Europe’s security has depended on the United States for decades. But with Washington distracted and Russia pushing harder, can the EU actually defend itself?

Veronica Anghel—coauthor of Europe’s Delayed Reckoning With Russia in Foreign Affairs—joins Elevated Thoughts to explain Europe’s struggle for independence, how Trump and Putin have reshaped transatlantic politics, and what a world without U.S. protection might look like.

We break down NATO’s fractures, European defense gaps, and whether the EU’s leaders are ready to act—or just hoping America keeps showing up.

📖 Read the article Veronica authored here → https://www.foreignaffairs.com/russia/europes-delayed-reckoning-russia

🛍️ Support Elevated Thoughts by shopping our affiliate link! https://www.amazon.com/shop/broopersimms🧠 Find more from us → http://www.ElevatedThoughtsPod.comWe are also on YouTube and Apple Podcasts!🎧 YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@ElevatedThoughtsPod🎙️ Apple Pods → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/elevated-thoughts/id1736414535💬 What do you think? Comment below!

Life can flip upside down in an instant. In this episode of Elevated Thoughts, Cooper and Mike talk with Danielle Sprouls — former attorney, corporate executive, and author of WTF: Women That Flourish — about how to pivot when everything feels like it’s falling apart. Danielle shares her journey from high-powered careers to executive coaching, revealing how she created the WTF framework to turn breakdowns into breakthroughs.

Together, we explore how to navigate career transitions, imposter syndrome, and the emotional toll of big life changes. Danielle explains why awareness, acceptance, and small wins are the foundation for building resilience. She also opens up about parenting pivots, financial independence, sobriety, and the difference between fulfillment and comfort — all while reminding us that discomfort can be the spark for real transformation.

If you’ve ever faced burnout, job loss, or the feeling of being stuck, this conversation will give you the tools and inspiration to move forward. Learn how to reframe shame, overcome comparison, and discover alignment in your life and career. Danielle’s story proves that WTF moments aren’t the end — they’re the beginning of something new.

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00:00 Introduction to WTF Moments and Flourishing

03:04 Danielle's Career Transition and WTF Moments

05:50 The Importance of Acceptance and Action

08:56 Tools for Navigating Crisis and Change

12:13 The Role of Parenthood in Career Choices

15:09 Finding Fulfillment and Alignment in Work

18:02 Cultural Perspectives on Work and Parenting

21:04 The Challenges of Financial Independence

23:59 The Balance of Career and Family Life

27:03 The Power of Curiosity and Teachability

30:14 Overcoming Shame and Comparison

33:26 The Power of Gratitude and Self-Reflection

35:04 Navigating Shame and Acceptance

36:10 Faking It Till You Make It: Confidence in Transition

38:17 Understanding Imposter Syndrome

39:59 Coaching vs. Therapy: Finding the Right Support

41:33 The Importance of Willingness to Change

45:33 The Journey to Becoming a Coach

51:21 Spirituality and Daily Habits

56:48 Embracing Sobriety and Self-Trust

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📖 Get our guest's book → https://a.co/d/iZdPwrs

𝕏 Follow our guest on X → https://x.com/The_WTF_Lady

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🧠 Find more from us → http://www.ElevatedThoughtsPod.com

We are also on YouTube and Apple Podcasts!

🎧 YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@ElevatedThoughtsPod

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💬 What do you think? Comment below!

Archaeologist Carl Feagans traces the rise of pseudo-archaeology and its role as a “gateway drug” to larger conspiracy theories. He opens by examining the Cerutti Mastodon claims, outlandish assertions of a 130,000-year-old American mastodon, showing how selective evidence and sensational headlines drive false narratives. Listeners will hear Carl dissect the methodology of amateur “myth hunters” and contrast it with rigorous field practices.

We also chat about prohibition-era moonshine stills unearthed in the backwoods, where Carl shares stories of discovering hidden distilleries and connecting them to local oral histories. He discusses the process of authenticating improvised copper pot stills, the nuances of dating illicit equipment, and how these finds offer a window into rural ingenuity and cultural resilience. Throughout, Carl emphasizes the value of peer review, structured community forums, and transparent reporting to keep real archaeology, and public trust, intact.

#Archaeology #Conspiracies #History

📖 Visit Carl's Blog → https://ahotcupofjoe.net

𝕏 Find Carl's Facebook Group here → https://www.facebook.com/share/g/16ekfikMyP

🛍️ Support Elevated Thoughts by shopping our affiliate link! https://www.amazon.com/shop/broopersimms

🧠 Find more from us → http://www.ElevatedThoughtsPod.com

We are also on YouTube and Apple Podcasts!

🎧 YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@ElevatedThoughtsPod

🎙️ Apple Pods → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/elevated-thoughts/id1736414535

💬 What do you think? Comment below!

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00:00 Intro: Pseudo-Archaeology as a “Gateway Drug”

04:31 Cerutti Mastodon Site & 130,000-Year Claim

06:53 Extraordinary Claims Need Extraordinary Evidence

33:29 Provenance & Site Disturbance as Crime Scenes

35:23 Millimeter-Perfect Recording & Handheld LIDAR

36:08 LIDAR “Last-Bounce” Technique Explained

38:42 The “Casey Jones” Square Still Innovation

41:54 Discovering & Measuring a Hidden Still

45:17 Ethnography & Oral Traditions of Hollow Stills

59:58 Dinosaur Misconceptions & Archaeology vs. Paleontology

Real science is in a slug‑fest against viral conspiracy creators—and Professor Dave Farina is swinging the biggest hammer on YouTube. In this episode of Elevated Thoughts, Dave breaks down how sensational thumbnails, anti‑establishment rhetoric, and the platform’s own algorithm push fringe theories ahead of peer‑reviewed facts. From Graham Hancock’s pseudo‑archaeology to Flat Earth fantasies, he reveals why debunk videos must blend entertainment with airtight evidence if they hope to cut through the noise. Expect candid stories about late‑night research sessions, creator burnout, and the weird satisfaction of delivering a “nuclear bomb” rebuttal.

We also dive into the billion‑dollar influence network funding misinformation online. Dave names tech oligarchs, dark‑money think tanks, and click‑bait farms that profit from public confusion about climate change, vaccines, and gender science. He argues that rebuilding trust means highlighting scientific consensus first, then unpacking the uncertainties honestly—no more pretending every opinion is equal. You’ll hear why trolls in the comment section can actually boost visibility if you handle them with strategic replies.

Finally, we ask whether grifters really believe their own hype or just chase ad revenue and cult followings. Dave shares the one “hill he’ll die on,” offers practical tips for spotting credible sources, and explains why curiosity beats cynicism when learning astronomy, zoology, or any field you love. If you’re tired of doom‑scrolling fake facts and want tools to sharpen your critical thinking, this conversation is your antidote. Smash play, share with a skeptic friend, and join us in proving that real knowledge can still win the click war.

SUBSCRIBE to Professor Dave Explains on YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@ProfessorDaveExplains

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🧠 Find more from us → http://www.ElevatedThoughtsPod.com

We are also on YouTube and Apple Podcasts!

🎧 YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@ElevatedThoughtsPod

🎙️ Apple Pods → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/elevated-thoughts/id1736414535

💬 What do you think? Comment below!

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00:00 – Intro & Welcome Professor Dave

01:00 – How Dave Chooses His Debunk Targets

03:50 – Pseudo-Archaeology & Graham Hancock’s Cult Following

05:30 – Trolls, Comments, and Boosting the Algorithm

08:00 – Flat Earth: The Most Delusional Cult?

10:00 – Entertainment vs Truth: Winning the Click War

12:00 – Viral Moments & Content Strategy Secrets

15:30 – Distrust in Institutions: Where It Comes From

18:00 – Rebuilding Public Trust in Science

21:00 – Do Grifters Believe Their Own Claims?

23:00 – Creator Burnout & Workflow Realities

25:00 – Dave’s Favorite Topics: Astronomy, Zoology & More

27:00 – The Science Behind Sex & Gender Misinformation

29:00 – Where to Find Professor Dave & Episode Wrap-Up

New parents are Googling “Are baby vaccines safe?” and the answers can feel like a shouting match. Board-certified pediatrician Dr. Mona Amin breaks down the entire childhood schedule, from the vitamin K shot to MMR, using clear risk-vs-benefit data that busy moms and dads can trust.

Get her free, research-backed vaccine guide → https://pedsdoctalk.com/vaccine-guide

You’ll also hear why COVID shook public confidence and how to separate peer-reviewed facts from Instagram fear-bait.

But shots are only one piece of the puzzle. We dive into late walking, milestone anxiety, and the real-world feeding challenges that every toddler parent faces—puffs, purées, and all. Dr. Mona explains why development is a marathon, not a sprint, and shares the exact red-flag signs that mean it’s time to call your pediatrician. Along the way, Cooper and Mike admit their own parenting fails so you don’t feel alone.

Finally, we zoom out to modern fatherhood. Millennial dads are more hands-on than ever, yet work-from-home life piles on new pressures. You’ll pick up quick wins for splitting bedtime duties, using humor to defuse tantrums, and choosing presence over perfection. Whether you came for vaccine facts or sanity-saving hacks, this episode delivers science, empathy, and zero fluff.

📖 Find more from Dr. Mona here → https://www.instagram.com/pedsdoctalk/ and https://pedsdoctalk.com/

🛍️ Support Elevated Thoughts by shopping our affiliate link! https://www.amazon.com/shop/broopersimms

🧠 Find more from us → http://www.ElevatedThoughtsPod.com

We are also on YouTube and Apple Podcasts!

🎧 YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@ElevatedThoughtsPod

🎙️ Apple Pods → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/elevated-thoughts/id1736414535

💬 What do you think? Comment below!

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00:00 Intro – why dads need straight answers

02:50 Dr. Mona’s journey & Peds Doc Talk origin

05:30 Vaccine hesitancy: centuries in the making

09:55 How COVID rewired public trust

14:45 Empathy hacks for hard vaccine talks

18:10 “I’m not anti-anything—I’m just scared”

21:20 Government vs. parents: who sets the schedule?

25:40 Vitamin K myths & brain-bleed ER stories

31:00 How vaccine trials actually work

38:40 Milestones: when to worry, when to chill

46:05 Feeding battles, baby-led weaning, protein myths

52:45 The new role of dads in child health

59:00 Debunking viral parenting myths

1:03:00 Key takeaways & where to follow Dr. Mona

Gen Z spends more than seven hours a day on screens yet reports the highest loneliness ever recorded—fully one-quarter of young American men say they feel isolated every day. Award-winning civics teacher Jeremy S. Adams, author of Lessons of Liberty and the bestseller Hollowed Out, joins Elevated Thoughts to unpack why perpetual connection breeds emptiness and how schools, families, and faith communities can fight back.

Jeremy recounts classroom moments that shocked even him: seniors admitting “we cheat on everything,” AI tools ghost-writing homework, and attention spans that vanish after 90 seconds. Hosts Cooper Simmons and Mike Marro grill him on Gallup’s new loneliness data, TikTok’s looming U.S. ban, and whether radical individualism has turned freedom into misery. They also debate real-world fixes—from reviving family dinners to mandatory civic service—and why Jeremy still sees a path to purpose for the “hollowed-out” generation.

Parents, teachers, and students: this hour delivers blunt stats, vivid stories, and a hopeful blueprint to refill Gen Z’s civic and emotional tank.

🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every week & smash the like if you enjoyed this video.

📖 Get our guest's book → https://a.co/d/7vVSrK6🛍️ Support Elevated Thoughts by shopping our affiliate link! https://www.amazon.com/shop/broopersimms🧠 Find more from us → http://www.ElevatedThoughtsPod.comWe are also on YouTube and Apple Podcasts!🎧 YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@ElevatedThoughtsPod🎙️ Apple Pods → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/elevated-thoughts/id1736414535💬 Please drop a comment: What’s the ONE habit Gen Z must change first?

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00:00 Introduction to Hollowed Out and Its Themes

01:34 The Impact of Technology on Gen Z

07:30 Liberty vs. Licentiousness in Modern Society

10:41 The Unhappiness of Today's Youth

12:17 Civic Engagement vs. Political Distraction

18:35 The Loss of Meaningful Connections

22:19 Awareness of Technology's Impact on Youth

29:38 The Role of Teachers in Society

34:03 Navigating Political Discourse in Education

36:58 The Evolution of Social Gatherings

39:26 Generational Shifts in Attention and Engagement

40:38 The Political Divide: Gender and Ideology

44:05 The Changing Landscape of Political Identity

49:52 The Complexity of Trump and Conservatism

55:59 The Resilience of American Political Culture

Brad Polumbo joins us to break down today’s political discourse, right-wing media shifts, and cancel culture in the Trump era. We explore how social media accelerates public opinion swings, why checks and balances matter more than ever, and what independent media can do to keep both sides honest.Brad explains how Trump narrowed the “big tent” of conservatism, the internal GOP fights over fiscal responsibility, omnibus bills, and proposed age limit reforms. They also dive into immigration policy, focusing on due process versus national security. Plus, Brad shares audience engagement trends—rising social division and heated gender identity debates reshaping online communities.🔑 Key Topics:• Political discourse & media polarization• Cancel culture’s impact on debate• Evolution of right-wing media in the Trump era• GOP fiscal battles, omnibus bills, age limit reforms• Immigration policy & due process• Social division & gender identity trends👉 Like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes of Elevated Thoughts. #BradPolumbo #ElevatedThoughts #MediaPolarization #CancelCulture #Conservatism00:00 Restoring Productive Discourse03:42 The Evolution of Right-Wing Media07:28 Navigating the New Independent Media Landscape09:37 The Pendulum of Political Discourse12:53 Checks and Balances in a Polarized Era17:14 Legislating for Possibilities vs. Realities22:01 The Role of Due Process in Immigration Policy28:12 Defining Modern Conservatism30:46 The Evolution of Conservatism33:06 Deficits and Spending: A Conservative Dilemma36:29 The Internal Struggle of the Republican Party39:58 The Omnibus Bill Crisis41:51 Age Limits in Politics: A Necessary Reform50:15 Engaging with the Audience: A Two-Way Conversation𝕏 Follow Brad on X → https://x.com/brad_polumbo🛍️ Support Elevated Thoughts by shopping our affiliate link! https://www.amazon.com/shop/broopersimms🧠 Find more from us → http://www.ElevatedThoughtsPod.comWe are also on YouTube and Apple Podcasts!🎧 YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@ElevatedThoughtsPod🎙️ Apple Pods → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/elevated-thoughts/id1736414535💬 What do you think? Comment below!

We sat down with Dr. Hugh Thomas, field director at Zagora and co‑lead of the Pack_Up archaeological project in AlUla, Saudi Arabia, to separate sensational pseudo‑archaeology from rigorous science.

From the 7,000‑year‑old mustatil ritual rectangles scattered across the desert to the epic excavations at Zagora in Greece, Dr. Thomas takes us behind the scenes of real fieldwork: the stakes of destructive excavation, the necessity of ethical reburial of human remains, and why each dig is literally a “one‑shot” opportunity to preserve context.

We explore how community archaeology empowers local stakeholders to combat conspiracy theories and how groundbreaking lab methods like radiocarbon (C¹⁴) and bioapatite dating, isotope analysis, and even protein fingerprinting of ancient cattle teeth, are transforming our understanding of Neolithic ritual practices.

If you’ve ever wondered how honest archaeology stacks up against fast‑and‑loose myths about Atlantis, aliens, or lost super‑civilizations, this is the conversation to stick around for.

𝕏 Follow our guest on X → https://x.com/hughs_news

And Follow the Pack_Up Project here → https://x.com/PAKEP_KSA

🛍️ Support Elevated Thoughts by shopping our affiliate link! https://www.amazon.com/shop/broopersimms

🧠 Find more from us → http://www.ElevatedThoughtsPod.com

We are also on YouTube and Apple Podcasts!

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🎙️ Apple Pods → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/elevated-thoughts/id1736414535

💬 What do you think? Comment below!

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00:00 Introduction to Archaeology and Its Misconceptions

02:54 Real Experiences in Archaeology

06:02 Excavation Techniques and Ethical Considerations

09:04 Challenges of Field Work in Remote Locations

12:00 The Reality of Excavating Human Remains

14:55 Understanding Ancient Structures in Saudi Arabia

18:03 The Significance of Mustatil Structures

20:52 Ethics in Archaeology and Human Remains

23:56 Cultural Perspectives on Archaeological Practices

33:08 Ancient Cults and Community Structures

36:26 Modern Archaeological Techniques and Discoveries

39:24 The Role of Local Communities in Archaeology

42:37 Challenging Archaeological Orthodoxy

46:11 The Importance of Science Communication in Archaeology

49:44 Adapting Theories in Light of New Evidence

55:44 The Physical Demands of Archaeological Excavation

01:04:34 Engaging with the Public and Future of Archaeology