Project Middle: Stories From & For The 99%

In this holiday edition of Project Middle Trivia, we engage in a festive trivia game covering various holiday traditions, songs, and historical facts related to Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and more. The conversation flows through questions about presidential history, popular holiday foods, and the origins of beloved traditions like the Christmas pickle and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. The epi...

Join us for a lively Thanksgiving trivia episode where John, Tony, and friends dive into the quirkiest facts about this beloved holiday. From presidential proclamations to the origins of Black Friday, and even the surprising state that leads in turkey production, this episode is packed with laughter and learning. Discover the truth behind Benjamin Franklin's turkey tale, and find out which side di...

Summary In this episode of Project Middle, John and Tony discuss pressing topics including the rising costs of healthcare and the implications of the Affordable Care Act. They delve into the impact of government shutdowns on healthcare access, analyze Trump's healthcare proposals, and explore the controversial bailout for Argentina. The conversation also touches on the release of the Epstein files...

That's right, all the Halloween trivia that you can handle! Ever wonder where all those pumpkins come from for those PSL's? or how much money Americans spend on Halloween candy each year? Do you think the United States agrees with your favorite Halloween candy? (13% of the country just might!). We have a ton of Halloween facts to bring to your ears. Listen in for more excellent Halloween trivia fo...

We discuss various pressing issues affecting the American economy and society, including the recent layoffs in car manufacturing, corporate responsibility, CEO salaries, the government shutdown, healthcare funding, and immigration policy. They explore the cultural differences in corporate practices, the impact of layoffs on employee morale, and the need for better training and accountability withi...

In this engaging trivia session, the hosts explore various topics related to U.S. history, taxation, and social programs. The conversation covers the evolution of federal income tax rates, the implications of Prohibition, the history of minimum wage, and the establishment of Medicare and Medicaid. Additionally, the discussion highlights unique tax exemptions for Puerto Rico residents, the signific...

All Good News is our new biweekly installment designed as a break from the doom-scrolling and media gloom. Instead, we spotlight the positive, fascinating, and hopeful stories shaping our world right now. In this episode, we cover: LEGO’s big move to expand U.S. manufacturing A promising gene therapy slowing Huntington’s disease progression The boom in women’s sports bars and new community-friendl...

In this new biweekly format we call Meeting In the Middle, we aim to cut through the noise and meet in the middle — where real people live. From behind-the-scenes military meetings at Quantico with Pete Hegseth, to the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey, we unpack what these headlines mean beyond the spin. We dive into the latest redistricting battles reshaping political power in Texas...

In this episode of The Project Middle Podcast: Stories from and for the 99%, we break down the often-confusing world behind the headlines of oil prices news and the crude oil price chart. From the current U.S. oil price per barrel to WTI and BRENT oil price trends and oil futures charts, our conversation dives deep into what these numbers really mean for everyday Americans. We explore the historic...

In this episode we speak to John a biochemist and food scientist with over 40 years of experience with chemistry in food and drug industries from developing new food technologies, enzymes, processes to manufacture the foods of today. With recent news about Coca-Cola switching back to sugar from High-Fructose Corn Syrup, we evaluate if this change is actually beneficial to your health and evaluate...

From replacing whale oil in lamps to fueling the rise of the automobile, oil has shaped the American story like few other forces. In this episode of Project Middle , we trace the industry’s beginnings and follow its explosive growth through the vision and monopolistic grip of figures like John D. Rockefeller. We explore how oil consumption evolved, the harsh realities faced by workers, and the env...

In this follow-up to our deep dive on America’s public lands, we unpack the tangled history of ownership, policy shifts, and the tug-of-war between federal and state management. We explore how much land each state holds, or has sold, and the reasons behind those decisions. You’ll hear comparisons between the U.S. and other countries’ public land systems, discover the costs and revenues tied to man...

Before debates over drilling, development, and conservation, America’s public lands were born out of conflict, ambition, and a vision of shared space for the people. In this first half of our two-part deep dive, we trace the history of the United States’ public land system—from the earliest land grabs and homestead dreams to the creation of the national parks we know today. Along the way, we uncov...

In Episode 3 of the Project Middle Podcast, we tackle the rising costs of two kitchen staples: milk & eggs. Why have prices skyrocketed? How do they compare to historical trends? Who’s really driving the increases — and what can we actually do to bring costs back down? We also share surprising facts about labels (“cage-free,” "free-range", "pasture-raised", “grass-fed”) and what they really me...

In Episode 2 of The Project Middle Podcast, we dig into one of the most pressing issues facing the middle class: housing. How has the cost of owning a home changed over the last 50 years? What’s driving today’s unprecedented housing surges—from foreign investment to the rise of corporate landlords? We examine whether homeownership, once a cornerstone of the American dream, is still within reach fo...

Welcome to Project Middle , a podcast exploring the realities, pressures, and personal stories of America’s middle class. In our very first episode, we lay the groundwork for what this show is all about—understanding where the middle class stands today and how the cost of the American Dream has shifted over the past 50 years. We dig into the numbers, comparing life in 1975 to now: median income, h...