Breaking Battlegrounds

This week on Breaking Battlegrounds, we dive into the growing power struggle between Congress and the presidency, the future of the filibuster, and one of the most heated debates in sports today.
Jason Willick (Washington Post columnist) joins us to break down his latest piece on military funding and war powers. Should Congress use its power of the purse to limit how military force is used? We discuss the constitutional challenges, the failures of the War Powers Act, and why the current system may actually encourage rushed military decisions—especially when it comes to Iran.
X: https://x.com/jawillick Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/jason-willick/
In B's Corner, we tackle the tragic Athena Strand case and the broader debate around the death penalty, accountability, and whether justice in clear-cut cases should move faster.
Then, Dan McLaughlin (National Review) returns to discuss the filibuster, why both parties are tempted to eliminate it, and what that would mean for the balance of power in Washington. We also get into Trump's lasting political impact, the future of the GOP, and early 2028 speculation—including J.D. Vance and Marco Rubio.
X: https://x.com/baseballcrank National Review: https://www.nationalreview.com/author/dan-mclaughlin/
Finally, Kaylie Ray, former Utah State volleyball captain, shares her firsthand experience leading a team protest against competing against a biological male athlete. She discusses the physical and safety concerns for female athletes, her testimony before the Arizona Senate, and the backlash she faced for speaking out.
Kaylie Ray Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaylierayvb/
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Is America facing the consequences of bad policy? From mass migration out of high-tax states to rising concerns about crime, government overreach, and economic instability, this episode of Breaking Battlegrounds breaks down the biggest issues shaping the country right now. We're joined by top guests to unpack the real-world impact.
In this episode:
Chuck Flint – President & CEO of the Alliance for IRS Accountability, former Senate Chief of Staff We discuss the growing exodus from high-tax states like California, Washington, and Colorado, the failure of "tax the rich" policies, and why businesses and job creators are leaving. Flint also exposes massive government waste, fraud in federal programs, and the need for IRS accountability and fiscal reform. Follow Chuck Flint: https://x.com/ChuckAFlint Learn more: https://www.irsaccountability.org
Anna Giaritelli – Award-winning journalist covering DHS, ICE, and border policy Anna shares her powerful personal story from her new book Under Assault, discussing crime in America, victim advocacy, and the long-term impact of sexual assault. We also cover border security concerns, DHS funding issues, and national security risks. Follow Anna: https://x.com/Anna_Giaritelli Get her book Under Assault: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/under-assault-anna-giaritelli/1149678470?ean=9781969826344
👉 🚨 Giveaway alert: Check our Instagram on 4/11/26 at 9:30 AM AZ time for details! @BreakingBattlegrounds
Abigail Anthony – Staff Writer at National Review Abigail dives into her investigative reporting on Washington state's taxpayer-funded programs, raising concerns about discrimination, misuse of funds, and potential constitutional violations. She also discusses government fraud and free speech issues abroad. Follow Abigail: https://x.com/abigailandwords Read her work: https://www.nationalreview.com/author/abigail-anthony/
Gary Gygi – President & CEO of Gygi Capital Gary breaks down the economic outlook, including risks of recession, rising oil and gas prices, and the debate over "windfall" profit taxes. He shares insights on market trends and how investors should think about uncertainty in today's economy. Learn more: https://gygicapital.com
B's Corner We also discuss the latest developments in the Gilgo Beach serial killer case, including new details from a shocking plea deal.

This week on Breaking Battlegrounds, we're joined by three heavy-hitting voices breaking down media narratives, legal fights in Arizona, and what the data is really telling us about the political landscape heading into 2026.
Ken LaCorte, former Fox News executive and host of Elephants in the Room, joins us to unpack how mainstream narratives take hold, and why his fact-based YouTube documentaries are resonating with hundreds of thousands of viewers. From the complexities of America's historical decisions to today's evolving debates on Israel and Iran, Ken challenges conventional thinking and dives into the nuance often missing from modern discourse. Follow Ken on X: https://x.com/KenLaCorte Follow Elephants in the Room: https://x.com/Elephants_Rooms
Rodney Glassman, Candidate for Arizona Attorney General, returns to the show to break down the legal and political battles shaping Arizona today. From lawsuits against the Trump administration to rising utility costs and election law disputes, Rodney lays out what's at stake, and why leadership and real legal experience matter in the AG's office. Follow Rodney on X: https://x.com/rodneyglassman Learn more: https://rodneyglassman.com
Ryan Tyson, founder of The Tyson Group and one of the country's top political pollsters, joins us to separate perception from reality in today's polling environment. With new data on Trump's approval, voter sentiment on Iran, and key midterm trends, Ryan explains what campaigns should actually be paying attention to, and why affordability and quality-of-life issues will define 2026. Follow Ryan on X: https://x.com/ryan_tyson
From media narratives to legal showdowns to the numbers shaping the next election cycle—this episode covers it all.
Listen to Breaking Battlegrounds on your favorite podcast platform, Youtube, Rumble, or at BreakingBattlegrounds.vote Catch us live Saturdays at 9 AM on 960 The Patriot in Arizona

Is Canada falling apart? From Canada's internal fractures to rising tensions with Iran—and what it all means for the U.S.—this episode connects the dots on the challenges ahead.
Journalist Elie Cantin-Nantel joins the show to break down the growing instability in Canada, from the surprising resurgence of Quebec separatists to a serious push for independence in Alberta. He explains how economic decline, rising crime, and a disconnect between voters and reality are reshaping the country—and why many Canadians still aren't seeing it.
We also get into the role media and outside voices—including Donald Trump—may be playing in shaping political outcomes, and why Canada's economy, once stronger than many U.S. states, is now losing ground.
Follow Elie on X: https://x.com/elie_mcn
Then, Senior Fellow at the Yorktown Institute and researcher at CAMERA, Shay Khatiri joins to break down what's really happening with Iran. Are we heading toward a deal—or something much bigger?
Shay explains why Iran's regime is focused on staying in power, what that means for negotiations, and how U.S. strategy could play out in the weeks ahead. He also cuts through the noise on media coverage and lays out what actually matters in this conflict.
Follow Shay on X: https://x.com/ShayKhatiri
Finally, U.S. Senate candidate Mike Rogers joins the podcast to talk about how we fix things here at home. A former Army officer, FBI special agent, and Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, Rogers is running on a simple idea: make the country work again.
He talks about bringing back American manufacturing, strengthening the economy for working families, and cutting through the dysfunction in Washington that's holding the country back.
Learn more about Mike Rogers and his campaign here: https://rogersforsenate.com/

This week on Breaking Battlegrounds, Chuck Warren and Sam Stone bring together a powerhouse lineup of guests to break down the biggest political, economic, and cultural issues shaping Arizona and the nation.
Kicking things off, congressional candidate and former NFL kicker Jay Feely joins the show following a major endorsement from President Trump and backing from national Republicans. He also recently received the NRCC's endorsement as part of a select group of candidates in key battleground districts. With Arizona's 1st Congressional District seen as a key battleground for control of the House, Feely shares what he's hearing from voters on the ground—rising concern over border security, illegal immigration, election integrity, and the economy.
Beyond politics, Feely discusses his journey from the NFL to public service and lays out his vision for tackling Washington's spending problem. From cutting waste and fraud to exploring blockchain as a tool for real-time transparency in government spending, he argues that Americans are demanding accountability—and not getting it. He also highlights Arizona's opportunity to lead in AI, data centers, and energy production, making the case for long-term investment in infrastructure to fuel economic growth.
See more about Jay Feely's campaign: https://www.jayfeelyforcongress.com/
Economist Richard Salsman joins to take on bigger philosophical questions about capitalism, government intervention, and immigration. He argues that the U.S. has drifted away from true free markets and calls for a return to constitutionally limited government. On immigration, he outlines a more structured, Ellis Island-style system—one that balances opportunity with security and assimilation.
See more about Richard's work: https://richardsalsman.com/
Investigative reporter Aaron Sibarium brings a real-world example of government failure, detailing a case in Maryland where a condominium complex was overrun by a homeless encampment while local officials stood by. The result: extensive property damage, displaced residents, and a bureaucratic deadlock that has left homeowners facing financial ruin.
See Aaron's latest article here: https://freebeacon.com/america/state-created-danger-condominium-besieged-by-homeless-encampment-heads-to-federal-court-to-take-on-left-wing-county-officials-who-let-it-fester/
The episode also dives into higher education, as Timothy Minella of the Goldwater Institute raises concerns about the growing influence of DEI ideology at Arizona State University's Barrett Honors College. From curriculum shifts to a lack of transparency around course content, the discussion highlights broader questions about trust in institutions and whether students are getting the education they signed up for.
See Tim's full story here: https://www.goldwaterinstitute.org/arizonas-honors-colleges-hijacked-by-activist-faculty-to-force-dei-on-students/
Finally, Bess Byers joins to explore the intersection of government, technology, and privacy. From delays and complications in the U.S. Postal Service's electric vehicle rollout to the rapid expansion of surveillance tools like license plate readers, the conversation underscores the risks of unchecked technological growth—and the urgent need for clear safeguards to protect civil liberties.
See Bess's latest story here: https://x.com/reason/status/2029607508835176884