Phil Romo- Music Educator and Bassist

On the eve of the 2020 Presidential Election, Phil gives some parting thoughts on where we can go from here.

Right-Wing Authoritarians and the correlation between American Disagreeableness and Trumpism. Take this political axis test to see where you land.https://www.politicalcompass.org/testOne more episode to go. Go out at Vote!

Thank you for your support.

Phil and Chad look back on their lives and come up with some practical advice they would have given their younger selves. They give advice in the field of relationships, career, health, and family. We hope you enjoy this conversation. Thanks for listening and let us know what you thought about the new approach! www.twitter.com/bobknowsbass

In this episode, Phil discusses why he took a break from the podcast and from politics in general. It's a big tetherball game and the other side is cheating. Phil offers a solution and the solution is difficult. It requires every single individual to take responsibility for our country and our future. Thanks for listening!

Mike Flynn is working with the Mueller investigation. This is bad news for the Trump administration. We aren't at the end of this debacle by a long shot. In the final episode of 2017 Chad and Phil talk about the latest developments in the investigation, Chad orders a McDonald's peppermint mocha in his new car, and the duo recap 2017.Hope you enjoy and Happy Holidays!www.twitter.com/bobknowsbass

Indictments are in! This holiday season we are thankful for Robert Mueller. Paul Manafort is going down and George Popodopolous is working with the Mueller investigation. The question is what's coming next? Who's going to turn next and what's going to happen to the already embattled Trump administration? Phil and Chad discuss on this special holiday episode of The Wiretap! Follow us on twitter! www.twotter.com/bobknowsbass

The allegations are mounting against Hollywood media mogul Harvey Weinstein. Phil and Chad discuss the Weinstein assaults and their implications on society and the entertainment community. How do you approach someone you're interested in romantically in a society on edge about rape culture? Phil and Chad also answer a few questions from twitter and the website. We're happy to answer any questions you throw our way! www.twitter.com/bobknowsbass

Phil and Chad welcome recent emmy winner Patrick Clark to the podcast. We discuss the recent mass shooting in Las Vegas and the implications for policy changes if ANY. This is a very heated topic and divisive issue. Let us know what you thought about it, www.twiter.com/bobknowsbass

Phil interviews two members of ANTIFA. Boris and Gordon are two young men who are heavily involved in the far left political movement. This episode may change your perceptions about the anti-fascist movement and its members. We discuss current events in Charlottesville and local protests. The conversation is enlightening and informative. Let us know what you thought about it. www.twitter.com/bobknowsbass

Some big questions arise in the fallout of Charlottesville. What are the limits of the first amendment? Phil and Chad discuss violence, identity politics and hate in the Trump era. Thanks for listening!

1:15- AHCA Failure 4:23- Disneyland Star Wars sneak preview 17:00- Comic book days 20:30- Albert Camus essay on the myth of Sisyphus 43:00- Application of the Sisyphus myth to Democrats 54:30- Vomit Stories! Huffington Post article on Trump and Sisyphus- http://www.huffingtonpost.com/stephen-schlesinger/trump-and-the-myth-of-sis_b_12994914.html Follow us on twitter! www.twitter.com/bobknowsbass

Discourse has a taken a dangerous turn in recent years. Chad and Phil dive into the three components of Classical Rhetoric, logos, pathos and ethos and how it applies in the Trump era. They discuss the toxic political environment that helped to elect Trump in the first place and how to fix America's political problems moving forward. Tweet us! www.twitter.com/bobknowsbass

A bit of a mixed bag on today's episode, Phil and Chad discuss the current state of the Russia investigation, the Senate shootings, Otto Warmbier and North Korea and their favorite movies of all time.

May 2017 was a historic month in U.S. politics. So much is unraveling in the Trump administration that it's hard to keep up. In this episode Phil and Chad unpack an unprecedented four weeks. Trumps character, or lack thereof is making it's presence known and the world is suffering for it. Hopefully, Rome won't burn to the ground in the process. Tweet us! www.twitter.com/bobknowsbass

Mike Reynaga comes onto the show for full on, drag em out CIVIL DISCOURSE! We all have times when we want to let our conservative friends know a piece of our minds over social media. This episode was an experiment in what the difference would be when you disagree with someone during a face to face conversation rather than over a Facebook post. You may find that the conversation would be far less divisive and you would agree on more things than expected. Enjoy and let us know what you thought! www.twitter.com/bobknowsbass

This one is a big departure from the usual political talks. This one wound up being about all things Disney. So, yeah. Follow us on twitter! www.twitter.com/bobknowsbass

Bill O'Reilly, Alex Jones, Tami Lahren. The pieces just keep falling apart for Conservative media. Who's next and what are the implications for other cable news shows? Chad and Phil talk about the double edged sword of consumer outrage.  Tweet Phil at www.twitter.com/bobknowsbass

Phil and Chad unpack the tense situation going with North Korea and what can go wrong when two completely unhinged and irrational world leaders start grunting threats at each other. Follow us on twitter www.twitter.com/bobknowsbass and let us know you're listening.

Chad is back on the podcast via Skype. We discuss Trumps Syrian missile attack... or as we put it, a $94 million distraction. We dissect the current state of the Russian investigation, tactics for dealing with a stressful political climate and our high school days. Follow the show on twitter www.twitter.com/Bobknowsbass

On part 2 of Phil's conversation with former Filter guitarist Alan Bailey, the duo get into practice, teaching and general training. They discuss common myths about musical talent, preconceived notions about studying music and how the principles of mastery apply to all aspects of life. "You are what you do." This podcast is for musicians, teachers, students and for anyone who wants to improve themselves to any capacity. There are many gems here and resources for everyone to dig into.

Phil brings on Alan James Bailey, guitarist and general badass onto the show for the first of two podcasts. Alan has played and toured professionally with Filter and continues to perform and teach guitar in the Burbank area. The first part of the conversation is focused on the fundamental American institutions at risk with Trump in the White House. Phil roped Alan into a half hour conversation about politics under the pretense that they would get to training and teaching, which they get to on part two. Many thanks to Alan for agreeing to be on the show. 

Phil welcomes longtime friend, comedian and musician Graham Beightol to the podcast. They discuss the failed attempt at the Obamacare recall/replacement, reminisce on the early days of their comedy rock band Bob Knows Best and talk about their goals moving forward. Graham gives a rave review to Phil's book, The Fat Loss Arsonist. Look for a future show where Graham reaches his fitness goals! Here's a link to Phil's book http://philromo.com/the-fat-loss-arsonist/ Many thanks to Graham for coming on to the show and sharing a few laughs.

The nomination of Tom Perez to the head of the Democratic National Committee doesn't bode well for the future of the Democratic Party. Phil flies solo on this short episode and goes over the latest controversy on Jeff Sessions, Attorney General. Phil talks about Trump's twitter distractions and how we should navigate around them. Phil deconstructs the real reasons why Keith Ellison lost and who Tom Perez is truly beholden to. Articles and sources written by Glenn Greenwald from The Intercept- https://theintercept.com/2017/02/09/tom-perez-apologizes-for-telling-the-truth-showing-why-democrats-flaws-urgently-need-attention/ https://theintercept.com/2017/02/24/key-question-about-dnc-race-why-did-white-house-recruit-perez-to-run-against-ellison/

Thanks to Nicole Muraoka for coming on to our 4th podcast to talk about Japanese Internment during the Second World War. Nicole and Phil dive deep into the topic with a reading of the instructions to Japanese citizens and a reading of Executive Order 9066. Nicole shares family stories about her parents time in Manzanar. Phil and Nicole share facts and talk about the history of the internment camps. They also discuss the implications of history repeating itself under the Trump administration. A copy of the Instructions from 1942- http://ipr.ues.gseis.ucla.edu/images/Evacuation_Poster.pdf  Please share this episode if you enjoyed it!

Thanks to Jeff Page for joining us on our third episode. Phil unpacks the Michael Flynn situation, Jeff and Phil discuss the nature of Trumps character, Phil then gives a thorough rundown on chief strategist Steve Bannon and how his worldview shapes Trumps presidency. Jeff and Phil discuss the travel ban and the bans constitutional validity.  0:00-2:30- Introductions 2:30-7:00- The Michael Flynn resignation 7:00-17:30- A discussion about Trumps personality 17:30-24:00-Jeff and Phil talk about the two part system and the possibility of a third party 24:00-38:00- Steve Bannon and his worldview 38:00-43:20- The travel ban, Jeff and Phil have all out, knock em down CIVIL DISCOURSE 43:20-48:30- Closing thoughts, the silver lining A fantastic blog post on the incompetence of evil. https://lawfareblog.com/bannon-washington-report-incompetence-evil

Was anyone buying it when Donald Trump said he would hire "the best people"? On this episode of The WIretap Phil and Chad dissect two high level cabinet positions in Trump's new administration. Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. 0:00-8:30- Episode 1 recap and clarifications 8:30-12:00- Sam Harris on Bill Maher and comparing Trump to Peter Sellers in "Being There" 12:00-16:45- Mitch McConnell's shutdown of Elizabeth Warren before Congress 16:45-30:20- Attorney General- Jeff Sessions, too racist for the 80's 30:20-39:10-Secretary of State- Comrade Rex Tillerson 39:10-45:00- Betsy Devos- Phil takes it personal 45:00-49:00- Chad talks about reaching out to the Rust Belt in America 49:00-53:09- Chad gets fired and sign off

The major news networks are on the chopping block and some say that it's exactly what they deserve. On the inaugural episode of The Wiretap Phil Romo and Chad Costello discuss the origins of how The Wiretap came to be. Phil delves into the history of the media in America and Chad discusses the failure of the media to hold people in power accountable. Phil and Chad ponder the future of a 4th estate that values ratings over journalistic integrity. They discuss Trumps utter disdain for news organizations that are critical of his administration and what the future could hold for a free press that is no longer free. A link to an infograph that can help you decide your sources based on quality and partisan bias http://i.imgur.com/ocPD49o.jpg Phil recommends supporting at risk news sources that offer high quality content. If you like the work that The Washington Post has done covering Trump, consider a subscription. The Wiretap is not associated with The Washington Post in any regard. https://subscribe.washingtonpost.com/ Chad wants you to be informed about the future of Democratic party leadership. Watch this video on the DNC debates from January 18th, 2017. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/dnc-debate-livestream_us_587fed6ce4b02c1837e990af Please subscribe, rate and review. Share with your friends and get organized!