Centered From Reality

Does this Ceasefire Benefit Russia/Lead to a Frozen Conflict? (+ Gavin Newsom’s Lame Podcast & Gaslighting Americans on Tariffs)

In this episode, Alex is getting over his head cold but has a lot to say about current events. He celebrates Real Madrid’s victory against Atletico Madrid, lambasts Gavin Newsom for having a podcast that is trying to be “the left wing Joe Rogan”, and reacts to a clip of the White House Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt, gaslighting the public about why tariffs are good for the consumer. For the rest of the episode, Alex dives into the specifics of the negotiations between the U.S. and Ukraine over a ceasefire deal. He is pessimistic that this will work, thinks Russia could exploit its vagueness, and it could lead to a frozen conflict that will benefit Russia. 

Mahmoud Khalil is Only the Beginning (+ Antisemitism & its MAGA Contradictions)

In this episode, Alex starts by talking about how a potential ceasefire deal has been reached between Ukraine and the United States. Now the pressure is on Russia to agree to the 30-day ceasefire. Next, Alex mentions that the House will be voting today to prevent a government shutdown. Speaker Johnson still faces some internal opposition ahead of the vote. For the rest of the episode, Alex talks about how the Trump Administration is going after left-wing antisemitism because it is left-wing rhetoric and not because the administration actually wants to combat hateful rhetoric. Alex uses examples such as MAGA defending and protecting people that have used racist/antisemitic rhetoric on their side, but now threatening to deport activists that are being label terrorists. Alex talks about the troubling situation with Mahmoud Khalil’s detention. He also talks about the administration defending Colombia University. He thinks MAGA is using antisemitism as a pretext to limit the free speech of its opponents. 

DOGE's "AI-First Strategy", A Recession Looms & Revenge Killings Rock Syria

In this episode, Alex talks about three days of sectarian violence in Syria that have led to over 1,300 people being killed. Many of these tragedies seem to be related to revenge killings of the Alawite population that was supporting Assad. Alex then talks about fears of a recession as the stock market had another bad day. He wonders why Trump seems to have accepted that an economic crisis is coming. Alex later talks about DOGE embracing an AI model to do the work of the federal employees that have been fired. He worries that this could be a bad idea since the Trump Administration has deregulated AI. 

Enola Gay Erased from DoD Archives, DOGE Gets Downgraded & Russia Pounds Ukraine with Missiles

In this episode, Alex starts by wondering if the end of DOGE is near. After a heated cabinet meeting, Trump has said that government cuts should be done with a scalpel and not a hatchet. Only time will tell if that is true because the Department of Defense has removed over 20,000 archival photos and data that mention historical black figures, woman of color, and gay veterans. Ironically, the DoD accidentally removed photos of the Enola Gay (the plane that bombed Hiroshima). While this is satirical, Alex thinks there is something dark about the government erasing some parts of the historical record. For the rest of the episode, Alex talks about Russia attacking infrastructure and towns with ballistic missiles and drones. Since the United States paused aid and intelligence sharing, it appears that Russia is upping the attacks and taking advantage of the situation. 

Hungary Allies With DOGE, the EU Fractures & Trump Backtracks on Tariffs (Again)

In this episode, Alex talks about why the Trump tariffs are a sham (if he really thought they worked he wouldn’t go back on them). He also talks about Hungary joining DOGE efforts to go after USAID funding and why this seems like an authoritarian crackdown. Alex also brings up Hungary getting isolated from the EU and why the EU seems to be fracturing. 

A Dishonest & Dystopian Address to Congress

In this episode, Alex gives his reaction and analysis to Trump’s address to Congress last night. He talks about how this address both bored him and worried him to his core. The speech was hyperpartisan, vengeful, dishonest, and also the longest in modern presidential history. Alex is finally convinced that Trump will never be able to be the president for all Americans and also is shocked by how much control Trump has over the party and the country. As many Americans struggle with higher cost of living prices, Trump mainly focused on lies and culture war issues. Of course, Republicans gave him a standing ovation on almost everything (including tariffs). 

If Eggs Cost Too Much, Just Raise a Chicken...

In this short episode, Alex reacts to the USDA Secretary talking about how it is great that Americans are reacting to high egg prices by wanting to buy chickens to raise and lay eggs. Alex argues this is against microeconomics and will lead to higher prices all around. Alex also talks about the miracle of egg production and why the industrialization led to the situation we are experiencing with bird-flu and other issues. Republicans have stopped talking about egg prices as much because it is becoming clear that the issue may be hard to reverse. 

The Trade War Cometh, Trump's (Un)Strategic Crypto Reserve & the Stock Market Tumbles Over Tariffs!

In this episode, Alex talks about Marco Rubio (Little Marco to some) shrinking into his chair during the heated Oval Office bullying of President Zelensky. Then, for the rest of the episode, Alex asks his listeners if the Trump Administration is just trying to fuck everything up at this point. The stock market plummeted today as Trump promised new tariffs on Mexico, China, and Canada. Alex talks about how Canada can respond and why it will mobilize our neighbors to the north. Later, He also talks about Trump’s promise to create a cryptocurrency strategic reserve. Is this a scam? Is crypto stable enough for this? Do enough Americans even own crypto? 

The US Sides With the Bad Guys: A Dark Day for Diplomacy & Trump Bullies Zelensky at the White House

In this episode, an angry Alex reacts to Trump and Vance bullying President Zelensky at the White House as it seems clear that the United States doesn’t care about helping Ukraine anymore. 

MAHA: Making Me Worried About Eradicated Diseases AGAIN!

In this quick episode, Alex talks about the spreading measles outbreak in Texas and New Mexico that has killed one school-aged child and has infected hundreds. Heath and Human Services Secretary RFK Jr. has downplayed the outbreak has vaccine skepticism is on the rise. Alex roasts the Make America Healthy Again movement and argues that it is contradictory at best and dangerous at worst.