Refreshing Optimism

Trump will be the next president, according to today's guest, if we do not learn the lessons of the past. On this episode Rick connects with author of the book Blowback and a vocal critic of Donald Trump, Miles Taylor. They dive into the potential dangers of a second Trump presidency, particularly focusing on the drastic changes he could impose on American democracy and government functionality. Taylor elaborates on his concerns about Trump's vindictive use of power, the politicization of civil services, and the shift in foreign policy towards autocratic regimes. The episode serves as a warning and a call to action, urging us to recognize and respond to the threats posed by a possible Trump re-election to our democracy. Timestamps: [00:01:26] Blowback [00:12:04] Schedule F [00:15:46] Breaking the spell [00:20:05] Foreign policy Follow Resolute Square: Instagram Twitter TikTok Find out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the event of a Republican victory in the 2024 presidential election, there potential implications for the country are darker than you may imagine. Project 2025 is one such outcome. In this episode, Rick is joined by author Andra Watkins to discuss her Substack publication, "How Project 2025 Will Ruin Your Life." Watkins, a former Christian nationalist, dives into the details of Project 2025, a hypothetical policy proposal she believes could dramatically alter American society through strict, moralistic governance. She highlights how the project's definitions of pornography could lead to severe restrictions on various forms of expression and details how its economic policies might adversely affect the middle class. Watkins also addresses the potential rollback of civil liberties, including gay marriage, and the imposition of religious conditions on social assistance. Timestamps: [00:01:38] Inspiration for Project 25 [00:04:50] Christian nationalists and their urges [00:10:47] Economic ideas of Project 25 [00:15:12] Schedule F Follow Resolute Square: Instagram Twitter TikTok Find out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Republican party has changed. On this episode Ricks sits with Isaac Arnsdorf, a Washington Post reporter and author to discuss the profound transformation within the Republican Party instigated by the MAGA movement. Arnsdorf shares insights from his book, revealing how grassroots activism, led by figures like Steve Bannon, has reshaped the party from the bottom up. The episode explores the strategic takeovers of local party positions by MAGA supporters, the creation of a new political narrative surrounding the 2020 election, and the broader implications of this shift on American politics. Timestamps: [00:02:06] Who's running the new revolution? [00:05:54] Karizona [00:10:10] A foundational conspiracy [00:16:34] No enemies to my right Follow Resolute Square: Instagram Twitter TikTok Find out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Conservatives in America are not typically known as lovers of environmental advocacy. Well, our guest bucks that trend. Benji Backer, an environmental advocate and author of "The Conservative Environmentalist" joins Rick to discuss the urgent need for practical and innovative solutions to environmental challenges, critiquing both extreme denial and radical approaches currently dividing the political landscape. Backer emphasizes a historical bipartisan approach to environmental issues and proposes a balanced pathway that leverages American ingenuity and respects local knowledge. Timestamps: [00:01:54] Green new deal vs. denial [00:19:09] Becoming a conservative environmentalist Follow Resolute Square: Instagram Twitter TikTok Find out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It feels like all anyone wants to talk about these days is how AI is taking over. Well, we thought it time to have an expert on to break it all down. In this episode Rick speaks with AI expert Daniel Faggella in a comprehensive discussion on the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence. They speak to the implications of AI on the workforce, economy, and society, examining both the current state and future possibilities. Faggella brings insights from his experience in market research, discussing how AI is reshaping industries from legal to entertainment. They explore the concept of artificial general intelligence (AGI), its accelerated timeline, and potential societal impacts. The conversation also touches on the role of AI in politics, the concept of a political singularity, and the ethical considerations of AI development. Timestamps: [00:01:18] What we're missing with AI [00:10:48] How AI will impact politics [00:21:04] AI exceeding expectations Follow Resolute Square: Instagram Twitter TikTok Find out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The participation of talented young people is a critical element in a functioning democracy. On this episode, Rick sits down with Gevin Reynolds, a rising figure in Democratic politics with experience in the Biden White House. They dive into the 2024 campaign landscape, focusing on Biden's presidency and the strategic positioning of the Democratic party. Reynolds shares insights on the administration's handling of crises like COVID-19, economic challenges, and racial justice issues. The discussion also touches on Vice President Harris's role and public perception, the impact of recent State of the Union addresses, and the evolving political dynamics among young and minority voters. Timestamps: [00:01:40] Perspective on the race [00:07:03] An underpriced political stock [00:16:02] The case of young voters [00:20:00] Mitigating the drift towards Trump Follow Resolute Square: Instagram Twitter TikTok Find out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From polls and pundits to dramatic headlines, sorting through the chaos of the presidential election is no easy task. To help parse madness, Rick had a conversation with Elaine Kamarck, political expert and senior fellow at the Brookings Institute. The two give their view of the current state of American politics and the presidential election. They discuss the dynamics of the primary elections, voter demographics, and the strategic approaches of both political parties. The discussion also touches on the influence of third-party candidates, the role of money in political campaigns, and the changing landscape of voter behavior. Timestamps: [00:02:00] Surveillance capitalism [00:14:22] Where does RFK play into the election? Follow Resolute Square: Instagram Twitter TikTok Find out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Big tech collects our data, this much we know. But to what extent? To explore this question Rick speaks with Byron Tau, a former Wall Street Journal reporter and author of "Means of Control." Together, they unravel the complex alliance between technology companies and government agencies, exposing how this partnership has birthed a new American surveillance state. They explore the evolution of data brokers, the commercialization of personal data, and the implications for individual privacy and public freedom. Tau shares insights from his book and his reporting journey, offering a chilling yet fascinating glimpse into the invisible world of surveillance capitalism. Byron's book, "Means of Control: How the Hidden Alliance of Tech and Government Is Creating a New American Surveillance State," available now. Timestamps: [00:01:52] Surveillance capitalism [00:06:13] How is government using this data? [00:09:58] Total Information Awareness [00:17:57] How much of this information is being used? [00:23:00] Notable bad actors Follow Resolute Square: Instagram Twitter TikTok Find out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

America is no stranger to extremist political groups, a phenomenon further highlighted on January 6th. However, one thing we don't understand clearly enough is the overlap with our veteran community. On this episode Rick speaks with Ken Harbaugh, veteran and co-producer of "Against All Enemies," a documentary exploring why veterans are drawn into extremist groups like the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers. Harbaugh discusses the search for belonging post-military service, the political endorsement of these groups, and the threat they pose to democracy. The conversation highlights the importance of personal outreach, the role of misinformation, and the need for alternatives that provide veterans with a sense of purpose. Harbaugh calls for awareness and action to prevent the exploitation of veterans by organizations aiming to undermine democratic foundations. Timestamps: [00:01:25] Against All Enemies [00:11:08] What are their objectives? [00:12:48] A feeling of betrayal [00:20:22] The one who missed the war Follow Resolute Square: Instagram Twitter TikTok Find out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many Americans are asking the question "what's going on with Trump's legal battles?" Today on the show Rick speaks with author and legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin to dissect the intricate legal battles Trump faces in Georgia, Florida, and D.C., scrutinizing their procedural complexities and wider implications. Their discussion extends to the repercussions of Trump's actions on American democracy, examining themes of executive power and the rule of law. They discuss the societal impact of Trump's rhetoric and the polarized media landscape. Timestamps: [00:01:52] The Fani Willis case [00:10:16] John Robert's position [00:13:12] The worst case scenario Follow Resolute Square: Instagram Twitter TikTok Find out more at Resolute Square Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices