The Optimistic American

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...

Join host Paul Johnson as he welcomes Steven Hilton, a passionate supporter of humanitarian causes and a dedicated advocate for Holocaust education. In this episode of New Frontiers, Steven shares his profound experiences from his two recent trips to Israel and discusses his inspiring project, the Hilton Family Holocaust Education Center. Topics Discussed in This Video: - First Trip to Israel Duri...

Join host Paul Johnson and distinguished guest Ambassador James Jeffrey, as they delve into critical discussions on the U.S. strategic position in the Middle East and Israel’s response to recent attacks. Ambassador Jeffrey, with decades of experience in American diplomacy, shares his insights on key geopolitical issues affecting the region and the world. Topics Discussed in This Video: - The U.S....

Join host Paul Johnson in this enlightening episode of The Optimistic American as he welcomes special guests Ashley Phillips, Kevin Shrum, and Brandi Kellett. Ashley, one of the driving forces behind the Citizen Solution program created by Builders in partnership with Convergence Center for Policy Resolution, discusses the innovative approach to overcoming toxic polarization by fostering civil dis...

Join Paul Johnson and his esteemed guests on this thought-provoking episode of New Frontiers, where they delve into pressing global and domestic issues. In this episode, Paul opens with an editorial on the importance of defending Western values in the face of radical ideologies. The discussion spans a wide range of topics including the Israel-Gaza conflict, political reform in America, the role of...

Join host Paul Johnson and expert Dr. Emmanuel Navon on New Frontiers as they dive into Israel's historical mission and real-world diplomacy, exploring how the nation balances power and mission throughout its history. The discussion also covers Israel's policy and diplomacy post-October 7th attacks, emphasizing the country's strategic responses and global interactions. The panel debate...

Join host Paul Johnson in this compelling episode of The Optimistic American as he sits down with Dr. Christian Vom Lehn, a renowned professor of economics at Brigham Young University and Princeton graduate. Dr. Vom Lehn brings his expertise in geoeconomics and labor economics to provide an in-depth analysis of inflation and its impact on the U.S. economy. Topics Discussed in the Video: - Economic...

Join host Paul Johnson, economist Elliot Pollock, columnist Bob Robb, and Professor Henry Thompson in this enlightening episode of New Frontiers. This episode covers a range of crucial topics, from the Trump trial's political and societal impacts to a comprehensive analysis of the current economic landscape. Topics Discussed in the Video: - D-Day Reflections: The panel opens the episode by sha...

In this episode of New Frontiers, hosts Paul Johnson and Professor Henry Thompson sit down with Dr. Matthew Mehmet, a leading expert in nuclear science and engineering with a Ph. D. from MIT. Dr. Mehmet discusses groundbreaking advancements in the nuclear energy sector and the transformative potential of new modular reactor technologies. Discover how these innovations are set to reshape the future...

Join Paul Johnson, Professor Henry Thompson, and columnist Bob Robb in this insightful episode of New Frontiers as they delve into pressing issues facing the United States today. They kick off with an in-depth discussion on the conflict in Ukraine, exploring why American values are worth defending in such geopolitical conflicts. The conversation then shifts to the controversial debate around TikTo...

Join Paul Johnson, Governor Doug Ducey, and Professor Henry Thompson, as they delve into pressing issues within the education system. In this episode of New Frontiers, the panel discusses the challenges faced in improving education programs and the potential solutions. They explore controversial topics such as intentional separation within the education system and the need for heterodoxy on colleg...

Join Paul Johnson, Robert Robb, and Henry Thompson as they delve into authoritarian governments and their relevance to contemporary political landscapes. From Vladimir Putin's influence to the dynamics within the Republican party, nuclear threats, global isolationism, and the upcoming U.S. election, this New Frontiers episode offers insightful analysis and thought-provoking perspectives. Tune...

Join us on this episode of New Frontiers, where host Paul Johnson sits down with syndicated columnist Rob Robb and history professor Henry Thompson. Together, they delve into the intricacies of current political landscapes, leadership dynamics, and the critical issues shaping the presidential campaign. Topics Discussed In This Episode: - State of Affairs: Dive deep into the complexities of Joe Bid...