Episode Summary:
In the first of a four-part series examining Donald Trump’s second-term first 100 days, Episode 25 of Surviving Trumptakes us into the minds of the Wealth Protectors — the high-income donors, corporate executives, and conservative insiders who see Trump as a powerful tool to protect their interests and expand their influence. This episode unpacks how these elites view Trump as a strategic asset, a bulldozer clearing a path for profit and deregulation. We examine why they’re thrilled with Trump’s aggressive moves, how they justify the harm caused to democracy and working-class Americans, and why, despite his chaos, they remain loyal to a leader who serves their bottom line.

In This Episode:

• How Wealth Protectors view the first 100 days: A once-in-a-generation opportunity to reshape government for profit
• The reasons they remain loyal to Trump, despite his chaos — and why it’s all about the returns
• How they justify the harm caused to the economy and democracy as “necessary disruption”
• Their perspective on Trump’s authoritarian moves: not a threat, but a long-overdue power correction
• How they define democracy: a system designed to protect capital, not people

Why It Matters:
Understanding how Trump’s Wealth Protectors view his presidency is crucial to grasping why they’re willing to overlook — or even encourage — authoritarian moves and democratic backsliding. For them, Trump isn’t just a politician; he’s a means to an end, a bulldozer clearing the way for profits and power consolidation. As Trump solidifies his control, their influence grows — and democracy erodes. This episode provides essential context for anyone trying to understand the forces behind Trump’s continued dominance and the high-stakes consequences for American governance.

Next Episode – Episode 26: “The MAGA Base – Trump’s Devoted Followers”
In the next episode, we shift from the boardrooms to the bleachers. If the Wealth Protectors are driven by strategy and profit, the MAGA base is driven by identity, emotion, and a sense of belonging. We’ll explore why Trump’s working-class supporters feel seen and heard under his rule — and why they’re more loyal than ever, even as they bear the brunt of his economic policies.

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Host: Bella Goode

Bella is a former Republican turned democracy advocate raised by middle class parents in Pennsylvania. She is a graduate of Syracuse University and the University of Pennsylvania with a masters of business administration from Wharton and a Masters Degree in Positive Psychology.

Career wise, Bella spent 20 years with American Express in New York and 20 years as an entrepreneur. She started and sold a fitness business that grew to 180 locations worldwide.

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Episode Summary:
Some of the most powerful figures in Trump’s national security circle don’t hold formal titles. They don’t lead federal agencies or appear in press briefings — but their influence is vast. In Part One of this episode, we meet the "whisperers" behind Trump’s authoritarian shift: Stephen Miller, Russell Vought, Ric Grenell, and Peter Navarro.

In Part Two, we dive into Signalgate — a stunning security breach where top officials coordinated a military strike using an unsecured messaging app. Sensitive information was leaked. Allies were outraged.

In This Episode:

Part One: The Whisperers

• Stephen Miller: Architect of surveillance and domestic control, expanding Trump’s power through legal maneuvers and fear-based policy.
• Russell Vought: The budget master behind Project 2025, weaponizing federal spending to punish dissent and reward loyalty.
• Ric Grenell: Diplomatic disruptor with a vague but powerful title — bypassing institutions and politicizing foreign affairs.
• Peter Navarro: Economic nationalist pushing isolationist policies under the banner of national security.

Part Two: Signalgate

• The Breach: Top officials used a Signal group chat to coordinate real-time military operations — including sensitive CIA details.
• The Response: Denials, deflections, and a released transcript that shattered the administration’s narrative.
• The Strike Zone: A costly, ineffective mission that revealed poor planning and wasteful execution.
• The Fallout: Damaged alliances, legal violations, institutional breakdowns — and a military spread dangerously thin.
• What It Reveals: A government running on loyalty over law, secrecy over strategy, and denial over discipline.

Why It Matters:
This is the conclusion of our three-part national security series. We’ve traced how Trump’s second term is redefining what it means to protect the country — not through competence, but through control. From gutting institutions to empowering unqualified loyalists, this administration is building a security state designed to serve one man, not the nation.

Next Episode:
We’ll turn our attention to another urgent issue — one that’s probably unfolding right now. Stay tuned.

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Host: Bella Goode

Bella is a former Republican turned democracy advocate raised by middle class parents in Pennsylvania. She is a graduate of Syracuse University and the University of Pennsylvania with a masters of business administration from Wharton and a Masters Degree in Positive Psychology.

Career wise, Bella spent 20 years with American Express in New York and 20 years as an entrepreneur. She started and sold a fitness business that grew to 180 locations worldwide.

Community :

• Rate & Review on Apple Podcasts – Your feedback helps us reach more people. Click to review.
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Episode Summary:

In this second installment of our three-part national security series, we examine the people now leading America’s most powerful security agencies. These aren’t leaders chosen for experience or qualifications. They’re chosen for loyalty — and that shift has turned national security on its head.

From purged intelligence staff and photo-op border raids to encrypted chat scandals and weaponized institutions, this episode reveals how Donald Trump has stacked the national security deck with loyalists. These officials aren’t just carrying out policy. They’re reshaping the very function of our defense, intelligence, and justice systems — often in ways that put the country at risk.

We walk through the team member by member: who they are, what they’ve done, and why it matters.

In This Episode:

• How Laura Loomer helped purge national security staff and got a general fired — without clearance or evidence
• Mike Waltz’s chaotic Pentagon purge and the origins of “Signalgate”
• Marco Rubio’s triple-role conflict and complicity in record destruction
• Pete Hegseth’s politicization of military culture and the border stunt that wasted millions
• Tulsi Gabbard’s shift toward authoritarian-friendly rhetoric — and why her calm demeanor might be the most dangerous part
• Kristi Noem’s performative homeland security — armored vehicles, propaganda raids, and weakened cyber defenses
• Kash Patel’s quiet dismantling of the FBI and centralization of political power
• Steve Witkoff’s rise from real estate developer to Trump’s Middle East envoy — and his string of geopolitical blunders

Why It Matters:

National security depends on professionalism, integrity, and independent judgment. What we see now is the opposite: an environment where political loyalty trumps competence, and personal allegiance dictates policy. That’s not just a personnel problem — it’s a structural collapse.

Next Episode:

In Episode 24, we go behind the scenes to look at the whisperers — the unelected influencers shaping Trump’s national security strategy. Plus, we dive deep into Signalgate, the most serious intelligence breach of Trump’s second term.

Support the show

Host: Bella Goode

Bella is a former Republican turned democracy advocate raised by middle class parents in Pennsylvania. She is a graduate of Syracuse University and the University of Pennsylvania with a masters of business administration from Wharton and a Masters Degree in Positive Psychology.

Career wise, Bella spent 20 years with American Express in New York and 20 years as an entrepreneur. She started and sold a fitness business that grew to 180 locations worldwide.

Community :

• Rate & Review on Apple Podcasts – Your feedback helps us reach more people. Click to review.
• Follow on YouTube - subscribe here:
• Follow my blog on Substack https://survivingtrumppodcast.substack.com/
• Join the conversation on Bluesky – Find me at @survivingtrump.bsky.social
• Share this episode – If you found this podcast valuable, send it to a friend and tag us on social media.
• Contact me at bellagoodepodcast@gmail.com
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Episode Summary:
In this opening episode of our three-part national security series, we go back to basics — defining what national security actually is, how it’s evolved over time, and what it’s supposed to protect us from. We walk through the full range of threats facing America in 2025 — from cyberattacks and domestic extremism to climate collapse and geopolitical instability — and show how the system meant to keep us safe is being radically reshaped.

National security is no longer just about tanks and troops. It’s about energy grids, supply chains, clean water, elections, and public health. And under Donald Trump’s leadership, the institutions that manage these threats are being dismantled — on purpose. From Project 2025 to loyalty tests, this isn’t just a shift in policy. It’s an authoritarian takeover of the system that protects us all.

In This Episode:

• What national security actually is — and how it’s evolved from Cold War defense to cyber, health, and climate resilience
• How America’s national security system is supposed to function
• The real threat landscape in 2025, from homegrown extremism to global cyber warfare
• Why Trump’s second-term vision rejects institutional competence and replaces it with personal loyalty
• How Project 2025 and Stephen Miller’s ideology are weaponizing national security from the inside

Why It Matters:
This episode sets the stage for the next two in our national security series. Before we meet the people Trump has placed in charge (Episode 23), or assess the fallout from their actions (Episode 24), we need to understand the foundations of national security itself.

Next Episode:
Episode 23: Trump’s National Security Team – Inexperienced, Ideological, and In Charge
We’ll meet the new cast of national security power players — from loyalists like Kash Patel and Stephen Miller to headline-grabbers like Kristi Noem, Pete Hegseth and Steve Witkoff.

A favor to ask…
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Support the show

Host: Bella Goode

Bella is a former Republican turned democracy advocate raised by middle class parents in Pennsylvania. She is a graduate of Syracuse University and the University of Pennsylvania with a masters of business administration from Wharton and a Masters Degree in Positive Psychology.

Career wise, Bella spent 20 years with American Express in New York and 20 years as an entrepreneur. She started and sold a fitness business that grew to 180 locations worldwide.

Community :

• Rate & Review on Apple Podcasts – Your feedback helps us reach more people. Click to review.
• Follow on YouTube - subscribe here:
• Follow my blog on Substack https://survivingtrumppodcast.substack.com/
• Join the conversation on Bluesky – Find me at @survivingtrump.bsky.social
• Share this episode – If you found this podcast valuable, send it to a friend and tag us on social media.
• Contact me at bellagoodepodcast@gmail.com
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Episode 21: Tariff World – How Trump’s Trade War Broke The Global Economy

What’s in this episode
In the final instalment of our three-part series on Trump’s April 2025 tariffs, host Bella Goode steps back to explore the global fallout of America’s most reckless trade war in modern history. From dairy farmers in Quebec to chip manufacturers in Japan, we follow the ripple effects of a policy with no economic modeling and no safety net — just escalating damage. This episode unpacks how Trump’s trade assault is reshaping economies, straining alliances, and accelerating the collapse of a global system the U.S. once led.

Key points covered:

• A global tour of tariff consequences, with real-world impacts in Canada, Germany,Japan, and Vietnam
• How entire industries — from autos to electronics to agriculture — are being destabilized by U.S. trade policy
• The retaliatory measures taken by countries like Canada, Mexico, and China — and what they signal geopolitically
• The growing movement among U.S. allies to reduce dependence on American markets and leadership
• How broken supply chains, rising inflation, and shrinking trust are rewriting the rules of global trade
• The danger of U.S. isolationism — and what happens when America is no longer seen as a reliable partner
• Why this trade war may mark the beginning of a new global order — one where the U.S.is on the outside looking in
  
  Why it matters
  This isn’t just about trade — it’s about trust, leadership, and the long-term role of the United
  States in the global economy. Trump’s tariffs are accelerating a shift in global alliances,
  damaging U.S. industries, and pushing inflation higher for American consumers. At stake is not
  just economic efficiency, but America’s credibility on the world stage. When the U.S. abandons
  cooperation in favor of coercion, the rest of the world adapts — without us.
  
  Coming up next
  In Episode 22, we dive into national security — and how the Trump administration’s second term is exposing critical vulnerabilities. From cyber threats to global conflict zones, we’ll examine the systems under strain and what it means for American safety in a world increasingly
  on edge.

Support the show

Host: Bella Goode

Bella is a former Republican turned democracy advocate raised by middle class parents in Pennsylvania. She is a graduate of Syracuse University and the University of Pennsylvania with a masters of business administration from Wharton and a Masters Degree in Positive Psychology.

Career wise, Bella spent 20 years with American Express in New York and 20 years as an entrepreneur. She started and sold a fitness business that grew to 180 locations worldwide.

Community :

• Rate & Review on Apple Podcasts – Your feedback helps us reach more people. Click to review.
• Follow on YouTube - subscribe here:
• Follow my blog on Substack https://survivingtrumppodcast.substack.com/
• Join the conversation on Bluesky – Find me at @survivingtrump.bsky.social
• Share this episode – If you found this podcast valuable, send it to a friend and tag us on social media.
• Contact me at bellagoodepodcast@gmail.com
• Support the Show

Episode Summary:
In Episode 20 of Surviving Trump, host Bella Goode digs into the real-world consequences of Donald Trump’s sweeping April 2025 tariffs. From wheat fields in Kansas to factory floors in Ohio, the economic pain is spreading. You’ll hear why top economists are calling the policy “economic malpractice,” and how working families, small businesses, and farmers are footing the bill. With inflation rising, profits vanishing, and rural communities on the brink, this episode breaks down who’s being hit hardest—and why. We also examine the political fallout, including what Congress is doing and how MAGA voters are responding as economic costs mount.

In This Episode:

• Plus, we’ll hear from leading economists who say this isn’t economic genius — it’s economic malpractice
• Why prices are surging, markets are rattling, and economists warn of stagflation
• How the tariffs are slamming American workers and small businesses, from pool contractors to car dealerships
• Why farmers face a full-blown crisis after losing export markets and USAID food purchases
• Industry-by-industry breakdown of who’s hurting most, and what it means for the broader economy
• What Republicans and Democrats are saying—and why MAGA voters are starting to feel the squeeze

Next Episode:
Episode 21: Global Fallout
We follow the ripple effects across borders. How are China, Europe, and America’s trading partners responding? What new alliances are forming? And is the U.S. losing its grip on global economic leadership?

Support the show

Host: Bella Goode

Bella is a former Republican turned democracy advocate raised by middle class parents in Pennsylvania. She is a graduate of Syracuse University and the University of Pennsylvania with a masters of business administration from Wharton and a Masters Degree in Positive Psychology.

Career wise, Bella spent 20 years with American Express in New York and 20 years as an entrepreneur. She started and sold a fitness business that grew to 180 locations worldwide.

Community :

• Rate & Review on Apple Podcasts – Your feedback helps us reach more people. Click to review.
• Follow on YouTube - subscribe here:
• Follow my blog on Substack https://survivingtrumppodcast.substack.com/
• Join the conversation on Bluesky – Find me at @survivingtrump.bsky.social
• Share this episode – If you found this podcast valuable, send it to a friend and tag us on social media.
• Contact me at bellagoodepodcast@gmail.com
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Send us a text

Episode Summary:
In Episode 19 of Surviving Trump, host Bella Goode unpacks Donald Trump’s massive April 2025 tariff announcement—the largest unilateral economic move in modern U.S. history. This episode breaks down what tariffs actually are, how Trump’s new policy distorts their use, and why this isn’t just about trade — it’s about power. From market collapses and economic misinformation to ideological fantasy and authoritarian leverage, we explore how Trump is using tariffs as a political weapon—and how you’re already paying the price.

In This Episode:

• What tariffs are and how they work in plain language
• Trump’s sweeping April 2 announcement and the bizarre math behind his new tariff plan
• Why the tariffs were timed for now — and how they serve Trump’s political agenda
• How Trump sees tariffs as tools of dominance, not policy
• The administration’s surreal spin on the resulting market crash

Next Episode:

Episode 20: “The Fallout”
We turn the lens to economists, workers, and everyday Americans to assess the damage. You’ll hear why some are calling Trump’s tariffs “economic malpractice.” How are farmers, families, and industries reacting? What’s Congress doing—or not doing? And what will MAGA voters tolerate as the pain spreads?

Support the show

Host: Bella Goode

Bella is a former Republican turned democracy advocate raised by middle class parents in Pennsylvania. She is a graduate of Syracuse University and the University of Pennsylvania with a masters of business administration from Wharton and a Masters Degree in Positive Psychology.

Career wise, Bella spent 20 years with American Express in New York and 20 years as an entrepreneur. She started and sold a fitness business that grew to 180 locations worldwide.

Community :

• Rate & Review on Apple Podcasts – Your feedback helps us reach more people. Click to review.
• Follow on YouTube - subscribe here:
• Follow my blog on Substack https://survivingtrumppodcast.substack.com/
• Join the conversation on Bluesky – Find me at @survivingtrump.bsky.social
• Share this episode – If you found this podcast valuable, send it to a friend and tag us on social media.
• Contact me at bellagoodepodcast@gmail.com
• Support the Show

Send us a text

Episode Summary

In the final chapter of our six-part Musk series, Bella Goode delivers a powerful reckoning with the fallout of Elon Musk’s DOGE regime—a techno-authoritarian experiment that has left America's democratic infrastructure gasping for air.

Far beyond a failed efficiency program, DOGE has become a vehicle for chaos, control, and collapse. With institutions gutted, benefits blocked, and public trust in freefall, Episode 18 dives into the devastating human cost of Musk’s governance and the deeper ideology that powers it.

From the IRS layoffs in Ogden to the rise of Orbán-style illiberalism, we expose the radical worldview reshaping our country—and ask whether democracy can survive in a system rebuilt for billionaires, by billionaires.

In This Episode:

The IRS Shutdown – How DOGE’s mass firings at the IRS led to a $500B tax shortfall and a wave of unchecked corporate tax evasion.

Ogden, Utah in Crisis – The heart-wrenching impact of DOGE layoffs on working-class communities, with interviews from displaced workers and local leaders.

Musk’s AI Catastrophe – From frozen Social Security payments to algorithmic cruelty, we examine how Musk’s “innovation” is terrorizing vulnerable families.

The Human Factor – Why Musk’s obsession with optimization—and disregard for empathy—has turned reform into ruin.

Chaos as a Strategy – How Musk uses disinformation, crisis cycles, and media distraction to deflect blame and consolidate power.

The Authoritarian Network – Musk’s ideological alignment with Viktor Orbán, Curtis Yarvin, and Peter Thiel—and how DOGE reflects their shared vision for post-democratic rule.

10 Pillars of Democracy Under Attack – A sweeping breakdown of how DOGE is systematically dismantling the foundations of a free society.

The Verdict – Why Musk has failed as a government leader, and why that failure is not just dangerous—it’s existential.

Next Episode

Our next episode takes a deep dive into Project 2025- the blueprint causing all the chaos.

Support the show

Host: Bella Goode

Bella is a former Republican turned democracy advocate raised by middle class parents in Pennsylvania. She is a graduate of Syracuse University and the University of Pennsylvania with a masters of business administration from Wharton and a Masters Degree in Positive Psychology.

Career wise, Bella spent 20 years with American Express in New York and 20 years as an entrepreneur. She started and sold a fitness business that grew to 180 locations worldwide.

Community :

• Rate & Review on Apple Podcasts – Your feedback helps us reach more people. Click to review.
• Follow on YouTube - subscribe here:
• Follow my blog on Substack https://survivingtrumppodcast.substack.com/
• Join the conversation on Bluesky – Find me at @survivingtrump.bsky.social
• Share this episode – If you found this podcast valuable, send it to a friend and tag us on social media.
• Contact me at bellagoodepodcast@gmail.com
• Support the Show