Newt talks with Fred Ryan, Chairman of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute and director of the new Center on Civility and Democracy. They discuss the importance of President Reagan's legacy of principled civility in today's divided political climate. Ryan reflects on Reagan's ability to maintain firm views while finding common ground, emphasizing the importance of everyone leaving the room with dignity and achieving incremental progress. Their conversation highlights Reagan's personal traits and principles, shaped by his upbringing and experiences, which contributed to his effective communication and leadership style. They also discuss the current political climate, noting a decline in trust in institutions and the role of media and social media in exacerbating divisions. Ryan outlines the Center's initiatives, including the Civil Discourse Project for K-12 students, the Civility Handbook, and forums to find common ground among diverse groups. The Center’s goal is to promote civil discourse and find common ground to advance democracy through informed patriotism.

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Newt talks with Tracy Shuchart, Senior Economist at NinjaTrader Live and the author of “The Venezuelan Oil Narrative is Pure Theater.” They discuss her insights on Venezuela's geopolitical and economic landscape. Shuchart argues that the current narrative focusing on Venezuela's oil is misleading, emphasizing instead the significance of critical minerals and the influence of China, Iran, and Russia in the region. She highlights Venezuela's vast deposits of rare earth minerals, which are crucial for advanced technologies and national security, and warns of China's dominance in this sector. Shuchart also details the involvement of Iran and Russia in Venezuela, noting the presence of Iranian weapons and Russian military advisors, which pose a national security threat to the United States. Despite the removal of Maduro, Shuchart suggests that the regime's core remains intact, and significant changes in Venezuela's governance are yet to be seen. She also discusses the broader implications of shifting supply chains away from China, a move encouraged by the current U.S. administration to bolster North American mining and reduce dependency on Chinese processing. Shuchart's analysis underscores the complex interplay of economic and geopolitical factors shaping Venezuela's future and its impact on global markets.

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Newt talks with Alireza Jafarzadeh, Deputy Director of the U.S. office of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI-US), and the author of “The Iran Threat.” They discuss the ongoing protests in Iran, which began in late December due to severe economic hardships caused by runaway inflation. The protests have evolved from demands for economic relief to calls for the overthrow of the Islamic Republic, a theocratic dictatorship currently led by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The Iranian government has responded with severe crackdowns, including internet shutdowns and lethal force, resulting in over 3,000 deaths and the arrest of at least 50,000 people. The protests have spread across all 31 provinces, with significant participation from various societal sectors, including small business owners who previously supported the regime. The organized opposition, particularly the MEK and its resistance units, play a crucial role in sustaining the protests despite government repression. Their discussion also touches on the historical context of the regime's reliance on repression and terrorism to maintain power, as well as the potential for international support to influence the outcome. Jafarzadeh concludes with a call for the international community to recognize and support the Iranian people's right to resist the regime.

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Newt talks with Homes for Our Troops, President and CEO Brigadier General, (USA, Retired) Tom Landwermeyer and Yancy Baer, Major, U.S. Army, (Retired). Homes for Our Troops is a nonprofit organization dedicated to building and donating specially adapted custom homes for severely injured post-9/11 veterans across the United States. These homes are designed to restore freedom and independence to veterans who have suffered injuries such as limb amputations, paralysis, blindness, severe burns, and traumatic brain injuries, allowing them to focus on family, recovery, and rebuilding their lives. Homes for Our Troops builds homes in locations chosen by the veterans and maintains a relationship with them post-delivery to assist in their life rebuilding process. The organization has built homes in 46 states and is approaching the milestone of 500 homes. The homes feature more than 40 special adaptations, such as automatic doors, accessible cabinets, and roll-under counters, to accommodate the needs of veterans. The organization also provides financial planning and homeownership education. Community involvement is a significant aspect of the program, with local communities actively participating in welcoming veterans into their new homes. The organization emphasizes that supporting veterans is a duty of our country, and it aims to repay a small portion of the debt owed to those who have served.

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Newt talks with Congresswoman Maria Salazar, representing Florida's 27th Congressional District, about her background, experiences, and legislative initiatives. Salazar, a five-time Emmy award-winning journalist, has a history of confronting powerful figures like Fidel Castro and Nicolás Maduro. She shares insights from her upbringing in Miami's Little Havana, emphasizing the impact of her Cuban refugee heritage and the importance of American values. Their conversation also covers the political situation in Venezuela, highlighting the need for stability and the role of American support in facilitating a democratic transition. Salazar criticizes Maduro as a puppet of Havana and discusses the challenges facing Venezuelan opposition leaders. Salazar's legislative focus includes The DIGNITY Act, which aims to reform immigration by providing a path to dignity for undocumented immigrants without granting citizenship. Her proposal seeks to secure the border, stabilize the labor force, and align with American values. The act emphasizes the importance of treating immigrants with dignity while addressing national security and economic needs. Salazar's book, "Dignity Not Citizenship," further explores these themes, advocating for a balanced approach to immigration reform.

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Newt talks with Herman Pirchner and Ilan Berman from the American Foreign Policy Council about their new book, “The New Imperialists” which explores the collaboration between Russia, China, and Iran, along with allies like North Korea and Venezuela, to challenge the United States' global leadership. Their conversation highlights the strategic actions taken by the Trump administration, including the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro, as part of a broader strategy to counteract these alliances. They also discuss the geopolitical implications of Venezuela's alignment with anti-American forces and the potential impact on U.S. national security. Pirchner and Berman discuss the strategic importance of Greenland in the context of American defense and its relevance to the imperial ambitions of Russia. Additionally, they discuss the new AFPC publication, "Statecraft and Strategy," aimed at providing a comprehensive view of global trends and foreign policy issues, bridging the gap between partisan perspectives. They underscore the interconnectedness of global geopolitical dynamics and the strategic responses required to address emerging threats.

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The lives of these men are essential to understanding the American form of government and our ideals of liberty. The Founding Fathers all played key roles in the securing of American independence from Great Britain and in the creation of the government of the United States of America.

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The lives of these men are essential to understanding the American form of government and our ideals of liberty. The Founding Fathers all played key roles in the securing of American independence from Great Britain and in the creation of the government of the United States of America.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.