Dave Spencer leads a spirited roundtable discussion on one of the most controversial foreign policy moves of early 2026: President Trump's aggressive push regarding Greenland and its implications for NATO, national security, and America's standing in the world.

You'll discover diverse perspectives on Trump's unconventional negotiating tactics, from viewing them as strategic brilliance to diplomatic disasters. This episode offers a masterclass in understanding how different political viewpoints interpret the same events through vastly different lenses.

• The strategic importance of Greenland in the context of Russian and Chinese military expansion

• How Trump's negotiating style impacts America's relationships with NATO allies

• The real-world consequences of shifting global trade partnerships

• Whether aggressive diplomacy strengthens or weakens U.S. national security

• How Denmark's contributions to NATO and Afghanistan operations factor into the debate

• The economic implications of unstable international relationships on markets and debt

• Different interpretations of what makes America a "laughingstock" versus "respected" on the world stage

With guest Carrie Sheffield, a Harvard-trained policy expert who brings insights from negotiation theory and international relations, this episode showcases her perspective on Trump's tactics as strategic repositioning rather than reckless rhetoric. Sheffield draws on her academic background to explain concepts like the "zone of possible agreement" (ZOPA) and how moving the Overton window can achieve diplomatic objectives.

Ashley Davis joins the conversation with a passionate defense of America-first policies, arguing that European allies have taken advantage of U.S. military and financial support for decades. She emphasizes the national security implications of Chinese and Russian submarine activity near Greenland and questions why America should continue shouldering the burden of global security when allies fail to meet their commitments.

Kurt Bardella offers a contrasting view, arguing that Trump's approach has made America less stable, less reliable, and ultimately strengthened adversaries like Russia and China. He examines how market reactions have repeatedly forced Trump to walk back his most extreme statements, suggesting reactive rather than strategic decision-making.

• Analysis of Trump's letter to the Norwegian Prime Minister and its diplomatic implications

• NATO spending commitments and whether Trump deserves credit for increased allied contributions

• The historical context of U.S.-European economic growth since 1990

• Denmark's military capabilities and the realistic threat assessment for Greenland

• How Canada and other allies are responding by exploring trade relationships with China

• The role of market stability in constraining presidential foreign policy decisions

• Immigration enforcement statistics and their connection to national security priorities

• Whether America's post-WWII world order has benefited the U.S. more than other nations

This episode perfectly encapsulates the current state of American political discourse, where the same facts lead to dramatically different conclusions depending on one's political framework. Whether you lean left, right, or find yourself somewhere in the middle, you'll gain valuable insights into how foreign policy decisions reverberate through economics, security, and international relationships.

The discussion also touches on domestic policy implications, including recent ICE enforcement statistics and their impact on crime rates, demonstrating how foreign and domestic policy concerns increasingly intersect in today's political landscape.

Practically Political brings together voices from across the political spectrum for honest, unfiltered conversations about the issues shaping America. Host Dave Spencer facilitates discussions that go beyond talking points to explore the real-world implications of policy decisions.

Subscribe to Practically Political on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Join the conversation on social media and share your perspective on these critical issues facing our nation.

Hosts Dave Spencer, Ashley Davis, and Kurt Bardella tackle some of the most contentious issues dominating today's headlines. You'll get an unfiltered, cross-partisan discussion about federal law enforcement operations, the potential invocation of historic presidential powers, and what the political landscape might look like in 2028.

You'll discover diverse perspectives on the use of the Insurrection Act, a presidential power that hasn't been invoked since 1992. The hosts debate whether current circumstances warrant such extraordinary measures, examining the historical precedent and potential consequences of deploying military force domestically. You'll hear arguments from multiple political viewpoints about the balance between maintaining order and protecting civil liberties.

The conversation explores the complex dynamics between federal law enforcement agencies and local communities, including firsthand accounts of how different cities have handled federal intervention. You'll learn about the varying approaches taken by mayors and governors across the country, and why some strategies have proven more effective than others in maintaining peace while addressing legitimate concerns.

You'll also get bold predictions about the 2028 presidential election, including speculation about whether current political figures will still be relevant, who might emerge as viable candidates from both parties, and whether the traditional electoral process will continue as we know it. The hosts don't hold back in their assessments of potential candidates, from Spencer Cox to Andy Beshear, Ron DeSantis to Marco Rubio.

The episode dives deep into the constitutionality and practical implications of the Insurrection Act, examining its 30 previous uses throughout American history and whether current circumstances meet the threshold for its invocation. The hosts analyze the difference between peaceful protest and civil unrest, referencing everything from Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy to recent events in Minnesota and Chicago.

You'll hear a fascinating debate about national security concerns, including discussion of Greenland's strategic importance, submarine movements by adversarial nations, and the balance between territorial expansion and diplomatic cooperation. The conversation reveals how national security considerations intersect with real estate interests and historical ambitions.

The hosts also explore the militarization of domestic policy, with Kurt Bardella presenting a provocative theory about long-term power consolidation strategies, while Ashley Davis and Dave Spencer offer counterarguments based on political fatigue and institutional constraints. You'll get insights into how personality, age, and political capital factor into presidential effectiveness over time.

Finally, the episode examines potential 2028 presidential candidates from both parties, with honest assessments of their strengths, weaknesses, and electability. The hosts discuss what qualities voters might be seeking after years of political turbulence—whether boring competence or dynamic leadership will win the day.

Practically Political brings together voices from across the political spectrum for honest, sometimes heated, but always substantive conversations about the issues shaping America. Dave Spencer, Ashley Davis, and Kurt Bardella each bring unique perspectives and insider knowledge to create discussions that go beyond talking points to explore the real implications of policy and political decisions.

Subscribe to Practically Political on your favorite podcast platform to never miss an episode. Join the conversation on social media and share your thoughts on these critical issues facing our nation. If you appreciate cross-partisan dialogue that challenges assumptions and explores complexity, please leave a rating and review to help others discover the show.

Whether you're politically engaged or just trying to make sense of today's headlines, this episode offers the kind of substantive, multi-perspective analysis that's increasingly rare in today's media landscape.

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Welcome to chaos theory with your hosts Dave Spencer, Kurt Bardella, and Ashley Davis.

This week, the Practically Political crew tackles the biggest question nobody saw coming: What happens when the president decides military operations are the new foreign policy? From the stunning extraction of Venezuela's Maduro to Trump's Greenland obsession, Dave, Kurt, and Ashley dive headfirst into what might be the most consequential shift in American global strategy since World War II.

What you'll get in this episode:

The Venezuelan Gambit – Was removing Maduro a brilliant national security move or an oil-fueled boondoggle? Ashley and Kurt go head-to-head on whether this is about protecting America or lining Big Oil's pockets with taxpayer dollars. Spoiler: the disagreement gets heated.

Spheres of Influence – Dave breaks down why abandoning the post-WWII world order might be the most dangerous thing happening right now. If everyone gets to play conqueror, who's stopping China from taking Taiwan or Russia from finishing Ukraine?

The Greenland Question – Is Trump seriously trying to buy it, or is this the world's most expensive troll? The hosts debate whether this is 4D chess negotiating or just conquest with a real estate twist.

USAID, Soft Power, and What We're Losing – Why gutting foreign aid isn't just about budget cuts—it's about surrendering the tools that actually kept America safe and influential.

This week on Practically Political, the gang reunites with a familiar voice—Carrie Sheffield returns for a lively holiday debate that doesn't pull any punches.

With Trump's approval numbers hitting historic lows and 75% of Americans feeling the economy is on the wrong track, Dave, Kurt, Ashley, and Carrie dig into whether the administration can course-correct before the 2026 midterms. Is "blame Biden" messaging running out of runway? And why does it feel like we're watching a political rerun of 2022—just with different jerseys?

The conversation heats up over tariff chaos (Liberation Day, anyone?), the summer deadline Republicans face to turn kitchen-table concerns around, and why credit cards are doing the heavy lifting this holiday season.

Then the panel pivots to Ukraine, where Trump's "bromance diplomacy" has hit a wall. With Russia publicly dunking on peace talk progress, the hosts debate whether Tomahawk missiles could force Putin's hand—or open Pandora's box.

Topics covered:

• Trump's cratering poll numbers and the "don't gaslight the voters" problem
• Tariff whiplash: courage or chaos?
• The summer 2026 deadline for economic vibes to shift
• Ukraine stalemate: can anyone move the needle?
• Why China is quietly winning the global perception game

Guest: Carrie Sheffield (Independent Women's Forum)

Starting January 9th, 2026—Practically Political goes weekly!

Pete Hegseth's disastrous tenure as Defense Secretary takes center stage as Dave, Ashley, and Kurt dissect the growing cracks in his support—even among Republicans. From the Venezuela bombing debacle to throwing an Admiral under the bus, the hosts explore whether Trump's loyalty to his embattled cabinet pick has finally met its match. Plus, the crew tackles Trump's pardon spree that would make even past presidents blush: from a Honduran drug lord to white-collar criminals who can apparently buy their freedom. Why does the "party of law and order" keep handing out get-out-of-jail-free cards to the wealthy while demonizing everyone else? The conversation gets heated as they debate inflammatory rhetoric on both sides, the future of Trump's fractured party, and whether Democrats can actually capitalize on Republican chaos this time—or will they snatch defeat from the jaws of victory yet again?

Ten months into Trump's second term, the unthinkable is happening—MAGA is showing cracks. Dave, Ashley, and Kurt dive into whether Trump has become a lame duck faster than any president in modern history. From the Epstein files vote defying his wishes to his approval ratings hitting January 6th lows, the hosts debate if the Republican coalition is finally splintering. They also dissect who really won the shutdown showdown (spoiler: it's complicated), wrestle with whether "America First" has become "Saudi Arabia Second," and break down the leaked framework for ending the Ukraine war. Plus: Kurt calls out the hypocrisy, Ashley defends the security hawk position, and Dave asks the questions nobody wants to answer. This is political analysis without the partisan blinders.

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Day 38 of the government shutdown, and Republicans just got a reality check. Dave Spencer, Kurt Bardella, and Ashley Davis break down why the GOP's 2025 election losses prove what everyone suspected: Trump's magic doesn't transfer. From Mikie Sherrill's 13-point blowout in New Jersey to Abigail Spanberger's Virginia sweep, Democrats showed up when it mattered—and younger voters came home.

But the Democrats aren't popping champagne just yet. The hosts dig into what Cuomo's defeat really means for New York politics, why the economy message matters more than "socialist" scaremongering, and whether Mayor-elect Mamdani can actually deliver on those bold promises. Plus: the shutdown drags toward Thanksgiving, flight cancellations loom, and Bill Gates finally admits maybe the climate isn't ending tomorrow.

This is Practically Political—where we talk politics without the hate, but we're not afraid to call it like we see it.

Topics:

• The 2025 Elections: Trump's Turnout Problem
• Government Shutdown: Day 38 and Counting
• Bill Gates' Climate Reality Check

Day 30 of the government shutdown, and President Trump is halfway around the world. Dave, Kurt, and Ashley dissect the unprecedented absence of a president during a federal shutdown, analyze tight gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia, debate whether the Supreme Court will finally check Trump's tariff power, and assess his high-stakes Asia trip. From SNAP benefits disappearing to Gen Z shockingly backing controversial candidates, this episode captures America's political chaos in real time. Will Democrats finally learn their lesson? Can the Supreme Court save its reputation? And what happens when food assistance vanishes for millions? Join us for a no-holds-barred conversation about a government in gridlock and a country at a crossroads.

Dave, Kurt, and Ashley dissect the 22nd government shutdown in 50 years, questioning whether Democrats have a winning strategy or are just setting themselves up for another loss. The hosts debate messaging failures, the Republican advantage in the media ecosystem, and why fighting over future crises rarely moves voters. Plus: was Trump's military generals gathering pure stagecraft? The surprising Monica Lewinsky-shutdown connection you never knew about. And Pfizer's direct-to-consumer deal that has Big Pharma scrambling. Recorded October 2, 2025.

In this episode of Practically Political, hosts Dave Spencer, Kurt Bardella, and Ashley Davis discuss the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk and its implications for political discourse in America. They explore the reactions from political leaders, the role of social media in radicalization, and the ongoing issues of mental health and gun control. The conversation also touches on the upcoming government shutdown and the economic implications of recent interest rate cuts, emphasizing the need for effective messaging and unity in the political landscape.

00:00 The Tragic Assassination of Charlie Kirk

02:47 The Role of Dialogue in Political Discourse

05:21 The Impact of Social Media on Radicalization

08:12 Free Speech and Political Violence

11:00 Mental Health and Gun Violence

13:55 The Political Landscape Ahead of the Midterms

16:37 Economic Implications of Federal Interest Rate Cuts