The Far Middle

In episode 201 of the Far Middle, Nick returns under the series’ new, flexible release schedule to discuss a pressing and timely topic: U.S. trade tariffs and their implications for the American economy, the middle class, and particularly the Appalachian region.  Nick frames the discussion through the lens of CNX Resources’ core values-ownership, responsibility, and excellence-emphasizing CNX’s longstanding commitment to the Appalachian community and its "Appalachia First" approach. These values are critical in addressing the region’s challenges, which stem from decades of policies that have harmed local communities, domestic energy, and American workers. The episode centers on the recent shift in U.S. trade policy, particularly the imposition of reciprocal tariffs by the Trump administration. Nick underscores that his support for tariffs is not partisan but rooted in a desire for rational trade policy. Critics-especially in legacy media and academia-have mischaracterized the Trump administration’s moves on tariffs as economic suicide, ignoring the reality that the U.S. has long operated under a regime of unfair trade as asymmetrical tariffs disadvantage American industries and workers.  Explaining the differences between free trade, unfair trade, and fair trade, Nick contends that while free trade is ideal, moving from unfair to fair trade-where tariffs are symmetrical-is a necessary and pragmatic step towards free trade. Nick also explores the societal and economic consequences of unfair trade, describing a "barbell" distribution where wealth accrues to the elite while the middle class erodes and poverty grows. Shifting to fair trade via reciprocal tariffs can help rebalance this distribution, resurrecting the middle class by incentivizing domestic manufacturing and onshoring jobs. This not only strengthens national security and reduces reliance on adversarial nations but also helps lowers carbon emissions due to higher U.S. environmental standards.  Further, Nick examines how the move to fair trade will create new winners-such as domestic manufacturers, energy producers, and middle America-while reducing the power of legacy media, coastal elites, and sectors reliant on globalization. He cautions, however, that the transition from unfair to fair trade will be neither quick nor smooth, and that higher-than-reciprocal tariffs could perpetuate unfairness if not used as a negotiating tool. In closing, Nick encourages listeners to "bet on America," invest in domestic energy and Appalachia, and remain patient and optimistic about the long-term benefits of a rebalanced trade policy.

In milestone Far Middle episode 200, Nick reflects on the series’ nearly four-year history and announces upcoming format changes. “Like all good things in life, evolution is part of the process and journey toward continuous improvement,” says Nick. Despite upcoming changes in format, the Far Middle’s mission and message are built to last. Similarly built to last, and a fitting sports dedication for a landmark episode, Nick celebrates America’s iconic sports statues that dot cities across the country and provide a legacy for future generations to know and recall their cities’ sports greats. While such a tribute could fill a three-hour-plus Far Middle discussion (maybe someday it will), Nick proceeds to highlight his “Mount Rushmore of sports statues in the Steel City.” The four honorees include Pirates legend Honus Wagner (dedicated in Far Middle Episode 137), 1960 World Series hero and Hall of Famer Bill Mazeroski, the great Roberto Clemente (dedicated in Episode 21), and prolific Penguin Mario Lemieux. Le Magnifique is among a select group of multi-featured dedications. Including, of course, Super Mario’s feature in Episode 66, as well as his 1992–1993 season spotlight in Episode 93. These statues—crafted by artists like Susan Wagner (Mazeroski, Clemente), Frank Vittor (Honus Wagner), and Bruce Wolfe (Lemieux)—symbolize Pittsburgh’s rich sports legacy while immortalizing both athletic greatness and the sculptors who transformed history into bronze. Nick then revisits the Far Middle’s origins as a companion to his book Precipice: The Left’s Campaign to Destroy America, which evolved into a standalone platform for rational discourse on policy, culture, and current events. Across its four-year run, the show has regularly tackled topics like administrative overreach, climate policy, education, geopolitics, and capitalism, consistently advocating for “the doers” – working-class innovators and flyover America – while critiquing elitism and ideological policymaking. Key pillars of The Far Middle’s ethos include: Defending individualism against the tyranny of the majority and the wisdom of the elite experts. Promoting civil discourse even amid polarizing topics. Championing capitalism as the optimal economic system: “It's not perfect, far from it, but it's the best economic system to elevate the human spirit we've come across in history,” says Nick. Prioritizing data-driven analysis over emotional or speculative arguments. Announcing a major format shift, Nick reveals the podcast will transition from weekly 25-minute episodes to a less frequent, deeper-dive format. New episodes will focus on single themes (e.g., history, science, music) with supplemental visuals or companion articles, aiming for “predictably unpredictable and uniformly unconventional” explorations. The evolution mirrors bold reinventions in rock history, prompting Nick to present his “Magnificent Seven” of rock acts that successfully reinvented their style to achieve new heights. Those artists include Genesis, U2, and Bob Dylan, but you’ll have to...

As the Far Middle approaches its 200th episode, Nick begins with the series’ first sports dedication to honor a soccer great. That legend is Diego Maradona, whom Nick describes as the most dynamic, charismatic, and clutch athlete in soccer history. Nick recounts Maradona's humble beginnings in Buenos Aires, his rise to stardom, and his iconic transfer from Barcelona to Napoli in 1984, which resonated personally for Nick given his family roots in Naples. Maradona's arrival transformed Napoli from an underdog southern Italian club into champions, symbolizing a victory for the working class against wealthier northern teams. Despite Maradona's off-field controversies—including drug issues and alleged mafia connections—Naples maintained deep affection for him, eventually renaming their stadium in his honor. Highlighting Maradona's ascent to mythical status at the 1986 World Cup, Nick recalls his controversial 'Hand of God' goal and another widely considered the greatest goal in World Cup history, both from the quarterfinal match against England. While admiring Maradona's unparalleled talent on the field, Nick also critiques his Leftist political leanings and associations with controversial figures like Fidel Castro and Nicolás Maduro. From Maradona's undeniable soccer greatness, Nick connects to climate alarmism within sports journalism. He examines an article asserting soccer faces threats from climate change, criticizing the piece’s lack of evidence and sensationalist tone. Initiatives like stadium solar arrays, batteries, and relying on wind-powered electricity are more about virtue signaling than genuine environmental benefit, and they often result in higher actual carbon footprints compared to conventional energy sources. Continuing to address the realities of affordable and reliable energy, Nick next highlights a recent editorial from author Bjorn Lomborg, “Green Energy Costs a Bundle.” Citing examples from Germany and other European countries, Nick shows how greater reliance on renewables leads to higher electricity costs and less reliable energy supplies. He also explains how subsidies mask the true cost of renewables in the United States, advocating for transparency and efficiency reforms. And as the waning seconds of extra time in episode 199 tick away, Nick connects back to the episode’s soccer start, recommending the 1981 film "Escape to Victory." Starring Sylvester Stallone, Michael Caine, Max von Sydow, Pelé, and other professional soccer players, the movie is set in World War II and centers on Allied POWs playing a soccer match against German opponents amidst escape plans and propaganda schemes. “The ending is great,” says Nick without revealing any spoilers. “You’ll have to watch it to see it.”

In Far Middle episode 198, Nick opens with a tribute to one of the NFL’s most violent games—the early November 1984 matchup between the Chicago Bears and Oakland Raiders. The game featured Buddy Ryan’s “46 Defense” thatfocused on relentless quarterback pressure (exemplified by their 11-sack performance against Archie Manning the prior week). That pressure led to Raiders’ quarterbacks Mark Wilson (knocked out twice) and David Humm (incurring a career-ending injury) exiting the game. The Raiders’ emergency, third-string quarterback and punter, Ray Guy, refused to enter the game, fearing injury. On the other side of the battle, resembling “World War I trench warfare,” Bears’ quarterback Jim McMahon played through a game-suffered lacerated kidney. McMahon and the Bears prevailed 17-6, but moreover the game symbolizes a bygone era of raw physicality. Contrasted to today’s offense-driven, safety-conscious NFL, Nick calls it a “world where a Tom Brady or a Lamar Jackson wouldn't have a chance of being the greats that we've had the pleasure of seeing them become.” Next, Nick dives into a series of connections and great trends in history, specifically trends identified and articulated by American historian Daniel J. Boorstin (1914–2004). Boasting a resume that includes distinguished author and Pulitzer Prize winner, Librarian of Congress from 1975 to 1987, renowned historian, college professor and more, Nick proceeds to explore Boorstin’s theories and work, including: Consensus History: Emphasizing American unity over class conflict and celebrating inventors and entrepreneurs as societal pillars. Creators vs. Discoverers: Creators (artists, musicians) forge new paths without linear progress. Discoverers (scientists, explorers) build incrementally on collective knowledge. And the observation that discoverers, like Christopher Columbus, receive individual credit for collaborative efforts. Meanwhile creators like Led Zeppelin are grouped into “schools” that obscure their individuality. The Convergence of Technology with Political History: The U.S. Constitution, Boorstin argues, emerged not from divine inspiration but from practicality. Printed drafts allowed 55 delegates to debate and refine ideas—a process impossible without the era’s nascent printing technology. Even America’s discovery, Nick adds, was a “happy accident” born of Europe’s quest for Asian trade routes. An example of Boorstin’s view on creativity and knowledge is encapsulated in his line from The Discoverers (1983). He writes, “The great obstacle to discovering the shape of the earth, the continents, and the oceans was not ignorance but the illusion of knowledge.” In closing, Nick offers a playful yet profound coda: Ross Bagdasarian, the Armenian-American creator of Alvin and the Chipmunks. A Broadway actor, Hitchcock film extra, and hit songwriter, Bagdasarian epitomized Boorstin’s “creator-inventor” hybrid. His sped-up vocals birthed a cultural phenomenon, proving innovation often thrives at the intersection of art and unconventional experimentation. And what is Nick’s favorite Chipmunks album? Press play and find out! For more on the Chicago Bears’ defense, see where the 1985 squad lands on Nick’s “Ten Greatest NFL Defenses in the Super Bowl Era.”

As Far Middle episode 197 arrives with Cactus and Grapefruit League play underway, Nick opens with a fitting baseball dedication to legendary Cincinnati Red, Ted Kluszewski, aka “Big Klu.”  Nick highlights Big Klu’s four ingredients for success—ability, confidence, work ethic, and the will to win. Those ingredients transcend baseball and apply to professional success no matter one’s career path.  Nick shifts from the power hitter’s insights of the 1950s to Voltaire’s wisdom from the 1700s. Nick proceeds to explore Voltaire's Alphabet of Wit, a collection of short essays offering timely commentary on many issues society faces today.  For those unfamiliar with Voltaire, Nick explains he was one of history’s great writers, and a prolific one as well, authoring approximately 20,000 letters and over 2,000 books and pamphlets. And his Alphabet of Wit is a perfect, condensed introduction to Voltaire’s philosophy and genius.  In Alphabet of Wit, Voltaire presents an alphabetical series of short and insightful essays examining words/terms from A to Z, from animals to eloquence, from morality to slavery, and more. Here are just a few of Nick’s observations:  Books: Voltaire lamented that despite their abundance, few people invest the time to read—a problem amplified today. Government: Voltaire mocked humanity's obsession with governing despite its perpetual incompetence, a critique that resonates with modern bureaucratic inefficiency. Happiness: True joy, Voltaire argued, stems from disposition, not circumstance-a reminder for today's pursuit of contentment. Right: Voltaire's critique of paper currency (“a sham for real wealth”) parallels modern critiques of central banking, while his observations on religious institutions resonate with current debates on institutional power. Nick also discusses Voltaire's perspective on self-love, which echoes the philosophy of Ayn Rand, particularly her concept of rational self-interest. In exploring Voltaire’s view on war, Nick notes that Voltaire's take that leaders should exhaust all alternatives before resorting to conflict resonates strongly today.  In closing, Nick connects Voltaire’s discussion of the alphabet and language to L.L. Zamenhof's Esperanto, a constructed language developed in the late 1800s intended to promote peace and understanding. Though it failed to achieve widespread adoption, Esperanto serves as a reminder of humanity's ongoing quest to bridge divides and foster lasting connection.  Episode 197 is another masterful set of connections, spanning Kluszewski’s ingredients for success to Voltaire’s wit, stressing reason and timeless wisdom to navigate modern complexities.

In Far Middle episode 196, Nick starts with a blend of basketball history and intrigue for the installment’s sports dedication—recounting how basketball giants Red Auerbach and Wilt Chamberlain met back in the summer of 1954. Nick explains how Chamberlain and Auerbach’s paths crossed as player and coach at a country club in Monticello, NY. He reflects on the clash between the young, headstrong Chamberlain and the up-and-coming Coach Auerbach. For more on Coach Auerbach, revisit Far Middle episode 119 for Nick’s tribute to the legendary coach and executive. And for more commentary on Chamberlain, see episode 152 and episode 69 which honors the 69-win NBA season by the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers. Transitioning from the hardwood to hard economic issues, Nick explores the possibility of the new administration getting serious about fiscal responsibility and the need to balance America’s budget. Nick explains, “The levers in the end are indeed simple. You can raise taxes to increase revenues. That's one option. You can cut spending by government. There's a second one. Or you can scale back entitlements. And each lever, although simple, brings to bear many complexities in endless policy debates.” Inspired by Thomas Sowell, Nick discusses an additional lever, which is the potential of selling federally owned land. He notes the concept isn’t new, and the move could not only generate revenue but also reduce maintenance costs and stimulate economic growth. The episode then shifts to a curious contradiction: the decline of religious practice in America despite centuries of religious freedom. Drawing from recent studies and exit polls from the 2024 election, Nick points out the growing number of religiously unaffiliated Americans and how faith seems to correlate with political preferences. Next, Nick dives into the impact of inflation over the past four years, presenting a sobering list of rising prices across multiple sectors, from car insurance to airfare and from gas to groceries. This leads to a critique of price controls as a solution to inflation, with Nick citing the work of Henry Hazlitt and Brian Wesbury in, The Dangers of Price Controls. “Movement toward a dictated and authoritarian economy is never a good thing,” says Nick. “It takes freedom away from the individual business entity and worker and places power in the hands of government. Bad move under any circumstance and price controls are never a cure for inflation, despite how they are marketed.” Nick further underscores that the complexity of our economy makes price controls impossible. He also addresses the root cause of inflation, which is the growth of America’s money supply since 2008.  In closing, Nick offers a tribute to “the greatest name in science fiction writing and film screenwriting that you never heard of.” That writer is the acclaimed Lee Brackett, a pioneering science fiction writer and screenwriter often overlooked despite her significant contributions. Nick describes Brackett as one of the most prominent female writers during the golden age of science fiction. Nick touches on Brackett’s extensive resume and career highlights, which includes writing and co-writing many films (including The Big Sleep that starred Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall), working on Westerns alongside director Howard Hawks, and much more. One of her last works and her final scre...

As spring training gets underway during the premiere week of Far Middle episode 195, Nick leads off with a timely and heartfelt dedication to one of baseball’s greatest leadoff hitters—the late, great Rickey Henderson. Nick recalls Henderson's distinctive style and personality, including his crouched batting stance and his tendency to refer to himself in the third person. Reflecting on Henderson's record-breaking career, Nick highlights his unmatched stolen base prowess, which rightfully earned him the nickname “Man of Steal.” Leaving the diamond, Nick delves into the writings of Ayn Rand. He examines her thoughts on civil discourse and advocacy, emphasizing their relevance to the challenges of today's political landscape. Rand's focus on well-reasoned arguments and the importance of clarifying ideological divides provides an important framework for analyzing contemporary issues. Nick highlights Rand’s quote from her essay Conservatism: An Obituary: “Nothing is as futile as a movement without goals, or a crusade without ideals, or a battle without ammunition. A bad argument is worse than ineffectual: it lends credence to the arguments of your opponents. A half-battle is worse than none: it does not end in mere defeat—it helps and hastens the victory of your enemies." To illustrate Rand’s argument, Nick critiques a recent Wall Street Journal article on energy policy. He examines flaws in the article’s logic and rebuts its assumptions, raising concerns about bias and a lack of rigor in business media reporting, particularly regarding energy and climate issues. Shifting from Rand’s wisdom to insights from The Heritage Foundation’s Kevin Roberts, Nick explores Roberts’ essay Populist Conservatism and Constitutional Order. Nick highlights Roberts’ observation that “the Left as we know it today has rejected populism out of hand, embracing instead Big Government, Big Business, Big Banks, Big Tech, Big Pharma, Big Labor, Big Ag, Big Media, and Big Entertainment.” Roberts includes a quote by composter Gustav Mahler, “Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire.” Nick reflects on this important message, which he says has been true since the Enlightenment and is central to the Far Middle’s mission. Ending on a high note, Nick offers a tribute to legendary guitarist Joe Walsh while acknowledging Walsh’s omission from Nick’s list of top rock guitarists. He delves into Walsh’s musical journey beyond the Eagles, spotlighting his influential album So What and his contributions to rock history. Tune in to not only hear Nick’s favorite Joe Walsh song but to learn more about Walsh which will likely have you searching Spotify for Rocky Mountain Way.

Far Middle episode 194 is another exploration of multiple interconnected topics, beginning with a tribute to Constantine "Cus" D'Amato, a legendary boxing trainer and mentor. D'Amato's life story is remarkable. From his humble and rough beginnings in the Bronx to becoming a transformative figure in boxing, Cus went on to train champions such as Floyd Patterson and Mike Tyson while developing the innovative "peek-a-boo" boxing technique. “You won't find a figure who had more of an impact on boxing, who loved it more, and who was dedicated to it more, and whose career spanned a longer time than that of Cus D'Amato,” reflects Nick. Stepping out of the ring, Nick observes how many issues today, particularly those revolving around policy, seem to rely on the faith of rhetoric and perception versus data and facts. He proceeds to analyze criminal justice statistics, challenging popular perceptions about mass incarceration. Contrary to common narratives, the U.S. prison population has been declining for 15 years, with only 17% of prisoners being drug offenders and most inmates being violent criminals or repeat offenders. Nick examines how the increased incarceration rate since 1960 is attributable to higher crime rates and improved criminal justice system effectiveness, not necessarily harsher sentencing. Continuing to focus on the data, Nick then examines federal anti-poverty programs, exposing their inefficiency. In 2023, the government spent $29,402 per person in poverty, with total federal outlays exceeding $1 trillion. Despite this investment, poverty remains largely unaddressed, highlighting government’s systemic ineffectiveness. Shifting to social media’s impact on political discourse, Nick draws parallels between Franklin D. Roosevelt's fireside chats with Donald Trump's use of X/Twitter. He critiques left-leaning calls for social media regulation, framing it as an attempt to control narrative and information flow. In closing, Nick offers a philosophical reflection on species extinction, noting that 99.99% of all species that ever existed are now extinct, and humans have been around for approximately 4 million years - coincidentally the average lifespan of complex species. Throughout the episode, Nick underscores the importance of examining facts and data rather than relying on rhetoric and perception. For related commentary on the importance of facts and data, revisit Far Middle episode 173, “Data Driven Truth,” where Nick highlights CNX Resources' Radical Transparency initiative. And if you missed episode 137, “The Fellowship of Data and Facts,” listen as Nick examines the actual data on Western Pennsylvania’s air quality, in addition to examining the Institute for Energy Research’s Environmental Quality Index, as well as the unsettling state of America’s finances.

In Far Middle episode 193, Nick follows up last week’s dedication to the American Football League with a timely tribute to legendary NFL coach Bill Belichick. Belichick, known for his six Super Bowl wins as head coach of the New England Patriots (plus two more as defensive coordinator with the New York Giants in Super Bowls XXI and XXV), recently surprised many, including Nick, by accepting a position as head coach at the University of North Carolina. However, given Belichick's NFL success and passion for the game, Nick suggests that perhaps the eight-time Super Bowl champ is looking to take on a new challenge as a head coach at the college level. From Coach Belichick’s Super Bowl victories, Nick connects to President Trump’s victory this past November and subsequent inauguration last week. He highlights the new administration's focus on improving government efficiency and reducing both the administrative state and regulations. “It’s exciting to someone like me who is a combo of libertarian, socially liberal, and fiscally conservative,” explains Nick. Nick references polling results that indicate most American voters are more concerned about government interference in private affairs than the dangers of capitalism and free markets. He says it’s time for tangible action to put Americans’ fears to rest by reining in the administrative state so that it falls within bounds more in line with reasonableness and our Constitution. Next, Nick discusses needed reforms at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), including linking research grants to academic freedom rankings and addressing issues of research fraud. “Elite academia and the scientific research that it performs are mired in a culture of conformity, one that ostracizes dissenting views or unconventional thinking from the consensus,” says Nick. “We see that occurring across every imaginable arena of scientific research, and then we see that research setting every imaginable arena of policy.” The conversation then turns to education, discussing Thomas Jefferson High School in Virginia and its financial connections to China. Nick explains how the school's curriculum and model have been copied in China, raising concerns about technology transfer and educational partnerships. The episode also revisits retirement and workforce trends (discussed in episode 192), using an anecdote about an American retiring in Belgium to illustrate demographic challenges facing developed nations. Nick stresses his concern about “the system” incentivizing early retirements and the impact on workforce productivity and economic competitiveness.  In closing, Nick celebrates Motown icon Smokey Robinson, detailing his career achievements, songwriting credits, and immense impact on the music industry. He also notes Robinson’s lifelong friendship with Aretha Franklin. For more on Franklin, check out Nick’s four favorite singles from the Queen of Soul at the close of episode 111. 

Far Middle episode 192 arrives as most of the US shivers amidst a polar vortex. Nick begins by coincidentally noting that 54 years ago tomorrow marks the day when Prospect Creek Camp, Alaska, experienced the lowest temperature ever in the United States, -80 degrees.  Beginning this week’s connections, Nick shifts from bitter cold to the intense heat of the march to Super Bowl LIX as only four teams remain. With less than three weeks until Super Bowl Sunday, Nick offers this episode’s sports dedication to the American Football League (AFL). The AFL operated from 1960 to 1970 before merging with the National Football League (NFL). While the fourth major attempt to compete with the NFL, Nick explains the factors and tactics that led to the AFL’s success; its exciting, offense-oriented style of play alongside TV contracts helped the league survive and eventually thrive. The AFL's history includes football legends like Joe Namath and Pete Rozelle, who were honored in previous Far Middle sports dedications (episodes 106 and 146). Nick then shifts to a frequent Far Middle subject, tax policy. “With so much talk these days centered around making sure that individuals and businesses, particularly those making the most, pay their fair share of tax, I thought it would be interesting to move away from the rhetoric and focus on the objective math,” says Nick. Looking at the federal tax system and its progressive structure, Nick notes that in 2022, the top 1% of income tax filers provided over 40% of federal tax revenue, while the top 10% shouldered over 70% of the total tax burden. “Yeah, the reality is that one filer out of every hundred is providing more than 40% of income tax revenue,” says Nick. “And that top 1% is about one-and-a-half million tax returns. That group comprises over 22% of the nation's total reported earnings.” On the topic of paying one’s fair share, Nick also analyzes the tax-exempt status of large non-profit organizations. He points out that in 2019, tax-exempt nonprofits generated over $3 trillion in income and held $8 trillion in assets. The episode concludes with a discussion of global demographic trends, comparing and contrasting China's response to the declining working-age population to that of Japan, Europe, and the United States. He highlights China’s Belt and Road Initiative, which is helping solve its demographic problems while also expanding its global influence. As time expires on episode 192, Nick shares his appreciation for the 1970s TV show "Barney Miller” (which premiered 50 years ago this week) and follows with a closing thought on personal motivation by referencing a line from Ayn Rand’s The Fountainhead.

Nick opens Far Middle episode 191 with a sports dedication highlighting a sport that’s evaded the podcast series’ nearly four years (and counting) run of tributes. Nick heads back to 1972 to celebrate that summer’s World Chess Championship match between Bobby Fischer and defending champion Boris Spassky of the Soviet Union—dubbed the "Match of the Century" (not to be confused with “The Mile of the Century” highlighted in episode 168). The historic confrontation, held in Iceland, saw Fischer become the first American-born world chess champion, ending 24 years of Soviet chess dominance. Nick examines Fischer's eccentric behavior, unpredictable playing style, strategies, and Fischer’s life following the unprecedented win. Beginning the episode’s connections, Nick shifts to the cold hard truth in refuting President Biden’s assertion that extreme heat is the leading weather-related killer in the US. From the Oval Office, Nick connects to the judicial branch to discuss Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch's book "Overruled: The Human Toll of Too Much Law," which critiques the voluminous growth of regulations in the US. He highlights Justice Gorsuch’s anecdote about a magician needing a license for a rabbit to illustrate the absurdity and cumulative onslaught of the bureaucratic state. This leads to a broader discussion on the concept of natural law, “some of its core characteristics,” and its influence on the US Constitution and Declaration of Independence. Nick then delves into Russian influence on Western environmental movements. “Russia and its controlled interests have been large funders and backers and supporters of the Western environmental movement, particularly with respect to anti-fossil fuel and anti-fracking groups,” says Nick. “It's true, even if it sounds like something out of a Hollywood conspiracy thriller.” Russia’s manipulation of public opinion also extends to recent protests against a lithium mine in Serbia, which would threaten Russia’s energy dominance over Europe. Staying on foreign policy, Nick addresses the United Nations' "Pact for the Future" and "UN 2.0" initiative, and the power they give to global institutions. Nick describes UN 2.0 as scarier than the original UN monster and praises Argentina's President Milei for opposing these measures. Nick highlights President Milei’s recent speech before the UN General Assembly, where the president called the UN "a multi-tentacled Leviathan that seeks to decide what each nation state should do and how the citizens of the world should live." On the topic of disinformation and misinformation, Nick looks at Wikipedia's role in shaping public perception, discussing how Vice President Harris's role as "border czar" was manipulated on the platform. In closing, Nick returns to the episode’s opening topic of chess to discuss the musical Chess, which was inspired by the Bobby Fischer vs. Boris Spassky match. The production’s music was written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus of ABBA and notes "One Night in Bangkok” is featured on the 18-track album. “Stay humble over this coming week until we convene again, and always stay connected to that far middle,” says Nick signing-off.

In Episode 190 of The Far Middle, Nick once again takes “constant listeners” on a journey through a string of connections in the spirit of Dr. James Burke’s Connections television series. The discussion tips-off with a sports dedication highlighting the fascinating story about how NBA legend Bob Cousy unexpectedly became a Boston Celtic. Despite being passed over in the 1950 NBA draft by the Celtics' coach Red Auerbach, Cousy ended up with the team through a series of unlikely events. After being drafted by Tri-Cities and traded to the Chicago Stags, which went bankrupt, Cousy's fate was decided by a random draw from a hat. The Celtics, who initially didn't want him, were forced to take him, inadvertently acquiring one of the greatest players in NBA history (including six NBA championships, 13 consecutive All-Star selections, led the NBA in assists for eight straight seasons, and more). “Fate can have a sense of humor as well as a sense of irony,” says Nick. “So Episode 190 is dedicated to how Bob Cousy became a Celtic, proving truth in the adage that sometimes it is indeed better to be lucky than good.” Nick then shifts to more serious matters, beginning with the ongoing war in Ukraine. While reaffirming his support for Ukraine against Russia, he criticizes Western media's portrayal of the conflict. He highlights Ukraine's challenges in mobilizing young men for military service, noting the disproportionate burden on rural areas for conscription and the need for Ukraine to demonstrate self-help to maintain Western support. Turning to domestic issues, Nick recounts the killing of an airport executive in Little Rock, Arkansas, by ATF agents during a raid related to firearm sales. He also comments on the case of "Peanut the Squirrel" in New York, where state agents killed a pet squirrel due to licensing issues. These incidents are further examples of continued government overreach, “the threat of omnipotent government is greater than most Americans realize,” says Nick. From the growing power of government’s overreach, Nick shifts to a warning of a potential energy crisis in the United States as he cites grid regulators’ concerns over power generation retirements. Nick looks back at the past decade of damage done to our collective energy security: “Every time you heard energy transition, net zero, clean energy or tackling climate change, that was code oftentimes for forcing the retirement and abandonment of ‘reliable’ on the grid, which is coal, nuclear, natural gas power plants, and mandating their replacement with the ‘unreliables’ of wind and solar, which was coupled to coincide with a mandated electrification of everything.” The push for so-called net-zero carbon emissions in the power sector is not only impractical, but is threatening grid stability and by extension our energy and economic security. Nick concludes by criticizing mainstream media for failing to report on government overreach, ignoring Ukraine's internal challenges, and not covering the potential energy crisis. Instead, media focuses on trivial matters like reducing or eliminating homeowners’ lawns. In closing Nick notes the episode’s January 8 premiere date falls on both Elvis and David Bowie’s birthdays. He references a couple great Bowie quotes, including, “I don't know where I'm going from here, but I promise it won't be boring.” Stay connected to the Far Middle, as there’s never room for boredom! For prior Celtics’ tributes, listen to Nick’s dedications to Red Auerbach, John Havlicek, and

  As the Far Middle enters 2025, this New Year's episode examines the evolving economics of baseball, comparing the 1954 New York Giants with today's San Francisco Giants. Nick explains how baseball in the 1950s was a modest business, with the Giants needing about $2.5 million to break even. Gate admissions were the primary revenue source, and player salaries accounted for only 30% of expenses. Fast forward to today, and the Giants' revenue exceeds $400 million, with TV rights alone surpassing $140 million. Player salaries now consume about half of the team's revenues, often as guaranteed money.  The evolution of Major League Baseball, from small to big business, ties into the episode’s theme of what was, what is, and what’s ahead with the start of the new year. Nick looks at several winners and losers from 2024 and forecasts trends for 2025.  From today’s wildly high baseball salaries, Nick draws a parallel to the expansion of federal entitlement programs and the dire need to rein in government spending.  “As we enter 2025, it is governing time, at least for President Trump and Congress,” says Nick. “And although I doubt we will see any changes or reductions in benefit to current recipients, I'm betting that you will see action on attempts to arrest spending to current levels and then to grow the economy so the entitlements become a smaller portion of the total budget pie. It's an absolute must if we want to avoid government default and economic calamity.”  Government regulation comes under scrutiny next, with Nick predicting potential setbacks for oppressive regulations in 2025—to the benefit of doers and value creators across America’s private sector. Nick cites The Harmonized Tariff Schedule, a monster 4,392-page document, as an example of complex regulatory excess that needs to be simplified.  The conversation then connects to constitutional issues, celebrating the Constitution's resilience in 2024 and anticipating its continued rise in the coming years. Nick quotes Calvin Coolidge's 1926 address marking the 150th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence to emphasize the Constitution’s enduring principles. International events from 2024 are also highlighted, including Venezuela's 2024 election and Nicolas Maduro's refusal to acknowledge the results. Nick predicts challenges for authoritarian regimes in 2025, citing America's renewed global leadership and energy independence. The Russia-Ukraine conflict is also analyzed, with Nick providing historical context and suggesting that 2025 may present an opportunity for peace negotiations. Nick calls for a realistic approach to ending the conflict, even if it means compromising on territorial issues.  Finally, Nick calls out the credibility of the United Nations, specifically its Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). “We shouldn't just stop funding the UNRWA, we should stop funding the UN until it can demonstrate material reform consistent with its original charter,” says Nick. “Last year proved to be a bad year for the United Nations. Let's hope it takes that as a warning to improve its reputation and standing this year. But I'm not holding my breath.” In closing, Nick discusses the differing accounts of the origin of the song "Blue Suede Shoes." It's one for the money, two for the show, three to get ready, now go, cat, go…off to a great 2025.

In this special holiday Far Middle installment, Nick begins by looking back on the Christmas Truce of 1914 during World War I.  The remarkable event saw widespread unofficial ceasefires along the Western Front with soldiers from opposing sides exchanging greetings and even playing soccer matches. The truce was a one-time occurrence, as increased animosity in subsequent years prevented similar events.  “But during Christmas in 1914, the human spirit displayed some of its best attributes in the form of soccer matches while in the midst of humans at their worst in the carnage of war,” says Nick. “So episode 188, our Christmas episode, is dedicated to those World War I truce soccer matches 110 years ago.”  The discussion then shifts to addressing listener questions. These include a question on the leftist movement both domestically and globally, and whether Nick sees the movement receding in impact and experiencing pushback from various demographics and republics. Nick’s short answer is yes indeed, and then references a recent article by Ruy Teixeira as he explores four main areas where the pushback is evident: open borders policies, not enforcing the rule of law, negative attitudes towards America and Americans, and climate change policies. Another listener question prompts a discussion on electric vehicle mandates. Nick cites examples from Volkswagen in Germany and Ford in the United States to illustrate the negative impacts of these mandates on automakers and consumers. Both companies have faced significant challenges, including potential factory closures, job cuts, and substantial financial losses in their electric vehicle divisions.  In closing, Nick answers a question on examples of inspirational Catholic Church leadership by recounting the life and work of Father Edward J. Flanagan.  Father Flanagan was not only the founder of Boys Town in Nebraska – helping homeless and destitute youth and creating an inclusive community during times of racial segregation – but he also helped with societal rebuilding efforts in Asia and Europe following World War II. Father Flanagan’s story was depicted in the 1938 movie “Boys Town,” starring Spencer Tracy as Flanagan who won the Oscar for Best Actor for his portrayal.  “When you wrap up an episode during Christmas week about a priest who inspired and raised thousands of orphans during the Depression, who helped rebuild Asia and Europe after the devastation of a world war, who became a celebrity through radio and newspapers, and then who helped an iconic actor win an Academy Award, you know that you've hit Far Middle nirvana,” concludes Nick, wishing all a Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah.

In Far Middle episode 187, Nick returns to the rink to recall the infamous December 23, 1979, brawl between the Boston Bruins and New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. While the game took place just two days before Christmas, “Let’s just say the Christmas sprit didn’t’ prevail,” says Nick. He recounts how the brawl on the ice spilled over to the stands to become one of the most infamous and chaotic fan-player confrontations in sports history. The incident led to suspensions, fines, and ultimately, changes in arena safety measures. From the chaos at the Garden in 1979, Nick fast-forwards to the chaos that’s ensuing in Cuba following recent nationwide power outages in October, early November, and early December, in addition to smaller-scale power cuts. The ramifications from the loss of reliable electricity – a lack of running water, food spoilage, supply chains halted, banks and ATMs shut down, and much more – has put the Cuban economy on the precipice of collapse. It's, “effectively what happens when a society loses access to energy,” says Nick. He discusses the Cuban government's response, including declaring a state of emergency and implementing various restrictions akin to pandemic-era measures in the United States. Next, Nick returns to the U.S. to examine New Mexico's latest energy policies, as the “Land of Enchantment” pursues California-style climate and energy regulations. New Mexico’s mandates for electric vehicles and renewable energy are ill-suited for New Mexico's geography and will lead to economic trouble. Highlighting the importance of the state’s oil and natural gas industry, Nick explains how the state’s leftist policies aim to bite the hand – or industry – that feeds the government (and economy), while also serving as a regressive tax on residents of one of the poorest states. The discussion then shifts to recycling, questioning the effectiveness and economics of current recycling practices. Nick cites data revealing an overwhelming portion of recyclable materials end up in landfills or incinerators, exposing the cost and “feel-good veneer” of recycling versus the reality of recycling economics and chemistry. In closing, Nick addresses the issue of remote work among federal government employees, office space utilization, potential taxpayer fraud, and calls for greater accountability and a return to in-office work for government agencies. And lastly, Nick brings the episode’s connections altogether in the West Texas town of El Paso.

  In Far Middle episode 186, Nick begins by honoring tennis icon Arthur Ashe. Nick uses the episode’s December 11 premiere date to connect to December 12, 1968, when the Richmond native would become the first black men's player to be ranked number one by the United States Lawn Tennis Association. Nick recounts Ashe's remarkable life story, from his beginnings in segregated Richmond to his tennis achievements, military service, and advocacy work. He highlights Ashe's contributions beyond tennis, including his writing and efforts to educate others about AIDS. “Human beings don’t come much better than Arthur Ashe,” reflects Nick. Transitioning from Ashe, Nick embarks on a series of connections, starting with “perhaps America’s ultimate master of words, H.L. Mencken.” Nick discusses Mencken’s “inter-episode connections” to past Far Middle episodes, and spotlights Mencken’s critique of representative government. This leads to a quote from libertarian Dr. Ron Paul on the ideal role of government. The discussion then shifts to investing, featuring advice from Peter Lynch on the importance of investing in what you know, and understanding market history and volatility. From Lynch’s advice to invest in what you know, Nick offers a variation regarding the media: “Know where your news is coming from.” Nick reveals the concerning relationship between Jeff Bezos, the World Weather Attribution group, and the Washington Post. He questions potential conflicts of interest and the objectivity of climate change reporting. The conversation moves to a Supreme Court case involving Richard Glossip, an Oklahoma death row inmate. Nick explains the potential implications of this case on the future of capital punishment in the United States, regardless of the court's decision. Nick applies the final strokes to the episode’s composition by offering an interesting historical connection to the theft of the Mona Lisa in 1911, which paradoxically led to the painting becoming world-famous. The painting was returned to the Louvre on December 11, 1913, coinciding with the release date of the episode.

In Far Middle episode 185, Nick takes listeners on a journey through sports history, energy policy, and rock music songwriting. Nick begins with the installment’s sports dedication to Dan Marino, who Nick describes as the greatest pure quarterback in the history of the NFL. “He grew up in the Oakland neighborhood in the city of Pittsburgh, literally in the shadow of the Pitt campus where he would start his march to greatness,” says Nick. He recounts Marino's Pittsburgh roots, his college career at Pitt, and his surprising late selection in the first round of the epic 1983 NFL Draft, where the Miami Dolphins snatched him up. “There was no one like him before, and there's been no one like him since.” Nick transitions from, “that Western Pennsylvania and Appalachian legend on the gridiron, to a Western Pennsylvania and Appalachian massive opportunity in the making in the energy space.” He proceeds to summarize and reflect on his recent speech at the Drake Energy Security Forum. The conference was held in Titusville, Pennsylvania, amidst the backdrop of where the modern oil industry began its march to greatness. Nick’s address, “When You Come to the Fork in the Road…Take It: Assessing Realities, Risks, and Rewards for Appalachia’s Energy Future,” is available in full here. In revisiting his talk, Nick critiques current energy and climate policies. He argues that the mandated push to wind and solar power is misguided, citing their lack of energy density, ignored ecological damage, poor economics, and overlooked carbon footprints. Nick explains how current energy policies are more about controlling individuals than environmental protection. Those policies are also aiding foreign adversaries like Russia and China while also expanding government reach into personal decision making, from food to transportation choices. Nick then pivots to discuss the promise of Appalachia’s rich energy resources, particularly the Marcellus and Utica natural gas reserves, and highlights innovations such as captured coal mine methane (CMM) and on-pad manufacturing of compressed and liquefied natural gas. These solutions are ready to serve growing energy demands in sectors such as hydrogen production, sustainable aviation fuel, and AI data centers. “The opportunity for the Appalachian Basin and for places like Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Eastern Ohio, Virginia and its western panhandle are very exciting,” says Nick. “And the markets are just starting to realize it. We are about to experience a transformation of Appalachia in the United States, and that is a massive opportunity.” In closing, Nick connects the episode’s December 4 premiere date to the December 4, 1971, fire at the Casino de Montreux in 1971. During a Frank Zappa concert, a flare ignited the casino's wooden ceiling, causing a blaze that would later inspire the lyrics of Deep Purple's iconic song "Smoke on the Water." Nick describes how Zappa (who passed away in December 4, 1993, coincidentally also on the episode’s release date) calmly directed the audience to safety, avoiding a potential tragedy, and how Zappa’s concert inadvertently contributed to one of the most famous songs in rock history.

In Far Middle episode 184, Nick wishes all a Happy Thanksgiving before turning to the hardwood for the episode’s sports dedication to basketball legend Patrick Ewing. Born in Jamaica, Ewing moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts, at 12 years old and became a dominant high school player. Nick reflects on Ewing’s stellar college career at Georgetown under Coach John Thompson. As a Hoya, Ewing played in three historic NCAA finals in 1982, 1984, and 1985. Nick then describes how Ewing ended up going to the Knicks as the first overall pick in the 1985 NBA draft. While Ewing is in the Basketball Hall of Fame, and a two-time Olympic gold medalist and 11-time NBA All-Star, he never won an NBA championship despite two Finals appearances. However, Nick notes he played during a tough time to win a title that included the Lakers’ “Showtime” era and the Bulls’ domination during the 1990s.   Nick then connects from Ewing’s time in Cambridge to Harvard University, the principal focus of the installment’s discussion. Nick begins by reviewing Harvard's recent policy change to refrain from taking official positions on controversial public policy issues. “That is quite the departure from what Harvard embraced prior, particularly with social justice and Israeli-Palestinian issues,” explains Nick. The conversation shifts to Bill Ackman, a Harvard alum and prominent hedge fund manager. Ackman recently applied his activist investor approach to evaluate Harvard as if it were a business opportunity. Nick describes the approach as both unconventional and genius. Ackman’s assessment, titled "Veritas?" (Latin for "truth"), assesses Harvard's performance across four key areas: exposure to diverse viewpoints, free speech, academic rigor, and a safe learning environment. Ackman's analysis reveals concerning trends at Harvard, including a lack of ideological diversity among faculty, poor rankings in free speech protection, grade inflation, and issues with creating a safe learning environment for all students. The episode also explores data on faculty growth and degree recipients across different departments at Harvard, highlighting potential resource allocation imbalances. “Universities are underfunding STEM and sometimes diluting STEM to the benefit of subsidizing certain liberal arts and social science programs,” says Nick. “And that's not what the economy needs in 2024 if we want to compete on a world stage.” Nick closes by drawing parallels between Harvard's influence in academia and the impact of Johnny Ray in the music industry. Ray, often considered the "father of rock and roll," set the stage for the genre in the 1950s and influenced many subsequent artists, despite being relatively unknown to modern audiences.

In another engaging Far Middle installment, Nick takes “constant listeners” on a journey through American football history and political philosophy. George "Papa Bear" Halas, a titan of professional football whose influence extended far beyond the gridiron, is honored with episode 183’s sports dedication. Born in 1895, Halas lived a remarkable life that spanned nearly nine decades. He was not only a professional football player, coach, and executive but also the founder and owner of the Chicago Bears. Halas's contributions to the sport were immense, including co-founding the NFL's predecessor in 1920 and introducing numerous innovations such as daily team practices, film analysis of opponents, and radio game broadcasts. His legacy in football is unparalleled, with 63 years as an owner, 40 as a coach, 324 wins, and eight NFL titles. But Halas was more than just a football legend. He briefly played for the New York Yankees, earned a civil engineering degree from Illinois, and served in the Navy during World War I, where he was named MVP of the 1919 Rose Bowl (that’s right, the 1919 Rose Bowl was played between the Mare Island Marines and the Great Lakes Navy).  Halas’ life story embodies the potential of America and serves as a fitting dedication for the episode, which then takes a turn to explore the complexities of American political philosophy. Nick explains the discussion is inspired by Matt Wolfson's recent essay, "Two Forms of American Liberalism." Nick challenges the oversimplified binary view of conservative versus liberal, arguing for a more nuanced understanding of political ideologies. He distinguishes between progressivism, libertarianism, classic liberalism, conservatism, and leftism, emphasizing the significant differences between being liberal and being leftist.  Delving deeper, Nick examines Wolfson's two categories of liberalism: classic and managerial. Classic liberalism advocates for representative government strengthened by associations close to people, free markets with limited government intervention, and non-interventionism in foreign policy. In contrast, managerial liberalism promotes centralized government and large institutions, relying on expert administrators, academia, and judges for policymaking. Nick traces the evolution of these two forms of liberalism throughout American history, from the early debates between James Madison and Alexander Hamilton to the shifts that occurred during the New Deal and post-World War II era. “Somewhere between the Great Depression and Lyndon Johnson's policies, between say 1930 and 1970, managerial liberalism superseded classic liberalism, and managerial liberalism now dominates American politics and policy,” says Nick. The result has been an erosion of free speech, inconsistent respect for property rights, and expansion of bureaucratic control. Nick emphasizes the need for classic liberalism to regain a stronger footing in America. And, in closing, connects order to political philosophies with Dmitri Mendeleev's creation of the periodic table in chemistry, highlighting the importance of clarity and organization in understanding complex systems. Far Middle Connections: The November 20th premiere date of episode 183 coincides with the passing of Russian author Leo Tolstoy over a century ago, on November 20, 1910. Revisit the close of episode 181 for Nick’s reflection on Tolstoy’s short story “How Much Land Does a Man Need?”

In Far Middle episode 182, Nick presents an unconventional analysis of the 2024 presidential election.  Before assessing the lessons from the 2024 election, Nick begins with a fitting sports dedication. That tribute goes to President Gerald Ford as Nick highlights not only Ford's athletic career at the University of Michigan (helping lead the Wolverines to two national championships), but also Ford’s service in the Navy and the South Pacific during World War II. “A single word sums up everything we've been subjected to, that we've observed, that we thought, and that we've experienced in the 2024 presidential race. And that single word that captures it all, from message to theme, exposed,” says Nick as he proceeds to decode the takeaways from this year’s presidential race. Nick argues that the 2024 election exposed various truths, fictions, strengths, and weaknesses of the candidates and the political landscape. And ultimately the election was a choice between Trump and anti-Trump, or between viewing the country as on the right track versus the wrong track. Assessing Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, Nick details the nominees’ strengths and weaknesses and how they were exposed throughout the campaign. In addition to the candidates, Nick comments on a “slew of false fictions” that were also exposed. Those include the notion that Trump's support was limited to white Americans, the influence (or lack thereof) of Hollywood celebrities, the idea that early mail-in voting favors Democrats, and the reliability of mainstream media and pollsters.  “The election exposed that the party with the most diverse coalition this time around was the Republicans, not the Democrats, which is fascinating. And I think it'll be fascinating to see how that evolves over time,” says Nick. The election revealed new voter demographics, suggesting that the electorate is now more divided along economic lines (paycheck-to-paycheck voters vs. affluent elite voters) rather than traditional racial or gender lines. Nick closes by connecting back to one of the episode’s earlier mentioned celebrities, Robert De Niro, for a brief discussion of the classic film Raging Bull, as the episode's November 13 release date coincides with Raging Bull’s 1980 premiere in New York City.

Far Middle episode 181 arrives the day after the 2024 General Election.“Election Day is about as American as you can get, and we are in the middle of a great football season, which is another thing that is about as American as you can get,” begins Nick. Accordingly, Nick pays homage to “Captain America,” better known as legendary NFL quarterback Roger Staubach for the installment’s sports dedication.Recounting Staubach’s impressive career, Nick looks back on his college days at the U.S. Naval Academy, his subsequent service in the Navy, and his success with the Dallas Cowboys. Staubach's achievements include winning the Heisman Trophy, serving in the Vietnam War, leading the Cowboys to five Super Bowl appearances and two victories, building a successful real estate business, and much more.Transitioning from Staubach's story, Nick begins the episode’s string of connections, starting by spotlighting a recent Government Accountability Office report that estimated $236 billion in improper payments last year. For perspective, Nick notes that figure is more than six times the Department of Justice's annual budget.From wasteful spending of federal tax dollars, Nick connects to wasteful spending of state tax dollars in California. The Golden State has spent $24 billion over the last five years to address homelessness. Despite those billions spent, California's homeless population has grown by roughly 20 percent over the past five years. And further, 30 percent of the nation's homeless population today is now found in California.“California's multi-billion-dollar homelessness industrial complex has had the opposite effect, that of catalyzing an ever-growing population of homeless,” says Nick. “And that homelessness industrial complex, it consists of nine state agencies and more than 30 individual programs. It is massive, complex and expensive. But we can't say that it's effective. It may be making the problem worse.”Next up, the “Fauci Focus” finds a home once again on the Far Middle. The segment returns as Nick calls out testimony from Dr. Fauci where he stated that the 6-foot distancing rule “sort of just appeared.” And Nick also addresses Dr. Fauci’s statements that he didn’t recall any supporting evidence for masking children.Moving abroad, Nick discusses a case involving Swiss women and the European Court of Human Rights, “yes there is such a thing,” affirms Nick. The court agreed with the women's claim that Switzerland was a human rights abuser due to inaction on climate change. The case “shows the danger of handing over delegating authority from a sovereign nation to an international or multinational organization like the EU and its kangaroo courts.”The episode’s connections connect to “a very underrated and underappreciated economist by the name of Vernon L. Smith,” says Nick. Smith is considered the founder of experimental economics. Nick discusses Smith’s views on inflation and printing money to pay government debts, as well as the importance of raising the value of work to help the poor, contrasting with current trends in America.“The way to raise the value of people's work is to get government and the bureaucrat out of the way of the private sector,” says Nick. “And the way to deal with budget deficits and government debt is to rein in spending and balance budgets, not to print more money. What worries me and what should worry you is that the trends we're seeing today in America are in the two opposite directions.”Returning to the topic of elections, Nick compares recent elections in Mexico and India, and how Western media is misrepresenting the democratic trends in both countries. While Leftist policies proliferate and checks and balances erode in Mexico, India is demonstrating its democratic strength despite its imperfections.In closing, Nick discusses Leo Tolstoy...

In Far Middle episode 180, Nick highlights a one-of-a-kind baseball brawl from his favorite era, the 1970s, for the installment’s sports dedication. The incident between Hall of Famer Ted Simmons, pitcher Al Hrabosky, hitter Bill Madlock, and their Cardinals and Cubs teammates in 1974 was a memorable altercation, but also one of which many fans may be unaware. Listen as Nick recounts the wild events that took place in St. Louis just over 50 years ago. Delving into more serious issues, Nick explains the episode's theme. He describes it as “standards and rule of law, meeting those standards – or falling short – getting rule of law right or getting it wrong, and then second chances to get things back on course." With that synopsis, Nick begins a critique of the Secret Service, highlighting several recent failures and historical lapses in security protocols. Drawing parallels between these failures and broader governance issues, Nick questions the influence of unelected individuals like First Lady Jill Biden on executive decisions. He emphasizes the importance of adhering to constitutional norms and protocols for succession of power. Nick stresses that he has no opposition to the important role of first ladies or first gentlemen, but rather highlights that they are not elected by the voters to be or to act as president. “If the president is unable to perform the duty of office, there are pretty clear protocols in place that lay out what needs to be done in the interim until another election,” says Nick. “It doesn't say in any of those protocols that first lady or first gentleman assumes the responsibilities of their elected spouse.” Connecting from the rules relating to the succession of power in the executive branch, Nick then discusses the rules pertaining to America’s legal system and warns of the dangers of lawfare. Nick calls for a consistent legal system based on established rules that apply universally and are clearly defined. He criticizes the Chevron deference, which granted excessive power to bureaucrats, and praises its recent overturn by the Supreme Court in the Loper-Bright decision, providing a return to constitutional balance among the branches of government and “a return to sound government and rule of law.” In closing, Nick recounts Ricky Nelson's career transformation from a teen idol to a country-rock artist. He discusses Nelson's hit song "Garden Party," inspired by an incident at Madison Square Garden where Nelson was booed for playing new material instead of his old hits. The song's lyrics reflect Nelson's realization about staying true to oneself despite public opinion.

Far Middle episode 179 honors the one and only Chuck Bednarik. Not only does Bednarik join a long list of football legends celebrated on the Far Middle, but he joins a distinguished class of Far Middle sports legends who also served in our military, such as Ted Williams, Joe DiMaggio, Bob Feller, and Pat Tillman. Nick looks back on “Concrete Charlie’s” Depression-era childhood in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, his service as a B-24 bomber gunner in World War II, and his subsequent rise as a dual-threat college football player at the University of Pennsylvania. Bednarik was selected first overall in the 1949 NFL Draft by the Eagles and became known for his fierce defensive play, contributing to two NFL championships. Nick highlights Bednarik's infamous moments on the field, including his iconic tackle of Frank Gifford that left Gifford unconscious and led to lasting notoriety. Describing Bednarik as versatile and outspoken, Nick transitions from sports to literature to highlight the versatile and outspoken writer George Orwell, “one of my top three favorite writers of all time.” Nick delves into Orwell's non-fiction political essays, examining how they contrast democracy with fascism and totalitarianism. Topics include media control, the manipulation of truth, and the dangers of totalitarian regimes. Nick links these ideas to contemporary political and societal issues. As evidence of the media’s impact on public perception, Nick explores Orwell's analysis of the panic caused by Orson Welles' "War of the Worlds" broadcast. It’s another one-of-a-kind Far Middle as Nick tackles truth and the hard-hitting pair of Chuck Bednarik and George Orwell.

In Far Middle episode 178, Nick begins with a reflection on Christopher Columbus following the recent Columbus Day holiday, noting its significance for Italian Americans. Next, Nick recalls a trifecta of iconic and dramatic sports moments for the installment’s sports dedication. These baseball and hockey classics may not have been championship-winning games, but they’re often remembered as such.  Starting at Fenway Park, Nick remembers Game 6 of the 1975 World Series. He then recalls the "Miracle on Ice" at the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics, and then shifts six years later and 300 miles south to Shea Stadium for Game 6 of the 1986 World Series. Moving from rivalries in sports to rivalries in major American political parties and philosophies, Nick delves into the current state of American conservatism. Acknowledging the work of the Hudson Institute’s John Fonte, Nick analyzes the competing conservative views between National Conservatives and Freedom Conservatives.  These groups represent different "waves" of conservative thought, with Freedom Conservatives representing the "second wave” and National Conservatives associated with the "third wave.” Nick reviews the key differences between these groups, including their views on globalization, immigration, and the role of government in cultural issues. “What National Conservatives and Freedom Conservatives all agree upon, and for that matter classic or traditional Liberals and Libertarians like myself, is an affirmation of the idea of America as something special,” says Nick. “That they all agree on, even though they seem to disagree on everything else. The Left however, it views America as in need of a revolutionary transformation because it views America and its history as deeply problematic.”  From Conservatism and classic Liberalism and Libertarianism, Nick explores the economic philosophy of Friedrich Hayek and his influential book "The Road to Serfdom," drawing connections between Hayek's ideas and current Conservative movements. After reaffirming the dangers of state control and intervention into free markets and individual rights, Nick assesses the latest on America’s financial and employment situation—a recurring, albeit sobering, Far Middle topic. In closing, Nick concludes with a tribute to Pope John Paul II on the anniversary of his election as pope. Nick shares several interesting facts about the pontiff, including his prolific writing, extensive travels, and his role in opposing communism in Poland. For more on the “Miracle on Ice,” revisit the intro to Far Middle episode 80, “Welcome to the No-Growth Hotel.”

In Far Middle episode 177, Nick begins by wishing Jewish friends and listeners a thoughtful upcoming Yom Kippur and best wishes for the new year. Nick then proceeds to examine a series of interconnected yet seemingly unrelated topics in classic Far Middle fashion. In one of the more unique sports dedications, Nick offers a tribute to actor Burt Young, best known for his role as Paulie in the Rocky films. Young, who passed away a year ago yesterday, had a brief but successful professional boxing career before becoming an actor. He trained under legendary boxing coach Cus D'Amato and acting teacher Lee Strasberg, and in addition to Rocky, appeared in classic films like Chinatown and Once Upon a Time in America.  Nick next delves into government and administrative intervention in the private sector, highlighting three examples:  In California, Google recently struck a $180 million deal with the state to fund government-backed news organizations. This arrangement raises concerns about the independence of journalism and the potential for news outlets to become mouthpieces for government interests. In New York, the state has agreed to pay exorbitant prices for electricity from offshore wind farms, potentially burdening taxpayers and ratepayers. The agreed-upon prices are significantly higher than estimated breakeven costs, raising questions about the economic viability of these projects. Nick then examines numerous legal defeats suffered by federal agencies like the FCC, EPA, and SEC as courts have ruled against their attempts to expand regulatory power without proper authority. These cases highlight the “covert but serious campaign going on when it comes to the administrative state looking to expand its power and authority,” says Nick. “This behavior by the administrative state is lawlessness…the administrative state intends to disregard the law as it seeks to impose its will on the citizens of this country without any authority or consent from the governed. The best term for that is indeed lawlessness.” Nick closes by connecting the episode’s discussion to English novelist Joseph Conrad, who died a century ago this past August. Conrad's writings, particularly "Heart of Darkness," explored the dark side of human nature and challenged notions of progress. Nick draws parallels between Conrad's critiques of colonialism and modern concerns about government overreach and unintended consequences of well-intentioned policies. “Don't be too eager or easily swayed when it comes to government or bureaucratic promises of saving the planet, furthering education, or helping the downtrodden through state control. The actual results may make things much worse,” concludes Nick.

In Far Middle episode 176, baseball great Willie Mays makes a series encore appearance in conjunction with the episode’s sports dedication. While Mays was honored in episode 24, it’s an interview Mays gave in 1954 that’s the focus of this installment. In that interview, Mays revealed his mindset as a professional athlete in the 1950s, which included emphasizing the importance of loving the game, living a clean life, and getting the right amount of sleep. He believed in learning through experience and developing one's own style, as evidenced by his unconventional "basket catch" technique. Mays' approach demonstrated confidence and self-assurance that led to excellence. Next, Nick connects “to another example of self-confidence and self-assurance, but in this instance leading to epic — and I mean epic — human suffering and historical tragedy.” He proceeds to examine Adolf Hitler's experiences during World War I. Those experiences shaped Hitler’s self-assured and often arrogant approach to military strategy in World War II.  Hitler's front-line experiences as a messenger in the trenches gave him a sense of superiority over his generals, whom he viewed as detached from the realities of war. This confidence in his judgment, stemming from his firsthand war experiences, tragically contributed to his disastrous military decisions in World War II. “Sometimes the greatest among us, and the worst of the human species, they share some things in common,” says Nick. “And understanding the nature of that overlap, I think it can help us fortify the greatest and avoid the worst.”  Continuing to discuss the thin line between genius and madness, Nick examines a third and final connection: Billy Joe Shaver. A founding father of outlaw country music, Shaver's unconventional path to success included overcoming personal setbacks, such as losing parts of two fingers in a lumber mill accident. Shaver’s unique songwriting style and independent spirit helped birth the outlaw country genre. However, his non-conformist attitude also had a darker side, as evidenced by a shooting incident in 2007, for which he was later acquitted. Nick concludes by emphasizing the importance of maintaining a moral compass while being self-confident and challenging conventional wisdom. The episode’s three seemingly unrelated figures illustrate how similar traits can lead to vastly different outcomes, from greatness to tragedy.

Far Middle episode 175 returns to the rink with a tribute to Bob Probert for this week’s sports dedication. Probert is widely considered the greatest hockey enforcer in NHL history and could play both ends of the ice, scoring 20 to 30 goals per season. “Probie” played primarily for the Detroit Red Wings and was known for his intimidating presence—tallying 232 fights and 3,300 penalty minutes over 16 NHL seasons. Nick calls Probert “the greatest of a dying, and perhaps already dead, breed.” Drawing a parallel from Probert's role as a deterrent on the ice, Nick connects to the concept of nuclear deterrence, continuing prior episode 174’s look at the importance of missile defense in our unstable world of multiple nuclear capable adversaries. Specifically, Nick examines the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, referencing Robert F. Kennedy's book "Thirteen Days." Learning lessons from those 13 days in October 1962 are “of vital importance today because with multiple threats facing the West—China, Russia, Iran and North Korea—decision making in geopolitical crises that involve nuclear powers may need to become much more process-driven versus individualistic or ego-driven,” says Nick. Analyzing the crisis management by President Kennedy and his executive committee (EXCOMM), Nick emphasizes the importance of structured decision-making and time management in high-stakes geopolitical situations. And he explores the three "velocities" at play during the crisis: the velocity of Russian initiative, the velocity of American response, and the velocity of assessing and deciding a course of action. “Recognizing and organizing a process and subsequent decisions into different components, that's going to be crucial to managing a rational process during time of tension,” says Nick. Nick then examines how nuclear deterrence strategies have evolved since 1962, comparing the velocities of events, response, and decision-making between then and now. Missile defense systems like "Star Wars" or Iron Dome are just as important today as in the 1980s, not just for their defensive capabilities but also for their ability to buy crucial time for decision-making during crises. Rational, process-driven leadership in handling modern geopolitical tensions is critical. Our complex global landscape requires leaders who prioritize optimal outcomes over personal legacy or popularity. In closing, Nick connects to the Mad Max series and Tina Turner's hit song "We Don't Need Another Hero" from Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome. The film’s post-apocalyptic world and the potential consequences of nuclear conflict, alongside the song's lyrics, further emphasize the importance of getting America’s nuclear deterrence strategy and tactics right in today’s world.

In Far Middle episode 174, Nick leads off by acknowledging Constitution Day and its significance. Next up, the episode’s September 18, 2024, release date coincides with the 30th anniversary of the premiere of Ken Burns' 1994 Baseball documentary. Nick celebrates Burns’ Emmy-winning series for this week’s sports dedication, calling it the greatest sports documentary ever made. Burns’ only error? Compressing the 1970 to 1992 period into one episode.  Leaving the baseball field, Nick then dedicates the bulk of the episode to a detailed account of the Nord Stream pipeline sabotage that occurred in September 2022. That sabotage represents a “sequence of events that are right out of a spy novel or suspense movie that deserve a documentary of its own,” says Nick. Nick presents a fascinating examination of the Nord Stream pipeline attack, describing how the plan allegedly originated in a Ukrainian bar in May 2022. He recounts how a small team of Ukrainian military officers and civilians carried out the operation using a rented yacht, with skilled divers planting explosives on the pipeline.  Beyond the operation’s details, Nick also discusses the geopolitical implications of the sabotage and the reactions of various countries, including Germany, Russia, Poland, and the United States. He explores the evidence pointing to Ukrainian involvement, while also noting the official denials issued by Ukrainian authorities. Nick emphasizes the significant economic and political repercussions of the attack, particularly for Germany. Transitioning from this spy-thriller-like story, Nick stays in the arena of foreign policy and national defense. He connects to America’s nuclear strategy, arguing a nuclear deterrence strategy may no longer be effective against modern adversaries like China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. “Nuclear deterrence, to work, requires mutual, rational thinking from both sides, not just us,” says Nick. “And I don't think assuming our enemies will apply such thinking is a safe assumption these days. Pursuing a modern Strategic Defense Initiative by employing interceptors, that would strengthen America's hand to coerce those adversaries into submission and ultimately to call their bluffs. Climate change is not anything close to our biggest threat these days. Let's wake up and look around the map.” Nick concludes by noting we need to remain vigilant all along the watchtower when it comes to nuclear threat, which provides a fitting closing connection to episode 174’s release date to reflect on Jimi Hendrix and his much-too-early death at age 27 on September 18, 1970, “one of the greatest extinguished.” Give a listen for Nick’s favorite Hendrix song, and see where Hendrix ranks on Nick’s list of The Ten Greatest Guitarists in Rock History.

Far Middle episode 173, premiering on Patriot Day (September 11), begins with a solemn "never forget" message from Nick. He also notes Grandparents Day, observed this past Sunday, and the wisdom and mentorship grandparents provide. The episode’s sports dedication is a celebration and reflection on the career of the multi-talented Pat Williams. An iconic and innovative figure in pro sports, Williams passed away this past July. Alongside his positions with the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Bulls, Atlanta Hawks, and Philadelphia 76ers, Williams played a key role in establishing the NBA’s Orlando Magic franchise. Williams was also a prolific writer, marathon runner, and dedicated father. He was “a doer and achiever in the truest sense of the words,” says Nick. The discussion next shifts to an update on CNX Resources’ Radical Transparency initiative. The first-of-its-kind environmental monitoring program, launched in November 2023 and previously featured in Far Middle episode 132, has now collected over 100,000 data points, which “grows by the hour daily.” That data is available and disclosed in real-time for all to review at www.cnxradicaltransparency.com. Nick explains how Radical Transparency marks the start of a new era of responsible domestic energy development, and its initial results demonstrate that natural gas is manufactured safely without public health risks. He urges the natural gas industry to adopt this transparency model across all operations. “Radical Transparency’s objective measured data contradicts, exposes, and it demolishes, frankly, the fictions and fear mongering that the radical environmental groups have proffered about natural gas development in places like Pennsylvania,” explains Nick. Nick stresses that Radical Transparency’s data collection is continuous and ongoing, and the program’s directly measured data provides the superior path forward to setting energy policy. “Radical Transparency has and will continue to benefit all stakeholders,” adds Nick. “The most important stakeholder being the residents and the environment in which we all live.” In closing, Nick connects back to the episode’s September 11 release date with a nostalgic reference to the release of the Atari 2600 on September 11, 1977, highlighting the classic system’s impact on video gaming and helping spark Nick’s interest in computer programming.

The Far Middle episode 172 returns to the rink for the installment’s sports dedication, this time honoring Steve Yzerman, affectionately known as "Captain Redwing" or "Stevie Y." Nick reviews Yzerman's historic career, a journey that includes a 19-year captaincy of the Detroit Red Wings, three Stanley Cup victories, Olympic gold medals, and influencing future players like Sidney Crosby. Nick also notes Yzerman's exceptional two-way play, clutch performances, and his status as one of the greatest captains in NHL history. From “The Captain,” Nick shifts to the episode’s principal topic: the often-overlooked historical significance of hotels. Nick proceeds to present an entertaining look at the historic journey of The Hague’s Hotel Des Indes. While Nick profiles the more than 150-year legacy of the Hotel Des Indes, he stresses that “you'd be surprised at how many locations offer up scores of hotels that carry fascinating stories within their walls.” Nick’s discussion parallels and expands upon his recent essay, “History Hiding in Hotels: The Hague’s Hotel Des Indes.” “There are hundreds of Hotel Des Indes across America and Europe just waiting to be appreciated and decoded,” says Nick. “They’re hiding in plain view. They're entirely missed if one is not aware of it. That's ironic because it's often with or by the person who's in pursuit of the very same history that played out down the street or around the block.” Far Middle hockey fans, for more hockey insights from Nick, check out past dedications to Martin Brodeur (episode 30), Mario Lemieux (episode 66), the 1980 U.S. Men’s Ice Hockey Team (episode 80), Wayne Gretzky (episode 99), the history of the sport (episode 140), and Gordie Howe (episode 150).

The Far Middle episode 171 begins with a sports dedication curveball. Nick leads off by noting the episode was recorded the day before Major League Baseball pitcher Blake Snell threw not only his first complete game but also a no-hitter. Acknowledging the timing, Nick humorously asks for Snell’s forgiveness before diving into this episode’s sports dedication. The dedication (and Snell’s serendipitous complete game timing) definitely “makes you go, hmmm,” which is a recurring theme in episode 171. Nick draws an intriguing comparison between Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan and Blake Snell. Despite Ryan's legendary career—featuring seven no-hitters, 222 complete games, and over 5,700 strikeouts—he never won a Cy Young Award. In contrast, Snell has won two Cy Young Awards without having pitched a complete game (until the day after this podcast was recorded). The comparison highlights how baseball has evolved, with fewer complete games being pitched in the modern era. Nick then shifts focus to New Jersey's public transportation issues, specifically the financial mismanagement of New Jersey Transit. He questions the state's decision to divert funds from capital projects to cover operating costs, which has led to a financial crisis exacerbated by declining ridership and increased operating costs. The state's solution includes a surtax on corporate income, which will ultimately burden New Jersey residents. The conversation then turns to New York City's congestion pricing plan, which has been suspended due to concerns about its impact on the cost of living and commercial occupancy rates. Nick once again dismantles the argument behind congestion pricing, a scheme that overlooks the root causes of traffic congestion, which are the constraints that have been intentionally imposed upon the city’s roads and infrastructure. Finally, the episode explores the concept of "ghost posting" in the job market, where companies advertise job openings without the intention to hire. This practice creates a misleading picture of job demand and is used for various reasons, such as portraying growth or maintaining a candidate pool. And for fans of 1990s pop culture, Nick, as always, has an entertaining close that’s not to be missed. For more reflection on Nolan Ryan and the 90s (specifically 1991) check out Far Middle episode 91, Greatness, and Nick’s dedication to Nolan Ryan, alongside Mario Lemieux and Michael Jordan, for their special 1991 sports achievements. Also head back to episode 48, The Strikeout, for a look at the risk and reward of Ryan’s 5,714 career strikeouts.

In Far Middle episode 170, Nick offers a different take on this installment’s sports dedication. It’s a dedication that comes “with very mixed emotions because it ties to my alma mater, Penn State, and its beloved football program, which I'm a lifelong fan of,” says Nick. “But those core Far Middle beliefs and policy foundations, they can't be superseded by simple emotion or personal preference.” Nick then comments on the state of college athletics, focusing on Penn State’s decision to approve a $700 million renovation of its football stadium. Given the uncertain future of college sports and the university's existing budget constraints, Nick questions the decision and the financial assumptions that are justifying the project. He compares the move to a similar $440 million stadium renovation at Cal Berkeley, which resulted in financial strain for the university. Ultimately Nick presents episode 170’s sports dedication to the two Penn State trustees who had the courage to act rationally and with fiscal restraint by voting against the renovation plan. From higher education in 2024, Nick shifts back a century offering a must-listen examination of President Calvin Coolidge’s “Education: The Cornerstone of Self-Government” speech delivered on July 4, 1924. Nick calls Coolidge one of America’s most underrated presidents and highlights many insights from his 1924 speech. Connecting from Coolidge’s argument that an educated and knowledgeable citizenry is fundamental to ensuring sound policy from government, Nick then discusses the history of America’s withholding tax on employee wages. Enacted in 1943, the withholding tax is readily accepted by workers today. Nick tells the story of Vivien Kellems, a businesswoman who opposed the withholding tax system, arguing it misled taxpayers about their tax burden. Kellem’s unique activism illustrates the broader theme of citizens being unaware of government policies due to inadequate public education. “As Calvin Coolidge pointed out, if the public education system isn't teaching and instructing the citizen how to be aware and awake, then all is for not,” says Nick. “Expect the citizens to accept whatever the government ends up handing them from a policy perspective, along with the bogus justifications.” In closing, Nick references Ms. Kellems’ campaign for the U.S. Senate in 1956, and that year Elvis Presley’s “Heartbreak Hotel” and “Don’t Be Cruel” would top Billboard’s singles chart. “Put on some Elvis, pay your taxes, and stay connected to that Far Middle,” concludes Nick. For more Far Middle, the year 1956 would also see Rocky Marciano retire from the ring and Frank Robinson hit his first of 586 home runs. Listen to Nick’s respective dedications to Marciano and Robinson in episodes “Knockin’ Out 100” and “The Fastest Power Wins.”

While the 2024 Paris Olympic Summer Games have concluded, Nick keeps the Olympic spirit alive in Far Middle episode 169. Nick pays tribute to the first modern Olympic Games held in Athens in 1896 to mark the installment’s sports dedication, noting the 1896 Summer Games were actually held in the spring, and it would be more than a century before the IOC would bring the Olympics back to Greece for the 2004 Summer Games. In true Far Middle connection fashion, Greece then serves as the focus of the episode as Nick presents a unique perspective on Alexander the Great’s life beyond the well-known military achievements. Expanding upon his recent essay, “Making Alexander Great: Five Secret Ingredients,” Nick delves into Alexander's upbringing, highlighting his education under Aristotle, and the complex family dynamics that shaped his character. Nick emphasizes Alexander's exceptional leadership, strategic thinking, and oratory skills, which were instrumental in his conquests and maintaining the loyalty of his troops. Nick also examines lesser-known aspects of Alexander's life, such as his ability to dissent from his advisors' opinions and make bold, independent decisions. These underappreciated traits, combined with Alexander’s charismatic leadership, were the “secret ingredients” contributing to Alexander's enduring legacy. In concluding this “great” edition of The Far Middle, Nick makes one final connection to an iconic English heavy metal band, and a long-time favorite of Nick’s, Iron Maiden. Nick calls out the band’s sixth studio album Somewhere in Time, which of course closed with, “Alexander the Great.” For more Far Middle discussions examining both leadership and history, check out episode 126, “The Battle of Hurtgen Forest,” as well as episode 123, “Effective Leadership.”  

Far Middle episode 168, released on August 7, 2024, falls on the 70th anniversary of the historic one-mile race in Vancouver, B.C., between England’s Sir Roger Bannister and Australia’s John Landy. Known as, “The Mile of the Century,” Nick looks back on the race and how Bannister and Landy challenged consensus and broke the 4-minute mile mark, thereby sparking higher levels of performance by athletes in the years following. It’s a lesson that applies beyond competitive sport, explains Nick. Contrasting the levels of performance by Bannister and Landy, Nick returns to present day to discuss the less-than-high levels of performance across America’s federal government workforce. Now four-and-a-half years since the start of the COVID pandemic, and despite calls from the president and his chief of staff for federal employees to return to their offices, remote work “has become an ingrained culture within the federal government workforce.” Nick comments on not only the cost to taxpayers of paying for and maintaining unoccupied office space, but also the broader economic implications on Washington, D.C., and other government-heavy cities when only 6 percent of federal workers are working full-time in their offices. And wherever the administrative state is working these days, their quest for “regulation by strangulation” hasn’t taken any breaks. Nick discusses a recent summation by author and energy journalist Robert Bryce of “four recent climate-related rules issued by the administrative state.” These climate rules, issued between March and May this year, total 1.3 million words. When you add these voluminous and complex rules on top of other rules and regulations being issued, Nick questions how a business, individual, or entity can comply with or even know what these laws say. “We've moved beyond absurd, but this is the environment the real economy must operate in, and I don't think that's going to bode well for America,” says Nick. In closing, Nick highlights Bob Dylan’s song, “If Not for You,” from Dylan’s October 1970 album New Morning. In less than a year, subsequent recordings of “If Not for You” came from Dylan alongside George Harrison, as well as Olivia Newton-John. The song is another example — like Bannister and Landy running a sub-four-minute mile — of “greats pushing greats to the next level.”

Episode 167 of the Far Middle continues the series’ recent focus on California, beginning with a nod to National Avocado Day and California’s state fruit. Nick’s sports dedication then proceeds to celebrate California basketball royalty: Cheryl and Reggie Miller. Reflecting on Cheryl and Reggie’s achievements, Nick notes how wildly similar their careers are: both played college basketball in Los Angeles, both wore number 31, and each has those jersey numbers retired (at USC for Cheryl and the Pacers for Reggie), both won Olympic gold, both pursued careers in broadcasting, and now both are in halls of fame. Nick pivots from the Miller siblings to a broader conversation on the evolution of professional sports, discussing changes in hockey, football, baseball, and basketball, and the differing priorities between the game, athletes, and leagues. Nick critiques the current state of professional sports leagues, highlighting their hypocrisy and inconsistency in their values. “Leagues today they virtue signal every chance they get,” says Nick. “Yet when you see how each league ignores its supposed values to pursue financial interests in the mighty dollar it creates a cred problem; each league quickly forgets and jettisons its teachings and preachings to the fan base and that comes across as incredibly hypocritical and inconsistent.” From sports, Nick shifts gears to a McKinsey study that finds 57% of American Millennial electric vehicle (EV) owners are likely to switch back to gasoline-powered cars. Nick examines the hidden costs and challenges that are likely driving those attitudes towards EVs.   Next, in response to listener inquiries, Nick analyzes the New York court case against former President Trump, critiquing the prosecution and judicial process as politically motivated. He compares the case to Hillary Clinton's campaign finance violations, suggesting a double standard in legal accountability. In closing, Nick discusses the current stock market and investing environment, expressing concern over high valuations, low volatility, government debt, and geopolitical risks. And while talking dollars and cents, Nick makes one final connection to today’s episode release date by noting the historical significance of July 31st, 1792, when the cornerstone for the first U.S. Mint building was laid in Philadelphia.

In “Hard Truths,” Nick continues his discussion from prior Far Middle episode 165 where he revisits his June address at the Jonathan Club in downtown Los Angeles. But before delving into this week’s hard truths, Nick pays tribute to NBA legend Jerry West, highlighting "Zeke from Cabin Creek’s" incredible journey from Chelyan, West Virginia, to becoming the most iconic figure in basketball, literally “The Logo.” Nick then transitions to discuss the second part of his recent speech and tackles several critical issues facing the U.S., including:  Government Overreach: Nick argues that the government (specifically the “deep state”) has overstepped its constitutional boundaries, becoming a "voracious beast" that requires extensive bureaucratic approval for individual actions. Debt Crisis: Nick highlights the alarming levels of national debt, projecting that the U.S. government is likely to either default or devalue its commitments, with significant shortfalls in Social Security and Medicare. “The fiscal plane is flying right into the mountain and there is not going to be enough time or space to gain sufficient altitude,” says Nick. Education System Failures: Nick criticizes the declining proficiency rates in education, particularly among disadvantaged demographics, providing sad proof that the system today prioritizes optics over substance. Persistent Inflation: Nick explains how inflation is a long-term issue driven by government policies, regulatory burdens, and geopolitical factors, rather than short-term fluctuations. For more on contributors driving inflation, see Nick’s commentary, “20 Reasons Why the Worst is Yet to Come with Inflation.” Radical Environmentalism: Nick then reviews a fifth truth as a bonus for Far Middle constant listeners: the impact of radical environmental policies on agriculture in California, specifically how protections for a small fish species, the smelt, are leading to water shortages for farmers, ultimately harming food production and economic stability. Nick stresses the need to recognize these challenges, aka hard truths, as part of a broader trend affecting the nation, particularly as Leftist policies gain traction in California and beyond. And in one of the more frightening Far Middle closes, Nick draws a connection to the book and subsequent film, The Amityville Horror, perhaps one to add to your reading list if you’re looking for a little horror genre this summer. For more Far Middle “truths,” check out recent episode 153, “Big Truths.”  

Far Middle episode 165 premieres during the dog days of summer and the day after this year’s Midsummer Classic. While last night’s All-Star Game was held at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, Nick heads to Los Angeles for this installment’s sports dedication to Dodger Stadium. Dodger Stadium, also known as “Chavez Ravine,” has hosted two All-Star Games, numerous World Series games, and legendary concerts over its rich 62-year history. Despite its memorable moments, Nick also examines the stadium’s troubling origins. Nick then connects to a recent talk he gave only a couple miles south of Dodger Stadium last month to Southern California business leaders. A summary of that address is available at NickDeiuliis.com, see “Address to the Jonathan Club, World Affairs Group.” Reflecting on the speech, Nick discusses: The importance of rational thought and objectivity in policymaking, criticizing the vilification of classical liberal and fiscally conservative views. The significance of protecting individual rights from the tyranny of the majority and government overreach. The concept of minimal government intervention and maximum governance. The U.S. domestic energy industry, particularly the natural gas sector, and America’s ascendency to the world’s largest global producer and net exporter of natural gas. That success was realized from free-market principles and innovative technologies like horizontal drilling. The local, regional, and national benefits of the natural gas industry, including economic growth, job creation, and enhanced energy security. These successes are contrasted against the myths and regulatory challenges posed by the Left. Sustaining the natural gas industry's growth and broader economic impact via continued free-market solutions and minimal government interference. In closing, Nick returns to “Blue Heaven on Earth” for another unique event that Dodger Stadium hosted. Despite its 56,000-plus capacity, the stands were empty on June 4, 1979, when Fleetwood Mac recorded its video for "Tusk" alongside the USC Marching Band. Far Middle Connections: Five years before that June 4, 1979, “Tusk” recording, the infamous “Ten-Cent Beer Night” in Cleveland occurred on June 4, 1974. Revisit Nick’s reflection on that wild night, alongside three other more distinguished 1974 baseball achievements in Far Middle episode 74, “Always Keep Swinging.”

Kicking off Far Middle episode 164, Nick heads to the NFL for this installment’s sports dedication. As players report to training camp this month and the 2024 season approaches, Nick picks up where he left off in episode 159 to highlight the crucial role of the offensive line. Without the O-line succeeding in the trenches, “you're not going to have a successful football team, and its stars are not going to be able to be stars.” Earning dedication honors is the Oakland Raiders O-line of the early 1970s, which Nick argues is the greatest in offensive line history. That dominating line included Hall of Famers: Jim Otto, Gene Upshaw, Art Shell, and Bob "Boomer" Brown. After reflecting on each player’s contributions and their collective powerful impact, Nick transitions by noting Bob Brown’s playing days at the University of Nebraska, which connects to the episode’s focus: William Jennings Bryan. William Jennings Bryan moved to Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1887. Four years later he was elected to Congress to represent Nebraska’s 1st congressional district. While Bryan would only serve two terms in Congress and go on to lose three presidential elections (1896, 1900, 1908), his campaigns and policies would have a lasting and powerful impact on American politics and public policy that is still evident today. “I sense Bryan was obviously onto something with his policies and how they took root in American politics and society,” says Nick. “Yet I also sense they got completely out of control after Bryan's time to the point where the Frankenstein monster is now running wild. No matter how you cut it though, William Jennings Bryan was a great American—perhaps one of the greatest—and more Americans,  they need to know his story.” In closing, Nick follows the yellow brick road from Nebraska to Kansas, looking back on The Wizard of Oz, as it’s rumored The Cowardly Lion was based on William Jennings Bryan. Nick concludes with a few interesting notes and connections from the film. For more Far Middle, The Wizard of Oz was released in 1939, the year “Teddy Ballgame” would make his Major League Baseball debut. Head back to episode 130 for Nick’s dedication to Ted Williams, “the greatest hitter that ever played the game.”

The Far Middle episode 163 arrives on the eve of the Fourth of July, “which brings to mind all kinds of imagery for Americana, perhaps none bigger than baseball,” begins Nick. Fittingly, the episode’s sports dedication goes to a key figure in the national pastime’s history: Judge Kennesaw Mountain Landis. While Landis served as the first Commissioner of Major League Baseball, elected in 1921 and serving until his death in 1944, Landis also had a storied legal career. Nick recounts how Judge Landis was known for his unique and often controversial rulings, which were frequently overturned on appeal. In one instance, “He charged Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany with murder after the sinking of the Lusitania, because the casualty list included residents of Illinois, which fell within the judge's district,” says Nick. “Unfortunately, Landis also trampled over individual rights. As a classic liberal, I don't like that at all.” Nick then examines Judge Landis’ role as Commissioner, including banning eight White Sox players involved in the 1919 World Series “Black Sox” scandal, as well as his behind-the-scenes efforts to prohibit African American players from playing in the Major League. For more on the Black Sox scandal, listen to Nick’s dedication to Arnold “The Brain” Rothstein in Far Middle episode 149. While Judge Landis was just assuming his role as Commissioner of Baseball, another much more significant incident would take place in the summer of 1921: “One of the saddest and most outrageous chapters in American jurisprudence, and it's one that had tragic consequences and led to a reputational black eye for the United States globally,” says Nick. That incident would come on July 14, 1921, when Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti were found guilty of murdering Alessandro Berardelli and Frederick Parmenter, a few miles south of Boston. Sacco and Vanzetti, Italian immigrants, were arrested and charged with the crime despite lacking evidence and procedural flaws. Nick proceeds to describe how the trial highlighted the systemic prejudices against immigrants, particularly Italians, at the time. Despite global protests and notable figures like Albert Einstein and Felix Frankfurter speaking out against the injustice, Sacco and Vanzetti were executed in August 1927. For further commentary on the Sacco and Vanzetti trial, conviction, and execution, see Nick’s recent essay, “The Trial of Sacco and Vanzetti: Tragic Failure of the American Ideal.” As Sacco and Vanzetti were preparing for execution in August 1927, and Commissioner Landis was watching the Babe chase 60 homeruns, Nick closes with an interesting juxtaposition, the dedication of Mount Rushmore that took place on August 10, 1927. While Mount Rushmore symbolizes the ideals of American democracy, its creation also symbolizes the flaws of government, such as funding delays extending the seven-year project out 14 years, and the inclusion of Teddy Roosevelt due to his friendship with the project's architect. Looking ahead, mark your calendars for July 10 for the release of episode 164, when Nick delves into a great figure in American history, William Jennings Bryan.

Released on June 26, 2024, the Far Middle episode 162 arrives on the anniversary of baseball legend Frank Robinson’s June 26, 1970, double grand slam game. Nick uses the connection to reflect on the 1982 Hall of Fame inductee’s powerful career, both on and off the field. Following Robinson in the episode’s lineup is a discussion on the rising demand for electricity driven by the growth of data centers for AI across the U.S. This power demand clashes with current energy policies that prioritize intermittent renewable energy over reliable sources like natural gas. The result is compromised grid reliability and increased energy costs, which will challenge the tech industry’s growth. “You cannot adopt draconian net zero plans and climate alarmism ideology, and at the same time hope to be able to grow the data center and AI economy at an efficient pace—mutually exclusive under the laws of math and physics,” says Nick.  Staying on the topic of climate alarmism ideology, Nick connects to New Jersey’s multi-year effort to infuse climate change into its primary and high school science curriculum, and more recently the state is incorporating climate change into all school subjects. “New Jersey public schools are now religious institutions,” says Nick. And while New Jersey schools focus on indoctrinating students into the religion of radical environmentalism and climate alarmism, student proficiency rates in English, math, and science are declining sharply. Nick then pivots to the power the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has over the Catholic Church, criticizing Pope Francis for compromising with the CCP. “The Vatican surrenders more and more to China and the CCP simply to keep the optics of a good relationship alive,” says Nick. In closing, Nick makes a final connection to June 26, which is also the birthday of British mathematician, physicist, and engineer William Thompson, also known as Lord Kelvin. Born in 1824, Thompson’s numerous scientific contributions include creating the absolute temperature scale, now known as the Kelvin scale. Thompson was also involved in the laying of the first transatlantic telegraph cable, serving “as a founding father connection to the artificial intelligence industry of today,” says Nick as he ends on “a science history connection that Dr. James Burke would be proud of.”  

The Far Middle episode 161 lands amidst a string of holidays—released on Juneteenth, and just following Flag Day, Father’s Day, and just ahead of summer’s official arrival. June is indeed a special time of year, and it’s also the month this episode’s sports dedication would be selected by the New York Yankees in the 1982 MLB draft, however, that multi-talented athlete would instead choose to head to Auburn. In this Far Middle, the theme is examining binary opposites, specifically contrasting pairs where on one side is an issue of distraction while on the other is reality. Before jumping into those pairings Nick honors Bo Jackson who for a time dominated a pair of pro sports while also becoming a cultural icon through the "Bo knows" Nike ad campaign. The connections begin by using Jackson’s alma mater, Auburn University, as an example of the financial issues facing higher education due to the collegiate spending arms race. Nick juxtaposes the Auburn example with community colleges, which focus on affordability, job readiness, and “breeding a culture of doers.” For the next pair, Nick tackles urban government distractions, using San Francisco's pickleball court controversy as an example, and contrasts it with the significant issue of increased student absenteeism in K-12 education post-COVID, emphasizing the need for city leaders to prioritize real problems. “Stop worrying about zoning for public pickleball courts and start focusing time and attention toward making sure that students attend school so they can at least be in a position to begin learning basic stuff when it comes to comparing these twin issues our city governments are focusing on and ignoring respectively,” says Nick. And in the final pairing, Nick highlights the West’s intense focus on climate change, versus the stances and actions of countries like China and Russia. Nick quotes former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott's astute observation, “A country which thinks that the greatest economic, political and moral challenge of our times is climate change is, at the very least, going to be extremely distracted if it comes to fighting a war, or even running a cold war. The Ukrainians aren’t worrying too much about climate change right now. I don’t think the Israelis are obsessing about emissions at the moment.” In closing, Nick notes a pair of birthdays coinciding with the episode’s release date, Moe Howard from The Three Stooges and the cartoon character Taz, aka the Tasmanian Devil.

The Far Middle episode 160 begins with a sports dedication to Sonny Vaccaro, a game-changing figure at the intersection of sports, business, marketing, and fashion. Nick discusses Vaccaro's journey from a schoolteacher to a pivotal player in Nike's entry into the basketball market, including Vaccaro’s strategy of paying college coaches to have their teams wear Nike shoes, leading to a significant increase in Nike's presence in basketball. Vaccaro’s most notable achievement was convincing Nike to sign Michael Jordan, leading to the creation of the highly successful Air Jordan line (the subject of the 2023 film, Air). Vaccaro helped Nike become a behemoth global business, which Nick pivots off for the episode’s central topic: today’s behemoth administrative state and the conflict between it and executive power. It’s a topic familiar to Far Middle listeners, one “I'm always running out of Far Middle time to fully cover,” says Nick.  Nick explains the impetus for the episode was an early 2024 Wall Street Journal column, ‘Trump Allies See Path to Pad His Power.'  “Power in our Federal Government has been shifting from the legislative branch in Congress to the presidential or executive branch in the White House,” says Nick. “Most of us have been asleep as this shift in power from legislative to executive branch has occurred, partly because it happened slowly and methodically over a century.” Nick argues shrinking the “bureaucratic deep state” would be a win for individual rights, for the private sector, and for capitalism. And if Donald Trump is elected again as president in November, Nick questions why the elite and expert class view a second Trump administration’s potential reduction in the bureaucratic state as a power grab of presidential authority. It’s nonsensical to describe ceding power as also grabbing power. Nick critiques the Biden administration for its unconstitutional actions, such as selectively enforcing laws and delaying aid to Israel and compares this to the hypothetical concerns about a future Trump administration. He also stresses the need for a consistent application of constitutional principles and warns against the dangers of an unchecked bureaucratic state. In closing, episode 160’s release date of June 12 provides a connection to the massive anti-nuclear demonstration that took place in New York City on June 12, 1982. Nick reflects on that protest, as well as global nuclear threats today. “It's a dangerous world, constant listeners, and we best stick to the proven formula of America. Individual rights, strong defense, small government, and a market based private sector,” Nick concludes. “It's worked in the past and it's going to work in the future. And it's captured in the Constitution. Trust those things, not the bureaucrat.”

The Far Middle episode 159 kicks off with a dedication to legendary football coach Joe Moore. Nick describes Moore, a western Pennsylvania native, as, “the greatest name in the region's football history that you've probably never heard of.” Moore made lasting impacts at both the high school and collegiate levels, particularly during his tenure at Pitt and Notre Dame, where he developed numerous NFL-bound offensive linemen. Nick highlights Moore's straightforward, intimidating - but in a good way - coaching style. While Coach Moore sadly passed away in 2003, his legacy continues today through the Joe Moore Award and the Joe Moore O Line Camp. “He wasn't an offensive line football coach, he was a leadership guru,” says Nick. Nick then connects to “another leader, not just of young adults or men and women, but of a nation, and frankly, the world or the free world at the time.” That leader, President Eisenhower, is the focus of this installment as Nick examines Ike’s 1961 farewell address, also known as his ‘military industrial complex’ speech. Drawing parallels between Eisenhower’s warnings about the military industrial complex and today's concerns that result from the overarching agenda of the Left, Nick expands upon his recent essay, “Echoes from 1961: Ike’s Fear of Red Scare Consequences and Today’s Crisis of Code Red.” Nick highlights President Eisenhower’s call for an alert and knowledgeable citizenry and stresses the desperate need for such a citizenry today “if we wish to preserve this wonderful human experiment known as the United States of America.” Nick closes by delving further into 1961, highlighting the release that year of “The Guns of Navarone,” one of Nick’s favorite films. And on the airwaves, the Billboard music charts were dynamic, illustrating the cultural shift between easy listening and rock and roll. For more from The Far Middle, 1961 also marked Roger Maris hitting 61 home runs in a season, a milestone honored in the opening dedication for Far Middle episode 61.

The Far Middle episode 158 tips off with a sports dedication that bookends episode 121’s dedication to the great John Wooden. The episode's dedication centers around UCLA booster Sam Gilbert, a behind-the-scenes figure essential to UCLA basketball's success during John Wooden's coaching era. Gilbert, though controversial and often breaking NCAA rules, provided significant support and resources to the players, contributing to the Bruins’ dominance in the 1960s and 1970s. This duality between Wooden's public integrity and Gilbert's covert rule-bending serves as a lesson in the complexities of ethics and legacy. “What you associate with, they set your legacy sometimes as much as you do, whether it's going to be for the better or for the worse,” says Nick. The discussion around ignoring and breaking the rules then transitions to the progressive prosecutor movement that’s been methodically executed by the Left in America for the last several years. Nick references analyses by The Heritage Foundation’s Charles “Cully” Stimson as he examines the implications of rogue district attorneys and prosecutors refusing to prosecute certain crimes. “The progressive prosecutor movement believes that the criminal justice system is broken,” says Nick. “And the only way to fix it is to replace law and order district attorneys with soft-on-crime and anti-police district attorneys. And when you do that, a community is going to suffer an epidemic of crime and decreased quality of life. And it will hit the working poor and hit minorities harder, which are the very groups the progressives claim to be advocating for.” Highlighting examples from cities including Boston, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Philadelphia, Nick illustrates the negative impact (increased crime and declining quality of life) of prosecutors undermining the balance of power between the legislative and executive branches, essentially rewriting laws without authority. Nick connects the progressive prosecutor movement to the broader issues of ballooning administrative power, warning once again of the dangers of unchecked bureaucratic authority. “The other branches of government, they're not pushing back and doing their jobs,” says Nick. “It's not a small problem, it’s a massive problem…it’s a theme that The Far Middle has been discussing for years, and it's one growing worse by the episode.” In closing, Nick wraps with a nostalgic dive into rock history, highlighting songs from several bands including AC/DC, Judas Priest, Led Zeppelin, and other greats centered on crime and punishment. Zeppelin fans: For more on the London rockers, check out Nick’s closing tribute segment in episode 142 celebrating Led Zeppelin II, and his reflections in episode 96 on Led Zeppelin IV and in episode 47 on Physical Graffiti.

The Far Middle episode 157 begins with a tribute to America’s servicemen and women following Armed Forces Day, celebrated the preceding Saturday, May 18. Leading off with the episode’s sports dedication, Nick goes back 40 years to the infamous “bean-brawl game” from August 12, 1984, between the San Diego Padres and Atlanta Braves. Nick walks through the “train wreck” of a game that included three separate brawls, 17 players and coaches ejected, and several fans arrested. After hearing Nick’s review of the game that umpire John McSherry described as setting “baseball back 50 years,” relive the madness via YouTube. After revisiting the Padres-Braves drama, Nick asks, “What if my summary was delivered exclusively from the perspective of a devout Braves fan, or how would it differ and contrast if I delivered a summary from a purely partisan Padres fan perspective?” Those hypothetical competing takes on the game leads to the episode’s primary discussion: examining the evolution of journalism from its objective, balanced coverage of societal issues, to its biased state today. Nick focuses on two of the most established names in journalism—The New York Times and National Public Radio (NPR)—delving into their Leftist-bias progression. For the Times, Nick explains how that progression has been occurring for almost a century, while NPR’s biased shift is a relatively more recent change of course. While discussing NPR, the Far Middle’s “Fauci Focus” returns for a special reprise as Nick discusses NPR’s dismissal that COVID could’ve originated from a Chinese lab, “basically backing up 100 percent the positions that Anthony Fauci and NIH took.” In closing, Nick stresses the importance of balanced and objective journalism, expressing hope for the future of news organizations like NPR. Nick concludes by connecting back to 1984, noting the year’s top TV shows, one of which was a news show that’s still airing today.  Far Middle Connections: Today’s episode release date coincides with the anniversary of the Pirates’ Willie Stargell hitting three home runs, a double, and a single in a May 22, 1968, win against the Cubs. Stargell would help the Pirates win the 1971 World Series, their fourth in franchise history, alongside teammate Al Oliver. Oliver is included on Nick’s list of baseball greats deserving a plaque in Cooperstown.

The Far Middle turns three with episode 156; representing three years and hundreds of unique “connections,” thought-provoking and surprising insights not found anywhere else. Following the recent 150th milestone episode that explored core themes of the podcast’s journey, from limited government to individual liberty, Nick opts for a fun approach this special episode, navigating a web of cultural icons and their connections within connections. Continuing to carry on the tradition of Dr. James Burke’s BBC “Connections” series, Nick begins the discussion on the heels of Mother’s Day. Nick highlights the role Ted Williams’ mom played in his ultimate signing with the Boston Red Sox. A difference of $500 separated Williams and Joe DiMaggio from being pinstripe teammates. For more on “Teddy Ballgame,” revisit Nick’s dedication to Williams in episode 130. The three-year episode’s release date, May 15, serendipitously also falls on the anniversary of the start of Joe DiMaggio’s 56-game hitting streak back in 1941. Revisit that streak in Nick’s closing segment from episode 56. Breaking from the well-known Far Middle analyses on public policy and cultural trends to business and finance and more, Nick features an all-star, award-winning lineup of connections spanning screen and stage. Nick notes Joe DiMaggio was not only a great baseball player, but a hopeless romantic, “and the object of his affection was none other than the legend Marilyn Monroe.” From there the connections turn to Ernest Hemingway, playwright Arthur Miller, actor and acting teacher Lee Strasberg, actors John Malkovich, Dustin Hoffman, Anthony Hopkins, Liam Neeson, Daniel Day-Lewis, composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, alongside a few other greats. A truly entertaining episode, Nick celebrates the series’ run by highlighting a range of accomplished figures, connected linear and fascinatingly intertwined—a great transition as year four gets underway in episode 157. Boxing fans: the third anniversary episode’s release date of March 15 also marks Rocky Marciano’s first world heavyweight title defense. In 1953, Marciano knocked out former champion Jersey Joe Walcott in the first round at Chicago Stadium. Head back to Far Middle’s 100th episode for Nick’s dedication to “The Brockton Bomber.” And if you have four minutes, watch that May 15, 1953, fight.

Nick begins episode 155 by paying respect to Holocaust Remembrance Day, sadly observing, “The ability and degree of humans to harm other humans, it's one of those attributes that make us unique in the animal kingdom, badly unique.” Nick then shifts the episode’s focus to California, revisiting a state often in the Far Middle spotlight (see Nick’s commentary, “Ode to Los Angeles From a Wary Admirer,” and Far Middle episode 113 for some of Nick’s prior observations).  Beginning just south of San Francisco, the installment’s sports dedication is a Far Middle first as the honor goes to a high school, Junípero Serra High School, and its legendary lineup of alumni athletes. That roster spans football coach John Robinson and quarterback Tom Brady to baseball player/manager Jim Fregosi and MLB home run king Barry Bonds, and many others.  From athletes launching their epic careers at Serra High School, Nick pivots to the downward spiral of the Golden State, in particular declining quality of life in the Bay Area, thanks to continued Leftist governance and policies. Nick questions a study ranking San Francisco as the healthiest city in America as the reality on the ground (crime, homelessness, substance abuse) doesn't reflect this assessment. “Living and functioning in San Francisco these days can be quite the threat and danger to one's health, both physical and mental,” says Nick. Meanwhile, in Oakland, restaurants are closing due to crime and public safety concerns. “Crime has been a major issue in Oakland,” says Nick. “Robberies grew 38% last year, according to police data. Burglaries are up 23%, and motor vehicle theft jumped 44%. That's unbelievable. Roughly one of every 30 Oakland residents had a car stolen last year.”  While crime soars, Oakland’s leadership is more focused on threatening a 102-year-old man with fines for graffiti on his property. Nick also examines the state of education in the Bay Area.   “The potential of California, it's always been to serve as the ideal for the rest of us, it used to epitomize so much of the positive of the American dream,” says Nick. “But today the reality of California is the truth of what happens when the Left runs things and what it will bring to all of us eventually.” In closing, Nick reflects on a few California cultural icons (including John Steinbeck, Joan Didion, The Mamas & the Papas, the Beach Boys, and others), and how their depictions of California unfortunately differ from life in California today.

In Far Middle episode 154, Nick examines a string of connections demonstrating how a lack of consistency is becoming the norm in society—raising questions about fairness, integrity, and the rule of law.In the lead-off spot and serving as the episode’s sports dedication, Nick discusses Major League Baseball's inconsistent handling of the Shohei Ohtani and Pete Rose gambling scandals. In addition to contrasting MLB’s Ohtani and Rose investigations, Nick also note’s MLB’s inconsistent stance on gambling. While the League says gambling is evil, and will result in severe punishment, at the same time the League enjoys profitable deals with gambling platforms.“The nice thing about baseball is that even though the handling of gambling sagas may lack consistency, the scoring and player statistics, they require consistency,” says Nick, connecting to inconsistencies in standardized test scoring for college admissions and explaining how wealthy students are manipulating the system to gain extra time on exams through dubious means.Nick then asks whether the law is consistently applied these days, or rather, is it subjectively applied depending on the person and the circumstances. That troublesome question leads to analyzing the judgement against former President Trump for the alleged fraud in New York regarding his real estate valuations.“The $454 million bond to appeal the ruling marks the highest bond ever recorded in United States history against a single individual,” says Nick. “For doing what, some people's experience has shown, all kinds of firms and banks engage in every day, which is negotiating and debating the value of assets to set loan levels and covenants.”Nick underscores that it’s not about liking or disliking Donald Trump, but rather, “it’s about whether the law applies to everyone consistently or whether the law gets selectively applied to those we don't care for.”Nick follows by addressing comedian Jon Stewart's comments on the Trump judgement by scrutinizing Stewart’s own lack of consistency regarding his personal real estate actions. “Using Stewart's anti-Trump logic, paying less in property taxes due to an artificially low assessed value, that would deny government of needed tax revenue,” says Nick. “Is that tax evasion or fraud? Of course it is not—we'd all be potentially liable for such.”Walking toward the end of episode 154’s line, Nick closes by reflecting on two giants in the history of music, Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan. Both individuals’ careers were marked by inconsistency, “so a lack of consistency isn’t always a bad thing,” concludes Nick.

Episode 153 of The Far Middle delves into "Big Truths," a contrasting theme to the prior episode's focus on "Little Lies." Leading off, Nick presents a few hard truths on the economics of professional sports for the installment’s sports dedication. Those truths include the challenge of becoming a professional athlete, and for the elite few that make it to the highest level of their respective sport, it’s a sad truth that many face financial struggles post-retirement. Shifting from sports, the next big truth centers on how different asset classes perform over time versus the inflation benchmark. “That's a crucial question because the objective of investing is to achieve a rate of return that exceeds inflation over your investment horizon,” says Nick. “If your return exceeds inflation, you've enjoyed a real rate of return, and your portfolio grew in value.” What’s been the best major investment class outperforming inflation over a 20-year investment horizon the past nearly hundred years? The answer may surprise you. From investment trends, Nick examines recent data and projections from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) regarding the depressing financial health of our federal government. “By the early 2030s, the CBO is estimating that all, as in 100 percent, of federal government revenues are going to be consumed by two things, entitlements and interest on the federal debt,” explains Nick. Presuming the CBO is correct, Nick discusses the country’s options to avoid the big financial truth that spells trouble ahead. Nick continues the theme of big truths as he draws a connection to President Biden’s low approval ratings juxtaposed to his job creation performance since taking office. “When it comes to payroll growth since inauguration, and after those 1,000 days plus in office, Biden is tracking quite well versus his post-World War II predecessors,” says Nick. “In fact, only two presidents saw a bigger percent increase in payroll growth than Biden.” But despite the payroll growth, Nick suggests it’s simply been the economy rebounding to pre-pandemic numbers. “Maybe the American public realizes that big truth more than we give it credit for, which would explain President Biden's abysmal approval ratings,” says Nick. In closing, Nick highlights big songs about truth from two awesome groups, The Police and Depeche Mode. Take a break from enjoying the silence, and enjoy episode 153!

Following a recent coincidental listen of Fleetwood Mac's "Little Lies," Nick examines a series of connections all based on little lies that have major consequences, particularly little fibs steering energy policy today. Marking episode 152’s sports dedication, Nick runs through a historic trifecta of sports related lies; including, George O'Leary's false resume claims, George Steinbrenner’s comments he planned to be an absentee owner, and Wilt Chamberlain's exaggerated sexual exploits. Nick notes there are many famous fibs from the annals of sports, such as the denials of fixing the 1919 World Series discussed in episode 149, as well as other moments that will likely be featured in future Far Middle sports dedications. Transitioning to energy policy, Nick argues those claiming wind and solar are zero-carbon energy sources are propagating a harmful misconception as their production carries significant carbon footprints. “Let's dispense with all those convenient little lies out there that underlie a flawed set of climate policies and energy transition efforts,” says Nick. “Until we do that, we're only going to be building our economy and society on a foundation of sand.” Nick then challenges the notion of U.S. energy independence, highlighting the country's increasing reliance on imported wind, solar, and EV components from China. And while America’s energy security erodes to reliance on China, Nick calls out another little lie that China is a growth market for renewable energy like wind and solar. Nick juxtaposes America’s removal of 95 gigawatts of coal-fired electric generation from its grid since 2015 to China adding 223 gigawatts of coal plant capacity to its grid. "What's all the coal-fired electricity and energy being used for in China?" Nick asks rhetorically. "It's often used to mine, process, and manufacture all the components and feedstocks needed to make more and more wind, solar, and EV products, which are then exported and shipped to places like the United States, where our energy policies mandate their use because we pretend they’re zero-carbon forms of energy. It's nuts." The discussion then shifts to the administrative state and bureaucratic behavior during the Trump administration, with examples of resistance from elite academia and entrenched government employees. Nick warns of potential future conflicts depending on the outcome of the 2024 presidential election. “If Trump wins the 2024 election, and I know that's a big if and I'm not saying he should, but if he wins the election, bar the door, because we're about to see one of the greatest freakouts in the history of government,” says Nick. “It could make 2016 and those prior Trump-term years look mild by comparison. “They say ‘rust never sleeps,’ neither does the need to make informed decisions regarding the maintenance of our energy ecosystem. There comes a time when scientific reality must check the environmental ideology,” continues Nick. Nick then connects those references to “rust never sleeps” and “comes a time” to the likewise-named Neil Young albums. And concludes with a reflection on Neil Young's boycott of Spotify over COVID-related content on Joe Rogan's podcast, touching on the irony and controversy surrounding the decision. Nick’s favorite Neil Young album? Give a listen!