Beyond Politics

***Please subscribe to Matt's ⁠Substack⁠ at https://worthknowing.substack.com/*** Navigating the Kirk Crackdown: Democracy, Protests, and Vengeance. The Kirk crackdown has started. The shock and outrage that President Donald Trump and his orbit felt after the killing of Charlie Kirk has transformed into an all-out attack on political opponents, media, and people who dare offer any criticism of the administration. Former Congressman, prosecutor, and Obama National Co-Chairman Paul Hodes and political analyst Matt Robison hit provocative questions like whether institutions made a fundamental mistake early in Trump's term that led to disaster; if Americans need an "I Am Spartacus" moment; whether Democrats are walking into a shutdown trap; and will this show and all non-MAGA media get hit in the MAGA crackdown.00:00 Introduction 07:58 Gun Violence and Political Manipulation18:13 Economic Focus and Legal Battles35:14 Government Shutdown Debate49:48 The Role of Age and Experience in Politics57:15 Call to Action

**Please subscribe to Matt's ⁠Substack⁠ at https://worthknowing.substack.com/*** The Judicial Branch Is Our Last Line of Defense Against Trump. Is It Holding?Join Matt Robison and legal expert Kim Wehle as they explore the judiciary's role in countering the unprecedented consolidation of power and abuse of the law by the Trump administration. Amid the collapse of checks from the executive and legislative branches, the conversation delves into whether the judicial branch can stand firm or if it's on the brink of collapse. This episode is a deep-dive into recent rulings, constitutional law, and the imperative for collective civic engagement to uphold democracy.00:00 Introduction and Overview06:26 The Supreme Court's Abdication of Duty18:25 Emergency Powers and Presidential Overreach26:34 The Role of Lower Courts32:53 The Importance of Rule of Law38:31 Supreme Court Rulings and Their Implications44:47 The Need for Constitutional Protections49:20 Engaging in Constructive Dialogue54:33 Final Thoughts and Call to Unity

***Please subscribe to Matt's ⁠Substack⁠ at https://worthknowing.substack.com/*** The Complex Web of Trump's Global Mess: Unpacking the DamageThe focus starts on the potential for lasting damage from President Trump's mounting failures around the world. Matt Robison is joined by former AP Editor for Europe, Middle East, and Africa Dan Perry to break down the implications of the thorny relationship dynamics exposed at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit, and the fallout from Trump's trade policies. But then, as Trump's press conference unfolds live while they were on air, the conversation turned to Trump's five-day disappearance and obvious health struggles, and what that means for the future. 00:14 Trump's Disappearance and Reemergence02:29 Trump's Trade Wars and Consequences07:22 India's Shift Towards China and Russia19:07 Internal and External Damage Under Trump32:06 The Original Sin and Economic Impact40:37 Israel, Gaza, and US Influence52:30 Trump's Health 01:05:06 Final Thoughts and Future Directions

***Please subscribe to Matt's ⁠Substack⁠ at https://worthknowing.substack.com/*** Is Gavin Newsom’s Trump-style social media trolling the future of political communications? Is the key to avoid 45 words that are on a new "no-no" list? Or is all of this worry about how we talk overblown? Matt is joined by Democratic media expert Valerie Martin.01:25 Democratic Messaging Challenges04:43 Engaging with the Audience08:19 Reflecting on Past Campaigns27:13 The 2006 Missouri Senate Race33:42 The Importance of Quick, Multi-Platform Content Creation41:06 Thanking the Intern and Reflecting on the Summer45:49 Polling Insights and Democratic Strategies01:02:48 Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts

***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