Breaking Battlegrounds

This week on Breaking Battlegrounds, Congressman Buddy Carter returns to break down the "Big Beautiful Bill," explain how congressional math really works, and share details on his new legislation calling for a full investigation into the Biden cover-up. Then, Dan McLaughlin of National Review joins us to unpack the five major Supreme Court wins for conservatives this week and what these rulings could mean for the future of key legal battles. Later, Wall Street Journal reporter Thomas Grove checks in from Warsaw to discuss how the war between Russia and Ukraine might end, what Poland's elections reveal about shifting political dynamics in Europe, and what Russia's war-focused economy means for the West. Plus, on Kiley's Corner, Kiley shares the heartbreaking story of two Arcadia High School students whose Memorial Day camping trip ended in a double homicide, drawing chilling parallels to Arizona's unsolved Bumblebee Road murders. Stream now! www.breakingbattlegrounds.vote Twitter: www.twitter.com/Breaking_Battle Facebook: www.facebook.com/breakingbattlegrounds Instagram: www.instagram.com/breakingbattlegrounds LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/breakingbattlegrounds Truth Social: https://truthsocial.com/@breakingbattlegrounds Show sponsors: Invest Yrefy - investyrefy.com Old Glory DepotSupport American jobs while standing up for your values. OldGloryDepot.com brings you conservative pride on premium, made-in-USA gear. Don't settle—wear your patriotism proudly.Learn more at: OldGloryDepot.com Dot VoteWith a .VOTE website, you ensure your political campaign stands out among the competition while simplifying how you reach voters.Learn more at: dotvote.vote 4Freedom MobileExperience true freedom with 4Freedom Mobile, the exclusive provider offering nationwide coverage on all three major US networks (Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile) with just one SIM card. Our service not only connects you but also shields you from data collection by network operators, social media platforms, government agencies, and more.Use code 'Battleground' to get your first month for $9 and save $10 a month every month after.Learn more at: 4FreedomMobile.com About our guest: Congressman Earl L. "Buddy" Carter is an experienced businessman, health care professional and faithful public servant. For over 32 years Buddy owned Carter's Pharmacy, Inc. where South Georgians trusted him with their most valuable assets: their health, lives and families. While running his business, he learned how to balance a budget and create jobs. He also saw firsthand the devastating impacts of government overregulation which drives his commitment to ensuring that the federal government creates policies to empower business instead of increasing burdens on America's job creators. A committed public servant, Buddy previously served as the Mayor of Pooler, Georgia and in the Georgia General Assembly where he used his business experience to make government more efficient and responsive to the people. Buddy is serving his fifth term in the United States House of Representatives and is a member of the House Energy and Commerce (E&C) Committee and the House Budget Committee. He proudly serves as Chairman of the E&C Subcommittee on Health. As a pharmacist serving in Congress, Buddy is dedicated to working towards a health care system that provides more choices, less costs and better services.A lifelong resident of the First District, Buddy was born and raised in Port Wentworth, Georgia and is a proud graduate of Young Harris College and the University of Georgia where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy. Buddy married his college sweetheart, Amy. Buddy and Amy have three sons, three daughters-in-law and eight grandchildren. - Dan McLaughlin is a senior writer at National Review Online and a fellow at National Review Institute. - Thomas Grove covers the confrontation between Russia and the West for The Wall Street Journal. He is based in Warsaw.Before that Thomas covered Russia for more than a decade and he has traveled to Ukraine regularly since Russia's invasion. He writes on Russia's military, the arms trade and the Russian defense sector as well as great power competition.He started his career in Istanbul with Reuters writing about the economy and the rise of Recep Tayyip Erdogan's AKP. Thomas has since reported from across Central Asia, the Caucasus region and the Middle East. Get full access to Breaking Battlegrounds at breakingbattlegrounds.substack.com/subscribe

This week on Breaking Battlegrounds, Chuck and Sam are joined by Oren Cass, chief economist at American Compass and editor of a new book, The New Conservatives, to define conservatism and discuss how conservatism needs to return to its roots by focusing on the ends—human flourishing and national well-being—rather than just making sure people have more stuff than they did the year before. Later, Ashley Rindsberg, senior editor at Pirate Wires and author of The Gray Lady Winked, joins the show to expose how Wikipedia and Reddit have been manipulated by coordinated left-wing and pro-Hamas influence campaigns. He also brakes down NPR's media entitlement mindset and how tech platforms are being exploited for data poisoning. Then on Kiley's Corner, Kiley updates us on her ongoing turf war with a mockingbird and discusses the harrowing story of a mother who shot a man attempting to sexually assault her 12-year-old daughter. Tune in—you don't want to miss this one! www.breakingbattlegrounds.vote Twitter: www.twitter.com/Breaking_Battle Facebook: www.facebook.com/breakingbattlegrounds Instagram: www.instagram.com/breakingbattlegrounds LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/breakingbattlegrounds Truth Social: https://truthsocial.com/@breakingbattlegrounds Show sponsors: Invest Yrefy - investyrefy.com Old Glory DepotSupport American jobs while standing up for your values. OldGloryDepot.com brings you conservative pride on premium, made-in-USA gear. Don't settle—wear your patriotism proudly.Learn more at: OldGloryDepot.com Dot VoteWith a .VOTE website, you ensure your political campaign stands out among the competition while simplifying how you reach voters.Learn more at: dotvote.vote 4Freedom MobileExperience true freedom with 4Freedom Mobile, the exclusive provider offering nationwide coverage on all three major US networks (Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile) with just one SIM card. Our service not only connects you but also shields you from data collection by network operators, social media platforms, government agencies, and more.Use code 'Battleground' to get your first month for $9 and save $10 a month every month after.Learn more at: 4FreedomMobile.com About our guest: Oren Cass is the founder and chief economist of American Compass and editor of the forthcoming The New Conservatives: Restoring America's Commitment to Family, Community, and Industry (June 3, 2025). He is a contributing opinion writer for the Financial Times and the New York Times. His 2018 book, The Once and Future Worker: A Vision for the Renewal of Work in America has been called "absolutely brilliant" by New York Times columnist David Brooks and "A brilliant book. And among the most important I've ever read" by Vice President JD Vance.From 2005 to 2015, Oren worked as a management consultant in Bain & Company's Boston and Delhi offices. During this period, he also earned his J.D. magna cum laude from Harvard Law School, where he was elected vice president and treasurer of the Harvard Law Review and oversaw the journal's budget and operations. While still in law school, Oren also became Domestic Policy Director for Governor Mitt Romney's 2012 presidential campaign, editing and producing the campaign's "jobs book" and developing its domestic policy strategy, proposals, and research. He joined the Manhattan Institute as a senior fellow in 2015 and became a prolific scholar, publishing more than 15 reports for MI and editing its popular "Issues 2016" and "Issues 2020" series, testifying before seven congressional committees and speaking on dozens of college campuses. He founded American Compass at the start of 2020. You can follow him on X @oren_cass. Purchase his book here. - Ashley Rindsberg is the Co-founder and CEO of Alitheum, a technology company dedicated to measuring media reliability. He is also a Senior Editor at Pirate Wires and the bestselling author of The Gray Lady Winked, which explores how misreporting by The New York Times has shaped history. An accomplished investigative journalist, Rindsberg has broken major stories on national security, COVID-19, China, and media influence. A former media executive, he has helped shape some of today's most influential media brands. You can follow him on X @AshleyRindsberg. Get full access to Breaking Battlegrounds at breakingbattlegrounds.substack.com/subscribe

This week on Breaking Battlegrounds, Free Beacon reporter Jon Levine joins Chuck and Sam to talk about Biden's cancer diagnosis, media complicity in Biden's medical cover-ups, and why wealthy private school students—and even a Bloomberg journalist—ended up arrested during the Columbia protests. Then, author and war correspondent Lynne O'Donnell shares the story of Afghan combat pilots who fought alongside U.S. forces and are now driving Ubers in Arizona due to government red tape. Finally, financial expert Gary Gygi, president of Gygi Capital Management, explains what's behind recent market swings and how smart investors navigated the chaos. Plus, don't miss Kiley's Corner for an update on the Team Canada sexual assault case, and tune in to hear the story of the aggressive mockingbird that's made a home in her yard. It's an episode you won't want to miss! www.breakingbattlegrounds.vote Twitter: www.twitter.com/Breaking_Battle Facebook: www.facebook.com/breakingbattlegrounds Instagram: www.instagram.com/breakingbattlegrounds LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/breakingbattlegrounds Truth Social: https://truthsocial.com/@breakingbattlegrounds Show sponsors: Invest Yrefy - investyrefy.com Old Glory DepotSupport American jobs while standing up for your values. OldGloryDepot.com brings you conservative pride on premium, made-in-USA gear. Don't settle—wear your patriotism proudly. Learn more at: OldGloryDepot.com Dot VoteWith a .VOTE website, you ensure your political campaign stands out among the competition while simplifying how you reach voters.Learn more at: dotvote.vote 4Freedom MobileExperience true freedom with 4Freedom Mobile, the exclusive provider offering nationwide coverage on all three major US networks (Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile) with just one SIM card. Our service not only connects you but also shields you from data collection by network operators, social media platforms, government agencies, and more.Use code 'Battleground' to get your first month for $9 and save $10 a month every month after.Learn more at: 4FreedomMobile.com About our guest: Jon Levine is a former political reporter for the Sunday New York Post. Jon has investigated Hunter Biden and worked on the 2020 and 2024 presidential elections. A native New Yorker, he previously worked as a media reporter for TheWrap and Mediaite. His work has been featured on Fox News, CNN.com, The Atlantic, and the Chronicle of Higher Education. When he's not working, he's thinking about work. You can follow him on X @LevineJonathan. - Lynne O'Donnell is an Australian journalist, author, and broadcaster specializing in South and Central Asian affairs, war, and terrorism. She has served as the Afghanistan bureau chief for both Agence France-Presse (AFP) and The Associated Press between 2009 and 2017. O'Donnell holds a Master's degree in War Studies from King's College London and is a columnist for Foreign Policy. Her work has been featured in various prestigious publications worldwide. In 2007, she authored "High Tea in Mosul: The True Story of Two English women in War-Torn Iraq," which explores the lives of two Englishwomen in Iraq during the war. In 2022, during a reporting trip to Afghanistan, O'Donnell was detained and threatened by the Taliban, an experience she has publicly discussed to highlight press freedom issues in the region. - Gary Gygi is the president and CEO of Gygi Capital Management, a Utah-based investment advisory firm serving institutional and individual clients. A former First Vice President at Morgan Stanley, Mr. Gygi brings over three decades of experience in finance, having held leadership roles at Dean Witter, Smoot Miller Cheney, and WBB Securities. He has been a frequent contributor to national media outlets including Fox Business, KSL TV, and ABC4 News, offering expert commentary on market trends and retirement strategies. In addition to his financial career, Mr. Gygi served as Mayor of Cedar Hills, Utah, and has held various public service and nonprofit leadership roles, including with Prevent Child Abuse Utah and the National Organization for the Self Employed. Get full access to Breaking Battlegrounds at breakingbattlegrounds.substack.com/subscribe

This week on Breaking Battlegrounds, we're joined by powerhouse voices from Utah's political leadership. Congressman Mike Kennedy—a practicing physician, licensed attorney, and business owner—discusses his recent visit to El Salvador's high-security prison, his legislation to strengthen Medicaid integrity, and efforts to crack down on repeat felons who reenter the U.S. illegally. Then, Marine Corps veteran and VetComm CEO Kate Monroe shares her plan to combat veteran homelessness through transitional basecamps and weighs in on President Trump's proposal to establish a national center for homeless vets. Finally, U.S. Senator John Curtis reflects on the importance of listening in his maiden Senate floor speech, highlights Utah's leadership in energy innovation, and discusses his bipartisan forest management bill. Plus, don't miss Kiley's Corner, where she dives into the wild story of international gamblers who bought 25 million lottery tickets and won $95 million in Texas. It's an episode you won't want to miss! www.breakingbattlegrounds.vote Twitter: www.twitter.com/Breaking_Battle Facebook: www.facebook.com/breakingbattlegrounds Instagram: www.instagram.com/breakingbattlegrounds LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/breakingbattlegrounds Truth Social: https://truthsocial.com/@breakingbattlegrounds Show sponsors: Invest Yrefy - investyrefy.com 4Freedom MobileExperience true freedom with 4Freedom Mobile, the exclusive provider offering nationwide coverage on all three major US networks (Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile) with just one SIM card. Our service not only connects you but also shields you from data collection by network operators, social media platforms, government agencies, and more.Use code 'Battleground' to get your first month for $9 and save $10 a month every month after.Learn more at: 4FreedomMobile.com Dot VoteWith a .VOTE website, you ensure your political campaign stands out among the competition while simplifying how you reach voters.Learn more at: dotvote.vote About our guest: Congressman Mike Kennedy, M.D., represents Utah's 3rd Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Elected in November 2024, he assumed office in January 2025. Kennedy brings a diverse professional background as a practicing family physician, licensed attorney, and experienced legislator.Kennedy has practiced as a family physician in Lindon, Utah, with Premier Family Medical Group. He has also volunteered at the Provo Volunteer Care Clinic, providing free medical care to uninsured Utah residents.Kennedy's political journey began in the Utah House of Representatives, where he served from 2013 to 2019. He then served in the Utah State Senate from 2021 to 2025. In 2018, he ran for the U.S. Senate, winning the Utah Republican Party's convention vote but losing the primary to Mitt Romney.In 2024, Kennedy won the Republican nomination for Utah's 3rd Congressional District and subsequently defeated his Democratic opponent in the general election. He was sworn into Congress in January 2025.In Congress, Kennedy serves on several key committees, including the Committee on Natural Resources, the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. - Kate Monroe was born in Northern California. After High School, she attended Corban University. She decided fairly quickly that she needed a bigger challenge. This need for a challenge led her to pursue going into the military. She made the tough choice to go into the Marine Corps. While serving her country she was injured many times and is a 90% disabled veteran. Kate says the "Marine Corps set her up for a successful life and career." She says that when people speak with her especially in business, when she says she was a Marine, she can leverage that and it changes the minds of those that she deals with. The entrepreneurial spirit that Kate possesses she would say she got from her father. She has owned many businesses in various vertical market areas from lending, to sales coaching, her own car dealership, and real estate coaching. Kate Had a long tenure in the Automotive business. She climbed up to the GM level and had success in both sales management and the financial aspects of the auto industry. She then became a licensed realtor in the state of Ca, so that she could switch lanes and try her hand in Time Share sales. She was the Rookie of the year for the world for Wyndham. She was then the fastest promoted Director of Sales in the history of the company. She was a strong leader in that industry as well. She learned how to motivate, train and lead others in a high stress high volume sales environment. This year alone Kate is launching two major ventures. The first is to help veterans get the disability rating they deserve. She has a mission to get a million rated. Next is her Realtor Rehab coaching course and reality TV show set for production in June 2021. Bottomline, Kate is a fierce woman with a drive to help others succeed as she has! Her mission is to ensure that she can impart her success onto you. If you need a coach to take your idea or career to the next level, she is your best choice. - In the United States Senate, John R. Curtis proudly represents the citizens of Utah, embodying the pioneer values that shaped the state into an extraordinary place to live, work, and thrive. For Senator Curtis, results matter. Guided by America's founding principles, he tackles tough issues with innovative approaches, inviting all to the higher ground of common ground. He believes that big ideas, innovation, and consensus can drive transformational change. Senator Curtis is dedicated to crafting principle-centered policies and achieving real results for Utah and America. He leads critical conversations, convenes thoughtful leaders, fosters inclusive collaboration, develops sustainable solutions, and provides a vision of what is possible.During his seven years representing Utah's Third Congressional District, then-Representative Curtis passed 28 pieces of legislation into law. His accomplishments include better public land management, combating human trafficking, reducing burdensome regulations on small businesses, and more. He founded the Conservative Climate Caucus and was ranked by the nonpartisan Center for Effective Lawmaking as the 5th most effective Republican member of Congress. In 2023, his office earned recognition as the best in Congress for constituent accountability and accessibility.Senator Curtis has built an international reputation for advancing American energy solutions that unleash U.S. clean fuels, strengthen the economy, enhance national security, ensure energy independence, and reduce global emissions simultaneously. He believes America must not only achieve energy independence but lead as an energy-dominant nation. Beyond energy, the Senator prioritizes strategic policies addressing China, fiscal responsibility, and solutions for broken social programs.Before his time in Congress, Senator Curtis was a small business owner and a proven problem solver. He served as Mayor of Provo City for eight years, earning a 94% approval rating and being named the "Top Elected Official on Social Media" in 2015. His leadership was recognized with awards such as the Silicon Slopes Community Hero, UVU's Civic Innovator Award, and Utah Valley Magazine's Person of the Year.Senator Curtis has been married to his wife, Sue, for 42 years. Together, they have six children and 17 grandchildren. Their family motto, "In Unity There is Strength," continues to guide how he serves, works, and lives. Get full access to Breaking Battlegrounds at breakingbattlegrounds.substack.com/subscribe

This week on Breaking Battlegrounds, Chuck and Sam are joined by Ari Blaff, features writer at the National Post, who dives into his eye-opening report on rising antisemitism at Toronto Metropolitan University and how Canadian institutions are failing Jewish students—plus his take on how media hype, more than real influence, helped create the Andrew Tate phenomenon. Later, Congressman Burgess Owens returns to share insights on restoring American values through faith, family, and education, as well as his work to codify Trump-era executive orders, defend school choice, and investigate Nike's involvement in controversial gender studies. And in Kiley's Corner, a graphic deep-dive into the Canadian hockey scandal—listeners are warned, this segment contains disturbing content and is not for sensitive ears or stomachs. www.breakingbattlegrounds.vote Twitter: www.twitter.com/Breaking_Battle Facebook: www.facebook.com/breakingbattlegrounds Instagram: www.instagram.com/breakingbattlegrounds LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/breakingbattlegrounds Truth Social: https://truthsocial.com/@breakingbattlegrounds Show sponsors: Invest Yrefy - investyrefy.com 4Freedom MobileExperience true freedom with 4Freedom Mobile, the exclusive provider offering nationwide coverage on all three major US networks (Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile) with just one SIM card. Our service not only connects you but also shields you from data collection by network operators, social media platforms, government agencies, and more.Use code 'Battleground' to get your first month for $9 and save $10 a month every month after.Learn more at: 4FreedomMobile.com Dot VoteWith a .VOTE website, you ensure your political campaign stands out among the competition while simplifying how you reach voters.Learn more at: dotvote.vote About our guest: Ari Blaff is a reporter with National Post. He writes news and features. Before that, he was a breaking news writer at National Review and a Tablet Magazine fellow. - Burgess Owens is the Congressman from Utah's Fourth Congressional District. Raised in the segregated South, he saw people of all backgrounds come together to work tirelessly against adversity.As a young man, Burgess was one of the first four black athletes recruited to play football at the University of Miami and the third black student there to receive a scholarship, ultimately earning BS in biology and chemistry. He was the 13th pick in the first round of the 1973 NFL draft and joined the New York Jets, later playing safety for ten seasons in the NFL for the New York Jets and the Oakland Raiders, winning the Superbowl with the 1980 Raiders' team.After retiring from the NFL, Burgess worked in the corporate sales world and eventually moved the Owens family to beautiful Utah. Before being elected to Congress, he started Second Chance 4 Youth, a non-profit dedicated to helping troubled and incarcerated youth.Burgess now serves as a member of the House Education and the Workforce Committee and House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Burgess believes in dreaming big and follows the four guiding principles of faith, family, free markets, and education.As a member of the Education and the Workforce Committee and Chairman of the Higher Education and Workforce Development Subcommittee, Congressman Burgess Owens is dedicated to fostering the best opportunities for students to learn, workers to succeed, and the job creators of tomorrow to thrive. Get full access to Breaking Battlegrounds at breakingbattlegrounds.substack.com/subscribe

This week on Breaking Battlegrounds, Congressman Mike Simpson of Idaho joins the show for a wide-ranging conversation that begins with his shocking discovery of the scale of missing and murdered Indigenous women—over 6,000 annually—and how Congress is finally taking action on justice and jurisdictional reform. He also breaks down the future of nuclear power, America's path to energy independence, and the urgent need to end our reliance on hostile nations for critical minerals and pharmaceuticals. Then, Newsweek's Josh Hammer returns to discuss his new book Israel and Civilization, where he argues that Israel—and the Jewish people—are the West's first line of defense against rising global threats. He also tackles the disturbing surge of anti-Semitism on college campuses, exposes the failures of higher education, and calls for revoking tax-exempt status for elite universities like Harvard. Don't miss Kiley's Corner, where she dives into the chilling mystery of 11 dead women found in New England over the last 60 days—is it the work of a serial killer or 11 separate psychopaths? Tune in now! www.breakingbattlegrounds.vote Twitter: www.twitter.com/Breaking_Battle Facebook: www.facebook.com/breakingbattlegrounds Instagram: www.instagram.com/breakingbattlegrounds LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/breakingbattlegrounds Truth Social: https://truthsocial.com/@breakingbattlegrounds Show sponsors: Invest Yrefy - investyrefy.com 4Freedom MobileExperience true freedom with 4Freedom Mobile, the exclusive provider offering nationwide coverage on all three major US networks (Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile) with just one SIM card. Our service not only connects you but also shields you from data collection by network operators, social media platforms, government agencies, and more.Use code 'Battleground' to get your first month for $9 and save $10 a month every month after.Learn more at: 4FreedomMobile.com Dot VoteWith a .VOTE website, you ensure your political campaign stands out among the competition while simplifying how you reach voters.Learn more at: dotvote.vote About our guest: An Idaho native, Mike Simpson was born in Burley and raised in Blackfoot. Mike graduated from Utah State University and earned his DMD from Washington University School of Dental Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri. After graduation, Mike joined his father and uncle at the Simpson Family Dental Practice in Blackfoot before serving in the Blackfoot City Council and State Legislature.Mike's political career began in 1980, when he was elected to the Blackfoot City Council. In 1984, he was elected to the Idaho Legislature where he served until 1998, the last six years serving as Speaker. Mike is currently serving his fourteenth term in the House of Representatives for Idaho's Second Congressional District.Mike serves as Chairman of the House Interior and Environment Subcommittee on Appropriations. His position gives him the unique opportunity to fight for Idaho's priorities and ensure Idahoans' hard-earned tax dollars come back to Idaho instead of going to states like New York or California.Mike also serves on the House Energy and Water Development Subcommittee and the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education Subcommittee on Appropriations. The committees Mike serves on have jurisdiction over funding for several agencies and programs critical to Idaho, including the Department of Energy, the Department of the Interior, the Forest Service, the National Parks Service, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Smithsonian Institute, and the Department of Labor.Mike and his wife Kathy have been married for 50 years and have called Idaho home all their lives. The two enjoy spending time with their poodle, Charley, and enjoying Idaho's beautiful scenery. - Josh Hammer is a friend of the show and the senior editor-at-large at Newsweek. He's the host of The Josh Hammer Show and the author of a new book, Israel and Civilization: The Fate of the Jewish Nation and the Destiny of the West, which recently reached as high as No. 3 on all of Amazon. You can follow him on X @josh_hammer. Get full access to Breaking Battlegrounds at breakingbattlegrounds.substack.com/subscribe

On this week's episode of Breaking Battlegrounds, Chuck and Sam are joined by Alex Swoyer, legal affairs reporter for The Washington Times, to break down the Supreme Court case challenging mandatory LGBTQ story time for elementary school students. Then, Memphis Barker, Foreign Editor at The Telegraph, gives an inside look at U.S. military training and the growing threat in the Arctic as Russia and China exploit Canada's weaknesses. Finally, Shay Khatiri of the Yorktown Institute discusses the deepening Russia-Iran alliance and what it means for global security. Don't miss this packed episode of legal battles, military insights, and foreign affairs. www.breakingbattlegrounds.vote Twitter: www.twitter.com/Breaking_Battle Facebook: www.facebook.com/breakingbattlegrounds Instagram: www.instagram.com/breakingbattlegrounds LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/breakingbattlegrounds Truth Social: https://truthsocial.com/@breakingbattlegrounds Show sponsors: Invest Yrefy - investyrefy.com 4Freedom MobileExperience true freedom with 4Freedom Mobile, the exclusive provider offering nationwide coverage on all three major US networks (Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile) with just one SIM card. Our service not only connects you but also shields you from data collection by network operators, social media platforms, government agencies, and more.Use code 'Battleground' to get your first month for $9 and save $10 a month every month after.Learn more at: 4FreedomMobile.com Dot VoteWith a .VOTE website, you ensure your political campaign stands out among the competition while simplifying how you reach voters.Learn more at: dotvote.vote About our guest: Originally from Texas, Alex Swoyer left the Lone Star State to attend the Missouri School of Journalism where she graduated with a bachelor's degree in journalism with an emphasis in broadcast.She has experience covering stories in the mid-Missouri, Houston and southwest Florida areas where she worked at local affiliate TV stations and received a First Place Mark of Excellence Award from the Society of Professional Journalists.After graduating from law school in Florida, she decided to leave the courtroom and return to the newsroom as a legal affairs reporter for The Washington Times. Follow her on X @ASwoyer. - Memphis Barker is the Foreign editor at the Telegraph. Formerly in Pakistan. Follow him on X @memphisbarker. - Shay Khatiri is the VP of development and a senior fellow at Yorktown Institute. An immigrant from Iran, he is an alumnus of Arizona State University and the Strategic Studies Department at Johns Hopkins University, School of Advanced International Studies. He publishes the Substack newsletter, The Russia–Iran File. Follow him on X @ShayKhatiri. Get full access to Breaking Battlegrounds at breakingbattlegrounds.substack.com/subscribe

This week on Breaking Battlegrounds, Sean Noble of Light Beer Dark Money and Kiley Kipper of Kiley's Corner are joined by two influential voices in their fields. Mackenzie Price, education innovator and founder of Alpha Schools, shares how her revolutionary two-hour school model leverages AI to deliver personalized, mastery-based learning while giving students back time to build life skills, explore creativity, and pursue purpose. Then, economist and American Compass founder Oren Cass joins to unpack Trump's tariffs, how China's authoritarian economic practices undermine true free market trade, and why rebuilding America's manufacturing base is essential to our future prosperity and national security. And in Kiley's Corner, Kiley shares the heartbreaking story of Eli Heacock, a 16-year-old who took his life after being targeted by an online predator using AI-generated sextortion, an urgent reminder of the dangers facing teens online in the digital age. Stream now! www.breakingbattlegrounds.vote Twitter: www.twitter.com/Breaking_Battle Facebook: www.facebook.com/breakingbattlegrounds Instagram: www.instagram.com/breakingbattlegrounds LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/breakingbattlegrounds Truth Social: https://truthsocial.com/@breakingbattlegrounds Show sponsors: Invest Yrefy - investyrefy.com 4Freedom MobileExperience true freedom with 4Freedom Mobile, the exclusive provider offering nationwide coverage on all three major US networks (Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile) with just one SIM card. Our service not only connects you but also shields you from data collection by network operators, social media platforms, government agencies, and more.Use code 'Battleground' to get your first month for $9 and save $10 a month every month after.Learn more at: 4FreedomMobile.com Dot VoteWith a .VOTE website, you ensure your political campaign stands out among the competition while simplifying how you reach voters.Learn more at: dotvote.vote About our guest: A Stanford graduate in Psychology, MacKenzie Price always knew that education needed revolution, but when her daughters told her that school was boring, she knew that the time for a change was now.And that is why she created the 2 Hour Learning model, empowering students to crush core academics in just two hours a day and giving them the gift of four hours to pursue their passions while mastering life skills.Starting with the first Alpha School, MacKenzie's vision became a reality. Students score in the top 1-2% nationally, and over 90% said they love going to school. This success led to the expansion of Alpha Schools across multiple cities – Miami, Brownsville, and counting. Her model is also used at Alpha High, Sports Academy, NextGen Academy, and GT School, changing the educational landscape for hundreds of students.MacKenzie also hosts the Future of Education podcast and YouTube channel, discussing AI's role in education and how students can align their passions with their skills for personal and academic growth, amongst other topics. As a member of the Forbes Technology Council, she continues to drive discussions on innovative education.MacKenzie lives in Austin, Texas with her family and aims to make 2 Hour Learning a global phenomenon. Follow her on X @mackenzieprice. - Oren Cass is the founder and chief economist of American Compass and editor of the forthcoming The New Conservatives: Restoring America's Commitment to Family, Community, and Industry (June 3, 2025). He is a contributing opinion writer for the Financial Times and the New York Times. His 2018 book, The Once and Future Worker: A Vision for the Renewal of Work in America has been called "absolutely brilliant" by New York Times columnist David Brooks and "A brilliant book. And among the most important I've ever read" by Vice President JD Vance.From 2005 to 2015, Oren worked as a management consultant in Bain & Company's Boston and Delhi offices. During this period, he also earned his J.D. magna cum laude from Harvard Law School, where he was elected vice president and treasurer of the Harvard Law Review and oversaw the journal's budget and operations. While still in law school, Oren also became Domestic Policy Director for Governor Mitt Romney's 2012 presidential campaign, editing and producing the campaign's "jobs book" and developing its domestic policy strategy, proposals, and research. He joined the Manhattan Institute as a senior fellow in 2015 and became a prolific scholar, publishing more than 15 reports for MI and editing its popular "Issues 2016" and "Issues 2020" series, testifying before seven congressional committees and speaking on dozens of college campuses. He founded American Compass at the start of 2020. Follow him on X @oren_cass. Get full access to Breaking Battlegrounds at breakingbattlegrounds.substack.com/subscribe

This week on Breaking Battlegrounds, hosts Chuck Warren and Sam Stone are joined by investigative reporter Andrew Kerr of the Washington Free Beacon as he walks us through his latest exposé uncovering how the Biden administration concealed a congressionally mandated report revealing that U.S. service members fell ill with COVID like symptoms at the 2019 Wuhan Military Games, months before the official pandemic timeline. Andrew also exposes how Senator Raphael Warnock is living rent free in a million dollar, church owned home and how members of Congress, like Rep. Jasmine Crockett, are billing taxpayers for luxury car leases and daily meals. Then, early Bitcoin entrepreneur Charlie Shrem joins to break down the basics of Bitcoin, what the Trump administration is doing to support the industry, how America is falling behind Europe in crypto policy, and why he believes the U.S. must act now to stay competitive. Plus, Kiley's Corner returns with cloned wolves and a death row inmate trying to dodge execution because he became obese. Don't miss it! www.breakingbattlegrounds.vote Twitter: www.twitter.com/Breaking_Battle Facebook: www.facebook.com/breakingbattlegrounds Instagram: www.instagram.com/breakingbattlegrounds LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/breakingbattlegrounds Truth Social: https://truthsocial.com/@breakingbattlegrounds Show sponsors: Invest Yrefy - investyrefy.com 4Freedom MobileExperience true freedom with 4Freedom Mobile, the exclusive provider offering nationwide coverage on all three major US networks (Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile) with just one SIM card. Our service not only connects you but also shields you from data collection by network operators, social media platforms, government agencies, and more.Use code 'Battleground' to get your first month for $9 and save $10 a month every month after.Learn more at: 4FreedomMobile.com Dot VoteWith a .VOTE website, you ensure your political campaign stands out among the competition while simplifying how you reach voters.Learn more at: dotvote.vote About our guest: Andrew Kerr is an investigative reporter at The Washington Free Beacon, focusing on political and governmental affairs. He earned his degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Kerr has authored numerous articles on topics ranging from political ethics to government transparency. Notably, he reported on the Biden administration's concealment of a congressionally mandated report regarding early suspected American COVID-19 cases. Beyond his writing, Kerr has appeared on media platforms such as Fox News, where he discussed various political topics. Follow Andrew on X @AndrewKerrNC. - I'm Charlie Shrem, one of Bitcoin's earliest entrepreneurs. Before crypto was mainstream—before the ETFs, the hedge funds, the Twitter armies—I was wiring money out of my parents' basement so people could buy Bitcoin.In 2011, I co-founded BitInstant, which became the first VC-funded Bitcoin startup in history. Our platform made it possible to buy Bitcoin at over 700,000 locations across the U.S. — including CVS and Walgreens. At our peak, we processed 30% of all global Bitcoin transactions.We moved fast, broke things, and helped build the rails the entire crypto ecosystem still rides on today.In 2014, I was arrested and later served two years in federal prison for operating an unlicensed money transmission business. It was one of the first crypto-related cases of its kind. I was young, moving fast, and didn't yet understand the legal boundaries in a completely unregulated frontier.I took full responsibility and used that time to learn, reflect, and build back better. I read over 140 books, tutored inmates for their GEDs, and developed a renewed vision for the future of crypto.Since then, I've been on a mission to do it right — not just for me, but for the entire industry. Follow Charlie on X @CharlieShrem. Get full access to Breaking Battlegrounds at breakingbattlegrounds.substack.com/subscribe

This week on Breaking Battlegrounds, guest host Sean Noble joins Sam Stone for a packed episode featuring Mackenzie Eaglen of the American Enterprise Institute, who breaks down the true state of U.S. military readiness, how China's defense spending compares to ours, and why Pentagon bureaucracy is undermining our ability to prepare for global threats. Later, Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap offers an inside look at what he calls a "crisis situation" in his office, revealing that outgoing officials stripped him of key powers, staff, and budget before he even took office, leaving voters with a "clearly broken system" and a power struggle that threatens local election integrity. And stay tuned for Kiley's Corner, where she covers the heartbreaking suicides of four officers from the same department last month—and the mysterious reappearance of Valery, the lost wiener dog who vanished on Kangaroo Island in 2023 and was spotted again this February. From national defense to local integrity, this episode delivers sharp insight into the issues shaping America's future. Tune in now! www.breakingbattlegrounds.vote Twitter: www.twitter.com/Breaking_Battle Facebook: www.facebook.com/breakingbattlegrounds Instagram: www.instagram.com/breakingbattlegrounds LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/breakingbattlegrounds Truth Social: https://truthsocial.com/@breakingbattlegrounds Show sponsors: Invest Yrefy - investyrefy.com 4Freedom MobileExperience true freedom with 4Freedom Mobile, the exclusive provider offering nationwide coverage on all three major US networks (Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile) with just one SIM card. Our service not only connects you but also shields you from data collection by network operators, social media platforms, government agencies, and more.Use code 'Battleground' to get your first month for $9 and save $10 a month every month after.Learn more at: 4FreedomMobile.com Dot VoteWith a .VOTE website, you ensure your political campaign stands out among the competition while simplifying how you reach voters.Learn more at: dotvote.vote About our guest: Mackenzie Eaglen is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), where she works on defense strategy, defense budgets, and military readiness. She is also a regular guest lecturer at universities, a member of the board of advisers of the Alexander Hamilton Society, and a member of the steering committee of the Leadership Council for Women in National Security.Ms. Eaglen is also one of the 12-member US Army War College Board of Visitors, which offers advice about academic program objectives and effectiveness, and serves on the US Army Science Board, an advisory body that provides guidance on scientific and other matters to the Army's senior leadership. In 2023, she became a member of the Commission on the Future of the Navy, established by Congress to study the strategy, budget, and policy concerning the future strength of the US Navy fleet.While working at AEI, Ms. Eaglen served as a staff member on the National Defense Strategy Commission, a congressionally mandated bipartisan review group whose final report in November 2018, "Providing for the Common Defense," included assessments and recommendations for the administration. Earlier, Ms. Eaglen served as a staff member on the 2014 congressionally mandated National Defense Panel and in 2010 on the congressionally mandated bipartisan Quadrennial Defense Review Independent Panel.Before joining AEI, Ms. Eaglen worked on defense issues in the House of Representatives, in the US Senate, and at the Pentagon in the Office of the Secretary of Defense and on the Joint Staff.A prolific writer on defense-related issues, Ms. Eaglen has been published in the popular press, including in Foreign Affairs, the New York Times, Politico, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, and War on the Rocks. She has also testified before Congress.Ms. Eaglen has an MA from the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University and a BA from Mercer University. - Justin Heap serves as the 31st Recorder of Maricopa County, Arizona, having been elected in November 2024 and assuming office in January 2025. In this role, he oversees an office of approximately 150 employees responsible for recording public documents, maintaining a voter registration database of 2.6 million voters—the second-largest voting jurisdiction in the United States—and administering the mail voting component of all elections in Maricopa County.Prior to his tenure as Recorder, Heap represented District 10 in the Arizona House of Representatives from January 2023 to January 2025. During his legislative term, he focused on issues related to election integrity and was associated with the Arizona Freedom Caucus. Heap holds both a Bachelor of Arts and a Juris Doctor degree from Arizona State University. Get full access to Breaking Battlegrounds at breakingbattlegrounds.substack.com/subscribe