America at 250: Case for the Defense episode artwork

EPISODE · Jun 30, 2026 · 52 MIN

America at 250: Case for the Defense

from Optimist Economy · host Kathryn Anne Edwards and Robin Rauzi

It’s the United States’ semiquincentennial … and one of us is not feeling it. The other is literally carrying a flag in her bag — and that’s just her road flag. Kathryn Anne Edwards makes her case for optimism right now: The U.S. is undergoing one of the most dramatic demographic and cultural shifts of any industrialized nation. Americans agree that Congress is broken. And the people's agenda on wages, childcare, money in politics, and Social Security polls above 80%. Maybe this isn’t a backslide. It's just what clearing the air looks like. Chapters:00:01:21 Announcements00:04:10 Retcon: More on the national anthem00:06:36 Terms & Conditions: Origin of "the melting pot"00:08:01 Big Pilcrow: Make Robin Optimistic about America00:48:17 Executive Orders: End gerrymandering; mandatory hearings on supermajority issues00:50:03 Spiritual Sponsors: Knicks celebrations; bourbon in Louisville Donate to Optimist Economy: https://optimisteconomy.com Video-curious? Watch the Optimist Economy YouTube channel⁠⁠. We’re also on Facebook somewhere (search for it), on Instagram at ⁠⁠@optimist_economy or TikTok at ⁠⁠@optimist_economy.  Chat with other Optimists on Substack. Find utility with our merch: https://merch.ambientinks.com/collections/optimisteconomy Got economic questions, concerns, or executive orders?  Send them to [email protected]

It’s the United States’ semiquincentennial … and one of us is not feeling it. The other is literally carrying a flag in her bag — and that’s just her road flag. Kathryn Anne Edwards makes her case for optimism right now: The U.S. is undergoing one of the most dramatic demographic and cultural shifts of any industrialized nation. Americans agree that Congress is broken. And the people's agenda on wages, childcare, money in politics, and Social Security polls above 80%. Maybe this isn’t a backslide. It's just what clearing the air looks like. Chapters: 00:01:21 Announcements 00:04:10 Retcon: More on the national anthem 00:06:36 Terms & Conditions: Origin of "the melting pot" 00:08:01 Big Pilcrow: Make Robin Optimistic about America 00:48:17 Executive Orders: End gerrymandering; mandatory hearings on supermajority issues 00:50:03 Spiritual Sponsors: Knicks celebrations; bourbon in Louisville Donate to Optimist Economy: https://optimisteconomy.com Video-curious? Watch the Optimist Economy YouTube channel⁠⁠. We’re also on Facebook somewhere (search for it), on Instagram at ⁠⁠@optimist_economy or TikTok at ⁠⁠@optimist_economy.  Chat with other Optimists on Substack. Find utility with our merch: https://merch.ambientinks.com/collections/optimisteconomy Got economic questions, concerns, or executive orders?  Send them to [email protected]

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America at 250: Case for the Defense

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Powering the Middle TJ Wilde The podcast that celebrates the backbone of America, our middle class and small businesses. We dive into the challenges that harm consumers. Threaten businesses and undermine our economy. How do we blend timeless values and traditions with modern technology to secure a brighter future? Come explore how middle class values and small businesses can keep driving the economy, creating jobs, and offering the American dream Psychos with Ryan Williams Ryan Williams This is a podcast on healthcare, trauma, and the future of mental health.On Psychos, Ryan welcomes storytellers, researchers, comedians, actors, teachers, writers, musicians to discuss their relationship with their health. Ryan's conversational interview style gives guests a place to discuss how they are connected to their health, which will be completely new to listeners. We also have a few breathwork classes, and some older episodes from Ryan's old Influencer Economy podcast. You can follow the podcast on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, or anywhere else you listen to podcasts. Newsic – The sound of the headlines Newsic Team Newsic – The sound of the headlines. Reading news is boring. Hear the headlines instead: 6am ET Economy, 8am ET Science, 12pm ET Entertainment, 4pm ET Tech, 8pm ET Politics. Daily AI-generated music from the latest news. Creator Landscape Jake Pearson Learn what successful creators and industry pros are doing to navigate the industry and build their brands. Discover how you can grow your personal brand & professional network inside the creator economy.

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This episode was published on June 30, 2026.

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It’s the United States’ semiquincentennial … and one of us is not feeling it. The other is literally carrying a flag in her bag — and that’s just her road flag. Kathryn Anne Edwards makes her case for optimism right now: The U.S. is undergoing one...

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