Episodes
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We are entering a new chapter where the children are taking the wheel. In this episode Rick speaks with journalist and author David Corn to discuss the chaotic implications of a Trump administration return, the rise of figures like Elon Musk and RFK Jr., and the dangerous erosion of government institutions. They dive into concerns about unqualified leadership, the dismantling of public health systems, and the weaponization of agencies like the FBI under Trump loyalists.
Timestamps:
(00:01:10) American Psychosis
(00:08:13) How long can Trump and Elon Musk co-exist?
(00:18:04) DOJ and Kash Patel
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This special series is a joint production by David Pepper and Resolute Square. The book, “Trump’s Project 2025: Up Close And Personal” by David Pepper, is available for purchase at https://a.co/d/adWcJ4S.
Chapter One of Trump’s Project 2025: Up Close and Personal depicts how the lives of everyday Americans would be impacted by the policies outlined in Trumps’s Project 2025 and the return of Donald Trump to power. The fictional story follows Ammon Maher, a college student and immigrant, as he is detained and deported without due process due to his involvement in past campus protests. This narrative directly reflects Trump's campaign promises to crack down on student protesters and his administration's policies that target undocumented immigrants, including so-called "dreamers." The author of the serialized “2025: A Novel” upon which this podcast series is based, David Pepper, highlights how these policies, if implemented, would violate civil liberties and human rights in an alarming and unjust manner. The podcast series aims to raise awareness of the very real dangers posed by Trump's extremist agenda and the disturbing implications of "Project 2025" for the American people. You can read
Chapter One of David Pepper’s “2025: A Novel” at davidpepper.substack.com/p/2025-a-novel
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Missing episodes?
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As the post election dust begins to settle, we look to the future. On today's episode Rick is joined by political strategist and author David Pepper to discuss the challenges and opportunities in the post-Trump landscape. They delve into the importance of state-level elections, the lessons from past midterms, and the critical need for focused messaging to counteract chaos. David also introduces his compelling Project 2025 series, which uses storytelling to highlight the real-world impacts of Trump’s proposed policies. Together, they explore how to prepare for the battles ahead and inspire proactive action to defend democracy.
Timestamps:
(00:01:39) The resistance to Trump
(00:10:53) Winning state elections
(00:15:13) The Wisconsin Supreme Court race
(00:24:45) Project 2025
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Today Rick details the chilling effect of ABC's capitulation in a lawsuit brought by Trump, examining its dangerous implications for press freedom and journalism in America. He warns that this decision sets a precedent, emboldening Trump and others to intimidate media outlets into silence through lawsuits, threats, and governmental pressure. He explores how corporate interests, fear of retaliation, and the erosion of trust in the media are undermining the free press—a cornerstone of democracy.
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In the bizarro world that is Trump's America, Michael Flynn sued Rick. In today's special episode, Rick details the case and how, at long last, he prevailed. A victory for common sense and free speech.
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Is democracy in decline? Clearly. In this episode Rick sits down with Emily Amick, co-author of Democracy in Retrograde, to discuss the challenges facing American democracy and how to reclaim civic engagement in the age of polarization and outrage. They explore the rise of minority rule, the impact of social media on public discourse, and the erosion of community ties. Emily shares actionable insights from her book, including how individuals can create sustainable civic action plans and rebuild connections to strengthen democracy.
Emily's book, Democracy in Retrograde, available now.
Timestamps:
(00:01:20) Democracy in Retrograde
(00:09:17) The outrage politics cycle
(00:12:01) Building community
(00:16:42) Why Americans are polarized and exhausted
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Is America heading toward a tyrannical, authoritarian system? Taking for granted our basic pursuit of freedom? In today's episode Rick is joined by historian and Yale professor Timothy Snyder to discuss his latest book, On Freedom. Building on the themes of his influential work On Tyranny, Snyder explores the deeper meaning of freedom, its vulnerabilities in modern America, and how to preserve it against rising authoritarian tendencies. The conversation digs into the dangers of "sado-populism," the distortion of free speech, and the seductive appeal of authoritarianism. Snyder offers a powerful case for the value of freedom as a cornerstone of human dignity and creativity.
Timothy's book, On Freedom, available now.
Timestamps:
(00:01:42) On Freedom
(00:03:00) Do Americans realize what's at stake?
(00:07:17) The elements of freedom that are at risk
(00:14:19) Turning away from individual liberty
(00:22:33) The future of freedom
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On today's episode, Rick answers your burning questions submitted from across the interweb. We plan to do more Q&A episodes in 2025 so please send in your questions to [email protected].
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We begin this episode with a quick note of appreciation from Rick, to you and everyone who has supported in this fight. From there Rick sits down with New York Times bestselling author Michael Tackett to discuss his new book, The Price of Power: How Mitch McConnell Mastered the Senate, Changed America, and Lost His Party. Tackett unpacks McConnell's transformation from a pragmatic politician to a key architect of modern conservatism, his mastery of Senate rules, and his role in reshaping the judiciary. The conversation explores McConnell's relationship with Trump, his controversial post-January 6 decisions, and the enduring impact of his leadership.
Michael's book, The Price of Power: How Mitch McConnell Mastered the Senate, Changed America, and Lost His Party, available now.
Timestamps:
(00:06:19) The Price of Power
(00:12:32) Doing more with the minority than some can do with the majority
(00:14:18) Curating his own caucus
(00:17:03) Controlling Trump
(00:27:13) The Senate post McConnell
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And so begins the inevitable ball-fumbling that is a Trump Presidency. In our first episode back from a short break, Rick rants on the Matt Gaetz debacle and how we should see in the context of Trump and his incoming administration.
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In these final days before the election, Trump has doubled down on his authoritarian, fascist rhetoric. To help us make sense of the chaos leading up to the big day, Rick welcomes historian and political analyst Heather Cox Richardson for a thought-provoking discussion on the future of American democracy. Together, they delve into the stark contrasts between democracy and authoritarianism, the Republican Party’s transformation under Trump, and the growing influence of tech billionaires pushing anti-democratic agendas. As the 2024 election upon us, they examine the stakes, the shifts in voter sentiment, and the potential for new political coalitions to reshape our reality.
Timestamps:
(00:01:21) Closing out the race
(00:06:30) Corruption of the American system
(00:17:29) The new generation
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It's the home stretch, and something we haven't touched on enough is Trump's love affair with Tariffs. In this episode Rick sits down with Edward Goldberg, an adjunct professor at NYU’s Center for Global Affairs and expert on political economy and trade. Together, they explore the dangers of Donald Trump's proposed tariffs and the broader risks of economic isolationism. Goldberg draws historical parallels, such as China’s decision to burn its fleet in 1433 and the Smoot-Hawley Tariff of 1929, to demonstrate the economic consequences of shutting down global trade. They also discuss the misconceptions around globalization, its connection to job loss, and the vital role of immigration and open trade in driving American innovation and prosperity. And to cap things off, Rick rants about the horror show at Madison Square Garden.
Timestamps:
(00:01:33) The stakes for the global economy
(00:06:38) What happens if we shut the doors
(00:13:06) The age of human knowledge
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The deeper we look into the ideological motivation of the Christian right in America, the darker it gets. In this episode Rick talks with author Talia Lavin about her new book, Wild Faith: How the Christian Right is Taking Over America. They dive into the powerful alliance between the evangelical movement and Donald Trump, exploring how religious rationalizations have cemented Trump’s support among evangelicals. Lavin discusses the rise of authoritarian and theocratic ideologies within the Christian right, their success in pushing anti-abortion and anti-LGBTQ+ policies, and their long-term goals for transforming American society. The episode sheds light on how these movements perceive their political battle as spiritual warfare and what this means for the future of American democracy.
Talia's book, Wild Faith: How the Christian Right is Taking Over America, available now.
Timestamps:
(00:01:41) Wild Faith
(00:03:30) Trump's effect on the Evangelical right
(00:23:21) The threats this movement poses
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In case you didn't know, Rick is a history buff, especially when it comes to American presidents. In this episode Rick sits down with acclaimed historian and biographer Nigel Hamilton to discuss his upcoming book, Lincoln vs. Davis: The War of the Presidents. Together, they explore the contrasting leadership styles of Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis during the American Civil War, examining how each president’s psychology, military background, and decisions shaped the course of the conflict. Hamilton dives into Lincoln's struggles with his generals, the impact of the Emancipation Proclamation, and Davis’s strategic mindset. The conversation offers a deeper understanding of two pivotal figures in American history.
Nigel's book, Lincoln vs. Davis: The War of the Presidents, available for pre-order now.
Timestamps:
(00:01:36) Lincoln vs. Davis
(00:14:59) The psychology from chess moves to battles
(00:32:51) The Battle of Gettysburg
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How do we fact check in an ocean of lies? In this episode Rick is joined by Bill Adair, the founder of PolitiFact and a professor at Duke University, to discuss the growing epidemic of political lying, especially within the Republican Party. They explore the history of political dishonesty, the role of conservative media in amplifying misinformation, and the challenges of fact-checking in an era dominated by figures like Donald Trump. The conversation highlights the danger that widespread deception poses to democracy and addresses the role of new technologies, like deepfakes, in further distorting truth in political discourse.
Bill's book, Beyond the Big Lie: The Epidemic of Political Lying, Why Republicans Do It More, and How It Could Burn Down Our Democracy, available now.
Timestamps:
(00:01:34) The Big Lie
(00:06:21) The red blue divide
(00:19:00) The danger to the right
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Today we keep it simple. Trump is actually a fascist, Rick explains why he is an enemy to us all.
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Trump and the much of the far right have perverted traditional Christian values. In this episode Rick is joined by Jim Wallis, theologian and author of The False White Gospel, to discuss the rise of Christian nationalism in the U.S. Wallis explores how this movement has distorted Christianity for political power, particularly under Donald Trump, and the dangers it poses to American democracy. They discuss the history of white Christian nationalism, its contrast with the inclusive teachings of Jesus, and the importance of reclaiming faith from political agendas to refound democracy on true spiritual values.
Jim's book, The False White Gospel, available now.
Timestamps:
(00:01:39) The False White Gospel
(00:03:50) The Christian nationalist movement
(00:12:20) Faith without politics
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Trump loves dictators. For today's episode, Rick discusses Bob Woodward's new book War, which highlights Donald Trump's admiration for dictators, particularly Vladimir Putin. He argues that Trump's transactional nature and attraction to power make him susceptible to autocratic influences. He warns that if re-elected, Trump would likely cut U.S. support for Ukraine, leading to a Russian victory and weakening NATO. Trump's worldview aligns more with authoritarianism than democracy, posing a serious threat to global stability and American values.
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In a classic Rick rant, he breaks down the politicization of Hurricane Helene, criticizing the usual suspects (Trump, Elon Musk, etc) for spreading misinformation about FEMA's response. He highlights the coordinated, bipartisan efforts of federal and state governments in addressing the disaster and condemns the use of tragedies for political gain.
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It can feel at times like there's nothing we don't know about Trump. However, there are still a few select people who seem to be able to uncover more and more, giving us critical insight into the former President. In this episode, Rick interviews Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists Susanne Craig and Russ Buettner about their new book, Lucky Loser: How Donald Trump Squandered His Father’s Fortune and Created the Illusion of Success. They delve into Trump’s long-standing strategy of creating an illusion of wealth, his reliance on tax loopholes, and how he used his father's empire to prop up his failing ventures. The conversation also touches on Trump's role in the USFL's downfall, his relationship with banks, and the lasting impact of The Apprentice on his public image.
Susanne and Russ' book, Lucky Loser: How Donald Trump Squandered His Father’s Fortune and Created the Illusion of Success, available now.
Timestamps:
(00:01:30) Lucky Loser
(00:08:31) Trump's properties
(00:13:29) The real Trump
(00:21:38) The Trump brand
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