John talks with Simon Moya-Smith who's an Oglala Lakota and Chicano journalist. He’s a contributing writer at NBC News and TheNation.com. He’s the author of the forthcoming book, ‘Your Spirit Animal is a Jackass,’ and he is an Adjunct Professor of Indigenous Studies at the University of Colorado Denver. John also talks with Julie Francella who's a mental health professional experienced in handling complex trauma with Indigenous youth and families. She's also an enrolled member of the Ojibway of Batchewana First Nation Reserve, and teaches Indigenous Studies at Durham College, focusing on the impacts of colonization on First Nations people. They discuss TIME magazine featuring Jordan Harmon and Mackenzie Roberts, two citizens of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, on the cover of its issue titled “The People vs. AI,” highlighting a growing grassroots pushback against the unchecked expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure across the United States. They also talk about the state of New Mexico finally investigating the forced sterilization of native women and in Sant Fe there's a big fight over a monument honoring calvary soldiers which native protesters toppled in 2020. Sant Fe residents are claiming the monument represented generations of genocide against Native Americans.

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John's monologue today is about Trump saying “I’d love not to use” the the military to attack Iran, “but sometimes you have to.” He has ordered the largest US military build-up in the Middle East since the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, while Iran has vowed to respond to any attack with force. Then, he speaks about politics and campaigning with Kelly Dietrich who is founder and CEO of the National Democratic Training Committee (NDTC). With decades of experience on the campaign trail with candidates - Kelly’s expertise in fundraising and staff training have shaped NDTC into an industry leader in Democratic politics. And then finally, he chats with prize-winning investigative reporter Art Levine. For The Washington Spectator, Levine closely examines the cavalcade of false prophets and junior-level fascists that are currently scrambling for supreme control of the MAGA Movement.

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In the latest episode - John kicks off with a recap of the State of the Union, where he dissects Trump's remarks, highlighting the discrepancies and the political theater that often overshadows substantive policy discussions. He then talks about Democratic and Republican lawmakers who peppered Trump's nominee for surgeon general with hours of questions at a confirmation hearing, asking Casey Means about her stands on vaccines and more. Means - an un-licensed doctor, entrepreneur, and health influencer - was also questioned heavily about her qualifications and possible conflicts of interest. Then, Bob Cesca is back to joke about Trump's speech and the Epstein files fallout. Next, one of the central themes of the episode is the rise of Christian nationalism in American politics. The God Squad AKA Dillon Naber Cruz and Desimber Rose delve into how this ideology influences policy decisions and shapes the political landscape, often at odds with the foundational principles of democracy. The discussion emphasizes the need for a collective pushback against these trends, advocating for a return to core values of justice and equality. Then finally, legal analyst Dr. Tracy Pearson discusses recent court decisions that impact civil rights and public health. The conversation touches on the implications of these rulings, particularly in relation to reproductive rights and immigration policy.

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John and Chris comment as they air Trump's State of the Union live as it happens. FORTUNATELY most of Trump's lies and vitriol has been flushed from this podcast. (YAY) As the speech ends, John speaks with Lurie Daniel Favors, Esq. who serves as Executive Director at a racial justice law center based in New York City. She is an author, activist and attorney with a longstanding commitment to racial and social justice. She also hosts the Lurie Daniel Favors Show on Sirius XM’s Urban View Network, a national talk show that tackles issues of race, culture, gender, identity, politics and the law and you can also find her on the accompanying podcast, Lurie Breaks it Down. Then, closing it up, John welcomes back Ameshia Cross who is a democratic strategist for national, state, and local campaigns, a regular political commentator and contributor on MSN, NBC, BBC, SiriusXM, iHeart Radio, and more.

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In this episode - John discusses the recent blizzard affecting the Northeast, the implications of the Supreme Court's ruling on Trump's tariffs, and the ongoing political drama surrounding the State of the Union address. Then, he is joined by Professor Corey Brettschneider. The conversation touches on critical issues such as executive overreach, judicial accountability, and the state of democracy. Next, John speaks with Miles Taylor who is a national security expert that works in Washington, DC. Taylor previously served as chief of staff at the US Department of Homeland Security, where he published an “Anonymous” essay in The New York Times, blowing the whistle on presidential misconduct. He later published the #1 national bestseller A Warning, revealed himself to be the author, and launched a campaign of ex-officials to oppose Donald Trump’s reelection. He’s worked as an advisor in the George W. Bush administration, on Capitol Hill, as a CNN contributor, and is the cofounder of a DC-based charter school and multiple democracy-reform groups. His latest book is "BLOWBACK". And winding it up, comedian Rhonda Hansome returns to joke with John and listeners about the State of the Union boycotts and Toddler Trump's Tirades and Tantrums.

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John interviews author Project Censored and award-winning investigative journalist Peter Byrne as they present "Military AI Watch" a groundbreaking 10-part exposé on the dangerous militarization of artificial intelligence—and the profiteering that drives it. Then, he speaks wit author Rev Susan Thistlethwaite about her new Substack piece on the life of Jesse Jackson. Next, John talks with journalist and former associate editor of The Washington Post, Eugene Robinson on he new book " Freedom Lost, Freedom Won: A Personal History of America". Then finally, he interviews Husein Yatabarry who is the Executive Director of the Muslim Community Network (MCN). They discuss how he leads this network with a steadfast commitment to community service, education, and equity.

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This week, Simon and Julie join John to unpack a powerful mix of history, headlines, and accountability.

They begin by honoring the legacy of Jesse Jackson, reflecting on how he bridged Black and Indigenous civil rights struggles — from supporting Standing Rock to advocating for Leonard Peltier — and how he used his national platform to connect movements that are too often siloed.

Then they turn to Texas, where Tarrant County GOP chair Bo French is seeking higher office after publicly calling for the mass deportation of millions — including Native Americans. They examine what this rhetoric reveals about extremism inside state politics and how normalized it has become.

They also discuss a Georgia lawmaker’s proposal to rename Sawnee Mountain after Donald Trump. The pushback highlights deeper questions about Indigenous erasure, public memory, and who gets honored on the land.

And finally, they close with a troubling but important story out of Hawaiʻi, where Mark Zuckerberg reportedly used shell companies to pressure Native Hawaiian families into selling ancestral lands while constructing a fortified compound. It’s a conversation about power, land, and what happens when billionaires collide with Indigenous sovereignty.

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This time John's monologue discusses the royal formerly known as Prince Andrew - who was arrested bright and early on his birthday on suspicion of misconduct related to his myriad, well documented ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Also, a South Korean court has found ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol guilty of masterminding an insurrection. So other countries are showing us a guide map. Next, he talks with Dr. Kristin Lyerly on these unnerving new additions to the Administration’s ever-growing extreme MAHA agenda that will actually hurt Americans by eliminating necessary health care programs, driving up higher out-of-pocket costs, and fundamentally put people’s health at higher risk. And winding it up, John welcomes back Natalia Reagan: Anthropologist, primatologist, actor, writer, producer, host, and of course comedian and they chat with listeners about pop culture and Trump's buffoonery.

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