Centered From Reality

Alex tackles the Trump administration’s latest Russian diesel deal, questioning why America seems eager to cozy up to Putin for precious little in return. He also introduces Trump’s new press secretary, Katie Zacharia, whose résumé reportedly includes QAnon conspiracies, Pizzagate, and a talent for turning political absurdities into talking points. From dictators getting VIP treatment to allies reconsidering their relationship with America, Alex unpacks a foreign policy that’s less America First and more Putin’s Pretty Good Deal.

In this episode, Alex welcomes back Martin Benes, a top-tier ski and running coach and history enthusiast, and Cole Costello, a PhD candidate at the University of Montana, for a wide-ranging and entertaining conversation. Martin shares his personal connection to the story behind Deep Purple’s “Smoke on the Water,” recounting how his father’s acquaintance fired the flare gun that sparked the infamous 1971 Montreux casino fire. The trio then debates which members of the Trump administration and current professional athletes they would most and least want to sit next to on a flight. Blending music history, sports, politics, and plenty of humor, the episode offers a lively mix of thoughtful discussion and playful debate.

In this episode, Alex continues his conversation with guests Martin Benes and Cole Costello about the intersection of politics, sports, and masculinity. They discuss the political weaponization of transgender athletes, the MAGA movement’s emphasis on traditional masculinity, and how authoritarian governments use power and cultural divisions to maintain control. The conversation also explores how the left can reclaim the language of freedom, the influence of Donald Trump in professional sports, and the evolving culture of college athletics, including a dramatic Montana State–Idaho football game.

Alex examines Manchester City’s financial misconduct scandal and what it could mean for the credibility and future of the Premier League. He discusses the broader issue of sportswashing, the role of football’s governing institutions, and comparisons to Italy’s Calciopoli scandal, which severely damaged the reputation of Serie A. Alex also explores the potential consequences for Manchester City, including relegation, player departures, increased scrutiny across European football, and a possible resurgence of the European Super League.

Alex examines Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ (non) controversial Medicaid ad and expresses concern about the Republican Party’s growing focus on race, immigration, gender, and other culture-war issues, particularly the rise of white nationalist rhetoric within the movement. He explores the history of the “welfare queen” stereotype and the racial politics surrounding public assistance, before turning to FBI Director Kash Patel’s engagement to country singer Alexis Wilkins. Alex also takes a skeptical look at Wilkins’ political persona and background, using the relationship as another lens through which to examine the evolving politics of the modern conservative movement.

Alex discusses his thoughts on the film Primetime, which dramatizes the real-life To Catch a Predator stings and explores the tension between journalism, entertainment, justice, and ratings. He also examines Donald Trump’s reliance on AI and his approach to regulation, concerns surrounding suspected Iranian activity in Europe, and the death of a Russian laboratory worker potentially linked to a plague research facility. Alex closes by discussing the dangers of misinformation and the need for greater international transparency around biological threats.

Alex hosts Martin Benes and Cole Costello for a wide-ranging conversation about wealth, radicalism, American imperialism, Che Guevara, and the way Americans understand socialism and communism. They discuss the concentration of wealth among billionaires, the political influence of figures like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos, and Che Guevara’s evolution from an idealistic doctor into a revolutionary figure. The conversation also explores U.S. involvement in Latin America, the legacy of Cold War propaganda, and why Americans often conflate socialism with failed communist states.

In this bonus, Alex hosts Cole Costello for a wide-ranging conversation about Donald Trump’s architectural ambitions, the historical parallels to authoritarian leaders, and the growing use of “national security” as a justification for political actions. They discuss the potential long-term political consequences of the Trump era, the future of the Republican Party, and whether the country will ultimately reckon with or attempt to forget this period. The conversation also shifts into Montana politics, college football rivalries, and the role of alcohol in sports stadiums.

Alex brings together sports history correspondent Martin Benes and culture and history correspondent Cole Costello for a wide-ranging conversation about race, history, conspiracy theories, and how modern society interprets the past. The guests explore the enduring fascination with Atlantis, the racial assumptions behind ancient-civilization theories, and the evolution of race as a social construct, while also discussing how historical translations and modern adaptations—from The Odyssey to Christopher Nolan’s film—reflect the eras in which they are produced. The conversation then turns to AI, its impact on how students process information and write, and the broader question of what people are doing with the time technology supposedly saves them, ending on a humorous discussion of gambling, sports betting, and contemporary culture.

Alex is joined by guest and history correspondent Cole Costello for a wide-ranging conversation spanning history, true crime, politics, and pop culture. They discuss the ethics of To Catch a Predator and its new Robert Pattinson adaptation, debating the line between exposing criminal behavior and creating entertainment around it, before turning to Ed Sheeran, Macklemore, Robert Kraft, and political expression in the music industry. Alex also explores his fascination with Che Guevara, examining how a highly educated young progressive motivated by inequality and poverty could become radicalized through his experiences and ultimately embrace political violence—and what that transformation might reveal about how broken systems and ideological certainty can produce extremism.