Podcast Summary

Podcast: Relatable with Allie Beth Stuckey
Episode: 1253 | Israel-Hamas Conflict Is Coming to an End | Ron Simmons
Date: October 13, 2025
Host: Ron Simmons (filling in for Allie Beth Stuckey)
Podcast Network: Blaze Podcast Network

Overview

In this episode, Allie Beth Stuckey’s father, Ron Simmons, guest-hosts to provide analysis and insight into current events from a Christian, conservative perspective. The episode centers on three major topics: the ongoing U.S. government shutdown and its implications, the apparent end of the Israel-Hamas conflict with the announcement of a ceasefire and early peace plan (including the hostage exchange), and a Q&A segment focusing on listener questions ranging from family and faith to politics. The episode closes with "Wisdom from the Wagon," an encouragement to create your own opportunities in life.

1. The U.S. Government Shutdown Explained

(Starts ~00:37, ends ~21:54)

Key Discussion Points

• Essential vs. Non-essential Government Functions

  • Essential roles (military, federal law enforcement, disaster response, border patrol, FDA food inspectors, Social Security check cutting, court system) remain active but are unpaid until the shutdown ends.

  • Non-essential employees are furloughed, prohibited from coming to work, but will also receive back pay eventually.

  • Notable impact on air travel—air traffic controller disruptions paralleling historical actions (referencing the 1981 Reagan firing of striking controllers).

    "They're not getting all their paycheck now, but they're going to get all their back pay...just creating havoc to create havoc's sake." —Ron Simmons (05:30)

• Air Traffic Controllers & Political Accountability

  • Air traffic controllers creating a “mess” by calling out, leading to major travel delays. Ron calls for accountability from leadership (Chuck Schumer blamed for the shutdown).
  • FAA leadership and call to duty: "Show up, control the airspace. Eventually you’re going to get paid." —Ron Simmons (06:41)

• What is a Continuing Resolution?

  • Definition and its role in keeping the government funded without a new budget.

  • House of Representatives already passed a 'clean' CR; the Senate (specifically Democrats) is holding out for an additional $1.5 trillion in spending over a decade, mainly for extended Obamacare subsidies.

  • Critique of government overspending and shifting definitions/hypocrisy of politicians:

    "The government doesn't produce anything. Every single dime...comes out of some taxpayer's pocket." —Ron Simmons (08:08)

• Obamacare Subsidies and the Shut Down’s Core Fight

  • Review of how subsidies scaled with income, how pandemic-era enhancements are set to expire, and Democratic efforts to keep them elevated.

  • Frames subsidies as "socialism at its best" and a vote-buying mechanism.

    "All the Democrats are trying to do is give away your money so that they can get somebody else's vote." —Ron Simmons (14:25)

• Outlook and Financial Advice

  • Likelihood of a compromise, potential for less federal employment as a silver lining.

  • Urges listeners not to panic: critical federal benefits (SS, Medicare, etc.) remain intact.

  • Practical takeaway: build a 90-day cash reserve as a personal safety net.

    "Every one of us should have at least 90 days in reserve, 90 days of our expenses." —Ron Simmons (19:15)

2. Israel-Hamas Ceasefire and Peace Talks

(Starts ~21:54, ends ~28:25)

Key Discussion Points

• Announcement of a Ceasefire

  • A surprising turn as Israel and Hamas agree to a ceasefire after two years of conflict, with humanitarian aid scheduled to flow in.

  • Details of the deal: Hostage exchange (20–40 hostages released by Hamas, Israel to release 250 prisoners serving life and 1,700 detained Palestinians).

  • UN to coordinate distribution of significant humanitarian aid (170,000 tons of supplies).

    “We hope the war does not come back and for this to be really the end with no death and destruction afterwards.” —Gazan Resident (quoted by Ron Simmons, 22:52)

• International Involvement & U.S. Role

  • U.S. to send troops for coordination, ongoing diplomatic activity with Jared Kushner playing a behind-the-scenes role (echoing his work on the Abraham Accords).

• Recognition for Peace Negotiators

  • President Trump’s involvement highlighted; Ron endorses Trump for a future Nobel Peace Prize if the deal holds.

    “Everyone says that I should get the Nobel Peace Prize for each one of these achievements...for me, the real prize will be the sons and daughters who live to grow up...” —Donald Trump (26:44)

• Broader Outlook

  • Links the Israel-Hamas scenario to hopes for a Ukraine peace process.
  • Asserts that peacemaking, not political point-scoring, should be the ultimate aim for all sides.

3. Listener Q&A

(Starts ~29:40, ends ~43:23)

Notable Questions & Answers

• Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce Marriage

  • No strong opinions, but values moving from serious dating to marriage.

• Family Travels & Experiences

  • Shares about special trips with son Daniel and wife Lisa (British Isles cruise, footsteps of Paul trip).
  • Reflections on favorite activities with grandkids.

• Allie’s Influence

  • Ron affirms he always saw leadership qualities in Allie, credits her mom, and expresses pride in Allie’s impact.

• Age Gap Relationships & the Bible

  • No biblical directive against them; emphasizes prayer, shared faith, and mutual “yoking.”

• Favorite Bible Verses

  • James 3:17 and Mark 10:45.

• Impact of Charlie Kirk’s Assassination

  • Notes generational and international resonance, sees hopeful signs of revival.

    "I think it's had an effect... I'm just prayerful that it's going to be a continuous revival that comes about." —Ron Simmons (35:30)

• Financial Advisors

  • Advocates for fee-based over commission-based advisors; importance of understanding incentives and fees.

• Sharia Law and the Constitution

  • States that banning Sharia law would be constitutional if it conflicts with state/federal law.

• Role as a Grandparent

  • The priority: lead by example, steward life accordingly.

• Encouraging a Christian Husband’s Leadership

  • Can't force spiritual growth, but can encourage and model it.

• Senate Nominee Approval: Turbo Option

  • Explanation of the "turbo" option to confirm many executive nominees quickly.

• Concerns about Allie’s Safety

  • Parents are always concerned but will not let fear stop God-given opportunities.

4. Wisdom from the Wagon

(Starts ~44:42, ends ~52:43)

Main Takeaway

• Create Your Own Opportunity

  • Ron shares personal stories: a friend leaving corporate America to become a business owner; his own career breakthrough; Allie's early steps as a speaker.

  • Encourages listeners to be proactive, not to wait for opportunities to be handed to them, and to take the risks necessary for growth.

    “It’s up to us to create our own opportunity... You’re going to have to take some risks to do that. No question about it. But don’t depend on somebody else to get that.” —Ron Simmons (46:55)

  • Supports these lessons with anecdotes from his book, Life Lessons from the Little Red Wagon.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Government Spending:

  "Remember: When any money that they say they want to increase, that's coming from you and me, no other place for it to come from." —Ron Simmons (08:08)

• On the Peace Process:

  "What I care about is not winning prizes, it's saving lives...millions of people are no longer being killed..." —Donald Trump (26:44)

• On Financial Security:

  "Every one of us should have at least 90 days in reserve, 90 days of our expenses." —Ron Simmons (19:15)

• On Family Legacy:

  "Our greatest priority in the role of a grandparent...is to steward our life in a way that our grandkids can follow—not so much what we say, but in what we do and how we conduct ourselves." —Ron Simmons (38:29)

• On Creating Opportunity:

  "She made that happen. She created her own opportunity. She did not know what that was going to turn into—but it won’t ever turn into anything if you don’t take the first step." —Ron Simmons (50:53)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:37 – Ron Simmons introduces topics and the reality of the government shutdown
• 03:15 – Essential vs. non-essential government services
• 07:45 – Continuing resolution and government funding fights
• 11:10 – Obamacare subsidies explained and political wrangling
• 19:15 – Ron’s practical financial advice
• 21:54 – Israel-Hamas ceasefire, peace process, and humanitarian aid
• 25:20 – Jared Kushner and Trump’s roles in the peace process
• 26:44 – Trump’s Nobel Peace Prize comments
• 29:40 – Listener Q&A
• 35:30 – Reflections on Charlie Kirk’s assassination
• 37:39 – The value of financial advisors
• 38:29 – On being a grandparent
• 44:42 – "Wisdom from the Wagon": create your own opportunity
• 50:53 – Story of Allie’s start as a speaker

Conclusion

This episode, guest hosted by Ron Simmons, provides clear, accessible conservative commentary on major news items: the government shutdown’s real impact, the hopeful status of the Israel-Hamas conflict, and practical advice on faith, family, and finances. The show closes with encouragement to take initiative in life, illustrated through both personal and family stories. Listeners are left with a sense of optimism, responsibility, and a call to not let fear or indecision dictate their choices.

For more, subscribe to Relatable on Blaze Podcast Network or follow Allie Beth Stuckey on YouTube and social media.