Burning Bright kicks off a fresh chapter of the show with Zak Paine, and things go big picture fast, think Rome's staying power versus America's 251st year, and whether this moment finally feels different. They trade theories on why 2025 and 2026 haven't unfolded the way many expected, why getting dragged into the reactive "micro" can cloud the bigger "macro" view, and what Trump's approach to the presidency actually reveals about his long game. The conversation drifts north of the border too, with a candid look at how immigration and cultural shifts in Canada are reshaping political attitudes across generations. Expect sharp opinions, a few tangents (cacao drinks and Roman emperors both make an appearance), and a genuinely hopeful read on where the country is headed. Bring your own take on the American mind; you'll want to compare notes by the end.