THE 85/15 PODCAST

Carl Duckett and Randy Blair

In an era defined by division—where tribalism, outrage, and hostility toward the “other side” often dominate politics, media, and social platforms—the 85/15 Podcast offers something different: thoughtful, civil conversation between people who don’t agree on everything. We’re two longtime friends—one a seasoned old codger, the other a curious young whippersnapper—who talk about politics, sports, culture, and whatever else captures our attention. On most issues, we find ourselves aligned about 85% of the time. It’s the remaining 15% that makes things interesting. Each episode captures our effort to explore that 15% with honesty and respect—challenging one another’s assumptions, defending our perspectives, and prioritizing nuance over noise. Rather than trying to “win” arguments, we aim to understand them. Join us as we test a simple but increasingly radical idea: that every sincerely held belief deserves to be examined thoughtfully—even, and especially, when we strongly disagree.

  1. May 28

    Losing our voice: Have our individual freedoms been co opted by politicians? - Part 2

    The conversation delves into the debate between the use of the Electoral College rather than the Popular Vote in electing the President, exploring its historical context, original rationale on the part of the framers of our constitution, and contribution to state sovereignty. It also addresses the potential negative impact of a popular vote system on individual state representation and influence on the makeup of the incoming government. The conversation delves into the differing philosophies of conservatives and progressives and how they shape the perspectives of each regarding the election process, the impact of election integrity on voter confidence and participation, and a comparison with the more simplified voting process utilized in Ecuador. It also explores the importance of ensuring a clear understanding and strong embrace of the power of the individual vote. It considers changes to voter ID requirements, instituting bipartisan management of the voting process, placing limitations on challenging voting results, and enhancing the importance of election day on a national scale. It also explores the often falsely perceived impact of presidents on the daily lives of voters, the possibility that civil protest creates more significant and immediate change than does the ballot box, and the overarching need to return to a true constitutional model of balance of powers within the government. Additionally, it discusses the importance of understanding that the impact of local government on daily life can and should be far stronger and of greater importance than that of the State and Federal governments. Takeaways Electoral College vs. Popular VoteState Sovereignty and RepresentationElection integrity is crucial for voter confidenceComparison to the election process in Ecuador Chapters 00:00 Weekend Recap and Introduction08:54 Debate on the Electoral College19:10 Implications of Popular Vote29:11 State Autonomy and Electoral College35:05 Conservatives and Changing Rules50:27 Voting Process in Ecuador59:37 Ensuring Election Integrity01:05:08 Challenges in Voting Results01:10:48 Importance of Voting and ID Requirement01:15:48 Impact of Popular Vote for President01:22:25 Leaders' Tendencies: War or Women

    1h 26m
  2. Apr 29

    Readin', Ritin', and Rithmatic...Has Education Failed the United States?

    The conversation looks at the state of education and the role of conformity and self-censorship in shaping the educational system. It explores the use of education as a tool for indoctrination and the impact of social and political influences on the educational process. It delves into the challenges of censorship on college campuses and the impact of social media on free speech. It also explores the role of parents in education as advocates for the children and raises the question of who should be in charge of education. Additionally, it discusses the influence of corporate America in shaping educational pathways and the need for a reevaluation of the purpose of our education system. The conversation delves into the future of education, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in learning and the role of liberal arts in developing critical thinking. It also explores the disconnect between academia and industry, the impact of education on economic development, and the importance of collaboration between industry and education for talent acquisition. Takeaways Education as a tool for indoctrinationConformity and self-censorship in education Censorship on college campusesRole of parents in education Collaboration in education is crucialThe value of a liberal arts education in developing critical thinking and well-rounded individuals Chapters 00:00 The Role of Conformity and Self-Censorship in Education31:58 Censorship on College Campuses40:38 Who Should Be in Charge of Education?46:36 The Upside-Down Pyramid of Education59:29 Corporate Influence in Education01:05:03 The Role of Liberal Arts in Education and Specialization

    1h 33m
  3. Apr 23

    Sharing the Wealth: Equitable Funding of College Sports

    The challenges in college sports funding and structure are explored, along with the primary revenue streams in college sports. The impact of TV revenue on college sports funding is discussed, followed by proposed solutions for equitable funding and salary caps in college sports. The conversation delves into the concept of equitable funding and revenue sharing in college football, exploring its impact on competitive parity and the overall fan experience. It also discusses the challenges and implications of revenue sharing across a large number of teams, highlighting the need for a balanced approach to ensure fairness and sustainability. The conversation delves into the complexities of antitrust laws and automatic bids in college football, the implications of revenue sharing on player development, the need for sustainable funding, the importance of equitable funding for a better fan experience, and the need for stronger leadership and greater vision not only for college football, but for all intercollegiate sports. Takeaways Equitable funding of college sports Equitable funding and revenue sharing in college footballImpact of revenue sharing on competitive parity Equitable funding is not the same as equal fundingThe sustainability of college football is a major concern Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Podcasting Experience08:24 Primary Revenue Streams in College Sports13:27 Proposed Solutions for Equitable Funding and Salary Caps in College Sports30:44 Equitable Funding and Revenue Sharing36:58 Impact on Competitive Parity54:15 Antitrust and Automatic Bids59:35 Leadership and Vision for College Football

    1h 18m

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

In an era defined by division—where tribalism, outrage, and hostility toward the “other side” often dominate politics, media, and social platforms—the 85/15 Podcast offers something different: thoughtful, civil conversation between people who don’t agree on everything. We’re two longtime friends—one a seasoned old codger, the other a curious young whippersnapper—who talk about politics, sports, culture, and whatever else captures our attention. On most issues, we find ourselves aligned about 85% of the time. It’s the remaining 15% that makes things interesting. Each episode captures our effort to explore that 15% with honesty and respect—challenging one another’s assumptions, defending our perspectives, and prioritizing nuance over noise. Rather than trying to “win” arguments, we aim to understand them. Join us as we test a simple but increasingly radical idea: that every sincerely held belief deserves to be examined thoughtfully—even, and especially, when we strongly disagree.