Beyond Politics

***Please subscribe to Matt's ⁠Substack⁠ at https://worthknowing.substack.com/*** Trump's Erratic Moves: Political Games, Poll Numbers, and Global Stakes. Matt Robison and "Trumpland Diary" author Shane Almgren delve into Donald Trump's erratic maneuvers as his approval ratings hit record lows. They explore simpering dealings with Russia regarding Ukraine, his renewed push against mail-in voting, and various strategies aimed at maintaining Republican power. The discussion also touches on Trump's historical connections with Russian oligarchs. Worth Knowing Intern Nicholas Olbeter provides insights into voter behavior.01:19 Trump's Erratic Behavior and Ukraine Conflict03:44 Trump's Negotiation Tactics and Public Perception09:12 Media Reactions and Public Commentary27:55 Donald Trump: A Creature of Television30:02 Russian Influence and Trump's Dealings31:37 Trump's Financial Ties and Real Estate Battles39:30 Mail-in Voting and Gerrymandering50:30 Concluding Thoughts and Future Discussions

**Please subscribe to Matt's ⁠Substack⁠ at https://worthknowing.substack.com/*** The State of Media: Bias, AI Ethics, and the Future of JournalismMatt joins with conservative commentator Dexter Tarbell on A.J. Kierstead's 'The New England Take' to discuss the current state of the media: bias, weird stunts, the shift from traditional news sources to platforms like Substack, and how the business of news is shaping the information and the reality we all experience.00:18 The Media's Decline: A Bipartisan Discussion04:06 AI in Journalism: The Jim Acosta Controversy12:04 The Future of Media: Substack and Beyond28:13 Concluding Thoughts and Final Remarks

***Please subscribe to Matt's ⁠Substack⁠ at https://worthknowing.substack.com/***Jaime Harrison isn’t messing around. The former DNC Chair is trying to get Democrats to break out of scrubbed down, pre-fabbed MSNBC mode and get real. That’s what he’s doing on his new pod At Our Table with some of the brightest minds in the party. And that’s what we aimed for in our livestream today.So what happened when I put a critic’s comment about the failures of Dem leaders—including Jaime—right up on screen for Jaime to react to? When I asked him if our party had gotten too woke? When I hit him with my plan to cut bait on every election contest in 2026 except for one select list? 00:00 Introduction and Current Political Landscape03:19 Interview with Jamie Harrison07:38 Challenges and Criticisms of the Democratic Party10:07 Inside the DNC and Democratic Strategy24:51 The Complexity of Democratic Messaging28:23 Jamie Harrison's Podcast and Personal Insights42:44 Media and Public Perception48:19 Challenges Facing the Democratic Party58:17 Strategies for Democratic Success01:08:30 Final Thoughts and Farewell

***Please subscribe to Matt's ⁠Substack⁠ at https://worthknowing.substack.com/*** Trump's Economic Manipulations and Growing Distrust: A Conversation with Howard Monroe. In a special bonus episode of 'Beyond Politics,' Matt Robison joins Howard Monroe's talk show to dive into Donald Trump's manipulations of economic numbers, the ongoing Epstein controversy, and the broader implications of Trump's reality distortions on his MAGA base. Matt also touches on the potential fallout from Trump's actions on trust in government data and the real-world effects on people’s lives. Additionally, Matt previews his Substack 'Worth Knowing' and upcoming livestream guests guests including former DNC Chair Jamie Harrison.00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview03:04 Conversation with Howard Monroe03:46 Discussion on Substack and Live Streams07:49 Economic Numbers and Trump's Response20:40 Epstein Files and Trump's Scandals23:45 Grand Jury Probe into Obama Officials27:29 Conclusion and Farewell

***Please subscribe to Matt's ⁠Substack⁠ at https://worthknowing.substack.com/*** It's been a rough week for US economic news: weak growth figures, rising new inflation numbers, and a cratering job market. So how bad is all of this? There are few people in America who are more trusted on questions like this than my returning livestream guest, Chief Economist at Moody's Analytics, Mark Zandi. I asked him about jobs, tariffs, inflation, the Republican budget, stagflation, BLS numbers, and of course, to make the case for his tweet yesterday that the “economy is on the precipice of recession.” 02:38 The Real Story Behind Economic Struggles05:58 Impact of Tariffs and Immigration Policies14:38 Inflation Concerns and Federal Reserve's Role20:13 Long-term Fiscal Impact and Interest Rates25:12 Bond Market Risks and Tariff Policies29:58 Bureau of Labor Statistics and Political Interference35:59 The Role of Psychology and Technology in Economics37:25 Current Economic Uncertainties and Policy Decisions48:18 Trump's Desperation and the Russia Investigation52:51 The Impact of Gerrymandering on American Politics59:22 Worth Knowing: Key Insights and News01:05:18 Conclusion and Upcoming Events

In all kinds of subtle, hidden ways, legacy media have been warping their coverage out of fear of President Donald Trump. One of America's foremost media analysts, former Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun TImes Editor Mark Jacob, joins host Matt Robison (worthknowing.substack.com) to explain why he canceled his Washington Post subscription (but not yet the New York Times), how to tell if your media is worth subscribing to and paying for, and what else the media companies are doing that's changing the news we get. They delve into the modern media landscape, the struggle for authentic journalism, and the necessity for innovation in delivering trustworthy news. They also touch upon the changing news consumption habits of younger generations and the critical role of credibility and transparency in journalism. 00:00 Introduction to the Worth Knowing Live Stream00:12 The Role and Evolution of News Media01:19 Historical Context of Partisan Media02:02 Modern Media Challenges and Market Forces03:57 Interview with Mark Jacob: State of American Media06:14 Corporate Media and Political Influence13:55 The Future of Media and Journalism28:34 The Decline of Print Media29:22 The Changing Landscape of Fact-Checking32:22 The Role of Legacy Media in Modern Journalism35:07 A Million Dollar Idea: Fact-Checking Show41:53 The Importance of Credibility in Journalism42:32 Engaging Younger Audiences50:37 The Future of News Media54:36 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

***Please subscribe to Matt's ⁠Substack⁠ at https://worthknowing.substack.com/***This episode of the 'Worth Knowing' live stream delves into the question of whether the Democratic Party is on the verge of a major comeback, even in the face of the onslaught of the Trump administration. Matt is joined by esteemed political analysts Peter Wehner and Jonathan Rauch, who discuss analyses from top political thinkers suggesting a potential Democratic resurgence. They explore the importance of cultural and economic strategies, including reclaiming the party's image on prosperity and cultural issues, and suggest embracing religious values to connect with a broader electorate. The conversation touches on practical policy ideas, the complexities of internal party divisions, and the need for a compelling narrative to galvanize support and offer a viable alternative to the current administration.00:00 Introduction and Technical Issues00:46 The Democratic Party's Comeback?02:58 Political Analysts Weigh In03:32 Challenges Facing the Democratic Party06:51 Economic and Cultural Strategies13:44 Historical Comparisons and Lessons26:34 The Importance of Storytelling in Politics27:17 Government Competence and Public Expectations28:17 Challenges in Blue State Cities29:37 Democratic Policy Perception Issues31:28 Survey Insights and Policy Suggestions38:28 Cultural Disconnect and Woke Perception47:22 Faith and Politics: A Missed Opportunity for Democrats54:48 Closing Thoughts and Reflections

***Please subscribe to Matt's ⁠Substack⁠ at https://worthknowing.substack.com/***Donald Trump's attempt to put out the Epstein fire with gasoline is backfiring, as the MAGA cult rips itself apart. As Trump continues to try to harness the conspiracy theory mindset to his advantage, how will Republicans recover from the anger and disillusionment sweeping their base. The episode provides a deep dive into the potential schism within the Republican Party and the strategic outlook for Democrats heading into upcoming elections.03:53 Trump's Strategic Use of Conspiracy Theories07:42 Interview with Matt McNeil10:23 The MAGA Base and Trump's Influence22:47 Senate Republican Angst and Future Elections28:21 Republican Resignations and Democratic Opportunities35:58 State-Level Republican Struggles42:50 Healthcare and Economic Issues53:35 Immigration and Political Messaging56:59 Concluding Thoughts on Political Strategy

***Please subscribe to Matt's ⁠Substack⁠ at https://worthknowing.substack.com/***The Cost of Chaos: Trump's Cabinet Under Siege. Matt delves into the turmoil within Trump's Cabinet, particularly focusing on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's mismanagement and the recent backlash against Pam Bondi. Joining him is Fred Wellman, former Executive of the Lincoln Project, to explore the deeper implications of Trump's erratic leadership and its impact on military strategy and domestic policies. They debate whether MAGA's internal conflicts will lead to its downfall or if Trump's administration will continue to flounder without consequence.01:11 The Cost of Chaos: Trump's Cabinet in Turmoil07:29 Critique of Pete Hegseth's Leadership13:52 The Importance of Experienced Staff30:25 Pam Bondi and the Epstein List Controversy35:29 MAGA's Internal Conflicts40:34 The Future of MAGA45:58 Economic Realities and Political Consequences

***Please subscribe to Matt's ⁠Substack⁠ at https://worthknowing.substack.com/***Dissecting the Trump Budget Giveaway: Hidden Perks and Pain Points. Matt dives deep into the recent controversial Trump budget bill. Joined by policy expert Ryan MCConaghy, they uncover the hidden perks for big businesses and special interests, along with devastating cuts to programs for the working and middle class. They discuss the political implications, economic impacts, and the subtly embedded ‘sludge’ designed to make life harder for millions of Americans. The conversation covers surprising provisions, like tax breaks for Alaskan whaling captains and gun silencers, while highlighting the omissions that threaten the affordability of healthcare and the future of higher education. 00:17 The Trump Budget Giveaway Disaster05:08 The Injury: Impact on Americans09:14 The Insult: Hidden Republican Agendas16:12 Dissecting the Bill's Hidden Provisions32:48 The Sludge Strategy in Policy Making35:36 Student Loan Repayment Changes39:10 Political Motivations Behind Policy Decisions42:28 Obnoxious Provisions in the Bill54:35 The Importance of Basic Science Investment56:28 Concluding Thoughts and Audience Interaction