Podcast Summary: Keeping It Real with Jillian Michaels

Episode: GLENN BECK: This Changes Every Election From Now On.

Date: November 9, 2025
Host: Jillian Michaels
Guest: Glenn Beck

Overview

In this dynamic, wide-ranging conversation, Jillian Michaels sits down with Glenn Beck—media icon and founder of The Blaze—for an urgent discussion about the seismic changes currently underway in American politics. Against the backdrop of the most recent elections, they unpack the implications of the rise of socialism, radical left candidates like Zoran Mamdani, shifting demographics, and the influence of powerful global actors. Throughout, the episode emphasizes the importance of returning to core principles, understanding the underlying frustrations driving new political movements, and the existential threats facing the American experiment. Both Michaels and Beck share deeply personal reflections, memorable anecdotes, and a bracing call to action for listeners deeply concerned about the future of democracy and freedom.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Principles Over Parties (00:59 – 03:11)

• Glenn Beck rejects party loyalty, stressing the vital importance of adhering to principles versus blindly supporting political machines.
  • Quote [02:01]: "I've been saying...forget about parties. Just stick with the principles and we wouldn't get so lost all the time." — Glenn Beck
• Both Michaels and Beck agree that meaningful, civil dialogue can only exist when rooted in principle, not party allegiance.

2. The Current State of Civic Dialogue and Extremism (03:11 – 07:57)

• Beck reflects on his own trajectory—from being one of the "most admired" to most "hated" men in America—and the volatility of public discourse.
• He warns that America is engaged in a struggle that goes beyond politics: "This is save your soul time, not save the Republic... We're in a battle of good and evil." [04:41]
• Michaels presses for analysis beyond simple electoral outcomes, probing what the results mean for the country’s direction.

3. Understanding the Appeal of Socialism to Younger Generations (05:40 – 09:56)

• Beck explains the mindset of younger Americans: having grown up amid economic instability, debt, and disillusionment with the system, socialism’s appeal is understandable, if tragic.
  • Quote [09:00]: "If you put yourself in that mindset...of course you choose socialism. There’s no way you don’t. You’re a miracle if you haven’t." — Glenn Beck
• The duo references Charlie Kirk’s analysis that the rise of radical politics is a “distress signal” from disaffected youth [09:56].

4. Zoran Mamdani, AOC, and the “New Guard” (09:56 – 19:01)

• Discussion of Zoran Mamdani—a radical candidate on the rise in NYC—a “coming attraction of what is coming next” (Beck).
• Beck links Mamdani's success and AOC’s growing influence to the failure of establishment leaders to address real economic pain.
• Michaels critiques adult leaders (“the old guard”) for cowardice in the face of radical challengers:
  • Quote [18:31]: "Adults are too weak to be the adult in the room. They're terrified of their own obsolescence...that is why Chuck Schumer cowers in a corner." — Jillian Michaels

5. Societal Consequences of “Free Everything” Rhetoric (21:17 – 26:55)

• Beck warns that promising “free” services destroys meaning and kills personal drive, linking it to historical dangers.
  • Quote [22:35]: "Nothing is free. And the only thing worth something in your life are things that you earned...Meaning comes from struggle." — Glenn Beck
• Michaels outlines the economic and social consequences of similar policies historically, especially in New York and with regards to current mass migration.

6. Historical and Intentional Systemic Collapse (Cloward–Piven Strategy) (27:50 – 34:29)

• Beck introduces the Cloward–Piven strategy, describing how policies are intentionally designed to overwhelm and collapse the system, referencing the 1970s financial crisis in NYC and national implications.
  • Corporations’ complicity, public-private partnerships, and “fascism in disguise” are also explored.
  • Quote [33:13]: "Fascism says, the state doesn't own the companies. Private individuals own the companies—as long as they run it the way we say." — Glenn Beck

7. Global Actors: The Soros Family and Color Revolutions (37:34 – 48:36)

• Analysis of George Soros’ and son Alex’s financial and strategic influence on U.S. politics, including District Attorney placements and involvement in “color revolutions.”
• Beck recounts the dangers of Soros’ approach and his own experience being targeted for speaking out.
  • Quote [41:51]: "Color revolution is what we're actually experiencing right now...We perfect it in other countries and now it’s happening here." — Glenn Beck
• Michaels shares personal stories about the consequences of progressive DA policies in California.

8. Weaponization of Identity and Censorship in Discourse (48:36 – 56:00)

• Discussion on the way critique of ideologies or policies gets shut down by accusations (Islamophobia, transphobia, racism).
  • Beck highlights the origins and coordinated use of such tactics: “chip away at your credibility...call them a conspiracy theorist” [50:32].
  • Collaborative chaos between Islamists, Marxists, and anarchists is explored, and the risk of revolution gone awry.

9. Role of Immigration, Gerrymandering, and Demographic Manipulation (68:12 – 76:50)

• Michaels and Beck debate the impact of ballot measures like California’s Prop 50 and the rejection of voter ID in Maine. They link mass unchecked migration and gerrymandering to shifts in electoral power.

• References to Elon Musk’s commentary on the incentive structures behind illegal immigration and how they are “designed to overwhelm the system”—again, tying back to Cloward–Piven.

  • Quote [74:06]: "If you really put all of this together, it comes back to a hundred people...they have this goal...it is to collapse the system." — Glenn Beck

10. Personal Toll, Duty, and Hope (76:50 – End)

• Both Michaels and Beck share the personal sacrifices of speaking out, the resulting attacks, and their sense of duty to stand up for truth.
  • Quote [78:00]: "If I lose those rights, if I am part of a system that lost those rights...When I get home, Dad’s going to go, ‘And what exactly did you do?’" — Glenn Beck
• Beck reframes the present struggle as a historic, even grateful, opportunity: "It’s an honor to live at this time. It’s an honor to serve at this time." [79:55]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Beck on the cultural moment:
  "This is save your soul time, not save the Republic." [04:41]
• Michaels on the failure of leadership:
  "Adults are too weak to be the adult in the room...the lunatics are allowed to run the asylum." [18:31]
• Beck on socialism’s appeal:
  "If you put yourself in that mindset...of course you choose socialism...You’re a miracle if you haven’t." [09:00]
• Beck on revolution:
  "The American Revolution is the only revolution in the history of the world that was ended by the exact same people who started it with the same principles." [55:20]
• Michaels on being torn:
  "I want Mamdani to succeed in making the city affluent and safe...but not at the cost of freedom and property." [64:19]
• Beck on historical repetition:
  "We've tried this forever. It never works." [65:17]
• Beck referencing his sense of mission:
  "I would give this up tomorrow in a heartbeat, but I have a moral obligation to stand...it’s an honor to live at this time." [79:56]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Principles Over Parties – [01:59]
• Civic Discourse & Good vs. Evil – [04:41]
• Explaining Youth’s Attraction to Socialism – [07:57]
• Mamdani/AOC and Party Upheaval – [09:56] & [18:04]
• Consequences of Free Everything Policies – [22:27] to [26:55]
• Historical Strategies to Overwhelm the System – [27:50] to [34:29]
• Soros Influence & Color Revolutions – [37:34] to [48:36]
• Weaponized Identity Politics – [48:36] to [56:00]
• Debate on Immigration, Voting Laws, and Electoral Manipulation – [68:12] to [76:50]
• Personal Reflections and Epilogue – [76:50] onward

Tone

The episode is frank, sometimes dire, and often animated with humor and candor—reflective of both Michaels’ and Beck’s characteristic “keep it real” styles. They challenge each other while maintaining respect and focus on actionable understanding, encouraging listeners to stay informed, stand for truth, and engage with the responsibilities of citizenship. The exchange is occasionally intense, consistently passionate, and aims to leave the audience both educated and empowered.

For more:
Glenn Beck launches a new project soon—details at glennbeck.com.
Jillian Michaels’ podcast continues to feature courageous, thought-provoking voices on today’s most pressing issues.