Welcome back to What Do We Do Next? Today I’m joined once again by Frank Spring—founding partner at Altima Insight, political strategist, and one of my favorite returning guests to help make sense of this wild political moment we’re living in.

In this episode, Frank and I dig into the state of American politics right now—how public trust is shifting, why old political narratives are falling apart, and what that means for both major parties heading into the next election cycle. We talk about why authoritarian movements often lose steam over time, how perceptions of economic hardship are driving voter frustration, and the growing disconnect between what political leaders are promising and what the public actually wants.

We also look at the bigger picture: how economic pressures, media consolidation, and corporate monopolies are quietly shaping not just our politics, but our entire culture. It’s a wide-ranging, eye-opening conversation about where we are, how we got here, and—most importantly—where we could go next if we’re willing to imagine something better.

If you’ve been feeling disillusioned or just trying to understand the forces behind today’s political chaos, this episode offers clarity, context, and a hopeful look at how we can rebuild trust, solidarity, and a stronger democracy together.

Chapters:00:00 - Introduction00:10 “Frank A. Spring: Narrative Expert”06:12 - Republican Party’s Evolving Alliances07:22 - QAnon, Epstein, and Fringe Politics10:56 - Trump’s Decline in Media Savvy15:27 - Generational Perspectives on Israel-Palestine18:33 - Athlete’s Anti-Trans Activism Journey20:22 - “Engage and Groom Future Leaders”25:16 - Advocacy On Trans Athlete Policy26:21 - “Immigration System Controversy”29:42 - Understanding Immigration to the U.S.35:26 - Policy Disconnect Spurs Public Discontent36:57 - Privatized Prisons Exploit Immigrants42:34 - Disrupting Media Power Dynamics43:51 - Trump Administration’s Pro-Monopoly Stance49:33 - “Balancing Security, Comfort, and Democracy”52:00 - Embracing Simplicity Post-Pandemic Shift56:47 - “Bluesky Updates & Platform Change”57:44 - “Optimism in Dark Times”58:16 - Outro

Quotes:“We are living through a period in which the old stories aren’t true. The next chapter of the American story is how we write it—and how we get back that sense of security and possibility.”- Frank Spring

“We have so much more power than we realize, but we’ve grown comfortable. As that comfort leaves, people will wake up—and together we’ll see what we can do.”- Molly Ruland

Key Takeaways:Authoritarian projects eventually unravelEconomic realities drive political changeAmericans are becoming more aware and engagedLong-term strategy and engagement matterNarrative shapes how we see ourselves and our politicsCorporate power and monopolies are under scrutinyRoom for hope and renewal

Connect with Frank SpringWebsite: https://www.theundaunted.co/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frank-spring-66bb891/

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