Centered From Reality

Spain’s #MeToo Breakdown (with María Tribe)

In this episode, Alex teases an upcoming episode that will air next week with one of his best friends from Spain, Maria Tribe. She breaks down the controversies happening in Spain over sheer inequity and sexism involving women’s soccer, even after the team just won its first World Cup! Basically, the head of Spain’s soccer federation is facing calls to resign (as well as possible prosecution) after he blatantly kissed a star player (on the lips and in front of the cameras) following Spain’s victory in the World Cup. Through a memo sent by Maria, she helps Alex understand why this incident is telling about the state of women’s sports even in countries that appear to be liberal and progressive. Even if this was not sexual assault, it normalizes a culture that must evolve. By the way, Maria will be back next week for the full interview! 

Canada Issues Warning About the US, BRICS Seeks New Members, Biden Strengthens Our Alliances & Tucker Interviews Orbán

In this episode, Alex starts with a pallet-cleansor. He notes that the singer of “Rich Men North of Richmond”, Oliver Anthony, has tried to distance himself from the right, that has adopted his song as their anthem. Anthony has noted that he is not on the right and his song is a criticism of both sides and should not be demagogued. For the rest of the episode, Alex deep dives into foreign policy. First, the Canadian government has discussed a game plan in response to what could happen if Donald Trump becomes president in 2025. Canada worries that the United States could deep dive into right-wing governance and it could jeopardize its relationships. Next, Alex talks about how the BRICS alliance (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) is trying to expand its membership as an alternative to the western model. However, Alex argues that it will see issues and threats to its growth. Also, Alex talks about how President Biden has actually bolstered democratic alliances and is working to make democracies safer around the world. Finally, Alex breaks down some parts from the Tucker Carlson - Viktor Orbán interview. 

The Sunday Countdown (Ep. 1): Top Ten Bond Films With a Geopolitical Backdrop/Theme

Every Sunday, Alex will be doing a new companion podcast (on this same stream) called The Sunday Countdown. This series will do a top ten countdown with a given theme that relates to geopolitics, domestic politics or foreign policy. The theme of each episode will usually stem from a pop culture category. In this first installment, Alex breaks down the James Bond series and finds the ten best Bond movies that have a plot centered in relevant geopolitics and pop culture. It should be noted that this countdown is not his “Top Ten Bond Movies”, this countdown is the top ten Bond films with the most relevant political backdrops or storylines. 

Trump + Tucker + Twitter(X) = Projection at its Finest

In this episode, Alex breaks down the counterprograming that was the Trump-Tucker Interview that premiered during the Fox News 2024 debate. Through clips and analysis, Alex argues that Trump is running off of the fumes of projection, vitrial, and something very derranged. 

GOP Debate Recap: Missed Shots, Have-Nots & Lost Thoughts (Plus Alex is Depressed)

In this episode, Alex conducts an in-depth analysis of the first 2024 GOP Presidential Debate. He discusses how every candidate responded to every question and also focuses on their reactions to the other candidates. Alex focuses on how the GOP is completely divided and numerous candidates vehemently disagree with one another. 

Prighozin’s Ghost Will Haunt Russia & Terrorize the Sahel

In this episode, Alex argues that Yevgeny Prigozhin's ghost will haunt Putin for a long time. According to reports from the Associated Press, “Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin was listed as a passenger on a plane that crashed Wednesday near Russia's Tver region, northwest of Moscow.” Alex breaks down why these events are fascinating inside of Russia, but also paint a troubling picture around what is happening outside of the country. For example, prior to his death, Prigozhin was calling for more aid towards his forces in the Sahel region of Africa. It seems like the Wagner Group is struggling in Russia, but could be gaining support inside of the African Continent. 

’He Needs a Personality Transplant’: An Autopsy of the Rob DeSanctis Campaign

In this episode, Alex focuses on why the GOP should be irritated about Ron DeSantis’s failing presidential campaign. He starts by going into new leaked memos from donors that highlight how DeSantis should attack others but defend Trump in the debates. Alex argues that this tactic is horrible and will make DeSantis look even weaker than before. For the rest of the episode, Alex conducts an autopsy of what went wrong and wonders what will happen in the general election — a lot of establishment Republicans turned on Trump and went all in for DeSantis. 

The Colombian Connection: The Need for Drug Reform & The Rich Men North of Richmond: a Faux-Populist Hit

In this episode, Alex takes listeners on a tour through the political and criminal chaos occurring in Latin America; he discusses how a good amount of these problems stem from the war on drugs, the rising influence of cartels from Colombia and Mexico, and how drug policy reform must stem from the United States and other actors in the region. Alex also notes that since the Colombian Peace referendum in 2016, former FARC members received amnesty; however, many bad actors on the left and the right have been involved in coup attempts in Venezuela and assassinations in Haiti and Ecuador. While Republcians want to militarize the southern border, Alex thinks reasonable drug policy reform is needed. Later, Alex looks into the new song “Rich Men North of Richmond.” It is blowing up in right-wing media and Alex argues that it is a faux populist hit that misses the mark but touches on important issues. 

Saudi Arabia Sportswashes its Human Rights Record, an Assassination in Ecuador & Grim News for Latin American Democracy

In this episode, Alex finally dives into why Saudi Arabia, under MBS, is getting involved in every sports league from the PGA Tour to Formula 1 and European Soccer. The country is also paying hundreds of millions to bring soccer stars like Karim Benzema and Christiano Ronaldo to play in the kingdom. Alex argues that this is bad for the historic culture of some of the sports and it is a way for MBS to try and liberalize Saudi Arabia while sportswashing its horrendous human rights record. Later in the episode, Alex gives an update on the state of democracy in Latin America; countries ranging from Mexico to Nicaragua to Brazil are seeing authoritarian crackdowns. Now, Ecuador is falling into chaos and martial law as a presidential candidate that invesgiated corruption was assassinated. Twenty years ago, the future of Latin America was looking bright; however, the current situation is looking more and more grim. 

The Iowa Fair: Vivek Loses Himself to the Music, Meatball Ron Gets Humilitated, Trump Trolls Them All & Nikki Hailey Was There, Right?

In this episode, Alex breaks down the Iowa State Fair and argues that it is a perfect microcosm for the state of the Republican Party. Alex uses videos and clips to argue that Trump is a force that the others cannot go against, and most of other candidates seem like they are going into the “has run for president” category. It is a shame because polls show that a significant  portion of Iowan voters would entertain the idea of someone other than Trump.