The Necessary Conversation

In this mid-week episode Chad plays clips for Mary Lou to show her just how bad things are in Minnesota. Will she believe what she's seeing and hearing is even real?ChristiTutionalist Politicsthe "ChristiTutionalist Politics" podcast. News/Opinion-castListen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifyIf you have a question for anyone on the show, record it in a 1 minute or under audio or video clip and send it to:thenecessaryconversationpod@gmail.com

This week on The Necessary Conversation, we cover one of the most disturbing weeks yet — from the killing of a U.S. citizen by an ICE agent in Minnesota, to mass protests and bloodshed in Iran, to Trump openly floating military action against Greenland and claiming that the only thing that can stop him is his own mind.Are we watching the normalization of authoritarian power in real time?

In today's episode we are joined by a very special guest. A family therapist. But not just any family therapist. She's better known for her TikToks exposing emails the Trump team sends to people to raise money.Her social media can be found here:https://www.instagram.com/happymomandgrandma1/https://www.tiktok.com/@kclmfftKaren is a licensed marriage and family therapist, here today in in an educational and conversational role, not as anyone's therapist. She won't be providing therapy, diagnoses, or individualized mental health advice, as she is not licensed in your/our states.  Karen will be speaking generally about family dynamics, communication, and what research and clinical experience show about political conflict in families.This episode is for educational and entertainment purposes and does not constitute mental health treatment.If you have a question for anyone on the show, record it in a 1 minute or under audio or video clip and send it to:thenecessaryconversationpod@gmail.com

This week on The Necessary Conversation the Kultgen family dives into some of the worst things to happen during Trump's second term so far.

In this special Friday episode Chad plays Mary Lou a youtube video by Keith Edwards that outlines exactly why Nick Shirley's video about Somali fraud in Minnesota is wrong.Keith Edwards video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LB9yGM2LrDMIf you have a question for anyone on the show, record it in a 1 minute or under audio or video clip and send it to:thenecessaryconversationpod@gmail.com

In this Wednesday Busting The Maga Bubble episode, Chad and Bob play each other clips from both sides of the Somali Fraud issue gaining traction in right wing news.If you have a question for anyone on the show, record it in a 1 minute or under audio or video clip and send it to:thenecessaryconversationpod@gmail.com

On this week's episode of The Necessary Conversation, we break down one of the most chaotic and disturbing weeks yet in Trump's second term — from a Christmas Day posting spree that looked more like a meltdown than a holiday message, to explosive new revelations in the Epstein files, to an apparent attempt to bury a damning 60 Minutes investigation. Bob has once again fled the show, refusing to face off against his children as more evidence mounts against Trump by the day.

In this mid-week episode Haley and Chad show Mary Lou some clips regarding Trump's inclusion in the most recent batch of Epstein Files released by the DOJ. Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays!If you have a question for anyone on the show, record it in a 1 minute or under audio or video clip and send it to:thenecessaryconversationpod@gmail.com

Haley is back this week on The Necessary Conversation as we break down one of the most disturbing developments yet in the Epstein saga—along with explosive new reporting about Donald Trump from Vanity Fair, another incoherent Trump speech, foreign military strikes, marijuana rescheduling, and more.

In this midweek episode Chad and Mary Lou discuss Donald Trump's reaction to Rob Reiner's apparent murder.If you have a question for anyone on the show, record it in a 1 minute or under audio or video clip and send it to:thenecessaryconversationpod@gmail.com

Mary Lou joins Chad for a midweek discussion about Trump's lies surrounding the idea and use of the word "Affordability." They play clips for one another from both sides of the political spectrum and even get into the breaking news about Pete Hegseth's war crimes.If you have a question for anyone on the show, record it in a 1 minute or under audio or video clip and send it to:thenecessaryconversationpod@gmail.com

This week's episode of The Necessary Conversation is a historic first: all four family members — Bob, Mary Lou, Haley, and Chad — are together in the same room at Bob & Mary Lou's house.We break down the most disturbing and chaotic week yet in Trump's second term — including alleged war crimes, another Dozy Don moment, child-sex criminals being pardoned, over 1.17 million layoffs, and corruption spreading through the DOJ, FBI, military, and beyond.⭐ TOPICS THIS WEEK⚠️ WAR CRIMES — The Double-Tap Strike Trump Won't ExplainNew reporting reveals that the Sept. 2 strike on a Venezuelan boat included a second missile deliberately killing survivors, violating U.S. military law and international law. Anonymous sources say Pete Hegseth ordered “kill everybody.” Even Republicans are quietly asking for an investigation. Congressman Jim Himes called the footage “one of the most troubling things” he's ever seen.Questions we debate:Is it ever acceptable to kill survivors who pose no threat?Will Hegseth or anyone face consequences?Does the military still answer to the law?

Haley and Chad hold down another Wednesday episode discussing their upcoming trip to Oklahoma to see their parents, as well as movies and TV shows from their childhoods.If you have a question for anyone on the show, record it in a 1 minute or under audio or video clip and send it to:thenecessaryconversationpod@gmail.com

This week Bob is absent in protest of Chad's joke made on last week's live. Nonetheless, Haley, Chad and Mary Lou cover the top stories of the week and Mary Lou's mind might be changing.We discuss:

Chad and Mary Lou share clips about Mark Kelly and the other lawmakers who reminded U.S. Military members not to follow illegal orders.If you have a question for anyone on the show, record it in a 1 minute or under audio or video clip and send it to:thenecessaryconversationpod@gmail.com

This week on The Necessary Conversation we break down everything: Trump suddenly loving Zohran Mamdani, MTG quitting Congress in a meltdown, Democrats warning the military about unlawful orders, Trump calling for their execution, his spiritual advisor pleading guilty to child sex crimes and much much more.

In this mid-week episode the whole Kultgen family weighs in on clips of Trump attacking female reporters and some bonus clips of Chad's appearance on Bob The Drag Queen's podcast last week.If you have a question for anyone on the show, record it in a 1 minute or under audio or video clip and send it to:thenecessaryconversationpod@gmail.com

This week on The Necessary Conversation, Haley is back from vacation, Bob chickened out, and things get heated fast as we dive into the most explosive week of Trump's second term yet — from the release of the Epstein emails to Ghislaine Maxwell's special treatment to Democrats folding under Republican pressure.

Chad and Mary Lou reconvene for a midweek episode in which they show each other clips of ICE assaults on U.S. citizens.If you have a question for anyone on the show, record it in a 1 minute or under audio or video clip and send it to:thenecessaryconversationpod@gmail.com

This week on The Necessary Conversation, Haley abandons her family as the electorate sent Donald Trump a message louder than any poll: America is tired of MAGA. In one of the biggest Democratic sweeps in modern history, voters across the nation delivered a crushing rebuke to Trump's authoritarian movement.And while Haley is away on vacation this week, the rest of us break down everything happening in this wild political moment — from Trump falling asleep on camera again to Steve Bannon openly admitting Republicans need to seize the government to avoid prison.

In this episode of Busting the Maga Bubble, Chad and Mary Lou react to some clips from Trump's appearance on 60 Minutes this Sunday. Mary Lou also supplies a clip from Candace Owens discussing Charlie Kirk's murder. If you have a question for anyone on the show, record it in a 1 minute or under audio or video clip and send it to:thenecessaryconversationpod@gmail.com

This week on The Necessary Conversation, we're in full Halloween costumes but the news coming out of America is scarier than anything we could wear.From starving families to ICE violence to wild JD Vance & Erika Kirk rumors, this is truly one of the most insane weeks yet under Trump's second term.

In this episode of Busting the Maga Bubble, Mary Lou provides video evidence to support her claim that Trump will not attempt a 3rd term. Chad counters her argument with his own clips from Trump himself as well as Steve Bannon literally saying they have a plan in place for Trump to win in 2028.If you have a question for anyone on the show, record it in a 1 minute or under audio or video clip and send it to:thenecessaryconversationpod@gmail.com

This week on The Necessary Conversation, we start by asking the question: What is MAGA? From there, the conversation spirals through one of the wildest weeks yet — as Trump literally tears down part of the White House, pardons criminals tied to terrorism and child exploitation, and demands hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars for himself.

Bob is back! After missing last week's episode, he returns just in time for one of the most chaotic weeks in Trump's America — and things get heated fast.

This week on The Necessary Conversation, it's just Chad, Haley and Mary Lou. Bob's resting. But we break down another wild week in America under Trump's second term.

This week's episode of The Necessary Conversation gets heated after a brutal argument about Trump's government shutdown and ICE's military-style raids.

This week on The Necessary Conversation we dive into one of the wildest news cycles yet:⚖️ Comey IndictmentFor the first time in U.S. history, a former FBI director has been indicted. James Comey faces two counts tied to his 2020 Senate testimony. Trump is celebrating the charges, calling Comey “a dirty cop” and “one of the worst human beings this country has ever been exposed to.” We break down what's actually in the two-page indictment, whether it will hold up in court, and who Trump might be coming for next.

This week on The Necessary Conversation, Chad and Haley dive into a whirlwind of political chaos, corruption, and controversy with Mary Lou while Bob sleeps through most of the episode.Topics discussed:Jimmy Kimmel Suspended: After Trump threatened ABC and FCC Chair Brendan Carr piled on, Kimmel was yanked off the air indefinitely. We break down the timeline, the First Amendment questions, and why Fox News hosts like Brian Kilmeade still get airtime even after calling for violence.Tom Homan's $50K Bribe: Trump's “border czar” was caught on hidden camera accepting cash from undercover FBI agents—yet Trump's DOJ buried the case.Mississippi Hangings: Two men—Trey Reed, a Black student at Delta State, and Cory Zukatis, a homeless white man—were found hanging from trees. Conflicting reports and FBI inaction raise troubling questions.Charlie Kirk Assassination Texts: New transcripts of suspect Tyler Robinson's alleged confession look more like bad movie dialogue than real evidence. Even Steve Bannon isn't buying it.DOJ Deletes Terror Report: A study showing far-right extremists commit far more violence than the left suddenly vanished from DOJ's website. We ask: why now?Trump Quotes of the Week: From admitting “smart people don't like me” to labeling Antifa a “major terrorist organization,” Trump keeps pushing the limits of free speech and democracy.

This week's episode of The Necessary Conversation dives into one of the most chaotic weeks in American politics yet.

This week's episode of The Necessary Conversation is a little different. With our parents absent — after the loss of their beloved dog, Kitty Kat Sugar Bear, and Dad recovering from a fall — it's just Chad and Haley behind the mics.We take this moment to reflect on what 3 years of doing this show has meant for us, our family, and our listeners. From fiery debates to unexpected breakthroughs, the journey has been as messy as it has been meaningful.

This week on The Necessary Conversation we cover one of the heaviest news weeks yet.

This week on The Necessary Conversation:

This week on The Necessary Conversation, the Kultgen family breaks down a wild stretch of politics at home and abroad—while celebrating three years of arguing, laughing, and surviving together.

This week on The Necessary Conversation, Chad and Haley face off with Mary Lou (Bob's still out recovering from hip surgery!) in another fiery family debate that mixes breaking headlines with our signature cross-generational, cross-political banter.Topics include:Trump–Putin Alaska Summit: Why Zelenskyy's not invited, the $300B deal on the table, and what happens if Ukraine refuses to sign.Texas Democrats Skip Town: The mass walkout to block GOP redistricting, Abbott's legal threats, and whether blue states will retaliate.Trump Burger Owner Deported: Roland Mehrez Beainy's immigration scandal—and what it says about loyalty in MAGA world.Trump on the Roof: The bizarre “nuclear missiles” moment and whether this is presidential behavior or something else entirely.Gaza Crisis Escalates: Israel moves to take Gaza City despite international backlash—what consequences, if any, Netanyahu might face.White House Goes Full Mar-a-Lago: Trump's Rose Garden demolition, fake gold overload, and a $200M donor-funded ballroom while Americans struggle to put food on the table.Simmer Down: If you could bring back one pet from the dead—who would it be, and why?

This week on The Necessary Conversation, it's just Mary Lou and Chad behind the mic—no Bob, no Haley—as we mark (almost!) three years of raw, honest political dialogue. We reflect on the very first episode of the show from August 17, 2022 and ask: has this podcast changed us? Has it brought us closer—or just made things even weirder?

Bob is out of commission after a successful hip replacement surgery this week as Mary Lou, Chad and Haley discuss this week in American politics.

This week on The Necessary Conversation, the Kultgen Family dives into the most chaotic week in American politics yet—featuring billion-dollar bills, flooded detention centers, and a potential UFC cage fight… on the White House lawn.

In this week's fiery episode of The Necessary Conversation, the Kultgen family tackles some of the biggest political stories shaping America—and the world.

This week on The Necessary Conversation, the Kultgen Family is back—and the stakes couldn't be higher. Trump promised to be the “anti-war president,” but now the U.S. is bombing Iran, and even MAGA is starting to fracture. Is this the start of World War III?We dive deep into: 

This week on The Necessary Conversation, things get heated as the Kultgen family dives into one of the most volatile weeks in American politics.

This week on The Necessary Conversation, the Kultgen family unpacks one of the most explosive political episodes of the year.We cover the Musk vs. Trump meltdown, which began with a scathing Elon tweet about Trump's “Big Beautiful Bill” and escalated to accusations of Epstein ties, threats to decommission space tech, and the possible creation of a third political party. Is this the end of MAGA tech bromance?Then we head to Los Angeles, where ICE raids sparked mass protests, Molotovs, and a federal crackdown that's raised serious questions about civil unrest, states' rights, and whether Trump is intentionally pushing the U.S. toward internal conflict.Also in this episode: 

Happy Pride, Happy Graduation, and Happy 50th Anniversary to Mary Lou and Bob!This week we cover:

In this week's fiery episode of The Necessary Conversation, our politically divided family tackles Trump's latest tax bill, Biden's shocking cancer diagnosis, and whether it's fair for crypto billionaires to buy special access to the president.

This week on The Necessary Conversation, Haley abandons her family leaving Chad to deal with Bob and Mary Lou alone as they tackle another wild week in politics.For the first time ever Chad agrees with Trump on something he said this week. What was it? You'll have to tune in to hear.TOPICS:✈️ Big Beautiful Jet Trump accepts a $400M private plane from Qatar's royal family to use as a temporary Air Force One. Is it a violation of the Constitution? What does Qatar want in return?

This week on The Necessary Conversation, the Kultgen family unpacks another chaotic week in American politics.Topics include:The Catholic Church makes history with the first American pope – but is Pope Leo XIV too woke for the GOP?FBI Director Kash Patel can't make it to his own meetings — or to a deadline. Is this how law enforcement should run?RFK Jr. cuts off healthcare for 9/11 first responders. Is this the party that “backs the blue”?Trump gets $2B through a crypto deal — and just so happens to ease chip export rules for the UAE. Coincidence?A Trump-brokered ceasefire between India and Pakistan falls apart in hours. Is diplomacy dead?The administration floats suspending habeas corpus for migrants. Do rights still apply in America?A New Jersey ICE facility arrests a mayor and accuses Congress members of “body-slamming” guards. Seriously.Trump kills rural broadband programs — stripping internet access from red states that voted for him.Plus: we take a breather to celebrate Mother's Day with favorite memories from both moms and their kids.

The Kultgens dig into Donald Trump's first 100 days back in office—and it's been a wild ride. From a record-shattering 143 executive orders to the creation of a $500,000 pay-to-play club in D.C., we break down what's happening behind the headlines.

This week on The Necessary Conversation, the Kultgen family dives into some of the most shocking headlines yet from Trump's second term. We cover Trump's unprecedented attack on the judiciary after the arrest of Judge Hannah Dugan, Pete Hegseth's second Signal security scandal, Elon Musk's messy exit from DOGE as Tesla crumbles, and Trump's new war on higher education. Plus, we break down the humanitarian disaster unfolding in El Salvador after mass deportations — and why Trump refused federal aid to tornado-ravaged Arkansas, even turning his back on longtime ally Sarah Huckabee Sanders.Topics include:Trump's authoritarian moves against judgesHegseth's classified leak scandal (again)Elon Musk abandoning government promises to save TeslaTrump's student loan crackdown and Harvard's lawsuitDeportations to El Salvador's mega-prisonFEMA funding denied to ArkansasWe ask the tough questions — and the Kultgen family doesn't hold back. Subscribe for real talk you won't hear anywhere else.