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Real talk. No filters. No fluff. Zero Distortion is a podcast for curious minds who want to grow, challenge the norm, and hear conversations that actually go somewhere. Hosted by Russ Bates, this show dives into business, politics, relationships, mindset, health, and more—with solo takes and honest conversations with people worth hearing from. If you’re done with safe spins and want something real, you’re in the right place. Mic on. Let’s go.
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Episode 18-Clean Energy’s Next Chapter: Can We Thrive Without the ITC?
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56:11
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The Big Ugly Bill is now law — and clean energy is officially on the clock. In this Zero Distortion panel, host Russ Bates is joined by Jessica Fishman, Jeff Wolfe, and Kevin Doffing to cut through the spin and break down what this means for solar, storage, and America’s energy future. 🔹 What the bill actually does (beyond the headlines) 🔹 How it d…
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Episode 17: What Real Leadership Looks Like | Randal "Tiny" Smith on Strategy, Empathy & Team Performance
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44:06
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What makes a great leader in today’s world of constant pressure, rapid change, and overhyped management trends? In this episode of Zero Distortion, Russ Bates talks with Randal “Tiny” Smith, a 6’7” British military veteran, aerospace engineer, and former Chief Operating Officer at Jaguar Land Rover, who’s led global teams in the military and privat…
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Episode 16-The Manosphere Exposed: Why Fake “Alpha” Culture Is Failing Young Men
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In this episode of Zero Distortion, host Russ Bates dives into the rise of the manosphere—an online world of “alpha male” influencers like Andrew Tate, Sneako, Fresh & Fit, and Nick Fuentes. What started as self-help for struggling men has morphed into a toxic blend of misogyny, status obsession, and grievance-based masculinity. Russ shares his per…
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Episode 15-Electric Julie on EVs, Clean Energy, and Why the Politics Shouldn't Matter Anymore
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In this episode of Zero Distortion, Russ sits down with Julie Johnson—better known as Electric Julie—a powerhouse in clean transportation, logistics, and energy strategy. From heavy-duty EVs to the future of sustainability, Julie shares her journey from pulp and paper to pharmaceuticals to becoming a national voice in clean tech. They dive into the…
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Episode 13-State Rep. Tristan Rader: How Ohio Just Took Down Big Utility Corruption
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In this episode of Zero Distortion, State Representative Tristan Rader joins Russ Bates to break down his first major legislative victory: HB 15, a sweeping, bipartisan clean energy reform law that repeals Ohio’s corrupt coal subsidies from HB 6, introduces new solar energy financing for schools, and puts real guardrails on utility billing practice…
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In this solo episode, Russ cuts through the noise and breaks down why online bullies aren’t worth your time, how to spot the difference between ignorance and bad faith, and why staying focused is the most powerful response. We don’t argue with keyboard cowards. We don’t feed the trolls. We let them boost the algorithm — and move on. New episodes of…
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Episode 12: Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” Cuts Medicaid, Helps the Wealthy — Here’s What’s Inside
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Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” just squeaked through the House — and the stakes couldn’t be higher. In this episode of Zero Distortion, we unpack what this proposed legislation really means for America: 🔹 A massive extension of the 2017 Trump tax cuts 🔹 Deep Medicaid cuts that threaten healthcare access 🔹 Huge tax breaks for corporations and the ultr…
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Episode 11-Trump’s 2017 Tax Cuts: Who Really Benefited?
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Did Trump’s 2017 Tax Cuts really help working Americans — or just the wealthy elite? In this episode of Zero Distortion, host Russ Bates breaks down the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, what was promised, and who actually benefited. We analyze the real impact of the 2017 Trump tax law, including: How much the top 1% of earners gained from the tax cut…
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Episode 10-Manifestation That Actually Works: Mindset, Energy & Real-Life Results
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29:42
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In this episode of Zero Distortion, Russ Bates is joined by his wife Alisa and guests Lanie Latios and Caroline Vincent for a deep, real, and practical conversation about manifestation—what it actually is, how it works in business, relationships, and mindset, and why it’s more than just wishful thinking. We unpack manifestation techniques, includin…
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Episode 9-Made in America-Is It Still Realistic Today
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Everyone’s talking about bringing manufacturing back to the U.S. — but what does it actually take to rebuild an industrial base in today’s global economy? In this episode of Zero Distortion, Russ Bates is joined by Mush Khan, Co-Founder & CEO of Alchemy Industrial, for a real conversation on the gap between political ambition and manufacturing real…
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Episode 8 – The Business of the Bachelor with Lanie Latsios
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The Business of the Bachelor The Bachelor isn't just a dating show — it's a billion-dollar brand built on emotion, competition, and carefully crafted narratives. In this episode of Zero Distortion, Russ is joined by Lanie L. Latsios, a contestant from Joey’s season of The Bachelor, along with my wife Alisa, a longtime fan of the franchise. Together…
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Why is it so hard for politicians to just answer the damn question? In this solo episode, Russ Bates breaks down one of the most frustrating things in politics today — long-winded, empty responses that say nothing. Whether it’s a press conference, a podcast, or testifying before Congress, too many politicians from both sides talk in circles, dodge …
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What does work-life balance really mean — and is it even the right goal? In this episode, Russ shares a personal take on how his view of balance has evolved over time. From working on vacation to finding purpose in the hustle, this isn’t about burnout or boundaries — it’s about alignment. Whether you're an entrepreneur, creative, or just someone tr…
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Episode 5-Vacation Vibes & Real Talk: A Quick Zero Distortion Update from Mexico
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Hola from Mexico! 🌴 In this short update, Russ Bates shares a few vacation vibes while thanking Zero Distortion listeners for the early support. With new episodes coming soon — covering everything from TikTok to politics to behind-the-scenes stories from The Bachelor — there’s a lot to look forward to. Thanks for being part of the ride. Subscribe a…
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In this episode of Zero Distortion, Russ Bates sits down with Angela Muresan — a multilingual marketing strategist, content creator, and presenter — to talk about the journey from early influences to building a purpose-driven career. Angela shares how her values, cultural background, and passion for storytelling have shaped her path in marketing. F…
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Zero Distortion Episode 3-The Fall of Elon Musk
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In this episode of Zero Distortion, Russ Bates unpacks Elon Musk’s shift from admired innovator to political lightning rod. We cover: -Musk’s $275M donation and D.O.G.E. appointment -The myth of $2T in “savings” vs. $150B in new federal spending -Why even Trump is now backing away -And how Musk may be hurting the very legacy he built This isn’t ref…
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Zero Distortion Ep. 2 – Tariffs: Who Pays, Why Now, and What It All Means
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In this episode of Zero Distortion, host Russ Bates breaks down the recent wave of tariff announcements—and reversals—from the Trump administration. With special guest John Ellis (Founder & CEO of Agile Auto, economist, and U.S. Marine veteran), we explore: 1) What Are Tariffs, and Who Pays for Them? (spoiler: it's not the exporting country) 2) Wha…
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In this first episode of Zero Distortion, I break down why I launched this podcast and what it’s really about. I’m not here to go viral or pretend I’ve got it all figured out. I’m here to learn, ask questions, and have real conversations—with no fluff, no spin, and no filters. We’ll cover everything from business and politics to mindset, relationsh…
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