Podcast Summary: Kennedy Saves the World — "New Year, No Filter"
Date: December 29, 2025
Host: Kennedy
Guest: Jimmy Failla
Theme: A humorous, unfiltered look at New Year’s attitudes, political predictions, California living pains, and 2026 aspirations, all through Kennedy and Jimmy’s signature blend of wit, skepticism, and personal anecdotes.
Main Theme & Purpose
This episode revolves around challenging New Year's resolutions, reflecting on political and personal aspirations for 2026, and lampooning government inefficiencies—from D.C. to California. With playful banter, Kennedy and Jimmy Failla tackle everything from “ticky tack” resolutions, steep gas prices in California, insurance woes, political predictions, and the symbolic hope of a new year.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. New Year’s Resolutions — Why They’re Overrated
- Kennedy opens by dismissing traditional resolutions as “futile.”
- "I'm not a huge resolution person because I feel like it's a futile thing because two weeks people give up and it's dumb." (00:32)
- Suggests setting bigger, more meaningful goals—“Go back the last 10 years and fulfill all of those resolutions before they start on new ones.”
- Jimmy agrees, emphasizing action over pledges.
- "If you were going to do it right, it doesn't need a pledge, it doesn't need 'Jimmy loses ten pounds, dawg.' You just, just go do it." (00:58)
2. Political Forecasts for 2026 — Expect Turbulence
- Predictions that Republicans will not keep the House in 2026.
- Kennedy: “I think it's going to be a, a good old fashioned shellacking.” (02:01)
- Both see the challenge of incumbency—being “the guy in power” makes it hard to embody fun or momentum.
- Jimmy: "It's very challenging to be the guy in power and represent the fun." (03:08)
- They joke about how candidates are impeached for the smallest things, even referencing Home Alone 2 for comedic effect.
- With the House potentially flipping, Jimmy predicts an "avalanche" of 2028 campaign announcements, especially from Democrats like Newsom, Swalwell, and Buttigieg. (06:25)
3. California Living — Insurance, Rebuilding, and Sky-High Costs
- Kennedy discusses her personal saga with home repairs after disaster, taking aim at insurance companies:
- “The insurance companies are the devil. I wish that, that everything was underway. The remediation, the cleaning, the gutting. Nothing.” (04:16)
- They lambaste Governor Gavin Newsom for not leading on rebuilding efforts, likening him to failed expectations:
- Jimmy: “Gavin Newsom had an opportunity to pull a Giuliani ... Was the face of the recovery, of the bounce back. Gavin Newsom has kind of like abdicated what would be a throne in media.” (04:29)
- Kennedy notes grassroots efforts—friends “having parties in empty lots,” showing the local community spirit in the face of official neglect. (05:00)
- They rant about California’s high gas and electric prices:
- Jimmy: Details the financial blow of West Coast gas costs on working-class people, comparing it to “the difference between living in a house and living in your car.” (06:51)
- They mock the state’s pursuit of “pie in the sky” green energy—"hot farts coming out of his face" (07:39)—with characteristic irreverence.
4. Personal Goals & 2026 Hopes
- Jimmy sets his own lighthearted resolution: "I think I'm going to get down to 325 by Valentine's Day.” (03:33) He jokes about fluctuating weight: “America's turn in 250. I'd like to turn to 250 as America turns.” (03:41)
- Kennedy shares frustration with her stalled home repairs, poking fun at the lack of progress a year after disaster. (04:07)
- Both express optimism for turning the calendar, likening the new year to "new Sneaker Energy":
- Jimmy: "That's what a new year represents to me. I always looked at it like that new pair of Pro Keds ... You had a little extra pep in your step." (09:39)
- They look forward to New Year's Eve festivities, football, and the lighthearted spirit it brings.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On resolutions:
- Kennedy: "Go back the last 10 years and fulfill all of those resolutions before they start on new ones." (00:32)
- Jimmy: "If you were going to do it right ... just do it." (00:58)
- On California’s politics and economy:
- Kennedy: "You all pay your insurance dues every single year. This is what it says in your policy. This is how we're going to get it done. None of that." (05:28)
- Jimmy: "A legitimate $4.50 difference for a gallon of gas ... For me, would be the difference between, I mean, literally, like, living in a house and living in your car." (06:51)
- On the new year as a fresh start:
- Jimmy: "Remember when you're young, kid, if you got a pair of new ... sneakers, you had a little extra pep in your step." (09:39)
- Top-tier Comedy:
- Jimmy: "They would impeach him for child neglect for not helping Kevin McAllister in Home Alone 2." (02:21)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- New Year's Resolutions Debunked: 00:32–01:48
- 2026 Political Predictions: 01:52–04:07
- California Insurance & Community Spirit: 04:07–05:28
- California’s Economic Woes: 06:33–07:25
- 2028 Campaign Speculation: 06:25–08:29
- New Year's Eve Excitement & Symbolism: 08:29–09:49
Closing Takeaways
Kennedy and Jimmy wrap up 2025 by rejecting empty resolutions, skewering political and economic missteps, and celebrating the resilience and humor found in adversity. Their optimism for 2026 shines through their banter: a new year means a fresh vibe, maybe a new pair of "Pro-Keds," and a continued willingness to challenge both politicians and personal inertia—with laughter leading the way.