In this episode of the LCI Greenroom, host Jacob Winnegrad engages in a deep discussion with Steven Michaela, the recently appointed chair of the Libertarian National Committee. They delve into the frustrations of the America First Coalition and MAGA supporters as they observe unexpected military engagements under the Trump administration, despite his initial mandate for a more isolationist approach. The conversation spans the role of the Libertarian Party in modern American politics, emphasizing its commitment to limited government, personal freedom, and the principles of the founding fathers.

Steven shares his journey into libertarianism, inspired by various documentaries and readings, and elaborates on the strategic goals of the Libertarian Party, focusing on local elections, decentralized political power, and effective fundraising and membership drives. Additionally, they discuss Machiavellian principles and their application in political strategy, highlighting the importance of understanding power dynamics while staying true to libertarian ideals. The episode concludes with a call to action for libertarians to engage locally and support the party's efforts in becoming a more effective third force against the two-party system.

Additional Resources

• “We Were Early, Not Wrong” – Trump, Elon & the Coming Debt Bomb: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/we-were-early-not-wrong-trump-elon-the-coming-debt-bomb/

Jacob Winograd sits down live in the LCI Greenroom with Dr. Norman Horn to unpack the recent social-media showdown between Elon Musk and former President Trump—and what it reveals about the looming national debt crisis. They trace Elon’s frustrations over the “big beautiful bill,” discuss Trump’s role in keeping the Epstein client list under wraps, and explore how both figures illustrate the broken promises of modern politicians. Drawing on public-choice insights and libertarian principles, Jacob and Norman highlight the ticking “debt bomb,” where 25 percent of federal tax receipts now service existing obligations and threaten future hyperinflation or forced austerity. Along the way, they riff on compound interest as both personal finance boon and national debt curse, underscore the dangers of political idolatry, and stress the need for sober awareness over party-line cheerleading .

Beyond the critique of political theater, Jacob and Norman challenge both conservatives and progressives to ground their civic engagement in a consistent ethical framework informed by Scripture and natural-law reasoning. They confront the pitfalls of Christian nationalism and remind listeners that true self-governance demands more than electing “strongmen” to wield power. The episode closes with a celebration of LCI’s tenth anniversary, invites supporters to join them at Freedom Fest in Palm Springs, and spotlights two new releases—Cody Cook’s The Anarchist Anabaptist and Benj Giffone’s A House Divided—along with a dollar-for-dollar matching drive to fuel the ministry’s work.

Additional Resources

• Unscripted Conversations on Liberty, Pacifism, and the Gospel with Cody Cook: https://libertarianchristians.com/episode/unscripted-conversations-on-liberty-pacifism-and-the-gospel-with-cody-cook/

In this episode of the LCI Greenroom, Jacob Winograd hosts Austin Padgett for a deep dive into the ongoing coalition efforts between libertarians and the MAGA/MAHA movements. They explore the tension between staying principled and pursuing political pragmatism, particularly in the context of supporting Donald Trump as a strategic move. The discussion covers the emotional and philosophical struggles libertarians face when assessing Trump's performance, especially regarding issues like foreign policy toward Ukraine and Israel, regulatory rollbacks, and the freeing of Ross Ulbricht. Jacob expresses cautious regret over his vote for Trump while acknowledging tangible libertarian wins, while Austin emphasizes patience, strategy, and the complexity of achieving deregulation and decentralization through current political realities.

The conversation also addresses broader philosophical concerns, including how libertarians should engage coalitions without losing their identity, how to respond to foreign aid and interventionism (especially concerning Israel and Palestine), and the importance of maintaining pressure on political figures while navigating the balance between support and critique. They further touch on sensitive topics like immigration enforcement, the danger of compromising core libertarian values in coalition politics, and the importance of focusing on long-term structural reforms—such as deregulation and decentralization—over short-term emotional reactions. Throughout, Austin advocates for a strategic optimism about leveraging the present political moment, while Jacob urges caution against losing sight of fundamental libertarian principles.