Centered From Reality

The U.S. Pivots Towards Russia as Ukraine is Left out of the Negotiations (+ Trump Blames Ukraine)

In this episode, Alex worries that the United States is handing Russia and Putin everything they want, as Trump’s diplomatic envoy met with its Russian counterparts in Riyadh earlier today. Ukraine was left out of the negotiations as the Trump team allowed its Russian counterparts to parrot propagandist talking points and many in Europe worry that the American side already gave Putin everything he’s wanted. Alex worries that the United States has switched sides as Europe is divided on how to respond and Trump is now blaming Ukraine for starting the war. 

An Aperol Spritz Blitz (with Grayson Forsberg)

In this special, President’s Day episode, Alex speaks with Grayson Forsberg and they talk about everything. As they rate drinks ranging from an Aperol Spritz to High Noons, they cover weird Instagram algorithms, the flaws of our two party system, foreign policy blunders, their next reality show, and much more. 

Drones Hit Chernobyl, Valentines Day Exodus at the DOJ & Making Showers Great Again!

In this episode, seven attorneys in New York City have resigned after the Acting Deputy Attorney General, Emil Bove, asked them to drop Eric Adams’ corruption charges. There are ethical violations associated with this action as it looks like Bove wants to reward Adams with a pardon if he advances the Trump agenda. Alex also talks about the fall of Eric Adams and a Russian drone striking the protective shield at the reactor in Chernobyl. He ends by talking about Trump’s obsession with toilets. 

JD Vance Roasts EU Leaders in Munich & Gets Praised by Russian TV!

In this quick episode, Alex reacts to JD Vance’s performance at the Munich Security Conference on Friday. Steaming with hypocrisy, Vance roasts European leaders for denying elections, limiting free speech, and threatening democracy. Alex can’t believe how much Vance has changed as Russian television networks have praised Vance’s rhetoric.

Kash Patel’s Shadow Purge, A Gulf of Lies & Trump’s Tariff Trouble

In this episode, Alex talks about the Associated Press getting barred from White House Press Briefings after calling the Gulf of America the “Gulf of Mexico.” Alex then talks about how Trump is going to struggle to explain to Americans why he is doing the proper economic policies for the country as prices continue to increase. Finally, it looks like Kash Patel is going to get confirmed to be the next director of the FBI. The comes as there are accusations that he is already influencing the recent firings in the bureau even though he is a civilian and has not been confirmed to any political position. 

A Bleak & A Not-So-Perfect Phone Call with Putin (+ Tulsi is Confirmed)

In this episode, Alex welcomes in a winter storm late Wednesday night as he laments the confirmation of Tulsi Gabbard, questions if there are any moderate Republicans left in the Senate, and then is troubled by the news that Trump had a conversation with Putin over Ukraine. It looks like the Trump Administration will look to quickly end the war, while also normalizing Putin, ignoring Ukrainian demands, and turning its back on NATO. 

'Big Balls' Enters the Fed, Gulf of America Tours Begin & Trump Reverse Engineers a Monarchy

In this episode, Alex talks about how a nineteen year old hacker and cyber expert named online as "Big Balls" has been granted access to wide ranging facets of the federal government (without proper vetting). He also talks about the strange Monarch to Prime Minister dynamics between Elon Musk and Trump and why it looks a showdown is coming between the courts and Trump as he has defied some of their rulings. Also, the Gulf of Mexico has officially been renamed to the Gulf of America... Eggs will be cheaper now! 

Santorini Becomes a Ghost Town & Good Public Policies in Spain!

In this episode, Alex takes a needed break from American politics and turns to talking about Spain and Greece. It is bad news in Greece, as the island of Santorini is in a state of emergency, after over 7,000 small earthquakes have hit the island within a week. Over 12,000 people have fled the island and locals fear what the future of tourism may look like. Talking about Spain, Alex thinks the Spanish government is doing things that the American government should emulate. The Spanish government is testing out a 37.5 hour work week that would apply to retail, agriculture, and hospitality workers. The government is also embracing tourism while looking to regulate short term rentals so that the local population can actually afford rent. 

The Riviera of the Middle East: Gaz-a-Lago & An Emboldened Israeli Right

In this episode, Alex discusses a press conference with Donald Trump where he ranted about his plans for Gaza. Even though he may have properly diagnosed failures to find peace, Alex worries that Trump is emboldening the far-right in Israel by talking about temporarily removing Palestinians from Gaza (and using military force to do so) so they can turn Gaza into the “Riviera of the Middle East.” Alex thinks that Trump could actually use his influence to try and rebuild Gaza, but he worries that selfish entities are circling around this moment. 

The Constitutional Crisis is Here: Musk Works in Secret to Gut USAID, US Treasury Records Seized & the SharpieGate Guy Will Run NOAA!

As Elon Musk, along with young engineers without security clearances, has holed himself up in the Eisenhower Building, it looks like he has been able to gut programs, get access to Treasury Department accounts, and freeze grants. All of this has been done without hearings, oversight, or debate; Congress should stand up to these actions since Musk is unelected and Congress has the power of the purse. However, it seems like a constitutional crisis is brewing as the courts may be the only means to stop these seemingly illegal actions and Republican lawmakers seem unable to stand up to what is occurring at lightning speed. After watching what has been going on with USAID and other programs in the federal government, Alex worries that by the time the courts challenge Trump and Elon, the damage may already be irreversible.