HR3 Dr. Josh McConkey on “The Weight Behind the Spear” — and America’s Next Mission. 11-11-25

Hour 1 Hour 1 of https://RushToReason.com kicks off with fiery debate and unapologetic truth. John Rush and Andy Peth welcome back America’s Money Answer Man, Jordan Goodman, to unpack the chaos of a government shutdown, its ripple effects on the economy, and what it reveals about America’s growing dependence on government aid. Will the shutdown be a wake-up call—or just another chapter in Washington’s spending spree? As federal workers await back pay and air travel across the nation melts down, the conversation turns sharp: Should millions of Americans on SNAP benefits be expected to work? Is “something for nothing” destroying the nation’s work ethic? With strong opinions, real-world economics, and no political sugarcoating, this hour delivers a bold challenge to how America views responsibility, resilience, and reward. HOUR 2 Hour 2 of Rush to Reason dives deep into one of today’s most heated political divides—America’s stance on Israel. Andy Peth and John Rush challenge the growing anti-Israel sentiment within conservative circles, exposing what they call false narratives driven by media voices like Tucker Carlson. Is support for Israel really a betrayal of “America First,” or is that a dangerous distortion of the truth? Andy dismantles common misconceptions—arguing that his backing of Israel isn’t rooted in religion but in strategy, principle, and reality. Together, he and John confront claims of “genocide,” clarify biblical context, and defend Israel’s right to survive against enemies who target civilians. As they call out hypocrisy and misplaced outrage, one question looms: has America forgotten who its true allies are? HOUR 3 Hour 3 opens with a Veterans Day salute that turns into a robust, personal conversation with Dr. Josh McConkey (https://www.joshmcconkey.com) —a North Carolina lieutenant governor candidate, combat veteran, emergency physician with over two decades of experience, and author of the Pulitzer-nominated Be the Weight Behind the Spear. What happens when the people who carried the weight of war come home to a VA bureaucracy that treats them like numbers? McConkey spotlights the unseen “weight behind the spear”—families, coaches, teachers, and communities—and shows how their sacrifices sharpen every mission’s tip. From IED injuries tragically dismissed as “depression” to a “COVID generation” struggling with lost resilience and leadership, John and Andy challenge listeners on how to take action. Hour 3 of Rush to Reason shifts from honoring veterans to confronting political reality with unfiltered honesty. John Rush and Andy Peth dissect the GOP’s crushing losses, asking whether it was a “blue state sweep” or a failure to communicate. From affordability to local elections, they reveal how poor messaging—not policy—cost conservatives dearly. As Andy highlights party infighting and John rejects blame-shifting, both warn that unless Republicans reconnect with voters and sharpen their message, 2026 could bring an even bigger reckoning.