Intelligence Officer, Former Narcotics Investigator, and Host of the podcast Headlines and History, Jon Molik taps into our Zoom call to share some historical context on the Israeli Palestinian conflict. After reciting my Google search history, he puts us at ease about government surveillance of US Citizens and explains the FISA warrant process. We discuss Putin and the differences in dealing with rational vs non-rational heads of state. As a Senior Intelligence Warrant Officer in the New York Army National Guard and former Organized Crime Investigator in the New York State Attorney General’s Office, he sheds light on the inner workings of our intelligence and criminal investigatory bodies. Grab your security clearance badge and meet us in the SCIF for a great talk!

HEADLINES AND HISTORY PODCAST

HEADLINES AND HISTORY WEBSITE

HEADLINES AND HISTORY YOUTUBE CHANNEL⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

CONTACT THE MEDIOCRE OBSERVER⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠THE MEDIOCRE OBSERVER RANTS AND RAMBLINGS⁠⁠

Lewis and Clark College grad (History major) turned Baltimore Maryland City Planner turned US Department of Energy Sustainability Expert, and former high school student Steve Bruno stops by the pod for an illuminating discussion of all things energy policy. We walk through our divided political climate, disinformation, advances in sustainable energy, and we're left slightly more optimistic about the future of mankind. Slightly.

OFFICE OF THE FEDERAL CHIEF SUSTAINABILITY OFFICER COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

GLOBAL MONITORING LABAROTORY EDUCATION AND OUTREACH

GLOBAL MONITORING LABORATORY BASICS OF THE CARBON CYCLE

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS AND SINKS

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY CLIMATE CHANGE INDICATORS

US ENERGY INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION GREENHOUSE GASSES AND THE CLIMATE

US ENERGY INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT EXPLAINED

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CONTACT THE MEDIOCRE OBSERVER⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠THE MEDIOCRE OBSERVER RANTS AND RAMBLINGS

Former Pastor and church Elder Clint Heacock stops by the pod to talk about how his lifelong pursuit, study, and practice of his faith ultimately led him to abandon it. We talk about the damage religion is doing to our planet and the people on it. He shoots a couple holes in Noah's ark and explains why I probably shouldn't own Hebrew slaves (even if the bible tells me I can). Clint holds a PhD in Theology from the University of Chester, hosts The Mindshift Podcast, and is currently writing a book called Baptism, Third Time’s a Charm (My Story of Deconversion from Christianity).

⁠⁠

CLINT'S WEBSITE

THE MINDSHIFT PODCAST

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠CONTACT THE MEDIOCRE OBSERVER⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠THE MEDIOCRE OBSERVER RANTS AND RAMBLINGS⁠⁠

America is OPEN FOR BUSINESS (no gays, no blacks, no Jews)! I am joined by Attorney Amanda Bruss who offers her insights and concerns about the US Supreme Court's decision allowing a Colorado web designer to refuse services to gay couples. We discuss the the 303 Creative Case, the trajectory of the court, and the role religion plays in politics.

CONTACT AMANDA BRUSS

⁠⁠⁠⁠CONTACT THE MEDIOCRE OBSERVER⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠THE MEDIOCRE OBSERVER RANTS AND RAMBLINGS⁠

In this bite-sized pod, we examine how texting might contribute to the devolution of communication in America. We discuss why Americans are demanding reductive communications. We try to decide what the best emoji is to convey, "I'm terrified to have an actual conversation." Chat and text can be useful but are their overuse driving us apart?

⁠⁠⁠⁠CONTACT THE MEDIOCRE OBSERVER⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠THE MEDIOCRE OBSERVER RANTS AND RAMBLINGS⁠

Cover photo by Asterfolio, courtesy of Unsplash

I am joined by a member of "the lifestyle" to talk about ethical non-monogamy. We explore the risks and rewards of opening up your relationship. We talk about cucking, sucking, and f**king. We talk insecurity, jealousy, and the pleasure to be found in watching your partner pleasure (or get pleasured by) someone else. 

OPENING UP: A GUIDE TO CREATING AND SUSTAINING OPEN RELATIONSHIPS BY TAORMIND

MATING IN CAPTIVITY BY PEREL   

THE ETHICAL SLUT BY HARDY/EASTON

KASIDIE DATING APP

⁠⁠⁠CONTACT THE MEDIOCRE OBSERVER⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠THE MEDIOCRE OBSERVER RANTS AND RAMBLINGS

Cover photo by Annie Spratt, courtesy of Unsplash

⁠⁠

I am joined by Dr. Andrea Liner (the Breakup Doc), Clinical Psychologist, to talk about what's wrong with America's brain! We spitball on critical thinking among our electorate and how it manifests in dating and relationships. We talk about the dumbing down of America, the role of religion in critical thinking, and common errors in thinking and how to avoid them.

BREAKUP, DATING, AND RELATIONSHIP COACHING WITH DR. ANDREA LINER

APPLY FOR COACHING OR THERAPY WITH DR. ANDREA LINER

FOLLOW DR. ANDREA LINER ON INSTAGRAM

MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT WITH DR. ANDREA LINER

SCHEDULE FREE CONSULTATION WITH DR. ANDREA LINER

⁠CONTACT THE MEDIOCRE OBSERVER⁠⁠⁠

THE MEDIOCRE OBSERVER RANTS AND RAMBLINGS

I am joined by Jenn Culbert, my insightful, funny, thoughtful friend, to talk about dating in America in the digital age. We talk about being catfished, how awful texting is, people that don't know how calendars work, and misleading profiles. We discuss the fire hose of humanity that is online dating - how the inability of so many to think critically plays into imagined concerns about giving out phone numbers and so much more.

BLOCKED - HOW YOU BECAME DISPOSABLE

CONTACT THE MEDIOCRE OBSERVER⁠⁠

Photo by Mindy Sabiston courtesy of Unsplash