The Ross Kaminsky Show

I was so unconvinced by either of my guests the other day regarding whether to vote yes or no on DougCo Home Rule (and, to be clear, I don't vote in DougCo) that I'm doing it again. Two guests, one after the other -- not at the same time, offering their views. This time the "no" side goes first.Barry Eisler is a former CIA operations officer (meaning an active spy) who I was connected with by my friend Dan Hoffman, former 3-time CIA station chief, including in Moscow. He's a multi-time best-selling author and his newest is a political thriller (not a spy novel) entitled "The System".ADM James Stavridis is a former NATO Supreme Allied Commander and SouthCom commander. He's a best-selling author of both fiction and non-fiction. We'll discuss his take on the Iran/Israel war and it's place in larger Middle East dynamics.

ADM James Stavridis is a former NATO Supreme Allied Commander and SouthCom commander. He's a best-selling author of both fiction and non-fiction. We'll discuss his take on the Iran/Israel war and it's place in larger Middle East dynamics.

Barry Eisler is a former CIA operations officer (meaning an active spy) who I was connected with by my friend Dan Hoffman, former 3-time CIA station chief, including in Moscow. He's a multi-time best-selling author and his newest is a political thriller (not a spy novel) entitled "The System".

I was so unconvinced by either of my guests the other day regarding whether to vote yes or no on Douglas County Home Rule (and, to be clear, I don't vote in DougCo) that I'm doing it again. Two guests, one after the other -- not at the same time, offering their views. This time the "no" side goes first.

I've said this each year for a while now since Juneteenth was made an official federal holiday four years ago: This is a legit holiday, a day in our history worth celebrating, and it shouldn't be thought of as a "woke" creation or any such thing.Plus "Now You Know" with the intrepid Chad Bowar!And it's an "Ask Me Anything" kind of Thursday! Listeners got to ask me whatever they want.

Read ThisMy 2001 Hit Song, ‘Superman,' Is for the Hostages in Gaza - WSJ(I may try to get John Ondrasik, aka Five for Fighting, on the show later this week to talk about it and if so I'll share his article again then but no need to wait to suggest you read it.)Steve Moore is one of the nation's most influential economists, an occasional advisor to President Trump, founder of the Club for Growth and member of the Wall Street Journal's editorial board and, more recently, co-founder of the Committee to Unleash Prosperity.We'll discuss the proposed Senate amendments to the "One Big Beautiful Bill". While they're not all great, they're mostly very strong and might even be enough to get me to vote for the bill if I were in Congress.Kathie Barstnar is Exec Dir of NAIOP Colorado (a major association of commercial real estate developers). We'll discuss their lawsuit challenging the legality of Denver's insane and expensive new energy requirements that could end up costing more to retrofit a building than the building is worth. (Or least that's a claim they make.)John Kellner is a former 18th Judicial District DA. He is a Lt Col in US Army Reserves and currently works with Dan Caplis's law firm.John is currently a Criminal Justice Fellow at the Common Sense Institute and joins us to talk about their report, released today, onColorado's fentanyl issues. (Hint: improving but not as much as we'd like and still below average for the country.)

John Kellner is currently a Criminal Justice Fellow at the Common Sense Institute and joins us to talk about their report, released today, on Colorado's fentanyl issues. (Hint: improving but not as much as we'd like and still below average for the country.)

Kathie Barstnar is Exec Dir of NAIOP Colorado. We'll discuss their lawsuit challenging the legality of Denver's insane and expensive new energy requirements that could end up costing more to retrofit a building than the building is worth. (Or least that's a claim they make.)

Steve Moore is one of the nation's most influential economists and he joins me to discuss the proposed Senate amendments to the "One Big Beautiful Bill". While they're not all great, they're mostly very strong and might even be enough to get me to vote for the bill if I were in Congress.

Please read my Substack on the latest Trump business-grift, Trump Mobile. And please subscribe to my Substack. (It's free!)"Trump" Mobile - by Ross Kaminsky - The Ross ReportRich “Raz” Razgaitis is a clean-water evangelist and co-founder and CEO of Flowater. Jeffrey Konvitz is a multi-time best-selling author, going all the way back to the horror novel Sentinel in the 1970s. He's also a big-time Hollywood lawyer. His new novel, "The Circus of Satan", is historical fiction of the early 20th century at the time of the decline of the Irish mob(s) and the rise of Italian and Jewish mobsters. Quite a fun and interesting read with plenty of fascinating characters who really lived.Abe Laydon is a current Douglas County Commissioner and in favor of home rule. Lora Thomas is a former Douglas County Commissioner and opposed to home rule.

Abe Laydon is a current Douglas County Commissioner and in favor of home rule. Lora Thomas is a former Douglas County Commissioner and opposed to home rule.

Jeffrey Konvitz is a multi-time best-selling author, going all the way back to the horror novel Sentinel in the 1970s. He's also a big-time Hollywood lawyer. His new novel, "The Circus of Satan", is historical fiction of the early 20th century at the time of the decline of the Irish mob(s) and the rise of Italian and Jewish mobsters. Quite a fun and interesting read with plenty of fascinating characters who really lived.

Rich “Raz” Razgaitis is a clean-water evangelist and co-founder and CEO of Flowater. We chat about PFAS "forever chemicals" in fish at popular lakes.

UPDATE: Killer captured Sunday evening: Minnesota lawmaker shooting suspect Vance Boelter arrested in Sibley County | Fox News(Apparently, he was first captured on video feed by a drone and there is some reporting that he may have been tracked by a phone he was carrying. I haven't verified this.)Kurt Cambier of Centennial Capital Partners joins the show for a discussion about the potential impact of the Iran/Israel war on global markets and the economy and about why the market has been so remarkably resilient in the past month or so. Is the TACO trade real?Roger Pielke Jr is professor emeritus at CU Boulder and a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. We'll talk a little about "Trump and science" but mostly about the serious risk of a global population collapse.

Roger Pielke Jr is professor emeritus at CU Boulder and a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. We'll talk a little about "Trump and science" but mostly about the serious risk of a global population collapse.

Kurt Cambier of Centennial Capital Partners joins the show for a discussion about the potential impact of the Iran/Israel war on global markets and the economy and about why the market has been so remarkably resilient in the past month or so. Is the TACO trade real?

Mike Munger is a professor of political science at Duke University. Much of his teaching and his great podcast, The Answer is Transaction Costs, involves political economy (the intersection of politics and economics) rather than just politics. We'll discuss the nature of bureaucracy.

Ruthie Blum is an award-winning columnist and senior contributing editor for JNS. She lives in Israel but joins us today from New York to discuss Israel's attack on Iran.

Please read my thoughts here and subscribe (for free!) to my Substack:Send in the Marines (Well, Actually, Don't)Even though Trump is clearly winning the politics of immigration right now this would be a mistake: Hegseth Suggests LA-Style Troop Deployments Could Happen Anywhere in US 'if Necessary' | Military.comOtho Eskin is the author of the fun thriller novel, Black Sun Rising, just published on Tuesday; Black Sun Rising (The Marko Zorn): Eskin, Otho: 9781959170235: Amazon.com: BooksPart of the reason I invited him on to the show his because his background outside of writing is so fascinating, including serving in the US Army and in the US Foreign Service. Read more about Otho here: Author Otho Eskin.Rob Bhatt is a home insurance expert at Lending Tree. We'll discuss their new report that shows that over the past 6 years, no state in the country has had a bigger percentage increase in homeowner's insurance costs than Colorado has: State of Home Insurance: 2025 | LendingTree

Rob Bhatt is a home insurance expert at Lending Tree. We'll discuss their new report that shows that over the past 6 years, no state in the country has had a bigger percentage increase in homeowner's insurance costs than Colorado has: State of Home Insurance: 2025 | LendingTree

Otho Eskin is the author of the fun thriller novel, Black Sun Rising, just published on Tuesday; Black Sun Rising (The Marko Zorn): Eskin, Otho: 9781959170235: Amazon.com: BooksPart of the reason I invited him on to the show his because his background outside of writing is so fascinating, including serving in the US Army and in the US Foreign Service. Read more about Otho here: Author Otho Eskin

Leland Vittert host's "On Balance" on News Nation weeknights at 7 PM MT (with replay at 10 PM). For me and Kristen, it's our one must-watch cable news show. I encourage you to subscribe (it's free!) to Leland's daily (afternoon) email, War Notes, which is really his show preparation.A few weeks ago, I had the chance to meet Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon at an energy-related event hosted by the Common Sense Institute. I was very impressed with his deep knowledge on a wide range of issues, particularly energy and education.On the protests: As long as they're not violent, I'm OK with it though at some point we have to say it's not OK to block major city streets.

Leland Vittert host's "On Balance" on News Nation weeknights at 7 PM MT (with replay at 10 PM). For me and Kristen, it's our one must-watch cable news show. I encourage you to subscribe (it's free!) to Leland's daily (afternoon) email, War Notes, which is really his show preparation. You'll be smarter if you do. Leland Vittert's War Notes"On Balance with Leland Vittert" on NewsNationLeland has a book coming out later this year: Born Lucky - Harper HorizonBut the most important thing: Leland got married last weekend! Let's all wish him a long happy live with his new bride, Rachel.

A few weeks ago, I had the chance to meet Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon at an energy-related event hosted by the Common Sense Institute. I was very impressed with his deep knowledge on a wide range of issues, particularly energy and education. I asked the gov if he'd be willing to join me on the show and he said "absolutely". Of course, KOA has listeners in Wyoming!Mark Gordon | WGAMark Gordon - WikipediaSome things we'll discuss: The state's own Stable Token, Energy, Education, Innovation. Nuclear Power. "Govt closest to the people is the most effective." Rare Earth Minerals.Wyoming Innovation PartnershipWyoming Stable Token Commission

Donald Trump sends in the marines, a lawsuit against Denver and I chat with a friend of the Pope!

Ambassador Francis Rooney is former US Ambassador to the Holy See (the Vatican) and a former member of Congress from Florida. He's a personal friend (or at least fairly close acquaintance) of the new Pope Leo XIV, formerly "Father Bob" Prevost.More about Amb Rooney: Francis Rooney | Wilson Center

Austin Walsanen is an attorney at the Pacific Legal Foundation who is suing Denver over zoning fees.Austin WaisanenDenver's inclusionary zoning extortion scheme challenged in court

Yesterday, a week after a cretinous anti-Semite illegal alien tried to firebomb mostly-elderly peaceful folks walking on Pearl Street Mall in support of bringing home the Gaza hostages, the Mall was the fullest I've ever seen it. Had to be at least a few thousand people between Broadway and 14th street including Jews and non-Jews, politicians, plenty of law enforcement, and just so many people showing their support for the hostages, for Jews, and for Israel.

Congressman Gabe Evans (R-CO8) joins us to talk about a resolution he introduced in Congress that seems like it shouldn't be controversial but is (because of the significantly anti-Semitic and anti-Israel portion of the Democratic Party base.)Tensions erupt in Congress over vote to condemn Boulder attackBILLS-119hres485ih.pdf

Dr Liberty Vittert Capito is a Professor of the Practice of Data Science at the Olin Business School at the Washington University in St. Louis, and is a senior fellow at Harvard and MIT. She's probably one of the world's only great statisticians and data scientists who has a degree from one of the best cooking schools in the world. We'll discuss a piece she wrote for The Free Press entitled "Why I Left the UN Fundraising Group My Father Helped Found"From a news story about the anti-Semitic troll known as Greta Thunberg, "Francesca Albanese, United Nations' special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories, also urged other boats to challenge the Gaza blockade. She said on social media: 'Madleen's journey may have ended, but the mission isn't over. Every Mediterranean port must send boats with aid & solidarity to Gaza.'"Olin Business School | Liberty VittertLiberty has gotten married since she was last on the show and her little brother, Leland, got married this past weekend!

Michael Walsh is a best-selling author of both fiction and non-fiction. His new book, "A Rage to Conquer: Twelve Battles That Changed the Course of Western History," is a remarkable read. Important history told through exciting stories, elite erudition, and even a glimpse into the author's own opinion -- such as that America has not since Patton had serious military leaders who knew what victory meant and what it took to achieve it. (I wonder what ADM Stavridis will say about this.) This is a book that is simultaneously thoroughly enjoyable while also reminding me of how little I know.Michael was the classical music critic for Time Magazine, something which comes through quite clearly in the new book, which you might find surprising.A Rage to Conquer: Twelve Battles That Changed the Course of Western History: Walsh, MichaelFeatured Excerpt: A Rage to Conquer - The History Reader : The History Reader

On Friday's show, Ross talks about today marking 81 years since D-Day, Russia/Ukraine & Israel/Iran with Admiral James Stavridis, this Sunday's gathering with Run For Their Lives in Boulder & stethoscopes!

Shira Weiss is National Director of Run For Their Lives.I hope you'll join me this Sunday in Boulder on the Pearl Street Mall just east of Broadway, at noon, to support the organization and people who were maniacally attacked by an illegal alien anti-Semite and apparent wannabe jihadist.

Admiral James Stavridis is former NATO Supreme Allied Commander and SouthCom commander, among other positions. He's a best-selling author of both fiction and non-fiction, his latest book being The Admiral's BookshelfWe'll discuss the current status of the Russia-Ukraine war and what an attack by the US and Israel on Iran might look like. (The photo for today's Blogcast thumbnail is part of a downed Iranian-made drone that was sent by Russia to attack Ukraine.)'Sometimes you're better off letting them fight,' Trump says on Russia-Ukraine warWritten by ADM Stavridis: US, Israel Could Destroy Iran's Nuclear Sites If It Rejects Trump Deal - BloombergGonna try to get this as well: Disrupting the Gray Zone Unrestricted Warfare in the Pacific | Proceedings - June 2025 Vol. 151/6/1,468

Please read and subscribe to my Substack. Here's today's note. I'd be grateful if you'd take a couple of minutes to consider it:By me: Some thoughts on the Boulder jihadist attackBy someone else: I Saw My Friends Set on Fire in Boulder - by Ed Victor

Will Toor is Director of the Colorado Energy Office. We'll discuss the implications for Colorado of Congress overturning California's vehicle emissions waiver (as Colorado was following at least some of California's policies.) We'll also talk about the (ridiculously expensive and likely impossible) goal of nearly eliminating "greenhouse gas" production by electric power utilities within the next 5 (or even 15) years.CEO Staff | Colorado Energy OfficeDid Congress kill Colorado's EV mandate?Congress votes to rescind California vehicle emissions waiver | Utility DiveTroubles among Colorado utilities - Big PivotsCSU asks state for options to help meet 2030 energy goals | News | gazette.com

Sean Tipton is Chief Advocacy and Policy Officer for the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. We'll discuss a new(ish) movement called "Ethical IVF" which is an intentionally nice-sounding misnomer of a move that aims to make IVF much more difficult and expensive.Executive Team | American Society for Reproductive Medicine | ASRMASRM Center for Policy & Leadership Releases Fact Sheet on Misleading Terminology, “Restorative Reproductive Medicine” and "Ethical IVF" | American Society for Reproductive Medicine | ASRM