Beyond Politics

***Please subscribe to Matt's Substack at https://worthknowing.substack.com/***There's no denying it: Donald Trump is much better off than he was a week ago. Last week, he was getting pummeled by former ally Elon Musk, getting stiffed by wily figures like Putin and Netanyahu, and losing on tariffs, prices, and corruption. This week, the focus has turned entirely to immigration and unrest. So, did he set a trap that we all fell into? Could it have been avoided? And what about the underlying--and now back burnered--disaster of his "big beautiful bill": can anything be done to soften or stop it? Matt is joined on his Substack Livestream by Michaeleen Crowell, former chief of staff to Bernie Sanders and legislative director for civil rights icon John Lewis, to talk about the power and risks of protests, Senate strategy, and some great behind the scenes moments with notable leaders.00:18 Trump's Media Manipulation04:12 Trump's Immigration Strategy10:24 Discussion on Protests and Political Capital18:42 Legal and Political Responses22:20 Debate on Protest Effectiveness32:41 Democratic Party Dynamics and Healthcare Focus34:28 Discussion on the Big Beautiful Bill38:21 Medicaid Expansion and Political Irony47:19 Economic and Social Impacts of Legislation53:48 Behind the Scenes with Michaeleen

***Please Subscribe to Matt's Substack at https://worthknowing.substack.com/***Revitalizing the Democratic Party: A Path to Embracing Change. Matt Robison joins podcaster and former State Senator Burt Cohen to delve into what the Democratic Party must do to regain momentum and connect with voters, especially recapturing the theme of "change." The episode explores the historical and economic factors contributing to the current political climate, critiques the party’s strategies, and highlights the importance of addressing middle-class concerns such as healthcare, childcare, and housing costs. The discussion also touches on the Democratic Party's challenges with messaging, overreach in cultural issues, and the need for more grassroots, local engagement.00:00 Introduction: The Democratic Party's Dilemma04:15 The 2024 Election and Democratic Challenges09:01 The Democratic Leadership's Missteps13:10 The Economic History of the United States17:07 The Disconnect Between Economic Indicators and Public Perception30:02 The Democratic Party's Path Forward40:52 Corruption and Public Disillusionment49:37 Addressing Wokeness and Public Perception54:52 Economic Programs and Cost Reduction

*** For all of my articles, podcasts, and videos, PLEASE subscribe to my Substack at https://worthknowing.substack.com/***Most people have only a foggy recollection of Donald Trump’s lifetime of dirty-dealing, crimes, swindles, and con-jobs. Not ⁠Greg Olear⁠ of Prevail! He’s literally written the book (several) on it.⁠We just had a fascinating discussion about the incredible trail of corruption hiding in plain sight that Trump has left over more than four decades, and what new polling says needs to happen in order for Trump to start paying a price for all of this.And we got a bonus pop-in from Cliff Schecter, who had a great tagline that Democrats should run on in 2026.00:20 The Paradox of Trump's Immunity to Corruption05:14 Interview with Greg Olear: Trump's History of Corruption14:27 The Media's Role and Public Perception33:06 Is Crypto a Scam?39:45 Crypto and Organized Crime45:55 The Dark Side of Trumpism57:23 Upcoming Events and Final Thoughts

Four Major Foreign Policy Failures: In this episode of the Worth Knowing Livestream, Matt discusses a long weekend where President Donald Trump is having to confront how wrong he was on four major world crises. From Ukraine to Gaza to European trade, to attempts to renegotiate a nuclear deal with Iran, the campaign rhetoric is smacking up against the harsh reality of complicated problems that can't just be wished away. He is joined by guest Dan Perry, former Middle East editor for the Associated Press. They analyze Trump's disconnect between bluster and reality.00:13 Trump's Recent Struggles and Media Reactions04:00 Interview with Dan Perry: Trump's Four Critical Issues08:02 Deep Dive into Ukraine19:12 Middle East and Gaza Conflict30:15 Trump's Iran Nuclear Deal Dilemma36:08 Trump's Tariff Troubles42:42 The War on Elitism and Expertise49:35 Closing Thoughts

Media Narratives, Political Challenges, and Autocracy: Analyzing Coverage of the Biden ControversyIn this live stream episode, Matt Robison and media expert Mark Jacob analyze the challenges surrounding recent allegations from Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson's book about former President Joe Biden's cognitive abilities and the supposed cover-up by those around him. They discuss the media's handling of the stories, the Democratic party's reaction and strategic considerations, the impact of Biden's recent cancer diagnosis on public perception, and the importance of transparency. The discussion also touches upon media complicity, smart political staffing, and the integrity of political narratives.00:00 Introduction and Today's Hot Topic04:38 Mark Jacob's Take on the Story08:02 Democratic Party's Dilemma18:20 The Role of Staff and Advisors32:46 Analyzing Media Bias in Political Reporting37:13 The Impact of Euphemisms in Journalism48:28 Addressing Biden's Health and Media Transparency51:11 The Importance of Honesty in Politics56:05 A Fun Digression: NBA Playoffs and Rule Changes01:00:56 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Connecting Reality TV to Habeas Corpus: the surprising connections between reality TV and habeas corpus, sparked by a conversation with radio host Howard Monroe. The discussion centers around the Trump administration's increasing consideration of suspending habeas corpus, a fundamental right protecting against unlawful imprisonment. Is it possible that Donald Trump's reality TV background drives his entire approach to governance, treating political actions as episodic twists designed for maximum attention?00:32 Connecting Reality TV and Habeas Corpus01:57 Trump's Reality TV Worldview04:21 Habeas Corpus and Legal Implications10:30 Potential Consequences and Final Thoughts20:13 Conclusion and Sign-Off

Unpacking Trump's Corruption and Charting a Democratic Path ForwardIn this episode of the Worth Knowing Livestream, host Matt Robison dives deep into Donald Trump's pervasive corruption, why voters chose Trump in the last election despite it, and what Democrats need to do to reclaim the mantle of change and win back voter trust. With guest Michael Baharaeen, chief political analyst for the Liberal Patriot, the conversation explores how Democrats can leverage themes of economic patriotism, upward mobility, and institutional reform to attract a broader electorate and win.00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:30 Unveiling Corruption: Trump and Russian Ties01:40 Trump's Scandals and Lawsuits02:24 Trump's Recent Ventures and Controversies05:08 The Impact of Trump's Policies12:51 Democrats' Struggle and Need for Change25:09 Reflecting on Biden's Approval Ratings and Trump's First Term25:59 The Simplicity of Trump's Messaging26:56 Democrats' Focus on Change and Government Efficiency27:55 Economic Challenges and Progressive Policies31:22 Democrats' Identity Crisis and Voter Engagement35:38 Healthcare and Economic Security41:49 The Need for Change and Addressing Voter Insecurity46:29 Concluding Thoughts on Democratic Strategies

Remembering Justice David Souter: A Legacy of Integrity and Law. Matt Robison and Paul Hodes discuss the life and significance of former Supreme Court Justice David Souter, who recently passed away at the age of 85. Souter was known for his quiet, intellectual persona and impact on American jurisprudence. Paul Hodes reflects on his personal experiences with Souter, highlighting his integrity, deep respect for the Constitution, and non-political approach to law. They explore Souter's unexpected reputation shift from a conservative to a liberal justice and his steadfast commitment to judicial precedent. They discuss Souter's belief in the rule of law and his dismay with the increasing politicization of the Supreme Court.00:00 Introduction: Remembering Justice David Souter00:42 Personal Reflections on David Souter03:04 A Life-Changing Interview05:22 Souter's Path to the Supreme Court08:54 The No More Souters Effect12:26 Souter's Disappointment with the Court16:33 Lessons from David Souter's Career

***Please subscribe to Matt's Substack at https://worthknowing.substack.com/***Matt Robison brings on two top finance experts to dive into the recent financial turmoil and explore what business leaders are thinking, impacts on personal finances, and strategies for navigating uncertainty. Chris Hill, host of Money Unplugged ( www.moneyunpluggedpod.com), provides insights on market trends and the importance of cash reserves, while Mike Morton, host of Five Minute Finance (MortonFA.com), shares strategies for personal investing during volatile times. Key topics include the influence of major tech companies, the role of international investments, and the significance of company earnings reports.00:00 Introduction to Financial Turmoil01:00 Meet the Experts: Chris Hill and Mike Morton01:50 2024 Market Overview05:38 Current Market Conditions and Predictions11:55 Professional Insights and Metrics21:38 Investment Advice for Uncertain Times28:21 Predictions and Hot Takes32:49 Final Thoughts and Podcast Highlights

Democrats' Strategy Amid Trump's Decline. In this episode of the Worth Knowing Live Stream, Matt Robison explores how we can be certain that the public tide has turned on Donald Trump, and what Democrats should do about it. Joined by David Pepper, former Chairman of the Democratic Party of Ohio, the conversation explores the implications of recent polling data that shows Trump's steep decline in favorability, the importance of state-level politics and the need for Democrats to compete in traditionally red areas to reshape their image and hold Republicans accountable.***Subscribe*** to Matt Robison's Substack: https://worthknowing.substack.com/***Subscribe*** to David Pepper's Substack: https://davidpepper.substack.com/00:00 Introduction and Today's Topic02:12 Analyzing Trump's Early Term Polling13:33 Media Influence and Public Opinion18:31 Democratic Strategy Moving Forward24:58 Uncontested Races and Media Influence36:19 The Power of State and Local Governance40:47 The Role of Protests and Economic Actions49:00 Concluding Thoughts and Future Strategies