In this episode, we unpack the growing political crisis in the U.S., sparked most recently by ICE raids right here in Southern California. As the situation continues to escalate, we share our personal reactions and growing concerns about the rise of authoritarianism, and how these national developments are showing up in our own communities. We draw connections between Trump’s upcoming military parade on Saturday, June 14, and similar displays in authoritarian regimes, talk through the breakdown of constitutional checks and balances, and highlight how escalation is being purposely used to justify a stronger military presence.

After this episode, we’re taking a break from recording through the end of June, with plans to return on Monday, July 14. Until then, you can find us on Instagram @thertwjpodcast, where we’ll continue sharing updates and staying engaged as we navigate what’s happening on the ground.

June 11, 2025

In this episode, we reflect on Disneyland’s 70th anniversary celebration and share our thoughts on the blend of nostalgia and missed opportunities. While we genuinely enjoy the return of beloved shows like Wondrous Journeys and Paint the Night, their reuse without any new offerings created specifically for this milestone raises questions about Disney’s current creative direction. We discuss the changing park atmosphere and what this all signals for the future of Disney parks. As fans and annual passholders, we’re still invested, but wondering if the magic is keeping up with the price.

May 26, 2025

Just over 100 days into Trump’s second term, the political and economic landscape is shifting rapidly, with aggressive tariff policies causing a projected 35% drop in imports at Southern California ports, raising fears of supply chain disruptions and shortages. In this episode, we unpack the immediate domestic effects, declining global perceptions, and economic instability marked by reduced tourism and capital flight. We draw connections between Trump’s actions and Project 2025, a conservative blueprint for reshaping government, despite his public denial of involvement. Finally, we reflect on the progressive policies that built modern American society and how they are now under threat, emphasizing that these developments carry real consequences for all Americans, regardless of political party affiliation.

Sunday, May 4, 2025

After celebrating John’s birthday, we’re back to address recent feedback from our March 22nd episode, particularly claims of “Trump Derangement Syndrome.” As public servants, our concerns stem from direct experience with the impact of erratic policies. Sudden tariff shifts, for example, disrupt planning and create instability, not out of partisanship, but because effective governance matters.

We also examine federal spending priorities, where minimal investment in homelessness contrasts sharply with massive military and debt expenditures. These choices reveal more about values than speeches do. Looking ahead to the midterms, we’ll discuss what Democrats must offer beyond opposition, including clear plans to govern effectively.

April 20, 2025

Following our discussion on the Trump administration’s attack on DEI initiatives in our last episode, we now shift our focus to recent economic policies, such as tariffs, that contradict campaign promises to tackle inflation and lower the cost of living starting on day one. We also examine the administration’s sweeping executive actions, including efforts to dismantle the Department of Education, which signal a fundamental reshaping of the federal government. As these radical changes accelerate, we ask: how much more can the U.S. endure, and for how long? With the 2026 midterm elections on the horizon, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Resisting the Republican majority currently enabling Trump’s agenda is essential to restoring the checks and balances our democracy desperately needs.

March 22, 2025

In this episode, we reflect on how Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives have increasingly become a target for the Trump administration, with recent policy shifts and administrative actions designed to dismantle progress achieved in promoting equity in the workplace and education. As two individuals who are part of several groups which benefit from DEI initiatives, we share our personal perspectives on why such initiatives are important and the positive impact which they have for society. 

February 24, 2025

It is officially the five-year anniversary of John and Marcus hosting The RTWJ Podcast, having proudly first started pre-pandemic in February 2020! And to celebrate the occasion, it'll be one of our classic mixed topic episodes. We will start by covering the radical developments in U.S. politics since we last joined you on January 19th, now that Donald Trump is President of the United States and has released a flood of executive orders that have impacted numerous people around the country. But we'll close the episode by asking John about his trip last month to Disney World in Orlando, which naturally will lead to in-depth analysis of Disney parks (Disney was one of the first topics we covered when we started the show back in 2020). 

February 1, 2025

With John still away on vacation and enjoying the life of luxury, Marcus is holding down the fort for The RTWJ Podcast with today’s episode. We’ll touch on a few current “hot topics” for the month of January, starting with a brief mention of the upcoming inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, followed by some reflection about what have been the most catastrophic wildfires in Los Angeles history since our last episode release on January 5th. We’ll then conclude with a mentioning the rapidly-evolving TikTok situation, but wait for John’s return to dive into the details about that, as well as hear about his experience visiting Walt Disney World for the first time. 

January 19, 2025

We’re back with our first episode of 2025, where after some housekeeping we start off with reflecting on what concerns us with upcoming major political transition activities as we approach Inauguration Day in just two weeks. But after taking that moment to reflect, we then have some fun focusing on a positive upcoming event for the year, which is John’s first visit to Walt Disney World in Orland Florida in just a few days from this episode release. As we navigate Inauguration Day, our next episode scheduled for release that day will focus on John’s experience and provide a much needed break from the overwhelming media coverage expected on that day. 

Social Media Note: The RTWJ Podcast Facebook page will be phased out on January 9, 2025. If you have not done so already, please be sure to start following us on Instagram right away at @thertwjpodcast so that you can continue to stay connected with us on social media. 

January 5, 2025

We’re taking a break from discussing politics and news headlines, and instead are reflecting on what this current holiday season means to us, where we’ve been during 2024, and the direction we’re headed in 2025. No matter which holiday(s) you celebrate, we wish all our listeners a happy holiday season, as well as a safe and happy new year. We look forward to returning on January 1, 2025!

December 10, 2024