Light Beer Dark Money

Jared Whitley joins Light Beer Dark Money to make the case for repealing the Renewable Fuel Standard — the 2005 Washington mandate that forces refiners to blend renewable fuels into America’s fuel supply or buy compliance credits. What started as a promise to reduce foreign oil dependence and help the environment has become something much more familiar: a federal program that outlived its purpose,...

Sean Noble is back with a solo episode breaking down one of the biggest political stories of the week—and reflecting on a much bigger lesson about politics, leadership, and the American experiment. Sean begins with the stunning collapse of Democratic Senate candidate Graham Plattner in Maine following serious allegations that prompted Democratic leaders—including Chuck Schumer, Elizabeth Warren, B...

Sean goes solo for a special Independence Day episode marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. He begins with a reflection on the radical ideas at the heart of the American experiment: that our rights come from God, government derives its power from the consent of the governed, and every generation has a responsibility to continue the unfinished work of forming “a more per...

Sean Noble and Chris Clements are back for a Fourth of July episode of Light Beer Dark Money, reflecting on America’s 250th anniversary and the ideas that have sustained the country for nearly two and a half centuries. They begin with Independence Day traditions, small-town celebrations, family memories, and the significance of marking the nation’s 250th birthday.   From there, Sean and Chris turn...

Chris Clements and Sean Noble return for a hard-hitting discussion on the accelerating march of Marxism in America—and why the New York City primary elections should be viewed as a national wake-up call. This wasn't the Democratic establishment at work. This was Zohran Mamdani's coming-out party. Riding a wave of Democratic Socialist activism, Mamdani helped propel three like-minded congressional...

Sean Noble and Chris Clements are back for another episode of Light Beer Dark Money, covering politics, media, foreign policy, social media, and an unexpected wave of American pride. Sean opens with stories from Disney World, an ultramarathon relay, and a Father’s Day spent recovering from both. Then the conversation turns to Tucker Carlson’s announcement that he will no longer support the Republi...

Jon Hunter joins Chris Clements for one of the most personal and reflective conversations ever recorded on Light Beer Dark Money. Chris lost his father, Bill Clements, unexpectedly in 1995 when he was just 58 years old. What began as a lung cancer diagnosis became a two-month journey that forever changed the course of his life. Jon also reflects on the loss of his larger-than-life father, Dan Hunt...

Former Arizona Governor Doug Ducey joins Chris and Sean for a wide-ranging conversation that feels more like three old friends sharing a beer than a political interview. Ducey takes listeners back to the beginning, from building Cold Stone Creamery into a nationally recognized brand to his first foray into public service as Arizona State Treasurer and ultimately his two terms as Governor of Arizon...

Sean Noble and Chris Clements are back for another episode of Light Beer Dark Money, covering politics, culture, media, and a little classic rock. Chris opens the show with a firsthand recap of Rush’s return to the stage in Los Angeles, including the band’s tribute to Neil Peart, the debut of new drummer Anika Nilles, and why the first show back felt like a major moment for longtime Rush fans.   F...

Victor Riches, President and CEO of the Goldwater Institute, joins Chris Clements and Sean Noble for a timely discussion on the growing battle over water policy, economic development, and the future of Arizona. With state budget negotiations still stalled and critical policy decisions hanging in the balance, the conversation turns to Governor Katie Hobbs’ ongoing opposition to budget proposals tha...

Sean Noble and Chris Clements are back for another episode of Light Beer Dark Money, covering a mix of politics, policy, culture, and a few personal stories from the week. They start with Texas politics and a look at James Talarico, whose repeated campaign story raises questions about authenticity, faith, and how Democrats are trying to appeal to more conservative voters. Sean and Chris also discu...

John Trobough, Republican candidate for Congress in Arizona’s 1st Congressional District, joins Chris and Sean for a wide-ranging conversation about one of the most competitive House seats in the country — and one of the biggest policy fights of the next decade: artificial intelligence. Trobough brings an unusual background to the race. He is a technology business executive, former defense tech CE...

What does it mean to be young, faithful, and unafraid to lead in today’s culture? New Notre Dame Prep graduate Camille Kayyem — daughter of frequent LBDM guest Luke Kayyem — joins Chris and Sean for an inspiring and insightful conversation about faith, leadership, identity, and the growing spiritual hunger emerging among younger generations. Camille shares her experience challenging the status quo...

Trump’s grip on the Republican Party is no longer theoretical—it’s playing out in primaries across the country. Chris and Sean break down a wild week in 2026 politics, from Rep. Thomas Massie’s Kentucky primary loss to Brad Raffensperger getting knocked out in Georgia, Trump-backed wins in Indiana state Senate races, and Sen. Bill Cassidy’s collapse in Louisiana. What do these races tell us about...

Sean Noble and Chris Clements are back with a classic rant episode that jumps from Arizona governor polling to congressional staffing, redistricting warfare, Kamala Harris fantasy-land reforms, and a closing reflection on why faith is still the foundation of the American experiment. They start in Arizona, where new polling from Mike Noble shows Andy Biggs absolutely dominating the Republican prima...

President Trump just handed Democrats a made-for-TV attack line — but did he also show the kind of political courage presidents are supposed to have? Chris and Sean kick off this episode with Trump’s explosive comments about not weighing Americans’ financial pain the same way when deciding how to stop Iran from getting a nuclear weapon. It is exactly the kind of quote Democrats will hammer from no...

Sean Noble and Chris Clements break down a packed rant episode that starts with a rough family road-trip disaster and quickly turns into a broader conversation about collapse, credibility, and the political future of the country. What begins with Sean getting stranded in Blythe after the family truckster dies on the way back from Southern California turns into a bigger reflection on California dys...

Distinguished Hoover Institution scholar Michael Auslin joins Chris and Sean to discuss his powerful new book, National Treasure, which explores the turbulent and uncertain beginnings of the United States. Far from a guaranteed success story, America’s founding was marked by division, sacrifice, risk, and extraordinary courage. Auslin unpacks the personalities, principles, and perilous moments tha...

The fight for control of the U.S. House is no longer just about candidates, fundraising, or the national mood. It is increasingly about the maps. In this episode of Light Beer Dark Money, Chris and Sean break down the fast-moving redistricting war reshaping American politics in real time. Florida has signed a new congressional map that could net Republicans four additional House seats, while Virgi...

Former Arizona Congressman John Shadegg joins Chris and Sean for the first episode in a new Light Beer Dark Money series: “How to Win an Election.” Shadegg brings a rare perspective: he served eight terms in Congress representing Arizona, grew up inside one of the most influential political families in the state, and is now working to update his father Stephen C. Shadegg’s classic 1964 campaign bo...

Luke Kayyem joins Chris and Sean for a forward-looking conversation on Fathers of the Future—what it means to lead, provide, and model strength in a rapidly changing world. They explore the evolving role of fatherhood, the cultural pressures facing families today, and why intentional leadership at home has never mattered more. The conversation also goes deeper—into the reality that much of the men...

Sean Noble and Chris Clements break down one of the most disturbing political weekends in recent memory: an armed suspect storming the White House Correspondents’ Dinner security perimeter with a shotgun, handgun, and knives — and the bigger question of how America got to a place where political violence feels like it’s always one step away. They walk through what happened at the Washington Hilton...

Captain Brad Geary joins Sean Noble and Chris Clements for one of the most powerful conversations Light Beer Dark Money has had to date — a discussion about SEAL culture, leadership, faith, suffering, and what happens when telling the truth costs you everything. Brad Geary, a retired Navy SEAL captain and former commander at the SEAL training command in Coronado, walks through his path from compet...

Sean Noble and Chris Clements are back for a classic rant episode that somehow manages to cover youth soccer, high school theater, Earth Day theology, school choice, socialist economics, the pope, and Trump’s latest monument obsession — and it all works. They start with family life and a little humor from the weekend before jumping straight into one of the biggest policy fights brewing in Arizona:...

Light Beer | Dark Money is proud to announce a new partnership with the Goldwater Institute, a leading defender of conservative principles nationwide. Chris and Sean have worked alongside Goldwater for over a decade, supporting efforts to push back against overreaching legislation and policies — including right here in Arizona. In this episode, Jenna Bentley joins the show for the first time to re...