Charlie Sykes is joined by Nicholas Grossman, editor of Arc Digital and political science professor, to dissect the first 100 days of Trump's second term—from the international backlash to his Canada rhetoric to the domestic fallout of authoritarian policies. They explore the growing cracks in public opinion, the danger of a politicized military, a…

Owen, a former Global Energy Manager at a Fortune 500 company, implemented $60M in clean technology before founding lumeo, a niche ESCO that hit eight figures in three years. After a successful exit, he launched ZNE Capital to decarbonize commercial real estate, acquiring 654 units worth $75M. Frustrated by solar deployment challenges, he founded S…

Charlie Sykes is joined by journalist Ryan Lizza to unpack the first 100 days of Trump's second term and why much of the political media is failing to meet the moment. They discuss Lizza’s dramatic exit from Politico, the dangers of corporate media under pressure, and why journalists — and citizens — must rethink how they cover and confront this ne…

Charlie Sykes and Adam Kinzinger unpack Donald Trump's public humiliation by Vladimir Putin, his surrender on Ukraine, and the dangerous implications for America's standing in the world. They also dive into Trump's open market manipulation, the erosion of Congressional power, and why this political moment may be the most consequential in American h…

The FBI arrested Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan. Charlie Sykes and former Congressman Adam Kinzinger gave their reaction. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Charlie Sykes is joined by Paul Rieckhoff to break down the chaos engulfing the Pentagon under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth—from classified leaks on Signal to a spiraling internal purge. They explore how a Fox News persona ended up with the nukes, what it means for U.S. national security, and why even Trumpworld is starting to panic. Plus, signs …

Sona Khosla, Chief Impact Officer at Benevity, has worked with mission-driven organizations for over 15 years. As Chief Impact Officer, she is responsible for infusing impact into Benevity’s business and culture and overseeing the company’s own impact and inclusion initiatives. At the helm of Benevity Impact Labs, an incubator and resource hub, Son…

Charlie Sykes is joined by Lawfare’s Ben Wittes to unpack a whirlwind week in Trumpworld—from the Supreme Court’s late-night rebuke of secret deportations to Pete Hegseth’s Pentagon meltdown. They discuss the legal stakes of the Abrego Garcia case, the markets reacting to Trump’s Fed threats, and the eerie silence around Trump’s authoritarian moves…

On this Easter Sunday, Charlie Sykes is joined by Atlantic writer Tom Nichols to unpack the dizzying pace of democratic erosion in Trump's second term. From threats to the IRS, FCC, and Fed, to the elevation of conspiracy theorists and foreign propaganda apologists, they examine how fear, intimidation, and nihilism are driving the administration’s …

Charlie Sykes is joined by historian Julian Zelizer to examine the Trump administration's defiance of the U.S. Supreme Court, the mounting fallout from a chaotic trade war, and the troubling implications of a president who surrounds himself with sycophants and silences dissent. From Harvard's resistance to law firms caving under political pressure,…

Benjamin Gardner is the Chief Executive Officer of Dekker Designs and a working principal of the D/P/S commercial group, Benjamin is dedicated to improving the built environment using skills acquired from combined backgrounds in architecture, construction, and construction management. Benjamin has been with Dekker/Perich/Sabatini since 2001, and ha…

Charlie Sykes is joined by Tim O’Brien of Bloomberg Opinion to unpack the chaos of Trump's tariff war, his public humiliation by Vladimir Putin, and his escalating disregard for the rule of law. They discuss how the president’s unchecked impulses are upending markets, weakening U.S. alliances, and threatening legal norms—all while rewarding loyalty…

Charlie Sykes is joined by Amy McGrath and Denver Riggleman for a candid conversation about national security, military norms, and the authoritarian threats posed by a second Trump term. They dive into the dangers of loyalty-driven purges, the collapse of soft power, and why some Americans still fall for bizarre conspiracy theories. With bourbon-fu…

Charlie Sykes talks with Jonathan Allen and Amie Parnes, authors of Fight: Inside the Wildest Battle for the White House, to unpack their explosive behind-the-scenes reporting on the 2024 election. They discuss a Democratic Party in disarray, a media landscape accused of complicity, and the pivotal moments that helped reelect Donald Trump. From Bid…

Once called a “unicorn” for her entrepreneurial approach, Vicki Apodaca is a seasoned marketer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. Vicki has been a founding member of several tech startups (Phalanx, StellarFi, Joust, and Soply), and have also been through two exits (Joust acquired by ZenBusiness, Starship HSA acquired by Optum). Her passion in go-to…

Charlie Sykes is joined by Peter Wehner to unpack the global economic chaos unfolding under Donald Trump's leadership. They explore the psychological grip Trump holds on his supporters, the failures of institutions to push back, and the dangerous normalization of one-man rule. Together, they reflect on how fear, denial, and the collapse of civic co…

Charlie Sykes is joined by David French for a wide-ranging conversation about the alarming trajectory of Trump’s second term—from potential appointments like Pete Hegseth and Kash Patel to the chaos of $6 trillion in new tariffs. They explore the rise of authoritarian instincts, the collapse of due process, and the moral rationalizations enabling T…

Charlie Sykes is joined by Josh Kraushaar to unpack the political aftershocks of Elon Musk’s failed $26 million intervention in Wisconsin’s Supreme Court race. They dig into the GOP’s internal frustrations with Musk, the Trump administration’s growing disregard for due process, and the Democrats’ unexpected resurgence. Plus, the two discuss the ris…

Paul Zelizer is the host of the Awarepreneurs Podcast, the world’s longest running social entrepreneur podcast, and has been a Business Coach who specializes in working with social entrepreneurs and climate tech founders for the past 18 years. This episode is sponsored by the coaching company of the host, Paul Zelizer. Consider a Strategy Session i…

Charlie Sykes and former Congressman David Jolly explore the unsettling prospect of Donald Trump pursuing a third term and the broader implications for American democracy. They examine the collapse of congressional power, the growing influence of Elon Musk in Republican politics, and the corrosive impact of money on elections—including a $100 milli…

Charlie Sykes welcomes CNN veteran and Substack writer Jim Acosta for a weekend conversation on fear, power, and political pushback in the Trump era. They discuss the administration's performative authoritarianism, from mass deportations and censorship to threats against institutions and the judiciary—while also spotlighting signs of resistance, el…

Pulitzer Prize-winning author and Atlantic staff writer Anne Applebaum joins Charlie Sykes to unpack the shocking revelations of the "SignalGate" scandal—an alarming breach of national security and a window into the chaos of the second Trump administration. Applebaum explains how the use of unsecured messaging apps, bizarre bravado among senior off…

Manuela Guzmán is the Head of Network at Top Tier Impact (TTI), a global ecosystem of 600+ investors, founders, and corporates dedicated to solving the world’s most pressing challenges. She leads TTI’s network strategy, fostering high-impact connections that drive investments, deal flow, and partnerships across key hubs like London, New York, San F…

Charlie Sykes and national security expert Olivia Troye react to The Atlantic's bombshell report detailing how Trump administration officials accidentally included a journalist in a Signal group chat revealing real-time U.S. war plans. They also examine the chilling erosion of institutional norms—from the revocation of security clearances for disse…

Charlie Sykes is joined by Tom Nichols of The Atlantic to discuss the growing normalization of authoritarianism and the failure of America's institutions to push back. They cover everything from Trump’s war on the judiciary to Elon Musk’s growing influence, the alarming capitulations by law firms and universities, and Vladimir Putin's manipulation …

Former Congressman Adam Kinzinger joins Charlie Sykes for a candid discussion on the state of American democracy, Donald Trump's threats, and the exhaustion of fighting political chaos. Kinzinger reflects on the lessons he's learned since leaving Congress, including the importance of resilience in the face of intimidation and the need to maintain a…

David Reiling is the President and CEO of Sunrise Banks, a mission-driven, values-based bank with locations in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota and Sioux Falls, South Dakota. David has worked in the community development banking industry for more than 25 years. He is a social entrepreneur and innovator who strives to forge meaningful partnerships, d…

Charlie Sykes speaks with Michael Roth, president of Wesleyan University, about the escalating attacks on higher education under Donald Trump’s administration. They discuss the administration’s sweeping funding cuts, threats to academic freedom, and the reluctance of university leaders to push back against government overreach. Roth offers a candid…

Charlie Sykes and David Frum discuss the volatile state of the U.S. economy, the Trump administration’s trade war with Canada, and the potential consequences of Elon Musk’s growing influence in government policy. They analyze Trump’s economic policies, including his fixation on tariffs and trade conflicts, and question the administration’s erratic …

Charlie Sykes is joined by Nicholas Grossman, editor of Arc Digital and professor of political science at the University of Illinois, to dissect the latest political chaos. They explore Donald Trump’s bizarre loyalty to Vladimir Putin, the unraveling of U.S. alliances, and the dangerous shift in global power dynamics. From the potential government …

Charlie Sykes and Reed Galen discuss the latest political turmoil, including the potential government shutdown, economic uncertainty, and the evolving dynamics within the Republican Party. They examine the rise of authoritarian figures, the state of the opposition, and the disconnect between voters and the political establishment. The conversation …

Charlie Sykes sits down with Politico senior writer Jonathan Martin to break down the latest political chaos, including the explosive clash between the Trump cabinet and Elon Musk. They explore the growing tensions within Trump's cabinet, the unpredictability of his policy decisions, and the broader implications for America's allies. Martin also of…

Charlie Sykes and Washington Post columnist Karen Tumulty react to President Trump's speech to Congress. They discuss the administration’s approach to governance, including its impact on national security, economic policy, and the broader implications of Elon Musk’s influence. Tumulty and Sykes analyze the Republican Party’s response, the weakening…

For four decades, Rebecca “Puck” Stair has built teams to tackle complex, high-profile, high-dollar projects. In 2023, she came to the New Mexico state energy office after two decades in the New Mexico film industry, where she worked as a producer and location manager on over a hundred films, television shows, commercials and other media projects, …

Charlie Sykes and Susan Glasser discuss the significant geopolitical shifts occurring under Donald Trump's presidency, particularly regarding Ukraine and Russia. They analyze the implications of Trump's actions, including his confrontational meeting with Ukrainian President Zelensky, and the broader consequences for American foreign policy and alli…

Charlie Sykes and Adam Kinzinger discuss the significant shifts within the Republican Party, particularly in relation to Donald Trump's presidency. They explore the betrayal of traditional conservative values, especially regarding foreign policy and support for Ukraine. They also discuss the feelings of isolation and vindication among those who opp…

Charlie Sykes Adam Kinzinger discuss the recent Oval Office meeting between President Trump, Vice President Vance, and Ukrainian President Zelensky. They share their reaction to the treatment of Zelensky, the implications of Trump's actions for U.S. foreign policy, and the shifting dynamics within the Republican Party regarding support for Ukraine.…

Charlie Sykes and Kara Swisher discuss the evolving landscape of media and the influence of billionaires like Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk, and the future of major media outlets like the Washington Post. Swisher talks the motivations behind these billionaires' actions and their impact on society, emphasizing the need for accountability and the dangers …

Paul Zelizer is the host of the Awarepreneurs Podcast, the world’s longest running social entrepreneur podcast, and has been a Business Coach who specializes in working with social entrepreneurs and climate tech founders for the past 18 years. This episode is sponsored by the coaching company of the host, Paul Zelizer. Consider a Strategy Session i…

Charlie Sykes and Paul Rieckhoff discuss the recent UN vote where the United States sided with Russia against a resolution supporting Ukraine. They explore the implications of this decision, the perception of America as the 'bad guy', and the ongoing military purge under Trump's administration. they also discuss the culture of the military, the imp…

Charlie Sykes is joined by legal analyst Ben Wittes to examine the first month of Trump's second presidency and the shocking realignment of U.S. foreign and domestic policy. They discuss the administration’s abandonment of Ukraine, the erosion of DOJ independence, and the broader constitutional crisis emerging from Trump’s unchecked executive power…