Badlands Media

Badlands Daily: 1/13/26 – Tina Peters Appeal, Minnesota Fraud Fallout, and the Global Power Shift

CannCon and Ashe in America dig into a packed episode covering major developments at home and abroad, starting with the latest on Tina Peters’ federal appeal and the growing political pressure surrounding her case. The discussion moves into the unraveling fraud networks in Minnesota, where federal enforcement clashes with state and city leadership amid mounting evidence of systemic abuse. The episode also explores escalating tensions between the White House and the Federal Reserve, questions surrounding Jerome Powell, and broader implications for economic policy. Rounding out the show is an in-depth look at Venezuela, global energy interests, and the geopolitical maneuvering reshaping influence in the Western Hemisphere.

Baseless Conspiracies Ep. 167: Venezuela Revisited, Narrative Whiplash, and Media Memory Holes

Jon Herold and Zak Paine return for Episode 167 of Baseless Conspiracies with a conversation that revisits Venezuela, regime change narratives, and the sudden media amnesia surrounding long-standing geopolitical storylines. The episode moves through recent statements, past reporting, and contradictions in how Nicolás Maduro, Hugo Chávez, and U.S. involvement have been framed over time. Jon and Zak examine how narratives shift when outcomes change, why certain facts disappear from public discourse, and how audience perception is managed through selective memory. Along the way, they riff on broader media credibility, institutional trust, and the pattern of “conspiracy” labels being retroactively withdrawn once events become undeniable. The discussion maintains the show’s signature blend of humor, skepticism, and pattern recognition, with live chat engagement woven throughout as the hosts question who controls the story, when truth becomes permissible, and why yesterday’s conspiracy so often becomes today’s accepted reality.

Culture of Change Ep. 135: “The Bravest Man is a Woman” and Other Venezuelan Legends

Ashe in America and Abbey Blue Eyes open this episode of Culture of Change by framing the show as a continuation of Ghost’s earlier discussion on Hugo Chávez and Venezuela, using that lens to examine how leaders, movements, and nations are mythologized or demonized. The conversation centers on Chávez’s rise, the 2002 coup attempt, and the role of the National Endowment for Democracy, foreign influence operations, and media framing in shaping public perception. Ashe and Abbey discuss how popular support, sovereignty, and constitutional legitimacy are often obscured by simplified narratives, drawing parallels between Venezuela and broader global patterns. Ghost joins the conversation to expand on Chávez’s communication style, public engagement, and the historical context surrounding U.S. involvement in regime destabilization. The episode weaves historical clips, sponsor breaks, and live chat interaction into a wide-ranging discussion about propaganda, power, and why understanding myth-making is essential to recognizing how “culture of change” is engineered rather than organic.

Movie Nights with Matt: How China Banned Soros in 1989

In this episode of Movie Nights with Matt, Matt Ehret presents and discusses historical material focused on China’s response to foreign influence operations in the late 1980s. The episode centers on events surrounding 1989, examining the Chinese government’s actions toward Western-funded organizations and individuals, including George Soros and Open Society–affiliated efforts operating in China at the time. Matt walks through contemporaneous reporting, policy decisions, and geopolitical context, outlining why Chinese leadership viewed these activities as destabilizing and how that assessment led to expulsions and restrictions. The discussion places these events within a broader historical timeline, comparing China’s response to developments in other countries during the same period, while addressing how the events of 1989 are commonly portrayed versus how they are documented. The episode concludes with audience interaction and closing remarks, keeping the focus on historical record, context, and interpretation presented in the source material.

The Book of Trump Chapter 41: Hugo Chavez

Chapter 41 of The Book of Trump turns its focus to Hugo Chavez, a figure long framed as a villain by Western media but rarely examined in full context. In this episode, Ghost breaks down Chavez’s rise from military officer to Venezuelan president, unpacking the 2002 coup attempt, the role of foreign influence, and the narrative warfare that followed. Drawing direct parallels to the treatment of other nationalist leaders, the discussion explores how Chavez was portrayed as a demagogue while maintaining deep popular support at home. From oil politics and constitutional reform to media manipulation and color revolutions, this chapter challenges long-standing assumptions about Venezuela’s history and Chavez’s legacy. By revisiting original footage, key moments, and overlooked details, Ghost invites listeners to question what they were told and why, and to reconsider how power, propaganda, and sovereignty collide on the global stage.

Y-Chromes Ep. 65: Masculinity, Responsibility, and the Cost of Avoiding Hard Truths

CannCon, Alpha Warrior, and Cam Cooksey return for an unscripted Y-Chromes discussion centered on masculinity, accountability, and the consequences of avoiding responsibility in culture and personal life. The conversation moves between current events, social expectations placed on men, and how modern narratives often discourage discipline, ownership, and resilience. The hosts reflect on leadership, family roles, and the importance of confronting uncomfortable truths rather than outsourcing responsibility to institutions or ideology. Throughout the episode, they challenge cultural double standards, react to audience commentary, and share personal perspectives on growth, purpose, and self-governance. The discussion remains informal and candid, blending humor with serious reflection while emphasizing the value of integrity, strength, and honest self-assessment in a time of widespread confusion and lowered expectations.

Alphas Make Sandwiches Ep. 54: Finding Balance, Folk Sayings, and Raw Milk Rabbit Holes

Ashe in America, Abbey Blue Eyes, Christy Lupo, and Jackie Espada settle into a conversational episode focused on balance, daily life, and the lighter side of community discussion. The show opens with reflections on staying informed without becoming consumed by the news, followed by personal updates, including creative projects and platform challenges. A central segment features “idiom of the week,” breaking down the phrase “son of a gun,” its historical origins, evolving meanings, and playful modern use, sparking humor and back-and-forth among the hosts. The conversation then drifts into food and health topics, including experiences with dairy, raw milk laws, enzymes, and how regulation intersects with everyday choices. Throughout the episode, the hosts weave in family stories, jokes, chat interaction, and candid exchanges, maintaining an informal, unscripted tone that emphasizes connection, curiosity, and shared conversation over structured commentary.

The Daily Herold: 1/12/26 - Powell Under Criminal Probe, Market Shockwaves, and the Influencer Lobby

Jon Herold opens the January 12 broadcast by reacting to news that the Department of Justice has issued grand jury subpoenas tied to Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s Senate testimony and the costly renovation of the Fed’s headquarters. Jon breaks down Powell’s public response, the political reaction from current and former Fed officials, and why “lying to Congress” cases rarely deliver meaningful accountability. From there, the show tracks sharp moves in gold, silver, Bitcoin, and mortgage rates, questioning whether official economic messaging matches lived reality. Jon also examines President Trump’s call for a temporary cap on credit card interest rates and what that pressure campaign signals for banks and consumers. The episode closes with a deeper discussion on modern lobbying through paid online influencers, foreign governments and PAC money shaping narratives, and why Badlands Media rejects that model entirely, emphasizing transparency, debate, and independent thought.

Badlands Daily: 1/12/26 – Powell Under Fire, Venezuela Shock Weapons, Minnesota Fraud Exposed

CannCon and Zak Paine cover a fast-moving news cycle in this January 12 episode of Badlands Daily, breaking down multiple developments spanning finance, foreign policy, and domestic enforcement. The show begins with news that federal prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell over an overbudget headquarters renovation and alleged false testimony to Congress, raising questions about accountability at the Fed. The discussion then turns to Venezuela, including claims surrounding President Trump’s role in Nicolás Maduro’s removal and reports involving advanced U.S. weapons technology. CannCon and Zak also examine expanding welfare and SNAP fraud investigations in Minnesota, escalating protests targeting ICE agents, new grand juries forming in Florida, and subpoenas connected to Epstein-related cases. The episode tracks how audits, indictments, and investigations are accelerating nationwide as pressure mounts on state and federal institutions.

RattlerGator Report: 1/12/26 - Flooding the Zone, Venezuela, and Reading the Trump Tempo

JB White opens this January 12 episode broadcasting from Tallahassee after an unexpected weekend detour, blending personal storytelling with geopolitical analysis. After recounting travel mishaps, family events, and reflections on aging, JB pivots into a broader discussion of what he describes as Team Trump’s Sun Tzu–style strategy of “flooding the zone.” He argues that the administration’s rapid, global tempo is deliberately forcing opponents into a reactive posture, using Venezuela as a prime example of strategic precision and narrative disruption. JB reflects on military leadership, command authority, and why he believes this moment represents a world-historic inflection point. The episode weaves together sports commentary, personal anecdotes, faith, cultural observations, and audience interaction, while emphasizing discernment, patience, and the danger of assuming superiority over a coordinated operational strategy. The show closes with reflections on influence, perception, and the importance of recognizing patterns rather than reacting emotionally to unfolding events.