Centered From Reality

The Club World Cup: A Litmus Test for Soccer (Unchecked Capitalism, Saudi Money & The Spectre of Trump)

In this episode, Alex is torn on what he feels about FIFA’s Club World Cup. This is a new experiment that FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, hopes will expand the international soccer market and make FIFA more money. Alex talks about how players are exhausted and not excited about the cup, sponsors have pulled out, and Saudi money is infused in the broadcasting. Alex also notes that the cup is in the United States and the specter of Trump’s immigration crackdowns lurks over it. 

Friday the 13th: Cranks in the CDC, Israel Strikes Iran & Bye Bye FEMA

Alex talks about Israel striking Iran and he worries that Iran is actually closer to a nuclear weapon than before, even though he thinks Israel is pushing Iran further in that direction. He also talks about Trump officially announcing the end of FEMA. Alex also talks about RFK Jr. appointing Dr. Robert Malone as one of eight new members of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. He fired the old 17 and is placing them with conspiracy cranks.

Riots in the Streets, Authoritarianism in the Sheets (+ Trump Braggs About Polarizing the Military)

A Dress Rehearsal for 2026: Cracking Down on Local Operations & Enhancing Federal Authority

In this episode, Alex talks about why Trump deploying the military into Los Angeles is meant to create a pretext to crack down on local power in blue states. This is intended to cripple local politics, federalize law enforcement, and potentially find ways to keep republicans in power if it is threatened. 

The Authoritarian Moment is Here: The LA Riots + Trump’s Response (Quick Reaction)

In this episode, fresh off of Spain’s loss to Portugal, Alex does a brief episode talking about the riots in Los Angeles and why he thinks that the deportations were just a gateway drug into something deeper and that Trump/Stephen Miller are going after LA for a reason. 

Poland Enters an Electoral, Existential Doom Spiral (+ Deport Elon & Impeach Trump)

In this episode, Alex talks about how democracies such as Poland, the United States, Germany, Romania, and more, are facing an issue every election that makes reform and progress difficult. Basically, every election is now marketed as “existential” and this rhetoric makes it hard for pragmatic, incumbent leaders to get enough time to actually put forward long term policies. Alex talks about the doom spiral between populist elections, centrist oppositions, and the recent presidential election in Poland. Alex also talks about the Trump-Musk feud and why he thinks Musk has more to lose.

The Madman Theory & Trump (with Martin Benes)

In this episode, Alex has part two of his conversation with Martin Benes. This part focuses on foreign policy, cracks in the Putin-Trump relationship, why confusion drives Trump’s foreign policies, and much more. Also, Alex talks about why Kilmar Abrego Garcia is returning to the US and Germany building up its military to be the largest in Europe.

Maybe Xenon Gas Can Save Democracy (with Martin Benes)

In this episode, Alex sits down with Martin Benes. In this recent iteration of their podcast series together they talk Champions League Soccer, how Xenon Gas got some wealthy tourists to the top of Everest in peak time, and the state of democracy. They focus on Biden’s capacity to be president, Elon vs Trump, and much more.

FEMA Isn’t Prepared for Hurricane Season (+ Is Elon a Problem for Trump?)

“Globalize the Intifada” Looks Like This (+ PSG Fans Loot Paris)

In this episode, Alex starts by talking about the chaos in Paris and other French cities that has occurred over the last few days after Paris Saint-Germain won its first UCL. Alex talks about the phenomenon that occurs when a fanbase’s team wins a championship. Later, Alex talks about the rise of antisemitism in the United States, the horrific attack last Sunday in Boulder, and why globalizing the intifada is dangerous.