Real Talk with Marissa Streit | PragerU

California gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton joins this new episode of Real Talk to discuss the challenges facing the Golden State. From California’s high cost of living, taxes, and business regulations to homelessness, government spending, and the influence of special interests, Hilton explains why he believes state policies have contributed to California’s problems. He also reflects on his family’s escape from communism, his love for California, and the role of leadership and personal responsibility in public service.

00:00 - Introduction and California’s Political Leadership

01:08 - California’s Economy, Taxes, and Cost of Living

03:25 - Why California Matters to America

05:46 - Can California’s Problems Be Fixed?

08:56 - Business Regulations, Lawsuits, and PAGA

13:45 - California’s Homelessness Crisis

15:34 - Housing First and Harm Reduction Policies

19:29 - Where Did the Homelessness Money Go?

23:46 - Hilton’s Political Philosophy and Family Background

25:45 - California Policy Proposals and State Income Taxes

27:53 - The “Just Try It” Campaign Ad

31:31 - What Virtues Should Political Leaders Possess?

35:12 - Special Interests and Government Accountability

38:01 - California’s Future

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Author and filmmaker Dinesh D'Souza joins this new episode of Real Talk to explore the biggest archaeological discoveries that he argues are increasingly corroborating the people, places, and historical details described in the Bible. From evidence associated with the high priest Caiaphas to the Pool of Siloam and the Tel Dan Stele's reference to the “House of David,” Dinesh explains why he believes the cumulative archaeological record presents a growing challenge to skeptics of the Bible's historicity. He also reflects on what he sees as the deeper significance of so many biblical discoveries emerging now, why the Bible remains foundational to Western civilization and why, in his words, “the stones are crying out.”

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Dr. Peter McCullough joins this new episode of Real Talk for or a wide-ranging conversation about vaccines, autism, COVID-19, medical trust, and how parents can seek additional perspectives before making major health decisions for their children.

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Peptides, supplements, GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, NAD, IV drips, and “longevity stacks” are everywhere. But how much do people really know about what they are putting into their bodies? Dr. Jared Ament and Dr. Jon Kanevsky join this new episode of Real Talk to explain the potential benefits of peptides, why so many Americans are experimenting with them, and why the gray-market peptide industry can be risky. They break down FDA approval, third-party testing, China-based sourcing, growth hormone peptides, Ozempic, retatrutide, creatine, NAD, and the role of AI in helping patients research their own health. We also discuss why good medicine requires both curiosity and humility.

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Urban warfare expert John Spencer joins this NEW episode of Real Talk to explain how the wars reshaping the Middle East are creating new opportunities for rising powers like Turkey. Spencer breaks down Turkey’s growing ambitions, Israel’s security concerns, the collapse of Assad’s regime in Syria, and why Syria has become a central battleground for regional power competition. He also explains what modern urban warfare reveals about the conflicts in Ukraine, Nagorno-Karabakh, and Gaza, and why Americans should pay attention to conflicts that may seem far away.

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Aaron Prager joins this NEW episode of Real Talk to discuss the crisis facing young men, the rise of figures like Andrew and Tristan Tate, and why fake masculinity often disguises victimhood as personal responsibility. Drawing from his own journey through addiction and recovery, Aaron explains why real growth requires accountability, struggle, faith, ambition, and the refusal to blame others for your problems. We also discuss why young men are drawn to online communities that offer shortcuts and what parents can do to raise sons who are strong, responsible, and hopeful.

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Author and Skeptic magazine founder Michael Shermer joins this NEW episode of Real Talk to discuss why conspiracy theories spread, how some turn out to be true, and when to tell the difference between healthy suspicion and paranoia. Shermer explains why UFOs, 9/11, the moon landing, COVID, and antisemitic conspiracies capture the public imagination, and how social media and AI have made false narratives easier to create and spread. We also discuss the difference between real conspiracies and conspiracy theories, and why the best question to ask is: what would it take to change your mind?

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Spanish businessman David Hatchwell Altaras and Argentine-American media entrepreneur Pablo Kleinman join this new episode of Real Talk to discuss how tensions between Spain and Morocco, mass immigration, energy dependence, corruption, and anti-Israel politics are reshaping Spain and Europe.

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Former Virginia Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears joins this new episode of Real Talk to discuss her family's journey from Jamaica to America, how socialism devastated Jamaica, and why America remains a land of opportunity. She explains why school choice and parental rights are essential, how COVID-era school closures helped reshape Virginia politics, why local elections matter, and how teachers unions stand in the way of meaningful education reform. Earle-Sears also shares the heartbreaking story of losing her daughter and two granddaughters, the role faith has played in helping her endure tragedy, and why she believes Americans must choose service over victimhood.

00:00 Winsome Earle-Sears on Her Name and Coming to America

01:22 Why Her Father Chose America During the Civil Rights Era

03:48 How Socialism Devastated Jamaica

06:20 Why Socialism Fails in Practice

08:43 Faith, Family, Work, and Winsome’s Worldview

11:18 Why Welfare Cannot Build Generational Wealth

13:02 Homelessness, Veterans, and Compassion With Accountability

17:53 Why American Children Need Standards, Not Participation Trophies

20:22 Why Parents Need School Choice

24:12 Why Local Elections and School Boards Matter

25:34 How COVID School Closures Hurt Children

32:22 How Teachers Unions Fight School Choice

43:33 How Winsome Refuses Despair

45:17 Losing Her Daughter and Granddaughters

55:41 Why Americans Must Choose Service Over Victimhood

Join PragerU CEO Marissa Streit as she interviews some of the most significant thought leaders and influential figures from around the world.

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Indian journalist Lalit K. Jha joins this new episode of Real Talk to discuss why Americans should pay closer attention to India. He explains how India’s religious and linguistic diversity, economic growth, and democratic system make it fundamentally different from China. Jha also discusses China’s use of Pakistan as a proxy, India’s complicated role in BRICS, its relationships with Israel, Iran, and the United States, and why America and India share more common interests than many people realize.

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