Breaking Battlegrounds

Is Canada falling apart? From Canada's internal fractures to rising tensions with Iran—and what it all means for the U.S.—this episode connects the dots on the challenges ahead.
Journalist Elie Cantin-Nantel joins the show to break down the growing instability in Canada, from the surprising resurgence of Quebec separatists to a serious push for independence in Alberta. He explains how economic decline, rising crime, and a disconnect between voters and reality are reshaping the country—and why many Canadians still aren't seeing it.
We also get into the role media and outside voices—including Donald Trump—may be playing in shaping political outcomes, and why Canada's economy, once stronger than many U.S. states, is now losing ground.
Follow Elie on X: https://x.com/elie_mcn
Then, Senior Fellow at the Yorktown Institute and researcher at CAMERA, Shay Khatiri joins to break down what's really happening with Iran. Are we heading toward a deal—or something much bigger?
Shay explains why Iran's regime is focused on staying in power, what that means for negotiations, and how U.S. strategy could play out in the weeks ahead. He also cuts through the noise on media coverage and lays out what actually matters in this conflict.
Follow Shay on X: https://x.com/ShayKhatiri
Finally, U.S. Senate candidate Mike Rogers joins the podcast to talk about how we fix things here at home. A former Army officer, FBI special agent, and Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, Rogers is running on a simple idea: make the country work again.
He talks about bringing back American manufacturing, strengthening the economy for working families, and cutting through the dysfunction in Washington that's holding the country back.
Learn more about Mike Rogers and his campaign here: https://rogersforsenate.com/

This week on Breaking Battlegrounds, Chuck Warren and Sam Stone bring together a powerhouse lineup of guests to break down the biggest political, economic, and cultural issues shaping Arizona and the nation.
Kicking things off, congressional candidate and former NFL kicker Jay Feely joins the show following a major endorsement from President Trump and backing from national Republicans. He also recently received the NRCC's endorsement as part of a select group of candidates in key battleground districts. With Arizona's 1st Congressional District seen as a key battleground for control of the House, Feely shares what he's hearing from voters on the ground—rising concern over border security, illegal immigration, election integrity, and the economy.
Beyond politics, Feely discusses his journey from the NFL to public service and lays out his vision for tackling Washington's spending problem. From cutting waste and fraud to exploring blockchain as a tool for real-time transparency in government spending, he argues that Americans are demanding accountability—and not getting it. He also highlights Arizona's opportunity to lead in AI, data centers, and energy production, making the case for long-term investment in infrastructure to fuel economic growth.
See more about Jay Feely's campaign: https://www.jayfeelyforcongress.com/
Economist Richard Salsman joins to take on bigger philosophical questions about capitalism, government intervention, and immigration. He argues that the U.S. has drifted away from true free markets and calls for a return to constitutionally limited government. On immigration, he outlines a more structured, Ellis Island-style system—one that balances opportunity with security and assimilation.
See more about Richard's work: https://richardsalsman.com/
Investigative reporter Aaron Sibarium brings a real-world example of government failure, detailing a case in Maryland where a condominium complex was overrun by a homeless encampment while local officials stood by. The result: extensive property damage, displaced residents, and a bureaucratic deadlock that has left homeowners facing financial ruin.
See Aaron's latest article here: https://freebeacon.com/america/state-created-danger-condominium-besieged-by-homeless-encampment-heads-to-federal-court-to-take-on-left-wing-county-officials-who-let-it-fester/
The episode also dives into higher education, as Timothy Minella of the Goldwater Institute raises concerns about the growing influence of DEI ideology at Arizona State University's Barrett Honors College. From curriculum shifts to a lack of transparency around course content, the discussion highlights broader questions about trust in institutions and whether students are getting the education they signed up for.
See Tim's full story here: https://www.goldwaterinstitute.org/arizonas-honors-colleges-hijacked-by-activist-faculty-to-force-dei-on-students/
Finally, Bess Byers joins to explore the intersection of government, technology, and privacy. From delays and complications in the U.S. Postal Service's electric vehicle rollout to the rapid expansion of surveillance tools like license plate readers, the conversation underscores the risks of unchecked technological growth—and the urgent need for clear safeguards to protect civil liberties.
See Bess's latest story here: https://x.com/reason/status/2029607508835176884

On this episode of Breaking Battleground, hosts Sam Stone and Chuck Warren talk with a diverse lineup of guests for a wide-ranging discussion covering Cuba and the recent announcement of negotiations, the CIA and conspiracy theories, growing distrust of government, and what they describe as Trump Derangement Syndrome in the media.
Carrie Filipetti, Executive Director of the Vandenberg Coalition, discussed the situation in Cuba and the recent announcements regarding negotiations. She noted that a democratic transition in Cuba would represent a major victory for the administration of Donald Trump. Polling suggests roughly two-thirds of Cubans support some form of political change, while about 30–35% favor a more sweeping or radical transformation.
Filipetti also argued that the Cuban regime lacks meaningful moderates, as those in power are focused on maintaining control, making significant movement toward human rights and political reform unlikely. She added that Marco Rubio, serving as Secretary of State, may be one of the strongest figures in recent years to manage negotiations with Cuba. Find more information about The Vandenberg Coalition at https://vandenbergcoalition.org.
Next, Stacy Liberatore of the Daily Mail discusses Project Artichoke, a program that explored methods of influencing or manipulating human behavior through substances, including injections and vaccines. Many records related to the program were reportedly destroyed in 1973, just before a major hearing examiningCentral Intelligence Agency activity.
Liberatore also highlights public reaction to her recent reporting on claims that the CIA may have withheld information related to a potential cancer treatment. She references a declassified 1951 study that noted similarities between parasitic worms and cancer cells. Researchers in the Soviet Union reportedly tested the concept in mice with tumor tissue and observed reductions in tumor growth.
At the same time, some current members of the Central Intelligence Agency have emphasized that the agency today operates very differently from how it did during the Cold War. Follow Stacy on X at  https://x.com/stacyliberatore?lang=en.
Later, John Levine discussed what he described as a pattern in which segments of the mainstream media appear to root against U.S. success in conflicts involving Iran, Venezuela, and Cuba. He argued that many outlets reflexively oppose policies associated with Donald Trump, often criticizing developments simply because they are tied to the Trump administration.
Levine pointed to coverage of Trump's prediction that the conflict with Iran could be resolved within four to five weeks, suggesting that media criticism focused more on attacking the president than than need to intervene in Iran. He also noted the ongoing dispute in Washington over funding for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, arguing that despite Democrats blocking funding measures and the shutdown continuing for weeks, media coverage has still largely placed blame on Trump.
Follow Jon on X at https://x.com/LevineJonathan
Finally, Gary Gygi joined the discussion to address concerns about a potential oil shock in the United States. Gygi said he believes the recent rise in oil and gasoline prices is likely temporary rather than the start of a sustained surge.
He also discussed the February jobs report, which showed a loss of about 92,000 jobs. Gygi noted that the figure may not indicate a broader trend, as the January report could still be revised and labor data often fluctuates month to month. He added that many companies are currently operating under a "no-hire, no-fire" approach, as the high costs associated with recruiting and onboarding new employees are making employers cautious about expanding their workforce. Find more information on Gary at https://x.com/GaryGygi or https://gygicapital.com.

On this episode of Breaking Battlegrounds, hosts Sam Stone and Chuck Warren sit down with a wide-ranging lineup of guests to discuss global conflict, national security, state policy battles, and Arizona politics.
Journalist Alessandra Hay, reporting from Armenia, joins the show to discuss her recent reporting on Iranian dissidents gathering in exile in Yerevan and the growing instability inside Iran. She shares stories from her article "The Iranian Exiles Bar Where Revolution Is Dreamed Up" and discusses the risks faced by those attempting to defect from the regime. Alessandra also examines how escalating tensions in Iran could affect Russia, Ukraine, and the broader geopolitical landscape. Find Alessandra's reporting at Iran War Dispatches: https://www.iranwar.news
Next, Congressman Pat Harrigan (NC-10) joins the show to discuss national security concerns surrounding Russia and Iran, the political debate over war powers in Congress, and broader issues facing the American middle class and military leadership. Learn more about his work in Congress at: https://harrigan.house.gov/
Later, California State Senator Tony Strickland discusses the growing energy crisis in California caused by refinery closures and heavy regulations that could dramatically increase gas prices across the state. He also breaks down a major voter ID constitutional amendment effort that has already gathered more than 1.3 million signatures, as well as a recent Supreme Court decision reinforcing parental rights in education. Learn more: https://sr36.senate.ca.gov Voter ID Initiative: https://www.reformcalifornia.org/cavoterid/home
Finally, Arizona businessman Elijah Norton, a candidate for Arizona State Treasurer, joins the podcast to discuss his campaign and his plan to bring fiscal discipline to government. Norton outlines proposals to root out waste, protect Arizona investments, expand school choice, and serve as a financial watchdog for taxpayers. Get involved with his campaign at: https://nortonforaz.com
Don't forget to subscribe to Breaking Battlegrounds for weekly conversations on politics, policy, and the issues shaping America.

On this episode of Breaking Battlegrounds, Chuck Warren sits down with Congressman David Schweikert to discuss his campaign for Arizona governor. Schweikert lays out his vision for the state's future and why he believes his experience in Congress has prepared him for the governor's office. From water policy to inflation and state budgeting, this conversation dives into what's at stake in the race for Arizona's top job.