Personal experience meets policy in this deep dive into both the good and the bad of my family's lived experience. From managing bipolar disorder and ADHD with low-dose THC to a harrowing family crisis involving Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS), this episode explores the real-world consequences of unregulated marijuana and its rising THC potency. We discuss the history of marijuana strength, the medical realities of CHS, and why federal reclassification and rigorous research are essential to ensuring safety for both recreational and medicinal users.

In this episode, I discuss my personal journey of drifting away from Christianity due to corrupt televangelists and science-ignoring fundamentalists, and how I eventually returned to faith through a metaphorical lens. By understanding that religions can be true without being literal—a concept informed by teachers like Joseph Campbell—we can find the meaning behind the metaphor.

We are currently facing a spiritual war in America and the world that is expressed through our politics. This video critiques the "prosperity gospel" pushed by figures like Paula White, which suggests wealth is a sign of God's favor, and exposes the hypocrisy of politicians who claim to be good Christians while cutting aid to the sick and hungry.

Key Topics Covered:

A Crisis of Morality: How we are facing a spiritual crisis defined by how we treat our fellow humans, from dehumanizing rhetoric to the lack of due process.

The Facade of Religiosity: Discussing how preference is given to protecting specific faiths for political control while others are looked down upon.

The Power of Story: Why simple facts often fail to persuade compared to religion's story-based approach, and how to use spiritual language to counter hypocrisy.

The Solution: Why the first step to being part of the solution is simply leading with love and taking care of our neighbors in a crowded, interconnected world.

Recommended Reading:

 If you are looking for a resource to help speak to Christians on their own terms, I highly recommend Separation of Church and Hate by John Fugelsang.

Conclusion: The world needs positive spiritual messages right now. Whatever your faith or moral philosophy, do not shy away from being a visible example of love for one another in both word and action.

Setting the stage for Project 2029 starts today.

In this episode of Critical Culture, we dive into "Operation 2026"—the prequel to Project 2029. With the midterm elections less than a year away, we have a unique opportunity to shift the political tide. Historically, midterms are a disaster for the party in power, and with the current economic climate and the Trump administration's agenda, the door is open for a massive progressive wave.

But winning isn't enough; we need to win with the right candidates. We discuss why it's time to push hard left in the primaries, the "Fight Club" strategy being used by Senators like Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, and why every single seat should face opposition.

If you are tired of the establishment playing it safe while the center shifts right, this is your blueprint for taking action. Learn how to run for office, support bold progressives, and frame the narrative around policies that actually help people.

Resources Mentioned:

Run for Something

Adulting.media

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro: Operation 2026 & The Opportunity

01:03 - Why We Will Win Big (Midterm Trends)

01:58 - "Power in the Streets": The Revolutionary Mindset 02:29 - The Primary System is Our Opening

03:32 - The Senate "Fight Club" Strategy

04:36 - Lessons from the GOP's 2010 Success

05:22 - Advice for Progressive Candidates (Messaging Matters)

06:04 - Call to Action: Run For Something

#Progressives #Operation2026 #Project2029 #Midterms2026 #Politics

In this episode of Critical Culture, we are kicking off a series about Project 2029. It will cover who is working on it, what it should include, and how to implement it.

This episode also covers the need for a longer-term vision to help steer us for generations to come. A Declaration of Interdependence—a vision for rebuilding cooperation, ensuring collective success, and aligning our government with the needs of all people.

Learn who's working on this essential roadmap and it's components and why this non-partisan, long-term vision is critical for our future.

🎥 Welcome to my Channel! Please support my work:

👍 Like, Comment, and Subscribe

💦 Stay Hydrated: I drink LMNT on the daily, check it out. http://elementallabs.refr.cc/travisretzlaff

📰 Subscribe to my growing Substack site

https://adulting.media

🤝I have limited spots available for personal mentoring, apply here https://coach.tretzlaff.com

📙I have a bunch of books and board games for sale on whatnot https://www.whatnot.com/user/travisretzlaff

Thanks for your support! 

Are you part of the 70% of people who don't feel prepared for the future of work? This video provides actionable advice and insight, moving beyond the fear to explore what you need to do to thrive in the the next 5 years of the Age of AI.

Please support my work: 

👍 Like, Comment, and Subscribe

💦 Stay Hydrated: I drink LMNT on the daily, check it out.

http://elementallabs.refr.cc/travisretzlaff

📰 Subscribe to my growing Substack site

https://adulting.media

🤝I have limited spots available for personal mentoring, apply here

https://coach.tretzlaff.com

📙I have a bunch of books and board games for sale on whatnot https://www.whatnot.com/user/travisretzlaff

If you like this podcast please comment, like and subscribe.

You should also check out my YouTube show 21st Century Adulting 

Thanks for listening.

---

On this episode of Critical Culture, I'm tackling a subject that has a lot of smart people scared: superintelligence (AGI).

I recently saw a story about Nobel laureates and celebrities calling for a complete prohibition on its development. The risks are real. The idea of an effective ban on AGI is not. Technology is undefeated over the long haul.

Instead of trying to fight an inevitable force, I argue we need to "steer the ship" from within. If we can't stop progress on AGI, we should instead focus on shaping its future direction and uses. We have to deal with the world as it is, not as we wish it would be.

That doesn't mean we do nothing legislatively. In the second half of the episode, I explain why I'm for "smart legislation" and break down the types of laws I believe are worth considering right now. Some are aspects already being addressed, and others are areas we can better align AI and society.

Podcast music courtesy Moby via: mobygratis.com

Welcome to Critical Culture.

Our response to what we are calling Trump's Manufactured Crisis—focusing on ICE, the National Guard, and the narrative around Antifa—is critical and will define a generation.

In this episode, we deconstruct the actions of this administration, from the use of military-style raids and Black Hawk helicopters by ICE, to the unacceptable practice of not identifying officers. We discuss how these tactics are sweeping up thousands of people, 70% of whom have no criminal record, and the push to militarize the streets of America through the Insurrection Act. 

We stress the importance of a coordinated, 100% committed nonviolent response to this escalation. This is an all-hands-on-deck moment for American democracy.

ACTION ITEMS & RESOURCES:

🙏Show Up @ No King's Day on October 18th)

Make a plan to take meaningful action, and be committed to nonviolence.

📺 Check out the work of Robert Reich. This is the video I referred to www.instagram.com/reel/DPkK9Gukpmw/

🤯Learn Nonviolence:

Literature from the Albert Einstein Institute on nonviolent action.

🔗www.aeinstein.org/198-methods-of-nonviolent-action 

Global Nonviolent Action Database

🔗nvdatabase.swarthmore.edu/

🦺Safety: Links and resources about safety while protesting.

ACLU Protesters' Rights

🔗www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/protesters-rights

Activists Handbook

🔗activisthandbook.org/

HRC - Tips for Preparedness, Peaceful Protesting, and Safety

🔗www.hrc.org/resources/tips-for-preparedness-peaceful-protesting-and-safety

Explore the complex and often contentious relationship between religion and politics in this thought-provoking video.

I delve into the ways in which religious beliefs and practices intersect with political ideologies, examining the implications for individuals, communities, and societies as a whole. From the role of faith in shaping public policy to the influence of political power on religious expression, I consider the multifaceted dynamics at play when religion meets politics.

Join me as I navigate this fascinating and sometimes fraught terrain, seeking to understand the opportunities and challenges that arise when these two powerful forces converge.

 Whether you're interested in the history of religious-political interactions, the current state of affairs, or the potential future implications, this video aims to inform, educate, and inspire reflection on a topic that is both deeply personal and profoundly public.

In this episode of Critical Culture, Travis breaks down the controversial use of the National Guard in American cities. Is it a crime-fighting solution or a dangerous step toward tyranny? We dive deep into the history of standing armies, the Posse Comitatus Act, and how this new 'posse' could be a dangerous 'slippery slope.' Join us as we explore the constitutional concerns and historical precedents and discuss what you can do to protect your rights.

In this episode of Critical Culture, we address the recent tragedy at Annunciation Church in Minneapolis, discussing the impact of the mass shooting. While we acknowledge that preventing all tragedies is impossible, we must focus on what can be changed. My thoughts are with everyone affected by the recent crime.