The Culture Codex Podcast

In Episode #014 of The Culture Codex, we sit down with Bryan Hambley, a leukemia doctor at the University of Cincinnati and Democratic candidate for Ohio Secretary of State, for a critical conversation about election integrity, gerrymandering, and the fragile state of democracy in Ohio. Hambly breaks down why the Secretary of State’s office (often overlooked by voters) is actually one of the most...

In this first installment of THE SIGNAL, a new collaboration series from The Culture Codex, we partner with All Aboard Ohio for a critical conversation on the future of rail, the failures of American infrastructure, and what it all means for the economic and social trajectory of the United States. THE SIGNAL is a new branch of The Culture Codex, episodes built in collaboration with organizations,...

In Episode #013 of The Culture Codex, we sit down with Samuel Grube, a progressive Democrat running for Ohio House District 18, representing Shaker Heights, Cleveland Heights, East Cleveland, Orange, and Warrensville Heights, for an urgent conversation about Gen Z politics, union power, and a state government increasingly disconnected from the people it claims to represent. Grube traces his politi...

In Episode #012 of The Culture Codex, we sit down with Sean Connolly, a tattoo shop owner and labor democrat running in Ohio’s 6th Congressional District, for a raw and deeply grounded conversation about labor, political abandonment, and what real representation looks like in a district written off by both parties. Connolly breaks down how decades of deindustrialization, union busting, and trickle...

In Episode #011 of The Culture Codex, we sit down with journalist and legal analyst Aaron Parnas, one of the most trusted independent voices covering American politics, for a wide-ranging and unfiltered conversation about power, institutions, and the slow erosion of democratic guardrails in the United States. Together, we explore how authoritarianism doesn’t arrive overnight, but through legal mec...

In Episode #010 of The Culture Codex, we sit down with Don Leonard, Ohio State University professor, father, and Democratic candidate for Ohio’s 15th Congressional District, for a candid conversation about democracy, power, and what it means to actually fight back in this moment. Together, we explore what pushed Leonard from academia into electoral politics, the growing threat of legalized corrupt...

In Episode #009 of The Culture Codex, we sit down with Ohio State Representative and Secretary of State candidate Allison Russo for a wide-ranging conversation on democracy, power, and the systems shaping Ohio’s political future. Together, we explore Russo’s journey from growing up in rural Mississippi to flipping a Republican district in Ohio, what it means to govern in a supermajority environmen...

In Episode #008 of The Culture Codex, we sit down with world-renowned tattoo artist Jesse Smith, known for his surreal creatures, vibrant worlds, and unforgettable run on Ink Master. Together we explore how graffiti shaped his early style, how reality TV changed his approach to art, and how AI is reshaping the creative landscape. Jesse opens up about the real economics of running a tattoo shop, th...

"Thinking" is under attack, and philosopher Michael Huemer breaks down what’s real, what’s myth, and what’s dangerously misunderstood in American politics. In Episode #007 , Patrick and Devin sit down with Huemer to unpack: • How bias, emotion, and misinformation warp our political judgment • Why so much “science” fails to replicate — and how bad research misleads the public • The truth...

Ohio’s future is on the ballot, and Dr. Amy Acton lays out how to fix what’s broken. In Episode #006, Devin and Patrick sit down with Amy to unpack: - How we combat political violence & rebuild trust - What’s driving the housing and healthcare affordability crisis - Why smarter public health systems save lives - The role compassion must play in modern politics If we want a state, and country,...

From building one of Hollywood’s most groundbreaking styling empires to sharing his journey in his memoir, Elgin opens up about breaking barriers in the beauty industry, shaping celebrity culture, and embracing authenticity in an era that wasn’t always accepting. We dive into: How Elgin turned artistry into legacy Breaking through barriers as a Black, bisexual creative in Hollywood The rise of cel...

In Episode #004 of The Culture Codex Podcast, we sit down with historian and political analyst Professor Allan Lichtman, author of Conservative at the Core. Known for his accurate election predictions and deep analysis of American politics, Lichtman unpacks the history of the conservative movement, the GOP’s authoritarian drift, and the challenges facing U.S. institutions today. We also dive into...

Jeff Steitzer, the iconic “Voice of God” from Halo Multiplayer, joins us in Episode #003 to talk about his journey as a voice actor, the rise of AI voice cloning, gaming culture, and why he still chooses optimism in today’s political climate. We dive into: Jeff’s backstory and how he became the legendary Halo announcer The challenges and risks of AI voice cloning in the entertainment industry Gami...

Trae Crowder joins us in Episode 002 to talk comedy, culture wars, and the slow-motion collapse of the rural South. We dig into: Trae’s current stand-up tour and crowd reactions The impact of The Liberal Redneck Manifesto How the Manosphere and "Rogansphere" radicalize young voters The political influence of comedians (both good and bad) Why branding, not policy, keeps Democrats losing g...

In our free inaugural episode of The Culture Codex, we sit down with former Congressman Tim Ryan of Ohio for a wide-ranging conversation on the future of the Democratic Party, the role of mindfulness in leadership, the climate crisis, the rise of A.I. and regulating cryptocurrency. Tim opens up about the current state of American politics, how Democrats can reconnect with working-class voters, and...