We are entering a new chapter where the children are taking the wheel. In this episode Rick speaks with journalist and author David Corn to discuss the chaotic implications of a Trump administration return, the rise of figures like Elon Musk and RFK Jr., and the dangerous erosion of government institutions. They dive into concerns about unqualified leadership, the dismantling of public health systems, and the weaponization of agencies like the FBI under Trump loyalists.

Timestamps:

(00:01:10) American Psychosis

(00:08:13) How long can Trump and Elon Musk co-exist?

(00:18:04) DOJ and Kash Patel

Follow Resolute Square:

Instagram

Twitter

TikTok

Find out more at Resolute Square

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This special series is a joint production by David Pepper and Resolute Square. The book, “Trump’s Project 2025: Up Close And Personal” by David Pepper, is available for purchase at https://a.co/d/adWcJ4S.

Chapter One of Trump’s Project 2025: Up Close and Personal depicts how the lives of everyday Americans would be impacted by the policies outlined in Trumps’s Project 2025 and the return of Donald Trump to power. The fictional story follows Ammon Maher, a college student and immigrant, as he is detained and deported without due process due to his involvement in past campus protests. This narrative directly reflects Trump's campaign promises to crack down on student protesters and his administration's policies that target undocumented immigrants, including so-called "dreamers." The author of the serialized “2025: A Novel” upon which this podcast series is based, David Pepper, highlights how these policies, if implemented, would violate civil liberties and human rights in an alarming and unjust manner. The podcast series aims to raise awareness of the very real dangers posed by Trump's extremist agenda and the disturbing implications of "Project 2025" for the American people. You can read 

Chapter One of David Pepper’s “2025: A Novel” at davidpepper.substack.com/p/2025-a-novel

Follow Resolute Square:

Instagram

Twitter

TikTok

Find out more at Resolute Square

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the post election dust begins to settle, we look to the future. On today's episode Rick is joined by political strategist and author David Pepper to discuss the challenges and opportunities in the post-Trump landscape. They delve into the importance of state-level elections, the lessons from past midterms, and the critical need for focused messaging to counteract chaos. David also introduces his compelling Project 2025 series, which uses storytelling to highlight the real-world impacts of Trump’s proposed policies. Together, they explore how to prepare for the battles ahead and inspire proactive action to defend democracy.

Timestamps:

(00:01:39) The resistance to Trump

(00:10:53) Winning state elections

(00:15:13) The Wisconsin Supreme Court race

(00:24:45) Project 2025

Follow Resolute Square:

Instagram

Twitter

TikTok

Find out more at Resolute Square

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today Rick details the chilling effect of ABC's capitulation in a lawsuit brought by Trump, examining its dangerous implications for press freedom and journalism in America. He warns that this decision sets a precedent, emboldening Trump and others to intimidate media outlets into silence through lawsuits, threats, and governmental pressure. He explores how corporate interests, fear of retaliation, and the erosion of trust in the media are undermining the free press—a cornerstone of democracy.

Follow Resolute Square:

Instagram

Twitter

TikTok

Find out more at Resolute Square

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the bizarro world that is Trump's America, Michael Flynn sued Rick. In today's special episode, Rick details the case and how, at long last, he prevailed. A victory for common sense and free speech.

Follow Resolute Square:

Instagram

Twitter

TikTok

Find out more at Resolute Square

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is democracy in decline? Clearly. In this episode Rick sits down with Emily Amick, co-author of Democracy in Retrograde, to discuss the challenges facing American democracy and how to reclaim civic engagement in the age of polarization and outrage. They explore the rise of minority rule, the impact of social media on public discourse, and the erosion of community ties. Emily shares actionable insights from her book, including how individuals can create sustainable civic action plans and rebuild connections to strengthen democracy.

Emily's book, Democracy in Retrograde, available now.

Timestamps:

(00:01:20) Democracy in Retrograde

(00:09:17) The outrage politics cycle

(00:12:01) Building community

(00:16:42) Why Americans are polarized and exhausted

Follow Resolute Square:

Instagram

Twitter

TikTok

Find out more at Resolute Square

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is America heading toward a tyrannical, authoritarian system? Taking for granted our basic pursuit of freedom? In today's episode Rick is joined by historian and Yale professor Timothy Snyder to discuss his latest book, On Freedom. Building on the themes of his influential work On Tyranny, Snyder explores the deeper meaning of freedom, its vulnerabilities in modern America, and how to preserve it against rising authoritarian tendencies. The conversation digs into the dangers of "sado-populism," the distortion of free speech, and the seductive appeal of authoritarianism. Snyder offers a powerful case for the value of freedom as a cornerstone of human dignity and creativity.

Timothy's book, On Freedom, available now.

Timestamps:

(00:01:42) On Freedom

(00:03:00) Do Americans realize what's at stake?

(00:07:17) The elements of freedom that are at risk 

(00:14:19) Turning away from individual liberty

(00:22:33) The future of freedom

Follow Resolute Square:

Instagram

Twitter

TikTok

Find out more at Resolute Square

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode, Rick answers your burning questions submitted from across the interweb. We plan to do more Q&A episodes in 2025 so please send in your questions to [email protected].

Follow Resolute Square:

Instagram

Twitter

TikTok

Find out more at Resolute Square

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We begin this episode with a quick note of appreciation from Rick, to you and everyone who has supported in this fight. From there Rick sits down with New York Times bestselling author Michael Tackett to discuss his new book, The Price of Power: How Mitch McConnell Mastered the Senate, Changed America, and Lost His Party. Tackett unpacks McConnell's transformation from a pragmatic politician to a key architect of modern conservatism, his mastery of Senate rules, and his role in reshaping the judiciary. The conversation explores McConnell's relationship with Trump, his controversial post-January 6 decisions, and the enduring impact of his leadership.

Michael's book, The Price of Power: How Mitch McConnell Mastered the Senate, Changed America, and Lost His Party, available now.

Timestamps:

(00:06:19) The Price of Power

(00:12:32) Doing more with the minority than some can do with the majority

(00:14:18) Curating his own caucus

(00:17:03) Controlling Trump

(00:27:13) The Senate post McConnell

Follow Resolute Square:

Instagram

Twitter

TikTok

Find out more at Resolute Square

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

And so begins the inevitable ball-fumbling that is a Trump Presidency. In our first episode back from a short break, Rick rants on the Matt Gaetz debacle and how we should see in the context of Trump and his incoming administration.

Follow Resolute Square:

Instagram

Twitter

TikTok

Find out more at Resolute Square

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In these final days before the election, Trump has doubled down on his authoritarian, fascist rhetoric. To help us make sense of the chaos leading up to the big day, Rick welcomes historian and political analyst Heather Cox Richardson for a thought-provoking discussion on the future of American democracy. Together, they delve into the stark contrasts between democracy and authoritarianism, the Republican Party’s transformation under Trump, and the growing influence of tech billionaires pushing anti-democratic agendas. As the 2024 election upon us, they examine the stakes, the shifts in voter sentiment, and the potential for new political coalitions to reshape our reality.

Timestamps:

(00:01:21) Closing out the race

(00:06:30) Corruption of the American system

(00:17:29) The new generation

Follow Resolute Square:

Instagram

Twitter

TikTok

Find out more at Resolute Square

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices