The Trump Primer for 2024

The Retraction Podcast audience predicted many things that came true in 2023, so will their opinions regarding Donald Trump going to prison if found guilty be a foreshadow of things to come? Donald Trump on Classified Documents (01:35), Classified Documents in Mar-a-Lago Bathroom (02:30), Donald Trump Steals Classified Documents (06:15), Donald Trump is Indicted for Big Lie (09:32), Donald Trump Advocates for Police Brutality (09:59), Marjorie Taylor Greene Tries to Impeach Joe Biden (11:23), American Politics is Spiraling (15:04), Donald Trump is Ineligible for the Presidency (22:20), Prediction: Donald Trump Goes to Prison (40:00)

The history of Christmas paganism traces back to ancient winter solstice festivals like Saturnalia from the Roman Empire and have given us traditions like Christmas music, the 12 days of Christmas, and the Yule log. From Rome adopting Christianity to pagan Odin transforming into Santa Claus, or Church Christmas carols becoming Christmas songs, the history of Christmas is deeply rooted in the pagan religions that came before the Christian religion.

The best way to cut through politics is to know your history. Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) might have been ahead of his time, but he pushed through significant social safety nets that we take for granted today – some of which are being rolled back. What would America be like without social security? What could America be like with universal basic income (UBI)? FDR, The American History Of Social Safety Nets (01:20), The Forward Party Breaks Ranks (08:09), Three Reasons why or why not UBI (15:57), UBI Reduces Poverty (16:24), UBI Entrenches Poverty (19:44), UBI Increases Job Growth, Lowers School Dropout Rates (23:19), UBI Is Too Expensive (36:13), UBI Guarantees Income For Traditionally Unpaid Work (40:11), UBI Removes The Incentive To Work (46:51)

Why is America so afraid of roundabouts? Across the US, towns and cities are covered with 4 way stops, signaled intersections, endless traffic, and tragic car accidents. There is a better way. Join us to discuss the truth about roundabouts. #roundabout #traffic #caraccidents #infrastructure Federal Highway says roundabouts are safe (02:40), Stats on left-turn traffic accidents (03:58), Why Does the US hate roundabouts? (06:53), Availability Heuristic (08:00), Findings from real world experience (09:00), Where do pedestrians fit in? (11:00), Awareness is the key to conversion (13:27), What’s the aversion to roundabouts? (18:00)

Many of us have heard the history of Thanksgiving in America in the classroom, but schools don’t teach the true history of Thanksgiving from the perspective of Native American tribes like the Wampanoags or the Narragansetts. Until the history of Indigenous people of America is taught in schools, Native Americans today will always be misrepresented and underserved by the government and society. It’s imperative that we academically recognize the historical relationships between colonists and Indigenous people and how that has shaped our modern society. Happy Thanksgiving and we also stand with our fellow Americans on this National Day of Mourning. #america #usa #indigenous #pilgrims The History of Thanksgiving (00:33), King Philip’s War (05:24), Mythical Thanksgiving Feast (18:12), The Thanksgiving Lie (24:37), Pilgrims as Nationalists (27:22), Origin of Thanksgiving in School (30:55), Teach Native American History (34:55), Raised By USA Propaganda (38:38)

Marjorie Taylor Green (MTG) is a far-right Christian nationalist from Georgia that has supported QAnon conspiracy theories ranging from KKK white supremacy drivel to harassing Parkland school shooting survivor, David Hogg. MTG has no place in the US House of Representatives and the House GOP and members of the Republican Party should work to expel the MAGA congresswoman from Congress. #gop #qanon #georgia #congress Who is Marjorie Taylor Greene (MTG)? (00:51), MTG Profits Off Low Income Housing (08:05), Congressional Gun Control Hearings (15:34), MTG Attacks AOC (20:44), Congressional District 14, Georgia (22:41), KKK White Supremacy in Georgia (25:32), Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene (34:44), MTG’s Congressional Voting Record (41:04), Any Upside to MTG? (47:14)

Maxine is back on the pod discussing running in the last person standing ultramarathon, Bubba’s Backyard Ultra! Many of us are familiar with track running and road running, but how many of us know the terms trail running or ultra running? Join us to hear Maxine’s experience in the White Mountains, New Hampshire for her first ultra running race. We’ll discuss her motivation, training, trail culture, gear, the ultramarathon, and so much more! #ultrarunning #trailrunning #newhampshire #backyardultra New Hampshire Leaf Peepers (00:14), White Mountains, New Hampshire (02:59), Last Man Standing Ultramarathon (11:49), Bubba’s Backyard Ultra Running (27:27), Trail Running Preparation and Recovery (41:26), Trail Running Culture (01:03:00), Define Rural America (01:17:00)

This is Halloween season and what better way to celebrate this scary, spooky holiday than to dig up the medieval origin stories behind ghosts, ravens, spiders, vampire bats, wicked witches, and black cats of Halloween. Join us and Happy Halloween! #halloween #ghosts #witch #vampire Jenna Ellis Pleads Guilty (00:05), Gym Jordan (07:33), Tom Emmer Lasted a Tenth of a Scaramucci (09:26), Elon Musk's New X Feature Debate (15:44), This Is Halloween (25:28), A Happy Halloween Theme (26:16), Wicked Witches (33:46), Scary Spiders (44:47), Spider Time (52:53), Making Mermaid Money (58:05)

Who is Jim Jordan? As the US House of Representatives remains leaderless, the House GOP debate whether to make Jim Jordan the next Speaker of the House. Republicans need to weigh their morality against opportunity in the next speaker vote. The rest of us need to understand the scandal Jim Jordan brings with him to government, and what type of congressman he’s been. Jim Jordan House Speaker Vote Fails (00:24), US Politics Are Tribal (02:53), Introducing Congressman Jim Jordan (05:12), Congressional Term Limits Might Prevent Another Jim Jordan (12:45), Jim Jordan, What Is He Good For? (16:10), What Is The 12th Amendment? (25:10), States Rights Subvert Democracy (34:05), Fantasy Government (42:44)

Extracting resources from planet Earth takes a toll on geodiversity, biodiversity, and Indigenous people, but lithium mining is also necessary for electrifying transportation (lithium battery) to cut carbon emissions and combat climate change. Is there a better way, or are we destined to stay a car nation and convert to personal electric vehicles (EVs)? Elon Musk Violates EU Digital Services Act (00:06), Mining Planet Earth Damages Geodiversity (07:53), Lithium Mining (15:36), Indigenous people (20:34), Be honest we are car obsessed (31:22), Now this, US is number one planet wrecker (43:55)