Centered From Reality

A Tragedy in Marrakech, X Gets Fully Red Pilled, the 14th Amendment Farce & Climate Activists Need a New Tactic!

In this episode, Alex starts by discussing the tragic devastation following a magnitude 6.8 earthquake that rocked the Atlas Mountains near Marrakech, Morocco, on Friday night. At the time of the recording, over 2000 people have died, historic parts of Marrakech have been destroyed, and it will be difficult to get aid to some of the rural mountain villages that were heavily impacted. Next, Alex talks about how X and Elon Musk are in more trouble. Musk has rallied behind a movement on X that blames the Anti-Defamation League for X struggles. The movement was mainly started by white nationalists and Alex argues that it explains why many critics think that X has become a cesspool of disinformation and hate. Later, Alex argues that Article 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment, which says an elected official is disqualified from office is they violated their oath to the Constitution, is a false hope for preventing Donald Trump from being re-elected. Finally, Alex discusses how climate activists need to find a new approach. 

I Don’t Know About You, But Enrique Tarrio is Getting 22!

In this episode, Alex starts by expressing his worries around an increasingly strong alliance between Russia, North Korea, and Russia. He worries that as the United States and Russia have pulled out of nuclear accountability treaties like New Start, Russia and China may attempt to strengthen their arsenals. North Korea could be a perfect playground for these nations. For the rest of the episode, Alex discusses how Enrique Tarrio, the former chairman of the Proud Boys, has been sentenced to 22 years in prison after his seditious actions leading up to January 6th. Alex breaks down why seditious-conspiracy charges can be easier to prosecute than treason charges. He also talks about why this form of accountability is crucial. 

A Conversation with María Tribe Pt. 2 - Corruption in Soccer’s Institutions (FIFA, National Teams) & the Need for Political Moderation (Before It’s Too Late)

In the second part of Alex’s conversation with María Tribe, the two focus on the corruption, racism, and sexism that is prevalent in Soccer’s insitutions such as FIFA, the Spanish Federation, and other countries. María also reflects on her time playing semi-professional soccer in Spain and discusses there being a lack of strong influences for women and also she talks about the ignorance she experienced from others. In the end, the two talk about pop culture, Barbie, American Politics, and how there must be centrism and discourse in politics. 

A Conversation with María Tribe Pt. 1 - Feminsim vs. Negative Equity, Ghosts from the Spanish Civil War, Sexism in Soccer & Hope During Polarization

In the first part of this two hour conversation with María Tribe, Alex’s close friend from Spain that has played semi-professional soccer, the two cover a wide range of topics. They discuss the Barbie movie and its relationship with masculinity, equality versus equity versus negative equity and how it impacts feminism. The two also talk about how traditional values, right-wing monarchism, and the ghosts from the Spanish Civil War have haunted sports such as soccer in Spain. Alex and María also talk about how Spain’s oppressive reaction to Catolonian independence movements divided society and pushed groups deeper into their political corners. The two think that society is getting to a point where conversation is getting more and more difficult. 

Jimmy Buffett Helped Us Escape & Thousands Stranded at Burning Man

Beach rock legend and Margaritaville Tycoon, Jimmy Buffett, died on Friday night at the age of 76. Alex puts out his thoughts on how Buffett impacted his life and millions of others. Alex reflects on his night at a small bar where everyone came together around his death. He also argues that Buffett basically helped the average American feel content with checking out from their lives for a bit and acting like a true “beach bum.” Buffett made the Average Joe feel like everything was alright. For the rest of the episode, Alex talks about how intense rainfall on Friday night caused mud-like pools at the Burning Man Festival in Nevada. This weather event has stranded thousands at the event and many of its festivities have been postponed or cancelled. 

Biden v Beer: the New Frontlines of the Culture War & The Theatrical Impeachment of Biden is Coming!

In this episode, Alex starts by discussing how an emerging variant of COVID-19 is leading to a new panic (and conspiracies) about lockdowns, election interference,and government control. Next, Alex goes into the new frontlines of the culture war - the Biden Administration may start recommending people only drink two beers per week. Much like gas stoves, pizza ovens, and water pressure, this topic has fueled an insane reaction from the American Right. Alex plays a video of Ted Cruz acting brave, drinking a beer, telling Biden to “kiss my ass”, and telling people to keep drinking beer. It seems like the right has run out of governing ideas and now is focused on absurd culture war issues. For the rest of the episode, Alex looks into the inevitable impeachment inquiry into Joe Biden. Will it hurt Republicans? Is it merely political? All signs point to it backfiring. 

The Recent Shootings: Do You Blame Divisive Rhetoric, Guns, or Both?

After a recent shooting in Jacksonville, DeSantis was booed at a press conference, some blamed his rhetoric, others have cited Senator Rick Scott’s divisive video from a few months ago. Alex talks about whether political rhetoric can fuel the flames, whether gun violence is the deeper threat, and how some solely blame the rhetoric because the elephant in the room is that we have too many guns in society. In the end, it feels like politics are blinding the population to the reality that the gun issue is imbedded in US culture. 

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.