In this introspective episode, Frankie Val sits down with Badlands Media founder Jon Herold for a candid discussion about the triumphs and pitfalls of the alternative media world. They trace the rise of new platforms and the pressures that come with monetization, including the relentless grind to produce content and the echo chambers that breed both tribalism and burnout. Jon shares behind-the-scenes stories of building Badlands, from battling suppression and shadow banning on every major platform to launching the Great American Restoration Tour as a way to reconnect people offline.

The two dissect the viral backlash to Trump’s curt dismissal of Epstein questions and debate whether the memo “rug pull” was a deliberate op to fracture the movement or simply more evidence of systemic opacity. They also explore how clickbait culture and algorithm incentives have hollowed out genuine inquiry, replacing curiosity with perpetual outrage. From personal anecdotes about navigating online smear campaigns to reflections on what audiences really want, community, honest dialogue, and time away from the doom cycle, this episode offers a thoughtful look at where independent media is heading and why it still matters.