Macrodosing — "The Business Plot: Coup or Conspiracy Theory?"

Episode Date: March 26, 2026
Hosts: Mad Dog McKenzie, Chaps, Chief, Uncle Dave
Podcast: Barstool Sports

Episode Overview

This episode dives into a lesser-known chapter of American history: the Business Plot, a 1930s conspiracy where wealthy industrialists allegedly plotted a coup against President Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR). The crew unpacks the details behind the plot, the enigmatic General Smedley Butler at its center, and the wild political atmosphere of Depression-era America. Along the way, expect tangents on video game habits, generational political shifts, the quirks of travel and AI, and the modern relevance (or disappearance) of military celebrity.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Catching Up and Table Setting

Timestamps: 02:11–15:43

• The crew notes today’s lineup (no PFT or Arian, both out for this recording).
• Light, playful opening banter about bluffs, geography, and traveling to places like Arkansas and Hawaii.
• Extended riffing on celebrity attractiveness (Kristen Bell vs. Mila Kunis vs. Anne Hathaway), with a running debate about what it means to be an "all-timer."
  • "Anne Hathaway is an all-timer? I think she's like, classically beautiful." – Chaps (10:29)
• Pop culture talk: movie references, hall pass lists, and Jason Segel’s infamous scene in "Forgetting Sarah Marshall."

2. News and Pop Culture Tangents

Timestamps: 15:43–39:03

• Puka Nacua in the News:

  • Serious allegations discussed with some skepticism and jokes about biting incidents and Seinfeld references.
  • "Great receiver, just seems to be in the news for some problem stuff recently." – Mad Dog (16:59)

• Seinfeld vs. Curb Your Enthusiasm:

  • Debated whether Larry David or Jerry Seinfeld is the better main character and their styles of comedy.

• "Dinner With 3 People" Thought Experiment:

  • Riffs on Dodgers pitcher Tyler Glasnow’s viral “Jesus, Muhammad, Dave Chappelle” answer.
  • "You live stream that. Tell me that doesn't go insane." – Chief (22:16)
  • Extended back-and-forth about which three celebrities/historical figures they’d invite, and dinner logistics with Jesus.

• Video Games & Movies:

  • "I'm more of a video game guy. I don't do a ton of movies." – Mad Dog (30:03)
  • Tales of PS5 theft and secondary market purchases, building up to a compare/contrast of gaming vs. movie buff habits.

• Addiction, Routines, and Sleep:

  • Crew shares their personal routines for falling asleep (audiobooks, TikTok, podcasts).
  • Discussion about the addictive nature of TikTok and apps reading keystrokes.
  • "Doom scroll to your sleep." – Mad Dog (43:07)

3. AI, Tech, and Changing Daily Life

Timestamps: 46:30–63:37

• Apple Maps Adds Ads:
  • Rant about big tech companies inserting more ads into paid products.
  • Reminiscing over MapQuest and its old-school sponsored routing.
• The Fate of MapQuest and Corporate Tech Histories:
  • "AOL bought MapQuest in the year 2000 for 1.1 billion." – Chaps (49:14)
• Sora and AI Usage Stats:
  • The OpenAI video platform Sora is suddenly shuttered, prompting speculation.
  • "OpenAI uses more than New York City and San Diego combined." – Chief (54:08)
  • AI’s power and water consumption, as well as its creeping omnipresence discussed, with humor and some serious concern.
• Trades vs. Tech Jobs:
  • Running joke about trades like plumbing outlasting AI jobs. Joking business pitch for a women-only plumbing service.

4. America's Place in the World & Economic Freedoms

Timestamps: 79:00–86:21

• US Global Rankings Tangent:

  • Heritage Foundation’s Economic Freedom Index—U.S. only ranks in the 20s.
  • Scandinavian countries are held up as models of high happiness and social security despite higher tax burdens.

• Social Policy Abroad:

  • Intriguing examples of policies that encourage higher birth rates, like monetary grants in Hungary.

5. Main Story: The Business Plot

Timestamps: 67:37–101:23

Origins and Players

• Smedley Butler:

  • Legendary Marine general, two-time Medal of Honor recipient, called “the ideal American soldier” by Teddy Roosevelt.
  • Butler’s book, "War is a Racket," is cited as formative for veteran affairs and antiwar views.
  • "If you’re in the Marines, I’m sure you hear about him... Chesty, John Basilone, Smedley." – Chief (73:51)

• Gerald McGuire & The Wall Street Conspirators:

  • McGuire, a bond salesman and Wall Street type, returns from fascist Europe inspired by Mussolini and Hitler.
  • Allegedly approaches Butler to lead a plot to overthrow FDR—possibly with financing from DuPont, JP Morgan, and (speculatively) Prescott Bush.

The Plot Itself

• Butler is asked to front a new “Liberty League” at an American Legion conference, recruit military men, and organize a coup or “civic action” to oust FDR.

• Butler exposes the plan to Congress rather than participate.

• "They bet on the wrong horse." – Chaps (73:31)

• Historic context: the 1930s were rife with political extremism, economic hardship, and flirtations with authoritarianism, even in the US.

Legacy and Why It's Forgotten

• The event is mostly buried in popular history. The idea of a military coup in America at the time is largely ignored or played down by official histories.
• "I feel like most people don’t even know about Smedley Butler in general." – Chaps (73:44)
• The group discusses why American military figures no longer achieve celebrity status as in Butler’s or MacArthur’s time.

6. Military Celebrity & Modern Politics

Timestamps: 86:21–101:16

• Explores why General-level military figures don't have the same prominence today.

• Mentions other military political crossovers: Eisenhower, Grant, Jackson, McCain, etc.

• "It's pretty common though… the major players in history." – Chief

• Discusses recent and modern candidates (Mattis, Petraeus, Crenshaw) and their (lack of) viability for the presidency.

• Stories about personal voting histories, political realignments post-9/11 and the mortgage crisis, and how candidates like McCain and Kerry were treated differently as veterans.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• "War is a racket." – General Smedley Butler (repeated by Chaps, 68:05)
• "You live stream that [Jesus, Muhammad, and Dave Chappelle at dinner]. Tell me that doesn't go insane." – Chief (22:16)
• "AI uses more power than New York City and San Diego combined." – Chief (54:08)
• "They bet on the wrong horse." – Chaps (73:31)
• "I feel like most people don’t even know about Smedley Butler." – Chaps (73:44)
• "It's pretty common though... the major players in history." – Chief (87:25)
• "There's only... I've always said he's one in a billion." – Chaps on White Sox Dave (34:44)
• "Cookie time. Mid midday. Cookie then. You're having their lunch at 11." – Chief, on his grandparents' wholesome routines (105:04)

Supplemental Deep Dives & Fun Sidebars

• Bluffs, Archipelagos, and Billabongs:
  • A running side joke on obscure landforms and Chaps’ love for "the best bluffs in America."
• Historical Rankings and Social Policy:
  • Discussion about the statistical ranking of US freedoms and happiness compared to European nations, especially Nordic countries.
• Travel and Life Philosophy:
  • Chief shares his method for ultra-light solo international travel, aiming for a new country every six weeks.

Notable Segments & Timestamps

• Jason Segel, Anne Hathaway All-Timer Debate:
  06:12–13:33
• Tyler Glasnow’s "Dinner with 3":
  20:17–25:58
• Business Plot Deep Dive:
  67:37–101:23
• Military celebrities, presidential runs, and modern political polarization:
  86:21–101:16

Tone and Style

The conversation is loose, irreverent, and full of jokes and digressions typical of Barstool podcasts. Even serious topics are handled with a mix of curiosity, skepticism, and humor, with each host bringing personal anecdotes and modern context into the mix.

For Listeners New to the Episode

This episode blends contemporary and historical takes on conspiracy, leadership, and American anxieties—sprinkled liberally with running jokes and pop culture debates. Beyond simply retelling the "Business Plot," the crew uses the story as a lens for examining what leadership, trust, and dissent look like in both past and present America.

Disclaimer:
Ads, promotional sections, and non-content banter have been omitted from this summary for clarity and focus.