Fair Game with Dr. Gary Kellner

This week, as America marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, I wanted to talk about something that worries me deeply: we've stopped teaching our kids why history matters. I walk through the story of those 55 delegates who came together to frame our case for independency, and Jefferson's line about self-evident truths — arguably the most important sentence in the En...

In this episode of Fair Game I want to ask a question that I think deserves a direct answer: Does anybody still remember Ukraine? Four years into Vladimir Putin's invasion — the first forcible annexation of a European country since World War II — the war has been pushed off the front pages by events in the Middle East. But Ukraine's fight for survival is not over, and the choices America m...

I'm Dr. Gary Kellner, and in this episode of Fair Game, I want to talk about something that sounds simple on the surface but carries enormous consequences beneath it — America First. President Trump rode into his second term on the very real frustration that America had been footing the bill for the world's security while our allies built their economies at our expense. That frustration is...

What is Juneteenth really about? In this episode of Fair Game, Dr. Gary Kellner shares the story of Miss Rosie, a woman born into slavery whose life became a powerful reminder that history is ultimately about people—not politics. Through a childhood memory, the legacy of the Dred Scott decision, and the meaning of Juneteenth, this episode explores dignity, faith, and why every human story matters.

In this special edition of FAIR GAME, Dr. Gary Kellner examines the stunning political collapse of John Cornyn and what it reveals about Donald Trump’s growing influence inside the Republican Party. With Trump-backed conservatives led by Ken Paxton reshaping GOP politics, this episode explores: • Trump’s tightening grip on Republican leadership• Why Cornyn’s criticism of Trump may have backfired•...

Is gerrymandering destroying democracy… or is it simply politics as usual? In this season finale of FAIR GAME, Dr. Gary Kellner explores the history of gerrymandering, why both political parties defend it when convenient, and what this reveals about power, human nature, and the American constitutional system. From colonial America to modern Texas and California, this episode examines the uncomfort...

Why are Democrats losing voters—even when the political moment should favor them? In this episode of Fair Game , Dr. Gary Kellner examines the deeper issue: a party increasingly defined by identity politics, struggling to present a clear, compelling vision for everyday Americans. From declining support among key voter groups to the growing disconnect around cost of living, education, and healthcar...

What happens when tariffs stop being economics—and start becoming power? In this episode of Fair Game , Dr. Gary Kellner breaks down how tariffs were used as a tool of foreign policy, why that raises serious constitutional concerns, and how the Supreme Court responded. From America’s alliances to historic moments involving Andrew Jackson and Abraham Lincoln, this episode explores a bigger question...

What is the role of the opposition in a republic? At its best, opposition holds power accountable. At its worst, it becomes sabotage. In this episode of Fair Game , Dr. Gary Kellner explores what the Founders feared, how political factions took shape, and why modern opposition often prioritizes destruction over responsibility. This isn’t about left vs right. It’s about whether a republic can survi...

The Iran war has delivered clear military success—but is it actually a victory? In this episode, Dr. Gary Kellner steps back from politics and personalities to explore what “winning” really means. From the limits of regime change to the global impact of oil disruption, this is a deeper look at a war that may be more complicated than it seems.

Easter is meant to be a story of resurrection, hope, and new life. But what happens when faith becomes rigid… predictable… and reduced to black and white? In this episode of Fair Game , Dr. Gary Kellner explores the danger of religious certainty—when belief turns into rules, and being right matters more than being transformed. Through history, tradition, and the life of Jesus, this conversation ch...

What happens when faith and national identity become the same thing? In this episode of Fair Game , Dr. Gary Kellner examines the rise of Christian nationalism—what it is, where it comes from, and why history warns us to be careful. From 19th-century Europe to modern America, this conversation explores how nationalism shapes belief, power, and conflict. The takeaway: if we’re going to live togethe...

Harry Truman faced some of the most consequential decisions in modern history. Should the United States drop the atomic bomb on Hiroshima? Should a president fire one of America’s most celebrated generals, Douglas MacArthur? Should the United States recognize the new state of Israel against the advice of his own State Department? In this episode of Fair Game , Dr. Gary Kellner examines the leaders...

🇺🇦 Russia’s invasion of Ukraine triggered the largest land war in Europe since World War II. In this episode of Fair Game , Dr. Gary Kellner examines the deeper history behind the conflict — Russia’s imperial tradition, Vladimir Putin’s ambitions, and why Ukraine’s existence as a free nation challenges the Kremlin’s vision of empire. Drawing on decades of personal experience working in Ukraine, Dr...

The Ayatollah is dead. But nothing is settled. After U.S. and Israeli airstrikes against Iran, calls for regime change are growing in Washington. But removing a leader is not the same as stabilizing a nation. In this episode of Fair Game, Dr. Gary Kellner examines the risks of civil war, the power of the Revolutionary Guard, the lessons of Iraq and Afghanistan, and the hard question: what is the e...

A few hours ago, the United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran. If the objective is limiting Iran’s nuclear capacity, that is one thing. If the objective becomes regime change, that is something very different. Dr. Gary Kellner — Host & Creator Israel Risco — Producer, Director & Editor K. Anthony — Creative Advisor

Abraham Lincoln didn’t just save the Union — he refused to hate. In this episode of Fair Game , Dr. Gary Kellner explores Lincoln’s moral growth, his clarity during the Civil War, and the leadership quality we desperately need today: conviction without demonization. From Euclid’s geometry to the Second Inaugural Address… from pragmatism to “a new birth of freedom”… Lincoln became something rare in...

Iran is facing the largest protests since 1979. Amid internet blackouts, economic collapse, nuclear tensions, and global pressure, many Iranians are demanding something more than reform — they are demanding regime change. In this episode of Fair Game, Dr. Gary Kellner explores: • The historical roots of Iran’s current crisis• America’s complicated relationship with Tehran• Sanctions, strikes, and...

America was born from an idea — but it survived because of a man. In this episode of Fair Game , Dr. Gary Kellner reflects on George Washington , the leader historian Thomas Flexner called “the indispensable man,” and why character, restraint, and moral authority matter more than brilliance or power. What kind of leader do we become when everything is on the line?

What limits the power of a president when military force is used abroad? In this episode of Fair Game , Dr. Gary Kellner examines the Venezuela operation through the long arc of American constitutional history. From the Founders’ insistence on limited executive power to modern presidential precedent, this conversation moves beyond partisan outrage to ask harder questions about Congress, accountabi...

Antisemitism is spreading in America — not at the margins, but in elite institutions, college campuses, and public life. In this episode of Fair Game , Dr. Gary Kellner examines the resurgence of antisemitism following the October 7 attacks in Israel, the rapid spread of disinformation, and the moral confusion that quickly turned victims into villains. Drawing on history, from 1938 Germany to the...

In this episode of Fair Game , Dr. Gary Kellner examines the growing national controversy surrounding ICE enforcement , following a fatal traffic stop in Minneapolis that reignited public outrage and distrust. Beyond the headlines, this conversation asks a deeper question: Can immigration enforcement be effective without undermining constitutional liberty and public trust? Dr. Kellner explores: Ho...

From the Alex Haley Memorial in Annapolis, Dr. Gary Kellner reflects on the story of Kunta Kinte — a story about identity, memory, and truth. This episode is not about blame or condemnation. It’s about understanding who we are, where we’ve been, and why the stories we tell — and refuse to tell — shape the future of a nation. At a time when uncomfortable chapters of American history are being softe...

America loves the lone hero—but history tells a different story. In Episode 04 of Fair Game , Dr. Gary Kellner explores the life of Marquis de Lafayette , a 19-year-old French ally whose courage and character helped shape the American Revolution. Lafayette’s story reminds us that independence was not a solo achievement—and challenges us to reconsider what cooperation might look like today.

Why do so many people feel disconnected from church? In this episode of Fair Game , Dr. Gary Kellner explores the real reasons people walk away from church — from awkward church culture and religious control to entertainment-driven worship that replaces genuine connection. Jesus didn’t focus on getting people into church buildings. He focused on connecting people to God. Somewhere along the way, t...