Welcome to 2026 — and no, we are not easing into it gently.

In this episode of The A Collective, we unpack the immediate fallout of ACA subsidy cuts, skyrocketing healthcare costs, and what it means when insurance decisions start overriding medical reality. From cancer treatment denials and Medicare absurdities to daycare funding cuts and the economic fantasy of “just stay home and have kids,” this conversation exposes how policy cruelty shows up in real life.

We also break down:

The weaponization of religion and propaganda

Why independent media (hello, Substack) is becoming essential

How misinformation spreads through influencers, podcasters, and paid narratives

What happens when leadership health becomes a national security concern

And why America feels less like a global leader and more like a cautionary tale

It’s funny, furious, deeply human — and exactly the energy this year deserves.

Buckle up. Buttercups.

To hear more, visit theacollectivepod.substack.com