THE 85/15 PODCAST

About THE 85/15 PODCAST

In an era defined by division—where tribalism, outrage, and hostility toward the “other side” often dominate politics, media, and social platforms—the 85/15 Podcast offers something different: thoughtful, civil conversation between people who don’t agree on everything. We’re two longtime friends—one a seasoned old codger, the other a curious young whippersnapper—who talk about politics, sports, culture, and whatever else captures our attention. On most issues, we find ourselves aligned about 85% of the time. It’s the remaining 15% that makes things interesting. Each episode captures our effort to explore that 15% with honesty and respect—challenging one another’s assumptions, defending our perspectives, and prioritizing nuance over noise. Rather than trying to “win” arguments, we aim to understand them. Join us as we test a simple but increasingly radical idea: that every sincerely held belief deserves to be examined thoughtfully—even, and especially, when we strongly disagree.

Publisher

Carl Duckett and Randy Blair

Category

news · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

13 Mar 2026

Latest episode

30 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

28 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   30 Sept 2026

   A.I. - Just the latest computing upgrade or a modern day apocalypse?

   A.I. has become the poster child for hyperbole for the speak first and ignore the facts forever world in which we live. Like President - like Country, I suppose. Seldom has something so misunderstood been so disconcerting to so many. Join us as we discuss this new toy in the sandbox of the digital playground which many politicians are seeing as justification for more regulation and which many conservative Christians are seeing as John the Revelator's Apocalypse. We address such questions as: 1. What is A.I.? 2. Can an A.I. model become truly autonomous? 3. Can A.I. destroy the world? 4. Should A.I. be regulated? 5. How can it be policed? 6. What should the penalties be for unregulated development of A.I. models? 7. Should society be free to develop A.I. without restraints, relying on market dynamics to create restraints organically? We explore the evolution and implications of artificial intelligence (AI), discussing its rapid advancements, societal perceptions, and the underlying technology of neural networks. The hosts reflect on their personal experiences with AI, contrasting it with historical fears surrounding technological advancements, and emphasize the importance of understanding AI's capabilities and limitations. The conversation delves into the complexities of AI, particularly focusing on neural networks and the implications of AI's capabilities, including a recent incident involving Hugging Face and OpenAI. The discussion highlights the perceived need for regulation in AI development while questioning the motives of tech leaders and politicians advocating for such measures. The conversation delves into the complexities of artificial intelligence, discussing the motivations behind its development, the implications of regulation, and the potential for stifling innovation in the name of supposed danger. The speakers express skepticism about the altruism of tech leaders and emphasize the need for open access to AI technology while considering the risks of its integration into critical systems. Takeaways AI's rapid evolution Understanding neural networks AI's complexity requires understanding Regulation may serve tech leaders' interests Skepticism about tech leaders' motives Need for open access to AI Chapters 00:00 The Rise of AI: A New Era 11:09 Understanding Neural Networks 22:04 AI's Capabilities and Limitations 29:13 The Future of AI and Society 29:49 Understanding Neural Networks 33:12 Grounded Theory and AI Research 40:33 The Hugging Face Incident 54:27 Implications of AI Regulation 01:03:50 The Evolution of AI Terminology 01:04:20 Skepticism Towards AI Development 01:05:46 The Role of Regulation in AI 01:07:32 Zuckerberg's Vision for AI 01:10:26 The Balance of Power in AI Development 01:18:29 The Dangers of Regulation 01:25:03 The Future of AI and Humanity

2. 

   24 Sept 2026

   TikTok - Innocuous social media platform or ticking time bomb for our children?

   Recent studies by the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and the U.S. Surgeon General's Office indicate that the extensive use of social media by adolescents (currently used by by 95% of those age 13-17, with increasing numbers of children age 9-12) is causing a significant increase in mental health issues being reported by parents, educators, and health professionals across the U.S. This includes heightened anxiety, depression, feelings of deep loneliness, "Fear of Missing Out" (FOMO) on unrealistic idealized lifestyles, and an erosion of real-world social skills. Join us as we discuss the issue of social media's influence on our children. As parents of daughters who are actively involved in social media, we discuss what, if anything, can be done to protect our children from the negative impacts of social media use. Is regulation the answer? Are there guardrails that can be put in place through technology? Do our educational institutions need to play a role? What are our responsibilities as parents? We take a deep dive into the benefits and dangers of social media when it comes to our children. Our conversation delves into the impact of social media on adolescents, highlighting issues such as online bullying, FOMO, and the rise of negative self-perception. It also explores the challenges faced by parents in navigating the digital world and the potential dangers associated with social media. The discussion covers a wide range of topics related to social media, parenting, and the impact of technology on society. We address the positive and negative aspects of social media, the challenges of parenting in the digital age, and the role of AI in shaping the future. Takeaways Online bullying and FOMO have a significant impact on adolescents. The consequences of making wrong turns in the digital world are higher, putting more pressure on parenting. Social media has both positive and negative effects on individuals, especially teenagers. Parenting in the digital age requires active participation, discipline, and setting boundaries for children's use of technology. Chapters 00:00 Consequences and Challenges of Parenting in the Digital Age 34:28 The Impact of Social Media on Connection and Learning 36:23 Creativity, Business, and Influencer Culture 37:22 Harmful Content and Addiction on Social Media 39:15 Parenting Strategies for Managing Social Media Use 48:29 The Role of Parenting in Child Development and Decision Making 59:33 Introduction to AI and Its Implications for Society

3. 

   17 Sept 2026

   An interview with 1819 CEO Bryan Dawson

   Conventional news organizations continue to lose the public trust, resulting in a diminishing influence on politics, public perception, and social change. Where did the 4th Estate take a wrong turn? What mistakes did it make along the way? Digital entertainment platforms and independent content creators have rendered old guard television networks virtually insignificant. Is it possible that the emergence of digital news organizations, media outlets, and podcasters (the new 5th Estate) have done the same thing to traditional news organizations, making them equally inconsequential? Join us as we discuss the purpose, power, and increasing prominence of digital media with Bryan Dawson, CEO of highly influential Alabama news media organization 1819 News. Dawson's is an inspiring story of overcoming personal and professional headwinds. He has a unique perspective on the ascendancy of digital media outlets as pubic information platforms that shape public opinion and hold government leadership accountable. Our conversation covers the journey of Bryan Dawson, from his life before prison to his transformation and faith-based experience during his incarceration. It delves into the themes of personal responsibility and the impact of faith on that transformation. Dawson describes his journey of faith, highlighting his encounter with God in prison, the dream and revelation that led to his spiritual awakening, finding love and redemption, and his transition from prison to professional success. The story emphasizes the power of prayer and divine intervention in shaping Bryan's life and guiding him towards a new path of purpose and fulfillment. This led to the founding of a nonprofit news organization with a conservative Christian focus. The discussion covers the influence of media and education on our nation, the challenges faced by the media and education sectors in fulfilling their obligations to society as a whole, and the surprisingly strong impact of Gen Z on current societal perceptions and values. There is a discussion of the importance of the media ensuring accountability and responsibility in government, highlighting the pursuit of truth as a core value and primary responsibility of the media. It explores the power and crucible of journalism, the impact of woke culture on present day society, the mission of 1819 News in combating that culture, and their focused path moving forward. Takeaways Personal responsibility Faith and transformation Transformation through faith The power of prayer and divine intervention Nonprofit news organization Conservative Christian media Influence of media and education Challenges in media and education Impact of Gen Z Pursuit of Truth Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 02:00 Life Before Prison 03:10 Facing the Consequences 03:54 Epiphany and Responsibility 04:30 Prison Experience and Transformation 34:58 Encountering God in Prison 37:21 The Dream and the Revelation 38:15 Finding Love and Redemption 53:01 From Prison to Professional Success 01:08:28 Founding a Nonprofit News Organization 01:09:22 The Influence of Media and Education 01:10:50 Challenges in Media and Education 01:40:28 Impact of Gen Z 01:41:33 Accountability and Responsibility 01:42:10 The Power of Journalism 01:42:54 The Impact of Woke Culture 01:44:03 The Crucible of Journalism 01:45:26 The Mission of 1819 News 02:02:55 The Future of 1819 News

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

4 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

2 ratings