Something Wrong With The Podcast

Episode 36: UFC White House & Other Distractions

Host: Julian Delgado

Date: September 23, 2025

Main Theme & Purpose

In this solo episode, Julian Delgado reflects on the state of American culture, the intertwining of politics and spectacle, and the exhausting pervasiveness of distractions—particularly in relation to the controversial UFC event at the White House and the theatrical sendoff for Charlie Kirk. The episode blends pointed social critique, personal vulnerability about mental health and digital addictions, and the levity of everyday life, all with Julian’s signature candid, sometimes irreverent, tone.

Key Discussion Points

1. Reflections on Past Episode & Listener Feedback

• Julian thanks his mother for joining the previous episode, providing "intergenerational wisdom" on the cultural and political climate, especially relating to hate groups and historical context.
  • "It was very good breath of fresh air, all things considered, even though the topic at hand was quite sad." (02:23)
• Listener comments highlighted the value of making complex topics accessible and the importance of more intergenerational dialogue.
  • Jen writes: "I loved hearing the dialogue between you and your mom. There was so much intergenerational wisdom and insight... It would be dope if you leaned into more content like this." (03:18)

2. Mental Health, Doomscrolling, and Phone Addiction

• Julian discusses the toll of online toxicity and the "doomscroll cycle," noting its impact on his mental and even physical health.
  • "I think it's wearing off on me physically. I think it's leading to like a lethargic state and a need to kind of like be alone or rest or take naps, but not naps in a healthy way quite frankly." (06:20)
• A personal commitment to reevaluate relationships with addictive behaviors, comparing phone addiction to the impacts of short-form content on the brain.
  • "There are so many articles about how short form content is really staggering and disruptive for your brain... studies say this has the same effect as having a night of drinking." (08:53)

3. Family Pride & Community Recognition

• Julian shares the pride in seeing his father and another local legend inducted into their high school's Hall of Fame.
  • "To see the state recognize him and to see him get memorialized forever is very special. And I will always hold that dear to my heart." (12:35)

4. The Spectacle of Distraction: UFC at the White House

• Discussion of the planned UFC event on the White House lawn as a calculated political distraction, with President Trump's endorsement.
  • "We love a good distraction in America... I mean, I'd rather get someone get kicked in the head and get CTE instead of feed my children." (18:55)
  • Critiques the diversion of resources from essential needs (housing, healthcare) to spectacle.
  • Draws parallels to classic political maneuvering: "It gives him time, and this is like, a political tactic... here's the shiny diversion, all right? Now we're going to funnel in. You know, here's the Trojan horse." (21:03)
• Security risks are seriously questioned, referencing recent violent incidents and unnerving scale of the planned occasion.
  • "There's nothing settling about building out an octagon on the South Lawn. I can't believe that is a real sentence that I just said." (23:01)

5. Charlie Kirk’s Funeral as Political Rally

• Analyzes the overblown and performative aspects of Charlie Kirk’s funeral, comparing it to a WWE event, and framing it as another example of distraction and agenda-pushing within American politics.
  • "This was a rally, this wasn't a funeral. I've never... These aren't how funerals are run, or this isn't how people are memorialized." (24:02)
  • Notes how religious language is co-opted for political purposes, especially in "Turning Point" rhetoric.
• Julian reiterates:
  • "Charlie Kirk is simply a tool to continue to push the agenda in which Trump and his cabinet have always wanted to push towards the finish line. Poor Charlie Kirk is becoming a martyr in the story of Trump's America." (27:23)
• Critiques Trump’s self-centeredness at the funeral:
  • "God forbid he dedicates his time on that podium to just mourning the loss of his friend." (28:15)

6. Notable Trump Quotes at the Funeral

• Trump promises a medical announcement on autism:
  • "Tomorrow will be the 'biggest announcement medically in US history. I think we found an answer to autism.'" (29:01)
  • Julian points out the contradiction: focus on autism while slashing funds to autism research.
• Trump’s open disdain for opponents:
  • "He [Charlie] wanted the best for them. That's where I disagreed with Charlie. I hate my opponents, and I don't want the best for them. That's our president." (30:11)
  • Julian’s reaction: "That's like fascism, dictator... Like a kid says that stuff, you know, in the spirit of this wrestling event that he's so focused [on]." (31:02)
  • Contrasts with past standards ("Obama's tan suit scandal") to highlight the shifting Overton window of presidential behavior.

7. The Corrosive Nature of Politics

• Listener suggestion for Julian to go into politics met with strong reluctance due to the toxic influence of the system and loss of authenticity.
  • "Politics becomes your identity, and the machine of politics will overtake the very thing in which you sought to disrupt when you joined." (34:40)
  • Notes how outside funding and PACs compromise values; "I have zero interest in working with you or getting to know you, which unfortunately is how a lot of politics... works." (36:55)
• Offers a parallel to interpersonal politics and the toll it's taken on his health and well-being.

8. Levity: College Football & Life Updates

• Attending the Rutgers-Iowa football game:
  • "It was the blackout game and Iowa came into town and whooped that ass. It was fun to be on the heel side..." (39:00)
  • Describes the extravagant atmosphere: fireworks, halftime show, and Jersey pride—"some of the formations were like in wind Rutgers we come back home... it's exit nine; like it is so New Jersey to a T." (40:10)
• Upcoming plans to see Anderson .Paak and Knowledge (No Worries) perform at Paramount Brooklyn.

9. Personal Challenges & Conversation Highlights

• Admits to watching more NFL, feeling the season and weather bring on extra reflection.
• Encourages listeners (and himself) to reduce phone time and seek more in-person conversations.
  • "Shed a half hour or an hour every week or every day and see... Watch that add up over time and just lean more into your community." (46:10)
• Cites examples of difficult but productive conversations with friends about controversial topics (Palantir, social privilege).
  • "One [friend] said... why is all this stuff that's currently going on matters? It doesn't affect our lives. I'm like, that is an extremely privileged thing to say..." (48:20)

10. Cultural Side Notes

• Briefly mentions Cardi B’s new album, notes not having listened yet but sees reviews are positive.
  • "Looks like it's fine. Looks like it's good. So I'm happy that her return is going well. It's awesome for her to to take this risk..." (50:42)
• Resolves to lean more into music news and less into the political doom spiral for his own wellbeing.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On doomscrolling:
  "I'm really working on breaking the grip of the doom scroll cycle along with a couple other addictions... None of them… being drugs and alcohol. These are just, I think a couple things that I want to work on are the residual of being someone that happened to be born at the time I was at." (07:25)

• On political distractions:
  "It gives him time, and this is like, a political tactic. It's not even a Trump thing, per se, but it gives him time to, like, green light other egregious things that are happening under the radar..." (21:18)

• On funerals as rallies:
  "Let's not get it confused. Like, this was a rally, this wasn't a funeral. I've never. These aren't how funerals are run, or this isn't how people are memorialized." (24:45)

• On what passes for presidential discourse:
  "He [Charlie] wanted the best for them. That's where I disagreed with Charlie. I hate my opponents, and I don't want the best for them. That's our president." (30:11)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Introduction & Listener Feedback: 00:00–13:20
• Mental Health & Phone Addiction: 06:20–12:00
• UFC at the White House & Political Distractions: 18:30–24:00
• Charlie Kirk’s funeral/wake as rally: 24:00–30:40
• Trump’s controversial quotes: 29:01–31:40
• On (Not) Getting Into Politics: 34:30–37:25
• College Football & Cultural Commentary: 39:00–44:35
• Reflection, Digital Detox Advice & Closing: 46:10–End

Tone & Final Thoughts

Julian’s delivery is blunt, sardonic, and self-aware, weaving between mordant political satire and honest self-examination. The episode offers a clear-eyed view on the manipulations of power, the blurring of line between entertainment and politics, and a reminder to seek real connection beyond algorithmic distraction.

Julian’s final advice:
“Lean more into your community, your friends and have conversations. … Reduce your phone time, your screen time. Everything is in a realistic moderation… “ (46:10)

Comments, advice, and show engagement welcomed via YouTube and the official hotline.