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In this episode, we talk about Universal Healthcare with two guests - Dr. Ed Weisbart, an advocate for a single-payer national health program, and Franklin Delano “Denny” Roth II, a U.S. Congressional candidate for Missouri’s 8th district. We unpack some of the major challenges of implementing Universal Healthcare in the United States. Dr. Weisbart, with his extensive background in medicine and health advocacy, represents the Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP). He brings his expertise from a career spanning multiple roles in the healthcare sector to advocate for a comprehensive national health insurance system where every person in America is covered. He passionately cares about providing accessible and equitable healthcare for all Americans. Denny Roth addresses the political hurdles and societal resistance to Universal Healthcare. Even though Universal Healthcare presents a simpler and far less expensive alternative to today’s current healthcare system, there are political barriers to overcome nevertheless.

In this episode, we sit down with Kevin Howard, author of Onward At Last, a compelling collection of essays exploring the root causes of American unhappiness and the pathway to personal and collective progress. Raised in the Bronx and having served in the US Army, Kevin navigated a successful career in business banking before realizing a critical void in his seemingly accomplished life. His book delves into how deeply ingrained values of independence, competition, and self-interest, while driving capitalism, can obstruct societal contentment and ecological balance. As our nation grapples with fear, unhappiness, and division, Kevin's insights offer a transformative perspective on our interconnectedness and the importance of embracing our collective humanity. Join us as we discuss the moral imperative of moving beyond self-centered views, acknowledging our universal oneness, and learning to rely on each other in a world teetering on the edge of self-destruction.

In this episode, we're joined by Patrick Lovell, the creative mind behind the eye-opening documentary series The Con. Our conversation digs into the critical issue of how major financial institutions, with the tacit approval of a complicit government, have manipulated the United States' financial system. We explore the troubling "revolving door" phenomenon, where government officials, responsible for regulating banking laws, seamlessly transition to roles within the banks they once oversaw. This practice has facilitated numerous inside jobs, often at the expense of the average American worker. The 2008 financial crisis, far from being an isolated event, was merely an attribute of a continuous and systemic exploitation of America's financial systems by those positioned as guardians of our economic well-being. Through years of meticulous research, Patrick Lovell has uncovered the deteriorating integrity within the finance sector's legal and regulatory framework. His documentary series The Con is an essential watch for understanding this complex and significant issue. Join us as we discuss the intricate and alarming details of what might be the largest racketeering conspiracy in global history, one that continues to impact us all.

In this episode of our podcast, we engage with Franklin Delano “Denny” Roth, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Congress from Missouri's 8th District. Facing a formidable challenge against the incumbent Republican, Jason Smith, Roth is undeterred despite the district's strong Republican lean and Smith's significant political standing. Our conversation, set in the tranquil surroundings of Roth's home near Hillsboro, Missouri, delves into his multifaceted background as a farmer and truck driver, and his perspectives on critical issues like the economy, healthcare, reproductive rights, social security, education, equal rights, immigration, and firearm regulation. Roth's campaign focuses on addressing the economic distress of the district, highlighted by the closure of a Tyson Foods' plant in Dexter, Missouri, which significantly impacted local jobs and economy. This episode offers a candid and in-depth look at the political landscape of Missouri's 8th District through Roth's eyes, reflecting the podcast's commitment to exploring diverse viewpoints and understanding the complex dynamics shaping our political system.

This week we talk with Jojo Stewart about the disturbing rising tide of fascism in America. Jojo is an activist, avid blogger and social media manager for a candidate who's running for the U.S. House of Representatives. We discuss the historical origins of fascism, its core tenets, and the warning signs that indicate its presence. We also talk about the current political climate in the United States and whether or not the conditions exist for the rise of fascism in this country. Finally, we offer suggestions for how to recognize and combat fascism.

Jeff Basinger, an attorney from Columbia, Missouri, fights for the initiative process in Missouri. This process allows citizens to directly petition the government for ballot measures, giving them the ability to exercise direct democracy. In essence, it is democracy in action. However, certain people within the government have taken it upon themselves to interfere with the initiative process, denying citizens their right to direct democracy. Ohio tried the same thing in early August, and now it is Missouri's turn for its citizens to fight for their rights. Freedom and democracy are not free. It takes people like Jeff to stand up to our government and assert our rights. Listen in as we discuss what is at stake in this fight, and learn how you can stay up-to-date on the latest developments and maybe even get involved!

I’m going on hiatus for a few weeks. But before I go, I’d like to introduce you to a new project I’m working on, called “Dirt Road Radio.” If you’re interested in joining an effort to help heal our national divide, we would love to hear from you! Go to www.dirtroadradio.com, check it out, and fill out the contact form. We would love to hear from you!

This week we discuss Artificial Intelligence (AI). We'll unravel the differences and similarities between human intelligence and AI, explore misconceptions, fears, and concerns surrounding the technology, and illuminate its true nature as a tool created and controlled by humans. We'll discuss how AI is misunderstood and feared, delve into the misuse of AI by nefarious human actors, and review how this discourse influences legislation and public perception. With references to real-world examples and a candid analysis of perspectives of policymakers like U.S. Senator Josh Hawley, we’ll showcase why education, understanding, and responsible use are key to harnessing AI's full potential. Tune in for an enlightening journey towards a future where AI and humanity work in harmony for our collective benefit.

The recent Supreme Court decision that removes race from consideration in Affirmative Action has had a seismic shift in college admissions. The ruling appears to be based on the concept of “Meritocracy,” where students admitted into college are considered on the basis of merit - especially academic achievement. In this podcast, we discuss how the concept of merit is seriously flawed, because it fails to recognize the persistent realities of racial inequality.

Sam Fieldman, the national counsel for Wolf-PAC, joins us to discuss their bold, citizen-driven initiative to enact an amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The proposed amendment, intended to loosen the grip of corruption and vested interests in Congress, aims to overhaul our faltering campaign finance system. As Constitutional Amendments hold primacy over both Congress and the Supreme Court, a move of this magnitude could significantly alter landmark decisions such as Citizens United, effectively facilitating their reversal.

In this week's episode, we delve into a thought-provoking discussion with three pivotal personalities from the Missouri Equity Education Partnership, or MoEEP. We address the pressing need for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) within Missouri's educational system. You may wonder, isn't educational equity a reality already? Our guests paint a contrasting picture. They share how students are alienated due to their minority, LGBTQ status, religious affiliation, and more. The ongoing trend of school privatization, compounded by the rise of government-funded vouchers, seems to be siphoning resources away from public schools, thereby deepening the issue. Interestingly, DEI, Critical Race Theory (CRT), and anti-trans fears are utilized by lawmakers in Missouri and across the nation to stir up a climate that undermines public schools. With billions of dollars earmarked for education in every state, private education companies are incentivized to fuel this animosity towards public education, with the ultimate goal of boosting their profits. Join us as we chat with Heather Fleming, MoEEP's founder and director, Amber Benge, the Co-Director, and Ken Susman, the special project team leader. Together, we'll dissect the current state of our public schools and the pivotal role that MoEEP plays in repairing the system. We'll delve into the pressing urgency to prevent a potential collapse of public education that could cause the U.S. to lag increasingly behind on the global stage.

Today we talk with our semi-regular guest, Nathan Falcone, about Social Democracy. Well, we start off talking about Social Democracy, but we wander boldly into other topics. We meet in person at a coffee house called “Toasted,” in High Ridge, Missouri. This is also the first recording for Nathan’s new podcast called “Reason Will Prevail.”