In this episode of The Billy Dees Podcast, host Billy Dees welcomes returning guest Sara Alessandrini for a wide-ranging discussion that blends media analysis, politics, and cultural perspective. Alessandrini—an accomplished commentator and filmmaker—joins the program to discuss her work and recent writing, including a Substack essay examining the political messaging and policy contradictions surrounding New York City politics. The conversation offers listeners both analysis and context, particularly for those trying to understand the intersection of media narratives and political branding.

A key focus of the discussion is Alessandrini’s documentary, This Is What New Yorkers Say, a multi-part project that explores the intense media cycle surrounding former New York governor Andrew Cuomo. The series examines how the media helped elevate Cuomo during the early days of the pandemic before later turning sharply critical. Dees and Alessandrini reflect on how this rise-and-fall dynamic mirrors broader trends in modern media, where public figures are often rapidly built up and then dismantled in the public arena.

The conversation then shifts to Alessandrini’s recent Substack article examining the political image and policy messaging of Zohran Mamdani, the current mayor of New York City. Alessandrini argues that the real issue is not necessarily what Mamdani says publicly, but what his messaging leaves unsaid. Together, she and Dees analyze how political branding, campaign promises, and governing realities can diverge—particularly when leaders campaign on ambitious economic proposals while facing complex fiscal realities once in office.

Beyond policy debates, the episode also explores broader themes about ideology, populism, and political movements. Alessandrini explains the role of the Democratic Socialists of America and how grassroots political organizations influence local elections and policy conversations. The discussion highlights how political narratives often evolve through media framing, activist movements, and public perception, shaping how voters understand complex economic and social issues.

Throughout the episode, Alessandrini offers a unique perspective as an immigrant and international observer of American politics. Her reflections on cultural identity, media framing, and political rhetoric provide an additional layer to the conversation, reminding listeners that debates in the United States are often viewed very differently from abroad. The result is a thoughtful and lively exchange that reflects the signature format of The Billy Dees Podcast: informed commentary paired with engaging interviews that challenge audiences to think more critically about politics, media, and the stories that shape public perception.

Billy Dees on X https://x.com/BillyDees

Sara Alessandrini on X https://x.com/diswhatnyerssay

Documentary This is What New Yorkers Say https://www.thisiswhatnewyorkerssay.com/

Billy Dees welcomes Jeff Kruszyna, founder and CEO of JMK Victory, for a wide-ranging conversation about politics, marketing, and the rise of what he calls the “patriot economy.” With more than 20 years in direct response marketing and over $100 million raised for campaigns, PACs, and advocacy organizations, Kruszyna shares insight into how values-driven consumerism is reshaping business and political fundraising.

The discussion explores how September 11th changed the course of Kruszyna’s life, leading him from a computer science student at Stony Brook University into the world of political strategy and fundraising. Dees and Kruszyna also examine today’s polarized political environment, the influence of algorithms and digital media, and why many Americans are increasingly aligning their purchasing decisions with their beliefs.

They also dive into the psychology behind successful fundraising, the surprising staying power of direct mail marketing, and the biggest mistakes political campaigns make when trying to build donor support.

It’s a fascinating look at the intersection of politics, persuasion, and the evolving American marketplace.

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Book Your Call with Jeff Kruszyna https://booking.jmkvictory.com/jeff

On this episode of the Billy Dees Podcast, Billy welcomes former FBI Special Agent Eric Robinson for a compelling conversation that bridges faith, federal investigations, and frontline reality.  

After 24 years with the FBI — working white-collar crime, counter-terrorism, gangs, drugs, crimes against children, and serving as a SWAT operator and firearms instructor — Eric shares what the job is really like beyond the television dramas. From the painstaking process behind wiretaps to the split-second decisions made during high-risk operations, he offers a grounded look at life inside the Bureau.  

But Eric’s story doesn’t begin with law enforcement. Before joining the FBI, he spent 12 years in Christian ministry, even planting and pastoring a church in Western New York. In this candid discussion, he explains how counseling skills from the pulpit carried over into interrogation rooms — and how years of exposure to crime can challenge faith, perspective, and compassion.  

Billy and Eric also dive into modern terrorism threats, political perceptions of the FBI, law enforcement scrutiny, and the realities of use-of-force decisions. It’s an honest, thoughtful exchange that moves beyond headlines and into the human experience behind the badge.  

Eric also previews his upcoming memoir — a collection of humorous, surprising, and powerful moments from his journey “from preacher to breacher.”   A wide-ranging, insightful conversation you won’t want to miss.

Follow Billy Dees on X https://x.com/BillyDees

Eric Robinson on X https://x.com/EricR0binson

Podcast Description: Cinda Gault — Writing Women, History, and Identity

In this episode, Billy Dees welcomes Canadian author Cinda Gault for a wide-ranging and thoughtful conversation about literature, feminism, history, and cultural identity.

Cinda Gault shares her journey from second-wave feminist activism in 1970s Canada to earning advanced degrees in criminology and English, and ultimately becoming a novelist. The discussion explores her three books — This Godforsaken Place, A Small Compass, and Everything I Hope For — and her passion for telling stories about resilient women navigating both wilderness frontiers and modern urban life.

The conversation also dives into:

·       What it was really like coming of age in the 1970s
·       Canada’s unique cultural and political identity
·       Why Canada has no federal abortion law
·       The evolution of feminism and identity politics
·       Music, community, and what’s been lost since the hi-fi era
·       How fiction restores the human stories history leaves behind

From Annie Oakley to Wayne Gretzky, from Hudson’s Bay archives to modern debates about autonomy and progress, this episode is an engaging cross-border dialogue about how societies change — and how storytelling preserves what facts alone cannot.

A thoughtful, civil, and compelling exchange you won’t want to miss.

Cinda Gault's website https://cindagault.com/

Find Billy Dees here https://linktr.ee/BillyDees  

In this episode, Billy Dees welcomes fellow podcaster Sam, host of the Shades of Jade Podcast, for a wide-ranging and thought-provoking discussion that blends commentary with investigative curiosity. Sam’s show, much like Billy’s, tackles current events and cultural flashpoints — and lately, her focus has been on the ever-evolving story surrounding Jeffrey Epstein.

At the heart of the conversation is the public reaction to the so-called “Epstein files.” Sam explains that much of her coverage has centered on separating fact from fiction. Just because a name appears in documents connected to Jeffrey Epstein does not mean criminal involvement. Invitations, flight logs, and peripheral associations have fueled online speculation, but as Sam notes, guilt by association is not the same as proof of wrongdoing. In a political climate where names are quickly weaponized, the discussion highlights how easily narratives can spiral beyond the available evidence.

Billy and Sam also explore the figures most closely tied to Epstein, including Ghislaine Maxwell and Prince Andrew. Why, they ask, has Maxwell faced conviction while many powerful individuals named in connection with Epstein have not? The episode raises questions about legal standards, the difficulty of prosecuting crimes involving elites, and the challenge of distinguishing moral suspicion from criminal liability. The conversation doesn’t shy away from controversial territory either — from Epstein’s mysterious death to broader concerns about transparency, redactions, and political theater surrounding document releases.

Throughout the episode, Billy brings his trademark skepticism and conversational style, pressing on issues of power, privilege, and accountability. Sam offers measured analysis, emphasizing the importance of evidence over outrage. Together, they examine how high-profile scandals unfold in real time — shaped not only by courts and investigators, but by media narratives, partisan divides, and public emotion.

This episode is less about sensationalism and more about asking difficult questions: What do we really know? What is assumption? And why does this case continue to grip the public imagination years later? It’s a candid, layered discussion about truth, influence, and the complexities of justice in a world where powerful names dominate the headlines.

Billy Dees on X @BillyDees https://x.com/BillyDees

Shades of Jade on X @ShadesofJadePod https://x.com/ShadesofJadePod?s=20 

What happens when ideology collides with science?

In this episode of The Billy Dees Podcast, Billy sits down with Dr. Marc J. Defant, professor of geology and geochemistry at the University of South Florida and author of Voyage of Discovery: From the Big Bang to the Ice Age. Dr. Defant brings decades of scientific research—and a willingness to challenge academic orthodoxy—to a wide-ranging conversation about evolutionary psychology, biology, and the growing politicization of higher education.

Together, Billy and Dr. Defant explore why evidence still matters, how evolutionary psychology explains sex differences and human behavior, and where modern feminism and social constructionism clash with data. From masculinity and mate selection to the gender pay gap, academia, and the erosion of intellectual honesty, this episode cuts through culture-war noise with a grounded, unapologetically evidence-based discussion.

If you’re interested in science, free inquiry, and conversations that don’t pull punches, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

Billy Dees Links https://linktr.ee/BillyDees

If you enjoy history, you will really like this episode.

D. H. Morris, a native of San Diego, California, has lived on four continents and traveled through countless countries. Now residing in Kansas City, Missouri, she’s the proud mother of four children and grandmother to eleven. With a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Choral Music Education from Utah State University, she later pursued graduate studies in English at USU and law at the University of Utah.  

A published playwright, she has recently turned her passion for history into a novel, The Girl of Many Crowns. Set in the Kingdom of Francia in 856 AD, the book tells the gripping true story of Judith, the first princess of France, and Baldwin “Iron Arm,” a knight of King Charles the Bald. Together, they defy an empire, embarking on a daring journey that will change history. As a descendant of both Judith and Baldwin, D. H. Morris uncovered their remarkable tale while working on a genealogical project. Intrigued, she dove deep into the 9th century, researching everything from politics and war to food, clothing, and marriage customs. She is passionate about this remarkable time in history when the European countries we know today were being formed and fighting for their very existence.

D.H. Morris Website https://newclassicspublishing.com/

In this deeply reflective episode of The Billy Dees Podcast, Billy sits down with author Laura Buchwald to explore grief, storytelling, and the enduring human desire to reconnect with those we’ve lost. The conversation centers on Buchwald’s novel The Book of Reservations, a story built around a haunting yet tender premise: what if you could share one more meal with a departed loved one? Drawing from personal loss, spiritual curiosity, and years immersed in the arts, Buchwald discusses how grief is not a linear process, but a deeply personal and cumulative experience that shapes how we love, remember, and create.

Buchwald opens up about the inspiration behind her “ghost table” trilogy, influenced by a visit to New Orleans and her belief that death is not necessarily an ending, but a transformation. The discussion thoughtfully balances belief and skepticism, as Billy and Laura examine hospice experiences, end-of-life phenomena, and why so many people report strikingly similar moments as they near death. Rather than framing the novel as a ghost story, Buchwald explains that the supernatural elements are simply part of the world her characters inhabit—much like grief itself, always present, whether acknowledged or not.

The interview also dives into the realities of being a writer today: the discipline required to push through messy first drafts, the long road to publication, and how AI is reshaping—but not replacing—the creative process. Buchwald offers candid advice to aspiring writers, emphasizing patience, revision, and the importance of writing what you love rather than chasing trends. Woven throughout the conversation is a shared appreciation for old-school neighborhood restaurants, local culture, and the stories embedded in physical spaces—an idea that mirrors the heart of The Book of Reservations. It’s an insightful, human conversation about loss, creativity, and why stories—like meals shared with loved ones—continue to matter long after they’re finished.

You can find out more about the author and her book here: https://www.laurabuchwald.com/

In this powerful episode of The Billy Dees Podcast, Billy sits down with Iranian human rights activist Zolal Habibi for an in-depth and deeply personal conversation about Iran’s past, present, and possible future. Zolal shares her extraordinary journey into activism, shaped by the loss of her father during the 1988 massacre of political prisoners, and explains her work with the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI). The discussion provides crucial context many Americans may not be familiar with, challenging oversimplified narratives about Iran before and after the 1979 revolution and explaining how a popular uprising for freedom was ultimately hijacked by a far more brutal theocratic dictatorship.

The conversation explores the realities of life under authoritarian rule, the failures of both monarchy and the current regime, and why Iranians remain deeply skeptical of foreign intervention while still seeking international solidarity. Zolal outlines the NCRI’s vision for a secular, democratic republic rooted in human rights, gender equality, and the separation of religion and state. She also discusses the Ten-Point Plan championed by Maryam Rajavi, highlighting why women have emerged as a leading force in Iran’s resistance movement and how decades of organized opposition have laid the groundwork for meaningful change from within.

Billy and Zolal also address the urgency of the current moment: widespread protests, brutal crackdowns, internet shutdowns, mass arrests, and executions. They examine what meaningful international support could look like without repeating past mistakes, emphasizing accountability, recognition of the Iranian people’s right to resist tyranny, and an end to policies that embolden the regime. This episode is a sobering yet hopeful look at a generational struggle for freedom, offering listeners rare insight into the resilience of the Iranian people and the real possibilities for a democratic future if the world chooses to stand with them.

You can find Billy Dees on X (Twitter) https://x.com/BillyDees

🎙️ Episode Recap — Originally Live January 16, 2026 @ 8:00 PM EST

Join us for a wide-ranging and riveting conversation with Billy Dees and Cynthia Elliott, where no headline is too hot and no topic too complex.

This episode dives headfirst into the biggest stories driving news cycles and public debate right now — from the escalating political and legal fallout over the controversial ICE shooting death in Minneapolis to Iran’s geopolitical shifts past, present, and future. We also unpack the ever-changing landscape of Hollywood, and grapple with the heated discourse around free speech sparked by Shlomo Kramer’s recent remarks.

Thoughtful, provocative, and unapologetically candid, this discussion dissects what’s happening and why it matters.

In this episode of The Billy Dees Podcast, Billy sits down with Italian filmmaker and social commentator Sara Alessandrini, creator of the docu-series This Is What New Yorkers Say.

Sara discusses her deep dive into the Andrew Cuomo media saga and how legacy media, public outrage, and social movements shape — and sometimes distort — public perception.

Drawing from her experience living in both Europe and the United States, Sarah offers a unique perspective on due process, the limits of movements like #MeToo, political polarization, immigration, and the growing inability to have nuanced conversations in today’s culture. Together, Billy and Sara explore how narratives are formed, why critical thinking matters more than ever, and what happens when society replaces facts with feelings.

A thoughtful and challenging conversation about media power, politics, and the future of public discourse.

Find out more about Sara's docu-series here https://www.thisiswhatnewyorkerssay.com/

Follow Billy Dees on X https://x.com/BillyDees