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The Department of Education recently implemented a new rule that bars college students from receiving federal loans for degrees that project low-earning incomes. The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay discuss the new change and suggest that the rule should be further implemented. They discuss certain occupations that shouldn’t require thousands to pay for education, such as cosmetology and personal care services. Melissa and Scott suggest other alternatives like industry-linked training or taxing large university endowments to broaden education and make it more effective for future generations. Tune in to hear their discussion!

The Trump administration’s decision to keep the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards at 34.9 mpg instead of 50.4 mpg will not only save you money, but also save the car industry from being forced to build purely hybrid or electric vehicles. The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay discuss current CAFE standards and what they mean for car manufacturers and the eventual shift to EVs. While Melissa notes the potential demand for EVs for older people, Scott expands on the concerns of regulatory capture. Melissa and Scott also discuss the growing need for a simple, affordable, and repairable vehicle (and a business idea for Elon Musk, too!). Tune in to hear their discussion!

SpaceX made history once again by launching the Starship rocket into Earth’s low orbit for the first time. The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay marvel at another astronomical feat and take hope in this era of technological advancement. Melissa and Scott also discuss SpaceX’s proposal to build more launch pads in Louisiana, data centers, and AI innovation. Tune in to hear their discussion!

Roosevelt Avenue on Queens is regarded as the “Market of Sweethearts” for prostitution, and Mayor Zohran Mamdani is doing nothing to stop the illegal activity. NYPD reported a 59 percent drop on arrests relating to prostitution over the past year. The Spectator P.M. Podcast hosts Ellie Gardey Holmes, Lyrah Margo, and Madelynn Gondy discuss the issue of prostitution and the growing amount of sex crime in New York City. They expand on how prostitution enables sex trafficking and devalues human dignity. Tune in to hear their discussion!

To curb the consequences of their horrid family policies, the Chinese Communist Party has started glamorizing marriage registration offices as ultimate wedding destinations. The Spectator P.M. Podcast hosts Ellie Gardey Holmes, Lyrah Margo, and Madelynn Gondy discuss the government incentives China is pushing to increase its population. Ellie, Lyrah, and Madelynn address the cultural damage that China’s anti-family policies have done to the country and how we can prevent that here in the United States. Tune in to hear their discussion!

Anthropic and OpenAI are seeking ways to block smaller competitors through regulatory capture and are prompting Congress to intervene so that they can protect their market position. The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay raise concerns about the power of these AI companies, the legal issues raised, and how current models of AI are burning capital rather than working toward IPOs. They also discuss the future of AI usage by local models and running independently on personal devices. Tune in to hear their discussion!

Social media continues to show the worst in people, yet it teaches us the importance of keeping one’s social graces. A woman was widely criticized on social media for complaining about a man who refused to help her lift her luggage up into an airplane’s overhead bin. In another viral video, a woman was carrying items while coworkers didn’t bother to assist her. The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay react to these encounters with rude people and advise people to refrain from being jerks. Melissa and Scott mourn the loss of chivalry and basic social etiquette and how social media has fueled these hostile environments. Tune in to hear their discussion!

It’s no secret that America is under a cultural attack, but who is responsible for this mess? Peachy Keenan joins The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay to discuss her latest book, Supervillains: Architects of America’s Decline. Peachy gives an overview of the different ‘villains’ she details in her book — from sick doctors like Anthony Fauci, DEI overlords, Hollywood elites, liberal billionaires, female liberation theologists, the ‘Rainbow Goon Squad,’ and more! Melissa, Scott, and Peachy discuss how these supervillains have trampled over society with their evil agendas, and share how we can protect future generations from being indoctrinated. Tune in to hear their discussion!

A toddler who suffered from severe health problems in the Netherlands was euthanized at just two years old. In Canada, a grandmother’s life was taken via MAiD with questionable consent. The Spectator P.M. Podcast hosts Ellie Gardey Holmes and Lyrah Margo discuss the two horrific stories and how they raise awareness about the evils of euthanasia. Ellie and Lyrah emphasize the religious opposition and moral dangers of euthanasia, and how conservatives need to combat this growing culture of death. Tune in to hear their discussion!

Vice President JD Vance’s proposal to pay stay-at-home parents up to $9,000 per child annually has conservatives divided over whether this subsidy is a good idea. The proposed plan would use an existing HHS fund that provides low- to median-income parents money for childcare while they work or go to school. The Spectator P.M. Podcast hosts Ellie Gardey Holmes and Lyrah Margo weigh the pros and cons of the proposal and what this could mean for American families. They discuss the implications of using the current childcare subsidy program and propose alternatives to help parents be with their children — such as improving workplace culture to be family-friendly or making everyday necessities more affordable. Tune in to hear their discussion!

Sam Altman and Dario Amodei sounded the alarm about artificial intelligence becoming too advanced that they become difficult to control and are dangerous. This prompted political leaders like Barack Obama to pressure Congress to pull in the reins for AI. The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay debate the regulatory capture of AI and whether or not it should be in the hands of the government. Scott cites the historical precedence of government regulation from FDR’s New Deal to social media policies, while Melissa argues that while AI poses great risks, moral guardrails should not be placed in the hands of the government. Tune in to hear their discussion!

A video of the racially diverse student section at the University of Texas football game against Ohio State drew scrutiny over the UT’s admission policies and student demographics. Recent data revealed that 26 percent of UT’s student body are non-hispanic white students. The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay discuss the underlying issues with H1-B visas and how high immigration without assimilation has impacted American society and culture. They also explain the academic and workplace competition amongst foreign and American citizens. Tune in to hear their discussion!

College football playoffs are in full gear, and fans were stunned when the University of Texas pulled off a great comeback game against Ohio State. The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay give the highlights of football games over the weekend, including Louisiana State University’s win over Louisiana Tech. Melissa and Scott discuss college football’s appeal and its potential convergence with the NFL, and how American culture is being revitalized through the sport. Tune in to hear their discussion!

The case of Lindsay Clancy, which has been deemed a mistrial, continues to divide the country with many opinions swarming online about whether or not she murdered her three children. The Spectacle Podcast host Melissa Mackenzie sorts through the noise and challenges the cultural narratives posed by both the Left and the Right. Melissa points out the evidence that suggests that Clancy was not responsible, and cites prior mishandled cases like the Duke Lacrosse rape case and George Floyd that should warrant people to slow down before passing judgment. Tune in to hear their discussion!

The Trump administration is working hard to enforce immigration policies and prevent illegal aliens from entering and infiltrating our country. The Census Bureau even reported 2.9 million fewer foreign-born people than a year prior, indicating the effectiveness of Trump’s ‘tough on immigration’ tactics. The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay credit the Trump administration for matters the media is overlooking. They discuss the increase in ICE deportations, the increase in H-1B visa costs, and how reduced illegal immigration is making our country safer. Melissa and Scott lay the case that Trump is implementing what the American people are voting for, and what his actions mean for the country as it prepares for another election season. Tune in to hear their discussion!