The Jeff Oravits Show Podcast

For years the narrative has been that younger generations were abandoning church and faith altogether. But something appears to be changing — especially among Gen Z and young men. New research shows younger adults are attending church more frequently and many are searching for purpose, meaning, community and direction in an increasingly chaotic culture. On today’s episode, I sit down with Pastor D...

Jeff interviews former Arizona State Representative and Congressional candidate Joseph Chaplik about his run for Congress in Arizona’s Congressional District 1 and the issues he says are driving voters heading into 2026. Chaplik discusses border security, election integrity, Arizona water concerns, government spending, and what he sees as massive waste, fraud, and abuse in Washington, D.C. He also...

Angela Oravits joins Jeff for a wide-ranging and occasionally germophobic hour covering Arizona politics, crime, weather, and the hidden dangers of modern life. The show starts with Governor Katie Hobbs vetoing the Republican-backed Arizona budget, setting up another major political showdown at the Capitol over taxes, spending, and the future direction of the state. Jeff and Angela also discuss Ar...

Contractor and longtime builder Mark Haughwout joins the show to discuss Arizona’s increasingly complex regulatory environment and what it’s doing to the cost of housing. Is there ever NOT a new building code? We break down the growing layers of regulations, energy efficiency mandates, and proposed wildfire building standards — and ask the big question: who ultimately pays for all of it? We also d...

A packed weekend turns into a snapshot of a country—and a state—feeling stretched in every direction. From a surreal trip through Sedona—crowded, chaotic, and barely drivable—to conversations on faith, war, and everyday life. Back in Arizona, Governor Katie Hobbs is out of state, rubbing elbows in California while budget tensions heat up at home. Efforts to rein in short-term rentals collapse agai...

A wild one today with Olivia Oravits as we bounce from unbelievable headlines to the future of human connection. We start with a story that sounds completely made up—but isn’t—after Buddhist monks were busted in a massive marijuana smuggling operation. If you can’t trust a monk, who can you trust? Then we pivot into a deep (and surprisingly fun) dive into artificial intelligence. Olivia and I both...

On today’s episode, we connect the dots between growing economic frustration and the policies driving it. From International Workers' Day protests and calls for an “economic blackout,” to rising inflation and a national debt now topping 100% of GDP, the pressure on everyday Americans is building. We also break down Arizona’s budget showdown at the legislature, including proposed spending cuts and...

Former Arizona State Representative Bob Thorpe joins me for a deep dive into one of the biggest—and least talked about—drivers of rising costs in Arizona and across the West: land scarcity. We break down how much land is controlled by federal and state governments, what that means for development, and whether this “artificial scarcity” is quietly fueling higher home prices and cost of living. Usin...

Arizona enters new territory with its first Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS), raising questions about wildfire prevention, utility responsibility, and long-term impacts for Northern Arizona residents. Walt Blackman joins me to discuss what led to the decision, how it affects communities, and whether this will become a recurring strategy. We also cover the latest from the state Capitol, where Gov...

Senate President Warren Petersen returns to the show fresh off his rally with President Trump in his bid to be Arizona's next Attorney General. Petersen discusses the lawsuits he's pursued as Senate President perhaps giving a preview of what he'll tackle as AG. Petersen also gives an update on the stalled budget process of Governor Hobbs continued resistance to the Republicans push for a streamlin...

Congressman Eli Crane joins me to discuss a wave of deaths involving scientists connected to aerospace, defense, and even UAP-related programs that has raised serious red flags—and Washington is starting to take notice. Congressman Eli Crane joins me to break down what’s known, what’s not, and whether the public is about to get answers. We also dive into rising tensions with Iran and the strategic...

Northern Arizona went dark—on purpose. In a move that left roughly 6,000 customers without power across areas north and east of Flagstaff, Arizona Public Service implemented its first-ever Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) under a wildfire mitigation strategy rolled out in 2024. But here’s the question: why now? Spring winds in Flagstaff aren’t new. So what changed? I sit down with APS spokespers...

We start right here in Arizona with what looks like a major political blunder—Rep. David Marshall’s appointment as Navajo County Recorder.  There’s deep ramifications on the Arizona Corporation Commission race and Jeff rehashes the history and concerns with the current incumbents running for re-election. Oh and of course Jeff’s problems with the “stupid windmills” destroying NAZ’s views.   Then th...

Arizona is at the center of it all—and Senator Wendy Rogers joins the show for a wide-ranging, hard-hitting conversation on the issues shaping the state and the nation.   We start with the controversy surrounding Congressman Ruben Gallego and connections to former Congressman Eric Swalwell, and what it means for Arizona’s role in the national political spotlight.   From there, we dive into one of...

What does a 69-year-old gorilla in Germany have in common with your family dog? A lot more than you think—especially when it comes to the rising cost of care. In this episode, Olivia Oravits joins me to talk about the world’s oldest gorilla, Fatou, living her best life at the Berlin Zoo—complete with her own enclosure, dedicated staff, and a level of care most humans would envy. But while Fatou en...

Diesel prices are surging—and if you think it only impacts truckers, think again. In this episode, I sit down with Mike Kucharski, Co-Owner and Vice President of JKC Trucking, to break down what’s really happening on the ground just weeks into this latest spike—and why it matters to every American. We dig into: What trucking companies are seeing 6 weeks into rising diesel costs How the industry ac...

Tax Day is here—and we’re cutting through the noise with a hard look at the numbers that actually matter. How many Americans really pay federal income taxes? Where does your money go once Washington gets it? And how did we go from a time when there was no income tax at all to a system pulling in that takes nearly $7 trillion to run? In this episode, we break down the full picture: The surprising n...

Mark Haughwout joins me for a wide-ranging conversation as the cost of the Iran war surges and Americans brace for higher prices—with no relief in sight from interest rates. We break down the economic ripple effects, from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to what it means for your wallet. Plus, political drama heats up in DC with resignations, impacts to California’s governor race and a stunning mom...

Olivia Oravits joins me for a real—and at times ridiculous—look at where society is heading. We start with the rise of “hover parenting” taken to a whole new level… parents now hiring job coaches and stepping into their adult kids’ careers. At what point does helping become hurting? And are we creating a generation that can’t function on their own? Then we pivot to the future of work, including Ma...

Larry Behrens of Power the Future joins the show for a follow-up conversation as global tensions—and energy markets—continue to shift weeks after the start of the Iran conflict. You’ve probably heard it: “We have all the oil we need right here in America.” So why are we still importing millions of barrels every day? We break down the reality behind U.S. energy: America produces roughly 13.4 millio...

Brendan Steinhauser, CEO of the Alliance for Secure AI, joins the show to break down the real pace of artificial intelligence—and whether we’re anywhere near “Terminator-level” self-awareness. We dive into the growing reality of AI-driven job losses, including new tools tracking how many jobs are already being displaced and what the future could hold. We also tackle the big questions: What careers...

Is this ceasefire the beginning of peace—or just the setup for the next conflict? We kick things off with Iran’s sweeping peace proposal, including demands to end all hostilities, lift U.S. sanctions, and reopen the Strait of Hormuz—with a controversial new fee on global shipping. Mark, drawing on years of experience in the Middle East, breaks down whether any of this actually holds… and what it m...

Joe Galli, Senior Advisor of Public Policy with the Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce, joins me for a deep dive into the issues shaping Arizona right now—and there’s no shortage of uncertainty. We break down the state budget and the lack of agreement on tax conformity as tax day approaches, raising serious concerns for businesses trying to plan ahead. We also look at the growing number of ballot measu...

We’ve got astronauts orbiting the moon sending back messages about humanity—and almost no one’s paying attention. Meanwhile, fake A.I. videos are pulling millions of views. What does that say about us? In today’s episode, Angela and I break down the cultural shift from real achievement to digital distraction, starting with the Artemis II mission and why it’s failing to capture attention. Plus: The...

Arizona State Senator Mark Finchem joins the show to break down a high-stakes legislative session and what voters can expect heading into November. From potential ballot initiatives to major policy battles at the Capitol, Finchem walks us through the biggest issues shaping Arizona right now—including efforts to suspend the gas tax, proposals to expand the size of the state legislature, and new leg...