The gang convenes to discuss the latest Graham Platner scandal, this time in the form of a sexual assault allegation. Following multiple supporters distancing themselves from Platner, the candidate was heavily rumored to drop out days before the deadline — and, indeed, dropped out hours after this recording. The crew discusses the legacy of Platner's campaign, what's next for Democrats in Maine, and why this was the story that finally sunk his career. Then they turn to the "Missing Middle," as the 45-64 population continues to shrink, potentially causing havoc on both key elements of society and the economy.

Chapters

00:00:00 - Intro

00:20:51 - Graham Platner

00:51:02 - Missing Middle

01:03:37 - Emails

01:17:49 - Wrap-up

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The gang discusses the legacy and history of America as it celebrates its 250th anniversary. Are some of the more brutal chapters enough to outweigh the good the USA has brought to the world, or is it worth giving these first 250 years a failing grade? After, the group turns to the ongoing rise of the DSA. Fresh off some big primary wins in NYC and Colorado, who should be the most overjoyed at these recent successes: Democrats, Republicans, or simply the DSA themselves?

Chapters

00:00:00 - Intro

00:20:20 - America at 250

00:41:55 - Rise of the DSA

01:19:19 - Emails

01:31:13 - Wrap-up

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The gang explores the tale of FreddyLA7, the social media handle of a German World Cup tourist who, following viral attention, has received negative attention following old tweets, private plane offers, and other various paid experience at absolutely no expense. Is this a simple story of jealousy, or is there a deeper lesson to be learned here? They also dive into the resignation of Keir Starmer, the UK's 7th Prime Minister in a decade. What exactly is Britain looking for in a leader, and will it ever find it?

Chapters

00:00:00 - Intro

00:12:19 - FreddyLA7

00:40:26 - Keir Starmer

00:56:45 - Emails

01:09:07 - Wrap-up

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The gang discusses Trump's memorandum of understanding reached with Iran, opening a 60-day window for further negotiations. Is this something meant to stick, or yet another doomed prospect to end this war? Then they turn to SpaceX's record-smashing IPO that has some rushing to invest — and others cautious about the stock. Is this a guarantee on returns, or gambling by another name?

Chapters

00:00:00 - Intro

00:14:55 - Iran Deal

00:50:45 - SpaceX

01:13:59 - Emails

01:42:04 - Wrap-up

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Hot off some controversial new AI ads ahead of the midterms, the gang digs into whether our current class of campaigns are going too far in putting words in the mouths of their opponents. They also look into recent poll results that suggest a coming cultural conservatism wave, and ask if such a thing is real, what might be causing it?

Chapters

00:00:00 - Intro

00:29:06 - AI Political Ads

00:55:32 - Cultural Conservatism Wave

01:12:36 - Emails

01:20:33 - Wrap-up

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The gang looks at the latest scandal out of Graham Platner's Maine senatorial campaign and wonder whether it's enough to sink the ship, or yet another hurdle on the way to Democrats winning back the Senate in November. Then the dig into the ongoing feud between outdoor clothing retailer Patagonia and drag performer Pattie Gonia over trademark infringement, asking who, at the end of the day, is in the right.

Chapters

00:00:00 - Intro

00:20:36 - Graham Platner

00:45:41 - Patagonia vs. Pattie Gonia

01:05:09 - Emails

01:36:27 - Wrap-up

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The gang digs into the quiet retirement of RCP 8.5, the most extreme climate scenario suggested by scientists, after making some genuine progress towards slowing global warming. What does this say about our relationship with science media? Then they turn to recent reports over Tom Steyer's campaign allegedly paying off influencers and creators for promotion and positive press and ask whether we should have stricter guidelines over these sorts of ads.

Chapters

00:00:00 - Intro

00:23:09 - Climate Change

00:46:55 - Paid Social Media Influencers

01:06:51 - Emails

02:04:40 - Wrap-up

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With pro-AI commencement speeches repeatedly getting booed and ongoing hostility over data center expansions, the gang digs into what's causing this growing AI hate wave. They also discuss who owns the "Bernie Sanders heir apparent" lane, as both AOC and Ro Khanna begin staffing up with former Bernie staffers ahead of potential runs in 2028.

Chapters

00:00:00 - Intro

00:13:59 - AI Hate Wave

01:08:13 - Heir to Bernie

01:28:59 - Emails

01:47:58 - Wrap-up

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With hantavirus the talk of the town, the gang examines whether it's actually at risk of becoming a new COVID-like pandemic — spoiler: it's not — as well as the hype cycle around this sort of terrifying news that drives clicks. They also dive into the latest developments in Trump's quest for a White House ballroom, as $1 billion Secret Service funding requests begin to raise eyebrows.

Chapters

00:00:00 - Intro

00:16:08 - New Pandemic?!

00:42:27 - Billion Dollar Ballroom

01:05:32 - Emails

01:27:29 - Wrap-up

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The gang discusses the closure of Spirit Airlines, which shuttered over the weekend following several bankruptcies, a failed merger with JetBlue, spiking oil prices, and a general frustration from flyers for decades. Which one of these factors played the largest role in the death of Spirit? They discuss. Meanwhile, the Pentagon is continuing to shrink its footprint in Europe, with another 5,000 troops set to leave Germany behind. Is it time for Europe's defense to be more Europe-centric, or is this the US once again abandoning allies under Trump?

Chapters

00:00:00 - Intro

00:17:26 - Spirit Airlines

00:47:43 - US-Germany Pullout

01:05:21 - Emails

01:34:54 - Wrap-up

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