Light Beer Dark Money

Chris opens the show with a firsthand recap of Rush’s return to the stage in Los Angeles, including the band’s tribute to Neil Peart, the debut of new drummer Anika Nilles, and why the first show back felt like a major moment for longtime Rush fans.

From there, Sean and Chris turn to Los Angeles politics and the fallout from Spencer Pratt’s campaign. Sean explains why Pratt never had a realistic path to victory in a city where Republicans make up such a small share of the electorate, but also why the campaign may still have mattered if it forces Karen Bass and city leadership to move toward his message on homelessness, public safety, and making Los Angeles livable again.

They also react to Marco Rubio’s latest congressional hearing moments, including his response to Democrats trying to push a new narrative about Donald Trump’s health and cognitive ability. Sean and Chris argue that Democrats are the last people who should be raising that issue after years of defending Joe Biden.

The conversation then turns to Trump’s NBC interview on Iran, his “no new wars” promise, and why Sean believes preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon is one of the clearest and most consequential decisions of Trump’s presidency.

Later, Sean and Chris discuss the shakeup at CBS News, Scott Pelley’s firing from 60 Minutes, Barry Weiss, The Free Press, and the broader problem of liberal bias in legacy media. They also talk about why conservatives should still read and listen outside their own bubble, and why fair journalism still matters.

The episode wraps with a look at the future of the Republican Party, including Marco Rubio, JD Vance, Donald Trump’s work ethic, and what leadership after Trump may look like.

Faith, freedom, free enterprise — and the weekly conversation you expect from Light Beer Dark Money.

#MarcoRubio #DonaldTrump #MediaBias #CaliforniaPolitics #Rush #FreeEnterprise

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#PrattPodcasting

With state budget negotiations still stalled and critical policy decisions hanging in the balance, the conversation turns to Governor Katie Hobbs’ ongoing opposition to budget proposals that would maintain conformity with the federal tax code—potentially impacting more than 700,000 Arizona small businesses, workers benefiting from the elimination of taxes on tips, and Social Security recipients.

Chris, Sean, and Victor also examine how water policy is increasingly being used as a tool to restrict development across the state, including major economic opportunities such as data centers, advanced manufacturing, and other job-creating investments.

They discuss the rise of NIMBY politics, the challenges facing Arizona's long-term growth, and what policymakers should be doing to balance responsible water stewardship with economic prosperity.

As one of Arizona's leading advocates for limited government, individual liberty, and free enterprise, Victor provides a thoughtful and fact-based perspective on the policy choices that will shape the state's future. We are proud to have Goldwater as a Primary Partner of our efforts at LBDM.

A must-listen conversation for anyone interested in Arizona politics, economic development, water policy, and the principles of Faith, Freedom, and Free Enterprise.

#Arizona #GoldwaterInstitute #VictorRiches #WaterPolicy #EconomicDevelopment #SmallBusiness #FaithFreedomFreeEnterprise

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#PrattPodcasting

They start with Texas politics and a look at James Talarico, whose repeated campaign story raises questions about authenticity, faith, and how Democrats are trying to appeal to more conservative voters. Sean and Chris also discuss Ken Paxton, the Texas Senate race, and how voters may weigh personal baggage against policy and party control.

From there, they react to Bernie Sanders’ proposal for the public to take a 50% stake in AI companies. The conversation turns to free enterprise, innovation, and why government ownership of emerging technology would be a dangerous mistake.

They also discuss Jill Biden’s new book tour and the ongoing fallout from questions about Joe Biden’s health and who was really making decisions during his presidency. Later, Sean and Chris react to Marco Rubio’s Senate hearing exchanges on Iran sanctions, national security, and political grandstanding.

The episode wraps with a California election preview, Sean’s reflections from a Hyrox race in New York, and a pop culture discussion after seeing Six on Broadway during Dylan Mulvaney’s final performance.

Faith, freedom, free enterprise — and the weekly conversation you expect from Light Beer Dark Money.

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#StarWorldwideNetworks #PrattMarketingAgency #PrattPodcasting

Trobough brings an unusual background to the race. He is a technology business executive, former defense tech CEO, White House Presidential Innovation Fellow, and managing partner at JLA Advisors — with experience spanning software, cybersecurity, defense, telecom, enterprise technology, and AI. That gives him a front-row view of how emerging technology is reshaping national security, the economy, privacy, Big Tech power, and America’s competition with China.

Chris and Sean dig into what lessons policymakers should learn from the early days of the internet — what Washington got right, what it got wrong, and how those lessons should guide the coming AI revolution. Should government regulate AI more aggressively, or get out of the way so America can innovate faster than its adversaries? How should Arizona position itself in the future of AI, data centers, energy, defense manufacturing, and next-generation infrastructure?

The conversation also turns to the race for AZ-01, an open seat after Congressman David Schweikert’s decision to run for governor. Trobough discusses what he is hearing from voters across the Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, and Fountain Hills, including concerns about border security, affordability, economic growth, national security, and whether Washington understands the pace of technological change.

This is a timely conversation about Arizona politics, the future of AI, and what kind of leadership voters in Congressional District 1 are looking for in 2026.

Learn more about John Trobough and his campaign at troboughforaz.com.

#AZ01 #ArizonaPolitics #AI #BigTech #2026Election

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#StarWorldwideNetworks #PrattMarketingAgency #PrattPodcasting

New Notre Dame Prep graduate Camille Kayyem — daughter of frequent LBDM guest Luke Kayyem — joins Chris and Sean for an inspiring and insightful conversation about faith, leadership, identity, and the growing spiritual hunger emerging among younger generations.

Camille shares her experience challenging the status quo at Notre Dame Prep, why faith has become central to how she approaches leadership and life, and how many young people today are searching for something deeper than what culture is offering them.

As she prepares to head to the University of Tampa to play soccer and begin her next chapter, Camille talks candidly about the pressures facing graduates today, the importance of conviction and courage, and why young men and women are increasingly turning back toward faith, purpose, and community.

An encouraging and hopeful episode for parents, students, and anyone wondering where the next generation is headed.

#LightBeerDarkMoney #FaithGeneration #NextGeneration #Faith #Leadership #GenZ #ChristianLeadership #NotreDamePrep #UniversityOfTampa #Family #Culture #FreeEnterprise #Freedom #FaithAndFreedom #YoungLeaders #Podcast #ConservativePodcast #LeadershipMatters #Parenting #Soccer #ChrisAndSean #StarWorldwideNetworks #PrattMarketingAgency

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Chris and Sean break down a wild week in 2026 politics, from Rep. Thomas Massie’s Kentucky primary loss to Brad Raffensperger getting knocked out in Georgia, Trump-backed wins in Indiana state Senate races, and Sen. Bill Cassidy’s collapse in Louisiana. What do these races tell us about the modern GOP? Is this just Trump loyalty—or a deeper Republican realignment driven by populism, MAHA, foreign policy, and grassroots frustration with establishment Republicans?

Then the guys turn to Texas, where Trump’s endorsement of Ken Paxton in the U.S. Senate race against John Cornyn could either seal a MAGA victory—or make the general election much more expensive and unpredictable for Republicans.

Meanwhile, Democrats finally released their long-delayed 2024 election autopsy—and immediately tried to distance themselves from it. The report warns that Democrats lost ground with men, non-college voters, rural voters, and irregular voters, but the DNC’s reaction may say even more than the report itself. Are Democrats serious about learning from 2024, or are they still avoiding the hard truths?

Plus, Chris and Sean bring it home to Arizona with the increasingly nasty AZ-01 GOP primary, where Joseph Chaplik’s attack on Jay Feely over Feely’s work helping Haitian men come to the U.S. sparked a major firestorm in one of the most competitive congressional districts in America.

From Trump endorsements and GOP primary wars to the DNC’s messaging crisis and Arizona’s toss-up House battleground, this episode of Light Beer Dark Money covers the fights shaping 2026—and the bigger political realignment heading into 2028.

#LightBeerDarkMoney #Trump #GOPPrimary #DNC #2026Midterms #KenPaxton #JohnCornyn #ThomasMassie #BillCassidy #BradRaffensperger #MAHA #ArizonaPolitics #AZ01 #JayFeely #RepublicanPrimary #Democrats #StarWorldwideNetworks #PrattMarketingAgency

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They start in Arizona, where new polling from Mike Noble shows Andy Biggs absolutely dominating the Republican primary for governor while David Schweikert trails badly. Sean and Chris do not sugarcoat it: if those numbers are real, Schweikert’s campaign is over in all but name. They argue the signs are in the wrong places, the math was never there, and the whole effort now risks damaging the legacy of a congressman they otherwise respect on policy. That leads to a broader conversation about what a chief of staff is actually supposed to do, why staffing matters more than most people realize, and how much a strong operation can make or break a member of Congress.

From there, they pivot to Arizona’s 1st Congressional District and the Democrats’ quiet primary drama. Sean breaks down why the DCCC appears to be putting its thumb on the scale for Marlene Galán-Woods over Amish Shah, and speculates that the national Democrats may be trying to manage internal identity-politics tensions as much as they are trying to win a seat. At the same time, the national redistricting picture is shifting fast. With Virginia’s maps struck down, Florida already moving, and Alabama and Louisiana in play, Sean and Chris argue the House picture is no longer the lock Democrats thought it was even a couple weeks ago.

Then comes a quick but telling detour through Kamala Harris and the latest round of left-wing procedural fantasies: court packing, statehood pushes, and even multi-member congressional districts. Sean uses that to make a bigger point about Congress itself — that the House is too small, too reliant on bureaucrats, and too disconnected from the actual constitutional job of legislating. It becomes one of the more thoughtful stretches of the episode: less about partisan theater and more about how the system stopped functioning the way it was designed to.

The final act is the strongest. Sean and Chris talk about Michael Auslin’s National Treasure, the Declaration of Independence, the founders’ imperfections, and the central role of faith in the country’s creation. That sets up a powerful closing clip from Marco Rubio marking the 250th anniversary of the Continental Congress’s call to fasting and prayer before independence. Rubio’s point — and Sean and Chris clearly agree — is that America’s exceptional story cannot be understood apart from its spiritual roots. The founders were not perfect men, but they built a system grounded in providence, liberty, and the belief that a free people under God could build something history had never seen before. It is a fitting end to an episode about politics, power, and the deeper things that still hold the country together.

#MarcoRubio #AndyBiggs #ArizonaPolitics #Redistricting #FaithAndFreedom

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Chris and Sean kick off this episode with Trump’s explosive comments about not weighing Americans’ financial pain the same way when deciding how to stop Iran from getting a nuclear weapon. It is exactly the kind of quote Democrats will hammer from now through the midterms. But Sean argues there is another side to the story: presidents do not get to make national security decisions based only on polls, gas prices, or the next election. Sometimes the job is to protect the country now — and for decades to come — even when the politics are brutal.

Then the guys turn to Trump’s high-stakes visit to China and his meeting with Xi Jinping, where Iran, Taiwan, oil, trade, and American leverage all collided. With tensions rising over Taiwan, energy markets under pressure, and China looking for every advantage, the Trump-Xi summit may tell us a lot about where the world is headed — and how much room Trump really has to maneuver.

Finally, Chris and Sean break down George Will’s column imagining a Doug Ducey presidential run. Would the former Arizona governor be a serious national candidate? Absolutely. Is it likely to happen? The guys are far more skeptical — especially if Angela Ducey gets a vote.

From Iran and China to the midterms and 2028 speculation, this episode is all about political risk, presidential judgment, and the difference between campaign talking points and governing in the real world.

#Trump #Iran #China #XiJinping #Taiwan #Midterms #ForeignPolicy #NationalSecurity #DougDucey #GeorgeWill #ArizonaPolitics #LightBeerDarkMoney

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They spend real time on the surprising mayoral buzz around Spencer Pratt, who is tapping into the very real frustration Angelenos feel about homelessness, crime, failed leadership, and a city that has visibly deteriorated over the last several years. Sean and Chris agree that while he is saying a lot of the right things, Los Angeles is still Los Angeles, and the math is probably not there for him to win. Still, they argue he is exposing real pain in the city and could parlay that momentum into something bigger.

From there, they pivot to Tucker Carlson’s latest unraveling, reacting to a clip that they say perfectly captures the problem with Tucker’s recent style: throwing out sweeping allegations, hinting at conspiracies, and then collapsing when pressed for even basic evidence. Sean and Chris frame it as part of the broader online sideshow around 2028, with supporters of JD Vance and Marco Rubio increasingly circling each other even though the real question is still much simpler: what shape is the country in when Trump leaves office?

They also get into the real electoral stakes ahead, including redistricting shifts in Virginia, Florida, Alabama, and Louisiana, and what those changes could mean for the House map. Their argument is that Republicans still have a path to limit losses or even outperform expectations, but only if they stop the infighting and actually deliver on the agenda they were elected to pass.

Then comes a classic AOC segment. Sean and Chris react to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez claiming that billionaires cannot “earn” a billion dollars, using it as an example of how the hard left fundamentally misunderstands free enterprise, value creation, and the American system itself. For them, it is not just bad economics. It is a worldview that sees success as theft and treats prosperity as something government should confiscate.

They wrap with Arizona news on Kari Lake’s nomination for ambassador to Jamaica, a little skepticism about what that means politically, and then close on what Chris sees as the real headline of the future: Marco Rubio. Rubio’s answer about America, its imperfect but exceptional history, and its story of continuous improvement leaves both hosts convinced he is the most compelling Republican voice for 2028. It is a strong finish to an episode about political competence, cultural decline, and why the country still needs leaders who can articulate what makes America worth defending.

#MarcoRubio #AOC #LosAngeles #TuckerCarlson #KariLake

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Far from a guaranteed success story, America’s founding was marked by division, sacrifice, risk, and extraordinary courage.

Auslin unpacks the personalities, principles, and perilous moments that shaped the Declaration of Independence and the birth of the Republic — reminding us that the American experiment was never inevitable.

Chris, Sean, and Michael also dive into the modern misperceptions and misunderstandings surrounding America’s history and why attempting to erase or ignore the travesties of the past also ignores the extraordinary strides the nation made in continuing to form “a more perfect Union” — a mission that remains unfinished and essential today.

This is a timely discussion about Faith, Freedom, and Free Enterprise — the founding principles that shaped the American experiment and continue to define the nation’s civic and cultural identity nearly 250 years later. As America approaches its semi-quincentennial, this conversation examines not only where the country began, but what it must preserve moving forward.

#LightBeerDarkMoney #MichaelAuslin #NationalTreasure #AmericanHistory #DeclarationOfIndependence #FoundingFathers #FaithFreedomFreeEnterprise #Patriotism #Constitution #AmericanExperiment #Freedom #Liberty #CivicEducation #HistoryMatters #HooverInstitution #TheAmericanMind #Faith #FreeEnterprise #Politics #Culture #UnitedStates #1776 #America250 #Podcast #PoliticalPodcast #ChrisAndSean #FoundingPrinciples #MorePerfectUnion #AmericanExceptionalism

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