Podcast Summary: "If New York Falls, The Country Falls"

The Sage Steele Show, Episode 79 — October 29, 2025
Host: Sage Steele
Guest: Arynne Wexler (“Non Lib Take”)

Episode Overview

In this engaging and wide-ranging conversation, Sage Steele sits down with Arynne Wexler—known online as Non Libtake—to discuss her rise as a conservative commentator, the cultural and political transformation of America (with a special focus on New York City and the upcoming mayoral race), the dynamics within the conservative movement post-2024, Jewish political identity, personal authenticity in the social media age, and the importance of courage, faith, and humor in shaping public life. The episode’s title references Wexler’s warning: if New York City succumbs to far-left leadership, it signals deep trouble for the nation and Western civilization as a whole.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Arynne’s Origin Story as “Non Libtake”

[08:24–15:05]

• Wexler began posting politically on TikTok under a pseudonym while working in tech, aiming to keep her professional life and political activism separate.
• She describes herself as a “common sense patriot” more than conservative or Republican.
• Her first viral video appeared within three weeks, leading to significant attention, podcast invitations, and opportunities to appear in “real life” political spaces.
• With increasing censorship and fact-checking on platforms, she ultimately left her tech job to commit to political content full-time, transitioning from Non Libtake to using her real name to emphasize authenticity.
• Quote:

  "I wanted to mainstream that you could be urban, you could be a city conservative... You don't have to be on a homestead churning your own butter… Not everyone is supposed to look or sound the same." (B, 13:31)

2. Why So Many Jews Are Liberal—and Why Few Practice

[76:32–79:33]

• Steele asks why so many Jews lean left and so few are practicing; Wexler explains the difference between Jewish faith/culture vs. Christian, and why many secular Jews still identify as Jews.
• “Orthodox Jews overwhelmingly are right-wing… but unfortunately, most people are secular. In the Torah, God promises to make us numerous as the stars; I don’t take that literally, but as always being visible, represented.”
• Wexler ties the lack of religious engagement in Jewish American life to political alignment with left-leaning causes, yet observes a paradox: Jews as “the dumbest smart people on earth” (B, 76:32).

3. White Liberal Women & Cultural Shifts

[03:36–05:53]

• Both guests discuss the resulting cultural confusion when white liberal women assume the power to dictate sensibilities and social norms for all—often to the detriment of genuine diversity or inclusion.
• Wexler is especially critical:

  “Do I think liberal white women are more damaging than, like, Islamic terrorists? Probably, because they want the Islamic terrorists coming in to our countries and excusing them.” (B, 05:13)

• They joke about the rise of identity politics, body image issues, social media virtue signaling, and generational divides.

4. What’s Happening In/To New York? If Mamdani Wins — Stakes for America

[31:12–40:31]

• Wexler and Steele paint New York City as a bellwether:

  “If New York falls, America falls and the West falls.” (B, 32:36)

• They consider the risks if Zoran Mamdani, a left-wing candidate, becomes mayor:

  “Mamdani’s like the kid running for student body president who promises vending machines and no homework; people want that to be true, so they vote for you. Of course, you never actually make it happen.” (B, 41:18)

• Wexler thinks spiritual decay, luxury beliefs, and inertia among NYC’s upper class (who fail to mount a serious campaign against Mamdani) are as much to blame as radical politics.
• The pair discuss broader anxieties—crime, economic decline, and the influence of foreign (especially billionaire) money.

5. Personal Courage & Authenticity—Surviving Cancel Culture

[22:40–26:30]

• Wexler recounts standing out as a vocal conservative in NYC’s elite schools since youth, and the “mental calluses” she built working in high-pressure professions like trading.
• She argues the best defense against cancellation is total transparency: “the way to never be canceled is to just be open with who you are.” (B, 23:41)
• Memorable moment: Wexler’s stories of solo hiking in national parks, and the role of faith in weathering social isolation, public attacks, and online censorship.

6. The New Conservative Fracture: MAGA, Victimhood, Personality Wars

[37:20–66:02]

• Despite Trump’s return bringing some stability, Wexler and Steele paint a conservative movement fractured by personality cults (post-Charlie Kirk, Trump era), opportunism, and a growing victim mentality reminiscent of the far left.
• Wexler criticizes Megyn Kelly and other legacy voices for refusing to forcefully denounce misinformation, antisemitism, or conspiracy theories pushed by figures like Candace Owens and Tucker Carlson.

• “There's a lot of moral cowardice now in our movement under the guise of political bravery.” (B, 49:47)

• Calls for “spiritually healthy” leadership and caution against purity spirals and opportunism:

  “We’re becoming ideological purists, which is very spiritually leftist.” (B, 64:30)

7. Comedy and Levity as Weapons in Culture War

[80:27–83:45]

• Wexler recently began standup comedy as a way to circumvent censorship and connect with broader audiences via humor.
• She argues that laughter can facilitate agreement—sometimes unconsciously.

• “Comedy is the last bastion of free speech... The jesters could say what others couldn’t.” (B, 81:00)

8. Body Image, Social Media Authenticity, and Influencer Culture

[84:05–97:41]

• The two discuss pressures on women regarding beauty standards, plastic surgery, and authenticity—especially for the next generation growing up in the age of Instagram/TikTok and reality TV.
• Wexler champions “being yourself” out of practicality (“laziness” and hating makeup), but sees social media blowing up both artificial perfection and self-loathing.

• “Everyone’s thinking the same, looking the same... Do men actually think this looks good?" (B, 87:53)

9. Faith, Family, Identity & Dating

[97:42–106:59]

• Wexler, who is single and seeking a Jewish partner, discusses her strictness about faith-based compatibility and upbringing, as well as her thoughts on intermarriage and political difference in relationships.

• “If you have both religions, you have neither religion... The best gift a parent can give a kid is faith.” (B, 105:03)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On White Liberal Women:

  "White liberal women have gotten very good at telling all of us how we should and should not believe and think.” (A, 03:36)

• On Social Media Censorship:

  “The fact-checks I was getting, the slaps on the wrist from Meta—it was very severe… You had to be really careful.” (B, 11:16)

• On Surviving NYC as a Young Conservative Woman:

  “I never cared about being in the majority… I’ve always believed in God, and I only care about judgment from him.” (B, 26:24)

• On Why New York Matters:

  “New York City is an economic powerhouse. If New York falls, America falls, and the West falls.” (B, 32:36)

• On Conservative Fractures:

  “There's a lot of moral cowardice now in our movement under the guise of political bravery.” (B, 49:47)

• On Post-Trump/MAGA Movement:

  “We’re becoming ideological purists, which is very spiritually leftist—and that’s where a lot of this is coming from.” (B, 64:30)

• On Comedy and Truth-Telling:

  “Comedy is the last bastion of free speech.” (B, 81:00)

• On Political Strategy:

  “Feelings don't care about the facts. People feel how they want to feel and then find information to justify it.” (B, 71:48)

• On Being Herself:

  “I never did videos to have people think I’m pretty... I did it to say, ‘This is what I believe in.’” (B, 97:28)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:00–04:00 | Introduction & first laughs: Setting tone, banter on social mores
• 08:24–15:05 | Arynne’s content creator origin story; shift from tech to politics
• 22:40–26:30 | Growing up conservative, forging early courage, cancel culture defense
• 31:12–40:31 | New York mayoral race: Stakes for the city, the nation, and the West
• 49:47–55:00 | Critique of conservative movement, callout of Megyn Kelly’s silence
• 64:19–70:00 | What comes after Trump/Kirk? Problems of ‘one-man show’ leadership
• 80:27–83:45 | Comedy as a tool for truth and persuasion
• 84:05–97:41 | Real talk on authenticity, body image, influencer honesty for women
• 97:42–106:59 | Jewish dating, faith in the home, intermarriage, religious identity

Tone and Style

The conversation is candid, humorous, at times acerbic, and deeply personal—balancing grave political concerns with uplifting encouragement and zesty wit. Wexler’s humor (“Do I think liberal white women are more dangerous than Islamic terrorists? Probably…”) and unapologetic honesty keep the tone both refreshing and sharp. Steele’s genial, earnest questioning draws out Wexler’s personal stories and big-picture critiques, making for an episode that’s both enlightening and accessible.

Takeaways

• Authenticity, courage, and humor are essential to resisting both leftist orthodoxy and right-wing purity spirals.
• The fate of New York City is symbolically and materially consequential for the future of America.
• The conservative movement is at a crossroads, needing honest leaders who can unite without sacrificing integrity or succumbing to personality cults.
• Identity—religious, political, and personal—must be rooted in real conviction, not just external labels.
• Women (and everyone) benefit from letting go of artificial standards imposed by social media culture.

End of Summary