1819 News: The Podcast

Join us for an electrifying episode of our podcast as we sit down with AJ Rice, the dynamic CEO of Publius PR and a self-described “anti-woke samurai.” Rice pulls back the curtain on the high-stakes world of political public relations, sharing his experiences working with some of the most influential figures in the MAGA movement, including Judge Jeanine Pirro, Donald Trump Jr., and a roster of disruptors shaping the second Trump administration. Rice dives into the dichotomy of the PR landscape in Washington, D.C., exposing the “deep state” firms that vacuum up money while the American people are left in the dust. He recounts his bold decision to back Trump early on, a move that led to bestselling books and a front-row seat in the MAGA cinematic universe.  From navigating the publishing world to working with Trump’s publishing house and Vivek Ramaswamy’s campaign, Rice reveals how his firm became a hub for disruptors like Pam Bondi, Tulsi Gabbard, and Dan Bongino, who are now shaking up the political establishment. Beyond PR, Rice discusses his own literary contributions, “The Woking Dead” and “The White Privilege Album,” which he describes as humorous yet incisive counterattacks against wokeism and cultural Marxism. Drawing from his Philadelphia roots and love for comedy, Rice uses irreverent humor to challenge political correctness, defend Western civilization, and dismantle the race hustle. He argues that terms like “white privilege” are coded attacks on the middle class and nuclear family, designed to erode the foundations of a free society. With a nod to his mentors, including Lee Habeeb, Rice shares his formula for engaging audiences: inform, educate, and entertain. He warns of the dangers of controlling language and thought, likening modern wokeism to historical authoritarianism. As he prepares to release the third volume of his series, Rice leaves listeners with a call to resist cultural erasure and embrace the disruptive spirit of Trump’s second term.  Tune in for a no-holds-barred conversation that’s as entertaining as it is thought-provoking! https://publiuspr.com/ Twitter/X - @PubliusPR

Childhood obesity. Sexual indoctrination. Medical tyranny. The attacks on our children are real, and we're fighting back. Join us as we uncover the battles reshaping our state and nation with State Rep. Mack Butler. Continuing with our pattern of bringing on good folks doing good work in Montgomery, this week 1819 News CEO Bryan Dawson sits down with Butler to hear his story and learn about some of the legislation he is working on this session. Butler is out front on some of the most controversial bills happening in the legislature, like his bill restricting the ADPH from getting tens of millions of dollars to advertise experimental medical treatments that are neither safe nor effective. But these bills are really just common sense. Butler says if the big pharmaceutical companies want to advertise, that is one subject, but why is our government funding these ads all over the state, especially now that we’re several years removed from the "pandemic"? Butler also has a piece of legislation that will prevent sexual indoctrination in our public schools. Again, common sense, but extremely controversial. The bill is making serious headway, and if it passes, educators will not be allowed to talk about sexual orientation, gender identity, or other sexual subjects in the classroom. The conversation then turns to RFK, MAHA, and what the powers-that-be are doing to our foods. Grateful that there is so much momentum in D.C. right now, Butler says that we are fortunate to be living in what will be written about in history books decades from now. Dawson ends the conversation by asking Butler what it will take to get the momentum in D.C. to Montgomery so that our Republican Supermajority government begins to move towards a more conservative way of doing things. You don't want to miss this incredible conversation!

When the Lord leads you to share the gospel with someone or tell them about Him, you never know where it might lead. Today, we're bringing on Kyle Collins, a former Auburn football player who the Lord told to pray for and speak to a really bitter and angry young man on the team named Chette Williams. Those attempts to reach Chette eventually led to him receiving Christ. The incredible story of how these two men's lives, who could not be more different, were interwoven in times of joy and hardship is one worth listening to and one that will encourage you to share your faith when prompted by the Spirit in the future. Brother Chette Willimas went on to be the Chaplain for Auburn's football team and the Director of Auburn's chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes. His ministry was incredibly impactful and Coach Tuberville said his success would not have been possible without the ministry of Chette Williams. Brother Chette passed away last year and at his funeral the large crowd was asked to stand if Chette Williams had led them to the Lord or baptized them. 70% of the crowd stood. Collins took the reins of the Freedom Cowboys, formerly the Rocket City Cowboys, a homeschool football team based in Huntsville, from Stan McDonald 20 years ago and has been working tirelessly to evangelize and disciple young men through football ever since. It's an interesting mix of homeschoolers to at-risk youth that make up the team and no matter their background they are being introduced to biblical manhood and having their character developed through adversity. This is an incredible episode where God's providence is on full display.

"He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God." - 2 Samuel 23:3 This Scripture describes this week’s podcast guest extremely well. Very few people in state government, or in government anywhere, have such a fine-tuned, biblically-rooted understanding of how the Word of God comes to bear on civilization. State Rep. Ernie Yarbrough joins Bryan Dawson this week to tell his story about how he came into politics, and then to share about some important legislation that he's introduced this session. A son of Alabama, Yarbrough grew up as a homeschooler and witnessed the unthinkable when his father was imprisoned for refusing to pay taxes because those tax dollars were assisting in the murder of innocent children in the womb. He also saw friends put in prison for homeschooling back in the ’80s. These things shaped Yarbrough, leaving an indelible mark in his mind and heart that drove him into the political arena. Yarbrough has dropped several good bills this legislative session, with the Laken Riley Act the most likely to pass. This legislation will work and partner with U.S. Sen. Katie Britt's similarly named legislation at the federal level to give local law enforcement the jurisdiction and authority necessary to remove illegal aliens from our community. Yarbrough has also introduced legislation—the Prenatal Equal Protection Act—seeking to give unborn children the same right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness that children out of the womb receive. He answers all the tough questions about this legislation, as it is a hot topic around the nation, while discussing other legislation he has introduced as well. This is an extremely informative and entertaining episode of 1819 News: The Podcast that you won't want to miss!

Victor Marx, a humanitarian, speaker, and martial arts expert, shares his incredible journey from a traumatic childhood to leading All Things Possible Ministries. He discusses the critical role of mentorship among men, advocating for responsible masculinity to guide younger generations. Victor also reveals the emotional challenges of high-stakes missions to protect women and children in conflict zones. With powerful stories of resilience and healing, he emphasizes the importance of compassion, faith, and community involvement in combating trafficking and trauma.

Rep. Jamie Kiel, a committed conservative from the Alabama House, discusses pressing issues like election integrity, immigration, and inflation in Alabama. He shares his journey from businessman to legislator, highlighting the challenges in implementing reforms like term limits. Kiel emphasizes the impact of immigration on small towns, particularly on schools and healthcare, while advocating for tax cuts to ease financial burdens on Alabamians. His dedication to fighting against bad legislation shines through as he navigates the political landscape.

This week's podcast is another Alabama business spotlight, this time on Nathan Cox, the dynamic founder of 68 Ventures. Cox, a seasoned entrepreneur and storyteller, dives deep into his remarkable journey, tracing his path from humble beginnings to building a powerhouse development and investment company along Alabama’s Gulf Coast. The podcast blends inspiration, practical insights, and old-fashioned grit, offering listeners an unfiltered look at what it takes to turn ambition into action. The episode kicks off with Cox recounting his early days, fresh from serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, where discipline and resilience became the bedrock of his character. Returning home amidst the 2008 Great Recession, he saw opportunity where others saw chaos. Launching Bellator Real Estate & Development that year, Cox capitalized on distressed assets, assembling investment groups to fuel his vision. Podcast host Bryan Dawson probes into this bold move, and Cox reveals how his father—a pioneering developer in Baldwin County—inspired him to bet on the Gulf Coast’s future. His storytelling shines as he describes the adrenaline of those early risks, setting the stage for his entrepreneurial ascent. As the conversation unfolds, Cox details the founding of Truland Homes in 2011, which grew into South Alabama’s largest private homebuilder before its 2023 acquisition by D.R. Horton. He shares candid lessons on scaling a business, from navigating supply chain hurdles to fostering a purpose-driven team culture. The host draws out Cox’s philosophy of “betting on yourself,” a recurring theme as he discusses 68 Ventures’ evolution into a billion-dollar enterprise, with over 10,000 single-family lots developed and a thriving multifamily division. Listeners gain actionable takeaways on leadership, vertical integration, and seizing market gaps. The episode crescendos with Cox reflecting on his transition from CEO to Chairman in 2023, passing the torch to new leadership while staying true to his core values—faith, effort, and courage. Interspersed with lighthearted anecdotes about family life and his love for competition, Cox’s warmth and authenticity resonate. Perfect for aspiring entrepreneurs, this podcast delivers a masterclass in resilience, vision, and the power of betting big, leaving listeners motivated to carve their own paths.

Richard Scrushy is back in the news and is asserting that exculpatory evidence was intentionally withheld which would have exonerated him from an unjust conviction back in 2006. In the early 2000s, Scrushy, the CEO of HealthSouth Corporation, was hit with charges of fraud and bribery. Acquitted of the fraud charges, he was eventually found guilty of paying $500K into then Gov. Don Siegelman's education lottery fund in exchange for a seat on the state's Certificate of Need Board. This week host Bryan Dawson brings on Scrushy for an exclusive interview to discuss his assertion regarding the exculpatory evidence being withheld, as well as hearing more about Scrushy's trip to prison and what he's been doing since his release. You don't want to miss this exclusive interview! To join the fight and become an 1819 News Member and have access to all of our behind the scenes content, click here: https://1819news.com/membership

Join Alabama talk radio host Leland Whaley, known for his sharp insights on politics and economy, as he shares his views on the alarming state of job losses in Washington, D.C. He compares it to the decline of blue-collar industries, pointing out the hypocrisy of bureaucrats seeking sympathy for their struggles. Whaley also dives into the intensifying race for rare earth minerals with China, suggesting it could redefine global dynamics. He further comments on the resurgence of the working class in politics and what Trump's America might look like.

State Senator Chris Elliott from Baldwin County, a common sense advocate, dives into the challenges of governance in Alabama. He shares his journey into politics and his firm stance against controversial gambling legislation. Elliott discusses the need for occupational licensing reform and transparency in government, as well as advocating for veterans and sensible infrastructure spending. The conversation also sheds light on pressing issues like prison overcrowding and mismanagement, with a vision for accountability in public spending.