The Glenn Beck Program – Best of the Program | Guest: Ryan Mauro | 1/9/26

Podcast: The Glenn Beck Program
Date: January 9, 2026
Host: Glenn Beck
Guest: Ryan Mauro, Counterterrorism Expert, Director at The Mauro Institute
Other Voices: Jason, Ricky (Executive Producer), Callers (Clint, Jen)

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode centers on a critical analysis of contemporary American activism, extremism, and the intersection of political rhetoric with grassroots mobilization. Glenn Beck and guest Ryan Mauro dig into a controversial police-protester shooting in Minneapolis, examining the activist group Minnesota ICE Watch and alleging its radical, even violent, ambitions. The show broadens to discuss geopolitical upheaval (Iran, Venezuela, China), economic trends, and the need for civic courage, with a distinct focus on Beck’s campaign to “empower” listeners through information and principled action.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Examining Minnesota ICE Watch & the Minneapolis Shooting (03:19–15:47)

• Incident Overview:
  Beck describes the shooting of activist Renee Nicole Good by a federal agent, challenging media portrayals of Good as a benign “observer.”

  • "You don’t block roads with your car if you’re an observer… That’s insanity and we all know it." — Glenn Beck [14:44]

• Ryan Mauro's Research:

  • Mauro, after pulling an all-nighter, reports on Minnesota ICE Watch, stating it is "openly radical"—not simply about immigrant rights, but "eliminating America," encouraging assaults on police and adherence to anti-nationalist ideology.
  • "It’s actually about doing things like eliminating America and setting cops’ cars on fire...they do not recognize the United States as a legitimate country." — Ryan Mauro [05:55]
  • Mauro cites group social media posts that promote violent action and “community defense centers,” which he argues are code for neighborhood insurgency.

• ‘Turtle Island’ Ideology:

  • The group refers to the U.S. as “Turtle Island,” echoing a fringe left-wing narrative calling for the U.S. to be replaced with Indigenous-named land. Mauro underscores the revolutionary undertone:
    • "When they start talking about 'liberating Turtle Island,'...that’s how you build an insurgency." — Ryan Mauro [07:38]

• Alignment with Government Rhetoric:
  The hosts connect Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s “hold the line on democracy” rhetoric to the language of militant groups, suggesting mainstream politicians are, knowingly or not, fueling revolutionary movements.

  • "He is empowering and activating a neighborhood Revolutionary Guard… This is a group that is telling you how to protect your neighborhood from these evil police." — Glenn Beck [08:21]

• Definitions of Extremism:

  • Mauro reads the FBI definition of domestic terrorism and asserts ICE Watch meets this standard.
    • "Ideologically motivated violence that is criminal in nature...that fits the definition." — Ryan Mauro [12:36]

• Media Critique:
  Glenn and Ryan criticize mainstream media for whitewashing the activist’s background, arguing for rapid, independent fact-finding to counter narratives.

  • "It’s important we react rapidly with the truth...so people understand what’s really going on." — Ryan Mauro [14:09]

2. Building Alternative Media, Research, and Empowerment (15:47–25:13)

• Strengthening Independent Research:
  Beck highlights new initiatives, including expanded partnerships with research experts like Mauro, to deliver rapid, unfiltered analysis on urgent topics.

  • "We don’t have time to wait…when we find it, we give it to you right away." — Glenn Beck [15:47]

• Supporting Research & Charity:
  Beck commits to tithing 10% of company revenue to charity/researchers like Mauro, and calls on listeners to do the same.

• Podcast Mission Update:
  Beck announces that his show’s tagline now includes “empowerment,” reflecting a new emphasis.

  • "The fusion of entertainment and enlightenment and empowerment." — Glenn Beck [24:42]

3. Geopolitical Flashpoints: Iran & Venezuela (25:13–41:58)

Iranian Uprising (25:13–33:20)

• Reporting from Iran:
  Jason describes massive protests, dramatic moments of defiance, and crackdown indicators (Internet/phone service shutoffs).
  • "I saw a woman, probably 75 to 80 years old…her mouth was pouring blood…but she was still marching." — Jason [25:29]
• Regime Crisis:
  Discussion of government officials’ flight plans, the Shah’s influence on protest slogans, and speculation about regime collapse or brutal suppression.
  • "By Monday we could see a free Iran, or...are we going to protect the people from slaughter?" — Glenn Beck [33:20]
• Russian Involvement:
  Beck warns about Russian calculation, demographic decline, and their alliance with Iran’s mullahs.
  • "Somebody miscalculates and the whole world’s set on fire. And that’s what we have to pray doesn’t happen right now." — Glenn Beck [31:53]

China, Venezuela, and Economic Leverage (34:38–41:58)

• Foreign Influence in America:
  Caller Clint and Beck discuss Chinese purchase of U.S. farmland and the need for both state and federal action to curb such investments.
• Strategic Importance of Venezuela:
  Beck explains why the U.S. must act both domestically and internationally:
  • Disrupting Venezuela cripples China’s oil supply, undermines funding for anti-Western movements, and blocks BRICS efforts to create a gold-backed currency.
  • "If you can shut down Venezuela...you are crippling China...It takes about 70% of all oil from Venezuela and uses it." — Glenn Beck [37:43]

4. Economic Context & Civic Courage (21:37–43:42)

• GDP and Recovery Analysis:
  Beck discusses U.S. economic growth, tracing historical comparisons, and linking economic momentum to political opportunities for the coming election cycle.
• Land Ownership Crisis:
  Caller Jen voices struggles to buy farmland as foreign investors and corporations price out average Americans. Beck connects this to national sovereignty and calls for courage among state leaders.
• Personal Call to Courage:
  Beck offers a philosophical reflection on courage, invoking faith and duty over the pursuit of comfort or success.
  • "Courage is just doing the next right thing, because you know, no matter what happens to you, it’s going to be okay." — Glenn Beck [44:03]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Activism and 'Observation':
  "You don't park your car across the road to block it if you're just an observer. That's insanity and we all know it." — Glenn Beck [14:44]

• On Extremist Tactics:
  "You go to their social media page and it doesn’t take much work...to find instructions on how to assault police in order to free people." — Ryan Mauro [05:55]

• On Rhetorical Parallels:
  "He is empowering and activating a neighborhood Revolutionary Guard. That’s exactly what Ryan was just saying." — Glenn Beck [08:21]

• On the Need for Speed in Truth Telling:
  "If you're late with the facts at all, it doesn’t take long for things to cement in people’s minds at the moment." — Ryan Mauro [14:09]

• On Courage:
  "I was born to do what I am supposed to do...I wasn’t born to be successful, to have all the money...I was born to live, to live a good life, to learn…When you start looking at things that way, courage changes." — Glenn Beck [44:03]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:19–15:47: Deep Dive: Minnesota ICE Watch, Renee Nicole Good, and domestic extremism
• 15:47–25:13: Beck's new research/empowerment initiatives; podcast mission
• 25:13–33:20: Iran protests, regime collapse, Russia’s strategic calculations
• 34:38–41:58: Callers on foreign land ownership, Venezuela/China strategy
• 41:58–end: Philosophical segment on courage, political leadership, and personal mission

Tone & Style

The episode maintains Glenn Beck’s signature blend of urgent concern, sharp skepticism toward mainstream narratives, and a motivational call to individual action. There are moments of humor, personal reflection, and open appeals to the audience's sense of civic duty.

For listeners seeking a nuanced overview of grassroots radicalism, international crises, and the importance of information-driven civic engagement, this episode delivers both pointed analysis and a rallying cry for involvement and courage.