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Alex Kopytko is a ”radical centrist” that wants to understand the extremes. He has worked in politics and has studied public policy and political science. Alex argues that centrism is less about being a contrarian, it is about being able to change your mind and embrace an openness to new ideas. He is concerned about where the United States is headed and through conversations with people from all sides of the political spectrum, he wants to know how Americans can limit the tribalism that is flourishing. As someone that dances along the center-right of the political spectrum, Alex thinks the country needs to come together and talk to one another before it could be too late. This podcast covers domestic politics, as well as political philosophy, and international issues.
Episodes
3 days ago
3 days ago
In this episode, Alex sits in his old room in Madrid and reflects on how anti-establishment talking points on Biden and others have become international. He talks about how the same talking points are being used from the US to Spain to Italy and beyond. Later, Alex takes a deep dive into Biden’s issues going into the election. Apparently Trump and Biden will debate twice, once in June and once in September. Alex also talks about Biden’s dilemma involving providing lethal weapons to Israel and whether the Israeli destruction in Gaza will hurt Biden in the election. Alex ends by talking about Jerry Seinfeld’s speech at a commencement ceremony at Duke University.
4 days ago
4 days ago
In this episode, Alex sits in a park in Madrid, Spain, where he reflects on why returning to Madrid always is bittersweet and brings back a lot of nostalgia. For the majority of the episode, Alex talks about Michael Cohen’s testimony in the Manhattan hush-money trial; he argues that Cohen is both the least trustworthy witness but also the most likely. Alex also talks about another troubling figure in the Trump Universe — Johnny McEntee. He is a Trump loyalist, former administration member, and future thought leader that some call the deputy-president. McEntee put out a disturbing TikTok that sums up the cruel elements of the MAGA movement. In the video, he bragged (and found joy) in finding ways to give unhoused people fake money so that they will spend it and end up in jail. Alex argues that this deranged puritanism, mixed with Trump’s rhetoric about vermin and “real Americans”, can lead to a dark place.
Thursday May 09, 2024
Thursday May 09, 2024
In this episode, Alex sits on a Greek beach and reflects on the state of the world and his travel adventures. He starts with some comparisons between Greece and the United States. Then he gets into Stormy Daniels’ stormy testimony in Manhattan that detailed the horrid situation of having sex with Donald Trump. Alex is also irritated about the state of the other Trump cases and worries that the Manhattan case may be the only one that sees a trial. Later, Alex talks about RFK Jr. having actual brainworms and shares his thoughts on the college protests and civil unrest. Life’s a beach and Alex is just ranting in the sand.
Thursday Apr 25, 2024
Thursday Apr 25, 2024
In this episode, Alex starts by talking about some troubling revelations after the first few days of Trump’s hush money payment trial in New York. David Pecker, the former editor for the National Enquirer, admitted to working with Trump and Michael Cohen in a catch-and-kill-scheme to cover up news stories that could hurt Trump. Also, Pecker admitted to putting out false stories and narratives prior to the 2016 election that attacked Trump’s opponents and rivals. Alex wonders about how some of these stories could have tarnished other candidates and influenced some people’s voting preferences. Alex also argues that this is fairly unprecedented — a national publication is being paid by a political figure to serve as its propganda arm. Later, Alex reacts to an article in the Atlantic that talks about how training for a distance running race is helping younger Millenials and older Gen Zers find control during a period of chaos and uncertainty. While he doesn’t agree with everything, Alex does note that many younger adults are having a quarter life crisis that could be occurring due to previous indicators of adulthood (such as housing, marriage, careers) becoming less standard.
Wednesday Apr 24, 2024
Wednesday Apr 24, 2024
In this episode, Alex gives his thoughts on Israel taking the bait and striking back at Iran. He also talks about his road trip last weekend and how he forced himself to listen to a very troubling conversation between Tucker Carlson and Joe Rogan. Later, Alex discusses the recently passed foreign aid package that went through the House and Senate and now will be signed by President Biden. The bill is a mixed bag, while it provides aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, it also bolsters a TikTok ban and reauthorizes FISA. Alex is surprised that Speaker Mike Johnson found his moral fortitude.
Sunday Apr 14, 2024
Sunday Apr 14, 2024
In this episode, Alex starts by sharing his thoughts on the future of Van Life, why he really enjoyed the new Civil War Movie, and why he thinks the Trump hush money trial that starts tomorrow will be total chaos. For the remainder of the episode, Alex dives into the troubling events happening in the Middle East between Israel and Iran. In early April, Israel targeted an Iranian embassy in Damascus. This attack killed two Iranian generals as well as other officials. Now in retaliation, Iran sent over 300 missiles and drones into Israel. This set a troubling new precedent because before this attack, Iran had relied on its regional proxies to target Israel. Alex argues that the shadow war between the two countries is over and fears of direct retaliation are becoming more likely. Alex also talks about why this was a strategic blunder for Iran and has bought Israel time.
Friday Apr 12, 2024
Friday Apr 12, 2024
In this episode, Alex starts with a rant about his experience earlier today in a Costco parking lot. He argues that his experience highlights the collective issues the United States faces as a society. Later, Alex talks about the death of OJ Simpson and how his defense during his murder trial was a harbinger for things to come in the post-truth, Trump era. Finally, Alex worries that Russia wants to turn the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv into a “grey zone” or uninhabitable city. Russia has been using glide bombs that can avoid Ukrainian air defenses and right now, Ukraine has no answer to them. As a Russian offensive is thought to be taking place over the summer, Alex worries about the future of Ukraine as the West is divided.
Thursday Apr 11, 2024
Thursday Apr 11, 2024
In this episode, Alex gives some updates on life and then gets into how the Arizona Supreme Court is making Arizona 1864 again. The court upheld a 1864 law that would practically ban all abortions in the state. Next, Alex looks into new economic data that could be problematic for Biden's campaign - inflation is not going down and the Federal Reserve may decide not to cut interest rates. Finally, Alex looks into the new and troubling revelations around a Trump campaign ally who threatened violence and rape. As information around this incident is becoming public, Alex argues that violence and anger towards women are both major features of fascism.
Thursday Apr 04, 2024
Thursday Apr 04, 2024
In this episode, Alex starts with the troubling and tragic news out of Gaza. It has been reported that an Israeli drone killed World Central Kitchen (WCK) aid workers that were trying to get aid to the starving Palestinian population inside of Gaza. The WCK is now pausing operations in Gaza (as the situation is only worsening) and many western leaders, including Joe Biden, are furious. Later, Alex looks into an interesting case out of Chicago. An undocumented immigrant defended himself using a firearm during the looting in June of 2020, and now a federal judge has dismissed his charges. The judge is arguing that in some cases, an undocumented immigrant, does have the right to bare arms. This case will be challenged, but could set a very interesting precedent. It is also jumbling the brains of many conservatives that support the right to bare arms, but also are anti-immigration and are hawkish about the border. Finally, Alex isn’t surprised to find out that some allies of Donald Trump think that he has a right to a third term (in 2028) even if he wins in 2024. Some MAGA legal writers are arguing that the 22nd Amendment wouldn’t apply to Trump.
Monday Apr 01, 2024
Monday Apr 01, 2024
In this episode, Alex starts by reacting to Trump’s new grift that involves selling a $60 bible that is called the “God Bless the USA Bible,” it is inspired by the country singer Lee Greenwood’s song “God Bless the USA.” The bible also includes the bill of rights, national anthem, and more, and completely melds politics with religion. Later, Alex breaks down the current security dilemma that is unfolding in Haiti as anarchy is currently unfolding even in historically stable parts of the capital, Port-au-Prince. In 2021, Haiti’s president was assasinated, and since this event, gangs have used this power vaccum to seize power, delegitimize the unelected leader in power, polarize the population, wreck havoc on civil society, and hold a mirror up to the corrupt politics of the country. As foreign governments try to find solutions to the issue, policing has been replaced with mob violence and vigilantism. Alex goes through the last thirty years of Haitian politics and struggle to try to understand how the situation can be alleviated.