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In today’s episode of Surviving Trump, we continue our deep dive into the pillars of democracy and how Trump’s actions are threatening them. With four years ahead, his efforts to consolidate power are just beginning.

We’ll explore two critical pillars:

• Checks and Balances – How Trump is bypassing safeguards meant to limit presidential power.
• Freedom of Speech & Press – How he’s controlling the narrative and silencing critics.

Understanding these attacks on democracy isn’t just important—it’s essential. The more informed we are, the better prepared we are to resist.

Key Quotes from the Blue Choir Panel

• “The weakening of checks & balances will cause further lack of confidence in protecting democracy.” – Arthur
• “Some judges, lawmakers, and influencers are standing up, but too many are going with the flow—or worse, joining in.” – Karen 

Next Episodes: 

• Episode 4:
  • The growing power of Christian nationalism, aims to blur the lines between church and state. We’ll also explore Trump’s aggressive changes to education policy—shaping what children learn, who controls the curriculum, and how these shifts could erode democracy for generations to come.
• Episode 5: 
  • With sweeping executive orders, Trump’s administration is dismantling diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, reversing decades of civil rights protections, and reshaping the justice system to serve political interests. These moves threaten equal opportunity, limit access to education, and push law enforcement toward authoritarian control.

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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.
• 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

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In this episode of Surviving Trump, we dive into the core question: What’s at stake? The answer is simple—our democracy. Since returning to office, Trump has unleashed a torrent of executive actions and policies—over 60 already—that directly threaten the pillars of democratic governance.

We explore the first two pillars of democracy under siege:

• Free and Fair Elections – The alarming efforts to manipulate the voting process and undermine election integrity.
• The Rule of Law – Trump's push to expand executive power unchecked, ignoring constitutional safeguards and eroding accountability.
• Political experts warn that we are in a clear and present danger moment—action is required now.

Pushback from Legal Experts & Democrats:

• State attorneys general and civil rights groups are filing lawsuits.
• The courts are challenging some executive orders, but rulings take time.
• Republican silence is enabling Trump’s overreach.

The Blue Choir Speaks: Which Pillar Matters Most?

• Many panelists agreed that Rule of Law is the most critical pillar—if it collapses, all others are at risk.
• Key quotes:
  • “If Trump positions himself as above the law, the rest will crumble.”
  • “Checks and balances mean nothing if the rule of law isn’t enforced.”
  • “It’s impossible to focus on just one threat—he throws so much at us that it’s overwhelming.”

Next Episodes 

• Episode 3
  • We’ll explore two critical pillars: Checks and Balances – How Trump is bypassing safeguards meant to limit presidential power. And, Freedom of Speech & Press – How he’s controlling the narrative and silencing critics.
• Episode 4
  • The growing power of Christian nationalism, aims to blur the lines between church and state. We’ll also explore Trump’s aggressive changes to education policy—shaping what children learn, who controls the curriculum, and how these shifts could erode democracy for generations to come.

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

Send us a text

In this episode of Surviving Trump, host Bella Goode lays out the roadmap for the podcast, detailing what’s ahead in the coming weeks. From understanding the pillars of democracy to analyzing key players—Trump, Musk, the GOP, and right-wing influencers—this series serves as a revealing crash course in civics and political strategy.

Bella shares how the podcast evolved, why a structured approach to understanding democracy is crucial, and how listeners can engage in the fight to protect democratic institutions. Plus, hear about The Blue Choir, a rotating panel of everyday citizens lending their voices to the conversation.

If you're looking for clarity, strategy, and a sense of community in these challenging political times, this episode is your first step.

Next Episodes

Episode 02:  We cover the pillars of Free and Fair Elections and the Rule of Law: what the Constitution says, what actions Trump and his Administration are taking to chip away at democracy and what’s being done to stop them. 

Episode 03: We’ll explore two critical pillars:Checks and Balances – How Trump is bypassing safeguards meant to limit presidential power. Freedom of Speech & Press – How he’s controlling the narrative and silencing critics.

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

Send us a text

Welcome to Surviving Trump, a podcast dedicated to navigating the next four-plus years with our sanity intact—and, more importantly, doing our part to defend democracy. Hosted by Bella Goode, this show unpacks the threats facing democracy under Trump’s leadership and explores the key figures, ideologies, and institutions shaping our political reality.

In this introductory episode, Bella shares the personal journey that led to the creation of this podcast, from the aftermath of the election to her decision to take action. She outlines what to expect in the upcoming episodes, including a deep dive into Trump, his administration, his allies, and the media landscape that fuels his power. Plus, meet the Blue Choir, a rotating panel of engaged citizens offering their perspectives each week.

If you’re ready to stay informed, stay engaged, and fight for democracy—this podcast is for you.

Next Episodes:

• Episode 1 Preview of coming episodes 
• Episode 2 Democracy on the Brink- We cover the pillars of free and fair elections and the rule of law: what the Constitution says, what actions Trump and his Administration are taking to chip away at democracy and what’s being done to stop them.

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