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The Optimistic American
by Optimistic American
The past, present, and future of the United States are full of promise. A promise sustained by the efforts of brave individuals and organizations who champion the pursuit of technology, improving the human condition, free markets, and a belief in who we are. We are losing the fact that we are a nation of dreamers, a catapult for those who have the heart to dare, a place that rewards ingenuity and innovation. This country, more than any other, succeeded by making possible the release of the human spirit.We need to put in the work to bring the actual narrative of abundance forward. We need to make it consumable for everyday Americans. It is how our conversations will pivot towards the positive. Our mornings will begin with promise and faith rather than fear and despair.If you’re willing to help others feel better about tomorrow, join us. Weekly shows are coming very soon. Follow us to stay notified of new episodes.
Episodes
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Managing Arizona's Billions Without Partisan Politics | Nick Mansour
How can Arizona make better use of the billions of dollars it already manages, and should partisan politics influence how that money is invested? In this episode of New Frontiers, Paul Johnson sits down with Nick Mansour, Democratic candidate for Arizona State Treasurer, to discuss financial...
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Breaking Through Arizona's Political Divide | Tammy Caputi
What do Democrats and Republicans get wrong about business? And can Arizona's political leaders find common ground despite their differences? In this episode of New Frontiers, Paul Johnson sits down with Tammy Caputi, former Scottsdale City Councilwoman and Democratic candidate for the Arizona...
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Demanding More Than Partisan Politics in Arizona | John Winchester
Can Arizona get better results by looking beyond party lines? In this episode of New Frontiers, John Winchester, a Republican candidate for the Arizona Legislature, joins Paul Johnson to discuss why he’s running, what good government should look like, and the issues he believes Arizona needs to…
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Transforming Arizona’s Education for the Jobs of Tomorrow | Anthony Ramirez
In this episode of New Frontiers, Paul Johnson sits down with Anthony Ramirez, candidate for Arizona State Senate in Legislative District 12, for a wide-ranging conversation about his life, his campaign, Arizona education, independent voters, and the growing divide in American politics. Ramirez's...
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College Isn’t the Only Path: Rethinking Arizona Education | David Scott
What will it take to improve education in Arizona? In this episode of New Frontiers, Paul Johnson sits down with David Scott, an independent candidate for the Arizona House of Representatives in Legislative District 10, to discuss his campaign and why education has become one of his top…
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The Age of Insecurity: Why Does Everything Feel So Uncertain?
Why does everything feel so uncertain? Americans are facing growing uncertainty about the economy, political leadership, global conflict, artificial intelligence, and the country’s long-term financial future. In this episode of New Frontiers, Paul Johnson is joined by columnist Bob Robb and...
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Beyond Political Attack Ads: A Real Plan for Arizona's Education | Kimberly Yee
Arizona politics is increasingly dominated by attack ads, campaign slogans, and short soundbites. But what happens when candidates have the time to actually explain their ideas? In this episode of New Frontiers, Paul Johnson sits down with Arizona State Treasurer Kimberly Yee for a long-form...
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Teri Ann Hourihan on Corruption, Trauma & Why She’s Running for Arizona Governor
Teri Ann Hourihan won the No Labels Arizona gubernatorial nomination in Arizona’s primary election. Paul Johnson didn’t support her candidacy in that primary—and Hourihan believes he hasn’t always treated her fairly. So they sat down across from one another. What followed was one of the most...
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$40 Trillion in Debt: Is America Running Out of Time?
In this episode of New Frontiers, Paul Johnson is joined by columnist Bob Robb and economist Elliott Pollack to discuss three major forces reshaping American politics and the economy. The panel examines the U.S. national debt and federal deficit, rising interest rates, Social Security, inflation,...
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Can Andy Biggs Win Over Arizona’s Independent Voters?
What would Andy Biggs do as Governor of Arizona? In this episode of The New Frontiers, Congressman and Arizona gubernatorial candidate Andy Biggs sits down with Paul Johnson and Henry Thompson for a wide-ranging conversation about his vision for Arizona and the major political and economic issues...
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Is America's Political Center Collapsing? | Arizona Elections & The Future of U.S. Politics
In this episode of New Frontiers, Paul Johnson is joined by columnist Bob Robb and political scientist Henry Thompson for an in-depth discussion on the political forces reshaping Arizona, the United States, and even the rest of the world. The conversation begins with the surprising results of...
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Will AI Create Trillions... or Crash America's Economy?
The biggest economic transformation in modern history may already be underway. Artificial Intelligence is changing the workforce, Elon Musk could become the world's first trillionaire, and debates over capitalism, socialism, income inequality, and economic opportunity are dominating politics. But...
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America Is Thriving… So Why Are People So Unhappy?
Is America thriving or falling behind? The answer may surprise you. In this episode of New Frontiers, former Phoenix Mayor Paul Johnson sits down with Professor Douglas Harris of Tulane University, creator of the groundbreaking State of the Nation and State of the States projects. While America's...
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Could Arizona Run Out of Water? The Truth About the Colorado River Crisis
Arizona is running out of time. In this episode, Central Arizona Water Conservation District Chairman Terry Goddard joins Paul Johnson and Bob Robb to discuss the growing Colorado River crisis and what it could mean for Arizona’s future. The conversation begins with the federal government’s…
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America First COLLAPSING? Trump, Tariffs & Iran War
Something BIG is shifting in American politics… In this episode of the Independent, we break down the growing cracks inside the America First movement — and what it means for Trump, the economy, and the future of the country. From rising inflation and controversial tariffs to the escalating Iran...
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Winning the Iran War, Space Exploration, and More!
In this episode of the Independent, we break down three of the biggest forces shaping the future of America and the world: space exploration, global conflict, and political power. We start with the exciting return of human space exploration through NASA’s Artemis II mission and the growing...
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Iran War: Lessons in Real Time — And What It Means for America
The Iran war is unfolding in real time — and the consequences are already reshaping America’s role in the world. In this episode, we break down the biggest questions surrounding the conflict with Iran: Why did it happen, what are the risks, and what can the United States learn from it? From...
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Republicans and Democrats Are Failing Arizona | The Hugh Lytle Interview
Is the two-party system failing Arizona? In this episode of The Independent, host Paul Johnson sits down with Hugh Lytle, an Independent candidate running for Governor of Arizona, to discuss the growing divide in American politics and why millions of voters are abandoning traditional parties.…
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Trump Defies Supreme Court on Tariffs — Are Republicans in Trouble?
In this episode of The Independent, Paul Johnson is joined by Bob Robb and Henry Thompson to break down the political, constitutional, and economic fallout from the SCOTUS ruling on Trump’s tariffs. Is this a major victory for checks and balances? Or does it expose deeper instability in American...
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The Economy Looks Fine… So Why Does It Feel Like a Mess?
In this episode of The Independent, Paul Johnson is joined by economist Elliott Pollack and columnist Bob Robb for a conversation about where the U.S. economy is headed — and what could derail it. The panel breaks down Trump’s Federal Reserve appointment, the importance of Fed independence, and...
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Arizona’s First Independent Governor? Hugh Lytle 2026
In this episode of Independent, Paul Johnson is joined by Bob Robb and Henry Thompson to react to the announcement speech of Hugh Lytle, the independent candidate for Governor of Arizona, a historic moment in a state that has never elected an independent governor. As voter frustration with...
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Predictions 2026: The Economy, Housing Affordability, Immigration & Geopolitics
What will the United States look like in 2026? In this episode of Independent, Paul Johnson and a panel of economists and political analysts break down the four biggest forces shaping America’s future: the economy, housing affordability, immigration enforcement, and geopolitics. First, the panel...
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A Generation Under Economic Pressure and Trump’s New National Security Plan
America is facing a growing crisis — and it’s hitting young people the hardest. In this episode of Independent, Paul Johnson, Henry Thompson, and Bob Robb dive into the real economic anxiety shaping politics today, from AI-driven job disruption and rising costs of living to declining faith in...
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Is America Ready for a Third Party? The Truth Both Sides Fear
In this episode of New Frontiers, Paul Johnson sits down with Bob Robb and Henry Thompson to break down the growing political earthquake reshaping the United States — the rise of independent voters and the increasing demand for a viable third party. With nearly one-third of voters now registered…
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Why Life Is Becoming More Unaffordable in America
America’s affordability crisis isn’t just a headline — it’s the defining political and economic battle of our time. In this episode of New Frontiers, Paul Johnson sits down with Henry Thompson and Bob Robb to uncover the real reasons why life is becoming harder to afford for working Americans.…
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Tariffs, AI Layoffs, and the new Arizona Independent Party
America is at a crossroads — politically, economically, and technologically. In this episode of New Frontiers, Paul Johnson sits down with Eliott Pollack, Henry Thompson, and Bob Robb to unpack the forces reshaping the country. - The conversation dives into Donald Trump’s tariffs and his clash…
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Political Extremism, Dark Money, and Will Republicans Overturn the Next Election?
In this episode of New Frontiers, Paul Johnson is joined by Republican strategist Sean Noble, columnist Bob Robb, and political scientist Henry Thompson to tackle some of the most pressing questions in American politics. Would Republicans really overturn a future election? Has Trump’s leftward...
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Peace in the Middle East, War at Home
A historic peace deal abroad, chaos at home. From Trump’s historic peace mission in the Middle East to the possibility of a lasting ceasefire in Gaza, this episode of New Frontiers dives into how Trump’s diplomacy reshaped global alliances and challenged decades of U.S. foreign policy. Paul…
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Forgiveness? Charlie Kirk 1993 - 2025
In this episode of New Frontiers, Paul Johnson is joined by Henry Thompson and Bob Robb to unpack the emotional and political fallout from Charlie Kirk’s tragic death. From attending the massive memorial service to hearing the powerful words of Charlie Kirk’s widow on forgiveness, Paul shares...
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Why Socialism Is Failing New York | Ft. Marty Dolan
In this episode of New Frontiers, Paul Johnson sits down with Marty Dolan, a former Wall Street executive now running for New York City Public Advocate. From AOC and Zohran Mamdani to NYC’s $115 billion budget, Dolan explains why New York politics are broken and how he plans to fix them. Topics...
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Understanding Partisan Power: Independents Rising
America is facing one of the most critical moments in modern history. In this New Frontiers episode, Paul Johnson is joined by Bob Rob and Henry Thompson to uncover how both major parties are failing, how global power is shifting, and why independents could hold the key to America’s future.…
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Is the Democratic Party Collapsing? Something New Is Coming...
The Democratic Party is facing a crisis like never before. With millions of voters leaving, independents on the rise, and Republicans gaining ground, is America ready for a third party revolution? In this episode of New Frontiers, Paul Johnson, Henry Thompson, and Bob Robb break down the shocking...
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Why America Needs a Third Party Now — Before the Economy Breaks
Are Democrats and Republicans failing the American people? Is a third-party revolution underway? In this episode of New Frontiers, Paul Johnson (Chair of Arizona’s No Labels Party) is joined by economist Elliott Pollack and professor Henry Thompson to break down the critical issues reshaping...
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Weaponizing Conspiracies Theories
In this episode of New Frontiers, host Paul Johnson sits down with psychologist Dr. Emily Bashah, political columnist Bob Robb, and professor Henry Thompson to dissect the explosive impact of conspiracy theories in American politics and culture. This gripping discussion delves into the rise of...
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Elon Musk and the Rise of a Third Party in American Politics
Description: In this episode of New Frontiers, host Paul Johnson is joined by Bob Robb, Henry Thompson, and Elliot Pollack for a deep dive into the rising momentum behind third-party politics in America. With Elon Musk proposing a new “America Party,” the panel discusses the feasibility of such a...
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Why Iran Hates Israel: Underlying the Causes of the War
President Donald Trump’s decision to support Israel in bombing Iran’s nuclear facilities shocked the world. In this episode of New Frontiers, Paul Johnson and columnist Bob Robb break down the legal, political, and moral dimensions of the strike – and its implications for America’s role in the...
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Is This Authoritarianism?
In this episode of New Frontiers, host Paul Johnson is joined by panelists Henry Thompson, Bob Robb, and Elliott Pollack to unpack one of the most pressing questions in American politics today: Is the U.S. slipping into authoritarianism? Topics Discussed in This Video: What Makes a Leader...
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America 🇺🇸 Hero’s: Lessons For The Current Crisis
In this episode of New Frontiers Paul Johnson and Larry Aldrich are joined by Neil Ghosh, author of Do More Good, for a deep and moving conversation about the power of individuals to shape society. Ghosh shares his journey from a young immigrant to a global humanitarian, offering personal stories...
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Donald Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill – A HUGE Disappointment
In this episode of New Frontiers, host Paul Johnson is joined by expert panelists Bob Robb, Henry Thompson, and Elliott Pollack to dissect what may be the most dangerous budget proposal in recent U.S. history – President Trump’s 2025 budget plan, the “big beautiful bill.” As deficit projections...
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From BILLIONS to TRILLIONS – The Rising Cost of Climate Change
In this episode of New Frontiers, host Paul Johnson sits down with environmental educator and NAU professor Dr. Stefan Sommer for a compelling discussion on climate change and its multifaceted challenges. With deep expertise in sustainability, biodiversity, and public outreach, Dr. Sommer unpacks...
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Cities vs. Corporations: Who’s Killing the Housing Market?
In this episode of New Frontiers, host Paul Johnson welcomes Nick Ponder, a lobbyist with the League of Arizona Cities and Towns, for an intense and illuminating debate on Arizona’s housing woes. With insights from economist Elliot Pollack and real-world developer experience, Paul exposes how...
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Is Arizona Ready for an Independent Governor?
In this episode of New Frontiers, host Paul Johnson is joined by columnist Bob Robb and scholar Henry Tomson to unpack a high-stakes question: Can an independent candidate win the Arizona governor’s race? With Trump’s influence looming over the Republican primary and growing dissatisfaction among...
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Attempting the Impossible: Predicting the Economy and Trump’s Next Moves
In this episode of New Frontiers, host Paul Johnson brings together top-tier minds – Elliot Pollack, Bob Robb, and Henry Thompson – for an in-depth conversation on America’s most pressing economic questions. As inflation continues to bite, interest rates remain high, and uncertainty grows, the...
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Can Trump’s Tariffs Save the American Economy – or Destroy It?
In this episode of New Frontiers, host Paul Johnson is joined by Bob Robb and Elliott Pollack for a gripping conversation on one of today’s most pressing policy debates: tariffs and their growing impact on the American economy. As Trump’s new tariff proposals ripple through the markets, Paul and...
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Real Estate Experts Talk Housing Regulations, Market Demand, and Economic Development
In this episode of New Frontiers, host Paul Johnson is joined by economist Elliott Pollack, columnist Bob Robb, and professor Henry Thompson to explore one of America’s most urgent issues: housing affordability. Together, they dig into how city zoning laws, regulatory delays, and supply…
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Economic Data, Should Democrats Step Aside?, Trump Administration Rewriting the Rules, and more!
Join Paul Johnson, Henry Thompson, and Bob Robb for a deep dive into today’s most pressing political and economic issues. From the controversy at Columbia University over free speech to the latest Senate budget resolution and the shifting global power dynamics, this episode explores the policies,...
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Trump vs. Zelenskyy: Will this be the end of Ukraine?
The world is changing fast — is America still leading the way? In this powerful discussion, Paul Johnson sits down with Elliott Pollack, Henry Thompson, and Bob Robb to analyze the Ukraine war, U.S. foreign policy, and the shifting balance of power. With tensions rising between Trump and…
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Trump’s Chaotic Foreign Policy and Elon Musk’s DOGE Takeover
America is at a turning point. From Trump’s dramatic shifts in foreign policy to Elon Musk’s radical plan to slash federal spending, the future of the United States is being reshaped before our eyes. In this episode of New Frontiers, Paul Johnson and his expert panel break down the biggest issues...
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Changing the Constitution? Mark Meckler on the Convention of States
In this episode of New Frontiers, host Paul Johnson welcomes Mark Meckler, co-founder of the Tea Party Movement and leader of the Convention of States initiative. Joined by Professor Henry Thompson, the discussion dives deep into the push for an Article V Convention, a process that could lead to...
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Trade Wars
This week has been packed with major political and economic developments, and in this episode of New Frontiers, host Paul Johnson is joined by Bob Robb and Henry Thompson to break down the biggest stories shaping America. Trump’s surprise tariff announcement on Canada, Mexico, and China sent...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The past, present, and future of the United States are full of promise. A promise sustained by the efforts of brave individuals and organizations who champion the pursuit of technology, improving the human condition, free markets, and a belief in who we are. We are losing the fact that we are a nation of dreamers, a catapult for those who have the heart to dare, a place that rewards ingenuity and innovation. This country, more than any other, succeeded by making possible the release of the human spirit.We need to put in the work to bring the actual narrative of abundance forward. We need to make it consumable for everyday Americans. It is how our conversations will pivot towards the positive. Our mornings will begin with promise and faith rather than fear and despair.If you’re willing to help others feel better about tomorrow, join us. Weekly shows are coming very soon. Follow us to stay notified of new episodes.
HOSTED BY
Optimistic American
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Optimistic American have?
The Optimistic American currently has 213 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Optimistic American about?
The past, present, and future of the United States are full of promise. A promise sustained by the efforts of brave individuals and organizations who champion the pursuit of technology, improving the human condition, free markets, and a belief in who we are. We are losing the fact that we are a...
How often does The Optimistic American release new episodes?
The Optimistic American publishes regularly with 213 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to The Optimistic American?
You can listen to The Optimistic American on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Optimistic American?
The Optimistic American is created and hosted by Optimistic American.
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