Coffee and a Mike

Col. (ret.) Lawrence Wilkerson, former Chief of Staff to Secretary of State Colin Powell, speaks on U.S. imperial decline and the risks of federal overreach. He explores Iran, the impracticality of a ground invasion and draft implications. He also discusses China’s push to supplant the dollar, regional flashpoints, and how corporate power shapes U.S. policy.

Matt Smith, producer and commentator on geopolitics and precious metals, and co-author of The Preparation. He discusses risks of renewed lockdowns and Iran-driven shocks. He connects military programs to pandemic response, warns of supply-chain and financial fragility, and highlights prepping, gold and silver, and how crises can reshape policy and markets.

Larry C. Johnson, a CIA and State Department counterterrorism veteran, offers sharp analysis on Middle East war dynamics and regional escalation. He dissects Iran’s missile campaign, Israel’s strategic limits, Gulf economic fallout, and how Russia and China factor into the conflict. Short takes on risks of broader regional war, impacts on energy and agriculture, and the political ripple effects at home.

Kevork Almassian, award-winning Syrian journalist and analyst based in Germany and host of Syriana Analysis. He discusses social-media manipulation and surveillance, smartphone security and travel bans affecting Syrians. He traces the regional escalation from Soleimani's assassination to widening conflict, Iran's leverage via oil and the Strait of Hormuz, and the political and economic fallout across the Gulf.

Mario Innecco, YouTuber known for contrarian economics and geopolitical commentary. He discusses the Iran conflict's resilience and regional fallout. They cover information warfare, risks of escalation including nuclear and religious hotspots, and shifting Gulf trust. Conversation also explores silver, gold, bitcoin, and investment approaches amid global turbulence.

Melody Wright, strategist and technologist who analyzes housing and credit trends. Ed Dowd, financial analyst and author focused on private credit and systemic risks. They discuss opaque private credit and contagion. They cover double-pledging and loan fraud. They explore AI-backed lending, housing demand distortions, short-term rental oversupply, and looming commercial real estate stress.

Rory Duncan, a Rhodesian-born farmer and entrepreneur who grows medicinal plants and sells extracts globally. He recounts surviving civil war and fortified farm life. He discusses making plant-based mental health remedies, building local community projects, and raising kids amid security challenges. Short, vivid stories about resilience, farming, and grassroots solutions.

Mark Beck, entrepreneur, husband, and father who shares personal stories and reflections. Johann Kurtz, legacy adviser and author focused on inheritance and family patrimony. They talk about Johann's book, why he moved from London to Romania, restoring cultural patrimony, raising resilient kids through hands-on work, and how family traditions and community shape long-term stewardship.

Ron Unz, founder of The Unz Review and longform commentator on geopolitics and history. He discusses comparing America’s Iran actions to Britain’s Suez moment. He covers China’s leverage over Taiwan and global chip supply risks. He examines U.S. military limits, shifting alliances, and high-stakes geopolitical fallout.

Eric Yeung, a geopolitical and commodities analyst focused on precious metals, discusses Iran-related conflict and oil shocks. He examines disappearing Shanghai silver inventories, global deleveraging risks and sovereign liquidations, insurance gaps and shipping vulnerability, and how currency moves drive dollar demand for oil.