Moment of Truth

This week on Moment of Truth, Nick sits down with Isaiah Taylor, founder of Valar Atomics, for a return visit and an update from their first conversation in August 2023, when Isaiah was a solo founder with a pitch deck and a dream. In less than three years, Valar Atomics has grown to over 100 people, achieved the first-ever startup nuclear criticality in American history, airlifted an entire reactor on three C-17s, and is on track to bring a functional reactor online by July 4th in time for the 250th anniversary of the United States. They talk about what made all of this possible — namely, four executive orders signed by President Trump — and why it was functionally impossible before that. They also get into the China nuclear gap, why cheap energy is the single most important variable in the geopolitical competition of the next century, and what synthetic hydrocarbons could mean for American energy independence. Keep your eye on Isaiah and Valar Atomics. This is only the beginning of an incredible story.Follow Isaiah: https://x.com/isaiah_p_taylor Watch our previous episode with Isaiah: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yboOWa0i72sFollow American Moment across Social Media:X / Twitter – https://x.com/americanmomentFacebook – https://www.facebook.com/AmMomentOrgInstagram – https://www.instagram.com/ammomentorg/YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4qmB5DeiFxt53ZPZiW4TcgAmerican Moment's "Moment of Truth" Podcast is recorded at the Conservative Partnership Campus in Washington DC, produced by American Moment Studios, and edited by Hunter Smith, with original graphics by Jared Cummings.Subscribe to our Podcast, "Moment of Truth"Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/moment-of-truth/id1555257529Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/5ATl0x7nKDX0vVoGrGNhAj Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Moment of Truth, Nick sits down with Christopher Barnard, President of the American Conservation Coalition, who makes the case that conservation is not a left-wing issue... and in fact, it never was. Chris traces the roots of American conservation back to Teddy Roosevelt, explains the critical difference between conservation and preservation, and lays out what a genuinely pro-human environmental agenda looks like in 2025. They dig into the Make America Beautiful Again executive order, the wildfire crisis caused by decades of terrible forest management, and why regenerative agriculture is one of the most exciting policy opportunities on the right right now. They also get into energy dominance — what it means, why permitting reform is so urgent, and why America needs to stop choosing between oil and wind and embrace our ability to build everything. If you ever thought environmental issues belonged to the left, let this episode change your mind.Follow Chris: https://x.com/ChrisBarnardDL Follow American Moment across Social Media:X / Twitter – https://x.com/americanmomentFacebook – https://www.facebook.com/AmMomentOrgInstagram – https://www.instagram.com/ammomentorg/YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4qmB5DeiFxt53ZPZiW4TcgAmerican Moment's "Moment of Truth" Podcast is recorded at the Conservative Partnership Campus in Washington DC, produced by American Moment Studios, and edited by Hunter Smith, with original graphics by Jared Cummings.Subscribe to our Podcast, "Moment of Truth"Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/moment-of-truth/id1555257529Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/5ATl0x7nKDX0vVoGrGNhAj Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nick sits down with Max Bodach, Executive Vice President of the Foundation for American Innovation, for a wide-ranging conversation on what a pro-human approach to AI actually looks like, breaking down why conservatives need to be at the table when these decisions get made. They cover the full spectrum of AI opinion — from the accelerationists who want to let it rip, to the Doomers who want to shut it all down — and make the case for a sober, conservative middle path. They also dig into the federalism fight over state AI regulation, the backlash against data center build-outs, what AI is actually going to do to your job, and why most people who are skeptical of AI are working off a mental model that is already two years out of date. This is a great episode for everyone trying to get up to speed on the current interaction between AI and politics.Follow Max: https://x.com/maxb____ Check out FAI: https://www.thefai.org/ Follow American Moment across Social Media:X / Twitter – https://x.com/americanmomentFacebook – https://www.facebook.com/AmMomentOrgInstagram – https://www.instagram.com/ammomentorg/YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4qmB5DeiFxt53ZPZiW4TcgAmerican Moment's "Moment of Truth" Podcast is recorded at the Conservative Partnership Campus in Washington DC, produced by American Moment Studios, and edited by Hunter Smith, with original graphics by Jared Cummings.Subscribe to our Podcast, "Moment of Truth"Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/moment-of-truth/id1555257529Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/5ATl0x7nKDX0vVoGrGNhAj Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Moment of Truth, Nick sits down with Nate Fischer, CEO of New Founding, to tackle one of the most consequential questions facing the American right — can tech elites and populist conservatives actually build a lasting coalition, or has all of this just been a marriage of convenience? Nate lays out a sweeping framework for how technology, properly understood, is actually a friend to the populist right rather than not a threat. They dig into the H-1B blowup on Christmas Eve 2024, what AI will do to the managerial class, the Tucker vs. Shapiro debate over autonomous trucks, and whether working-class Americans are uniquely suited to master the coming wave of technology. If you want to understand where the right goes from here on tech, this is a great place to start. Follow Nate: https://x.com/NateAFischerFollow American Moment across Social Media:X / Twitter – https://x.com/americanmomentFacebook – https://www.facebook.com/AmMomentOrgInstagram – https://www.instagram.com/ammomentorg/YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4qmB5DeiFxt53ZPZiW4TcgAmerican Moment's "Moment of Truth" Podcast is recorded at the Conservative Partnership Campus in Washington DC, produced by American Moment Studios, and edited by Hunter Smith, with original graphics by Jared Cummings.Subscribe to our Podcast, "Moment of Truth"Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/moment-of-truth/id1555257529Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/5ATl0x7nKDX0vVoGrGNhAj Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nick sits down with Scott Kupor, Director of the Office of Personnel Management, to pull back the curtain on what is really happening inside one of Washington's most overlooked agencies. They dig into Tech Force, the administration's bold initiative to recruit a thousand young tech workers into government, and what it will take to fix a federal workforce where only 7% of employees are under 30. They also break down Schedule Policy Career (formerly Schedule F), why eliminating degree and tenure requirements could transform federal hiring, and why Scott believes the federal government should become the best two-year analyst program in the country. This is a must-listen for anyone who wants to understand how the civil service is being reimagined and the perfect episode to inaugurate American Moment’s fifth year of changing the way D.C. does staffing.Follow Scott: https://x.com/skuporRead the Secrets of OPM: https://www.opm.gov/news/secrets-of-opm/Follow American Moment across Social Media:X / Twitter – https://x.com/americanmomentFacebook – https://www.facebook.com/AmMomentOrgInstagram – https://www.instagram.com/ammomentorg/YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4qmB5DeiFxt53ZPZiW4TcgAmerican Moment's "Moment of Truth" Podcast is recorded at the Conservative Partnership Campus in Washington DC, produced by American Moment Studios, and edited by Hunter Smith, with original graphics by Jared Cummings.Subscribe to our Podcast, "Moment of Truth"Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/moment-of-truth/id1555257529Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/5ATl0x7nKDX0vVoGrGNhAj Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Moment of Truth, Nick sits down with Karen Bailey-Chapman, Senior Vice President of Government and Public Affairs at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), to dig into the world of American automotive manufacturing, aftermarket modification, and the policy battles shaping the industry. Karen explains how California's ACC2 regulation nearly eliminated the internal combustion engine for 40% of Americans, how SEMA fought back state by state, and why the EV mandate was always bigger than just a California issue. They also cover President Trump's executive order on Kei trucks, the emerging right-to-modify fight, and what the legendary SEMA Show in Las Vegas is really all about.If you love cars and American manufacturing, this one is for you. Visit sema.org to learn more.Follow American Moment across Social Media:X / Twitter – https://x.com/americanmomentFacebook – https://www.facebook.com/AmMomentOrgInstagram – https://www.instagram.com/ammomentorg/YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4qmB5DeiFxt53ZPZiW4TcgAmerican Moment's "Moment of Truth" Podcast is recorded at the Conservative Partnership Campus in Washington DC, produced by American Moment Studios, and edited by Hunter Smith, with original graphics by Jared Cummings.Subscribe to our Podcast, "Moment of Truth"Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/moment-of-truth/id1555257529Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/5ATl0x7nKDX0vVoGrGNhAj Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this culture-heavy episode of Moment of Truth, Nick sits down with Wade Stotts, host of "The Wade Show with Wade," at Canon Press in Moscow, Idaho. Wade breaks down the evolution of late night comedy, explaining how shows like Seth Meyers and Stephen Colbert transformed from entertainment into political activism during the Trump era. They explore comedy legends like Norm Macdonald, Conan O'Brien, and the fall of Saturday Night Live, discussing what makes truly great comedy versus ideologically-driven content. Wade offers his take on modern comedians from Shane Gillis to Bo Burnham, and analyzes why Trump is simultaneously hilarious and impossible to parody effectively. The conversation also tackles the controversial DHS meme strategy and whether government agencies should embrace humor. Whether you're a comedy nerd or just curious about the intersection of entertainment and politics, this episode delivers laughs and insights in equal measure.Follow Wade: https://x.com/wadestottsFollow American Moment across Social Media:X / Twitter – https://x.com/americanmomentFacebook – https://www.facebook.com/AmMomentOrgInstagram – https://www.instagram.com/ammomentorg/YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4qmB5DeiFxt53ZPZiW4TcgAmerican Moment's "Moment of Truth" Podcast is recorded at the Conservative Partnership Campus in Washington DC, produced by American Moment Studios, and edited by Hunter Smith, with original graphics by Jared Cummings.Subscribe to our Podcast, "Moment of Truth"Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/moment-of-truth/id1555257529Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/5ATl0x7nKDX0vVoGrGNhAj Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Moment of Truth, Nick takes a trip outside of the usual studio to visit Dr. Joe Rigney in Moscow, Idaho. Together, these two former Minnesotans dissect the Land of 10,000 Lakes’ dramatic transformation over the past two decades. From welcoming refugees in the mid-2000s to the current flashpoint of ICE operations, daycare fraud scandals, and violent resistance, they explore how a high-trust, citizen-oriented, Scandinavian-rooted state became ground zero for progressive power consolidation through mass immigration. Rigney applies insights from his books The Sin of Empathy and Leadership and Emotional Sabotage to explain weaponized compassion, selective politicization in churches, and why many Christians and conservatives failed to resist. Follow Joe: https://x.com/joe_rigneyFollow American Moment across Social Media:X / Twitter – https://x.com/americanmomentFacebook – https://www.facebook.com/AmMomentOrgInstagram – https://www.instagram.com/ammomentorg/YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4qmB5DeiFxt53ZPZiW4TcgAmerican Moment's "Moment of Truth" Podcast is recorded at the Conservative Partnership Campus in Washington DC, produced by American Moment Studios, and edited by Hunter Smith, with original graphics by Jared Cummings.Subscribe to our Podcast, "Moment of Truth"Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/moment-of-truth/id1555257529Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/5ATl0x7nKDX0vVoGrGNhAj Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.