Coffee and a Mike

Dr. Gilbert Doctorow, an independent political analyst and historian of Russia based in Brussels, offers sharp takes on US politics from abroad and media distortions. He discusses Trump’s Davos strategy to sideline Europe, the leaked 28-point peace framework favoring Russia, Kremlin debates over diplomacy versus force, and the geopolitics of reconstruction funding and EU cohesion.

John Carter, author of Postcards From Barsoom and former academic, offers candid cultural and political commentary. He talks about leaving academia, building a Substack, Hollywood and publishing decline, the rise of AI and memes like Amelia, immigration and Minneapolis politics, and strategies for rebuilding networks and institutions.

Vince Lanci, commentator, trader, and publisher of the Gold Fix Substack, reflects on childhood hustles that led to high-volume trading. He discusses Las Vegas and casino disruption, tech-driven consolidation, commercial real estate stress, Japan and global financial strain, U.S.-China geopolitics, and silver’s strategic role. Short, candid, and wide-ranging market talk.

Dave Collum, a Cornell organic chemistry professor and commentator on geopolitics and markets. They dive into civil unrest and Minneapolis timing, geopolitical moves in Venezuela and Greenland, and surges in gold, silver and platinum. Conversations touch on tech power, lawfare risks, labor shifts, and where people park wealth amid possible systemic strain.

Mel Mattison, writer, investor and fintech founder who also wrote the novel Quoz, joins to discuss AI, geopolitics, monetary trends and markets. Conversations hit central banks buying gold and the death of dollar dominance. He weighs multipolar power shifts, Taiwan semiconductor risk, immigration and U.S. self‑sufficiency. Practical portfolio moves toward gold, emerging markets and non‑USD assets are explored.

Luke Gromen, founder of Forest for the Trees, dives into fascinating macroeconomic insights. He discusses why he chose to stay in Northeast Ohio, the advantages of the Midwest's quality of life, and societal unrest linked to healthcare and polarization. Gromen highlights the impacts of reshoring on inflation, critiques public subsidies for stadiums, and warns about the implications of U.S. gold flowing to China. His thoughts on Bitcoin, trust in government, and the balance between safety and freedom present a compelling exploration of today's economic landscape.

Karl Denninger, the insightful author and operator of Market-Ticker, dives deep into the complexities of finance and public policy. He reveals why mass deportations were politically unfeasible during the Trump administration and discusses rampant fraud in Minneapolis. Denninger also connects systemic economic issues with the illegal labor market, predicts potential civil conflict from polarization, and warns about the risks surrounding the AI bubble. His commentary on Greenland's governance concerns adds an intriguing geopolitical angle.

Doug Casey, founder of the Crisis Investing Newsletter and commentator on geopolitics and markets, dives into the U.S. political landscape and its potential for civil war. He critiques Trump's stability and unveils his anarcho-capitalist views, calling for minimal government intervention. Casey discusses cultural decline, immigration issues, and the weaponization of political labels. He offers personal preparedness advice and recommends precious metals and Bitcoin as safe investments amid economic turmoil.

Kevork Almassian, an award-winning journalist from Aleppo and host of Syriana Analysis, dives deep into the complexities of Middle East geopolitics. He discusses the escalating tensions surrounding Iran and critiques signals indicating regime change desires. Almassian highlights the broken rules-based international order and the real-life impacts on Palestinians amidst media narratives. He also contrasts the paths of regime change in Syria and Venezuela while underscoring the need for socio-economic reform across the region.

Dr. Anas Alhajji, an expert in energy markets and geopolitics, dives deep into the intricate web of global oil dynamics. He discusses Venezuela's oil situation, revealing that U.S. actions are more about financial control than just reclaiming crude. Anas also covers OPEC's origins, the significance of the petrodollar, and the impact of regime changes, particularly in Iran. He shares insights on China's oil strategies and explores how Trump's unpredictability affects market stability. Get ready for an engaging exploration of energy's future!