Getting it Right - Rick Wagner
A historical and strategic analysis of today’s political, economic, and geopolitical fault lines. From city budgets to global deterrence, this podcast focuses on power, incentives, and accountability—because systems don’t fail randomly, they fail predictably.
Episodes
In this episode, Rick Wagner dives deep into the underlying mechanics of history, challenging the idea that the repetitive nature of our modern news cycle is just a coincidence. Moving past simple predictions, Rick explores the science of forecasting social and political cycles through the lens of cliodynamics—a field pioneered by evolutionary biologist and complexity researcher Peter Turchin.
The conversation center...
The Fourth of July is usually celebrated with flags, fireworks, parades, and familiar words about freedom. But beneath the celebration lies a harder question: What does it take to preserve the republic the Founders created?
In this Independence Day episode, Rick Wagner reflects on the American experiment, the principles that made it possible, and the responsibilities that come with ...
In this episode, Rick Wagner looks past the headlines and asks the harder strategic question: what happens when the West is forced to respond to pressure in too many places at once?
From drone attacks and NATO vulnerability to the uneasy partnership between Russia and China, this discussion examines how modern conflict may not arrive as one clean, declared war, but as a series of overlapping crises—Ukraine, the South China Se...
Rick discusses Chicago Public Schools’ May Day controversy as part of a larger pattern of institutional drift. Public schools exist to educate children first — to teach reading, writing, math, history, civics, and independent thought. Civic engagement has a place, but when struggling schools blur the line between education and political mobilization, they risk losing the trust of parents and the public. The larger point...
Rick breaks down the Iran conflict, why gas prices stay high despite U.S. oil production, and what America has lost since the Apollo era. He ties war, energy, and space exploration into a broader argument about national strength, technological ambition, and the real cost of decline.
This episode examines the strategic realities of conflict with Iran, emphasizing the limits of air power against a large, mountainous country with dispersed and well-hidden military assets. It explores the vulnerability of the Strait of Hormuz, where even small mobile forces can threaten global trade, and considers the fragile calculations of Gulf allies caught between fear of Iran and fear of regional economic collapse. At its cor...
This episode examines the deeper structure behind modern Middle Eastern conflict, moving beyond headlines to focus on the forces that actually drive behavior. It explores how theological frameworks—particularly within Iran’s Twelver Shi’a tradition—inform long-term strategy, risk tolerance, and concepts of victory.
Drawing on the history of the Crusades, the discussion highlights enduring patterns of warfare...
AI, State Power, and Political Drift
Rick covers a wide range of issues, from the push to end daylight savings time to the growing role of artificial intelligence in research. He warns that AI can fall into a “Family Feud” problem—prioritizing consensus over truth. Rick also examines Colorado’s regulatory climate and why businesses are leaving for states like Texas and Florida. The episode closes with concer...
Rick Wagner breaks down the week’s key flashpoints—from rising pressure around Iran and the stalemate in Ukraine to a maritime confrontation near Cuba. At home, allegations of Medicaid fraud in Minnesota and the continuing fallout from U.K. grooming scandals raise deeper questions about accountability. Rick argues these events point to a broader problem: institutions losing strategic clarity while transparency declines....
The discussion explores how radical causes provide moral certainty and emotional release, allowing destructive behavior to be reframed as virtue and personal failure to be reassigned to a hated external enemy. Belonging, not belief, becomes the real currency. Hatred functions as social glue, binding participants together while absolving them of responsibility for their own dissatisfaction.
What do New York’s budget math, China’s military posturing, and Europe’s instability have in common? More than you think. This podcast breaks down how fiscal denial and geopolitical weakness collide—and why the bill always comes due.
Job interviews no longer revolve around what the applicant can do for you. Now it's all about what the hirer can provide for the employee.
You used to need some amount of competence in order to be in authority. Our former Vice President shows that that's no longer applicable.
#rickwagner #therickwagnershow #politicalviking #vikingdisruptor #gettingitright #waronwrong #podcast #youtube #spotify #iheartradio #applepodcas...
People in power have no issue discussing and making decisions on topics they no nothing about. Let's take technology and National security.
The justice system is failing us. Criminals are walking free because of failed ideology. Repeat offenders are walking free all the time.
A talk radio show blending history, politics and culture.
#rickwagner #therickwagnershow #politicalviking #vikingdisruptor #gettingitright #waron...
Let's talk about the Department of Education - why would more funding help?
1% of the population of New York pays 40% of the taxes. You don't want that 1% moving!
#rickwagner #therickwagnershow #politicalviking #vikingdisruptor #gettingitright #waronwrong #podcast #youtube #spotify #iheartradio #applepodcasts #podbean #knzz #talkradio #conservativenews #Trump #CrimeRateSome of the challenges our country has faced have been ugly. This is still a great country. No society is perfect. If the U.S is so bad, why are people fighting to be here?
A talk radio show blending history, politics and culture.
#rickwagner #therickwagnershow #politicalviking #vikingdisruptor #gettingitright #waronwrong #podcast #youtube #spotify #iheartradio #applepodcasts #podbean #knzz #talkradio #conservativenews #Mond...
The people getting elected recently really makes you question the IQ of the citizens voting there.
Let's talk South America and Mexico. There are a lot of complicated issues there right now
A talk radio show blending history, politics and culture.
#rickwagner #therickwagnershow #politicalviking #vikingdisruptor #gettingitright #waronwrong #podcast #youtube #spotify #iheartradio #applepodcasts #podbean #knzz #talkradio #conservati...
Who protects the ICE agents and National Guard?
Let's look at the latest election results. What can we learn from this turn out?
When the left gets backed into a corner - they revert to fear tactics. Notice how they try to scare their followers into thinking they are the only ones who can save them.
A talk radio show blending history, politics and culture.
#rickwagner #therickwagnershow #politicalviking #vikingdisrupto...
Russia and China have infiltrated much of the world. Other countries no longer know if America can or will have their back. How does this lack of confidence play a role in what side the rest of the world would take during a future conflict?
#rickwagner #therickwagnershow #politicalviking #vikingdisruptor #gettingitright #waronwrong #podcast #youtube #spotify #iheartradio #applepodc...
The news is such aimless repetition of the same information! That's why Rick enjoys discussing lesser talked about current events.
The rhetoric around global warming has not gone the way the left would like. Let's discuss some updated research!
A talk radio show blending history, politics and culture.
#rickwagner #therickwagnershow #politicalviking #vikingdisruptor #gettingitright #waronwrong #podcast #youtube #spotify #ihe...
Popular Podcasts
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Betrayal Weekly is back for a new season. Every Thursday, Betrayal Weekly shares first-hand accounts of broken trust, shocking deceptions, and the trail of destruction they leave behind. Hosted by Andrea Gunning, this weekly ongoing series digs into real-life stories of betrayal and the aftermath. From stories of double lives to dark discoveries, these are cautionary tales and accounts of resilience against all odds. From the producers of the critically acclaimed Betrayal series, Betrayal Weekly drops new episodes every Thursday. If you would like to share your story, you can reach out to the Betrayal Team by emailing them at betrayalpod@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram at @betrayalpod and @glasspodcasts. Please join our Substack for additional exclusive content, curated book recommendations, and community discussions. Sign up FREE by clicking this link Beyond Betrayal Substack. Join our community dedicated to truth, resilience, and healing. Your voice matters! Be a part of our Betrayal journey on Substack.
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.
Former Bachelor Clayton Echard’s casual one-night fling turned into a paternity nightmare. When the news broke about the scandal, no one believed Clayton at first. He was a reality TV star, and an unpopular one at that. Clayton found himself trying to prove the truth, while trapped in a web of lies, manipulation, and threats. He would soon discover he was not the only one. At its core, this is a story about who you believe and why. It’s an epic battle that would take a group of strangers, citizen sleuths from across the world, to crack the case and finally hold someone accountable. New episodes of Love Trapped are released every Thursday, starting February 26th, 2026. If you would like to reach out to the Love Trapped team, email us at lovetrappedpod@gmail.com and follow along on Instagram @glasspodcasts.