Bill Bernardoni is joined by filmmaker, author, and cultural voice Salvador Litvak for a wide-ranging conversation about creativity, risk, and the unexpected paths that lead to meaningful work. Litvak shares how he pivoted from Harvard and NYU Law to filmmaking, what drew him to Abraham Lincoln’s story, and how he pioneered the CineCollage visual style to bring Saving Lincoln to life using historic Civil War photography. A thoughtful look at art, history, perseverance, and refusing to accept “impossible” as an answer.

Do you think unconventional storytelling approaches make history more engaging — or risk losing authenticity? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Bill Bernardoni is joined by filmmaker, author, and cultural commentator Salvador Litvak for a deeply personal and timely conversation on the surge of antisemitism in the United States and around the world. Drawing on family history, Jewish tradition, and his own work, Litvak explains why this hatred never truly disappears — and how vigilance, community, and humor have helped Jewish culture survive across generations. The discussion also explores why humor has long been a tool of resilience, reflection, and resistance in the face of persecution.

Can humor and culture still be effective tools for confronting hatred — or has the moment grown more dangerous? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Bill Bernardoni continues his conversation with foreign policy analyst Lisa Daftari of Foreign Desk News, focusing on why any lasting change in Iran must come from inside the country — not from externally backed opposition groups. The discussion examines Iran’s weakened regime, internal protest movements, and the controversial role of the MEK, including why it lacks legitimacy among Iranians despite support from some Western political figures. A grounded look at who truly represents the Iranian people — and who does not.

Should the U.S. support regime change in Iran only if it is clearly driven by the Iranian people themselves? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Bill Bernardoni is joined by foreign policy analyst and Iran expert Lisa Daftari of The Foreign Desk for an in-depth discussion on the growing unrest inside Iran and whether regime change there would fundamentally differ from Iraq or Afghanistan. The conversation explores nationwide protests, economic collapse, generational opposition to the regime, and the role of Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi — including whether his leadership could prevent a political vacuum and regional instability. A clear-eyed look at Iran, its people, and the global consequences of what happens next.

Do you believe regime change in Iran could occur without the chaos and instability seen in past Middle East conflicts? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Bill Bernardoni is joined by Dr. Stephen Loyd of Reach United for a critical discussion on fentanyl, overdose prevention, and the president’s recent policy moves. The conversation also turns to marijuana — its medical potential, risks to developing brains, and why moving it from Schedule I to Schedule III could matter for research and public health. This is a sober, evidence-based look at what actually reduces overdose deaths — and what still needs to change.

Do you agree with reclassifying marijuana to allow more research — or do the risks outweigh the potential benefits? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

In the second half of America’s News Hour, Bill Bernardoni is joined by Dr. Stephen Loyd of Reach United for a powerful conversation on addiction, recovery, and why America’s approach hasn’t meaningfully changed in decades. From individualized treatment models and opioid settlement spending to the critical role of law enforcement and the courts, this discussion explores what actually moves the needle — and why compassion, accountability, and evidence-based care must work together. 

Should addiction be treated primarily as a public health issue, a criminal justice issue — or both working together? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Bill Bernardoni continues his wide-ranging conversation with Andrew McKay of NewsRadio Pensacola, connecting the dots between modern warfare, drone technology, underreported defense debates, and the growing economic anxiety facing everyday Americans. From questions about military strategy and global credibility to exploding healthcare costs, tariffs, and business uncertainty, this segment digs into why confidence — not just policy — may be the biggest issue heading into 2026.

What worries you more right now: rising healthcare costs, economic uncertainty, or America’s direction on the global stage — and why? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

In the final week of 2025, Bill Bernardoni is joined by NewsRadio Pensacola’s Andrew McKay to look back at the biggest stories that didn’t get the attention they deserved — from Washington to global defense strategy — and to look ahead at what 2026 may hold. In the second half of the show, Bill sits down with Dr. Stephen Lloyd for an in-depth conversation on addiction, recovery, and the administration’s evolving approach to fentanyl and marijuana policy. Real talk, smart takes, and zero spin as we close out the year and prepare for what’s next.

What do you think was the most underreported story of 2025 — and what should people be paying closer attention to in 2026? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Author and comedian Mark Malkoff joins Bill Bernardoni to discuss Love, Johnny Carson, a definitive look at the man who shaped modern late-night television. From launching generations of comedians to the quiet generosity few ever saw, this conversation explores why Carson’s legacy still looms large decades after he left the stage.

Do you think there will ever be another cultural figure in television with the influence Johnny Carson had? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

As health care premiums rise, new KFF data shows many ACA enrollees are weighing impossible choices—from switching plans to going uninsured altogether. Bill Bernardoni and Ashley Kirzinger break down what the numbers reveal about affordability, bipartisan frustration, and congressional inaction before the show pivots to a reflective conversation on the legacy of filmmaker Rob Reiner.

If your premiums doubled, would you change plans—or risk going without insurance? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

After a heated monologue on health care chaos, Bill Bernardoni turns to the data. In this segment, Ashley Kirzinger of KFF explains what ACA marketplace enrollees are actually experiencing—rising premiums, shrinking affordability, and why even modest cost increases could push millions to the brink. 

If your health insurance went up $1,000 a year, could you realistically afford it? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

From foreign policy to markets to health care, Americans are told things are under control—yet lived experience tells a different story. This monologue explores the growing gap between political reassurance and reality, why instability feels permanent, and why even members of Congress are admitting the system itself may be failing. 

When leaders say “we’ve got this under control,” do you feel reassured—or do you hear denial? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

In the final segment of America’s NewsHour, Bill Bernardoni is joined by Republican strategist Matt Mackowiak, president of Potomac Strategy Group and co-founder of Save Austin Now, for a wide-ranging conversation on accountability, elections, and the political terrain ahead. Mackowiak explains why Austin is pushing for an independent city audit amid rising costs and declining revenues, arguing that transparency and efficiency are essential as affordability pressures drive families and workers out of major cities. The discussion then widens to the 2026 midterms, redistricting battles across the country, and how new maps could shape control of Congress. Mackowiak also breaks down the wave of congressional retirements, why redistricting plays a major role in those decisions, and what it says about the pressures of modern political life. From local governance to national power, the segment connects fiscal reality with political consequence.

Are audits and transparency the key to restoring trust in local government — or is the real problem bigger than city budgets?

In this segment of America’s News Hour, Bill Bernardoni is joined by Brandan Buck of the Cato Institute for a critical examination of U.S. policy toward Venezuela. The conversation questions whether labeling the crisis a “lawless narco war” produces meaningful results or instead opens the door to another intervention and potential regime-change effort. Buck breaks down the failures of supply-side drug policy, the expansion of terrorism designations to justify military action, and the reliance on Article II presidential powers. The discussion also draws historical parallels, highlights Congress’s erosion of its war-making authority, and warns about the dangers of low-intensity conflicts designed to keep public scrutiny at bay. Venezuela and Ukraine are placed within a broader foreign-policy framework shaped by competing interests inside any administration.

Has Congress ceded too much authority over war and foreign policy to the presidency?

In this segment of America’s NewsHour, Bill Bernardoni continues his conversation with retired Brigadier General Ernie Audino, shifting focus from Eastern Europe to rising tensions in Venezuela and the Caribbean. Audino breaks down how proposed peace plans are interpreted by adversaries, why Vladimir Putin’s core demands haven’t changed, and how visible military pressure can suddenly force regimes like Maduro’s to the negotiating table. The discussion tackles the strategic logic behind limited strikes, the energy and geopolitical implications of a post-Maduro Venezuela, and the heated constitutional debate surrounding presidential war powers. From hybrid threats and narco-terrorism to the evolving character of warfare itself, this is a sober look at how modern conflicts blur the line between law enforcement, deterrence, and outright war.

Are targeted military strikes a necessary tool for deterrence today, or do they risk pulling the U.S. into conflicts it claims it wants to avoid?

A warning from Robert Kagan sets the tone for this edition of America’s News Hour, as Bill Bernardoni steps back from the daily noise to examine a world that feels increasingly unstable. From Ukraine and Russia to Venezuela, China, and the Middle East, the headlines suggest a return to a far more dangerous form of international relations—one many Americans no longer recognize. Retired Brigadier General Ernie Audino joins the program to explain what this moment looks like from a military and strategic perspective, how adversaries calculate risk, how allies depend on U.S. resolve, and why mixed signals from Washington ripple across the globe. The conversation connects foreign policy, deterrence, energy politics, and American leadership, offering clarity at a time when the world feels louder—and far less predictable.

Do you agree that we’re returning to a more “normal” — and more dangerous — era of international relations, or is this instability being overstated?

In Segment 4, Bill Bernardoni welcomes Johnathon Eltrevoog, morning show co-host and assistant program director at WBGL in Champaign, Illinois — and a musician himself — to talk about one of the strangest music stories of the year: an AI “Christian artist” topping the iTunes chart despite not actually existing. Bill asks how it landed with someone who works in radio and performs music for a living. Johnathon’s first reaction was indifference. The technology was impressive, the song sounded fine, but it felt synthetic instead of authentic. Having worked around music long enough, he could hear the AI “voice” — catchy, clever, and artificial — even before he knew what he was listening to. Johnathon notes that some musicians are experimenting with AI as a tool — feeding their own songs into it to hear what comes back — and sometimes even he couldn’t tell the difference. But as a creative form, he and his colleagues are unanimous: it doesn’t connect. An industry publication surveyed Christian radio programmers, and almost all rejected the idea of AI-generated music having a place on Christian stations. They also point out that the “#1 chart” was iTunes, not Billboard or radio play. Very few people buy downloads anymore, which means a small number of purchases can briefly spike a song into a chart category, creating a headline that doesn’t reflect audience impact. What concerns Johnathon more is the future. Deepfake technology opens the door to synthetic versions of real artists, which is why Congress is considering the No Fakes Act to protect voices, likenesses, and copyrighted work. AI has fun applications — like Frank Sinatra covering modern songs — but without guardrails, the line between real and imitation could disappear.

Do you care if the music you listen to is made by a real human — or is a catchy song simply a catchy song? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

In Segment 3, Bill Bernardoni speaks with Adam Michel, Director of Tax Policy Studies at the Cato Institute, about the current economic landscape and whether the country is anywhere close to a recession. Adam describes the economy as a “deer in headlights,” caught between opposing forces: strong tax cuts and deregulation pushing in one direction, and tariffs, debt, and uncertainty pulling in the other. Bill notes how the hesitation is showing up in his own business, with clients waiting to sign contracts until they know what’s coming next. Adam explains that the mixed signals show up everywhere — jobs slowing but not collapsing, GDP holding, inflation falling but not finished — creating a holding pattern where businesses and households are simply waiting to see which direction the economy tips. The two then turn to tax policy. Adam argues that the recent tax cuts will make the United States more competitive, especially if tariff pressures ease, but warns that proposals like eliminating the federal income tax through tariff revenue are impossible and would be far more costly. They also discuss upcoming filing season, new provisions on tips and overtime, and why well-intended changes from the administration will add complexity to an already complicated tax code.

Do you think uncertainty is hurting the economy more than any single policy — and have you noticed it in your own business or spending? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

In Segment 2, Bill Bernardoni continues his conversation with Professor Andrew Rudalevige — a leading scholar on presidential authority — exploring how the modern presidency has steadily accumulated power across multiple administrations. After noting that the issue is not new and not limited to any single president, Bill transitions from his earlier monologue into a larger historical arc that stretches from Coolidge and Lincoln to Bush 41, Cheney, Obama, and beyond. Rudalevige explains that as the federal government has grown larger and more involved in every aspect of American life, the executive branch has naturally gained leverage. Presidents have pushed that advantage through executive orders, regulatory authority, and unilateral action, while Congress has often stepped back, delegating too much through vague legislation and failing to push back when presidents test boundaries. Post-Watergate reforms were designed to rebalance power, but decades of presidential resistance, congressional gridlock, and partisan polarization have weakened those guardrails. Bill asks whether anything built into the Constitution allows Congress to reclaim the power it has willingly given away. Rudalevige answers that the mechanism exists — Congress simply needs to use its Article I authority, from oversight, to the purse, to veto overrides, and even impeachment. The challenge, he notes, is not legal capacity but political courage. The segment closes with Rudalevige mentioning his book By Executive Order and a forthcoming volume on the Trump presidency before Bill resets the hour: “The week’s biggest stories. Straightened out.”

Do you believe Congress has either the ability or the will to reclaim power from the presidency? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

In the opening segment of America’s NewsHour, Bill Bernardoni raises a crucial question: what happens when a president’s pardon power stops being a tool of mercy and becomes a tool of politics? Bill begins with a monologue on how the Founders envisioned pardons as rare and solemn — a constitutional pressure valve to correct injustice or calm national turmoil. But in recent years, pardons have shifted toward strategic use: rewarding allies, signaling loyalty, and reshaping outcomes the justice system has already decided. To explore the consequences, Bill is joined by Professor Andrew Rudalevige, Thomas Brackett Reed Professor of Government at Bowdoin College and one of the nation’s leading scholars on presidential power. Together they discuss the history of clemency, how modern presidents have expanded this authority, and the impact on courts, juries, and public trust when convictions begin to feel temporary. A smart, even-keeled conversation about constitutional design, political incentives, and why Congress may need to take some power back.

Should Congress step in to limit or redefine the presidential pardon power — or would that undermine the purpose of mercy? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.