Podcast Summary: Flipping Tables - Episode 28: The Everyday Man with Jordan Waggoner

Release Date: August 13, 2025

Hosts:

• Monte Mader: Former alt-right evangelical turned progressive, exploring evangelical deconstruction, American history, current events, and biblical interpretations.
• Jordan Waggoner: Influencer and educator with a strong presence on social media, focusing on political education and activism.

1. Introduction and Host’s Acknowledgment

Monty [00:00] begins the episode by expressing the overwhelming nature of current events and the media's role in exacerbating feelings of helplessness. She introduces Jordan Waggoner as a pivotal figure in her journey from fundamentalist conservatism to a progressive platform.

Notable Quote:

"Jordan being from rural Minnesota, walking around in his pasture talking about economics and political history was really inspiring to me and I'm excited to have him on the show today." — Monty [00:00]

2. Mutual Influence and Connection

Monty and Jordan share a mutual admiration, highlighting how Jordan’s articulate and fact-based approach on platforms like TikTok inspired Monty to amplify her voice. Jordan humbly acknowledges Monty’s impact on his own growth and the unexpected nature of their influence on each other.

Notable Quote:

"I never imagined in my life that people would listen the way that they have, but it gave the courage to understand that our voices matter." — Monty [00:00]

3. Journey into Social Media and Activism

Jordan recounts his reluctant entry into social media, initially driven by personal circumstances and encouragement from his wife. A pivotal moment was his viral video about feeling ancient, which unexpectedly garnered significant attention and followers, leading him to embrace political activism despite initial hesitations.

Notable Quote:

"I was like, oh, okay, this is a thing now, I guess, sorta. And I was like, well, I'm not going to do anything political with it." — Jordan [07:37]

4. Personal Anecdotes and Realizations

Monty shares personal experiences that made her feel "old," reinforcing the universal nature of feeling out of touch with younger generations. Both hosts emphasize how personal moments can lead to broader political and social awareness.

Notable Quote:

"I felt like I'm physically, I can' next five days." — Jordan [09:11]

5. Political Missteps and Historical Context

Jordan delves into the historical missteps of U.S. politics, tracing the economic and foreign policies from Nixon to Carter, and their long-term impacts on rural communities. He criticizes the lack of civic engagement and understanding of how policies disproportionately affect rural areas compared to urban centers.

Notable Quote:

"Our rural roots for a very long time. You know, the Reagan era hit us really hard in the dairy industry..." — Jordan [18:23]

6. Media Literacy and Information Overload

The discussion shifts to the importance of media literacy in combating misinformation. Both Monty and Jordan stress the need for individuals to critically evaluate sources, cross-reference information, and understand the biases inherent in different media outlets.

Notable Quote:

"If you ask any one of them to explain what was supposed to be on Hunter Biden's laptop or what was in Hillary's emails or what. Benghazi. Where is Benghazi? Ask any one of them. I bet you they won't be able to tell you." — Jordan [35:27]

7. Current Events and Political Accountability

Jordan critiques the handling of the Epstein list controversy, highlighting the politicization and shifting blame among political figures. He expresses frustration with the Democratic Party’s reactive rather than proactive messaging strategy, arguing that it fails to build a strong, independent political brand.

Notable Quote:

"They don't have a solid pivot point, right? Like they're pivoting, but they're all pivoting in their own directions. They're all like, they're throwing stuff at the wall to try to see what sticks." — Jordan [35:27]

8. Civic Engagement and Practical Steps

Monty and Jordan discuss actionable steps for everyday individuals to engage in politics. They emphasize local involvement, such as attending school board meetings, participating in city council discussions, and voting in all elections. Jordan also encourages participation in protests and community organizing as means to foster change and build momentum.

Notable Quote:

"Get involved at the local level. City council meetings, boring as. But go to them because that stuff affects your life more than anything." — Jordan [70:52]

9. Media Consumption and Balanced Information

The hosts highlight the degradation of balanced media consumption over the years, pointing out the transition from sources like the Wall Street Journal to highly partisan outlets. They advocate for using platforms like Wikipedia for initial research and always seeking primary sources to verify information.

Notable Quote:

"Wikipedia is a great launch point for anything you want to learn on." — Jordan [66:40]

10. Future Endeavors and Vision

In the concluding segment, Jordan shares his future plans, including collaborations with Indivisible and local Black Lives Matter groups, expanding his podcast "Let Them Eat Toast," and continuing to create educational content. Monty expresses her support and gratitude for Jordan’s contributions to her own platform.

Notable Quote:

"I've spoken at a couple others. Now I've got local Indivisible that's asking me to come out and talk to them, help educate on some of that." — Jordan [75:06]

11. Closing Remarks

Monty thanks Jordan for his participation, reiterating the importance of voicing one's thoughts and acknowledging the support from Patreon contributors. She hints at upcoming announcements and encourages listeners to stay engaged.

Notable Quote:

"Thank you for being part of my journey, helping me realize that, hey, open your mouth and say something, and people will listen sometimes." — Monty [79:12]

Key Takeaways:

• Mutual Influence: Both hosts recognize how they influence each other's journeys toward activism and political engagement.

• Media Literacy: Emphasis on the critical evaluation of information sources and the importance of cross-referencing to combat misinformation.

• Civic Engagement: Encouraging listeners to participate in local politics, voting, and community organizing as foundational steps toward broader societal change.

• Political Accountability: Critique of both major political parties for their handling of economic policies and lack of proactive messaging.

• Future Activism: Jordan’s involvement with organizations like Indivisible underscores a commitment to grassroots movements and educational efforts.

Final Note: This episode of "Flipping Tables" offers an insightful dialogue between Monty Mader and Jordan Waggoner, exploring the intersections of personal growth, media influence, and political activism. The conversation serves as a call to action for listeners to become more informed, engaged, and proactive in shaping the future of their communities and the nation.