On Wealth and Progress

Todd
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Balanced commentary on economics, politics and current events for a better future

  1. MAR 10

    Attack on Iran - History and Historic Opportunity

    In this episode, Todd breaks down a question many people are asking right now: Why would a president who promised to end “forever wars” risk a new military conflict? To answer that, we have to look at history. For nearly two centuries, the United States developed a belief that it had a unique role in the world. From the rise of free-market capitalism to victory in two world wars and the Cold War, America often saw itself as a stabilizing force for global order. But events like Vietnam and Iraq deeply changed how Americans view military engagement. Over time, many on the left became skeptical of intervention, while many on the right moved toward isolationism. So what changed? In this episode, Todd explains why the recent actions against Iran may be tied to what he sees as a historic geopolitical opportunity. He explores: • How America’s view of its role in the world evolved  • Why Vietnam and Iraq reshaped U.S. foreign policy thinking  • The rise of what some call the “Axis of Resistance”  • The impact of the Abraham Accords and Middle East realignment  • How shifts in Latin America and the Middle East could reshape global alliances  • Why some believe the current moment could define the balance of power in the 21st century Whether you agree or disagree with the analysis, this conversation explores the historical forces, political shifts, and strategic calculations that may be driving today’s global events. If you enjoy thoughtful conversations about geopolitics, economics, and the future of global leadership, make sure to subscribe and share the episode with someone who enjoys these topics. Episode written by Todd – March 8, 2026.

    12 min
  2. The War and the State of the Union Speech

    MAR 3

    The War and the State of the Union Speech

    Was this State of the Union speech political theater… or a strategic turning point? The morning after the address, major outlets framed it as long on patriotism and short on policy. Some critics said it lacked empathy. Others dismissed it as predictable. But what if they missed the point? In this episode of On Wealth and Progress, we break down why this speech may have been far more calculated  and effective than many commentators admit. We cover: • Why the president focused on confidence instead of “feeling your pain”  • The economic agenda already underway — deregulation, energy shifts, AI growth, tariffs  • The Supreme Court tariff setback and what “Plan B” signals  • The Olympic moment that shifted the room  • The political contrast strategy that defined the night  • Why even skeptical polling data suggested a strong performance This isn’t about cheering or attacking. It’s about analyzing strategy, messaging, and leadership under pressure. Whether you agree or disagree with the president’s policies, the political execution of this speech deserves a closer look. If you’re interested in economics, leadership, political strategy, and how narratives shape public opinion, this episode is for you. Subscribe for weekly analysis on markets, policy, and long-term wealth trends. Listen on major podcast platforms by searching:  On Wealth and Progress Learn more at:  toddsheetswriter.com Book referenced:  2008: What Really Happened If you found this episode helpful, share it with someone who cares about where the country is headed.

    11 min
  3. Of Chessboards, AI, and Player Pianos

    FEB 24

    Of Chessboards, AI, and Player Pianos

    Two hundred years ago, Adam Smith warned us about the “man of system” — the person who believes he can move society like pieces on a chessboard. Today, that warning feels more relevant than ever. In this episode, Todd breaks down Dario Amodei’s 20,000-word essay on AI risk and explains why heavy government control is not the answer. While AI brings real risks, history shows that central planning has failed time and time again — and that innovation, when led by free people in competitive markets, creates more opportunity than it destroys. From Henry Ford and the assembly line… to the Internet boom of the 1990s… to the rise of today’s tech giants, we explore why technological revolutions tend to expand prosperity — not eliminate it. Will AI destroy jobs?  Will inequality spiral out of control?  Or are we once again underestimating the power of human ingenuity? This episode challenges the growing push for global AI taboos, dystopian predictions, and government-driven economic restructuring — and makes the case for American leadership, limited government, and confidence in history’s lessons. If you care about AI, economic freedom, and the future of innovation, this conversation is for you. If you found this valuable, share it with someone who needs a different perspective on the AI debate. 🔗 Learn more at https://toddsheetswriter.com Subscribe to Todd's Substack: https://substack.com/@toddsheets   📖 Get the book 2008: What Really Happened: https://www.amazon.com/2008-Really-Happened-Todd-Sheets/dp/1641773936  🎧 Podcast: Search “Todd Sheets – On Wealth and Progress” on your favorite platform  👉 Subscribe for more deep dives on history, economy, geopolitics, and American resilience.

    14 min

  4. FEB 17

    Has Trump lost America?

    Has Donald Trump lost America just one year into his second term? After one of the most stunning political comebacks in modern history, President Trump returned to office with the largest Republican margin since the 1980s and moved fast on immigration, tariffs, foreign policy, and economic reform. For a moment, he seemed politically untouchable. Now critics say the tide has turned. In this episode, we break down what really happened over the past year — from downward job revisions and stubborn inflation to Trump’s pressure on the Federal Reserve, the appointment of Kevin Warsh, shifting immigration strategy under Tom Homan, and the larger economic battle over tariffs, China, and affordability. Is this a real political collapse? Or a temporary setback as the economy slowly turns? We examine the data, the policy decisions, and the bigger ideological fight shaping America’s future — including the clash between free markets and the rising push for socialism at home and abroad. If you care about inflation, jobs, immigration, the Federal Reserve, economic growth, and the direction of the country in 2026, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss. Share this episode with someone who wants a clear, serious breakdown of where America stands and where it may be headed next. 🔗 Learn more at https://toddsheetswriter.com Subscribe to Todd's Substack: https://substack.com/@toddsheets   📖 Get the book 2008: What Really Happened: https://www.amazon.com/2008-Really-Happened-Todd-Sheets/dp/1641773936  🎧 Podcast: Search “Todd Sheets – On Wealth and Progress” on your favorite platform  👉 Subscribe for more deep dives on history, economy, geopolitics, and American resilience.

    10 min
  5. Trump appoints Luke Skywalker as Fed Chair - Can he resist the dark side?

    FEB 10

    Trump appoints Luke Skywalker as Fed Chair - Can he resist the dark side?

    What if the Federal Reserve is the real Death Star? In this episode, Todd uses a Star Wars frame to explain one of the most important economic power struggles of our time: free markets versus monetary control. President Trump has selected Kevin Warsh as the next Chairman of the Federal Reserve, and this choice matters more than most people realize. Warsh is not a typical Fed insider. He is an inflation hawk, a former Fed Governor who resigned rather than go along with endless money printing, and someone who understands how badly the Fed’s past actions have damaged the economy. Todd walks through: How the Federal Reserve gained so much powerWhy nearly every Fed Chair eventually caves to politicsHow easy money caused the Great Depression, 1970s inflation, the housing bubble, and today’s affordability crisisWhy presidents benefit politically from Fed manipulationAnd why Kevin Warsh may be the rare exception who actually understands the danger of the system he is about to controlFrom LBJ and Nixon, to Greenspan, Bernanke, Obama, Trump, and Biden, this episode connects the dots on how bipartisan pressure turned the Fed into an interventionist machine that distorts markets, fuels debt, and punishes everyday Americans. The big question:  Will Kevin Warsh dismantle the monetary Death Star… or will he, like those before him, be pulled to the dark side? This is not a surface-level take. It’s a clear, historical breakdown of how we got here, why it keeps happening, and why this moment matters. May the force be with you, Mr. Warsh. If you found this episode helpful, share it with at least one other person. 🔗 Learn more at https://toddsheetswriter.com Subscribe to Todd's Substack: https://substack.com/@toddsheets   📖 Get the book 2008: What Really Happened: https://www.amazon.com/2008-Really-Happened-Todd-Sheets/dp/1641773936  🎧 Podcast: Search “Todd Sheets – On Wealth and Progress” on your favorite platform  👉 Subscribe for more deep dives on history, economy, geopolitics, and American resilience.

    14 min
  6. Minneapolis: Trump’s Viet Nam moment in the never ending struggle against socialism

    FEB 3

    Minneapolis: Trump’s Viet Nam moment in the never ending struggle against socialism

    In this episode, we examine the killing of Alex Pretti by ICE agents in Minneapolis and the political firestorm that followed. After a tragic series of confrontations involving immigration enforcement, early public statements from senior officials clashed with emerging video evidence, fueling protests, unrest, and calls for escalation. As pressure mounted from hardliners on both sides, the situation threatened to spiral into a national crisis. Rather than doubling down, President Trump chose to de-escalate. After speaking with Minnesota’s governor and Minneapolis’s mayor, he sent in Tom Homan, a veteran law-enforcement leader, to take control of operations, reduce tensions, and shift ICE toward a more measured approach. In a pivotal press conference, Homan acknowledged mistakes, defended lawful enforcement, supported peaceful protest, and laid out a strategy focused on public safety and cooperation with local leaders. This episode places the Minneapolis crisis in historical context, drawing a sharp comparison to President Lyndon Johnson’s escalation in Vietnam and the political collapse that followed. It also revisits the broader immigration debate, the role of sanctuary cities, and the long-term consequences of federal border policy decisions. At its core, this is a discussion about leadership under pressure, the danger of rushed narratives, and the difference between escalation and restraint when a nation is already divided. If you found this episode valuable, please share it with someone else. 🔗 Learn more at https://toddsheetswriter.com Subscribe to Todd's Substack: https://substack.com/@toddsheets   📖 Get the book 2008: What Really Happened: https://www.amazon.com/2008-Really-Happened-Todd-Sheets/dp/1641773936  🎧 Podcast: Search “Todd Sheets – On Wealth and Progress” on your favorite platform  👉 Subscribe for more deep dives on history, economy, geopolitics, and American resilience.

    13 min
  7. Apocalypse NOT: Trump Storms Davos, Steals Greenland and renames Nobel The Trump Peace Prize

    JAN 27

    Apocalypse NOT: Trump Storms Davos, Steals Greenland and renames Nobel The Trump Peace Prize

    In this episode, we break down the past week of global chaos through the lens of Apocalypse Now and ask a hard question: Was Trump really about to drag the world into World War III… or was this another case of media panic missing the point? From Davos to Greenland, NATO to Venezuela, headlines screamed collapse, betrayal, and disaster. World leaders braced for the worst. Commentators warned the sky was falling. And yet, just days later, the story quietly flipped. So what actually happened? We walk through the headlines, the threats, the sudden reversals, and the deeper strategy behind Trump’s foreign policy style — a style that feels chaotic, loud, and reckless to critics, but strangely effective when you zoom out. This episode challenges three big assumptions: Whether Europe is truly a capable partner or simply dependent. Whether Trump’s pressure helps rivals like Russia and China — or boxes them in. Whether these “apocalyptic” moments are real dangers, or just another sequel in a long-running media franchise. We also look at why Greenland matters, why NATO keeps wobbling, and why urgency  not comfort may be the real point of Trump’s approach. Love him or hate him, this is not random behavior. It’s a pattern. And once you see it, the headlines look very different. If you’re tired of surface-level outrage and want a grounded look at what’s really going on beneath the noise, this episode is for you. If you found this helpful, please share it with one other person. 🔗 Learn more at https://toddsheetswriter.com Subscribe to Todd's Substack: https://substack.com/@toddsheets   📖 Get the book 2008: What Really Happened: https://www.amazon.com/2008-Really-Happened-Todd-Sheets/dp/1641773936  🎧 Podcast: Search “Todd Sheets – On Wealth and Progress” on your favorite platform  👉 Subscribe for more deep dives on history, economy, geopolitics, and American resilience.

    10 min

  8. JAN 22

    Minneapolis

    Just over a week ago, a young woman lost her life in Minneapolis. In this episode, we take a sober, fact-based look at the tragic death of Renee Nicole Good and the events that followed. Renee was a mother of three, a poet, a guitar hobbyist, and a person described by family and friends as kind, gentle, and loving. She had no criminal record and no history of conflict with law enforcement. We also examine the life and career of Jonathan Ross, the ICE officer involved in the incident. Ross has nearly twenty-five years of public service, including military service in Iraq, work with U.S. Border Patrol, and years with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. There are no public records of misconduct, investigations, or criminal activity in his history. From there, the conversation widens. We explore the larger context surrounding this case, including: The Minnesota fraud scandal involving billions in alleged waste, fraud, and abuseThe federal response known as Operation Metro SurgeClaims and counterclaims from state officials, federal prosecutors, and national mediaICE arrest quotas, enforcement pressure, and how rhetoric shapes public perceptionWhy rushing to judgment damages trust on both sidesThis episode does not argue for blind loyalty or blind outrage. It argues for something harder and more important: fair process, restraint, and truth. Both the victim’s family and the officer involved deserve a full, unbiased investigation. And the public deserves leadership that lowers the temperature instead of inflaming it. If you’re looking for a balanced analysis of the Minneapolis shooting, ICE enforcement, political rhetoric, and the real-world cost of misinformation, this episode is for you. 🔗 Learn more at https://toddsheetswriter.com Subscribe to Todd's Substack: https://substack.com/@toddsheets   📖 Get the book 2008: What Really Happened: https://www.amazon.com/2008-Really-Happened-Todd-Sheets/dp/1641773936  🎧 Podcast: Search “Todd Sheets – On Wealth and Progress” on your favorite platform  👉 Subscribe for more deep dives on history, economy, geopolitics, and American resilience.

    15 min
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About

Balanced commentary on economics, politics and current events for a better future

Information

  • Creator
    Todd
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    40
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 On Wealth and Progress
  • Show Website
    On Wealth and Progress