Podcasts about The Wall Street Journal

1. Welfare System Fraud and Structural Issues Based on an op-ed by Phil Gramm and John Early in The Wall Street Journal titled “The Biggest Fraud in Welfare”. Key points: U.S. welfare spending has skyrocketed 765% since the mid-1970s, now totaling $1.4 trillion annually. If distributed evenly among the 19.8 million families classified as poor, each would receive $71,000 per year. The government fails to count non-cash benefits (Medicaid, housing subsidies, food stamps) as income, creating a distorted picture of poverty. Example: A single parent earning $11,000 annually can receive benefits worth $53,128, bringing total resources to $64,128, well above the poverty threshold. Criticism of the system: It traps people in dependency instead of promoting self-sufficiency, contrasting with Trump-era welfare reform that moved 7 million people off food stamps into the workforce. 2. Massive Fraud in Minnesota’s Medicaid and Welfare Programs Federal prosecutors allege up to $9 billion in fraud since 2018, possibly 50% of the $18 billion spent on 14 programs. Fraud described as “industrial scale”, involving fake companies and individuals exploiting housing and autism assistance programs. Some funds allegedly funneled to Al Shabab, a Somali terrorist organization. Criticism of Minnesota’s Democratic leadership for lack of oversight and alleged vote-buying incentives. Prediction: Similar fraud likely exists in California, New York, and Illinois. Media accused of downplaying the scandal; local CBS reports highlighted the severity. 3. Strong U.S. Economic Performance Under Trump Latest GDP report shows 4.3% growth in Q3, the strongest in two years, beating expectations of 3.2%. Growth driven by consumer spending, healthcare, tech, and AI-related investments. Inflation reportedly down to 1.6%, signaling economic stability. Commentary contrasts media narratives predicting economic collapse with reality of strong holiday spending and trade policy success. Trump’s supply-side policies (tax cuts, deregulation) and trade strategies credited for economic boom. Please Hit Subscribe to this podcast Right Now. Also Please Subscribe to the 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson and The Ben Ferguson Show Podcast Wherever You get You're Podcasts. And don't forget to follow the show on Social Media so you never miss a moment! Thanks for Listening YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VerdictwithTedCruz/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/verdictwithtedcruz X: https://x.com/tedcruz X: https://x.com/benfergusonshowYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VerdictwithTedCruzSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Wall Street Journal reports that the Epstein scandal unleashed a wave of internal turmoil in the Trump administration, as aides scrambled to contain political damage once Trump's name began surfacing in Epstein-related files. What began as attempts to weaponize Epstein connections against rivals morphed into a defensive posture as Trump and his advisers found themselves under pressure from their own base and from Congress. The administration was plagued by missteps: Attorney General Pam Bondi's sudden distribution of “Epstein Files: Phase 1” binders to conservative influencers backfired, communication lines within the White House frayed, and high-level figures — including Bondi, Deputy Director Dan Bongino, and others — clashed over strategy and messaging.As the controversy deepened, conflicting impulses roiled the White House: some sought transparency to placate critics, while others pushed to suppress further disclosures. leaks, finger-pointing, and unforced errors intensified the chaos. In one pivotal moment, Trump himself became defensive, lashing out at supporters who demanded the release of more Epstein documentation even as the DOJ publicly declined further disclosures.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:‘Bomb went off': Report reveals moment Epstein files rocked the White House and why Trump is desperate to keep them secret | The IndependentBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-moscow-murders-and-more--5852883/support.

Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don't miss all the extra episodes on the private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus. Ron Steslow and Mike Madrid unpack historian Gordon S. Wood's recent Wall Street Journal op-ed arguing that the United States is built on shared ideas, not shared bloodlines—and what that means in an era of rising “blood and soil” nationalism and demographic change. They dig into whether the American creed still has enough power to hold a multi-ethnic, multi-faith democracy together.  Related Reading:  WSJ - Why America Is a ‘Creedal Nation' - WSJ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

P.M. Edition for Dec. 26. President Trump says the U.S. launched strikes on Islamic State targets in Nigeria to protect Christians–but Nigeria disagrees, saying the strikes weren't aimed at protecting any particular religious group. We hear from WSJ reporter Alexandra Wexler about how Nigeria is approaching the issue. Plus, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says he'll meet with President Trump in Florida over the weekend for talks on the plan to end the war with Russia. And WSJ national politics reporter Sabrina Siddiqui discusses changes to health policy under the Trump administration and how the “Make America Healthy Again” movement could affect next year's midterms. Alex Ossola hosts. Programming note: What's News is publishing once a day through Jan. 2.Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a $7,500 federal tax credit for electric vehicles purchases expired in September, some consumers are questioning whether the battery-powered cars are really worth their price tags. WSJ reporters Imani Moise and Ryan Felton join us to talk about how automakers—and buyers—are rethinking their EV strategies as the industry landscape shifts. Isabelle Bousquette hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free Technology newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who will take care of you in old age? Jeff Cardenas, the CEO and co-founder of Apptronik, says the answer is robots. The startup founder set out to build a smart, dexterous robot after watching his grandfathers grow old and dependent in their later years. Beyond healthcare, Cardenas sees robots as essential to U.S. economic growth and national security with applications across industries. Even with the latest advances in artificial intelligence and hardware, what will it take for humanoid robots to make the leap from science fiction to reality? On the latest episode of the Bold Names podcast, Cardenas tells WSJ's Christopher Mims and Tim Higgins why Apptronik is betting it will create the home robot helper that everyone will want. To watch the video version of this episode, visit our WSJ Podcasts YouTube channel or the video page of WSJ.com. Check Out Past Episodes: Condoleezza Rice on Beating China in the Tech Race: 'Run Hard and Run Fast' Reid Hoffman Says AI Isn't an ‘Arms Race,' but America Needs to Win Why This Investor Says the AI Boom Isn't the Next Dot-Com Crash How the U.S. Stacks Up to China's ‘Engineering State' Let us know what you think of the show. Email us at BoldNames@wsj.com. Sign up for the WSJ's free Technology newsletter. Read Christopher Mims's Keywords column.Read Tim Higgins's column.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Cheat Sheet is The Murder Sheet's segment breaking down weekly news and updates in some of the murder cases we cover. In this episode, we'll talk about cases from Indiana, Kentucky, Connecticut, and California.Abacus News's report on a lawsuit against ChatGPT creator OpenAI after the murder-suicide of Suzanne Eberson Adams and Stein-Erik Soelberg: https://abacusnews.com/when-a-chatbot-became-a-confidant-the-ai-lawsuit-after-a-murder-suicide/The Wall Street Journal's report on a lawsuit against ChatGPT creator OpenAI after the murder-suicide of Suzanne Eberson Adams and Stein-Erik Soelberg: https://www.wsj.com/podcasts/tech-news-briefing/chatgpt-and-a-murder-suicide-in-connecticut/959368a9-3421-43f8-8e72-019762a90b9c?mod=WSJvidctr_upnext_pos0&gaa_at=eafs&gaa_n=AWEtsqf70JjMqyNALv4YwKMKYcrtadR9WVwJgnCT-FLovBeL1jhCdzQS1xEFIPq31o0%3D&gaa_ts=6942de8c&gaa_sig=qfJFIe8q57QOSz38xHcSLDz8REHwZPecfQ3o7NvbHV3GNEZqA2r1Hz0E-YeoRA0zmGlRj7w_ruseicctv8_FNA%3D%3DThe New York Post's report on a lawsuit against ChatGPT creator OpenAI after the murder-suicide of Suzanne Eberson Adams and Stein-Erik Soelberg: https://nypost.com/2025/12/11/us-news/chatgpt-chatbots-shocking-response-to-alleged-role-in-murder-suicide/The Guardian's report on the crimes of true-crime-producer-turned-fugitive Mary Carole McDonnell: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/14/fbi-most-wanted-list-true-crime-tv-producerWKYT's report on Jacob Lee Bard's arrest in the death of De'Jon Fox Jr.: https://www.wkyt.com/2025/12/16/case-against-man-accused-ksu-shooting-sent-grand-jury-new-details-emerge/Lex-18's report on Jacob Lee Bard's arrest in the death of De'Jon Fox Jr.: https://www.lex18.com/news/covering-kentucky/man-charged-in-connection-to-deadly-ksu-shooting-set-to-appear-in-courtFox 59's coverage of the delay in the case against Carl Boards for the murder of Officer Noah Shahnavaz: https://fox59.com/news/family-of-slain-elwood-police-officer-says-delay-in-suspects-trial-reopens-the-wound/Dispatch audio of Officer Noah Shahnavaz's final call: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8dc5_5ISDsFind discounts for Murder Sheet listeners here: https://murdersheetpodcast.com/discountsCheck out our upcoming book events and get links to buy tickets here: https://murdersheetpodcast.com/eventsOrder our book on Delphi here: https://bookshop.org/p/books/shadow-of-the-bridge-the-delphi-murders-and-the-dark-side-of-the-american-heartland-aine-cain/21866881?ean=9781639369232Or here: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Shadow-of-the-Bridge/Aine-Cain/9781639369232Or here: https://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Bridge-Murders-American-Heartland/dp/1639369236Join our Patreon here! https://www.patreon.com/c/murdersheetSupport The Murder Sheet by buying a t-shirt here: https://www.murdersheetshop.com/Check out more inclusive sizing and t-shirt and merchandising options here: https://themurdersheet.dashery.com/Send tips to murdersheet@gmail.com.The Murder Sheet is a production of Mystery Sheet LLC.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Wall Street Journal reports that the Epstein scandal unleashed a wave of internal turmoil in the Trump administration, as aides scrambled to contain political damage once Trump's name began surfacing in Epstein-related files. What began as attempts to weaponize Epstein connections against rivals morphed into a defensive posture as Trump and his advisers found themselves under pressure from their own base and from Congress. The administration was plagued by missteps: Attorney General Pam Bondi's sudden distribution of “Epstein Files: Phase 1” binders to conservative influencers backfired, communication lines within the White House frayed, and high-level figures — including Bondi, Deputy Director Dan Bongino, and others — clashed over strategy and messaging.As the controversy deepened, conflicting impulses roiled the White House: some sought transparency to placate critics, while others pushed to suppress further disclosures. leaks, finger-pointing, and unforced errors intensified the chaos. In one pivotal moment, Trump himself became defensive, lashing out at supporters who demanded the release of more Epstein documentation even as the DOJ publicly declined further disclosures.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:‘Bomb went off': Report reveals moment Epstein files rocked the White House and why Trump is desperate to keep them secret | The IndependentBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.

As we wind down the year, revisit this special Grill Room episode with controversial Wall Street Journal top editor Emma Tucker, who joins Dylan Byers for a candid discussion about evolving the historic business, change management, tough choices, and the future of news media. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You're listening to Burnt Toast! We are Virginia Sole-Smith and Corinne Fay.Happy Christmas if you celebrate! If you don't, happy Thursday where everything is closed! Either way, today we're taking a look back at your five favorite episodes of the year. If you enjoy the snippets you hear here, why not give yourself the gift of Burnt Toast? In addition to getting behind paywalled episodes and essays, Burnt Toasties get to join our awesome chat rooms like Team CPAP, Anti-Diet Ozempic Life and Fat Fashion! Join Burnt Toast for 2026!

1. Christmas and Its Religious Significance The discussion begins with warm holiday greetings and reflections on the meaning of Christmas. Emphasis is placed on celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, highlighting its spiritual importance over commercial aspects like gifts and Santa Claus. Ben and the Senator share personal traditions, such as reading Luke Chapter 2 during Christmas dinner, and discuss cultural practices (e.g., Cuban Christmas Eve celebrations with roasted pig vs. vegetarian meals). There’s commentary on a resurgence of faith among younger generations, citing record-breaking Bible sales in 2025. 2. Economic Outlook and Media Bias The conversation shifts to positive economic news: U.S. GDP growth of 4.3% in Q3, the strongest in two years. They argue this growth contradicts negative media predictions and accuse mainstream outlets of political bias. Key points include: Strong consumer spending during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Positive impacts of trade policy, tax cuts, and deregulation under President Trump. Criticism of media framing economic success negatively compared to previous administrations. 3. Welfare Fraud and Systemic Issues Historic fraud in Minnesota’s Medicaid and welfare programs, estimated at $9 billion, and allegations that funds were diverted to terrorist organizations like Al Shabab. Predicting similar fraud in other Democratic-led states (California, New York, Illinois). Wall Street Journal op-ed by Phil Gramm and John Early is mentioned about structural flaws in the U.S. welfare system: Welfare spending has surged 765% over 50 years, now costing $1.4 trillion annually. Many benefits are not counted as income, creating misleading poverty statistics and perpetuating dependency. The argument advocates for welfare reform to encourage work and reduce generational poverty. Please Hit Subscribe to this podcast Right Now. Also Please Subscribe to the 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson and The Ben Ferguson Show Podcast Wherever You get You're Podcasts. And don't forget to follow the show on Social Media so you never miss a moment! Thanks for Listening YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VerdictwithTedCruz/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/verdictwithtedcruz X: https://x.com/tedcruz X: https://x.com/benfergusonshowYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VerdictwithTedCruzSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Edition for Dec. 24. This year has been a big one for deals, with some blockbuster mergers and big-name breakups. WSJ lead deals reporter Lauren Thomas discusses what drove all that activity in 2025, and what she'll be keeping her eye on in the year to come. Plus, the heirs to Texas billionaire Robert Brockman will pay $750 million in the biggest U.S. tax fraud case ever. And Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky proposes a demilitarized zone in the eastern region of Donetsk as part of a potential peace deal. Alex Ossola hosts. Programming note: What's News is publishing once a day through Jan. 2. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joe Gallo is a results-driven brand builder and the founder of CatchBuzz, a media and lifestyle agency operating at the intersection of music, branding, and culture. With over a decade of experience across partnerships, public relations, marketing, and artist management, Joe has helped emerging artists, major festival acts, startups, and established lifestyle brands amplify their stories. Through CatchBuzz, he has secured more than 1,000 media placements in top outlets including The New York Times, Forbes, Billboard, and The Wall Street Journal.In this episode, Joe Gallo breaks down how indie artists can leverage brand partnerships to unlock new revenue, visibility, and long-term growth—without needing a massive following.Key TakeawaysHow indie artists can land brand partnerships by clearly defining their value and audienceWhy warm introductions, clear asks, and deliverable menus win deals with brandsHow to build long-term brand relationships that go beyond one-off sponsorships---→ Learn more about Joe Gallo and his work at: catchbuzz.co.Book an Artist Breakthrough Session with the Modern Musician team: https://apply.modernmusician.me/podcast

It's surprisingly hard to know what something is really worth until someone actually tries to buy it—and that problem is front and center in private funds. Don and Tom unpack why private equity, private real estate, and other “alternative” investments often look calm and stable on paper, only to suffer brutal price drops once they finally trade in public markets. From a Wall Street Journal example of a private real estate fund losing roughly 40% overnight, to Morningstar's troubling enthusiasm for expensive, speculative new ETFs, the episode reinforces a core principle: prices discovered by real markets beat internal estimates every time. Along the way, listeners call in with real-world retirement questions, inherited IRA rules, portfolio simplification strategies, and a healthy dose of holiday banter. 0:04 What something is “worth” versus what someone will actually pay 1:06 Defining private funds and why valuation is murky 2:27 Private fund pricing versus real market pricing 3:56 BlueRock fund haircut: paper value meets reality 4:24 Market pricing, efficiency, and the wisdom of crowds 5:42 The myth of private investments being “less volatile” 6:27 Real estate as the perfect valuation example 7:39 Listener call: inherited IRA and annuity distribution rules 12:42 Holiday humor, crypto annuity joke, and Kentucky bourbon 16:01 Moving assets from Edward Jones, loads, and simplification 19:41 DIY portfolios versus advisor value 21:08 Morningstar's “Best and Worst New ETFs” critique 22:21 Why most new ETFs exist (and why you don't need them) 24:43 Shockingly high ETF expense ratios 26:27 Leveraged crypto ETFs and financial absurdity 27:37 Seasonal podcast plug and ratings gripe 28:44 Listener call: Boeing retirement and rollover planning 34:40 Holiday reflections, gratitude, and comfort over riches Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

**BEST OF** That beautiful leather-bound journal you bought with the best intentions? The one now gathering dust under a pile of books? You're not alone. After 40 years of failed journaling attempts, Michael Bungay Stanier finally cracked the code to sustainable reflection—and it's likely nothing like what you've tried before. Michael is the author behind the Wall Street Journal bestseller The Coaching Habit (which Brené Brown called "a classic"), with over 1.5 million books sold worldwide. Named the #1 Thought Leader in Coaching by Thinkers50, his insights have been featured in Harvard Business Review, Forbes, and Fast Company. In this conversation, Michael shares: His surprisingly simple journaling breakthrough that eliminates the most common barriers to consistency A powerful weekly reflection framework that drives tangible results (not just empty introspection) The counterintuitive boundary system he uses to prevent work overload while maximizing impact Why he rejects popular "word of the year" goal-setting (and what he does instead) Whether you're a serial journal abandoner or simply seeking more intentional reflection practices, Michael's practical approach offers a refreshing alternative to traditional journaling methods that actually sticks. Key Quotes: “One thing that is really helpful is just to know I don’t have to say yes right away.” “I have failed to successfully journal since I was 16. I’m now 57, so I’ve been attempting to journal for 40 years.” “If you just start asking yourself what you want day in and day out it just starts forcing a deep clarity.” Connect with Michael via his website, Instagram, LinkedIn, or buy the Do Something That Matters Journal. My latest book The Health Habit is out now. You can order a copy here: https://www.amantha.com/the-health-habit/ Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanthaimber) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/amanthai) If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work and live, I write a weekly newsletter where I share practical and simple to apply tips to improve your life. You can sign up for that at https://amantha-imber.ck.page/subscribe Visit https://www.amantha.com/podcast for full show notes from all episodes. Get in touch at amantha@inventium.com.au Credits: Host: Amantha Imber Sound Engineer: The Podcast ButlerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most employee recognition programs don't work the way leaders think they do. In this episode, Hall of Fame keynote speaker Joe Mull, CSP, CPAE, examines why many common approaches to employee recognition fall short of building real engagement, motivation, and a healthy workplace culture. He explains how well-intentioned systems can unintentionally feel impersonal and why recognition that becomes routine often loses its impact. Joe reframes what meaningful recognition actually looks like, showing how specific, personal expressions of gratitude from leaders strengthen employee commitment, reinforce purpose, and encourage people to bring more of themselves to their work—without relying on swag, gift cards, or formal reward programs. If you want to create a culture where people feel seen, valued, and motivated to care and try, this episode offers practical insight into how recognition works when it's done right. To subscribe to Joe Mull's BossBetter Email newsletter, visit https://BossBetterNow.com For more info on working with Joe Mull, visit https://joemull.com For more info on Boss Hero School, visit https://bossheroschool.com To email the podcast, use bossbetternow@gmail.com #transformativeleadership #workplaceculture #companyculture #talentretention #employeeengagement #employeeretention #bossheroschool #employalty Joe Mull is on a mission to help leaders and business owners create the conditions where commitment takes root—and the entire workplace thrives. A dynamic and deeply relatable speaker, Joe combines compelling research, magnetic storytelling, and practical strategies to show exactly how to cultivate loyalty, ignite effort, and build people-first workplaces where both performance and morale flourish. His message is clear: when commitment is activated, engagement rises, teams gel, retention improves, and business outcomes soar. Joe is the founder of Boss Hero School™ and the creator of the acclaimed Employalty™ framework, a roadmap for creating thriving workplaces in a new era of work. He's the author of three books, including Employalty, named a top business book of the year by Publisher's Weekly, and his popular podcast, Boss Better Now, ranks in the top 1% of management shows globally. A former head of learning and development at one of the largest healthcare systems in the U.S., Joe has spent nearly two decades equipping leaders—from Fortune 500 companies like State Farm, Siemens, and Choice Hotels to hospitals, agencies, and small firms—with the tools to lead better, inspire commitment, and build more humane workplace cultures. His insights have been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Harvard Business Review, and more. In 2025, Joe was inducted into the Professional Speakers Hall of Fame (CPAE). This is the speaking profession's highest honor, a distinction granted to less than 1% of professional speakers worldwide. It's awarded to speakers who demonstrate exceptional talent, integrity, and influence in the speaking profession For more information visit joemull.com.

Dimer Bently is an executive productivity coach, Co-founder of Lifehack Method and a Wall Street Journal best-selling author of Winning The Week - How to Plan a Successful Week, Every Week. His team has helped over 100,000 professionals to prevent burnout and create more freedom in their lives. Dimer's work has been featured on ABC News, Forbes, Washington Post, Fox News Radio, and Business Insider.   Learn more about Dimer at Lifehackmethod.com Contact Julie at theveterinarylifecoach.com  

Wall Street Journal

According to a WSJ analysis, the epicenter for Stand Your Ground killings is in the state where the laws were first enacted: Florida. From 2021 through 2024, the Jacksonville area had a larger share of its homicides classified as justifiable killings by civilians than any U.S. city or county with a population greater than 500,000. WSJ's Hannah Critchfield reports on the law's unintended consequences and one case labelled as a self-defense killing, where no killer came forward at all. Valerie Bauerlein hosts and reveals a major update on the Scott Spivey case. Read the Reporting: - The Self-Defense Cases That Made Jacksonville No. 1 in Legal Homicides - 29 Shots in 24 Seconds: How a Killing Was Cast as Self-Defense Follow the Story: - Camp Swamp Road Playlist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A.M. Edition for Dec. 23. Cuba was already suffering from food shortages and blackouts. Now the U.S. oil blockade of Venezuela means the Communist island also faces the loss of cheap oil from Nicolás Maduro. The Journal's South America bureau chief Juan Forero explains. Plus, the U.S. bans new China-made drones from DJI and Autel Robotics, sparking outrage among pilots. And think you know business etiquette? Take our quiz and find out. Daniel Bach hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

P.M. Edition for Dec. 23. When Tyson Foods announced that it was closing its meatpacking plant in Lexington, Nebraska, it sent the city into a crisis. We hear from WSJ reporter Patrick Thomas about what locals are planning to do as the city is losing its largest employer. Plus, the U.S. economy was unexpectedly strong in the third quarter. Chao Deng, who covers the U.S. economy for the Journal, breaks down how consumer spending drove that growth. And if you're planning to fly economy this holiday season–or anytime really–we've got some tips on how to make the trip a little more enjoyable. Alex Ossola hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Technology like the Dadss alcohol-detection system uses sensors to measure a driver's blood alcohol level, but there are some major barriers standing in the way of widespread adoption. WSJ reporter Ryan Felton discusses the tech and what's holding it back. Plus, WSJ reporter Katie Bindley explores why some of today's tech founders aren't just young—they're in their teens. Belle Lin hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free Technology newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As a special bonus, we're bringing you an episode of WSJ's Take On the Week. Co-host Telis Demos and guest host WSJ Chief Economics Correspondent Nick Timiraos are joined by Beth Hammack, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, to discuss the state of the U.S economy, interest rates and the central bank itself. Hammack shares her views on what she's hearing from businesses in her district and what that could mean for consumer prices and the labor market. She emphasizes the importance of Fed independence and the chairman's role in fusing differing viewpoints to create stable monetary policy. She also offers her perspective on the so-called neutral rate as well as artificial intelligence. If you like what you hear, subscribe to WSJ's Take On the Week for weekly market previews and analysis. Visit our WSJ Podcasts YouTube channel or the video page of WSJ.com. Check Out Past Episodes: Inside Visa's Tech-Charged Future: From Crypto to AI Why This Investor Says the AI Boom Isn't the Next Dot-Com Crash This CEO Says Global Trade Is Broken. What Comes Next? Further Reading: Cleveland Fed's Beth Hammack Skeptical of Further Cuts Let us know what you think of the show. Email us at BoldNames@wsj.com. Sign up for the WSJ's free Technology newsletter. Read Christopher Mims's Keywords column.Read Tim Higgins's column.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the past 11 months, the Trump administration has stripped more than 1.6 million people of legal status. NPR's Ximena Bustillo shares more about the largest removal of deportation protections from legal migrants in U.S. history.Then, CBS held a story alleging abuse at a detention center in El Salvador from air. Now, it's online. NPR media correspondent David Folkenflik details what we've learned. And, the U.S.'s interception of oil carriers from Venezuela is deepening an economic crisis in Cuba, which relies on Venezuelan oil. The Wall Street Journal's Juan Forero explains the impact.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

A Wall Street Journal column argues that younger investors are turning to options, crypto, and betting as a rational response to a “rigged” economic system. Don and Tom aren't buying it. While acknowledging real headwinds—student debt, housing costs, wage gaps—they dismantle the idea that gambling is an intelligent adaptation. Drawing on history, lived experience, and actual math, they make the case that leverage, speed, and desperation reliably destroy wealth, while patience, diversification, and boring consistency still work. The system may be flawed, but trying to beat it with casino tactics only helps the house. 0:04 Opening rant on “financial nihilism,” generational scolding, and why Gen Z investing looks like gambling 1:21 Wall Street Journal column by Kyla Scanlon introduced and framed 2:53 Gambling vs. investing—why “the system is rigged” is a terrible excuse for riskier behavior 5:24 Don and Tom reflect on their own slow, uncomfortable paths to financial stability 6:04 Real-world counterexample: young coworkers who are saving, investing, and buying homes 7:41 Defining “financial nihilism” and why speed, leverage, and impatience backfire 9:00 What actually works: spend less, delay gratification, diversify, avoid leverage 10:46 Historical perspective—every generation faced headwinds, none solved them by gambling 12:39 The power of compounding, patience, and boring index investing 14:41 Critique of the “small chance of huge return beats slow decline” argument 17:12 Listener question: cap-weighted vs. equal-weighted index funds explained 19:11 Why equal weighting tilts toward value and smaller companies—and costs more 20:22 Millennial caller Jason offers empathy for generational frustration without endorsing gambling 23:48 Lifestyle expectations, flexibility, and why hardship doesn't justify reckless investing 27:27 Food, lifestyle, and historical context—what's better now, what isn't 29:25 Hormel vs. Motorola story revisited: why predicting winners is nearly impossible 36:29 Jaw-dropping returns: Hormel's long-term outperformance over flashy tech 38:45 Light holiday banter, gift absurdities, and wrapping up the show Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark Thompson explores how wellness tech has reshaped holiday gifting, reacting to a The Wall Street Journal article on sleep monitors, health tracking, and even self-cooling mattresses — and why scoring your sleep has become both a lifestyle trend and a subtle flex.As the year winds down, Mark shares a cautionary personal story about his fitness journey, including signing a long-term personal training contract, dealing with injury and life interruptions, and still being financially on the hook. It’s a timely warning before listeners lock themselves into costly New Year’s resolutions.The hour turns serious as Mark covers the latest developments in the Epstein files, playing recent audio of President Trump commenting on the photos and the renewed attention surrounding Bill Clinton.To close, Mark checks in with Andy Riesmeyer about what’s ahead on his show, including a lively conversation on whether the term “podcast” is becoming obsolete — and why KFI listeners should stay tuned.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A surprisingly strong GDP report boosted investors' spirits. Plus: American depositary receipts for Novo Nordisk rise after U.S. regulators approved a pill version of weight-loss drug Wegovy. Danny Lewis hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. An artificial-intelligence tool assisted in the making of this episode by creating summaries that were based on Wall Street Journal reporting and reviewed and adapted by an editor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus: The U.S. bans new China-made drones from DJI and Autel Robotics, sparking outrage among pilots. And U.S. regulators approve the first GLP-1 weight-loss pill, a tablet formulation of Novo Nordisk's Ozempic and Wegovy. Daniel Bach hosts. Sign up for WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus, a jury orders Johnson & Johnson to pay over $1.5 billion in a lawsuit alleging its talc products caused cancer. And as car prices rise, consumers are increasingly seeking out longer-term auto loans. Alex Ossola hosts. Sign up for WSJ's free What's News newsletter. An artificial-intelligence tool assisted in the making of this episode by creating summaries that were based on Wall Street Journal reporting and reviewed and adapted by an editor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sure, 2025 saw stocks, degens, trends and trades. But what about rates, get rich quick themes, “cowboy accounts” and moderate millionaires in 2026? Gunjan Banerji, reporter at the Wall Street Journal, brings her expertise as the lead writer for live markets coverage to remember the trades and trends that defined the past year … and what to expect in the next. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

➡️ Want To Learn More About Partnering With Me at eXp (Get all my Training & Coaching For Free) Schedule a Zero Pressure, Fully Confidential Zoom Call with me: https://go.oncehub.com/PartnerwithJoshuaSmithGSD   ➡️ Connect with Jon Brooks: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@therealjonbrooks Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamjonbrooks/   ➡️ Connect With Joshua Smith On Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoshuaSmithGSD Instagram: https://instagram.com/joshuasmithgsd/   About Joshua Smith: -Licensed Realtor/Team Leader Since 2005 -Voted 30th Top Realtor in America by The Wall Street Journal -NAR "30 Under 30" Finalist -Named Top 100 Most Influential People In Real Estate -Top 1% of Realtors/Team Leaders Worldwide -6000+ Homes Sold & Currently Selling 1+ Homes Daily -Featured In: Forbes, Wall Street Journal, Inman & Realtor Magazine -Realtor, Team Leader, Coach, Mentor

Regular readers of MinistryWatch know that I'm a bit of a Ryan Burge fan-boy. His weekly Substack column, “Graphs About Religion,” is required reading for me. I cite it often in my weekly “Signs and Wonders” column. That's why I'm kind of geeking out today, now that we finally have him on the podcast. The occasion for this get-together is his new book. It's called The Vanishing Church: How The Hollowing Out of Moderate Congregations is Hurting Democracy, Faith, and Us. I've got to admit that when I saw the title of this book, I thought to myself, “I'm not sure the hollowing out of moderate congregations is such a bad thing.” Jesus himself didn't have much use for lukewarm Christians. But I have to admit that, after reading Ryan's book, I have – well – moderated my position on moderate congregations. At least…moderately. As you'll hear, I push back on Ryan's thesis a bit, and as I think you will also hear, this was a lively and respectful conversation. Ryan Burge is a professor of practice at The Danforth Center on Religion and Politics at Washington University. He previously taught at Eastern Illinois University. He is the author of several previous books, including his 2023 book The Great Dechurching, which may have been my onramp to Ryan's work. In addition to writing his weekly Substack column, which I just mentioned, he is also a regular contributor to The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Politico, and other publications. He has appeared on CBS News' flagship program 60 Minutes, and has been cited by countless other news programs, podcasts, and news articles. We had this conversation via zoom. The producer for today's program is Jeff McIntosh. If you are listening to this program during the week we dropped it, MERRY CHRISTMAS. Thanks for making MinistryWatch a part of your holiday festivities. Until next time, may God bless you.

Existing home sales rose for the third consecutive month in November based on data from the National Association of Realtors.The seasonally adjusted total of 4.13 million homes sold in the last year was the highest since February, but it remained well below prior norms. From 2013 to 2023, existing home sales typically eclipsed 5 million per year.An article published by the Wall Street Journal noted that 54% of primary mortgage-holders have mortgage rates at or below 4%, which represents close to 30 million households.It appears the locked-in effect for single-family homes will continue next year. The Mortgage Bankers Association recently forecasted that mortgage rates will average 6.4% in 2026, giving very little relief to the lack of affordability in the for-sale home market.Explore our webpage for more insights and resources:https://bit.ly/Radix_Website

This week on The Hamilton Review Podcast, we are pleased to welcome Patrick T. Brown. In this episode, Patrick discusses his work at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, where he focuses on advancing a strong, pro-family economic agenda and supporting families as the foundation of a healthy, flourishing society. He also shares insights from his Wall Street Journal article, "'The Success Sequence' Goes to School," which explores how family life classes in Tennessee are emphasizing the importance of work and marriage. This is a thought-provoking and informative conversation you won't want to miss. How to contact Patrick T. Brown:   Patrick T. Brown at the Ethics and Public Policy Center   Family Matters (on Substack) by Patrick T. Brown     How to contact Dr. Bob: Dr. Bob on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChztMVtPCLJkiXvv7H5tpDQ Dr. Bob on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drroberthamilton/ Dr. Bob on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bob.hamilton.1656 Dr. Bob's Seven Secrets Of The Newborn website: https://7secretsofthenewborn.com/ Dr. Bob's website: https://roberthamiltonmd.com/ Pacific Ocean Pediatrics: http://www.pacificoceanpediatrics.com/  

Dan Cable was doing his job and getting compensated for it, but there was a problem: he was going through the motions with no growth, learning, or sense of excitement. He knew he needed to make a change to excel. By exploring the neuroscience behind thriving at work, Dan has since used his experience to help companies like Coca-Cola and Twitter (now X) optimize employee conditions. In this revisited episode, Dart and Dan discuss the neuroscience of enthusiastic employees, the practices that shut people down, and what we can do to set them free.Dan Cable is a researcher, author, and Professor of Organizational Behavior at the London Business School. He is the author of Alive at Work and uses his expertise to assist clients like Coca-Cola, Twitter, McDonald's, and Prudential. In this episode, Dart and Dan discuss:- Dan's book, Alive at Work - The biology behind enthusiastic employees- How Dan helped reduce a company's turnover by 30%- Why experimentation and play at work are essential- Creating conditions for experimentation without risking company goals- What stifles employee energy- Playing to the strengths of your team- The type of leadership that creates thriving employees- How managers can create personalized work- And other topics…Daniel M. Cable is a researcher, author, and Professor of Organizational Behavior at London Business School. He uses his expertise to assist clients like Coca-Cola, Twitter, McDonald's, and Prudential, among others. He has won the London Business School's Excellence in Teaching Award and was selected for the 2018 Thinkers50 Radar List.Dan holds a BA from Penn State University and an MS Ph.D. from Cornell. He has published three books – Change to Strange, Alive at Work, and Exceptional – as well as more than 50 articles in top scientific journals. His work has been featured in The Economist, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and CNBC.Resources Mentioned:Alive at Work, by Daniel Cable: https://www.amazon.com/Alive-Work-Neuroscience-Helping-People/dp/1633697665Design for Belonging, by Susie Wise: https://www.amazon.com/Design-Belonging-Inclusion-Collaboration-Communities-ebook/dp/B0998BMN9HConnect with Dan:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-cable-a0b581a0/ Twitter: @dancable1Website: www.dan-cable.comWork with Dart:Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what's most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.

In this episode, I'm joined by two pioneers at the forefront of reshaping our understanding of human consciousness - Professor Donald Hoffman and Dr Iain McGilchrist. Despite coming from very different backgrounds, they've both arrived at surprisingly similar conclusions about some of life's biggest questions and the nature of reality. This conversation explores the parallels—and differences—in their thinking, covering topics like: — The growing scientific evidence that consciousness may be fundamental — The shockingly complex structures that physicists are now discovering beyond spacetime and what this implies — The power of silence for creating breakthroughs in scientific and creative work — The need for both a rigorous scientific and embodied approach to understanding consciousness. And more. You can dive deeper into Iain's work through his book: The Matter with Things, and Don's via his book: The Case Against Reality. — Dr Iain McGilchrist is a Psychiatrist and Writer, who lives on the Isle of Skye, off the coast of North West Scotland. He is committed to the idea that the mind and brain can be understood only by seeing them in the broadest possible context, that of the whole of our physical and spiritual existence, and of the wider human culture in which they arise – the culture which helps to mould, and in turn is moulded by, our minds and brains. He was formerly a Consultant Psychiatrist of the Bethlem Royal and Maudsley NHS Trust in London, where he was Clinical Director of their southern sector Acute Mental Health Services. Dr McGilchrist has published original research and contributed chapters to books on a wide range of subjects, as well as original articles in papers and journals, including the British Journal of Psychiatry, American Journal of Psychiatry, The Wall Street Journal, The Sunday Telegraph and The Sunday Times. He has taken part in many radio and TV programmes, documentaries, and numerous podcasts, and interviews on YouTube, among them dialogues with Jordan Peterson, David Fuller of Rebel Wisdom, and philosopher Tim Freke. His books include Against Criticism, The Master and his Emissary: The Divided Brain and the Making of the Western World, The Divided Brain and the Search for Meaning, and Ways of Attending. He published his latest book: The Matter With Things, a book of epistemology and metaphysics. You can keep up to date with his work at https://channelmcgilchrist.com. – Prof. Donald Hoffman, PhD received his PhD from MIT, and joined the faculty of the University of California, Irvine in 1983, where he is a Professor Emeritus of Cognitive Sciences. He is an author of over 100 scientific papers and three books, including Visual Intelligence, and The Case Against Reality. He received a Distinguished Scientific Award from the American Psychological Association for early career research, the Rustum Roy Award of the Chopra Foundation, and the Troland Research Award of the US National Academy of Sciences. His writing has appeared in Edge, New Scientist, LA Review of Books, and Scientific American and his work has been featured in Wired, Quanta, The Atlantic, and Through the Wormhole with Morgan Freeman. You can watch his TED Talk titled “Do we see reality as it is?” and you can follow him on Twitter @donalddhoffman. --- Interview Links: — Dr McGilchirst's website - https://channelmcgilchrist.com — Dr McGilchirst's book - https://amzn.to/3oOSFIW — Prof Hoffman's profile - https://sites.socsci.uci.edu/~ddhoff/ — Prof Hoffman's book - https://bit.ly/3SCwTTA

Dan Henry's journey into marketing began in extreme financial hardship, surviving on $500-a-week pizza delivery shifts. A brutal winter night with no heat became the turning point that forced him to reinvent his life. Determined to change his future, he became ruthless about acquiring high-leverage marketing skills that eventually helped him generate over $10 million in sales. In this episode, Dan reveals the online marketing secrets that turned him into a multi-million-dollar entrepreneur and breaks down how to build a powerful personal brand, attract attention, and convert audiences. In this episode, Hala and Dan will discuss: (00:00) Introduction (02:14) His Early Hustles and Marketing Origins (06:35) Building ‘Velocity Vehicles' for Business Growth (12:37) The Strategy Behind Powerful Personal Brands (24:49) Creating High-Converting Marketing Funnels (30:47) Optimizing Webinars for Massive Sales (35:50) Converting Cold Prospects Into Loyal Customers (40:47) Using Books as Brand-Building Marketing Tools (44:52) Creating Demand With Smart Offers Dan Henry is a digital marketing entrepreneur, founder of GetClients.com, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Digital Millionaire Secrets. He has built several high-revenue online businesses by teaching entrepreneurs how to craft compelling personal brands, structure high-converting presentations, and scale through automated marketing. Dan's content, storytelling, and sales frameworks have helped thousands of business owners generate millions. Sponsored By: Indeed - Get a $75 sponsored job credit to boost your job's visibility at Indeed.com/PROFITING  Shopify - Start your $1/month trial at Shopify.com/profiting.  Revolve - Head to REVOLVE.com/PROFITING and take 15% off your first order with code PROFITING  DeleteMe - Remove your personal data online. Get 20% off DeleteMe consumer plans at to joindeleteme.com/profiting  Spectrum Business - Visit Spectrum.com/FreeForLife to learn how you can get Business Internet Free Forever. Airbnb - Find yourself a cohost at airbnb.com/host  Northwest Registered Agent - Build your brand and get your complete business identity in just 10 clicks and 10 minutes at northwestregisteredagent.com/paidyap Framer - Publish beautiful and production-ready websites. Go to Framer.com/design and use code PROFITING Intuit QuickBooks - Bring your money and your books together in one platform at QuickBooks.com/money  Resources Mentioned: Dan's Book, Digital Millionaire Secrets: bit.ly/DigitalMilli  Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink: /bit.ly/EOwnership  The One Thing by Gary Keller: bit.ly/The-ONEThing  The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson: bit.ly/-TSAONGAF  Active Deals - youngandprofiting.com/deals  Key YAP Links Reviews - ratethispodcast.com/yap YouTube - youtube.com/c/YoungandProfiting Newsletter - youngandprofiting.co/newsletter  LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/htaha/ Instagram - instagram.com/yapwithhala/ Social + Podcast Services: yapmedia.com Transcripts - youngandprofiting.com/episodes-new  Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurship Podcast, Business, Business Podcast, Self Improvement, Self-Improvement, Personal Development, Starting a Business, Strategy, Investing, Sales, Selling, Psychology, Productivity, Entrepreneurs, AI, Artificial Intelligence, Technology, Marketing, Negotiation, Money, Finance, Side Hustle, Startup, Mental Health, Career, Leadership, Mindset, Health, Growth Mindset, SEO, E-commerce, LinkedIn, Instagram, Social Media, Content Creator, Advertising, Social Media Marketing, Communication, Video Marketing, Social Proof, Marketing Trends, Influencers, Influencer Marketing, Marketing Tips, Digital Trends, Content Marketing, Marketing Podcast 

Watch The X22 Report On Video No videos found (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:17532056201798502,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-9437-3289"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="https://cdn2.decide.dev/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs");pt> Click On Picture To See Larger PictureThe [CB][WEF] is struggling, Trump and team has designated the offshore wind projects as a national security risk. They have been paused. The people are still struggling with the [CB] system, soon the people will get their buying power back. The [CB] will try to stop Trump’s new economic system, it will fail. The [DS] is feeling the pain every step of the way. The criminal syndicate money laundering system is being exposed is the blue states. The people are waking up to the real system that has been hidden from them. The [DS] continues to tax the people for the money laundering system. Trump is continually countering the [DS], he is using Emissaries to negotiate the peace deals. The [DS] is blind to the conversation. Economy Trump Administration Announces Change to Offshore Wind Construction  President Donald Trump's Department of the Interior is pausing offshore wind project construction due to “national security risks.” “Due to national security concerns identified by the Department of War, Interior is PAUSING leases for 5 expensive, unreliable, heavily subsidized offshore wind farms!” Interior Secretary Doug Burgum wrote on X. “ONE natural gas pipeline supplies as much energy as these 5 projects COMBINED,” Burgum added. “POTUS is bringing common sense back to energy policy & putting security FIRST!” Leases with Vineyard Wind1, Revolution Wind, CVOW, Sunrise Wind, and Empire Wind will be paused. Source: dailysignal.com https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/2002605302932517339?s=20 Gas is About to Get Expensive . . . A gallon of gas costs about twice as much in California as it does pretty much anywhere else in the United States. The reason why, of course, is that California makes it cost about twice as much – by reducing supply and by adding costs, chiefly for “environmental” reasons. This includes a new requirement – going into effect very soon (Dec. 31) that all gas stations must either replace single-walled underground storage tanks or permanently close them – no matter whether the tanks are actually leaking and no matter how much it costs to replace them. It is estimated that about 473 gas stations in California are going to close – because the owners cannot afford the mandatory underground storage tank upgrade costs or the $5,000 per day fines for non-compliance. At the same time, the state's regulatory bureaucracy has essentially shut down supply by denying 97 percent of permits for new refineries to supply the extra-special (and extra-expensive) gasoline formulations that all gas stations in California are required to sell. If this hypothetical scenario ends up becoming the actual scenario it could result in the collapse of California as a state. Source:  ericpetersautos.com  https://twitter.com/KobeissiLetter/status/2003104230945464505?s=20  As a % of total employment, multiple jobholders rose to 5.8%, nearly matching the 2 previous highs seen over the last 25 years. At the same time, Americans working primary full-time and secondary part-time jobs jumped to 5.3 million, the 2nd-highest in history. As a % of employment, this metric now stands at 3.4%, the 2nd-highest since 2000. The cost of living crisis is real.   (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:18510697282300316,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-8599-9832"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="https://cdn2.decide.dev/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs"); https://twitter.com/KobeissiLetter/status/2003109247232655382?s=20 Political/Rights Teary-Eyed Bus Driver Speaks Out After Getting FIRED for Posting a ‘Racially Insensitive' Sign on School Bus Window In Response to Unruly Spanish-Speaking Kid – DOJ to Launch Investigation (VIDEO) An elderly bus driver terminated earlier this year for posting a so-called ‘racially insensitive' sign toward a Spanish-speaking kid has broken her silence and the DOJ is launching an investigation. The note on the window read, “Out of respect to English-only students, there will be no speaking Spanish on this bus.” Crawford, who had served the school district as a bus driver for more than 30 years, was promptly suspended and later lost her job posting the note.  https://twitter.com/_johnnymaga/status/2002937980013650119?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2002937980013650119%7Ctwgr%5E9387ff3c86f279c9837393510bf08034917fc6bd%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thegatewaypundit.com%2F2025%2F12%2Fteary-eyed-bus-driver-speaks-after-getting-fired%2F https://twitter.com/AAGDhillon/status/2002952621032677759?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2002952621032677759%7Ctwgr%5E9387ff3c86f279c9837393510bf08034917fc6bd%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thegatewaypundit.com%2F2025%2F12%2Fteary-eyed-bus-driver-speaks-after-getting-fired%2F Source: thegatewaypundit.com https://twitter.com/EndWokeness/status/2002782448191693130?s=20 https://twitter.com/C_3C_3/status/2002906389560414648?s=20 SEATTLE https://twitter.com/KeenanPeachy/status/2002902633439445012?s=20 https://twitter.com/PressSec/status/2003099681778499980?s=20 https://twitter.com/FBIDirectorKash/status/2002822669507379549?s=20   This is part of a year long effort FBI has undertaken with state and local law enforcement all across the country to crack down on child abusers and take them off the street. That work has seen historic results. -6,000 children located or reduced – up 22% from 2024 -Nearly 2,000 child predators arrested – up 10% -300+ human traffickers arrested – up 15% Lives being saved. We're not letting up. DOGE Geopolitical https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/2002602838149697684?s=20 https://twitter.com/AlboMP/status/2002974532475490578?s=20 https://twitter.com/visegrad24/status/2003101218076545039?s=20 Cyberattack disrupts France’s postal service, banking during Christmas rush A suspected cyberattack has knocked France's national postal service and its banking arm offline during the busy Christmas season The postal service, called La Poste, said in a statement that a distributed denial of service incident, or DDoS, “rendered its online services inaccessible.” It said the incident had no impact on customer data, but disrupted package and mail delivery. There was no immediate claim of responsibility.   France and other European allies of Ukraine allege that Russia is waging “hybrid warfare” against them, using sabotage, assassinations, cyberattacks, disinformation and other hostile acts that are often hard to quickly trace back to Moscow. Source:  tribdem.com  War/Peace Kushner and Witkoff Reportedly Draft $112B Plan to Turn Gaza Into ‘Smart City' With Beach Resorts, High-Speed Rail, and AI Grids — U.S. Pushes Back on Claims It Would Foot $60B    Project Sunrise,” envisions a decade-long, $112.1 billion redevelopment effort featuring beachside luxury resorts, high-speed rail, and AI-optimized infrastructure. The draft proposal was developed by a team led by Jared Kushner, President Trump's son-in-law, and U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, along with senior White House aide Josh Gruenbaum and other administration officials. The plan is being presented to prospective donor governments via a 32-slide PowerPoint labeled “sensitive but unclassified,” U.S. officials told the Journal. According to the presentation, Project Sunrise would convert Gaza's devastated landscape into a modern coastal metropolis. New Rafah (Credit: Wall Street Journal) Smart City (Credit: Wall Street Journal) However, the proposal does not specify which governments or private entities would ultimately finance the project, nor does it detail where Gaza's roughly two million displaced residents would live during reconstruction, according to WSJ. The draft estimates total costs at $112.1 billion over 10 years, including humanitarian relief, infrastructure rebuilding, and public-sector payrolls. https://twitter.com/StateDept_NEA/status/2002545412729942278?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2002545412729942278%7Ctwgr%5Ef3310cb42b34b4ad502fd5957962a1d8fbe38397%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thegatewaypundit.com%2F2025%2F12%2Fkushner-witkoff-reportedly-draft-112b-plan-turn-gaza%2F The proposal also assumes that Gaza could begin to self-fund portions of the development in later years, eventually paying down debt as economic activity expands. Source: thegatewaypundit.com https://twitter.com/disclosetv/status/2003088356876677484?s=20 Macron Seeks New Talks With Putin, Forcing ‘Alternative’ Path To Stalled US Negotiations Suddenly French President Emmanuel Macron is deciding to revive his diplomacy with Moscow and is     Macron wants to step in to force France’s say in any future outcome or settlement, rather than wait on the diplomatic sidelines. Arming Kiev to the teeth has done nothing but prolong the needless killing, and perhaps at least some European capitals are beginning to realize this. Source: zerohedge.com https://twitter.com/BRICSinfo/status/2003114957060137421?s=20   to be killed in a bombing this year.” Russian General Killed By Car Bomb In Moscow, Marks 3rd Top Officer Assassinated In A Year This adds to a growing list of high profile assassinations related to the Ukraine war. To review: —Darya Dugina was killed in a car bombing in 2022 which was likely meant for her father, prominent political thinker and often dubbed “Putin ally” Aleksandr Dugin. —Gen Igor Kirillov died in December 2024 outside of his residence when a bomb planted in a nearby scooter detonated. —Gen Yaroslav Moskalik, who served as deputy head of the Main Operations Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, was killed in a car bomb attack last April. A “homemade” explosive device detonated under his Volkswagen Golf in a residential neighborhood. Throughout the course of the war there’s been a string of these high profile assassinations on Russian soil involving car and even cafe bombs. America’s CIA or Britain’s MI6 has long been suspected of being involved in these targeted killings, or at least assisting in such brazen Ukrainian-linked operations, but ultimately little has been uncovered or proven in terms of a potential Western hidden hand in this ongoing ‘dirty war’. Source: zerohedge.com https://twitter.com/LeadingReport/status/2002809124674035943?s=20  Medical/False Flags [DS] Agenda DOJ Charges California Food Stamp Official for Sending Benefits to Dead People – Then Spending Them Federal prosecutors have charged a longtime California welfare worker with carrying out a multi-year fraud scheme involving food assistance benefits and dead people. The U.S. Department of Justice announced the arrest of former Madera County benefits eligibility worker Leticia Mariscal, 55, of Madera. Prosecutors alleged that Mariscal stole tens of thousands of dollars in CalFresh benefits by exploiting her access to county databases. CalFresh is California's version of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. According to the Justice Department, the alleged scheme took place between December 2020 and April 2025. https://twitter.com/FBISacramento/status/1999625371268886611?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1999625371268886611%7Ctwgr%5Ee26f93739a10984d47aeb35b0088270daeb01aef%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thegatewaypundit.com%2F2025%2F12%2Fdoj-charges-california-food-stamp-official-sending-benefits%2F Source: thegatewaypundit.com https://twitter.com/KevinKileyCA/status/2002791344566411594?s=20   “high-risk.” This means they exhibit serious “waste, fraud, abuse, or mismanagement,” costing taxpayers billions. The number has doubled during Newsom’s tenure. I bet you California fraud is 10 times worse than Minnesota. https://twitter.com/EricLDaugh/status/2002457150904238280?s=20   taxpayer dollars, per NYP. A HUD audit found that at least 221 deceased people received grants. MORE FRAUD! Expose it all! (VIDEO) Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna Announce Plans to Bring Inherent Contempt Charges Against Attorney General Pam Bondi Over Epstein Files – “We're Building a Bipartisan Coalition”  Reps. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Ro Khanna (D-CA), the authors of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, signed into law by President Trump last month, announced their intention to bring charges for inherent contempt against Attorney General Pam Bondi.  Under the rarely used congressional power, “the House or Senate has its Sergeant-At-Arms, or deputy, take a person into custody for proceedings to be held in Congress,” according to the National Constitution Center. However, it is unclear how effective this would be in the face of legal challenges and the executive branch's power. This is the latest in an escalating saga of threats, with Massie and Khanna claiming the DOJ has not complied fully with the law due to redactions in the files and not releasing every document available. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche appeared on NBC's Meet the Press this morning, where he dared Massie and Khanna to “bring it on,” maintaining that the DOJ is simply following the law and taking the necessary time to make redactions before releasing all of the files. Blanche told NBC's Kristen Welker that ensuring victim information is redacted “very much Trumps some deadline in the statute,” and he dared Khanna and Massie to file Articles of Impeachment. “We are complying with the statute, we will continue to comply with the statute, and if by complying with the statute, we don't produce everything on Friday, we produce things next week, and the week after, that's still compliance with the statute,” Blanche added. Source: thegatewaypundit.com Trump is ‘bored, tired and running on fumes’ — and he’s given up the fight: analyst A year into his second term, Donald Trump has undergone a major change in “tactics” as he deflects questions about his policies — and it’s an indication that he is now “just running on fumes,” an analyst wrote Monday. Salon's Amanda Marcotte pointed out that the president has developed an over-reliance on deflecting questions while claiming he is not up to speed on the topic or person he is being asked about, and that often begins with, “I don't know…” That is a change from his previous deflections, where he promised everything would sort itself out in “two weeks.”  Source: rawstory.com President Trump's Plan https://twitter.com/amuse/status/2002836773236306381?s=20   polygraph which they claim he failed to justify keeping their activities secret from Trump’s team. Scott isn’t blocking Plankey because he’s unqualified, he’s blocking him until Trump restores a Coast Guard shipbuilding contract for one of his major political donors Brian D'Isernia – he’s the CEO of Eastern Shipbuilding Group. Scott's hold has blocked Plankey from being included in the bipartisan nominations package the Senate GOP leadership is advancing before year-end. Because the Senate is winding down for the session, that procedural blockage likely means Plankey's nomination will expire unless resubmitted in the next Congress. Career staff at CISA repeatedly denied Acting Director Madhu Gottumukkala access to intelligence programs and urged him not to ask questions. After arranging an illegal polygraph, they used a claimed failure to freeze him out and leak to reporters. DHS acting security chief Michael Boyajian suspended at least six officials for misleading leadership and blocking classified access needed to run the agency. Trump to replace nearly 30 career diplomats in ambassadorial positions with ‘America First' allies The U.S. chiefs of mission in at least 29 countries were informed last week that their tenures would end in January 2026; all of them had taken up their posts in the Biden administration The Trump administration is recalling nearly 30 career diplomats from ambassadorial and other senior embassy posts as it moves to reshape the U.S. diplomatic posture abroad with personnel deemed fully supportive of President Donald Trump's “America First” priorities. All of them had taken up their posts in the Joe Biden administration but had survived an initial purge in the early months of Mr. Trump's second term that targeted mainly political appointees. That changed on Wednesday (December 17, 2025) when they began to receive notices from officials in Washington about their imminent departures.  How Trump shifted America's policy in a week Ambassadors serve at the pleasure of the President, although they typically remain at their posts for three to four years. Those affected by the shake-up are not losing their foreign service jobs but will be returning to Washington for other assignments should they wish to take them, the officials said. Africa is the continent most affected by the removals, with ambassadors from 13 countries being removed: Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Madagascar, Mauritius, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Somalia and Uganda. Second is Asia, with ambassadorial changes coming to six countries: Fiji, Laos, the Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines and Vietnam affected. Four countries in Europe (Armenia, Macedonia, Montenegro and Slovakia) are affected; as are two each in the Middle East (Algeria and Egypt); South and Central Asia (Nepal and Sri Lanka); and the Western Hemisphere (Guatemala and Suriname). Source: thehindu.com  Denmark Furious After Trump Names Special Envoy To Greenland Following Landry’s appointment, Rasmussen told Reuters in an emailed statement, “The appointment confirms the continued American interest in Greenland. However, we insist that everyone—including the U.S.—must show respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark.” This prompted Denmark to summon the U.S. ambassador. Danish officials also summoned the U.S. ambassador in August after a report that at least three people with connections to Trump carried out covert influence operations in Greenland. Source: zerohedge.com Deep State Apoplectic with Trump's Use of Emissaries to Deliver Results President Trump is ducking and weaving through some of the deepest Machiavellian constructs, while maintaining forward progress. To put context to it, these creeps have had four years to strategize how to control Trump and manipulate policy with their retention of all sorts of government agencies in alignment with the status quo.  Yet, remarkably President Trump is dancing through their deep state minefield while keeping dozens of plates spinning on sticks.  The use of non-traditional emissaries is really making them angry.  , the use of emissaries outside the govt framework of traditional policy was going to be a key facet in any America-First agenda. The Deep State does not like President Trump's use of emissaries to conduct foreign policy.  In fact, they oppose it strongly; they hate it. The “emissary” is the person who carries the word of President Trump to any person identified by President Trump.  The emissary is very much like a tape recording of President Trump in human form.  The emissary travels to a location, meets a particular person or group, and then recites the opinion of the President.  The words spoken by the emissary, are the words of President Trump. The IC cannot inject themselves into this dynamic; that is why it is so valuable. The emissary then hears the response from the intended person or group, repeats it back to them to ensure he/she will return with clarity of intent as expressed, and then returns to the office of the presidency and repeats the reply for the President.  The emissary recites back exactly what he was /is told. This process is critical when you understand how thoroughly compromised the full Executive Branch is.  More importantly, this process becomes even more critical when you accept the Intelligence Community will lie to the office of the President to retain their power and position. (read more) Source: theconservativetreehouse.com https://twitter.com/TheStormRedux/status/2002736237996646560?s=20   signature on the absentee ballot he didn't even ask for. It was clearly forged. @GaSecofState please explain how this is a “clerical error.” https://twitter.com/CynicalPublius/status/2002795573490143432?s=20   3. The Congress of the United States shall determine the type and nature of documents that qualify as valid proof of citizenship for purposes of voting in federal elections. 4. Any federal, state or local official who knowingly allows any person to vote in federal elections without such proof of citizenship being validly presented shall be subject to such criminal penalties as the Congress of the United States may prescribe. 5. In the event of any conflict between this Amendment and Article 1, Section 4, the terms of this Amendment shall control. (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:13499335648425062,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-7164-1323"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="//cdn2.customads.co/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs");

Federal officials say Chinese money launderers moved more than $300 billion in illicit transactions through U.S. banks and other financial institutions in recent years. WSJ's Dylan Tokar explores the rise of these highly lucrative schemes and former federal prosecutor Julie Shemitz takes us inside the federal investigation to bring them down. Ryan Knutson hosts. Further Listening: - The Money Laundering Behind TD Bank's $3 Billion Fine - Mexico's New Cocaine Kingpin is Cashing In Sign up for WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Department of Justice released a trove of heavily redacted documents related to Jeffrey Epstein. The Atlantic’s Charlie Warzel explains why they left many people unsatisfied. The U.S. military pursued a third oil tanker near Venezuela after taking previous action against two other ships. Benoit Faucon of the Wall Street Journal breaks down the latest escalation in the region. Some conservatives say they will support a run by Vice President JD Vance in the 2028 presidential election if he enters the race. Jonathan Cooper with the Associated Press joins to discuss how one organization is already laying the groundwork for a potential Vance campaign. Plus, why flood-infrastructure grants were held up as Washington state dealt with record rainfall, how a power outage left robotaxis stranded, and the blue pit viper that supercharged the box office. Today’s episode was hosted by Gideon Resnick.

P.M. Edition for Dec. 22. Reports of toxic gases that leak into a plane's cabin or cockpit have surged in recent years. Now, as WSJ's Ben Katz reports, doctors and researchers increasingly see a link between exposure to those fumes and fatal illnesses. Look for his next piece with more advice for travelers on wsj.com. Plus, the Trump administration stops offshore wind projects currently under construction, the most significant of the actions the administration has taken against the industry. And Paramount sweetens its offer for Warner Bros. Discovery with a personal guarantee from billionaire Larry Ellison. WSJ media reporter Joe Flint weighs in on the latest in the fight for the entertainment company. Alex Ossola hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A.M. Edition for Dec. 22. Congress breaks for the holidays without renewing enhanced ACA subsidies. The WSJ's Sabrina Sidiqui explains what could break the impasse, as millions face higher healthcare premiums and lingering uncertainty. Plus, after seizing a second tanker over the weekend, the U.S. Coast Guard hunts another ship involved in moving Venezuelan oil. And a former Tesla staffer who clashed with Elon Musk shakes up the race to run General Motors. Daniel Bach hosts. Listen to the full interview with Cleveland Fed President Beth Hammack on WSJ's Take On the Week.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From an unenforced TikTok ban and a chatbot calling itself MechaHitler to mounting fears that we're in an AI bubble, 2025 was another messy year for the tech industry. We watched billionaire CEOs fully align themselves with President Trump, Nvidia become the first $5 trillion company, and Elon Musk's popularity tank, thanks to his DOGE antics (and yet he could still become the world's first trillionaire).  Kara breaks down the biggest tech stories of 2025 with four journalists: Bill Cohan, a longtime financial journalist, author, and Puck co-founder who covers Wall Street; Casey Newton, founder and editor of the tech newsletter Platformer and host of The New York Times podcast “Hard Fork”; Joanna Stern, senior personal technology columnist for The Wall Street Journal and author of a forthcoming book about how she surrendered her life to A.I. for a year; and Charlie Warzel, staff writer at The Atlantic and host of the tech and culture podcast “Galaxy Brain.”  (Please note, this conversation was recorded before news broke that TikTok had signed a deal to spin off its U.S. business to a group of American investors, the Justice Department released a trove of documents tied to investigations into Jeffrey Epstein, and Waymo halted service in San Francisco because of power outages in the area.)  Questions? Comments? Email us at on@voxmedia.com or find us on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Threads, and Bluesky @onwithkaraswisher. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Subscribe to Inside Call me Back: https://inside.arkmedia.orgGift a subscription of Inside Call me Back: inside.arkmedia.org/giftsTo order Walter Russell Mead's book: https://tinyurl.com/yc6vta9rTo read Walter Russell Mead's column: https://tinyurl.com/4cbhve36  Listen to What's Your Number: lnk.to/GsOESPSubscribe to Amit Segal's newsletter ‘It's Noon in Israel': arkmedia.org/amitsegal/Watch Call me Back on YouTube: youtube.com/@CallMeBackPodcastCheck out Ark Media's other podcasts: For Heaven's Sake: https://lnk.to/rfGlrA‘What's Your Number?': https://lnk.to/rfGlrAFor sponsorship inquiries, please contact: callmeback@arkmedia.orgTo contact us, sign up for updates, and access transcripts, visit: arkmedia.org/Ark Media on Instagram: instagram.com/arkmediaorgDan on X: x.com/dansenorDan on Instagram: instagram.com/dansenorTo order Dan Senor & Saul Singer's book, The Genius of Israel: tinyurl.com/bdeyjsdnToday's Episode: Our guest today is Walter Russell Mead, an author, academic, and foreign policy expert. Walter is a Professor of Strategy and Statesmanship at the University of Florida's Hamilton Center, a Fellow at the Hudson Institute, and a columnist for the Wall Street Journal. He and Dan unpacked the Trump administration's approach to several foreign policy issues, from Russia-Ukraine, to China, to the Middle East. They also discussed Israel's strategic position in the region following October 7th and its two year, multi-front war.CREDITS:ILAN BENATAR - Producer & EditorADAAM JAMES LEVIN-AREDDY - Executive ProducerBRITTANY COHEN - Production ManagerMARTIN HUERGO - Sound EditorMARIANGELES BURGOS AND PATRICIO SPADAVECCHIA - Additional EditingMAYA RACKOFF - Associate ProducerGABE SILVERSTEIN - Community ManagementYUVAL SEMO - Music Composer

Our guest today is Walter Russell Mead, an author, academic, and foreign policy expert. Walter is a Professor of Strategy and Statesmanship at the University of Florida's Hamilton Center, a Fellow at the Hudson Institute, and a columnist for the Wall Street Journal. He and Dan unpacked the Trump administration's approach to several foreign policy […]

Plus: Top officials at the Heritage Foundation decamp to former Vice President Mike Pence's Advance American Freedom organization. And cosmetics retailer Coty appoints a former Procter & Gamble veteran as interim chief executive. Alex Ossola hosts. Sign up for WSJ's free What's News newsletter. An artificial-intelligence tool assisted in the making of this episode by creating summaries that were based on Wall Street Journal reporting and reviewed and adapted by an editor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gold and silver prices hit new records. Plus: Tesla shares rise after winning a legal battle over CEO Elon Musk's pay package. Katherine Sullivan hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. An artificial-intelligence tool assisted in the making of this episode by creating summaries that were based on Wall Street Journal reporting and reviewed and adapted by an editor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus: One of Elon Musk's old enemies joins the race to run General Motors. And the third “Avatar” movie opens to about $345 million worldwide, well below the second film's $435 million. Daniel Bach hosts. Sign up for WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's Monday, December 22nd, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Adam McManus Five Iranian Christians sentenced to 10-year prison term Five Iranian Christians were sentenced to an average of 10 years in prison for “propaganda” and “collusion” for practices such as prayer and baptism, and for distributing Bibles and Christian literature, reports International Christian Concern. Matthew 5:10 says, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.” Though the verdict was given on October 21, it was not communicated to any of the prisoners until late November and early December. They have been given 20 days to appeal their case before the Revolutionary Court of Tehran. US launches strikes on Syria in response to killing of 2 American soldiers Vengeance struck in Syria Friday as U.S. forces attacked Islamic State targets in retaliation for an attack that killed three Americans last week, reports The Western Journal. A U.S. military official said F-15 and A-10 warplanes, Apache attack helicopters, and HIMARS rockets struck multiple targets, according to the Wall Street Journal. On X, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth wrote, “Earlier today, U.S. forces commenced OPERATION HAWKEYE STRIKE in Syria to eliminate ISIS fighters, infrastructure, and weapons sites in direct response to the attack on U.S. forces that occurred on December 13th in Palmyra, Syria. This is not the beginning of a war — it is a declaration of vengeance.” Hegseth added, “The United States of America, under President Trump's leadership, will never hesitate and never relent to defend our people. As we said directly following the savage attack, if you target Americans — anywhere in the world — you will spend the rest of your brief, anxious life knowing the United States will hunt you, find you, and ruthlessly kill you. Today, we hunted and we killed our enemies. Lots of them. And we will continue.” Netanyahu plans to brief Trump on possible new Iran strikes Israeli officials have grown increasingly concerned that Iran is expanding production of its ballistic missile program, which was damaged by Israeli military strikes earlier this year, reports NBC News.   Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is preparing to brief President Donald Trump about attacking Iran again. Israeli officials also are concerned that Iran is reconstituting nuclear enrichment sites the U.S. bombed in June. But, they added, the officials view Iran's efforts to rebuild facilities where they produce the ballistic missiles and to repair its crippled air defense systems as more important. RFK Jr calls mutilating “sex-rejecting” trans procedures malpractice Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced Thursday that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is taking steps to push back against what he described as "sex-rejecting" transgender procedures for minors, reports The Christian Post. During an hour-long press conference, he warned, "So-called 'gender-affirming care' has inflicted lasting physical and psychological damage on vulnerable young people. This is not medicine; it is malpractice." KENNEDY: “We're done with junk science, drive by ideological pursuits, not the wellbeing of children.” Kennedy said the proposed HHS rules, which are subject to a 60-day comment period, would bar hospitals participating in Medicare and Medicaid from performing transgender procedures on children, citing risks of irreversible harm such as infertility, impaired sexual function, bone density loss and altered brain development. He added, "Sex-rejecting procedures are neither safe nor effective treatment for children with gender dysphoria.” Abortions up as abortion pills flourish, Democrat states fund killing babies Last week, the Society of Family Planning released updated abortion data which documented over 591,000 abortions were performed in the first six months of 2025, reports LifeNews.com. This represents a 1.1 percent increase when compared to the first six months of 2024. Two state Medicaid programs have recently started to fund elective surgical abortions. Nevada's Medicaid program began covering elective abortions in mid-December of 2024, and Delaware's Medicaid program started covering elective abortions as of January 1, 2025. Not surprisingly, there has been an uptick in abortions in those states – an increase by 8% in Nevada and 10% in Delaware. However, the main takeaway from this new WeCount data is that the percentage of chemical abortions done via telehealth continues to increase. In the first six months of 2024, just under 20 percent of all abortions were done via telehealth. That figure increased to 27 percent for the first six months of 2025. Telehealth abortions are undermining the strong pro-life laws that many states enacted in the aftermath of the Dobbs decision. Isaiah 59:7 says, “Their feet rush into sin; they are swift to shed innocent blood. They pursue evil schemes; acts of violence mark their ways.” Preventing telehealth abortions needs to be a top priority for the pro-life movement. State attorneys general in Florida and Texas have recently sued the Food and Drug Administration over policy changes regarding chemical abortions. Kirk Cameron's follow-up podcast on annihilationism Kirk Cameron's recent 39-minute podcast in which he supported annihilationism has created quite a bit of controversy. In the opening to a 16-minute follow-up podcast, Cameron said this. CAMERON: “No doubt you've caught wind of the controversy that's swirling around. Let me ask you a question, and I want you to imagine that this question is not coming from me on a podcast, but from someone you love. “What if your son or your daughter looked you in the eye and said, ‘Dad, Mom, I know you believe in hell. I know you believe that God is just. I know you believe that sin is serious. And I know that Jesus is the only way to Heaven. “So, when a unrepentant person, who doesn't turn to Jesus, dies, what does the Bible actually say happens to them? Are they preserved forever and kept alive by God in a place of endless conscious torment, suffering forever, weeping and wailing and gnashing their teeth with no end? “‘Or is the judgment that Scripture describes something different? Is it still real, still just, still severe, but culminating in what the Bible calls death, destruction, or the second death, which is the lake of fire?' “What would your answer be? I'm not asking for what you've always believed or been taught, but what do you believe the Scriptures actually teach? That's the question that my son asked me, and that's the question that started this conversation.” Cameron's support for annihilationism has sparked debate in Evangelical circles. Longtime ministry partner Ray Comfort, founder of Living Waters and co-host with Cameron on The Way of the Master, responded thoughtfully. “While we believe Kirk is sincere, we believe that conditional mortality and annihilationism are erroneous views, and that the Bible's clear teaching on hell is known as eternal conscious torment,” according to GodReports.com. Other voices, including commentators Samuel Sey and theologian Owen Strachan, expressed concern, viewing the shift as departing from historic Christian teaching. Yet some see growing interest in annihilationism as a biblically grounded alternative that reconciles God's love with His judgment. Close And that's The Worldview on this Monday, December 22nd, in the year of our Lord 2025. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

For over 100 years, keeping Americans safe on the job has challenged the country's free-market economy. Businesses often preferred to regulate their workplaces without government oversight. But that track record is mixed. And federal efforts at safeguarding job sites at times have fallen short. Host Katherine Sullivan explores how far we've come since Frances Perkins helped put employee safety in the spotlight and what American workers still face now when they go to work.  This episode is part of The Wall Street Journal's USA250: The Story of the World's Greatest Economy, a collection of articles, videos and podcasts aiming to offer a deeper understanding of how America has evolved. Additional reading and listening: A Timeline of Key Moments in the History of Work in America  Coal Miners' Trade Off: Trump Boosts Production but Slashes Safety Programs  An Economy Built on Speculation—for Better and for Worse  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices