Bourbon & Rum Podcast

Research Funding and the Future of Higher Education

Duration: 57:09 | Recorded on March 9, 2025 S2E10 – The brothers engage in a wide-ranging conversation, starting with the Trump administration’s rescinding of research grants to Columbia University due to alleged insufficient protection of Jewish students amidst protests. This sparks a debate on university finance, the role and potential dangers of federal funding in…
BREAKING: A Reaction to the Trump-Zelenskyy Clash in the Oval Office

Duration: 47:39 | Recorded on March 1, 2025 S2E9 – The brothers react to the recent exchange between then President Trump and President Zelenskyy, with one arguing it was a scripted event and the other seeing it as a diplomatic miscommunication. Their conversation pivots to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, differing views on Trump’s approach to Putin,…
A Deep Dive into Tariffs: Where Do We Line Up?

Duration: 1:03:46 | Recorded on February 23, 2025 S2E8 – Today, the brothers delve into the complex topic of tariffs, prompted by a listener suggestion. They begin by defining tariffs as taxes on imported goods and discussing their historical context, noting their prevalence even before the Trump administration. The discussion shifts to the pros and cons of…
Inflation, Economic Promises, and the War in Ukraine

Duration: 1.02.50 | Recorded on February 15, 2025 S2E7 – The brothers talk about current events and economic issues, noting the pitfalls of how quickly public perception can shift. Beginning with an in-depth analysis of inflation and its impact on different socioeconomic groups, they discuss the complexities of political promises surrounding it, and how the…
Air Travel, Politics, and Finding Common Ground

Duration: 53.19 | Recorded on February 4, 2025 S2E6 – In this episode, the brothers engage in a thoughtful discussion about current events and big picture issues, focusing on air travel safety and the future of transportation. They explore the complexities of the aviation industry, including a recent plane crash near Washington National Airport and…
The Tone of Politics: Immigration, Gender, and Political Pardons

Duration: 50.29 | Recorded on January 26, 2025 S2E5 – This episode is wide-ranging. The brothers discuss current political events, personal experiences, and technological advancements. They begin with a conversation on the tone of current political discourse, expressing concerns about the dehumanizing language used in discussions about immigration, and they touch on the complexities of…
From GDP to Bourbon Prices: A Balanced Scorecard for the Nation

Duration: 54.32 | Recorded on January 19, 2025 S2E4 – In this episode, the brothers dive into a data-driven discussion about how to measure presidential success. Instead of relying on political spin or folklore, they explore a wide range of metrics, from traditional economic indicators like GDP, inflation (CPI and PPI), and unemployment rates, to…
Is Greenland the New Malibu? Global Politics and Local Disasters

Duration: 47.06 | Recorded on January 12, 2025 S2E3 – Today’s episode centers on the California wildfires, prompting reflections on political polarization and governmental responses to crises. A significant portion of the conversation delves into the complexities of insurance, particularly homeowner’s insurance, in the context of large-scale disasters and escalating costs. Finally, the brothers touch…
Presidential Fitness & Political Hypocrisy

Duration: 1:11 | Recorded on January 4, 2025 S2E2 – The brothers launch today’s episode with a discussion of a Wall Street Journal article detailing President Biden’s declining mental acuity and the efforts to conceal it. They then explore the implications of this information, contrasting the situations with Biden and Trump, and debating whether age-related…
Hope, Fears, and Predictions for 2025

Duration: 48:49 | Recorded on January 1, 2025 S2E1 – Happy new year! In today’s podcast, the brothers share their hopes and fears for the coming year, and offer predictions about the economy and border crossings, reflecting their differing perspectives. The conversation touches upon the role of media and its influence, the impact of social…