Category: Current Events

President Donald Trump signs an executive order placing further sanctions on Iran. I talk with Garrett Marquis about Trump's maximum pressure campaign.

55 – Trump’s ‘Maximum Pressure’ campaign on Iran with Garrett Marquis

June 19, 2019

As tensions grow with Iran, the US is applying a “maximum pressure” policy to the country to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons.

I speak with Garrett Marquis, the spokesperson for the National Security Council and Special Assistant to the President. He details the “maximum pressure campaign” and its performance in a thoughtful and engaging interview. … More 55 – Trump’s ‘Maximum Pressure’ campaign on Iran with Garrett Marquis

Narendra Modi waves after winning 2019 elections in India.

54 – India, what happened? The 2019 India elections with Arpit Chaturvedi

June 16, 2019

India, the world’s largest democracy, voted last month in one of history’s largest elections. The results were shocking, as Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party expanded their majority in parliament in a landslide victory.

Arpit Chaturvedi, the CEO and co-founder of Global Policy Insights, breaks down the election on Bills with Luke Scorziell. Chaturvedi and Scorziell discuss the major issues in the election, the role fake news played, and more.

Listen on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. … More 54 – India, what happened? The 2019 India elections with Arpit Chaturvedi

Bills with Luke Scorziell, Robert Mueller, Donald Trump

49 – Post-Mueller America with Mike Murphy

March 31, 2019

Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s conclusion that President Trump did not collude with Russia has left the United States divided and unsure how to progress.

This episode attempts to answer America’s most pressing questions. I speak with Mike Murphy, a political expert, on America post-Mueller. … More 49 – Post-Mueller America with Mike Murphy

Trump Tariffs, Luke Scorziell

Ep. 44: The Trump Tariffs with Daniel LaCalle

August 8, 2018

One of President Trump’s biggest campaign promises was to level the playing field regarding the US and its trading partners. Now, over 500 days into the Trump Presidency, the United States has pulled out of the Trans Pacific Partnership, begun renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement, and levied tariffs on multiple countries, including China. 

Economist Daniel LaCalle, author of Escape from the Central Bank Trap, discusses what Trump’s new tariffs on China, Mexico, Canada, and the European Union mean for the world economy. Are we in a trade war?

Stay tuned for a direct, uncensored interview.

Thank you to Zach for his $30 per month support! As well as to Mike, Julie, and Tiana for becoming $15 per month Patrons! … More Ep. 44: The Trump Tariffs with Daniel LaCalle

Clifford D. May, Bills with Luke Scorziell, Israeli-Palestinian Dispute

Ep. 42: A Perpetual Israeli-Palestinian Dispute with Clifford D. May

July 25, 2018

Clifford D. May, the president and founder of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, and I go in-depth on the Israeli-Palestinian dispute. He details its complex history and how exactly we got here today. Additionally, Cliff discusses the impact of the UN Relief and Works Agency on Palestinian Refugees. 

Thank you to Zach for his $30 per month support! As well as to Mike, Julie, and Tiana for becoming $15 per month Patrons! … More Ep. 42: A Perpetual Israeli-Palestinian Dispute with Clifford D. May

Ep. 41: Brexit: Two Years Out with Member of Parliament Tom Brake

July 22, 2018

Just over two years ago, the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union. Now the Conservative government is working fervently towards a deal, due March 2019, with the EU. In this episode, Member of Parliament Tom Brake joins the show to discuss Brexit.

Brake, the Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Exiting the European Union, is ardently against Brexit. In this interview we learn why he staunchly opposes it and what he thinks of the Leave Campaign’s arguments for Brexit.

Stay tuned for a direct, uncensored interview.

Thank you to Zach for his $30 per month support! As well as to Mike, Julie, and Tiana for becoming $15 per month Patrons! … More Ep. 41: Brexit: Two Years Out with Member of Parliament Tom Brake

Rupert Darwall, National Health Services

Ep. 40: A “Culture of Death,” Rupert Darwall on Britain’s National Health Service

July 18, 2018

“Essentially, the clinicians [at Gosport Hospital] were running an involuntary euthanasia board.” ~ Rupert Darwall

Britain’s esteemed National Health Service has been hit with another scandal: 650 patients unlawfully killed, according to an independent report by The Gosport Independent Panel. Rupert Darwall, multipublished author and contributor to the Wall Street Journal, goes in-depth into what went wrong. We discuss his haunting piece for the WSJ, “Reform the NHS Before It Kills Again.” 

Be sure to tune in for a thought-provoking episode.

Thank you to Zach for his $30 per month support! As well as to Mike, Julie, and Tiana for becoming $15 per month Patrons! … More Ep. 40: A “Culture of Death,” Rupert Darwall on Britain’s National Health Service

Sarah Leah Whitson, Human Rights Watch

Ep. 37: Conflict in the Middle East with Sarah Leah Whitson of Human Rights Watch

June 27, 2018

The Middle East is one of the most turbulent regions in the world. Conflicts throughout countries in the region create rampant human rights abuses. In this episode, we are joined by Sarah Leah Whitson, the executive director of Human Rights Watch’s Middle East and North Africa Division. We discuss in-depth the a few of the most problematic conflicts in the Middle East. From the Israel-Palestine disputes to the seemingly never ending war in Yemen we sort through it all. Additionally, Sarah describes the intense problems identity politics has caused throughout the Middle East.

Be sure to tune in for a thought-provoking episode.

Thank you to Zach for his $30 per month support! As well as to Mike, Julie, and Tiana for becoming $15 per month Patrons! … More Ep. 37: Conflict in the Middle East with Sarah Leah Whitson of Human Rights Watch

Free Speech and the First Amendment

Ep. 9: The Campus Free Speech Act Part Two

June 30, 2017

In today’s episode we review the second part of the Campus Free Speech Act proposed by the Goldwater Institute. This second installation deals with sections two through five of the bill, which serve important roles in promoting free expression on college campuses. Using only the best ice cream analogies, we break down the importance of free thought and expression, and how that importance expands beyond college campuses and into our everyday lives. Thus, we must be open to new perspectives and ideas in order to refine our own.
… More Ep. 9: The Campus Free Speech Act Part Two

Teens starting School Later

Ep. 7: Giving Teens the Chance to Dream with Irena Keller of Start School Later

June 13, 2017

In today’s episode I talk with Dr. Irena Keller, who has a PhD in Change, Development, and Plasticity from University of California, Berkeley.  She is the leader of Start School Later’s California Chapter and an active supporter of California Senator Anthony Portantino’s Start School Later Bill. We discuss the science of sleep, the benefits of later start times, and the progress of the bill in the California Legislature. … More Ep. 7: Giving Teens the Chance to Dream with Irena Keller of Start School Later