Zero Distortion with Russ Bates

In this short solo episode of Zero Distortion, Russ Bates gets real about how tough it is to stay optimistic when the world feels divided and chaotic. Politics, culture, even everyday conversations can feel overwhelming. But here’s the truth: you can’t control the whole world—you can control how you show up in yours. 👉 In this episode, you’ll learn: -Why optimism isn’t about ignoring reality -How...

In this episode of Zero Distortion, Russ Bates sits down with Tim Christophersen, VP of Climate Action at Salesforce, former UN Environment leader, and author of Generation Restoration. Together they cut through the noise on climate change, exploring: The science and physics behind global warming Real-world impacts on insurance, food, and water How the money behind denial and misinformation has ev...

In this episode of Zero Distortion, I sit down with professional mindset and life coach Rebecca Schocker for a conversation that goes way beyond theory. Rebecca doesn’t just talk mindset — she lives it, and she agreed to do something different on today’s show: coach me live, right here on the pod. We dig into: Rebecca’s journey from real estate and sales to becoming a professional mindset coach fo...

What if the reason you’re single… is you? In this episode of Zero Distortion, Russ Bates sits down with Jennifer Miotke, a professional matchmaker with over 15 years of experience, President of One on One Matchmaking, and author of the new book “I Know Why You Are Single (And Yes, It’s Your Fault).” Russ shares his own success story — meeting his wife almost a decade ago through a matchmaker — as...

Donald Trump promised to slash costs on day one — from gas under $2, to cheaper groceries, affordable housing, and cutting electricity bills in half. Nine months in, the receipts tell a different story: Gas averages $3.14/gal, not under $2 Groceries are up 2.2% since January Housing prices climbed to $422K median Electricity costs are up 18%, not down New tariffs act as hidden taxes, adding 18.6%...

In this episode of Zero Distortion, Russ sits down with Dr. Kim McNair — entrepreneur, media expert, and advocate for women in business — for a no-nonsense conversation about leadership, building a personal brand, and thriving in competitive industries. Dr. McNair shares her journey from breaking into the media world to becoming a trusted voice for women entrepreneurs and minority-owned businesses...

In this Zero Distortion Podcast episode, Russ Bates interviews Aaron Nichols, host of This Week in Solar and NABCEP-PV Associate, about the future of solar energy, clean energy policy battles, and the fight against fossil fuel misinformation. They break down why storytelling beats statistics for changing minds on renewable energy, how the Big Billionaire Bill slashes federal solar incentives, and...

What if the reason you’re single… is you? In this episode of Zero Distortion, Russ Bates sits down with Jennifer Miotke, a professional matchmaker with over 15 years of experience, President of One on One Matchmaking, and author of the new book “I Know Why You Are Single (And Yes, It’s Your Fault).” Russ shares his own success story — meeting his wife almost a decade ago through a matchmaker — as...

Ever felt like you don’t belong — even after you’ve earned your place? In this episode of Zero Distortion, Russ Bates sits down with writer and researcher Jay Fox to unpack Imposter Syndrome — that nagging belief that you’re faking it and someone’s about to find out. Jay’s career spans literary fiction, Passive House energy standards, risk management, and medicine — all without formal training in...

What happens when solar panels, wind turbines, and clean energy systems reach the end of their life? In this episode of Zero Distortion, Russ Bates talks with Emilie O’Leary, CEO of Green Clean Solar & Wind and author of Megawatts to Mega Recycling. Emilie has been on the front lines of the solar industry — scaling one of the largest mechanical solar firms in the U.S. — and is now leading the...

In this episode of Zero Distortion, Russ Bates is joined by longtime friend and business leader Craig Heller for the kind of conversation we need more of—one that spans political lines without turning into a shouting match. Craig identifies as a conservative Democrat, and while he and Russ don’t see eye-to-eye on everything, they both agree: we need to start listening to each other again. This con...

Are EVs really dangerous? Are battery fires as common as the headlines suggest? In this episode of Zero Distortion, Russ sits down with UK-based data storyteller and journalist Jess Shanahan to cut through the EV misinformation dominating the media. Jess, founder of Charge Happy, breaks down what the data actually says about electric vehicle safety, charging convenience, and the media’s obsession...

Most people aren’t stuck because they’re unqualified — they’re stuck because they’re too comfortable. In this solo episode, Russ Bates gets brutally honest about how comfort zones become cages. He shares his own experience of avoiding public speaking, staying behind the scenes, and letting fear dictate what opportunities were “for him.” That fear kept him quiet. And it kept him small. But once he...

Ohio State Senator Casey Weinstein joins Zero Distortion to talk about political courage, government corruption, the HB6 scandal, and whether he’ll run for the U.S. Senate in 2026. In this unfiltered conversation with Russ Bates, Casey opens up about: Fighting corruption in Ohio’s Statehouse The truth behind the $600M HB6 energy scandal What real leadership looks like in a broken system Gerrymande...

The Big Ugly Bill is now law — and clean energy is officially on the clock. In this Zero Distortion panel, host Russ Bates is joined by Jessica Fishman, Jeff Wolfe, and Kevin Doffing to cut through the spin and break down what this means for solar, storage, and America’s energy future. 🔹 What the bill actually does (beyond the headlines) 🔹 How it disrupts residential, commercial, and federal cle...

What makes a great leader in today’s world of constant pressure, rapid change, and overhyped management trends? In this episode of Zero Distortion, Russ Bates talks with Randal “Tiny” Smith, a 6’7” British military veteran, aerospace engineer, and former Chief Operating Officer at Jaguar Land Rover, who’s led global teams in the military and private sector alike. With deep experience in EV deploym...

In this episode of Zero Distortion, host Russ Bates dives into the rise of the manosphere—an online world of “alpha male” influencers like Andrew Tate, Sneako, Fresh & Fit, and Nick Fuentes. What started as self-help for struggling men has morphed into a toxic blend of misogyny, status obsession, and grievance-based masculinity. Russ shares his perspective as someone who grew up admiring figur...

In this episode of Zero Distortion, Russ sits down with Julie Johnson—better known as Electric Julie—a powerhouse in clean transportation, logistics, and energy strategy. From heavy-duty EVs to the future of sustainability, Julie shares her journey from pulp and paper to pharmaceuticals to becoming a national voice in clean tech. They dive into the reality of deploying electric fleets, the misinfo...

In this episode of Zero Distortion, State Representative Tristan Rader joins Russ Bates to break down his first major legislative victory: HB 15, a sweeping, bipartisan clean energy reform law that repeals Ohio’s corrupt coal subsidies from HB 6, introduces new solar energy financing for schools, and puts real guardrails on utility billing practices. Tristan shares what it’s like transitioning fro...

In this solo episode, Russ cuts through the noise and breaks down why online bullies aren’t worth your time, how to spot the difference between ignorance and bad faith, and why staying focused is the most powerful response. We don’t argue with keyboard cowards. We don’t feed the trolls. We let them boost the algorithm — and move on. New episodes of Zero Distortion drop weekly. Subscribe and stay s...

Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” just squeaked through the House — and the stakes couldn’t be higher. In this episode of Zero Distortion, we unpack what this proposed legislation really means for America: 🔹 A massive extension of the 2017 Trump tax cuts 🔹 Deep Medicaid cuts that threaten healthcare access 🔹 Huge tax breaks for corporations and the ultra-wealthy 🔹 Rollbacks on clean energy incentiv...

Did Trump’s 2017 Tax Cuts really help working Americans — or just the wealthy elite? In this episode of Zero Distortion, host Russ Bates breaks down the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, what was promised, and who actually benefited. We analyze the real impact of the 2017 Trump tax law, including: How much the top 1% of earners gained from the tax cuts What middle-class families actually received Whe...

In this episode of Zero Distortion, Russ Bates is joined by his wife Alisa and guests Lanie Latios and Caroline Vincent for a deep, real, and practical conversation about manifestation—what it actually is, how it works in business, relationships, and mindset, and why it’s more than just wishful thinking. We unpack manifestation techniques, including journaling, visualization, affirmations, method...

Everyone’s talking about bringing manufacturing back to the U.S. — but what does it actually take to rebuild an industrial base in today’s global economy? In this episode of Zero Distortion, Russ Bates is joined by Mush Khan, Co-Founder & CEO of Alchemy Industrial, for a real conversation on the gap between political ambition and manufacturing reality. Mush brings decades of experience in indu...

The Business of the Bachelor   The Bachelor isn't just a dating show — it's a billion-dollar brand built on emotion, competition, and carefully crafted narratives.   In this episode of Zero Distortion, Russ is joined by Lanie L. Latsios, a contestant from Joey’s season of The Bachelor, along with my wife Alisa , a longtime fan of the franchise. Together, we dive into the machine behind the roses —...