What if the most dramatic government shutdown in U.S. history achieved absolutely nothing—and BOTH sides admit it?

In this eye-opening episode of “Unconventional Times,” host Richard Gordon brings together two political heavyweights—former Ohio mayor and Democratic gubernatorial nominee Nan Whaley, and Republican former Congressman John Faso—for an unfiltered conversation you won’t hear anywhere else. From inside perspectives on the 41-day government shutdown (and why neither side walked away with a win), to the ripple effects on everything from rising grocery bills to the future of U.S. democracy, these seasoned insiders pull no punches.

Key highlights include:

• Stunning bipartisan agreement: Shutdowns are pointless, destructive, and “never work.”
• The real-world consequences: Stories from airport workers going unpaid, and families forced to scale back at the grocery store.
• Why “base politics” is making our shutdown crises worse—and how frustration on both the left and right is boiling over.
• Explosive details on health care premium fights, what REALLY happened behind the scenes, and why Democrats might be squandering electoral wins.
• The hidden cost of trade tariffs and how policy shifts are reshaping the American heartland—especially for farmers.
• Lessons from record-breaking voter turnouts, the future of each party, and a brutally honest look at the Democrats’ internal civil war.
• Jaw-dropping redistricting chaos: Are we headed for a democracy where states lock out the minority party completely?

Plus, stick around for personal reflections on political giants Nancy Pelosi and Dick Cheney, and find out which under-the-radar gubernatorial candidates could surprise us all in 2026.

Timestamped Overview:

• 00:00:01 –

  Intro Announcer

  sets the stage for unconventional conversations in turbulent times.

• 00:00:27 –

  Richard Gordon

  introduces the explosive news: government shutdown (the longest ever), Giuliani pardon, and Supreme Court decisions.

• 00:01:43 – Guests

  John Faso

  and

  Nan Whaley

  join, sharing their political backgrounds.

• 00:03:36 –

  John Faso

  and

  Nan Whaley

  agree: shutdowns “never work,” and reveal their devastating fallout.

• 00:07:06 – The politics & anger behind the shutdown: Will Democrats and Republicans pay a price?

• 00:09:13 – ACA premiums, health care policy, and missed opportunities explained.

• 00:14:19 – Blame games, grocery prices, and the role of presidents in economic perception.

• 00:16:47 – Real-world shutdown effects: airport chaos, federal workers, and families in distress.

• 00:18:16 – How tariffs and trade wars are hurting real Americans, especially farmers.

• 00:22:37 – Historic voter turnout: Is Trump the Democrats’ “turnout machine”?

• 00:23:49 – The Democrats’ internal identity struggle: Left vs. Center, and what 2024 might bring.

• 00:32:22 – Breakdowns on redistricting: Is our democracy at risk from gerrymandering arms races?

• 00:39:57 – Can a Republican win in New York and a Democrat in Ohio? The guests share bold predictions.

• 00:40:52 –

  Richard Gordon

  pays tribute to Nancy Pelosi and Dick Cheney—two titans stepping off the national stage.

• 00:42:41 –

  Intro Announcer

  wraps up with ways to subscribe and learn more.

Tune in to find out what really happened behind the scenes during America’s longest shutdown, and why both parties may be headed for an even bigger reckoning.