Solving America's Problems

As artificial intelligence reshapes the job market, is a college degree still the best investment? In this episode, Jerremy Newsome and Dave Conley dive into the future of work, the rise of non-traditional education, and whether universal basic income could replace the need for higher education. Can AI actually make humanities and creativity more valuable? This conversation challenges everything we thought we knew about education and the economy. Timestamps: (00:00) The Education Disruption: AI vs. Traditional College (04:41) The Rise of Non-Traditional Education Paths (06:09) Universal Basic Income: Will It Replace the Need for College? (07:31) Why Humanities in Tech Matter More Than Ever (08:27) Business Models, Attention Economy, and the Future of Learning (22:18) Advice to Our Younger Selves: What We Wish We Knew (27:39) Final Thoughts: Should College Be Reinvented? Connect with Kyle Gray @heykylegray for Youtube and IG Connect with Karen at LinkedIn 📢 Solving America’s Problems Podcast – Real Solutions For Real Issues 🎧 Listen on  Apple | Spotify | Pandora & more! 🌍 Join the conversation on Instagram | YouTube | X

With college tuition skyrocketing and student debt climbing past $1.7 trillion, is traditional education still worth the cost? In this episode, Jerremy Newsome and Dave Conley examine the real cost of college, the future of humanities and arts, and the biggest barriers to educational reform. How can we make learning more affordable, innovative, and accessible? Tune in as experts reveal the hidden flaws of higher education and what can be done to fix them. Timestamps: (00:00) The College Affordability Crisis: What Went Wrong? (10:03) Are Humanities and Arts Degrees Still Relevant? (18:11) Designing the Perfect Education System: What Would It Look Like? (22:13) Why Debate and Conflict Are Essential for Growth (24:26) The Power of Play in Learning: An Underrated Solution? Connect with Kyle Gray @heykylegray for Youtube and IG Connect with Karen at LinkedIn 📢 Solving America’s Problems Podcast – Real Solutions For Real Issues 🎧 Listen on  Apple | Spotify | Pandora & more! 🌍 Join the conversation on Instagram | YouTube | X

Is traditional college still the best path to success, or is it failing to keep up with a rapidly changing world? In this episode, Jerremy Newsome and Dave Conley explore the shifting landscape of education with Kyle Gray, author of The College Entrepreneur, and Karen Elliott, chair of Finance and FinTech at the University of Birmingham. They discuss the impact of AI on education, the true value of a degree, and whether college is becoming obsolete. What needs to change for education to remain relevant? Join us for this thought-provoking conversation. Timestamps: (00:00) The Future of Higher Education: Where Are We Headed? (03:12) Is College Becoming Obsolete? A Hard Look at the Numbers (04:27) The Role of AI in Education: Disruptor or Opportunity? (07:18) Beyond the Classroom: The Intangible Benefits of College (10:18) Do Schools Still Teach Critical Thinking and Conflict Resolution? (16:01) How Community and Career Paths Are Reshaping Higher Ed Connect with Kyle Gray @heykylegray for Youtube and IG Connect with Karen at LinkedIn 📢 Solving America’s Problems Podcast – Real Solutions For Real Issues 🎧 Listen on  Apple | Spotify | Pandora & more! 🌍 Join the conversation on Instagram | YouTube | X

Employers say they want skilled workers—but are college degrees actually holding people back? Anya Kamenetz explains why degree requirements act as lazy filters, keeping talented people out of jobs. This episode dives into the real problem with hiring, how companies can rethink credentials, and why some of the biggest employers are ditching degrees entirely. Plus, radical education reform ideas, global models, and whether an income-based tuition system could be the solution. Connect with Anya Kamenetz at https://thegoldenhour.substack.com/ and her web site: anyakamenetz.net  Timestamps:[00:00:05] Why Employers Are Rethinking Degrees [00:03:03] Are Degree Requirements Keeping Talent Out? [00:06:54] What Radical Education Reform Could Look Like [00:11:49] Final Thoughts: The Future of Hiring & Learning

What if you could build a successful career—without college and without debt? Anya Kamenetz explores the game-changing education models redefining learning: trade schools, hybrid degrees, online universities, and debt-free skill-building programs. Who is most affected by the student debt crisis? And what’s the boldest solution for fixing the system? Get ready for a no-BS conversation about what works—and what doesn’t—in modern education. Connect with Anya Kamenetz at https://thegoldenhour.substack.com/ and her web site: anyakamenetz.net  Timestamps:[00:00:00] The Future of Learning: How College is Being Replaced [00:02:28] Innovative Education Models You’ve Never Heard Of [00:14:07] The Rise of Influencer-Led Education—Does It Work? [00:16:40] The Accessibility Gap: Who Gets Left Behind? [00:17:59] MOOCs, Bootcamps, and Online Degrees—The Truth [00:18:42] What Are Low-Residency Programs & Are They Worth It? [00:20:20] The Real Student Debt Crisis: Who’s Most Affected? [00:23:36] Real Solutions—How We Can Fix Education for Good

Tuition is skyrocketing. Student debt is crushing a generation. Is college still the best path to success—or is it time for a radical reinvention? Anya Kamenetz, award-winning journalist and author of Generation Debt and The Stolen Year, exposes the failures of higher education, how COVID-19 accelerated its downfall, and the systemic flaws fueling a $1.6 trillion crisis. Can universities adapt, or is an entirely new model of learning the only way forward? This episode reveals the game-changing innovations shaping the future of education. Connect with Anya Kamenetz at https://thegoldenhour.substack.com/ and her web site: anyakamenetz.net Timestamps:[00:00:00] Why College is Failing—And What Comes Next [00:00:35] The Myth of Higher Education’s Value [00:00:56] Anya Kamenetz on the College Crisis [00:02:11] How COVID-19 Exposed the Cracks in Higher Ed [00:04:38] A $1.6 Trillion Problem: The Student Debt Disaster [00:11:08] Breaking the System: Can Higher Ed Be Reformed? [00:12:30] The Student Loan Trap—How We Got Here [00:20:16] The Future of Learning: Radical New Models Emerging

Is student debt a necessary burden or a broken system? In this episode, Jerremy Newsome and guests debate the ethics of student loan forgiveness, the true impact of debt on financial futures, and whether education costs should be restructured entirely. With millions struggling under crippling debt, is loan forgiveness the right answer, or does financial literacy hold the key to solving the crisis? Chapters: (00:00) Introduction – The true price of a college degree (00:50) Personal Stories – How student debt affects financial freedom (03:00) The First Stock Market Trade – A financial awakening (07:39) What’s Working in College – Networking & soft skills (11:58) Beyond College – Building alternative learning communities (16:46) Reflections – Is college still worth the cost? (30:35) Conclusion – The future of education reform

Is America’s education system outdated? As the workforce evolves, many argue that traditional schooling no longer prepares students for real-world careers. In this conversation, Jeremy Hritz and Robert Wallace break down the stigma around trade schools, the value of hands-on skills, and why teachers deserve more recognition. Can we reform education to better align with modern economic demands, or is the system too entrenched in outdated methods? Chapters: (00:00) Introduction: Rethinking Education – Why schools must evolve (00:12) The Role of Teachers – Do educators get the respect they deserve? (03:32) Investing in Teachers – Pay, value, and the need for reform (09:33) Student Debt’s Social Impact – How it affects the economy (12:00) The Future of Education – Alternatives to traditional college (16:10) Inflation & Tuition Costs – Are college subsidies helping or hurting? (19:40) Accountability in Higher Education – What colleges must change (22:26) The Importance of Early Education – How starting young makes a difference (24:33) Closing Thoughts – What education should look like in 10 years 📢 Solving America’s Problems Podcast – Real Solutions For Real Issues 🎧 Listen on  Apple | Spotify | Pandora & more! 🌍 Join the conversation on Instagram | YouTube | X

For decades, a college degree was considered essential for success. But with skyrocketing tuition, crippling student debt, and a rapidly changing job market, many are questioning if it’s still the best path. In this episode of Solving America’s Problems, hosts Jerremy Newsome and Dave Conley sit down with Rob Wallace and Jeremy Ritz to examine the real value of a degree, the rise of alternative career paths, and how education must adapt for future generations. Is college still a good investment, or should students pursue other options? Chapters: (00:00) Introduction & Background – The big question about college’s worth (00:40) Rising Costs & System Challenges – The $1.7 trillion student debt crisis (06:05) Alternative Education – Are trade schools and certifications a better option? (22:34) Stackable Credentials & Online Learning – Can self-education replace degrees? (33:24) Closing Thoughts – What needs to change in education 📢 Solving America’s Problems Podcast – Real Solutions For Real Issues 🎧 Listen on  Apple | Spotify | Pandora & more! 🌍 Join the conversation on Instagram | YouTube | X

The future of America’s finances isn’t just up to Washington—it’s up to you. In this empowering conversation, Tom Adjutant, Rhett Powers, and Alex Peikoff reveal how small financial changes at the personal level can ripple into national reform. From household budgeting to entrepreneurial growth, they lay out real steps that every American can take to build a stronger financial future. Can we shift our entire economic culture from the ground up? Chapters: (00:00) Your Financial Future—It’s in Your Hands (02:33) Fix Your Own Backyard First—Proactive Leadership (03:47) Rethinking Leadership—Do We Need a Political Shake-Up? (05:40) Permission to Thrive—Breaking Free from Financial Fear (07:27) What We Value—A Contrarian Perspective on Money & Success (11:19) Final Reflections—Can We Unite to Solve This Crisis? 📢 Solving America’s Problems Podcast – Real Solutions For Real Issues 🎧 Listen on  Apple | Spotify | Pandora & more! 🌍 Join the conversation on Instagram | YouTube | X

Summary: What if America could reset its entire financial system with three simple rules? Tom Adjutant lays out his no-nonsense strategy for a sustainable economy, where government spending is capped, debt is controlled, and personal responsibility is prioritized. This episode explores the core values driving our financial health, the flaws in our political system, and how we can escape the debt cycle. Can America afford NOT to make these changes? Chapters: (00:00) The Three Radical Rules to Reset America’s Economy (03:28) Why Local Politics Matter More Than You Think (04:24) Financial Literacy & What Kids Must Learn About Money (05:07) Living Within Our Means—Personal & National Debt Lessons (06:07) The Problem with American Values—How We Got Here (07:46) Self-Reliance & Why Handouts Don’t Work (08:32) The Role of Money in Politics—Should We Have Term Limits? (10:15) Education & Financial Stability—How Schools Can Help (20:28) How to Fix Taxation & Government Spending (31:05) Debt Recovery & How Other Countries Solved Their Crises (33:47) Final Call to Action—What YOU Can Do Today 📢 Solving America’s Problems Podcast – Real Solutions For Real Issues 🎧 Listen on  Apple | Spotify | Pandora & more! 🌍 Join the conversation on Instagram | YouTube | X

If you had to cut $1 trillion from the U.S. budget, where would you start? In this explosive debate, Tom Adjutant and leading financial minds break down America’s biggest expenses, from Medicare to education, and challenge what’s truly essential. With runaway spending pushing the country deeper into debt, they debate whether our entire budget system is broken—or if there’s still time to fix it. What would you cut? And can we balance the budget without wrecking essential services? Chapters: (00:00) The $1 Trillion Question—Where Do We Start? (02:26) Government vs. Private Sector—Who Wastes More? (05:50) Negotiation & Overspending—Are We Getting Ripped Off? (06:49) The September Spending Crisis—Why the Government Rushes to Burn Cash (08:17) Breaking Down the National Budget—What’s Actually Inside? (09:35) Education & Medicare—Do We Spend Too Much or Too Little? (12:55) The Accountability Crisis—Who’s Holding Leaders Responsible? (21:52) Jeremy’s Vision: How Education Reform Could Save the Economy (24:14) Final Takeaways & What You Can Do Now 📢 Solving America’s Problems Podcast – Real Solutions For Real Issues 🎧 Listen on  Apple | Spotify | Pandora & more! 🌍 Join the conversation on Instagram | YouTube | X

America’s national debt is skyrocketing, increasing by $12.5 billion per hour—but is there a way to stop it? In this high-stakes discussion, Preston Brown, Alex Peikoff, Rhett Powers, Paul Kazanofski, and Tom Adjutant dive into the root causes of our financial crisis and lay out bold, practical solutions. From government waste to financial education, they challenge the political failures driving the debt and offer radical but necessary fixes. Can we still turn things around? Or is economic collapse inevitable? Chapters: (00:00) Welcome—Why This Debt Crisis Impacts Everyone (02:05) Meet the Experts: Entrepreneurs Weigh In on Solutions (05:08) Preston Brown on Government Waste & Inefficiency (08:00) Rhett Powers on Why Political Leadership Is Failing Us (10:10) Paul Kazanofski on Who’s Actually Accountable for America’s Debt? (14:39) Myths About Overseas Spending—Are Foreign Aid & Defense Really to Blame? (16:00) Preston on Measuring Government Productivity—What Works & What Fails (20:21) Dave Conley on Inside Insights from Federal Budgeting (23:15) Final Thoughts & Call to Action: How Can Americans Take Action? 📢 Solving America’s Problems Podcast – Real Solutions For Real Issues 🎧 Listen on  Apple | Spotify | Pandora & more! 🌍 Join the conversation on Instagram | YouTube | X

A single moment of tragedy sparked a nationwide movement. In this final review episode, Jerremy and Dave revisit Lori Alhadeff’s powerful story—how the loss of her daughter, Alyssa, in the Parkland school shooting led to a relentless push for Alyssa’s Law, a groundbreaking safety initiative now shaping schools across the country.  (00:00) Introduction: Why This Episode Matters  (00:14) Lori’s Story: Turning Tragedy into Advocacy  (03:06) Systemic Change Starts Here: Schools, Legislation & Accountability  (08:55) A Bigger Picture: The History & Future of School Safety  (14:27) Education’s Role in Reform: What Schools Can—and Must—Do  (17:51) Call to Action: How Communities Can Push for Policy Change  (22:15) Looking Ahead: What’s Next for School Safety Solutions? 📢 Solving America’s Problems Podcast – Real Solutions For Real Issues 🎧 Listen on  Apple | Spotify | Pandora & more! 🌍 Join the conversation on Instagram | YouTube | X

America’s schools are in crisis—but the biggest struggles often go unseen. In this eye-opening review, Jerremy and Dave revisit the systemic failures and personal stories that shaped our deep dive into education funding, overwhelmed teachers, and the unintended consequences of school policies.  (00:00) Voices from the Classroom: What Educators Want You to Know  (01:07) Where’s the Money? Breaking Down the Education Funding Crisis  (16:23) Student Success Starts Here: The Environments That Make a Difference  (17:15) The Teacher Struggle: Why Burnout & Budgets Are Making It Worse  (20:17) Tech in Schools: Innovation, Promise & Unintended Consequences  (24:28) Reigniting Passion: Finding Purpose in Teaching Again 📢 Solving America’s Problems Podcast – Real Solutions For Real Issues 🎧 Listen on  Apple | Spotify | Pandora & more! 🌍 Join the conversation on Instagram | YouTube | X

In this special review episode, Jerremy and Dave revisit the powerful conversations from the first installment of our School Safety Series. From cutting-edge technology to human-centered solutions, we re-examine the most game-changing insights, toughest debates, and lasting impact of these discussions.  (00:00) Introduction: Why This Series Still Matters Today  (00:38) The Hard Truths: What We Learned from School Shootings  (02:26) Tech vs. Reality: What Safety Experts Told Us  (07:40) The People Factor: When Protocols Fail, What Saves Lives?  (08:45) The Power of Community: Educators & Parents on the Front Lines  (20:34) Our Takeaways: What Changed & What’s Still Missing 📢 Solving America’s Problems Podcast – Real Solutions For Real Issues 🎧 Listen on  Apple | Spotify | Pandora & more! 🌍 Join the conversation on Instagram | YouTube | X

Is physical security enough to stop school shootings? Lori Alhadeff reveals why mental health support and community involvement are essential for creating safer schools. From empowering students through Make Our Schools Safe Clubs to combining emotional well-being with practical safety reforms, Lori shares the holistic approach needed to protect our children—and why focusing solely on security misses the bigger picture. Learn more about Lori’s work at MakeOurSchoolsSafe.org and follow her on Facebook (@makeourschoolssafe17), Instagram (@makeourschoolssafe), and X (@LoriAlhadeff). Timestamps: (00:00) Community Involvement and Mental Health in School Safety (03:39) Expanding Make Our Schools Safe Clubs and Future Initiatives (13:49) Technological Solutions for Safer Schools (14:56) Reflecting on the Past & Shaping the Future (18:12) Conclusion and Call to Action (20:31) What Did We Learn? Key Takeaways 📢 Solving America’s Problems Podcast – Real Solutions For Real Issues 🎧 Listen on  Apple | Spotify | Pandora & more! 🌍 Join the conversation on Instagram | YouTube | X

What happens when grief fuels a national movement? After losing her daughter in the Parkland shooting, Lori Alhadeff transformed heartbreak into hope with Alyssa’s Law. In this episode, she reveals the school safety reforms saving lives—and the urgent changes still needed to protect our children. Learn more about Lori’s work at MakeOurSchoolsSafe.org and follow her on Facebook (@makeourschoolssafe17), Instagram (@makeourschoolssafe), and X (@LoriAlhadeff). Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction & Guest Introduction (02:09) Heartbreaking Story of Alyssa (04:38) Founding Make Our Schools Safe (06:18) School Safety Measures and Alyssa's Law (08:58) Challenges and Solutions in School Safety (13:02) Implementing Alyssa's Law 📢 Solving America’s Problems Podcast – Real Solutions For Real Issues 🎧 Listen on  Apple | Spotify | Pandora & more! 🌍 Join the conversation on Instagram | YouTube | X

Could better lunches prevent school violence? Research suggests poor nutrition impacts behavior and learning more than security measures do. In this episode of Solving America’s Problems, Jerremy and educators uncover the hidden role of student health in school safety. From junk food’s impact on aggression to wellness programs that reduce violence, this discussion explores real solutions beyond security checkpoints. Episode Timestamps00:00 – The link between student health and school safety – Why nutrition matters. 00:14 – The school nutrition crisis – Educators react to the reality of school meals. 07:54 – The money behind school food – How funding and policy drive poor nutrition. 10:44 – Can school gardens fix nutrition? – Teaching kids to grow their own food. 11:00 – What’s still working in schools? – Teachers going above and beyond. 14:04 – RFK Jr. & school nutrition – Can policy changes improve student health? 17:04 – Health and school safety – How diet impacts behavior and violence prevention. 19:11 – Key takeaways – What we learned about food, education, and reform. 22:08 – Closing thoughts – How to take action for better school nutrition. 📢 Solving America’s Problems Podcast – Real Solutions For Real Issues 🎧 Listen on  Apple | Spotify | Pandora & more! 🌍 Join the conversation on Instagram | YouTube | X

America spends over $800 billion on defense but struggles to fund school safety—are we prioritizing the right things? In this episode of Solving America’s Problems, Jerremy and expert guests reveal how financial decisions impact student security, mental health programs, and teacher support. Are we investing in prevention—or just reacting to fear? Episode Timestamps00:00 – Introduction: The financial reality of school safety 02:27 – Where is the money going? The hidden costs of education 04:26 – Why teachers are leaving: Pay, retention, and burnout 06:29 – Community and parental involvement in school safety 10:25 – The role of ROTC and extracurricular activities 11:42 – Implementing martial arts and discipline in schools 14:55 – Mental and physical health—why they’re key to safety 19:26 – Budget cuts and the long-term impact on schools 24:26 – How school closures happen due to funding shortages 27:26 – School funding incentives: More students, more money 30:09 – Rethinking school funding and structure for the future 📢 Solving America’s Problems Podcast – Real Solutions For Real Issues 🎧 Listen on  Apple | Spotify | Pandora & more! 🌍 Join the conversation on Instagram | YouTube | X