Centered From Reality

The "Climate Crisis to Xenophobia" Doom Loop (+ the Fox News Cabinet)

In this episode, Alex gives some updates regarding the “Fox News Cabinet” that Trump is assembling like a sad excuse for the Avengers. He focuses on Dr. Oz who was picked to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Serivices. He also talks about Sean Duffy (a reality star and lumberjack) who was tapped to lead the Transportation Department, and much more. Alex also is fascinated by Mika Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough heading to Mar-a-Lago to meet with Trump after calling him Hitler for years. For the remainder of the episode, Alex discusses what he calls the “Climate Emergency to Xenophobia Doom Loop.” He talks about how climate policy failures will lead to a larger migrant exodus from impacted countries, while at the same time, domestic policies will be radical and less welcoming. Alex worries that Trump will demogague this issue while ignoring the root issues. 

Germany's Russia Conundrum (+ Snap Elections Coming in Germany)

In this quick Sunday episode, Alex starts by celebrating the Packers’ win over the Bears. He is excited that they renewed their ownership of Da Bears. For the rest of the episode, Alex focuses on Germany’s conundrum involving Ukraine and Russia. Germany’s Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, is uniquely unpopular and a snap election is going to happen in February, 2025. Inflation, energy costs, and fatigue German aid to Ukraine, has made it possible that he will have one of the shortest tenures as German Chancellor in decades. Scholz seems worried because he had a phone call with Putin last week. Zelensky has said this phone call could have opened Pandora’s Box, and some worry that Putin is trying to get access to foreign leaders. Also, Scholz had a phone call with Donald Trump and said he was moderately impressed with how the Ukraine discussion went. Alex is not sold and is worried about Ukraine’s future. 

A Violent Football Match in Amsterdam (+ Doug Burgum is Oil Czar!)

In this weekend episode, Alex starts by talking about a few of Trump’s new cabinet appointees such as Doug Burgum and Chris Wright. Then he talks about what is next for Jack Smith as the investigation winds down and Smith has said his team will resign soon. Alex hopes that Smith can release a final report and give it to Merrick Garland so that the nation can at least have an historical record of what has occurred. For the remainder of the episode, Alex talks about a horrific series of events that happened in Amsterdam before, during, and after a football match between the local team and Tel Aviv’s team. Amsterdam declared a state of emergency after Palestianian protestors clashed with Israelis and the events turned violent. Some say this was reminiscent of 19th century pogroms, other argue this was a toxic cocktail of antisemitism and islamaphobia. 

We’re Sleepwalking Into an Administrative (and Foreign Policy) Nightmare!

In this episode, Alex talks about two recent choices Donald Trump has made for cabinet level officials in his upcoming administration — Matt Gaetz (Attorney General) and Tulsi Gabbard (Director of National Intelligence). Alex highlights the importance of these two rolls and argues that these two choices are not only wrong, but also dangerous for our country. He gives examples of both individual’s rhetoric and believes that these picks were chosen by design. Alex worries more about Gabbard than Gaetz, but finds them both to pose significant threats to how information is analyzed. 

Haiti Struggles with Options, Spirit Needs a Re-Brand & MAGA Swamps the Drain!

In this episode, Alex talks about the breakdown in Haiti after another Prime Minster has been replaced by Haiti's transitional presidential council (TPC). Alex talks about how the TPC, which is mainly driven by external influence, faces threats from unified gangs in Haiti that want a seat at the table of a new government. Alex also talks about the recent grounding of American airlines to Haiti after three airlines were fired on yesterday after trying to land in Haiti’s capitol. Finally, Alex looks at Trump’s recent cabinet picks, the Associated Press notes that “In the last few hours, Trump has announced John Ratcliffe as CIA Director, Pete Hegseth as secretary of defense and Kristi Noem as head of Homeland Security.” Alex hopes this is a joke, but knows that this is very well not one. 

The Velociraptors Can Open Doors NOW, Trump Rewards Bad Behavior with Cabinet Positions & A New Guilded Age? (with Cole Costello)

In this episode, Alex starts by discussing how the Trump 2.0 cabinet is like the Velociraptors in Jurassic Park — they’ve figured out how to open the doors and now they are a danger. The training wheels are off and now they are ready to ride. Alex is also irritated that Trump is rewarding the bad behavior of people like Elise Stefanik with nominations to key positions. For the second part of the episode, Alex talks with his good friend Cole Costello about the election. They discuss what it means for labor movements, whether a new guilded age is coming, and much more!

Sundown in America (with María Tribe)

Alex calls this his “favorite podcast he’s recorded with a guest.” In this episode, he sits down for part two of the interview with María Tribe (over Zoom) to discuss what a European thinks about waking up to a second Donald Trump presidency. There is a quote from the movie, No Country for Old Men, that Alex uses to drive the discussion around norms and how the Democrats should respond to this era — “If the rules that you follow led you to this point, then of what use were they?” For the episode, Alex and María use that quote to talk about Trump, how the left can mobilize to be better at politics, and how the republic isn’t dead (just) yet. They also get into issues regarding gay rights, how the trans movement changes Democratic strategies, and whether María would like to visit the United States as a person in the LGBTQ+ community. This episode is not to be missed!

Polarization, Floods & A Climate Emergency in Spain (with María Tribe)

In this episode, Alex sits down (over Zoom) to talk to one of his best friends from Spain, María Tribe. The intention was to focus the episode on the election of Donald Trump; however, the two get talking about María’s parents getting married in Iran, how the country has changed, and how a society can progress during oppressive times. Alex and María also spend a lot of time talking about the tragic and unprecedented floods in Valencia, Catalunya, and other parts. They talk about how different political parties want to blame others without addressing public safety or climate change. They also talk about how this relates to federal disaster responses in the United States. 

No Country for Sane Men: Dems Enter the Wilderness & Trump Eyes His Cabinet

In this episode, Alex has had a few days to unpack the election results and assess how to move forward. Alex holds no punches, he critisizes the Democratic message, the elitism of some members of the party, Joe Biden’s arrogance, Kamala’s interviews, and much more. He also talks about how incumbency has been an issues for leaders all over the world. Alex also wonders if Democrats should keep holding the higher ground if they keep failing to win elections. Finally, Alex talks about some potential people that could be part of Trump’s next administration. 

I Stared Into the Abyss & Trump Won Back

In this episode, Alex reacts to the projected victory for Donald Trump in the United States. He will be the second person in American history to win non-consecutive terms. Alex discusses the senate numbers, the presidential numbers, and why the Democratic Party needs to take a long and hard look into the mirror of its existence. He also worries that as Europe wakes up to these results, the future of stability is at stake.