Charlie is America's hardest working grassroots activist who has your inside scoop on the biggest news of the day and what's really going on behind the headlines. The founder of Turning Point USA and one of social media's most engaged personalities, Charlie is on the front lines of America’s culture war, mobilizing hundreds of thousands of students on over 3,500 college and high school campuses across the country, bringing you your daily dose of clarity in a sea of chaos all from his signature no-holds-barred, unapologetically conservative, freedom-loving point of view.
You can also <a href="https://salemnewschannel.com/host/charlie-kirk/">watch Charlie Kirk on Salem News Channel</a>

Wiles's Wild Interview + The Millennial “Lost Generation”

The Charlie Kirk Show

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Susie Wiles Vanity Fair Interview Controversy: White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles gave a controversial interview where she called VP J.D. Vance a "conspiracy theorist" and referred to Elon Musk as an "odd duck" and ketamine user. Wiles claims the article was a "disingenuous, framed hit piece" and suggests significant context was left out. Mark Halperin speculates she may have believed parts were off the record. Despite the controversy, there's strong rallying around Wiles from senators and White House officials, and she's unlikely to lose her job given her effectiveness at restraining and advising Trump.

The "Lost Generation" of Millennials: A viral Compact magazine article documents how young white men, particularly those between 35-45, were systematically excluded from careers in journalism, entertainment, academia, and creative fields starting around 2014 due to DEI initiatives. Statistics show dramatic drops: white men went from 48% to 11.9% of low-level TV writers, Harvard's tenure-track humanities faculty dropped from 39% to 18% white men, and The Atlantic's staff shifted significantly. This exclusion occurred by freezing out entry-level positions rather than removing established workers, derailing an entire generation's career prospects.

Impact of DEI on Marriage and Family Formation: The systematic exclusion of young white men from career pipelines has contributed to collapsed marriage rates, low fertility rates, and delayed home ownership. When an entire demographic can't enter job markets or advance in careers, they can't earn money to start families. This represents roughly 25-30% of young American adults who are statistically more likely to complete college and develop skills, yet were treated as "practical untouchables" in numerous fields.

Trump's Fentanyl Classification: President Trump signed an executive order classifying fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction, noting it kills 200,000-300,000 Americans annually—more than any bomb. This classification likely enables harsher federal terrorism charges for trafficking and manufacturing. The administration is taking a hard line on fentanyl while simultaneously considering loosening marijuana restrictions.

Marijuana Legalization Debate: Trump is considering reclassifying marijuana from Schedule 1 to Schedule 3, which would ease tax burdens, banking limits, and research barriers. Prediction markets show an 88% chance of rescheduling before the end of Trump's term, and he's also considering a Medicare pilot program providing seniors access to CBD. This represents a political opportunity Trump is capitalizing on, despite concerns from conservatives.

Charlie Kirk's Opposition to Marijuana Legalization: Kirk strongly opposed legalizing marijuana, particularly citing harms to young people. He referenced studies showing heavy users are 60% more likely to miss work, 75% more likely to show poor job performance, five times higher risk of psychosis, and an average 8-point IQ drop. After legalization in Colorado, marijuana-related traffic fatalities rose 151% and ER visits for cannabis-induced psychosis tripled. Kirk argued that perception of harm among teenagers fell 20% in legalized states.

Modern Marijuana Potency Concerns: Modern marijuana is significantly more potent than the marijuana of previous generations, making it far more dangerous, particularly for young people with developing brains. Heavy use can lead to mental illness, schizophrenia, and severe addiction. The show hosts emphasize that removing the stigma and legalizing marijuana inevitably increases usage among young people, even if the intent is to only allow adult access.

China's Historical Drug Epidemic Parallel: The discussion drew parallels to China's "century of humiliations" when the world's most powerful country was brought down by widespread opium addiction. The concern is that America is following a similar path by normalizing and legalizing various addictive substances while simultaneously excluding young men from productive careers, essentially offering them drugs, gambling, and video games instead of meaningful work.

J.D. Vance's Response to "Conspiracy Theorist" Label: When asked about Wiles calling him a conspiracy theorist, Vance brilliantly pivoted by saying he only believes in conspiracy theories that are true, citing examples like opposing masking 3-year-olds during COVID and recognizing that the government and media were covering up Joe Biden's inability to do his job. This demonstrated his political talent in turning a potentially damaging statement into an effective talking point.

Brown University Shooting Investigation: Mark Halperin discussed the shooting death of Ella Cook, vice president of the Brown University Republican Club. He noted peculiarities in the case, including that the shooter left after killing two people (unusual behavior) and law enforcement's bumbling investigation despite 800 cameras on campus. Multiple sources told Halperin that the family was informed this may have been a targeted hit, though he couldn't confirm this directly. He highlighted the media double standard if this had occurred on a conservative campus.

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Don’t go broke trying to get rich… Entrepreneurs face so much pressure to grow their companies that it ends up bankrupting them in other areas of life such as their family, faith, and health. The Wealthy Way Podcast highlights other paths to success without sacrificing everything. The host, Ryan Pineda, interviews top experts in business, health, faith, and relationships while sharing his own experiences. Ryan has founded 7 different companies. In addition to that he owns 500+ rental properties, has received 1B+ views on social media, and is a retired pro baseball player. Go to WealthyWay.com to get access to free courses, planner app, blogs, and more. For inquiries email media@ryanpineda.com This podcast was formerly “The Ryan Pineda Show”.

The Holy Grail of Investing: How the World’s Best Reduce Risk by 80%

Wealthy Way

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Don't Lose Money First - The Primary Investment Principle: The world's most successful investors share a counterintuitive focus - their number one priority isn't making more money, it's not losing money. This matters because if an asset drops 50%, you need a 100% gain just to break even, which is extremely difficult and time-consuming. Protection comes before growth for billionaire investors like Warren Buffett, Ray Dalio, and Carl Icahn.

Asset Allocation as the Foundation: The most critical investment decision isn't which specific stock or property to buy, but rather determining your overall philosophy about risk. This means deciding what percentage goes into a "secure bucket" (low-risk, lower-return investments like the turtle in a race) versus a "risk bucket" (high potential upside with possibility of loss). This balance depends on when you need the money, your cash flow beyond expenses, and your personal risk tolerance.

Asymmetrical Risk-Reward Strategy: Elite investors obsess over finding opportunities where they risk the least for the most potential upside. Paul Tudor Jones looks for 5-to-1 opportunities where risking $1 could return $5, meaning he can be wrong four times out of five and still profit. Kyle Bass turned $20 million into $2 billion during the 2008 crisis by finding investments where he could be wrong 13 times and still make money. Richard Branson negotiated with Boeing to return planes after 18 months with no expense if his airline venture failed, eliminating downside risk.

Strategic Diversification Across Multiple Dimensions: True diversification goes beyond owning different stocks or properties - it requires spreading investments across different asset classes, countries, currencies, and timeframes. Every asset class, no matter how successful historically, will eventually reverse and lose 50-70% of its value overnight. Whatever worked for you or your parents (real estate, stocks, etc.) will eventually face a major downturn, making diversification essential for long-term wealth protection.

The Holy Grail: 8-12 Uncorrelated Investments: Ray Dalio discovered that finding 8-12 truly uncorrelated investments reduces risk by 80% while increasing upside potential. This principle is so powerful that billionaires at a JP Morgan conference immediately started taking notes when Dalio shared it. The challenge is that traditional diversification (stocks and bonds) often fails during major crashes, requiring investors to look beyond public markets.

Private Equity's Massive Outperformance: For 35 consecutive years, private equity has outperformed every stock market globally, averaging 14.2% returns versus 9.2% for the S&P 500. This 50% higher annual compounding means $1 million invested 35 years ago would be worth $26 million in the S&P but $139 million in private equity. The wealthiest people in the Fortune 400 made their money in financial services, specifically private equity, not tech or traditional hedge funds.

The Trade-Off: Liquidity for Returns: Private investments (private equity, private credit, private real estate) offer superior returns but require giving up liquidity, typically locking up money for five years. This illiquidity becomes an advantage during market downturns because these investors can buy assets when others are forced to sell, rather than panicking and selling at the bottom like public market investors can do.

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Sound like a tech pro, even if you’re not! Award-winning popular host Kim Komando is your secret weapon.

Kim is in a class all her own. Her widely successful radio show is heard on over 500 stations in the United States and internationally in 175 different countries. Kim has millions of fans who love her down-to-earth, deeply relatable, and easy-to-understand way of talking about consumer tech.

Every episode is loaded with the scoop about the latest gadgets, online security, social media trends, and digital privacy. Kim makes it all entertaining and fun. With a mix of important news, practical advice, and compelling conversations, you can make informed decisions and stay up-to-date with the latest trends in the tech world. 

In the Kim Komando Daily Tech Update Podcast, every episode is loaded with ways to better your tech life. New Kim Komando Daily Tech Update Podcast episodes drop every day, Monday through Sunday.

If you want Kim’s daily longer podcasts, search for Kim Komando Today in your favorite podcast player. 

To learn more about Kim, the things she mentions, or submit a topic or question, drop by www.Komando.com

No, Johnny Depp doesn't need a loan

Kim Komando Daily Tech Update

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Celebrity Impersonation Scams on Social Media: Scammers create fake accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok using the names and photos of celebrities like Johnny Depp. When fans comment on these pages, the scammers slide into their DMs, build a friendship or romance, and eventually ask for money. This tactic exploits a psychological phenomenon called "going under the ether," where victims suspend disbelief because they desperately want the fantasy to be true.

Real-Life Bitcoin Romance Scam Case Study: A 72-year-old caller named Jeffrey from Reno, Nevada, shares his experience of losing over $50,000 to an elaborate romance scam that started in January 2024. The scammer impersonated a professional female golfer on Instagram, moved conversations to encrypted chat rooms (Google Chat and Zanji), and eventually convinced him to invest in Bitcoin with promises of a future life together in Hawaii.

The Mechanics of Cryptocurrency Investment Scams: The scammers employed multiple personas, including "Samantha Connor," who acted as a Bitcoin investment advisor. Jeffrey was instructed to purchase Apple gift cards and use credit cards to send money through Bitcoin and blockchain platforms to an account called "FX Global Export." The fake investment app showed his $50,000 growing to $1.3 million with supposed 30% returns every five days—all completely fabricated.

Severe Financial Consequences: Beyond the initial $50,000 lost to scammers, Jeffrey accumulated approximately $30,000 in credit card debt across his Discover card, bank card, and Reflect card. His cards were cut off after he overextended with cash advances, and interest rates jumped to 29%, leaving him financially devastated at age 72.

Warning Signs and Red Flags: The episode highlights several indicators that should have raised suspicion: a young, wealthy professional athlete wanting to marry a 72-year-old stranger, promises that "age doesn't matter" and "love is love," inability to video chat due to "management," and investment opportunities with impossibly high returns. Even celebrity verification checkmarks on social media can be purchased and aren't necessarily authentic.

Steps to Take After Being Scammed: Kim advises Jeffrey to report the fraud to the FBI and Federal Trade Commission (which he already did), freeze his credit reports, and contact credit card and bank fraud departments to report unauthorized transactions. Even though he technically authorized the purchases at the time, they can still be reported as fraudulent since he was deceived.

Beware of Recovery Scams: Kim strongly warns against searching online for services claiming to recover money lost to romance or crypto scams. These "recovery" services are themselves scams that will take additional money from victims who are already desperate and vulnerable, promising to get their money back in exchange for upfront fees.
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Dave Dameshek sets his gaze on the NFL landscape to analyze, celebrate and - when necessary - offer improvements to America’s true national pastime from a true fan’s perspective. Dave is frequently joined by players, as well as his NFL Network regulars to talk about the game of football and perhaps more importantly, the game called life. On this podcast, nothing is off-limits... Except some stuff.

NFL Fantasy Live: Steelers-Dolphins Recap + Fantasy Playoff Predictions

NFL: The Dave Dameshek Football Program

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Monday Night Football Recap - Steelers vs Dolphins: The hosts recap a cold weather game where Darren Waller continued his excellent season as a waiver wire pickup, delivering solid fantasy production. Kenneth Gainwell had a standout performance with 19.6 fantasy points, including 80 rushing yards and a career-tying seven receptions on seven targets, making him a must-start for playoff lineups. DK Metcalf didn't have huge volume but made the most of his three targets with big plays. Jalen Waddle struggled significantly with fewer than five fantasy points, continuing a troubling trend with less than nine points in three of his last four games, likely due to Tua Tagovailoa's well-documented struggles in cold weather.

Victory Tuesday Celebrations: The hosts celebrated fantasy managers who made smart decisions and squeaked out playoff wins, including someone who started Kyle Pitts after Ferguson was ruled out (resulting in 45 points), another who won because Aaron Rodgers got sacked late putting Boswell out of field goal range, and a manager who correctly started Jackson Dart over another quarterback option.

Semi-Smart Playoff Moves: The panel advises fantasy managers to clean up their benches and pick up handcuff running backs for their starters as insurance heading into the semifinals. They recommend not holding players you'll never start and instead grabbing backups who could become valuable if your starter gets injured. Tyler Algier is highlighted as a smart pickup since he leads the Falcons in goal line carries and faces Arizona's struggling run defense.

Real or Mirage Segment: Isaiah Davis's big game for the Jets is deemed a mirage - his production came in garbage time of a blowout and the Jets offense remains too dysfunctional to trust his backup role. Tony Pollard's recent success (265 yards over two weeks) is real because Tennessee has been staying competitive in games, allowing neutral game scripts that favor the run. George Pickens' recent struggles are a mirage - he remains a top option in Pittsburgh's pass-heavy offense despite tough recent matchups. Michael Pittman Jr.'s fall-off is unfortunately real, with fewer than 30 receiving yards in four of five games, and Philip Rivers' return hasn't helped.

Waiver Wire Hot Sauce Pickups: The Saints defense is recommended as a streaming option against the Jets, who've allowed 50 sacks and score under 20 points per game. JJ McCarthy is highlighted as a quarterback streamer who's scored at least 20 fantasy points in back-to-back games as he finds his rhythm. Jawar Jordan impressed with over 100 yards on 15 carries for Houston but comes with the caveat that the Texans said Woody Marks could have returned if needed. Michael Carter is the top pickup for Arizona's backfield after Bam Knight's injury, facing a Falcons defense that struggles against receiving backs.

Five League Winners for Championship Runs: Marcus Grant identifies five players who can carry fantasy teams through weeks 16-17 to championships. Number five is Darren Waller with elite red zone usage and great matchups against Cincinnati and Tampa Bay. Number four is Juwan Jennings with touchdowns in five of six games and favorable matchups. Number three is Chase Brown, the RB8 since week eight with high target volume. Number two is Travion Henderson, unleashed by Mike Vrabel as the RB5 since week 10. Number one is Saquon Barkley, who despite an underwhelming season is positioned for a strong finish with excellent matchups.

Patrick's Fantasy Therapy Session: Patrick Claybon vents about players who let him down and cost him a playoff spot, including Jameer Gibbs scoring less than 10 points in a high-scoring game, Hunter Henry managing just 2.8 points, and Lad McConkey having only two catches against Kansas City. Adam Rank counsels him to "chill" about each player, noting that Gibbs will likely bounce back as Dan Campbell feeds overlooked players the next week, Hunter Henry faced a terrible matchup against Buffalo, and McConkey has a great upcoming matchup against Dallas.

Week 16 Perfect Lineup Projections: The hosts project their QB1 picks with Jalen Hurts favored against a decimated Commanders defense and Josh Allen as the overall QB1. For running backs, Bijan Robinson is highlighted against Arizona's struggling defense, while James Cook faces a Cleveland run defense that's been vulnerable recently. At wide receiver, Jackson Smith-Njigba leads as Seattle's clear top target in a must-win game, while AJ Brown is projected highly after his recent target volume against Washington's struggling secondary.

Fantasy Weather Forecast: In a comedic weather-themed segment, the hosts provide outlooks on boom-or-bust players. Drake May is projected for 26.4 points against Baltimore despite the tough defense, as the Ravens struggle against deep passes. Trevor Lawrence gets a surprisingly positive 19-point forecast in Denver thanks to his rushing upside despite the strong Broncos defense. David Montgomery is projected poorly (a "rawr" bear noise) as Dan Campbell will likely feature Jameer Gibbs heavily after his down week. Brock Bowers gets a modest projection just over 10 points in a difficult Raiders offensive situation.

Playoff Predict-Off Decisions: The hosts make rapid-fire start/sit calls for week 16. Matthew Stafford gets the nod over Bo Nicks due to his hot streak and Nicks stopping his rushing production. Justin Herbert is preferred over Joe Burrow facing a better matchup against Dallas. Quinshawn Judkins is favored over Tyrone Tracy against Buffalo's vulnerable run defense. Breeze Hall gets the start over Omarion Hampton based on volume. Jameson Williams is chosen over Justin Jefferson due to better recent production and McCarthy's accuracy issues targeting Jefferson. Teddy Rollo McMillan is preferred over Rasheed Rice given Tampa Bay's favorable matchup versus Gardner Minshew throwing to Rice.

Thursday Night Football Preview: The hosts preview the upcoming Rams at Seahawks matchup on Thursday Night Football, highlighting it as Sam Darnold's revenge game and an important contest for both teams' playoff hopes featuring stars like Cooper Kupp and DK Metcalf.

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On the Easy German podcast, we discuss topics from Germany and around the world, explain words and expressions and answer your questions. Members get full transcripts, our exclusive vocabulary helper and bonus content for each episode. Learn more at easygerman.fm

624: Zivile Seenotrettung (mit Dorothee Krämer von Sea-Watch)

Easy German: Learn German with native speakers | Deutsch lernen mit Muttersprachlern

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Sea-Watch's Mission in the Mediterranean: Dorothee Krämer from Sea-Watch Germany discusses the organization's work conducting civilian sea rescue operations in the Mediterranean Sea. Thousands of people die annually attempting to reach Europe by sea, particularly in the area between Libya, Tunisia, Italy, and Malta. Sea-Watch operates rescue ships that respond to distress calls and save people from drowning.

The Situation for Refugees in Libya: Many refugees attempting the Mediterranean crossing depart from Libya, though most are not Libyan nationals themselves. They come from countries like Afghanistan, Iraq, Bangladesh, Somalia, and Palestine. The political situation in Libya makes it an extremely difficult starting point for those fleeing persecution and seeking safety in Europe.

Detention Camps and Human Rights Concerns: Refugees in Libya are held in detention camps where they face severe human rights violations. These facilities operate under problematic conditions, and there are serious concerns about how people are treated while being prevented from leaving Libya and attempting to reach Europe.

European Migration Policy and Institutional Responses: The episode explores how European institutions and policies effectively work to prevent migration from Libya, creating a system that traps people in dangerous situations. This includes various measures and agreements designed to stop people from making the sea crossing.

Sea-Watch's Operational Methods: The organization uses different tools and approaches in their rescue operations, including aircraft for surveillance and monitoring. They coordinate their rescue efforts across different areas of the Mediterranean to locate boats in distress and provide assistance.

Resources for Learning More: The episode references additional materials including a documentary about refugees in Libya, allowing listeners to gain deeper understanding of the complete political situation and the human stories behind the statistics.

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Welcome to the Community College Of Nookie Knowlege!
Sue McGarvie has been the world's top sex educator since the early 90s when she launched her wildly successful Sex With Sue syndicated radio show! 
Each week Sue and co-host John, discuss sex trends, swinging and ethical non monogamy, kink, dating, and more. 

Plus we interview top OnlyFans and PornHub creators, authors, adult toy makers, Dominatrix's, other top spicy podcast hosts, and the very best sex experts and news makers we can find. Time for you get... Turned On!

The Winter Sex Survival Guide

Turned On With Sue And John - The Community College Of Nookie Knowledge

Turned On With Sue And John

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Winter Hormones and Libido Management: December is identified as "low horniness month" due to reduced sunlight affecting vitamin D levels, which directly impacts mood and libido. The solution includes taking 5,000 IU of vitamin D with magnesium glycinate for better absorption, using light therapy lamps or special goggles for 15-20 minutes daily, and checking hormone levels before resorting to antidepressants. High cortisol from holiday stress, combined with excessive alcohol and sugar consumption, further depletes sex drive by spiking blood sugar and temporarily tanking sex hormones.

The Santa Fetish Phenomenon: Many people experience what's called a "Santa fetish," which combines authority figure dynamics, nostalgia, and permission to be naughty into erotic fuel. This isn't a clinical diagnosis but rather a colloquial kink that blends daddy energy, role play, uniforms, and taboo scenarios. The red coat, white beard, and playful "naughty or nice" dynamic create a unique blend of childhood nostalgia mixed with adult sexuality that becomes particularly potent during the holiday season.

Combating Forced Togetherness Fatigue: Constant proximity during the holidays can kill desire by eliminating mystery and merging identities. The recommendation is to create artificial separation through a "functional touch ladder" over several days: starting with hand-holding for 10 minutes, progressing to 20-minute non-sexual massages, then making out without genital contact, then naked cuddling, and finally full intimacy. This rebuilds sexual tension that disappears when couples become roommates.

New Female Libido Medication: A drug called Addyi (flibanserin) has been newly approved for postmenopausal women experiencing low libido. Unlike Viagra, it's not a quick fix but a daily medication taken at bedtime to help boost desire over time. It comes with a significant warning: users cannot consume alcohol while taking it, as the combination can cause dangerously low blood pressure leading to fainting.

Consent Protocols at Lifestyle Events: Swinger events have evolved to prioritize explicit consent, with organizers now requiring participants to watch consent videos before attending. The outdated expectation that attendance equals automatic participation has been replaced with clear communication, code words, exit signals, and understanding that "thanks but no thanks" is always acceptable. The rule is simple: tipsy or drunk consent is not real consent.

Innovative Sex Tech and Tools: Six new products are highlighted including a waterproof Magic Wand for shower use, the LELO F1S V3 which uses AI and sonic wave technology for male pleasure while tracking performance stats, OMG's subscription service (like Duolingo for orgasms) from the Kinsey Institute, a biometric vibrator that tracks orgasms like a Fitbit, a gamified pelvic floor trainer, and the Moxalmed premature ejaculation training program that can increase stamina by an average of seven minutes.

Nude Beach Therapy for Body Image: Research on 6,700 participants shows that social nudity at nude beaches is the number one thing people can do to improve body image. Seeing real bodies with all their imperfections helps recalibrate what "normal" looks like and reduces appearance anxiety during sex. Interestingly, the study found that sexting actually increased body anxiety in both men and women, while in-person social nudity was therapeutic.

Winter Biology and Fertility: From an evolutionary perspective, bodies are biologically primed for reproduction in winter. Testosterone levels in men are up to 25% higher in winter than summer, and morning erections are more common due to changes in REM sleep patterns. The body's natural urge to "nest" and breed during winter means fertility is actually higher, making this an important time for birth control awareness if pregnancy isn't desired.

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WAR ROOM: Pandemic is the first and most comprehensive program to bring the most up to the minute information on the news of the day. Stephen K. Bannon brings medical experts, politicians, business leaders, and those on the front lines for a comprehensive look at the latest news from all and provide their insider insights.

WarRoom Battleground EP 912: Three Giants: Falwell, Dobson, And Robertson

Bannon`s War Room

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The Three Religious Giants Who Saved America: The episode focuses on Jerry Falwell, James Dobson, and Pat Robertson—three evangelical leaders who emerged in the 1970s to combat what they saw as America's moral decline. These men built powerful institutions (Liberty University, Focus on the Family, and Regent University/CBN) that outlived them and were instrumental in mobilizing the religious right to support Ronald Reagan's election.

America's Crisis in the 1970s: Following World War II's victory, America experienced a dramatic cultural shift in the 1960s-70s. The removal of prayer from schools, rise of secularism, sexual promiscuity, and Jimmy Carter's perceived weakness (particularly his abandonment of the Shah of Iran) created what these leaders saw as an existential threat to Christian America. They recognized this as spiritual warfare requiring political engagement.

The Moral Majority's Big Tent Approach: Falwell's "Moral Majority" was revolutionary because while he remained uncompromising in the pulpit on Christian orthodoxy, he welcomed Protestants, Catholics, Jews, Mormons, and Pentecostals to unite around shared moral values. This coalition-building approach was essential to the Reagan Revolution and drew previously "unclubbable" working-class evangelicals and right-to-life Catholics into Republican politics.

From Secular Success to Religious Leadership: Both Dobson and Robertson were successful men of the world before their religious callings—Dobson as a clinical psychologist and Robertson as a Yale-educated lawyer whose father was a prominent Virginia senator. Their worldly experience gave them credibility and understanding of how to engage culture, not just preach from within church walls.

Building Media Empires for the Gospel: These leaders understood media's power to shape hearts and minds. Robertson's 700 Club reached a million viewers daily, Falwell's Old Time Gospel Hour reached 50 million, and Dobson's Focus on the Family radio program had 220 million daily listeners. They leveraged every communication tool available to counter secular messaging.

The Communist Strategy of Internal Rot: Bill Federer explains that after failing to defeat America militarily in World War II, socialist forces pursued Antonio Gramsci's "long march through the institutions." The 45 communist goals entered into the Congressional Record in 1963 explicitly targeted churches, families, marriage, and traditional morality—exactly what these three leaders rose to defend.

Courage Over Consensus: All three men were viciously attacked by mainstream media and secular culture but didn't care about public opinion because of their relationship with Christ. Federer notes that only when filled with the Holy Spirit do people stop caring what others think and focus solely on pleasing God—exemplified by Peter's transformation from denial to bold proclamation.

The Islamic Conquest Pattern: Federer's book on Islam describes a three-step process used historically: immigrate as religious refugees, organize in minority neighborhoods and get involved in politics, then through violence and intimidation cause original inhabitants to flee. He traces this 1400-year pattern that eliminated Christianity from North Africa, Egypt, Syria, and the Byzantine Empire.

America's Christian Founding Often Forgotten: Different Christian denominations founded different American colonies—Virginia (Anglican), Massachusetts (Puritan), Rhode Island (Baptist), Maryland (Catholic)—meaning churches literally founded cities and were inherently involved in politics. The idea that being "spiritual" means withdrawing from politics only emerged in the 1700s Great Awakening.

The Battle for the Next Generation's Minds: The core struggle is who gets to "load the software" on young people's brains. If Christians don't engage with modern technology and social media where kids are, secular forces will fill those minds with transgender ideology and other confusing messages. Today's Joel Osteen reaches 20 million but needs to "toughen up" his message.

Christians Still Have Enormous Power: Despite cultural decline, Christians comprise 60-70% of Americans and 70% of consumer spending. Studies show Christian media reaches 90 million people monthly. The problem isn't lack of numbers or resources but lack of pastoral leadership willing to guide people into cultural and political engagement.

The Midterm Elections Are Critical: The episode repeatedly emphasizes that midterms will determine whether Trump-era gains are preserved or wiped out. Just as Falwell delivered the evangelical vote for Reagan, today's religious leaders must mobilize their followers for upcoming elections, making "midterms, midterms, midterms" the current rallying cry.

Christmas Etiquette and Tradition: Kelly Yates provides practical holiday hosting advice including sending invitations two weeks early with dress codes and end times, using proper china and crystal instead of paper napkins, keeping centerpieces below eye level, and being careful with mistletoe traditions. Most importantly, she emphasizes saying "Merry Christmas" not "Happy Holidays" because the truth shouldn't be shamed.
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A roundup of the most compelling market action each trading day at the closing bell from Investor's Business Daily.

S&P 500 Holds Key Support; Twilio, Universal Health, Palantir  In Focus

Stock Market Today With IBD

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Mixed Market Action with Key Indexes at Inflection Points: The major indexes showed divergent performance on Tuesday, with the NASDAQ up 0.2%, while the S&P 500, Dow, and small caps all declined. The NASDAQ briefly touched but failed to hold above its 50-day moving average, while the S&P 500 held that key support level but fell below its 21-day line. Markets are in flux, where just one or two good days could push indexes to record highs, or one or two bad days could send them all below their 50-day lines.

November Jobs Report Delivered Conflicting Signals: The delayed November jobs report showed stronger-than-expected payroll additions, but the unemployment rate jumped to its highest level since 2021. Fed Chair Powell expressed skepticism about the payroll numbers due to complications from the government shutdown timing. The mixed data is unlikely to significantly alter Fed policy expectations, with more regular data expected in coming months to provide clearer direction.

Market Breadth Remained Weak Despite NASDAQ Gains: Tesla was a major contributor to the NASDAQ's positive performance, along with marginal gains in some mega-cap stocks. However, breadth was poor with more declining stocks than advancing stocks. The equal-weighted RSP index fell more than the cap-weighted S&P 500, indicating weakness beyond the largest companies. Health insurers and energy stocks were particularly weak, with crude oil hitting four-year lows and natural gas plunging.

Divided Market Conditions Require Cautious Approach: The current market environment resembles "Batman's two-face" - unstable and capable of quickly turning in either direction. Investors should be quick to exit positions if trades don't work, especially given recent failed breakouts. High-beta AI stocks have been particularly damaged, with many trading 10-15% or more below their 50-day lines. Risk management and knowing stop-loss rules are critical in this environment.

Twilio Breaking Out Above Buy Point: Twilio advanced 2.7% and peaked above a 138.19 buy point, closing just below that level. The stock showed a pseudo-handle formation and displayed relative strength after gapping up on earnings. Tuesday's volume was the heaviest since that earnings gap-up, a positive technical sign. Revenue growth has been slowly improving over recent quarters, making it an attractive setup.

Universal Health Services Pulling Back to 50-Day Line: UHS declined 0.6% and is testing its 50-day moving average for the first or second time after a significant run. This represents a potential add point if the stock shows a strong bounce off support and breaks above its 21-day line. The stock could be forming a handle to a larger base pattern. Healthcare subsidy policy uncertainties exist but didn't seem to affect hospitals like they did health insurers.

Palantir Holding Key Support While Other AI Names Falter: Palantir gained 2.5% and bounced off its 50-day line, technically back near a prior buy point of 185.75. The stock could be forming a handle in a new consolidation pattern that may need just one or two more days to qualify. While the stock shows relative strength compared to other AI names that are well below their 50-day lines, its recent bounce occurred mostly on light volume, which is a concern. Investors should watch for volume confirmation on any breakout move.

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The Techdirt Podcast, hosted by Michael Masnick.

Could News Publishers Embrace AI Via An API

Techdirt

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The Antagonistic Relationship Between News and AI: The journalism industry has largely taken an adversarial stance toward AI, with major outlets like the New York Times suing companies like OpenAI and Perplexity. Most deals being struck involve big AI companies paying off major media organizations not to sue them, leaving smaller publishers without any such opportunities. Meanwhile, reputable news sites are blocking an average of 15.5 AI agents while misinformation sites block less than one, making quality journalism increasingly invisible to AI-powered information systems.

Jeff Jarvis's API for News Concept: Rather than fighting AI through litigation and blocking crawlers, Jarvis proposes that news organizations should create APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) that make their content easily accessible to AI systems. This would allow smaller and independent news organizations to leapfrog larger publishers who are busy suing, positioning themselves as preferred sources for AI companies that need credible, structured information.

Training vs. Usage: Where the Real Value Lies: Both Jarvis and Masnick agree that the anthropic decision treating AI training as fair use was correct, and there's no significant money to be made from training data. AI models are already trained and will use synthetic data in the future. Instead, news organizations should focus on per-use payments when their content is actively cited or linked to in AI responses, though these payments will likely be minimal.

European Publishers Leading the Way: Companies like Schibsted in Norway are taking progressive approaches, contributing content to create Norwegian language models, implementing audio versions of stories, and building internal AI tools for journalists. Norway's publishers came together to create a native language LLM using Mistral as a base, with government support providing digitized library content. Similar cooperative efforts are emerging in Germany, Austria, and other European countries.

The Discovery Problem for News Organizations: Research shows ChatGPT includes proportionally double the links to reputable media brands compared to Google search, while including nothing from social media. News organizations blocking AI are making themselves invisible to where their audience is going, effectively ceding the future information ecosystem to brands and misinformation sites that embrace AI access.

Practical Applications Beyond Story Generation: Jarvis argues news organizations should think of journalists as data gatherers, not just story writers. For example, local papers should collect every restaurant menu in their market and make it queryable through AI, creating valuable structured data that becomes the go-to source for specific information in their coverage area rather than just producing traditional articles.

The Agent Space and New Protocols: A new "agent space" is emerging where AI agents will communicate with each other through protocols like MCP (Model Context Protocol), which Anthropic donated to the new Agentic AI Foundation. This creates opportunities for a "shadow web" built specifically for machine consumption, with structured data that's friendly to AI crawlers and agents rather than designed for human viewing.

Robots.txt and User-Directed Queries: While robots.txt has worked as a voluntary system for decades, it's breaking down at the edges with AI. Most major AI companies respect robots.txt for training purposes, but questions arise around user-directed queries—when someone asks ChatGPT to summarize a specific article, is that the AI company crawling or the user directing their browser? This creates friction for legitimate uses like Masnick's editing process where he uses AI to check his work against source articles.

The Flawed Collection Society Model: Various middleman companies are trying to create collection systems for AI payments to news organizations, but Jarvis worries about the history of collection societies becoming corrupt. He points to the failed New Century Network from the late 1990s, where newspaper publishers came together to enable content sharing but collapsed when half rejected outside investment from KKR, missing an opportunity to create something like AOL.

Link Taxes and the Balkanization of the Web: The EU's antitrust investigation into Google's AI use essentially argues that linking to content requires permission and compensation, which would fundamentally break the web's architecture. This echoes failed link tax laws in various jurisdictions. Australia's approach has evolved to requiring social media companies to pay news organizations even if they ban news content entirely—essentially a tax that the government refuses to call a tax.

News Organizations Must Reckon With Their Public Responsibility: Jarvis argues that journalism has made itself increasingly inaccessible—hidden behind paywalls, lawsuits, protectionist legislation, and now AI blocking. News organizations need to consider their responsibility to serve the public where that public actually is, which increasingly means through AI interfaces rather than just destination websites.

The Need for Collective Action and Proof of Concept: Jarvis envisions groups like New Jersey's Center for Cooperative Media, which is creating a content-sharing network for local publishers, as potential models for collective negotiation with AI companies. Academic publishers could similarly band together as they share common needs around citation and responsible use. These smaller coalitions could prove the concept while big publishers remain tied up in litigation.

Creating Communities of Practice: Rather than emotional reactions of "they're robbing us," news organizations need smarter conversations about AI. Jarvis proposes bringing European innovators to the U.S. to demonstrate productive approaches, and creating a community of practice for responsible AI executives in news media to share knowledge and develop alternative strategies away from the courtroom battles.

Rethinking the Destination Strategy: The fundamental question facing journalism is whether destination websites are becoming obsolete as people increasingly use AI and agents to get information. If so, complaining that AI companies "owe us" won't help any more than it did during the transition to the web. News organizations need to fundamentally reconsider their business models and how they create value in an AI-mediated information ecosystem.

</answer>

The podcast authority for serious players of NFL fantasy. Whether you're grinding in the DFS trenches, building a home league champion, or looking to master the dynasty format, this show offers best-in-class fantasy analysis you won't hear anywhere else. Leading the charge is FantasyLabs and Action Network senior editor and host Chris Raybon, a top-ranked NFL expert and one of the most exciting and well-respected voices in the NFL fantasy space. He's joined by "The Oddsmaker," Sean Koerner, the Action Network's Director of Predictive Analytics and a godfather figure in the ranks of fantasy football. He's been recognized by FantasyPros as their #1 ranked NFL expert three times, and has been awarded most accurate NFL player projections four times by the Fantasy Sports Trade Association. When it comes to fantasy coverage from FantasyLabs, nobody does it better. To access Cris and Sean's 2024 NFL Draft Kit, click here and use code FLEX20 to receive $20 off!<hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Fantasy Waivers | NFL Week 16

Fantasy Flex

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Quarterback Streaming Options for Week 16: CJ Stroud is a recommended QB streamer available as QB13 in most leagues, facing the Raiders at home where the Texans are 14-point favorites with the third-highest team total of the week. While there's concern about potential garbage time run-heavy game script, Stroud has proven he can produce even in blowouts with deep shots to Nico Collins.

Spencer Rattler Emerging as High-Upside QB Option: Tyler Shook (Spencer Rattler) is positioned as a higher ceiling play than Stroud, consistently running the ball with eight carries for 32 yards last week while finishing as QB16. He's essentially taken over Taysom Hill's rushing role in the offense and faces a Jets defense that just surrendered five passing touchdowns and 330 yards to Trevor Lawrence, making him a strong streaming candidate.

Running Back Waiver Wire Led by Injury Replacements: Michael Carter could be a workhorse back for the Cardinals if Trey Benson remains out after being carted off with an ankle injury. Blake Corum continues to be must-add territory (available in 60% of leagues) as he's effectively splitting work with Kyren Williams and looks excellent, with particularly favorable matchup next week against the Falcons.

Jahoor Jordan as Potential League Winner: The Browns practice squad callup impressed with over 100 rushing yards after Woody Marks got hurt, and with both Nick Chubb struggling and Marks potentially out, Jordan could become the lead back. The hosts recommend aggressive bidding (potentially one-third of remaining FAAB) as the Browns face the Raiders as two-touchdown favorites, creating a prime opportunity for rushing volume.

Wide Receiver Breakout Candidates: Luther Burden is a must-add available in 83% of leagues after catching six balls for 84 yards in just a half of action before leaving with an ankle injury. He passes the eye test on film and could have ceiling weeks, especially if Roma Dunze remains week-to-week. Jayden Reed is also recommended in 60% of leagues, particularly if Christian Watson misses time with a shoulder/chest injury.

Tight End Streaming Goldmine: Colby Parkinson tops the tight end adds after posting five catches, 75 yards, and two touchdowns against the Lions. With Davante Adams likely out, Parkinson's target share should increase. Jakobi Meyers was also mentioned as still being the Jets' number one receiver. Other recommended tight ends include Hunter Henry (going against Cincinnati's historically bad tight end defense) and Darren Waller.

Defense and Kicker Streaming Strategy: The Saints defense ranks as a top-five play against the struggling Jets offense and Brady Cook, who has thrown five interceptions in two games. For kicker, Eddie Pineiro is recommended as widely available (83% of leagues) with the 49ers playing indoors at Indianapolis, avoiding weather concerns that plague many Week 16 outdoor games.

Weather Considerations Impacting Week 16 Decisions: Multiple outdoor games have weather concerns for Week 16, making indoor options more attractive. This affects kicker streaming in particular, with many typically reliable options facing rain or wind conditions. The hosts recommend checking updated rankings as weather forecasts solidify throughout the week.
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Every weekday, NPR's best political reporters are there to explain the big news coming out of Washington and the campaign trail. They don't just tell you what happened. They tell you why it matters. Every afternoon. Political wonks - get wonkier with The NPR Politics Podcast+. Your subscription supports the podcast and unlocks a sponsor-free feed. Learn more at plus.npr.org/politics

Year In Review: Trump's Foreign Policy

The NPR Politics Podcast

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Trump's Claim of Ending Eight Wars: President Trump claims to have solved eight wars, but this is a significant exaggeration. While there have been some diplomatic successes, many of these were small-scale skirmishes, border tensions, or diplomatic disputes with no actual shooting. In several cases, negotiations were already underway before Trump took office. The administration has achieved some ceasefires, such as between India and Pakistan, but fundamental differences remain unresolved.

Administration's Focus on Peace Deals Over Details: Trump demonstrates strong interest in pursuing peace agreements across various conflicts that historically haven't received much White House attention. However, his approach prioritizes announcing peace deals over working through the details or ensuring lasting agreements. This pattern reflects his desire for dealmaking victories, including his pursuit of a Nobel Peace Prize, for which FIFA Chief Gianni Infantino created a new "FIFA Peace Prize" to honor Trump.

Ukraine War Remains Unresolved Despite Early Promises: Trump predicted he could end the Ukraine war "in a day," but the conflict continues with little progress after a year. The administration has applied virtually all pressure on Ukraine to give up significant territory (about 20% of its land) without clear concessions from Russia in return. Trump has reversed positions multiple times and now appears more aligned with Russia, while his administration has stopped funding Ukraine and pushed European nations to take the lead.

Rejection of Traditional U.S. Foreign Policy and Multilateralism: The administration's approach represents a departure from the post-World War II international order and American-led multilateralism. Trump's national security strategy document is scathing toward Europe, calling it "fading into irrelevance," while being surprisingly soft on Russia and China. Traditional U.S. allies are angry or disappointed, while rivals like Russia and China appear pleased with Trump's positions.

Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Achievement with Uncertain Future: The U.S. led negotiations and achieved a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, with significant American intervention including providing political cover for Israel during the war and ultimately forcing Israel's hand to accept the deal. However, strikes continue, and the difficult work of establishing governance, rebuilding Gaza, creating a security force, and negotiating a lasting political settlement remains unaddressed. The ceasefire represents step one, with much harder steps ahead.

Contradictory Military Actions Despite Non-Interventionist Rhetoric: Despite campaigning on reducing U.S. military intervention, Trump has shown surprising willingness to use military force, including bombing Iran, the Houthis in Yemen, and suspected drug trafficking boats in the Caribbean. However, he has relied on airstrikes and bombing missions that can be quickly turned on or off rather than putting troops on the ground, representing a more limited but active military approach.

Spheres of Influence Strategy Replacing Global Leadership: Trump appears to be dividing the world into spheres of influence, with Russia, China, and the United States each having their own zones. The administration has increased focus on the Western Hemisphere, invoking the "Trump corollary to the Monroe Doctrine" to assert U.S. dominance in Latin America. This represents a dramatic shift from the U.S. approach since World War II of maintaining global leadership and involvement.

Venezuela as Key Test of Intervention Policy: The administration has ordered strikes on more than 80 suspected narco-trafficking boats in the Caribbean and Pacific, killing many people. However, this appears to be about more than drug interdiction—regime change in Venezuela seems to be the actual goal. This represents unfinished business from Trump's first term when he attempted to remove Nicolas Maduro. The large U.S. military presence in the region suggests something significant may happen, as the military cannot maintain this heightened alert indefinitely.

Foreign Policy as Leverage Tool: Trump uses foreign policy issues—particularly tariffs and immigration—as leverage to advance U.S. interests and his campaign promises. Countries wanting something from the United States must give Trump what he wants, whether that's accepting deported immigrants or accepting trade terms. This transactional approach has effectively served his policy goals but has also strained traditional alliances.

Tensions Between Campaign Promises and Actions: There's a growing contradiction between Trump's campaign rhetoric about avoiding foreign intervention and his administration's actual interventionist actions. As the 2026 midterm elections approach, pressure from his MAGA base to reduce foreign involvement may increase, potentially forcing Trump to choose between his foreign policy ambitions and domestic political considerations.

</answer>

Matthew Berry is on the Mt. Rushmore of fantasy football analysts. His new daily show will continue what he does best: rankings, waiver wire advice, who to start, who to sit, and his popular love/hate analysis. Make sure to check out the video version on Peacock and on the NFL on NBC YouTube Channel.

Week 16 Waiver Wire: J.J. McCarthy, Michael Carter, Colby Parkinson headline top targets

Fantasy Football Happy Hour with Matthew Berry

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Keanu Reeves Broadway Performance Discussion: The episode opens with Jay Croucher discussing his experience seeing Keanu Reeves perform in "Waiting for Godot" on Broadway with Alex Winter (his Bill & Ted co-star). The hosts debate Reeves' acting abilities, agreeing he's universally beloved but not technically a great actor, while noting his memorable roles in The Matrix, John Wick, and Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure.

Quarterback Waiver Wire Options: C.J. Stroud leads the QB recommendations at 52% availability, facing the Raiders who have allowed the highest passer rating since week 11. J.J. McCarthy is discussed as a streaming option against the Giants, with the hosts noting he looks more in control and the Vikings appear committed to letting him throw more to evaluate him for the future. Tyler Shough is highlighted as a compelling option against the Jets, with the Saints potentially winning out their final three games.

Blake Corum's Surprising Availability: The hosts are shocked that Corum remains 60% available despite playing 46% of snaps and getting consistent red zone work alongside Kyren Williams. He's scored four rushing touchdowns in the past three games and has favorable upcoming matchups against Atlanta and potentially Arizona if the Rams rest starters after clinching.

Cardinals Backfield Uncertainty: With James Conner (Bam Knight) unlikely to play, the Cardinals backfield becomes a desperate option between Michael Carter and Emari Demercado. The hosts reluctantly recommend Carter based on workload, calling it "a game where everyone loses."

Jaden Daniels Shutdown Discussion: The Commanders officially shut down Jaden Daniels for the season, with Matthew Berry defending his earlier position that this was the right move. The hosts debate whether the RG3 injury history creates PTSD around mobile rookie quarterbacks for Washington, though they note Daniels is a much better pocket passer than RG3 was.

Coaching and Context Matter More Than Talent: The hosts have an extended discussion about how coaching, scheme, and team context dramatically impact player success. They use examples like Patrick Mahomes with Andy Reid, Bo Nix with Sean Payton, and various running backs to illustrate that draft rankings can miss due to unpredictable situational factors.

Insurance Running Backs Are Critical: Given the playoff timing and injury concerns, the hosts emphasize handcuffing workhorse running backs. They specifically highlight Blake Corum behind Kyren Williams, and discuss various other backup situations where injuries could create immediate fantasy relevance.

Tight End Streaming Options: Dalton Schultz continues to be recommended despite being only 51% rostered, ranking as the ninth-best fantasy tight end since week 5 based purely on volume. Colby Parkinson gets highlighted for a favorable matchup against Seattle, who allow the most receptions and yards to tight ends after Cincinnati.

Jaden Reed's Opportunity: With Christian Watson leaving the game with a chest injury, Reed becomes the most appealing Packers pass catcher at 59% availability. He faces the Bears, who allow the most touchdowns to slot receivers, though the hosts acknowledge the inherent volatility of Green Bay's receiver rotation.

Monday Night Steelers-Dolphins Recap: The hosts discuss the frustrating Arthur Smith game plan that saw tight ends John O. Smith and Connor Hayward score touchdowns while Jaylen Warren got stuffed on goal-line carries. Kenneth Gainwell has been the RB8 since week 11, and the hosts will rank him ahead of Warren going forward despite Warren being the more talented player.

Aaron Rodgers' Bizarre Tush Push Participation: The hosts question why Aaron Rodgers remains on the field during tush push situations, standing uselessly in the backfield instead of having a tight end push the pile. They theorize he simply doesn't want to run on and off the field.

Jalen Waddle's Cold Weather Struggles: Waddle managed only single-digit fantasy points in another poor performance, now without a game over 52 receiving yards since week 10. The hosts note he's 0-6 in games under 40 degrees and discuss whether D.J. Turner's strong coverage for the Bengals could limit him in their upcoming matchup.

Weekend of High-Stakes Games: The hosts preview an exceptional Week 16 slate including Rams-Seahawks on Thursday night, Packers-Bears on Saturday, Ravens-Patriots on Sunday night, and Colts-49ers on Monday night, with multiple division races and playoff spots on the line.

Early Week Betting Picks: In Last Call, Jay takes Saints minus-4.5 against the Jets, crediting Tyler Shough's strong play and the Saints' improved defense. Matthew takes the over 44.5 in Vikings-Giants, expecting both offenses to perform, and over 37.5 in Chiefs-Titans, believing Gardner Minshew with a full week of preparation makes that total too low.

</answer>

The pace of change the podcast industry is undergoing is staggering. The implications for podcasters, hosting providers, podcast listening app developers, and advertisers and agencies are enormous. And so is the growth potential. Presented as a companion to the weekly newsletter of the same name, our podcast provides you with direct access to our narrated articles, interviews with industry experts, bleeding-edge research, and can't miss industry news recaps. That Sounds Profitable, right? Assumptions and conventional wisdom will be challenged. Easy answers with no proof of efficacy will be exposed. Because the thinking that got podcast advertising close to a billion dollars annually will need to be drastically overhauled to bring in the tens or hundreds of billions of dollars podcast advertising deserves.

Indie Agencies on Audio, Podcasting's Liquid Content Era, & More

Sounds Profitable

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2026 Digital Ad Spend Forecasts Show Moderate Growth: Industry forecasts predict U.S. ad spend will grow 6.6% in 2026 (excluding political advertising), according to Madison and Wall. Programmatic ad spend performed better than expected in the current year, showing moderation in growth rather than the anticipated downturn. Nearly half of surveyed marketers (48%) plan to increase media budgets, with digital video and CTV being priority investment areas.

Independent Agencies Driving Audio and Podcast Ad Spend: Smaller, more agile indie agencies are becoming increasingly influential in directing brands toward podcasting and streaming audio campaigns. Sirius XM Media reports a significant increase in indie-driven ad spend with substantial room for future growth. Brands like 1-800-Contacts are incorporating podcasts and streaming audio into their 2026 media strategies, reflecting this shift in agency influence.

Podcasting Enters the "Liquid Content" Era: Stephen Goldstein identifies podcasting's fourth era as "liquid content," where podcasts are no longer confined to a specific format but have become a form of storytelling that adapts to different contexts while maintaining its core meaning. This represents an evolution from previous eras including the direct-to-consumer "Meundies era" and the more recent audio-versus-video format debates.

iHeartMedia and Netflix Partnership Confirmed: iHeartMedia is bringing approximately 15 podcasts to video exclusivity on Netflix in early 2026, including high-profile shows like The Breakfast Club and My Favorite Murder. Additional shows will be announced subsequently, marking a significant move toward video podcast distribution on streaming platforms.

Industry Personnel and Company Updates: Broadcast Media has rebranded as Next Audio with a new URL. Thomas Mancusi has been appointed Chief Revenue Officer of Daylight Media, representing notable personnel movement in the podcasting business landscape.
</answer>

Each weekday, Dana Bash and a panel of well-sourced reporters bring you the most important political stories of the day. On the weekend, Manu Raju kicks off CNN's Sunday morning political programming with Inside Politics Sunday. Dana and Manu get answers from the people making headlines, explain the political stories that matter, and report on how the news will impact you.

Shock, Confusion over Wiles Interview

CNN Inside Politics

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Susie Wiles' Explosive Vanity Fair Interview Creates Shockwaves: White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, known for avoiding the spotlight and being exceptionally strategic and loyal, granted 11 interviews over a year to Vanity Fair that resulted in an extraordinarily candid two-part series. The revelations shocked Trump World, with one ally describing the reaction as "everyone is shocked and confused." Wiles later claimed the article was "a disingenuously framed hit piece," though she notably never denied making the statements attributed to her, which were recorded on tape.

Stunning Characterizations of Trump Inner Circle: Wiles made several jaw-dropping assessments of key figures, describing President Trump as having "an alcoholic's personality" (despite his well-known sobriety), Vice President Vance's MAGA conversion as "sort of political," and Elon Musk as an "avowed ketamine user" who sleeps in a sleeping bag in the executive office building during the day. She also called budget director Russ Vought a "right wing zealot," though he subsequently expressed full support for her.

Behind-the-Scenes Epstein File Debacle Revealed: Wiles provided detailed accounts of the administration's mishandling of the Jeffrey Epstein files release, saying Attorney General Pam Bondi "completely whiffed" by giving influencers "binders full of nothingness." She revealed that Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche's decision to interview Ghislaine Maxwell in prison and release recordings was done without the President's knowledge, and that Trump was "mighty unhappy" about it. She also stated there's no evidence Bill Clinton visited Epstein's island and that "the President was wrong about that."

New MAGA Coalition Strategy Exposed: Wiles discussed the political calculation behind the Epstein files interest, identifying that the people most interested are "the Joe Rogan listeners" and those "new to our world" rather than the traditional MAGA base. She emphasized her focus on ensuring these voters become "Republican voters" not just "Trump voters," revealing strategic thinking about maintaining the coalition beyond Trump's time on the ballot.

Venezuela Policy and Regime Change Admission: On foreign policy, Wiles stated that Trump "wants to keep on blowing boats up until Maduro cries uncle," adding "AKA regime change." This confirmation of what had been speculation about the administration's Venezuela strategy represents the kind of "saying the quiet part out loud" that characterized much of her interview, revealing internal thinking that the White House wasn't publicly acknowledging.

Retribution Tour With Deadline: Wiles admitted she told Trump the "score settling will end before the first 90 days," describing it as a "loose agreement." When asked specifically about accusing New York Attorney General Letitia James of mortgage fraud, Wiles responded "that might be the one" exception to ending retribution. The 90-day deadline has long since passed, with the retribution agenda continuing.

Trump World Rallies Around Wiles Despite Controversy: Despite the explosive nature of the revelations, Trump's inner circle immediately circled the wagons to support Wiles. Press Secretary Caroline Levitt, Russ Vought (despite being called a "right wing zealot"), and Vice President Vance all expressed support. Vance addressed the controversy publicly, saying he's "never seen anything other than loyalty from Susie Wiles" and joked that he's only a "conspiracy theorist" about "conspiracy theories that are true."

Trump's Reprehensible Response to Rob Reiner Murders: President Trump faced rare pushback from his own party after making the murders of director Rob Reiner and his wife Michelle about politics, calling Reiner "deranged" and saying he "was very bad for our country." The criticism was notable because it came from typically non-combative Republicans like Oklahoma Rep. Stephanie Bice, suggesting growing willingness within the party to challenge Trump on particularly offensive statements.

Economy Grading Becomes Political Liability: Vice President Vance traveled to Pennsylvania to sell the administration's economic message, giving the economy an "A" grade when asked—the same grade Trump had given. This occurred the same day unemployment hit a four-year high at 7.8 million. Democratic operatives noted this grading could become devastating ad material, especially as polling shows Americans remain deeply concerned about inflation and cost of living, with 44% naming it their top economic concern.

Democratic Advantage on Economic Trust Emerging: New polling shows a dramatic reversal from a year ago, with 53% of Americans now trusting Democrats more on rising prices versus 47% for Republicans. This flip is particularly significant because economic concerns—specifically inflation and cost of living—were the primary reason Trump won the election, making the erosion of trust on this issue potentially damaging for the administration's political standing.

Tariffs Connected to Higher Prices in Voter Minds: After "Liberation Day" in April when Trump announced major tariffs (which Wiles reportedly disagreed with in terms of execution), Democratic and some Republican strategists report that focus groups show voters directly connecting tariffs to higher prices. This association persists even as some tariffs have been rolled back, creating a lasting political problem for the administration on its signature trade policy.

Brown University Shooting Investigation Develops New Leads: Four days after a shooting at Brown University killed two and injured nine, investigators released video of a person of interest near the scene. The suspect, described as about 5'8" with a stocky build and a slight limp, was captured on video before and after the attack. The case is unusual because unlike typical school shootings, there's no clear motive or message, and the shooter deliberately planned an escape rather than seeking to be caught or killed.

Australia Terror Attack Reveals ISIS Connection and Heroes: New dashcam footage from the anti-Semitic terror attack at Bondi Beach showed additional heroes confronting the shooter, including 69-year-old Boris Gurman and his wife Sofia, who were tragically the first victims. Investigators found an ISIS flag taped to the suspect's car window and are investigating whether the father-son attackers received military-style training with ISIS militants in the southern Philippines just a month before the attack. The rampage killed 15 people ranging from age 10 to 87, including a Holocaust survivor.

</answer>

Business Superfans® Podcast — Growth Strategies That Drive Profits & Loyalty

Hosted by Frederick Dudek (Freddy D)—bestselling author of Creating Business Superfans® and global growth strategist—this podcast delivers actionable playbooks, AI-enhanced tools, and real-world frameworks to help small and mid-sized businesses scale with loyalty, innovation, and profit.

Each episode reveals how to:

- Attract the right clients using sales and marketing frameworks built for clarity and growth
- Lead through culture-first strategy and HR practices that fuel engagement
- Scale revenue with data-driven finance tactics and purpose-built SaaS tools
- Delight customers and amplify word-of-mouth through experience-rich storytelling
- Leverage AI to automate, personalize, and accelerate your business outcomes

You’ll hear from:
- Founders & CEOs building values-based companies
- Leaders in sales, finance, and customer experience delivering tangible results
- Culture architects turning teams into high-performing brand evangelists
- SaaS and AI innovators redefining stakeholder engagement and automation
- Whether you're running an SMB or accelerating enterprise growth, you'll leave every episode  with immedi­ate, implementable insights to boost loyalty, earnings, and brand impact.

🗓 New episodes every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, plus shorts and live Q&As for on-the-go learning.

Subscribe now and transform each stakeholder—client, customer, employee—into a Superfan. Dive deeper with show notes, free tools, and community access at FrederickDudek.com.

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: 

OP3 - https://op3.dev/privacy
Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp
Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

Hourly Worker Incentives: How Michael Fortinberry Uses Performance Pay to Change Behavior | Ep. 172

Business Superfans

Business Superfans®: The Service Providers Edge

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The Fundamental Problem with Hourly Pay Structures: Traditional hourly pay inherently misaligns incentives between owners and workers. When employees are paid by the hour, they're motivated to maximize hours (including overtime) rather than productivity or quality. This creates a disconnect where the metric workers care about—time—is often contrary to what drives business profitability. Half the U.S. workforce is paid this way, yet few companies address this structural problem.

Simple, Transparent, and Frequent Incentives Drive Behavior Change: For hourly workers to embrace performance-based compensation, three elements are critical: simplicity (easy to understand calculations), transparency (visible real-time tracking of performance), and frequency (weekly or bi-weekly payouts, not annual). Annual or quarterly bonuses don't motivate blue-collar workers who focus on their Friday paycheck. Complex formulas breed distrust and fail to change daily behavior.

Turning Labor Budgets into "Their Money" Creates Ownership Mindset: The breakthrough happens when crews begin viewing the labor budget as their own money rather than the company's. When workers understand that beating the budget puts cash directly in their pocket, they suddenly care about quality, efficiency, and avoiding rework. As one carpenter said on video: "This changed the way I look at quality because it costs me too much money to come back."

Peer Accountability Emerges Naturally with Shared Incentives: When bonuses are tied to team performance, crew members start holding each other accountable in ways management cannot. Workers will call out teammates who are lazy, waste time, or cut corners because it directly impacts everyone's earnings. This peer pressure is more effective than top-down management and creates a self-regulating culture of excellence.

The Protiv Platform Gamifies Labor Budgets: Michael's software integrates with existing estimating and time-tracking systems to pull in labor budgets and actual hours worked. Crews see their progress on a mobile app with calculators showing potential bonuses, creating a "scoreboard" effect. The platform ranks workers on efficiency and productivity, issues badges for top performers, and makes the entire process transparent and engaging rather than punitive.

Financial Literacy is Essential for Cultural Transformation: Implementing performance pay isn't just a software deployment—it requires raising the financial literacy of crew leads and workers. They need to understand how budgets work, how hours translate to costs, and how quality issues impact profitability. Owners must invest time teaching their teams basic business economics for the system to succeed.

Company Culture Must Be Authentic to Who You Are: Culture can't be faked or copied from someone else's playbook. Whether you're disciplined and results-focused or collaborative and flexible, your culture must authentically reflect your values as a leader. Sustainable culture comes from being genuine about who you are and what you believe, then consistently living those values with your team.

Employees Should Come Before Customers: The traditional "customer first" mantra should be replaced with "people first." When you take care of your employees, they take care of the product or service quality, which then takes care of customers. This cascading effect creates stronger outcomes than directly prioritizing customers while neglecting your team's needs and development.

Recognition Must Happen Within Five Days: If an employee doesn't hear something positive about their work within one business week, their perception of the job begins to degrade. This degradation compounds quickly, leading to disengagement and eventually turnover. Regular, frequent recognition is not optional—it's a critical retention and motivation tool.

Real-World Results: 7% Bottom-Line Improvement: One industrial painting company using Protiv's system achieved a 7-percentage-point increase in net profitability without changing anything else in their business. The productivity gains came from better labor utilization, allowing them to sell more work with existing crews while reducing labor costs relative to revenue—all flowing straight to the bottom line.

Answering Your Phone is a Competitive Advantage: In the contracting world, there are only "two and a half things" that make companies successful: mastering your numbers, building strong company culture, and answering your phone. The latter may seem trivial, but many contractors fail at this basic task, creating an easy competitive advantage for those who simply pick up when clients or vendors call.

The Trades Offer Faster Path to Wealth Than College: In the emerging AI-driven economy, the path from age 18 to multimillionaire status runs faster through skilled trades than through most college degrees. With proper business knowledge, coaching, and execution, starting a plumbing, landscaping, or contracting business offers more reliable wealth-building potential than traditional professional careers, especially as skilled labor shortages intensify.

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Best-selling author and documentarian Dinesh D'Souza provides enlightened conversations about politics, history, philosophy, literature, and much more.
You can also <a href="https://salemnewschannel.com/host/dinesh-dsouza/">watch Dinesh D’Souza on Salem News Channel</a>

THE STONES SPEAK

The Dinesh D'Souza Podcast

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Introduction to Biblical Archaeology: Archaeology is a subscience of anthropology that studies stratified human remains from the last few thousand years, applying hard sciences to soft science methodology. Biblical archaeologists excavate from the top down, documenting changes in soil, features, and artifacts while using modern technologies like drones and photogrammetry. Ancient texts, including the Bible, serve as research sources alongside Egyptian and other Near Eastern literature to inform excavation strategies and interpret findings.

Archaeology Illuminates Rather Than Changes Ancient Texts: Biblical archaeology doesn't alter what ancient texts say but provides context to understand them better. Just as the Moabite Stone (Mesha Stele) offers the opposing perspective to biblical accounts of Israelite-Moabite conflicts, archaeological discoveries create synchronisms—convergence points between physical evidence and textual accounts. When three or more data points align, archaeologists can confidently establish chronology, geography, and interpretation.

Development of Biblical Archaeology in Three Waves: The field began in the mid-to-late 19th century with early discoveries in Babylonian and Assyrian sites. It accelerated dramatically in the 20th century, especially after Israel's founding provided greater access to biblical lands. The last 25 years have seen an explosion of discoveries throughout Israel, Jordan, Syria, and surrounding regions, with each era characterized by different methodologies and schools of thought pioneered by figures like Flinders Petrie and W.F. Albright.

Understanding Archaeological Tells and Pottery Dating: Archaeological tells are stratified mounds created by successive civilizations building on top of destroyed or abandoned settlements. These aren't natural hills but accumulated human remains spanning millennia. Pottery typology, pioneered by experts like Flinders Petrie, allows archaeologists to date layers by identifying specific ceramic styles unique to particular time periods. As excavators dig deeper into these mounds, they literally travel backward in time, with the deepest layers reaching pre-pottery Neolithic periods.

Climate Change as a Historical Force in Ancient Times: Climate has cyclically changed approximately every 400 years throughout history, causing dramatic shifts in ancient settlement patterns. Sites dependent on seasonal rather than perennial water sources were abandoned when weather patterns shifted, leading to the collapse of the Early, Middle, and Late Bronze Ages. When climate improved, people would return to abandoned sites, scavenge building materials, level the area, and build new settlements on top—creating the stratified tells archaeologists excavate today.

The Fallacy of "Absence of Evidence": The argument that "absence of evidence is evidence of absence" is rejected in archaeology because numerous factors can destroy ancient evidence. Rain could wash away burn layers after battles, subsequent builders might excavate to bedrock and destroy earlier remains (as happens frequently in Jerusalem), or evidence simply hasn't been found yet in the 94% of biblical lands that remain unexcavated. When archaeological evidence does align with biblical accounts—such as destruction layers at Hazor dating to the conquest period—it provides strong confirmatory synchronisms.

Validation of King David's Historical Existence: Before 1993, many secular scholars argued David was a legendary figure like King Arthur. The discovery of the Tel Dan Stele in 1993, which explicitly mentions the "House of David," fundamentally changed this debate. Since then, three separate inscriptions have validated David's existence outside the Bible, and most archaeologists now accept that David's palace has been excavated in the City of David in Jerusalem. This demonstrates how archaeological discoveries have decisively won interpretive battles against skeptics.

Hyper-Skepticism and Anti-Biblical Bias in Scholarship: There exists a presuppositional bias in some biblical scholarship that assumes the Bible is guilty until proven innocent, while accepting other ancient Near Eastern texts more readily despite their obvious biases (like pharaonic boasting). Recent peer-reviewed radiocarbon dating of Dead Sea Scrolls using AI placed the Book of Daniel in the third century BC, yet skeptics dismissed the science because they presuppose predictive prophecy is impossible and Daniel must date after 167 BC.

The Circular Reasoning Problem in Biblical Criticism: Stripling discovered first-century ceramic roof tiles at a New Testament site, confirming Luke's Gospel account of people breaking through a ceramic roof to lower a paralytic to Jesus. Peer reviewers initially rejected his findings, insisting ceramic roofs didn't exist until the second century—creating circular reasoning where the Bible couldn't be right because scholars "knew" such roofs didn't exist. Less than a year later, other excavators announced finding clay roof tiles in Jerusalem from the second century BC, vindicating both Stripling and the biblical text.

Identifying Biblical Shiloh and the Tabernacle: Shiloh's location is uncontroversial because the Bible provides three specific data points for locating it in Judges 21. This is where Joshua erected the tabernacle after the conquest, serving as Israel's religious center for over 300 years before Jerusalem. The site was chosen because it was in Ephraim territory, centrally located, near Joshua's hometown, and had a cloud that hovers over it—significant given that God was said to dwell in the cloud. Stripling is currently excavating what he believes is the actual tabernacle building.

The Evolution of the Tabernacle at Shiloh: While the Israelites initially used a mobile tent shrine during their nomadic period, at Shiloh they eventually built a more permanent structure. This transition is evident in the biblical text itself, where 1 Samuel chapters 2 and 3 shift from temporary structure language to permanent building terminology, mentioning doors instead of curtains. The Mishnah confirms a permanent structure was built with a tent as a roof, creating a quasi-permanent tabernacle where the Ark of the Covenant rested for over three centuries.

The "Problem of Ai" and Name Migration: The search for biblical Ai has been challenging because ancient place names migrated when settlements moved, usually due to climate change affecting water sources. Just as there are multiple Jerichos (Old Testament, New Testament, and modern), with the Old and New Testament sites two miles apart, Ai likely experienced similar name migration. Stripling excavated at Khirbet el-Maqatir, about half a mile from the early Bronze Age ruin site, finding 15 criteria suggesting it's a strong candidate for the Ai that Joshua conquered.

The Pontius Pilate Stone Vindication: Before 1961, skeptics argued the New Testament was written later than claimed because it called Pilate a "prefect" when the Roman historian Tacitus said second-century rulers were called "procurators." The discovery of the Pontius Pilate inscription at Caesarea Maritima in 1961 proved the biblical writers had the correct contemporary title—Pilate was indeed a prefect. This stone, found in secondary usage as building material, demonstrated that terminology changed over time and the Gospel writers had accurate firsthand knowledge.

The Ark of the Covenant's Journey Through History: The Ark was a wooden box overlaid with gold containing the broken Ten Commandments, manna, and Aaron's rod. It rested in Shiloh's holy of holies until about 1075 BC when the site was destroyed. The Ark then spent months among the Philistines, returned to the Israelites at Beth Shemesh, moved to Kiriath Jearim, was brought by David to the City of David where he pitched a tent, and finally around 1000 BC was placed in Solomon's Temple on the Temple Mount.

The Untapped Potential of Biblical Archaeology: Despite numerous discoveries that dramatically confirm biblical accounts—from obscure scribes named in Jeremiah found on clay seals to architectural details validating Gospel narratives—this information rarely reaches congregations. Stripling believes his excavation of the tabernacle building at Shiloh, where God said He would dwell, could be among the greatest discoveries in biblical archaeology if confirmed over the next three years. This would illuminate the 350-year period before the Jerusalem temple when Shiloh served as Israel's religious center.
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Mina talks all things football with her unique brand of humor and insight. Her friends join each episode to talk about the NFL's latest storylines along with her football loving dog, Lenny, making frequent contributions.

Nix and Match: The Broncos, Steelers and other Week 15 Winners

The Mina Kimes Show featuring Lenny

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Steelers Victory Over Dolphins Shows Playoff Potential with Clear Identity: Pittsburgh dominated Miami 28-15, demonstrating a physical style of football on both sides of the ball. Aaron Rodgers played efficiently within the system, benefiting from strong offensive line protection and a quick-passing game that generated 171 yards after the catch (third-most of any team that week). The Steelers' success depends less on explosive downfield passing and more on protecting leads, physical play, and capitalizing on opponent mistakes, making them competitive against teams with poor tackling but vulnerable against physical defenses like Houston and Denver.

Miami's Season Ends with Questions About Tua's Future: The Dolphins' season is effectively over, with major questions about Tua Tagovailoa's future despite his massive contract. His performance has significantly declined, highlighted by poor decision-making including a terrible interception where he seemed unaware of his physical limitations. Due to cap constraints (roughly $99 million dead cap hit), Miami likely cannot move on from Tua this year, creating an uncomfortable situation similar to Kirk Cousins in Atlanta. The team must decide whether to draft competition and how to rebuild around expensive positions like quarterback, wide receiver, and cornerback.

Bo Nix Delivers Career-Best Performance Against Elite Defense: The Broncos quarterback dominated Green Bay with exceptional accuracy and poise, particularly excelling in intermediate throws and pocket play where he'd previously struggled. He went 19-for-25 for 233 yards and three touchdowns inside the pocket, while also making impressive plays outside of structure. Against a very good Packers defense that plays primarily zone coverage (an area where Nix had struggled), he demonstrated complete understanding of leverage and spacing, suggesting genuine development rather than system-only success.

Jacoby Myers Addition Transforms Jacksonville's Offense: The mid-season trade for Myers has unlocked the Jaguars' entire offensive system, particularly their play-action game. Myers provides the middle-of-the-field presence that allows Brian Thomas Jr. to excel working downfield and outside. Trevor Lawrence is throwing deep at the highest rate in football and displaying exceptional arm talent with throws on the run that rival Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes. Offensive coordinator Liam Cohen's sequencing of runs, screens, and play-action payoffs, combined with Lawrence's improved command at the line of scrimmage, has the Jags peaking at the right time.

Micah Parsons Injury Devastating for Packers' Super Bowl Hopes: Losing Parsons is catastrophic for Green Bay's defense, as he was masking significant issues with their pass rush—he ranked second in pass rush win rate while their next-best player ranked 56th. Combined with injuries to Devonte Wyatt, Zach Tom, Evan Williams, and Christian Watson, the Packers face a dramatically narrowed margin for error. The defense should continue playing their system under Jeff Hafley rather than drastically increasing blitzing, but the onus now falls heavily on Jordan Love and the offense to outscore opponents, which is feasible given their weapons when healthy.

Chiefs Face Critical Offseason Decisions After Mahomes Injury: Kansas City must address fundamental roster weaknesses exposed this season, particularly establishing a legitimate run game and acquiring a true number one receiver. Despite ranking 10th in rushing DVOA, they're 31st in explosive run rate and 28th in yards over expected, pointing to running back deficiencies. The team needs to add a playmaker at receiver who commands defensive attention, something they haven't had since trading Tyreek Hill. Decisions about how aggressively to reload depend on Patrick Mahomes' recovery timeline from his ankle injury.

Miami's Offensive Identity Shows Promise Despite Quarterback Limitations: The Dolphins' offensive line has genuinely improved and their run game had been effective before game script forced them away from it. Mike McDaniel deserves credit for maintaining team cohesion through adversity, adapting his scheme over time, and manufacturing offensive success despite quarterback limitations. McDaniel's ability to create running lanes through scheme and movement, plus his track record of not losing the locker room during difficult stretches, makes Miami an attractive destination for a young quarterback if they draft one.

Steelers' Defense Struggles Against Physical Run Games: While Pittsburgh shut down Miami's scheme-heavy rushing attack, questions remain about their ability to stop power running teams like Buffalo. The Dolphins' run game relies on athleticism, speed, and leverage rather than physical dominance, which isn't the style that has previously troubled Pittsburgh. The Steelers played more split-safety coverage than usual (the right approach against Miami) and defended in-breaking routes well, but their vulnerability to teams that can line up and push them backwards remains a concern heading into potential playoff matchups.

Trevor Lawrence Displaying Elite Traits During Hot Streak: Lawrence is making throws that only top-tier quarterbacks can make, particularly on the run and rolling to his left. His command at the line of scrimmage has notably improved, showing genuine audibles and protection adjustments that weren't part of his game earlier in his career. Combined with Liam Cohen's effective play sequencing—using runs and screens to set up later payoff plays—Lawrence is playing with complete conviction in the offense. However, this run has come against weaker competition, with the upcoming Broncos game providing a true test.

Tua's Decline Represents Rare Contract Situation: It's highly unusual for a high first-round pick who received a major extension to fall out of favor this quickly. Tua now represents the offense's clear limiting factor rather than compensating for other weaknesses as he did earlier in his career. Defenses play him similarly, and his inability to recognize his own physical limitations (particularly arm strength to certain areas of the field) continues to result in poor decisions. This creates an unprecedented situation where the team is essentially stuck with an expensive quarterback they've clearly moved on from evaluation-wise.

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Trump's Chief of Staff Bombshells: 'Alcoholic's Personality,' Vance a 'Conspiracy Theorist'

Matt Lewis Can't Lose

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Rob Reiner's Cultural Legacy and Tragic Death: The conversation begins with a reflection on Rob Reiner's significant cultural impact through films like This Is Spinal Tap, Stand By Me, and The Princess Bride. Reiner and his wife were tragically murdered by their son, and Trump immediately posted about "Trump derangement syndrome" being responsible—less than 12 hours after the murders became public. Both hosts agree this was deeply inappropriate, especially given Trump's position as president and the particularly gruesome nature of the murder (the son slit their throats with a knife).

Presidential Responsibility vs. Private Citizen Behavior: While acknowledging that Rob Reiner himself celebrated Rush Limbaugh's death (which was also wrong), they emphasize that the President of the United States should be held to higher standards than private citizens or pundits. Trump's use of his platform to politicize a tragedy within hours demonstrates how he lowers standards for public discourse and gives cover to intolerant behavior.

The Mental Health Crisis Among Boys and Young Men: The hosts discuss concerns about under-addressed mental health struggles affecting boys and young men, including depression and addiction. They note that children's outcomes aren't solely determined by parenting—kids can be "hardwired" certain ways regardless of how well parents do their jobs. The conversation touches on how previous generations, particularly men born in the 1940s, often went untreated for mental health issues due to stigma.

Susie Wiles' Bombshell Vanity Fair Interview: Trump's White House Chief of Staff gave 11 interviews to Vanity Fair, making stunning revelations about the administration. She stated Trump has "an alcoholic's personality," JD Vance has "been a conspiracy theorist for a decade" and his Trump conversion was purely political, Elon Musk is "an avowed ketamine user" and "odd duck," Russell Vought is "a right wing absolute zealot," and Pam Bondi "completely whiffed" handling the Epstein files.

The Mystery of Why Wiles Talked: Both hosts express bewilderment that someone as experienced and media-averse as Susie Wiles would sit for 11 interviews and make such candid statements. Wiles built her career on staying out of headlines and avoiding the spotlight, making this behavior completely out of character. Her response on Twitter didn't deny the quotes but claimed they were "taken out of context"—though journalism inherently involves selecting relevant quotes from longer conversations.

Trump's Addictive Personality Without the Substance: Wiles compared Trump to an alcoholic because her father, Pat Summerall, was one—noting that alcoholics' personalities are "exaggerated" and they think they can do anything. Trump exhibits all the traits of addiction (grandiosity, lack of boundaries, constant need for attention) despite not drinking. His brother Fred struggled with addiction, and Trump's focus on issues like fentanyl may stem from this family history.

Trump as an Attention Addict: The hosts argue Trump's real addiction is to attention and relevance. Despite claiming to hate "fake news," Trump consumes and cares about media coverage more than any modern president. He understands the parasitic relationship between media and politicians, believing all press is good press. His worst fear isn't being unpopular—it's being irrelevant, which explains why he couldn't let Rob Reiner's death pass without making it about himself.

WWE and Kayfabe Influences on Trump's Politics: Trump's relationship with Vince McMahon and WWE (he's in the WWE Hall of Fame) profoundly shaped his political approach. McMahon would take headline issues and turn them into wrestling storylines, allowing audiences to express feelings they might otherwise suppress. Trump similarly appeals to who people actually are rather than their "better angels," creating a knowing wink with some supporters while others (like Marjorie Taylor Greene) don't realize it's performance.

The Split Between In-On-It and True-Believer Trump Supporters: There's a crucial divide in Trump world between those who understand the performative nature of what's happening (the "kayfabe") and those who genuinely believe everything. Trump himself is "in on the joke," constantly winking at the audience like Jim Halpert in The Office. Marjorie Taylor Greene represents true believers who didn't understand it was "a damn show" and thought it was "a damn fight."

How Psychologically Disordered People Thrive in Modern Media: An expert previously told one host that people with conditions like Tourette's syndrome and other psychological disorders actually outperform "normal adjusted people" in today's media environment. Examples include Charlie Sheen's "tiger blood" phase and Kanye West's episodes—both got tremendous attention for months. Trump has sustained this for over a decade, which the hosts find remarkable.

Trump's Inability to Stay on Message: A Rasmussen pollster told Trump he needs to focus on economic populism and that supporters feel he hasn't "drained the swamp." The pollster said Trump should stop "fight, fight, fighting Marjorie Taylor Greene" and start "fight, fight, fighting for Americans." While Trump may listen in meetings and agree, he's constitutionally incapable of staying disciplined—he'll read scripted economic messaging briefly before spending 25 minutes on grievances.

JD Vance as an Underrated Communicator: Unlike Trump, JD Vance is described as very smart and a gifted communicator who can effectively deliver economic populist messaging. Marco Rubio's acknowledgment that he won't run for president if Vance runs reflects the reality that Vance would start as the overwhelming primary favorite. However, Vance's effectiveness is undermined by Trump's inability to stay on message.

Interview Ethics and the Art of Getting People to Talk: The hosts discuss how skilled interviewers like Tim Alberta and Ryan Lizza get subjects to reveal damaging information. Alberta's family includes an FBI interrogator, a bartender, and a pastor with counseling expertise—all professions centered on getting people to open up. The discussion touches on how Playboy interviews were actually edited composites of multiple sessions, which raises ethical questions about transcript authenticity.

The Permanence of Trump's Cultural Impact: Nearly 11 years into the Trump era, everything has become political—all cultural lanes (art, music, sports, politics) have merged into one. This prevents purely celebrating cultural figures like Rob Reiner for their artistic contributions separate from their politics. The hosts lament this loss while acknowledging Trump's mastery of the attention economy and understanding of "vibes" before the concept became ubiquitous.

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The most important stories about money, business and power. Hosted by Kate Linebaugh and Ryan Knutson, with Jessica Mendoza. The Journal is a co-production of Spotify and The Wall Street Journal.

Get show merch here: https://wsjshop.com/collections/clothing

How Robinhood’s CEO Became a Cult Hero

The Journal.

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Robinhood's Transformation from Crisis to Success: CEO Vlad Tenev has transformed Robinhood from a struggling company to one of the S&P 500's best-performing stocks in 2024. After hitting rock bottom following the 2021 GameStop controversy and a disastrous IPO, Tenev rebuilt the company by pivoting away from first-time investors to focus on active, risk-taking traders who generate the most revenue.

The GameStop Fallout and Congressional Scrutiny: In 2021, Robinhood faced intense criticism when it restricted trading during the GameStop saga, preventing customers from buying while only allowing them to hold or sell. Tenev testified before Congress and tried to distance the company from risky trading culture, claiming only 2% of customers were day traders and that most were long-term investors.

The Maui Turning Point: The company's lowest moment came when Sam Bankman-Fried (pre-criminal conviction) explored acquiring a piece of Robinhood, signaling the company looked weak enough to be a takeover target. During a family trip to Maui, Tenev decided to rebuild from the ground up, realizing the company was focusing on the wrong customers—casual investors rather than the active traders who actually drove profits.

Expanding High-Risk Investment Products: Robinhood now offers increasingly risky financial products including zero-day options (ultra-risky contracts that expire the same day), cryptocurrencies, and other exotic instruments. One trader mentioned being able to turn $500-600 into $50,000-60,000 with perfect timing, though the potential for massive losses is equally significant.

Prediction Markets and Sports Betting Controversy: The company launched prediction markets allowing users to bet on future events including sports games, elections, and Federal Reserve meetings. Critics argue this blurs the line between legitimate investing and gambling, particularly since sports betting isn't legal in every state. Robinhood pulled Super Bowl betting contracts after regulatory concerns but maintained it was in full compliance with regulations.

Rebranding Investing as Entertainment: Tenev has deliberately transformed the company's personality, comparing trading to race car driving rather than the cautious approach of Warren Buffett-style index fund investing. The Las Vegas conference featured race car themes, Vlad wearing a custom racing jumpsuit, and earnings calls modeled after NBA post-game interviews, intentionally conflating investing with entertainment.

Cult-Like Customer Devotion: Robinhood's active traders have become fierce supporters of Tenev, with attendees at the Vegas conference comparing him to Elon Musk and praising his responsiveness to the trading community. Users appreciate the clean interface and the feeling that the platform empowers them to "be our own hedge funds," marking a dramatic reversal from the GameStop-era anger.

The Growing Power of Retail Investors: Robinhood's success reflects a broader shift in financial markets, with individual investors gaining unprecedented power compared to institutional Wall Street traders. This group of highly active traders buying and selling stocks, options, and cryptocurrencies daily has grown significantly over the past five years, particularly in the last year.

Concerns About Market Downturns: Critics worry that while these risky investment tools have compounded gains during the recent bull market run, they could equally compound losses during a prolonged downturn. The question remains whether giving inexperienced traders access to increasingly complex and risky products will lead to significant pain when markets inevitably reverse course.

Company Philosophy on Access and Choice: Robinhood's defense is that they serve the next generation of investors by providing more asset classes and capabilities that customers actively want. The company views itself as democratizing access to financial products, though this philosophy centers on giving people what they want while simultaneously creating more desire for risky trading strategies.

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A dive into the top headlines in Chicago, delivering the news you need in 10 minutes or less multiple times a day from WBBM Newsradio.

Frozen water bottles damage cars in Northwest Indiana

Chicago All Local

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Frozen Water Bottle Attacks on Indiana Highway: Seven incidents occurred on Saturday along a 20-mile stretch of US Route 421 between Michigan City and La Crosse in Northwest Indiana, where drivers reported their vehicles being struck by frozen water bottles thrown from passing cars. The attacks caused significant property damage and raised safety concerns.

Documented Damage and Evidence: Driver Michael Gill captured dashboard camera footage showing a grayish sedan with a burned-out passenger-side headlight approaching on the dark highway before a frozen water bottle struck his vehicle. The impact caused several thousand dollars in damage to his grill, hood, and side panels, and knocked out electrical components in his car.

Reward Offered to Stop Attacks: Gill is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the perpetrators, emphasizing that someone must know something about these incidents and stressing the urgency to stop the attacks before someone gets seriously injured.
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