Ep #256: Black Belt, Pacifist, and the Art of Vibrant Living - Daniel Aaron

Ep #255: The Future of News Belongs to the People - with Sam Anthony

Charles sits down with Sam Anthony, founder of YourNews.com, a citizen-powered news platform built to fill the void left by the collapse of legacy media. Sam shares his journey from the trading floors of Chicago to downtown Florida, and why he believes the future of news will be written by ordinary people, not media institutions. What they cover: The conversation ranges across the state of mainstream media, the rise of creator-based platforms, the power of hyperlocal news, and what it really takes to build something from scratch as an entrepreneur. Sam explains why legacy media is not just declining but structurally unable to survive the shift to creator platforms - and why that is actually good news for the rest of us. Just as YouTube disrupted television, YourNews.com is building a model where anyone can become a local news reporter, without a journalism degree, a media job, or anyone's permission. They also dig into equity crowdfunding as a way of keeping media ownership in the hands of ordinary people rather than the institutions that currently control the narrative, and what that means for the long-term independence of the platform. Charles draws a fascinating parallel to life 500 years ago, when people only knew what was happening in their own village - and raises the question of whether being less plugged in to global media might actually reduce unnecessary anxiety. The conversation wraps with a candid discussion about entrepreneurial risk, self-belief, and why failure simply does not feature in Sam's thinking. Key takeaways: * Legacy media is not going to survive. The advertising dollars follow the eyeballs, and the eyeballs are on creator platforms. * YourNews.com currently has over 6,000 citizen journalists across the US, with 1.7 million visitors in a single month. * The platform allows hyper-local advertising down to a single postcode, making it far more valuable to local businesses than national media. * Anyone can become a citizen journalist on YourNews.com at no cost - click "Become a Citizen Journalist" at the bottom of the site. * To access the platform from outside the US, you will need a VPN set to a US location. Charles recommends ExpressVPN. * Sam is currently raising capital through an equity crowdfund on Highlander.ai - search "the future of news belongs to the people" on the Startups page. Connect with Sam Anthony: YourNews.com Visit Charles Kovess' website: charleskovess.com [https://charleskovess.com] Reach out to Charles via email: charles@kovess.com Discover more about Charles and this show: charleskovess.com/show-notes/ [https://charleskovess.com/show-notes/] Visit and subscribe to the YouTube channel: youtube.com/@CharlesBKovess [https://www.youtube.com/@CharlesBKovess] Charles also supports the Forever Freedom Movement — visit foreverfreedommovement.com [https://foreverfreedommovement.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] to learn how children trapped in trafficking can be aided.  Intro/Outro music credit: Music by bensound.com [https://www.bensound.com] License code: SVLGLBBT9BLK1ZT4

Ep #254: Practical Strategies to Hold Politicians to Account

In this week’s episode I tackle a subject that affects every one of us: how we hold politicians accountable for their behaviour both while they are in office and after they leave public life. Looking at current events in Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom, I question why so many politicians appear to escape scrutiny despite decisions and actions that have profound consequences for the lives of ordinary citizens.  I explore the difference between incompetence and corruption, the importance of identifying and documenting bad behaviour, and why I believe citizens must take greater responsibility for shining a light on politicians who abuse power or accumulate unexplained wealth. I share practical strategies that individuals can use to publicly record, expose and challenge conduct that undermines trust in government, while encouraging conviction politicians who genuinely seek to serve their communities.  I also discuss the growing influence of bureaucracy, the challenges facing democratic systems, and why values, integrity and personal responsibility matter more than ever. Ultimately, I argue that better politicians lead to better lives for all of us, and that it is up to citizens, not just the media or official watchdogs, to demand higher standards of behaviour and accountability.  As always, I finish with a couple of practical health recommendations that have benefited me personally, including liquid oxygen supplementation and the simple practice of humming to support wellbeing and energy levels. My hope is that this episode inspires you to become more engaged, more aware and more passionate about protecting the freedoms and values that matter most. Visit Charles Kovess' website: charleskovess.com [https://charleskovess.com] Reach out to Charles via email: charles@kovess.com Discover more about Charles and this show: charleskovess.com/show-notes/ [https://charleskovess.com/show-notes/] Visit and subscribe to the YouTube channel: youtube.com/@CharlesBKovess [https://www.youtube.com/@CharlesBKovess] Charles also supports the Forever Freedom Movement — visit foreverfreedommovement.com [https://foreverfreedommovement.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] to learn how children trapped in trafficking can be aided.  Intro/Outro music credit: Music by bensound.com [https://www.bensound.com] License code: SVLGLBBT9BLK1ZT4

Ep #256: Black Belt, Pacifist, and the Art of Vibrant Living - Daniel Aaron

In this episode, Charles is joined by Daniel Aaron - author, transformational entertainer, spiritual teacher, black belt in judo, and committed pacifist - joining from Hawaii while Charles braves a Melbourne winter morning just days past the June 2026 winter solstice. It is a wide-ranging conversation that moves from breaking hearts open to building belief, from the standard American diet to physical immortality, and from Gandhi's passive resistance to the two simple words - "I am" - that Daniel says are the most powerful tools for creating the life you want. Charles and Daniel explore what it really means to live with passion and purpose, why discomfort is not the enemy of a good life, and how the beliefs we hold about ourselves either open the door to extraordinary living or quietly keep it shut. They discuss why both Australia and America have become what Charles calls "analgesic cultures" - societies conditioned to avoid discomfort at all costs - and why that very avoidance is what keeps so many people stuck. Daniel shares the concept of the Supreme Self Manifesto - a set of conscious "I am" declarations that, practised daily, can shift who you are being at the deepest level. He explains why change does not happen through willpower alone, and why the language we use every day reveals - and creates - our identity. Charles reflects on his own pivotal moment in Kona, Hawaii in June 1993, when two weeks with Robert Kiyosaki at a business and personal development program led him to resign from his successful legal career upon his return to Melbourne - thirty-three years ago this month. Topics covered in this episode include the connection between judo and pacifism, why a broken heart is a prerequisite for an open one, the relationship between physical health and everything else in life, how to shift a belief that is no longer serving you, what success actually means, and why Buckminster Fuller's insight about problems is one of the most useful ideas you can carry with you. You can find Daniel and his work at danielaaron.com. His book, The Art of Spiritual Leadership, is available there, along with his live podcast, The Art of Vibrant Living Show. Visit Charles Kovess' website: charleskovess.com [https://charleskovess.com] Reach out to Charles via email: charles@kovess.com Discover more about Charles and this show: charleskovess.com/show-notes/ [https://charleskovess.com/show-notes/] Visit and subscribe to the YouTube channel: youtube.com/@CharlesBKovess [https://www.youtube.com/@CharlesBKovess] Charles also supports the Forever Freedom Movement — visit foreverfreedommovement.com [https://foreverfreedommovement.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] to learn how children trapped in trafficking can be aided.  Intro/Outro music credit: Music by bensound.com [https://www.bensound.com] License code: SVLGLBBT9BLK1ZT4

Ep #253: The Spiritual Battle for the Future of America and Australia with James Simpson

In this week’s episode I speak with economist, investigative journalist and author Jim Simpson about his latest book “Manufactured Crisis: The War to End America”. Jim shares his deep concerns about the coordinated attack on Western civilisation, freedom and capitalism occurring across America, Australia, the UK and Europe.  We discuss the collapse of investigative journalism in mainstream media, the deliberate promotion of chaos and confusion and the growing suppression of free speech. Jim explains why he believes cultural Marxism, mass migration policies and attacks on traditional values are all part of a long-term strategy to weaken Western nations and destroy individual liberty.  Jim also shares remarkable insights from his earlier book “Who Was Karl Marx?” and explains why Marx’s ideas continue to influence modern political and cultural movements. We discuss communism, the Frankfurt School, critical theory, welfare dependency and the spiritual decay that accompanies the rejection of personal responsibility and faith.  Importantly we explore the spiritual dimension of this battle and why prayer, discipline, purpose and passion are essential for preserving freedom and human flourishing. Jim’s passion for truth, rigorous research and defending Western civilisation shines throughout this powerful conversation.  Go to James Simpson's website here: https://crisisnow.net/ Visit Charles Kovess' website: charleskovess.com [https://charleskovess.com] Reach out to Charles via email: charles@kovess.com Discover more about Charles and this show: charleskovess.com/show-notes/ [https://charleskovess.com/show-notes/] Visit and subscribe to the YouTube channel: youtube.com/@CharlesBKovess [https://www.youtube.com/@CharlesBKovess] Charles also supports the Forever Freedom Movement — visit foreverfreedommovement.com [https://foreverfreedommovement.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] to learn how children trapped in trafficking can be aided.  Intro/Outro music credit: Music by bensound.com [https://www.bensound.com] License code: SVLGLBBT9BLK1ZT4

Ep #252: Freedom or Security? The Battle for Liberty in Modern Society with Sherriff Richard Mack

In this week’s episode I interview retired Arizona Sheriff Richard Mack a man who has spent decades fighting for individual liberty constitutional government and the protection of God-given rights. Richard became the first sheriff in American history to successfully sue the US federal government in a landmark Supreme Court case against the Clinton Administration over unconstitutional gun control laws. Our conversation explores freedom liberty constitutional rights and the growing dangers of governments trading away freedoms in the name of security.  Richard shares his concerns about the erosion of constitutional protections in America Australia and around the world. We discuss the importance of teaching constitutional principles to younger generations the role of law enforcement in defending freedoms rather than enforcing unjust laws and why individual liberty is essential to human dignity. Richard also explains the mission of his Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association (CSPOA) which educates sheriffs police and citizens about their duty to uphold constitutional rights.  We also discuss Richard’s latest book “The Democrat Murder of America” his views on the growing influence of socialism and communism and the importance of standing firmly for freedom faith family and personal responsibility. Richard shares insights into his own life including his fifty-one year marriage his role as a grandfather and the importance of setting a strong example for future generations. This is a passionate and thought-provoking conversation about courage freedom and the responsibility each of us has to defend liberty. For more information visit Richard’s Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association at https://cspoa.org/ [https://cspoa.org/] and his latest book “The Democrat Murder of America” at https://murderofamerica.com/ [https://murderofamerica.com/] Visit Charles Kovess' website: charleskovess.com [https://charleskovess.com] Reach out to Charles via email: charles@kovess.com Discover more about Charles and this show: charleskovess.com/show-notes/ [https://charleskovess.com/show-notes/] Visit and subscribe to the YouTube channel: youtube.com/@CharlesBKovess [https://www.youtube.com/@CharlesBKovess] Charles also supports the Forever Freedom Movement — visit foreverfreedommovement.com [https://foreverfreedommovement.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] to learn how children trapped in trafficking can be aided.  Intro/Outro music credit: Music by bensound.com [https://www.bensound.com] License code: SVLGLBBT9BLK1ZT4