What happens when a federal shutdown drags past 30 days, and millions stand on the brink—while the White House bets on a new kind of political brinkmanship?

In this episode of Unconventional Times, host Richard Gordon pulls back the curtain on an unprecedented moment in American politics, joined by a powerhouse GOP panel: Jayne Millerick, Keith Gardner, and John R. Hammond, III—leaders who’ve actually run states and counseled governors from both blue and red battlegrounds.

From inside perspectives on how the shutdown is (and isn’t) impacting average Americans—and when it might finally end—to a shocking look at the secret consequences for state governments, the episode exposes what politicians really think is a “win,” even while ordinary families feel the squeeze. The guests dissect the strategy on both sides, reveal what’s at stake with Trump’s spending bill and tariffs, and debate whether this era’s political gamesmanship has come at the price of substance and compromise.

You’ll hear honest predictions, candid frustrations with negative campaigning, and hear why the next Republican nominee could be someone you haven’t even heard of yet. Get ready for a conversation that’s as unconventional as these turbulent times.

Key Highlights:

• Federal shutdown decoded: Why so many Americans haven’t felt it yet—and what sparks real change ([00:04:06])
• Behind the scenes: How states prepare for and survive the impacts, from Medicaid cuts to national parks closing ([00:13:27])
• The Trump factor: Analysis of his legislative triumphs, controversial tariffs, and reshaping of government—from insiders who know the landscape ([00:23:40], [00:26:57])
• The harsh new tone of politics: Retribution, negative campaigning, and how to restore the lost art of compromise ([00:46:05])
• Gubernatorial races and redistricting: What’s actually going on in New Jersey, Virginia, and Indiana—and why it matters for 2026 ([00:50:15], [00:54:27])
• 2028 crystal ball: Who might be the next Republican nominee for president? The answers may surprise you ([00:56:59])

Episode Overview with Timestamps:

• [00:00:01] Introduction and context: Why these are truly unconventional times
• [00:04:06] Federal shutdown: Explained, misunderstood, and its impact on real families
• [00:13:27] State governments: How they are affected and what contingency planning really looks like
• [00:23:40] Tariffs and farming: The untold consequences for America's heartland and Trump’s base
• [00:26:57] Trump’s spending bill: What’s in it, what’s out, and the effects on healthcare, SNAP, and climate
• [00:38:44] Tax cuts: Will they spur the economy? What Americans are really thinking about
• [00:41:39] Regional perspectives: Northeast, Midwest, Southwest—how is Trump really doing?
• [00:46:05] The tone of politics: From “kinder, gentler” to “crush your opponent”—the cost of polarization
• [00:50:15] The wild gubernatorial elections: Negative campaigning taken to new lows
• [00:54:27] Redistricting: The new normal and political pressure behind the scenes
• [00:56:59] The 2028 Republican nominee: Bold predictions and why the answer is anyone’s guess
• [00:58:44] Closing thoughts: Why compromise and cross-party cooperation matter now more than ever

Listen to hear what leaders who’ve actually made government work say about getting things done in the strangest political climate in decades!