Human Events Daily with Jack Posobiec

Thoughtcrime Ep. 107 — A Thoughtcrime Thanksgiving

Date: November 26, 2025
Theme: Gratitude, tradition, and reflection during Thanksgiving, with spirited debates on American rites of passage, Thanksgiving food rules, cultural change, and remembering Charlie Kirk.

Episode Overview

This special "Thoughtcrime Thanksgiving" episode brings together the regular hosts for an in-studio conversation (running the Tuesday before Thanksgiving). The group reminisces, debates Thanksgiving traditions and American culture, and reflects on personal transformations and the impact of their late friend and colleague Charlie Kirk. The episode is rich in warmth, nostalgia, and banter, with heartfelt moments of gratitude balanced with lively debates—especially over the "correct" way to celebrate Thanksgiving.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Upcoming Content and Behind-the-Scenes

• The hosts preview upcoming episodes, including interviews and analysis segments involving topics like the Tyler Robinson “Turkey Tom” leaks and psychoanalysis with Dr. Chloe Carmichael.
• There’s a discussion about handling sensitive drug and mental health issues exposed in online controversies, with references to “nesting” behaviors and black market HRT (04:05–05:41).

2. China and Black Market Pharmaceuticals

• The group discusses the prevalence of Chinese black market hormone therapies, linking it to unregulated global pharmacies.
  • Notable Quote:
    • “China... they are amoral neutral in terms of this, where they will sell you anything and they don't care.” (05:34, A)
  • They muse on the hypothetical idea of a “zero liability store” (05:41–06:18).

3. Book Talk & Hillsdale College Influence

• The hosts reflect on the influence of the Hillsdale College online courses and classic literature, especially on Charlie Kirk's intellectual development (07:08–08:26).
  • Notable Quote:
    • “Literally, it was Hillsdale.” — D, on Kirk’s transformation (07:17)
  • Books discussed include "Darkness at Noon" and C.S. Lewis's "That Hideous Strength."

4. Thanksgiving Gratitude & Reflections on Loss

• The group shares what (and who) they’re grateful for amid a difficult year, with personal stories and appreciation for the team and for Charlie Kirk.
  • Tribute to Charlie Kirk, reflecting on his leadership, influence, and character:
    • “It’s a real blessing because he was a great guy. The best.” — D (18:21)
  • The challenge of gratitude after loss:
    • “It’s tempting not to be grateful this year, but we have to practice it as a discipline… there are many things to be grateful for.” — D (17:03)
  • Discussing the impact of Charlie’s faith, humility, and legacy:
    • “He was always very eager to turn it into praise towards God.” — B (24:09)
• The tradition of reading Charlie’s Thanksgiving tweets is revived, with some going back to 2012 and only a handful of likes/retweets.

5. Heartfelt & Humorous Moments

• The hosts tease each other about their fashion, baldness, and possible adventures (such as “Blake’s Tijuana Hair Transplant,” 12:14–16:28).
  • Notable Quote:
    • “If you have a full head of hair, that's a blessing from God. But if you're going bald, that's a blessing from God too. It's God telling you that you're getting uglier and you're going to die soon.” — True story from a Hillsdale paper, relayed by B (11:47)
• Banter on “no homo” jokes in the context of giving compliments (11:00–11:12, 17:53–17:57).

6. Rules & Debates: Thanksgiving Food Traditions

• Vigorous, comedic debates on the proper Thanksgiving meal (38:09–45:36).
  • Controversies:
    • Is it ever okay to serve steak? (Consensus: turkey is required; ham and steak are optional supplements.)
    • Must cranberry sauce be from the can and served in its shape? (Yes.)
    • Dressing vs. stuffing: Must be cornbread-based; in or out of the turkey is debated.
    • Green bean casserole: Polarizing; some insist on plain green beans only.
    • Pumpkin pie is non-negotiable; pecan pie is welcome but pumpkin is the “must-have.”
  • Notable Quotes:
    • “It is un-American not to have either turkey, some sort of dressing, cranberries…” — C (39:49)
    • “Thou shall have pumpkin pie. With whipped cream.” — C (46:18)
  • Heated defense of food tradition over individual preference:
    • “Thanksgiving is not about what you want to do. It is what your ancestors did.” — C (43:09)

7. Reflections on American Rites of Passage & Cultural Change

• The group laments the loss of old-school American coming-of-age experiences (55:59–66:13):
  • Black Friday: Once gritty, now ruined by online convenience and retailer greed.
  • Pre-smartphone childhood: Waiting in lines, retail jobs, memorizing phone numbers, riding bikes—now largely gone.
  • Social and technological rites: Calling a girl’s house and talking to her parents, using MapQuest directions, getting lost, playing video games until they overheated.
  • Changing traditions and brain science: The London cabbie “knowledge” and how GPS is making us spatially “dumber.”

8. Historical & Political Nuggets

• Thanksgiving’s date: The story of how FDR moved it to expand the Christmas shopping season, leading to partisan “Democrat” and “Republican” Thanksgivings for several years (59:54–61:52).
• Lincoln’s 1863 proclamation of Thanksgiving in the bloody midst of the Civil War, as a precedent for finding gratitude in hard times.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It’s tempting not to be grateful this year, but we have to practice it as a discipline, because there are many things to be grateful for. I’m thankful for this team.…” — D (17:03)
• “He was always very eager to turn it into praise towards God. He was not one to collect praise on himself.” — B on Charlie Kirk (24:09)
• “Thou shall have pumpkin pie. With whipped cream.” — C (46:18)
• “Thanksgiving is not about what you want to do. It is what your ancestors did.” — C (43:09)
• “It used to be you’d get home at 3:30 in the morning—you’re like, I got a good deal on a TV. It was a teenage rite of passage in suburban Chicago.” — C, on the old Black Friday (56:58)
• “I don’t know of another nation that has a day of gratitude.” — C (50:31)
• “Happiness is impossible if you are not grateful.” — C (51:08)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment/Event | Timestamp | |-------------------------------|------------| | Preview of upcoming episodes & content | 00:19–02:33 | | Turkey Tom drama & psychoanalysis | 02:33–03:58 | | Black market HRT & China discussion | 04:05–05:41 | | Hillsdale College courses & literature | 06:42–08:26 | | Book discussion: "Darkness at Noon" | 08:28–09:08 | | Team gratitude and tributes to Charlie | 09:22–18:21 | | Reading Charlie Kirk’s Thanksgiving tweets | 21:09–24:34 | | Thanksgiving food rules and debates | 38:09–47:04 | | Historical perspective on Thanksgiving/Black Friday | 54:24–61:52 | | Nostalgia—rites of passage, tech, and culture | 61:52–72:21 |

Tone & Style

The episode is a blend of irreverent humor, personal warmth, and sharp cultural commentary. The hosts strike a balance between nostalgia and critique, with energetic debates and affectionate ribbing. Heartfelt moments—particularly around gratitude, teamwork, and Charlie Kirk’s memory—add genuine emotion alongside the comedic banter.

Summary for New Listeners

This episode is a time capsule of a dysfunctional but loving team hashing out the importance of tradition, shared memory, and gratitude. From dissecting the "one true" Thanksgiving meal, to reflecting on lost American rites of passage, to contemplating the impact of lost friends and leaders, it's both playful and poignant.

Listeners will come away with:

• Classic food arguments (cranberries: canned or bust! green bean casserole: yes or no?)
• Stories of how technology and retail have changed holidays and growing up in America
• Honest reflections on grief, gratitude, and carrying forward the legacies of those lost
• A passionate defense of Thanksgiving as “one of America’s greatest traditions,” rooted in gratitude to God, even in years of loss or hardship

For Further Exploration

• Charlie Kirk’s books and courses
• Hillsdale College online courses referenced
• Real Raw News, discussed satirically in the episode

Conclusion:
Thoughtcrime Thanksgiving is equal parts comedy roast, family dinner, and American cultural seminar—spiced with stories of Charlie Kirk, debates over the sanctity of canned cranberries, and a call to gratitude regardless of circumstance.