This week's episode brings in the first guest to The Disconnect studio. Mark Zarate is a Middle School Teacher, Fitness Instructor, and fellow Podcaster as host of The Cool, Calm and Chaotic Podcast. Zack and Mark dive into a variety of topics ranging from Geo-Political studies and how it relates to a younger generation, why we're so bad at managing our finances, putting forward best practices in life, best music for a Summer BBQ, and bring Mark up to speed on the concept of Yacht Rock. This and more on this week's episode of The Disconnect.

Mega Millions is currently sitting at an estimated jackpot of 1.1 BILLION dollars! Even with a cash payout and Uncle Sam taking his cut, that is some serious F U Money. Like everyone else, Zack and Phil have been daydreaming about what they would do if they won the big jackpot and ponder if money truly can buy happiness...

What would you do with a billion dollars? Buy your tickets and daydream with us on this week's episode of The Disconnect.

CNN Ratings are tanking. And the rest of the main stream media isn't performing much better. As they try to steer away from partisan narratives and eliminate opinion commentary in exchange for "hard" news in hopes of gaining a more middle ground audience, we can't help but wonder is it too late?

We know politics has become a joke and the way the news reports on it from all sides seems to only reinforce that. So maybe its time to replace the boring talking heads in exchange for someone the American People can get behind...

Zack and Phil strategize in this week's episode of The Disconnect.

Our two party system is flawed. Politicians are corrupt and we continue to repeat a never ending pattern of being forced into voting for the lesser of two evils. It's the same story every election cycle yet we as Americans remain optimistic that someday we will have a Democracy that truly works for the people it represents.

Unfortunately, this day never seems to come. As we become more divided by identity politics our culture becomes primed for a shift that could lead to a complete breakdown of society as we know it. But is there a solution?

What if we took the emotion, corruption, self interest and pandering out of elections? What if, Artificial Intelligence was in The White House making decisions that was best for the United States as a whole? Is this the perfect fix or potentially the beginning of the end for Mankind?

Zack Hayes and Phil Hayes discuss on this week's episode of The Disconnect.

Coming off of 4th of July, we shouldn't lose sight of what led up to the Revolution. No taxation without representation! As hard working American Citizens, we are finding ourselves taxed around every corner. Probably more than you would even care to realize. Are we getting the short end of the stick when it comes to our Government plucking our hard earned dollars from our paycheck?

And even that isn't enough as we continue to spend more than we collect at the Federal level. Are we starting to reach our breaking point as a nation while we spend ourselves into oblivion? Zack and Phil breakdown the numbers on this week's episode of The Disconnect.

Happy 4th of July! As we approach this celebration of America's Independence, we reflect on the current state of our Country. Are the ideals we once held to be true about what makes America one of the greatest countries today still alive and well or have we veered off course and lost our way?

America is still young by comparison to other nations but there is no doubt we're experiencing an identity to crisis...but are we headed towards reaching our fullest potential or on the verge of utter collapse?

Zack and Phil discuss on this week's episode of The Disconnect.

Are we nearing a point where technology that was designed to make our lives easier is actually counteracting our ability to be productive? There is a clear disconnect between developers and real world applications that has become more apparent since COVID 19 lockdowns. Are developers the new paper pushers, re-writing code for the sake of filling up their days to collect a check while start ups value analytics and user data over functionality and simplicity?

Zack and Phil discuss on this week's episode of The Disconnect.

The biggest rate hike by the Fed in 28 years was announced this week, leaping by .75% compared to the 0.5% rate hikes seen in March and May. And the Central Bank may not be done quite yet as rates are expected to rise four more times this year.

Will this move be effective for Powell and the Federal Reserve as they attempt to slow down the economy while we all brace for a recession or have Americans just be accustomed to signing on the dotted line, no matter what the interest rate?

Regardless, something needs to give...but is this too much market manipulation or a valid response to years of printing money and out of control pricing? Zack and Phil discuss on this week's episode of The Disconnect.

Republican vs. Democrat

Employer vs. Employee

Rich vs. Poor

Black vs. White

Teacher vs. Parent

Detroit vs. Everybody

Zack rides solo on this week's episode of The Disconnect and ponders where the real blame should be placed for the current state of our country...

Memorial Day is the official kick off for the Summer travel season. Zack and Phil discuss their plans as they both Go North with the family this weekend. This trip will be a little different though as the FAMS crew gets ready to open the spin off store Third Coast Print in Houghton Lake Michigan. What other surprises will be in "store" this weekend (no pun intended)? Time will only tell...

This and more on this week's episode of The Disconnect.