A historic wing falls under the wrecking ball while the government sits frozen and the real story isn’t the rubble, it’s the missing guardrails. We dig into how a fast-tracked White House East Wing demolition bypassed the usual preservation process and why a proposed 90,000-square-foot ballroom could dwarf the White House and reshape what the People’s House symbolizes. From the National Capital Planning Commission to the GSA, we walk through the norms designed to protect public trust - and what it means when those norms get ignored.

We also talk about money and influence. If taxpayers aren’t paying, who is? Corporate sponsorship inside federal space changes the stakes from stewardship to access, and that’s a shift worth questioning. Alongside the outrage are signs of civic health: No Kings protests, peaceful crowds in big cities and small towns, and a shared hunger for hope and accountability. That energy matters when leadership feels stale. We challenge the enablers who look away, the aging power structures that struggle with tech and AI, and the culture that confuses longevity with legitimacy.

Listeners asked how to argue less and understand more. We share our media diet: baseline facts from Reuters and AP, deep dives from subject experts, and a habit of going to primary sources. We outline practical media literacy - verify claims in multiple credible outlets, separate fact from framing, and use tools like Perplexity as a starting point, not a verdict. When conflicts get personal, model clarity, set boundaries, and refuse bait. You can hold love and truth at the same time.

If this conversation gave you something solid to stand on, tap subscribe, share it with a friend who cares about democracy, and leave a quick review to help others find the show. What’s the one norm you think we must rebuild first?

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Music By Geovane Bruno, Moments, 3481
Editing by Team A-J
Host, Carmen Lezeth


DISCLAIMER: As always, please do your own research and understand that the opinions in this podcast and livestream are meant for entertainment purposes only. States and other areas may have different rules and regulations governing certain aspects discussed in this podcast. Nothing in our podcast or livestream is meant to be medical or legal advice. Please use common sense, and when in doubt, ask a professional for advice, assistance, help and guidance.