Real Talk with Marissa Streit | PragerU

Urban warfare expert John Spencer joins this NEW episode of Real Talk to explain how the wars reshaping the Middle East are creating new opportunities for rising powers like Turkey. Spencer breaks down Turkey’s growing ambitions, Israel’s security concerns, the collapse of Assad’s regime in Syria, and why Syria has become a central battleground for regional power competition. He also explains what modern urban warfare reveals about the conflicts in Ukraine, Nagorno-Karabakh, and Gaza, and why Americans should pay attention to conflicts that may seem far away. 00:00 John Spencer on Urban Warfare00:31 John’s 25 Years in the U.S. Military03:46 What Makes Urban Warfare Different?06:09 What Makes Someone a Military Expert?08:45 Cities, Civilians, and the Laws of War12:07 Proportionality and Civilian Harm in Urban Combat17:45 When Terrorists Use Western Values Against Us23:23 Nagorno-Karabakh and the Battle of Shusha29:39 Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Rising Regional Powers34:07 Ukraine, Kyiv, and the Mini-Manual for Urban Defense39:45 Drones, Delta, and the Future of Warfare47:48 Why America Gets Involved in Foreign Wars53:20 What the Media Missed About India and Pakistan57:32 Syria After Assad, Turkey, Israel, and the Kurds01:11:05 Can America Defend Its Cities? Follow Marissa on social: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marissastreit/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marissastreitofficial/ Twitter/X: https://x.com/marissastreit/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marissastreit LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissastreit/ PragerU: https://www.prageru.com/shows/real-talk/ PragerU Español: https://www.youtube.com/@esPragerU Follow John Spencer on social: Twitter: https://x.com/SpencerGuard Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spencerguard/ LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnwspencer2018/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@johnspencerwarscholar TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johnspencerurbanwarfare Website: www.johnspenceronline.com Podcast: The Urban Warfare Project Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/urban-warfare-project/id1490714950 Listen to Real Talk with Marissa Streit on Spotify and Apple Podcasts New episodes drop every Wednesday! Spotify: https://l.prageru.com/407PQ51 Apple Podcasts: https://l.prageru.com/4u4hX2B Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron Prager joins this NEW episode of Real Talk to discuss the crisis facing young men, the rise of figures like Andrew and Tristan Tate, and why fake masculinity often disguises victimhood as personal responsibility. Drawing from his own journey through addiction and recovery, Aaron explains why real growth requires accountability, struggle, faith, ambition, and the refusal to blame others for your problems. We also discuss why young men are drawn to online communities that offer shortcuts and what parents can do to raise sons who are strong, responsible, and hopeful. 00:00 Aaron Prager on Recovery and Responsibility 04:12 Responsibility vs. Accountability 07:10 Growing Up with Dennis Prager’s Values 11:00 How Parents Can Reach Struggling Young Men 15:09 Why Young Men Must Reject Shortcuts 16:46 How Struggle Builds Men 21:07 Why Young Men Need Ambition 22:19 The Attack on Masculinity in Schools 26:28 Why the Manosphere Appeals to Young Men 27:46 The Truth About Andrew and Tristan Tate 42:09 Affordability, Family, and Responsibility 50:20 How Parents Can Raise Strong Young Men Follow Marissa on social: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marissastreit/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marissastreitofficial/ Twitter/X: https://x.com/marissastreit/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marissastreit LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissastreit/ PragerU: https://www.prageru.com/shows/real-talk/ PragerU Español: https://www.youtube.com/@esPragerU Follow Aaron Prager on social: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theaaronprager/ Twitter/X: https://x.com/theaaronprager TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theaaronprager Listen to Real Talk with Marissa Streit on Spotify and Apple Podcasts New episodes drop every Wednesday! Spotify: https://l.prageru.com/407PQ51 Apple Podcasts: https://l.prageru.com/4u4hX2B Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Author and Skeptic magazine founder Michael Shermer joins this NEW episode of Real Talk to discuss why conspiracy theories spread, how some turn out to be true, and when to tell the difference between healthy suspicion and paranoia. Shermer explains why UFOs, 9/11, the moon landing, COVID, and antisemitic conspiracies capture the public imagination, and how social media and AI have made false narratives easier to create and spread. We also discuss the difference between real conspiracies and conspiracy theories, and why the best question to ask is: what would it take to change your mind? 00:00 - Michael Shermer on Conspiracy Theories 00:29 - Conspiracies vs. Conspiracy Theories 03:26 - Are UFOs Real? 07:23 - When Government Secrets Are Legitimate 09:39 - Area 51, the Moon Landing, and Flat Earth 14:24 - Why Conspiracy Theories Are So Addictive 15:29 - The Psychology Behind Conspiracy Thinking 18:04 - Why Jews Become Targets of Conspiracies 21:35 - Low Trust and Conspiracy Thinking 24:02 - Tribal Conspiracism and Groupthink 28:18 - Why Big Events Create Big Conspiracy Theories 36:20 - What Really Happened on 9/11? 48:05 - COVID, Censorship, and the Collapse of Trust 01:01:41 - How to Test a Conspiracy Theory 01:08:11 - How to Talk to Conspiracy Believers Join PragerU CEO Marissa Streit as she interviews some of the most significant thought leaders and influential figures from around the world. Real Talk explores the biggest cultural, political, and social issues of our time through candid conversations that challenge assumptions, spark ideas, and bring clarity to complex topics. Follow Marissa on social: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marissastreit/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marissastreitofficial/ Twitter/X: https://x.com/marissastreit/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marissastreit LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissastreit/ PragerU: https://www.prageru.com/shows/real-talk/ PragerU Español: https://www.youtube.com/@esPragerU Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Spanish businessman David Hatchwell Altaras and Argentine-American media entrepreneur Pablo Kleinman join this new episode of Real Talk to discuss how tensions between Spain and Morocco, mass immigration, energy dependence, corruption, and anti-Israel politics are reshaping Spain and Europe. We also discuss the global battle between collectivism and Western civilization, the “red-green alliance” between the radical left and Islamists and China’s growing presence in Latin America. Together, they explain why individual responsibility, Judeo-Christian values, and the defense of the West remain central to the fight against totalitarian ideas. 00:00 Spain, Morocco, and the Battle Over Ceuta and Melilla 03:02 How Immigration Is Used as Political Pressure 09:17 Spain’s Energy Dependence and Regional Weakness 13:01 Spain’s “Frankenstein Coalition” 18:36 Why the Left Labels Its Opponents “Far Right” 22:43 Qatar, Islamism, and the Red-Green Alliance 27:47 Why Latin America Is Turning Against the Left 31:20 Javier Milei and Argentina’s Free-Market Revolution 33:51 What Are the Isaac Accords? 39:41 Why Communists Hate Israel 45:48 Latin America, Israel, and Western Civilization 48:24 The Need for Conservative Spanish-Language Media 52:14 China’s Growing Influence in Latin America 59:48 Is Latin America the West’s New Hope? 01:02:33 Spain, Jewish History, and Judeo-Christian Values Follow Marissa on social: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marissastreit/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marissastreitofficial/ Twitter/X: https://x.com/marissastreit/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marissastreit LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissastreit/ PragerU: https://www.prageru.com/shows/real-talk/ PragerU Español: https://www.youtube.com/@esPragerU Listen to Real Talk with Marissa Streit on Spotify and Apple Podcasts New episodes drop every Wednesday! Spotify: https://l.prageru.com/407PQ51 Apple Podcasts: https://l.prageru.com/4u4hX2B Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former Virginia Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears joins this new episode of Real Talk to discuss her family's journey from Jamaica to America, how socialism devastated Jamaica, and why America remains a land of opportunity. She explains why school choice and parental rights are essential, how COVID-era school closures helped reshape Virginia politics, why local elections matter, and how teachers unions stand in the way of meaningful education reform. Earle-Sears also shares the heartbreaking story of losing her daughter and two granddaughters, the role faith has played in helping her endure tragedy, and why she believes Americans must choose service over victimhood. 00:00 Winsome Earle-Sears on Her Name and Coming to America 01:22 Why Her Father Chose America During the Civil Rights Era 03:48 How Socialism Devastated Jamaica 06:20 Why Socialism Fails in Practice 08:43 Faith, Family, Work, and Winsome’s Worldview 11:18 Why Welfare Cannot Build Generational Wealth 13:02 Homelessness, Veterans, and Compassion With Accountability 17:53 Why American Children Need Standards, Not Participation Trophies 20:22 Why Parents Need School Choice 24:12 Why Local Elections and School Boards Matter 25:34 How COVID School Closures Hurt Children 32:22 How Teachers Unions Fight School Choice 43:33 How Winsome Refuses Despair 45:17 Losing Her Daughter and Granddaughters 55:41 Why Americans Must Choose Service Over Victimhood Join PragerU CEO Marissa Streit as she interviews some of the most significant thought leaders and influential figures from around the world. Real Talk explores the biggest cultural, political, and social issues of our time through candid conversations that challenge assumptions, spark ideas, and bring clarity to complex topics. Follow Marissa on social: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marissastreit/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marissastreitofficial/ Twitter/X: https://x.com/marissastreit/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marissastreit LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissastreit/ PragerU: https://www.prageru.com/shows/real-talk/ PragerU Español: https://www.youtube.com/@esPragerU Listen to Real Talk with Marissa Streit on Spotify and Apple Podcasts New episodes drop every Wednesday! Spotify: https://l.prageru.com/407PQ51 Apple Podcasts: https://l.prageru.com/4u4hX2B Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices