Podcast: This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von
Episode: #635 – Sen. Bernie Sanders
Date: January 21, 2026
Episode Overview
In this wide-ranging and candid conversation, Theo Von welcomes Senator Bernie Sanders back to the podcast for an in-depth discussion about the current state of American society and politics. Major themes include the struggles of working-class Americans, the ongoing healthcare debates, the outsized influence of billionaires and corporate interests in politics, the threats and opportunities posed by artificial intelligence, and the importance of civic engagement and reform. The tone is earnest, at times humorous, and deeply motivated by a desire for justice and common-sense reform.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Memorable Opening – Music and Human Connection
[01:12–03:06]
- The episode opens with casual conversation about Leonard Cohen and the Youth Choir of New York City, segueing into a reminder of the importance of community and shared cultural experience.
2. Nurses’ Strikes and the State of American Healthcare
[03:06–10:58]
- Theo and Sanders bond over their family connections to nursing and their solidarity with striking New York nurses.
- Sanders passionately describes the collapse of healthcare staffing, especially for nurses, citing personal anecdotes of nurses breaking down in his office.
- “They're the backbone of the healthcare system, and I love them.” (Bernie, [04:24])
- They discuss the motivations for nurse strikes—primarily the demand for safe staffing ratios, not just pay.
- Criticism of hospital CEOs’ massive salaries while nurses struggle, with Sanders and Theo naming names.
- “Brendan Carr...Brian Donnelly...Philip O. Ozuah...Stephen Corwin...” (Theo, [05:50])
- Sanders supports Medicare for All and asserts it could be implemented without additional costs, critiquing the profit motives of insurance/drug companies.
- “We could do that without spending, to your point, not a nickel more than we're currently spending.” (Bernie, [10:58])
3. Root Causes: Corruption, Campaign Finance & Systemic Barriers
[10:58–16:09]
- Sanders attributes the failure to enact universal healthcare to a corrupt campaign finance system where billionaires and corporations (like insurance companies and AIPAC) control elections and policy through Super PACs and dark money.
- “That's what Citizens United said. Obviously that undermines democracy—because it allows billionaires the right to buy elections.” (Bernie, [15:49])
- Discussion of the bipartisan nature of this corruption, with both Republicans and Democrats “cuddling up to moneyed interests.”
4. Wealth Inequality & The Myth of Mobility
[17:00–20:37]
- Sanders highlights dire statistics: 60% of Americans live paycheck-to-paycheck, and the top 1% own more wealth than the bottom 93%.
- “One man, Mr. Musk...owning more wealth than the bottom 52% of American households.” (Bernie, [18:05])
- Debate about whether billionaires “deserve” their riches and what responsibilities they owe society.
5. Oligarchy, Corporate Power & Movements for Change
[19:56–25:10]
- Sanders speaks about his recent tour with AOC, seeing discontent with oligarchy even in conservative areas.
- “People...are not happy about a situation in which so few people, I mean really, a handful of people have such enormous political and economic power.” (Bernie, [20:13])
- Cites the rise of Zoran Mamdani as New York mayor, showing that grassroots efforts with massive volunteerism can defeat entrenched big-money interests.
6. Hope, Pessimism, and the Path Forward
[24:02–26:23]
- Sanders offers hope through examples of successful grassroots campaigns and young progressive politicians.
- Expresses grave concern over the growing power of authoritarianism—referencing Trump, his billionaire allies, and the erosion of democratic norms.
- “Then I'm looking at...Trump and his inauguration, and I'm seeing these billionaires. Then I'm thinking, this is the government of the billionaires, by the billionaires, for the billionaires.” (Bernie, [27:09])
7. The Impact and Risks of Artificial Intelligence
[38:10–50:44]
- Sanders raises deep concerns about data centers, automation, and the very real possibility that AI and robotics, owned by a small group of billionaires, will eliminate tens of millions of jobs.
- Notable Quotes:
- “AI and robots will replace all jobs. Working will be optional.” (Elon Musk, quoted by Bernie, [41:13])
- “Bill Gates...‘Humans won't be needed for most things’.” (quoted by Bernie, [41:13])
- “Let’s talk about what are the implications of AI and robotics?” (Bernie, [41:10])
- Notable Quotes:
- Theo questions the psychological and societal fallout: “Do we just end up working for these companies that are paying us this UBI? What's the psychological effects of it?” ([43:03])
- Sanders calls for a moratorium on data centers for environmental/community reasons and to force deliberation on AI’s impact.
- “Congress is in no way prepared to deal with this...nobody been thinking about how to respond to this extraordinary, monumental change that's hitting America.” (Bernie, [44:10])
- Raises long-term dangers: AI outperforming and superseding humans, social/emotional consequences of AI relationships, and “deepfakes” in politics.
8. Farmers’ Fraud, Military-Industrial Complex, and Accountability
[21:51–23:22]; [58:04–59:19]
- Sanders condemns all forms of fraud, whether from welfare programs or defense contractors, and highlights the scale of military-industrial abuse as a far bigger drain on the system than welfare fraud.
9. Disillusionment, Vigilante Journalism, and Public Cynicism
[56:18–59:19]
- Theo highlights the rise of vigilante journalism and the loss of faith in government to handle fraud or injustice.
- Sanders agrees that systemic fraud exists everywhere but argues for contextualization: most government programs (e.g., Social Security) work effectively.
10. Foreign Policy: Israel, Gaza, and U.S. Complicity
[63:29–69:32]
- Sanders offers a forceful condemnation of the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza, calling Netanyahu a war criminal and criticizing U.S. support:
- “Israel did not have the right to go to war against the entire Palestinian people...” (Bernie, [64:51])
- “A lot of the impetus for those changes in Congress came from young people...” (Bernie, [65:37])
- Exposes the role of AIPAC and campaign finance in perpetuating U.S. subservience to Israeli interests.
- Connects U.S. support for authoritarian allies (Saudi Arabia, bin Salman) to the broader problem of “Trumpism” and indistinguishable elite corruption.
11. Immigration, ICE Raids, and Authoritarian Drift
[70:44–75:38]
- Sanders supports strong borders and comprehensive reform but criticizes ICE’s expansion into a “domestic military operation” and a tool of intimidation under Trump.
- “Trump is using ICE for now...it's a domestic military operation, and it's part of this intimidation.” (Bernie, [73:33])
- Theo and Sanders discuss the dangers of seeing everything online—cell phones, viral images, and the changing landscape of activism and accountability.
12. Closing Reflections—Civic Engagement & the Epstein Files
[75:53–77:40]
- Sanders calls for the full release of Epstein files, connecting the issue to broader elite impunity.
- “It is a two-tiered system. You get punished. Your average person, you’re a billionaire—you could do horrible, disgusting things. Hey, no problem.” (Bernie, [77:10])
- Final emphasis on the need for honest conversations and public participation.
- “Having serious discussion about serious issues is exactly what the country needs right now.” (Bernie, [77:56])
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “They're the backbone of the healthcare system, and I love them.” – Bernie Sanders [04:24]
- “If you're a nurse on duty, and you have too many patients to take care of, you can't do your job.” – Bernie Sanders [06:32]
- “If your goal is...how can we charge the highest prices in the world for prescription drugs...that’s a whole other scam.” – Bernie Sanders [12:03]
- “You got the top 1% doing phenomenally well, owning more wealth than the bottom 93%.” – Bernie Sanders [18:05]
- “Who is AI and Robotics going to work for? Does it work to improve human life, or does it work to make the billionaires even richer?” – Bernie Sanders [50:30]
- “Congress is in no way prepared to deal with this (AI revolution)...nobody been thinking about how to respond to this extraordinary, monumental change that’s hitting America.” – Bernie Sanders [44:10]
- “Then I'm looking at...Trump and his inauguration, and I'm seeing these billionaires. Then I'm thinking: this is the government of the billionaires, by the billionaires, for the billionaires.” – Bernie Sanders [27:09]
- “I would say New York City is a pretty good example of what happens when people come together.” – Bernie Sanders [25:10]
- “(On Israel/Gaza) Not another bloody nickel to the Netanyahu government.” – Bernie Sanders [66:23]
- “You know, I'm learning as I go.” – Theo Von [77:52]
Important Timestamps
- 01:12–03:06 – Opening banter, music, and human connection
- 03:06–10:58 – Nurse strikes; the state of American healthcare
- 10:58–16:09 – Campaign finance, Citizens United, and systemic corruption
- 17:00–20:37 – Wealth inequality and billionaires
- 19:56–25:10 – Rising political movements, hope versus cynicism
- 38:10–50:44 – Deep dive on AI, robotics, and tech billionaires
- 56:18–59:19 – Vigilante journalism and systemic fraud
- 63:29–69:32 – Israel/Gaza, influence of AIPAC, and American foreign policy
- 70:44–75:38 – Immigration, ICE, and the perils of authoritarianism
- 75:53–77:40 – Epstein files, elite accountability
- 77:40–78:10 – Closing encouragement for public discourse
Tonal Notes & Speaker Attribution
- The conversation’s tone is earnest, often brisk and exasperated on matters of justice, but laced with humor and self-deprecation, especially in Theo’s asides.
- Sanders is direct, clear, and unwavering in his focus on systemic inequity; Theo acts as both curious interviewer and stand-in for the average American, skeptical but open-minded.
Conclusion
This episode is a passionate, detailed exploration of the urgent issues facing America today, from broken healthcare and economic injustice to the dangers of unchecked technological change and authoritarian creep. Sanders insists that hope must be found in grassroots mobilization, informed discourse, and relentless advocacy for working people. The dialogue encourages listeners to become educated, involved citizens, and to demand accountability—in politics, tech, and the economy—from those with the most power.