America's new news talk radio show that doesn't just inform, it empowers. Often, important stories, viewpoints, and information don't make it into the headlines, so we're finding them and bringing them to you. By the end of each week's show, you'll have new information you can use.
The CATO Institute's Jennfer Schulp provides insight into the federal government's approach to regulating crypto currency. This follows a recent summit on crypto that was held at the White House.
Mark Mix from National Right To Work comments on the pro union Labor Secretary nominated by President Trump and the direction the Administration appears to be taking regrding labor law and worker freedom. Mix contrasts that with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's decision to eliminate the union presence in the TSA.
Host Mike Ferguson comments on the culture war over gender ideology and the apparent move back towards a more traditional view of the sexes. The monologue results from an incident at a Congressional subcommittee hearing. Congressman Keith Self referred to a male member of Congress, Tim "Sarah" McBride, who identifies as a woman as being a man. He was confronted by another member for not being more politically correct (woke?).
Ryan Young from the Competitive Enterprise Institute, comments on the state of the economy, including the latest (February's numbers at the time) inflation report and the possibility of a trade war as a result of President Trump's tariff increase plans.
Christian Datoc, reporter for the Washington Examiner, updates us on the work the Department of Government Efficiency. This discussion follows questions about the accuracy of the claims DOGE is making regarding the level of savings the effort is securing.
Dr. Stanley Ridgley, author of DEI Exposed: How The Biggest Con Of The Century Almost Toppled High Education, discusses the debate over DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) initiatives and the backlash to them in higher education. For more information: https://www.amazon.com/DEI-Exposed-Biggest-Century-Education/dp/1963271734
Mark Schmitz, father of Lance Corporal Jared Schmitz who died in the terrorist attacks at the Kabul airport, discusses the news that the alleged mastermind of that attack has been caught. Schmitz also explains the mission of TheFreedom13.org, which works to provide support for veterans and their families. For more information: TheFreedom13.org
Lydia Newman from the American Institute For Economic Research answers questions about the effect President Trump's tariffs could have on the economy, on businesses, and consumers.
Bill Pascoe from Tea Party Patriots discusses the (then) breaking news that conservative radio host Dan Bongino was named Deputy Director of the FBI. The conversation also focuses on what reforms are needed to rebuild trust in federal law enforcement, especially by conservatives.
Professor James Shuls, who works with the Institute for Governance And Civics at Florida State University, discusses the "Phoenix Declaration". That's a statement written by several thought leaders, educators, researchers, and policy experts that focuses on what education in America should evolve toward.
Gun Owners Of America's Aiden Johnston discusses recent accusations that federal agents, specifically from the FBI, are pressuring people into signing away certain rights. Among those is the right to own and carry firearms. He explains the concerns and accusations and what reforms he and GOA want to see to protect Americans' rights.
Frank Lavin served in the Reagan Administration, on the National Security Council. In this conversation, compares the challenges faced then with the international ones faced now. He also discusses the lessons from the Ronal Reagan era that can (and should) be remembered now when it comes to diplomacy and leadership. For more information: https://www.amazon.com/Inside-Reagan-White-House-Presidential/dp/B0D5WLW8HH
Elaine Parker from the Job Creators Network discusses the results of a recent survey of small business owners and their opinion of the work the Department of Government Efficiency is doing. The conversation includes a focus on how that work at the federal level could trickle down and affect local businesses and economies.
Ryan Young from the Competitive Enterprise Institute assesses President Trump's approach to using tariffs - "reciprocal tariffs" - and discusses the likely effect consumers will experience.
Host Mike Ferguson spotlights how sophisticated some fake news can be on social media and why we have to work harder to assess the information we are getting. The segment also assesses a dishonest statement President Trump recently made about Russia's war against Ukraine.
Washington Examiner reporter Christian Datoc comments on media rumors that President Trump (or some of those in his Adminnistration) and Elon Musk have developed a feud over the work of DOGE and some other federal policies. * thumbnail image from Wikicommons
Adam Thierer from the R Street Institute discusses the importance of winning the race for dominance in the field of artificiall intelligence. He compares the competition between US-based AI and China's Deepseek AI and why it matters around the globe.
Author Israel Ellis comments on the spreading antisemitism on US college campuses and the debate over our nation's role in the security of Israel, especially after the November 7th Islamic terrorist attacks. Those are among the topic in his new book. The Wake Up Call examines the October 7, 2023, terrorist attack when Hamas and Gaza terrorists breached Israel's borders, brutally murdering 1,200 people and kidnapping 250 others. This attack marked the worst security breach in Israel's history. “10.7” ignited a global surge of antisemitism, spreading across university campuses and city streets worldwide. For more information: https://www.amazon.com/Wake-Up-Call-Global-Antisemitism/dp/B0DQQ47DR3
Congressman Bob Onder (R) discusses President Trump's plans to send illegal aliens with violent criminal histories to Guantanamo Bay. The segment also includes the comedic song "Down In Guantanamo", which aired on NewsTalk STL in February, 2025.
The R Street Institute's Josiah Neely discusses the Trump Administration's executive orders related to energy. Neely explains what Trump's EOs are designed to do and the likely effect consumers will experience.
Joel Penton from Lifewise Academy explains they faith-based, Bible study material they offer to public school students. In part because of a Supreme Court decision, Lifewise is able to offer the faith-based material to students during school hours. In this discussion, he explains what is offered and how the program works.
James Broughel from the Competitive Enterprise Institute discusses his recent oped on how the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is actually set up to operate and how it can be maximally effective. The discussion examines the possibility of regulatory reform, not just finding wasteful spending.
Mark Huffman from ConsumerAffairs.com breaks down the ways tariffs affect trade and consumer prices.
Mark Meckler from Convention of States, discusses the flurry of executive actions pursued by President Trump during the first weeks of his term. Meckler hopes for an Article V Convention of States to consider additions to the US Constitution that would limmit government in specific ways, including a balanced budget amendment.
Americans For Limited Government's Rick Manning discusses his recent op-ed "The Battle For The Soul of America" and argues that the 2024 election and 2025 political changes are a crucial moment of American history. The conversation includes politics, policy, and culture.
Patrick Hedger from NetChoice discusses the $500-billion Stargate startup that President Trump announced days into his second term.
Anna Giaritelli, homeland security reporter for the Washington Examiner, discusses the legal conflict over President Trump's Executive Order that claims to end birthright citizenship in the US.
John Tillman from the American Culture Project comments on the beginning of Donald Trump's second term. Tillman specifically discusses the tone he hopes the President will set in 2025 and beyond.
Ilya Shapiro from the Manhattan Institute comments on the (then ongoing) case before the US Supreme Court focused on TikTok. Congress passed a law to force the sale of TikTok or be banned in the US. Shapiro discusses the legal, national security, and speech issues involved.
NetChoice's Amy Bos comments on the announcement that Meta (Facebook) says it will move towards political & cultural neutrality, as opposed to the bias the company's "fact checkers" had been demonstrating in the previous years. She also discusses the committment to free speech could mean to the country's political and social dialogue.
RedState.com writer Bob Hoge, who lives in southern California, provides an update on the efforts to keep people safe amid the then-ongoing wildfires and what's next for those affectred by the disasters.
Dr. Bonner Cohen from the Committee For A Constructive Tomorrow (CFACT) comments on the then-ongoing wildfires in California. He addresses mutiple specific public policies, often enacted as an environmentalist priority, that likely contributed to the intensity of the fires and the extent of the damage.
Bill Flaig from the American Conservative Values ETF explains why the fund was created, why they factor in values when deciding where to invest, and why he thinks investors should consider worldview when investing. For more information: https://acvetfs.com/
Landmark Legal Foundation's Mike O'Neill previews the biggest cases before the US Supreme Court in 2025.
This discussion aired after the 2024 Presidential election but before Donald Trump took office. Job Creators Network President Alfredo Ortiz comments on the challenges facing the incoming Trump Administration and the new Republican majority. The discussion includes fighting inflation, avoiding a government spending, increasing the supply of lower-cost energy, and border security. This segment originally aired on NewsTalk STL in St Louis
US Rep Eric Burlison (R-MO) explains his bill to abolish the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (AFT). It's one of the many major reforms being proposed by Republicans in Congress. Rep Burlison also explains why he believes there is a unique opportunity for major, government-reducing reform right now while, at the same time, understanding the long-running establishment grip on the status quo. For more information: https://burlison.house.gov/
Former pro football player and author Ron Freeman discusses the conversations that encouraged him to write his new book, Rethinking Race, and why he believes media, educational, and cultural narratives are blocking more progress when it comes to race in America. For more information: https://www.amazon.com/Rethinking-Race-Better-Than-Believe/dp/B0DN88MKFT
Andy Roth from the State Freedom Caucus assesses the makeup of the new Congress and the challenges the country is facing in 2025. He also discusses what he thinks should be the top priorities for Congress and President-Elect Trump in this year's legislative work. For more information: https://statefreedomcaucus.info/
After a recent online debate fired up on the Right, a new attention was brought to the HB-1 Visa program, which is used by American companies to recruit foreign workers to fill high-skill jobs, typically in technology. Some argue the program is good because it brings more skilled talent to the United States and others say it displaces or blocks opportunity for American workers and should be reformed or ended. In this segment, economist Dr. Howard Wall from the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga's Center For Regional Economic Research evaluates the claims on both sides. For more information: https://www.utc.edu/gary-w-rollins-college-of-business/center-for-regional-economic-research
Matt Kibbe, host of TheBlaze TV's Kibbe On Liberty and from FreeThePeople.org, assesses the political and cultural divides in America and as we approach the beginning of a new presidential administration. It's not just Republican versus Democrat or pro- versus anti- Trump, there's a bigger question of authoritarianism versus liberty. * image courtesy of TheBlaze TV
Dave Lauer was enjoying a life many would be envious of: a successful career in education, a loving family, apparent good health that left him strong enough to play competitive baseball in his 50's. In late 2023, much changed with a sudden and surprising diagnosis of a brain tumor. While Dave's life has changed, he's taking notes of his reflections and leffons and offers them in his book, Glad To Be here. For more information: https://www.amazon.com/Glad-Be-Here-Embracing-Diagnosis/dp/B0DQLF3WFS/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3R3L4YER34J1R&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.4YqZw3-TfkaFrSuny0Xd5Z-y2Wr-TVqUTDYPARgkNsTGjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.ag1Fc5TqQZIM5Hy7FPOGk8ACWkfvdW4fmSEXdKimyzE&dib_tag=se&keywords=glad+to+be+here+book+dave+lauer&qid=1736450936&sprefix=glad+to+be+here+book%2Caps%2C94&sr=8-1
Dave Lauer was enjoying a life many would be envious of: a successful career in education, a loving family, apparent good health that left him strong enough to play competitive baseball in his 50's. In late 2023, much changed with a sudden and surprising diagnosis of a brain tumor. While Dave's life has changed, he's taking notes of his reflections and leffons and offers them in his book, Glad To Be here. For more information: https://www.amazon.com/Glad-Be-Here-Embracing-Diagnosis/dp/B0DQLF3WFS/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3R3L4YER34J1R&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.4YqZw3-TfkaFrSuny0Xd5Z-y2Wr-TVqUTDYPARgkNsTGjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.ag1Fc5TqQZIM5Hy7FPOGk8ACWkfvdW4fmSEXdKimyzE&dib_tag=se&keywords=glad+to+be+here+book+dave+lauer&qid=1736450936&sprefix=glad+to+be+here+book%2Caps%2C94&sr=8-1
Kemberly Washington, CPA, who writes for Bankrate.com offers end-of-the year advice on reducing your tax burden and also provides tips on planning for 2025.
American Prosperity's Phil Kerpen discusses the ongoing debate over funding the federal government and avoiding a "government shutdown" and how the disfunction of Congress remains at the core of the problem.
Keith Hanson from QUX Technologies, who is also a former law enforcement officer, comments on the assassination of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson and what it's showing us about our own culture right now. He also offers advice on reducing your risk of being a victim of crime.
Recording on Bill of Rights Day, this conversation with David Bobb from the Bill of Rights Institute covers the importance - both historical and ongoing - of the first ten amendments to the US Constitution.
Trent England from Save Our States makes his case for keeping our Electoral College process of elections in the US. He distinguishes our system from a direct democracy/popular vote approach and answers critiques of the electoral college process. For more information: https://saveourstates.com/
Linda Hanson from Prosperity 101 argues that the recent trend of businesses embracing cultural activism and leftist thinking have found it hurt their business. Her organization argues that businesses should not just avoid taking sides in culture debates and politics but should actively educate employees on economic and policy issues that affect the economy and local businesses. For more information: https://prosperity101.com/
Dr Sal Giogiano from the Men's Health Network discusses a trend on some college/university campuses that teach against health and wellness, especially weight management. The activism in the academics equates promoting healthy lifestyles like exercise and weight loss to racism and sexism.
Caroline Melear from the R Street Institute looks at and beyond the current debate over the government's role in "making American healthy again", to borrow the phrase from Robert F Kennedy, Jr. Among her perspectives is that other federal programs, specifically subsidies for processed food manufacturing, create insentives to provide cheap, unhealthy food. For more information: https://www.rstreet.org/commentary/end-farm-subsidies-for-ultra-processed-foods/
Dr. Marschall Runge from University of Michigan Medicine discusses recent study showing that artificial intelligence has a slightly higher accuracy rate in diagnosing medical conditions. An article about the study was published in the New York Post. Dr. Runge also discusses how he sees the role of AI in health care in the future. * this discussion originally aired on NewsTalk STL in St Louis