Centered From Reality

Election Pregame: Selzer Predicts Iowa for Harris, a "Toss Up" in Nevada & Arizona Leans Right

In this episode, Alex watches the final quarter of Monday Night Football, sips on a beer, and stairs in the void that is the 2024 election. In less than 24 hours, early results will start coming in and Alex gives his final takeaways and predictions. He focuses on an interesting survey from Ann Selzer out of Iowa, Jon Ralston’s final prediction that Kamala Harris wins Nevada, and why Arizona is seeing heavy/early Republican turnout. Alex also worries that some Republicans are convinced that Trump can’t lose. 

European Parties Warn About Jill Stein as a SPOILER, The 2024 Gender Divide Grows & Trump Threatens Liz Cheney

In this episode, Alex starts by talking about a Digital Guilded Age. Then he transitions to talking about Jill Stein and the American Green Party. Stein has been popular with angry progressives that cannot vote for either party; however, commentators think she is a spoiler that may help Trump. Alex debunks the candidacy of Stein, the Green Parties of Europe have condemned Stein, calling her a threat. Alex also looks into the money, many GOP PACs have been funding her ads in swing states. Next, Alex talks about Gen Z discovering the Access Hollywood tape of Trump bragging about harassing women. He also talks about the gender divide for the 2024 election and how it looks more divided than in 2016. Finally, Alex covers Trump’s comments on Liz Cheney. He said that she is a warhawk and should be put into a situation where nine guns are trained on her. Republicans have called the statement a criticism of her foreign policies, critics think this describes a firing squad. 

Kamala's Khan Conundrum, Musk Meddles(?) in Pennsylvania & Trick-R-Treat Returns to Des Moines

In this episode, Alex is fired up. He is tired of election text messages from Sam Brown in Nevada and GOTV people showing up at his house early on weekends. He also learns that Des Moines, Iowa, hasn’t Trick-R-Treated since 1938, and instead the kids have gone the night before. However, weather forced the town to allow the kids to go out on Halloween once again. For the rest of the episode, Alex talks about Elon Musks’s potentially illegal monetary involvement in the elections happening in swing states. He also talks about how the FTC chair, Lina Khan, has become a polarizing figure in the Democratic Party and helps highlight the divide between the left and the center. He wonders if this could impact the election. 

Was Tony Hinchcliffe the October Surprise? (+ Climate Disaster in Spain & Bad Bunny Responds to the MSG Rally)

In this episode, Alex covers the historic flooding that occurred over the past few days in the Spanish provinces of Valencia, Castilla-La Mancha and Andalucía. Over a hundred have been killed as unique rain storms flooded the region with unprecedented levels after years of drought. Next, Alex dives into everything relating to the Madison Square Garden Trump Rally. He relates it to the historic Nazi rally, talks about the comments at the rally, worries about the future of bipartisanship, and then focuses on the election. 

Stolen McValor: Grappling With Trump 2.0 as the World Stares Into the Abyss

In this episode, Alex tries to utilize the skills related to Trump’s “weave.” He talks about a recent New York Times interview with General Kelly, in which the former chief of staff calls Trump a fascist. Alex relates this revelation to other moments where Trump has wished his generals to be more like Hitler’s, has disparaged veterans, and recently said he wouldn’t pay $60,000 for the funeral of a soldier because she was Mexican. Alex then weaves over to updates in Ukraine. North Korea has sent troops to train in Russia as experts worry the world is getting closer to a larger conflict that could bring in countries like the United States. All of this is relevant to Alex as he asks his listeners — as the world seems to be on the brink of a larger conflict, do you want someone back into power that doesn’t understand the military, serving a higher power, or the honor it brings to someone? 

"I Helped Create a Monster": The Apprentice & the Mythos of Trump (+ David Duke Endorses Jill Stein)

In this episode, Alex hopes that with three weeks to go until the election, he can still make the case against Trump even more clear. He talks about how a producer of the Apprentice is apologizing for creating the mythos of “Trump the Businessman.” He also talks about Trump’s increasingly troubling and fascistic rhetoric. Also, he talks about David Duke endorsing Jill Stein. 

I'm Worried About the Election (+ Thoughts on Indigenous People's Day)

On this beautiful, fall, Indigenous People’s Day, Alex sits out on his back patio and records a podcast that encompasses all of his worries leading up to the presidential election. As the race has tightened (almost a tie according to a NBC News Poll), Alex argues that Harris has not been able to distinguish herself enough from Biden and  hasn’t made a good enough case for her economic agenda. With only 21 days to go, Alex is concerned. Later, Alex talks about Indigenous People’s Day and Colombus Day, he argues that our nation should instead compromise and celebrate “Explorers’ Day.” This would be a day that acknowledges the humans throughout our history, for good and bad, that have left the comfortable for the unknown, and have changed humanity along the way. 

The Big Lie 2.0: A Hurricane of Disinformation

In this episode, Alex shares an anecdote about walking into a restaurant that was full of people that had just come from the Trump Rally. He talks about how the vibe was similar to sports fans going to the bar next to a stadium after the game ended. Later, Alex goes into the recent interviews that both Trump and Harris did over the last week. For the remainder of the episode, Alex looks into the Hurricane of Disinformation that has been spreading on X and other platforms following the tragic aftermath of the recent hurricanes. He looks at everything from Alex Jones claiming that the deep state is controlling the weather to Trump claiming that FEMA is holding up aid to make sure Republicans can’t vote in the upcoming election. 

11th Hour Election Changes in Georgia & Hurricane Helene Called UNPRECEDENTED

In this episode, Alex starts by pondering why it is so hard for Republicans to pronounce Kamala Harris’ name correctly. Then he gets into a new election law that was put fourth by Georgia’s Electoral Board in September. While it is not legally wrong, it could delay some counting of total ballots that could provide adequate time for election deniers to spew disinformation. Trump thrives in chaos and Alex worries if this eleventh hour change could bring said chaos. Finally, Alex talks about Hurricane Helene and breaks down the extent of damage and tragedy brought to the southeast by the storm. He talks about the failures of requiring flood insurance in most of the regions impacted, how this storm could impact voting in NW North Carolina, and more. 

Midwest Nice Prevails: A Debate More like 2008 (VP Debate Analysis & Recap)

In this episode, Alex provides some analysis and recap on the vice presidential debate between JD Vance and Tim Walz. As Alex breaks down the different segments, he argues that the debate felt more like a throwback to 2008 rather than 2020. While he acknowledges that Vance polished Trump’s lies, he thinks that there was some middle ground established and Walz was able to thrive in it.