The Bruce Cook Show

Stephen Bryen, a Senior Fellow at the Center for Security Policy at the Yorktown Institute, discusses why the US must have a strong military in these times where the world seems to be much closer, with modern technology. Bryen and Bruce also talk about how the modern media shapes the public's opinion of the military and its actions around the world. Bryen has held senior positions in the Department of Defense, on Capitol Hill and as the President of a large multinational defense and technology company. Dr. Bryen is also an expert in Asian military and economy, and has published four books on these subjects.

Bruce's trusted, (well, sometimes), producer Lew Stowers joins Bruce to talk about the holiday season, and how times have changed in celebrating the holidays on television and wonder if the new generation of stars are going back to being for wholesome for the holidays? They also tackle the highest mountain that is algorithms that are dominating from retail prices to how we stream, scroll and even live. Bruce's views are not very encouraging. Lew wants to know if Bruce is, in fact, the Grinch in disguise?

Dr. Mark Lazenby, Dean and Professor of the UCI School of Nursing, joins Bruce on the quality of health care around the nation, and specifically in California, where prices of care and prescription drugs are skyrocketing. That, mixed with the lack of quality doctors, nurses and the changing landscape of how health care is obtained, could mean longer wait times for less than adequate care. Then, Virginia Bagby, a licensed social worker, talks to Bruce about her work as the Director of Hotline Operations at Childhelp. The Hotline gives at risk children and teenagers a place to talk or interact with someone regarding child abuse, by either calling, texting or direct messaging a counselor in a safe, caring environment.

The season of giving is upon us. And, what better way to get in the mood than with Grammy nominated jazz pianist-composer, radio show host and philanthropist David Benoit, who will be playing the music of Vince Guaraldi's , "A Charlie Brown Christmas" at the Catalina Bar & Grill in Hollywood on Friday, November 28 & 29. David and Bruce discovered that they share having had recent kidney transplants, which opened another door into their conversation about giving back and raising money for this worthy cause. In the second half hour, Attorney & Philanthropist Doug Freeman talks to Bruce about his his crown jewel, National Philanthropy Day, which was signed into legislation by President Ronald Reagan in 1986.

Conductor, composer, Emmy Award Winner and Director of the world renowned Young People's Chorus of New York joins Bruce, who is a talented musician in his own right, to talk about the importance of music in young people's lives, especially in education. Nunez, a MacArthur Fellow and Educator of the Year award winner, tells Bruce that not only do the more than 1,700 school aged singers participate in the musical programs, but also have the opportunity to participate in after school college preparation programs. Nunez gives these children the opportunity of a lifetime by showcasing their performances to sold out concert venues around the world, through the Young Peoples Chorus non-profit network.

As the dust settles on the victory lap of the passage of California Proposition 50, allowing the already powerful Democratic state party to gerrymander Congressional District lines to serve their own purposes, taking away that job from the very successful independent California Citizens Redistricting Commission, what really comes next? Bruce talks to Republican Assemblyman James Gallagher, who's idea is to secede parts of California into its own state. Then, State Senator Tony Strickland talks to Bruce about how short sided the passage of Prop 50 is, saying, that down the line, other red states will follow, creating more red seats than blue Congressional seats.

Political strategist, educator, author and political commentator Mike Madrid joins Bruce in a spicy hour on topics ranging from Proposition 50 to racism in higher education systems on down to the streets of Latino communities. Although Madrid is a Republican, he has consulted political candidates on both sides of the aisle including former LA Democratic mayor Antonio Villaraigosa during his 2018 run for California Governor.

Legendary FBI agent, author, attorney and cybersecurity expert Eric O'Neill joins Bruce to talk about how the riches of cybercriminals have grown into the world's third largest economy, and how you can prevent being taken. O'Neill also talks about taking down the world's first cyberspy, Robert Hanssen in 2001, a thriller that became a hit movie, "Breach".

Stak Space is a live experiment in living, working and playing in the same building in Oakland, California. Stak Space, an already thriving community in one building, is the brain child of Venture Capitolists Colin Behring, CEO of Behring Capitol and Brian Sparkes, CEO of Silicon Valley Venture tell the Bruce the benefits of an all-in-one space grow your business and your life. Deepak Pilai, CEO & Founder of Central AI is a resident at Stak Space, and tells Bruce his unbiased opinion of living, working and playing in one building. Is this the future of urban living?

Superstar model and Golden Globe award winning actress Cybil Shepard joins Bruce to talk about her upcoming singing tour. The performances will include Ms. Shepard singing blues, pop & jazz, while mixing in stories and conversation about her incredible career as a Hollywood starlet.