Explore every episode of the podcast Random Schmuck
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Episode 35: The Johnson Amendment | 21 Jul 2025 | 00:31:24 | |
The Trump IRS is opening the floodgates to allow churches to become the vehicle for dark money in political campaigns. The Johnson Amendment is no more. Email to randomschmuckpod@gmail.com. References: https://michiganadvance.com/2024/04/02/wrapped-in-a-flag-and-carrying-a-cross/ https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/charities-churches-and-politics https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.txed.232590/gov.uscourts.txed.232590.35.0.pdf
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| Episode 34: It's A Hoax!!! | 19 Jul 2025 | 00:44:26 | |
Like "Russia, Russia, Russia", except there was overwhelming evidence that Russia interfered with the 2016 election. But...projection and confession, amirite??? Email to randomschmuckpod@gmail.com! References: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-maga-jeffrey-epstein-files-rcna219073 https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/16/us/politics/trump-political-enemies-evil.html
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| Episode 25: The Decision That Ended America | 01 Jul 2025 | 00:45:32 | |
The Supreme Court just ended the United States of America as we know it and effectively handed Trump absolute dictatorial powers. I discuss the most dangerous Supreme Court decision in American history today. Email to randomschmuckpod@gmail.com.
Text of the decision: https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24pdf/24a884_new_g314.pdf
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| Episode 24: The Weaponization Of Religion | 29 Jun 2025 | 00:54:41 | |
Religion is frequently weaponized for personal political gain, it needs to be called out whenever it happens. Please email at randomschmuckpod@gmail.com. | |||
| Episode 23: SNACKS! Part 2 | 27 Jun 2025 | 00:59:20 | |
More snacks!!! Please share your snack stories at randomschmuckpod@gmail.com, I'd love to do an entire episode consisting of your stories! | |||
| Episode 22: SNACKS!!! Part 1 | 25 Jun 2025 | 00:51:01 | |
Do you love snacks? Of course you do! After all of the doom and gloom, I figured we should do something light and sweet. I have so much to say on the subject that it's going to be two episodes at least. This is Part 1. I'd ove to hear what your favorite snacks are and your idiosyncratic ways of eating them! Please write to me at randomschmuckpod@gmail.com and I will share your story on an upcoming episode!! | |||
| Episode 21: What's News? | 23 Jun 2025 | 00:42:52 | |
A roundup of the news after we bombed Iran. | |||
| Episode 20: Bomb Iran????? | 21 Jun 2025 | 00:57:18 | |
Mike and I discuss the issue of Iran and Israel among other things. Email at randomschmuckpod@gmail.com. | |||
| Episode 19: Social Mobility | 19 Jun 2025 | 00:55:31 | |
Had a discussion with my brother earlier today where he claimed that the US has the greatest potential for social mobility of any other country in the world and that is what makes America so great. Is he right? I did some research, which I detail at length in this episode. References: https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/economics/social-mobility/ https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/02_economic_mobility_sawhill_ch3.pdf https://www.worldeconomics.com/Rankings/Economies-By-Inequality.aspx https://www.statista.com/topics/789/wages-and-salary/#topicOverview
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| Episode 18: Being A Teacher | 17 Jun 2025 | 01:02:59 | |
I would love to hear from you about the things you do and are passionate about. If you would like to be a guest host, please email at randomschmuckpod@gmail.com and pitch me your idea and maybe we can have a conversation to share with the world! | |||
| Episode 17: No Kings Rally | 15 Jun 2025 | 00:57:32 | |
Today I am joined by Mike Brockway to discuss the No Kings Rally we attended in Beacon, NY. | |||
| Episode 16: Additional Constitutional Amendments | 13 Jun 2025 | 00:39:51 | |
I have a proposal for six additional amendments that address the issues of our time. I would love to hear your thoughts, please email me at randomschmuckpod@gmail.com. | |||
| Episode 33: He Likes Them Young (The Jeffrey Epstein Files) | 17 Jul 2025 | 01:17:32 | |
Today I do a deep dive into the Epstein indictment and the conspiracy theories that have popped up around it and the outrage that is splitting the MAGA movement after it was announced there was no client list and Trump is trying to get his supporters to just shut up about Epstein already. References: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DiXSAPFbHE https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/press-release/file/1180481/dl https://www.newsnationnow.com/crime/jeffrey-epstein-scandal-crime-timeline/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jC2jsRrzCrs https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ZJorAVgHy7Y https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/23/donald-trump-accuser-stacey-williams-jeffrey-epstein https://www.foxnews.com/video/6369155736112 https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=724466956867779 https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1041955352677864
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| Episode 15: Safe And Effective Protesting Strategies | 11 Jun 2025 | 01:02:48 | |
The June 14th No Kings Protest Day is coming up, here is your guide on how to prepare and deal with situations as you attend. This is not a comprehensive guide nor intended to give legal advice, please do additional research as needed to keep yourself prepared and safe this weekend and for all the weekends that will inevitably follow.
Sources: https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/protesters-rights https://www.nrdc.org/stories/how-protest-safely
Please send your input to randomschmuckpod@gmail.com!
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| Episode 14: The Constitution - Amendments 15-27 | 09 Jun 2025 | 00:45:16 | |
Today we finish off our trip through through the United States Constitution! Please email at randomschmuckpod@gmail.com. | |||
| Episode 13.5: Emergency! Rampant Corruption. | 08 Jun 2025 | 00:24:35 | |
Today I read a piece written by Ben Rhodes for the New York Times about how the moves Trump is making not only echo those made by Putin and Orban, they are at a massively accelerated pace.
Email to randomschmuckpod@gmail.com. | |||
| Episode 13: The Constitution - Amendments 1-14 | 07 Jun 2025 | 00:46:16 | |
The Bil of Rights and the post-Civil War Amendments are in the crosshairs today. Corrections and comments, please contact at randomschmuckpod@gmail.com. | |||
| Episode 12: The Constitution - Articles 3-7 | 05 Jun 2025 | 00:43:59 | |
The role of the judiciary, the relationship between the federal government and the states and how the Constitution can be amended. Please send comments or corrections to randomschmuckpod@gmail.com. | |||
| Episode 11: The Constitution - Article 2 | 03 Jun 2025 | 00:45:09 | |
Article 2 of the Constitution details the duties and powers of the President of the United States. Please contact me at randomschmuckpod@gmail.com with any corrections or comments. | |||
| Episode 10: The Constituition, Article 1 | 01 Jun 2025 | 00:38:50 | |
Today we look at the powers enumerated by the Constitution for the legislative branch. | |||
| Episode 9: Mike In Da House | 30 May 2025 | 00:38:17 | |
My buddy Mike joins me, a retired Army colonel, to discuss various and sundry topics. Please email at randomschmuckpod@gmail.com! | |||
| Episode 8: Socializing As An Introvert | 28 May 2025 | 00:38:17 | |
I have a set number of spoons I can spend on social interactions and this episode describes how those spoons get spent in various interactions and why I never initiate phone calls. Please share your stories at randomschmuckpod@gmail.com! | |||
| Episode 7: Bigotry | 26 May 2025 | 00:42:06 | |
Bigotry is one of the uglier sides of human nature, in order to defeat it we must first agree that it exists and then agree that it is a problem and then work together to overcome what has been generational systemic efforts to discriminate and marginalize. Please share your stories to randomschmuckpod@gmail.com. | |||
| Episode 32: Guy Incognito In Da House! | 15 Jul 2025 | 01:26:10 | |
My friend Guy comes by to discuss pop culture, especially from the 1980's and 1990's. Email to randomschmuckpod@gmail.com! | |||
| Episwode 6: Bend The Knee | 24 May 2025 | 00:42:06 | |
Mad King Trumpgaryen is demanding ultimate fealty. How do we handle it? Email the show at randomschmuckpod@gmail.com. | |||
| Episode 5: Learning Curves | 22 May 2025 | 00:42:06 | |
What do you do when you hit a brick wall when learning something new? Please share your stories by emailing me at randomschmuckpod@gmail.com. | |||
| Episode 4: Dreams | 20 May 2025 | 00:40:09 | |
Dreams are neat, dreams are weird. What do you dream about? Please share at randomschmuckpod@gmail.com. | |||
| Episode 3: Women - People Or Just Babymaking Meat? | 18 May 2025 | 01:14:49 | |
It is becoming increasingly obvious that, to a large segment of the American population, the only value women have is their reproductive potential. There is a movement to make barefoot, pregnant and in the kitchen great again. Here are some stories of what women are having to endure and the dark reasons behind why this movement is gaining influence. This is a long one, please hang in there. References: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9320804/ https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/14/rfk-jr-fda-abortion-pill-mifepristone https://www.npr.org/2025/04/25/nx-s1-5371718/pronatalist-birth-rate-musk-natal-conference | |||
| Episode 2: The Health Care "System" | 16 May 2025 | 00:32:13 | |
Responding to feedback from last episode and expounding on the frustrations of dealing with a "system" that really isn't a system at all. Please share your stories by emailing me at randomschmuckpod@gmail.com and I'll read your story on the next episode! | |||
| Episode 1: Driving Drives Me Nuts | 14 May 2025 | 00:36:08 | |
The first in a series of unscripted podcast episodes where I reflect on things that affect us all and my observations on them. This first episode is about the nuttiness of driving on roads nowadays, the perils of the "strode" and the finer points of toasted sesame seed bagels with cream cheese and lox. Send me your funny stories about driving to randomschmuck@gmail.com and I'll read them on the next episode! | |||
| Recommended Podcasts - Taking A Break | 25 Apr 2025 | 00:38:56 | |
I am going to be taking a break from scheduled episodes, but I will be back when the need arises. In the meantime, I discuss the list of podcasts I listen to every week. Thank you for being a listener! The Al Franken Podcast Amicus with Dahlia Lithwick Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams Big Picture Science The Bulwark Podcast Citation Needed Cleanup On Aisle 45 Cognitive Dissonance D&D Minus The Daily Beans The Economics of Everyday Things Freakonomics Radio Geologic Podcast George Conway Explains It All (To Sarah Longwell) Justice Matters with Glenn Kirschner The Know Rogan Experience The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell Law and Chaos Lawful Assembly Lovett Or Leave It Main Justice The Moth No Lie with Brian Tyler Cohen No Stupid Questions Ologies with Alie Ward On The Media Opening Arguments Pod Save America Political Gabfest Rachel Maddow Presents: Deja News Rachel Maddow Presents: Ultra The Rachel Maddow Show The Reality Check Savor The Scathing Atheist The Skepticrat The Skeptics’ Guide To The Universe Stay Tuned with Preet Strict Scrutiny Stuff You Missed In History Class Stuff You Should Know Talking Feds Thank God I’m Atheist The Thinking Atheist True Stories with Seth Andrews Trump’s Project 2025: Up Close And Personal Trumpland with Alex Wagner UnJustified The Weekend Show The Weekly Show with Jon Stewart What’s Next | Daily News and Analysis Why Is This Happening? The Chris Hayes Podcast You’re Dead To Me
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| Last Season's Losers | 22 Apr 2025 | 00:38:56 | |
Remember The Running Man? Well, it's relevant again. References: https://www.scripts.com/script/the_running_man_17257/4 https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250418-us-senator-says-el-salvador-staged-margarita-photo-op https://www.commondreams.org/news/trump-el-salvador-prison https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/18/business/trump-harvard-letter-mistake.html | |||
| State Sponsored Kidnapping | 18 Apr 2025 | 00:42:45 | |
Just bring the guy home already!!!! References: https://www.civiced.org/quotations-about-democracy https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-5/ https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/16/politics/kilmar-abrego-garcia-maryland-senator-el-salvador/index.html https://www.foxnews.com/video/6371538926112 https://www.npr.org/2025/04/16/nx-s1-5366178/trump-deport-jail-u-s-citizens-homegrowns-el-salvador https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/15/us/trump-abrego-garcia-deported-hearing.html | |||
| Cell Phones In Schools | 15 Apr 2025 | 00:52:54 | |
They were one huge reason I retired from teaching. References:
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/21/nyregion/school-cell-phone-ban-nyc.html https://www.theverge.com/2024/9/24/24252235/police-unlock-phone-password-face-id-apple-wallet-id https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/news/2025/03/21/border-control-phone-search/82594653007/
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| Episode 31: Thank You For Your Service | 13 Jul 2025 | 00:48:35 | |
Today we have retired Army Colonel Mike Brockway on hand to discuss the concept of service and serving one's country. Email: randomschmuckpod@gmail.com | |||
| I Used To Have A Sense Of Humor | 12 Apr 2025 | 00:45:59 | |
The REAL reason why Blazing Saddles would never be made today. References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poe%27s_law https://www.newsweek.com/trump-administration-monitor-immigrants-social-media-antisemitism-2057562 https://forward.com/opinion/657036/trump-jews-antisemitism-republican-party/ https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5241423-house-passes-bill-district-court-injunctions/ | |||
| Trump Is Who He Is | 10 Apr 2025 | 00:32:34 | |
Trump's psychological makeup explains everything you need to know bout his tariff war. References https://apnews.com/article/panama-us-mulino-hegseth-canal-33b7e18a1e879706712309118c3ad8c0 https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/04/08/musk-navarro-tariff-trump/82989175007/ https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/04/09/us/immigrant-rights-deportation.html https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/09/opinion/trump-tariffs-rationale-power.html | |||
| No One Should Be Surprised | 08 Apr 2025 | 00:32:35 | |
The stock market doesn't much care for the tariffs, does it?
References: https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/07/business/jamie-dimon-tariff-warning https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/06/treasury-secretary-scott-bessent-markets-tariffs-recession.html https://www.thestreet.com/personalities/scott-bessent-net-worth https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/speaker-johnson-cuts-deal-rep-luna-parental-proxy/story?id=120545742 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/doj-argues-judge-cant-order-return-of-kilmar-abrego-garcia/ https://www.investopedia.com/terms/v/valueaddedtax.asp https://www.newsweek.com/don-bacon-tariffs-spurred-worst-depression-ever-had-2056024 https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/07/opinion/black-americans-trump-politics.html | |||
| Well, That Was Tariffying! | 06 Apr 2025 | 00:35:31 | |
The tariffs hit, the economy goes in the toilet and the Senate is about to use one weird trick to give billionaires a huge tax cut while pretending it won't blow a $5 trillion hole in our deficit. References: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/economy/a-timeline-of-trumps-tariff-actions-so-far https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/trump-fake-tariff-rates-1.7501604 https://finance.yahoo.com/news/trump-says-things-going-very-220759324.html https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/02/us/politics/republicans-senate-rules-tax-cuts.html https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/04/04/social-security-layoffs-trump-musk/
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| Elon's Worthless Cheddar | 04 Apr 2025 | 00:33:54 | |
Wisconsin demonstrates that Elon's money does not win elections. Hopefully, other Republicans will start to take note. References: https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/01/politics/johnson-luna-proxy-voting-parents-house-gop/index.html https://www.wisn.com/article/wisconsin-voters-approve-constitutional-voter-id-amendment/64357959 https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/01/us/politics/wisconsin-supreme-court-crawford-schimel.html https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/26/us/politics/elon-musk-tesla-wisconsin.html https://newrepublic.com/post/193424/elon-musk-doge-usip-nonprofit-seize-building https://www.newsweek.com/doge-cuts-update-today-contracts-cancelled-2052525 https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/02/eric-adams-case-dismissed-new-york-trump-doj.html https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/02/opinion/trump-ice-immigrants.html
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| Just Yammering On Today | 02 Apr 2025 | 00:33:39 | |
Off-script today, observations about why things feel like they really suck, from an economic perspective. Reference: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/31/business/economy/wealth-cash-inequality.html | |||
| The Big Business Of Scamming Americans | 31 Mar 2025 | 00:33:39 | |
Americans seem to be particularly susceptible to being scammed. References : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snake_oil https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1676328/ https://www.investopedia.com/terms/p/pumpanddump.asp
Tim Minchin "Storm": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhGuXCuDb1U
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| Where's MY Soros Money??? | 29 Mar 2025 | 00:30:36 | |
Still waiting for that sweet, sweet Soros money...in the meantime, Elon Musk is trying to buy the Wisconsin Supreme Court election. References: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/27/climate/epa-air-pollution-exemption-mercury-coal-ash.html https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/mar/27/acid-rain-trump-epa https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Soros https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/26/health/texas-measles-vitamin-a-toxicity/index.html
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| Houthigate | 27 Mar 2025 | 00:25:16 | |
The Trump Administration makes an oopsie. References: https://apnews.com/united-states-presidential-election-events-8c6d7abff90d4580920c6cfc8591d361 https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/03/25/us/trump-hegseth-war-plans-leak-signal https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/24/nyregion/columbia-trump-response.html https://www.axios.com/2025/03/25/project-esther-trump-protests-deportations https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/25/business/florida-child-labor-laws/index.html https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/25/us/politics/republicans-congress-signal-leak.html https://www.newsweek.com/atlantics-goldberg-considering-release-full-trump-war-plan-texts-2050295 https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/5213057-noem-plans-eliminate-fema/
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| Tactical Nuclear Lawfare | 25 Mar 2025 | 00:29:47 | |
The Trump Administration is ramping up lawfare against its perceived enemies. References: https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/8823897-do-not-obey-in-advance-most-of-the-power-of https://www.politico.com/news/2025/03/22/donald-trump-law-firms-threat-027250 https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/columbia-university-trump-demands-funding-rcna197261 https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-gen-z-men-voted-for-trump/
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| Episode 30: Big Beautiful Tariffs? | 11 Jul 2025 | 00:44:34 | |
Trump dumps more tariff nonsense on us, the "Big Beautiful Bill" is a cynical pile of horse feces, Laura Loomer coyly advocates Latino genocide...?
References: https://www.yahoo.com/news/alligator-lives-matter-trump-pal-170858014.html https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0eqpz23l9jo https://www.investopedia.com/terms/t/tariff.asp
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| Something Maybe New | 23 Mar 2025 | 00:33:23 | |
Ross joins me to shoot the shit today! | |||
| Pretty Little Liars | 21 Mar 2025 | 00:33:23 | |
Karoline Leavitt finally told a truth this past week and it was a complete accident. | |||
| Department of Vengeance | 19 Mar 2025 | 00:25:08 | |
The Trump Administration takes its most authoritarian moves to date and begins the weaponization of the Department of Justice. | |||
| Episode 30! | 17 Mar 2025 | 00:38:15 | |
Today I ramble on about various things, political and not. Oh, I also explain why the moon was red during the lunar eclipse, don't want to miss that! | |||