Keeping It Real: Conversations with Jillian Michaels

Episode: Dearborn Is Just the Beginning — Navy SEAL Carl Higbie Issues a Warning "THEY TOLD YOU IT WAS COMING"
Host: Jillian Michaels
Guest: Carl Higbie, Former Navy SEAL, Author, Newsmax Host
Release Date: November 25, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode features a candid and often provocative conversation between Jillian Michaels and Carl Higbie, a former Navy SEAL and current Newsmax host, on a series of controversial topics. The main focus centers on Texas’ recent terrorist designations for the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR (The Council on American Islamic Relations), wider concerns about parallel systems of authority within America, the social implications of immigration and religious integration, and the challenge of radical voices on the Right. The episode also features an exploration of masculinity, hardship, and resilience, and detours into current events, including the Thomas Crooks shooting investigation and the influence of fringe voices like Nick Fuentes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Texas’ Designation of CAIR/Muslim Brotherhood as Terrorist Organizations

(03:00–18:23)

• Jillian introduces Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s proclamation labeling the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR as foreign terrorist organizations.
• Explains the new powers Texas law grants once such designations are in place: bans on land purchases, asset scrutiny, expanded surveillance, and civil penalties.
• Carl argues that CAIR acts as the “tuxedo side” of the Muslim Brotherhood: “If Islam were to march in here today and it became a majority of this country, we would lose our constitutional rights.” (03:18)
• Carl references his prior warnings about CAIR on Megyn Kelly’s show years ago.
• Clip features civil rights lawyer Hasan defending CAIR as a legitimate civil rights group and highlighting the risk of Islamophobia (06:42–07:35).
• Jillian’s reflection: She’d previously dismissed such concerns as Islamophobic, but recent events have shifted her outlook.

2. Parallel Legal and Cultural Systems: Dearborn and Sharia Law

(08:22–16:50)

• Carl describes Dearborn, Michigan as a flashpoint, alleging harassment of journalists and the imposition of parallel systems (e.g., Sharia courts).
• Discussion of Sharia law: What it entails and why Carl sees it as incompatible with U.S. constitutional values.
  • “Islam as a religion is incompatible with our constitutional values here. As we're seeing in places like Dearborn, Michigan...” – Carl (09:29)
• Jillian admits: She finds it difficult to talk about without accusations of being “alt-right” or Islamophobic but stresses the importance of discussion.
• Carl expands on Sharia courts and cultural clash: “Anywhere there is a mass grab of the Islamic community, they start to impose Sharia law... There are Sharia courts all over the country right now. They’re in Texas.” (13:07)

3. Immigration, Integration & National Identity

(19:27–23:52)

• Explores Muslim Brotherhood vs. CAIR distinction
  • Jillian: “A lot of people believe that the Brotherhood is an ideological pipeline that creates extremism and that CAIR is the political shield that protects the Brotherhood.”
  • Carl agrees: “CAIR is the tuxedo side... If Islam were to march in here today and it became a majority... we would lose our constitutional rights.” (19:53)
• The assimilation debate: Carl and Jillian discuss whether immigrants should assimilate or preserve their own values—using the example of the Dearborn mayor publicly stating he has no obligation to assimilate.
• Jillian shares anecdotes from her wife’s experience living in Kuwait and the extreme cultural differences, particularly for women and the LGBTQ community.
  • “Being gay in the vast majority of Muslim countries, they'll carry [you] off a building... punishment by death or life in prison...” (22:46)

4. The Political Calculus & Social Services

(36:31–38:49)

• Discusses social support statistics in the UK among Muslim populations and the political incentives for mass immigration, especially in the U.S. and Europe (e.g., more seats in Congress, more electoral votes).
• Carl: “It’s self-hating liberalism... they traffic in grievances now. The more minority you are or oppressed... the more you have white liberals wanting to support you.” (38:49)
• Martha’s Vineyard episode cited as an example of liberal hypocrisy.

5. Masculinity, Hardship & Social Decline

(62:12–68:49)

• Carl laments the decline of toughness and resilience: “We lack, as a society, control of our emotions... bring back dodgeball, because that concept really made us who we are as a country today.” (62:12, 64:17)
• Fatherlessness: “That is your job... If you started it, you finish it at all costs. Otherwise, you’re a piece of shit.” (67:47)
• Jillian: Personal reflections on raising children, recognizing the need for strong male role models, and the dangers of boys being drawn toward negative voices like Nick Fuentes.

6. The Rise of Fringe/Extremist Voices

(65:23–74:35)

• How radicalization happens:
  • Carl outlines Nick Fuentes’ mainstream conservative background and subsequent radicalization, stating conservatives need to study why this shift happens.
  • “Nick Fuentes should be studied... Republicans would be well-poised to understand what happened to him and how he ended up where he is... he’s got 40 million people that listen to him.” (71:19–72:04)
• Jillian’s concern: If alternative, healthy masculine role models don't step up, more boys and young men will be lost to the extremes.

7. Conspiracies & Current Events: The Thomas Crooks Shooting

(81:04–88:20)

• Skepticism about official narratives:
  • “The more people tell me to shut up and stop asking questions, the more questions I have.” – Carl (83:02)
  • Why did Crooks have three encrypted cell phones, and why was the crime scene so quickly cleaned?
• Jillian and Carl speculate on possible larger plots and the need for open inquiry.

8. Closing Reflections: Civic Responsibility & Self-Improvement

(88:34–89:25)

• Carl’s advice:
  1. “Do something that sucks every day. Make it hurt. It makes you appreciate comfort.”
  2. “Stop giving foreign aid to everybody.”
  3. “Focus on our own stuff here at home.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Carl Higbie: “CAIR is the tuxedo side of the Muslim Brotherhood... If Islam were to march in here today and it became a majority of this country, we would lose our constitutional rights.” (03:18)
• Jillian Michaels: “If I had seen that a decade ago, I would have been thinking like, oh, come on, you're just Islamophobic. So I want to start from the top here...” (08:22)
• Journalist Hasan: “Let's not divide Americans based on religion, because what makes America so great is freedom of religion.” (06:42)
• Carl Higbie: “Everywhere that Muslims are in the minority, they scream about minority rights. Everywhere they're in the majority, there are no minority rights.” (08:56)
• Jillian: “You bring up 9/11... critics say [CAIR] has ideological roots tied to the Muslim Brotherhood... they strongly deny any terrorism connections. Yet, overseas, they're labeled terror orgs, but not by the US government... what am I not getting?” (16:50)
• Carl: “Self-hating liberalism. People are… trafficking in grievances. The more minority or oppressed you are, the more support from white liberals...” (38:49)
• On Fuentes: “Nick Fuentes should be studied... he’s got 40 million people that listen to him on occasion, that many!” (72:04)
• On hardship and unity: “America 9/11 was… it. Grab the guy next to you and give him a hug. That brought America together because it was an attack on the homeland.” (79:44)
• Carl (on personal and civic improvement): “Do something that sucks every day... it makes you appreciate comfort.” (88:34)

Timeline of Major Segments

• 03:00 – 18:23: CAIR/Muslim Brotherhood designation debate, security, and civil rights
• 19:27 – 23:52: Assimilation, cultural clashes, religion and government
• 36:31 – 38:49: Immigration, welfare, and political power in U.S./Europe
• 62:12 – 68:49: Masculinity, fatherhood, and emotional resilience
• 71:19 – 74:35: Radicalization and Nick Fuentes
• 81:04 – 88:20: Thomas Crooks shooting, conspiracy questions
• 88:34 – 89:25: Final life and civic lessons

Tone & Language

• Jillian Michaels: Candid, reflective, at times self-critical, and eager to interrogate her own assumptions.
• Carl Higbie: Direct, blunt, occasionally provocative, unapologetically patriotic, and focused on practical realities over ideology.

Useful for Listeners Who...

• Want a deep-dive into ongoing debates around immigration, religion, parallel legal systems, and national security.
• Are grappling with questions about integration, assimilation, and American identity.
• Appreciate frank, unfiltered conversations that don’t shy from controversial subjects.
• Are curious about masculinity, the modern challenges young men face, and the dangers of radicalization.
• Seek life lessons on resilience and the importance of hardship in personal development.

Note: The summary omits advertisements and non-content announcements, focusing solely on substantive discussions and arguments made by the participants.