John's monologue today is about Trump saying “I’d love not to use” the the military to attack Iran, “but sometimes you have to.” He has ordered the largest US military build-up in the Middle East since the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, while Iran has vowed to respond to any attack with force. Then, he speaks about politics and campaigning with Kelly Dietrich who is founder and CEO of the National Democratic Training Committee (NDTC). With decades of experience on the campaign trail with candidates - Kelly’s expertise in fundraising and staff training have shaped NDTC into an industry leader in Democratic politics. And then finally, he chats with prize-winning investigative reporter Art Levine. For The Washington Spectator, Levine closely examines the cavalcade of false prophets and junior-level fascists that are currently scrambling for supreme control of the MAGA Movement.

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In the latest episode - John kicks off with a recap of the State of the Union, where he dissects Trump's remarks, highlighting the discrepancies and the political theater that often overshadows substantive policy discussions. He then talks about Democratic and Republican lawmakers who peppered Trump's nominee for surgeon general with hours of questions at a confirmation hearing, asking Casey Means about her stands on vaccines and more. Means - an un-licensed doctor, entrepreneur, and health influencer - was also questioned heavily about her qualifications and possible conflicts of interest. Then, Bob Cesca is back to joke about Trump's speech and the Epstein files fallout. Next, one of the central themes of the episode is the rise of Christian nationalism in American politics. The God Squad AKA Dillon Naber Cruz and Desimber Rose delve into how this ideology influences policy decisions and shapes the political landscape, often at odds with the foundational principles of democracy. The discussion emphasizes the need for a collective pushback against these trends, advocating for a return to core values of justice and equality. Then finally, legal analyst Dr. Tracy Pearson discusses recent court decisions that impact civil rights and public health. The conversation touches on the implications of these rulings, particularly in relation to reproductive rights and immigration policy.

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John and Chris comment as they air Trump's State of the Union live as it happens. FORTUNATELY most of Trump's lies and vitriol has been flushed from this podcast. (YAY) As the speech ends, John speaks with Lurie Daniel Favors, Esq. who serves as Executive Director at a racial justice law center based in New York City. She is an author, activist and attorney with a longstanding commitment to racial and social justice. She also hosts the Lurie Daniel Favors Show on Sirius XM’s Urban View Network, a national talk show that tackles issues of race, culture, gender, identity, politics and the law and you can also find her on the accompanying podcast, Lurie Breaks it Down. Then, closing it up, John welcomes back Ameshia Cross who is a democratic strategist for national, state, and local campaigns, a regular political commentator and contributor on MSN, NBC, BBC, SiriusXM, iHeart Radio, and more.

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In this episode - John discusses the recent blizzard affecting the Northeast, the implications of the Supreme Court's ruling on Trump's tariffs, and the ongoing political drama surrounding the State of the Union address. Then, he is joined by Professor Corey Brettschneider. The conversation touches on critical issues such as executive overreach, judicial accountability, and the state of democracy. Next, John speaks with Miles Taylor who is a national security expert that works in Washington, DC. Taylor previously served as chief of staff at the US Department of Homeland Security, where he published an “Anonymous” essay in The New York Times, blowing the whistle on presidential misconduct. He later published the #1 national bestseller A Warning, revealed himself to be the author, and launched a campaign of ex-officials to oppose Donald Trump’s reelection. He’s worked as an advisor in the George W. Bush administration, on Capitol Hill, as a CNN contributor, and is the cofounder of a DC-based charter school and multiple democracy-reform groups. His latest book is "BLOWBACK". And winding it up, comedian Rhonda Hansome returns to joke with John and listeners about the State of the Union boycotts and Toddler Trump's Tirades and Tantrums.

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John interviews author Project Censored and award-winning investigative journalist Peter Byrne as they present "Military AI Watch" a groundbreaking 10-part exposé on the dangerous militarization of artificial intelligence—and the profiteering that drives it. Then, he speaks wit author Rev Susan Thistlethwaite about her new Substack piece on the life of Jesse Jackson. Next, John talks with journalist and former associate editor of The Washington Post, Eugene Robinson on he new book " Freedom Lost, Freedom Won: A Personal History of America". Then finally, he interviews Husein Yatabarry who is the Executive Director of the Muslim Community Network (MCN). They discuss how he leads this network with a steadfast commitment to community service, education, and equity.

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This week, Simon and Julie join John to unpack a powerful mix of history, headlines, and accountability.

They begin by honoring the legacy of Jesse Jackson, reflecting on how he bridged Black and Indigenous civil rights struggles — from supporting Standing Rock to advocating for Leonard Peltier — and how he used his national platform to connect movements that are too often siloed.

Then they turn to Texas, where Tarrant County GOP chair Bo French is seeking higher office after publicly calling for the mass deportation of millions — including Native Americans. They examine what this rhetoric reveals about extremism inside state politics and how normalized it has become.

They also discuss a Georgia lawmaker’s proposal to rename Sawnee Mountain after Donald Trump. The pushback highlights deeper questions about Indigenous erasure, public memory, and who gets honored on the land.

And finally, they close with a troubling but important story out of Hawaiʻi, where Mark Zuckerberg reportedly used shell companies to pressure Native Hawaiian families into selling ancestral lands while constructing a fortified compound. It’s a conversation about power, land, and what happens when billionaires collide with Indigenous sovereignty.

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This time John's monologue discusses the royal formerly known as Prince Andrew - who was arrested bright and early on his birthday on suspicion of misconduct related to his myriad, well documented ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Also, a South Korean court has found ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol guilty of masterminding an insurrection. So other countries are showing us a guide map. Next, he talks with Dr. Kristin Lyerly on these unnerving new additions to the Administration’s ever-growing extreme MAHA agenda that will actually hurt Americans by eliminating necessary health care programs, driving up higher out-of-pocket costs, and fundamentally put people’s health at higher risk. And winding it up, John welcomes back Natalia Reagan: Anthropologist, primatologist, actor, writer, producer, host, and of course comedian and they chat with listeners about pop culture and Trump's buffoonery.

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John talks about the Republican voting overhaul which is back on Capitol Hill — with an added photo identification provision and an altered name — as President Trump seeks to upend elections in a midterm year. Opponents say the legislation would disenfranchise millions of voters. The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act — now dubbed the SAVE America Act - narrowly passed the U.S. House last week, with all Republicans and one Democrat backing the bill. Then, he jokes with Bob Cesca about AI and the suffering economy. Next, John welcomes back Desimber Rose and Dillon Naber Cruz AKA The God Squad. They give up some bible lessons and verbally abuse white Christian Nationalist who are too pious and hypocritical. And last but not least, legal analyst Dr. Tracy Pearson returns to talk listeners off a ledge with wisdom and clarity.

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John remembers civil rights leader and formative voice in 20th century US politics, Rev. Jesse Jackson who died at age 84 after a decade-long battle with a debilitating neurological disorder. He also talks about FCC Chair Brendan Carr putting the brakes on Steven Colbert's interview with Democratic Texas Congressman James Talarico and the death of legendary actor Robert Duvall who passed away at the age of 95. Then, he interviews Bruce Friedrich who is the founder and president of the Good Food Institute (GFI), a global science think tank with more than 230 full-time team members, the plurality scientists. Climate charity evaluator Giving Green recommends GFI as a top six charity for climate impact, highlighting its “successful track record, breadth of expertise, and strategic approach,” and calling it “a powerhouse in alternative protein thought leadership and action.” They talk about his new book "MEAT: How the Next Agricultural Revolution Will Transform Humanity's Favorite Food—and Our Future". In the book, Bruce offers an exploration of how science, policy, and industry can work together to satisfy the world’s soaring demand for meat, while building a healthier and more sustainable world. Next, John welcomes back Shawn Harris who is a retired Brigadier General and Polk County cattle producer, who returned home to Georgia after 40 years of military service to run a first-generation grass-fed cattle farm in Rockmart. Harris is running to replace Marjorie Taylor Greene in Georgia’s 14th Congressional District, a democrat in a crowded field of Republicans in a race that suddenly has the full attention of Donald Trump, who will travel there this week. And lastly, he jokes with "Comedy Daddy" Keith Price and they chat with listeners about Robert Duvall, Jesse Jackson, and Combover Caligula.

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John talks about the DOJ dropping charges against two immigrant men arrested and shot by ICE officers in Minneapolis last month after ZERO evidence backed up the agency’s charges. Now, two of the officers are under investigation for lying about the incident. John also discusses Trump revoking a landmark ruling saying greenhouse gasses actually DON'T endanger the people on this planet. Then, he talks about this topic with Jeremy Symons who is a veteran environmental policy strategist and clean-air expert with decades of experience shaping U.S. climate and public-health protections in and around the Environmental Protection Agency. His work focuses on how regulatory decisions translate into real-world consequences—especially for children, older adults, and communities living near highways, power plants, and industrial sites. Next, John welcomes back Professor Corey Brettschneider to chat about President's Day his book "The Presidents and the People: Five Leaders Who Threatened Democracy and the Citizens Who Fought to Defend It". Then lastly, TV's Frank Conniff joins the fun to joke with listeners about pop culture and life in Trumpland.

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