Centered From Reality

Security Struggles in the Sahel, Instability in Nigeria & Biden’s Woes Worsen

In this episode, Alex starts by discussing how Joe Biden’s woes are getting worse; Merrick Garland has opened up a special counsel investigation into Biden’s mishandling of classified documents while he was vice president. Alex worries that this is a political nightmare that will allow moderate Republicans to defend Donald Trump. For the rest of the episode, Alex takes a deep dive into the issues in the Sahel. The region has seen a troubling mix of growing extremism (like the Islamic State), climate crises, and food insecurity. This mix of factors has created a socio-political climate that is perfect for coups, authoritarianism, and a cycle of violence. Alex goes into some of the examples in the region and why they could impact everyone. 

MTG Goes to (PR)Rehab, Mother Nature’s Cruel Joke, More Flight Risks & Santos is in Congress

In this episode, Alex starts by pondering why Donald Trump has become a recluse. Then he discusses why the Nassau County GOP has asked Robert Santos to resign, will be? No. Next, Alex discusses another airline nightmare. The Economist notes that “Domestic flights are gradually resuming in America hours after the Federal Aviation Administration canceled departures due to a fault in its computer systems.” Apparently, the F.A.A.’s “Notice to Air Missions” systems had failures and this caused cancellations and shutdowns. Later, Alex looks into the recent weather catastrophes in California. The state has gone from epic droughts to debilitating floods. These shifts are difficult for tangible public policies to get passed and highlight the issues that California will face. Finally, Alex takes a deep dive into Marjorie Taylor Greene’s attempt at rehabilitating her image. She is now trying to be moderate and is trying to cleanse any records of her time as a QAnon, anti-semite. Alex worries that her flexibility is working and shows new issues with McCarthy’s GOP.

Drug Wars in Mexico, Deja Coup in Brazil, Biden’s Document Disaster & Netflix Sucks

In this episode, Alex starts with a rant about why he is irritated with Netflix. He discusses how it constantly cancels good shows without giving them time to breathe or grow. This has created a loyalty issue because viewers are afraid to get into a new show because it could be canceled. Alex tells his listeners to watch Ginny and Georgia so this won’t happen and it will get renewed. For the rest of the episode, Alex gets serious and talks about Biden’s meeting with Mexico’s president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador. The two met in Mexico City on Monday and things did not start off well after the two argued about American influence in Mexico. Next, Alex discusses how violence has erupted in Sinaloa between the Sinaloa Cartel and the Mexican Military. The Guardian writes about people “scrambling for cover as security forces and cartel gunmen fought for control of an airfield that had become the latest frontline of a Latin American drug conflict that claims tens of thousands of lives every year.” Later, Alex discusses an optics nightmare for the Biden Administration. Apparently, classified documents were found in the old office of Joe Biden. This has created a nightmare for Merrick Garland, whose Department of Justice has been going after Donald Trump for the same thing. Finally, Alex goes over the recent chaos that erupted in Brasilia, Brazil over the weekend. Supporters of the former president, Jair Bolsanaro, stormed the Congressional Building and Supreme Court. The events looked eerily similar to what happened almost two years ago in the United States. 

McCarthy Sold His Soul at a Discount Price & Still Lost!

In this episode, Alex shares his thoughts on Kevin McCarthy finally getting the role of House Speaker after 15 votes. Then rants, raves, and roasts about McCarthy due to all the concessions he made to become the speaker. Basically, McCarthy gave away all of his power and will be a hostage to the far-right. 

A Broken House, Lula Inaugurated as Bolsonaro Flees & Escalation in Ukraine?

In this episode, Alex starts with some good news about plans in Northern Europe to create a renewable energy sector that could make Europe energy independent. Then he discusses reports that both Germany and the United States are going to send armored vehicles to Ukraine in a decision that had previously been avoided due to fears of angering Russia. Alex also discusses how escalation may be occurring and what to expect from these events. Later, he discusses new updates in the House of Representatives. As of now, Kevin McCarthy has failed ten votes to become the speaker. Alex notes that while this is entertaining, these events show that his detractors are willing to hold public policy and legislation hostage. Finally, Alex discusses the inauguration of Brazil’s new president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Lula, as he is sometimes called, was president before, and staged a political comeback to beat Jair Bolsanaro. Bolsanaro broke from tradition and did not attend the inauguration, instead, he went to Florida. 

Schadenfreude Over McCarthy’s Failures, The Talented Mr. (Santos) Ripley & NFL Darkness

In this episode, Alex starts by going over why he finds Truth Social to be so alluring and fascinating. Then he discusses the new nickname that Democrats have been calling Robert Santos — the Talented Mr. Ripley. Alex then goes into Santos’ new scandal regarding stolen checks in Brazil. Brazilian officials are now investigating him. Next, Alex goes into the tragic events that happened during the Bills-Bengals game in which Damar Hamlin had a cardiac arrested and collapsed on the field. After needing to be revived twice, he is not in critical condition in the hospital. Since the accident, Alex discusses how there have been numerous vaccine conspiracies that sound ridiculous. Also, he admits that many NFL viewers are hesitant to admit that the NFL will always be unsafe and it is a sport that will likely never be able to fully change. Finally, Alex goes over all the chaos surrounding Kevin McCarthy’s inability to get enough votes to become the speaker of the house. As of Wednesday night, he has lost six rounds of votes to be the speaker. The Democrats are currently unified, while the GOP is in disarray. 

Progressives Attack Buttigieg, Andrew Tate Arrested & Forward Party Failures

In this first episode of 2023, Alex dives into the recent detainment of Andrew Tate in Romania. He goes into why Tate has become a dangerous, if not popular, and reactionary figure on the “anti-#METOO” right. Next, Alex goes over an article by Joseph Swartz called “Why I Joined, Then Left, the Forward Party.” Alex goes over the article and then explains why he has issues with the Forward Party. Finally, Alex discusses how some progressives like Bernie Sanders and Ro Khanna have started to criticize the Department of Transportation, and Pete Buttigieg, over the recent Southwest chaos. 

Staring Into the Abyss in 2023: Keeping the Lights on, Balancing Risks & The Global Order (A Conversation with a Friend)

In this conversation, Alex and a good friend have a broad conversation about what is going on around the world and what can be expected in 2023. The conversation focuses on how Europe and the world will deal with rising costs and energy issues. It also goes into Russian nationalism, the War in Ukraine, Chinese politics, how revolutions happen, American politics, and the state of policing in the United States. This episode diverges from more common episodes and just freely flows into numerous topics that will impact everyone in 2023. 

A Sausage Tycoon Dies, Santos Drops it Low, Low Low & Victories on the Italian Right

In this episode, Alex discusses why he decided to change back his voter affiliation from a Republican to a Libertarian. Next, Alex looks into new revelations about George Santos, the congressman-elect who has been “embellishing” his record to a point in which he has created himself. Alex truly wonders how low this guy can actually go and it seems like each day he hits a new low. Regarding all these new revelations, the segment dives into how a moderate, center-left district, ended up falling for these lies. Alex goes over revelations from a former congressman from the same district. Later, the episode looks into new revelations about COVID coming from China and how the Italian right, under Giorgia Meloni, has tried to balance extremism with pragmatism. Finally, Alex discusses the phenomenon that involves numerous Russian oligarchs falling out of buildings after not showing enough support for the Kremlin.

Predictions from a Madman, Turkey and Syria Have an Historic Meeting & China Enters its Zero Cares Moment

In this episode, Alex starts with some bad news regarding Jamie Raskin. Congressman Raskin has said that he has a “serious but curable form of cancer” and will begin outpatient treatment soon. Next, Alex discusses how Dmitri Medvedev, a Putin ally, once moderate Kremlin official, and former Russian president, has gone on a radical and delusional rant on Twitter. He discusses the fall of the global order, the creation of a Fourth Reich, a Civil War in the United States, and Elon Musk winning a US election as president. These rantings from Medvedev offer a troubling and deranged look into Russian information and delusions. After this segment, Alex notes that Syrian and Turkish officials met on Wednesday in Moscow. This was the first meeting between the two countries since they were on different sides of the Syrian Civil War. Alex argues that it seems like Russia, Syria, and Turkey may have reasons to work together. Finally, it seems like China has entered its “zero f**ks” mode for handling the COVID-19 pandemic. As cases are surging, China has opened the floodgates and other countries are now instituting restrictions. Alex wonders what the socio-political ramifications of this event could be.