Hostile Dysfunction

In this episode, Joseph Edgar and Ethan Krok sit down with Keith Barton — a 20-year Marine veteran, author, and congressional candidate in Texas. After more than 16 years navigating the family court system (including representing himself and winning a published custody appeal), Keith has become a strong advocate for family court reform. He offers a clear-eyed look at how government incentives, cus...

In this conversation, Joe and Ethan sit down with Lisa Berlanga, author of Dementia in the Raw: Confessions of a Caregiver Uncensored. The discussion covers the sandwich generation, early warning signs that feel like gaslighting, the “Zombieland” phase of overnight chaos, sibling drama and Adult Protective Services visits, how to redesign a home for someone with dementia, and why so many caregiver...

In this thought-provoking episode, Joe and Ethan sit down with Ramon Perez, a former US Air Force intelligence officer and NSA veteran. Roman breaks down his transition from military intelligence to founding the Digital Democracy Project, a nonprofit using secure mobile voting technology and AI to bridge the gap between citizens and their elected officials. Together, they discuss the flaws of the...

In this episode, Joe and Ethan dig into what that demographic tipping point actually means. They look at life expectancy gaps between the US and other developed countries, the growing political power of older voters, and how an aging population could reshape everyday life — from driving licenses and city design to nightlife, parks, and consumer spending.

In this episode, Joe and Ethan talk with Joel Rakow, a lifelong Democrat for over 50 years, who walked away and explains exactly why. Joel shares what he witnessed inside institutions, why he left the Democratic Party in 2020, and how “woke” ideology shifted focus from the middle class to fringe group identity. They dig into individual rights vs. group rights, the Constitution as the real foundati...

Join hosts Joe Edgar and Ethan Krok for a conversation with Justin Smith, founder of the dating safety app Cray. This episode digs into the reality of toxic relationships and emotional abuse, the control tactics that keep people stuck, the problems with modern dating apps (scams, catfishing, imbalance), and why so many miss the warning signs until it’s too late. The hosts also share their own expe...

Joe and Ethan talk with Kevin Stoffman — real estate technology investor, former C-level executive, and father of three — about the growing gap between housing costs and the ability to start a family. They dig into why so many young people are delaying marriage and kids, how local housing policies either help or crush supply, and what it actually takes to raise a family in today’s market. Kevin al...

In this powerful episode, Joe and Ethan talk with Sara Im, a survivor of the Khmer Rouge genocide in Cambodia and author of How I Survived the Killing Fields. Sara spent four years in a forced labor camp during a period when roughly a quarter of Cambodia’s population died. In this conversation she shares what extreme fear and trauma do to a person — and how she eventually found hope, rebuilt her l...

In this episode, Joe and Ethan dive into unconventional productivity habits, break down the recent news surrounding virus outbreaks in the DRC, and discuss how the wealthy profit off global emergencies. From the mechanics of government spending and foreign aid to cultural law enforcement differences, we leave no stone unturned.

In this episode Joe and Ethan talk with Jean Kelly Widner, adoptee and author of The Adoption Paradox, about the parts of adoption that rarely get discussed. From sealed birth records and identity loss to the lasting impact of the Baby Scoop Era, Jean challenges the simple “happy ending” narrative and explores the complex realities faced by adoptees, birth parents, and adoptive families.  Where to...

In this episode Joe and Ethan dig into media power, censorship, and the collapse of public trust. They break down the decision by major networks not to air Trump’s speech, the rise of “manufactured reality,” and how slogans are increasingly replacing substance. The conversation expands into America’s fading global influence, growing anxiety, and why so many people are now hesitant to have children...

In this episode, Joe and Ethan talk with Amjad M. Tadros — veteran Middle East journalist and former CBS News producer — about his three decades as a fixer in some of the region’s most dangerous conflicts. Amjad shares the surreal story of being injured by a cruise missile in Baghdad, meeting Saddam Hussein in the hospital, and how that brief encounter opened doors for years of exclusive reporting...

In this honest and humorous episode, Joe and Ethan sit down with Gaylen Wilson — heart transplant survivor, 20-years-sober former alcoholic, relationship author, erectile dysfunction advocate, and Certified Thriving Relationship Coach. Gaylen shares his powerful personal journey from farm failure and alcoholism to surviving a heart transplant, and how these experiences shaped his mission to help p...

In this raw and insightful episode, Joe and Ethan sit down with Eric Robinson — a retired FBI Special Agent with 24 years of high-stakes experience. They dive deep into the realities of deception detection (why micro-expressions and polygraphs often fail), the tension between protecting citizens and becoming the tyrant, and how fear of terrorism has shaped law enforcement while raising concerns ab...

In this inspiring episode, Joe and Ethan welcome Guy Morris — multiple award-winning author, tech pioneer, and AI visionary. They dive deep into his incredible life story, the realities of deception detection, the massive societal changes AI is bringing, and what individuals can do to survive and thrive in the coming wave. Where to find Guy’s books: Amazon Official website: guymorrisbooks.com

In this episode, Joe and Ethan speak with Ed Wilson — UFO historian, author, and NASA archive researcher — about one of the most compelling cases in early space history. Ed dives deep into the 1966 Gemini XI mission, a strange object captured on film, the missing original NASA photography, and how sensitive images were intercepted and controlled by intelligence agencies (CIA, NRO, and NPIC) during...

In this episode, Joe and Ethan dive deep into the frustrations of modern government, bureaucracy, and why everything feels so broken. From building a house and getting hit with $26,000 in permit fees to questioning why our political system runs on empty slogans instead of real solutions, they explore government inefficiency, corruption, and whether AI could actually do a better job than politician...

In this episode, Joe and Ethan talk with Russell Van Brocklen — a dyslexia researcher and founder of DyslexiaClasses.com — about one of the most misunderstood learning challenges today. The conversation dives deep into why the current education system fails so many bright kids, how dyslexia is often mistaken for a disability when it can actually be a superpower, and the surprising statistics linki...

In this eye-opening episode, Joe and Ethan talk with Clifford Brown, a former USAID Mission Director with 27 years of experience across Latin America, Central Asia, and Africa. Clifford shares firsthand stories from the field, including the terrifying moment his wife was kidnapped in Kyrgyzstan, and reveals what life is really like running missions in unstable countries and war zones. They discuss...

In this episode, Joe talks with Charlie Sheppard right after Charlie finished a 4-day fast. They explore why so many young people today are hesitant or choosing not to have children — from climate anxiety and economic pressures to the collapse of real human connection caused by constant screen time and declining empathy. A thoughtful conversation about the behavioral and cultural roots of populati...

In this episode, Joe and Ethan sit down with Sidney Pines, author of Awakening: A Patriot’s Diary of American Deception, for a raw conversation about America’s growing division. Sidney shares how an ordinary American became deeply concerned about the growing division in the country and decided to document everything — from mainstream media manipulation and political psyops to family rifts caused b...

In this episode, Joe and Ethan go straight into one of the most heated topics in America: gun control. Ethan shares his terrifying real-life experience of being carjacked at gunpoint — in Australia, a country that banned guns over 25 years ago. From there, the conversation explodes into why gun bans often fail in practice, how hard it actually is to hit a target when someone’s shooting back, the e...

In this episode, Joe and Ethan talk with retired soldier and author Kenny Dupar about his wild journey from combat in Iraq to writing romance novels. Kenny shares what dating was really like during COVID lockdowns: from meeting on a dating app and wearing women’s underwear as a mask to the sheer absurdity of trying to build a relationship while the world shut down. He also opens up about divorce,...

In this episode, Joe and Ethan talk with real estate investor and property manager Justin Pogue, author of Rental Secrets , about the current housing affordability crisis. They discuss why home prices remain high while some rents are cooling, the real impact of corporations buying single-family homes, and the surprising rise in people living with roommates even among those over 55. Justin also sha...

In this episode, Joe and Ethan dive deep into one of Australia’s most controversial cases — the arrest of decorated war hero Ben Roberts-Smith on war crimes allegations. They explore the Brereton Report, the role of media sensationalism, the psychological reality of soldiers in combat, and the difficult question: how do we judge those we send to war when they come home? The hosts also discuss auth...