The gang talks through the recent deployment of the Texas National Guard in Illinois this week, despite Illinois officials like Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson condemning the move as “illegal, unconstitutional, and dangerous." Should the Texas National Guard be in Illinois at all, or is this another example of federal overreach? Then the attention turns to Bari Weiss, the new CEO of CBS News following the acquisition of The Free Press. Is this a sign of positive changes coming to old-school media machines like CBS, or is it something else altogether?

Chapters

00:00:00 - Intro

00:20:50 - Chicago

00:41:57 - Bari Weiss

01:03:49 - Emails

01:37:16 - Wrap-up

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The gang examines a steep decline in male labor force participation, especially among men without college degrees, and debates why this collapse in work ethic and opportunity isn’t a bigger national concern. Then, they look at the unsettling trend of mass shooters leaving behind so-called "bullet messages" and what it says about attention-seeking violence in the digital age.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Intro

00:08:19 - American Working Men

00:44:26 - Bullet Messages

01:07:45 - Emails

01:53:28 - Wrap-up

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The gang opens with the fallout from Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension following a controversial comment about the Charlie Kirk assassination. The network’s swift action, affiliate pre-emptions, and eventual reinstatement fuel questions about free speech, network obligations, and government censorship. Then, attention shifts to the looming government shutdown, as President Trump cancels a meeting with Schumer and Jeffries. It's a move Democrats call a tantrum, while Republicans push a Continuing Resolution unlikely to pass without major concessions.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Intro

00:16:19 - Jimmy Kimmel

01:07:33 - Shutdown

01:33:20 - Emails

02:13:25 - Wrap-up

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A week after the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk, Justin, Jen, and Heaton gather to discuss their feeling surrounding both the act itself and the responses from politicians and civilians left and right. After a very brief second topic on protein — one not even long enough to really earn a spot in the title of this episode — the crew, as always, responds to listener emails.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Intro

00:10:54 - Charlie Kirk

01:39:48 - Protein (briefly)

01:53:10 - Emails

02:08:16 - Wrap-up

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Justin, Jen, and Heaton discuss the legacy of Todd Cochrane, a pioneering podcaster who recently passed away, before pivoting to discussing Girl Scout cookies as the enterprise prepares to launch a new flavor. This episode also contains initial reactions to the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk.

Chapters:

00:00 - Intro and Todd Cochrane

10:10 - Emails

16:33 - Girl Scout Cookies

34:17 - Charlie Kirk

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The gang discusses the recent adjustment to job numbers in the US, which saw nearly 1,000,000 fewer jobs than previously thought over the waning days of the Biden administration and the earliest days of Trump's second time in office. Are these numbers to be trusted, and does this match up closer with how the economy feels rather than how we're told it's performing? The crew also debate Senate Republicans' decision to initiate a nuclear option to approve Trump appointees with a simple majority. Is it necessary to keep government functioning, or will the GOP regret these actions?

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Intro

00:16:47 - BLS

00:45:53 - Republican Nuclear Option

01:26:39 - Emails

02:11:28 - Wrap-up

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The gang discusses Trump's brief disappearance from the public eye over the holiday weekend, causing the hashtag #TrumpIsDead to go viral across social media. Spurred on by recurring bruises on his hands and swollen ankles — not to mention a Vance quote — Justin, Jen, and Heaton ask where this reaction came from. Then, the trio turns to discuss the ongoing housing crisis in the US, with Scott Bessent telling reports Trump could declare a housing emergency in the coming weeks. How many times can Heaton say "zoning" in a single segment? You'll have to listen to find out.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Intro

00:19:13 - Trump Didn't Die

01:01:34 - Housing Emergency

01:38:17 - Emails

02:00:00 - Wrap-up

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Justin, Jen, and Heaton break down Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s proposal that the U.S. government take equity stakes in defense contractors. It's a plan criticized as creeping socialism by Republicans but framed by Lutnick as fair compensation for taxpayer investment. They also tackle the backlash to Cracker Barrel’s (now former) new logo, which abandoned its traditional imagery in favor of a minimal, modern design. From Trump’s mocking to bipartisan confusion online, the panel explores why even subtle branding tweaks can trigger culture war blowback.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Intro and Taylor Swift

00:21:41 - Defense Companies

00:53:05 - Cracker Barrel

01:21:11 - Emails

01:33:35 - Wrap-up

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