In this episode of New Frontiers, Paul Johnson is joined by columnist Bob Robb and political scientist Henry Thompson for an in-depth discussion on the political forces reshaping Arizona, the United States, and even the rest of the world.

The conversation begins with the surprising results of Arizona's 2026 primary elections, including the unexpected upset in the No Labels of Arizona gubernatorial race. From there, the panel examines what these elections reveal about independent voters, the future of third-party politics, and whether America's political middle is becoming increasingly difficult to find.

The discussion then expands to national and international politics, covering everything from the rise of Democratic Socialism and the continued influence of Donald Trump to America's role in the Iran conflict and the political shifts taking place across Europe. Throughout the episode, the panel asks one central question:

Can the political center survive, or are voters being pushed further toward the extremes?

In this episode:

• Arizona's 2026 primary election results

• The future of independent and third-party candidates

• The rise of Democratic Socialism and its impact on Democrats

• Trump's influence on the Republican Party

• Independent voters and the battle for the political middle

• The Iran conflict and America's foreign policy

• Political lessons from Europe and the rest of the world

The biggest economic transformation in modern history may already be underway.

Artificial Intelligence is changing the workforce, Elon Musk could become the world's first trillionaire, and debates over capitalism, socialism, income inequality, and economic opportunity are dominating politics. But are we witnessing the beginning of a new Golden Age of prosperity — or another Gilded Age where wealth concentrates at the top?

In this episode of New Frontiers, former Phoenix Mayor Paul Johnson sits down with political columnist Bob Robb to discuss:

- Will AI create more jobs than it destroys?

- Is America becoming more unequal — or are the numbers misleading?

- Why Elon Musk could reshape the global economy.

- The rise of Democratic Socialism after Zohran Mamdani's victory.

- Why capitalism continues to create opportunity.

- Can AI improve productivity without replacing workers?

- Should America focus on inequality or upward mobility?

- The biggest threat facing America's economic future.

- Why government debt may be a larger problem than AI itself.

- What ordinary Americans can do to prepare for the next economic revolution.

Rather than asking whether America is succeeding or failing, this conversation explores the bigger question:

Will we shape the future – or simply react to it?

Is America thriving or falling behind? The answer may surprise you.

In this episode of New Frontiers, former Phoenix Mayor Paul Johnson sits down with Professor Douglas Harris of Tulane University, creator of the groundbreaking State of the Nation and State of the States projects.

While America's economy continues to outperform much of the world, Americans are reporting lower levels of happiness, trust, life satisfaction, and optimism. Why is there such a massive disconnect between the economic data and how people actually feel?

Professor Harris reveals the metrics that matter most when measuring a nation's success—including income growth, income inequality, life satisfaction, trust, education, mental health, and social mobility.

Joining the conversation is economist Elliott Pollack, who offers insights on housing affordability, productivity, education, economic growth, and the American Dream.

If you've ever wondered whether America is truly declining—or whether the data tells a different story—this is a conversation you don't want to miss.

Arizona is running out of time.

In this episode, Central Arizona Water Conservation District Chairman Terry Goddard joins Paul Johnson and Bob Robb to discuss the growing Colorado River crisis and what it could mean for Arizona’s future.

The conversation begins with the federal government’s looming decision on water allocations and why Arizona could face some of the deepest cuts in the country. From there, they break down the battle between Upper Basin and Lower Basin states, the role of the Bureau of Reclamation, and how cities like Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Tucson could be affected.

They also explore:

• Groundwater recharge and conservation

• The future of development in Arizona

• Agriculture’s role in water usage

• Desalination and infrastructure solutions

• Why bipartisan leadership is critical right now

Terry Goddard explains why this drought is unlike anything Arizona has faced in modern history — and why the next few years could determine the future of the Southwest.

Something BIG is shifting in American politics…

In this episode of the Independent, we break down the growing cracks inside the America First movement — and what it means for Trump, the economy, and the future of the country.

From rising inflation and controversial tariffs to the escalating Iran conflict and tensions with NATO, this conversation uncovers the reality behind today’s biggest headlines.

Topics covered:

• Why America First and MAGA are NOT the same

• The real economic impact of tariffs, inflation, and trade wars

• How Trump’s foreign policy is reshaping NATO and global alliances

• The surprising political consequences of the Iran war

• Whether voters are starting to turn against Trump’s key policies

• What this all means for the future of U.S. elections

With insights from experienced economists and political analysts, this conversation goes beyond headlines to unpack the economic realities, global consequences, and political risks facing the country right now.

As pressure builds at home and abroad, one thing is clear:

America is at a turning point.

In this episode of the Independent, we break down three of the biggest forces shaping the future of America and the world: space exploration, global conflict, and political power.

We start with the exciting return of human space exploration through NASA’s Artemis II mission and the growing dominance of private companies like SpaceX and Elon Musk, who are dramatically lowering the cost of space travel and opening the door to the commercialization of space.

But the conversation quickly shifts to global tension…

We dive deep into the Iran conflict, the Strait of Hormuz crisis, and the global economic impact, including oil supply, fertilizer shortages, and the risk of a broader geopolitical escalation. Is victory even possible—or are we heading toward a dangerous stalemate?

Finally, we tackle U.S. politics, including:

- Trump’s leadership and cabinet decisions

- The impact of political division on real policy outcomes

- Why both parties may be failing the American people

- And what needs to change moving forward

The Iran war is unfolding in real time — and the consequences are already reshaping America’s role in the world.

In this episode, we break down the biggest questions surrounding the conflict with Iran: Why did it happen, what are the risks, and what can the United States learn from it? From military strategy to global economics, this conversation goes beyond headlines to analyze what’s really at stake.

The panel discusses:

- Whether U.S. involvement in Iran is strategically justified

- The decision-making behind Trump’s move to strike Iran

- The growing divide between American and Israeli interests

- How the collapse of the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA) may have led us here

- The uncertainty surrounding America’s endgame in the conflict

- The global impact on oil markets, inflation, and economic stability

But this episode goes deeper than foreign policy.

It also explores how leadership, political division, and declining trust are shaping America’s ability to respond to major crises — both at home and abroad.

Is the two-party system failing Arizona?

In this episode of The Independent, host Paul Johnson sits down with Hugh Lytle, an Independent candidate running for Governor of Arizona, to discuss the growing divide in American politics and why millions of voters are abandoning traditional parties.

With over 30% of voters in Arizona registered as Independents, Lytle argues that the future of American politics may lie outside the Republican and Democratic parties. From economic development and housing affordability to water shortages and education reform, this conversation explores how an Independent leader could approach the biggest challenges facing Arizona and the country.

Hugh Lytle shares his journey from CEO and entrepreneur to political outsider, his philosophy on purpose-driven leadership, and why he believes Arizona could become the next innovation and AI hub of America.