Ruthless Podcast: "Why Do Liberals Ruin Everything?"

Date: February 10, 2026
Hosts: Josh Holmes, Comfortably Smug, Michael Duncan, John Ashbrook, Doug
Special Guest: Congressman Pete Stauber

Episode Theme:

This episode delivers the Ruthless crew’s signature irreverent, sharp-edged take on current culture wars, particularly how progressive attitudes—particularly those of journalists, athletes, and public officials—undermine traditional American values, patriotism, and even sports. The main focus: why the hosts believe liberals "ruin everything," with side forays into sporting events, media bias, cultural shifts, and how these issues play out in Minnesota and beyond.

Summary & Key Discussion Points

1. The State of Patriotism in Sports

Timestamp: 02:14–18:30

• Olympic Frustrations:

  • Michael Duncan expresses disillusionment with Team USA, stating he's "rooting for them to do extremely bad" and advocating a boycott because of perceived anti-American attitudes among athletes.

    “I now believe in group punishment. All of them. I don't support anyone on Team USA until they internally pressure themselves... Cut that shit out." (Michael Duncan, 04:07)

  • The crew debates whether a few "bad apples" merit collective blame, or whether the issue is systemic.
  • The group criticizes journalists for always "putting on a pedestal" athletes who voice grievances against America, while ignoring repressive regimes' abuses.
  • Examples are played of Olympic athletes making politically charged statements about America, prompting an extended riff about identity, selfishness, and loss of collective purpose.

    “…It’s disheartening. It takes a little piece out of you every time you see somebody go do that." (Josh Holmes, 13:11)

• Role of Coaching and Culture:

  • Holmes laments the loss of old-school coaching emphasizing national pride, recalling the way legendary coaches instilled respect for the anthem.

    “There was an element of leadership that came with being a coach…just how unique their opportunity is and how incredible their country is at providing it. And that saddens me deeply.” (Josh Holmes, 14:22–16:39)

  • Duncan insists the current situation requires more than change from above—it needs outright social and peer pressure, even invoking the idea of "bringing back bullying" as a tool for enforcing norms.

    “We need to start going after people like this…bring back bullying…” (Michael Duncan, 16:41)

2. Culture, Media, and the “Liberal Pathologies”

Timestamp: 18:30–21:03

• The discussion shifts to blaming the media for systemically promoting progressive values and devaluing patriotism.
• The crew jokes about the pressure athletes feel to “use their platform,” likening it to "struggle sessions" in Maoist China.

  "It’s not enough to be like, I got nothing to say. You must say what we want you to say." (Michael Duncan, 20:23)

3. Minnesota: Political Chaos, Activism, and Scandal

Timestamp: 21:43–38:08

• Ongoing protests in Minnesota (involving activists throwing dildos at vehicles) provide fodder to mock the left for what the hosts describe as "degeneracy" and weird protest methods.

  "...just the absolute degeneracy of the left where it's just like. It's not enough to hate America. You just have to be an absolute degenerate in all possible forms whatsoever." (Michael Duncan, 23:47)

• The team riffs on regional differences, Minnesota's unique political pathologies, and how cultural protests connect (or don’t) to larger issues.

4. The Super Bowl: Halftime Shows and Progressive Culture

Timestamp: 25:02–33:02

• The hosts critique the Bad Bunny Super Bowl halftime show, expressing nostalgia for more “all-American” acts.

  “Super bowl is the most American thing of all time. How do you not tune in to TPUSA and Kid Rock when your choices are Bad Bunny and dead puppy?” (Josh Holmes, 26:41)

• The segment turns into a series of jokes about how halftime shows are designed more for TV and less for fans in the stadium, and how recent artists have left the “mainstream” behind.
• Michael Duncan connects the predictably "woke" lineups to Jay Z and Roc Nation’s management of halftime contracts—suggesting commercial self-dealing.

5. Audience Interaction & Halftime Show Debate

Timestamp: 33:02–35:06

• The hosts share listener comments on Democratic nomination predictions and open a participatory debate on the best and worst Super Bowl halftime performances.

6. Fighting, Sports, and Masculinity Gone Wild

Timestamp: 35:06–38:30

• The crew discovers a viral Australian sport where hulking men simply sprint into one another, and everything devolves into humorous speculation about further “pure” sports, including man vs. animal.

  “It’s the purest sport. It’s the purest sport of all.” (Michael Duncan, 37:37)

7. In-depth: Congressman Pete Stauber (MN)

Timestamp: 38:41–65:32

A. Olympic Nostalgia and Hockey Roots

• Stauber recounts his own hockey journey and the recent honoring of the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" team.
• He describes the deep significance of hockey in Minnesota and the pride his family (several of whom played at the highest levels) takes in being part of that tradition.

B. Mining, Energy, and “Critical Minerals”

• Stauber passionately advocates for responsible mining in Minnesota (particularly the Duluth Complex) to counter dependence on China for critical minerals.

C. Fraud & Governance in MN

• Stauber blasts Governor Walz for being “complicit or incompetent” in fraud scandals, especially relating to state social service programs and election integrity.

  “If we get rid of the fraud, including the voter rolls, Minnesota’s gonna flip red.” (Pete Stauber, 48:56)

D. Voter Rolls & Federal Accountability

• Extended talk about election fraud concerns; Stauber agues for exposing the “internal network” controlling the state’s politics and improving transparency as a bipartisan need.

E. Law Enforcement & Immigration

• Stauber (a former cop) and the crew praise border enforcement actions, criticize sanctuary cities, and describe effective recent cooperation between state and federal authorities.

  “The gold standard in law enforcement is voluntary compliance. That's what you want…But when you have a governor and his administration calling the federal agent the Gestapo…they rile them up.” (Pete Stauber, 57:26)

F. Personal Reflection

• Stauber speaks movingly about raising a son with Down syndrome.

  “It’s not their disability, it’s their ability that we’re working on…they bring sunshine to every day…” (Pete Stauber, 45:21)

• The interview wraps with fun “three questions,” revealing Stauber’s work ethic, sports mindset, and pride as a “Midwestern agony of defeat” guy.

Notable Quotes

• On the Olympics:

  "I'm rooting for them to do extremely bad." – Michael Duncan (02:58)
  “That's the basics. Like why do you have to be asked to have respect for the country that has sent you?” – Michael Duncan (12:05)

• On Media and Cultural Pressure:

  "You never see anyone from Team China being asked: So, about Tiananmen Square?" – Michael Duncan (04:41)

• On Minnesota’s Political Scandals:

  “Our great state of Minnesota…is the fraud capital. It's unbelievable.” – Pete Stauber (46:36)

• On Down Syndrome:

  “It’s not their disability, it’s their ability…they bring sunshine to every day…” – Pete Stauber (45:21)

• On Super Bowl Halftime Shows:

  “Super bowl is the most American thing of all time. How do you not tune in to TPUSA and Kid Rock when your choices are Bad Bunny and dead puppy?” – Josh Holmes (26:41)

• On Social Norms and Bullying:

  “Bring back bullying…quote, bullying used to act as kind of like an enforcement of societal norms.” – Michael Duncan (16:41)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Olympics patriotism debate: 02:14–18:30
• Journalism/media bias: 04:36–06:45, 18:31–21:03
• Clip: Athlete's critical statements: 07:11, 10:25
• Minnesota protests and cultural riffing: 21:43–25:02
• Super Bowl halftime show discussion: 25:02–33:02
• Fan reactions and cultural commentary: 29:11–33:02
• Combat sports riff: 35:06–38:08
• Interview: Pete Stauber: 38:41–65:32

Tone

Unapologetic, humorous, and combative—hosts riff on the news with a heavy dose of sarcasm, frustration, and cultural commentary. The underlying mood is one of exasperation with progressive pop culture and what they see as its erosion of national solidarity and traditionalism.

For Non-Listeners

This episode is a brisk, sometimes caustic, always light-on-its-feet roundtable blending political and cultural commentary. The hosts use humor and exaggeration to critique left-leaning trends, lamenting the loss of “old-school” American traditions—in sports, politics, and media—while celebrating local heroes (especially from their home turf of Minnesota). The Pete Stauber interview provides a sincere, even touching, break amid the chaos.