Welcome to the Programming Lions podcast! In a special episode, the team hosts political commentator and podcaster Blake Fischer amid the aftermath of the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk. The episode explores Charlie's influence and heroic status, current events, and the rise of political divisiveness. Blake shares his political journey, the importance of civil debate, and his views on contemporary violence and rhetoric in politics. The discussion also touches on the role of social media in amplifying extreme views and the increasing normalization of antisemitism. In the end, Blake offers valuable advice for the younger generation on understanding civics and engaging productively in society. Tune in to this heartfelt and profound conversation as the Programming Lions reflect on recent tragedies and the path forward.

00:00 Intro

01:02 Blake Journey

03:37 Challenges of Discourse

07:52 Impact of Social Media

14:49 Echo Chambers

19:04 The Algorithm of Fear

19:11 Disgusting Comments

20:08 Chilling Effect on Speech

20:23 Political Commentary and Violence

21:54 Leadership and Responsibility

25:17 Mainstream Antisemitism

28:47 Media Coverage

31:37 Younger Generation

36:08 Education and Civic Engagement

36:53 Concluding Thoughts

In this episode, we sit down with Jayden Jelso—author, journalist, political pundit, and commentator—for a deep dive into conservative commentary, the culture wars, and the evolving landscape of Gen Z and Gen Alpha.

Jayden shares his journey from writing dystopian fiction inspired by current events to becoming a prominent voice in conservative circles. We discuss the influence of art and literature on political thought, the challenges facing young conservatives, the role of Christianity in public life, and the impact of social media on modern discourse.

Connect with Jayden Jelso:

• Instagram: @JaydenJelso
• YouTube: Jayden Jelso
• Book: "Talon" by Jayden Jelso (on Amazon)

00:00 – Intro

00:25 – Jayden’s Background

01:40 – Political Awakening

03:00 – Writing Dystopian Fiction

05:20 – Art, Literature, and Political Commentary

07:00 – Morality and Christianity

10:30 – Culture Wars

14:00 – Future of Conservatism

18:00 – America First

22:00 – Fake Conservatives

27:00 – Diversity of Thought: Right vs. Left

30:00 – Christianity in the Public Square

33:00 – Libertarianism vs. Conservatism

36:00 – Healthy Masculinity

40:00 – Advice for Young Conservative Creators

43:30 – Summary

In this episode, we are joined by Jenn Thatcher, founder of Zebra, a non-toxic and freedom-loving brand. Jenn shares her journey from discovering the harmful ingredients in supposedly natural products to creating Zebra after her son's rare brain tumor diagnosis. She talks about the importance of transparency in product ingredients, her commitment to avoiding Chinese-sourced materials, and the brand's dedication to black-and-white values derived from the Bible and the Constitution. Jenn also discusses the challenges of being a small brand in a big market, the misleading marketing practices of major brands, and how Zebra stands out by meticulously sourcing safe and effective ingredients.

IG: https://www.instagram.com/zebra.usa/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/jennthatchercollection/

Website: www.yayzebra.com use code GSDNATION

00:00 Intro

00:02 Meet Jenn Thatcher: Founder of Zebra

00:30 The Birth of Zebra: A Personal Journey

00:53 Zebra's Unique Philosophy and Products

02:44 The Story Behind Zebra's Name

09:20 Challenges and Triumphs

14:53 Importance of Clean Ingredients

16:47 Marketing and Misconceptions

17:42 Reflections on Entrepreneurship

24:05 Closing Thoughts