A WORLD GONE MAD
A Progressive Liberal News Podcast
Veteran Television, and Radio Broadcaster Jeff Alan Wolf offers his Observations on the issues (many issues) of the week with a fearless liberal bent. His solid delivery, and dry common sense approach sets him apart from other liberals that populate Talk and Commentary Podcasts”
Jeff Does NOT Pull Punches.
He does NOT Make comments that are “SAFE”.
He tells the Truth.
(He Tells It As He Sees It)
He Is Very OPINIONATED!
He says the things Out Loud YOU’RE
already thinking.
Jeff is Unfiltered, Unspun, A little Unhinged, but offers a lot of Common Sense.
This Podcast could make you MAD.
This Podcast could make you SMILE.
Regardless, it WILL make you THINK!
A WORLD GONE MAD
Pessimism On The Economy, NOAA Massive Cuts, China Won’t Budge, Mantras Help People
Consumer sentiment in America has crashed to near-historic lows, the second worst reading since records began in 1952.
Meanwhile, troubling developments continue within military leadership. The commander of Petufik Space Base in Greenland was removed after questioning Vice President Vance's statements during a visit.
The assault on scientific institutions appears equally systematic. Internal documents reveal plans to eliminate NOAA's research arm and close all weather and climate labs despite increasingly extreme weather patterns.
International tensions are escalating on multiple fronts. Iran has established strict conditions before nuclear talks, rejecting any threatening language from the Trump administration.
Simultaneously, China has increased retaliatory tariffs to 125% while warning they won't engage in a meaningless "numbers game" but are prepared to "fight to the end" if their interests are harmed.
Finding personal resilience amid political turmoil becomes increasingly important. Research shows mantras and motivational phrases can significantly impact our mental state and physical performance. Whether it's "I can do hard things" or "because you can," these simple yet powerful phrases help train our minds alongside our bodies.
Join the resistance by sharing your thoughts and experiences. Your engagement matters more than you know - reach out via email at wolfpacklistener@gmail.com or call 833-399-9653.
Let's navigate this world gone mad together.
AWorldGoneMadPodcast@gmail.com
This is a world gone mad. This is a world gone mad, mad, mad, mad, mad. This is a world gone mad. I'm Jeff Allen Wolfe. I give my commentary on national and world news and politics. Welcome to the resistance. Here we go.
Speaker 1:Us consumer sentiment plummets to second lowest level on records going back to 1952. Americans are rarely this pessimistic about the economy. Consumer sentiment plunged 11% this month to a preliminary reading of 50.8, the University of Michigan said in its latest survey released Friday the second lowest reading on records going back to 1952. April's reading was lower than anything seen during the Great Recession. Now, president, donald Trump's volatile trade war, which threatens higher inflation, has significantly weighed on America's mood. These past few months, that malaise worsened, leading up to Trump's announcement last week of his sweeping tariffs. According to the survey now, this decline was, like the last month's, pervasive and unanimous across age, income, education, geographic region and political affiliation. Joanne Su, the survey's director, said in a release Sentiment has now lost more than 30 percent since December 2024, amid growing worries about trade war developments that have oscillated over the course of the year. She added the Federal Reserve and Wall Street are watching closely how souring sentiment translates into consumer spending, which accounts for about 70% of the US economy and whether Americans lose faith that inflation will return to normal in the coming years. And it's not just Americans being pessimistic about the economy. We're down because of the vanishing of the checks and balances to hold Donald Trump accountable. We see a boulder rolling downhill. It's getting bigger as it's getting towards the bottom, so it's hard for us to get up and be excited about anything because of this lunatic in the White House and his minions around him propping him up.
Speaker 1:The US removes commander in Greenland following Vance's controversial visit, the US announced it removed the commander of the Petufik Space Base in Greenland that's a mouthful on Thursday because of a loss of confidence in her ability to lead after Vice President JD Vance's controversial visit to the semi-autonomous island last month. Now, actions to undermine the chain of command, to subvert President Trump's agenda, will not be tolerated at Department of Defense. Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell wrote in a statement posted to X on Thursday announcing the removal of Susanna Myers Following Vance's visit to the island in late March. Militarycom reported that Myers sent out an email to the space base pushing back on the vice president's actions and comments during the trip. Parnell included a link to the Militarycom story. In his ex-post, the news site reported the ousted commander wrote in an email. I do not presume to understand current politics, but what I do know is the concerns of the US administration discussed by Vice President Vance on Friday are not reflective of Patufik Space Base. Colonel Sean Lee took over Meyer's position, according to a press release from the Space Operations Command, and another military commander removed. You see the pattern everyone. Let's remove the obstacles in the way of people that are in the military, that are in the way of Donald Trump. Also, I'm sure some of you noticed that the person removed is a woman. Another high-racking woman removed tells you what Trump and Republicans think about females in the military.
Speaker 1:Trump's draft budget eviscerates weather and climate research. The Trump administration plans to eliminate the research arm of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, close all weather and climate labs and eviscerate its budget, along with several other NOAA offices. According to internal documents obtained by CNN Now, the move would devastate weather and climate research, even as weather is becoming more erratic and extreme, and it would cripple the US industries, including agriculture, that depend on free, accurate weather and climate data and expert analysis. A source familiar with the plan told CNN that, while the draft budget for fiscal year 2026 will have to be approved by Congress. It is also being distributed to the agency now as guidance on how to slash its current operating budget for the agency, which means the cuts could be implemented this year. What is the target? The budget proposal eliminates NOAA's Oceanic and Atmospheric Research Office, stops funding regional climate data, climate competitive research or sea grant programs. Overall it cuts the funding for programs and the National Marine Fisheries Service and transfers most of the fisheries service functions to the US Fish and Wildlife Service, which sits under the Interior Department. Noaa currently is housed within the US Commerce Department. Noaa currently is housed within the US Commerce Department. The internal Trump administration document says the National Marine Fisheries Service should prioritize permitting to unleash American energy from activities like offshore oil drilling. No respect for wildlife has evidence from them wanting to pick up on offshore oil drilling and dismantling another department that is crucial, with no regards to the consequences of that removal of the wing of that department. Different day, same method.
Speaker 1:Iran lays out red lines ahead of nuclear talks with the US. Iran has set strict terms ahead of crucial talks that it will hold with the US. Iran has set strict terms ahead of crucial talks that it'll hold with the US on its nuclear program. Semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on Thursday, citing sources. It didn't identify Major red lines include threatening language by the Trump administration and excessive demands regarding Iran's nuclear program, tasman reported the US must also refrain from raising issues relating to Iran's defense industry, tasman said likely referring to Iran's ballistic missile program, which the US Middle Eastern allies see as a threat to their security.
Speaker 1:In February, president Donald Trump reinstated a maximum pressure campaign on Iran aimed at preventing the Islamic Republic from building a nuclear weapon. According to the memorandum, the US would also implement a campaign aimed at driving Iran's oil exports to zero and deny Iran intercontinental ballistic missiles. Iranian and American delegations are due to arrive in the Omani capital, muscat, on Saturday morning, tasnim said Now, after a meeting with Oman's foreign minister, indirect talks are scheduled to begin in the afternoon. Trump said that talks will be direct. Look, here's another country that Trump is going to try to negotiate some kind of new treaty with, in this case, nuclear arms. I don't disagree with limiting nuclear arms to a country like Iran, but I'm questioning the methodology of Donald Trump, with his strong arm tactics and his need to belittle another country's leadership. How will this play out in regards to talks with Iran, we'll find out.
Speaker 1:China raises retaliatory tariffs on US imports to 125 percent. China has raised its tariffs back to America from 84 percent to 125%, the State Council Tariff Commission said in a statement on Friday. Beijing appeared to indicate that it wouldn't increase its tariffs on. Us has become nothing more than a numbers game with no real economic significance. It merely further exposes the US practice of weaponizing tariffs as a tool of bullying and coercion, turning itself into a joke. The spokesperson said, if the US insists on continuing this number game with tariffs, china will not engage. However, if the US persists in substantively harming China's interests, china will resolutely take countermeasures and fight to the end. All indications point to China not putting up with Donald's tariff bullshit. Sources convey that China is not going to back down no matter what, and they're in this fight with tariffs for the long haul. This is definitely something we all need to watch for the obvious reasons, but the main reason is that this is dangerous.
Speaker 1:And finally, how to stay motivated to work out by using mottos or mantras. When Nike unveiled its now famous slogan Just Do it in 1988, it helped propel the US-based sportswear company to worldwide fame. Ordinary people also began invoking the catchphrase to motivate themselves to tackle daunting tasks such as sticking to an exercise routine. That's no surprise to researchers, who have found motivational quotes, mantras and positive self-talk help people in myriad ways. College students who listened to the mantra of their choice were more cheerful, had more clarity of mind afterward, according to a 2018 pilot study in the Journal of Religion and Health, while self-talk strategies facilitated learning and enhanced sports performance, a meta-analysis published in the journal Perspectives on Psychological Science found out. Now. Researchers also uncovered a positive connection between human health and mantra meditation the practice of focusing your mind by repeatedly chanting a mantra. In a 2022 review published in the International Journal of Yoga, the use of mantra meditation for stress relief and coping with high blood pressure was especially promising. Coping with high blood pressure was especially promising.
Speaker 1:Now, with mantras and mottos so helpful, many fitness coaches incorporate them when working with their clients. I find them extremely useful, said Alicia Flynn, a woman's running coach and founder of the training program what Runs you, based in New York, pennsylvania. They help people refocus their mind and develop a sustainable habit that keeps them moving and healthy for a long time. Motivation can be fleeting, agreed Kaya Luciani, a coach with the virtual training app, future, based in Raleigh, north Carolina. A more reliable source of drive comes from our mindset. Luciani said While mottos are bite-sized, they are also a really powerful way to hone and train our mindset. They get people thinking maybe it's as easy as just doing it.
Speaker 1:While mantras such as just do it and yes you can are popular, they don't work for everyone. Each person has to find the particular phrase or sentence that speaks to them. Choosing something that's short and easy to remember is best, said Flynn, who doesn't recommend finding a mantra through research? I usually encourage clients to let the words just find them. Flynn said that's what will make the mantra resonate more deeply. Mantras and mottos are definitely personal. Luciano agreed. I don't suggest a specific phrase or a quote to a client. She said they often develop naturally, always end up being something that just clicks with a client in some way.
Speaker 1:While not everyone will be helped by adopting a fitness motto, the two coaches have noticed some commonalities when using them with their clients. Younger women often adopt phrases such as I can do hard things because they want to prove something to themselves. Flynn said. But for women who are 35 or 45, their mantras are more about grace and understanding and honoring themselves. Luciani, who coaches both men and women, doesn't see huge differences in the mantras selected by each sex. Instead, she finds the mantras people adapt are more associated with their personality type and lifestyle. With their personality type and lifestyle. Now, phrases that are more cut and dried, like just do it from Nike or suck it up, align more with masculine energy, for example, whether that energy is a man or a woman.
Speaker 1:Luciani said One piece of the exercise puzzle is that both men and women said they use mantras and mottos as one piece of their coaching and more as a supplemental tool that glues together a client's exercise program. More importantly, the coaches said individuals need to assess where they are at their fitness journey, along with the aspirations they have set for themselves. Now, when it comes to developing fitness goals and setting a pace for yourself, it's very important that you don't get the temptation to dive in headfirst all at once. Luciani said that heightens your risk of stumbling into an all or nothing mentality, which is very common when folks are developing a new pattern. Now, ensuring you're challenging yourself is an engaging way, and it's just as important as not going overboard. Luciani said you should also ponder the thoughts or processes that might have been ingrained into you since you were a child, whether that's a rigid training protocol or believing you're a failure if you haven't achieved a set goal.
Speaker 1:Now, both Luciani and Flynn have used fitness mantras themselves, and they change over time. Luciani said she recently wrote on a sticky note you can do this. There's not much to it, Luciani said, but having those words in front of your face every day can be something you really need one day, and then a little whisper in your ear another. Your needs can ebb and flow, she said. One motto that currently resonates with Flynn is because you can. I have a deep understanding that at some point in time I won't have the same fitness opportunities because my body won't be physically capable of doing an activity. Flynn said so I use it to squeeze out another drop now, while I'm able to do so. Overall, the essence of using a motto to improve your fitness is understanding that your internal dialogue can be a powerful asset in changing your behavior. We all can use words to train our minds, just as we train our body.
Speaker 1:Luciani said, so Wolfpack, listeners, what's your mantra, what's your motto? What words do you use when exercising? And, in fact, mantras or mottos can apply to anything. It doesn't have to be exercising. It could be about getting things done in your house daily, or your goals you really need to take care of, you know, on a weekly basis. I guess for me, my mantra would be get off your ass, jeff. Or if you don't finish this, you're going to regret it, jeff. I'm just joking, so what's yours?
Speaker 1:Everyone, if you have any comments on anything like this or anything I've talked about today, or at any time on any episode I said this over and over again and it falls on deaf ears Say hello. Take a minute out of your day to send me a text, an email, voice or a voice message. I'm not asking for a lot. You spend many hours on social media. At least a lot of you do, so please give me the courtesy of taking a minute out of your time each week saying hello, giving me your thoughts and comments. I really do like hearing from the listeners. I do not like doing this podcast just for myself or feel like I'm wasting time. The email wolfpacklistener at gmailcom. You know it by now 833-399-9653. Toll free 24 hours a day, seven days a week, voice mailbox. Or leave me a comment on Blue Sky if you're over there.
Speaker 1:I've been doing this podcast for over a year now. I truly sincerely convey to you how much I like your feedback, to hear what you, the listener, is going through, to hear your ideas and solutions that I could share with other listeners like yourself. That would possibly help them. Contact me, send me your comments on this. You know your positive comments will never make me egotistical, just as your negative comments will never hurt me. What hurts me the most is apathy, crickets, silence. I adore conversation. Also, please, when you get a chance, check out my sub stack. You can find it on sub stack by searching under Jeff Allen Wolf, the Wolf's Den, or you can contact me. I'll send you a direct link to make it easier for you. I'll be back again Monday.
Speaker 1:This is A World Gone Mad. I'm Jeff Allen Wolf and without your comments, your feedback and your engagement, I'm sitting in a room talking to myself. I hate talking to myself. The silence is deafening at times and other people could walk into my room and see me doing that and think I've lost my mind and want to commit me. Stay hopeful, can't you see? And we need to stand up and preserve our democracy. This is a world on fire. This is a world on fire.
