It's A Numbers Game with Ryan Girdusky

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Dive into the world of data with Ryan Girdusky, an acclaimed American political commentator and writer, on "It’s a Numbers Game with Ryan Girdusky." In each episode, Ryan breaks down the most crucial data on politics, economics, and culture, providing you with the insights you need to stay informed and ahead of the curve. Whether you're a data enthusiast or just looking to understand the numbers behind the headlines, Ryan is your go-to source for in-depth analysis and engaging discussions. Listen to new episodes released every Monday and get the facts that matter - subscribe now and never miss an episode! Join the conversation and follow Ryan for exclusive insights on X.com/RyanGirdusky and Instagram.com/Ryan.James.Girdusky. Listeners of the podcast also receive a free 30-day trial to Ryan’s National Populist Newsletter at natpopnewsletter.com.

  1. 1d ago

    It's a Numbers Game: Is JD Vance already the Republican frontrunner for 2028—and is Ted Cruz positioning himself as the alternative?

    Ryan Girdusky breaks down the biggest moments from the Republican Midterm Convention in Dallas and what they reveal about the future of the GOP. Ryan argues that Vance’s convention performance looked increasingly like an introduction to the party’s next leader, while Marco Rubio again indicated he has no plans to run for president in 2028. But Ryan sees one potential major challenger: Sen. Ted Cruz. Cruz is beginning to separate himself from Vance and Trump on one of the biggest emerging political issues—artificial intelligence regulation. Ryan explains why Cruz’s call for greater AI safeguards could become a defining issue in a future Republican presidential primary. Plus, Ryan reacts to President Trump’s proposal to give American adults $5,000 if Republicans retain Congress, including the potential trillion-dollar price tag and inflation implications. And who was the convention’s breakout star? Ryan makes the case for Rep. Brandon Gill, whose opening speech contrasted the Trump and Biden eras and generated one of the convention’s standout moments. EMAIL RYAN See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    It's a Numbers Game: Is JD Vance already the Republican frontrunner for 2028—and is Ted Cruz positioning himself as the alternative?

  2. 2d ago

    It's a Numbers Game: Her Dad Died a Hero on 9/11 — 25 Years Later, His Daughter Tells His Story

    Twenty-five years after the September 11 attacks, Kim Phelan shares the deeply personal story of her father, Kenneth Phelan, a New York City firefighter who died responding to the World Trade Center on 9/11. Kenneth wasn't originally supposed to work that day. He had taken time off months earlier to attend his daughter's high-school ring day and owed another firefighter a tour. On the morning of September 11, 2001, he went to work—made lunches for his four children, said goodbye to his family, and never came home. Kim recounts what it was like being a high-school student in New York City as the Twin Towers were attacked, initially worrying about an aunt who worked at the World Trade Center before realizing her own father was among the first responders who had gone into the towers. According to the account her family received, Kenneth went into the building, came back out, and then went back inside to help others. His remains were never recovered. She also opens up about the side of 9/11 that the public rarely sees: waiting for a father who would never come home, comforting a little brother asking when his dad would return, growing up without him, and watching the milestones he should have been there to experience. Twenty-five years later, Kim wants people to remember that those killed on September 11 weren't simply names on a memorial. They were fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, friends, coworkers, firefighters, police officers, and ordinary Americans living ordinary lives. For Kim, her father's legacy continues through the family he left behind—including children who followed the family's tradition of public service. And at the 9/11 Museum, another piece of Kenneth Phelan's story lives on through a special Mets jacket honoring the diehard New York sports fan. Never forget. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    It's a Numbers Game: Her Dad Died a Hero on 9/11 — 25 Years Later, His Daughter Tells His Story

  3. 4d ago

    It's a Numbers Game: “I Thought I Was Going to Die”: A 9/11 Survivor Tells Her Story

    On September 11, 2001, Linda Martin went to work at the World Trade Center expecting an ordinary day. Instead, she found herself trapped high inside the North Tower after American Airlines Flight 11 struck the building. In this powerful firsthand account, Linda takes Ryan through the morning of 9/11—from feeling the building shift beneath her and seeing smoke fill her floor to learning that the stairwells appeared blocked. Port Authority employees Frank De Martini and Pablo Ortiz eventually helped clear an escape route, allowing Linda and her coworkers to begin the long journey down the tower. Linda says she would not be alive without them. After making it out of the World Trade Center complex, Linda recalls seeing police officers and firefighters running, turning around and seeing the enormous cloud from the collapsing South Tower, and realizing she couldn't outrun it. She grabbed onto a fire truck and thought she was going to die. Linda also describes the mysterious NYPD officer who found her in the darkness and debris, the emotional phone call that finally let her family know she was alive, and the trauma and survivor's guilt that followed in the months and years after September 11. Twenty-five years later, Linda shares her story so a new generation can understand not only the horror of September 11, but also the courage, sacrifice, and humanity of the people who helped one another that day. Never forget. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    It's a Numbers Game: “I Thought I Was Going to Die”: A 9/11 Survivor Tells Her Story

  4. 6d ago

    It's a Numbers Game: The Polling Error That Could Decide the 2026 Midterms

    On this episode of It’s a Numbers Game, Ryan Girdusky is joined by VoteHub Head of Data Science Zachary Donnini to break down the polling misses shaking up the 2026 election cycle. Why did progressive and DSA-aligned candidates dramatically underperform expectations in Wisconsin and Michigan? Ryan and Zach examine the surge in primary turnout, the growing divide between highly educated urban progressives and white working-class voters, and whether pollsters are once again struggling to accurately measure the electorate. They also dig into Black voter turnout, why Democrats are increasingly focused on electability, the limitations facing far-left candidates outside major cities, and what the latest numbers could mean for Republicans trying to hold the House and Senate in November. Could a small polling error in states like Texas, Ohio, Iowa or Maine determine control of Congress? And are the warning signs from the Rust Belt pointing toward a much different 2026 midterm election than the national polls suggest? Ryan and Zach break down the numbers—and what both parties should be watching as November approaches. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    It's a Numbers Game: The Polling Error That Could Decide the 2026 Midterms

  5. Sep 4

    It's a Numbers Game: Is Ted Cruz Running for President in 2028? The Signs Are Adding Up

    Ryan Girdusky has fresh political intel — and the 2028 Republican presidential race may already be heating up. On this episode of It’s a Numbers Game, Ryan breaks down signs that Sen. Ted Cruz is positioning himself for another run for president, including repeated trips to Iowa, outreach surrounding a potential 2028 campaign, and Cruz’s increasingly public criticism of Vice President JD Vance. Ryan examines Cruz’s potential strategy, his effort to position himself as an alternative to Vance, and why he’s skeptical that Cruz has learned the right lessons from his 2016 presidential campaign. But first, Ryan shares some fascinating inside information from a private dinner with Democratic political consultants. They discuss internal polling ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, a massive 2024 Democratic ad campaign against Donald Trump that may have actually helped Trump, the changing Jewish vote, and why some Democrats are already preparing for the possibility of Marco Rubio running for president. Ryan also weighs in on New York City’s move to restrict AI in classrooms, the city’s plans to bring eighth graders to the 9/11 Memorial, new immigration numbers under President Trump, and the latest polling from Iowa and New York. He also looks ahead to Kamala Harris and the 2028 Democratic primary and explains why organized labor could become increasingly important as artificial intelligence transforms the American workforce. Plus, in Ask Me Anything, Ryan shares deeply personal memories of New York City in the days after September 11, 2001, including his mother’s experience at the World Trade Center and what he remembers about the missing-person posters, uncertainty, fear, and grief that followed the attacks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    It's a Numbers Game: Is Ted Cruz Running for President in 2028? The Signs Are Adding Up

  6. Sep 2

    It's a Numbers Game: Jasmine Crockett REFUSES to Back Talarico as Texas Race Tightens

    Jasmine Crockett isn't falling in line behind James Talarico — and Ryan Girdusky explains why that could matter in an increasingly competitive Texas Senate race. On this episode of It’s a Numbers Game with Ryan Girdusky, Ryan breaks down the growing tensions inside both parties in Texas. Crockett is refusing to campaign for Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico after their bitter primary battle, while Republican Sen. John Cornyn isn't rushing to help Ken Paxton either. Ryan examines the voters both former candidates could influence, the controversial past comments now being used against Talarico, and why a relatively small group of Trump voters could ultimately determine whether Paxton wins the Senate seat. Plus, Ryan turns to Michigan, where Abdul El-Sayed faces new scrutiny as his race against Republican Mike Rogers remains highly competitive. Ryan analyzes the importance of black and Jewish voters, Democratic defections and Van Jones' criticism of El-Sayed. RIP Wendell Berry EMAIL RYAN See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    It's a Numbers Game: Jasmine Crockett REFUSES to Back Talarico as Texas Race Tightens

  7. Aug 31

    It's a Numbers Game: Freedom Caucus Chair Andy Harris: America’s $40 Trillion Debt Crisis Is Just Beginning

    House Freedom Caucus Chairman Rep. Andy Harris joins Ryan Girdusky for a wide-ranging conversation about America’s $40 trillion national debt, the future of Social Security and Medicare, the rise of Democratic Socialists, the 2026 midterm elections, and what comes next for the Republican Party after President Trump. Harris explains why the Freedom Caucus continues to push Republicans to rein in federal spending, discusses the pressure lawmakers face from party leadership and the White House, and warns that interest on the national debt is becoming an increasingly serious threat to America’s fiscal future. The conversation also turns to Social Security reform, including whether Republicans and Democrats could reach a bipartisan agreement involving changes to the retirement age and payroll taxes. Plus, Harris weighs in on the growing influence of DSA-aligned Democrats, AOC’s national political prospects, voter ID, the future of the House Freedom Caucus, health care costs, and how conservatives can shape the Republican Party heading toward 2028. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    It's a Numbers Game: Freedom Caucus Chair Andy Harris: America’s $40 Trillion Debt Crisis Is Just Beginning

  8. Aug 28

    It's a Numbers Game: Meta’s $17.1 BILLION Settlement Could Change Social Media Forever

    Meta has agreed to a massive $17.1 billion settlement over allegations involving child privacy, consumer protection, social media addiction, and the impact of its platforms on young users. Could the agreement fundamentally change Facebook, Instagram—and eventually the entire social media industry? Ryan Girdusky is joined by John Ehrett, counsel at Lex Politica, to break down the landmark Meta settlement and what it could mean for Big Tech. They examine new restrictions aimed at protecting users under 18, including limits on daily platform use, changes to algorithmic feeds, restrictions on beauty filters, limits on notifications during school hours, and overnight safeguards. But Meta may only be the beginning. Ryan and John discuss why TikTok, YouTube and Snapchat could face similar pressure, the growing legal challenges against social media companies, and why states are increasingly taking the lead in regulating Big Tech. They also dive into Section 230—the powerful legal protection that has helped shield internet platforms from liability for user-generated content—and whether Meta's decision to settle could reduce momentum in Congress for sweeping Section 230 reform. Plus: Why did Mark Zuckerberg's Meta agree to such a massive settlement? Could continuing lawsuits threaten Big Tech's enormous investments in artificial intelligence? And are AI companies headed toward the same regulatory backlash that Facebook, Instagram and other social media platforms are facing today? Ryan Girdusky and John Ehrett break down what could become a turning point in the battle over Big Tech, social media, child safety and online privacy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    It's a Numbers Game: Meta’s $17.1 BILLION Settlement Could Change Social Media Forever
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About

Dive into the world of data with Ryan Girdusky, an acclaimed American political commentator and writer, on "It’s a Numbers Game with Ryan Girdusky." In each episode, Ryan breaks down the most crucial data on politics, economics, and culture, providing you with the insights you need to stay informed and ahead of the curve. Whether you're a data enthusiast or just looking to understand the numbers behind the headlines, Ryan is your go-to source for in-depth analysis and engaging discussions. Listen to new episodes released every Monday and get the facts that matter - subscribe now and never miss an episode! Join the conversation and follow Ryan for exclusive insights on X.com/RyanGirdusky and Instagram.com/Ryan.James.Girdusky. Listeners of the podcast also receive a free 30-day trial to Ryan’s National Populist Newsletter at natpopnewsletter.com.

Information

  • Creator
    iHeartPodcasts
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    208
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    2026 iHeartMedia, Inc. © Any use of this intellectual property for text and data mining or computational analysis including as training material for artificial intelligence systems is strictly prohibited without express written consent from iHeartMedia
  • Show Website
    It's A Numbers Game with Ryan Girdusky

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