Episodes

  • Charged Conversations - Rare Earths Real Consequences China's Leverage and America's Lag

    Charged Conversations - Rare Earths Real Consequences China's Leverage and America's Lag
    Oct 28 2025
    Today's episode is about minerals, specifically rare earth elements that quietly power our modern world, from electric vehicles to missile guidance systems. These 17 obscure materials are the backbone of our 21st century technologies, and right now they're overwhelmingly controlled by a single country, China. We'll break down what rare earths are, why they matter, how China came to dominate the global supply chain and what the US can realistically do to catch up. We'll also talk about America's vulnerabilities and what needs to change if we are to reclaim our industrial and strategic independence.
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    9 mins
  • Charged Conversations - Shutdown Theater : Who really holds the power?

    Charged Conversations - Shutdown Theater : Who really holds the power?
    Oct 17 2025
    On today's episode, we're going to talk about power, just not the power we normally talk about that fuels our lights and laptops, but constitutional power the authority to govern, spend and keep America functioning when Congress hits gridlock Because the government shutdown is so significant. We're going to unpack what really happens during a government shutdown, how executive power fills the void and what this reoccurring dysfunction says about the future of American governance.
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    12 mins
  • Charged Conversations - Paris Climate Failures Paving the Way for Future Energy Solutions

    Charged Conversations - Paris Climate Failures Paving the Way for Future Energy Solutions
    Sep 30 2025
    Unraveling of the Paris Climate Change Agreement and discover what practical energy security should look like today. Brigham McCown, dissects the New York Times' poignant reflection on a deal once hailed as a planet-saving milestone that, ten years later, seems more like a relic of bygone optimism. Prepare to understand why the agreement faltered and what lessons we must glean for a future fraught with geopolitical challenges and environmental imperatives.
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    16 mins
  • Charged Conversations - Phil Goldberg - The Complex World of Climate Litigation

    Charged Conversations - Phil Goldberg - The Complex World of Climate Litigation
    Sep 19 2025
    Is the courtroom the right battleground for climate change debates, or are we misusing our legal system for political gain? Join us as we host Phil Goldberg, and explore the controversial realm of climate change litigation. Goldberg pulls back the curtain on how these lawsuits often go beyond environmental concerns, serving as political tools or revenue generators. We dissect the limitations of using the judicial system to address climate issues and question if bypassing legislative and regulatory processes could have unforeseen global energy implications.

    We further explore the complexities of manufacturers' liability in the evolving climate litigation landscape. Goldberg sheds light on unusual legal trends, including lawsuits against car manufacturers over viral video-fueled thefts, which challenge traditional legal concepts like causation and foreseeability. From cases in Boulder, Colorado, to Charleston, South Carolina, the conversation underscores the urgent need for the U.S. Supreme Court to establish clear legal guidelines. We discuss how these multifaceted legal battles could reshape not just the legal industry, but also influence energy security and economic considerations.
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    30 mins
  • Charged Conversations - Geopolitics and Gas: A Complex Connection

    Charged Conversations - Geopolitics and Gas: A Complex Connection
    Aug 19 2025
    Join us at Charged Conversations as we unravel Europe's journey from commitment to urgency in securing US liquefied natural gas (LNG) amidst the turmoil of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Featuring insights from Brigham McCown, we'll explore the origins of this energy pact dating back to 2018, when Donald Trump and Jean-Claude Juncker aimed to ease tariff tensions through enhanced LNG trade. As we fast forward to today's landscape, our analysis reveals the intricate mechanics of energy procurement in Europe, where decentralized decision-making and private companies like Shell and Total Energies hold the reins.

    Dive into the challenges facing the US as it strives to meet Europe's soaring energy needs. While American gas production thrives, the hurdles lie in the infrastructure and regulatory landscape, with US LNG terminals stretched to their limits. We'll touch on the Biden administration's policy shifts that have introduced uncertainties, setting back progress on expanding LNG export capacities. This episode offers a comprehensive exploration of the intricate dance between political ambition, commercial execution, and the infrastructural realities that define the future of US-European energy relations. Join us for a thought-provoking discussion on what's needed to fulfill the transatlantic energy promise.
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    11 mins
  • Charged Conversations - Natural Gas - The Role of US LNG in Global Energy Security

    Charged Conversations - Natural Gas - The Role of US LNG in Global Energy Security
    Aug 5 2025
    This episode is structured around five critical pillars that are framing the natural gas narrative in 2025 and beyond. We'll take a closer look at the significant capacity-building efforts with numerous US LNG terminals under construction, and why reliability is non-negotiable amidst rising AI-induced power demands. Witness how US LNG is wielded as energy diplomacy, offering a lifeline to allies while maintaining a strategic edge globally. Finally, we tackle the crucial need for permitting reform continuity, ensuring predictable and consistent development in the energy sector. This is more than just an episode—it's a roadmap for understanding the essential elements shaping the energy landscape for years to come.
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    14 mins
  • Charged Conversations - Natural Gas: The Workhorse of American Energy Dominance and Security

    Charged Conversations - Natural Gas: The Workhorse of American Energy Dominance and Security
    Jul 1 2025
    America has an abundance of natural gas—and it’s fueling both domestic prosperity and international stability. This episode explains why natural gas is critical to U.S. energy security, job creation, and our global competitive edge.

    Talking Points·

    America’s vast natural gas reserves and infrastructure.·



    Environmental benefits of natural gas.·

    Exporting LNG to allies in Europe and Asia.·

    The role of natural gas in a reliable energy mix.·

    Alaskan LNG (I just got back from there with 3 cabinet officials and had a fireside chat with Alaskan Governor Dunleavy opening an Alaskan Energy conference before 1,000 attendees, many from abroad.·

    Policy threats and regulatory uncertainty.
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    9 mins
  • Charged Conversations - The EU as Global Watchdog: Regulating Corporate Emissions and the World

    Charged Conversations - The EU as Global Watchdog: Regulating Corporate Emissions and the World
    Jun 17 2025
    From data privacy to carbon markets, the EU sees itself as the world's regulator. This episode explores Brussels' environmental rulemaking, global consequences for trade, and whether its heavy-handed approach helps or harms global cooperation.

    Talking Points·

    Brussels wants to regulate the world’s carbon emissions.·

    Even if you’re not in Europe. Pushing an agenda, a tariff on everyone else.·

    Blindness to China· • Benefits vs. burdens:

    Compliance costs, consumer prices, sovereignty concerns.· •

    Will the world follow Europe’s climate path—or push back?
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    8 mins