3rd Side Convo

In this episode, Bob Phipps moderates a fast, messy, human debate where both sides call the other “crazy” and we try to separate heat from light. Bathrooms to January 6, censorship to conspiracies, rainbow crosswalks to welfare and “weaponization” of agencies—nothing stays tidy for long.  Participating panel: Don Thomas, Stacia Boyd, Zach Cooker, Jeff Barrett   Host: Bob Phipps  Jump in and steer...

Host Bob Phipps turns up the heat with panelists Don Thomas, Jeff Klein, Michelle Walters, and Jeff Barrett. No filibusters—just rapid, sharply argued takes on the culture-war flashpoints dividing America. From transgender participation in women’s sports to crime policy, border enforcement, gun rights, abortion, and the role of faith in government, the crew pressures each other to get specific, cu...

This episode goes straight at a messy, important question: who actually controls the National Guard—and what does DC’s deployment really mean? Host Bob Phipps and panelists Joseph Bishop, Jeff Nolan, Eddie Clark, and Larry Haber debate whether the Guard’s presence is public safety, political theater, or a new model of law and order. In this episode: 1. Who has authority over the National Guard, an...

In this episode of Third Side Convo, host Bob Phipps sits down with panelists Ted Johnson, Jeff “Forever in Blue Jeans” Klein, Len Brown, and the ever-controversial Joe Boy to unpack one of politics’ oldest tricks: the art of distraction.  From Sydney Sweeney’s jeans commercial spiraling into a culture war… to historic moments like the Granada invasion, we ask:   👉 Are we falling for shiny object...

In this urgent Third Side Convo, the panel takes on one of the defining debates of our time: who should control AI, and what happens if nobody can? What you’ll hear in this episode: 1. The Genie Out of the Bottle: Can AI really be regulated, or has it already outpaced human control? 2. Helper vs. Harm: Is AI empowering us with new tools, or making us dumber and more dependent? 3. The Four “Laws” P...

In this episode of Third Side Convo, host Bob Phipps sits down with panelists Don Thomas, Jeff Nolan, John Dunn, and Bill Russell for a candid, layered discussion on trust — where it’s been lost, how it was broken, and whether it can ever be rebuilt. From government systems that change with every administration to the media’s role in shaping narratives, the panel shares personal turning points tha...

In this explosive episode of Third Side Convo, host Bob Phipps is joined by Ted Johnson, Jeff Klein, John Dunn, and Bill Russell to tackle one of the most controversial and elusive topics in modern politics: the Epstein files. From the names the public has never seen to the promises made (and broken) by multiple administrations, the panel dives deep into the critical question: Should everything be...

On this episode of Third Side Convo, we dive into one of the most polarizing topics in American politics: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Is ICE a necessary tool for national security, or has it become an unchecked, overgrown agency operating above the law? Host Bob Phipps moderates a spirited and deeply layered conversation with panelists Stacia Boyd, Brandon Berger, Michelle Walt...

Is the “Big Beautiful Bill” genuine welfare reform or just another way to cut off millions who need help the most? In this heated Third Side Convo, the panel tackles one of the most controversial political battles of 2025: the future of Medicaid, CHIP, and SNAP benefits. What you’ll hear in this episode: •    The $1.02 Trillion Question: Are GOP-led cuts really targeting waste, or are they hurting...

In this eye-opening episode of Third Side Convo, Bob Phipps and our dynamic panel — Don Thomas, Jeff Nolan, Michelle Walters, and Peter Gallo — pull no punches discussing modern slavery in all its forms. From prison labor loopholes in the U.S. to forced labor in global supply chains, sex trafficking, and exploitative working conditions in industries like chocolate, fashion, and electronics — we as...

In this episode of Third Side Convo, host Bob Phipps brings together Jeff Klein, Jeff Nolan, Bill Russell, and Ollie Phipps for a lively, candid conversation reflecting on key political moments and policy debates explored throughout the season. From New York City’s mayoral race to national policy shifts, the panel unpacks:     • The rise of progressive candidates and their impact on the Democratic...

Iran Ceasefire: Peace or Illusion? | Third Side Convo Debate In this powerful episode of Third Side Convo, host Bob Phipps leads a no-holds-barred panel discussion on one of today’s most urgent issues: the Iran ceasefire. Is it truly a step toward peace, or just a pause that benefits regimes bent on destruction?  Featuring panelists Ted Johnson, Jeff Klein, Michelle Walters, and Larry Haber, this...

Welcome to Third Side Convo — where we cut through the noise and get to the real conversation. In this powerful and polarizing episode, host Bob Phipps is joined by an all-star panel: Ted Johnson, Stacia Boyd, Bill Russell, and Oli Phipps. Together, they tackle one of the most complex and divisive issues facing our nation: immigration. From undocumented workers in the shadows, to the controversial...

Welcome to another thought-provoking episode of Third Side Convo, where we dive into one of the most culturally loaded and polarizing topics of our time: Gender Identity. In this episode, host Bob Phipps sits down with a diverse panel including Stacia Boyd, Jeff Nolan, John Dunn, and Michelle Walters to tackle questions that many are afraid to ask. From pronouns to passports, sports to societal ex...

In this engaging episode of Third Side Convo, host Bob Phipps leads an insightful discussion on media bias, political spin, and the challenges of modern journalism. Joined by panelists Ted Johnson, Jeff Nolan, Johnny Dunn, and Larry Haber, the conversation delves into the growing influence of media and its impact on public perception. The panelists tackle tough topics, such as the role of AI in me...

Join us for a thought-provoking episode of Third Side Convo, where we dive deep into the debate on judicial activism and its impact on modern law. In this discussion, we explore how judicial rulings have shaped, and sometimes altered, the fabric of American society—especially in areas like voting rights, civil liberties, and the evolving understanding of the Constitution. 🔍 Key Topics in This Epi...

In this episode of Third Side Convo, we dive into one of the most debated issues in the military today: the impact of policies, recruitment challenges, and the ongoing discussions about transgender individuals in the armed forces. Hosted by Bob Phipps, we bring together a diverse group of panelists from across the political spectrum, including Brandon Berger, Ted Johnson, Michelle Walters, and Bil...

🎙️ Is America More Divided Than Ever? | Third Side Convo: Tiberius Edition In this powerful youth-led edition of Third Side Convo, Tiberius takes the mic and dives into the heart of modern political division with a panel of passionate thinkers across the political spectrum. From civil discourse to chaotic misinformation, we tackle questions that matter: 1- Is this the most polarized America has ev...

🎙️ Third Side Convo: The Truth About Career Politicians, Term Limits & Corruption in Politics What happens when four fiercely opinionated voices go head-to-head on one of the most controversial topics in modern politics—career politicians? 🤯 In this episode of Third Side Convo, we toss out the scripts and jump into an unscripted, unfiltered, and unexpectedly civil debate. From insider stock t...

DEPORTATION DEBATE: Process, Rights, or Mistake? | Third Side Convo Podcast In this powerful episode of Third Side Convo, we tackle the complex, heated topic of deportation—not in theory, but in practice. 💬 What happens when due process is overlooked? ⚖️ Should violent criminal charges override immigration proceedings? 🌍 What role does international policy and human rights play when a country re...

Book Banning: Necessary Protection or Dangerous Censorship? Welcome to a special youth-led episode of Third Side Convo hosted by Bob Phipps! This isn't just any conversation. We handed the mic to the next generation—teenagers with bold opinions and sharp minds—to talk openly about the heated issue of book banning in schools and libraries. Joined by educators and adults, this round-table dives deep...

🎙️ What Do Tariffs Really Mean for the U.S. Economy? | Third Side Convo Podcast Join us on this episode of Third Side Convo, where we dive headfirst into one of today’s most pressing (and misunderstood) economic debates: Tariffs. With no prep and 100% opinion, our panel of passionate voices—Jeff Nolan, Michelle Walters, Bill Russell, and newcomer Brandon Berger—tackle the good, the bad, and the un...

🔍 Should Government Communication Be This Risky? | Third Side Convo Join host Bob Phipps and panelists Ted Johnson, Jeff Nolan, Michelle Walters, and Johnny Dunn as they dive into one of the most controversial government slip-ups to date—a classified conversation shared on a commercial app. In this episode of Third Side Convo, we pull back the curtain on what happens when national security meets...

🎙 Third Side Convo | Is It Free Speech or a Threat? Deportation, Protest & Due Process In this thought-provoking episode of Third Side Convo, host Bob Phipps brings the heat with an unscripted, no-holds-barred panel discussion on one of the most debated topics of the moment: Deportation and Free Speech in America. 🗣️ No scripts. No prep. Just raw, real conversation. The panel dives into the co...

The Ukraine War: History, Politics, and What’s Next | Third Side Convo 🔴 The truth about Ukraine—what the headlines aren’t telling you. In this explosive episode of Third Side Convo, host Bob Phipps is joined by panelists Don Thomas, Jeff Nolan, Johnny Dunn, and Bill Russell to dive deep into the ongoing war in Ukraine. But this isn’t just another news recap—this is a raw, unfiltered conversation...