The Mandy Connell Podcast

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Get ready for a lively discussion on debates, energy policy, and the world of K-pop! This episode of The Mandy Connell Show is packed with thought-provoking conversations and expert insights. Mandy Connell dives into the world of politics, discussing the latest developments in the Colorado gubernatorial election, including Victor Marx's decision to skip the Club 20 debate. She also talks to Wade Harley, the executive director of Club 20, about the implications of Marx's decision and the importance of transparency in politics.

In this episode, Mandy also explores the world of energy policy, discussing the challenges of meeting Colorado's clean energy goals and the impact of the Clean Heat Plan on consumers. She's joined by Sarah Montalbano, an expert on energy and environment issues, who shares her insights on the complexities of the issue and the need for a more nuanced approach.

But it's not all politics and policy - Mandy also delves into the world of K-pop, discussing the rise of BTS and the controversy surrounding the Grammy Awards' new Asian Pop category. She's joined by Tovah Feldshuh, a renowned actress and star of the hit Netflix show "Nobody Wants This," who talks about her new movie and her experiences in the entertainment industry.

If you're interested in staying up-to-date on the latest news and insights from Colorado's most talked-about topics, tune in to this episode of The Mandy Connell Show. From politics to pop culture, Mandy's got the scoop - listen now and join the conversation!

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Dad joke of the day, word of the day, Mandy's trivia question of the day & jeopardy! It's OF THE DAY! Today's opponent: Rick Lewis.

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TOVAH FELDSHUH JOINS ME TODAY And she’s one of those actresses that you know when you see her even if you don’t know her name. She is currently one of the stars of the most excellent show Nobody Wants This. She’s got a new film coming out and it’s the role she was born to play because it’s about her. Watch the trailer for Tovah here. She and director David Serrero join me today at 2:30 because the film is having it’s Colorado premiere in Crested Butte this weekend.

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GREEN ENERGY GOALS ARE UNACHIEVABLE That is the message from a recent article by Sarah Montalbano from the Independence Institute. I’m specifically talking about the Clean Heat Energy Plan, which requires that Colorado gas utilities reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 41 percent compared to 2015 levels by 2035. The law also aims for 22 percent reductions by 2030 and, critically, four percent emissions reductions by the end of 2025. So how is it going?

Xcel won’t say so directly, but the company has already whiffed its 2025 target. That’s despite spending $65.4 million in 2025 for 24,821 metric tons of program-attributed emissions reductions.

It isn’t a surprise to Xcel that it’s missing the mark, given the company’s own consultants said in a 2024 filing that “achieving the 2025 goal is extremely unlikely.” The PUC approved the plan anyway, waiving the 2.5 percent cost cap on the grounds that doing so was in the public interest.

But the PUC seems to have allowed them to pick our pockets to reach the “extremely unlikely” green goals set by the idiots in the Legislature and Governor’s office. So if they don’t meet the goals, do the ratepayers who have been soaked get their money back? The biggest takeaway is that the whole scheme relies on forcing YOU AND ME to give up our efficient natural gas furnaces for a new more expensive electric system. No thank you. I’ll talk to Sarah today at 1 about the whole thing. Read her story here.

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VIC BLOWS OFF CLUB 20 And to say they are not happy about being blown off is an understatement. You may have missed Vic’s announcement that he is not doing any debates. Watch that here if you want.

Victor Marx@victormarxMy challenge to @pweiser1:00 PM · Jul 28, 2026 · 145K Views

The delusion of Vic is stunning here. He thinks, as the massive underdog now, that he can set the terms for a debate going forward? He’s insane. He’s a coward. He knows that Phil Weiser would wipe the floor with him. His “strategy” in the primary was stupid and he almost lost to someone who raised a fraction of the money he raised. And why in the hell would Phil Weiser agree to something this stupid? He won’t. I’m betting Greg Lopez will so there WILL be a gubernatorial debate and Vic will be a no show. What a clown show this campaign is. Club 20 sent out an press release, which reads in part:

Marx’s campaign informed Club 20 Executive Director Wade Haerle on Sunday night that Marx would not be participating in a debate against Weiser in a county where he handily won the Republican primary. On Wednesday, Marx called Haerle personally to inform him he would not be participating in the debate.

“The Republican nominee for governor does not want to come out and discuss western Colorado issues with the people of western Colorado and with Club 20. It’s wrong. We went bat-dung crazy when (current Gov.) Jared Polis refused to come. We’re going to do the same thing when the Republican nominee refuses to come,” Haerle told The Daily Sentinel on Wednesday afternoon.

“My question to him was, ‘Where else do you need to be on Sept. 19, other than western Colorado in Grand Junction, Mesa County, debating western Colorado issues? Where on Earth do you need to be?’.... They said it comes down to schedules and times and resources and money and all these different kinds of things. That’s what we call political calculus. A kindergartner using kindergarten math could have figured this one out, but this is their decision.... It’s just disappointing as hell.”

Why wouldn’t Vic just tell the truth about why he won’t be there? His video above makes him a liar to Club 20. But that doesn’t surprise me. Club 20 Executive Director Wade Haerle joins me at 12:30 to discuss it.

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Mandy Connell is on a mission to hold those in power accountable for their actions, and today's episode is no exception. She's joined by Drew Holden, a journalist who's been digging into the COVID-19 pandemic and the role of Dr. Anthony Fauci in it. Together, they're discussing the media's handling of the pandemic and the lack of scrutiny given to Dr. Fauci's actions.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who's been following the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath. Mandy and Drew dive into the world of Dr. Fauci's diary, which has been released, and the implications it has on our understanding of the pandemic. They also discuss the media's role in perpetuating misinformation and the consequences of their actions. From the origins of COVID-19 to the media's handling of Dr. Fauci's actions, this episode covers it all.

One of the key points of discussion is the media's failure to hold Dr. Fauci accountable for his actions, particularly when it comes to the origins of COVID-19. Mandy and Drew discuss how the media was quick to dismiss any theories that suggested the virus may have originated from a lab in Wuhan, China, instead of exploring the possibility. They also talk about the consequences of this lack of scrutiny, including the damage it caused to people's lives and the economy.

If you're interested in learning more about the COVID-19 pandemic and the role of Dr. Fauci in it, this episode is a must-listen. Mandy and Drew's conversation is informative, engaging, and thought-provoking, and it's a great starting point for anyone looking to understand the complexities of the pandemic.

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DREW HOLDEN REMEMBERS THE MEDIA LOVE AFFAIR WITH FAUCI In this great column by Drew Holden, who joins me at 1pm, he reminds you of just how slavish the devotion to Dr. Anthony “The Science” Fauci was. Just click through here and check out the obscene and fawning headlines that we now know were all part of chummy coverage full of burgeoning “friendships” between Fauci and the media who were supposed to be covering him with a dispassionate air.

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