Centered From Reality

A Toxic Cocktail is Brewing in Syria

In this episode, Alex starts with a brief overview of what is going on in the United States involving Trump’s picks for different cabinet positions, then he moves on to the Middle East. He talks about how Syria has been a proxy chessboard for many world powers for quite some time and he worries that the worst could be yet to come. Alex breaks down the different opposition groups that allied to oust Assad, he talks about why the Kurdish people are at the forefront of the conflict, and why Israel is on the offensive in the Golan Heights and other parts of Syria. 

The French Government Collapses, the Hawk Tua Memecoin & Worries of Rising Political Violence

In this episode, Alex starts by giving his thoughts on the murder of UnitedHeathCare’s CEO in NYC last week. Alex is concerned by some people in academia and the media because they have expressed support towards the murder due to the corruption of the health insurance industry. Rising extremist violence is only a race to the bottom, especially with Donald Trump returning to the presidency. Next, Alex lightens the mood for a moment and talks about how Hailey Welch (the Hawk Tua girl) has “Hawk Tua’d” all over her repuation after a memecoin controversy. Finally, the weak French government collapsed after a no confidence vote last week. The government was only in place for 90 days. Alex talks about how horseshoe politics came for the weak, centrist government. Both the far-left and the far-right helped topple the government. With inflation still high, pension costs rising, poverty rising, and foreign conflicts at Europe’s door, France is in a very bad situation. But hey, at least the Notre Dame has been rebuilt and is opening again! 

Epic & Ikon: Price Discrimination in the Ski Industry & the US Economy (+ Bird Flu Booms!)

In this episode, Alex starts by giving an update on the Bird Flu (H5N1) outbreak. The USDA is now calling for all dairy to be tested. Alex discusses what is going on and wonders how close we are to a pandemic. For the rest of the episode, Alex re-airs a popular episode he did on skiing and price discrimination in the industry. The episode remains evergreen and relevant. After boom or bust seasons based on snowpack, large corporations like Vail Resorts ended up learning that they could charge different prices to different customers and make record profits. This led to overselling the Epic Pass (at a decent price), while also rising the average cost of day tickets. In a good season, this can lead to chaos and overcrowding (but profits), and in bad seasons, the passholders still feel obligated to ski. Basically, the ski industry has been able to increase output and demand (which is difficult in economics). Alex argues that this is why skiing feels less accessible than ever before but also more accessible at the same time. At the same time, price discrimination seems to be a new trend in the US economy and shows how the ski industry, the airline industry, and restaurants can make profits. 

Anticipatory Compliance: Kash Patel’s “Deep State Hit List” & Spreading Fear to Silence Courage

In this episode, Alex focuses on the intimidation and fear that is alreading infecting many in the media, corporate America, and the federal agencies. He talks about how anticipatory compliance can be the precursor to authoritarianism as people with something to lose decide to be compliant over standing up and being courageous. Alex mentions Kash Patel’s “deep state enemies list”, Morning Joe apologizing to Trump, and much more. 

South Korea Crosses the Civilian-Military Barrier

In this episode, Alex starts by trying to keep things light. He talks about the dangers lurking inside of New York City’s Museum of Ice Cream. Later he dives into the recent events in South Korea. Decades of democratic progress may be on the line as the country’s president declared martial law (under spurious circumstances) for six hours and erupted a political hailstorm as even his own party opposed the action. Alex talks about how this is a warning for other countries, like the United States, because crossing the military-civillian barrier can have serious consequences for democratic institutions. 

Hunter Biden PARDONED & Kash Patel to Lead the FBI!

In this episode, Alex does a quick episode reacting to Donald Trump annoucing that he will appoint Kash Patel to be the Director of the FBI. He also reacts to Joe Biden deciding to pardon Hunter Biden. 

Rebels Seize Syria's Second Largest City & Schadenfreude Over Candace Owens!

In this episode, Alex starts with a rant that centers around a Kygo show in Norway, why his European buddies want him to come back, and why a contrarian Thanksgiving is better. Next, Alex soaks up the schadenfreude around Candance Owens being denied entry into Australia and New Zealand. Finally. Syrian opposition groups have seized most of Aleppo, the second largest city in Syria, and Alex is worried. 

Thanksgiving Should Be in October (Like Canada)!

In this episode, Alex talks about judges from the International Criminal Court (ICC) approving the arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. He then talks about why Russ Vought as Office of Management and Budget Director is terrifying reality considering he is one of the main authors of Project 2025. Finally, Alex argues that Thanksgiving should be moved to October. 

The Lineup for Tariffpalooza 2025 Leaked: Canada, Mexico, China & (Probably?) Europe!

In this episode, Alex focuses on tariffs and the dangerous game of economic chicken that Donald Trump is likely to launch against our largest trading partners. Trump is not even in office yet and he is already promising to implement 25% tariffs on imported goods from Mexico and Canada. He also has voiced the need for a 10% additional tariff on Chinese goods. Alex breaks down the realities of this issue, why tariffs are always retaliatory (if actually enacted), and why everyone from consumers to auto companies will be hurt. As Mexico’s new president threatens retaliatory tariffs, Canada’s currency has lost value and European markets are beyond worried. Alex argues that “owning the libs” may embolden Trump’s base domestically, but it could hurt the global economy if that same mantra is condoned in global economics. 

Pardoning Turkeys While Rome Burns: Russia’s Supersonic Missile & Fears of Cultural Genocide

In this episode, Alex starts by stopping himself from ranting about Thanksgiving being overrated (mainly because of turkey). Then Alex transitions to talking about Turkey — in this case, President Biden seems to be pardoning turkeys as the world burns. Of course, he argues that Biden has done a lot, but there is something symbolic about a lame duck pardoning a turkey. Alex spends the majority of the episode talking about the troubling new hypersonic missile that Russia is testing and using in Ukraine. He also talks about escalation, Putin gaslighting the west, fears of cultural genocide in Ukraine, and why the United Kingdom is worried about cyberattacks using AI coming from Russia.