In this episode, I sit down with former federal employee and rural Colorado Fire Chief Erik Holt, who says his career ended after he reported what he believed to be clear evidence of election misconduct.

After nearly two decades in federal service, he accepted a Fire Chief position in a small rural district, rebuilding the department from the ground up. Within a year, it grew from five personnel to more than sixty trained firefighters. By every measurable standard, the department was thriving.

Then came the May 2023 election.

Following complaints from citizens, he reviewed surveillance footage from polling locations and says what he found raised serious legal concerns. Acting as a private citizen, and believing he had both a moral and legal obligation, he reported the findings to the District Attorney's Office.

What followed, according to him, was retaliation.

The newly elected board—some of whom were allegedly implicated—ordered him to delete surveillance footage. He refused. Bank accounts were frozen. Emergency services and payroll were disrupted. Days later, he was fired.

He filed a federal lawsuit asserting First Amendment protections, arguing that reporting election fraud should not cost a public servant their livelihood. While the court acknowledged misconduct, his case was dismissed without ever reaching a jury.

During the process, he says he uncovered troubling conflicts of interest inside the District Attorney's Office itself—raising serious questions about accountability, due process, and whether constitutional protections truly apply to those who speak up from inside government institutions.

He is now appealing his case to the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals after exhausting more than $150,000 of personal funds.

Erik's GoFundMe Link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/free-speech-retaliation-and-the-cost-of-integrity

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Young Michael dove deep on his internet research for this Friday. We spent an hour discussing a variety of topics, and as usual, he did not disappoint:

-Venezuela

-How lethal are JSOC elements?

-Will the US take Greenland?

-The unstoppable rise of Ai photos

-Grok undressing everyone

And much more......

Enjoy-

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Andrew Child is the co-author of the Jack Reacher series, one of the most successful and recognizable modern thriller franchises in the world. Working alongside his brother Lee Child, Andrew became responsible for continuing and evolving a character known for discipline, restraint, moral clarity, and decisive action.

Before joining the Reacher universe, Andrew spent years developing his own voice as a novelist and journalist, with a background that shaped his approach to structure, clarity, and storytelling. Stepping into an already iconic series required understanding not just the character, but the values and principles that made Jack Reacher resonate with millions of readers globally.

Andrew now carries the responsibility of maintaining the integrity of a cultural archetype — a lone figure guided by competence, accountability, and an uncompromising sense of right and wrong. His work has helped ensure the Jack Reacher series remains relevant, grounded, and consistent while continuing to grow its audience across books, television, and film.

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