Tough loss for the Seattle Mariners in Game 7 of the ALCS against the Toronto Blue Jays. And to lose it on a home run from George Springer - that's extra painful.

For my experience at the ALCS (Game 4) with my mama, check out my YouTube channel - https://youtu.be/wnrCrvXsQzg?si=XAcBVZ0bSDecYLpT

In this episode, I discuss the questionable managerial choices by Seattle manager Dan Wilson, the big hit and the disdain Mariners have for George Springer (although most of us NEVER wanted to see him get injured), and the overall 2025 Seattle Mariners season, while looking ahead to next year. I also preview - with my prediction - for the upcoming World Series matchup between the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers.

Like the 2003 Boston Red Sox, the 2025 Seattle Mariners will be back for redemption.

The 2025 Mariners have all the momentum as the American League Championship series shifts back to Seattle for Game 3. They are up 2-0 with a pitching staff that has finally received some better rest and hitters who are starting to find their swings.

But now is NOT the time to get complacent or overconfident. In this episode, I break down some of the math that might suggest how the odds are in the Mariners' favor, but comebacks have happened before and this Toronto Blue Jays team is good.

Below are some of the essays and the YouTube channel I mentioned in the episode:

- My essay on the 2025 Seattle Mariners: https://polispandit.com/waited-24-years-seattle-mariners/

- Seattle Times story on What history says about the Mariners' chances to reach World Series: https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/mariners-hold-a-huge-advantage-up-2-0-in-alcs-they-know-better-than-to-let-up-now/

- My YouTube Channel - M's VLOG coming soon! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsVgf0vt_NMPLiH3U3xfNFQ

Sign up for my newsletter so you don't miss any of my work: https://polispandit.substack.com

Food trends come and go—cronuts, Dubai chocolate, etc.—but true culinary icons tell the story of a city. In this episode, I dive into the history and culture of New York City’s most enduring staple: the bagel. From its immigrant roots on the Lower East Side to the rise of the bagel bakers’ union, from New York vs. Montreal bagel debates to my own 16-bagel tour across the city, we explore what makes a New York bagel unique—and why tradition matters more than trends.

Want my definitive ranking for the best bagel in NYC? Check out the full YouTube video and essay below, and be sure to sign up for my newsletter so you don't miss future cultural deep dives! Thanks for being here.

YouTube: https://youtu.be/e88ETlViRIk?si=3EBaNDKXkYDetcAJ 

Essay: https://polispandit.com/16-best-bagels-in-nyc/

Newsletter: https://polispandit.substack.com

See my newsletter for more: https://polispandit.substack.com/p/wh...Make sure to subscribe for weekly essays that dig deep into the intersection of law, politics, tech, and finance.My hope with this video is that it helps America heal following the murder of Charlie Kirk. Follow me here:

• Website: polispandit.com
• Newsletter: https://polispandit.substack.com

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Google just pulled off the biggest antitrust escape in decades.A federal judge ruled that Google violated U.S. antitrust law — but when it came to punishment? No breakup. No fines. No consent decree like Microsoft in the 2000s. Instead, a slap on the wrist that leaves Google free to dominate AI, deepen its Apple partnership, and keep driving the future of tech.In this video, I break down:- Why Google dodged the harshest remedies- What this ruling means for Apple, Meta, Amazon, and other Big Tech firms facing antitrust scrutiny- How startups and AI rivals like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Perplexity could benefit from the decision- Why this case sets a precedent for the future of antitrust law in techThis is the biggest shift in tech regulation since Microsoft vs. DOJ — and it could reshape the AI race.Subscribe for more deep dives on AI, Big Tech, politics, and the future of innovation!You can also find me here:- Website: polispandit.com- Newsletter: https://polispandit.substack.com- Medium: https://medium.com/@johnny-p- X: https://x.com/TheJohnnyp21- Threads: https://www.threads.com/@johnnyp21

We are in the midst of a critical thinking crisis. Instead of consuming news and media from objective sources, we increasingly rely on influencers and social media accounts, almost none of whom have editorial departments fact-checking their work. Traditional media has adapted to this brave new world by injecting more opinion in the endless quest for eyeballs and attention.

In this episode, we explore ways we can sharpen our critical thinking skills to counter these forces at play.

For the related essay, see: https://polispandit.com/the-critical-thinking-crisis/

You can also find it on Medium: https://medium.com/thought-thinkers/the-critical-thinking-crisis-what-you-can-do-about-it-a2a80c925e8f

Follow here for more:

- Medium: https://medium.com/@johnny-p

Make critical thinking your superpower at polispandit.com

- Medium: https://medium.com/@johnny-p

There’s a cruel irony to breaking up Google. The company that stands to benefit most is Microsoft; the same tech giant that faced antitrust scrutiny, near breakup, and years of stagnation while Google filled the void with its domination of search and mobile operating systems. Now, Google is hearing the antitrust music, and Microsoft’s Bing is poised to capitalize.

American society is failing its young men. They are suffering from loneliness, rates of suicide, and drug overdoses that are disproportionate to women. Many (ages 18-34) still live in their parent’s home. They are also less likely to graduate from high school and attend or graduate from college compared to young girls.

Yet almost nobody in modern culture talks about it. This is why I wanted to make this podcast.

For more, please see the links below:

- Young Men Are Not Alright

- 23 Rules for Manliness in 2023 (not according to Joe Rogan)

- Why You Should Care How Andrew Huberman Treats Women (he’s more than a neuroscientist)

- I was fortunate to have a great father, but we need more male mentors in society for young men who were not as lucky as me.

- Rich Roll Podcast - interview with Scott Galloway

Isn’t it ironic that pacifism can lead to war? But if you look back at the events leading up to World War I, that’s exactly what happened. America was indifferent when war broke out in Europe. Instead of acting boldly and swiftly to tame an aggressive Germany, America sat back until Britain and France were on the verge of defeat.

If you liked this episode, sign up for our weekly newsletter! https://polispandit.substack.com/