Podcast Summary: Best of the Glenn Beck Program | Guest: Marissa Streit | 8/18/25

Date: August 18, 2025
Host: Glenn Beck
Guests: Stu, Jason, Marissa Streit (CEO of PragerU)
Podcast Network: Blaze Podcast Network

Overview

This episode of The Glenn Beck Program delivers a blend of political analysis and cultural commentary, focusing primarily on the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict, the rebranding of MSNBC, and an in-depth conversation with PragerU CEO Marissa Streit. The discussion threads together themes of media trust, education reform, and the ideological battle over how American history and values are taught to children.

Key Topics & Discussion Points

1. Ukraine-Russia Conflict & Potential Peace Deal

Timestamps: 02:49 - 14:30

• Opening Thoughts on Putin

  • Glenn Beck clarifies his stance as anti-Putin, outlining Putin as a "dictator," "bloodthirsty," and "killer," while emphasizing the importance of never underestimating him (“Is a rattlesnake a good pet? ... As long as you never forget it's a rattlesnake.” - Glenn Beck, 03:44).

• Putin’s Motives & Buffer Zones

  • Jason discusses Putin’s desire for a buffer between Russia and Ukraine, now potentially satisfied with occupied land but not the full expanse he originally wanted.
  • "Putin is willing to go those extra few steps, but he's not a cartoon character. So what you can always expect from Vladimir Putin is he is willing to do the things to ensure the safety of his country." - Jason (05:05).

• Negotiation Prospects

  • The group weighs whether both Russia and Ukraine could accept a compromise: Russia keeps its currently occupied areas (providing a “buffer zone”), Ukraine gains security guarantees (potential Article 5-level protection), but does not concede further territory.
  • “Nobody is going to get everything that they want.” – Glenn Beck (09:24).

• Polls & Ukrainian Public Opinion

  • Stu discusses a poll that shows Ukrainians reject conceding more land, but the nuances play into how much territory might be negotiable (07:25).
  • Key sticking points remain in Russia’s broader land demands vs. Ukraine’s unwillingness to lose cities not yet occupied.

• Role of Trump & International Negotiations

  • Discussion turns to Trump’s involvement and messaging around Article 5-type guarantees, speculating on what has or hasn’t been agreed upon by Putin.
  • “If he can get Russia to accept [Article 5], that’s enormous. Enormous.” – Glenn Beck (12:04).

• Potential Media Backlash

  • Glenn predicts Trump will be called both “Hitler and Neville Chamberlain at the same time” if he brokers a deal involving territorial concessions and peace (14:23).

2. MSNBC Rebrands as "Ms. Now"

Timestamps: 16:48 - 28:58

• Background on the Name Change

  • Stu introduces MSNBC’s planned rebrand to “Ms. Now,” playing on the loss of association with Microsoft but keeping the “Ms.” for familiarity.
  • “They're spinning them off. So NBC is spinning off MSNBC into its own separate company.” – Stu (18:06).

• Reactions & Satire

  • The hosts lampoon the decision, joking about the logic of the new acronym and comparing it to negative associations (multiple sclerosis, “Miz now”).
  • “Only people think of multiple sclerosis. Nobody thinks of Microsoft.” – Glenn Beck (22:47).
  • “They’re trying to obviously bridge that gap… but it sounds like something I would design for them to either make fun of them or just to be... It’s a guaranteed, flaming, just ball of death as it hits the ground.” – Glenn Beck (23:20).

• Media Industry Critique

  • The conversation evolves into broader criticism of the mainstream media, with the rebrand framed as both a symptom of institutional decline and a marketing disaster.

3. PragerU, Edutainment, & Educational Battles

Timestamps: 29:00 - 44:16

• PragerU Compared to PBS

  • Glenn welcomes Marissa Streit and addresses recent media labeling of PragerU as “the new PBS.”
  • Streit counters: “We won't take a dollar from the government. That's in our mission.” (29:52)
  • Glenn: “Doesn't that automatically disqualify you from being PBS?” (29:57)

• 250th Anniversary Initiative & "Edutainment"

  • Streit outlines PragerU’s plan to mark America’s 250th anniversary with content for learners aged 4 to 104, celebrating the country’s founding principles through entertainment.
  • “America has never been perfect, but it's the greatest country on God's green earth.” – Marissa Streit (31:00).

• Teaching Real History & Criticism

  • Glenn stresses PragerU’s approach isn’t whitewashing history, citing their forthcoming video on slavery.
  • Streit describes media watch-dogging over their Christopher Columbus video, defending the pedagogical method of historically contextualized character perspectives (33:08).

• Teacher Literacy, Civics, & The "Prism Test"

  • Discussion on state-level efforts (e.g., Oklahoma’s superintendent) to safeguard against "woke indoctrination" by using a new basic knowledge test for teachers arriving from out-of-state (especially CA/NY).
  • “You cannot be a teacher if you don't know these things.” – Glenn Beck, regarding basic knowledge questions (38:08-38:38).

• Broader State of American Education

  • Both speakers voice concerns about Marxist influence in teacher education colleges – “The problem is the Marxism that they're being taught.” – Marissa Streit (40:16).

• PragerU Global: Hungary, UK, & Exported “Woke” Ideas

  • Streit discusses consulting overseas partners in Hungary, the UK, and Canada to help promote "edutainment" and resist negative trends exported from the U.S., particularly concerns over U.S.-funded gender-ideology programs.
  • “We've been bribing other countries to do the wrong thing—to sexualize their children.” – Marissa Streit (41:53).

• Update on Dennis Prager

  • Streit shares that Dennis Prager is recovering from a severe spinal injury, continues to work, and has completed another book (43:13).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Glenn Beck on Negotiating with Putin:
  “Is a rattlesnake a good pet? ... The minute you start treating it as a pet, like a puppy dog, you're dead. So is Putin somebody you can negotiate with? Yes, as long as you always remember he's Vladimir Putin.” (03:44)

• On Article 5 Security Guarantees:
  “If he can get Russia to accept that. That's enormous. Enormous.” (12:04-12:08)

• Satire of MSNBC’s Rebranding:
  “Only people think of multiple sclerosis. Nobody thinks of Microsoft. ... The only thing you'd rather. They'd rather have you think of a debilitating disease ... than Microsoft.” – Glenn Beck (22:47-23:03)

• PragerU’s Approach to History:
  "We're not avoiding the bad stuff. We're doing something today on slavery." – Glenn Beck (32:47)

• On the Prism Test & Common Sense in Teaching:
  “I like to call it the prison test because, frankly, I think teachers should go to prison if you can't pass this.” – Marissa Streit (35:07)
  “You cannot be a teacher if you don't know these things.” – Glenn Beck (38:08)

• Exporting Woke Ideology Abroad:
  “We've been bribing other countries to do the wrong thing—to sexualize their children.” – Marissa Streit (41:53)

Segment Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |-------------------------------------------|----------------| | Opening: Theme & Headlines | 00:00 – 02:49 | | Ukraine/Russia Discussion | 02:49 – 14:30 | | MSNBC Rebranding Segment | 16:48 – 28:58 | | PragerU/PBS Comparison & Edutainment | 29:00 – 44:16 |

Tone & Style

• Upbeat, irreverent, and combative.
• Satirical commentary mixed with earnest debate.
• Frequent use of humor and metaphor (e.g., “rattlesnake as Putin,” “opera with a nose as the protagonist”).

For New Listeners

This episode offers insight into the Glenn Beck show's trademark style: sharp political analysis with a conservative perspective, punctuated by playful banter, cultural satire, and vigorous advocacy for traditional values in media and education. It features reactions to evolving world politics, media industry trends, and a substantive look at the stakes within America’s ongoing educational and ideological debates.