Benjamin Rutledge is a Czech-American Christian with a diverse academic and professional background, which includes military service, international political economy studies, and teaching at a Czech private school.

Benji & I met a few weeks ago in Prague and became fast friends. When we met for lunch last Friday, he told me about Charlie Kirk & Iryna Zerutska's memorial in Wenceslas Square. Afterward, I posted an Instagram reel of us laying flowers there and it's been viewed over 600k times! What a worldwide outpouring of support!

This one wasn’t easy to do. Coming to you solo from Prague to discuss the biggest story in the world right now—the assassination of Charlie Kirk. I’ll never shake the video of Kirk getting shot from my memory. It was so horrific. I didn’t think for a second that was something he’d survive.

Charlie Kirk was a happy warrior who spoke truth and gave young people a reason to believe in the nuclear family, their faith, and their country.

I discuss a few other topics—Iryna Zarutska, the nature of evil communists, Thomas Sowell’s books, and other musings.

Morgan’s first time in Europe! And second on the pod—since the wife laughed so hard at the first episode (got a new listener!) there had to be a sequel. Which is never as good. But this isn’t the movies.

We talk about going to Europe at age 50. Why he waited so long. And what happened with a bathroom attendant in Prague that caught him off guard.

Then there’s Morgan’s latest obsession—timepieces. Or what you and I call “watches.” He’s thinking of passing a watch down to his son as an heirloom. And I share a story of buying a fake Rolex in Thailand

This one went long. Hope you enjoy!

Coming to you solo from Prague—my favorite city in the world. I went to Berlin last weekend and recorded an episode there with my buddy Jürgen. In this episode, I discuss "the best movie ever," raid of John Bolton’s home, and Trump's recollection of the raid on his home.

Remember when American propagandists told us Trump would start World War III? Now that he's signed six peace deals in six months, and had 70,000 Cambodian monks call for him to get a Nobel Peace Prize after helping to end fighting between Cambodia and Thailand, it makes you wonder how long we've been told the exact opposite of reality.

I also discuss investments, jobs most at risk from AI, a thoughts on marijuana legalization.

In Berlin with my best Euro friend. Jürgen! He's "Schmürgen," in the US, or "Jürg with two dots over you" when I haven't seen him in a while. Anyway, he's from Nuremberg, Germany.

We discuss all the migration in Germany. Jürgen shares his perspective on the need for balancing compassion, cultural adaptation, and the tax burden on German citizens. He says attitudes have shifted since the 2015 refugee crisis. Then we get into what democracy is and free expression in Germany.

Jürgen also shares his personal philosophy on happiness & relationships. From his 13-year relationship to the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people, he emphasizes the importance of focus and learning to appreciate the simple joys in life.

Jürg with two dots shares thoughts on friendship, travel, and what are non-negotiable values in relationships. Which sounds a lot like lessons for living a BIGGER LIFE.

Finally, professionally (remember I told you Euros never ask 'What do you do? It's an afterthought, if it's thought at all), Jürgen is a Senior Financial Analyst at Siemens AG. He studied International Business in Germany, Spain and Hong Kong, and enjoys travel, soccer, American football, animals, golf, chess and reading

Always enjoy a chat with Jürgen—he's also my smartest Euro friend. Not because he's super educated or speaks 5 languages (a lot of Euros can do that), but because he's deep like the end of the pool with the high diving board.

Meet Justin Jackson. There’s no friend I admire more. In fact, he’s my new favorite podcast guest and will be back for Round 2 in October.

Justin’s a former Marine gunship pilot with over 25 years of service, who transitioned from combat deployments to entrepreneurship. He’s built companies ranging from a cybersecurity firm with elite hackers to a mission-driven brewery honoring Gold Star families.

Nowadays, he’s a husband, dad, and dog-father to a Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy named Lincoln. Professionally, he leads “On Glideslope,” a leadership development venture.

In this episode, we rewind to our high school days at Cy Falls, where Justin took over centerfield duties after I graduated (he was Class of 2000). He had the good fortune of playing for Coach Brent McDonald before playing at the Naval Academy. We discuss the mental & emotional side of baseball.

Then we get into the role Top Gun played in Justin deciding to be a Cobra attack helicopter pilot. He talks about the contrast between a quiet Iraq deployment and a much more intense tour in Afghanistan’s Helmand Province—flying low over desert landscapes, supporting Marines under fire, and the kind of brotherhood only combat can forge.

Justin’s a natural storyteller with a rare mix of tenacity and humility.

Hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we did.

Almost didn't get this solo episode recorded. Been a rough week. But think I might get some relief after seeing a doctor here in Gdańsk. In this ep, I talk about a recent sauna experience—who I met there and why the interaction impacted me. One of them was a 19-year old from Ukraine. So I asked if she had any friends who'd been killed in the war. And what she told me is something I'll always remember. War is hell.

In this short solo episode from the Baltic coast, I talk more about Gdańsk. This is where World War II started. Then, half-a-century later, was the first domino to fall before the collapse of the Soviet Union. I also talk about the city’s Catholic roots, the street scenes during the Saint Dominic festival, and how much the place has changed through the years.

I also talk about US media & government. For example, the recent revelations from the Russia Collusion Hoax. Unfortunately, the corporate media can't cover the biggest political scandal in American history because they're complicit. Which means many of our boomer friends & family who were duped will remain that way. But it's always been easier to convince someone of a lie than to convince them they've been lied to. And speaking of dominos falling, I wonder whether we'll soon find out what COVID & Climate Change were all about?

There's also my Ryne Sandberg memories and some Gurwinder.

Harvey and I met in 2021, when he and his college sweetheart and wife of 17 years, Amie, joined my wife & me, at Cafe Dumonde in New Orleans for beignets & Cafe Au Laits. And we've stayed in touch since.

Harvey's a proud dad to Brinley (14), Harvey the 5th (12) and Clara June (11). He's also a baseball nut, former D1 baseball player, Army team leader, civilian. Now he's an entrepreneur, leadership team coach and EOS Implementer - helping leadership teams get everything they want from their teams and their lives.

Not to mention Harvey's just a great dude. I told him if we lived closer in proximity, we'd probably be besties. But unfortunately, he lives in Ohio and I live somewhere else.

In this episode, I check in from Gdańsk, a city in northern Poland on the Baltic coast. I talk about what it’s been like exploring this part of the world—how Gdańsk surprised me with its charm, walkability, and its history. World War II started here. And unlike Kraków or Warsaw, it has beaches! And fewer tourists.

I also talk about something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately: optimal experience and how we use our time.

From Estonia’s efficiency to my own efforts to build better focus in Poland, I get into why flow state matters—especially in a world full of distractions.

This one’s part travel journal, part reminder to slow down and use time like it counts. Because it does.

There’s investing talk too. And a bit on strip clubs and some Epstein theories.