Shows
The Lonely LiberalTrump and Epstein: What We Actually KnowIn this episode of The Lonely Liberal, we cut through the noise to unpack Donald Trump’s long and complicated history with Jeffrey Epstein, from their close friendship in the 1980s and early 2000s to the quiet shielding by Trump allies, including Pam Bondi and Speaker Mike Johnson, in 2025.
We examine the evidence, including newly released DOJ files, flight logs, the infamous “birthday book,” and key allegations. We also examine why the argument that “Biden would’ve leaked it if it were real” doesn’t hold up, and how the GOP has consistently applied a double standard in handling sc...2025-07-2713 minThe Lonely LiberalIs Nuclear Power a Good Idea?Nuclear power: feared by Boomers, embraced by Zoomers. In this episode, we dig into the shifting attitudes toward nuclear energy — especially why Gen Z and Republicans are suddenly its biggest fans.
We explore:
The rise of pro-nuclear culture
The state of nuclear power in the U.S. today
The massive cost—and low-carbon benefits—of new reactors
What’s real vs. hype in the fusion vs. fission debate
How waste is managed, and whether safety has truly improved
Why the GOP’s love of nuclear doesn’t extend to renewables
And the international equity question: who gets to go nu...2025-07-2313 minThe Lonely LiberalWeek of July 13: Trump's Epstein Meltdown, Trump vs. Powell, and Colbert CanceledThis week’s episode dives deep into one of the most chaotic and revealing stretches of the year so far. From lawsuits and file blocks to energy summits and foreign policy red flags, we break down everything you need to know.
Here’s what we cover:
Trump explodes on Truth Social, calling the Epstein files a “hoax”
Trump sues WSJ, Dow Jones, and Rupert Murdoch for $10 billion
DOJ fires James Comey’s daughter, a prosecutor in the Epstein case
WSJ publishes Trump’s alleged birthday letter to Epstein
NYT reports Trump hosted a party where Epstein was the only g...2025-07-211h 09The Lonely LiberalTop 10 Political Misconceptions in U.S. PoliticsIn this countdown-style episode, Dr. Jesse Turiel and I discuss each of our top 5 biggest political misconceptions Americans believe.
Nick’s Top 5 Misconceptions
“Trickle-Down Economics Works”
“All Politicians Are the Same” / “Outsiders Aren’t Corrupt”
“If We Just Tax the Rich, We Can Fund Everything”
“Local Politics Don’t Matter / My Vote Doesn’t Count”
“Foreign Aid Is Just Sending Money”
Jesse's Top 5 Misconceptions
“The GOP Is the Party of Small Government and Fiscal Responsibility”
“The President Controls Gas Prices and Inflation”
“Climate Change Will End Human Civilization”
“The Founding Fathers Were a Unified Group”
“Immigration Is a Net Negative for the 2025-07-171h 25The Lonely LiberalWeek of July 6: Epstein List Vanishes, Trump vs. Putin, and Project 2029This week, Rick and I dive into the chaos, conspiracies, and climate headlines you might have missed:
The Trump Administration now claims the long-teased Epstein “client list” doesn’t exist, two weeks after Pam Bondi said it was on her desk.
Trump slaps massive new tariffs on the EU, Mexico, and Brazil, risking trade wars and rising prices at home.
In a dramatic foreign policy twist, Trump and Putin trade insults while the U.S. greenlights Patriot missiles for Ukraine.
Senate Republicans block an attempt to roll back unpopular tax hikes tucked into the Big Beautiful Bill.
Trump loses...2025-07-141h 08The Lonely LiberalIs the U.S. Really in an Energy Crisis?This week on The Lonely Liberal Podcast, we break down whether America’s so-called “Energy Crisis” is truly about skyrocketing demand or a political “Energy Emergency” that props up fossil fuels while sidelining renewables.
Topics covered:
• Why record-breaking power demand from AI, data centers, and reshored factories is real, but our aging grid can’t keep up.
• Trump’s National Energy Emergency Executive Order: what it does, who it helps, and who it leaves out.
• The Big Beautiful Bill’s cuts to clean energy incentives — and how that contradicts the old “All of the Above” energy mantra.
...2025-07-0916 minThe Lonely LiberalWeek of June 29: The Big Beautiful Bill Passes, Deportation Threats, and Mr. JapanThis week on The Lonely Liberal, we break down all the big stories you need to know:
• Big Beautiful Bill Passes: Permanent Trump tax cuts, massive ICE and defense boosts, $930B cut from Medicaid, $186B slashed from SNAP, and clean energy credits gutted — with a projected $2.8–$3.4 trillion deficit spike.
• Zohran Mamdani Drama: Trump and GOP reps threaten to deport NYC’s first Muslim mayoral nominee, with quotes showing open Islamophobia and red-baiting.
• Elon Musk vs. Trump: Elon fires back at Trump’s deportation threat by floating his own “America Party.”
• Paramount Settlement: Paramount pays Trump $16M to settle...2025-07-071h 16The Lonely LiberalIs the U.S. Really an Oligarchy?Billionaires and big donors shape our laws — but does that make America an oligarchy? We break down what the Princeton study really found, why 2024–25 election money shattered records, how the “broligarchy” of tech bros fits in, and what a new Supreme Court case could mean for your vote. Real stats. Real examples. And what you can do about it.
2025-07-0210 minThe Lonely LiberalThe Top 10 States Hurt by the Big Beautiful BillMillions are losing health coverage. Rural hospitals are closing. Clean energy jobs are disappearing. Higher utility bills for families already struggling.
In this episode, we break down the real impact of the Senate’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” — state by state. Who pays the price? Where do the cuts hit hardest? And how did your senators vote?
From Texas to West Virginia, we’ll count down the Top 10 states hurt most, with real numbers, shocking stats, and the truth behind the spin.
Key takeaways:
Which states lose the most Medicaid and ACA coverage
W...2025-07-0108 minThe Lonely LiberalWeek of June 22: Iran-Israel Ceasfire, Zohran Wins, and Bernie vs. RoganOn this week's episode, Rick and I break down all the crazy news stories of the week, including:
Iran and Israel agree to a fragile ceasefire — did the nuclear sites get damaged, and will it hold?
Zohran Mamdani wins the New York primary, but Andrew Cuomo stays in the race as an Independent.
Bernie Sanders goes on Joe Rogan’s podcast and argues over climate change and corporate responsibility.
Trump ends all new trade talks with Canada, sparking tension with America’s #2 trading partner.
Senate votes to block a resolution limiting the President’s war powers on Iran.
Biden and...2025-06-301h 08The Lonely LiberalHow Fake Is The News, Really?Everyone loves to yell “fake news,” but what does that even mean anymore? In this episode, we unpack the difference between bias and misinformation, why fake news went viral first, and how social media turned disinformation into a business model.
We break down:
Where fake news actually comes from (spoiler: it’s not CNN)
How legacy outlets compare to viral social media posts
Who spreads the most misinformation — and who profits from it
The top 5 websites with the most fake news reports in the U.S.
Tips for telling what’s real, what’s spin, and what’s total...2025-06-2510 minThe Lonely LiberalWeek of June 15th: The U.S. Bombs Iran, Tucker Fight Cruz, and Clinton Endorses CuomoThis week, everything changed. President Trump ordered a surprise strike on Iran’s underground nuclear facilities in what’s already being called one of the most aggressive foreign policy moves in decades. We break down what happened, why now, and what could come next, including the real risks of escalation, constitutional overreach, and the global fallout.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration briefed only top Republican leaders before the strike, sparking a fierce debate over executive war powers. Homeland Security issued a "heightened threat environment" warning inside the U.S., as fears over potential cyberattacks and retaliation grow.
Th...2025-06-231h 14The Lonely LiberalThe U.S. Should Absolutely NOT Go to War with IranAs tensions with Iran escalate and President Trump claims “total control of the skies” over Iranian territory, the U.S. appears to be inching closer to direct military conflict. In this bonus episode, I make the case for why that would be a catastrophic mistake, strategically and economically.
We break down the recent timeline of Israeli airstrikes, Iranian retaliation, and Trump’s veiled threats toward Iran’s Supreme Leader. Then we ask the fundamental question no one seems to be answering: What’s the plan? Because without one, we’re risking a war with no clear objective, no exit stra...2025-06-2011 minThe Lonely LiberalIs Illegal Immigration Really Out of Control?You’ve heard the headlines: record border crossings, talk of an “invasion,” and political promises of mass deportation. But what do the numbers actually say?
In this episode, we cut through the chaos to look at what’s really happening at the border. Spoiler: while border encounters are at historic highs, the undocumented population in the U.S. has barely changed in over a decade. We dive into why that matters, what Title 42 did, how the U.S. is spending billions on enforcement while underfunding immigration courts, and whether undocumented immigrants are truly fueling crime, or just filling...2025-06-1811 minThe Lonely LiberalWeek of June 8: No Kings Protests, Tensions in the Middle East, and Cuomo is BackThis week was packed with fireworks — and not just the kind Trump wanted at his birthday parade. From dramatic legal battles in California to global tensions in the Middle East, here’s what went down:
Trump says he’d support arresting Gov. Gavin Newsom
More Marines deployed to California as protests intensify
Newsom and California’s AG sue Trump over National Guard takeover
Trump’s military birthday parade faces high costs and low attendance
“No Kings” protests erupt in all 50 states
Two Democratic state lawmakers shot in Minnesota — one fatally
We extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved...2025-06-151h 21The Lonely LiberalThe Death of the Republican Party: What Happened to Conservatism?Is the Republican Party still the party of small government, personal responsibility, and traditional values? In this episode, we look at how far the GOP has drifted from its conservative roots—and how much of that shift is intentional.
We compare Reagan and Bush-era policies with Trump’s modern-day agenda, break down the authoritarian pivot of the party, and expose just how deeply Trump’s second term aligns with the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 blueprint. From mass purges of federal workers to the military enforcement of immigration policy, this isn’t the party of your parents—it’s something en...2025-06-1112 minThe Lonely LiberalIs Donald Trump Really a Fascist?The word fascist gets thrown around a lot, but what does it actually mean? In this episode of The Lonely Liberal, we break down the true definition of fascism, explore how it differs from authoritarianism and populism, and examine whether Donald Trump's leadership, especially in his second term, is really crossing that line.
We examine the rhetoric, policies, and power grabs shaping Trump’s current administration and compare them with historical patterns from leaders like Mussolini, Orbán, and Duterte. From the politicization of the Justice Department to attacks on the press and voting rights, we unpack wher...2025-06-1015 minThe Lonely LiberalWeek of June 1: Elon and Trump Breakup, ICE Protests, and Loyalty PledgesThis week on The Lonely Liberal, Rick and I cover a whirlwind of headlines that span the outrageous, the authoritarian, and the just plain bizarre.
In the news:
Elon Musk finally turns on Trump—so naturally, Steve Bannon wants to deport him.
Trump signs a proclamation to restrict student visas and ban entry from 12 countries.
A new investigation into Biden’s cognitive health is underway,
The administration says federal jobs will now go to “Patriotic Americans” first
The National Guard is deployed to LA to crack down on ICE protestors.
The Trump administration moves to remove Harvey M...2025-06-091h 13The Lonely LiberalWhat Is Going on With the U.S. and Canada?In this special cross-border episode, we are joined by the wonderful Delia, Canadian energy and supply chain maestro, to unpack the complicated, often overlooked dynamics between the United States and Canada. From Trump's past and present jabs at America’s northern neighbor to the surprising ways U.S. politics influence Canadian elections, we ask: What’s really going on here?
We explore:
Trump’s shifting relationship with Canada: trade wars, pipeline politics, and “blame Canada” rhetoric
How U.S. political chaos spills across the border — and what that means for Canadian elections
The clean energy connection: How Canadian...2025-06-0558 minThe Lonely LiberalWeek of May 25th: TACO Tuesdays, Bird Flu Cuts, and Biden the Robot?This week, Rick and I break down the chaos in Trumpworld and beyond:
Serious Headlines
Trump’s tariffs ruled illegal — then reinstated by an appeals court.
Trump claims he lowered China tariffs to protect them from civil unrest.
Steel tariffs are set to double, prompting fears of a trade war rerun.
“TACO” — Trump Always Chickens Out — goes viral (and he’s not thrilled).
Lobbyists reportedly charging for help securing Trump pardons.
Trump cancels a $766 million Moderna bird flu vaccine grant — during an actual bird flu outbreak.
The MAHA report cites studies that don’t exist (including one that links to...2025-06-021h 19The Lonely LiberalThe GOP’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ is TERRIBLE for Red StatesIt’s called the ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’—but it might just be a big betrayal. In this episode, we break down the GOP’s new budget and how it slashes healthcare, food assistance, and clean energy investments that overwhelmingly benefit red states. If you live in rural America, you might want to tune in—because you’re footing the bill.
2025-05-2910 minThe Lonely LiberalWeek of May 18th: Trump's Golden Dome, Harvard Drama, and Polygraphs at The White HouseThis week on the Lonely Liberal, Rick and I break down all the major news. From billion-dollar defense bubbles to billion-dollar visas, we break down the Trump administration’s latest flurry of announcements, controversies, and cartoonish chaos. We also bring you the best of the ridiculous: AI mishaps, polygraphs at the White House, and Marjorie Taylor Greene fighting with a bot.
Major Headlines
Golden Dome Missile Defense: Trump unveils a $175B next-gen missile shield.
"White Genocide" Video: Trump shocks South African President with fake footage.
GOP Reconciliation Bill: Mike Johnson declares Trump the “most respected modern president.”
Qatari Jet Bec...2025-05-251h 05The Lonely LiberalCrypto King: Inside Trump's Digital Gold RushDonald and Melania Trump have officially turned crypto into a family business — and maybe a political strategy. From $TRUMP and $MELANIA memecoins to the family-backed USD1 stablecoin powering billion-dollar Gulf investments, this episode of The Lonely Liberal unpacks the meme coin presidency, the ethics of crypto deregulation, and what happens when the First Family goes full Web3.
Email us thelonelyliberalpodcast@gmail.com
Instagram @thelonelyliberal
2025-05-2223 minThe Lonely LiberalWeek of May 11: GOP Spending Bill, Tariffs, and RFK Is Not a DoctorIn this week’s episode of The Lonely Liberal, Rick and I break down the latest whirlwind of serious policy updates and absurd political theater. From billion-dollar budget cuts to bacteria-filled PR stunts, here’s what you need to know—and what you wish you didn’t.
News:
Medicaid cuts buried in Trump’s $4.9 trillion tax plan
U.S. denies plan to relocate 1 million Palestinians to Libya
U.S. and China agree to pause on escalating tariffs
Trump signs executive order slashing prescription drug prices
April sees surplus tha...2025-05-191h 09The Lonely LiberalThe U.S. National Debt is $36 Trillion: Should We Be Freaking Out?The U.S. national debt just crossed $36 trillion — but what does that actually mean? In this episode of The Lonely Liberal, we dig into how we got here, who and what is really driving the debt, and whether it's the crisis some politicians make it out to be.
From trillion-dollar interest payments to pandemic spending, tax cuts, and entitlement programs, we break down the numbers, the myths, and the politics. Is investor confidence cracking? Could rising debt limit future government action? And how do other countries — like Japan — manage even bigger debt loads?
Whether you're debt-p...2025-05-1516 minThe Lonely LiberalThe GOP Spending Bill is a Complete JokeJoin us for a bonus lunchtime rant about the newly released GOP spending bill, dubbed "The Big, Beautiful Bill."
Don't worry, normal episode still planned for tomorrow as usual.
2025-05-1313 minThe Lonely LiberalWeek of May 4th: A New Pope, Trump’s New Jet, and Newark Airport is BrokenFrom presidential interviews to absurd policy proposals, Rick and I go through this week's headlines:
Trump fumbles a question about the Constitution in a new NBC interview
Biden and Jill go on The View about 2024
Meet Pope Leo XIV: the first American pope
19 states sue RFK Jr. over sweeping HHS cuts
Trump freezes $2.2 billion in research grants to Harvard
Newark air traffic controllers temporarily lose signal—again
17 states sue Trump admin over offshore wind ban
Ridiculous Headlines
Jon Voight pitched the idea for a film tariff to Trump
Trump announces plan to reopen Alcatraz
New self-deportation pr...2025-05-121h 04The Lonely LiberalWhy Are Grocery Prices in the U.S. SO Expensive?On this week's show, we discuss one of the most talked about issues in American politics -- why are groceries so damn expensive? We break it down for you, covering inflation, corporate greed, and what other countries do to fight these things.
Send us an email at thelonelyliberalpodcast@gmail.com
Follow us on IG at @thelonelyliberal
2025-05-0816 minThe Lonely LiberalWeek of April 27th: Trump's Approval Drops, Ukraine Mineral Deal, and Schumer's Imaginary FriendsOn this week's show, Rick and I discuss the most pressing issues in the news over the past week, including:
Amazon threatens to show the impacts of tariffs
Trump lashes out at Fox News and WSJ for publishing polls about the economy.
Trump's 100-day approval rating drops
U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal
Mike Walz leaving role, moving to new job
Democrat approval ratings drop
Pete Buttigieg goes on Andrew Schultz’s podcast and discusses how Democrats need to do more modern media.
Canada's liberal Party wins
Empire Wind Work Stop Order
Trump fires climate scientists
NSF halts all fu...2025-05-051h 03The Lonely LiberalIs Trump’s Tariff War Making the Nintendo Switch 2 More Expensive?In this bonus episode of The Lonely Liberal, I dive into a very serious question that has been occupying too much headspace for me: Are Trump’s new China tariffs really driving up the price of the Nintendo Switch 2?
From console hardware and accessories to global supply chains, currency shifts, and manufacturing costs, we break down what’s really behind Nintendo’s surprisingly high price tags — and whether political trade wars are the main culprit or just one piece of the puzzle.
If you love video games, global economics, or just want to understand how politica...2025-05-0206 minThe Lonely LiberalThe Stock Market is Killing the EconomyWe are back! In this episode of The Lonely Liberal, we unpack one of the most common myths in American life: that a rising stock market means a healthy economy. From the shift away from pensions to 401(k)s, to the rise of stock buybacks and the concentration of market wealth in the hands of the richest 10%, we look at how Wall Street’s obsession with short-term profits has eroded jobs, wages, and long-term security for everyday Americans. Why are we forced to cheer for a system that’s hurting us — and what could a better, fairer economy look like?2025-05-0114 minThe Lonely LiberalWhy Does Trump Want the Panama Canal?On this week's show, we explore the Trump Administration's newfound obsession with regaining control over the Panama Canal. Are fears of Chinese influence legitimate? Are they going way too far with their rhetoric and potentially behavior (yes)? Let's find out! If you like the show, please like/review/subscribe!
Contact us at thelonelyliberalpodcast@gmail.com or follow us on Instagram @thelonelyliberal
2025-04-2414 minThe Lonely LiberalTrump and Dump: Is Trump Intentionally Hurting the Economy?In this week's episode (a bonus episode!), Rick and I talk about the state of the economy, ending with the final question: Is Trump intentionally taking the economy? It's a fun one!
Contact us at thelonelyliberalpodcast@gmail.com
2025-04-2026 minThe Lonely LiberalWhy Does Trump Want Greenland So Bad?On this week's episode we take a deep dive into the Trump Administration's obsession with Greenland, why they want it so badly, and what could happen next.
Contact us at thelonelyliberalpodcast@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram at @thelonelyliberal
2025-04-1613 minThe Lonely LiberalWeek of April 6: Deportations, Measles, and a Penguin Caused a Helicopter CrashOn this week's news round-up, Rick and I discuss some of the most controversial stories, including:
Trump Administration says they paused some USAID programs by mistake
Trump is considering paying 10k to each Greenlander
AP gets allowed back into the White House
Trump discusses potentially deporting American citizens
Trump suggests a $1 trillion defense budget
RFK interview and measles outbreak
And more silly/absurd stories like:
Treasury Secretary Bessent suggests that fired federal workers can work in factories opened through tariffs
National Park services removes Harriet Tubman from Underground Railroad webpage
Egg prices hit an all-time high a...2025-04-1341 minThe Lonely LiberalWhat Is Going On With the Economy?On today's show, we tackle the ever-pressing topic of... what the hell is going on with the economy? The tariffs are here, no they're not, my stocks look great, I'll never retire...so much drama, and we'll walk you through it!
Contact us at thelonelyliberalpodcast@gmail.com
Follow us @theloneyliberal
2025-04-1017 minThe Lonely LiberalWeek of March 29th: Trump Flirts with Third Term, Liberation Day, and Taxed PenguinsOn this week's news round-up, Rick and I discuss some of the most controversial stories, including:
•Trump continues to press third term
•WI Supreme Court
•Senator Booker's Long Speech
•Liberation Day and Recession
•Hands Off Protest
•Trump Puts Tariffs on Islands Inhabited Only by Penguins
•Trump pardons a company
•Commerce refers to EU beef as “weak”
Contact the show @loneyliberal on IG or lonelyliberalpodcast@gmail.com
2025-04-061h 02The Lonely LiberalWhy are Americans SO Unhappy?The U.S. just received its worst score ever recorded on the World Happiness Index report, and that feels...right? On today's show, we dive into the data, where the U.S. falls short, what happy countries do right, and how the U.S. can design systems that prioritize happiness.
Contact us at thelonleyliberalpodcast@gmail.com or thelonelyliberal.com
Follow us on Instagram @thelonelyliberal
2025-04-0313 minThe Lonely LiberalWeek of March 23rd: Leaked Texts, Free Speech Violations, and EggsOn this week's news round-up, we are again joined by Rick to discuss some of the most controversial stories, including:
•Pete Hegseth and top officials add Atlantic Journalist to secret groupchat
•Tufts student Rumeysa Ozturk detained and arrested for op ed and protests
•Tesla vandals may get 20 years in prison, More tariffs on cars
•Trump’s approval reading steady (45-47%) — what would it take to go down?
We also chat and laugh about some of the most ridiculous news of the week, including:
•US asks Lithuania for eggs
•Florida considers repealling child labor laws
•And much more
2025-03-3054 minThe Lonely LiberalThe Democratic Party is Not LiberalOn today's show, we talk about how the Democratic Party isn't really that liberal or progressive of a party...and people like Bernie and AOC are actually not radical at all.
Send in your thoughts to thelonelyliberalpodcast@gmail.com
2025-03-2709 minThe Lonely LiberalTesla Terrorism, Department of Education Dismantled, and Kamala’s the Front Runner?In this week's news round-up, we are joined by Rick to discuss:
•Is vandalizing a Tesla terrorism
•What's happening with the Department of Education
•The Easter egg roll
•Kamala is currently the front-runner
•AOC and Bernie's tour
2025-03-2445 minThe Lonely LiberalWho's to Blame? Federal vs. State vs. Local GovernmentIn today's episode, we do a deep dive into which level of government controls what and how states vary economically.
2025-03-2221 minThe Lonely LiberalThe Democratic Party Needs To Wake UpThis is a more off-the-cuff rant about the current failings of the Democratic Party! I swear future episodes will typically have more structure!
2025-03-1720 minThe Lonely LiberalWelcome to the Lonely Liberal Podcast!Welcome to the show! This is just a quick introduction to this show and what we will discuss!
2025-03-1704 min