Badlands Media

Jon Herold hosts a loose, funny, and surprisingly packed pre-Thanksgiving episode as he checks in with Badlanders before heading to his family gathering. After joking about lunch, fasting, and hosting Thanksgiving for the first time, Jon reviews Trump’s Thanksgiving proclamations, the hilarious turkey-pardon clip, and the sudden dismissal of the long-running Georgia RICO case, highlighting how no prosecutor wanted to touch Fani Willis’ mess. He reacts to updates on DOGE, Trump’s New York Times rant, and the “ToPublican” branding joke before diving back into Emerald Robinson’s Venezuela thread, questioning its logic, missing evidence, and convenient narrative turns. Jon debates whistleblower timelines, catamarans, storm drama, and Trump supposedly being uninformed about election fraud, pushing back on the story’s framing while engaging live chat humor about sharks, boats, the ocean, and hot tubs. He then covers the Witkoff–Ushakov peace-call transcript, Lindsey Halligan’s appointment issue, Democrats facing FBI review for their “illegal orders” video, Comer’s doubts about the Epstein report, and the political fallout surrounding election legitimacy. Jon closes by previewing Power Hour and wishing everyone a happy Thanksgiving.

In this dense, far-reaching conversation, Matt Ehret and Ghost break down the rapidly shifting global order through the lens of MBS, Trump, Russia, and the unraveling of Western hegemony. They explore Saudi Arabia’s hard line on Palestinian statehood, why MBS won’t be bribed into the Abraham Accords, and how Trump’s 20-point peace plan aligns with decades of promises to Palestinian leaders. From Qatar’s 2017 counter-terrorism agreement and its role in cutting ISIS financing, to the quiet construction of U.S. military infrastructure in Israel, the episode connects today’s moves to a broader geopolitical realignment driven by bilateral trade agreements and nuclear energy development. Matt and Ghost highlight how NATO is collapsing under its own contradictions, why Germany may soon break from EU control, and how populist nationalism is reshaping global alliances. They close with deep historical context, Harding, Versailles, Templars, mystery cults, and how symbols, language, and institutions are reclaimed or co-opted across eras, all while Trump and Putin maneuver to neutralize the Ukraine conflict and dismantle the warmongering architecture behind it.

In this Thanksgiving-eve episode, CannCon and Chris Paul kick things off with banter about holiday travel chaos, media fear tactics, and Trump’s turkey-pardon humor before moving into deeper geopolitical analysis. They break down Trump’s comments on color revolutions, the Hunter Biden pardon joke, and how these moments tie into broader narratives about legitimacy and power. The hosts dive into UN reform as Trump allies announce sweeping cuts and spending audits, exposing just how much the U.S. bankrolls global institutions. They also cover Bolsonaro’s 27-year prison sentence and the suspicious “hallucinating medication” narrative, Venezuela tensions, the sinking of cartel-linked drug boats, and how U.S. involvement is framed by the media. The episode then shifts to the Democrats’ ongoing “illegal orders” narrative, with CannCon and Chris highlighting the clear attempt to politicize the military and manufacture a color-revolution-style break in command. From AI Christian artists to biological fairness in sports, Chicago crime policy, Smartmatic ties, and shifting global alliances, this episode pulls together the week’s most revealing clues about where power is consolidating, and unraveling.

In Episode 19, Alpha Warrior and Josh Reid dive headfirst into a seismic day of information warfare as General Michael Flynn issues a cryptic but unmistakable call to digital soldiers—“Get ready.” The hosts break down Flynn’s timing and his reference to post 532, connecting it to a rapid series of White House reposts featuring 11 veterans, one of them Alpha himself. Josh unpacks the deeper meaning behind these mirrored posts, linking them to long-running military intelligence drops, the Ghost Army, and a newly released PsyOps video echoing the Anon movement’s origins. From there, Alpha and Josh explore the explosive revelations surrounding Smartmatic, Venezuela, election interference, and Patrick Byrne’s firsthand account of the systems used to manipulate global elections. They connect Byrne’s inside intel to the escalating actions taken by Trump, including terrorism designations aimed at networks tied to Soros, Maduro, the Muslim Brotherhood, and cartel-driven insurgencies. This episode ties together covert operations, military presence in Venezuela, corruption inside U.S. institutions, and the cleanup now underway, all while hinting at major dominos preparing to fall. A high-energy, deeply sourced breakdown of a rapidly accelerating timeline.

Burning Bright and Chris Paul sit down for a spirited Thanksgiving-week discussion of Planes, Trains and Automobiles, unpacking John Hughes’ classic through humor, film analysis, psychology, and cultural commentary. They break down the movie’s “comedy of errors” structure, the over-the-top schmaltz of its emotional beats, and how Steve Martin and John Candy embody two archetypes forced together on a chaotic hero’s journey. The hosts dive into the film’s mythic storytelling roots, its portrayal of 1980s Americana, the contrast between Neil’s polished corporate frustration and Del’s messy human warmth, and the way both men represent missing pieces in each other’s lives. Along the way, BB and Chris veer into side-rants about Reagan-era prosperity aesthetics, the lost art of character-driven movies, airline misery, AI shaping society since the 1950s, the asymmetry of technology, how modern films misunderstand character, and even how turkeys, pardons, Venezuela, and election narratives tie into today’s psyop-ridden media landscape. A sharp, funny, reflective episode blending film breakdown, cultural analysis, and classic Badlands banter.

CannCon and Ashe in America open this episode of the Badlands Book Club with the beginning of Chapter 11, Part 1 of The Fourth Turning, diving into Strauss and Howe’s blueprint for how societies and individuals should prepare for a coming crisis era. They read through and discuss the authors’ seasonal model of history, focusing on how America should “move with” the current unraveling, avoid outdated behaviors from prior eras, and begin quietly preparing for the demands of the next Fourth Turning. The chapter explores the dangers of linear thinking, the need to recognize the signs of a secular winter, and the importance of personal responsibility, civic renewal, cultural uplift, and institutional pruning before a crisis takes hold. Along the way, Ashe and CannCon relate the text to modern politics, media dysfunction, generational shifts, and the hijacking of societal cycles by today’s ruling class, layering in humor, eye-rolls, personal stories, debate, and real-time reactions. They also discuss upcoming Book Club selections, holiday plans, and viewer chat, making this a dense but lively walkthrough of one of the most consequential chapters in the book.

Ghost opens Episode 59 with humor, Encanto music, and a reminder of how absurd the global news cycle has become before diving headfirst into Venezuela’s rapidly escalating geopolitical storm. He breaks down Nicolás Maduro’s explosive claim that U.S. banks and intelligence agencies—not Latin America—are the true center of global drug trafficking, then contrasts that with the U.S. designating the “Cartel of the Suns” a terrorist organization and launching deadly boat strikes across the region. Ghost analyzes viral clips of Maduro dancing, the wave of flight cancellations after FAA warnings, and the massive U.S. naval buildup near Venezuela, questioning who is actually pushing for conflict. He explores the contested Guyana oil fields, Chevron’s strategic legal maneuvers, British intelligence suddenly halting information sharing, and how the battle for Essequibo ties into global power plays involving China, Russia, Exxon, and 5 Eyes. Ghost highlights the propaganda, psyops, neocon pressure, CIA narratives, and media manipulation fueling panic—while emphasizing how every faction is playing its own game. A sharp, funny, and deeply detailed breakdown of a chaotic moment where nothing is as it seems.

Jon Herold unpacks a wide-ranging and often hilarious news day, starting with his newly minted title as the “world’s foremost Q promoter” after a New York Times piece took his comments wildly out of context. He breaks down the Epstein-file discourse, clarifies what he actually said, and roasts Will Sommer while embracing the absurdity of becoming media-designated “Q adjacent.” Jon then covers mixed signals surrounding the supposed shutdown and surprise “revival” of DOGE, Trump pardoning a turkey, stock market chatter, and reports that Ukraine has agreed to the core terms of a U.S.-brokered peace deal. He reacts to snowfall at home, Thanksgiving week family time, and the DOJ’s election-related narratives before diving into Emerald Robinson’s sprawling 2024 “steal prevention” thread, which he finds intriguing but deeply suspicious. From Musk rumors to Smartmatic whistleblowers to cyber ops, Jon raises red flags while analyzing what doesn’t add up. Additional topics include Trump’s Genesis Mission executive order on AI, the slowing housing market, Fed speculation, terror-designation reviews, Mark Kelly’s UCMJ scrutiny, a mysterious new DoD content-blocking directive, Speaker Johnson’s Nick Fuentes comments, and the surreal “everyone’s alive in Bismarck” running gag.

CannCon and Ghost unpack a massive news day on Badlands Daily, beginning with breaking reports that Ukraine has tentatively agreed to a U.S.-brokered 19-point peace plan, sparking heated analysis of leaked terms, neocon backlash, and Putin’s strategic posture. They dig into Colonel McGregor’s warnings about NATO collapse, Zelensky’s looming exit, and the deep corruption unraveling inside Ukraine’s government. The conversation shifts to the Comey case dismissal on a technicality, DOJ moves to release Epstein–Maxwell grand jury materials, and Cash Patel’s tight-lipped update on the J6 pipe bomber investigation. The guys cover a major 1,500-pound meth seizure, Chicago’s exploding school travel scandal, refugee re-interviews, and the stunning announcement that retired Navy Captain Mark Kelly may face UCMJ consequences for seditious messaging. Ghost dives into Maduro’s accusations against U.S. banks laundering cartel money, FAA flight warnings over Venezuela, F-35/F-15 weapons deals, and growing instability across South America and Eastern Europe. It’s a high-velocity episode loaded with geopolitics, corruption, law-fare, and the shifting global order, all delivered with classic Badlands candor.

In this intense and unsettling episode, Jon Herold and Zak Paine continue their deep dive into the world of human hunting, forced organ harvesting, and elite-level criminal networks. Picking up the thread from last week, they unravel the horrifying story of the Kosovo “Yellow House,” where kidnapped civilians were reportedly dissected for their organs under the protection of the Kosovo Liberation Army. The hosts examine eyewitness accounts, UN reports, and the stunning lack of prosecutions, even as the alleged perpetrators rose to positions of political power. They also expose shocking modern-day parallels, from U.S. prison cases where families received bodies stripped of organs, to hospitals harvesting unidentified patients, to the mysterious Maltese death of teenager Mike Mansholt. With their signature mix of dark humor, sharp analysis, and incredulity at the media’s silence, Jon and Zak spotlight a global system of corruption that authorities continue to ignore, and ask how these atrocities can happen in plain sight.

In this packed return episode, Ashe in America and Abbey Blue Eyes dive straight into a whirlwind of topics, from JFK’s assassination anniversary and the documentary Everything Is a Rich Man’s Trick to the unsettling ways government, intelligence agencies, and media manipulate public perception. The ladies explore how disinformation, staged narratives, emotional manipulation, and Hollywood-style storytelling have been weaponized for decades, weaving these themes into modern examples like J6 and media-driven political psyops. They then shift into a fascinating and at times alarming discussion on the rapid evolution of augmented reality, neural-tech, surveillance eyewear, and the eroding line between real and artificial experience. With humor, honesty, and their signature sister-energy, Ashe and Abbey tie everything back to discernment, faith, and navigating a world where you’re never supposed to know who’s acting, or what’s real.

In this chapter, Ghost turns his attention to Dmitry Medvedev, exploring how his rise, presidency, and partnership with Vladimir Putin reveal critical patterns in modern geopolitics. Using Medvedev’s biography as a lens, Ghost walks through Russia’s post-Soviet power struggles, the Aluminum Wars, Gazprom restructuring, oligarch crackdowns, and the emergence of competing factions inside the Kremlin. He breaks down Medvedev’s technocratic “Strategy 2020,” the Russian-Georgian war, the tandemocracy with Putin, national security reforms, and the deeper geopolitical echoes between Russia, the West, and today’s shifting alliances. Through Medvedev’s story, Ghost highlights the recurring historical “reruns” that shape current events, showing how this era set the stage for today’s multipolar world, and why understanding Medvedev is essential to understanding Trump, Putin, and the broader sovereign movement.

Ashe in America, Abbey Blue Eyes, Christy Lupo, and Jackie Espada return for a hilariously chaotic episode of Alphas Make Sandwiches, starting with tech trouble, backseat kids, and Jackie’s coughing fits before diving into holidays, gift shopping, and the eternal battle between “girl math” and real budgets. Abbey shares her panic over last-minute Thanksgiving hosting, Ashe rants about customer-service nightmares and missing packages, Christy brings the idiom of the week (“Know your onions”), and Jackie delivers a migraine-survival segment packed with electrolytes, oils, and pressure-point hacks. The girls spiral through topics like buggy Amazon drivers, 200-item carts, late-night anxiety, CleanTok cleaning obsessions, lip-flip Botox disasters, church outfits, Soft Disclosure skincare, and stomach-virus horror stories, punctuated by barking dogs, rogue children, and relentless giggles. It’s peak AMS energy: unfiltered, funny, chaotic, and comfortingly relatable.

CannCon, Alpha Warrior, JB White, and Cam Cooksey deliver another unfiltered, out-of-control episode of Y-Chromes, kicking off with Thanksgiving plans, punctuality roasting, and a deep dive into smoked turkey technique—complete with butter-loaded culinary debates and Chef Kuso inspiration. The guys react to Alpha’s infamous Jerome stunt, relive wild OnlyLands moments, and bring the clips: Bad Lip Readings, brisket critiques, Popeyes turkey takes, and the chaos of Florida wildlife, snowbirds, and buffalo ants. NFL picks dominate the mid-show with competitive banter, strategic sabotage, and fantasy-league grievances as they argue injuries, upsets, and humiliation rituals. From high-school basketball loopholes to gator encounters, Matt Rife crowd-work, and viral animal moments, the crew blends comedy, culture, sports, and absolute nonsense into a Thanksgiving-week special packed with laughter and brotherly abuse, Badlands-style.

Jon Herold breaks down a whirlwind news day as he opens with the bombshell dismissal of the James Comey and Letitia James indictments, questioning the legality of Lindsey Halligan’s appointment and what the ruling means for future challenges. From there he dives into the unexpected shutdown of DOGE, unpacking the official explanations, the community’s reactions, and whether the move signals bureaucratic failure or a deliberate shifting of strategy. Jon reacts to Trump’s surprise call with President Xi, MTG’s resignation letter, Thomas Massie and General Flynn publicly rejecting “4D and 5D chess,” and the growing sense that certain actors are intentionally trying to demoralize the “trust the plan” crowd. He navigates the internal fractures within MAGA, foreign accounts steering the America First narrative, evolving Q skepticism, and the increasingly obvious role of social media ops amplifying division. With commentary on Trump’s tariff post, sports takes, election fraud urgency, Bitcoin momentum, and Nick Fuentes being elevated by establishment voices, Jon ties together a chaotic landscape where psyops, perception, and narrative warfare matter as much as the headlines themselves.

CannCon and Zak Paine dig into a packed news cycle, starting with Marjorie Taylor Greene’s surprise resignation and what it signals for Georgia politics and wider MAGA strategy. They trace how Venezuela has become the centerpiece of a global struggle involving drug networks, election interference, and deep-state ratlines, as U.S. naval power builds in the Caribbean and intelligence chatter heats up. The hosts expose the coordinated push by Democrats, including Klobuchar and Slotkin, to undermine military command by seeding doubts about “illegal orders,” tying it directly to Trump’s actions against cartels, foreign interference, and the intelligence apparatus itself. From Rasmussen drops to Maduro-era revelations, the looming terrorist designation of Cartel de los Soles, and the Venezuelan connection to global election manipulation, CannCon and Zak connect the dots between recent strikes, State Department signals, and Trump’s call to focus America’s “energy and might” on election fraud. With commentary on Comey’s legal troubles, the military vaccine fallout, and the unraveling networks behind the global criminal state, this episode pulls together geopolitics, domestic subversion, and the fight to reclaim U.S. institutions.

JB White rolls into Episode 48.1 fired up and unfiltered, weaving together SEC football heartbreak, Jacksonville Jaguars frustration, and the nonstop political and geopolitical chaos he calls “flooding the zone.” From a Tennessee beatdown to Trevor Lawrence meltdown analysis, JB uses sports as the warm-up before diving straight into cultural battles, corporate overreach, Crisco controversies, and the importance of healthy skepticism in a capitalist system. He highlights shifting political winds, 86 Democrats suddenly voting against socialism, Trump’s master-class handling of New York’s new mayor, and the broader affordability messaging redefining the landscape. JB also explores global realignment from Venezuela to Argentina, Bitcoin corrections, DeSantis chatter, Disruptors-in-Chief (Trump, Musk, Saylor, Besant, Vance, Rubio), and the strategic signals America is sending in the Caribbean, Europe, and Asia. Blending humor, faith, sports, memes, and geopolitical clarity, JB captures a moment when everything is accelerating at once and nothing can stop what is coming.

Alpha Warrior, Brad Zerbo, and Josh Reid tear into a packed night of geopolitical shifts, media meltdowns, and deep-state panic as they break down the accelerating collapse of the old narrative structure. From the establishment’s failed attempts to spin Trump’s global influence to the desperate psychological projection pouring out of politicians and pundits, the crew maps out how every “crisis” seems to boomerang back onto the people manufacturing it. They dig into foreign policy reversals, intelligence-community infighting, the unraveling of propaganda networks, and the rising momentum behind a multipolar world that Washington can no longer control. With sharp analysis, hard laughs, and the signature late-night energy that defines the show, the guys connect the dots between collapsing psyops, shifting alliances, public awakening, and the strategic patterns driving the chaos behind the headlines, reminding listeners why nothing is as it seems, and why the timing matters more than ever.

Burning Bright returns with The Narrative Ep. 47: Arctic Alliance, joined by special guest Matt Ehret for a deep-dive into the shifting geopolitical landscape. The episode opens with BB’s trademark cultural commentary before steering into a sprawling conversation on U.S.–Russia dynamics, the evolving multipolar world, and why Americans may need to rethink everything they've been taught about global alliances. Matt shares insights from his recent trip to Russia, the cultural pulse inside the country, and the growing appetite for collaboration over conflict. Together they explore Putin’s relationship with history, the controlled-opposition dynamics shaping East–West tensions, and how Arctic development could unlock a future of cooperation rather than catastrophe. From the failures of past global revolutions to the potentially transformative impact of a U.S.–Russia–China Arctic corridor, this episode pushes beyond headlines and narratives, inviting listeners into a hopeful, complex, and often hidden story about what comes next.

Jonathan Drake delivers one of his most hard-hitting episodes yet as he continues dissecting Lysander Spooner’s No Treason, shifting from moral critique to the deeper question Spooner demands we confront: Who actually rules us? Jonathan walks through Spooner’s brutal distinction between the “boots on the ground” willing to enforce tyranny and the true ruling class, the financiers who bankroll governments, wars, and oppression for profit. Using Spooner’s fiery language, Jonathan exposes how the power to borrow and tax created a system where governments exist not to serve the people, but to guarantee endless revenue to international moneylenders. Through vivid examples, biblical parallels, historical quotes, and blistering analysis, he maps out a centuries-long pattern of manufactured crises, perpetual debt, and engineered wars designed to consolidate control. Jonathan also shares personal updates, responds to live chat, and previews next week’s dive into Spooner’s devastating explanation for the real cause of the Civil War. A dense, riveting continuation of Spooner’s demolition of constitutional mythology and the financial machinery behind global tyranny.