Duration: 1:02:50 | Recorded on February 15, 2025

The brothers talk about current events and economic issues, noting the pitfalls of how quickly public perception can shift. Beginning with an in-depth analysis of inflation and its impact on different socioeconomic groups, they discuss the complexities of political promises surrounding it, and how the situation is currently unfolding. They discuss the rising costs of goods (especially food), agricultural subsidies, and end with a deep dive on the complexity and the sensitive nature of foreign policy concerning the war in Ukraine.

Show Notes:

Featured Bourbon: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel

Feature Rum: Cruzan Hurricane Proof Aged Rum

How to make a Rum Old Fashioned

Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi (Prayer for Peace)

Egg prices are surging again. Why Powell and the Fed’s grip on inflation may be slipping.

Trump Housing Market Warning Issued by JPMorgan Chase

Trump Tariffs Caused a Market Meltdown, but Investors Shook It Off

The Theory of the Working Class, By Thorstein Bunde Veblen

Waffle House Hashbrowns

Duration: 53.19 | Recorded on February 4, 2025

In this episode, the brothers engage in a thoughtful discussion about current events and big picture issues, focusing on air travel safety and the future of transportation. They explore the complexities of the aviation industry, including a recent plane crash near Washington National Airport and its implications for air traffic control. Delving into topics such as the safety of air travel, the antiquated nature of air traffic control systems, and the potential for AI to play a role in the future, the conversation also touches on the history of the airline industry, deregulation, and the challenges of balancing government oversight and market forces. They also examine the state of passenger rail in the United States, comparing it to air travel and exploring the history of Amtrak. DISCLAIMER: The hosts acknowledge that they are not experts, and that their discussion is more about two people trying to understand complex issues.

Show Notes

Featured Bourbon: W.L. Weller Single Barrel

Featured Rum: Cruzan Aged Light Rum

• Everything we know so far about the American Airlines jet that crashed into a Black Hawk helicopter
• A Look at How Airport Security Has Evolved Post 9-11
• VASAviation YouTube Channel
• Brightline West
• High-speed rail in the United States
  

Duration: 50.29 | Recorded on January 26, 2025

This episode is wide-ranging. The brothers discuss current political events, personal experiences, and technological advancements. They begin with a conversation on the tone of current political discourse, expressing concerns about the dehumanizing language used in discussions about immigration, and they touch on the complexities of gender identity and the need for respectful dialogue.

The conversation moves to presidential pardons, with a critical look at both recent administrations. Birthright citizenship (and potential challenges to it) comes up, as well as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, highlighting the complexities and historical context. They explore the role of American evangelicals in supporting the state of Israel, and conclude with a discussion of AI and its potential impact, particularly the concept of agentic AI, emphasizing the need for critical evaluation of information sources and the importance of trust and bias in reporting.

Show Notes

Featured Bourbon: 13th Colony Double-Oaked Bourbon Whiskey

Featured Rum: Cedar Ridge Barrel Barrel-Aged Rum

Trump launches sweeping border crackdown, mass deportation push (Reuters)

Trump says US policy will recognize 'only two genders' | AFP (YouTube)

Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government (www.whitehouse.gov)

Granting Pardons and Commutation of Sentences for Certain Offenses Relating to the Event at or Near the United States Capital on January 6, 2021 (www.whitehouse.gov)

Pardons Granted by President Joseph Biden (2021-2025) (www.justice.gov)

14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution: Civil Rights (1868) (archives .gov)

Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (www.cfr.org)

Navigating The Shift From Generative AI To Agentic AI (www.forbes.com)

Duration: 54.32 | Recorded on January 19, 2025

In this episode, the brothers dive into a data-driven discussion about how to measure presidential success. Instead of relying on political spin or folklore, they explore a wide range of metrics, from traditional economic indicators like GDP, inflation (CPI and PPI), and unemployment rates, to less conventional measures like labor participation rates, manufacturing jobs, international conflict reduction, and health outcomes. (They even consider the impact of presidential policies on the price of bourbon and rum!) The brothers discuss how government spending affects inflation and the importance of understanding that many factors influence the economy. They analyze the complexity of measuring economic success and emphasize the need to consider a "balanced scorecard" of measures.

Show Notes:

Featured Bourbon: Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Bourbon

Featured Rum: Dos Maderas Triple Aged Rum

Bureau of Labor Statistics (for unemployment rate, CPI, etc.)

ACLED (Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project)

UCDP (Uppsala Conflict Data Program)

Global Peace Index

Correlates of War Project

Heidelberg Institute for International Conflict Research

Conflict Barometer

Duration: 47.06 | Recorded on January 12, 2025

Today the brothers focus on the California wildfires, prompting reflections on political polarization and governmental responses to crises. A significant portion of the conversation delves into the complexities of insurance, particularly homeowner's insurance, in the context of large-scale disasters and escalating costs. Finally, they touch upon geopolitical issues involving Greenland and NATO, highlighting differing perspectives on the role of American foreign policy and the potential consequences of disrupting established international relations.

Show Notes

Featured Bourbon: 1792 12 Aged 12 Years (2023 Release)

California Wildfires (www.fire.ca.gov)

What’s next for home insurance in California after the Los Angeles fires? (www.universityofcalifornia.edu)

Trump, Obama, Clinton, Bush Attend Jimmy Carter's Funeral (YouTube)

The Presidents Club (Amazon)

Harry S. Truman (Wikipedia)

Herbert Hoover - Years of Leadership 1928-1933 (hoover.archives.gov)

Proposals for the United States to purchase Greenland (Wikipedia)

Woodrow Wilson (Wikipedia)

Animal House Official Trailer #1 (YouTube)

Duration: 1:11 | Recorded on January 4, 2025

The brothers launch today's episode with a discussion of a Wall Street Journal article detailing President Biden's declining mental acuity and the efforts to conceal it. They then explore the implications of this information, contrasting the situations with Biden and Trump, and debating whether age-related decline should impact a president's performance. The discussion takes a heated turn around the idea that personal morality is an important aspect of presidential leadership, but it is difficult to measure or come to agreement about, and people will differ on what constitutes acceptable morality and behavior in a president. The brothers grapple with their differing views, and acknowledge the hypocrisy of some who seem willing to overlook moral failings when they agree with the president’s policies.

Show Notes:

Featured Bourbon: Michter's US 1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Featured Rum: Quackenbush Amber Rum

How the White House Functioned With a Diminished Biden in Charge (Wall Street Journal)

Twenty-fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution (Wikipedia)

Monica Lewinski (Wikipedia)

Presidential Precedents (www.mountvernon.org)

The first U.S. president set his own term limit (it.usembassy.gov)

Reckoning with Structural Racism in Research: LBJ’s Legacy and Urban’s Next 50 (www.urban.org)

Duration: 48:49 | Recorded on January 1, 2025

Happy new year! In today's podcast, the brothers share their hopes and fears for the coming year, and offer predictions about the economy and border crossings, reflecting their differing perspectives. The conversation touches upon the role of media and its influence, the impact of social media, and their concerns regarding the fragility of democratic institutions. They share personal anecdotes, expressing opinions on recent political events and figures, including President Biden and Donald Trump. Finally, the brothers discuss the importance of remaining vigilant in protecting democratic values.

Show Notes:

Featured Bourbon: Old Ezra 7-Year Straight Rye Whiskey

Featured Rum: Pusser's Rum Blue Label

2025 New Orleans Truck Attack (Wikipedia)

Four Hours at the Capitol (HBO)

⁠Joe Rogan Experience #2245 - Rod Blagojevich⁠ (Youtube)

Joe Biden's Lonely Battle to Sell American Democracy⁠ (Washington Post)

H-1B Visa⁠ (DOL.gov)

US Bureau of Labor Statistics

Howard Dean (Wikipedia)

1864 United States presidential election (Wikipedia)

United States Bill of Rights (Wikipedia)

Duration: 59:51 | Recorded on December 20, 2024

Who would you invite to your holiday party? This is the theme of today's episode. The brothers discuss which politicians they'd invite to a holiday gathering and who they'd be most comfortable offering an eggnog to. They consider the public and private personas of politicians, based on their own experiences and anecdotes, and how that might affect a social gathering. The conversation also touches on current political topics, such as government spending, potential cuts to defense, and the debt ceiling. They also talk about the need to challenge one's own beliefs by seeking out different perspectives. The episode ends on a note of unity, emphasizing that family is more important than any political issues.

Show Notes:

Featured Bourbon: Kentucky Owl Rye Whiskey

Featured Rum: Flor de Caña Rum

The guest list:

John Fetterman

Rand Paul

Bernie Sanders

Pete Buttigieg

Chris Cuomo

Stephen A. Smith

Stopgap Spending Deals and Political Gridlock (AP News)

I Bought This Before We Knew Elon was Crazy!

Roe v. Wade

St. Louis gun-toting incident