HR2 Knowing History, Challenging Power: A Wake-Up Call for America. (2-18-26)

Join the Conversation at 303-477-5600 or text to 307-200-8222 Monday - Friday from 3 pm - 6 pm MT. HOUR 1 Hour 1 of Rush To Reason dives straight into Health and Wellness Wednesday, blending financial clarity, mental resilience, and physical health in a way only John Rush can. Financial expert Al Smith of Golden Eagle Financial (https://goldeneaglefinancialltd.com/) joins the show to unpack a critical question: can AI really guide your retirement and risk planning, or is it dangerously incomplete without human insight? How much risk is right at 50, 60, or 70—and why is “one-size-fits-all” such a trap? The hour then takes a powerful, personal turn as John and Luke Cashman tackle mental health, responsibility, and resilience, sharing real-life experiences about pressure, inherited depression, short fuses, and learning how to manage life’s “dark clouds.” What’s the difference between having a bad day and true clinical depression—and why do these conversations matter more than we admit? Health expert Dr. Julie Gatz of Florida Wellness Institute (https://naturessources.com/dr-julie-gatza/) rounds out the hour with eye-opening insights into aging, digestion, brain health, and nutrition. Why do meals suddenly feel heavier as we age? Are we overfed—but undernourished? And could decades of dietary advice have missed something essential to our hormones and mental clarity? This hour challenges assumptions—and invites listeners to rethink health from the inside out. Guest Timestamps * Al Smith – Golden Eagle Financial: 2:18 * Luke Cashman - Mental Health: 11:21 * Dr. Julie Gatz – Florida Wellness Institute: 30:34 HOUR 2 Hour 2 of Rush To Reason opens with a powerful history lesson as Richard Battle (Https://RichardBattle.com), makes the case for restoring George Washington’s Birthday as a standalone national holiday. Why has America blurred the legacy of its greatest leader—and what do we lose when Washington’s character, sacrifice, and refusal of power are forgotten? Battle explains why Washington remains unmatched. The hour intensifies as Sunny Kutcher of Young Americans Against Socialism (https://yaas.org) joins John Rush for a hard-hitting discussion on free childcare, public education, Marxism, and government overreach. Is “free” ever really free—and who ultimately pays the price? Using New York City as a test case, they break down massive budgets, rising taxes, and political promises that don’t add up. How do fear-based narratives spread so easily, and what happens when facts are ignored? This hour challenges history, culture, and power—and asks listeners to decide where government should stop. Guest Timestamps * Richard Battle – Author/Historian: 1:13 * Al Smith – Golden Eagle Financial: 11:48 * Sunny Kutcher – Young Americans Against Socialism: 28:13 HOUR 3 Hour 3 moves fast and hits hard, opening with Jay Towne, former U.S. Attorney and legal analyst for Newsmax, who breaks down the SAVE Act and dismantles viral claims about voter suppression. What’s real, what’s flat-out false. The conversation widens into media bias, algorithm-driven news feeds, and the collapse of critical thinking, asking how democracy survives when headlines replace facts. The hour then pivots to aviation safety and merit, as John takes on DEI hiring in the cockpit and reacts to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s warning: competence matters when lives are on the line. Are airlines lowering standards—and should passengers be concerned? Economic reality follows as Scott Garliss of Bent Pine Capital (https://www.bentpinecapital.com/) explains why inflation is cooling, inventories are piling up, and why high interest rates—not tariffs—are crushing discretionary spending. The hour closes with sharp cultural commentary—asking one final question: has common sense completely left the building? Guest Timestamps * Jay Towne – Former U.S. Attorney / Newsmax Legal Analyst: - 1:11 * Scott Garliss – Bent Pine Capital: - 29:07