<![CDATA[The Verboten! Podcast]]>Politics. Economics. History. Business. Nothing is off limits.

Welcome to Verboten!—the podcast for people willing to question conventional wisdom.

Verboten explores the ideas, incentives, and assumptions shaping our world. Every episode takes a fresh look at politics, economics, history, culture, and current events—not to defend a party, but to follow the evidence wherever it leads.

If you're tired of outrage, tribalism, and talking points, and you're looking for thoughtful conversations that challenge assumptions and make you think, you're in the right place.

Because the most important conversations are often the ones we're told not to have.

]]>https://riverside.comRiverside.fm (https://riverside.com)Fri, 16 Oct 2026 11:26:04 GMTSat, 01 Aug 2026 20:50:05 GMT60The Verboten! Podcast<p><b><strong>Politics. Economics. History. Business. Nothing is off limits.</strong></b></p><p>Welcome to <b><strong>Verboten!</strong></b>—the podcast for people willing to question conventional wisdom.</p><p>Verboten explores the ideas, incentives, and assumptions shaping our world. Every episode takes a fresh look at politics, economics, history, culture, and current events—not to defend a party, but to follow the evidence wherever it leads.</p><p>If you're tired of outrage, tribalism, and talking points, and you're looking for thoughtful conversations that challenge assumptions and make you think, you're in the right place.</p><p><b><strong>Because the most important conversations are often the ones we're told not to have.</strong></b></p>episodicThe Verboten! Podcastjason.a.dekker@gmail.comno<![CDATA[Ep 3: Grandma Was Bad At Math]]>In this episode of Verboten!, JD reflects on the life and legacy of his grandmother, Irene D., and asks a deceptively simple question: what happens when you ignore the math of life?

Drawing from the eulogy he delivered at her funeral, JD explores how a 99-year life intersected with enormous cultural changes, including the rise of second-wave feminism, and how a quiet commitment to duty, family, sacrifice, and faith produced consequences that stretched across generations.

This is not an episode about whether feminism was all good or all bad. It is about what one life can teach us when it refuses to take its cues from the culture.

Music licensed through Soundstripe.
Code: K2YPZAAZVLDDAXXA, ILRP3MA5XGMWO7HU

]]>5e5e1651-c675-47e0-82a7-d6420539099cMon, 12 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMT<p>In this episode of Verboten!, JD reflects on the life and legacy of his grandmother, Irene D., and asks a deceptively simple question: what happens when you ignore the math of life?</p><p>Drawing from the eulogy he delivered at her funeral, JD explores how a 99-year life intersected with enormous cultural changes, including the rise of second-wave feminism, and how a quiet commitment to duty, family, sacrifice, and faith produced consequences that stretched across generations.</p><p>This is not an episode about whether feminism was all good or all bad. It is about what one life can teach us when it refuses to take its cues from the culture.</p><p>Music licensed through Soundstripe.<br />Code: K2YPZAAZVLDDAXXA, ILRP3MA5XGMWO7HU</p>no00:20:4514Ep 3: Grandma Was Bad At Mathfull<![CDATA[Quick Reaction: Trump Offers A Bribe]]>In this Verboten Quick Reaction, Jason takes aim at President Trump’s proposed $5,000 “dividend” for American adults and asks the question politicians rarely answer clearly: who actually pays for it?

The episode argues that calling the payment a dividend does not make it free money. Jason compares the proposal to President Biden’s student debt forgiveness plan, challenges Republicans to apply the same standard of fiscal responsibility to their own party and questions the claim that tariff revenue can fund another trillion-dollar commitment when those same revenues have already been cited as an offset for other federal spending.

The discussion moves through the federal deficit, the One Big Beautiful Bill, COVID-era stimulus checks, Keynesian economics, and the danger of treating government transfers as if they were profits being returned to shareholders. Jason also uses General Motors’ pre-bankruptcy dividend and a memorable scene from Christmas Vacation to illustrate the central point.

The conclusion is simple: if Washington sends Americans a $5,000 check without cutting spending elsewhere, the money is not a gift from the government. It is a gift from ourselves, and eventually the bill comes due.

Music licensed through Soundstripe.
Code: OKH58WF4MHA0VVVX

]]>62ef9e3b-f298-44b2-9371-3e70d76a5da5Sun, 13 Sep 2026 02:09:40 GMT<p>In this Verboten Quick Reaction, Jason takes aim at President Trump’s proposed $5,000 “dividend” for American adults and asks the question politicians rarely answer clearly: who actually pays for it?</p><p>The episode argues that calling the payment a dividend does not make it free money. Jason compares the proposal to President Biden’s student debt forgiveness plan, challenges Republicans to apply the same standard of fiscal responsibility to their own party and questions the claim that tariff revenue can fund another trillion-dollar commitment when those same revenues have already been cited as an offset for other federal spending.</p><p>The discussion moves through the federal deficit, the One Big Beautiful Bill, COVID-era stimulus checks, Keynesian economics, and the danger of treating government transfers as if they were profits being returned to shareholders. Jason also uses General Motors’ pre-bankruptcy dividend and a memorable scene from Christmas Vacation to illustrate the central point.</p><p>The conclusion is simple: if Washington sends Americans a $5,000 check without cutting spending elsewhere, the money is not a gift from the government. It is a gift from ourselves, and eventually the bill comes due.</p><p></p><p>Music licensed through Soundstripe.<br />Code: OKH58WF4MHA0VVVX</p>no00:13:3215Quick Reaction: Trump Offers A Bribebonus<![CDATA[Quick Reaction: Trump Threatens the Fed]]>President Trump's recent Truth Social Post targeting the Federal Reserve and interest rates is discussed in detail, along with the implications and consequences of his statements. The conversation also delves into the concept of low interest rates, savings, and the potential economic impact of current policies.

Takeaways

  • Federal Reserve's dual mandate and inflation target
  • Significance of job creation and types of jobs
  • Impact of low interest rates in a low savings environment

Chapters

  • 00:00 President Trump's Truth Social Post
  • 02:58 Federal Reserve's Interest Rate Policy and President's Threat
  • 05:46 Job Creation and Economic Progress
  • 09:06 Low Interest Rates, Savings, and Economic Impact
  • 12:03 President Trump's Business Approach and Potential Economic Consequences
]]>8c1c4ec2-4a0e-4857-bc9b-60dcd5259782Mon, 07 Sep 2026 21:40:29 GMT<p>President Trump's recent Truth Social Post targeting the Federal Reserve and interest rates is discussed in detail, along with the implications and consequences of his statements. The conversation also delves into the concept of low interest rates, savings, and the potential economic impact of current policies.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Federal Reserve's dual mandate and inflation target</li><li>Significance of job creation and types of jobs</li><li>Impact of low interest rates in a low savings environment</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 President Trump's Truth Social Post</li><li>02:58 Federal Reserve's Interest Rate Policy and President's Threat</li><li>05:46 Job Creation and Economic Progress</li><li>09:06 Low Interest Rates, Savings, and Economic Impact</li><li>12:03 President Trump's Business Approach and Potential Economic Consequences</li></ul>no00:14:2513Quick Reaction: Trump Threatens the Fedbonus<![CDATA[Ep. 2: Retire the Pledge of Allegiance]]>Should Americans still pledge allegiance to "one Nation, indivisible"? In this episode of Verboten, Jason Dekker examines the historical origins of the Pledge of Allegiance, the Founders' understanding of state sovereignty, and the constitutional debate over secession. From Patrick Henry and the Kentucky Resolutions to Andrew Jackson, modern federal debt, and the concept of a national divorce, this episode challenges listeners to reconsider one of the most familiar phrases in American civic life, and asks whether patriotism is best expressed through allegiance to an unbreakable union or to the principles that gave America birth.

]]>bf6f8aa7-4d33-461f-a467-3fe807f90f6eWed, 02 Sep 2026 02:00:00 GMT<p>Should Americans still pledge allegiance to "one Nation, indivisible"? In this episode of <i>Verboten</i>, Jason Dekker examines the historical origins of the Pledge of Allegiance, the Founders' understanding of state sovereignty, and the constitutional debate over secession. From Patrick Henry and the Kentucky Resolutions to Andrew Jackson, modern federal debt, and the concept of a national divorce, this episode challenges listeners to reconsider one of the most familiar phrases in American civic life, and asks whether patriotism is best expressed through allegiance to an unbreakable union or to the principles that gave America birth.</p>no00:43:1112Ep. 2: Retire the Pledge of Allegiancefull<![CDATA[Why Our Wages Can't Keep Up]]>Episode 1: Why Aren’t Our Wages Keeping Up?

You've been told that greedy corporations are the reason your paycheck doesn't go as far anymore.

What if that's only part of the story—and maybe not even the biggest part?

In the debut episode of Verboten!, Jason Dekker examines one of today's most debated economic questions and challenges the conventional narrative surrounding wages, inflation, and the rising cost of living. Drawing on decades of business experience, personal family history, and economic history, he explores the incentives and policies that may be shaping our financial future far more than most people realize.

Whether you agree or disagree, this episode is an invitation to question assumptions, think independently, and have the conversations many people avoid.

Because the most important conversations are often the ones we're told not to have.

]]>67d983c2-4d79-4ea7-be5b-bd3210949248Sat, 01 Aug 2026 20:58:22 GMT<p><b>Episode 1: Why Aren’t Our Wages Keeping Up?</b></p><p>You've been told that greedy corporations are the reason your paycheck doesn't go as far anymore.</p><p>What if that's only part of the story—and maybe not even the biggest part?</p><p>In the debut episode of <b>Verboten!</b>, Jason Dekker examines one of today's most debated economic questions and challenges the conventional narrative surrounding wages, inflation, and the rising cost of living. Drawing on decades of business experience, personal family history, and economic history, he explores the incentives and policies that may be shaping our financial future far more than most people realize.</p><p>Whether you agree or disagree, this episode is an invitation to question assumptions, think independently, and have the conversations many people avoid.</p><p><b>Because the most important conversations are often the ones we're told not to have.</b></p>no00:33:5811Why Our Wages Can't Keep Upfull