Relatable with Allie Beth Stuckey – Episode 1279

Title: Charlie Kirk Trial Details, Bondi & Brown Attacks & Living to 100
Date: December 15, 2025
Host: Allie Beth Stuckey (joined by co-host/dad, Ron Simmons)
Podcast Network: Blaze Podcast Network

Episode Overview

This episode takes a deep dive into recent tragedies and ongoing cultural and political issues from a Christian conservative lens. Allie and her father, Ron Simmons, examine the details surrounding the Charlie Kirk murder trial, analyze major attacks at Brown University and Bondi Beach, reflect on fault lines within the American right, and end on a positive note discussing the remarkable 100th birthday of Dick Van Dyke. The conversation weaves together current events, listener questions, and candid family banter, always circling back to faith, hope, and resilience.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Brown University Shooting

• Incident Details: A shooting at Brown University resulted in the death of Ella Cook, a Christian conservative and VP of the College Republicans, alongside other victims. The shooter, still at large during recording, targeted an engineering building, firing over 40 rounds.
• Motivation Uncertainty: While early speculations tied the attack to anti-Semitism, the actual motive remains unclear. Both hosts raise the possibility of anti-conservative or anti-Christian bias given Ella’s profile and the rarity of conservatives on campus.
• Institutional Response: The episode notes frustration with Brown’s lack of transparency and slow communication in the aftermath.
• Notable Quotes:
  • “Christmas will never be the same for them ever.” — Ron Simmons (03:53)
  • “Brown... is probably one of the most radical liberal colleges out there.” — Ron Simmons (03:57)

2. Bondi Beach, Australia Attack

• Event Recap: Assisted by contextual listeners, the hosts discuss a mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration, attributed to a Muslim assailant linked with ISIS, which left at least 15 dead—including a Holocaust survivor and a 10-year-old boy.
• Heroism: Praise is given to bystander Ahmed Al Ahmed, who subdued the shooter.
• Reflections on Islamism: The hosts critique what they see as Western blindness to the ideological roots of such violence, referencing Charlie Kirk’s warnings about the merging threats of “wokeism” and “Islamism” (see Memorable Quotes below).
• Immigration and Assimilation: The tragedy triggers debate about the failures of assimilation policy in Western countries, chain migration, and the impact of multiculturalism without shared core values.
• Gun Law Discussion: Australian gun control is discussed with skepticism, both hosts suggesting “criminals will always get guns.”
• Notable Quotes:
  • “There are sects of the Muslim religion that absolutely have nothing but a death wish on Jewish people and in some ways on Christian people as well.” — Ron Simmons (11:42)
  • “Islam means submission... it’s a religion of conquest and of territorial domination.” — Allie (15:00)
  • “Criminals are always going to have guns. And the stricter the gun control simply means that criminals will have them and the government will have them and individual law abiding citizens will be the only ones that are disadvantaged.” — Ron Simmons (21:30)

Memorable Moment (Audio Montage):

• Charlie Kirk (played clip):
  • “The spiritual battle is coming to the west and the enemies are wokeism or Marxism combining with Islamism to go after what we call the American way of life.” (15:00)

3. Charlie Kirk Murder Trial Update

• Legal Status: The suspect (name largely withheld out of principle) appeared in court and faces aggravated first-degree murder charges. Trial may not begin until 2027.
• Discussion on Justice: The hosts dissect the slow-moving American justice system, explaining why the defense often seeks delays, and predict a likely plea deal in exchange for life imprisonment.
• Courtroom Observations: Notes on the suspect’s nonchalant demeanor, including his attire (baby blue and pink—trans pride flag colors), sparking speculation on motive and message.
• Due Process Reflections: Stuckey and Simmons emphasize the importance of due process—even for the most abhorrent crimes—outlining rules regarding media access and the gag order.
• On Victims and Sentencing: The conversation turns towards biblical justification for the death penalty in murder cases and the need to better account for victims’ suffering in the legal process.
• Notable Quotes:
  • “The burden of proof is heavily, heavily on the prosecution, which is the government in this case.” — Ron Simmons (26:32)
  • “We should have pictures of him in the courtroom, smiling, things like that. It was very, just very disturbing.” — Allie (29:08)
  • “Our sentencing system... leaves out one major factor, and it leaves out the victim.” — Ron Simmons (38:17)
  • “Genesis 9 tells us that the death penalty is the proportionate and just... punishment for murder...” — Allie (37:06)

Matt Walsh Clip (40:45):

“We have three confessions here... to his parents, one to his roommate, and one on discord. In literally any other case for literally any other defendant. If there is DNA evidence and a confession, they will be convicted...” — Matt Walsh (40:45)

4. US Elections: Midterms & 2028 Presidential Race

• Gavin Newsom’s Positioning: Newsom touts himself as "the most pro-trans governor," which sparks debate over whether extreme gender ideology plays nationally for Democrats.
• State of the Right: The hosts lament growing divisions, especially over Israel and foreign policy, noting that the death of Charlie Kirk revealed his role as a unifying conservative figure. The right is described as dangerously fractured with infighting over priorities.
• Electoral Strategy: Ron stresses the importance of uniting around economic issues, picking winnable candidates in local primaries, and understanding that politics is “a binary choice.”
• Texas Senate Primary: Discussion on likely Republican candidates and announcement that controversial Jasmine Crockett and James Talarico are the main Democratic hopefuls, with both hosts expressing concern over Talarico’s “heretical” take on Christianity in politics.
• Notable Quotes:
  • “I think what it'll end up being is... rallying around the economy.” — Ron Simmons (59:13)
  • “Politics at the end of the day is a binary choice.” — Ron Simmons (46:35)
  • “Diversity is our strength. Diversity is our strength. Well, statistically that's not true... it can be a strength if you have something bigger than that uniting you.” — Allie (20:08)
  • “If Talarico smart, he will bring up all what appears to be some misuse of funds by [Crockett’s] campaign.” — Ron Simmons (52:58)

5. Listener Q&A - Faith, Media, and Coping

• Media Recommendations: Ron listens to Bill O’Reilly, Hannity for opinion, Brett Baier for news, Wall Street Journal, and the Robertsons for Christian content.
• Staying Grounded: Both hosts emphasize unplugging, family time, and Sabbath rest as necessary practices to offset grim news. Allie references Charlie Kirk’s discipline of a 24-hour digital Sabbath.
• Handling Cultural Anxiety: Advice focuses on action, prayer, humor, and focusing on faith purpose rather than outcomes.
• Notable Quotes:
  • “You can be disappointed in something... But if you let it eat you up inside and consume you. That's what he's talking about...” — Ron Simmons (74:14)
  • “Focus on doing the next right thing in faith, with excellence, and for the glory of God.” — Allie (75:06)

6. Celebrating Dick Van Dyke at 100

• Reflection on a Life Well-Lived: Celebratory segment on Dick Van Dyke’s 100th birthday, with personal memories, historical perspective (born closer to Thomas Jefferson’s death than to the present), and his positive philosophy.
• Van Dyke’s Secret to Longevity: Featured quote about avoiding hatred and anger:
  • “I've always thought that anger is one thing that eats up a person's insides... I never really was able to work up a feeling of hate.” — Dick Van Dyke (Clip at 73:17)
• Final Lesson: Action and purpose stave off bitterness; focus on gratitude and what you can control.

Segment Timestamps

• Brown University shooting: 02:33 – 08:12
• Bondi Beach attack & analysis: 08:15 – 24:02
• Charlie Kirk trial update: 25:39 – 41:35
• US politics (midterms, 2028, GOP divisions): 42:53 – 54:00
• Listener Q&A (media, coping, conservative coalition): 55:41 – 66:44
• Faith and emotional resilience: 66:44 – 68:20
• Dick Van Dyke tribute: 69:56 – 75:47

Memorable Moments & Quotes with Timestamps

• “Christmas will never be the same for them ever.” — Ron Simmons (03:53)
• “There are sects of the Muslim religion that absolutely have nothing but a death wish on Jewish people and in some ways on Christian people as well.” — Ron Simmons (11:42)
• “Islam means submission... it’s a religion of conquest and of territorial domination.” — Allie (15:00)
• “Criminals are always going to have guns. And the stricter the gun control simply means that criminals will have them and the government will have them and individual law abiding citizens will be the only ones that are disadvantaged.” — Ron Simmons (21:30)
• “The burden of proof is heavily, heavily on the prosecution, which is the government in this case.” — Ron Simmons (26:32)
• “We have three confessions here... In literally any other case... they will be convicted.” — Matt Walsh (40:45)
• “Politics at the end of the day is a binary choice.” — Ron Simmons (46:35)
• “You can be disappointed in something... But if you let it eat you up inside and consume you. That's what he's talking about...” — Ron Simmons (74:14)
• “I've always thought that anger is one thing that eats up a person's insides... I never really was able to work up a feeling of hate.” — Dick Van Dyke (73:17)

Tone and Language

The episode maintains a warm, conversational, yet analytical tone—a mix of news breakdown, family repartee, and faith-centered encouragement. Allie’s framing is frequently hopeful despite the heaviness of the subject matter, and her father provides grounded, sometimes humorous, context and personal anecdotes. Both are candid, passionate, and rooted in their Christian worldview.

For New Listeners

This summary encapsulates the episode’s exploration of American cultural emergencies, legal processes, political infighting, and personal resilience. You’ll gain both a sense of the crisis points animating the conservative-Christian world and the everyday habits the hosts use to keep hope and joy alive amid the chaos.