Elevated Thoughts

I sat down with John Abbate, the writer behind "John from LI," on SubStack, to explore fresh ideas on masculinity, creativity, and living a meaningful life. John challenges the stereotypes around masculinity, rejecting the one-dimensional "alpha male" trope in favor of a balanced, grounded approach he calls “healthy masculinity.” We dive into how men can embrace both strength and vulnerability, re...

In post-election America, where Donald Trump has emerged as the winner, the future of American leadership faces new questions. We sat down with educator and author Jeremy S. Adams for a candid discussion on the state of American democracy and what true statesmanship means in today’s polarized climate. Jeremy explores the qualities that define genuine leaders and why they’re essential for bridging...

We sat down with Flint Dibble, an archaeologist and research fellow at Cardiff University, to discuss his perspective on pseudoarchaeology and the popular narratives around ancient myths. Flint shares his approach to addressing claims about lost civilizations, like Atlantis, and other controversial theories, as seen in his recent appearance on Joe Rogan's podcast JRE, where he was widely recognize...

We sat down with Dustin Burnham, co-host of the Present Fathers podcast, to discuss how fatherhood shapes not only families but also our perspectives on life and politics. For Dustin, being a great dad isn’t just a personal goal—it’s the mission that drives everything he does. He’s dedicated to helping other dads navigate their own challenges through his podcast, not for fame or influence, but to...

In this episode, Mike and I tackle one of the biggest questions heading into the 2024 election: Is America’s democracy in decline? We explore the wild swings in polling, with Kamala Harris and Donald Trump constantly shifting leads, and dig into how much of this election is being driven by emotions rather than policies. From the economy to immigration, we break down what’s really motivating voters...

We’re thrilled to host Verena Radulovic, VP of Business Engagement at the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, as she takes us behind the curtain of corporate climate action. Verena has spent years working with Fortune 500 companies, helping them navigate the complexities of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, addressing sustainability challenges, and making real strides toward a net-zero futur...

In this exclusive interview, we sit down with Professor Sergey Radchenko, a distinguished Cold War historian from Johns Hopkins University, to uncover shocking revelations from newly declassified Soviet archives. Professor Radchenko, author of To Run the World: The Kremlin’s Cold War Bid for Global Power, offers unprecedented insights into Soviet foreign policy, Russia's Cold War ambitions, an...

We sat down with combat historian and bestselling author Patrick O'Donnell to explore the incredible stories of the Jessie Scouts, Union soldiers who disguised themselves as Confederates to carry out daring espionage missions during the Civil War. O'Donnell, in his latest book The Unvanquished, details how these scouts operated behind enemy lines, gathering crucial intelligence that helped...

In this episode of Elevated Thoughts, I share my intense experience of picking a fight with NAFO, the North Atlantic Fellas Organization, on X. What started as a lighthearted comment quickly escalated into a full-scale meme war, with hundreds of Shiba Inu dog avatars targeting my profile. But this raises a serious question—Is NAFO just a decentralized group of meme warriors like they claim, or is...

In this episode of Elevated Thoughts, we explore how consumerism is taking over the 2024 political landscape. We discuss the rise of trends like 'Brat Summer' and 'Demure' and how they’re shaping the public's perception of candidates. Our conversation dives into the strange fusion of personal branding with political campaigns, questioning whether voters are more influenced by i...

In this episode of Elevated Thoughts, we explore whether the Democratic National Convention is truly an election or just a coronation for Kamala Harris. We examine how the DNC's messaging heavily emphasizes image over policy, raising concerns about the party’s direction. The discussion highlights the focus on Kamala's "joyful" campaign narrative and questions whether this strateg...

Is America truly in decline? We explore the deep-rooted issues facing our nation with veteran educator and author Jeremy S. Adams. With 26 years of teaching experience and a profound understanding of American values, Jeremy sheds light on how the erosion of these principles is impacting today's youth and the future of our country. We talk about his latest book, Lessons in Liberty: 30 Rules for...

In this final episode of our 9/11 series, "Could 9/11 Happen Again?", we dive deep into the ongoing threats that could potentially lead to another catastrophic event. We've journeyed from the Soviet-Afghan war and the rise of Al-Qaeda, through the horrific events of 9/11, to insightful discussions with a top level executive. Now, we bring all these elements together to finally answer...

In Part 3 of our docuseries, "Could 9/11 Happen Again?," we are joined by Michael Morell, former Acting Director of the CIA, who served as the Presidential Daily Briefer to George W. Bush before, during, and after the 9/11 attacks. Michael shares his unique insights and firsthand experiences from his extensive career at the CIA, detailing the critical moments leading up to and following...

In this powerful second installment of our four-part 9/11 series, we explain the intricate details of the day that changed the world forever. If you missed part one, where we explored the rise of jihadi extremism and the formation of Al Qaeda, make sure to watch it for a comprehensive background. Elevator Charles, is joined by cohost Recycle Mike and our special guest Spencer. Mike, a seasoned pol...

In this episode of the Elevated Thoughts podcast, we dive into the news that Joe Biden has officially withdrawn from the presidential race, making Kamala Harris the presumptive Democratic nominee. Join Elevator Charles (right-wing) and Mike (left-wing) as they share their candid reactions and explore the implications of this monumental shift in the political landscape. We kick off with a lively de...

In the first episode of our series, "Could 9/11 Happen Again?", we explore the origins of Osama Bin Laden and the rise of Al-Qaeda. We'll take you through the crucial events of the Soviet-Afghan War, where regional instability and radical ideologies began to take root, setting the stage for one of the most notorious terror organizations in history. We'll look at Bin Laden's i...

In this episode of Elevated Thoughts, Charles and Mike dive into the drama of political theater in American politics. They break down how both Democrats and Republicans use tactics like the January 6th committee and the Trump impeachments to sway public opinion. They also chat about Marjorie Taylor Greene's latest moves and the mixed reactions from her own party. It's a deep dive into what...

We sat down with Matan Karni, a lifelong resident of Israel and veteran of the IDF, to gain a unique and personal perspective on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Matan provides an insider's view on what it means to live in Israel during these turbulent times, sharing his day-to-day experiences and the realities of military service that shape the lives of many Israelis. Matan discusses...

Charles and John talk about the importance of social skills and how they impact our daily lives. They discuss their personal experiences and share insights on how honing these skills can lead to a more fulfilling and successful life. From college days in a fraternity to performing on sales teams, Charles emphasizes the value of communication and coordination learned outside traditional classrooms....

We sat down with Jeff Wise, a renowned aviation investigator and the author of "The Taking of MH370." Jeff shares his extensive knowledge and unique insights into the mysterious disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370. Featured in the Netflix documentary "MH370: The Plane That Disappeared," Jeff offers a deep dive into the theories and complexities that surround this av...

Elevator Charles sits down with Callum Smiles from Callum Smiles Media to discuss his full-length documentary on Ireland's immigration crisis. Callum explores the rapid acceleration of mass immigration since 2021, highlighting the severe consequences for Irish nationals. His documentary covers various aspects, including the government's handling of the crisis, the strain on housing, and th...

In this episode of Elevated Thoughts, we interview Cryshlee, an anonymous visual effects expert, who scrutinizes and attempts to debunk the viral Malaysia Flight MH370 disappearance videos. Cryshlee details her extensive 10-year experience in the VFX industry, explains the techniques and tools used in video effects, and provides extremely strong evidence showing how the videos could have been mani...

In Episode 16 of Elevated Thoughts, Mike and I dive deep into one of the most intriguing mysteries of our time: the disappearance of MH370 and the controversial "orb" videos. We are joined by Ashton Forbes, the self-proclaimed world’s leading expert on these videos, who passionately explains his theories and the extensive research he’s conducted. Ashton believes these videos are 100% ver...

Elevated Thoughts seeks to restore political discourse in our country. Having representation from the Right and the Left, we dissect various topics and try to find common ground. Please consider subscribing! This episode of Elevated Thoughts dives into the complex relationship between inflation, presidential policies under Biden and Trump, and the role of the Federal Reserve in managing the U.S. e...