In this episode of From Our Generation, Crom Carmichael and Mike Hassell examine the foundational ideas of citizenship, statehood, and sovereignty, and how those definitions shape law, policy, and identity in America today.

They explore the controversy surrounding birthright citizenship and its Civil War-era origins, the legal implications of being “subject to jurisdiction,” and the mounting political and fiscal consequences of how the U.S. defines who belongs.

Crom and Mike also unpack the decentralized nature of American governance, the tension between federal and state authority, and how Trump’s presidency is shifting the balance of power back toward the states.

The conversation extends to global questions of statehood and legitimacy, from failed states in the Middle East and Africa to the contested idea of a Palestinian nation, revealing how much of geopolitics hinges on unclear definitions and tribal loyalty.

Finally, they turn to media branding and information trust, reflecting on the collapse of legacy outlets, the rise of algorithm-driven news consumption, and what it means when facts are filtered through platforms built to confirm biases.

Are we living in an era where words mean less... and consequences mean more?

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