It's our first on the ground episode live from East Lansing, MI with Governor Gretchen Whitmer!What can Democrats can learn from the recent results in Michigan?  There may be no one better to weigh in on the future of the Democratic Party and what they're seeing on the ground than Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. The termed out Governor is not only contemplating her own future, but the future of her party and the country. That's why, in the middle of campaigning for Democrats up and down the ballot, Governor Newsom sat down in East Lansing to compare notes on winning a state that voted for Donald Trump, the rise of the DSA, leading their respective states, and the road to 2028. 00:00 Live From Michigan!  1:02 Fix The Damn Roads (With Marijuana) 7:44 “My State Voted For Donald Trump Again” 13:24 Two Termed Out Governors Grading Their Terms25:18: What's It Like Being Vetted for Vice President...33:20 ...And What's Next For Big Gretch37:17 Democrats Don’t Have Time To Take A Beat42:24 Split Legislature to Lasting Legacy43:51 The Advice You’d Give To The Next Governor51:14 So…Are You Running? (Actually) 56:09 What Principles Do You Live By?57:45 Predictions1:02:30 BTS  Recorded on location at Crunchy's Bar in East Lansing, MI.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former D.C. police officer and January 6 survivor Michael Fanone joins the show to talk about Todd Blanche’s confirmation, the J6 Weaponization fund and why MAGA is so determined to let Trump keep embarrassing them. Plus, Fanone recounts the day he nearly died defending the Capitol, its politicization as well as his reaction to Trump’s pardons of January 6 defendants.  00:00 Re-Introducing Michael Fanone 1:06 Datacenters Are A Plague 4:24 “I thought I was going to die a cop” - Understanding Fanone’s Journey  8:26 My disdain for politics and politicians started at an early age15:39 I Voted For Donald Trump In 201617:23 Fanone’s Story of January 6th 202137:23 The J6 Riots & Trump’s Weaponization Fund41:47 How Fanone Reacted To Trump’s Pardons 46:52 Taxing The Weaponization Fund49:20 MAGA’s Continued Willingness To Let Trump Humiliate Them56:38 The Tate Brothers, Joe Rogan & MAGA’s Love of Toxic Men1:05:20 Facing The Most Significant Election Of Our Republic1:08:08 Predicting Trump’s Future Pardons & The One Job Fanone Wants 1:13:36 Nobody Would Hire Me So I Have To Do ThisSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Pakman joins the show to discuss how YouTube, social media algorithms, and artificial intelligence are reshaping politics, public opinion, and our democracy. They discuss why conservative voices often outperform liberals online, the Democratic Party's messaging challenges, and what we can learn about how populist messages spread online.  00:00 Intro 00:33 World Cup Aftermath & The Trump Impact 3:43 The DSA As The Liberal Tea Party 7:15 Does Pakman's Youtube Channel Make Him A Hypocrite? 10:02 The 2028 Election Will Be Determined By Artificial Intelligence & Algorithm Manipulation  12:51 Social Media Platforms Don't Reward Truth 18:04 How to Fight Back Against Algorithmic Manipulation 23:57 How YouTube Has Changed Our Politicians & Killed Authenticity  27:30 Can Nuanced Conversations Ever Travel Online?  30:07 Why The Right Is So Much More Successful Online 32:55 Populism & Independence: Why Bernie & Tucker Break Through & Fox News Is Still Figuring It Out 39:55 We Are Not Prepared For AI To Take Over Our Social Media Feeds  47:17 Loneliness, The Manosphere, and Why The Left Still Fails When it Comes To Toxic Masculinity 50:15 Is Government Moving Too Slowly & What Trump Gets Right 54:01 Pakman's Media Strategy For The Democratic Party & How To Talk About The Economy 1:01:52 The DSA Should Be A Red Alert For The Democratic Party 1:08:53 Biden's Populist Streak & Communication Problems 1:12:38 Is There Any Hope For Democracy In This Media Environment?Pre-order David's new book Pay Attention: How the Algorithms and Media Wars Are Suppressing Truth and Rewiring Your Brain https://www.harpercollins.com/products/pay-attention-david-pakman?variant=44812531105826See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie joins the show to talk about the Todd Blanche confirmation hearings, Trump’s corrupt presidency and why the Jeffrey Epstein scandal always felt different. Drawing on his firsthand experience inside Trump's inner circle, Christie shares his account of how things really worked in the White House, his relationship with the Kushners, and the moment he broke with the former president. They also examine the future of both parties, who the DSA is helping and how Democrats should be speaking about Trump.00:00 Todd Blanche’s Confirmation Hearing, Reactions, & How To Fix The Justice Department16:55 The Epstein Files & How Pam Bondi Lost Trump’s Trust26:17 The Link Between Epstein & The Access Hollywood Tape29:20 Kushner(s) & Tom Brady 38:50 How Christie Became The Chair of Trump’s Transition Team Over Jared’s Objection43:21 How Steve Bannon & Jared Kushner Handled Personnel Changes In The White House47:44 How One Conversation With Christie Shaped Trump’s Covid Response 54:53 When Christie Realized Trump Wasn’t For Him 57:39 Does Trump Actually Believe He Won in 2020?1:00:30 Trump’s Primetime Address & His Election Denialism 1:03:03 Why Democrats Shouldn’t Focus On Trump’s in 20281:07:50 How To Discuss Trump’s Corruption & His Attack on Democracy1:12:26 Christie’s Current 2026 Predictions: House & Senate & The Possibility of Impeachment1:15:33 The Rise of The DSA: Mamdani, AOC & Who Bernie Sanders Is Actually Helping1:20:11 How Trump Intends to Shape 2028 & The One Republican Who Push BackSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bestselling author and business thinker Jim Collins sits down for a personal conversation about purpose, leadership, and how to build a meaningful life. At a time when many young people feel increasingly uncertain about their future and are searching for direction, Collins offers our audience something different; a framework for finding purpose beyond career success.  Inspired by his new book, What to Make of a Life: Cliffs, Fog, Fire and the Self-Knowledge Imperative, Collins details how to navigate life's defining events, positive and negative. He also shares the habits and strategies that have shaped him while providing guidance for anyone looking to build a life of meaning in an increasingly uncertain world.00:00 Inspiration & How To Make A Social Science Book Personal 9:39 What To Make Of A Life13:07 What Inspires Someone To Write19:07  Intention & Becoming A 4 AM Person25:08 Cliff Events & Pairs: Evaluating Reactions To Similar Circumstances31:07 This Notion of Encoding41:25 What Makes The Multiple Types Of Success 45:05 Fogs49:14 The Bug Book 53:46 Fire & Aging 1:05:07 Staying In Frame1:15:49 Choosing Responsibility1:25:15 The One Thing Collins Learned Writing This Book1:32:38 Finding Your BHAGSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ahead of the July 4th holiday and America's 250th anniversary we're replaying our conversation with filmmaker and historian Ken Burns.  Burns discusses what made Washington's leadership so different from today's leaders, the Trump administration's struggle to erase American history and how his work threatens autocrats. Plus Burns discusses whether we truly are in unique times what comforts he finds from being such a student of history and how DEI actually has historical roots.    00:00  Flawed Heroes Founded This Country 9:27 - Disinformation & Censorship Is Nothing New12:47 Who Made The Revolution Possible?18:00 Faith & Religion in Our Democracy24:54 The Birthright Citizenship Fight  & American Nativism28:25 American Patriotism & The Disappointing Legislative Branch35:39 "I Just Want To Know Who Is Being Protected"42:03 The One Thing That Surprised Burns About The Revolution 50:15 Ranking Today Amongst Historical American Crises  58:00 Make America Great Again Going Forward 1:02:10 Ken Burns Relationship With Steve Jobs & AppleSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Podcaster and independent media powerhouse Brian Tyler Cohen joins the show to break down the future of the Democratic Party, why Republicans are already executing their long-term strategy, and why Democrats need to deliver fast or risk losing a whole generation of people who are up for grabs right now.Brian then outlines how progressives can compete in today's media landscape, why voting rights are a chance for Democrats to actually win and how to battle the impending Supreme Court crisis.  Plus, Brian shares how Democrats should wield their power after Trump and for more on his 2029 plans check out his new book  The Day After: How to Wield Power in a Post-Trump World BOOK LINK: https://www.harpercollins.com/pages/thedayafter00:00 From Hollywood to Independent Creator3:03 How Democrats Can Embrace an Insurgency Mindset7:30 Why Republicans Are So Good At Playing the Long Game16:15 Democrats Need to Stop Playing Defense22:27 The Courts Are a Crisis Waiting to Happen32:57 Voting Rights Reform38:10 Who Gets a Pardon?42:09 The Greatest Con of This Administration49:45 Democratizing the Economy53:18 Why Healthcare Is Still Broken57:40 Can Democrats Win the Media War?1:09:18 Purity Tests & Coalition Building1:16:00 Where Democrats Should Focus Their Political Capital1:19:39 Climate Change: The Missed Opportunity1:26:17 The Last Election 1:31:34 Democrats Must Deliver Accountability Post-TrumpSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Right now it seems like everyone’s afraid of AI.  Whether its worries over job loss, wealth concentration, or lack of regulation, anxiety around artificial intelligence is real. Here to make a case for why we shouldn’t be so afraid, is Reid Hoffman, AI optimist and someone who has thought about the way artificial intelligence can lead to positive outcomes more than anyone. Hoffman sits down to talk about why we’re not powerless in how AI impacts our lives, and how to best  incorporate it without losing your identity or job.    00:00 Intro 00:23 Is Artificial Intelligence Going To Kill My Job? 8:14 Does Artificial Intelligence Have A PR Problem? 15:07 The Optimist’s Case For Embracing AI 27:09  Humanity First, Society Second, Industry Third 37:12 Do The Tech Industry Players Shaping Our Future Care About Us? 43:44 Crypto As A Cautionary Tale: How Dems Should Talk About AI 49:23 Elon, The SpaceX IPO and Greatest Kleptocracy of Our Lifetimes 55:20 Investing In Data Centers & Compute 1:03:34 What Happened With Mythos & OpenAI?  1:09:54 Positive Impacts: Where Are We 5 Years From Now? 1:23:31 Concentration of Wealth,  Corruption & Selling Out To Trump 1:33:28 2 Subjects Of DOJ Investigations 1:38:38 Where Does The Democratic Party Stand Today?  1:42:06 Pro-Business Democrats & The Billionaire’s TaxSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Long one of the most discussed figures in politics, Hunter Biden joins the podcast for an unfiltered conversation about addiction, public scrutiny,  and the political battles that have defined the last several years. He reflects on the darkest moments of his life, the controversies that dominated headlines, and why he believes now is the time to speak directly to the public. From his father's legacy and the future of the Democratic Party to what he sees as unprecedented grift within the Trump family, Hunter offers his perspective on the narratives consuming our politics. He also discusses the perils of social media, the DC media ecosystem, his recovery, and his ongoing feud with journalist Jake Tapper. 00:00 He’s Running3:30 - They Gave Me A Stage And I’m Gonna Use It7:29 - Why Speak Up Now?14:45 Biden’s Authenticity vs. Trump’s Audacity20:04 Graham Platner & Zohran Mamdani 27:20 Art & Addiction 32:20 He Was Never Part Of That DC Elite38:05 The Obama Years42:40 It All Happened All At Once - Data Leaks & Criminal Proceedings54:54 The Prosecution, The Plea & The Pardon1:03:37 The Trump Family Grift Is Unprecedented1:14:50 Who Speaks For The Democratic Party?1:25:28 What’s Next For Hunter Biden? 1:28:37 Hunter vs. Tapper: The Biden BooksSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ex-MAGA influencer Ashley St. Clair joins the show to share her journey from MAGA mouthpiece to outspoken critic of the movement she helped build. She exposes the online influencer networks that begin in the White House and end in your feeds, before revealing why Elon Musk was so desperate to keep her silenced. 00:00 Intro00:52 Ashley’s MAGA Origin Story8:10 From TPUSA Recruit To Monetizing Activism16:45 MAGA Influencers - Who Calls The Shots? 21:55 The Real Elon Musk & Big Tech’s Unchecked Power36:30 The Trump Influencer Group Chats & How The Left Responds 46:22 Elon's 10,000 Space Lasers & The $40 Million NDA56:05 St. Clair’s Biggest Regrets See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.