Dad, Did We Just Break America?

The Ribotsky Institute
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Politics
  • Updated Weekly

What started out as dinner table conversation; part debate, part disbelief, turned into an ongoing attempt to make sense of the moment we're living in. "Dad, Did We Just Break America?" brings together two people from different generations trying to untangle how we got here - politically, culturally, and generationally, and what it says about where we might be headed. Because we can't be the only ones asking the question.

  1. 2d ago

    Has New York Found Itself Again? What the Knicks mean to a City That's Been Waiting Decades

    As the NBA Finals captivate the country and the New York Knicks find themselves at the center of the sports world, one thing has become clear: people are hungry for a shared victory. In this episode, Skylar and Corey explore why the Knicks' playoff run has become about more than basketball. As New Yorkers rally behind their team, the city is experiencing something increasingly rare: a moment of collective excitement, hope, and unity. For a few hours, politics, culture wars, and everyday frustrations take a back seat to something everyone can celebrate together. We discuss why sports continue to hold such a unique place in society, serving as one of the last spaces where people from different backgrounds can cheer for the same outcome. We also break down the staggering odds of becoming a professional athlete and what makes these players some of the rarest talents in the world. Most importantly, we examine why moments like these matter. A single game can reconnect us to childhood memories, create a sense of belonging, and remind us that beneath our differences, we often want many of the same things: connection, purpose, community, and hope. Join Skylar and Corey for a conversation about sports, society, and the power of collective joy. Because sometimes a city; and perhaps a country, needs more than a win. It needs a shared sense of hope, a shared sense of purpose, and above all, a shared victory. Especially New Yorkers.

    33 min

  2. Jun 4

    The Subscription Trap: Why We Own Nothing Anymore

    What happened to owning things? From Netflix and Amazon Prime to cloud storage, software, and even household products, we're living in a world built on subscriptions. What started as convenience has quietly become a system where we're paying more every month while owning less than ever before. In this episode, Skylar and Corey explore the rise of the subscription economy, why companies want everything on a monthly payment plan, and what happens when ownership disappears. From forgotten memberships and recurring charges to the psychology behind renting versus owning, they examine how subscriptions are reshaping the way we live, spend, and think about value. Are subscriptions making life easier... or are we being conditioned to rent everything forever?

    24 min

  3. May 29

    The Rise of Democratic Socialism — And Why It Matters

    Everyone talks about free healthcare, free college, and equality — but nobody talks about the cost. This week, Skylar & Corey break down the truth about democratic socialism, political hypocrisy, media narratives, and why so many Americans are buying into ideas that sound good on paper but fail in reality. #podcast #politics #democraticsocialism #socialism #capitalism #news #culture #media #america

    32 min

  4. May 21

    Your Insurance Won't Cover That: Why American Healthcare Feels Broken

    Why does getting basic healthcare in America feel impossible? In this episode, Skylar and Corey unpack the frustration millions experience navigating insurance denials, delayed care, prescription problems, and a system that often feels designed to wear patients down. Through personal stories and blunt conversation, they explore how hospitals, insurance companies, and bureaucracy have transformed healthcare into a maze—while patients are left waiting, overpaying, and unheard. They also dive into bigger questions about medical costs, doctor-patient communication, concierge medicine, and whether AI could help create a faster, smarter, more humane system. Part personal experience, part larger conversation about the future of medicine, this episode looks at why healthcare feels so broken—and what it might take to fix it.

    29 min

  5. May 14

    WHEN ILLUSION BECOMES REALITY - A NYC Protest & Competing Truths Part II

    Skylar and Corey examine the growing wave of demonstrations targeting Jewish neighborhoods in NYC, the escalation of antisemitic incidents, and the increasing normalization of hostility and violence against Jews in public spaces. The episode breaks down how political rhetoric, social media narratives, and global conflicts like the Israel-Hamas war are intensifying tensions on the ground, while broader societal failures leave communities feeling increasingly unsafe and divided. They also explore how history, ideology, media framing, and modern online culture intersect — creating an environment where fear, polarization, and dehumanization spread faster than facts. As geopolitical conflict spills into everyday life, this conversation asks a deeper question: what happens to a society when outrage replaces nuance, and entire communities begin feeling targeted in their own city?

    33 min

  6. May 7

    WHEN ILLUSION BECOMES REALITY - A NYC Protest & Competing Truths

    In this episode, Skylar and Corey explore what happens when people can’t even agree on what actually happened. After being in NYC as a pro-Palestine protest was forming, Skylar shares her firsthand experience on the ground — including police presence, conversations with officers, and how quickly the same moment turned into completely different narratives online. From there, the conversation opens into how social media, news coverage, and political language shape perception in real time. A single event can become multiple “truths,” depending on framing, identity, and platform. We also discuss claims of “international law violations,” how political language is used in public discourse, and why complex events often get reduced into emotionally charged narratives online. More broadly, this episode explores how misinformation spreads, how algorithms amplify outrage, and why it feels harder than ever to know what’s real. At its core, this isn’t about telling you what to think — it’s about understanding how shared reality itself is breaking down in the digital age.

    39 min

  7. Apr 30

    Something is Broken...And Maybe It's Us: One Night in Washington

    Something about this moment feels different... and not in a good way. Skylar and Corey break down a disturbing incident in Washington, at The White House Correspondence Dinner, and follow the thread outward. From security failures to media reactions, from late-night comedy to a culture that seems increasingly comfortable with extremes... At what point did this start to feel normal? And how do people convince themselves they’re on the right side of something dangerous? Got it—you want hashtags that feel more intentional and aligned with the actual themes, not generic filler. Here’s a stronger set: Revised hashtags: #generationaldebate #culturewar #mediaanalysis #politicsandculture #publicdiscourse #dehumanization #politicalviolence #breakingpoint

    59 min

  8. Apr 23

    Wi-Fi Required. Humanity Optional?: AI is making life easier, But what is it doing to us?

    Are we slowly losing our humanity to artificial intelligence? Skylar and Corey dive into the real-world impact of AI’s rapid rise, and why it’s starting to feel impossible to ignore. From healthcare systems using AI in critical decisions, to job automation changing entire industries, to social media algorithms shaping how we think and feel, the future is already here. They also explore one of the most unsettling new trends: AI companion apps, where people are forming relationships with chatbots designed to simulate friendship, love, and connection. Is this innovation… or something deeper and more concerning? This conversation cuts through the hype and the fear to ask a simple question: what are we gaining from AI, and what are we quietly giving up? Skylar and Corey bring humor, skepticism, and real talk to one of the biggest questions of our time; what it means to stay human in an AI-driven world. #ArtificialIntelligence #DigitalAge #SocialMediaAlgorithms #HumanConnection #GenerationalDebateShow #MentalHealth #TechTalk

    49 min
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About

What started out as dinner table conversation; part debate, part disbelief, turned into an ongoing attempt to make sense of the moment we're living in. "Dad, Did We Just Break America?" brings together two people from different generations trying to untangle how we got here - politically, culturally, and generationally, and what it says about where we might be headed. Because we can't be the only ones asking the question.

Information

  • Creator
    The Ribotsky Institute
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The Ribotsky Institute
  • Show Website
    Dad, Did We Just Break America?