100 episodes

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.

Centered From Reality centeredfromreality

    • News

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.

    Trump's Battery v. Shark Scenario, the Taco Bell 50k, Hunter Found Guilty & Garland Held in Contempt of Congress

    Trump's Battery v. Shark Scenario, the Taco Bell 50k, Hunter Found Guilty & Garland Held in Contempt of Congress

    In this episode, Alex starts by letting his listeners know that he has decided to take part in the Taco Bell 50k/Ultramarathon in Denver, Colorado in October. This event requires 10 stops at Taco Bell (to eat specific meal items) along the 31 mile course. Next, Alex responds to Hunter Biden being found guilty on all three felonies around lying on a firearm application. The Republican response has been lackluster and Alex worries that a common shared understanding of justice has eroded in the United States. Finally, Alex reacts to Trump’s rally in Las Vegas when he goes off the teleprompter to rant about electrocution, sharks, and batteries submerged in the sea. 

    • 32 min
    A Pivotal Election for Mexico & A Troubling Hostage Rescue in Gaza

    A Pivotal Election for Mexico & A Troubling Hostage Rescue in Gaza

    In this episode, Alex starts by reacting to some clips from Colin Cowherd’s well articulated and funny criticism of Trump’s view of America. Next, Alex analyzes Mexico’s presidential election that happened last week. It was historic because Mexico elected its first woman president, Claudia Sheinbaum. She is the hand-picked successor of the outgoing president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, and is part of his Morena Party. Many international democratic watchdogs worry that Sheinbaum will continue AMLO’s illiberal policies and erode democarcy at a time in which Mexico is highly polarized. Finally, Alex discusses a breaking story regarding the IDF rescuing 4 hostages in Gaza but killing close to 210 Palestinians. 

    • 36 min
    The Narva Scenario: NATO's Worst Nightmare (+ Praise for Colin Cowherd)

    The Narva Scenario: NATO's Worst Nightmare (+ Praise for Colin Cowherd)

    In this episode, Alex starts by congratulating Real Madrid on another Champion’s League Victory and then praises Colin Cowherd for providing sports listeners with a coherent criticism of Donald Trump following his guilty verdict. For the rest of the episode, Alex dives into the troubling situation in a little-known place, Narva, Estonia. It is mainly made up of ethnic Russians and is only a bridge away from the Russian border. Military experts and NATO officials worry that Putin may annex Narva to try to test the legitimacy of Article V of NATO’s Washington Treaty which guarantees a mutual military response when a NATO member is threatened. Estonia is a member of the organization and Alex worries this is a catch-22 and a worrying hypothetical, especially if Donald Trump is reelected — will NATO respond militarily to Russia over a small Estonian city with Russian ties, or will it kowtow to Russia and delegitimize the entire treaty in minutes? Alex argues that this all rests on the 2024 election and whether Donald Trump is reelected. In the United States, foreign policy is downstream from domestic politics… 

    • 41 min
    Justice: 34, Trump: 0 (But Will it Matter?)

    Justice: 34, Trump: 0 (But Will it Matter?)

    In this quick episode, Alex reacts to the recent events that unfolded inside of the Manhattan court room where Donald Trump was found guilty on all 34 counts. He was found guilty for falsifying business records, which is a class E felony and could lead to fines, probation, or up to four years in prison. Alex doesn’t think Trump will end up in prison but thinks only time will tell. He talks about how the voting base will react, whether this will hurt Trump, and how his election team is already in reaction mode. Justice won, but Alex argues the country will witness in real time whether Trump can become a convicted felon and still become president of the United States. 

    • 21 min
    Spain Recognizes Palestine, Extremism Infects the Ultra Running Community & Orange Juice Is on the Brink (of Extinction)

    Spain Recognizes Palestine, Extremism Infects the Ultra Running Community & Orange Juice Is on the Brink (of Extinction)

    In this episode, Alex laments the fact that extremism and poltics have impacted the distance running community via gaslighting and posts. Then Alex dives into the tragedies and horrid situations unfolding in Rafah as Spain, Norway, and Ireland have recognized Palestine as a state in the international community. He argues that only the United States can help to convince Israel that Palestine must be a state and bolstered to rebuild while ridding it of Hamas. Finally, Alex is further worried about the state of orange juice. Climate change and rising costs are impacting orange exportation in Brazil and Florida to the point in which OJ may no longer exist and alternatives may be needed. 

    • 32 min
    Alito, Trump & Abbott Greenlight Political Extremism: How Partisan Justice Muddles Democracy

    Alito, Trump & Abbott Greenlight Political Extremism: How Partisan Justice Muddles Democracy

    In this episode, Alex discusses how the Republican party is slowly starting to greenlight political extremism and by doing so, is eroding law and order and faith in institutions. He starts by talking about a new Trump conspiracy that argues that the FBI was trying to assassinate Donald Trump when it raided Mar-a-Lago to retrieve classified documents. While this conspiracy falls flat when one looks at any evidence or facts, the narrative is dangerous and tells loyal Trump supporters that the government is out to get them and that the justice department is a political entity. Next, Alex looks at what Governor Abbott has done in Texas. He pardoned a man named Daniel Perry who was sentenced to 20 years in prison for murdering another man, Garrett Foster, during a Black Lives Matter protest in 2020. Even though the Texas judicial system found Perry guilty of murder, Abbott sent a message to vigilantes around the country — as long as political violence is committed against our perceived enemies, we will use the law to protect you. Finally, Alex dives into the Samuel Alito controversy regarding revolutionary flags displayed outside of two of his houses following January 6th. Both flags had historical origins but had been hijaked by people involved in the “stop the steal movement” and QAnon. Justice Alito may here a SCOTUS case that involves J6 and presidential immunity… 

    • 30 min

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