This week, we cover a whirlwind of headlines spanning transparency, tech, city–federal politics, national security, immigration, and the 2026 landscape. Congress green-lights the release of the Epstein files. Larry Summers steps off OpenAI’s board. NYC’s new mayor meets President Trump in the Oval—yes, there’s outfit discourse—while the short-lived “DOGE” department quietly shutters months early. We break down Operation Southern Spear in the hemisphere, the administration’s push to pare back the Endangered Species Act, and Laura Loomer’s viral claim that the GOP has a “Nazi problem.” Plus: ICE plans stepped-up operations in New York City, and Republican senators balk at Trump’s proposed $2,000 “tariff checks.” Clear context, crisp stats, and what to watch next—no fluff. Topics Covered Congress votes to release the Epstein files: what’s actually supposed to be made public and the 30-day clock Larry Summers resigns from OpenAI’s board: why governance and reputational risk matter for AI labs Zohran Mamdani meets Trump in the Oval Office: optics vs. outcomes on public safety, housing, and federal dollars (and yes, the suit-and-tie chatter) The DOGE department disbands 8 months early: what happens to the promised “efficiency” savings and projects Operation Southern Spear: targets, authorities, and escalation risks in the Western Hemisphere ESA rollback proposal: what changes, who’s affected, and why litigation is a near-lock Laura Loomer’s “Nazi problem” warning for the GOP: intra-right fault lines and 2026 candidate vetting Border czar says ICE will ramp operations in NYC: sanctuary politics, legal flashpoints, and resources GOP senators uneasy about $2,000 tariff rebates: fiscal hawks vs. populist transfers—and the path (or lack of one) through Congress

Visa waits, new fees, thin long-haul flight capacity, and a steep Canada pullback are weighing on international travel to the U.S.—even as domestic trips hold up. In this 10–15 minute solo breakdown, I cut through the noise with a quick industry primer, the latest arrivals/spend trends, and what’s driving 2025’s underperformance vs. 2019 and 2024. In this episode: How the tourism engine works typically (≈3% of U.S. GDP; $1T+ in traveler spend; who the top source markets are) The scoreboard: arrivals vs. last year and 2019, spend trends, and air/visa friction What’s dragging inbound: consulate queues, added visa costs, limited China flight capacity, strong-dollar stretches, and “border vibe” effects Canada deep-dive: multiple late-2025 months showing ~20–30% YoY declines, with border states feeling it first Who’s most exposed: long-haul metros (NYC, SF/LA, LV, Honolulu) and drive-market corridors (NY/MI/WA/VT/ME) What to watch next: NTTO monthly prints, visa-wait improvements, China capacity decisions, and high-frequency spend data Bottom line: Domestic travel is fine; international inbound is the pain point. Unless visa friction eases, fees stabilize, and long-haul capacity improves, inbound will lag until the event tailwinds of 2026 kick in.

This week’s rundown moves fast: Democrats end the 43-day government shutdown, a new tranche of Epstein files heads for daylight, and the White House floats a 50-year mortgage option that has economists split. We break down what actually changed at the grocery store as the administration rolls back tariffs on dozens of food imports, and we talk through a viral (and bizarre) moment from the Syrian president’s White House visit, the cologne clip. Plus: new State Department guidance that raises alarms about visa denials tied to health conditions like obesity, and a sweeping U.S. designation of several European antifa groups as terrorist organizations.  Topics Covered Democrats end the federal shutdown: what’s funded now, what’s punted, and the real economic hit Epstein files: what’s new vs. recycled, and how the next release could land 50-year mortgages: modest monthly savings vs. big lifetime interest—who wins, who doesn’t Food tariff rollback: which categories are affected and how soon prices might reflect it The cologne moment at the White House: protocol, optics, and whether any policy came out of it Visas & health: how new guidance could change consular decisions and who’s at risk Antifa designations: legal implications (sanctions, immigration bars, material-support laws) and likely pushback  

After weeks of brinkmanship, Democrats ended the standoff with a clean(ish) continuing resolution—no ACA subsidy extension in the bill text—and public patience wore thin. In this 10–15 minute solo breakdown, I walk through what changed, why the leverage didn’t convert, and what it means for the next funding fights. In this episode: What the final CR actually did (and didn’t): government reopened at prior-year levels; ACA rider punted to a separate vote later The scoreboard: policy, shared-blame polling ≈, and real economic/operational costs (with some permanent loss) The crossover math: 8 Democratic-caucus votes in the Senate + GOP to clear 60; 1 House Democrat backed the earlier stopgap 2026 angle: none of the Senate Dems who voted yes are personally up in 2026; two have already announced retirements How the loss happened: sequencing, calendar pressure, and a message that never fully landed GOP wins—and their risks if governing by CR becomes the norm What to watch next: whether leadership actually schedules the ACA vote, and how many more CRs we’re in for      

This week, we unpack a headline-heavy slate: Zohran Mamdani shocks NYC, Trump thumbs the scale by endorsing Andrew Cuomo, Democrats hold New Jersey with Mikie Sherrill, and Abigail Spanberger makes history in Virginia. We compare what these Democratic wins have in common—and where the coalitions and messages diverge. Plus: Gov. Greg Abbott’s “100% tariff on New Yorkers” trolling, California’s newly approved redistricting maps and what they mean for 2026, Tesla shareholders green-lighting Elon Musk’s eye-popping pay package, and a post-election spat between George Santos and Curtis Sliwa. We close with a Culture Corner on the legacy of Dick Cheney and how his era still shapes today’s fights over executive power. Quick, clear, and no fluff—what matters, why it matters, and what to watch next. Topics Covered NYC: Zohran Mamdani wins; Trump endorses Cuomo New Jersey: Democrats hold the governor’s office Virginia: Abigail Spanberger elected governor Common threads vs. key differences across the Dem wins California approves new congressional maps Tesla shareholders OK Elon Musk’s mega pay package George Santos vs. Curtis Sliwa drama If you enjoy the show, please follow, rate, and share. Send questions and hot takes for next week’s mailbag!

Tensions are spiking: F-35s in Puerto Rico, Venezuelan troop surges, boat strikes at sea, and louder great-power echoes. In this 10–15 minute solo explainer, I break down what “war” would actually look like here (hint: incidents and limited strikes, not an invasion), why the standoff escalated, and what to watch next. In this episode: What’s happening right now—and what “counts” as war Why tensions spiked: counternarcotics ops, Essequibo, and Caracas politics The hard numbers so far on boat strikes, seizures, and casualties Who’s backing whom: Maduro’s appeals to Russia/China and regional blowback The legal/political guardrails that limit escalation An easy escalation ladder: from intercepts → limited strikes → (unlikely) state-on-state war What signals to watch in the coming days If this helped cut through the noise, follow the show and share it with a friend.

In this week’s roundup, we unpack a wild mix of policy moves and political shockwaves: RFK Jr. wades into the Tylenol–autism debate, the White House signals a restart of U.S. nuclear testing, and Washington flirts with letting South Korea build a nuclear-powered submarine. We also break down a rare-earths “trade truce” with China that comes with a fentanyl-related tariff cut, a first-ever White House visit from Syria’s president on the calendar, New Mexico’s leap to universal free child care, the Fed’s latest rate cut, saber-rattling toward Venezuela, and a Maine Senate race thrown off course by old Reddit posts. Quick, clear, and no fluff—here’s what actually matters and why. Topics Covered RFK Jr. says there isn’t enough evidence to prove Tylenol causes autism—and why the distinction between correlation and causation matters for public health messaging. Trump announces a restart of U.S. nuclear weapons testing—what that means technically, legally, and geopolitically. U.S. may share naval nuclear-propulsion know-how with South Korea—how this changes the regional balance and non-proliferation debate. U.S.–China rare-earths détente—tariffs on fentanyl-related goods trimmed to 10% and what it means for supply chains, EVs, and defense. A first: Syria’s President slated for a White House visit—potential goals, risks, and Middle East implications. New Mexico launches universal free child care—how the model works and the economic upside for families and the workforce. The Fed cuts rates—what it signals about inflation, jobs, and the path ahead. Venezuela brinkmanship—what “threats of war” actually translate to in policy terms and what Congress might do. Maine Senate race drama—how a candidate’s old Reddit posts and tattoo controversy scrambled the narrative.

Shutdowns aren’t “bankruptcy”, they’re budget failures. In this solo ep, I break down what actually stops during a federal shutdown, why this one is happening, and whether Democrats are gaining or just burning goodwill. We walk through the latest blame snapshots, the real economic and human costs, and a four-lens scorecard to judge “winning” while the fight is still in progress. In this episode: What a shutdown really is (and isn’t), in 30 seconds What this standoff is about, and why ACA subsidies are in the middle The current scoreboard: public blame trends, worker impacts, and dollars at stake The “Vought factor”: Does a shutdown expand what the White House can do, or do laws like the Antideficiency and Impoundment Control Acts keep guardrails on? History check: 2013 vs. 2018–19—what actually carried political costs A simple 4-part scorecard: policy outcome, blame delta, economic hit, down-ballot effects Three endgames to watch next If this helped cut through the noise, follow the show and share it with a friend.

We are back!  This week, we run through the 16 biggest stories in U.S. politics from the last two weeks—what happened, why it matters, and what to watch next. Government shutdown hits second-longest ever — The funding lapse that began Oct 1 drags on with no clean offramp; core services strain and pressure mounts on leadership. SNAP pause warning — USDA signals November benefits won’t go out without new funding, raising the stakes for millions of households. Paying the troops workarounds — The White House explores ways to keep service members paid despite the shutdown; legal questions linger. Polling snapshot — The president’s approval ticks up slightly, even as voters assign more blame to congressional Republicans for the shutdown. “No Kings” protests — Large, largely peaceful nationwide demonstrations against perceived executive overreach showcase sustained grassroots energy. Israel–Gaza deal implementation — Cease-fire terms inch forward on hostages and aid, but the situation remains fragile; U.S. diplomacy stays front-and-center. Russia energy sanctions — New U.S. measures hit major oil firms, with allies and markets parsing carve-outs and enforcement. Tariff hike on Canada — A surprise 10% increase on Canadian goods escalates tensions with a key ally and fuels legal/authority debates. U.S.–China talks — Negotiators outline a “positive framework” (tariff pause + rare-earths understandings) for leaders to review. Domestic deployments in court — Appellate limits on National Guard/federal deployments (e.g., Portland) keep the federal-power fight alive. NYC mayor’s race — Early voting surges; polling shows Zohran Mamdani leading a high-profile three-way with Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa. Virginia’s redistricting push — Democrats prep a special-session play to redraw the congressional map ahead of 2026. North Carolina map adopted — Mid-decade redraw expected to net the GOP an additional U.S. House seat; lawsuits filed immediately. House Dems probe alleged $230M DOJ “settlement” ask — Oversight seeks records on reports the president pushed DOJ for payment over past investigations. Arizona AG vs. House swearing-in delay — Lawsuit aims to compel seating of Rep-elect Adelita Grijalva, citing voter representation during the shutdown. White House ballroom construction — East Wing demolition for a ~90k-sq-ft ballroom sparks preservation, funding, and ethics scrutiny.

Today we are joined by Stephanie Gagnon-Rodriguez to talk about the clean energy economy! What it is, where it is, and how all these policy changes that are happening in the Trump Administration are impacting real people, real investment, and real jobs. 

This week, we unpack the government shutdown’s real-world fallout, the latest culture-war broadsides from the White House, and fresh signs of alignment with Project 2025. We also dig into claims of targeted funding cuts to “blue” states, a headline-grabbing Argentina lifeline framed as a “bailout,” and a new U.S. strike on a Venezuelan vessel. It’s a fast, sourced tour through politics, policy, and power—minus the fluff. Topics covered Government shutdown: who’s furloughed, what closes, and how the economy absorbs the hit “Punishing blue states?”Reports of federal funding cuts where Kamala Harris won “Party of hate, evil, and Satan”: rhetoric, polarization, and why language matters Project 2025: what Trump’s latest signals could mean for the civil service and DOJ Hegseth & the generals: fitness talk, politicization worries, and civil-military norms Argentina “bailout”: what a U.S. lifeline would actually look like—and why it’s controversial U.S. strikes Venezuelan boat (again): escalation risks and regional implications Email us at thelonleyliberalpodcast@gmail.com  

On this week's episode, we are joined again by Dr. Eric Grube (also known as Dr. Fascist) to discuss five guardrails, cultural norms, and other mechanisms the US has in place that can prevent it from completely falling into fascism. 

In this episode, Rick and I break down a whirlwind week of headlines, examining what was actually announced, what’s being claimed, and what still needs verification. From RFK & Trump’s Tylenol–autism comments and a new “Antifa” designation to Epstein document releases, a reported Comey indictment, and shutdown brinkmanship, we separate signal from noise. Stories covered RFK & Trump link Tylenol to autism White House labels “Antifa” a terrorist group Plans to send troops to Portland, Oregon Trump targets an NPR reporter, suggests ties to antifa Epstein estate documents referencing Peter Thiel, Steve Bannon, and Elon Musk Reports that former FBI Director James Comey is to be indicted Trump’s UN week: a rocky speech and an escalator mishap Democrats brace for a possible government shutdown Jimmy Kimmel slated to return Trump says Murdochs may join the TikTok U.S. investor group Claims that 1,200 migrants from “Alligator Alcatraz” are unaccounted for Karoline Leavitt’s “$9 trillion in investment” boast—fact-check fodder Allegation that Tom Homan accepted a “bag of cash” bribe Sen. Ted Cruz urges raising the pilot retirement age Trump calls for the declassification of Amelia Earhart–related records

AI is everywhere: writing articles, creating art, diagnosing diseases, and even helping run our daily lives. But should we be excited, cautious, or downright terrified? In this episode, I chat with PhD researcher Ivo Young for a casual but thoughtful conversation about artificial intelligence: what it actually is, where it stands today, the big opportunities it offers, and the risks that keep people up at night. We break down the hype versus reality, discuss the pros and cons, and share our own perspectives on whether we should be freaking out or just learning how to adapt. From creative breakthroughs to job disruption, deepfakes to medical miracles, we cover the future of AI in a way that’s approachable, smart, and fun. If you’ve ever wondered “is AI really as scary as everyone says?” this episode is for you.   Email us at thelonleyliberalpodcast@gmail.com  

On this week's show, Rick and I cover: Jimmy Kimmel fired over Kirk comments Vance urges viewers to dox people who celebrated Kirk’s death (on Kirk’s show) Kash Patel testifies Ex-CDC Director Susan Monarez testifies Trump says he may label “antifa” a terrorist group DOJ removes research about domestic extremism from its website Trump links potential RICO charges to George Soros Fed cuts interest rates U.S. unemployment for ages 16–24 now ~10.5% Trump admin considering raising Social Security age Trump signs executive order imposing $100k annual fee for H-1B visas Trump “Gold Card” officially available for $1 million BLS postpones release of its inflation report Luigi Mangione terrorism charges tossed Trump deploys National Guard to Memphis FDA to ban Orange B (an artificial dye not used in decades) Email us at thelonelyliberalpodcast@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @thelonelyliberal      

I'm so sick of the violence

On today's show, Rick and I breakdown this week’s biggest headlines—from the killing of Charlie Kirk and the political aftershocks, to Congress’ Epstein document fight, National Guard plans for Memphis, Missouri’s redistricting, a disputed U.S. strike on a Venezuelan boat, new NAEP scores, a Supreme Court order affecting ICE raids, Bolton search details, and a controversial plan to link child deaths to COVID shots. Write us at thelonelyliberalpodcast@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @thelonelyliberal

A strange new buzzword has been floating from obscure blogs into elite political circles: The Dark Enlightenment. In this episode, I dig into where it came from, who coined it, and why it matters now. We’ll cover: The origins — Curtis Yarvin’s 2007 blog and Nick Land’s 2012 essays. Core ideas — the “Cathedral,” running a state like a company, and why they think exit is better than voice. The key players — Yarvin, Land, Peter Thiel, J.D. Vance, Patri Friedman, Balaji Srinivasan, and more. The numbers — $10–15M in Thiel PAC funding to Vance, 2.2M federal employees targeted by “fire-the-bureaucracy” talk, and early seasteading investments of ~$500k. Critiques — why strong democracies like the Nordics contradict the theory, and the risks of a “CEO state.” What to watch — staffing, policy drafts, and new “exit” experiments like charter cities or network states. By the end, you’ll see how a once-fringe internet philosophy went from blogs to salons to inauguration parties—and why it’s suddenly brushing up against the halls of power.   Also, thoughts for Charlie Kirk and his family. 

This week, Rick and I go through the top news stories, including: Congress dumps 33,000+ pages of Epstein documents as survivors head to Capitol Hill, and the White House reportedly calls a transparency push a “hostile act.” We unpack claims that the FBI flagged every Trump mention (and what’s verified vs. alleged), Speaker Mike Johnson’s informant insinuation, and a leaked tape of DOJ’s Joseph Schnitt, then the DOJ’s denial. In public health, HHS Secretary RFK Jr. faces a bruising Senate hearing while floating autism links to Tylenol/low folate (contested by mainstream experts). Rand Paul knocks a former CDC leader’s “lifestyle.” Coastal states explore independent vaccine guidance as Florida moves to end mandates, just as Trump says, “some vaccines work,” creating daylight with RFK. On security and law & order, the administration symbolically rebrands Defense as the “Department of War,” and Trump again threatens to send the National Guard to Chicago. The economy cools with a softer jobs report, and Trump jokes, “If it looks bad, blame AI.” Consumer angle: DOT withdraws the rule that would’ve required cash compensation for airline-caused delays (refund rights remain). Tech optics: a hot mic catches Mark Zuckerberg boasting “at least $600B through ’28” in U.S. investment, then, “I wasn’t sure what number you wanted.” Abroad, Xi hosts a show-of-force parade with Putin and Kim. And even Mitch McConnell warns a second Trump term could be the “most dangerous period” since WWII.

On this episode, we talk with Dr. Jesse Turiel to count down six quietly pivotal moments that reshaped American life and politics—events we rarely headline as “turning points,” but probably should. From the horse-trading that produced the Bill of Rights to the bare-knuckle tactics that rewired Congress in the 1990s, we trace how rules, institutions, and narratives get built—and rebuilt. Jesse’s “6 Most Underrated Events in American History” Adoption of the Bill of Rights (1789–1791): Why Madison’s amendments were a political bargain that legitimized the new Constitution—and still frame our liberties today. Marbury v. Madison (1803): The case that said the quiet part out loud—courts can strike down laws—and how judicial review became the judiciary’s superpower. End of Reconstruction (1876–1877): The Compromise that traded a presidency for “home rule,” paving the way for Jim Crow and the long civil-rights backlash. Ida Tarbell vs. Standard Oil (1904): Investigative journalism that shifted public opinion and helped crack a monopoly—an origin story for modern antitrust. The Presidential Election of 1968: Realignment in real time—Wallace, the Southern Strategy, law-and-order politics, and media-savvy campaigning that still echoes. The Rise of Newt Gingrich (1994–1995): Contract with America, message discipline, and made-for-TV confrontation that transformed Congress and normalized permanent campaign warfare. Email us at thelonelyliberalpodcast@gmail.com Follow us on Instagram and TikTok at @thelonelyliberal