The Find Out Podcast: Episode 1 - "Welcome to the Find Out Podcast"

Release Date: March 17, 2025

Introduction and Purpose

The inaugural episode of The Find Out Podcast sets the stage for an honest, irreverent, and often humorous discussion about America during Donald Trump’s second term. Hosted by Tim Fullerton alongside five co-hosts, the podcast aims to create a space for left-leaning men to engage in unfiltered political dialogue, contrasting sharply with the perceived inauthenticity of right-wing media.

Meet the Hosts

• Tim Fullerton (00:00): Introduces himself as the host and organizer. Highlights the origin of the group from "White Dudes for Harris" and emphasizes the need to engage men within the Democratic side who feel disenfranchised or disillusioned.

• Zach (01:01): Credited with initiating the podcast idea. Discusses the lack of authentic dialogue in left-wing media and the importance of creating a platform where opinionated individuals can speak freely without filters.

• Chris (03:39): Shares his motivation for joining, expressing disbelief over Trump’s nomination and the importance of using social media to amplify their message.

• Vic (05:16): A veteran and nonprofit CEO, Vic emphasizes the need to represent diverse Democrat voices, particularly those from rural and conservative backgrounds.

• Rich (13:09): The youngest host, Rich channels his passionate rage into online activism. He discusses the emotional toll of the 2020 election and his role in mobilizing like-minded individuals.

• Luke (13:56): A college student and aggressive TikTok content creator, Luke highlights the shared experiences among the hosts and the impact of right-wing content creators in shaping perceptions of liberalism.

The Problem with Left-Wing Media (01:01 - 08:30)

Zach articulates a critical issue: "Right wing media is killing us because they're killing us because of, at least in my mind, perceived authenticity" [01:01]. He contrasts this with left-wing media's lack of genuine, unfiltered conversation, creating a vacuum that The Find Out Podcast seeks to fill.

Building Authentic Engagement (02:08 - 05:16)

Tim provides background on the hosts' collective efforts in "White Dudes for Harris," emphasizing the challenge Democrats face in uniting male voters. He notes, "This was born out of a project where we understood that men are the toughest demographic for Democrats" [02:08].

Personal Stories and Motivations (03:39 - 15:51)

Each host shares personal motivations:

• Chris (03:57): Felt compelled to act against Trump by creating viral content after realizing door-to-door activism was ineffective.

• Vic (08:30): Highlights his experience as a veteran and Nazi hunter, stressing the importance of projecting authentic voices that challenge stereotypes about Democrats.

• Rich (13:09): Describes his journey from frustration post-2020 election to active online activism, driven by anger and the desire to make a difference.

• Luke (13:56): Discusses the rapid growth of their online presence and the common struggles faced by liberals in conservative-leaning areas.

The Messaging War between Left and Right (15:51 - 34:08)

Tim emphasizes the left's struggle to effectively communicate and entertain compared to the right: "We're bad at that. And we want to describe policies, and, like, that's important, but, like, we're losing hearts and minds" [08:30].

Zach elaborates on the simplicity and effectiveness of right-wing messaging, noting, "An easy story is just inherently more entertaining. And that's why the right is doing so well with this stuff" [19:18]. The hosts discuss the necessity of adopting more engaging and relatable communication strategies to counteract the right's dominance in media.

The Continuing Resolution (CR) Debate (38:05 - 67:29)

A significant portion of the episode delves into the recent passing of a continuing resolution (CR) to keep the government open, which saw bipartisan support but left many on the left dissatisfied.

• Luke (43:46): Criticizes the Democratic leadership for capitulating, stating, "If we had shut down government and then Trump is the last guy standing... we'll just have to say, this is Trump" [43:46].

• Rich (44:24): Voices frustration over Democratic inaction and lack of commitment, saying, "If you say you're going to do something, do it" [44:24].

• Zach (45:10): Argues that the CR was a strategic misstep, giving Republicans ammunition to attack Democrats for perceived weakness: "You are handing them a huge arsenal of negative shit to say" [20:30].

• Chris (50:40): Warns that the CR undermines Congress's authority, conceding that it allows the President more power over governmental agencies: "This continuing resolution puts it in writing that they're going to relinquish more of their power to the presidency" [50:40].

• Tim (56:51): Highlights the negative impacts of the shutdown based on his government experience and criticizes Schumer and Democratic leadership for lacking strategy: "If you're explaining, you're losing" [56:51].

The Importance of Representation and Connecting with Audiences (34:08 - 47:43)

Tim underscores the need for Democrats to connect authentically with diverse demographics: "We don't all have to look the same, we don't all have to talk the same, but we have to be real" [34:08]. The hosts discuss the importance of not just policy wonks but relatable, authentic voices that can engage disaffected voters.

Future Directions and Conclusion (61:29 - 68:34)

As the episode wraps up, the hosts share personal milestones and future plans:

• Vic (64:11): Announces his impending fatherhood, highlighting their commitment to building a better future for the next generation.

• Luke (67:29): Reiterates the need to present a united, authentic front to challenge Republican policies and leadership.

Tim concludes by inviting listeners to engage with them on Substack and other platforms, emphasizing community building and ongoing dialogue.

Notable Quotes

• Zach [01:01]: "Right wing media is killing us because they're killing us because of, at least in my mind, perceived authenticity."

• Vic [05:16]: "We do not all look and sound like I do as an east coast person. And that’s a really important, important thing to bring front center."

• Rich [13:09]: "I watched Democracy die November 6th. Like, I watched it from a laundromat, and I was like, well, this is trash."

• Zach [19:18]: "An easy story is just inherently more entertaining. And that's why the right is doing so well with this stuff."

• Chris [50:40]: "This continuing resolution puts it in writing that they're going to relinquish more of their power to the presidency."

• Luke [43:46]: "We could have played this better and won a political fight. Absolutely."

• Rich [44:24]: "If you say you're going to do something, do it."

• Zach [45:10]: "You are handing them a huge arsenal of negative shit to say."

• Tim [34:08]: "We don’t all have to look the same, we don’t all have to talk the same, but we have to be real."

• Vic [64:11]: "I'm about to be a girl dad. I'm going to be bringing a baby girl into Trump's America."

Key Takeaways

1. Authenticity Matters: The hosts emphasize the need for genuine, unfiltered dialogue within left-wing media to engage and mobilize disenfranchised male voters.

2. Strategic Communication: They critique the Democratic Party's failure to adopt effective messaging strategies that resonate with broader audiences, contrasting it with the right's success in simplifying and entertaining political narratives.

3. Leadership and Decision-Making: The episode highlights frustrations with Democratic leadership's perceived lack of strategic decision-making, particularly in the handling of the recent CR, which they argue has undermined Democratic positions and empowered Republicans.

4. Community Building: The podcast aims to foster a community of diverse Democrats who are willing to engage in honest conversations, share personal stories, and strategize for future elections.

5. Future Challenges: The hosts acknowledge the daunting political landscape under Trump’s second term and express determination to create impactful dialogue and strategies to influence the upcoming elections positively.

Conclusion

The first episode of The Find Out Podcast successfully introduces its mission to provide a platform for authentic, left-leaning men to discuss and strategize around the pressing political issues of the day. Through personal anecdotes, strategic critiques, and a call for genuine engagement, the hosts lay the groundwork for a podcast aimed at reclaiming the narrative and fostering a united progressive front.