talking about some troubling revelations after the first few days of Trump’s hush money payment trial in New York. David Pecker, the former editor for the National Enquirer, admitted to working with Trump and Michael Cohen in a catch-and-kill-scheme to cover up news stories that could hurt Trump. Also, Pecker admitted to putting out false stories and narratives prior to the 2016 election that attacked Trump’s opponents and rivals. Alex wonders about how some o...
A Foreign Aid Package as Earth Day is Overshadowed by Chaotic Domestic Politics (+ Alex Reacts to Tucker on Rogan & a Fancy Taco Bell)
April 24, 2024 04:49 - 30 minutes - 41.9 MBIn this episode, Alex gives his thoughts on Israel taking the bait and striking back at Iran. He also talks about his road trip last weekend and how he forced himself to listen to a very troubling conversation between Tucker Carlson and Joe Rogan. Later, Alex discusses the recently passed foreign aid package that went through the House and Senate and now will be signed by President Biden. The bill is a mixed bag, while it provides aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, it also bolsters a TikTok...
The Straw that Broke the Middle East's Back: Israel and Iran's Proxy War Ends
April 15, 2024 00:45 - 29 minutes - 41.1 MBIn this episode, Alex starts by sharing his thoughts on the future of Van Life, why he really enjoyed the new Civil War Movie, and why he thinks the Trump hush money trial that starts tomorrow will be total chaos. For the remainder of the episode, Alex dives into the troubling events happening in the Middle East between Israel and Iran. In early April, Israel targeted an Iranian embassy in Damascus. This attack killed two Iranian generals as well as other officials. Now in retaliation, Iran ...
Glide Bombs Devastate Ukraine, Russia Wants to Erase Kharkiv, OJ's Post-Truth Legacy & A Costco Rant!
April 12, 2024 23:03 - 32 minutes - 44 MBIn this episode, Alex starts with a rant about his experience earlier today in a Costco parking lot. He argues that his experience highlights the collective issues the United States faces as a society. Later, Alex talks about the death of OJ Simpson and how his defense during his murder trial was a harbinger for things to come in the post-truth, Trump era. Finally, Alex worries that Russia wants to turn the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv into a “grey zone” or uninhabitable city. Russia has been u...
Anger Inc: Arizona Returns to 1864, the Totalitarian Allure Towards Violence & Economic Woes for Biden
April 11, 2024 05:15 - 34 minutes - 47 MBIn this episode, Alex gives some updates on life and then gets into how the Arizona Supreme Court is making Arizona 1864 again. The court upheld a 1864 law that would practically ban all abortions in the state. Next, Alex looks into new economic data that could be problematic for Biden's campaign - inflation is not going down and the Federal Reserve may decide not to cut interest rates. Finally, Alex looks into the new and troubling revelations around a Trump campaign ally who threatened vio...
An Historic Case in Chicago: Undocumented Immigrants and Guns, WCK Aid Workers Killed in Gaza & Trump Could Run in 2028
April 04, 2024 04:28 - 32 minutes - 44.6 MBIn this episode, Alex starts with the troubling and tragic news out of Gaza. It has been reported that an Israeli drone killed World Central Kitchen (WCK) aid workers that were trying to get aid to the starving Palestinian population inside of Gaza. The WCK is now pausing operations in Gaza (as the situation is only worsening) and many western leaders, including Joe Biden, are furious. Later, Alex looks into an interesting case out of Chicago. An undocumented immigrant defended himself using...
Societal Breakdown in Haiti as its Security Dilemma Intensifies & Trump-Angelism Erodes Secularism
April 01, 2024 14:00 - 28 minutes - 39.7 MBIn this episode, Alex starts by reacting to Trump’s new grift that involves selling a $60 bible that is called the “God Bless the USA Bible,” it is inspired by the country singer Lee Greenwood’s song “God Bless the USA.” The bible also includes the bill of rights, national anthem, and more, and completely melds politics with religion. Later, Alex breaks down the current security dilemma that is unfolding in Haiti as anarchy is currently unfolding even in historically stable parts of the capi...
An Easter Extravaganza with Jon: Orwell vs. Huxley, the Moscow Shooting, a Waning US Role in the World, Meaning vs. Partisanship, Trump vs. Biden & Much More!
March 31, 2024 07:01 - 2 hours - 169 MBIn this episode, Alex sits down with his returning guest, Jon, to talk about a plethora of topics. In this long episode, they chat about TikTok bans, Ukraine, a waning US role in the world, the shooting in Moscow, security dilemmas, meaning vs. political partisanship, and why the Biden-Trump election is a disaster no matter what happens.
The Saudi-Albania Business Council: Jared Kushner, Richard Grenell & Massive Influence Peddling
March 21, 2024 04:20 - 30 minutes - 42 MBIn this episode, Alex starts with some thoughts on decisionmaking and randomness. Next, he goes over a bombshell New York Times article that talks about how Jared Kushner and Richard Grenell (Trump’s former Ambassador to Germany) have been working with the Albanian and Serbian government to build luxury hotels and residential units on government land using the influence they built during their time in the Trump Administration. Finally, Alex talks about Kanye West and what his recent number o...
TikTok Bans, Trump Rants & Threats of Bloodbaths
March 20, 2024 03:48 - 42 minutes - 58.8 MBAfter a bit of a hiatus, Alex returns ready to talk about the growing darkness at Trump rallies and why the media has failed to cover his rallies over the years as they have increasingly become more extreme and illiberal. He worries that the left and mainstream media have ignored some of Trump’s growing threats and danger even as his base has become more accepting of them. Next, Alex talks about the Ohio Rally where Trump salutes the J6 “hostages” and then says there will be a bloodbath if h...
A State of Two Unions: Analyzing the SOTU
March 09, 2024 07:56 - 41 minutes - 57 MBIn this episode, Alex provides his analysis of President Joe Biden’’s State of the Union speech, as well as GOP Representative, Katie Britt’s, insane response. Alex gives Biden a B+ and thinks Britt is far from an Oscar for her performance. He argues that the SOTU is officially dead and instead, both parties have their own State of their Own Party that directly opposes the other. Alex analyzes both and tries to provide remedies for the partisan rot.
A Unanimous SCOTUS Decision & A Woke Google Chatbot (?)
March 05, 2024 05:40 - 32 minutes - 44.8 MBIn this episode, Alex starts by talking about the unanimous, 9-0 decision that the Supreme Court just released regarding the Anderson v Griswold case in Colorado that barred Donald Trump from being on the ballot in the state’s ballot for the national election. Though the court agreed that Colorado could not barr Trump from the ballot for a national election, Alex argues that it seems like this is a 5-4 decision masquerading as a 9-0 decision. All four of the women on the court (including a T...
Epic & Ikon: What Price Discrimination in the Ski Industry Tells Us About the US Economy
March 02, 2024 01:26 - 38 minutes - 52.4 MBIn this episode, Alex starts by debunking the idea that Donald Trump is an isolationist in foreign policy. He argues that Trump is actually quite involved in foreign policy, he just doesn’t agree with the current alliance-based system. Next, Alex dives into the economic changes happening in the United States’ skiing industries. After boom or bust seasons based on snowpack, large corporations like Vail Resorts ended up learning that they could charge different prices to different customers an...
Biden 2024: Warnings Out of Michigan as GOP Turnout Rises (and Some Good News)
February 29, 2024 04:48 - 27 minutes - 38.1 MBIn this episode, Alex talks about how the warning calls directed towards the Biden 2024 Campaign are now coming from inside of the party, as well as outside of it. The Michigan Primary has wrapped up and Biden won the vote of 81% of Democrats; however, turnout was down and the “uncommitted” vote came in second with 13.3% of the vote. At the same time, Donald Trump saw higher turnout, even though he only got a bit over 68% against Nikki Haley’s 26%. In a state as crucial as Michigan, Alex wor...
Chatbot Limbo (with Hallucinations), Taco Bell (the Great Unifier) & IVF Threatened in Alabama (by Pro-Lifers!?)
February 26, 2024 02:00 - 34 minutes - 47.5 MBIn this episode, Alex starts by talking about how Taco Bell may be the last great unifier in the United States and how cartwheels are a dangerous abomination. Then he gets into an interesting case surrounding Air Canada, a chatbot that gave a customer false information, and a Canadian court ruling that the airline was responsible for the chatbot’s behavior. Alex argues this is a landmark case. Finally, Alex talks about the Alabama Supreme Court ruling that the embryos used in In Vitro Fertil...
The Slow Motion Murder of Alexei Navalny & Tucker's Potemkin Tour of Moscow
February 19, 2024 23:16 - 38 minutes - 52.2 MBIn this episode, Alex talks the death of Alexei Navalny and about his legacy. He discusses why he was such an important opposition figure to Putin that held a mirror up to the Kremlin’s moral hypocrisy. Alex also talks about why Navalny was a complex and controversial figure, and while he was an imperfect opposition figure, he was necessary to unify Russians against Putin’s kleptocratic regime. Later, Alex talks about Tucker Carlson’s insane compliments about Russian infrastructure and super...
The Enhanced Games: the Olympics on Steroids & the Nightmarish Mix of Anarcho-Capitalism and Unethical Science
February 15, 2024 04:42 - 40 minutes - 56.2 MBIn this episode, Alex starts with a dark rant about the origins of Valentine’s Day. Then he hesitantly celebrates the results of a special election held in New York following the expulsion of George Santos. In the special election, Tom Suozzi (the Democrat) beat Mazi Pilip (the Republican) in a crucial seat that could help Democrats take back the house in the 2024 election. For the rest of the episode, Alex talks about the Enhanced Games. The games have been funded by venture capitalists lik...
Nikki Haley Loses to 'None of the Above' in Nevada & GOP's No Good, Very Bad Week!
February 08, 2024 05:14 - 29 minutes - 40.6 MBIn this episode, Alex covers Tucker Carlson’s journey to interview Vladimir Putin in Moscow, Nikki Haley’s loss to “None of the Above” in Nevada’s Primary, and the GOP’s bad week in the House and Senate!
El Salvador's Dilemma: the Allure of Security Over Liberty
February 05, 2024 04:32 - 20 minutes - 28.8 MBIn this episode, Alex focuses on the allure that many countries are facing — tradeoffs between security and liberty. The issue has been even more pronounced in a lot of Latin America where failed goverments and rising gang violence have driven the populace to demand security and economic stability. Alex looks at President Nayib Bukele in El Salvador and how he has locked up thousands of potential gang members without due process. The country is safer and the economy is doing better, but Alex...
Nevada's Choose-Your-Own-Adventure Primary, Tucker Twists Reality & the EU Silences Viktor Orban
February 02, 2024 04:36 - 31 minutes - 43.3 MBIn this episode, Alex starts by going through some clips from a recent Tucker Carlson event where he twists himself into a myriad of logical pretzels that he would have been ashamed of several years ago. Next, Alex briefly talks about how the European Union has agreed on giving Ukraine 50 billion euros in aid over the next four years. The EU was even able to get Viktor Orban to fold on his opposition. Finally, Alex dives into the primary/caucus chaos that is unfolding in Nevada less than a w...
Fascism Needs a Corporatist Collab & Tensions Spiral Between the US, Iran & its Proxies
January 31, 2024 05:14 - 43 minutes - 59.9 MBIn this episode, Alex starts by wishing he never heard a new anti-woke rap song that features Ben Shapiro. Then he gets into the recent deaths of three American soldiers in an isolated part of Jordan that the US military has been using for years. Alex argues that this can be seen as an important moment — the United States should look at its policies towards Iran and its proxies and realize that both deterrence and diplomacy are not working. Finally, Alex argues that Fascism always needs supp...
A Lost Artistic Masterpiece Resurfaces After 100 Years: the Washington Principles to Return Nazi-Looted Art
January 27, 2024 03:39 - 21 minutes - 29.5 MBIn this episode, Alex takes a break from politics to get into one of his passions — ART! It was reported over the last few days that a painting by Gustav Klimt, that had been lost since 1925 and assumed destroyed, had been found in Vienna. The painting is called “Portrait of Fräulein Lieser” and belonged to a wealthy Jewish family in Vienna. Alex talks about how the painting will be auctioned off based on agreements made from the Washington Principles. This agreement was designed to return N...
Biden's Defending Democracy Dilemma, A Plane Disaster in Russia & Alex Questions His Political Views
January 26, 2024 06:04 - 27 minutes - 38.3 MBIn this episode, Alex takes the first part of the episode to explain his political positions and the moral conundrums he faces when trying to tell others his political identity. Later, Alex gives an update on the breakdown in law and order in Ecuador, and then dives right into the Ukraine-Russia War. He laments the fact that congress is still holding up more aid to Ukraine but questions the Biden Administration’s focus on “defending democracy” abroad. Alex argues that after the War in Iraq, ...
ZYNsurrection, a Liquor Store in Saudi Arabia & Post-New Hampshire Realities
January 25, 2024 04:34 - 31 minutes - 43.4 MBIn this episode, Alex starts by deeply questioning the dynamics of highway traffic. Then he reacts to a troubling and racist clip of Turning Point USA’s Charlie Kirk. Kirk says that he would be a bit concerned if his airplane pilot was black. Next, Alex looks into a new culture war brewing out of Washington DC. In this iteration, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer wants to investigate the nicotine pouch company ZYN. There are concerns that its health effects are unknown and that it is appe...
Gray Swan Events: A Climate Policy Nightmare, Trump Wins in New Hampshire & Ben Shapiro Shows His True Colors!
January 24, 2024 04:21 - 38 minutes - 53.3 MBIn this episode, Alex starts by talking about an interesting debate between Ben Shapiro and Destiny on the Lex Fridman podcast. He reacts to Shapiro arguing that public education is hard to address without first addressing issues with the modern American family. Next, Alex reacts to Donald Trump beating Nikki Haley in New Hampshire and discusses why he thinks Haley's road to 2024 is close to ending. Finally, Alex focuses on the idea of "gray swan events" involving climate change. Zoe Schlang...
The DeSantis Autopsy, a Malaria Vaccine Emerges in Africa & New Hampshire Looks Dire!
January 23, 2024 04:35 - 34 minutes - 47.2 MBIn this episode, Alex starts by reflecting on the recent Packers loss to the Niners and how it brought him towards an existential moment on time, the ephemeral moments of life, and why experiences cannot always be transitory. Next, Alex talks about how Ron DeSantis has dropped out of the 2024 primary and has endorsed Donald Trump. Alex provides an autopsy into why DeSantis had one of the worst campaigns in recent memory and also wonders if the Florida governor will ever succeed in politics a...
Iran Strikes Pakistan, SCOTUS May Overturn Chevron & the Claremont Institution's MAGA Campaign!
January 18, 2024 05:06 - 31 minutes - 43.9 MBIn this episode, Alex starts by worrying that a new series of court cases that have reached the Supreme Court may upend a decision known as Chevron USA v Natural Resources Defence Council. This decision granted executive agencies enough deference to make their own decisions and oveturning it could upend the administrative state. Next, Alex recommends a new book that discusses how the Claremont Institution and others have created a new generation of conservatives that not only support MAGA bu...
Chaos in the Middle East: Israel, Gaza & the Red Sea (with Drew Knepley)
January 16, 2024 19:00 - 30 minutes - 42 MBIn this second part of Alex’s conversation with Drew Knepley, the two turn to the Middle East to talk about what is going on between Israel and Gaza. They also talk about whether the Israel/Hamas conflict, along with the US strikes on the Houthis, could lead to a larger conflict in the Middle East. Drew and Alex also talk about the complexity of the Israel-Palestine conflict, the broken politics inside of Israel, how it has become a wedge issue on the American Left, and more. They also touch...