Centered From Reality

Musk is on the Outside of an Inside Joke (with Martin Benes)

In this episode, Alex brings back friend of the pod, Martin Benes, to talk about the hostile government takeover that is happening. They talk about the recent wave of firings in the federal government, Elon Musk becoming a living meme, whether voters will turn on the Trump-Musk alliance, and why this purge isn’t about efficiency. They also talk about the legacy of Mitch McConnell, Steve Bannon’s criticism of DOGE, and much more! 

All Eyes on Germany’s Far Right: An Historic Sunday Election & Breaking the Extremism Firewall!

In this episode, Alex starts by talking about Mitch McConnell’s legacy, whether there is a need for moderate Republicans anymore, and why CPAC has become an absolute clown show. For the rest of the episode, Alex takes a deep dive into the federal elections that will take place in Germany on Sunday. These elections could be historic, not because the Christian Democratic Union (center right) is expected to win the most seats, but because the Alternative for Deutschland (AfD) may get 20% of the vote. This is insane considering that this party went from a fringe, far-right party a decade ago, to (potentially) the second most popular in Germany. Alex talks about the party’s contradictions; it has a semi-moderate leader but also has ties to Neo-Nazis and holocaust downplaying politicians. It also is listed by German authorities as an extremist organization. Alex talks about Germany’s extremism firewall in which establishment parties won’t form a coalition with groups that are seen as dangerous or far-right. Is this antidemocratic if an antidemocratic party wins seats through democratic means? 

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.