This episode is an exhale. This week, Andy welcomes Philly's own Alex Pearlman, the comedian and internet personality better known to over a million followers as @pearlmania500. Alex has spent 20 years as a stand-up comedian and built a massive online following with his loud, unfiltered takes on everything from local news to national politics, even landing a seat in the press corps after one of his videos on the I-95 collapse went viral. Now he's bringing that same energy into the studio to talk Trump, online reactions and speaking up (yelling!) when you can. Plus, our interns take the wheel for a special rapid fire edition of Gen Z Lingo. No cap.

It's a lighter episode with a lot of laughs, a couple cringes, and a genuine generational exchange about how young people communicate – and why it matters for anyone trying to actually reach them.

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This July marks 250 years since America declared its independence – and on this special America250 episode, Andy takes a step back to celebrate not just the country's birthday, but the people stepping up to serve it. All year long, the Primed for 2026 series has crisscrossed the country, sitting down with the candidates and leaders shaping this critical midterm year. Now, with primary season largely behind us and the road to November coming into focus, it's time for a recap.

Looking to get caught up on all the top gov races happening in November? Look no further. 50 minutes, 36 governor's races, it's time for a rapid-fire round. We're revisiting the competitive governor primary in Maine, Georgia and the Colorado race that happened just this week. Plus, the open-seat battle for Michigan's governorship, Dr. Amy Acton's fight for Ohio, Gov. Katie Hobbs's reelection bid in Arizona, Rob Sand's big moves in Iowa, and a look ahead at the critical 2026 midterms.

Many of these candidates have now won their primaries and are gearing up for the general election. This will be a big fight. As we mark a quarter-millennium of American self-government, this episode is a reminder of what the founders actually built: not a finished product, but an ongoing argument about who gets to lead, and how. Here's to 250 years, and to the people still showing up to do the work. Let's get into it.

Looking for more deep-dives ahead of the 2026 election? Check out the full episodes:

Maine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YneO24fTVpo&t=4s

Colorado: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shv7GfI-0SU

Georgia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bj0g7vDSs7Y&t=1360s

Texas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lVvqr2RSUE

Ohio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsBX-r8McIA&t=1s

Michigan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeNpMikYCNA&t=9s

Iowa: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Cky6Lc6E5g&t=2754s

New Mexico: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=munw-ad1LBU&t=13s

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With an alleged ceasefire in Iran, Andy Beshear sits down with former national security advisor Susan Rice, the only person in American history to serve as both National Security Advisor and Domestic Policy Advisor to the President of the United States for a sweeping conversation on the crises demanding America's attention abroad right now. They dig into the wars in Ukraine and Iran, the complicated history and future of U.S.-Cuba relations, the gutting of the Voting Rights Act, and what it feels like to be in the Situation Room in critical moments. Rice has advised two presidents, represented America at the United Nations, and spent decades at the center of the hardest decisions this country has had to make. And now, she's watching a very different White House's Situation Room and not holding anything hold back.

Then, Andy sits down with Knowa De Baraso a 14-year-old political commentator, debater, and podcaster who is already one of the most exciting young voices in American politics. Knowa has interviewed Vice President Kamala Harris, gone toe-to-toe with MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, and built a platform rooted in the kind of fearlessness that many adults twice his age haven't found. They talk about why young people belong in this conversation, what it's like to debate grown men who don't take you seriously, the real influence of political influencers, and why the 2026 midterms may be the most important election of his lifetime – even if he can't vote in them yet.

And as always, Andy chimes in on the headlines this week including the not-so-Reflecting Pool, rising tensions between Trump and Congress, JD Vance's The View appearance, and the US Men's Soccer Team's big win. Don't miss it.

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