The Karol Markowicz Show

Former Deputy National Security Advisor to Vice President Dick Cheney and Nation States with Yates host Stephen Yates joins Karol Markowicz for a deeply personal conversation about politics, family, addiction, and loss. Yates shares his heartbreaking experience losing his daughter to addiction, the powerful family rituals that helped him navigate grief, and the importance of lifelong friendships.

Plus, Yates reflects on his time in the Bush administration, his evolving views on free trade and China, President Trump's economic policies, and the life lessons that matter most. An emotional and inspiring conversation about resilience, fatherhood, faith, and finding purpose through tragedy.

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Is the climate movement really about protecting the environment—or controlling how Americans live? Karol Markowicz sits down with Daniel Turner, founder of Power the Future and Fox News contributor, for a revealing conversation about climate activism, America's energy future, and the growing backlash against AI data centers.

Turner argues that environmental policies are hurting rural America, driving up energy costs, and threatening economic growth. They examine the politics of fossil fuels, gas prices, the Keystone XL pipeline, and why America's failure to plan long-term energy infrastructure could have serious consequences.

Plus, Turner reflects on New York City's decline, political polarization, and the importance of protecting your peace, surrounding yourself with good people, and standing up for what you believe.

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Are Jewish authors being pushed out of mainstream publishing? Karol Markowicz sits down with bestselling author, photographer, and advocate Alyssa Rosenheck to discuss her powerful new book, White Blonde Jew: A Call to End Extremism, Speak Up, and Reclaim Center, and her personal experiences with antisemitism, literary boycotts, and censorship in the publishing industry.

Rosenheck reveals how her advocacy for Israel following the October 7 attacks coincided with the collapse of a publishing opportunity, and describes what she sees as a growing campaign to silence Jewish and Zionist authors. She and Karol examine the BDS movement, identity politics, political extremism, free speech, and why Rosenheck believes reclaiming the political center is essential to rebuilding a healthier society.

Plus, Rosenheck shares her journey from celebrated architectural photographer to outspoken author, the lessons of Jewish women in the resistance, and why being underestimated can become a powerful advantage. The conversation closes with practical wisdom on gratitude, personal responsibility, courage, and finding purpose through service to others.

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Could America be just one generation away from losing its freedom? Former U.S. Army Special Forces veteran, author, and popular X personality C.T. Hill, better known as Green Beret Naptime, joins Karol Markowicz for a fascinating conversation about military service, American liberty, the dangers of tyranny, and his new military thriller, The Remnant War: Ashes of the Eagle, Book One.

Drawing on more than 15 years of experience in Army Special Operations, Hill explains how combat changes a person's perspective, why military service can provide young Americans with purpose and discipline, and how his real-world experience inspired a fictional story about authoritarianism and the fight to preserve constitutional freedoms. He also reveals why his views on the Russia-Ukraine war have changed, what Americans misunderstand about Special Forces, and why protecting individual liberty requires constant vigilance.

Plus, Hill shares his favorite books, the story behind his viral Green Beret Naptime account, and the powerful life lesson he learned from hundreds of publishing rejections: Stop waiting for permission, take action, and never let failure stop you.

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Are Americans getting the truth about Iran, Hamas, and the Middle East—or are dangerous narratives shaping what we believe?

On this episode of The Karol Markowicz Show, Karol sits down with Lisa Daftari, foreign policy analyst, podcast host, and founder of The Foreign Desk, for a revealing conversation about the Iran conflict, radical Islamic extremism, media bias, and the growing battle over information in America.

The daughter of Iranian immigrants, Daftari shares how the September 11 terrorist attacks inspired her career in journalism and national security. From being recruited by the CIA while in college to conducting undercover investigations into extremist rhetoric on American college campuses, Lisa explains why she believes the ideological battles Americans face today have been developing for decades.

Karol and Lisa explore how Iran, Hamas, and Hezbollah are portrayed in American media, the influence of social media on public opinion, and why Daftari believes many Americans misunderstand the realities of the Middle East. They also discuss the Abraham Accords, anti-Israel activism on college campuses, and the importance of hearing directly from people living under oppressive regimes.

Plus, Lisa explains why she's reconsidering traditional higher education for her son, shares her perspective on legal immigration and the American Dream, and offers a powerful message about finding happiness, pursuing your passions, and appreciating life's everyday moments.

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Can money really buy happiness, or are we chasing the wrong definition of success?

On this episode of The Karol Markowicz Show, Karol sits down with John Coleman, co-CEO of Sovereign's Capital and author of Good Money: Six Steps to Building a Financial Life with Purpose, to explore why building wealth means nothing without purpose, meaningful relationships, and financial freedom.

Coleman explains why social media fuels unhealthy financial comparisons, how materialism and lifestyle inflation can undermine happiness, and why generosity may be one of the most powerful ways to improve your life. He also challenges conventional retirement planning, arguing that Americans should save for freedom rather than simply saving to stop working.

Plus, Karol and John discuss the importance of marriage and family, finding meaning in your career, values-based investing beyond ESG, and how artificial intelligence, robotics, and biotechnology could transform society over the next five years.

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Why do wealthy elites embrace progressive ideas while working-class Americans pay the price? Karol Markowicz sits down with bestselling author and Manhattan Institute senior fellow Rob Henderson to discuss his concept of "luxury beliefs," his remarkable journey from foster care to Yale and Cambridge, and why family stability matters more than society often admits. Plus, Henderson examines the rise of socialism among America's educated elite, the dangers of pornography and smartphone addiction, and the surprising connections between Dostoevsky and modern politics. He also shares practical advice for building a better life.

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Karol Markowicz sits down with Tablet Magazine’s Liel Leibovitz for a powerful conversation about Jewish faith, identity, antisemitism, and why reconnecting with the Torah may be more important than ever.

Liel explains the mission behind the Simchat Torah Challenge and why Jews of every level of observance can find wisdom, meaning, and spiritual strength in the Torah. He also shares his own journey back to religious Judaism, why modern life is facing a deeper spiritual crisis, and his surprisingly optimistic prediction that America could be headed toward a new golden age.

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Karol Markowicz sits down with author and Storytime for Grown Ups host Faith Moore to discuss her new romantic comedy, Wooing Jane, a wildly original story that brings Henry VIII into the modern world to help two lonely people fall in love.

Their conversation quickly expands into a bigger question: Have men and women forgotten how to woo each other? Moore discusses chivalry, modern feminism, changing expectations between men and women, and why people can struggle to form meaningful romantic relationships in an increasingly online world.

Karol and Faith also explore dating apps, online friendships, parasocial relationships and the danger of comparing imperfect real people with idealized versions of people created online. Moore argues that while technology can help people connect, ultimately “reality is the most important thing.”

Plus, Faith explains why she believes younger generations may begin putting down their phones and reconnecting with books, exercise, the outdoors and face-to-face relationships. And she closes with a simple piece of advice for building a better life: the things worth having are often hard—and you can do hard things.

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Karol Markowicz sits down with Dr. Yossi Sheffi, MIT professor and author of Unsafe at MIT: A Chronicle of a Campus War on the Jews, for a candid conversation about antisemitism, campus activism and what Jewish students have experienced at one of America’s most prestigious universities.

Sheffi explains why he decided to document events at MIT, including interviews with roughly 50 students, and argues that although conditions on campus have improved, an undercurrent of antisemitism and harassment remains. He describes Jewish students being excluded from study groups and discusses why that can have a particularly serious impact in engineering programs built around collaborative work.

Karol and Sheffi also tackle a question facing Jewish parents: Should their children still attend elite universities where antisemitism has become a concern? Sheffi discusses alternatives, the difference between undergraduate and graduate education, and efforts by Jewish faculty and students to build stronger communities and academic partnerships.

Plus, Sheffi discusses the response he's received since publishing Unsafe at MIT, why he believes speaking out is worth the consequences, and the life philosophy that guides him: do the right thing regardless of whether people applaud or vilify you.

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Karol Markowicz sits down with education researcher and policy expert Jay Greene, Director of Research at Do No Harm and Senior Fellow at the Defense of Freedom Institute for Policy Studies, for a wide-ranging conversation about school choice, antisemitism, higher education, DEI, medicine, and the future of American education.

Greene explains his research into antisemitism and challenges the idea that greater education necessarily reduces anti-Jewish attitudes. He discusses an experiment designed to measure differences in how respondents treated Jewish and non-Jewish subjects and offers his theory about the political and social forces that can sustain antisemitism.

Karol and Jay also dive into the dramatic expansion of school choice, including Greene’s role in developing what he calls the “Red State Strategy.” Greene explains why advocates shifted their argument toward parental control over children's education and discusses the growth of universal school-choice programs following the pandemic.

Plus, Greene discusses why he believes Jewish institutional life could experience a renaissance, his upcoming research, and why his advice for young people is simple: start adulthood early—work, marry, build a family, and avoid unnecessarily delaying adulthood.

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Best-selling author and three-time National Jewish Book Award winner Dara Horn joins Karol Markowicz to discuss her new book, The Final Solution to the Jewish Question: A Love Story for the Living, and what thousands of years of Jewish history can teach us about survival, courage and refusing to bow to tyranny.

Horn explains why she sees Jewish civilization as a tradition built around questioning, dissent and individual agency—and why the Jewish people don't fit neatly into modern categories of religion, ethnicity or identity. She also discusses the rise of antisemitism since October 7, her experience serving on Harvard's antisemitism advisory group and the challenges Jewish students face on elite college campuses.

Karol and Dara also examine whether institutions like Harvard can change, why Horn believes some traditional approaches to combating antisemitism have fallen short, and her efforts to educate students about Jewish history through the Tell Institute.

Plus, Horn shares an optimistic prediction about the future of artificial intelligence and truth online—and explains why having the courage to speak up, even when doing so carries a social cost, can ultimately strengthen your integrity.

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Karol Markowicz is joined by Jordan Schachtel, publisher of The Dossier, to break down the growing debate over artificial intelligence, AI “doomerism,” and the push for greater government regulation of the technology.

Schachtel explains the concept of regulatory capture and why major AI companies could benefit from rules that make it harder for competitors to catch up. Karol and Jordan also discuss Mark Zuckerberg’s approach to AI safety, concerns that artificial intelligence could eliminate jobs, and why learning how to use AI may become essential for workers trying to stay competitive.

Plus, they examine the push to slow AI development, whether schools should embrace or restrict AI tools, the future of humanoid robots, and Jordan’s prediction for what the AI-powered world could look like five years from now.

The conversation closes on family, parenthood, and why avoiding envy and comparison can lead to a happier life.

EMAIL RYAN

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Karol Markowicz sits down with Wall Street Journal editorial board member Elliot Kaufman to discuss his new book, In the War Room: The Inside Story of Israel’s Fight Against Hamas and the Iranian Axis, co-authored with Jerusalem Post senior military analyst Yonah Jeremy Bob. The book reconstructs the internal debates and decisions that shaped Israel’s response to the October 7 attacks and the multifront conflict that followed.

Kaufman takes listeners inside the Israeli war cabinet as leaders debated whether to strike Hamas in Gaza or confront the potentially larger threat from Hezbollah in Lebanon. He describes Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s initial hesitation over a ground invasion of Gaza, concerns that Israeli troops could be walking into a heavily prepared battlefield, and why it ultimately took 20 days after October 7 for Israeli ground forces to enter Gaza.

Kaufman also discusses Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah, including the internal deliberations surrounding Hassan Nasrallah and the decision not to give the Biden administration significant advance notice of the strike targeting him. According to Kaufman’s account, Israeli officials disagreed over whether Washington should be informed beforehand and how the United States might respond.

Karol and Kaufman also examine the Biden administration’s approach to Israel during the war, the relationship between Netanyahu and Israel’s military leadership, and what Kaufman and Bob learned through years of reporting and interviews with senior political, military and intelligence officials.

Finally, Kaufman discusses his path to journalism, his work covering Israel and Iran for The Wall Street Journal, his outlook for the American conservative movement, and why observing Shabbat has become one of the most meaningful parts of his life.

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On this episode of The Karol Markowicz Show, Karol sits down with Jennifer Van Laar, managing editor of RedState and a leading investigative journalist known for uncovering major political stories.

Jennifer shares her unconventional journey—from 20 years as a courtroom stenographer working on murder trials to becoming one of the most impactful investigative voices in conservative media. She explains how her courtroom experience taught her how to build cases, analyze evidence, and ultimately break major political stories.

The conversation dives into the investigation that exposed former Rep. Katie Hill, the year-long reporting effort that scrutinized RNC leadership and spending, and the pressures journalists face when reporting critically on their own political side. Jennifer also discusses the evolving mission of RedState, why intellectual honesty matters in political media, and how conservative outlets balance breaking news with opinion.

Karol and Jennifer also explore the future of California politics, the fallout from the Palisades fire, Governor Gavin Newsom’s leadership, and whether the political pendulum could swing back in the Golden State.

Plus, Jennifer reflects on her personal life—raising three sons as a single mother, finding purpose through storytelling, and why discovering your strengths and “staying in your lane” may be the key to long-term success.

Topics Covered in This Episode:

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Jennifer Van Laar’s path from court reporter to investigative journalist

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The RedState newsroom and conservative media today

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Major investigations that changed political careers

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Reporting on corruption within your own party

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California politics and the future of the state

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The importance of storytelling in journalism and life

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Karol Markowicz sits down with Seth Dillon, CEO of The Babylon Bee, for a wide-ranging conversation about comedy, censorship, free speech, faith, family, and the future of artificial intelligence.

Dillon shares the unlikely story of how he became involved with The Babylon Bee, taking over the Christian satire site in 2018 and helping transform it into a major cultural force whose audience extends far beyond its original Christian conservative following.

He also takes Karol inside one of the most consequential chapters in the Bee’s history: its suspension from Twitter after refusing to delete a controversial joke. Dillon explains why the company was willing to risk losing access to the platform rather than censor itself—and how the controversy caught the attention of Elon Musk as concerns over online speech and censorship intensified.

Seth also opens up about fatherhood, the importance of speaking out even when there may be personal or professional consequences, and why serving others is one of his guiding principles. Finally, he looks ahead at how rapidly advancing AI and automation could fundamentally reshape the way people work, live and interact over the next five years.

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On this episode of the Karol Markowicz Show, Karol sits down with Amy Swearer, one of America’s leading voices on the Second Amendment, criminal justice reform, and mental health policy. Amy shares her journey from wanting to become a police officer to becoming a legal and policy expert shaping national conversations on gun rights, overcriminalization, and constitutional law.

They dive into the realities of gun violence, the role mental health plays in public policy, the future of Supreme Court battles over assault weapons bans, and why facts—not feelings—must guide policy decisions. Amy also opens up about marriage, ambition, and her philosophy on “strategic topography” — choosing the right hills to die on in life and politics.

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Conservative commentator and podcaster Brittany Hughes joins Karol Markowicz to discuss motherhood, faith, the culture wars, and what she sees as troubling changes taking place in American society.

Hughes shares her journey from small-town newspaper reporter to political journalism and digital media, and explains why becoming a wife and mother shifted her focus toward cultural issues affecting families and children. She and Karol also discuss how women can pursue meaningful careers while prioritizing family — and why “having it all” doesn't necessarily mean having everything at the same time.

Then, the conversation turns to the Lindsay Clancy trial and the reaction it has generated online. Hughes and Karol examine why some women have publicly identified with or defended Clancy, the difference between acknowledging the difficulties of motherhood and romanticizing extreme behavior, and what the reaction may reveal about attitudes toward motherhood, mental health, and victimhood in the social-media era.

Hughes also sounds the alarm over growing sympathy for socialism and communism among younger Americans, while expressing optimism about the energy she sees among young conservatives. She explains why she believes Americans may need to see some of these political ideas fail in practice before attitudes begin to change.

Finally, Hughes shares the principle she believes can most profoundly improve a person's life: surrendering to Jesus Christ, finding joy through faith, and pursuing a purpose greater than temporary happiness.

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Karol Markowicz sits down with Kevin Smith, founder of Loud Majority and host of Loud Majority Live, for a wide-ranging conversation about grassroots activism, New York politics, the culture wars, and the power of getting involved at the local level.

Kevin shares how the COVID lockdown era transformed him from a delivery driver into a political activist, beginning with Trump car parades across Long Island before expanding into school board races, local elections, campaigns, and political media. He explains why COVID restrictions awakened many Americans to the importance of local government—and why changing a school board or city council can sometimes have a more immediate impact on your life than national politics.

Karol and Kevin also discuss the political transformation of Long Island, why so many New Yorkers are leaving the state, personal responsibility in an era of economic frustration, the WNBA and the culture wars, celebrities getting political, the decline of Hollywood entertainment, and whether American culture is beginning to shift away from ideological preaching.

Plus, Kevin offers his prediction for the rise of economic populism and shares his advice for anyone who wants to improve their life: focus on what you can control, take responsibility, and don't be afraid to stand up for what you believe.

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Karol Markowicz sits down with Zachary Kussin, real estate editor at the New York Post, for a wide-ranging conversation about journalism, New York City real estate, personal style, resilience, and the value of embracing who you really are.

Kussin shares the unlikely story of how a Craigslist job posting helped launch his journalism career, eventually leading him from The Real Deal to the New York Post. He explains what makes real estate reporting such a unique beat and how years of hard work, unexpected opportunities, and a little luck shaped his career.

The conversation also turns personal as Kussin recounts losing nearly everything when a seven-alarm fire tore through his New York City apartment building. The experience gave him an opportunity to rebuild—not just his home, but a space that genuinely reflected his personality, travels, and lifelong love of antiques, vintage jewelry, fashion, and design.

Karol and Zachary discuss growing more confident with age, finding your people, developing meaningful relationships, pursuing unconventional passions, and refusing to change yourself simply to fit other people's expectations.

Kussin also shares his philosophy for living a happier life: embrace adventure, pursue what genuinely interests you, take chances even when you don't know the outcome, and have the confidence to be yourself.

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