The Real History of Thanksgiving, American Traditions, and Honoring Our Veterans and Allies
Release Date: 11/18/2025
AI on the Frontlines, Arizona’s Tech Boom & Fighting Internet Censorship in Iran
Breaking Battlegrounds
This week on Breaking Battleground, we tackle the biggest technological and geopolitical shifts shaping our future. First, Aaron Zelinger, CEO of Closure Intelligence, and Dan Dow, District Attorney of San Luis Obispo County, join us to discuss how artificial intelligence is transforming law enforcement and the legal system. From cartel investigations to protecting sensitive case data, they explain how AI tools are improving truth-finding, safeguarding privacy, and helping prosecutors make critical decisions — including in serious child exploitation cases. We also explore compliance...
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Trump Economy, ICE Showdowns, School Choice & Switzerland's Political Shockwaves
Breaking Battlegrounds
On today’s episode of Breaking Battlegrounds, hosts Chuck Warren and Sam Stone tackle the issues driving today’s headlines, from the economy and immigration fights to crime, culture, and the future of education. First, Henry Olsen joins the show to break down Europe’s political shocks, including ATM bombings in Switzerland and a coming vote that could cap the country’s population. The conversation turns to why Epstein remains in the headlines, shifting Democratic messaging around ICE, and the economic showdown between Trump and Biden, plus why wages and inflation may decide control of...
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Melania Trump, Educational School Choice Scholarship Program, CA Democrats and Lord Gavin
Breaking Battlegrounds
Our first guest is Alex Swoyer, editor-at-large at The Washington Times, where she covers law and politics in Washington. Alex also hosts “The Sitdown with Alex Swoyer” and writes the popular column “Seen, Heard & Whispered.” She joins us to break down how House Republicans are currently outpacing Democrats as the midterms approach. While Republicans do not hold a lead in the Senate, they face the challenge of defending their majority while also working to pick up additional seats. Growing frustration among Democratic voters is beginning to show up in...
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Trump Accounts for Kids, Hold My Beer – let’s talk CA fraud, and Trans Homeless Shelters
Breaking Battlegrounds
Jessica Anderson joins Breaking Battlegrounds this week to discuss the Trump Accounts for Kids, an innovative public-private partnership included in the Big Beautiful Bill. The program focuses on saving today and investing in the future, with business leaders matching contributions to a modern version of “baby bonds.” It represents a meaningful investment in the American Dream for the next generation. Jessica also breaks down the rapid and damaging shift under Abigail Spanberger. Spanberger campaigned as a moderate highlighting her background as a mom and former CIA officer and...
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Greenland, Silicon Desert, Police Bodycams and Comedy
Breaking Battlegrounds
Our first guest today is Josh Hammer, senior editor-at-large at Newsweek, host of The Josh Hammer Show, and author of Israel and Civilization: The Fate of the Jewish Nation and the Destiny of the West. Josh explores America’s long-standing interest in Greenland, dating back to the Lincoln and Truman administrations. While Denmark maintains limited authority over the territory, NATO oversees much of Greenland’s day-to-day security—and with the United States serving as the backbone of NATO, Josh explains how this history and reality help frame President Trump’s interest in...
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Iran Edition: A Crime Against Humanity
Breaking Battlegrounds
Our first guest today is Roya Hakakian, author of Journey from the Land of No. Born and raised in Iran, Roya explains that what has unfolded there over the past two weeks is comparable in national trauma and moral consequence to the September 11, 2001 attacks or the October 7 terrorist massacre. She argues that the world’s failure to grasp the scale of these events is akin to 9/11 happening and no one paying attention. The reports are horrific—reminiscent of genocidal campaigns of the 20th century—including accounts of security forces in Mashhad beheading teenagers and...
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Former Ambassador Thomas Shannon, Jr discusses Venezuela, Greg Roeberg - Candidate for AZ AG, and Sheepdog the movie
Breaking Battlegrounds
Our first guest today is Former Ambassador Thomas Shannon, Jr, a Senior International Policy Advisor bringing more than three decades of government service and diplomatic experience to his practice, providing strategic counsel to clients across a range of legislative, foreign police, and national security issues. Thomas explains why France, Italy, and Spain have been hesitant to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization, despite its extensive involvement in terrorist activity inside Iran and beyond. He notes that such a designation could complicate future...
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Chapters of the War in Ukraine, the Tijuana River Sewage Crisis and the South African Constitution
Breaking Battlegrounds
Our first guest today is Alessandra Hay, reporting from Kyiv, Ukraine. Alessandra discusses a growing humanitarian crisis: the lack of space to bury the dead. Severe shortages of cemetery plots have forced burials outside designated cemeteries, raising concerns about contamination of local water supplies. Ukraine is now in the final stages of constructing a crematorium in Kyiv to address the issue. Hay also explains that announcements of peace talks have little impact on daily life for Ukrainians, as Russia shows no genuine interest in ending the war. Many Ukrainians believe there is no option...
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Venezuela Edition – “What the heck’s going on down there?”
Breaking Battlegrounds
On today’s special, we turn our full attention to Venezuela, exploring the need for intervention with four guests who offer varied firsthand experiences and perspectives on the country and President Trump’s role. Our first guest is Santiago Vidal Calvo, a cities policy analyst focused on government accountability and transparency through the Manhattan Institute’s Freedom of Information Law initiatives. Born in Caracas, Venezuela, Vidal Calvo immigrated to the United States in 2021. He explains why President Trump’s actions were lawful under Article II of the U.S. Constitution and...
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Anna Giaritelli discusses border crossings under the Trump Administration and the Bondi attack is radical Islamic terrorism with Drew Pavlou
Breaking Battlegrounds
Happy New Year! Our first episode of 2026 we discuss the border and the focus shifting to the interior of country, the American Dream, Australia and the Bondi attacks and positive outlook forecasted for our economy and market. First, Anna Giaritelli, an award-winning journalist and writer whose reporting for the Washington Examiner, shines light on the Trump Administration’s latest effort to secure our Southern border - deploying buoys in the Texas river as a marine wall, how the immigration crisis at the border is slowing but the focus is now shifting to the interior of the country with...
info_outlineThis Thanksgiving week on Breaking Battlegrounds, we’re grateful for all our listeners and hope you enjoy a special show filled with history, tradition, and service. We kick things off with best-selling author and historian William Federer, who walks us through the real story behind Thanksgiving, the Pilgrims, and how the holiday became a national celebration. Then Kiley shares the fascinating and nearly forgotten history of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, including the years when giant helium balloons were released into the sky for cash rewards and why that tradition suddenly ended. We close the show with Navy veteran and AfghanEvac President Shawn VanDiver, discussing how veterans are continuing to serve, support wartime allies, and lead humanitarian efforts. It is a meaningful and timely episode, and we are thankful you are part of the Breaking Battlegrounds family.