The gang breaks down Taylor Swift’s headline-grabbing New Heights podcast appearance, which shattered viewership records and marked her first extended on-air discussion of her relationship with Travis Kelce. They explore the cultural impact of Swift’s crossover into NFL territory and the surreal response from James Comey, whose viral video praising the episode led to a MAGA backlash. Then they dig into MSNBC’s awkward rebrand to “MS NOW,” a move mocked across social media for its clunky name and loss of the iconic peacock, and question whether the network will survive the decade.

Chapters

00:00:00 - Intro

00:17:45 - Taylor Swift

01:00:48 - MS NOW

01:25:58 - Emails

01:50:19 - Wrap-up

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Andrew Heaton, Jen Briney, and Justin Young as they dive into a lively discussion on the complexities of political identity, the impact of federal intervention in cities, and the nuances of libertarianism. Trump takes over the DC police, is that legal? If so, will it be effective? Also, are kids spending too much on dumb stuff? Is that a recession signal?

1. Introduction and Opening Remarks - [0:00]
2. Discussion on Federal Intervention in Cities - [15:30]
3. Libertarianism and Political Identity - [35:45]
4. Personal Anecdotes and Experiences - [50:10]
5. Listener Emails and Responses - [1:10:25]
6. Closing Thoughts and Wrap-Up - [1:30:00]

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With Heaton out on vacation, Jeremiah Johnson — from Infinite Scroll and the Center for New Liberalism — joins the panel as they cover the House’s sweeping subpoenas of Bill and Hillary Clinton, along with a host of former DOJ officials, in its expanding Epstein probe. They debate whether any outcome can satisfy the public’s bipartisan appetite for answers. Then, they break down Trump’s controversial firing of the Bureau of Labor Statistics chief, raising alarms about politicizing economic data and the possible fallout for investor trust.

Chapters

00:00:00 - Intro

00:11:18 - Clinton Subpoena and Epstein

00:42:18 - Trump Firing BLS Secretary

01:05:49 - Emails

01:52:24 - Wrap-up

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The gang tackles the EPA’s decision to revoke the “endangerment finding,” a foundational ruling that enabled greenhouse gas regulations since 2009. Framed by Administrator Lee Zeldin as the biggest deregulatory move in U.S. history, the move sparks fierce debate over climate science, legal precedent, and the limits of executive power. Then, they reflect on the symbolic end of the 1980s, marked by the deaths of Hulk Hogan, Ozzy Osbourne, and Malcolm-Jamal Warner — a trio whose cultural footprints defined an era now definitively closed.

Chapters

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:16:04 - Texas Redistricting

00:25:39 - EPA

00:57:20 - The Week The 80s Died

01:28:27 - Emails

01:47:29 - Wrap-up

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The gang unpacks CBS’s decision to end The Late Show and retire the franchise entirely, as Stephen Colbert hints at political pressure behind the move. With late-night peers rallying in support and Colbert defying the network’s financial rationale, the panel debates whether satire is being sidelined in a polarized media landscape. They also explore the GOP’s aggressive redistricting push in Texas and Democrats’ countermeasures in California, raising questions about the erosion of nonpartisan mapmaking and the long-term consequences of political cartography.

Chapters

00:00:00 - Intro

00:15:48 - Stephen Colbert

00:48:23 - Dreams and Student Loans

00:58:18 - Redistricting

01:18:07 - Emails

01:52:31 - Wrap-up

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The gang unpacks the “Rescissions Act of 2025,” a narrow House-passed bill aiming to slash $9.4 billion from foreign aid and public broadcasting, prompting a tight Senate battle over what many see as symbolic cuts. They also examine a new UK report showing kids increasingly treat AI chatbots like best friends—raising concerns about safety, misinformation, and what it means for human connection in the digital age.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Intro

00:11:59 - Epstein

00:24:02 - Rescissions

01:12:37 - AI Companions for Kids

01:34:27 - Emails

01:52:51 - Wrap-up

*Justin's audio improves around 27 minutes in.

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The gang covers the DOJ’s final report on Jeffrey Epstein, which found no client list, no evidence of blackmail, and confirmed his death was a suicide. The lack of new revelations sparked backlash from conspiracy-minded corners of the internet, but the panel debates whether the case is finally closed. Then they examine Tucker Carlson’s interview with Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian, who accused Israel of a failed assassination attempt and floated a return to nuclear talks. Is giving a platform to adversaries transparency — or propaganda?

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Intro

00:17:13 - Epstein Files

00:46:45 - Tucker's Interview

01:09:57 - Emails

01:43:36 - Wrap-up

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The gang dives into a new Gallup poll showing American pride at historic lows, with a record-breaking 56-point gap between Republicans and Democrats. They debate whether that decline signals a deeper national malaise or just partisan fatigue. Then they turn to Texas, where Governor Abbott vetoed a sweeping THC ban, keeping the state’s booming hemp industry alive — for now. With court battles and special sessions looming, they unpack what smart regulation of cannabis products should actually look like.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Intro

00:12:44 - American Pride

00:54:15 - Texas Weed

01:22:59 - Emails

01:55:59 - Wrap-up

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Personal Anecdotes

12:01 Iran Military Actions and Diplomatic Relations

17:59 Trump's Influence on Middle Eastern Politics

21:10 Israel's Role in Regional Conflicts

47:07 The Rise of a Democratic Socialist in NYC

01:20:08 Bagel Orders and Cultural Preferences

01:24:51 Iran's Nuclear Ambitions and International Relations

01:35:11 Trust Issues in Therapy and Personal Relationships

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The gang breaks down America’s escalating involvement in the Middle East, as Trump demands Iran’s unconditional surrender following Israel’s devastating strikes. With the threat of a broader conflict looming, they debate what role the U.S. should play and whether military action is inevitable. They also explore new research linking trust to happiness, asking how much trusting others — from family to institutions — shapes our well-being in a time of deep social division.

Chapters

00:00:00 - Intro

00:11:36 - Iran

01:02:10 - Trust

01:19:15 - Emails

01:47:15 - Wrap-up

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