The Junto Podcast

This episode explores the American spirit by tracing practical ideas of self-reliance, character-building, plain speech, and humor through the lives of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Benjamin Franklin, Booker T. Washington, Frederick Douglass, Mark Twain, and Will Rogers. He stresses that America does not need to be redefined; that if we truly love America, we can find our place within the current and past...

Host Edgar Mills explores why small talk matters in both personal and professional life and argues for authenticity over performance. Drawing on military stories, references to Will Rogers and Benjamin Franklin, and social media critique, he offers practical tips for building rapport: default to curiosity, share a small personal detail, use good manners plus a little warmth, and ask thoughtful fol...

Edgar discusses the often-overlooked realities of vibrant sexual connection well beyond midlife. Drawing from a thoughtful mix of biblical wisdom, scientific research, and down-to-earth guidance, he reassures listeners that aging does not have to be the end of sexual intimacy. Instead, Edgar highlights how couples can nurture and redevelop their shared passion, transforming challenges into opportu...

In episode 63 Edgar Mills explores the decline of basic politeness and good manners across generations, tracing causes from 60's political activism, social media, and identity politics to changing work habits. He shares practical, low-effort habits like holding doors, remembering names, making eye contact, offering help, and makes the case that small acts of courtesy benefit both giver and receive...

Hello America. Edgar Mills tackles the debate over communism, socialism, and democratic socialism. In this episode he argues the three share core goals: state control of the economy and the end of private ownership, traces the history from Marx to modern U.S. politics, summarizes the Communist Manifesto’s ten planks, and points to contemporary policies that echo those pillars. He challenges listen...

In episode 61, Edgar Mills examines communism and democratic socialism from a classical liberal perspective, comparing central planning to free markets and explaining why these doctrines repeatedly fail. He reviews historical evidence and human costs under regimes like Stalin, Mao, and Pol Pot, explores why young people are attracted to these ideas, and urges critical thinking, personal responsibi...

Host Edgar Mills reflects on Memorial Day, urging listeners to honor and thank individual service members while separating their sacrifice from the political decisions that send them to war. He discusses the dangers of partisan social media, recalls lessons from wars like Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan, and shares recruiting statistics and reasons people join the military. The episode closes with...

Host Edgar Mills examines data showing drunk driving is disproportionately reported among white men and compares roughly 12,000 annual DUI deaths to about 15,000 firearm homicides, arguing DUI is an under-discussed public health crisis. He explores cultural and geographic drivers (social drinking, rural/suburban transport gaps, and soft privilege), calls for consistent application of justice, and...

Host Edgar Mills examines crime and assimilation data from European countries with large Muslim immigrant populations and discusses how similar immigration patterns could affect the United States. The episode explores differences in values, policy responses, potential strains on welfare systems in context of the Cloward-Piven strategy, and practical steps to prevent social and economic disruption...

Edgar Mills sits down with Battalion Fire Chief Trey Johnson to explore practical leadership lessons from firefighting and military experience. They discuss podcast authenticity versus AI polish, the power of imagination and PACE planning, the difference between vigilance and paranoia, and the importance of after-action reviews and team development. The conversation also touches on real-world trai...

Edgar Mills explores how narcissism and false humility hide behind charm and modesty to manipulate followers, undermine teams, and destroy relationships. He explains tactics like humble-bragging, fishing for praise, two-faced behavior, and lack of empathy, showing how these traits play out in leadership, workplaces, and families. The episode also examines possible roots of narcissistic behavior, o...

Host Edgar Mills challenges the term "gun violence," arguing guns are tools and that violence stems from cultural decay, broken families, and failed policies. He reviews Atlanta and Georgia crime statistics, highlights black-on-black violence, and rejects collectivist explanations that deflect personal responsibility. Mills offers solutions focused on community action, stronger families, criminal...

In episode 54, Edgar Mills draws parallels between the seven phases of unconventional warfare and the journey of a small business, using lessons from T.E. Lawrence, Mao Zedong, and guerrilla doctrine. The episode explains each phase: preparation, initial contact, infiltration, organization, buildup, employment, and transition and offers practical takeaways on intelligence, agility, customer suppor...

In this episode, Edgar Mills explains Admiral William McRaven’s "relative superiority" framework, six principles drawn from special operations (simplicity, security, repetition, surprise, speed, purpose), and maps them onto John C. Maxwell’s leadership laws. He shows how small, focused teams using simple plans, rehearsed execution, and strong leadership can outmaneuver larger organizations in busi...

Edgar Mills examines how AI is accelerating change across industries, threatening mid-level managerial roles while creating new demands for AI-literate leaders. He highlights sectors likely to be disrupted, jobs that remain human‑centric, and urges leaders to adapt by mastering AI tools and doubling down on empathy, mentorship, and ethical decision‑making.

Hello, America. Edgar Mills introduces 2 Team Guys (2TG) hands-on, scenario-based courses that build individual resilience, leadership skills, and team cohesion through immersive, time-tested training. From land navigation and search-and-rescue mountaineering to situational awareness, long-range evasion, small-unit missions, and surviving captivity, each course emphasizes accountability, clear com...

Host Edgar Mills examines Canada’s medical assistance in dying (MAiD) program, tracing its expansion from terminal cases to chronic conditions and potential inclusion of mental illness. He argues that state involvement in death risks coercion, devalues human life, and creates a dangerous precedent for governmental control, urging listeners to defend individual autonomy. Abortion Sources: Consensus...

Host Edgar Mills explores rock climbing as both a sport and a lifestyle, covering disciplines like bouldering, sport climbing, trad, and ice climbing. He highlights the physical, mental, and spiritual benefits, the basics of gear and safety, and the strong, supportive climbing community. The episode also emphasizes indoor climbing gyms as welcoming community hubs or "third spaces," their appeal to...

This episode, Edgar Mills explores the role of government funding for the arts, tracing constitutional roots, controversies (like Mapplethorpe and "Piss Christ"), and arguments for and against National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) subsidies from a libertarian perspective. Edgar weighs economic, educational, and community benefits against coercion, censorship risks, and market alternatives, and exp...

Edgar Mills welcomes listeners reflect on Team USA's recent Olympic hockey triumphs and the surge of national pride they inspired. He then dives into the Canadian series "Shoresy," showing how its crude humor conceals deep themes of loyalty, accountability, mentorship, and authentic masculinity that build strong teams. Mills pulls leadership lessons from the show, strongly recommends Season 5, Epi...

Host Edgar Mills compares Frederick Bastiat’s 1850 pamphlet 'The Law' to modern U.S. politics, arguing that government coercion and endless spending have turned modern law into "legal plunder." He explains Bastiat’s principles on natural rights, critiques federal overreach (taxes, the Fed, Social Security, public schooling), and proposes "clean bill" reforms like voluntary taxation, audits, and re...

Edgar Mills tackles the realities of alcoholism—its causes, its effects on young families and first responders, and his own experiences with alcohol-related harm. He outlines how to spot problems, practical steps for intervention, and why honesty, empathy, and asking for help are essential to recovery. The episode urges listeners to protect their families, set boundaries, and pursue freedom from a...

In episode 44, Edgar Mills examines classic dystopian stories and their parallels with today’s surveillance culture and social media, arguing that suppressing creativity crushes individuality and the soul. He explains how literature, music, and fine art stir personal emotion and free thought, contrasts authentic creation with AI and disposable digital content, and warns that conformity—whether by...

Edgar Mills breaks down the non-aggression principle—its historical roots, connections to libertarian thought, and how it shapes views on taxes, law enforcement, privatized policing, and protests. He emphasizes individual responsibility, consistent ethical standards for both citizens and authorities, and practical examples of applying non-aggression in business, community, and personal defense.

Host Edgar Mills examines today’s polarized public discourse and urges a return to critical thinking, empathy, and de‑escalation. He analyzes recent ICE operations in Minneapolis and two shootings (Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti), discusses legal and tactical complexities, and evaluates unintended consequences of extreme tactics. The episode argues for enforcing immigration law with accountabil...