Connection

Jennifer Sey was at the pinnacle of her career and set to become the first woman CEO of Levi's apparel company.... and then she spoke up about the damage to children Covid lockdowns were having and lost everything. Except her voice. This is her story. We also talk about the false religion of the woke mob and, of course, feminism.

 00:00 - Introduction
    2:15 - Covid-y hairdressers and California craziness
    5:50 - Jen's story
    7:20 - Covid  - "Racism" and education
  11:00 - Covid and politics
  13:00 - The hypocrisy of the Left
  16:40 - How Jen found her voice
  25:50 - How the "Me Too" movement went too far/Russell Brand scandal
  33:50 - The religious impulse of the Left
  41:20 - Gender ideology and the Woke hierarchy
  50:00 - The evolution of feminism
  52:45 - Woke capitalism
1:08:15 - Jen's future and the after effects of Covid

Jennifer's Substack
Jennifer's Book  

In this episode Brian and I discuss all the flawed data and modeling - and the policy that resulted from it - during Covid, especially in California. We also get into the need for accountability for politicians and the bureaucracy and need for performance measurements. More about Brian below show notes.

    3:00 - "Date-a" vs. "Dad-a" and defining terms
    4:30 -  Covid data errors
    9:00 -  Why hospitalization data (not testing) was best to understand the virus
   12:00 - California's terrible policy decisions
   15:45 - The experts that were ignored
   20:50 - Errors of Imperial College model
   25:20 - Unjustified lockdowns
   30:30 - Climate of fear
   35:00 - Leadership styles and power
   44:30 - Assessing risk
   53:30 - The next catastrophe and the re-ordering of society
   57:00 - The politics of California
1:08:30 - Accountability, transparency, and performance measurement
1:13:30 - Hypocrisy of government officials and distrust
1:18:00 - Polarization in politics
1:24:00 - Decline in civic engagement and education
 
Brian C. Goebel is the founder and editor-in-chief of 2040matters.com, president of Reason in Government, and is a Distinguished Fellow at the Stimson Center. A recognized expert on homeland security, a successful entrepreneur, applied analytics expert, and an elected official, he is a frequent speaker and writer on constitutional law, public policy, and baseball analytics issues, and has published opinion pieces in publications ranging from the Orange County Register to The Washington Post. Goebel's law career has included positions with two firms and a clerkship on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. He has focused on administrative law and sanctions compliance; argued for a constitutional right to death with dignity; helped overturn an unjustified and excessive damages award against a large department store chain; successfully represented a California inmate who had been unlawfully beaten by a correctional officer; worked on a variety of cases involving flawed agency rulemaking; and proved that a search of his client's offices by federal law enforcement authorities violated the Fourth Amendment. Goebel's public service has included serving as counselor and senior policy advisor to the commissioner of U.S. Customs, Robert C. Bonner. In this role, he helped design and implement key programs and regulations to facilitate secure travel and trade, many of which remain cornerstones of the government's border security efforts. He also helped oversee the 2003 transition from the Treasury Department into the Department of Homeland Security and the merger that created U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and led negotiations with the European Commission on matters relating to the Container Security Initiative. Sentinel HS Group, LLC, a consulting firm he founded focuses on border security and management (e.g., counter-proliferation, cross-border smuggling, and terrorist travel); customs modernization; immigration management; and transportation security. This firm grew into three separate businesses, including a data analytics firm providing advice and expertise to public and private sector clients in the U.S. and abroad. In 2018, Goebel ran for public office and won a seat on the Board of Directors for the Montecito Water District, where he now works on myriad water supply challenges facing his community. Goebel holds a JD and a BA in government and philosophy from the College of William and Mary.

Joshua Mitchell is the author of "American Awakening: Identity Politics and Other Afflictions of Our Time." He argues that America's political crisis has a religious origin and that the extremes of identity politics are an expression of a dislodged Christianity. The book exposes the spiritual disorders that are paralyzing public life and highlights some surprising reasons for hope. Mitchell is a professor of political theory at Georgetown University and the author of numerous journal articles and four books including "Tocqueville in Arabia." Mitchell's research focuses on Western political philosophy and theology.

   2:00 - Why Joshua wrote the book 
   5:00 - The new religion of politics
   7:00 - Debt and the three economies
  11:00 - The religion of identity politics
  13:00 - "Purity" and the truth of the environmental cult 
  16:30 - "Clean vs. dirty" in Christianity and forgiveness
  18:45 -  Why Christianity is healthy           
  23:00 - How identity politics is affecting children
  32:45 - The culture of narcissism, depression, and "too much and too little"
  38:40 - Bounded freedom 
  43:30 - What identity politics gets right
  47:00 - The heresy of identity politics
  50:00 - How do we move forward in a secular society? 
  58:00 - Where conservatives get it wrong
1:02:00 - The liberal politics of competence 
1:06:00 - Solutions 

Hattie Mitchell is the founder of Crete Academy, a non-profit charter school in downtown Los Angeles that mostly serves homeless and impoverished children. Hattie discusses what inspired her to start Crete and how she did it. Her journey and work is beyond inspirational. She is truly one of those angels here on earth and the world is a better place because of her.   

    2:00 - Hattie's journey
  10:00 - What is a charter school & how Crete got started
  16:15 -  The importance of Hattie's faith and her daily practices
  24:00 - What makes Crete unique? 
  27:00 - How the current education system works ... and doesn't 
  31:30 - SEL (socio-emotional-learning skills)
  33:50 - Black families and culture
  44:00 - Standardized testing, learning and alternative opportunities
  47:00 - The stagnant education system and its evolution
  52:30 - The American Dream and prioritizing the simple 

Matthew Lohmeier served in the United States Air Force as well as well as the U.S. Space Force from 2020-2021 until he was separated from active duty for discussing the proliferation of Marxist rooted CRT theory in the military and its divisive impact on the force and mission. He self published his book, "Irresistible Revolution" and now is a highly sought after public speaker to educate people on the betterment of military culture and the preservation of liberties. Matthew and I discuss how he got into the military and how his education provided the foundation for understanding the importance of the principles of liberty and equality that underpin the United States. Of course, we also get into the role of religion and the spiritual nature of man which cannot be overlooked when discussing culture and the policies that emanate from it. Lastly, Matt offers some hope for the future and advice on how best to proceed in today's world. 

   5:00 - How Matt got into the military and why he was removed from service
  12:00 - The importance of great books
  16:30 - Matt's journey toward patriotism and the redefining of words
  21:00 - The spiritual impulse of nationalism
  26:30 - Marxism,  changing language and how it re-shapes culture, particularly the military culture
  40:00 - Is Western civilization inherently racist and imperialistic?
  46:00 - Where we are headed as a country and Matt's recommendations for living a good, hopeful life 
 
Resources:
https://matthewlohmeier.com/
Irresistible Revolution https://www.amazon.com/Irresistible-Revolution-Marxisms-Conquest-Unmaking/dp/1737067323

Great Books Of the Western World https://www.amazon.com/Great-Books-Western-World-Set/dp/B000NWXN5E

The Tragedy Of Great Power Politics, John Mearsheimer https://www.amazon.com/Tragedy-Great-Power-Politics-Updated/dp/0393349276/ref=sr_1_1?qid=1664671614&refinements=p_27%3AJohn+J.+Mearsheimer&s=books&sr=1-1

Live Not By Lies, Rod Dreher https://www.amazon.com/Live-Not-Lies-Christian-Dissidents/dp/B0892SPHYG/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1G994JD9XPP8G&keywords=live+not+by+lies+by+rod+dreher&qid=1664676114&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIyLjA1IiwicXNhIjoiMS43OCIsInFzcCI6IjEuOTEifQ%3D%3D&s=books&sprefix=live+not+by+lies%2Cstripbooks%2C169&sr=1-1

James Lindsay https://newdiscourses.com/author/jameslindsay/

Kassy discusses how she became a political conservative and how the left has captured college campuses. She also offers advice for young conservatives, who her favorite conservatives are right now, and gives her picks for the 2024 election. 

   5:30 - Kassy's upbringing and first college experience at Mount Holyoke
   9:30 - How Kassy got involved in conservative politics and journalism
  15:00 - The video that launched Kassy's career ("Trigglypuff" below in the links) 
  22:00 - The state of college campuses
  24:00 - Virtue signaling
  28:00 - The culture of apology
  31:00 - Difference between being a conservative and a Republican
  36:00 - About Lone Conservative and the young Conservative movement
  40:00 - The benefit of opposing viewpoints
  49:00 - Dating across party lines
  57:30 - Kassy's favorite politician right now and her ideal ticket for 2024

Links: 
Trigglypuff: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BY1H1rZL53I
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kassydillon/
The Lone Conservative: https://loneconservative.com/
Kassy Bio: https://www.jns.org/writers/kassy-dillon/

Rebekah and I continue or conversation and dive deeper into the topics of faith, religion, feminism, and what it means to be a woman. You know, the light stuff. Of course, you'll find a healthy dose of humor as well. Enjoy! 

  1:30 - Useful debate vs. cancel culture and the uselessness of Twitter
12:00 - Purpose and meaning of life
16:30 - Faith, religion, leading by example and the church
35:00 - The original intent of feminism and what it means to feel safe and protected
45:00 - Masculine and feminine roles
50:00 - The ethos of freedom and the U.S. 
   

Rebekah is an author based outside of Nashville, TN. Her first book, Champagne For One, a Celebration of Solitude was published in February, 2022. We discuss everything from feminism and where it's gone wrong, to the importance of critical thinking, to her beef with Jessica Chastain. If you like some dry humor sprinkled in with some serious talk, this is the episode for you!

https://rebekahiliff.com/
https://www.champagneforone.com/
https://www.amazon.com/Feminism-Women-Julie-Bindel/dp/1472132610

    3:30 - Feminism 
    8:00 - Progressive ideology and extreme ideological thinking
   15:00 - Importance of critical thinking and the problem of politics
   28:00 - Hollywood and ecstatic dance
   31:30 - The funny side of spirituality
   39:00 - The art of being
   41:00 - Champagne For One and the importance of solitude and being free
   

Chris is an author, producer, and podcast host and also serves as the Senior Pastor of Vintage Church Malibu. We discuss everything from God, family, sacrifice, faith, and what it means to be a Christian in a very lonely and isolated culture. 

     3:45 - Growing up with God
     9:00 - On masculinity and being a leader in the family
   12:00 - Christian perspective of marriage, submission, and commitment 
   18:30 - Sacrifice and service vs. consumerism and comfort. 
   27:00 - Chris and his family's leap of faith
   31:30 - What it means to be Christian and the danger of isolation
   41:00 - Loneliness, L.A., and the importance of community 

Kitty's interview runs the gamut - we discuss everything from her faith journey to, of course, gut and hormone health, to how our culture and the outer world can have an impact on our health. 

    2:00 - Kitty's faith journey 
  19:30 - How Kitty came to her health profession
             - Gut health
  30:00 - About progesterone
  36:00 - About hormones
  47:00 - Policy and Covid and politics
1:00:00 - Emotions and hormones and importance of virtues