American Thought Leaders

John Moolenaar, U.S. Congressman and chairman of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, takes a deep dive into the economic threats posed by China. He advocates for a phased-in 100% tariff on strategic goods to bolster U.S. manufacturing and lessen reliance on rare earths. Moolenaar discusses China's coercive trade tactics, military instability, and the implications of the Belt and Road Initiative. The conversation also covers human rights abuses like forced organ harvesting, revealing the complexity of U.S.-China relations.

NBA player Jonathan Isaac is known not just for his talent on the court, but for his convictions and outspoken faith. He’s the author of the 2022 best-selling memoir “Why I Stand.”As a youth, he struggled with anxiety—but a chance encounter in an elevator with the man who would later become his pastor changed the course of his life.Faith helped him triumph over his battle with anxiety, but it also later put him at the center of a national debate. After George Floyd’s death, at the height of the Black Lives Matter movement, most NBA players chose to kneel during the national anthem. But Isaac chose to stand. Later, his decision to decline the COVID-19 vaccines also drew intense media scrutiny.In this episode, he shares his story, his convictions, his choices and why he made them, and what it means to believe in something bigger than yourself.Now, through his UNITUS shoe line, Isaac shares Bible verses and a message of hope.Views expressed in this video are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.

Lee Smith, an investigative journalist and author of "The Plot Against the President," delves into U.S.–China relations and trade dynamics. He explains how China gained supply-chain dominance through strategic subsidies and weak U.S. defenses. Smith discusses the implications of recent export controls on rare earths and how this escalates the trade war. He examines Trump's views on Xi Jinping, the influence of the China lobby, and the moral stakes involved in disengaging from CCP supply chains, advocating for reshoring and robust economic strategies.

Andy Ngo, an investigative journalist and author of the bestseller "Unmasked," shares his firsthand experience with Antifa, detailing the violence he faced while reporting undercover. He discusses the group's organization during the Portland riots and outlines legal strategies to dismantle their networks. Ngo reflects on the normalization of left-wing violence in mainstream culture and the ideological connections that fuel such movements. His chilling encounter with violence and subsequent relocation to London underscores the risks faced by journalists today.

Larry Sanger, co-founder of Wikipedia, discusses the platform's shift from neutrality to bias, highlighting its systemic distortion and source blacklisting. He critiques the reliance on secondary over primary sources and proposes nine reform theses, including restoring neutrality and enabling competing articles. Sanger addresses the influence of leftist ideology and outlines potential paths for reform, including public pressure and congressional action. He raises concerns about Wikipedia’s anonymity and argues for legal remedies to combat defamation.

Join John Gardner, author and manufacturing entrepreneur, as he dives deep into the complexities of America’s trade policies. He argues that free trade has neglected national security and explores the moral dilemmas of offshoring jobs. Gardner advocates for tariffs as a means to revitalize U.S. manufacturing and introduces the idea of an 'external revenue service' to rethink trade policies. He also emphasizes the importance of niche innovation, skilled labor, and reconnecting engineers with shop floor realities to restore America’s industrial prowess.

Sally Fallon Morell, President of the Weston A. Price Foundation and author, passionately advocates for traditional, nutrient-dense foods. She critiques the health impacts of seed oils, emphasizing that animal fats support heart health. Morell discusses the benefits of raw milk and why it holds a misunderstood status. She highlights the detrimental effects of Western diets on traditional peoples and calls for a renewed focus on wholesome cooking. Finally, she highlights the need for grassroots efforts to shift the food system back to health-centered practices.

Mollie Engelhart, a former vegan chef turned regenerative farmer, shares her transformative journey after facing backlash for reintroducing meat into her menu. She delves into how observing nature reshaped her views on health and agriculture, emphasizing the soil-gut connection and the importance of regenerative practices. Mollie discusses consumer power in promoting sustainable farming and highlights the societal issues tied to declining birth rates and cultural shifts around motherhood. Her insights on connecting with nature and community provide a refreshing perspective on modern food systems.

Doug Burgum, U.S. Secretary of the Interior, sheds light on America's struggle against China’s dominance in critical minerals. He emphasizes the urgent need to revive U.S. mining and outlines the strategic risks of relying on China for rare earths. Burgum discusses the Trump administration's initiatives to enhance energy production and secure supply chains, while also addressing the impact of the government shutdown on his department. He connects energy expansion to national security, including its role in winning the AI arms race.

Dr. Joseph Ladapo, Florida's Surgeon General, discusses the state’s groundbreaking decision to eliminate all vaccine mandates. He argues for bodily autonomy, emphasizing that individuals should have the right to make their own health choices. Ladapo addresses concerns about infectious disease outbreaks and criticizes the refusal of pediatricians to treat unvaccinated children. He also outlines plans for a patient's bill of rights and expresses confidence in legislative support for these changes, aiming to reshape public health policy in Florida.