Episodios

  • 5: Why Does Comedy Matter When Everything Feels Broken?

    5: Why Does Comedy Matter When Everything Feels Broken?
    Feb 5 2026
    Episode InformationHuge thank you to everyone who helped bring this episode together. After we wrapped, I realized I forgot to shout out a few absolute legends like Carol Burnett and Mary Tyler Moore. I also didn’t get to name some of the incredible women in comedy I love and admire so much, including Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, and Kristen Wiig. And Catherine O’Hara deserves special love too. While she isn’t a stand-up comedian, her ability to make me and so many others laugh is truly unmatched.There are honestly too many brilliant people to list, but I hope you have someone in your life who makes you laugh whether that’s a comedian you love, a family member, a coworker, or a friend. We all deserve a little more laughter. Guest Information Belinda Carroll (She/Her), Comedian, ActivistIMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6509199/Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belinda_Carroll_(comedian)Instagram: @belindacomedyTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@belinda_comedyRecording and ProductionRecorded at: XRAY.FM StudiosOriginal Music: Rainezra @rainezra and Vews @pointofvewsAudio Editing by: Kye Gilmer @residual_audioLearn More/SourcesThe following materials were referenced or informed this episode. Links are provided for transparency and further reading.Proverbs 17:22 (Bible)https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+17%3A22&version=NRSVUENorman Cousins, Anatomy of an Illnesshttps://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/32961/anatomy-of-an-illness-as-perceived-by-the-patient-by-norman-cousins/Laughter and stress hormones, Berk et al., American Journal of the Medical Scienceshttps://journals.lww.com/amjmedsci/Abstract/1989/12000/Neuroendocrine_and_Stress_Hormone_Changes_During.1.aspxMayo Clinic on stress relief from laughterhttps://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-relief/art-20044456Charlie Chaplin, Modern Times (1936)https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0027977/Great Depression unemployment data, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statisticshttps://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2012/10/art1full.pdfMel Brooks, The Producers (1967)https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063462/Mel Brooks on making Hitler ridiculoushttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/mel-brooks-on-making-hitler-ridiculous-180962498/Mark Twain lecture tours and humorhttps://www.pbs.org/marktwain/learnmore/writings_humor.htmlDick Gregory biography and civil rights comedyhttps://www.biography.com/performer/dick-gregoryDick Gregory: Beyond the Laughter documentaryhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101688/Lenny Bruce obscenity trialshttps://www.aclu.org/documents/trials-lenny-bruceLenny Bruce: Swear to Tell the Truth documentaryhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120715/Bob Hope USO historyhttps://www.uso.org/stories/1942-bob-hope-and-the-usoGeorge Carlin on political languagehttps://www.openculture.com/2013/02/george_carlin_on_soft_language.htmlGeorge Carlin bookshttps://www.georgecarlin.com/books/Richard Pryor documentary Omit the Logichttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt2486682/Eddie Murphy Delirioushttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085478/Eddie Murphy Rawhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093855/I Love Lucy “Job Switching” chocolate factory episodehttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0609194/I Love Lucy “Lucy Does a Commercial” Vitameatavegamin episodehttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0609186/Joan Rivers documentary A Piece of Workhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt1558250/Robin Williams Live on Broadwayhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0303781/Mrs. Doubtfirehttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107614/The Birdcagehttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0115685/SNL returns after 9/11https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/snl-returns-after-9-11-flna1c9462991Jon Stewart “Can we be funny?” storyhttps://www.vulture.com/2016/09/jon-stewart-snl-911-oral-history.htmlThe Daily Showhttps://www.cc.com/shows/the-daily-showFull Frontal with Samantha Beehttps://www.tbs.com/shows/full-frontal-with-samantha-beeLast Week Tonight with John Oliverhttps://www.hbo.com/last-week-tonight-with-john-oliverThe Colbert Reporthttps://www.cc.com/shows/the-colbert-reportHave I Got News for Youhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006mkw3The Golden Girlshttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088526/Broad Cityhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt2578560/Parks and Recreationhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt1266020/Support the showAll American Why is independently produced and listener supported.If you value conversations that center nuance, critical thinking, and honest inquiry, you can support the show here:https://www.allamericanwhypodcast.com/supportAnother great way to support the podcast is by sharing this episode, leaving a review, or sending it to the Excessive Thinkers in your life who love asking “why” and thinking deeply.
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    1 h y 14 m
  • 4: Why Is a Nation Built by Immigrants Still So Afraid of Immigrants?

    4: Why Is a Nation Built by Immigrants Still So Afraid of Immigrants?
    Jan 21 2026
    Thank you to everyone who helped bring this episode together. As of the episode’s release on January 20, 2026, Danny Quach remains detained in a facility in Houston, Texas. After four months, his family and advocates have received little to no information about his status or any timeline for release or deportation to Vietnam. Guest Information Al Nodarse, Friend of DannyMary Quach, Wife of Danny Go Fund Me to Support Danny and His Family: https://gofund.me/993e46405Recording and ProductionOriginal Music: Rainezra @rainezra and Vews @pointofvewsAudio Editing by: Kye Gilmer @residual_audio Learn More/SourcesThe following materials were referenced or informed this episode. Links are provided for transparency and further reading.KATU News story about Dannyhttps://katu.com/news/local/lake-oswego-rallies-for-detained-man-facing-deportation-to-vietnam-danny-quach-al-nodarse-vietnam-immigrant-baker-bakery-freedom-for-4-danny-happy-sparrow-lake-oswego-bakery-business-owner-immigration-ice-detentionReutersFour migrants die in US immigration custody over first 10 days of 2026https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/four-migrants-die-us-ice-custody-over-first-10-days-2026-2026-01-12/ReutersFatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis sparks national protestshttps://www.reuters.com/world/us/fatal-ice-shooting-minneapolis-activist-sets-stage-national-protests-2026-01-10/The GuardianUS immigration agents shot at people 16 times under Trump’s crackdownhttps://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/07/trump-immigration-ice-shootingsThe GuardianWill ICE agent face consequences for Renee Nicole Good’s killinghttps://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/10/will-ice-agent-face-consequences-renee-nicole-goodThe Guardian2025 was ICE’s deadliest year in two decadeshttps://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2026/jan/04/ice-2025-deaths-timelineWashington PostMedical examiner believes death of man in ICE custody was homicidehttps://www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/2026/01/15/ice-detention-death-homicide/American Immigration CouncilImmigration Detention Expansion in Trump’s Second Termhttps://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/immigration-detention-report.pdfACLU / Physicians for Human RightsDeadly Failures: Preventable Deaths in U.S. Immigration Detentionhttps://www.aclu.org/publications/deadly-failures-preventable-deaths-in-us-immigrant-detentionProject On Government OversightICE Inspections Plummeted as Detentions Soared in 2025https://www.pogo.org/investigates/ice-inspections-plummeted-as-detentions-soared-in-2025PBS NewsHourA dozen undocumented workers were fired from a Trump golf coursehttps://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/a-dozen-undocumented-workers-were-fired-from-a-trump-golf-course-what-happens-nowThe WeekA pipeline of undocumented immigrants reportedly helped build and maintain Trump’s New Jersey golf clubhttps://theweek.com/speedreads/822758/pipeline-undocumented-immigrants-reportedly-helped-build-maintain-trumps-new-jersey-golf-clubThe Statute of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation Passenger Search Websitehttps://www.statueofliberty.org/discover/passenger-ship-search/U.S. Code, Asylum (8 U.S.C. § 1158). Legal text defining asylum eligibility and procedure https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/8/1158American Immigration Council, Asylum in the United States. Overview of the Refugee Act of 1980 https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/fact-sheet/asylum-united-states/USCIS, Refugees and Asylum. Official explanation of the process and legal context https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/refugees-asylumOffice of Refugee Resettlement, The Refugee Act of 1980. Policy guidance https://acf.gov/orr/policy-guidance/refugee-actNational Constitution Center, Wong Kim Ark decision and Fourteenth Amendment contexthttps://constitutioncenter.org/blog/a-look-back-at-the-wong-kim-ark-decisionOyez, United States v. Wong Kim Ark. Case summaryhttps://www.oyez.org/cases/1850-1900/169us649NAPABA, Wong Kim Ark upheld birthright citizenshiphttps://www.napaba.org/page/wong_kim_arkOrganization of American Historians, Historical overview of birthright citizenship and exclusion politicshttps://www.oah.org/tah/asian-american-and-pacific-islander-history/from-wong-kim-ark-to-the-japanese-american-incarceration-asian-americans-and-the-racial-limits-of-birthright-citizenship/U.S. National Archives, Japanese American incarceration during World War II. Government background and documentary materialshttps://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/japanese-relocationSupreme Court History, Wong Kim Ark context including Ex parte Endo and incarceration referenceshttps://civics.supremecourthistory.org/article/united-states-v-wong-kim-ark/USCIS, Immigration and Nationality Act overview. Foundational post-1952 immigration lawhttps://www.uscis.gov/laws-and-policy/legislation/immigration-and-nationality-actSupport the showAll American Why is independently produced and listener supported.If you value conversations that center nuance...
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    1 h y 15 m
  • Introducing 'All American Why'

    Introducing 'All American Why'
    Jan 21 2026

    All American Why is a podcast for people who care deeply about this country and are feeling a lot about it. Hosted by Michael Jonas, JD, MBA, the show explores politics, power, culture, and policy by asking one essential question again and again: why.

    Because you cannot fix what you refuse to understand.

    Anger, grief, hope, exhaustion, outrage, and love all coexist here. None of those feelings are wrong. All American Why makes room for all of it, while rejecting shallow debates and recycled talking points in favor of real problem solving.

    Michael is a business lawyer, community builder, and former congressional candidate who believes patriotism is not about comfort or silence. It is about accountability, honesty, and the willingness to name what is broken so it can actually be fixed.

    Drawing from law, advocacy, community work, and a firsthand run for Congress, Michael brings sharp analysis, lived experience, and humor that keeps the show grounded and human. The goal is not to tell you what to think, but to slow things down long enough to understand root causes and explore better paths forward.

    This show is also building a community known as the Excessive Thinkers. Policy nerds, frustrated voters, recovering and/or spiteful optimists, and anyone who believes democracy requires participation are welcome here. Expect thoughtful conversation, uncomfortable questions, and the occasional spiral.

    It’s giving stars, stripes, and dumpster fire vibes. Together, we will laugh, cry, and ask why.

    If you still believe America is worth understanding, fixing, and fighting for, subscribe, share, and join us.

    Welcome to All American Why.
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    3 m
  • 3: Why Does Universal Health Care Still Not Exist in America?

    3: Why Does Universal Health Care Still Not Exist in America?
    Jan 6 2026

    Guest Information
    Collin Stackhouse (He/They), Communications Coordinator, Health Care for All Oregon
    Website: https://www.hcao.org/
    Instagram: @healthcareforalloregon
    BlueSky: @healthcareforallor.bsky.social
    Reddit: @healthcare4alloregon

    Recording and Production
    Production Studio: Sasquatch Media Grounds @sasquatchmediagrounds
    Original Music: Rainezra @rainezra and Vews @pointofvews
    Audio Editing by: Kye Gilmer @residual_audio

    Learn More/Sources
    The following materials were referenced or informed this episode. Links are provided for transparency and further reading.

    OECD overview
    https://www.oecd.org/about/

    OECD health system comparisons
    https://www.oecd.org/health/health-systems/

    Kaiser Family Foundation on medical debt and delayed care
    https://www.kff.org/health-costs/

    Medical bankruptcy research
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1127305/

    Health insurance company profits and earnings
    https://www.statista.com/topics/6700/health-insurance-companies-in-the-us/

    UnitedHealth Group annual earnings
    https://www.unitedhealthgroup.com/investors.html

    Insurance claim denials and prior authorization impacts
    https://www.kff.org/private-insurance/issue-brief/prior-authorization-in-medicare-advantage/

    Affordable Care Act overview
    https://www.kff.org/affordable-care-act/health-policy-101-the-affordable-care-act/

    Pre-existing condition protections
    https://www.hhs.gov/healthcare/about-the-aca/pre-existing-conditions/index.html

    History of U.S. universal health care efforts
    https://pnhp.org/a-brief-history-universal-health-care-efforts-in-the-us/

    Oregon universal health care efforts
    https://www.elderlawanswers.com/can-oregon-launch-universal-health-care-in-the-us-21255

    Support the Show
    All American Why is independently produced and listener supported.
    If you value conversations that center nuance, critical thinking, and honest inquiry, you can support the show here:

    https://www.allamericanwhypodcast.com/support

    Another great way to support the podcast is by sharing this episode, leaving a review, or sending it to the Excessive Thinkers in your life who love asking “why” and thinking deeply.
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    49 m
  • 2: Why Did 'Woke' Become the Enemy Instead of Injustice?

    2: Why Did 'Woke' Become the Enemy Instead of Injustice?
    Jan 6 2026
    Guest InformationShari Dunn (She/Her/Hers), Author and CEO/Principal ITBOM LLCWebsite: https://thesharidunn.com/Instagram: @thesharidunn.com6Bluesky: @qualified-sharid.bsky.socialLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharidunn/Substack: https://sharidunn.substack.com/Recording and ProductionProduction Studio: Sasquatch Media Grounds @sasquatchmediagroundsOriginal Music: Rainezra @rainezra and Vews @pointofvewsAudio Editing by: Kye Gilmer @residual_audioLearn More/SourcesThe following materials were referenced or informed this episode. Links are provided for transparency and further reading.Lead Belly, “Scottsboro Boys” (1938), Library of Congresshttps://www.loc.gov/item/jukebox-15460/William Melvin Kelley, “If You’re Woke You Dig It,” New York Times Magazine (1962)https://www.nytimes.com/1962/05/20/archives/if-youre-woke-you-dig-it.htmlMerriam-Webster, “The History and Meaning of ‘Woke’”https://www.merriam-webster.com/wordplay/woke-meaning-originSnopes, “Origins of the Term ‘Stay Woke’”https://www.snopes.com/articles/464795/origins-term-stay-woke/Erykah Badu, “Master Teacher” (2008)https://open.spotify.com/track/2ZqTz3tqZLqI6HnHqG2KcBPowell v. Alabama (1932), U.S. Supreme Courthttps://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/287/45/Norris v. Alabama (1935), U.S. Supreme Courthttps://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/294/587/Emmett Till, National Museum of African American History and Culturehttps://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/emmett-tillJim Crow laws, National Archiveshttps://www.archives.gov/research/african-americans/jim-crowCivil Rights Act of 1964, U.S. Department of Justicehttps://www.justice.gov/crt/civil-rights-act-1964Voting Rights Act of 1965, U.S. Department of Justicehttps://www.justice.gov/crt/voting-rights-act-1965Fair Housing Act of 1968, U.S. Department of Justicehttps://www.justice.gov/crt/fair-housing-act-1Redlining maps and history, Mapping Inequality Project (University of Richmond)https://dsl.richmond.edu/panorama/redlining/Gallup polling on Martin Luther King Jr.’s public approvalhttps://news.gallup.com/opinion/polling-matters/229376/gallup-vault-martin-luther-king-jr.aspxMartin Luther King Jr., “Beyond Vietnam” speech (1967), Stanford King Institutehttps://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/king-papers/documents/beyond-vietnamFBI COINTELPRO records on Martin Luther King Jr.https://vault.fbi.gov/Martin%20Luther%20King%2C%20Jr.Malcolm X background and post–Nation of Islam work, Stanford King Institutehttps://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/encyclopedia/malcolm-xJohn Lewis and Bloody Sunday at the Edmund Pettus Bridge, National Park Servicehttps://www.nps.gov/articles/bloody-sunday-edmund-pettus-bridge.htmExecutive Order 10925 (1961), The American Presidency Projecthttps://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/executive-order-10925Executive Order 11246 (1965), U.S. Department of Laborhttps://www.dol.gov/agencies/ofccp/executive-order-11246Regents of the University of California v. Bakke (1978), U.S. Supreme Courthttps://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/438/265/U.S. Department of Justice, Ferguson Report (2015)https://www.justice.gov/opa/file/800146/downloadPew Research Center, Black Lives Matter coverage and pollinghttps://www.pewresearch.org/topic/race-ethnicity/black-lives-matter/U.S. Census Bureau, racial wealth gap datahttps://www.census.gov/topics/income-poverty/wealth.htmlFederal Reserve, Survey of Consumer Financeshttps://www.federalreserve.gov/econres/scfindex.htmCenters for Disease Control and Prevention, maternal mortality by racehttps://www.cdc.gov/maternal-mortality/php/data-research/index.htmlU.S. Environmental Protection Agency, environmental justicehttps://www.epa.gov/environmentaljusticeBureau of Justice Statistics, race and sentencing datahttps://bjs.ojp.gov/topics/race-and-ethnicityFlorida Stop WOKE Act (HB 7, 2022), Florida Senatehttps://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2022/7Florida Parental Rights in Education Act (2022), Florida Senatehttps://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2022/1557PEN America, educational censorship and gag order reportshttps://pen.org/report/educational-gag-orders/ACLU of Florida, analysis of anti-DEI lawshttps://www.aclufl.org/en/issues/free-speech/stop-woke-actNew York Times reporting on Ron DeSantis and “wokeness”https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/18/us/politics/desantis-woke-florida.htmlNational Archives, “Reconstruction: Carpetbaggers, Scalawags, and the Ku Klux Klan”https://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/reconstructionSmithsonian National Museum of American History, Reconstruction Era overviewhttps://americanhistory.si.edu/reconstruction-eraLibrary of Congress, Reconstruction primary sources and essayshttps://www.loc.gov/classroom-materials/united-states-history-primary-source-timeline/civil-war-and-reconstruction-1861-1877/reconstruction/Support the ShowAll American Why is independently produced and listener supported.If you value conversations that center nuance, critical thinking, and honest inquiry, you ...
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    1 h y 5 m
  • 1: Why Is the Insurrection a Warning We Still Haven’t Learned From?

    1: Why Is the Insurrection a Warning We Still Haven’t Learned From?
    Jan 6 2026
    Guest InformationMichael Jonas, JD, MBA, Podcast Host/Producer, Owner/Attorney, Narwhal Law and Business Strategy Websites: https://www.allamericanwhypodcast.com/, https://www.narwhallawandbusinessstrategy.com/Instagram: @allamericanwhy, @narwhallawandbizstrategyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelericjonas/Email: michael@allamericanwhy.comLearn More/SourcesThe following materials were referenced or informed this episode. Links are provided for transparency and further reading.U.S. House Select Committee on January 6, Final Report https://january6th.house.gov/reportExecutive Summary of the January 6 Report (PDF)https://january6th.house.gov/sites/democrats.january6th.house.gov/files/Executive%20Summary.pdfU.S. Department of Justice, Capitol Breach Cases https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/capitol-breach-casesDOJ Press Releases on Seditious Conspiracy Convictionshttps://www.justice.gov/opa/prAttorney General William Barr on Election Fraud (AP News, Dec. 2020)https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-elections-william-barr-voting-presidential-elections-7b7a1dff2c20c9d4c6a36b4c3c5f4f3aDHS CISA Statement on 2020 Election Security https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/news/joint-statement-elections-infrastructure-government-coordinating-councilReuters Analysis of Failed Election Lawsuitshttps://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-allies-lost-nearly-every-election-lawsuit-2020-2021-06-21/U.S. Capitol Police Press Releaseshttps://www.uscp.gov/media-center/press-releasesFBI Pipe Bomb Investigationhttps://www.fbi.gov/news/press-releases/update-on-pipe-bombs-investigationInsurrection Act of 1807 (10 U.S.C. §§ 251–255)https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/10/chapter-13Congressional Research Service on the Insurrection Acthttps://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF11465Brennan Center, Insurrection Act Explainedhttps://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/insurrection-act-explainedFourteenth Amendment, Section 3https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/amendment-14/section-3/Just Security, Legal Analysis of Disqualification After January 6https://www.justsecurity.org/82134/section-3-of-the-14th-amendment-and-the-disqualification-of-insurrectionists/Post-Election Fundraising Analysis, New York Timeshttps://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/29/us/politics/trump-fundraising-election.htmlOutrage Economy, Columbia Journalism Reviewhttps://www.cjr.org/the_media_today/outrage-economy.phpBBC International Coverage of January 6https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-55592332Support the showAll American Why is independently produced and listener supported.If you value conversations that center nuance, critical thinking, and honest inquiry, you can support the show here:https://www.allamericanwhypodcast.com/supportAnother great way to support the podcast is by sharing this episode, leaving a review, or sending it to the Excessive Thinkers in your life who love asking “why” and thinking deeply.
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    17 m