Podcast Summary: Unlearn16: Class is in Session

Episode: The One Where Bryan Andrews and I Change The World

Host: Unlearn16
Guest: Bryan Andrews (Singer, Activist)
Date: February 17, 2026

Overview

In this compelling episode, Unlearn16 welcomes Bryan Andrews, a country singer-songwriter and outspoken activist from rural Missouri. Together, they engage in a passionate, witty conversation about the intersection of art, politics, social change, and personal responsibility—particularly in small-town and working-class America. The pair dive into the power and responsibility of artists, the challenges of engaging with those with opposing worldviews, historical cycles of oppression, and the role of education and activism in shaping the future.

Key Discussion Points

1. Bryan’s Origin Story & Artistic Mission

• Bryan’s background: Small-town roots in Carrollton, Missouri, with a nontraditional journey from washing dishes to welding, to music, and finally, political activism (00:46).
• On becoming political: Stayed silent about politics until late 2024, then felt compelled to speak out due to increasing division and urgency:

  "It just became too loud for me to ignore … I'm trying to just make a difference, because history is going to be told and it's going to be told through art." (B, 01:55)

• Art’s revolutionary power: Both agree that art has always fueled social change and that authentic voices like Bryan’s are crucial:

  "When people talk about revolution, they talk about the songs, they talk about the art, they talk about the cultural shift, and that comes from individuals like you." (A, 02:35)

2. Politics, Identity, and “Unlearning” in Small Towns

• Bryan grew up left-leaning, influenced by his open-minded, union-household family, but had to consciously "unlearn" racism and close-minded beliefs common in rural spaces (04:03).
• On empathy and learning:

  "A child grows up with empathy in your heart for it doesn't matter." (B, 05:51)

• Education as transformation:

  "Education is elevation ... when you're faced with actual research and facts that prove you otherwise." (B, 06:47)

3. The Responsibility of Artists and Citizens

• Bryan’s approach: Reluctant to be overtly political as an emerging artist, but now sees the message as equally important as the music.

  "The message to me is just as important as the music ... it’s about both and the movement behind it all." (B, 09:13)

• Critique of “pandering” accusations:

  "I'm not pandering to the left. I'm talking directly to you. … The only reason you don't like it is because I'm finally holding up a mirror to you." (B, 10:04)

• Host’s stance: Keeping open conversations is vital, even with those who may never change:

  "There are very few people that I wouldn't sit across from … Because I think that's where important conversation lies." (A, 10:39)

4. The Obligation to Stay Informed and Act (Democratic Duty)

• Both hosts stress that passive ignorance is no excuse; democracy is active:

  "If you're choosing to remain ignorant, if you're choosing to remain stupid, that's on you." (A, 12:54) "We use our ignorance as a shield to bury our heads in the sand ... you're choosing to willfully not know things." (B, 15:21)

• Balancing privilege and responsibility:

  "If being left alone comes at the expense of someone else's oppression, then you're right. You don't get to be left alone." (B, 18:47)

• Historical context: Systems and documents originally designed centuries ago require critical updating and ongoing public accountability (19:16-21:10).

5. The Real Divide: Class vs. Party

• On class war: Bryan posits that division is more about class than left vs. right:

  "To me it's so much more a class war than it is right versus left." (B, 21:10)

• The two-party problem: Both parties corrupted by big money, lobbying, and entrenched power; “better than the alternative” is a low bar (B, 21:10–24:19).
• Systemic flaws and capitalism: Attempts to legislate fairness are stymied by pervasive influence of corporate money and post-capitalist realities (A, 23:38).

6. Capitalism Critique, Social Programs, and Political Manipulation

• Bryan on identity: "Democratic socialist" values—universal healthcare, fair taxation—benefit working-class families, yet are weaponized to stoke fear:

  "A billionaire shouldn't get to not pay any taxes while people that I know … have to pay 25% of their yearly salary." (B, 25:40)

• Trickle-down economics: Decades of failed policy continue out of fear-mongering (27:09).

7. Distrust, Democratic Short-termism, and Political Con Artists

• No long-term planning: Four-year terms, short-term wins over meaningful reform (A, 28:15-29:24).
• Distrust in government: Both sides, especially small towns, distrustful; Republicans excel at selling empty promises to the working class:

  "Donald Trump is the greatest con man to ever live." (B, 30:19)

Memorable Quote:

"If your entire faith only comes from a book that can be easily disproven … then your faith isn't strong at all." (B, 57:03)

• Trump’s performance: Called out for exposing hypocrisy, but never truly committed to change (A, 31:36)
• Populist manipulation: Trump's willingness to exploit, but unwillingness to act meaningfully (B, 32:16–34:44)

8. Social Responsibility and Speaking Up

• Personal responsibility: Bryan reflects on needing to speak up against racism, sexism, and other forms of bigotry, especially in his own circles:

  "Maybe we didn't make racists feel bad enough about themselves. … It is my responsibility." (B, 38:51) "It doesn't happen overnight … you have to have people around who say, hey, dude, that's racist." (B, 38:52)

• On projection and enabling abuse:

  "Nobody protected these women. Nobody listened to these women." (A, 40:57) "The truth is, it is our business." (B, 41:58)

• Critique of protest: Physical protest may not be the answer—instead, leverage one’s power and privilege to effect justice in everyday life (A, 42:37–44:14).

9. Non-Negotiables: Human Rights & Immigration

• On moral boundaries:

  "Human rights are a non f----ng negotiable." (B, 44:14) "If you morally don't believe in that, then it's your problem, not mine." (B, 45:19)

• Scapegoating and fear: People naturally blame outsiders when struggling; education and dialogue are critical:

  "We are always afraid of the things we don't know." (A, 46:54)

10. Systemic Racism, Education, and Media

• White male blindness: Bryan admits not learning about events like Emmett Till or systemic racism until adulthood, evidence of a system built for him (B, 47:46–50:08).
• Message to his critics:

  "No, dog, I’m talking directly to you." (B, 50:29)

• On education and long-term change:

  "You want to pour money into anything. Education." (A, 51:55)

11. Religion: Private Faith vs. Weaponized Policy

• Personal faith vs. politics: Both hosts lament the weaponization of Christianity by nationalists to justify exclusion and oppression.

  "True Christianity has been hijacked by these Christian nationalists and it will be the destruction of the Christian religion." (B, 55:19)

  • Bryan: "I cherry pick [the Bible] from my side because I understand that it’s probably not 100% correct … If your faith is only contingent on that book … then your faith isn’t strong at all." (B, 56:33)
• Historical context: "Under God" and "In God We Trust" were late additions to U.S. symbols, not inherent foundational principles (53:26).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the role of artists in revolution:

  "Revolution, they talk about the songs … and the cultural shift, and that comes from individuals like you." (A, 02:35)

• On the evolving left:

  "The older I get … the further left I get. Not in a radical sense, but … you’re faced with things that you already had a preconceived opinion about and you're faced with research and facts that prove you otherwise." (B, 05:52)

• On democracy:

  "Democracy isn't something where you just go off and sign a ballot once every four years. Democracy is an active process." (A, 12:54)

• On privilege and complicity:

  "If the price of your being left alone comes at the expense of someone else's oppression, then you're right. You don't get to be left alone." (B, 18:47)

• On Christianity and weaponization:

  "True Christianity, if Christianity has been hijacked by these Christian nationalists and it will be the destruction of the Christian religion." (B, 55:19) "Faith without works is dead." (B, 55:44) "If your entire faith only comes from a book that can be easily disproven... your faith isn't strong at all." (B, 57:03)

Timestamps of Notable Segments

• Bryan’s background & art as activism: 00:46–02:35
• On growing up left-leaning & unlearning: 04:03–07:13
• Why artists must speak up, despite backlash: 09:13–10:10
• Democracy and personal responsibility: 12:54–15:21
• Privilege and “being left alone”: 18:44–19:16
• Class war vs. party politics: 21:10–23:38
• Bryan on democratic socialism & solidarity: 25:40–27:28
• Political manipulation & Trump’s performance: 30:19–34:44
• On enabling abuse and the role of protest: 40:57–44:14
• Human rights as non-negotiable: 44:14–45:19
• Systemic racism and education failures: 47:46–51:55
• Faith and the danger of religious nationalism: 52:36–57:03

Conclusion & Where to Find Bryan Andrews

Bryan wraps up sharing his upcoming single "Are We Great Yet?" (to be released March 6) and encourages listeners to follow his music and activism via @bryanandrewsmusic on social platforms and streaming services.

Hosts’ closing thoughts:
Unlearn16 thanks Bryan for his courage, authenticity, and commitment to using his art to advance justice and real conversation, echoing their shared belief that individual action—creative, educational, or conversational—can change the world for the better.

For those who haven’t listened: This episode is an unfiltered, debate-filled, yet deeply authentic dialogue about holding power to account, the continuing need to “unlearn” cultural habits, and the transformative role of education and art in building a more just, empathetic society.