The Lincoln Project

This week, Rick's Elephant in the Room highlights the incredibly contradictory statements made by Pam Bondi, Dan Bongino, and Kash Patel as they backtrack on their previous comments about the Epstein files, now claiming "there's nothing to see here, folks." (Shocker.) This has caused a major MAGA meltdown -- cut to Alex Jones crying in a self-filmed iPhone video, Steve Bannon calling for a special prosecutor to investigate, and Elon Musk claiming that Bannon is also in the Epstein files. But here's a fun little fact...Donald Trump has more photos with Jeffrey Epstein than anyone else, even more than Ghislaine Maxwell. In February of this past year, Axios released documents from the 2021 US vs. Ghislaine Maxwell case -- those materials remain public to this day. We've included a link below so you can view the public materials while they remain available...who knows what the Trump administration will do with them? Only a guilty person would work so hard to keep their secret safe. Link to the Epstein materials from Axios: https://www.axios.com/2025/02/28/jeffrey-epstein-documents-release-names-flights • • • • • Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com.  Join the fight with the Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow LP on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue our critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 11 July 2025

We have a very special, breaking story and episode premiere for you all. Rick sits down with investigative reporters and co-authors -- Josh Dawsey of The Wall Street Journal, Tyler Pager of The New York Times, and Isaac Arnsdorf of The Washington Post -- for a behind-the-scenes, no-holds-barred 360° look at all angles of our last presidential race in 2024: How Trump Retook the White House and the Democrats Lost America. With unlimited access, award-winning reporters Dawsey, Pager, and Arnsdorf tell the comprehensive, dramatic story of the 2024 presidential election, drawing on the reporters’ extraordinary networks within both parties, over 350 interviews with sources, years of covering the candidates, and an exclusive interview with Trump. The result is the gripping account of how Trump clawed his way back from political oblivion to defeat the Democrats, why opposition to both Biden and Trump collapsed, and how Harris — tasked with running the shortest presidential campaign in modern U.S. history — couldn’t outrun Biden’s shadow. In 2024, the arcs of these three candidates and their campaigns coalesce to tell the definitive account of a historic election, one that resulted in a second Trump term far more emboldened and revenge-fueled than his first. The reporting of these investigative reporters, who were always inside the room, details and sheds new light on all of the stories you thought you knew.  • • • • • On X, Josh Dawsey is at @jdawsey1, Tyler Pager is at @tylerpager, and Isaac Arnsdorf is at @iarnsdorf. Now more than ever, please support investigative journalists who continue to serve facts to the public.   Rick Wilson is on X at @TheRickWilson and on Bluesky at @TheRickWilson.bsky.social. Please check out Rick's Substack at therickwilson.substack.com, where he writes several articles a week and hosts live conversations with his network of friends.  The Lincoln Project's website is www.lincolnproject.us, and on X, you can follow at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to fuel LP's ongoing resistance, please visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 8 July 2025

As we approach the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America (July 4th, 2026), we are bringing you a very special episode commemorating this Fourth of July. In this special episode, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Rick Atkinson joins Rick Wilson (who is also a history buff) to re-examine the history of the Revolutionary War and how the grit of great Americans ultimately secured our country's freedom. Americans left their farms, their families, and their lives to join the Continental Army in pursuit of this vision -- a free, fair, and just America. Standing up to the extraordinary front of the British and their fleet of weaponry and strategic military minds, the Americans faced incomprehensible odds with bravery, resilience, and strategic creativity. What was Washington really like? How did he lead? Was he this mythical, legendary figure we've all grown familiar with? Or did he grow and evolve throughout the war -- and did that growth shape the outcome of the war? We are all generally familiar with this story, but you haven't heard this version of it before. Rick Atkinson's two new books, The British Are Coming and The Fate of the Day, are out now -- and for all of you history nerds...this is a must-read.  ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Rick Atkinson does not have a social media presence on X or Bluesky, but he does have a website at https://rickatkinson.com/, where you can view all of his books and learn more about him.  You can follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @TheRickWilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and you can subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com for live chats with special guests and Rick's writing.  You can join the Lincoln Project fight at www.lincolnproject.us and follow us on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue this critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 4 July 2025

Democracy Docket founder and legal legend Marc Elias joins Rick to unpack everything that’s currently going on with the law and the Trump administration. Shedding light on various cases and what’s really going on, Marc Elias shares his breadth of knowledge on the legal lay of the land when it comes to Trump, the Supreme Court, the DOJ, and States’ rights. ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Follow Marc Elias ‪@marcelias.bsky.social‬ on Bluesky, and check out Democracy Docket at democracydocket.com. Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com.  Join the fight with the Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow LP on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue our critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 1 July 2025

This week, Rick's Elephant In The Room focuses on Trump, General Ratliff, and Pete Hegseth selling the American people a bill of goods about the US's attacks on Iran last weekend. It's a general rule of thumb in politics -- if you're having to defend your position, you're losing. So, when Trump blindly and prematurely tweeted and spoke to the media about his "total obliteration" of the nuclear sites in Iran long before our armed forces had made it home and damage was assessed, he left himself open to be fact-checked and held accountable for his administration's actions. And the three "blame sponges" -- Hegseth, Vance, and Rubio -- looked on in terror as Trump made statements about his "military prowess" that would be hard to retract -- if he misspoke, one of them would surely be forced to take the fall. Furious at the reporting from various news outlets this week, shedding light on the lack of "total obliteration" in Iran and backing up those reports with aerial photos (from before and after the strikes and in the days leading up to them) Trump pushed Hegseth to the podium on Thursday morning for a press briefing where he scolded media outlets for reporting the facts about this unfolding story. The egg is on Trump's face. The reporting that came out this week highlighted the contrast between Trump's claim of "total obliteration" and photos of the three sites before and after the attacks that were taken from aerial surveillance. The worst part of the US's blunder? Highlighted in a few articles from this week, Iran's enriched uranium could fit into the size of a minivan. And, in the days leading up to the attacks, several trucks were seen coming and going from the sites. Clearly, Hegseth should stop focusing on the free press and get back to work... ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com.  Join the fight with the Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow LP on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue our critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 27 June 2025

In the episode, Rick sits down for an exclusive with Israeli experts and co-authors of Target Tehran: How Israel Is Using Sabotage, Cyberwarfare, Assassination – and Secret Diplomacy – to Stop a Nuclear Iran and Create a New Middle East Yonah Jeremy Bob & Ilan Evyatar. These Israeli experts break down how their book which was published two years ago predicted recent events (and surprise it was on Bibi’s desk during his planning) and how everything has followed their forecast. They also share the why and wherewithal, and shed light on where they think this conflict is headed. This is an exclusive podcast with those who know and haven’t spoken out before — please take a listen.  ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Follow Yonah Jeremy Bob on X @jeremybob1 & find Ilan Evyatar at jpost.com/author/ilan-evyatar. Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. Join the fight with the Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow LP on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue our critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 24 June 2025

This week, Rick’s Elephant in the Room touches on the lack of accountability when those who are sworn to “protect and serve” do neither by concealing their own identities. A construct of every major dictatorship, secret military forces such as the Nazis’ SS and Russia’s KGB have always been a lynchpin in the descent into autocracy. Let’s face it, we do not need Seal Team 6 — or as these agents are called “Meal Team 6” — to tackle grandmothers and high school students. These losers are just living out their favorite video games and do not comprehend that power goes both ways. If they are going to continue this abuse of power, then it’s the public’s responsibility to call 911 and report masked men on the street. With great power comes great responsibility, and these douchebags “serve” all of us. ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ You can check out Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. Join the fight with the Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow LP on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue our critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 20 June 2025

Rick's dear friend, Asha Rangappa -- who's an American lawyer, former FBI agent, Assistant Dean of Admissions and Senior Lecturer at Yale University's Jackson School of Global Affairs -- sits down with Rick to unpack all of the moving legal pieces between Trump and the courts. Invoking emergency powers when there isn't a real emergency, Trump continues to use presidential powers for nefarious reasons. Weaponizing the DOJ, Trump has placed people like Kash Patel and Pam Bondi in roles where they can do a lot of damage against people who oppose and/or speak out against Trump. In doing this, it's eroding the optics of the legal system and leveling the playing field between real criminals and Trump's enemies. When these folks say they will follow the Constitution, it's a version where the presidential branch has supremacy over the other two branches of government. The constitutional crisis here is Congress abdicating its role and refraining from exercising its constitutional power. Bending the knee only gives him more power. What happens when lawyers and legal institutions back down in a fight? What happens when Trump ignores court orders? Can judges force the president to comply with their rulings? Asha and Rick shed light on all of the "what-ifs." ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Follow Asha at @asharangappa.bsky.social on Bluesky and @asha.rangappa on Instagram, and subscribe to her Substack at asharangappa.substack.com Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com.  Join the fight with the Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow LP on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue our critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 17 June 2025

This week, Rick's Elephant in the Room is twofold -- 1) no f*cking kings, and 2) the United States military belongs to its citizens. Look up the Posse Comitatus Act -- this is a federal law, passed by Congress following Reconstruction, signed in 1878 by President Rutherford B. Hayes, that limits the powers of the federal government in the use of federal military personnel to enforce domestic policies within the United States (i.e. you can't weaponize the US military against its citizens). Rick sheds light on the reprehensible and unprecedented display of totalitarianism by Trump this week when he ordered the National Guard and Marines to Los Angeles and then continued to Fort Bragg, where he hazed the next batch of soldiers. We are inching ever closer to the point of no return, and Trump's dream of military dictatorship is becoming more and more of a stark reality. Speak out while you still can.  ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com.  Join the fight with the Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow LP on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue our critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 13 June 2025

Mike Davey, who’s an attorney and the former Mayor of Key Biscayne, sits down with Rick to discuss why he’s running for congress in Florida’s 27th District. A father and husband to strong Latinas and a local leader who many turn to, Mike is taking on Trump’s immigration warfare, Florida’s housing shortage and property insurance issues, and incumbent MAGA María Salazar who has sold out her community at every turn. This is a winnable district, and Mike, a former republic running as a democrat, is the type of leader that can swing these voters away from Trump and MAGA María. ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Follow Mike Davey @mikedaveyforcongress on social media and keep up with his campaign at MikeDaveyforFlorida.com. Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. Join the fight with the Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow LP on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue our critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 10 June 2025

This week, Rick's Elephant in the Room reflects on the fallout of Elon Musk and Trump (the girls are fighting!). Elon should have heeded Rick's golden rule or read his book, Everything Trump Touches Dies, to fully understand what he was signing up for. Watching the fiery tweets ping-ponging back and forth this week, Trump seems to have finally met his match. Waiting to see what happens next, what if Elon turning on Trump evolves into the ultimate redemption story? We're not holding our breath quite yet, but we ARE entertained. Enjoy the sh*tshow, folks! ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com.  Join the fight with the Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow LP on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue our critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 6 June 2025

Legendary filmmaker Ken Burns sits down with Rick to discuss the events and circumstances that won D-Day and gave America its Greatest Generation. Touching on how Americans' grit and innovation turned the tide that day, Ken and Rick reflect on the significance of WWII and what lessons we can learn from that war and all of those brave souls who served on D-Day. This episode is a tribute to them. ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Follow Ken Burns on X at @KenBurns and on Bluesky at @@kenlburns.bsky.social‬. Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. Join the fight with the Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow LP on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue our critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 6 June 2025

Jonah Bromwich, who's a criminal justice reporter at The New York Times and author of his new book Dragon on Centre Street, joins Rick to drill down to what the Stormy Daniels case actually meant for the American people. The book focuses on Donald Trump’s criminal trial, but it’s also about the way that our institutions have failed to keep up with the 21st century. At heart, this case wasn't about hush money payments or hooking up with a porn star, it was about defrauding the American public during one of the most consequential elections of our lifetime. Trump ultimately won the campaign because he covered up the truth -- a pattern of lying and cover-ups that would shape his political operations to this day. Peek behind the scenes, hear from the reporter who witnessed it all, and listen to what made this case more significant than it was ever covered at the time.  ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Please check out Jonah's new book, "Dragon on Centre Street," and follow him on X at @Jonesiemanand on Bluesky at @jonesieman.bsky.social‬. Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com.  Join the fight with the Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow LP on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue our critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 3 June 2025

This week, Rick's Elephant in the Room unpacks TACO Trump. (And, kudos to the Wall Street Bros who coined the "perfect" term -- "Trump Always Chickens Out.") As the anthropologist on Donald Trump, Rick (who has studied this man for over ten years -- thank you for your service!) sheds light on how TACO applies to all aspects of Trump. This flacid, feeble, fatuous fool is not the strong man he *thinks* he portrays. Completely inept, played by dictators, confused by intelligent people, and obsessively corrupt, Trump has always been a weak, small, stupid man in politics, in business, and in his personal life. Regardless of the news cycle, there's one thing we can always count on -- Trump Always Chickens Out, no matter the stakes.  ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ You can check out Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com.  Join the fight with the Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow LP on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue our critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 30 May 2025

Former UN Ambassador, attorney, and foreign affairs expert Mr. John Bolton stops by the studio to talk with Rick about America's status on the global stage. Bolton articulates all of the complicated moving pieces of how America impacts the world and sheds light on threats toward the U.S., the effect of tariffs on our U.S. allies, Russia and Ukraine, and local security.  ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ You can check out Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. Join the fight with the Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow LP on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue our critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 27 May 2025

This week, Rick's Elephant in the Room is Trump's mental decline. With the White House decidedly halting transcripts of Trump's speeches, and a rise of extreme political sharks circling the Oval Office, what's left of Trump's mental cognition has also apparently been deported without a court hearing. On a strict diet of Big Macs and Adderall, Trump's last "cognition test"  -- 'Person. Woman. Man. Camera. TV.' -- seems to be a high point for our drooling Dear Leader.  ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ You can check out Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com.  Join the fight with the Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow LP on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue our critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 23 May 2025

Fighting for Virginia, Senator Aaron Rouse -- born and raised in Virginia Beach and from area code 757 -- has risen in politics from the local level to statewide office. In 2025, Aaron is excited to run for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, being a person of and for the people. A former safety for the NFL's Green Bay Packers, Aaron brings a team approach to politics -- we're all on the same team. Virginia is in a uniquely dire situation -- with many Virginians out of work and numerous government programs having been slashed -- due to DOGE. Coming from 757, Aaron understands the value of hard work and the need for a more holistic approach when governing the Commonwealth of Virginia. Unlike many politicians, Aaron is meeting people where they are, wherever that may be.  ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ You can learn more about Aaron in his latest ad --> https://youtu.be/rQWZF_GFn3E.  Feel free to follow and support his campaign at Rouseforvirginia.com/donate, on X at @AaronRouseVA, and on Bluesky at ‪@aaronrouse.bsky.social‬.  Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com.  Join the fight with the Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow LP on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue our critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 20 May 2025

This week's Elephant in the Room is exhaustion. You're feeling it, we're feeling it, and Trump and his administration are feeling it. Trump is falling asleep during meetings, and for his staffers, living in fear is draining. Overthrowing a democracy consumes a lot of energy from all sides. We knew another Trump term would mean another serious bout of adrenal fatigue, but this time, the array of high-stakes, stressful headlines is on another level.  ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ You can follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com where he writes several pieces every week and hosts live chats with the top political minds.  Join the fight with the Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow LP on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue our critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 16 May 2025

This week, Jared Moskowitz -- the U.S. representative for Florida's 23rd congressional district -- joins Rick to shed light on why he whispers, i.e., yells, at James Comer. Unraveling the threads of the Trump administration's biggest headlines, Jared and Rick touch on Trump's vandalization of the American economy, the insanely stupid idea to roll back FEMA (something that will impact deeply-held Republican states), and how to get anything done with the current GOP sh*tshow in the House. One of the Democrats who actually walks the talk and meets the fight where it's at, Jared Moscowitz's approach is a learning lesson for those democrats who are still training in the gym, learning how to fight back.  ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Follow Rep. Moskowitz @JaredEMoskowitz on X and @repmoskowitz.bsky.social on Bluesky! Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com.  Join the fight with Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow us on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue this critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 13 May 2025

This week's Elephant in the Room is the Trump Crime Family. 'Nuff said.  ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com.  Join the fight with Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow us on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue this critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 9 May 2025

Introducing The Piranha (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE EPISODE) from MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories.Follow the show: MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories In 2011, a police officer spotted a woman on a busy street in Japan, and he couldn’t believe what he was seeing. He looked at a photo on his phone, and then back at the woman, it was definitely her. He’d been tasked with finding this woman and bringing her back home, it was a pretty basic task, but he’d managed to complete it way faster than he thought he would. The officer rushed down the street, greeted the woman, and she confirmed she was the person he was looking for. He led her back to his car, drove her home, and that was that. But what the officer could not have possibly have imagined, was that locating this woman and bringing her home was about to unravel 25 years of unimaginable horrors – and lead to one of the most bizarre cases Japanese investigators had ever seen. For 100s more stories like these, check out our main YouTube channel just called "MrBallen" -- https://www.youtube.com/c/MrBallenIf you want to reach out to me, contact me on Instagram, Twitter or any other major social media platform, my username on all of them is @mrballenSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

Transcribed - Published: 9 May 2025

Removing partisan political rhetoric from state government, Michigan's Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson sits down with Rick to discuss her no-holds-barred style regarding local government. Married into the military, Jocelyn is a no-nonsense leader who isn't shaken by political threats on her life, campaign attacks from the far right, or the pressure to cave to Trump's "stolen election" claims during 2020. Jocelyn never blinked then, and is now running for Governor in 2026. Jocelyn's book, "The Purposeful Warrior: Standing Up for What's Right When the Stakes Are High," is a mantra of how she lives and leads. Delivering on things that will actually improve Michiganders' lives from Detroit to the UP for the long term, Jocelyn remains locked in on her state and hopes to be able to "fight for a stronger Michigan." ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ You can check out Jocelyn's new book, "The Purposeful Warrior: Standing Up for What's Right When the Stakes Are High," at fine booksellers everywhere. Feel free to follow her campaign at https://jocelynbenson.com/, on X at @JocelynBenson, and on Bluesky at @jocelynbenson.bsky.social‬. Jocelyn is surely one to watch! Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com.  Join the fight with the Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow LP on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue our critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 6 May 2025

In this week's Friday episode of the Elephant in the Room, Rick recaps Trump's first 100 days in office. From the corruption to the chaos to the skyrocketing costs to the coercion to the cruelty to casting aside the constitution, Trump's damage to our country is utterly unbelievable. And we are only 100 days in. What do the next 100 days look like?  ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com.  Join the fight with the Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow LP on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue our critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 2 May 2025

Author, journalist, documentarian, and television producer, Chris Whipple, is an expert on the political game and is always VERY plugged into DC's rumor mill. This week, Chris joins Rick to discuss everything from Trump's governing chaos to the formidable Susie Wiles, to a peek behind the curtains about what was happening in the White House at the end of Biden's term and how everything transpired when the Harris campaign took over (coming from a highly reputable source).  ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Please check out Chris's new book, "Uncharted: How Trump Beat Biden, Harris, and the Odds in the Wildest Campaign in History," and follow Chris on X at @ccwhip and on Bluesky at @whipplc.bsky.social.  Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com.  Join the fight with the Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow LP on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue our critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 29 April 2025

This week's Elephant in the Room is all about the numbers. Rick explains how the one thing that Trump cannot fake could be the lynchpin to his unraveling and, ultimately, his downfall.  ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com.  Join the fight with the Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow LP on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue our critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 25 April 2025

Rick is delighted to sit down with Senator-meets-influencer Sheldon Whitehouse, who is fed up and is "not going to take it anymore!" Chatting about Trump's flying monkey followers in the House, Senate, and in his administration, Sheldon and Rick unpack the three C's -- Cost, Chaos, and Corruption -- that are hurting Americans and will challenge Republicans in the upcoming 2026 race. ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Follow Sheldon Whitehouse @SenWhitehouse on X and @whitehouse.senate.gov on Bluesky. Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. Join the fight with the Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow LP on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue our critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 22 April 2025

In this week's Elephant in the Room, Rick details the constitutional tipping point we find ourselves in as a democratic republic. If Trump and his administration continue to defy court orders, what can be done about this, and who else could they soon target? ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. Join the fight with the Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow LP on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue our critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 18 April 2025

Rick Wilson reconnects with fiery, down-the-middle Congresswoman Julie Johnson of Texas's 32nd congressional district (i.e., the greater Dallas region) to discuss how Dems are trying to get their sh*t together as the face-eating leopards finally turn their gazes to MAGA. (Yes, Trump's actions impact EVERYONE, not just "the other side.") ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Please follow Julie Johnson at @RepJulieJohnson and @juliejohnsonTX on X and @juliejohnsontx.bsky.social on Bluesky. You can check out Julie's fiery personality during her upcoming town hall event on April 21st -- you can purchase tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tx-32-town-hall-tickets-1301189525899?aff=oddtdtcreator Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. Join the fight with the Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow LP on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue our critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 15 April 2025

Rick Wilson breaks down the events of the week — including the chaos caused by his 18th century and immediate financial evaporation — caused by Agent Orange in the White House. Navarro, Lutnick, and Trump couldn’t successfully run a Dollar Store let alone America’s complicated and robust economy. ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. Join the fight with the Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow LP on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue our critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 11 April 2025

Financial and Business Jedi Barry Ritholtz stops by to discuss Trump’s recklessness when it comes to America’s economy and our position in the global supply chain. ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Follow Barry Ritholtz @Ritholtz on X and @Rithotlz on Bluesky, and please pick up a copy of Barry's latest book, “How Not to Invest” (2025) wherever fine books are sold.  Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com.  Join the fight with the Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow LP on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue our critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 10 April 2025

After a second child dies of measles in Texas, we are re-releasing this episode from Rick. ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. Join the fight with the Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow LP on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue our critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 8 April 2025

The Elephant in the Room this week is a welcome one -- it's courage. Rick reflects on the positive events of this week, highlighting Cory Booker's strength, courage, and conviction as he rewrote history by beating Strom Thurmond's record while sharing stories about what America has become under the current Trump administration. In the absence of fear, courage would not exist. Cory beating out a racist's former filibuster record is risky, but it's the kind of courage Americans need right now. To shake things up and to find the courage to make "good trouble." John Lewis would be so proud.  ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com.  Join the fight with the Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow LP on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue our critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 4 April 2025

Responsible for writing the hit bestselling book “Fire and Fury” and setting off Trump during his first term, journalist and bestselling author Michael Wolff joins Rick to share everything he’s been hearing about the White House. On a book tour for his new book, “All Or Nothing: How Trump Recaptured America,” Michael convenes with Rick to share their latest WH stories — and spill the tea — from how Trump ran his 2024 campaign to the discipline of political shark Susie Wiles to Elon Musk (enough said) to Trump's fear-inducing "call cycle" to the inevitable leakers in the White House to Trump treating AG Pam Bondi like his personal secretary to Boris Epshteyn to Signalgate to WH Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and Steven Cheung...this episode sheds light on what's really happening inside the White House.  ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Please pick up a copy of Michael's latest book, “All Or Nothing: How Trump Recaptured America” (2025) wherever fine books are sold.  Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com.  Join the fight with the Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow LP on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue our critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 1 April 2025

In this week's episode of The Elephant in the Room, Rick addresses Pete Hegseth's ignorant, cavalier, and callous actions by taking communications about military special operations to a F*CKING Signal group chat.  ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. Join the fight with Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow us on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue this critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 28 March 2025

Introducing In Defense of PAW Patrol from Revisionist History.Follow the show: Revisionist HistoryPAW Patrol is in trouble. Like Ryder and the pups, Malcolm comes to the rescue.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

Transcribed - Published: 28 March 2025

Mark Cuban joins Rick to chat about his journey into politics, what it's like dunking on Big Pharma with transparency and his company, CostPlus Drugs, and how America must "get smart" and position itself at the forefront of the robotics frontier.  ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Follow Mark Cuban at @mcuban on X and @mcuban.bsky.social ob Bluesky. Check out Mark's prescription medication company, CostPlus Drugs, at @costplusdrugs on X and  costplusdrugs.com. Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com.  Join the fight with Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow us on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue this critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 25 March 2025

In this week's episode of The Elephant in the Room, Rick interprets Trump's pushback against courts and judges who do not rule in his favor and what that could mean for now, for judges, and for the future of the country. ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. Join the fight with Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow us on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue this critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 21 March 2025

Maryland’s All-Star Congressman Jamie Raskin joins Rick on the podcast this week. A constitutional law expert and key leader in the January 6th Investigation, Congressman Raskin shares his insights on how Trump & Elon are dismantling the government, Trump’s clear desire to be a King, and how Democrats need to stick together and get tough if they expect to beat back the crazy. ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Find Congressman Jamie Raskin on X @RepRaskin and at Raskin.house.gov Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. Join the fight with Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow us on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue this critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 18 March 2025

Seven weeks in, Trump has a laundry list of failures.  ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. Join the fight with Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow us on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue this critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 14 March 2025

In a special double-header episode, Rick Wilson sits down with Alexander Vindman and Kenneth Harbaugh to discuss everything "Ukraine." Given Trump's unbelievable utter disrespect toward Zelensky and Ukraine during his recent Oval Office meeting and Trump's ongoing salivation over his man-crush and wannabe penpal Putin, this episode features THE experts who understand the lay of the land in Ukraine -- and, more importantly, where to go from here -- better than anyone else.  RUN to go and purchase Alexander Vindman's new book, The Folly of Realism: How the West Deceived Itself About Russia and Betrayed Ukraine, here: https://www.amazon.com/Folly-Realism-Deceived-Betrayed-Ukraine/dp/1541705041 -- it is F*CKING brilliant and couldn't be more topical.  ...Then drop everything and check out Kenneth Harbaugh's badass organization, VALOR MEDIA NETWORK, at https://valormedianetwork.com/. You can get a sense of WHO they are and what they're doing in their brand new trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/@valormedianetwork. Please like, follow, and subscribe to their YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@valormedianetwork for more manly, yet engaging, content.  ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Follow Alexander Vindman at @AVindman on X and/or @avindman .bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at avindman.com.  Follow Kenneth personally @Team_Harbaugh on X and/or @thekenharbaughshow.bsky.social on Bluesky, and please do watch his incredible film work in his award-winning documentary, Against All Enemies, here: https://againstallenemiesfilm.com/ Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. Join the fight with Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow us on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue this critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 11 March 2025

As Rick points out this week, we are operating in an Attention Economy. Let's stop being junkies and focus on what matters long-term for our nation. From Marco Rubio's small D moment on the couch to Trump's dinner theatre speech, we need to remain focused on what we CAN do while this sh*tshow continues... ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. Join the fight with Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow us on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue this critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 7 March 2025

Political scientist, author, and entrepreneur Ian Bremmer -- who's also the founder and president of Eurasia Group and the founder of GZERO Media -- stops by to chat with Rick about how we're fucked, and why we're fucked. There is nothing like sitting down with a good ole expert friend at the beginning of a potential World War to discuss the American economy, AI, global politics, and the growing dangers inside and outside the U.S. democratic government.    ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Follow Ian Bremmer at @ianbremmer on X & @ianbremmer.com on Bluesky  Check out more of Ian's work at @eurasiagroup.net and @gzeromedia.com Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X & @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky. Subscribe to Rick's weekly writings on his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com.  Join the fight with Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us & follow us @ProjectLincoln on X & @lincolnproject.us on Bluesky. If you'd like to help us continue this critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 4 March 2025

This week, Rick breaks down the Kabuki dance that Trump and his puppets are acting out in Washington. "Playing house" is cute; "playing whitehouse" is NOT. There are real-world consequences for these dumb dumbs' "playtime." ・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・ Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. Join the fight with Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow us on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue this critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 28 February 2025

Jason Crow, a working-man representative from Colorado's 6th Congressional District, a J6 hero, and an Army Ranger, sits down with Rick to explain how he flipped a historically red district blue. A big proponent of talking to and for everyday working people, Jason prepares for his first town hall of the year by shedding light on how the Democrats must reassess their identity and messaging to reconnect with the working class and how Trump's escapades with Putin jeopardize America's National Security and global political position.  ・・・・・・・・・・・ Follow Jason Crow at @RepJasonCrow on X & @crow.house.gov on Bluesky  Join Jason Crow's Town Hall virtually on Thursday, 2/27, by following his social accounts above!  Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X & @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky. Subscribe to Rick's weekly writings on his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com.  Join the fight with Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us & follow us @ProjectLincoln on X & @lincolnproject.us on Bluesky. If you'd like to help us continue this critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 27 February 2025

Introducing The Story: Russia’s Espionage ‘Laboratory’ w/ Ben Taub from TechStuff.Follow the show: TechStuffBen Taub is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist and staff writer at The New Yorker. His piece, “Russia’s Espionage War in the Arctic,” covers tensions at the Russian border with Norway, an area Russia uses as a testing ground for future intelligence operations. Taub sits down with Oz to discuss the technology being used for survival and for espionage, as the war in Ukraine has escalated tensions with NATO.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

Transcribed - Published: 27 February 2025

Prolific and multi-award-winning documentarian Alex Gibney, who's responsible for the most impactful documentaries of our time -- i.e., Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief, The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley, Totally Under Control, and MANY more --sits down with Rick Wilson to discuss his portfolio of work and how it reflects on the American character.  Alex's most recent project, The Bibi Files, uses never-seen-before interrogation footage to tell the story of an investigation into Benjamin Netanyahu and his inner circle and provides an unflinching gaze into the private world behind the headlines. Petty vanity and a sense of entitlement lead to corruption and the unwillingness of the Netanyahus to give up power. The extreme right senses opportunity in Bibi’s weakness, and the dominos fall. ・・・・・・・・・・・ Follow Alex Gibney at @alexgibneyfilm on X & @alexgibneyfilm.bsky.social on Bluesky  Stream Alex's most recent project, The Bibi Files, on Jolt.Film  Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X & @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky. Subscribe to Rick's weekly writings on his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com.  Join the fight with Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us & follow us @ProjectLincoln on X & @lincolnproject.us on Bluesky. If you'd like to help us continue this critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 25 February 2025

Rick breaks down Trump's major f*ck-ups this week on local, national, and international stages and explains what average Americans can do to band together and hold the line.  ・・・・・・・・・・・ Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. Join the fight with Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow us on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue this critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 21 February 2025

Introducing How CEO Leila Hormozi Went From Broke, Anxious & Arrested 6 Times To $100M Net Worth from The School of Greatness.Follow the show: The School of GreatnessI'm going on tour! Come see The School of Greatness LIVE in person!Get my new book Make Money Easy here!From multiple arrests in her early twenties to building a multi-hundred-million-dollar business empire, Leila Hormozi's journey reveals how mastering emotional regulation became the cornerstone of her success. In this deeply vulnerable conversation, Leila opens up about overcoming childhood trauma, battling anxiety, and learning to embrace discomfort as a pathway to growth. What sets her apart isn't just her business acumen, but her radical approach to managing negative thoughts and emotions – accepting them as natural companions on the path to excellence rather than obstacles to overcome. Through raw stories and tactical insights, she demonstrates how true leadership isn't about eliminating fear or self-doubt, but about taking successful actions despite them. This episode is especially valuable for entrepreneurs, leaders, and anyone struggling to navigate their emotional landscape while pursuing ambitious goals.Get Leila's Free $100M Scaling CourseIn this episode you will learn:Why winning never feels good in the moment and how to embrace the perpetual state of discomfort that comes with successHow to transform your relationship with negative emotions from resistance to acceptance, and why this shift is crucial for long-term successThe three key truths holding women back in business and life, and how to overcome themWhy being "smart enough to figure things out, but dumb enough to try" can be a superpower in businessHow to make decisions aligned with your values by treating them as your "board of directors"For more information go to https://www.lewishowes.com/1735For more Greatness text PODCAST to +1 (614) 350-3960More SOG episodes we think you’ll love:Alex Hormozi – greatness.lnk.to/1723SCJaspreet Singh  – greatness.lnk.to/1257SCRobert Herjavec – greatness.lnk.to/1729SC Get more from Lewis! Pre-order my new book Make Money EasyGet The Greatness Mindset audiobook on SpotifyText Lewis AIYouTubeInstagramWebsiteTiktokFacebookXDISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to [email protected].

Transcribed - Published: 21 February 2025

Principles First Founder Heath Mayo previews their upcoming conference and explains how their center-right organization offers an alternative choice -- maintaining American values without drinking the GOP's toxic Kool-Aid. ・・・・・・・・・・・ Follow Heath Mayo at @HeathMayo and Principles First @Principles_1st on X and various other socials. Check out Principles First at http://principlesfirst.us and join the Principles First conference from 2/21-2/23. Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. Join the fight with Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow us on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue this critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 20 February 2025

Award-winning actor, writer, comedian, and super dad David Cross -- who we all know and love from Mr. Show, Arrested Development, his brilliant observational comedy and narrative standup shows, and Tenacious D -- joins Rick Wilson to discuss everything from growing up in Georgia to the best moments of his career thus far to folding American politics into his set. David is currently traveling the globe on his "The End of the Beginning of the End" comedy tour, continuing to record his podcast and constantly creating and writing.  ・・・・・・・・・・・ Follow David Cross at @davidcross on X, stream David's newest special, WORST DADDY IN THE WORLD, at http://veeps.com/davidcross, and subscribe to his latest podcast, "Senses Working Overtime with David Cross Podcast," at http://SensesWorkingOvertime.com. You can purchase tickets for "The End of the Beginning of the End" tour on David's website at  https://officialdavidcross.com/.  Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com. Join the fight with Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow us on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue this critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 18 February 2025