Real Answers and Real Drinks: SKILLET (John Cooper) | YES or NO

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Real Answers and Real Drinks: SKILLET (John Cooper) | YES or NO"

Episode Release Date: March 23, 2025

Introduction

In this engaging episode of The Michael Knowles Show, host Michael Knowles welcomes John Cooper, the charismatic lead singer of the Christian rock band Skillet. The episode revolves around a spirited game of "Yes or No," where both hosts take turns answering a series of yes-or-no questions. The competitive twist adds an entertaining dynamic, with points awarded based on accurate guesses and humorous consequences involving drinks. Beyond the game, the conversation delves into topics ranging from the rockstar lifestyle, parenting philosophies, to the intersection of faith and fame.

Game Mechanics and Opening Banter

The episode kicks off with Michael explaining the rules of "Yes or No," emphasizing the spontaneity and unpredictability of the questions. John Cooper humorously remarks on the intensity of the show, setting a playful tone.

[00:00] Michael Knowles: "Does the stereotype rockstar lifestyle apply to Christian bands?"

[00:06] John Cooper: "Well, it shouldn't."

John surprises Michael with thoughtful gifts—a Skillet vinyl record and his own book, "Wimpy, Weak and Woke. How Truth Can Save America From Utopian Destruction." This gesture not only underscores their camaraderie but also serves as a catalyst for deeper discussions.

Discussing the Rockstar Lifestyle in Christian Bands

A significant portion of the conversation centers on whether the stereotypical rockstar lifestyle aligns with Christian bands like Skillet. John candidly shares his experiences and challenges within the music industry, expressing concerns over authenticity and moral integrity.

[16:01] Michael Knowles: "So since I have this hot toddy here. Are we gonna spill some tea? What's going on?"

[16:08] John Cooper: "I think that what you're dealing with is the same thing as this. Everybody does stupid stuff. And a lot of people present that they present as something that they are not."

John reflects on his initial naivety in the music scene, highlighting the pitfalls of fame and the temptation to conform to pre-existing stereotypes. He emphasizes the importance of surrounding oneself with genuine individuals rather than succumbing to peer pressure or deceptive influences.

Parenting Philosophies and Their Impact

The discussion shifts to parenting, where Michael posits that strict parenting can lead children to covet what they are denied. Both hosts explore the balance between discipline and freedom, advocating for a measured approach that fosters responsibility without stifling independence.

[07:45] Michael Knowles: "Certainly woo. Because of the word can. It's not always like it can."

John concurs, sharing personal anecdotes from his upbringing and observations from friends who faced challenges due to overly restrictive environments. They advocate for a parenting style that offers "a little jujitsu," allowing children some autonomy while maintaining boundaries.

The Sitar Collaboration Debate

In one of the playful segments, Michael suggests a sitar collaboration for Skillet's next album, referencing Metallica's use of the instrument. John humorously engages with the idea, illustrating the lighthearted yet competitive nature of their game.

[10:23] Michael Knowles: "Does Skillet need a sitar collaboration for the next album?"

[10:31] John Cooper: "Okay, I see what we're going."

Their banter underscores the show's blend of serious topics with humorous interludes, keeping the audience entertained while addressing substantive issues.

Navigating Fame and Personal Integrity

The conversation delves deeper into the challenges of maintaining personal integrity amidst fame. John articulates his disillusionment with the music industry's moral compromises, drawing parallels to political spheres and the pervasive influence of the "deep state."

[17:00] Michael Knowles: "I've talked to members of the federal legislature who have told me something like half of the members of Congress are sleeping with staff or lobbyists or whatever."

[17:29] John Cooper: "Pride's gonna get you no matter who you are in the end."

They discuss the inherent temptations that come with power and visibility, highlighting the universal struggle against pride and sin, as taught by St. Augustine.

Final Rounds and Closing Remarks

As the game progresses, both hosts engage in rapid-fire questioning, showcasing their quick thinking and rapport. John ultimately emerges as the winner, leading to a lighthearted apology from Michael and a concluding promotion for Skillet's latest album, "Revolution."

[33:44] John Cooper: "That's pretty good. I do want to apologize for the foul language of Perpascade."

[34:03] John Cooper: "Thanks for having me. Great to be with."

Conclusion

This episode of The Michael Knowles Show masterfully combines competitive gameplay with insightful discussions on fame, integrity, and personal values. John Cooper's candid reflections provide listeners with a nuanced perspective on balancing a successful career with unwavering faith and authenticity. The playful yet profound exchange ensures that both fans of Skillet and regular listeners find value and entertainment in this engaging dialogue.

Transcript

[Michael Knowles]

Does the stereotype rockstar lifestyle apply to Christian bands?

[John Cooper]

Well, it shouldn't.

[Michael Knowles]

We gonna spill some tea? What's going on? Hello and welcome to yes or no. The bibulous battle to discover who knows whom better. My guest today is John Cooper, lead singer of the band Skillet. How do we play? I will ask John a yes or no question. He will select his answer away from my prying eyes. Then I will guess how he answered. If I guess correctly, I get a point. If I guess incorrectly, I lose a point. No matter how I guess, I will probably drink. Then it is John's turn. Neither of us has seen the questions beforehand. The questions cover various and sundry topics. From the philosophical to the anatomical and everything in between. Whoever has the most points wins. The stakes could be higher. Also, Skillet's new album Revolution is out. Now let's get started. John, thank you for coming on this very intense show.

[John Cooper]

It is intense. You've already said three words. I don't know what they mean. But we're gonna fight this out of your way.

[Michael Knowles]

Don't worry.

[John Cooper]

Biblios.

[Michael Knowles]

Something like that.

[John Cooper]

Yeah. You made that one up.

[Michael Knowles]

Spanish for library, I think.

[John Cooper]

Oh, good, good. It's good to be here with you.

[Michael Knowles]

Wonderful to have you. You are having a soft drink?

[John Cooper]

Yes, Dr. Pepper.

[Michael Knowles]

I am having. That is America's drink. I am having a hot toddy because I have whatever bubonic plague has hit Nashville.

[John Cooper]

Yes.

[Michael Knowles]

So this is going to. It might weaken my sharpness, but it might fortify me as well. Are you ready to play?

[John Cooper]

I'm ready to play. But I did bring you a gift. Is it okay if I give you a gift before we get started?

[Michael Knowles]

It is always okay to give.

[John Cooper]

Okay, I'm gonna do it here. I'm buttering you up so that I can beat you real bad. First of all, I gotta give you this sweet Skillet. Vinyl.

[Michael Knowles]

This is sick.

[John Cooper]

It is sick.

[Michael Knowles]

Every time I acquire vinyl, I feel about 14% cooler than I did before.

[John Cooper]

You should because you don't listen to proper music. Now listen, the second thing I brought for you is my book.

[Michael Knowles]

Cuz I don't read proper books.

[John Cooper]

Because you don't read proper books.

[Michael Knowles]

Wimpy, Weak and Woke. How Truth Can Save America From Utopian Destruction.

[John Cooper]

Yes. Now the main reason I'm giving to you is because I want you to read the inscription I wrote to you there. But you gotta read it out loud. You gotta read it out loud for.

[Michael Knowles]

The cameras here to Michael. Keep up the good work. And remember, remember some women with purple hair like your show. That's from Corey. John Cooper. Wow.

[John Cooper]

Yes. So people want. They might not know why that's funny, but it's funny because if you show the back of the album, you will see my wife with her purple hair. And she wants you to quit being mean about women with purple hair.

[Michael Knowles]

That's true. And your drummer.

[John Cooper]

My drummer is the hugest Michael Knowles fan of the crew.

[Michael Knowles]

She has great taste.

[John Cooper]

She does that.

[Michael Knowles]

But her hair also is.

[John Cooper]

It's slightly purple.

[Michael Knowles]

It's a little. Yeah, there's a hint to it.

[John Cooper]

Yeah. So I've been instructed from them on behalf of purple haired women everywhere who love God, love reason, love America, and some even like you.

[Michael Knowles]

I've been instructed a small subset.

[John Cooper]

Now we're down to smoke you like a Mayflower cigar.

[Michael Knowles]

Wow. That.

[John Cooper]

That's from my wife.

[Michael Knowles]

To smoke me delightfully.

[John Cooper]

Delightfully. Like a potent yet refined Mayflower cigar.

[Michael Knowles]

I am buttered up.

[John Cooper]

All right.

[Michael Knowles]

Okay, here we go. There's a wager.

[John Cooper]

Okay.

[Michael Knowles]

Have you heard that? I'm told there's a wager.

[John Cooper]

I'm ready for whatever wager you want.

[Michael Knowles]

The wager I have been instructed to propose by my producers is that whoever loses has to do a 30 second ad for the other's product. So for you, look, that could be the music, that could be the vinyl, it could be the book. For me, it could be the Mayflower cigars. It could. Let's make it the Mayflower cigar set. I guess it could be the show.

[John Cooper]

Okay, you're in. I'm in.

[Michael Knowles]

All right. Was Donald TRUMP A better McDonald's employee than you?

[John Cooper]

It's getting intense.

[Michael Knowles]

No.

[John Cooper]

Yeah. No.

[Michael Knowles]

No. Why?

[John Cooper]

It's easy to be a good employee when you only work for 15 minutes. You haven't been there long enough to screw up yet.

[Michael Knowles]

Yeah.

[John Cooper]

You know what I mean. He smiled at everybody. He dressed good when he did it.

[Michael Knowles]

He batted a thousand. The customers loved him. It looked like he did the fries, right? Yes. Were you a good McDonald's employee?

[John Cooper]

I think that I was a good McDonald's employee for three. Three and a half years, yeah.

[Michael Knowles]

Great.

[John Cooper]

So, you know. But yeah, you're gonna do some things wrong. You're gonna burn some things. You're gonna yell at a few people. I yelled at a. At a customer only a couple of times, but she just drove me nuts. You want to hear the story or not? Really? She literally comes up at the front desk. They always have me working front because I'm a nice guy. But she comes up and I said, I'm John Gotta take your order. She's like, are you listening? It was an old one. Are you listening? And I said, yes, ma'am.

[Michael Knowles]

Wait, this is in the drive thru, or this is, like, to your face, front desk.

[John Cooper]

To my face. Are you listening? And I said, yes, ma'am. And she said, because every time I come, I say what I want, and they ask me questions, I. And I don't want questions. And I said, yes, ma'am, I'm listening. She's like, I want a Quarter Pounder with mustard and pickle only. And right then, I could see what was happening. But see, a Quarter Pounder is actually comes with cheese, right?

[Michael Knowles]

Is it a Quarter Pounder with cheese?

[John Cooper]

And I don't know what she. It was almost like I was playing a yes or no game with her.

[Michael Knowles]

I know she was testing you.

[John Cooper]

And I thought, I'm gonna have to ask her so I don't screw this up. And I said, all right, now, did you want cheese? And she's like, oh, my God. She's like, slapping the. And she went nuts. And so anyway, long story short, we got the order, gave it to her, and she's opening it. She's opening it at the front counter to make sure it's right. And it was correct. Mustard and pickle. And by the way, she did not want cheese. That's why she always has it messed up.

[Michael Knowles]

What kind of a psycho orders a hamburger in the late 20th, early 21st centuries just without any cheese?

[John Cooper]

Without cheese?

[Michael Knowles]

Who does that?

[John Cooper]

I don't know.

[Michael Knowles]

I've never even heard of that.

[John Cooper]

Well, Ben Shapiro may. Actually, that's a good point. Don't you know your own friends?

[Michael Knowles]

You're right. I didn't realize this woman was Jewish.

[John Cooper]

She's such a bad person.

[Michael Knowles]

She wanted a kosher McDonald's burger.

[John Cooper]

And Purple hair people are good, too.

[Michael Knowles]

Now listen.

[John Cooper]

So she opens it up, and then she's like, you call that mustard and pickle? There wasn't enough. And so I got so mad, I went to the back and I grabbed the huge thing of pickles and the huge thing of mustard, and I brought him to the front, and I looked straight. I was like, tell me when to stop. And I was just squirting. And all these women behind her were laughing so hard, it made it worse because they were laughing at her.

[Michael Knowles]

Yeah.

[John Cooper]

Donald Trump did not do that. No, he's a better employee than me.

[Michael Knowles]

He is. He had curated customers, to be fair, but fair enough. You're up.

[John Cooper]

All right. Do you think that strict parenting can cause kids to love what they can't have. Strict parenting can cause kids to love what they can't have. Okay, so in other words, I'm not letting them do certain things. And now they want to do those certain things.

[Michael Knowles]

Certainly woo. Because of the word can. It's not always like it can. I had friends, like, in college, you know, raised a very strict environment. Me, I had my first cigar at 15. My mother would. I was Italian. I could have a glass of wine at Christmas. So I was six years old, probably. And I never really got that into being, like, blackout drunk or I never went to the hospital or anything for drink. But I had friends in college who did a bunch of them. And I noticed a lot of them came from very strict households where they were told, you can't, you can't, you can't. And so they go crazy when they're free. And so that doesn't mean you want a permissive parent either. What you want is you want a little jujitsu. You want it to seem like you want to grasp loosely, you know? So the kid, he's got a little wiggle room, but then if he steps out too far, smack it down a little.

[John Cooper]

A gentle slap.

[Michael Knowles]

Yes.

[John Cooper]

Reminds me of a. So everything reminds me of a song, and that tells you to hold on loosely. Yes, but don't let go.

[Michael Knowles]

Yeah.

[John Cooper]

You know who that is that I.

[Michael Knowles]

Well, I thought you just said.

[John Cooper]

No, no, that's a real song. Who is it?

[Michael Knowles]

I'm gonna say this is part of.

[John Cooper]

My new drinking game.

[Michael Knowles]

Is it Gustav Mahler? No, it's not.

[John Cooper]

Is that a real bass?

[Michael Knowles]

Is it Stravinsky? I don't. Yeah, hold on.

[John Cooper]

You need that vinyl I gave you? You really need it. All right, that's 38 special.

[Michael Knowles]

Okay. My next guess was gonna be Cardi B. So. Okay, it's 38 special. Okay.

[John Cooper]

All right.

[Michael Knowles]

That's fair. Okay. Yeah, no, that's right. You gotta hold on loosely.

[John Cooper]

Hold on loosely.

[Michael Knowles]

But don't let go.

[John Cooper]

Don't let go.

[Michael Knowles]

Okay, there is a video prompt here. Watch this video first.

[John Cooper]

Do we. Do we have to. Do we have to watch?

[Michael Knowles]

Can we get it again? Can we get more sitar?

[John Cooper]

How have you made a living doing this?

[Michael Knowles]

Oh, that.

[John Cooper]

Making people watch that?

[Michael Knowles]

That's my day job.

[John Cooper]

That's your day job?

[Michael Knowles]

This is just my hobby. Okay, so this is for no points, I'm told. Can you name that song?

[John Cooper]

Can I name that song?

[Michael Knowles]

Yeah. No, the Inner Light by the Beatles.

[John Cooper]

Is it Okay, I was about to say it definitely reminds me of the 60s. Beatles stuff.

[Michael Knowles]

That was my George Harrison phase.

[John Cooper]

Okay, well, that's okay. I mean, you gotta love the Beatles.

[Michael Knowles]

Okay, now, this is for the real point.

[John Cooper]

All right, Hit me.

[Michael Knowles]

So now you gotta answer.

[John Cooper]

All right.

[Michael Knowles]

Does Skillet need a sitar collaboration for the next album?

[John Cooper]

Okay, I see what we're going.

[Michael Knowles]

You gotta give your honest answer here.

[John Cooper]

My honest answer?

[Michael Knowles]

I mean, I already know the answer.

[John Cooper]

I'm feeling the pressure.

[Michael Knowles]

You already know the answer. And the answer is, obviously, yes, I will do it.

[John Cooper]

That is my answer. Yes. But there's a good reason.

[Michael Knowles]

Yeah. Why?

[John Cooper]

There's a good reason. Because Metallica had a sitar at the beginning of. What's the song called?

[Michael Knowles]

I think it's Wap.

[John Cooper]

Yes. Yeah. Ben Shapiro needs to now do a version of Metallica's all of a Sudden. I Can't think of. Is it Wherever I May Roam is the one with the sitar, right?

[Michael Knowles]

Yeah, it could be. Yeah. Inigata de Vita. Yeah.

[John Cooper]

What is it?

[Michael Knowles]

I think it's Inigata de Vita, right? Is it?

[John Cooper]

No, it's not. It's not. That's Iron Butterfly. But I was willing to sing it.

[Michael Knowles]

I was totally willing to sacrifice a point. Just for the gag.

[John Cooper]

Just for the gag.

[Michael Knowles]

But you said it, John. You tell me when I will be in the studio. I will get my sitar. My kid, I think, maybe broke my sitar recently. I'll get it fixed. I will pay for it myself and charge Daily Wire. And I will be in that studio whenever you need it.

[John Cooper]

All right. This isn't even fun for people to watch so far. Cause we're so in line together.

[Michael Knowles]

We're so close, we can almost finish each other's sandwich.

[John Cooper]

Yes, we can. That is. That is Wherever I May Roam. Metallica, which is a great song today. See, everything is a song.

[Michael Knowles]

You could play the sitar.

[John Cooper]

Yeah.

[Michael Knowles]

You could play the sith.

[John Cooper]

No, that looked like. That didn't look real.

[Michael Knowles]

You know the secret, actually. Sitar. To play it 75% to what you imagine sitar to be is actually extremely easy. The hardest thing is to hold it, actually. Cause you're only fretting, like one or two strings. The rest are drone or sympathetic or whatever. Now, if you want to be Ravi Shankar, that's a little. I'm not quite there yet.

[John Cooper]

Right.

[Michael Knowles]

But it's not that hard. That's why George Harrison could pick it up with a bunch of hippies in the 60s.

[John Cooper]

Right. All right.

[Michael Knowles]

All right, you're up.

[John Cooper]

All right, you ready?

[Michael Knowles]

Yes.

[John Cooper]

Oh, a video prompt. Watch this video, Michael.

[Michael Knowles]

Okay.

[John Cooper]

Oh, that's this is the meanest show I've ever been on.

[Michael Knowles]

Wow.

[John Cooper]

I've been treated so bad. I came in here. Michael looked directly at me and said, oh, when are you going to do hair and makeup?

[Michael Knowles]

Yeah, no, I just.

[John Cooper]

That's literally what you said after they.

[Michael Knowles]

Because I wanted you to look like that. Now is that Boy George? Who are we looking at here?

[John Cooper]

That actually is Carrie with blonde hair. Right. It kind of does look like Jim Carrey, doesn't it?

[Michael Knowles]

What year would that have been?

[John Cooper]

That is the year 2000.

[Michael Knowles]

The year 2000.

[John Cooper]

Remember that show?

[Michael Knowles]

A lot of things happen. Look, if we avoided Y2K and all we got was bleach tips. That's fine. That's okay. So what's the question?

[John Cooper]

I can't believe you're playing. They did that. I'm never coming back to the show again.

[Michael Knowles]

I might not come back either.

[John Cooper]

There you go. Since fashion comes in cycles, will this look make a comeback?

[Michael Knowles]

Yeah, I'm sorry to say. But that will come back. Because right now, actually it's gonna come back soon. Because I remember when I was a kid, the 70s were back and that was a little while ago. Now the 90s are back. Just the cut of trousers, everything. 90s are hip and cool again. Which means we are less than 10 years away. We are from your hair looking like that again.

[John Cooper]

Everything in fact, on the Super Bowl. Kendrick Lamar.

[Michael Knowles]

Yeah, yeah.

[John Cooper]

You see his flared jeans. 70s and 90s, actually. Because Genco jeans were really big at the end of the 90s.

[Michael Knowles]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[John Cooper]

And so everything comes back.

[Michael Knowles]

It's coming back.

[John Cooper]

Everything has been done. That's from a book called Ecclesiastes. That's all from everything. Nothing new. It's all coming back. People will do stupid stuff again. Even though I'm not saying that my hair was stupid.

[Michael Knowles]

No, it wasn't stupid.

[John Cooper]

No, no, it was. But I wasn't saying that.

[Michael Knowles]

Eat, Drink and be merry is also from Ecclesiastes.

[John Cooper]

Tomorrow we die.

[Michael Knowles]

You know I will tease you. No longer. My best selling game, yes or no. Which is exclusively available at the daily wire shop. It is expanding again. We've already got the conspiracy edition. We've already got the philosophy and politics edition. Well now we have the beautiful Valentine special Yes or no dating and relationships expansion pack available for pre order. Test your relationships and how well you know those around you by exploring such topics as stay at home, girlfriends are just modern day concubines, fur babies are replacing children, contraception is gay. Pre order yours now to be the first in line to get Your dating and relationships expansion pack. Dailywire.com shop today.

[John Cooper]

I feel like that's gonna save marriages.

[Michael Knowles]

I agree.

[John Cooper]

I really do.

[Michael Knowles]

Even in the pre order. Even in the pre. It's already. Does the stereotype rockstar lifestyle apply to Christian ban?

[John Cooper]

It's getting serious, bud.

[Michael Knowles]

No. Really? Nah, man. I hate losing that point. But no, it. No, it really.

[John Cooper]

Well, it shouldn't.

[Michael Knowles]

Yeah.

[John Cooper]

But unfortunately it does.

[Michael Knowles]

So since I have this hot toddy here. Are we gonna spill some tea? What's going on?

[John Cooper]

I don't know if I should. Let me call my manager.

[Michael Knowles]

How? Cause I, you know, rock star lifestyle. You think like Led Zeppelin, you know, doing speedballs with like 500 groupies, burning guitars and stuff, crashing hotel rooms.

[John Cooper]

Yeah. I mean, I think that what you're dealing with is the same thing as this. Everybody does stupid stuff. And a lot of people present that they present as something that they are not. Whether it's hypocrisy or whether it was just a game or whether they fell into sin, whatever may happen, lapse in judgment. And unfortunately, I was naive when I first got into the scene. I just thought, everybody's gonna be totally like minded and it's gonna be whatever. And then you get into it and then you're like, oh my gosh, I think he's hitting on my wife.

[Michael Knowles]

Yeah.

[John Cooper]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure he's hitting on my wife. Same thing in politics. I don't know if you know that if you've been around once or twice, seen a few. I honestly haven't been that much around the whole political world. But in the last few years, I have been. And I'm like, you mean the same guy that keeps talking about God and country is here? And I'm fine. This kind of seems like a grift to me. And this is just about making money. And so, you know, some of that stuff is really disheartening. So I'm sad to say the answer is yes.

[Michael Knowles]

I've talked to members of the federal legislature who have told me something like half of the members of Congress are sleeping with staff or lobbyists or whatever. And I actually had this thought the other day. I was at a political event and it's really nice. You go to an event, it's all these people who really like you, and they come up and they're really. And they want to talk to you and take pictures. And I thought, you know, this is funny. I am in the most niche, kind of circumscribed, fringe version of that kind of a culture. Now imagine you're Mick Jagger. How on Earth Norm MacDonald made this point? He said, you know, people are saying Tiger woods is unfaithful to his wife. But statistically speaking, he said an average guy has about five chances in his life to cheat on his wife. Tiger woods has about 500 chances every 15 minutes to cheat on his wife. So Norm's point was, statistically, Tiger woods is the most faithful husband in the history of marriage. Much more faithful than any normal married person. And so I could see it. Cause you know, you're a Christian band, hopefully that puts some limits on like your fans and stuff. But you're still a rock star, right? You're still a rock star. That's a crazy lifestyle power dynamic, you know, and all of the Temptations probably attend to that.

[John Cooper]

Yeah, pride is gonna. Pride's gonna get you no matter who you are in the end. Cause we all have a bent towards that. As you know as well as anybody, St. Augustine taught us this. We have a bent towards sin. We are wanting to do sin. And if we are not ordering our lives properly, ordering our loves properly, we will give in to that sin. And so I think some of the naivety, for me, it was difficult. I mean, I might sound really stupid to some people, but I really was that naive. I just thought, we're all going to be in this together. I want to ask you this and you tell me if you agree.

[Michael Knowles]

Yeah, yeah.

[John Cooper]

Whether you're talking about politics, your friends, whatever, business, music business. I would much rather be with people that are not like minded and know that they're being real with me. In other words, I would rather be with the bands that I know. They probably would sleep with my wife. And I know that about them. And they're not pretending.

[Michael Knowles]

Yeah, yeah, right.

[John Cooper]

And we can be kind of like friends. I like that a lot more than the wolf in sheep's clothes.

[Michael Knowles]

Totally.

[John Cooper]

So I don't like the subversive. I can't stand it.

[Michael Knowles]

Because you know what you're dealing with there.

[John Cooper]

You gotta know what you're dealing with. And I really can't stand that.

[Michael Knowles]

Yeah, yeah, that's a great point.

[John Cooper]

And I think that's why a lot. I think then when 16 happened, 2016, I think that's why a lot of people were kind of like, I don't know why, but I kind of like the Trump thing. I don't know why, but something about it is refreshing.

[Michael Knowles]

Like, okay, there's no artifice.

[John Cooper]

Yeah, I don't really like that he said that, but I kind of like that he's willing to say, yeah, yeah.

[Michael Knowles]

I know that he believes it.

[John Cooper]

It kind of blows your mind, but you're kind of sick of it. I don't like pretense, because that's the thing.

[Michael Knowles]

All the guys who speak in nicer ways than Trump or whatever, virtually all of them think what Trump thinks would do worse than anything Trump is talking about doing. He's just kind of being open about it.

[John Cooper]

Yes.

[Michael Knowles]

Yeah, that's a good point.

[John Cooper]

Yeah. I can't stand that when Obama would talk about things like being united and then he'd say something, but, you know, we can't be united till all those racist white people are, blah, blah, blah.

[Michael Knowles]

Bitter clinging, bitter, clinging, clinging.

[John Cooper]

And you're like, oh, my gosh. That's like. That's like the most divisive thing I saw. And so I think people don't like that. I think we're turning a tide when people are beginning to be okay with saying what they think again. And I particularly like that. I don't mind being with people that don't like my religion and don't like me and, oh, that's cool. We can still be friends. At least I know where you're standing.

[Michael Knowles]

That's right. That's right.

[John Cooper]

That's rock and roll, buddy.

[Michael Knowles]

As we celebrate the victory of our 47th president, there is no better way than to introduce the 4547 Patriot Edition American Whiskey. Produced by the team at Wise Spirits right here in our hometown of Nashville. Their masterfully handcrafted American whiskey pays homage to the very essence of our great nation, celebrating its rich history and vibrant culture. Each batch is carefully selected from the finest barrels, with each drop representing a testament to precision. And this whiskey is made by patriots for patriots, embodying the spirit of the American dream. I know my whiskey, okay? And so I was very, very pleased I got this bottle. I said, oh, good, let me give it a try. And it was kind of early in the morning. I said, I'll just give it just a little taste, just to try it. I said, oh, I quite like that. Oh, yes, wonderful. That's great. And I say to my producer, Ben Davies, I say, hey, you know, you can give this a try if you want. And then the bottle disappeared. Just disappeared. Gone. Not by 8 in the morning, but it was gone by, I don't know, a few days later. So where's my whiskey? So anyway, now we have another bottle. That's great experience for yourself. The 45, 47 Patriot Edition whiskey, where every sip tells a Powerful story of heritage, craftsmanship, indomitable pride. Here is to freedom, to tradition, The Spirit of America. 4547 Patriot Edition American Whiskey. Crafted with honor, inspired by courage, crafted by wise Spirits. Nashville, Tennessee. Please drink responsibly. 4547 Premium American Whiskey, 46% Alcohol by volume Copyright 2025 Wide Spirits Incorporated, Nashville, Tennessee. You must be 21 years old or older.

[John Cooper]

Is the earth around 10,000 years old? I'm nervous.

[Michael Knowles]

You guessed correct.

[John Cooper]

Oh, I'm so happy.

[Michael Knowles]

I don't think because of 6,000. No, I'm joking. I don't know how old the Earth is. I'm not like some devotee of some particular branch of evolution or something like that. But I'm open to the possibility. If a geologist tells me the Earth is, I don't know, a bazillion years old, it doesn't really affect my faith. I don't think that's incongruent with the faith or contradictory in any way. However, I guess the caveat on that is I do think that the literal biblical account, certainly of the age of humanity is the most accurate hermeneutic for understanding history.

[John Cooper]

Right.

[Michael Knowles]

How's that for couching my answer? But I think it's an important rejoinder to.

[John Cooper]

I thought it was a beautiful couching of your answer, and I couldn't agree more, but I did not know that you thought that.

[Michael Knowles]

What do you think? 10,000 years?

[John Cooper]

No, no, I agree with your answer.

[Michael Knowles]

Yeah.

[John Cooper]

OK. Is that safe?

[Michael Knowles]

That is safe. That's safe. I think that's fair.

[John Cooper]

I am completely on your side. I do subscribe to a young earth philosophy, but mainly what I subscribe to is, like we said, I do believe in a literal Genesis account. I don't believe that these seven days were billions of years. But if I get into heaven and I find out you were really wrong about that, I'd be like, okay, it doesn't affect you.

[Michael Knowles]

Yeah, exactly.

[John Cooper]

If there was for sure, for sure, for sure, people would be like, yeah, there's lots of stuff we don't understand.

[Michael Knowles]

I also get a kick out.

[John Cooper]

I'm happy with that.

[Michael Knowles]

Sometimes the libs will say, like, you're a Christian, huh? You probably don't even believe in the Big Bang. It's like, well, you know, the Big Bang was posited by a Catholic priest named Father George Lemaitre. And actually at the time, it was derided by atheists as being too biblical because it was creation out of nothing, you know? So. Okay, all right. Well, that's good. And Then I don't lose a point.

[John Cooper]

I'm at Drake.

[Michael Knowles]

You should drink to that, Chin Saint. You need to catch up. That way you can be as loose as I am with that Dr. Pepper.

[John Cooper]

You gotta drink Dr. Pepper while you can. In case RFK changes the high fructose cornstarch.

[Michael Knowles]

I know. Yeah, but Diet Dr. Pepper is good too, is the problem.

[John Cooper]

It is good, but it's one of the things I've liked least about Trump. One of his statements when he's like, I told Bobby, leave the liquid gold, but go nuts on everything he should have said, but not the corn fruit.

[Michael Knowles]

Yours. Well, the liquid gold.

[John Cooper]

Leave this. I need to have the option to have my soda.

[Michael Knowles]

Yeah, yeah.

[John Cooper]

Libertarian when it comes to soda.

[Michael Knowles]

When he said liquid gold, I think he was referring to oil, natural gas, and Diet Coke. So hopefully Kennedy leaves the.

[John Cooper]

Oh, good. So we can be postmodern in the way we see those things. We're changing words.

[Michael Knowles]

We're changing. I bet that is literally what Trump.

[John Cooper]

I bet is, where's the ding so we can ding so people know to go buy your book.

[Michael Knowles]

That's true. Speechless. That's the name of speech.

[John Cooper]

That's right.

[Michael Knowles]

The score, I'm sorry, to report, is one point to me, three points to John.

[John Cooper]

But anything can change.

[Michael Knowles]

Anything can change anything. So rapid fire, I am going to read to you within the span of 30 seconds, three prompts.

[John Cooper]

Okay, so no chit chat.

[Michael Knowles]

We're going fast.

[John Cooper]

All right.

[Michael Knowles]

Tattoos are a sin.

[John Cooper]

Okay.

[Michael Knowles]

I'm gonna have to assume the answer is no.

[John Cooper]

No. Ok. No. Okay.

[Michael Knowles]

Is it more likely that. Is it more likely that we did not go to the moon? I'm gonna say that you will answer no.

[John Cooper]

No. No.

[Michael Knowles]

Okay, good. That was good. That was a technical win, I think, right? Is nicotine better? You're gonna answer no. Ah, darn. Do you have a little pouch in right now?

[John Cooper]

I don't.

[Michael Knowles]

All right, so I got what I got. Two out of three. That doesn't quite take me up though, to beating you. Okay, you're up.

[John Cooper]

Okay. Are you ready?

[Michael Knowles]

I'm ready.

[John Cooper]

Is Nickelback a good band?

[Michael Knowles]

Ha ha. Obviously they're a huge best selling fan.

[John Cooper]

Oh, my God.

[Michael Knowles]

Not saying. It's like, you know, Beethoven.

[John Cooper]

I love Nickelback.

[Michael Knowles]

All right, we'll get more to that later. Hold on.

[John Cooper]

Were the pyramids built pre flood?

[Michael Knowles]

Yes.

[John Cooper]

Should women be in rock bands with purple hair?

[Michael Knowles]

Only the ones that listen to my show.

[John Cooper]

That's it. That's it. That's a good caveat.

[Michael Knowles]

So he's still beating me okay. Now, I believe this is the final round. This is worth a billion points each, I think.

[John Cooper]

A billion?

[Michael Knowles]

Not quite, but it's worth slightly more than the ordinary.

[John Cooper]

Okay.

[Michael Knowles]

Final question. We're going to answer at the same time. So the way this will work, I'll say the prompt. We will each put down our answer, then we will guess how the other person would answer. Will we get more information on the Trump assassination attempt? I think you will say, yes. You got mine Correct. I got yours. Incorrect.

[John Cooper]

Oh, I'm so happy. This is the happiest I've been in a long time. You need to understand.

[Michael Knowles]

That could have been the game right there. I thought, because you're feeling really good about everything in this administration and shaking things up and we can say what we think and all I thought you would think that Trump is going to get to the bottom of that now that he's in charge. I just think that the deep state is really good at not digging too far into things.

[John Cooper]

I agree with that. I absolutely agree with that. And I know that you're a cynic, and so I knew.

[Michael Knowles]

Just a realist. I say a realist.

[John Cooper]

I feel the same way. But I guess that means that I'm cynical about that as well.

[Michael Knowles]

Yeah. I don't think we're gonna get it. I don't think we're gonna get it. Okay.

[John Cooper]

No, the deep state is too. It's too real. It's too deep.

[Michael Knowles]

This is my last chance.

[John Cooper]

Is it safer to ride along with Skillet on tour than with Professor Jacob in his Camaro?

[Michael Knowles]

My producers are asking if I want to fill you in on the lore.

[John Cooper]

I don't need.

[Michael Knowles]

I don't. Yeah.

[John Cooper]

I don't want this is.

[Michael Knowles]

I answered yes.

[John Cooper]

I answered no. I don't want no.

[Michael Knowles]

Ah. So I can't give up with this game. It means that I'm gonna lose the game. But now that you've answered, I can fill you in.

[John Cooper]

Fill me in.

[Michael Knowles]

I have this associate producer who has crashed, like, five Camaros in the last. Is he on the. Oh, there he is. He's right there. There he is right on the couch. He's crashed, like, five Camaros in the last six months. This guy can't even look at a Camaro without it exploding. So I figure no matter how bad the bus is on the Skillet Tour, it can't possibly be worse than my associate producer with an American muscle car.

[John Cooper]

Well, that's a good explanation.

[Michael Knowles]

Yeah.

[John Cooper]

And to be fair, we haven't had any crazy things happen. It's Just that statistically we should. It's been 20, 27 years. And we're going to keep going. The amount of time we're driving means statistically it should be that way. Because even if he should have his license revoked and he should have a.

[Michael Knowles]

License, but because he's like 12 years old. You're right. Just the time scale, is it 27 years.

[John Cooper]

Next year will actually be our 30th year anniversary for Skillet, which is absolutely crazy.

[Michael Knowles]

That is crazy.

[John Cooper]

You can't tell because I went to hair and makeup before.

[Michael Knowles]

You're actually 75 years old.

[John Cooper]

No one knows that.

[Michael Knowles]

No one understands.

[John Cooper]

This is this Christian band thing. When you don't do drugs and you're not drinking heavy and all this, you just stay looking young.

[Michael Knowles]

Wow. And the nicotine, baby. Wow. Okay, I got destroyed.

[John Cooper]

And if my daughter was here, you know what she would say? She would say, ooh, you ate him for breakfast. You see how it's a punym? But she started this new thing when they say, oh, I ate it. And what they mean is, like, I did real good. It's like a new young person thing or something. I don't even know what it means. She's like, oh, I ate it. Didn't leave no crumbs. Or something like that.

[Michael Knowles]

Here's the thing also, when you're the progeny of, like, a rock star, you get that kind of poetry in your head, you know?

[John Cooper]

Eight.

[Michael Knowles]

Eight and the six, maybe.

[John Cooper]

So I don't even know what's going on with that.

[Michael Knowles]

Skillet's new album, Revolution, which I had until someone stole it from me. It's out now. It's available on all music platforms and vinyl. Check out this tease for all that Matters from their new album, Revolution.

[C]

So just leave the kids alone. Better not break into this home. Cause where I come from, we always stand as one where we belong. We won't ever cost you everything when you're at war. Three straight things I die for. My pains. My family. My freedom. That's what I can make it. I've gotta fight for what I believe in. Believe it. Love, Loyalty. A place fatality in the sand of remedies. Everything. My face, My family. My freedoms. All that matters to me.

[Michael Knowles]

The thief brought my album back. Yes, we bullied them into it. Okay, I'm gonna do the ad now. Start the clock, please. You must listen to Skillet. And there are all sorts of reasons, John, you know? Sure, whatever. He knows how to play a trivia game. It's fine. But the reason that you have to listen to Skillet is because the drummers and wives of Skillet have the very, very best taste, not only in music, not only in popular culture, but in podcasts. And so people with that kind of perspicacity, that kind of precision of judgment, must be musical geniuses. And you could greatly benefit from listening to all. All of their music, especially the new album, Revolution. How's that?

[John Cooper]

That's pretty good. I do want to apologize for the foul language of Perpascade.

[Michael Knowles]

That was untoward of me. It was Portuguese, though, so hopefully the audience didn't understand it. John, it takes a really big, handsome man to admit when he was beaten. You played a great game. Thank you for coming on.

[John Cooper]

Thanks for having me. Great to be with.