The Optimistic American

In this episode of The Optimistic American , host Paul Johnson sits down with McKay Coppins , an acclaimed journalist and staff writer at The Atlantic , to explore the intersection of politics, religion, and media. As the author of the book Romney: A Reckoning , McKay brings unparalleled insights into the political transformation of the Republican Party, from the Romney era to the Trump movement....

Join host Paul Johnson on New Frontiers for an in-depth conversation with Nobel Prize winner and acclaimed economist Professor James Robinson . In this episode, Paul and James explore themes from Robinson’s transformative book, Why Nations Fail . They discuss the critical role of inclusive versus extractive institutions and how these structures influence the prosperity of nations . With insightful...

In this episode of New Frontiers , Paul Johnson and panelists Elliot Pollack, Robert Robb, and Henry Thompson engage in a compelling discussion on America’s future. They explore key political, economic, and cultural issues — from the legacy of Donald Trump and his ties to Roy Cohn, to Elon Musk's SpaceX innovations, and the vital role that regulations play in shaping U.S. competitiveness. Topics D...

In this episode of The Optimistic American, host Paul Johnson is joined by Josh Abrams and Matt Burgess to explore how citizen assemblies are providing innovative solutions to local challenges like youth homelessness and political division. Through random selection, these assemblies give ordinary citizens a direct voice in tackling complex issues, fostering civic participation and community trust....

In this episode of New Frontiers , host Paul Johnson is joined by columnist Bob Robb and professor Henry Thompson. Join them as they unpack some of the most pressing issues facing the U.S. and the world today. From political showdowns to the potential of World War III to groundbreaking technology, the episode delves into topics that will shape our future, offering both hard-hitting analysis and a...

In this episode of The Optimistic American, host Paul Johnson sits down with Alan Fahringer, a man whose life story exemplifies the power of personal transformation. Once caught in the destructive cycle of addiction and crime, Alan now advocates for integrity, accountability, and the life-changing impact of therapeutic communities. Join us as we dive into Alan’s past struggles, the pivotal moments...

In this episode of New Frontiers, host Paul Johnson is joined by columnist Bob Robb, professor Henry Thompson, economist Elliot Pollack, and special guest Paul Bentz, a political pollster expert. Join them as they break down how polling works and the impact the Trump vs Harris debate will have on polls and election forecasts. Together they explore key debate moments, the candidates' successes...

In this episode of New Frontiers , hosts Paul Johnson & Henry Thompson sit down with General H.R. McMaster, former National Security Advisor under President Trump, to explore the complexities of U.S. foreign policy and national security. Drawing from his book At War With Ourselves , McMaster offers a balanced look at Trump’s leadership – highlighting both the good and the bad. The discussion d...

In this episode of The Optimistic American, host Paul Johnson sits down with Shannon Wright, a passionate advocate for community service and the representative of JustServe, a free online platform connecting volunteers with meaningful service opportunities. Together, they explore the transformative power of volunteerism and how it can enrich communities, bridge divides, and create a sense of belon...

In this episode of New Frontiers , host Paul Johnson is joined by economist Elliott Pollack, syndicated columnist Bob Robb, and Professor Henry Tompson to dive deep into the economic policies of Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. The conversation kicks off with an analysis of Kamala Harris' Democratic Convention speech and spans topics like the housing market crisis, the impact of tariffs, and wh...

In this episode of The Optimistic American, host Paul Johnson sits down with James Phillips, a law professor at BYU and the Constitutional Government Initiative Director at the Wheatley Institute. The conversation dives into Phillips' thought-provoking theory on “juristocracy”—the idea that the Supreme Court has assumed an overactive role in shaping American policy, thereby undermining the rol...

Join host Paul Johnson and his panel of experts – Bob Robb, Eliott Pollack, and Henry Thomson – as they dive into the major topics surrounding the Democratic Convention and the 2024 election. In this episode of New Frontiers, the discussion centers on the dynamics of the Democratic Convention, the unfolding situation in the Middle East, the contentious abortion debate, the ongoing push for changes...

Join host Paul Johnson on The Optimistic American as he sits down with Tonja Myles, a remarkable individual who transformed her life from battling addiction in a crack house to advising the President in the White House. In this powerful episode, Tonja shares her incredible journey of overcoming addiction, serving in the military, and advocating for mental health and faith-based recovery programs....

In this special edition of New Frontiers, host Paul Johnson takes a deep dive into the 2024 Presidential Election, exploring the crucial role independent voters will play in determining the outcome. With a focus on the swing states that will decide the Electoral College, Paul explains why the candidates' ability to appeal to independents is key to securing victory in November. As he examines b...

Join host Paul Johnson as he sits down with Lt Colonel Mark Hasara, a veteran of the Strategic Air Command with over 24 years of experience in military logistics. In this episode, they delve into the vital but often overlooked role of logistics in military operations. From his service in Desert Storm and Desert Shield to his work with the nuclear deterrent program, Commander Hasara shares invaluab...

Join host Paul Johnson as he welcomes Peter Herford, a legendary journalist from CBS, to discuss the pivotal moments in American journalism. With firsthand accounts of major events like the JFK assassination and the Vietnam War, Peter provides an in-depth look at the evolution of news media and the glory days of CBS. This episode offers a fascinating exploration of how journalism has shaped and be...

Join host Paul Johnson on The Optimistic American as he welcomes Esther Allouche, a remarkable mother of ten, rabbi's wife, and a powerhouse at Congregation Beth Tefillah in Phoenix. In this episode, Esther shares her journey of raising a large family, her insights on Jewish family values, and how she balances her roles in the community and family life. With co-host Emily Bashah, they delve in...

Join host Paul Johnson in this compelling episode of New Frontiers as he is joined by renowned economist Elliot Pollack, esteemed columnist Robert Robb, and historian Henry Thompson. Together, they navigate the complexities of the current political campaign, offering deep insights into economic forecasts, the housing market crisis, shifts in political ideologies, and the evolving foreign policy st...

Join host Paul Johnson and co-host Dr. Emily Bashah on The Optimistic American as they welcome Dr. Peter Simi from Chapman University, a renowned expert on extremist organizations. In this episode, they explore the structure and recruitment tactics of extremist groups, the political influence of right-wing organizations, the fallout from the assassination attempt on Donald Trump, and the controver...

Join Paul Johnson on New Frontiers for an in-depth discussion with top political analysts about the latest events in the presidential campaign, including the attempted assassination of Donald Trump, the U.S. Supreme Court's decision on presidential immunity, and the controversial Project 2025. From dissecting Joe Biden's debate performance to speculating on the potential impact of J.D. Van...

Join Paul Johnson on New Frontiers as he delves into the pressing issues surrounding the upcoming presidential race. In this thought-provoking episode, Paul discusses the intricacies of presidential primaries, the potential of Joe Biden stepping down, the implications of the Supreme Court's decision on presidential immunity, and how these elements collectively impact the future of American pol...

Join host Paul Johnson on New Frontiers as he delves into a thought-provoking discussion with guests Bob Robb and Henry Thompson. This episode explores the concept of an "American Apocalypse" as presented by three prominent writers, discussing the political, economic, and social challenges facing the United States today. Topics Discussed in This Video: - The Trump-Biden Debate: Paul, Bob...

Join host Paul Johnson and special guest Robert Satloff, Executive Director of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, in this compelling episode of New Frontiers. Satloff brings his extensive expertise in U.S. Middle East policy to discuss the critical issues of Israel losing the narrative, the Iranian nuclear threat, and the path to peace in the Middle East. Topics Discussed in the Video:...

Join host Paul Johnson in this compelling episode of The Optimistic American, featuring Mary Dickson, a dedicated activist known as a "downwinder." Mary shares her powerful story of surviving cancer caused by nuclear fallout, her journey from diagnosis to activism, and her relentless fight for the RECA Bill, aimed at providing justice and compensation for those affected by atmospheric nu...