In this epic interview, Danny and Josh talk with world traveler (35 nations), renowned author, and all-around intellectual powerhouse, John Rachel. In the first half of the interview they discuss culture, starting right off the bat with popular myths about the dropping of the atomic bombs, China, and what makes a country "great"? They also explore the vast cultural range here in America. In Part 2 (45-minute mark) they delve into more political discourse, as John explains his ideas on how to transform the nation for the better, detailing how much money has been stolen from the American taxpayer, and how we can get it back. They discuss the idea of expanded social programs, Josh passionately rebuts about the original intent of the Founding Fathers and the Constitution, and John counters. This is a MUST-LISTEN!Part 1: Culture 00: the travesty of the dropping of nukes in Japan3:30: Christians targeted in Japan and Palestine alike 4:30: supporters of Israel “not a small minority” among Protestant Christians in this country. 6:00: no mention of Trump/Putin meeting in recent Huffington Post 7:00: Europe a dumpster fire 8:00: John’s recent trip to China, and thoughts on its culture9:30: no signs of communism, “nothing like it’s portrayed in the West”12:00: Japanese are afraid of and hostile to China13:00: China not interested in territory but on rights to minerals?15:00: video evidence of artisanal mining?18:45: John on factory work and China’s elimination of extreme poverty20:30: “it’s up to the Chinese people”22:30: what makes a country “great”?26:00: On America First, and everyone country should be their country first 29:00: why Americans don’t travel?33:00: the vast cultural range within the U.S. vs abroad34:30: Danny on Southern US culture 36:30: John on experiencing America on back roads 39:30: Josh on culture shock moving from his Missouri hometown to Lancaster 44:00: generous parental leave in Japan, 5 weeks mandatory vacation in Europe…could it happen here?Part 2: Politics45:00: John’s monologue on change 49:00: “profit is everything”50:00: The Peace Dividend 56:30: Migration of wealth upwards to the 1%58:30: George HW Bush origin of Peace Dividend…could Trump propose the next one?1:03:00: Paying for the Peace Dividend 1:05:30: Josh’s rebuttal 1:08:00: hypothetical implementation of social programs based on a consensus1:10:00: Constitutional amendment gave appearance of democracy 1:13:30: “America was never supposed to have social programs”1:16:00: John’s experience with “socialized medicine” in Japan1:18:00: the problem with labels

Danny and Josh discuss Defend the Guard, tax cuts, the administration's recent wins and losses, and more...are TPUSA and MAHA the future of the Republican Party? Plus who should run for PA Governor in 2026?

Timestamps:1:00: Josh’s meeting with his State Rep2:30: Defend the Guard paradox 5:00: DTG in PA in 20267:00: property tax in eastern PA9:00: DOGE, BBB, and tax cuts 13:30: keeping the tax code from 201715:00: limited power of President over spending19:00: Trump alienating his base 20:30: Josh Hammer/Dave Smith debate 22:30: TPUSA young Republicans are non-interventionists 23:15: 3 factions in Republican Party27:00: handling of Epstein case28:30: reaction to truth social post 31:30: Netanyahu and Epstein-Mossad connection 34:30: Josh recommends Tucker Carlson and Darryl Cooper episode 36:00: On MAHA crushing it 38:00: On Hep B shots at birth41:00: Bright spots in Congress42:00: 21 votes 44:00: PA Gubernatorial race 202646:00: momentum for Doug Mastriano?48:00: Tax rebates 49:45: momentum for Stacy Garrity?51:00: “why can’t they be more like Tulsi Gabbard?”51:30: paper proof about Obama concocting RussiaGate

Danny interviews Sgt. Dan McKnight, founder of the Defend the Guard movement, and the two of them share their relief and gratitude of the news of the ceasefire, and unease at the political theatre that accompanied it. McKnight tells his story, about how his deployment led to his current advocacy for Bring Our Troops Home and Defend the Guard. Defend the Guard is state level legislation which will obligate the federal government to formally declare war, as stipulated in the the U.S. Constitution, before that states' National Guard can be deployed abroad to active combat zones.Defendtheguard.usBringourtroopshome.usTimestamps:00:00: intro, news about ceasefire 02:30: political theatre03:30: “not an ideal situation, but we’ll take it”05:00: historic moment, “but it stinks”07:30: consistency is important 08:15: wake up call from Scott Horton 09:15: antiwar.com11:00: Danny’s question about National Guard support for bill 12:45: informed consent of the people 13:30: Sgt. McKnight’s personal story15:30: Ron Paul 16:45: progress with Defend the Guard bill 17:30: who is blocking the bill and who supports it 18:10: what people can do to help

Danny and Josh interview Libertarian candidate Ken Krawchuk, who is running for Governor of Pennsylvania in the 2026 election.Timestamps:0:00: Intro and kinds of Libertarianism05:00: State marijuana bill 07:00: on bringing nuance to the Republican Party08:00: on breaking the strangehold of the duopoly 10:30: AADD voting 12:30: line item veto14:00: on state constitution not being taught in school16:00: Josh’s concerns about a third party 18:00: Russ Diamond19:30: In common with Libertarians: Democrats on personal issues and Republicans on economic issues?20:30: origin of marriage licenses 22:30: Federal progressive tax & PA flat tax23:45: Defend the Guard bill25:30: Civilian militias and Lancaster County ordinance 29:00: open carry legal in most states 31:00: low turnout in primary election 32:30: thoughts on Governor Shapiro37:00: on Doug Mastriano 40:00: government protection of right to life 45:00: on reforming the PA GOP49:00: on parental rights 53:00: who owns the state of Pennsylvania 54:00: on calling a council of censors and a new constitutional convention 55:00: Allodial titles in Pennsylvania 56:30: state citizenship57:30: realistic goals 1:02:00: 1 out of 6 votes to win

Danny invites his brother Rob on the show, who discusses jujitsu with Josh, also a current student of the martial art. They discuss several topics, including jujitsu in Lancaster, and martial arts legend May Oyama (great uncle of Danny and Rob). The conversation then shifts to the topic of religion, as Josh questions Rob about Catholicism. Rob retaliates with verbal armbars and sweeps. (Just kidding, but he does explain stuff well.)Timestamps:3:00: competing in Jujitsu as a novice 6:00: jujitsu for kids 9:00: jujitsu in Lancaster15:30: police academies using jujitsu 17:30: firearms training 21:00: Mas Oyama25:00: on monkdom and living in isolation28:00: laziness of American religion?30:00: Catholicism questions - language 33:00: Turf wars in Africa?34:00: Melkite Catholics 38:00: calendar discrepancies 39:00: hard core fasting 40:00: differences between Melkite, Russian/Greek Othodox, and Roman Catholic 42:00: Pope selection process 46:00: prescriptive Book of Leviticus 49:00: significance of sacraments other than Communion?50:30: Acts, Chapter 256:30: ecclesia 58:30: Catholicism is a term for universality of the Church1:00:00 the spread of the Gospels, and the early Christians1:06:00 authority of the Church to discern 1:09:00 on feeling a connection1:15:00 appeal to emotions in modern day Protestantism 1:17:00 background on hymns 1:21:30 what is incense and what’s its purpose?1:23:00 “what’s the water?”1:25:30: mortal vs venial sins 1:27:00: once-saved-always-saved?1:32:30: who is in Heaven?

Tim McMaster, former Libertarian candidate for Lieutenant Governor and for State Senate, joins Danny and Josh in a discussion on a variety of topics, including the frustration and liberation of running as a 3rd party candidate, tariffs, trade deficits, the DC swamp, and what happened in the recent Special Election in the 36th PA District for State Senate. Danny and Josh further analyze the Democrats' victory, and also talk about State Rep. Tom Jones' recent Constitution class, which received some dubious coverage from the LNP. 

Danny gives a 7 minute monologue on navigating the paradoxes of politics, and the problem of confirmation bias. They address criticism of the podcast from "The Beto O'Rourke of Central PA", discuss local news such as the State Senate Candidate Forum and the recent plane crash, and cover President Trump's latest attack on Congressman Thomas Massie.

Danny and Josh interview Jon Piper, a history teacher with central PA roots now living in Richmond, VA. A theme of this episode is the current division and polarization in this country, and Jon describes his attempts to mediate and bring people together to have healthy dialog. Some topics covered in this episode (accompanied with rounded timestamps):4:00: Richmond's evolution: a mix of "New South" and traditional Southern culture6:30: Confederate statues9:30: Growing up in ultra-diverse Northern Virginia and where its robust Civil War history fit in14:00: Other States' Civil War history (Missouri and PA)16:00: Pidgeonholing people18:00: Why are we more polarized than we used to be? 22:00: How technology both hinders and helps26:00: Jon's Facebook Post40:00: Danny's Facebook Post and rant about modern liberalism43:00: "We have to be more critical thinkers"44:00: Republicans calling Thomas Massie a "RINO"46:00: Single issue voting and "trigger topics"49:00: Conversations surround abortion1:03:00: "Federalism is a blessing and a curse"1:08:00: DOGE and the Dept. of Education1:16:00: Constitutional Questions

Danny and Josh interview Lancaster County Commissioner Josh Parsons, the current Republican candidate for PA State Senate District 36.  Prior to the show, questions were gathered from their Democratic friends across the aisle, and Danny and Josh read these during the interview.  Find out what Commissioner Parsons answers!

Danny gives a 7-minute monologue on reactions to Trump’s actions in the first 3 weeks of his second presidency, and calls for dialogue. Josh articulates on the “growing pains” that will come about with Federal budget cuts, the PA State Budget is discussed, as well as the forthcoming PA State Senate Race (36th district). Lastly, Bird Flu comes to Lancaster County!  What are the implications?

Watch the video version on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/2cjRx6xieDI?si=4aZbkq8ohEeTPjRo

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