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Ask Me Anything: How Does GoodRx Actually Make Money, and Who Really Pays for the Discount?. Episode 522. A listener asked Stacey Richter a deceptively simple question: how exactly does GoodRx make money? To answer it, this AMA episode revisits a 2021 conversation with Ge Bai, PhD, CPA, professor of accounting at the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School and of health policy and management at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, recently nominated to serve as Assistant Secretary at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Ge Bai lays out exactly how GoodRx turns pharmacy-PBM contract dysfunction into a business, and Stacey updates listeners on what's changed—and what hasn't—in the years since. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN ✅ Why GoodRx is purely a pricing platform with no pharmacy of its own—unlike Amazon, which operates its own pharmacy ✅ How PBM contracts requiring pharmacies to offer insurers their "best price" force cash list prices artificially high, the exact dysfunction GoodRx monetizes ✅ How GoodRx's network of contracted PBMs—including Express Scripts and OptumRx—collects a per-dispense fee every time a patient uses a GoodRx card ✅ Why pharmacies lose out twice: they never collect their high list price, and they still owe a fee to the PBM that "referred" the cash-pay patient to them ✅ What's changed since 2021: a wave of new cash-pay competitors like Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drugs, GLP-1-driven cash-pay behavior, and proposed legislation targeting "Most Favored Nation" (lesser-of) clauses in PBM contracts ✅ Ge Bai's recent nomination to Assistant Secretary at HHS, building on research she has used to testify before Congress and shape healthcare policy WHY THIS MATTERS GoodRx's entire business model runs on a single structural quirk: PBM contracts require pharmacies to keep their list price higher than any insurer's negotiated rate, which pushes cash prices artificially high for anyone without a coupon. As Stacey Richter puts it, this dysfunction "is sadly pretty much the same" today as when Ge Bai first explained it in 2021, even as new cash-pay entrants and proposed "Most Favored Nation" contract restrictions start to reshape the landscape. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE EP520 with Stacey: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Other Apps EP517 with Stacey: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Other Apps EP516 with Ophelia Johnson: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Other Apps EP439 with Luke Slindee, PharmD: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Other Apps === LINKS ===
Photo: Kaiser Canyon fire in Washington, July 2026. (Courtesy Inciweb / USFS via National Interagency Fire Center / Facebook) Wildfires continue to burn across the U.S, including many areas of Indian Country. In Washington state, the largest fire is the Kaiser Canyon Fire which is burning through the Colville Indian Reservation. As of late Tuesday, the fire surpassed 126,000 acres and was 16% contained. In an update Tuesday morning, Keith Kelley, operations section chief for Northern Rockies Unit 2, shared the day's plan of attack against the Kaiser Canyon Fire. More than 1,000 personnel are committed to the effort. “And we do have resources looking at some additional containment lines, trying to find places to what we call pinch in the fire, to keep it from spreading. So we’re kind of like checking it up. So we’ll put some dozer lines in, and the fire will slow its progression, and then eventually it will it will kind of continue to move. But it gives us an opportunity to put some dozer lines and put in some containment lines so we can stop that progression as it moves to the north. So certainly have resources in there. We’ll continue to do that.” The Kaiser Canyon Fire started July 16 when a lightning strike hit the Nespelem area on the Colville reservation. Meanwhile, more than a million acres have burned in Oregon. The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs has closed its tribal government due to Level Three evacuations caused by the Bench Fire, which at last check had burned more than 45,000 acres. The Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation have set up a Wildfire Recovery Fund for volunteers and supplies to help those affected by the fires. Chris Deschene, left, and Emily Ellison are the two vice-presidential candidates in the upcoming 2026 Navajo Nation election. (Courtesy U.S. Department of Energy / Emily Ellison for Navajo President 2026 / Facebook) Following the Navajo Nation presidential primary last week, the top vote-getters have named their vice presidential picks. KJZZ's Gabriel Pietrorazio has details. Navajo Nation Council Speaker Crystalyne Curley was first to announce her ticket in Window Rock, Ariz. “Excited to share this moment with you. I know people online were very anxious.” She picked former Arizona Democratic state lawmaker Chris Deschene. “Throughout my career, I know what it's like to be an underdog.” In 2014, the Marine Corps vet vied for the very seat Curley is now seeking, but after placing second in that primary, Deschene was disqualified, in part, because of Curley's November opponent – Farmington attorney Justin Jones. “This is where I grew up.” As for Jones, he returned to Rock Point, Ariz. to name his running mate. Emily Ellison is in charge of the Gallup nonprofit Battered Families Services. “I want to thank the committee for this opportunity to serve our Navajo people.” Billy Kirkland, Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, visits Choctow Central High School, one of several Bureau of Indian Education (BIE)-funded schools with a graduation rate above 90%. (Courtesy BIE / Facebook) The Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) says 21 of the high schools they fund achieved graduation rates of 90% or greater in 2025, in what the agency calls an “unprecedented milestone”, reflecting their commitment to student achievement, college and career readiness, and workforce development. The 21 schools include Kickapoo Nation School, Santa Fe Indian School, Shoshone-Bannock School, Navajo Preparatory School, and Choctaw Central High School. The BIE's overall graduation rate reached 79%, the highest in its history. The BIE is aiming for a rate of 91% by May 2030. The Associated Press reports that, beginning in 2018, the BIE began standardizing data collection methods, which has helped improve data accuracy. While Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs Billy Kirkland (Navajo) said that these gains reflect the Trump administration's commitment to Native American students, there are concerns that the administration's changes to the BIE — including the planned dissolving of the U.S. Department of Education and further fallout from DOGE cuts — could undermine progress and prevent struggling schools from improving students' performance. Get National Native News delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up for our daily newsletter today. Download our NV1 Android or iOs App for breaking news alerts. Check out today’s Native America Calling episode Wednesday, July 29, 2026 – Southeast Alaska tribes closer to land designation more than a half century after being locked out
Ryan talks with Marine combat veteran, historian, former Assistant Secretary of Defense, and CAT 5: The 2033 War author Bing West about the challenges President Trump faces in the Iran conflict, how it compares to the Vietnam and Iraq wars, and what history suggests could come next.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this Federalist Society America 250 series, experts analyze modern legal and policy debates through the lens of the Founding generation. The Founders gave us the tools to answer many contemporary questions; join us as we explore those answers.The Founders drew their understanding of international law — known at the time as the law of nations — from 18th Century classical texts. Hamilton, Madison, Jay, Jefferson, and others all studied the edition of Emmerich de Vattel’s Law of Nations, released on the eve of the American Revolution. Its precepts were analyzed in The Federalist Papers, debated in the Constitutional Convention, and resulted in a few basic principles. First, along with the Constitution and the laws of the United States made in pursuance thereof, all Treaties made under the authority of the United States "shall be the supreme Law of the Land." Second, the Define and Punish Clause gives Congress the power to define and punish . . . Offenses against the Law of Nations.” The Founders viewed the right of self-defense as a fundamental, inherent natural right of nations. They recognized the right of preemptive use of force in anticipatory self defense. This right had an expansive interpretation, allowing actions against credible threats without awaiting an actual first strike. There was room for argument on how “imminent” the threat must be. Current international law on this issue consists of the UN Charter and contemporary understandings and interpretations of customary international law. This Forum will bring together two foremost scholars, each expert in both the Founders’ understanding and the current understanding of international law, for a conversation about the historic and contemporary interpretations of the propriety of our current war against Iran and related matters.Featuring:Prof. Martin S. Flaherty, Charles and Marie Robertson Visiting Professor, School of Public and International Affairs, Princeton UniversityProf. Jeremy A. Rabkin, Professor Emeritus of Law, Antonin Scalia Law School, George Mason University(Moderator) Dr. Sohan Dasgupta, Assistant Secretary for Trade and Economic Security, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (former) | Political Head, Millennium Challenge Corporation (former) | Managing Director, Berkeley Research Group (BRG)
Dr Clarida is a managing director and global economic advisor at PIMCO. Prior to rejoining PIMCO in 2022, he was the firm's global strategic advisor from 2006 to 2018. He served as Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the U.S. Federal Reserve System from September 2018 to January 2022. Richard is also Professor of Economics and International Affairs at Columbia University. Before joining PIMCO in 2006, he was Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Economic Policy, in which he served as chief economic advisor to two U.S. Treasury Secretaries. Earlier in his career, he was with Credit Suisse and Grossman Asset Management. He has 26 years of investment experience and holds a PhD and a master's degree in economics from Harvard University. He received an undergraduate degree with Bronze Tablet Honors from the University of Illinois. In this podcast, we discuss: Clarida's Macro Origin Story Global Economic Resilience The AI Capex Boom Labour's Declining Income Share The "Warsh Fed" Doctrine Revisiting Forward Guidance AI's Impact on Productivity and R-star The Era of Global Fragmentation Optimism for the Next Generation You can follow Richard on LinkedIn as well as the PIMCO website.
The escalation of the U.S. strikes on Iran are pushing the conflict to another breaking point, the UK officially has a new Prime Minister, and the official box office numbers are in for Christopher Nolan's blockbuster film “The Odyssey.” Reporting from Megan Basham. Plus, we speak with General Mark Kimmitt (Ret.), Fmr. Assistant Secretary of State, & Bev Turner, Host of GB News. Get the facts first with Morning Wire.- - -Ep. 2902- - -Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3- - -Today's Sponsors:Lean - Get 20% off when you enter code WIRE at https://TakeLean.com ShipStation - Get started with ShipStation today and get 60 days free at https://ShipStation.com with code WIRE.ZipRecruiter - Save time and meet great candidates sooner with ZipRecruiter. That's https://ZipRecruiter.com/WIRE. Four out of five employers who post on ZipRecruiter get a quality candidate within the first day.- - -Privacy Policy: https://www.dailywire.com/privacymorning wire,morning wire podcast,the morning wire podcast,Georgia Howe,John Bickley,daily wire podcast,podcast,news podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
//The Wire//2300Z July 20, 2026// //ROUTINE// //BLUF: CENTCOM CONFIRMS FOUR AMERICAN CASUALTIES FOLLOWING IRANIAN STRIKES IN MIDDLE EAST. ARSON ATTACK REPORTED AT FEDERAL BUILDING IN NYC.// -----BEGIN TEARLINE------International Events-Jordan: Over the weekend CENTCOM confirmed the deaths of three US service members, who were killed as a result of the strikes on a barracks building at Muwaffaq al Salti Airbase. Two of the casualties have been identified as 1LT Tyler James Feehan, and Private Isabella Gonzales. The third casualty officially remains classified as Missing in Action as the remains will require DNA analysis to confirm identity, and has not yet been officially identified. A fourth casualty was also reported somewhere in Iraq, which was the result of an Iranian drone strike.Middle East: Following Iranian targeting of the al-Subiya Power Station, Kuwait has begun to rely on portable substations and generators to provide electricity while repairs are made. The scale of the power outages is not known, but Iranian forces have struck several logistical hubs and electrical power plants over the past few days. In Bahrain, Iranian targeting has remained heavy over the weekend, with several ballistic missile strikes reported at American installations around the country.Strait of Hormuz: Several more merchant vessels were struck over the past few days, most of which were tankers attempting to use the southern Omani route instead of the Iranian route. At least one of these vessels resulted in the crew abandoning ship before being rescued.Iran: After these collective strikes over the weekend, American targeting efforts intensified with the latest bombing campaign focusing on the targeting of bridges and civilian roadway tunnels around Bandar Abbas. Many of the roads that lead to the port city are now cut off, with only a few major roadways allowing access to the city. Several bridges have also already been repaired, and the status of others remains unclear until better satellite imagery is available.-HomeFront-New York: This morning an arson attack was reported at the Federal building in downtown Manhattan. One assailant approached the building with a bucket of gasoline, dumping the bucket at the northeast side of the structure. The suspect immediately ignited the pool of gas, which also contained a mix of commercial grade fireworks. The suspect was immediately detained by the plethora of police already on scene, as the accelerant burned on the sidewalk. Analyst Comment: No motive has yet been conveyed regarding this attack, however some of the paraphernalia scattered throughout the scene of the attack appears to be political in nature, opposing ICE.Washington D.C. - This morning, the latest numbers for Strategic Petroleum Reserve levels were released indicating that over the past week, the US has drained the SPR by an additional 5.1 million barrels, to it's lowest level since the Tanker War in 1983.Analyst Comment: Many might have assumed that the US might have re-stocked the SPR during the two-week ceasefire in the Middle East, however very little oil actually made it out of the region during that time, which amounted to only a tiny fraction of US daily usage. Since the war began five months ago, only a very small percentage of oil has exited the region, and the US has been draining the SPR at breakneck pace in order to keep the country going.-----END TEARLINE-----Analyst Comments: Concerning the American casualties sustained over the weekend, it is extremely important to note that the deaths of 1LT Feehan and PVT Gonzales are officially classified under Operation INHERENT RESOLVE (OIR)...not under Operation EPIC FURY (OEFU). Inherent Resolve is the long-standing mission to combat ISIS in Syria, and not in any way linked to the current war in Iran. As a result, the true number of casualties sustained warrants further investigation. This classification could have been an administrative error, but this would also be a way of camouflaging casualty figures. The Defense Casualty Analysis System (DCAS) is the main database for logging all American casualties, which are defined by military operation. In this case, these deaths are not cataloged under either operation yet, adding to the more broad (but also growing) concerns that the database has been concealing the true number of casualties, specifically the numbers of personnel wounded.In fact, while admonishing these concerns as "baseless and malicious accusations" Assistant Secretary of War Sean Parnell directly contradicted the numbers his own department was producing. He stated in an interview with CBS News that roughly 100 personnel had been wounded throughout the war over the past month....while his own database states that a grand total of zero personnel had been wounded for the month of July, and three in June. If this testimony is accurate, this confirms beyond all doubt that the Pentagon is lying about the number of troops wounded during this campaign. Considering that the Pentagon has disclosed a total of 413x soldiers wounded during this entire campaign, ~100x WIA being reported within a month (which also included a two-week ceasefire) is alarming to say the least.The cause of the fatalities reported over the weekend is also important to note as these deaths were very likely preventable. In the days leading up to the ballistic missile striking the housing at this base, the Iranians successfully struck the Patriot battery in Erbil, Iraq. This missile defense site would have been one of the sites providing protection for missiles launched into Jordan. With this battery offline or at least degraded in some way, it is possible that a clear air corridor existed that allowed Iranian ballistic missiles to fly unchallenged through a gap in air defense coverage. If the Erbil strike also damaged the radar array, it is also very possible that the warning time for an incoming ballistic missile would have been reduced, so any defenses at the target base would have been less effective. Obviously, the true scale of the damage to this air defense site would be classified, so in the public eye we have to guess as to how bad it was based on blurry satellite imagery. However the military commanders who knew the systems and did NOT have to guess, were also the same commanders who had the authority to either issue warnings or orders to disperse from the unprotected Containerized Housing Units (CHUs) that were struck by Iran. The failure of command to disperse their soldiers is what led to these fatalities.The very minute that the Patriot battery was struck in Erbil was a major clue that the Iranians were conducting shaping fires of their own...they were striking the air defense sites so as to open up a gap in air defense coverage, and reach out to American positions with their larger ballistic missiles.Though it is usually in poor taste to reflect on failures in the immediate aftermath of the death of troops, in the interest of expediency sometimes uncomfortable conversations must be had in order to prevent further loss of life. If a gap in air defense coverage is what allowed this strike to happen, it is almost certain that this gap still exists and that the danger to American service members is still not mitigated. For ALL American troops in the Middle East, this observation must be noted: If the Iranians are striking air defense sites, the next assumption must be that the Iranians are planning to strike something that would have been protected by that site. In retrospect this is common sense, but even at this very moment, the continued strikes on American positions (and the nearly total lack of fortification efforts at these bases, even to this day) continues to indicate that the Iranian targeting efforts are not being taken seriously by senior American decision makers. Five months into this war, CENTCOM leadership has still not figured out that the Iranians can strike their bases at will, and as demonstrated by the strikes in Kuwait and Jordan, the US is still not digging in, and also not dispersing enough to avoid troops getting killed. No underground fortification efforts have been undertaken at any base in the Middle East, and satellite imagery indicates that no substantial fortifications have been undertaken either. Granting as much leeway to the Pentagon's decision making process as possible, it is possible that no hardening of defenses would have mattered considering the missiles Iran is launching. Drone defense is one thing, but it would take years to build a bunker that would withstand the impact of an Iranian Fattah or Ghadr missile. Nevertheless, when it comes to defending American positions, doing something is better than doing nothing, and concrete does not take half a year to dry.Even if large-scale construction projects are off the menu, ALL military publications, textbooks, and training scenarios dictate and demand what has been obvious since World War One...Dispersion is the name of the game. This is what kept casualties to a minimum in Bahrain, but different theater commanders have different personal initiatives. Some are more proactive with their defense, and others have done nothing at all, besides making sure that all of the vehicles in the motorpool are lined up neatly.Where this goes from here is anyone's guess, but unless radical and immediate changes are made, the United States will continue to suffer casualties. And as long as the bombing continues which is motivating Iran to target our bases, this indirectly highlights the deficiencies with American air defense technologies, not just for this war, but for the wars to come.Analyst: S2A1 Research: https://publish.obsidian.md/s2underground NomadNet: 5fa68c88be72
Glenna Wright-Gallo is the Vice President of the Office of Strategic Research and Policy at Everway, a global neurotechnology software company. She has previously served as the Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services at the U.S. Department of Education. Glenna is also a person with a disability, a parent, and a former state Director of Special Education. Her extensive experience across educational roles at state and federal levels positions her as an influential figure in shaping inclusive education policies and practices.In this riveting episode of Think Inclusive, Tim Villegas speaks with Glenna Wright-Gallo about the pressing need to shift from a compliance-focused model to outcomes-focused education within special education systems. Glenna brings a wealth of knowledge from her extensive career in education advocacy, emphasizing the importance of aligning educational practices with the intent of IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) to create systems that genuinely serve all learners. This episode delves into how educational structures, often hampered by outdated schedules and siloed learning environments, can truly realize the promise of inclusive education by focusing on system-wide solutions rather than ad-hoc heroics. Complete show notes and transcript: https://mcie.org/think-inclusive/shifting-focus-from-compliance-to-outcomes-in-education-with-glenna-wright-gallo-1336/
Listen/Watch the FULL EPISODE ad-free/early on Substack: https://coffeeandamike.substack.com/ Dr. Paul Craig Roberts was associate editor and columnist for the The Wall Street Journal and was appointed by President Reagan to Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Economic Policy. He joins founder of Curves International Fitness, author, filmmaker and philanthropist Gary Heavin to discuss the disappearance of the First Amendment, expansion of war across the world, energy crisis, death of Lindsey Graham, and much more. PLEASE SUBSCRIBE LIKE AND SHARE THIS PODCAST!!! Follow Me X- https://x.com/CoffeeandaMike IG- https://www.instagram.com/coffeeandamike/ Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/CoffeeandaMike/ YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@Coffeeandamike Rumble- https://rumble.com/search/all?q=coffee%20and%20a%20mike Substack- https://coffeeandamike.substack.com/ Apple Podcasts- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coffee-and-a-mike/id1436799008 Gab- https://gab.com/CoffeeandaMike Locals- https://coffeeandamike.locals.com/ Website- www.coffeeandamike.com Email- info@coffeeandamike.com Support My Work Venmo- https://www.venmo.com/u/coffeeandamike Paypal- https://www.paypal.com/biz/profile/Coffeeandamike Substack- https://coffeeandamike.substack.com/ Patreon- http://patreon.com/coffeeandamike Locals- https://coffeeandamike.locals.com/ Cash App- https://cash.app/$coffeeandamike Buy Me a Coffee- https://buymeacoffee.com/coffeeandamike Bitcoin- coffeeandamike@strike.me Mail Check or Money Order- Coffee and a Mike LLC P.O. Box 25383 Scottsdale, AZ 85255-9998 Follow Dr. Roberts Website- https://www.paulcraigroberts.org/ Sponsors Vaulted/Precious Metals- https://vaulted.blbvux.net/coffeeandamike McAlvany Precious Metals- https://mcalvany.com/coffeeandamike/
It's YOUR time to #EdUp with Dr. Henry Mack, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Labor, Department of Labor's Employment & Training AdministrationIn this episode, sponsored by EdUp Leadership, the HigherEd PodCon II happening July 16 & 17, & the 2026 AcOps Conference July 29-31 by CoursedogYOUR cohost is Christi Segal, Senior Vice President, Managed Services and Executive Business Development, EllucianYOUR host is Dr. Joe SallustioHow does the assistant secretary who taught philosophy at the University of Miami say the time for a fragmented, duplicative & siloed approach to workforce is over?Why does higher ed need to "skillify" the curriculum while honoring the time tested tradition of what it means to be liberally educated for democratic citizenship?What makes tying measures of success to real wage potential the accountability that matters when relevance is about jobs & mobility?Thank YOU so much for tuning in. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to EdUp!Connect with YOUR EdUp Team - Elvin Freytes & Dr. Joe Sallustio● Join YOUR EdUp community at The EdUp ExperienceWe make education YOUR business!P.S. Want access to the only intelligence platform built exclusively from presidential conversations in higher ed? Well, we have an app for that!Join EdUp Leadership!
Today, we're taking a moment to reflect on the life and legacy of Senator Lindsey Graham, who passed away suddenly at the age of 71. As we process this news, we're also discussing the latest developments in the world of politics, from the ongoing debate over data centers to the efforts to combat Medicare and Medicaid fraud. In this episode, we're joined by a range of guests, including Ben Domenech, who shares his personal reflections on his relationship with Senator Graham. We also hear from Mike Miles, the superintendent of the Houston Independent School District, who's made significant strides in turning around the city's failing school system. And, we're joined by Hans von Spakovsky, a senior legal fellow at Advancing American Freedom, who provides insight into the latest developments in the world of law and politics. We're also tackling some of the biggest issues of the day, from the impact of data centers on rural communities to the ongoing efforts to combat Medicare and Medicaid fraud. And, we're hearing from a range of experts, including Gus Shirillo, the Assistant Secretary for Financial Resources at HHS, who's working to prevent fraud and ensure that taxpayer dollars are being used effectively.Become a Townhall VIP member with promo code "LARRY": https://townhall.com/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Contenders: FDR, Coolidge, and Herbert Hoover Guest: David Pietrusza This segment introduces the rising stars of the 1920s: Franklin D. Roosevelt, Calvin Coolidge, and Herbert Hoover. At age 38, FDR was an ambitious Assistant Secretary of the Navy who, despite his famous name, was considered "not ready for prime time" due to early political mistakes and a strained marriage following an affair with Lucy Mercer. Conversely, Governor Calvin Coolidgegained national fame for his decisive handling of the Boston police strike. Known for his Vermont-bred rectitude and "upstanding" persona, Coolidge was viewed as a man of few words but great reliability. Meanwhile, Herbert Hooverwas the "great engineer" and humanitarian who had fed millions in Europe. His popularity was so immense that FDRonce proposed a joint Hoover-Roosevelt Democratic ticket. Though Hoover eventually identified as a Republican, his systematic, modern approach to government made him a formidable figure for either party as the 1920 conventions approached. (3)1919
diannecollins.com Meet Dianne Collins and Alan Collins “Our intent in every session we present is for you to have an on-the-spot transformation in your awareness that translates naturally and easily into measurable success with increased confidence and joy in whatever you are doing.” -Dianne Collins -Alan Collins Dianne Collins and Alan Collins have been partners in life and in business for more than 20 years. They consult leaders and senior executives in the world's leading corporations to go beyond hidden limits of their thinking – accelerating results and catapulting nonlinear achievements. They have presented Strategic QuantumThink® Consulting and unique QuantumThink coaching programs via teleconference to thousands of people worldwide, from every walk of life. Clients have included Accenture, AT&T, CNN, DuPont, Morgan Stanley, McKinsey, and Telstra; agencies of the USA government including National Partnership for Reinventing Government under Vice President Al Gore, Federal Executive Institute, Office of Personnel Management, and Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense; as well as entrepreneurs and politicos, homemakers and students, celebrities and evolutionaries worldwide. “My entire life has been devoted to the question: what is the access to creating the results we truly desire? From studying everything from physics to metaphysics I made a few life altering discoveries that led me to create the QuantumThink® model
Beijing just announced a persistent Coast Guard patrol east of Taiwan, the administration is calling arms sales a "bargaining chip," and the NDS doesn't mention Taiwan at all. Is deterrence in the Strait quietly coming apart? Randy Schriver is Chairman of the Institute for Indo-Pacific Security (the successor to Project 2049), current chair of the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission, and served as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs in the first Trump administration. We discuss… China's new persistent Coast Guard patrol east of Taiwan, and how lawfare, fishermen rescues, and radio queries make sovereignty claims physically manifest, Why treating arms sales as a "bargaining chip" puts the US out of compliance with the Taiwan Relations Act, Whether Seoul and Tokyo go nuclear as hedging accelerates — and what the axis of autocracy means for a Korea contingency, How many Chinese mothers will sacrifice their only legal child for a Xi Jinping vanity project — and why America stopped doing information warfare, Blockade vs. invasion, Hellscape, and why the US should exercise a Keelung–Yonaguni corridor with Japan, The own-goal management of US-India relations, plus Randy's reading list for new Indo-Pacific hands. song link: https://suno.com/s/aRUtODqWdnqhKG3l Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Beijing just announced a persistent Coast Guard patrol east of Taiwan, the administration is calling arms sales a "bargaining chip," and the NDS doesn't mention Taiwan at all. Is deterrence in the Strait quietly coming apart? Randy Schriver is Chairman of the Institute for Indo-Pacific Security (the successor to Project 2049), current chair of the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission, and served as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs in the first Trump administration. We discuss… China's new persistent Coast Guard patrol east of Taiwan, and how lawfare, fishermen rescues, and radio queries make sovereignty claims physically manifest, Why treating arms sales as a "bargaining chip" puts the US out of compliance with the Taiwan Relations Act, Whether Seoul and Tokyo go nuclear as hedging accelerates — and what the axis of autocracy means for a Korea contingency, How many Chinese mothers will sacrifice their only legal child for a Xi Jinping vanity project — and why America stopped doing information warfare, Blockade vs. invasion, Hellscape, and why the US should exercise a Keelung–Yonaguni corridor with Japan, The own-goal management of US-India relations, plus Randy's reading list for new Indo-Pacific hands. song link: https://suno.com/s/aRUtODqWdnqhKG3l Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Host Bill Hamblet talks with the Honorable Ben Kohlmann, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, about the future of the fleet.
Episode 4176 │ July 8, 2026 In 2020 the BIS said central banks will have absolute control over your money. Catherine Austin Fitts has spent 30 years mapping what that means. WHAT THIS EPISODE COVERS Scott Kesterson sits down with Catherine Austin Fitts — former Assistant Secretary of Housing, Wall Street partner, founder of the Solari Report, and one of the most consequential financial analysts of the era — for a full breakdown of her four-quadrant scenario framework mapping the distance between the Republic and high-tech feudalism, the two variables that determine which world we land in — financial transaction freedom versus control, and decentralized versus centralized political power — and the specific legislative guardrail strategy she is running at the state level to stop programmable money from becoming the automated third lock that removes every constitutional protection at the push of a button. The conversation moves through the BIS 2020 declaration of absolute currency control, the terms-and-conditions trap that already allows financial institutions to seize assets without a court order, the smart contract and distributed ledger architecture that makes automated asset seizure technically possible overnight, the data center surveillance buildout ordinary Americans are now recognizing as the infrastructure of their own prison, the open-source AI conflict that Fitts says represents a strategic error by the centralized control faction, and the fractures appearing in elite unity that Scott identifies as the critical window for local action. The episode closes on the only foundation Fitts says survives system implosion — relationships of trust built one person at a time, one county at a time, 3,100 counties across America — and her charge to envision another 250 years of freedom, because freedom always looks hopeless before it wins. KEY QUESTIONS ADDRESSED What is Catherine Austin Fitts' four-quadrant scenario model — and what are the two variables that determine whether America arrives at the Republic or high-tech feudalism, and what specific legislation is she running at the state level to prevent the latter? What is the automated third lock — and how do distributed ledger technology, programmable money, smart contracts, and 145 pages of buried terms-and-conditions already give financial institutions the legal and technical architecture to seize your assets without a court order or notification? Why does Fitts argue that the currency of the future will be relationships of trust — and what does her 3,100-county strategy, the data center resistance model from La Pine Oregon, and the protection of cash as the ultimate non-programmable option have in common as the only viable path of local sovereign response? ABOUT BARDSFM BardsFM is a daily independent podcast covering faith, liberty, history, and information warfare. Hosted by Scott Kesterson — combat veteran, documentary filmmaker, and rancher. Over 4,100 episodes and 51 million lifetime downloads. New episodes every weekday. bards.fm This episode was researched and produced under the Spatial Terra Intelligence Methodology (STIM v5) — the analytical framework built by Scott Kesterson — with AI-assisted research synthesis at a 70/30 human/AI authorship ratio, fully disclosed. All analysis, conclusions, and editorial judgments are those of Scott Kesterson. BardsFM's faith archive includes hundreds of episodes on prayer, scripture, and walking the Way of Christ — available free in the full episode catalog. AFFILIATE LINKS Bards Nation Health Store: www.bardsnationhealth.com MYPillow promo code: BARDS >> Go to https://www.mypillow.com/bards and use the promo code BARDS or... Call 1-800-975-2939. EMPShield protect your vehicles and home. Promo code BARDS: Click here Treadlite Broadforks...best garden tool EVER. Promo code BARDS26: TreadliteBroadforks.com EnviroKlenz Air Purification, promo code BARDS to save 10%: www.enviroklenz.com Morning Intro Music Provided by Brian Kahanek: www.briankahanek.com Founders Bible 20% discount code: BARDS >>> TheFoundersBible.com Windblown Media 20% Discount with promo code BARDS: windblownmedia.com White Oak Pastures Grassfed Meats, Get $20 off any order $150 or more. Promo Code BARDS: www.whiteoakpastures.com/BARDS Mission Darkness Faraday Bags and RF Shielding. Promo code BARDS: Click here DONATIONS: If you wish to support this podcast directly you can donate here... DONATE: Click here MAILING ADDRESS: Xpedition Cafe, LLC Attn. Scott Kesterson 591 E Central Ave, #740 Sutherlin, OR 97479
RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, senior director of FDD's Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation (CCTI), fills in for Jonathan Schanzer, providing timely situational updates and analysis ahead of a conversation with Celeste Wallander, former Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs of the United States.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief
Apologies to our listeners for the technical difficulties this week. Socially Democratic heads to Victorian Trades Hall for a special episode with two of the most important figures in the Victorian trade union movement.Luke Hilakari, Secretary of the Victorian Trades Hall Council, and Wil Stracke, Assistant Secretary, join host Stephen Donnelly to talk organising, digital campaigning, the rise of One Nation, and what happens to working people when AI reshapes the economy.This is a rare inside look at how Trades Hall went from a place that passed resolutions to one of the most sophisticated campaigning operations in the country.Plus:
Matt Agorist and Don Via, Jr. sat down with the relentless Catherine Austin Fitts for an incredibly vital status report on the global fight for financial freedom. A former Wall Street powerhouse and former Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) under the Bush Senior administration, Catherine is the publisher of The Solari Report and one of the liberty movement's most brilliant economic minds. After famously looking inside the belly of the beast and blowing the whistle on the missing trillions of dollars leaking out of the federal budget decades ago, she has dedicated her life to exposing state overreach and the encroaching digital panopticon. Fresh off a massive interview with Tucker Carlson and a major speaking appearance at the John Birch Society Conference in Salt Lake City, Catherine joins the show in the midst of a grueling multi-city tour to break down how everyday people can bypass the uni-party trap and construct an unbroken, parallel world. The core of the discussion dismantles the insidious architecture of the "Digital Control Grid" and the mechanism of what Catherine defines as the "automatic third lock". The conversation exposes how recent political theater—such as a temporary ban on retail Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs)—serves as a massive bait-and-switch, masking a back-door corporate-government hydra built on private stablecoins through legislative frameworks like the GENIUS Act. This programmable ledger system aims to transition traditional bank deposits, stocks, and bonds into a machine-driven surveillance apparatus that can instantly freeze, block, or condition transactions from above the institutional level, entirely bypassing human legal accountability. The dialogue maps out the immense physical scale of this grid, detailing how the United States has become the global hardware hub by housing more data centers than the top 14 countries combined. Crucially, the breakdown reveals how everyday citizens are being manipulated into financing their own digital cages through local taxpayer subsidies and heavily concentrated 401(k) and IRA retirement portfolios that pour billions into tech monopolies. Finally, the geopolitical lens is turned onto the deceptive "multipolar world order" narrative, revealing that central planners across both the BRICS nations and Western alliances remain uniformly loyal to the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) digital ID model, reframing the current global tension as a mere turf war over who secures "middle management" data rights. Shifting gears entirely to actionable resistance and "The White Pill," the episode maps out a comprehensive tactical manual for individual and community empowerment. The path forward demands an active financial decoupling—urging listeners to defund the surveillance panopticon by auditing their wealth, pulling retirement funds out of Wall Street's concentrated index funds, and shifting capital toward localized, tangible assets. True systemic pushback relies on a dual-layered approach: aggressively utilizing physical cash through localized "Turtling for Cash" campaigns to build community resilience and starve data center resource consumption, while simultaneously adopting decentralized, protocol-level digital privacy networks like Monero or Zano to secure long-distance commerce outside the matrix. Catherine highlights the Coming Clean blueprint—a downloadable guide packed with practical steps to systematically stop feeding energy to the state and start financing your own family. Ultimately, building a free civilization relies on a node-to-node system anchored entirely in real-world human relationships of trust. The show closes with an inspiring spiritual framework drawn from The NeverEnding Story, reminding the audience that the ultimate defense against the technocratic "nothing" is to aggressively protect personal joy, foster community connection, and maintain an unshakeable state of amusement. (Length: 56:12) Guest Links & Resources: Catherine Austin Fitts's Website: The Solari Report Featured Resource: Coming Clean PDF Guide Referenced Substack Article: Are Taxpayers Helping to Finance America's Data Center Boom? Support The Free Thought Project
Men account for higher rates of nearly all major chronic diseases, but nearly two-thirds admit that they avoid going to the doctor for as long as possible. Physicians warn that once men enter their 40s, routine screenings become essential for spotting problems before preventable conditions turn life-threatening. June is 'Men's Health Month', and the Department of Health and Human Services wants raise awareness on growing concerns over low testosterone and mental health issues in men. FOX's Eben Brown speaks with Adm. Brian Christine, MD, Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), who says men need to be open and honest about their health concerns. Click Here To Follow 'The FOX News Rundown: Evening Edition' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Men account for higher rates of nearly all major chronic diseases, but nearly two-thirds admit that they avoid going to the doctor for as long as possible. Physicians warn that once men enter their 40s, routine screenings become essential for spotting problems before preventable conditions turn life-threatening. June is 'Men's Health Month', and the Department of Health and Human Services wants raise awareness on growing concerns over low testosterone and mental health issues in men. FOX's Eben Brown speaks with Adm. Brian Christine, MD, Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), who says men need to be open and honest about their health concerns. Click Here To Follow 'The FOX News Rundown: Evening Edition' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Men account for higher rates of nearly all major chronic diseases, but nearly two-thirds admit that they avoid going to the doctor for as long as possible. Physicians warn that once men enter their 40s, routine screenings become essential for spotting problems before preventable conditions turn life-threatening. June is 'Men's Health Month', and the Department of Health and Human Services wants raise awareness on growing concerns over low testosterone and mental health issues in men. FOX's Eben Brown speaks with Adm. Brian Christine, MD, Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), who says men need to be open and honest about their health concerns. Click Here To Follow 'The FOX News Rundown: Evening Edition' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Andrew Shapiro is joined by Ambassador Jeffrey Feltman, whose distinguished diplomatic career includes serving as U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs and Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs. Amb. Feltman, now a visiting fellow at the Brookings Institution, discusses the fragile state of the U.S.–Iran ceasefire and progress toward talks for a long-term diplomatic agreement. He assesses Iran's core objectives, the strategic sidelining of Israel, and how Tehran's survival alters the calculus for Russia and China in global geopolitics. Amb. Feltman also maps out a "new normal" for the region defined by cliffhanging diplomatic extensions and localized proxy skirmishes rather than a definitive peace.
About this episode: Data from 2025 shows that over 300,000 children are living in foster care in the United States. The Administration for Children and Families—the federal agency that oversees child welfare programs—aims to keep more children out of the system and with their families. In this episode: a conversation with Assistant Secretary Alex Adams about recent changes to grants and policies that seek to support families affected by substance use and reform practices around survivor benefits for children who have lost their parents. Guest: Alex Adams, PharmD, MPH, is the Assistant Secretary for Family Support, leading the Administration for Children and Families. Host: Dr. Josh Sharfstein is distinguished professor of the practice in Health Policy and Management, a pediatrician, and former secretary of Maryland's Health Department. He served as the Baltimore City Commissioner of Health from 2005 to 2009. Show links and related content: Rolling Out the Welcome Mat for Prevention—The Imprint Former Idaho official ended state taking foster kid's Social Security money. Are other states next?—Idaho Capital Sun A Home for Every Child—Administration for Children and Families The AFCARS Dashboard—Administration for Children and Families Transcript information: Looking for episode transcripts? Open our podcast on the Apple Podcasts app (desktop or mobile) or the Spotify mobile app to access an auto-generated transcript of any episode. Closed captioning is also available for every episode on our YouTube channel. Contact us: Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us via email or visit our website. Follow us: @PublicHealthPod on Bluesky @PublicHealthPod on Instagram @JohnsHopkinsSPH on Facebook @PublicHealthOnCall on YouTube Here's our RSS feed Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Catherine Austin Fitts is an American investment banker, former government official, and financial commentator. She began her career on Wall Street, rising to managing director at Dillon, Read & Co., and later served as Assistant Secretary of Housing and Federal Housing Commissioner at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) under President George H.W. Bush (1989–1990). After government service, she founded and leads Solari, Inc., where she publishes The Solari Report and advises on investment strategies focused on community wealth, ethical finance, and transparency in public spending.Cornerstone Forum 26'https://shaunnewmanpodcast.substack.com/Silver Gold Bull Links:Website: https://silvergoldbull.ca/Email: SNP@silvergoldbull.comText Grahame: (587) 441-9100Bow Valley Credit UnionBitcoin: www.bowvalleycu.com/en/personal/investing-wealth/bitcoin-gatewayEmail: welcome@BowValleycu.com Expat Moneyhttps://expatmoney.com/snpGet your voice heard: Text Shaun 587-217-8500
Ely Ratner, former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs and now a principal at the Marathon Initiative, joins Jordan, Bryan Clark, and Justin to make sense of the Iran ceasefire and where US-China competition goes next. We discuss: Why the MOU reads as a loss: the blockade comes down first, Iran keeps its missiles and its "nuclear dust," and a younger, harder regime learns it can take American firepower and wield an oil weapon The "bullshit détente" with Beijing and whether reindustrialization can carry a China-competition message without sounding hawkish Output metrics over input metrics, the seven-year force-posture problem, and what Ratner wishes he'd moved into the "break glass" category at the Pentagon RoboCom: the pros and cons of standing up a new combatant command Plus Crassus at Parthia, and why chasing parades is a bad idea unless you're the ny knicks suno song: https://suno.com/s/scu8twGj01AIOYSL Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ely Ratner, former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs and now a principal at the Marathon Initiative, joins Jordan, Bryan Clark, and Justin to make sense of the Iran ceasefire and where US-China competition goes next. We discuss: Why the MOU reads as a loss: the blockade comes down first, Iran keeps its missiles and its "nuclear dust," and a younger, harder regime learns it can take American firepower and wield an oil weapon The "bullshit détente" with Beijing and whether reindustrialization can carry a China-competition message without sounding hawkish Output metrics over input metrics, the seven-year force-posture problem, and what Ratner wishes he'd moved into the "break glass" category at the Pentagon RoboCom: the pros and cons of standing up a new combatant command Plus Crassus at Parthia, and why chasing parades is a bad idea unless you're the ny knicks suno song: https://suno.com/s/scu8twGj01AIOYSL Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Department of Education has said it is trying to return education to the states, but what does that mean for the federal role in education and for the states expected to take on more responsibility?What is the Department doing now to scale back the federal role in education? How does the Department think about its own education agenda as it tries to return education to the states? And are states ready to have education returned to them—whatever that might mean?On this episode of The Report Card, Nat Malkus discusses these questions and more with Kirsten Baesler.Kirsten Baesler is the Assistant Secretary for the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education at the U.S. Department of Education. From 2013 until 2025, she served as the North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction.
For this special Pride Month episode of Murder, Not Murdering, we examine two chilling stories connected by prejudice, power, and the long fight for justice.First, Autumn tells the story of Scott Johnson, an American mathematician whose body was discovered at the base of a cliff near Sydney, Australia in 1988. Authorities quickly ruled his death a suicide, but his family refused to accept the conclusion. What followed was a decades-long quest for answers that uncovered a pattern of anti-gay violence, institutional failures, and a shocking truth. We also discuss the latest developments in the case through May 2026.Then Erin takes us back to 1919 and one of the strangest scandals in U.S. history: the Newport Naval Sex Scandal. Under the direction of Navy officials during Franklin D. Roosevelt's tenure as Assistant Secretary of the Navy, young sailors were ordered to go undercover and entrap suspected homosexual men. The investigation spiraled into a national controversy, congressional hearings, and accusations that the government had gone dangerously too far.From a suspicious death on the cliffs of Sydney to a government-sanctioned moral panic in Newport, this episode explores how fear and discrimination have shaped lives, investigations, and history itself.Some stories are about murder. Others are about the systems that allow injustice to flourish. This episode is both.
Welcome to the CavasShips Podcast with Christopher P. Cavas and Chris Servello…a weekly podcast looking at naval and maritime events and issues of the day – in the US, across the seas and around the world. This week…recruiting, retention, care for families and civilian mariners, we are joined by the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs Ben Kohlmann.
Assistant Secretary for the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education Kirsten Baesler joins the podcast to discuss what “returning education to the states” looks like in practice. With Iowa and Louisiana receiving waivers to consolidate state activities funds and about ten more states in discussions with the U.S. Department of Education, we dig into the […]
1 - Assistant Secretary for Health and Head of the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, Admiral Brian Christine, MD, is here today as the World Cup comes to the town and country amid a bad Ebola outbreak. What does the admiral want to make clear about his stance on keeping Ebola out of the US? How serious is DHS and HHS taking this both here and overseas? Has increased border security led to less diseases entering the country? 110 - More of your calls. 120 - Did Scott Pelley deserve to be fired by CBS? Is he the most pompous person ever? Your calls. 135 - Elizabeth Warren doesn't seem to understand her own tax raise proposal. 140 - How is the LA Mayor's race shaking out? More calls. 150 - Your calls to round out the hour.
12 - We're supporting candidates who are friends with terrorists now? 1215 - Side - who is somebody contemporary that will be relevant in 100 years? 1220 - Markwayne Mullin dukes it out with Shri Thanedar over who's racist. Marco Rubio was not partying! 1240 - Your calls. Is there a central Jersey? 1250 - Teasing the rest of the show. 1 - Assistant Secretary for Health and Head of the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, Admiral Brian Christine, MD, is here today as the World Cup comes to the town and country amid a bad Ebola outbreak. What does the admiral want to make clear about his stance on keeping Ebola out of the US? How serious is DHS and HHS taking this both here and overseas? Has increased border security led to less diseases entering the country? 110 - More of your calls. 120 - Did Scott Pelley deserve to be fired by CBS? Is he the most pompous person ever? Your calls. 135 - Elizabeth Warren doesn't seem to understand her own tax raise proposal. 140 - How is the LA Mayor's race shaking out? More calls. 150 - Your calls to round out the hour. 2 - What messaging fuels the Democrat Party? Terrorist sympathizers or chaos in L.A? Or maybe it's Nazi candidates? 210 - Which teams are celebrating gay pride month? Which organizations are celebrating some other completely different cause? 215 - Dom's Money Melody! 220 - Can anyone get the answer? More calls. 230 - A company was able to dethrone Walmart? Who is a surprise on the list for biggest companies? How many Knicks fans are making the trip to San Antonio? 240 - More of your calls. Why is The Inquirer going after Jeff Van Drew instead of a terrorist sympathizer? 250 - The Lightning Round!
Former Congressman Peter Roskam, who leads BakerHostetler's Federal Policy team, provides listeners with a front-row seat to the most important policy and political debates in Congress. In this episode of “The Cloakroom with Peter Roskam,” Peter is joined at the 37th Annual Legislative Seminar in Washington by his BakerHostetler colleague, former Congressman Heath Shuler. Also joining is Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Tax Policy Kenneth Kies. A BakerHostetler alumnus, he is responsible for developing, recommending and implementing federal tax policy on behalf of the Treasury Department. He has also held leading tax policy roles on Capitol Hill at the Joint Committee on Taxation and the Ways and Means Committee. Kies began his legal career with BakerHostetler and later became a partner and chair of the firm's Tax Practice Group.Questions & Comments: proskam@bakerlaw.com
Listen/Watch the FULL EPISODE ad-free/early on Substack: https://coffeeandamike.substack.com/ Dr. Paul Craig Roberts was associate editor and columnist for the The Wall Street Journal and was appointed by President Reagan to Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Economic Policy. He joins founder of Curves International Fitness, author, filmmaker and philanthropist Gary Heavin to discuss Ken Paxton winning his primary, how Cuba will be used as an off-ramp for Iran, Thomas Massie, Trump's attack on free speech, and much more. PLEASE SUBSCRIBE LIKE AND SHARE THIS PODCAST!!! Follow Me X- https://x.com/CoffeeandaMike IG- https://www.instagram.com/coffeeandamike/ Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/CoffeeandaMike/ YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@Coffeeandamike Rumble- https://rumble.com/search/all?q=coffee%20and%20a%20mike Substack- https://coffeeandamike.substack.com/ Apple Podcasts- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coffee-and-a-mike/id1436799008 Gab- https://gab.com/CoffeeandaMike Locals- https://coffeeandamike.locals.com/ Website- www.coffeeandamike.com Email- info@coffeeandamike.com Support My Work Venmo- https://www.venmo.com/u/coffeeandamike Paypal- https://www.paypal.com/biz/profile/Coffeeandamike Substack- https://coffeeandamike.substack.com/ Patreon- http://patreon.com/coffeeandamike Locals- https://coffeeandamike.locals.com/ Cash App- https://cash.app/$coffeeandamike Buy Me a Coffee- https://buymeacoffee.com/coffeeandamike Bitcoin- coffeeandamike@strike.me Mail Check or Money Order- Coffee and a Mike LLC P.O. Box 25383 Scottsdale, AZ 85255-9998 Follow Dr. Roberts Website- https://www.paulcraigroberts.org/ Sponsors Vaulted/Precious Metals- https://vaulted.blbvux.net/coffeeandamike McAlvany Precious Metals- https://mcalvany.com/coffeeandamike/
Iran has accused the U.S. of a “grave violations” of the fragile ceasefire after U.S. defensive strikes in southern Iran and near the Strait of Hormuz. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said diplomacy remains possible, but Tehran continues to signal distrust over key issues. And Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has warned that its forces are “lying in wait” if the President Trump orders the resumption of combat operations, with the outlook for a potential deal remaining uncertain. FOX's Eben Brown speaks with David Schenker, Taube Senior Fellow at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy and former Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, who says there are multiple signs Iran's economy is faltering, but also hints that could suggest the regime is still in control of its population. Click Here To Follow 'The FOX News Rundown: Evening Edition' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Iran has accused the U.S. of a “grave violations” of the fragile ceasefire after U.S. defensive strikes in southern Iran and near the Strait of Hormuz. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said diplomacy remains possible, but Tehran continues to signal distrust over key issues. And Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has warned that its forces are “lying in wait” if the President Trump orders the resumption of combat operations, with the outlook for a potential deal remaining uncertain. FOX's Eben Brown speaks with David Schenker, Taube Senior Fellow at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy and former Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, who says there are multiple signs Iran's economy is faltering, but also hints that could suggest the regime is still in control of its population. Click Here To Follow 'The FOX News Rundown: Evening Edition' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
On this special podcast episode, we are sharing the opening statements from the Munk Debate on Foreign Wars, which took place this past Wednesday May 20th in front of a packed crowd at Toronto’s Meridian Hall. Against the backdrop of America’s war with Iran — and after nearly three decades of disastrous Middle East interventions — the debate asked whether the U.S. should continue intervening abroad, and what that means for the future of global order. The resolution was: Be it resolved, don’t go hunting monsters. Arguing against the motion was Mike Pompeo, 70th U.S. Secretary of State, former Director of the CIA, and four-term U.S. Congressman. He was joined by Victoria Nuland, whose 35-year career in the U.S. Foreign Service includes roles as Acting Deputy Secretary of State, Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, and U.S. Ambassador to NATO. Arguing in favour of the motion were two former Munk Debaters and the world’s leading proponents of U.S. foreign policy restraint: John Mearsheimer, the R. Wendell Harrison Distinguished Service Professor of Political Science at the University of Chicago and Stephen Walt, Professor of International Affairs at Harvard Kennedy School. Find out how to watch the full debate at www.munkdebates.com
Foreign policy debates have taken center stage in the second Trump administration, from U.S.-China relations to the ongoing war in Iran. To assess the situation, Oren speaks with A. Wess Mitchell, who co-founded The Marathon Initiative along with Elbridge Colby and served as Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs during the first Trump administration. Cass and Mitchell discuss the renewed intensity of foreign policy debates, particularly on the Right-of-center, the posture of the United States during the post-Cold War era, the Iran war, and the correlation between economic and military power. They conclude by looking at the future of American power abroad, and what it will take for the U.S. to maintain its leadership in global affairs amid both a rising national debt and increased defense spending.
Cyber isn't just a compliance problem anymore.It's operational. It's persistent. And it's moving faster than the systems built to manage it.Katherine Sutton (Assistant Secretary of War for Cyber Policy and the Principal Cyber Advisor to the Secretary of War) joins Tyler Sweatt to talk about keeping pace across policy, technology, training, experimentation, and most importantly - the people.What's happening on the Second Front: Why cyber can't be treated as a compliance exercise anymoreThe real bottleneck to adopting new technology (and it's not the tech)How to get capability into operators' hands fasterRethinking talent, training, and career paths in the cyber forceWhy incremental change won't keep up—and what transformation actually requiresConnect with Katherine SuttonLinkedIn: Katherine SuttonConnect with TylerLinkedIn: Tyler Sweatt
The University of Arizona recognized Friday roughly 70 Native American graduates with a special celebration. As KJZZ's Gabriel Pietrorazio reports, an Indigenous actor was the event's keynote speaker. Dallas Goldtooth (Diné and Mdewakanton Dakota) is arguably best known for his role in the Peabody Award-winning FX series, “Reservation Dogs”. Goldtooth plays a comedic spiritual guide to a teen living in an Oklahoma rez town. He co-founded the 1491s, an all-Native sketch comedy group that uses humor as a way to tackle stereotypes of Indigenous people and complex social issues. Native Americans make up about 4% of the university's student body. Ice is seen held in place on the Kuskokwim River downriver from Aniak on May 8, 2026. (Photo: Samantha Watson / KYUK) The U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs says it is distributing $20 million in emergency funding to more than a dozen Alaska Native communities in response to shortages of essential supplies and urgent infrastructure needs. As KYUK's Evan Erickson reports, the lion's share of the funding, $16 million, is going to the Kuskokwim Delta coastal village of Chefornak to address the impacts of severe erosion, permafrost thaw, and failing infrastructure. According to a press release, the funds are intended to restore damaged wetlands, address unsafe structures, relocate at-risk homes, and reconstruct the community's barge landing. Chefornak and 15 other communities spread across a vast swath of the state will also receive a portion of an additional $4 million that the federal government is using to purchase thousands of gallons of heating fuel, along with potable water supplies, and firewood. The press release says delayed spring barge deliveries, restricted water systems, and extreme winter conditions led to supply shortages in the communities receiving assistance. The announcement comes after Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Billy Kirkland was in Alaska to meet with tribal leaders. Kirkland appeared alongside U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) in Anchorage and Bethel as part of hearings of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs on federal disaster support and the question of climate-driven village relocation. Students learn about Mark 3 pumps as part of their field day during spring training. (Courtesy Alaska DNR Division of Forestry and Fire Protection / Facebook) Alaska Native organizations and wildfire officials are preparing for another challenging fire season as communities face growing climate-related threats. Officials say dry spring conditions and warming temperatures are increasing wildfire risks in rural communities across the state. The Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection says many Alaska wildfires are caused by human activity, including escaped burn piles, campfires, and sparks from equipment or vehicles. Officials are urging residents to prepare emergency kits, create evacuation plans, and clear brush and other flammable materials away from homes and buildings. Alaska Native organizations are also working with communities on climate adaptation, emergency preparedness, and public health planning efforts tied to wildfire smoke and extreme weather. Meanwhile, tribal leaders in western Alaska are calling for stronger tribally led disaster response systems as communities face increasing wildfire and environmental threats. Some rural communities are also concerned about how major wildfires could impact subsistence activities, travel routes, and deliveries of food, fuel, and other critical supplies during the summer months. Fire officials say even a single spark can quickly ignite dry grass during spring conditions. Get National Native News delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up for our daily newsletter today. Download our NV1 Android or iOs App for breaking news alerts. Check out today’s Native America Calling episode Monday, May 11, 2026 – What's in the near future for urban elder health care?
How to get bomb-ready uranium out of the wrong hands? It's the mid-90s. The Soviet Union just fell. Andrew Weber, former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear, Chemical & Biological Defense Programs, tells of moose hunts, wild turkey, black ice and convoys under cover of night. How does past diplomacy help us understand the nuclear situation in Iran today?
Photo: Artwork featured as part of the Ottawa Aboriginal Coalition’s installation and community gathering at City Hall, May 4, 2026. (Courtesy The Ottawa Mission / Facebook) Across Canada this week, communities commemorated Red Dress Day with ceremonies. As Dan Karpenchuk reports, the annual day on May 5 has become a national day of awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP). On Parliament Hill in Ottawa and cities and towns across the country, people gathered for the fifteenth anniversary of Red Dress Day. They come to heal, to remember, and to honour the Indigenous people who were murdered or who have disappeared. Mary Daoust is the co-chair of the Ottawa Aboriginal Coalition. “Their voices can no longer be heard, but they can be heard through us. And that's why we're here today, is to speak and honour, and respect the ones that didn't have those voices and the ones that went missing, and the ones that aren't coming home. That we are still here and we have not forgotten them.” People took part in ceremonies and educational exhibits – and created activities to honour the lives the legacies of Indigenous people. The events also included drum groups and throat singers, a sacred fire and honour songs, and, of course, people wearing a red dress. Jenny Sawanohk is an Indigenous healer and member of the Cree First Nation. “I've seen violence. I've been in communities that have been impacted by this directly. I've had family members that have been victims of violence. A lot of us are in mourning. And we will be in mourning until this gets properly addressed. And we needed this day to really bring awareness and attention to it.” Vigils and marches were also held across the country. This year also marks the tenth anniversary of the launch of the national inquiry into MMIP. That resulted in an action plan with 231 calls for justice. According to the federal government, Indigenous women are twelve times more likely than non-Indigenous women to be murdered or end up missing. Billy Kirkland in Anchorage, Alaska. (Courtesy U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs / X) May is when the federal VIP season in Alaska really gets going – when high ranking federal officials tour the state to roll out new policies, hand out grants, or just simply listen to what people have to say. The Department of Interior sent some of its top people to Anchorage Tuesday for a closed-door meeting on Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP). As Rhonda McBride from our flagship station KNBA reports, they acknowledged that the number of Alaska cases has reached a crisis point. In the Cook Inlet Tribal Council's meeting room, more than two dozen Alaska Native and government leaders looked across tables at each other. U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK) led the discussion. “The two top guys in America on these issues are here in this room right now.” Those top guys were Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Billy Kirkland (Navajo) and Bryan Mercier (Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon), the head of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). They came to announce the re-introduction of Operation Lady Justice, launched by Tara Sweeney (Iñupiaq) during President Donald Trump's first administration. The initiative created a task force that brought law enforcement, data collection and justice teams together, an effort that led to a Missing and Murdered Unit within the BIA. “All of our law enforcement are working collectively on an issue not being in silos.” This renewed federal push comes through an executive order from Interior Secretary Doug Burgum. Kirkland says it expands efforts to solve new and cold cases and emphasizes prevention. “It's great that we're focused on these cases that haven't been solved. You know, what would be even better is that we didn't even have to solve these cases in the first place.” A crisis U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) says needs to be addressed with urgency. “I would suggest to you that that is a crisis.” Some of the Native leaders and MMIP advocates at the meeting, like Charlene Apok (Iñupiaq) with Data for Indigenous Justice, say hope now hinges on whether funding follows — and if tribes are empowered to lead the work. “We're hoping that we see the return on investments and that it trickles down to real changes. But I also know that no matter what, tribes in Alaska are going to keep working on this. And that gives me a lot of hope.” The gathering and the Interior Secretary's Executive order was timed to coincide with a national day of awareness for MMIP. Get National Native News delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up for our daily newsletter today. Download our NV1 Android or iOs App for breaking news alerts. Check out today’s Native America Calling episode Thursday, May 7, 2026 – Native Fashion Week takes root in Santa Fe
From June 26, 2024: On June 10, the jury reached a verdict in the federal trial against Chiquita Banana. It found that the company had financed a paramilitary group in Colombia in the late 1990s and early 2000s, resulting in the deaths of eight men, and it awarded the victims' families $38 million in damages. It's the culmination of a 17-year-long multi-district litigation that had faced significant procedural, evidentiary, and legal challenges. And it may represent a new frontier in the fight to hold corporations legally accountable for human rights violations.Executive Editor Natalie Orpett discussed the case and its implications with Michael Posner, Director of the Center for Business and Human Rights at New York University's Stern School of Business and a former Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor.To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
At a recent Immigration Newsmaker hosted by the Center for Immigration Studies, Andrew Veprek, Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM), described a complete reorientation of the bureau, shifting it from a humanitarian assistance agency toward implementing U.S. enforcement and return priorities. The discussion offered a look at how […]
There are not enough homes for every foster child, yet under the Biden administration, children were put in the system because of their parents' beliefs about gender, according to Assistant Secretary of Health Alex Adams. Adams, who oversees the Administration of Children and Families, is working to stop Child Protective Services from taking kids away from their families because the parents won't affirm the child's transgender identity. “When a child is removed from a family, you are inflicting permanent, irreversible harm on both the child as well as the parents,” Adams told The Daily Signal. “That's not a decision that should be made lightly, and it should be reserved to the most significant cases of abuse or neglect as judged by a court.”
Mark Davis dives into the world of tax reform, discussing the pros and cons of a flat tax, sales tax, and tariffs. He's joined by Luke Pettit, Assistant Secretary for Financial Institutions at the Department of the Treasury, who shares insights on the Trump accounts, a new savings and investment plan for children. The conversation also touches on the economy, inflation, and the role of the Federal Reserve. With a mix of politics, finance, and personal stories, this episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of the US tax system.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What does it take to rebuild America's industrial backbone—and who's actually going to do the work? Mike sits down with Michael Cadenazzi, Assistant Secretary of War for Industrial Base Policy, to discuss his role at the Department of War (DOW) and his mission focused on restoring the muscle behind America's might. Cadenazzi makes the case that while the U.S. still produces world-class engineers and cutting-edge weapons designs, there's a growing gap where it matters most—the skilled workforce needed to actually build them. From welders and machinists to technicians and fabricators, he argues the country's strength depends on rebuilding the trades that turn ideas into reality. It's a candid conversation about work, purpose, and why the future of national security may hinge less on innovation—and more on the people willing to pick up the tools and get it done. Many thanks to our excellent sponsors PureTalk.com/Rowe Choose a wireless company who shares YOUR values. GoodRanchers.com Use code MIKE for $25 off your first order and FREE meat for life. MDriveForMen.com Use code ROWE for 20% off your first order. American-Giant.com/MIKE Use code MIKE to get 20% off your order.