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Episode 21: Tariff World – How Trump’s Trade War Broke The Global Economy

What’s in this episode
In the final instalment of our three-part series on Trump’s April 2025 tariffs, host Bella Goode steps back to explore the global fallout of America’s most reckless trade war in modern history. From dairy farmers in Quebec to chip manufacturers in Japan, we follow the ripple effects of a policy with no economic modeling and no safety net — just escalating damage. This episode unpacks how Trump’s trade assault is reshaping economies, straining alliances, and accelerating the collapse of a global system the U.S. once led.

Key points covered:

• A global tour of tariff consequences, with real-world impacts in Canada, Germany,Japan, and Vietnam
• How entire industries — from autos to electronics to agriculture — are being destabilized by U.S. trade policy
• The retaliatory measures taken by countries like Canada, Mexico, and China — and what they signal geopolitically
• The growing movement among U.S. allies to reduce dependence on American markets and leadership
• How broken supply chains, rising inflation, and shrinking trust are rewriting the rules of global trade
• The danger of U.S. isolationism — and what happens when America is no longer seen as a reliable partner
• Why this trade war may mark the beginning of a new global order — one where the U.S.is on the outside looking in
  
  Why it matters
  This isn’t just about trade — it’s about trust, leadership, and the long-term role of the United
  States in the global economy. Trump’s tariffs are accelerating a shift in global alliances,
  damaging U.S. industries, and pushing inflation higher for American consumers. At stake is not
  just economic efficiency, but America’s credibility on the world stage. When the U.S. abandons
  cooperation in favor of coercion, the rest of the world adapts — without us.
  
  Coming up next
  In Episode 22, we dive into national security — and how the Trump administration’s second term is exposing critical vulnerabilities. From cyber threats to global conflict zones, we’ll examine the systems under strain and what it means for American safety in a world increasingly
  on edge

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Host: Bella Goode

Bella is a former Republican turned democracy advocate raised by middle class parents in Pennsylvania. She is a graduate of Syracuse University and the University of Pennsylvania with a masters of business administration from Wharton and a Masters Degree in Positive Psychology.

Career wise, Bella spent 20 years with American Express in New York and 20 years as an entrepreneur. She started and sold a fitness business that grew to 180 locations worldwide.

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Episode Summary:
In Episode 20 of Surviving Trump, host Bella Goode digs into the real-world consequences of Donald Trump’s sweeping April 2025 tariffs. From wheat fields in Kansas to factory floors in Ohio, the economic pain is spreading. You’ll hear why top economists are calling the policy “economic malpractice,” and how working families, small businesses, and farmers are footing the bill. With inflation rising, profits vanishing, and rural communities on the brink, this episode breaks down who’s being hit hardest—and why. We also examine the political fallout, including what Congress is doing and how MAGA voters are responding as economic costs mount.

In This Episode:

• Plus, we’ll hear from leading economists who say this isn’t economic genius — it’s economic malpractice
• Why prices are surging, markets are rattling, and economists warn of stagflation
• How the tariffs are slamming American workers and small businesses, from pool contractors to car dealerships
• Why farmers face a full-blown crisis after losing export markets and USAID food purchases
• Industry-by-industry breakdown of who’s hurting most, and what it means for the broader economy
• What Republicans and Democrats are saying—and why MAGA voters are starting to feel the squeeze

Next Episode:
Episode 21: Global Fallout
We follow the ripple effects across borders. How are China, Europe, and America’s trading partners responding? What new alliances are forming? And is the U.S. losing its grip on global economic leadership?

Support the show

Host: Bella Goode

Bella is a former Republican turned democracy advocate raised by middle class parents in Pennsylvania. She is a graduate of Syracuse University and the University of Pennsylvania with a masters of business administration from Wharton and a Masters Degree in Positive Psychology.

Career wise, Bella spent 20 years with American Express in New York and 20 years as an entrepreneur. She started and sold a fitness business that grew to 180 locations worldwide.

Community :

• Rate & Review on Apple Podcasts – Your feedback helps us reach more people. Click to review.
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Episode Summary:
In Episode 19 of Surviving Trump, host Bella Goode unpacks Donald Trump’s massive April 2025 tariff announcement—the largest unilateral economic move in modern U.S. history. This episode breaks down what tariffs actually are, how Trump’s new policy distorts their use, and why this isn’t just about trade — it’s about power. From market collapses and economic misinformation to ideological fantasy and authoritarian leverage, we explore how Trump is using tariffs as a political weapon—and how you’re already paying the price.

In This Episode:

• What tariffs are and how they work in plain language
• Trump’s sweeping April 2 announcement and the bizarre math behind his new tariff plan
• Why the tariffs were timed for now — and how they serve Trump’s political agenda
• How Trump sees tariffs as tools of dominance, not policy
• The administration’s surreal spin on the resulting market crash

Next Episode:

Episode 20: “The Fallout”
We turn the lens to economists, workers, and everyday Americans to assess the damage. You’ll hear why some are calling Trump’s tariffs “economic malpractice.” How are farmers, families, and industries reacting? What’s Congress doing—or not doing? And what will MAGA voters tolerate as the pain spreads?

Support the show

Host: Bella Goode

Bella is a former Republican turned democracy advocate raised by middle class parents in Pennsylvania. She is a graduate of Syracuse University and the University of Pennsylvania with a masters of business administration from Wharton and a Masters Degree in Positive Psychology.

Career wise, Bella spent 20 years with American Express in New York and 20 years as an entrepreneur. She started and sold a fitness business that grew to 180 locations worldwide.

Community :

• Rate & Review on Apple Podcasts – Your feedback helps us reach more people. Click to review.
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Episode Summary

In the final chapter of our six-part Musk series, Bella Goode delivers a powerful reckoning with the fallout of Elon Musk’s DOGE regime—a techno-authoritarian experiment that has left America's democratic infrastructure gasping for air.

Far beyond a failed efficiency program, DOGE has become a vehicle for chaos, control, and collapse. With institutions gutted, benefits blocked, and public trust in freefall, Episode 18 dives into the devastating human cost of Musk’s governance and the deeper ideology that powers it.

From the IRS layoffs in Ogden to the rise of Orbán-style illiberalism, we expose the radical worldview reshaping our country—and ask whether democracy can survive in a system rebuilt for billionaires, by billionaires.

In This Episode:

The IRS Shutdown – How DOGE’s mass firings at the IRS led to a $500B tax shortfall and a wave of unchecked corporate tax evasion.

Ogden, Utah in Crisis – The heart-wrenching impact of DOGE layoffs on working-class communities, with interviews from displaced workers and local leaders.

Musk’s AI Catastrophe – From frozen Social Security payments to algorithmic cruelty, we examine how Musk’s “innovation” is terrorizing vulnerable families.

The Human Factor – Why Musk’s obsession with optimization—and disregard for empathy—has turned reform into ruin.

Chaos as a Strategy – How Musk uses disinformation, crisis cycles, and media distraction to deflect blame and consolidate power.

The Authoritarian Network – Musk’s ideological alignment with Viktor Orbán, Curtis Yarvin, and Peter Thiel—and how DOGE reflects their shared vision for post-democratic rule.

10 Pillars of Democracy Under Attack – A sweeping breakdown of how DOGE is systematically dismantling the foundations of a free society.

The Verdict – Why Musk has failed as a government leader, and why that failure is not just dangerous—it’s existential.

Next Episode

Our next episode takes a deep dive into Project 2025- the blueprint causing all the chaos. 

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Host: Bella Goode

Bella is a former Republican turned democracy advocate raised by middle class parents in Pennsylvania. She is a graduate of Syracuse University and the University of Pennsylvania with a masters of business administration from Wharton and a Masters Degree in Positive Psychology.

Career wise, Bella spent 20 years with American Express in New York and 20 years as an entrepreneur. She started and sold a fitness business that grew to 180 locations worldwide.

Community :

• Rate & Review on Apple Podcasts – Your feedback helps us reach more people. Click to review.
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In Part 5 of our six-part series on Elon Musk, we zoom out from Washington to the world stage. Musk isn’t just dismantling the U.S. government from within—he’s reshaping global politics without ever holding elected office. From Starlink in Ukraine to political meddling in Germany, from Tesla’s entanglements in China to his cozy rapport with Putin, Musk is acting like a rogue superpower. And no one voted him in.

This episode also features a powerful conversation with Amy Richter, a German-born life coach and newly naturalized American citizen whose cross-continental perspective adds depth to the question: What happens when private tech empires start shaping foreign policy?

In This Episode:

• The Global Power Play – Why Musk’s influence now extends far beyond U.S. borders—and what’s really driving his international agenda.
• China and the Corporate State – The risks of Musk’s deep ties to Beijing, his praise for authoritarian governance, and how U.S. military reliance on Starlink creates a dangerous dependency.
• Starlink and the War in Ukraine – How Musk's private decision to block coverage in Crimea may have altered the course of war—and why world leaders are uneasy with his unchecked power.
• Europe’s Backlash – From Germany to Hungary, Musk is fueling far-right movements, manipulating political discourse on X, and facing legal action under the EU's Digital Services Act.
• Exclusive Interview: Amy Richter
  A Wendekinder from East Germany turned American citizen shares her insights on:
  • The emotional toll of becoming a U.S. citizen
  • How civic education and voter suppression intersect
  • Reactions to Musk’s Tesla plant in Germany
  • The rise of nationalism in Europe
  • What gives her hope in a fractured, fast-moving world
• Musk’s Global Endgame – When one man controls critical infrastructure, narrative platforms, and geopolitical leverage, what checks remain? What happens if no one draws the red lines?

Next Episode – Episode 18: The Endgame

The final chapter in our Musk series. What is Elon Musk really after—and can democracy survive it?

Support the show

Host: Bella Goode

Bella is a former Republican turned democracy advocate raised by middle class parents in Pennsylvania. She is a graduate of Syracuse University and the University of Pennsylvania with a masters of business administration from Wharton and a Masters Degree in Positive Psychology.

Career wise, Bella spent 20 years with American Express in New York and 20 years as an entrepreneur. She started and sold a fitness business that grew to 180 locations worldwide.

Community :

• Rate & Review on Apple Podcasts – Your feedback helps us reach more people. Click to review.
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Elon Musk’s DOGE initiative—the Department of Government Efficiency—was sold as a revolution in streamlined governance. But in the wake of its rollout, America is facing a whirlwind of legal battles, shattered institutions, and deepening national division.

In Part Four of our series, we trace the real-world consequences of Musk’s rise inside the Trump administration. What began as a tech-driven experiment in "cutting waste" has become a blueprint for privatized power, deregulation at scale, and authoritarian overreach cloaked in the language of innovation.

Bella Goode unpacks the blowback, asking: What did DOGE break—and can it be undone?

In this episode:

• Legal Mayhem – The wave of lawsuits from whistleblowers, watchdogs, and state attorneys general challenging DOGE’s legality.
• Civil Service Collapse – How Musk’s rapid dismantling of agencies and firings of career public servants have left critical systems in disarray.
• Privatized Governance – From AI-driven decisions to corporate contractors replacing regulators—has the U.S. government been hollowed out?
• Public Backlash and Protests – Growing resistance from civil society, unions, and grassroots movements fighting to reclaim democratic norms.
• Media Spin and Musk’s Defenders – How right-wing influencers and Musk allies are rebranding the chaos as “bold reform.”
• Who’s Really in Charge? – With Trump distracted by legal woes, has Musk become the de facto ruler of the administrative state?

This episode examines the crisis moment we’re now living in—when the bold promises of DOGE collide with constitutional limits, public accountability, and democratic survival.

Next Episode

🔜 Episode 17 – Elon Musk’s World Stage: Power, Profit, and Geopolitical Fallout

In the final installment of our five-part Musk series, we follow the money, the influence, and the global consequences. How is Musk reshaping U.S. foreign policy? What are his true motivations? And what lasting damage—or transformation—has his rise to power caused across the world stage?

Support the show

Host: Bella Goode

Bella is a former Republican turned democracy advocate raised by middle class parents in Pennsylvania. She is a graduate of Syracuse University and the University of Pennsylvania with a masters of business administration from Wharton and a Masters Degree in Positive Psychology.

Career wise, Bella spent 20 years with American Express in New York and 20 years as an entrepreneur. She started and sold a fitness business that grew to 180 locations worldwide.

Community :

• Rate & Review on Apple Podcasts – Your feedback helps us reach more people. Click to review.
• Follow on YouTube - subscribe here:
• Follow my blog on Substack bellagoodepodcast.substack.com
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• Share this episode – If you found this podcast valuable, send it to a friend and tag us on social media.
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Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency—DOGE—has become the engine behind a hostile takeover of the U.S. federal government. Guided by the radical Project 2025 blueprint, Musk and Trump are orchestrating a full-scale dismantling of America’s public institutions under the guise of "efficiency."

In Part Three of our six-part Musk series, Bella Goode unpacks how DOGE operates as a power-consolidation machine—firing career public servants, shuttering agencies, and replacing civil governance with political loyalty and chaos. From AI-generated layoff lists to Starlink-run air traffic control, this episode shows how Musk's Silicon Valley playbook is being used to break democracy—by design.

In This Episode:

• The DOGE Workforce Purge – How Russell Vought and the Project 2025 plan created the legal and ideological framework to fire civil servants and replace them with Trump loyalists.
• Musk’s Government Takeover – Why Musk was the perfect disruptor to lead DOGE—and how he used startup tactics and unchecked power to reshape Washington.
• The DOGE Team Leads – A rogue squad of under-30 technocrats and crypto-bros now enforcing loyalty tests and mass layoffs inside federal agencies.
• Privatizing the Bureaucracy – The FAA under Starlink, budget cuts by crowdsourcing, and government functions handed over to Musk’s allies and corporate interests.
• Blue Choir Voices – Everyday Americans reflect on Musk’s growing control. Is he a genius—or a threat to democracy?
• Real Lives, Real Fallout – Visits to communities hit hardest by DOGE, including Social Security office closures and the collapse of essential services.

Next Episode

Episode 16 – The Aftermath: Fallout from Musk’s Government Takeover

We track the chaos unleashed by DOGE—lawsuits, institutional collapse, and rising public resistance. What did Musk and Trump break—and can it be undone?

Support the show

Host: Bella Goode

Bella is a former Republican turned democracy advocate raised by middle class parents in Pennsylvania. She is a graduate of Syracuse University and the University of Pennsylvania with a masters of business administration from Wharton and a Masters Degree in Positive Psychology.

Career wise, Bella spent 20 years with American Express in New York and 20 years as an entrepreneur. She started and sold a fitness business that grew to 180 locations worldwide.

Community :

• Rate & Review on Apple Podcasts – Your feedback helps us reach more people. Click to review.
• Follow on YouTube - subscribe here:
• Follow my blog on Substack bellagoodepodcast.substack.com
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Understanding Musk’s mental health and leadership is crucial to assessing his influence in both business and politics. While this analysis is based on observations prior to 2025, it serves as critical context for understanding his current role in the Trump administration. His erratic behavior, mood swings, and history of impulsive decision-making were once confined to the corporate world—now, they shape national policy.

Elon Musk is a man of extremes—a visionary entrepreneur who has revolutionized multiple industries and a volatile leader whose erratic behavior sparks controversy at every turn. His fans see him as the bold innovator shaping the future of space travel, AI, and clean energy. His critics warn that he is a megalomaniac whose unchecked power threatens democracy itself. In this second episode of our five-part deep dive, we examine Musk’s leadership style, his grand ambitions, and the fine line between brilliance and chaos:

• Musk’s leadership at Tesla, SpaceX, and X (formerly Twitter) – Is he a genius CEO or a ruthless taskmaster?
• Mass firings, erratic decision-making, and punishing work culture – How Musk’s leadership style fosters both innovation and instability.
• The dangers of an unfiltered billionaire – How Musk’s tweets can shake markets, destroy reputations, and impact global geopolitics.
• Drug use and erratic behavior – Does Musk’s alleged substance use affect his leadership, and should it be a concern now that he wields government power?
• From innovator to political kingmaker – How Musk has leveraged his companies and influence to shape public discourse and government policy.

Next Episode:

Episode 15 – Elon Musk in Government: The Man Behind the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)

Musk has spent years railing against government bureaucracy—so what happens when he’s put in charge of it? In Part Three of our series, we analyze Musk’s role in the Trump administration, his radical approach to streamlining government, and why his unchecked power in Washington is raising red flags.

Support the show

Host: Bella Goode

Bella is a former Republican turned democracy advocate raised by middle class parents in Pennsylvania. She is a graduate of Syracuse University and the University of Pennsylvania with a masters of business administration from Wharton and a Masters Degree in Positive Psychology.

Career wise, Bella spent 20 years with American Express in New York and 20 years as an entrepreneur. She started and sold a fitness business that grew to 180 locations worldwide.

Community :

• Rate & Review on Apple Podcasts – Your feedback helps us reach more people. Click to review.
• Follow on YouTube - subscribe here:
• Follow my blog on Substack bellagoodepodcast.substack.com
• Join the conversation on Bluesky – Find me at @survivingtrump.bsky.social
• Share this episode – If you found this podcast valuable, send it to a friend and tag us on social media.
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Elon Musk is not just a billionaire tech mogul—he’s one of the most polarizing figures of our time. Some hail him as a genius innovator, while others view him as an erratic and dangerous figure who wields too much power. But to truly understand Musk, we need to start at the beginning.

In this first episode of our five-part deep dive, we uncover:

• Musk’s childhood in South Africa – A life shaped by extreme privilege, emotional abuse, and relentless bullying.
• His complex family dynamics – A domineering father, a resilient mother, and an early life of emotional isolation.
• The psychological profile of a tech titan – Asperger’s, OCD, PTSD, and the compulsions that define his leadership.
• His trauma and survival mechanisms – The roots of his emotional detachment, obsessive work habits, and relentless drive.
• How childhood shaped his leadership style – From building homemade rockets to running billion-dollar companies, Musk has always thrived on Chaos.

And as a special segment, The Blue Choir weighs in on a fun but revealing Hypothetical:

Musk invites you out for drinks and offers to answer one question. What do you ask? The responses range from biting political jabs to hilariously expensive drink orders—exposing the deep skepticism surrounding Musk’s influence on business, democracy, and the future of America.

Next Episode:

Episode 14 – The Vision of Elon Musk: Savior or Supervillain?

In Part Two of our series, we explore Musk’s grand vision—from Mars colonization to free speech absolutism. Is he truly building a better future, or is he just another billionaire playing god?

Support the show

Host: Bella Goode

Bella is a former Republican turned democracy advocate raised by middle class parents in Pennsylvania. She is a graduate of Syracuse University and the University of Pennsylvania with a masters of business administration from Wharton and a Masters Degree in Positive Psychology.

Career wise, Bella spent 20 years with American Express in New York and 20 years as an entrepreneur. She started and sold a fitness business that grew to 180 locations worldwide.

Community :

• Rate & Review on Apple Podcasts – Your feedback helps us reach more people. Click to review.
• Follow on YouTube - subscribe here:
• Follow my blog on Substack bellagoodepodcast.substack.com
• Join the conversation on Bluesky – Find me at @survivingtrump.bsky.social
• Share this episode – If you found this podcast valuable, send it to a friend and tag us on social media.
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Episode Summary

New here? Just jumping around? You’re in the right place.
In this quick guide, host Bella Goode breaks down how Surviving Trump is structured — and how to listen in a way that works for you.

You don’t have to go in order. Every episode stands on its own, but together they reveal a much bigger picture:

• What’s happening to our government
• Who’s driving the changes
• How democracy is being reshaped from the inside out

Bella walks through the full arc of the show — starting with what’s at stake, then diving into the major players, ideological blueprints, institutional breakdowns, and the real-world consequences playing out right now.

Why It Matters

Understanding what’s happening beyond legacy headlines gives you power — to think critically, push back effectively, and stay grounded in truth. This podcast helps you do that.

Final Word

You can’t fight what you don’t understand. So start where it matters most to you, and keep listening. When the dots start connecting — share it. Because more people need to see what’s really going on.

You don’t have to start at the beginning — just start. Every episode helps build a more complete picture of the crisis we’re living through… and what it will take to survive it.

Support the show

Host: Bella Goode

Bella is a former Republican turned democracy advocate raised by middle class parents in Pennsylvania. She is a graduate of Syracuse University and the University of Pennsylvania with a masters of business administration from Wharton and a Masters Degree in Positive Psychology.

Career wise, Bella spent 20 years with American Express in New York and 20 years as an entrepreneur. She started and sold a fitness business that grew to 180 locations worldwide.

Community :

• Rate & Review on Apple Podcasts – Your feedback helps us reach more people. Click to review.
• Follow on YouTube - subscribe here:
• Follow my blog on Substack bellagoodepodcast.substack.com
• Join the conversation on Bluesky – Find me at @survivingtrump.bsky.social
• Share this episode – If you found this podcast valuable, send it to a friend and tag us on social media.
• Contact me at [email protected]
• Support the Show