Centered From Reality

Biden's Defending Democracy Dilemma, A Plane Disaster in Russia & Alex Questions His Political Views

In this episode, Alex takes the first part of the episode to explain his political positions and the moral conundrums he faces when trying to tell others his political identity. Later, Alex gives an update on the breakdown in law and order in Ecuador, and then dives right into the Ukraine-Russia War. He laments the fact that congress is still holding up more aid to Ukraine but questions the Biden Administration’s focus on “defending democracy” abroad. Alex argues that after the War in Iraq, many Americans are skeptical of defending American values abroad and it seems like Biden is walking into a political quagmire. Finally, the Russians claim that Ukrainian forces shot down a Russian plane that was carrying over 60 Ukrainian prisonners of war (POWs) that were meant to be swapped with Russian POWs. The Russians claim that they warned the Ukrainian military but Ukraine argues that there wasn’t a warning and this looks like a misinformation campaign to gain sympathy for Russia. 

ZYNsurrection, a Liquor Store in Saudi Arabia & Post-New Hampshire Realities

In this episode, Alex starts by deeply questioning the dynamics of highway traffic. Then he reacts to a troubling and racist clip of Turning Point USA’s Charlie Kirk. Kirk says that he would be a bit concerned if his airplane pilot was black. Next, Alex looks into a new culture war brewing out of Washington DC. In this iteration, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer wants to investigate the nicotine pouch company ZYN. There are concerns that its health effects are unknown and that it is appealing to high school age kids. Of course, the right is now posing with ZYN pouches and his overreacting. Alex argues that it is the role of government to regulate products like ZYN, but he also doesn’t think it should be banned for adults. Later, Alex discusses how the Saudi Arabian government is now allowing non-muslim diplomats (visiting Riyadh) to buy alcohol in a single liquor store in the capitol. It seems like this is less about liberalizing the country and more about trying to bring in more tourists. Finally, Alex looks at the Democratic numbers out of New Hampshire where Joe Biden won over 66% against Dean Phillip’s 19.7%. 

Gray Swan Events: A Climate Policy Nightmare, Trump Wins in New Hampshire & Ben Shapiro Shows His True Colors!

In this episode, Alex starts by talking about an interesting debate between Ben Shapiro and Destiny on the Lex Fridman podcast. He reacts to Shapiro arguing that public education is hard to address without first addressing issues with the modern American family. Next, Alex reacts to Donald Trump beating Nikki Haley in New Hampshire and discusses why he thinks Haley's road to 2024 is close to ending. Finally, Alex focuses on the idea of "gray swan events" involving climate change. Zoe Schlanger discussed this idea in the Atlantic and it inspired Alex to cover how public policy may be impacted by the rise of more extreme weather events. Gray swan events will be a public policy nightmare because they are technically possible but have not yet occurred in history. This makes predictions and modeling impossible and puts governments in a reactive mode towards rising climate crises. 

The DeSantis Autopsy, a Malaria Vaccine Emerges in Africa & New Hampshire Looks Dire!

In this episode, Alex starts by reflecting on the recent Packers loss to the Niners and how it brought him towards an existential moment on time, the ephemeral moments of life, and why experiences cannot always be transitory. Next, Alex talks about how Ron DeSantis has dropped out of the 2024 primary and has endorsed Donald Trump. Alex provides an autopsy into why DeSantis had one of the worst campaigns in recent memory and also wonders if the Florida governor will ever succeed in politics again. Later, Alex argues that Nikki Haley will not do as well as she hopes in New Hampshire and the window has almost closed on any opposition to Donald Trump’s GOP nomination. Finally, Alex highlights some good news — a Malaria vaccine is going to be administered in Cameroon and this should help halt the spread of a disease that kills almost 500,000 children (under the age of five) in the continent every year. 

Iran Strikes Pakistan, SCOTUS May Overturn Chevron & the Claremont Institution's MAGA Campaign!

In this episode, Alex starts by worrying that a new series of court cases that have reached the Supreme Court may upend a decision known as Chevron USA v Natural Resources Defence Council. This decision granted executive agencies enough deference to make their own decisions and oveturning it could upend the administrative state. Next, Alex recommends a new book that discusses how the Claremont Institution and others have created a new generation of conservatives that not only support MAGA but are indoctrinated in it. Finally, Alex talks about the Iranian strikes on militant groups inside of Pakistan. Rightfully so, the Pakistani government is furious and some worry this is yet another sign of the region getting closer to a larger conflict. 

Chaos in the Middle East: Israel, Gaza & the Red Sea (with Drew Knepley)

In this second part of Alex’s conversation with Drew Knepley, the two turn to the Middle East to talk about what is going on between Israel and Gaza. They also talk about whether the Israel/Hamas conflict, along with the US strikes on the Houthis, could lead to a larger conflict in the Middle East. Drew and Alex also talk about the complexity of the Israel-Palestine conflict, the broken politics inside of Israel, how it has become a wedge issue on the American Left, and more. They also touch on antisemitism and free speech on college campuses. 

The State of Our Union: Iowa and Beyond (with Drew Knepley)

In this episode, Alex sits down with Drew Knepley, the cohost of their old show “The Tonic Accord.” In this first part released today, Drew and Alex talk about the Iowa Caucus, why this is a facade, and what may come next in New Hampshire. They also talk about the state of the GOP, how President Biden can appeal to moderates, why Nikki Haley could be important to Trump, and why democracy is no longer a useful case to vote for Biden.

Maritime Madness: Could Iran’s Shadow War Become a Real One?

In this episode, Alex starts by discussing how Chris Christie was caught on a hot mic bashing the other candidates and saying that Nikki Haley had not chance. As Christie dropped out, many thought he would endorse Haley and his supporters would go to her, this may not be as likely. For the rest of the episode, Alex talks about how the United States and the United Kingdom finally responded to the Yemeni located, Houthi Rebels, that have been attacking ships in the Red Sea for over a month. The two countries carried out more than 60 sea and aerial attacks on Houthi targets in Yemen hoping to get the terrorist group to budge. Alex argues that this is a volatile moment because it looks like the Israel-Hamas war could expand. He also looks into how Iran’s funding of proxies around the region may have backfired as the Houthis could finally make Iran’s shadow war on the west a real war. 

South Africa Accuses Israel of Genocide, the Situation in Gaza Gets Dire & How Israel’s Private Sector Must Help Palestinians

In this episode, Alex gives a range of updates regarding the situation in Gaza. At the time of the recording, South Africa has put fourth a case to the UN’s International Court of Justice accusing Israel of genocide. As the death toll in Gaza has passed 23,000 people (mainly civillians), international calls for a ceasefire are increasing and scrutiny towards Israel is mounting. Alex also looks into why South Africa’s African National Congress (ANC) sympathizes with the Palestinian cause and also has open diplomatic relations with Hamas. The issue is nuanced because the ANC was seen as a terrorist group itself during the Apartheid years in South Africa, and it looked to Palestinian resistance for hope. Finally, Alex looks into how the dire situation in Gaza is a political situation that Israel must address. It is getting more difficult to think that Israel is just trying to fight Hamas when 85% of Gazans have been relocated and the World Heath Organization says that 80% of the world’s starving people are in Gaza. Alex argues that the Israeli private sector must return to facilitating the transfer of goods to aid groups to reach Gazans; this happened before October 7th with moderate success. 

Trump’s Scary Immunity Argument & A New Taylor Swift Conspiracy

In this episode, Alex talks about Trump’s 2016 comments when he noted that “I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody, and I wouldn’t lose any voters, okay?” It looks like this idea of Trump being able to get away with anything has reached the extreme extension of that remark. In a Washington D.C. court, Trump’s attorney’s are arguing that he is immune from indictment unless he is impeached and convicted by the senate. The judge overseeing the case posed a hypothetical about Trump ordering Seal Team Six to kill his political opponents; his attorneys eventually agreed that Trump would be immune from punishment unless impeached/convicted. Alex goes over the absurdity of this argument and how it could erode any executive accountability left. In this episode, Alex also talks about a new Taylor Swift conspiracy theory — Jesse Waters on Fox News is peddling the idea that she is a psy-op for the CIA and military.