The gang examines a steep decline in male labor force participation, especially among men without college degrees, and debates why this collapse in work ethic and opportunity isn’t a bigger national concern. Then, they look at the unsettling trend of mass shooters leaving behind so-called "bullet messages" and what it says about attention-seeking violence in the digital age.Chapters:00:00:00 - Intro00:08:19 - American Working Men00:44:26 - Bullet Messages01:07:45 - Emails01:53:28 - Wrap-up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The gang opens with the fallout from Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension following a controversial comment about the Charlie Kirk assassination. The network’s swift action, affiliate pre-emptions, and eventual reinstatement fuel questions about free speech, network obligations, and government censorship. Then, attention shifts to the looming government shutdown, as President Trump cancels a meeting with Schumer and Jeffries. It's a move Democrats call a tantrum, while Republicans push a Continuing Resolution unlikely to pass without major concessions.Chapters:00:00:00 - Intro00:16:19 - Jimmy Kimmel01:07:33 - Shutdown01:33:20 - Emails02:13:25 - Wrap-up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
A week after the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk, Justin, Jen, and Heaton gather to discuss their feeling surrounding both the act itself and the responses from politicians and civilians left and right. After a very brief second topic on protein — one not even long enough to really earn a spot in the title of this episode — the crew, as always, responds to listener emails.Chapters:00:00:00 - Intro00:10:54 - Charlie Kirk01:39:48 - Protein (briefly)01:53:10 - Emails02:08:16 - Wrap-up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Justin, Jen, and Heaton discuss the legacy of Todd Cochrane, a pioneering podcaster who recently passed away, before pivoting to discussing Girl Scout cookies as the enterprise prepares to launch a new flavor. This episode also contains initial reactions to the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk.Chapters:00:00 - Intro and Todd Cochrane10:10 - Emails16:33 - Girl Scout Cookies34:17 - Charlie Kirk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The gang discusses the recent adjustment to job numbers in the US, which saw nearly 1,000,000 fewer jobs than previously thought over the waning days of the Biden administration and the earliest days of Trump's second time in office. Are these numbers to be trusted, and does this match up closer with how the economy feels rather than how we're told it's performing? The crew also debate Senate Republicans' decision to initiate a nuclear option to approve Trump appointees with a simple majority. Is it necessary to keep government functioning, or will the GOP regret these actions?Chapters:00:00:00 - Intro00:16:47 - BLS00:45:53 - Republican Nuclear Option01:26:39 - Emails02:11:28 - Wrap-up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The gang discusses Trump's brief disappearance from the public eye over the holiday weekend, causing the hashtag #TrumpIsDead to go viral across social media. Spurred on by recurring bruises on his hands and swollen ankles — not to mention a Vance quote — Justin, Jen, and Heaton ask where this reaction came from. Then, the trio turns to discuss the ongoing housing crisis in the US, with Scott Bessent telling reports Trump could declare a housing emergency in the coming weeks. How many times can Heaton say "zoning" in a single segment? You'll have to listen to find out.Chapters:00:00:00 - Intro00:19:13 - Trump Didn't Die01:01:34 - Housing Emergency01:38:17 - Emails02:00:00 - Wrap-up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Justin, Jen, and Heaton break down Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s proposal that the U.S. government take equity stakes in defense contractors. It's a plan criticized as creeping socialism by Republicans but framed by Lutnick as fair compensation for taxpayer investment. They also tackle the backlash to Cracker Barrel’s (now former) new logo, which abandoned its traditional imagery in favor of a minimal, modern design. From Trump’s mocking to bipartisan confusion online, the panel explores why even subtle branding tweaks can trigger culture war blowback.Chapters:00:00:00 - Intro and Taylor Swift00:21:41 - Defense Companies00:53:05 - Cracker Barrel01:21:11 - Emails01:33:35 - Wrap-up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The gang breaks down Taylor Swift’s headline-grabbing New Heights podcast appearance, which shattered viewership records and marked her first extended on-air discussion of her relationship with Travis Kelce. They explore the cultural impact of Swift’s crossover into NFL territory and the surreal response from James Comey, whose viral video praising the episode led to a MAGA backlash. Then they dig into MSNBC’s awkward rebrand to “MS NOW,” a move mocked across social media for its clunky name and loss of the iconic peacock, and question whether the network will survive the decade.Chapters00:00:00 - Intro00:17:45 - Taylor Swift01:00:48 - MS NOW01:25:58 - Emails01:50:19 - Wrap-up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Andrew Heaton, Jen Briney, and Justin Young as they dive into a lively discussion on the complexities of political identity, the impact of federal intervention in cities, and the nuances of libertarianism. Trump takes over the DC police, is that legal? If so, will it be effective? Also, are kids spending too much on dumb stuff? Is that a recession signal?Introduction and Opening Remarks - [0:00]Discussion on Federal Intervention in Cities - [15:30]Libertarianism and Political Identity - [35:45]Personal Anecdotes and Experiences - [50:10]Listener Emails and Responses - [1:10:25]Closing Thoughts and Wrap-Up - [1:30:00] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
With Heaton out on vacation, Jeremiah Johnson — from Infinite Scroll and the Center for New Liberalism — joins the panel as they cover the House’s sweeping subpoenas of Bill and Hillary Clinton, along with a host of former DOJ officials, in its expanding Epstein probe. They debate whether any outcome can satisfy the public’s bipartisan appetite for answers. Then, they break down Trump’s controversial firing of the Bureau of Labor Statistics chief, raising alarms about politicizing economic data and the possible fallout for investor trust.Chapters00:00:00 - Intro00:11:18 - Clinton Subpoena and Epstein00:42:18 - Trump Firing BLS Secretary01:05:49 - Emails01:52:24 - Wrap-up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The gang tackles the EPA’s decision to revoke the “endangerment finding,” a foundational ruling that enabled greenhouse gas regulations since 2009. Framed by Administrator Lee Zeldin as the biggest deregulatory move in U.S. history, the move sparks fierce debate over climate science, legal precedent, and the limits of executive power. Then, they reflect on the symbolic end of the 1980s, marked by the deaths of Hulk Hogan, Ozzy Osbourne, and Malcolm-Jamal Warner — a trio whose cultural footprints defined an era now definitively closed.Chapters00:00:00 - Introduction00:16:04 - Texas Redistricting00:25:39 - EPA00:57:20 - The Week The 80s Died01:28:27 - Emails01:47:29 - Wrap-up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The gang unpacks CBS’s decision to end The Late Show and retire the franchise entirely, as Stephen Colbert hints at political pressure behind the move. With late-night peers rallying in support and Colbert defying the network’s financial rationale, the panel debates whether satire is being sidelined in a polarized media landscape. They also explore the GOP’s aggressive redistricting push in Texas and Democrats’ countermeasures in California, raising questions about the erosion of nonpartisan mapmaking and the long-term consequences of political cartography.Chapters00:00:00 - Intro00:15:48 - Stephen Colbert00:48:23 - Dreams and Student Loans00:58:18 - Redistricting01:18:07 - Emails01:52:31 - Wrap-up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The gang unpacks the “Rescissions Act of 2025,” a narrow House-passed bill aiming to slash $9.4 billion from foreign aid and public broadcasting, prompting a tight Senate battle over what many see as symbolic cuts. They also examine a new UK report showing kids increasingly treat AI chatbots like best friends—raising concerns about safety, misinformation, and what it means for human connection in the digital age.Chapters:00:00:00 - Intro00:11:59 - Epstein00:24:02 - Rescissions01:12:37 - AI Companions for Kids01:34:27 - Emails01:52:51 - Wrap-up*Justin's audio improves around 27 minutes in. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The gang covers the DOJ’s final report on Jeffrey Epstein, which found no client list, no evidence of blackmail, and confirmed his death was a suicide. The lack of new revelations sparked backlash from conspiracy-minded corners of the internet, but the panel debates whether the case is finally closed. Then they examine Tucker Carlson’s interview with Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian, who accused Israel of a failed assassination attempt and floated a return to nuclear talks. Is giving a platform to adversaries transparency — or propaganda?Chapters:00:00:00 - Intro00:17:13 - Epstein Files00:46:45 - Tucker's Interview01:09:57 - Emails01:43:36 - Wrap-up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The gang dives into a new Gallup poll showing American pride at historic lows, with a record-breaking 56-point gap between Republicans and Democrats. They debate whether that decline signals a deeper national malaise or just partisan fatigue. Then they turn to Texas, where Governor Abbott vetoed a sweeping THC ban, keeping the state’s booming hemp industry alive — for now. With court battles and special sessions looming, they unpack what smart regulation of cannabis products should actually look like.Chapters:00:00:00 - Intro00:12:44 - American Pride00:54:15 - Texas Weed01:22:59 - Emails01:55:59 - Wrap-up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Chapters00:00 Introduction and Personal Anecdotes12:01 Iran Military Actions and Diplomatic Relations17:59 Trump's Influence on Middle Eastern Politics21:10 Israel's Role in Regional Conflicts47:07 The Rise of a Democratic Socialist in NYC01:20:08 Bagel Orders and Cultural Preferences01:24:51 Iran's Nuclear Ambitions and International Relations01:35:11 Trust Issues in Therapy and Personal Relationships Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The gang breaks down America’s escalating involvement in the Middle East, as Trump demands Iran’s unconditional surrender following Israel’s devastating strikes. With the threat of a broader conflict looming, they debate what role the U.S. should play and whether military action is inevitable. They also explore new research linking trust to happiness, asking how much trusting others — from family to institutions — shapes our well-being in a time of deep social division.Chapters00:00:00 - Intro00:11:36 - Iran01:02:10 - Trust01:19:15 - Emails01:47:15 - Wrap-up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The gang dives into the unrest in Los Angeles following aggressive ICE raids and Trump’s decision to deploy thousands of National Guard troops and Marines without state approval. With tensions escalating between local officials and the federal government, they debate the constitutional lines around immigration enforcement, protest rights, and the use of military force on American streets. Then, they tackle how generative AI is gutting internet traffic for news publishers, as AI-generated answers from companies like Google and OpenAI displace traditional search. As usual, it's raising questions about the future of journalism in a post-search world.Chapters00:00:00 - Intro00:14:44 - LA Protests and Riots00:52:24 - AI and the Publishing Industry01:03:14 - Emails01:22:44 - Wrap-up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The gang digs into Elon Musk’s public denunciation of the GOP’s sprawling domestic policy bill, which he called a “disgusting abomination,” prompting pushback from Republican leadership and delight from Democrats. Then they take on the ethics of gene-editing mosquitoes out of existence to fight deadly diseases like malaria. Is it worth tampering with nature to save lives, or are we playing God with an ecosystem we barely understand?Chapters:00:00:00 - Intro00:02:34 - January 6th Pipe Bombs00:24:10 - Elon Musk and the Big Beautiful Bill00:58:01 - Mosquitos01:16:35 - Emails01:37:08 - Wrap-up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Justin, Jen, and Heaton unpack the revised U.S.–Nippon Steel deal, which walks back a full foreign buyout in favor of a limited partnership aimed at easing national security and labor concerns. The crew also dives into the FDA’s shift toward a more targeted COVID booster policy, based on individual risk and prior infection. It's a move that has drawn both praise for scientific rigor and criticism for potentially weakening public trust, and it remains to be seen whether these compromises are strategic or shortsighted.Chapters:00:00:00 - Intro00:07:37 - US-Nippon Steel Deal00:28:15 - COVID Booster Recommendations00:59:04 - Emails01:18:16 - Wrap-up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.