From Our Generation

Crom Carmichael and Mike Hassell
  • 5.0 (3)
  • HISTORY

From Our Generation is all about making sense of history, economics, and politics through real conversations. We dive into the ideas and events that shaped the world, how they still affect us today, and what they mean for the future. No lectures, just honest discussions about where we’ve been, where we are, and where we’re going.

  1. 3D AGO

    NO KINGS? NO PROBLEM

    The development of democracy is not a sudden transformation but a gradual shift in where authority resides. The translation of the Bible into English in the 16th century marked a critical turning point, moving interpretive power from centralized religious institutions to individuals. This change extended beyond religion, elevating personal conscience as a legitimate source of authority and weakening both church control and the divine right of kings. Over time, this diffusion of authority helped lay the groundwork for representative government. These ideas unfolded over centuries. The gap between the printing press and the Glorious Revolution shows how long it takes for innovations to overcome entrenched systems. The transition from monarchy to parliamentary rule, and eventually constitutional governance, was neither linear nor stable, shaped by conflict, reversal, and compromise. Sovereignty was gradually redefined from God, to rulers, to the people. The American system reflects this evolution, attempting to formalize a balance between authority and liberty. The Constitution was not a perfect design but a negotiated framework to distribute power and prevent its concentration. Yet over time, expansions in federal authority and shifting interpretations have raised questions about whether that balance still holds. Modern political conflict revisits these same tensions. Disputes over institutional legitimacy, legal challenges between political actors, and competing claims about “threats to democracy” all point to a deeper question: what does democracy actually require? Majority rule alone, or stable institutions and shared acceptance of outcomes? Across both history and the present, one pattern persists: democracy depends not just on structure, but on how authority is distributed and trusted. When that balance shifts, the system itself is tested. For more episodes and resources, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fromourgeneration.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Dive deeper with Giants of Political Thought at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠giantsofpoliticalthought.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

    1h 1m

  2. 6D AGO

    STALEMATE POLITICS

    Major political conflicts often reveal more than their immediate stakes. They expose the underlying mechanics of power, incentives, and institutional design. Three simultaneous standoffs (federal funding for homeland security, voter authentication legislation, and a military confrontation with Iran) illustrate how unresolved disputes can shape the direction of policy and governance. Each represents an inflection point, not just in outcome, but in how decisions are made when consensus breaks down. At the core is the structure of political process itself. Senate rules, particularly the filibuster, are designed to prevent narrow majorities from imposing sweeping change, but they also create conditions where stalemate becomes the default. Mechanisms like the “talking filibuster” demonstrate how the system attempts to force resolution through endurance rather than agreement. These procedural dynamics parallel broader questions about electoral integrity, where debates over voter identification and citizenship verification hinge on competing interpretations of access versus security. Data, incentives, and institutional trust all collide in determining whether reforms strengthen or weaken confidence in elections. Foreign policy introduces a different but related dimension. Long-standing conflicts raise the question of whether persistent threats can be managed through diplomacy or require decisive force. Historical patterns, from undeclared wars to prolonged geopolitical rivalries, suggest that definitions of authority, legality, and necessity often evolve in real time. Competing perspectives frame intervention as either a necessary response to ongoing aggression or a failure to exhaust nonviolent alternatives. The divide is not just strategic but philosophical, reflecting differing beliefs about human behavior, state actors, and the limits of negotiation. Across all three arenas, a common theme emerges: systems under strain rely on rules, but outcomes ultimately depend on the willingness of individuals and institutions to act within (or push against) those rules. When stalemates persist, resolution is not guaranteed by design alone. It requires alignment of incentives, clarity of purpose, and, often, a forcing mechanism that breaks the deadlock. Can long-term adversaries be managed indefinitely, or do unresolved tensions eventually demand decisive action? For more episodes and resources, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fromourgeneration.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Dive deeper with Giants of Political Thought at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠giantsofpoliticalthought.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

    49 min

  3. MAR 13

    THE PRICE OF EVERYTHING

    Economic prosperity does not emerge from a single policy. It requires a structure of reinforcing conditions: low taxation, limited regulation, sound money, low corruption, and equal treatment under the law. When these principles align, markets function and opportunity expands. When they weaken, prosperity erodes. At the center is a concept called ordered liberty. Freedom without rules produces chaos; excessive regulation suffocates initiative. Stable societies balance individual liberty with a rule of law that enforces contracts, protects property, and holds people accountable for their own decisions. Energy and technology form another critical dimension. Rising standards of living have always moved alongside rising energy consumption. Artificial intelligence, large data centers, and advanced manufacturing are accelerating that demand, not reducing it. Historical policy choices add further context. For the first 150 years of the United States, the federal government funded itself primarily through tariffs. The introduction of the income tax changed the relationship between citizens and their government in ways still playing out today. State-level differences in tax structure reveal how these choices shape outcomes in real time, with some systems promoting transparency and growth while others quietly discourage both. Modern politics increasingly revolves around a single word: affordability. Housing, healthcare, energy, and everyday purchasing power have become the dominant concerns of voters heading into the 2026 midterms. Competing narratives claim to address these pressures, but the policies behind them often push incentives in opposite directions. Political theater surrounding the State of the Union, fractures within Congress, and foreign policy tensions with Iran add noise to the signal. Emerging efforts to root out federal waste, proposals to expand individual asset ownership, and ongoing healthcare debates may reshape the landscape further. But elections hinge on outcomes, not promises. Rising wages, falling inflation, and real purchasing power will determine which narrative wins. If affordability becomes the defining argument of the next election cycle, which policies will actually lower costs and which will quietly make them higher? For more episodes and resources, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fromourgeneration.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Dive deeper with Giants of Political Thought at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠giantsofpoliticalthought.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

    1h 6m

  4. FEB 27

    THE FIVE PILLARS OF PROSPERITY

    Five foundational principles determine whether a society grows stronger or slowly undermines its own prosperity: low taxes, sensible regulation, low corruption, sound money, and laws designed to treat people equally. Like a five-legged table, stability depends on each support holding firm. The central debate examines how these pillars function in practice. States with balanced budget requirements, broad-based taxation, and regulatory restraint are contrasted with states expanding spending, layering new rules, and increasing tax burdens. Migration patterns, commercial real estate values, and affordability serve as real-time indicators of which model fosters opportunity... and which one strains it. A pivotal moment centers on equality under the law. When policymakers secure tax-advantaged retirement structures for themselves while limiting ownership options for ordinary citizens, does that reflect fairness or a quiet double standard? If freedom includes control over one’s savings and future, what happens when that control is unevenly distributed? Historical parallels add depth to the analysis. The Smoot-Hawley tariffs and the prolonged Great Depression illustrate how economic decline rarely stems from a single cause, but from layered policy decisions that compound over time. Today’s debates over wealth taxes, rising property taxes, deregulation, and deficit reduction are measured against the same framework: do they reinforce the pillars or erode them? Prosperity does not emerge by accident. It follows policies that expand ownership, reward productivity, protect currency stability, and apply the law without favoritism. If freedom and prosperity rise or fall on these five pillars, which ones are being strengthened, and which are quietly being weakened beneath the surface? For more episodes and resources, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fromourgeneration.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Dive deeper with Giants of Political Thought at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠giantsofpoliticalthought.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

    55 min

  5. FEB 18

    BUILT, NOT BOUGHT

    Financial independence is not the same as appearing wealthy. A high income, luxury cars, and an expensive lifestyle can vanish the moment paychecks stop. True independence comes from owning assets that generate income, investments that work even when you don’t. The central contrast is between consumption and ownership. Consumption absorbs income in the present; ownership multiplies it over time. Tax-advantaged accounts, employer 401(k) matches, and reinvested dividends create exponential growth through compounding. A dollar saved early does not simply grow; it doubles, redoubles, and accelerates over decades. Market declines, often feared, become opportunities to acquire productive assets at lower prices, strengthening long-term returns. Speculation promises sudden wealth but often destroys capital. Broad index investing, diversification, and disciplined reinvestment historically outperform attempts to outguess markets. The strategy is simple but demanding: start early, minimize fees and taxes, avoid emotional selling, and let time do the heavy lifting. Deferred consumption becomes the quiet engine of freedom. Money not spent on depreciating luxuries can compound into options, options to retire on your terms, withstand economic shocks, and avoid dependence on uncertain guarantees. Even retirement systems like Social Security reward strategic timing, underscoring the importance of understanding how income streams actually function. Financial independence ultimately means control: the ability to live from assets rather than wages, and to make choices without economic coercion. If wealth grows through discipline and ownership, why do so many chase the appearance of success instead of the substance of it? For more episodes and resources, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fromourgeneration.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Dive deeper with Giants of Political Thought at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠giantsofpoliticalthought.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

    54 min

  6. FEB 12

    POVERTY POLITICS

    Wealth inequality is often blamed on billionaires, but never on government policy that systematically diverts workers’ income away from private ownership and into non-inheritable entitlement programs. Payroll taxes for Social Security and Medicare, combined with rising healthcare mandates, remove thousands annually from middle-class families, funds that could otherwise compound into long-term wealth. A central contrast emerges between ownership and promise. Private investments grow, compound, and can be passed down; entitlement benefits remain political guarantees that never appear as personal assets. Meanwhile, capital gains and reinvested corporate growth allow wealth to accumulate outside wage-based taxation, widening the structural divide. Historical tax policy, bracket creep, and modern state-level tax increases are presented as reinforcing the same pattern: shrinking disposable income while expanding government control. If wealth grows through ownership, why does the system keep us from building it? For more episodes and resources, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fromourgeneration.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Dive deeper with Giants of Political Thought at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠giantsofpoliticalthought.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

    56 min

  7. FEB 4

    SAINTS, SINNERS & SUBPOENAS

    Immigration enforcement fractures further as state officials in Minnesota refuse cooperation with ICE, even in cases involving criminal convictions or formal deportation orders. The killing of Alex Pretti during an ICE confrontation becomes a political flashpoint, with legacy media altering images and Democratic senators invoking martyrdom. Selective outrage intensifies: Ashley Babbitt’s unarmed death on January 6 is dismissed, while armed resistance to federal agents is lionized. Elsewhere, the rule of law erodes in broader ways. Clinton-era subpoenas tied to Epstein go ignored, while former Trump officials were jailed for the same defiance. In Philadelphia, a Soros-backed DA vows to indict federal agents for enforcing immigration law, contradicting the supremacy clause he swore to uphold. On the policy front, the Trump Account program nears rollout: $1,000 investment accounts seeded at birth, with investment choices left to parents. Unlike Bush’s failed Social Security reforms, this initiative adds rather than replaces, opening a door to financial literacy and private ownership for the next generation. Paired with expanded HSAs and education tax credits, a quiet revolution in economic independence may be underway. Two systems of law. Two standards of justice. What happens when a republic decides it no longer wants to be one? For more episodes and resources, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fromourgeneration.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Dive deeper with Giants of Political Thought at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠giantsofpoliticalthought.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

    1h 7m

  8. JAN 28

    GREENLAND, DAVOS & THE GOLDEN DOME

    What makes a political leader? Not just a head of state, but someone who changes the trajectory of history? From Davos to New York City, new battle lines emerge between technocrats who preserve the status quo and disruptors who define their leadership by promises kept, not polls followed. While Europe clings to procedure, Trump lays legal and strategic groundwork to bring Greenland into the U.S. security perimeter, pushing for a “golden dome” defense shield that NATO now cautiously supports. At home, the leadership question plays out in miniature: New York’s Manadani proposes massive new taxes to fund free housing, transit, and childcare... despite an acknowledged $10.4B budget hole. Gavin Newsom, uninvited at Davos, angles for relevance on the world stage as California’s deficits deepen. And in cities like Chicago and Portland, promises of equity and progress have turned into fiscal collapse and flight. Historical parallels, from James K. Polk to the Louisiana Purchase, offer a reminder: transformative leaders don’t follow consensus; they act on conviction. The real debate is whether that conviction serves the public... or just the base. For more episodes and resources, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fromourgeneration.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Dive deeper with Giants of Political Thought at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠giantsofpoliticalthought.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

    1h 10m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

From Our Generation is all about making sense of history, economics, and politics through real conversations. We dive into the ideas and events that shaped the world, how they still affect us today, and what they mean for the future. No lectures, just honest discussions about where we’ve been, where we are, and where we’re going.

Information

  • Creator
    Crom Carmichael and Mike Hassell
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    50
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Crom Carmichael and Mike Hassell
  • Show Website
    From Our Generation