Centered From Reality
Politics
Alex Kopytko is a ”radical centrist” that wants to understand the extremes. He has worked in politics and has studied public policy and political science. Alex argues that centrism is less about being a contrarian, it is about being able to change your mind and embrace an openness to new ideas. He is concerned about where the United States is headed and through conversations with people from all sides of the political spectrum, he wants to know how Americans can limit the tribalism that is flourishing. As someone that dances along the center-right of the political spectrum, Alex thinks the country needs to come together and talk to one another before it could be too late. This podcast covers domestic politics, as well as political philosophy, and international issues.
Location:
United States
Genres:
Politics
Description:
Alex Kopytko is a ”radical centrist” that wants to understand the extremes. He has worked in politics and has studied public policy and political science. Alex argues that centrism is less about being a contrarian, it is about being able to change your mind and embrace an openness to new ideas. He is concerned about where the United States is headed and through conversations with people from all sides of the political spectrum, he wants to know how Americans can limit the tribalism that is flourishing. As someone that dances along the center-right of the political spectrum, Alex thinks the country needs to come together and talk to one another before it could be too late. This podcast covers domestic politics, as well as political philosophy, and international issues.
Language:
English
Episodes
Kash Patel's Heated Rivalry in Milano...
2/24/2026
Alex rips into FBI Director Kash Patel for jetting off to Italy to celebrate with the U.S. Olympic hockey team — even chugging beer with them after their gold-medal win — while back home the FBI hasn’t opened real investigations into the deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good and racked up what critics call outrageous expenses. Alex argues it’s a disgrace that Patel is partying abroad as serious cases go unresolved and taxpayers pick up the bill.
Duration:00:16:17
Chekhov’s Gun in the Persian Gulf (The Shadow War with Iran)
2/22/2026
In this episode, Alex uses Anton Chekhov’s principle of Chekhov’s Gun to frame the escalating U.S.–Iran standoff, arguing that once military force is visibly placed “on the wall,” the pressure to use it begins to build. As aircraft carriers assemble and intelligence chatter grows louder, he explores whether this is strategic deterrence — or the first act of a conflict that becomes increasingly hard to avoid.
Duration:00:25:08
The Gu Gambit: Skiing Between Nations (with Martin Benes)
2/20/2026
On this episode, Alex and Martin Benes dive into the thorny politics of national allegiance in sports, using Eileen Gu’s choice to ski for China as a jumping-off point. They debate whether athletes owe their success to the country that nurtured their talent, the country they choose to represent, or both, comparing Gu’s decision to stars like Chloe Kim and Russian athletes competing for the U.S. Beyond individual cases, they explore how national pride, global branding, and personal identity collide in a world where sports are as political as they are competitive. This episode challenges listeners to rethink what it really means to “represent” a nation in the modern era.
Duration:00:26:00
Refugees, Rage, and the Rise of Trump (with Martin Benes)
2/19/2026
In this episode, Alex and Martin Benes unpack Marco Rubio’s recent trip to Munich, where his speech at the Munich Security Conference was widely seen as a diplomatic repainting of MAGA ideology—softening its tone while still warning against mass migration and framing Western unity in nationalist terms that drew criticism from European commentators. They then dive into a deeper debate on how the Syrian refugee crisis and subsequent immigration waves across Europe helped fuel far-right populism, exploring whether those dynamics reverberated back to the United States and helped shape the rise of MAGA‑aligned politics at home.
Duration:00:46:57
Sauna Bicycle Erotica: MAHA, Raw Camel Milk & Bleach to Cure Autism
2/19/2026
In today’s episode, Alex breaks down how the FDA quietly deleted its warning against bogus autism “cures,” just as Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is out there starring in what the internet is calling the most bizarre public health ad of 2026 — a shirtless Kid Rock/RFK Jr. workout video featuring sauna sit-ups, hot tub milk toasts, and cold plunges in jeans that has people asking “What are we even watching?” It’s hard to tell if the “Make America Healthy Again” campaign is earnest or a late-night sketch, but between scrubbed warnings and denim-soaked stunts, Alex argues this is exactly how public health starts to feel like a joke — and not a very funny one.
Duration:00:26:03
Little Marco Endorses Viktor Orbán: Strongman Solidarity + MAGA's ILL-Liberalism
2/18/2026
In this episode, Alex examines Secretary Rubio’s unusually explicit show of support for Hungarian Prime Minister Orbán ahead of a pivotal election, including promises of continued U.S. backing and potential financial assistance. Drawing parallels to the White House’s $20 billion bailout of Argentina’s Javier Milei, the episode explores whether Washington is embracing a new model of ideological, partisan foreign policy. With EU officials alarmed and Hungary’s vote approaching, Alex asks whether this signals a shift from traditional alliance management to overt political intervention — and what that means for the future of transatlantic relations.
Duration:00:15:00
Extra Inches at the Winter Olympics (with Martin Benes)
2/18/2026
Alex and his guest Martin Benes unpack the downright bizarre “PenisGate” scandal at the 2026 Milano‑Cortina Winter Olympics, where headlines have swirled around allegations that some ski jumpers might be injecting hyaluronic acid into their genitals to manipulate suit‑sizing for aerodynamic advantage. They also dive into why cheating the system is getting harder across sports, spotlight past Nordic skiing controversies and rule changes, and talk at length about how athletes are trying to legitimately boost performance in disciplines like cross‑country and ski jumping without bending the rules.
Duration:00:33:26
Vini Halts Racism in the Champions League (with Martin Benes)
2/18/2026
On this episode, Alex sits down with Martin Benes to discuss the shocking incident in Lisbon’s Champions League, where Vinícius Jr. confronted a racial slur on the pitch after a Benfica player allegedly called him a monkey, causing the match to be temporarily halted under UEFA’s anti-racism protocol. They unpack why this isn’t just a football issue, but a broader societal failure that must be condemned to fight racism in all arenas. From the stadium to politics, Alex and Martin explore why drawing a line matters—and why silence is complicity.
Duration:00:14:54
The War on Terror Never Ended… It Came Home (From Kabul to Minneapolis)
2/16/2026
Alex breaks down Reign of Terror by Spencer Ackerman, showing how the post-9/11 “War on Terror” built a permanent national security state with mass surveillance, warrantless wiretaps, secret kill lists, and preemptive detention. Both parties enabled this system: under Bush, the PATRIOT Act, Guantánamo, and aggressive counterterrorism policies expanded state power; Obama preserved drone strikes, surveillance programs, and the bureaucratic machinery of indefinite detention. This infrastructure allowed Trump to militarize immigration enforcement, empower ICE in Minneapolis and nationwide raids, separate families at the border, and use crisis rhetoric and fear-based governance to treat migrants as existential threats while consolidating political power
Duration:00:23:15
Megyn Kelly Unmasked: The Real Panic Over Bad Bunny
2/13/2026
On this episode, Alex breaks down how Megyn Kelly’s appearance on Piers Morgan pulled back the curtain on the right’s outrage over Bad Bunny’s halftime spotlight. What sounded like criticism of a performance quickly revealed deeper anxieties about language, culture, and who gets to define “American.” Alex explores why the backlash wasn’t really about music — but about nativism, identity politics, and the changing face of pop culture.
Duration:00:19:47
"Play Sport, Not Politics": the Olympic Loyalty Test & the Podium vs. the President
2/12/2026
On this episode, Alex breaks down the brewing showdown at the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics, where U.S. athletes are publicly criticizing the Trump administration’s policies and defending their right to speak out—even as Vice President JD Vance insists they “play sport, not politics” and President Trump lashes back. From boos in Milan to online culture-war clashes, Alex asks: is the Olympic flame now a megaphone for protest as much as performance?
Duration:00:19:25
From the Dreyfus Affair to the Epstein Emails: Panic Protects the Powerful
2/11/2026
This episode explores how conspiracy, prejudice, and institutional self-interest shape public scandals, drawing parallels between the 19th-century Dreyfus Affair in France and the modern Jeffrey Epstein case. It examines how elite protection, hidden documents, and media spectacle erode trust in institutions, while societal biases influence who is punished and who is shielded. The discussion also covers international repercussions of the Epstein files, including investigations in Poland, Latvia, and Lithuania, and dives into the recent partisan chaos at a congressional hearing featuring Pam Bondi, highlighting how political theater can overshadow accountability and victims’ voices.
Duration:00:26:06
Raiders of the Lost Votes: Hunting 2020 Ghosts & Stoking 2026 Chaos
2/11/2026
In this episode, Alex breaks down the controversial FBI raid on Fulton County’s election offices, where hundreds of 2020 ballots and records were seized amid claims rooted in years-old, repeatedly debunked fraud theories — followed by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard’s highly unusual on-site presence and facilitation of a call between President Trump and FBI agents. Alex dissects Steve Bannon’s incendiary framing of the operation as part of a broader crusade against the “stolen” 2020 election and why Democrats see this as a dangerous distraction that could erode voter confidence or even be used to sow confusion and influence the narrative heading into the 2026 midterms.
Duration:00:29:10
Bad Bunny 1, MAGA 0: The All‑American Snowflake Show (feat. Kid Rock & Meltdowns)
2/10/2026
Alex breaks down why Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show was more than just a performance—it was a cultural statement that had MAGA conservatives whining about reggaetón, pronouns, and inclusivity. He contrasts the positive, unifying energy of the halftime show with TPUSA’s low-turnout, divisive counter-event, unpacking what this says about America’s political and cultural divides.
Duration:00:21:00
Bad Bunny vs TPUSA & the Arc de Trump!
2/5/2026
In this episode hosted by Alex Kopytko, the conversation unpacks how Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime performance — fresh off a Grammy win — became a cultural flashpoint that exposes two diverging Americas. The irony, as Kopytko points out, is that Bad Bunny is American, yet his success still triggered backlash, including Turning Point USA’s rival “All-American Halftime Show” featuring artists like Kid Rock, Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice, and Gabby Barrett. The episode also takes aim at Trump’s proposed “Arc de Trump,” a massive monument meant to project legacy and dominance, but so large and intrusive that critics argue it could violate zoning, historic preservation laws, and basic common sense.
Duration:00:17:48
Democracy Dies in Daylight: the Washington Post Collapses
2/5/2026
Today The Washington Post announced sweeping layoffs that will cut roughly one-third of its newsroom and shutter key sections, from sports to books, in a drastic move leaders call a “strategic reset” amid falling subscriptions and revenue. Alex blasts billionaire owner Jeff Bezos as ultimately responsible, arguing that Bezos’ editorial meddling and silence during the paper’s decline — from killing presidential endorsements to shifting the outlet’s stance — helped drive away readers and hollow out one of America’s last great news institutions. For Alex, this isn’t “democracy dying in darkness” but a very public unraveling of independent journalism in broad daylight.
Duration:00:16:49
A (Fire) Arms Race After Pretti & the Kennedy Center Gets Cancelled
2/4/2026
This episode explores the aftermath of the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti and the resulting surge in gun purchases by some left-leaning Americans—framing why some see increased armament as a stand for self-defense and Second Amendment rights, why others fear it empowers the state or deepens political divides, and why some warn it could accelerate political balkanization. It also touches on broader cultural tensions in U.S. politics, including the controversial plan to close the Kennedy Center for two years starting July 4 for major renovations under a new leadership direction, which has sparked backlash from artists and lawmakers alike.
Duration:00:35:48
Wolves in Tahoe & Iguanas Freezing in Florida
2/3/2026
Alex dives into the recent uptick in wolf activity near Truckee, California, where state wildlife authorities are balancing public safety with conservation policy as gray wolves increasingly roam across human landscapes, reflecting broader debates over endangered species management and rural land use. At the same time, Florida’s historic cold snap has left invasive green iguanas “cold-stunned” and falling from trees, prompting temporary regulatory changes by the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and illustrating how shifting climate patterns are forcing states to adapt policies in ways that highlight the clash between human communities and changing ecosystems.
Duration:00:14:47
Epstein’s Inbox, Washington’s Problem
2/3/2026
In this episode, Alex breaks down the political shockwaves from the latest release of Jeffrey Epstein’s emails — a massive tranche of documents that not only ties powerful figures around the world to controversial correspondence but also contains new revelations about Epstein’s connections to Israeli political interests and the U.S. political landscape. With hundreds of references to former President Donald Trump and fresh scrutiny on how the emails intersect with foreign influence, domestic politics, and elite networks, we unpack what these disclosures mean for global power dynamics, the uproar in Washington and abroad, and the brewing controversies that could reshape public trust in 2026.
Duration:00:19:56
Eyes Wide Shut: Epstein and the House with No Doors
2/3/2026
This episode connects Stanley Kubrick’s Eyes Wide Shut to the newly released Epstein files, exploring how power, secrecy, and elite access blur the line between conspiracy and documented reality. It examines the most disturbing material in the release—including allegations of victims being treated as “human incubators,” references to torture, and deeply unsettling communications—while carefully separating verified facts from speculation. Ultimately, it looks at how Jeffrey Epstein operated in plain sight, why law enforcement failed to stop him, and why so many questions remain unanswered.
Duration:00:28:56