Justin, Jen, and Heaton break down Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s proposal that the U.S. government take equity stakes in defense contractors. It's a plan criticized as creeping socialism by Republicans but framed by Lutnick as fair compensation for taxpayer investment. They also tackle the backlash to Cracker Barrel’s (now former) new logo, which abandoned its traditional imagery in favor of a minimal, modern design. From Trump’s mocking to bipartisan confusion online, the panel explores why even subtle branding tweaks can trigger culture war blowback.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Intro and Taylor Swift

00:21:41 - Defense Companies

00:53:05 - Cracker Barrel

01:21:11 - Emails

01:33:35 - Wrap-up

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The gang breaks down Taylor Swift’s headline-grabbing New Heights podcast appearance, which shattered viewership records and marked her first extended on-air discussion of her relationship with Travis Kelce. They explore the cultural impact of Swift’s crossover into NFL territory and the surreal response from James Comey, whose viral video praising the episode led to a MAGA backlash. Then they dig into MSNBC’s awkward rebrand to “MS NOW,” a move mocked across social media for its clunky name and loss of the iconic peacock, and question whether the network will survive the decade.

Chapters

00:00:00 - Intro

00:17:45 - Taylor Swift

01:00:48 - MS NOW

01:25:58 - Emails

01:50:19 - Wrap-up

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andrew Heaton, Jen Briney, and Justin Young as they dive into a lively discussion on the complexities of political identity, the impact of federal intervention in cities, and the nuances of libertarianism. Trump takes over the DC police, is that legal? If so, will it be effective? Also, are kids spending too much on dumb stuff? Is that a recession signal?

1. Introduction and Opening Remarks - [0:00]
2. Discussion on Federal Intervention in Cities - [15:30]
3. Libertarianism and Political Identity - [35:45]
4. Personal Anecdotes and Experiences - [50:10]
5. Listener Emails and Responses - [1:10:25]
6. Closing Thoughts and Wrap-Up - [1:30:00]

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.