Prosecuting Fauci, Pirate Economy, and Mr. Beast's Red Button Blues

California Elections, Graham Platner, Recalling COVID Insanity

Robby Soave and Christian Britschgi kick off this week's episode of Freed Up with a look at California's socialist elections and Los Angeles' worsening homelessness problem. Then, they discuss why socialism keeps failing, Sen. Ted Cruz's (R–Texas) claim that he is "quite libertarian," and the U.K.'s decision to ban Hasan Piker and Cenk Uygur. Later, they break down Graham Platner's growing list of scandals, debate whether Dracula is really a romance story, and consider when science and religion come into conflict. Finally, they talk about Robby's struggles as a light sleeper, revisit the moment COVID-19 experts betrayed the public's trust, examine how annual homelessness counts are calculated, and close with Robby's memory of former President Barack Obama speaking at his university commencement. 0:00—The socialist elections in California 4:50—The Los Angeles homeless problem and Spencer Pratt 11:22—Socialism is bad. 19:48—Cruz claims he is "quite libertarian." 22:49—Piker and Uygur banned from the U.K. 31:12—Platner has had enough scandals. 38:27—Dracula is a romance story. 41:33—When are science and religion in conflict? 50:03—Robby is a light sleeper. 58:13—This was the moment the COVID-19 experts betrayed us [https://reason.com/2026/06/04/this-was-the-moment-the-covid-19-experts-betrayed-us/]. 1:12:30—How they come up with the annual homelessness numbers 1:24:55—Obama was the speaker at Robby's university commencement. The post California Elections, Graham Platner, Recalling COVID Insanity [https://reason.com/podcast/2026/06/04/california-elections-graham-platner-recalling-covid-insanity/] appeared first on Reason.com [https://reason.com].

James Talarico vs. Ken Paxton, the Pope on AI, and Caves

Robby Soave and Christian Britschgi discuss the brewing Texas showdown between Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico. Then, they break down Rep. Nancy Mace's (R–S.C.) proposal to give boomers a property tax break and Pope Leo XIV's latest encyclical on artificial intelligence. Finally, they wrap up with some lighter debates over The Legend of Zelda, Nicolas Cage movies, retro-futurism, Jill Biden's latest remarks, and whether President Donald Trump's political influence will ever fade. 0:00—Heretics and hypocrites in Texas 14:30—Talarico takes back his former wokeness 19:10—If you can't take it, don't dish it 32:25—Coal mines are cool? 34:00—Mace's boomer luxury communism 39:20—The pope's views on AI 47:40—Why does anyone play video games? 58:59—Nicolas Cage is a good actor 1:05:57—Retro-futurism 1:10:26—Jill Biden's latest remarks 1:18:36—Will Trump's influence ever fade? The post James Talarico vs. Ken Paxton, the Pope on AI, and Caves [https://reason.com/podcast/2026/05/29/james-talarico-vs-ken-paxton-the-pope-on-ai-and-caves/] appeared first on Reason.com [https://reason.com].

Thomas Massie Falls, 'Samurai vs. Squatters,' Jeff Bezos

Robby Soave and Christian Britschgi discuss Republican Rep. Thomas Massie's primary defeat in Kentucky and how his refusal to be a Trump yes-man cost him his seat in Congress. Then, they break down why Jeff Bezos is going viral after floating a proposal to eliminate income taxes for the bottom 50 percent of earners. Finally, they dissect Christian's reporting trip to California for his feature article, "Samurai vs. Squatters: On the Street With the Hired Swords Reclaiming California Property Owners' Stolen Homes [https://reason.com/2026/05/18/samurai-vs-squatters-i-rode-along-with-the-armed-enforcers-handling-californias-squatter-crisis/]." 0:00—Tough loss for Massie 18:25—Bezos made some claims about taxes. 28:40—"Teen takeovers" in Navy Yard, Washington, D.C. 37:06—The anti-data center people are giving Robby an aneurysm. 50:37—"Samurai vs. Squatters" 1:00:38—The Boys' new season is bad. 1:11:00—Euphoria is the hot people show. 1:17:18—Robby loves complicated board games. The post Thomas Massie Falls, 'Samurai vs. Squatters,' Jeff Bezos [https://reason.com/podcast/2026/05/21/thomas-massie-falls-samurai-vs-squatters-jeff-bezos/] appeared first on Reason.com [https://reason.com].

CIA Whistleblower Reveals COVID Lab Leak Cover-Up

Robby Soave and Christian Britschgi dive right in to the latest news: A CIA whistleblower is alleging that his agency revised its assessment of COVID-19's origins under pressure from…Anthony Fauci! Next up, the boys discuss the spread of hantavirus and whether it's OK to quarantine the cruise ship passengers. Then, they talk about a dubious accusation against Rep. Thomas Massie (R–Ky.). Finally, they wrap up by going over their favorite Frances McDormand movies. 0:31—CIA whistleblower exposes Fauci 15:11 —Quarantining hantavirus victims? 23:29—AI data centers debate 38:39—Miso soup and Dracula 48:36—Was Troy good? 55:43—iPads for prisoners? 1:00:26—Thomas Massie smeared 1:07:09—True crime lies The post CIA Whistleblower Reveals COVID Lab Leak Cover-Up [https://reason.com/podcast/2026/05/15/cia-whistleblower-reveals-covid-lab-leak-cover-up/] appeared first on Reason.com [https://reason.com].

AOC Hates Billionaires, Heritage Americans, and Ranking Christopher Nolan Movies

Robby Soave and Christian Britschgi cover a wide range of topics, opening with a critique of New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortes' claims about billionaires [https://reason.com/2026/05/08/contra-aoc-you-dont-have-to-be-a-billionaire-to-be-a-leech/] and wage theft. Then they dig into a philosophical debate over what it means to be American—heritage vs. creedal identity—then turn to a discrimination lawsuit against The New York Times [https://reason.com/2026/05/07/did-the-new-york-times-discriminate-against-a-while-male-employee/]. On the lighter side, the duo reacts to a new trailer for an Odyssey film adaptation and ranks Christopher Nolan's movies. They also weigh in on a bizarre story involving Donald Trump and the National Mall reflecting pool, discuss Jeffrey Epstein's reported suicide note, and close out talking about the Roman Empire. 0:00—AOC bashing billionaires again 11:09—The hantavirus cruise needs to go. 16:18—Heritage Americans vs. creedal Americans 27:51—Discrimination suit against The New York Times 41:17—A new Odyssey trailer is out. 50:40—Ranking Christopher Nolan movies 1:01:23—Donald Trump drove through the reflecting pool? 1:09:24—Epstein's suicide note 1:19:45—Always thinking about the Roman Empire The post AOC Hates Billionaires, Heritage Americans, and Ranking Christopher Nolan Movies [https://reason.com/podcast/2026/05/08/aoc-hates-billionaires-heritage-americans-and-ranking-christopher-nolan-movies/] appeared first on Reason.com [https://reason.com].