<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2455246/open_sms">Send us a text</a>Elon Musk is not just a billionaire tech mogul—he’s one of the most polarizing figures of our time. Some hail him as a genius innovator, while others view him as an erratic and dangerous figure who wields too much power. But to truly understand Musk, we need to start at the beginning.In this first episode of our five-part deep dive, we uncover:<ul><li>Musk’s childhood in South Africa – A life shaped by extreme privilege, emotional abuse, and relentless bullying.</li><li>His complex family dynamics – A domineering father, a resilient mother, and an early life of emotional isolation.</li><li>The psychological profile of a tech titan – Asperger’s, OCD, PTSD, and the compulsions that define his leadership.</li><li>His trauma and survival mechanisms – The roots of his emotional detachment, obsessive work habits, and relentless drive.</li><li>How childhood shaped his leadership style – From building homemade rockets to running billion-dollar companies, Musk has always thrived on Chaos.</li></ul>And as a special segment, The Blue Choir weighs in on a fun but revealing Hypothetical:Musk invites you out for drinks and offers to answer one question. What do you ask? The responses range from biting political jabs to hilariously expensive drink orders—exposing the deep skepticism surrounding Musk’s influence on business, democracy, and the future of America.Next Episode:Episode 14 – The Vision of Elon Musk: Savior or Supervillain?In Part Two of our series, we explore Musk’s grand vision—from Mars colonization to free speech absolutism. Is he truly building a better future, or is he just another billionaire playing god?<a rel="payment" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2455246/support">Support the show</a>Host: Bella Goode Bella is a former Republican turned democracy advocate raised by middle class parents in Pennsylvania. She is a graduate of Syracuse University and the University of Pennsylvania with a masters of business administration from Wharton and a Masters Degree in Positive Psychology. Career wise, Bella spent 20 years with American Express in New York and 20 years as an entrepreneur. She started and sold a fitness business that grew to 180 locations worldwide. Community : <ul> <li> Rate &amp; Review on Apple Podcasts – Your feedback helps us reach more people. <a href='https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/surviving-trump-with-democracy-on-life-support/id1798332346'>Click to review</a>.</li> <li> Follow on YouTube - subscribe <a href='https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnqfgOCfchOW1bXKix6R-QN0_LZ8wfu6x'>here:</a> </li> <li> Follow my blog on Substack <a href='https://survivingtrumppodcast.substack.com/'>https://survivingtrumppodcast.substack.com/</a> </li> <li> Join the conversation on Bluesky – Share thoughts, ask questions, engage with the community. Find me at <a href='https://bsky.app/profile/survivingtrump.bsky.social'>@survivingtrump.bsky.social</a> </li> <li> Share this episode – If you found this podcast valuable, send it to a friend and tag us on social media.</li> <li> Contact me at <a href='mailto:bellagoodepodcast@gmail.com'>bellagoodepodcast@gmail.com</a> with q...</li></ul>

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2455246/open_sms"&gt;Send us a text&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Elon Musk is not just a billionaire tech mogul—he’s one of the most polarizing figures of our time. Some hail him as a genius innovator, while others view him as an erratic and dangerous figure who wields too much power. But to truly understand Musk, we need to start at the beginning.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;In this first episode of our five-part deep dive, we uncover:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Musk’s childhood in South Africa – A life shaped by extreme privilege, emotional abuse, and relentless bullying.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;His complex family dynamics – A domineering father, a resilient mother, and an early life of emotional isolation.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;The psychological profile of a tech titan – Asperger’s, OCD, PTSD, and the compulsions that define his leadership.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;His trauma and survival mechanisms – The roots of his emotional detachment, obsessive work habits, and relentless drive.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;How childhood shaped his leadership style – From building homemade rockets to running billion-dollar companies, Musk has always thrived on Chaos.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;And as a special segment, The Blue Choir weighs in on a fun but revealing Hypothetical:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Musk invites you out for drinks and offers to answer one question. What do you ask? The responses range from biting political jabs to hilariously expensive drink orders—exposing the deep skepticism surrounding Musk’s influence on business, democracy, and the future of America.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Next Episode:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Episode 14 – The Vision of Elon Musk: Savior or Supervillain?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In Part Two of our series, we explore Musk’s grand vision—from Mars colonization to free speech absolutism. Is he truly building a better future, or is he just another billionaire playing god?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a rel="payment" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2455246/support"&gt;Support the show&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Host: Bella Goode&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Bella is a former Republican turned democracy advocate raised by middle class parents in Pennsylvania. She is a graduate of Syracuse University and the University of Pennsylvania with a masters of business administration from Wharton and a Masters Degree in Positive Psychology. &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Career wise, Bella spent 20 years with American Express in New York and 20 years as an entrepreneur. She started and sold a fitness business that grew to 180 locations worldwide.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Community :&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li&gt; &lt;b&gt;Rate &amp;amp; Review on Apple Podcasts&lt;/b&gt; – Your feedback helps us reach more people. &lt;a href='https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/surviving-trump-with-democracy-on-life-support/id1798332346'&gt;Click to review&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt; &lt;b&gt;Follow on YouTube&lt;/b&gt; - subscribe &lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnqfgOCfchOW1bXKix6R-QN0_LZ8wfu6x'&gt;here:&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt; &lt;b&gt;Follow my blog on Substack&lt;/b&gt; &lt;a href='https://survivingtrumppodcast.substack.com/'&gt;https://survivingtrumppodcast.substack.com/&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt; &lt;b&gt;Join the conversation on Bluesky –&lt;/b&gt; Share thoughts, ask questions, engage with the community. Find me at &lt;a href='https://bsky.app/profile/survivingtrump.bsky.social'&gt;@survivingtrump.bsky.social&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt; &lt;b&gt;Share this episode&lt;/b&gt; – If you found this podcast valuable, send it to a friend and tag us on social media.&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt; &lt;b&gt;Contact me at &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href='mailto:bellagoodepodcast@gmail.com'&gt;bellagoodepodcast@gmail.com&lt;/a&gt; with q...&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;</description>

Send us a text Elon Musk is not just a billionaire tech mogul—he’s one of the most polarizing figures of our time. Some hail him as a genius innovator, while others view him as an erratic and dangerous figure who wields too much power. But to truly understand Musk, we need to start at the beginning. In this first episode of our five-part deep dive, we uncover: Musk’s childhood in South Africa – A life shaped by extreme privilege, emotional abuse, and relentless bullying.His complex family dyn...

Episode 13: Elon Musk: Where it all began

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2455246/open_sms">Send us a text</a>Episode SummaryNew here? Just jumping around? You’re in the right place. In this quick guide, host Bella Goode breaks down how Surviving Trump is structured — and how to listen in a way that works for you.You don’t have to go in order. Every episode stands on its own, but together they reveal a much bigger picture:<ul><li>What’s happening to our government</li><li>Who’s driving the changes</li><li>How democracy is being reshaped from the inside out</li></ul>Bella walks through the full arc of the show — starting with what’s at stake, then diving into the major players, ideological blueprints, institutional breakdowns, and the real-world consequences playing out right now.Why It MattersUnderstanding what’s happening beyond legacy headlines gives you power — to think critically, push back effectively, and stay grounded in truth. This podcast helps you do that.Final WordYou can’t fight what you don’t understand. So start where it matters most to you, and keep listening. When the dots start connecting — share it. Because more people need to see what’s really going on.You don’t have to start at the beginning — just start. Every episode helps build a more complete picture of the crisis we’re living through… and what it will take to survive it.<a rel="payment" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2455246/support">Support the show</a>Host: Bella Goode Bella is a former Republican turned democracy advocate raised by middle class parents in Pennsylvania. She is a graduate of Syracuse University and the University of Pennsylvania with a masters of business administration from Wharton and a Masters Degree in Positive Psychology. Career wise, Bella spent 20 years with American Express in New York and 20 years as an entrepreneur. She started and sold a fitness business that grew to 180 locations worldwide. Community : <ul> <li> Rate &amp; Review on Apple Podcasts – Your feedback helps us reach more people. <a href='https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/surviving-trump-with-democracy-on-life-support/id1798332346'>Click to review</a>.</li> <li> Follow on YouTube - subscribe <a href='https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnqfgOCfchOW1bXKix6R-QN0_LZ8wfu6x'>here:</a> </li> <li> Follow my blog on Substack <a href='https://survivingtrumppodcast.substack.com/'>https://survivingtrumppodcast.substack.com/</a> </li> <li> Join the conversation on Bluesky – Share thoughts, ask questions, engage with the community. Find me at <a href='https://bsky.app/profile/survivingtrump.bsky.social'>@survivingtrump.bsky.social</a> </li> <li> Share this episode – If you found this podcast valuable, send it to a friend and tag us on social media.</li> <li> Contact me at <a href='mailto:bellagoodepodcast@gmail.com'>bellagoodepodcast@gmail.com</a> with q...</li></ul>

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2455246/open_sms"&gt;Send us a text&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Episode Summary&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;New here? Just jumping around? You’re in the right place.&lt;br/&gt;In this quick guide, host Bella Goode breaks down how &lt;em&gt;Surviving Trump&lt;/em&gt; is structured — and how to listen in a way that works for &lt;em&gt;you&lt;/em&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;You don’t have to go in order. Every episode stands on its own, but together they reveal a much bigger picture:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;What’s happening to our government&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Who’s driving the changes&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;How democracy is being reshaped from the inside out&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;Bella walks through the full arc of the show — starting with what’s at stake, then diving into the major players, ideological blueprints, institutional breakdowns, and the real-world consequences playing out right now.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Why It Matters&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Understanding what’s happening beyond legacy headlines gives you power — to think critically, push back effectively, and stay grounded in truth. This podcast helps you do that.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Final Word&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;You can’t fight what you don’t understand. So start where it matters most to you, and keep listening. When the dots start connecting — share it. Because more people need to see what’s really going on.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;You don’t have to start at the beginning — just start. Every episode helps build a more complete picture of the crisis we’re living through… and what it will take to survive it.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a rel="payment" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2455246/support"&gt;Support the show&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Host: Bella Goode&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Bella is a former Republican turned democracy advocate raised by middle class parents in Pennsylvania. She is a graduate of Syracuse University and the University of Pennsylvania with a masters of business administration from Wharton and a Masters Degree in Positive Psychology. &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Career wise, Bella spent 20 years with American Express in New York and 20 years as an entrepreneur. She started and sold a fitness business that grew to 180 locations worldwide.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Community :&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li&gt; &lt;b&gt;Rate &amp;amp; Review on Apple Podcasts&lt;/b&gt; – Your feedback helps us reach more people. &lt;a href='https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/surviving-trump-with-democracy-on-life-support/id1798332346'&gt;Click to review&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt; &lt;b&gt;Follow on YouTube&lt;/b&gt; - subscribe &lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnqfgOCfchOW1bXKix6R-QN0_LZ8wfu6x'&gt;here:&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt; &lt;b&gt;Follow my blog on Substack&lt;/b&gt; &lt;a href='https://survivingtrumppodcast.substack.com/'&gt;https://survivingtrumppodcast.substack.com/&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt; &lt;b&gt;Join the conversation on Bluesky –&lt;/b&gt; Share thoughts, ask questions, engage with the community. Find me at &lt;a href='https://bsky.app/profile/survivingtrump.bsky.social'&gt;@survivingtrump.bsky.social&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt; &lt;b&gt;Share this episode&lt;/b&gt; – If you found this podcast valuable, send it to a friend and tag us on social media.&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt; &lt;b&gt;Contact me at &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href='mailto:bellagoodepodcast@gmail.com'&gt;bellagoodepodcast@gmail.com&lt;/a&gt; with q...&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;</description>

Send us a text Episode Summary New here? Just jumping around? You’re in the right place. In this quick guide, host Bella Goode breaks down how Surviving Trump is structured — and how to listen in a way that works for you. You don’t have to go in order. Every episode stands on its own, but together they reveal a much bigger picture: What’s happening to our governmentWho’s driving the changesHow democracy is being reshaped from the inside outBella walks through the full arc of the show — starti...

Episode 12.5 Connecting the Dots: A Listening Guide

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2455246/open_sms">Send us a text</a>Donald Trump’s second term isn’t about governance—it’s about absolute power. But behind the headlines and the chaos, the theory of Unitary Executive Power is quietly reshaping the government into something far more Authoritarian.Unlike traditional governance, this theory argues that all executive power belongs to the president alone—unchecked and unchallenged. Today, we break down:<ul><li>The origins of Unitary Executive Theory – How it emerged and why it’s gaining traction now.</li><li>Historical context – From Nixon to Reagan to George W. Bush, how this idea evolved over decades.</li><li>Trump’s use of the theory – How he’s using it to fire officials, consolidate power, and challenge checks and balances.</li><li>The connection between Trump’s psychological profile and Unitary Executive Theory – How his need for admiration, paranoia, and disregard for institutional norms make this theory an ideal tool for consolidating control.</li><li>The Supreme Court’s role – How legal challenges may determine the future of executive power.</li><li>The impact on democracy – What happens when a president claims unlimited authority?</li><li>The road ahead – What steps can be taken to counteract the dangers of expanding executive control?</li><li>Trump isn’t just pushing the limits—he’s actively working to make his rule more absolute.</li></ul>Next Episode:<ul><li>Episode 12 – Russell Vought: The Man Rewriting America’s Future<ul><li>His rise to power</li><li>His role in Project 2025</li><li>The deep state purge and dismantling of government agencies</li></ul></li><li>Christian nationalism and its policy implications</li></ul><a rel="payment" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2455246/support">Support the show</a>Host: Bella Goode Bella is a former Republican turned democracy advocate raised by middle class parents in Pennsylvania. She is a graduate of Syracuse University and the University of Pennsylvania with a masters of business administration from Wharton and a Masters Degree in Positive Psychology. Career wise, Bella spent 20 years with American Express in New York and 20 years as an entrepreneur. She started and sold a fitness business that grew to 180 locations worldwide. Community : <ul> <li> Rate &amp; Review on Apple Podcasts – Your feedback helps us reach more people. <a href='https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/surviving-trump-with-democracy-on-life-support/id1798332346'>Click to review</a>.</li> <li> Follow on YouTube - subscribe <a href='https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnqfgOCfchOW1bXKix6R-QN0_LZ8wfu6x'>here:</a> </li> <li> Follow my blog on Substack <a href='https://survivingtrumppodcast.substack.com/'>https://survivingtrumppodcast.substack.com/</a> </li> <li> Join the conversation on Bluesky – Share thoughts, ask questions, engage with the community. Find me at <a href='https://bsky.app/profile/survivingtrump.bsky.social'>@survivingtrump.bsky.social</a> </li> <li> Share this episode – If you found this podcast valuable, send it to a friend and tag us on social media.</li> <li> Contact me at <a href='mailto:bellagoodepodcast@gmail.com'>bellagoodepodcast@gmail.com</a> with q...</li></ul>

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2455246/open_sms"&gt;Send us a text&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Donald Trump’s second term isn’t about governance—it’s about absolute power. But behind the headlines and the chaos, the theory of Unitary Executive Power is quietly reshaping the government into something far more Authoritarian.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Unlike traditional governance, this theory argues that all executive power belongs to the president alone—unchecked and unchallenged. Today, we break down:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;The origins of Unitary Executive Theory – How it emerged and why it’s gaining traction now.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Historical context – From Nixon to Reagan to George W. Bush, how this idea evolved over decades.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Trump’s use of the theory – How he’s using it to fire officials, consolidate power, and challenge checks and balances.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;The connection between Trump’s psychological profile and Unitary Executive Theory – How his need for admiration, paranoia, and disregard for institutional norms make this theory an ideal tool for consolidating control.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;The Supreme Court’s role – How legal challenges may determine the future of executive power.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;The impact on democracy – What happens when a president claims unlimited authority?&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;The road ahead – What steps can be taken to counteract the dangers of expanding executive control?&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Trump isn’t just pushing the limits—he’s actively working to make his rule more absolute.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Next Episode:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Episode 12 – Russell Vought: The Man Rewriting America’s Future&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;His rise to power&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;His role in Project 2025&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;The deep state purge and dismantling of government agencies&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Christian nationalism and its policy implications&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a rel="payment" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2455246/support"&gt;Support the show&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Host: Bella Goode&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Bella is a former Republican turned democracy advocate raised by middle class parents in Pennsylvania. She is a graduate of Syracuse University and the University of Pennsylvania with a masters of business administration from Wharton and a Masters Degree in Positive Psychology. &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Career wise, Bella spent 20 years with American Express in New York and 20 years as an entrepreneur. She started and sold a fitness business that grew to 180 locations worldwide.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Community :&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li&gt; &lt;b&gt;Rate &amp;amp; Review on Apple Podcasts&lt;/b&gt; – Your feedback helps us reach more people. &lt;a href='https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/surviving-trump-with-democracy-on-life-support/id1798332346'&gt;Click to review&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt; &lt;b&gt;Follow on YouTube&lt;/b&gt; - subscribe &lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnqfgOCfchOW1bXKix6R-QN0_LZ8wfu6x'&gt;here:&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt; &lt;b&gt;Follow my blog on Substack&lt;/b&gt; &lt;a href='https://survivingtrumppodcast.substack.com/'&gt;https://survivingtrumppodcast.substack.com/&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt; &lt;b&gt;Join the conversation on Bluesky –&lt;/b&gt; Share thoughts, ask questions, engage with the community. Find me at &lt;a href='https://bsky.app/profile/survivingtrump.bsky.social'&gt;@survivingtrump.bsky.social&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt; &lt;b&gt;Share this episode&lt;/b&gt; – If you found this podcast valuable, send it to a friend and tag us on social media.&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt; &lt;b&gt;Contact me at &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href='mailto:bellagoodepodcast@gmail.com'&gt;bellagoodepodcast@gmail.com&lt;/a&gt; with q...&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;</description>

Send us a text Donald Trump’s second term isn’t about governance—it’s about absolute power. But behind the headlines and the chaos, the theory of Unitary Executive Power is quietly reshaping the government into something far more Authoritarian. Unlike traditional governance, this theory argues that all executive power belongs to the president alone—unchecked and unchallenged. Today, we break down: The origins of Unitary Executive Theory – How it emerged and why it’s gaining traction now.Histo...

Episode 11: Trump's Effort to Become King - Explaining Unitary Executive Theory

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2455246/open_sms">Send us a text</a>Donald Trump’s second term isn’t about governance—it’s about absolute power. But behind the headlines and the chaos, Russell Vought is quietly orchestrating one of the most radical transformations of the U.S. government in modern history. Unlike Trump, Vought isn’t a showman. He’s a strategist, an ideologue, and one of the key architects of Project 2025—a blueprint for dismantling democracy and consolidating presidential authority. Today, we expose his master plan, breaking down: <ul><li>Vought’s rise to power – How he embedded himself in Washington’s most powerful conservative institutions. </li><li>Weaponizing the federal government – Purging civil servants, stacking agencies with loyalists, and rewriting the Constitution. </li><li>Christian nationalism as policy – His vision for a government that enforces religious doctrine over civil rights. </li><li>The “deep state” purge – His role in dismantling checks and balances.</li><li>Controlling public institutions – Rewriting education, weaponizing law enforcement, and crushing dissent. </li><li>Trump’s second-term strategy – The real threat: an authoritarian government that may never relinquish power. </li></ul>Vought isn’t just working behind the scenes—he’s making Trump’s dictatorship a reality.Next Episode: Episode 13 – the first episode in our series on Elon Musk… his background <ul><li>Psychological Profile </li><li>Childhood experience, unconventional family life </li><li>Trauma and survival mechanisms</li></ul><a rel="payment" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2455246/support">Support the show</a>Host: Bella Goode Bella is a former Republican turned democracy advocate raised by middle class parents in Pennsylvania. She is a graduate of Syracuse University and the University of Pennsylvania with a masters of business administration from Wharton and a Masters Degree in Positive Psychology. Career wise, Bella spent 20 years with American Express in New York and 20 years as an entrepreneur. She started and sold a fitness business that grew to 180 locations worldwide. Community : <ul> <li> Rate &amp; Review on Apple Podcasts – Your feedback helps us reach more people. <a href='https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/surviving-trump-with-democracy-on-life-support/id1798332346'>Click to review</a>.</li> <li> Follow on YouTube - subscribe <a href='https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnqfgOCfchOW1bXKix6R-QN0_LZ8wfu6x'>here:</a> </li> <li> Follow my blog on Substack <a href='https://survivingtrumppodcast.substack.com/'>https://survivingtrumppodcast.substack.com/</a> </li> <li> Join the conversation on Bluesky – Share thoughts, ask questions, engage with the community. Find me at <a href='https://bsky.app/profile/survivingtrump.bsky.social'>@survivingtrump.bsky.social</a> </li> <li> Share this episode – If you found this podcast valuable, send it to a friend and tag us on social media.</li> <li> Contact me at <a href='mailto:bellagoodepodcast@gmail.com'>bellagoodepodcast@gmail.com</a> with q...</li></ul>

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2455246/open_sms"&gt;Send us a text&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Donald Trump’s second term isn’t about governance—it’s about absolute power. But behind the headlines and the chaos, Russell Vought is quietly orchestrating one of the most radical transformations of the U.S. government in modern history. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Unlike Trump, Vought isn’t a showman. He’s a strategist, an ideologue, and one of the key architects of Project 2025—a blueprint for dismantling democracy and consolidating presidential authority. Today, we expose his master plan, breaking down: &lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Vought’s rise to power – How he embedded himself in Washington’s most powerful conservative institutions. &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Weaponizing the federal government – Purging civil servants, stacking agencies with loyalists, and rewriting the Constitution. &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Christian nationalism as policy – His vision for a government that enforces religious doctrine over civil rights. &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;The “deep state” purge – His role in dismantling checks and balances.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Controlling public institutions – Rewriting education, weaponizing law enforcement, and crushing dissent. &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Trump’s second-term strategy – The real threat: an authoritarian government that may never relinquish power. &lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;Vought isn’t just working behind the scenes—he’s making Trump’s dictatorship a reality.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Next Episode: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Episode 13 – the first episode in our series on Elon Musk… his background &lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Psychological Profile &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Childhood experience, unconventional family life &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Trauma and survival mechanisms&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a rel="payment" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2455246/support"&gt;Support the show&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Host: Bella Goode&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Bella is a former Republican turned democracy advocate raised by middle class parents in Pennsylvania. She is a graduate of Syracuse University and the University of Pennsylvania with a masters of business administration from Wharton and a Masters Degree in Positive Psychology. &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Career wise, Bella spent 20 years with American Express in New York and 20 years as an entrepreneur. She started and sold a fitness business that grew to 180 locations worldwide.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Community :&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li&gt; &lt;b&gt;Rate &amp;amp; Review on Apple Podcasts&lt;/b&gt; – Your feedback helps us reach more people. &lt;a href='https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/surviving-trump-with-democracy-on-life-support/id1798332346'&gt;Click to review&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt; &lt;b&gt;Follow on YouTube&lt;/b&gt; - subscribe &lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnqfgOCfchOW1bXKix6R-QN0_LZ8wfu6x'&gt;here:&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt; &lt;b&gt;Follow my blog on Substack&lt;/b&gt; &lt;a href='https://survivingtrumppodcast.substack.com/'&gt;https://survivingtrumppodcast.substack.com/&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt; &lt;b&gt;Join the conversation on Bluesky –&lt;/b&gt; Share thoughts, ask questions, engage with the community. Find me at &lt;a href='https://bsky.app/profile/survivingtrump.bsky.social'&gt;@survivingtrump.bsky.social&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt; &lt;b&gt;Share this episode&lt;/b&gt; – If you found this podcast valuable, send it to a friend and tag us on social media.&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt; &lt;b&gt;Contact me at &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href='mailto:bellagoodepodcast@gmail.com'&gt;bellagoodepodcast@gmail.com&lt;/a&gt; with q...&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;</description>

Send us a text Donald Trump’s second term isn’t about governance—it’s about absolute power. But behind the headlines and the chaos, Russell Vought is quietly orchestrating one of the most radical transformations of the U.S. government in modern history.  Unlike Trump, Vought isn’t a showman. He’s a strategist, an ideologue, and one of the key architects of Project 2025—a blueprint for dismantling democracy and consolidating presidential authority. Today, we expose his master plan, breaki...

Episode 12: Russell Vought – The Man Rewriting America’s Future

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2455246/open_sms">Send us a text</a>Donald Trump’s second term isn’t just a political disaster—it’s a psychological and institutional crisis. In this episode, we examine:<ul><li>Trump Traumatic Stress Disorder (TTSD) – how his rule is inflicting PTSD-like symptoms on millions.</li><li>Mental health impacts – the anxiety, exhaustion, and despair triggered by his leadership.</li><li>The neuroscience of authoritarian trauma – how Trump’s chaos is literally rewiring our brains.</li><li>The destruction of democratic institutions – from the DOJ purge to the gutting of federal agencies.</li><li>Project 2025: The Deep State Purge – Trump’s blueprint for absolute power.</li><li>The MAGA effect on families, friendships, and society – how polarization has torn Americans apart.</li></ul>This is more than just bad politics—it’s a public health emergency.<ul><li> Rising rates of anxiety, depression, and political trauma disorders.</li><li> Mental health professionals now offering ‘Trump trauma therapy.’</li><li>The long-term effects of living under an unstable, abusive leader.</li></ul>Dr. Fiona Hill: &quot;The Trump administration is systematically dismantling the expertise that keeps the country running. The result will be catastrophic failures.&quot;Next Week: Episode 11 – The Unitary Executive Theory<ul><li>What is it, and why is Trump using it to justify dictatorship?</li><li>How this legal theory could end democracy in America.</li></ul><a rel="payment" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2455246/support">Support the show</a>Host: Bella Goode Bella is a former Republican turned democracy advocate raised by middle class parents in Pennsylvania. She is a graduate of Syracuse University and the University of Pennsylvania with a masters of business administration from Wharton and a Masters Degree in Positive Psychology. Career wise, Bella spent 20 years with American Express in New York and 20 years as an entrepreneur. She started and sold a fitness business that grew to 180 locations worldwide. Community : <ul> <li> Rate &amp; Review on Apple Podcasts – Your feedback helps us reach more people. <a href='https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/surviving-trump-with-democracy-on-life-support/id1798332346'>Click to review</a>.</li> <li> Follow on YouTube - subscribe <a href='https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnqfgOCfchOW1bXKix6R-QN0_LZ8wfu6x'>here:</a> </li> <li> Follow my blog on Substack <a href='https://survivingtrumppodcast.substack.com/'>https://survivingtrumppodcast.substack.com/</a> </li> <li> Join the conversation on Bluesky – Share thoughts, ask questions, engage with the community. Find me at <a href='https://bsky.app/profile/survivingtrump.bsky.social'>@survivingtrump.bsky.social</a> </li> <li> Share this episode – If you found this podcast valuable, send it to a friend and tag us on social media.</li> <li> Contact me at <a href='mailto:bellagoodepodcast@gmail.com'>bellagoodepodcast@gmail.com</a> with q...</li></ul>

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2455246/open_sms"&gt;Send us a text&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Donald Trump’s second term isn’t just a political disaster—it’s a &lt;b&gt;psychological and institutional crisis.&lt;/b&gt; In this episode, we examine:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Trump Traumatic Stress Disorder (TTSD) – how his rule is inflicting PTSD-like symptoms on millions.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Mental health impacts – the anxiety, exhaustion, and despair triggered by his leadership.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;The neuroscience of authoritarian trauma – how Trump’s chaos is literally rewiring our brains.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;The destruction of democratic institutions – from the DOJ purge to the gutting of federal agencies.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Project 2025: The Deep State Purge – Trump’s blueprint for absolute power.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;The MAGA effect on families, friendships, and society – how polarization has torn Americans apart.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;This is more than just bad politics—&lt;b&gt;it’s a public health emergency.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt; Rising rates of anxiety, depression, and political trauma disorders.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt; Mental health professionals now offering ‘Trump trauma therapy.’&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;The long-term effects of living under an unstable, abusive leader.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Dr. Fiona Hill: &lt;/b&gt;&amp;quot;The Trump administration is systematically dismantling the expertise that keeps the country running. The result will be &lt;b&gt;catastrophic failures&lt;/b&gt;.&amp;quot;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Next Week: Episode 11 – The Unitary Executive Theory&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;What is it, and why is Trump using it to justify dictatorship?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;How this legal theory could end democracy in America.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a rel="payment" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2455246/support"&gt;Support the show&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Host: Bella Goode&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Bella is a former Republican turned democracy advocate raised by middle class parents in Pennsylvania. She is a graduate of Syracuse University and the University of Pennsylvania with a masters of business administration from Wharton and a Masters Degree in Positive Psychology. &lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Career wise, Bella spent 20 years with American Express in New York and 20 years as an entrepreneur. She started and sold a fitness business that grew to 180 locations worldwide.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Community :&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;ul&gt; &lt;li&gt; &lt;b&gt;Rate &amp;amp; Review on Apple Podcasts&lt;/b&gt; – Your feedback helps us reach more people. &lt;a href='https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/surviving-trump-with-democracy-on-life-support/id1798332346'&gt;Click to review&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt; &lt;b&gt;Follow on YouTube&lt;/b&gt; - subscribe &lt;a href='https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnqfgOCfchOW1bXKix6R-QN0_LZ8wfu6x'&gt;here:&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt; &lt;b&gt;Follow my blog on Substack&lt;/b&gt; &lt;a href='https://survivingtrumppodcast.substack.com/'&gt;https://survivingtrumppodcast.substack.com/&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt; &lt;b&gt;Join the conversation on Bluesky –&lt;/b&gt; Share thoughts, ask questions, engage with the community. Find me at &lt;a href='https://bsky.app/profile/survivingtrump.bsky.social'&gt;@survivingtrump.bsky.social&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt; &lt;b&gt;Share this episode&lt;/b&gt; – If you found this podcast valuable, send it to a friend and tag us on social media.&lt;/li&gt; &lt;li&gt; &lt;b&gt;Contact me at &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href='mailto:bellagoodepodcast@gmail.com'&gt;bellagoodepodcast@gmail.com&lt;/a&gt; with q...&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;</description>

Send us a text Donald Trump’s second term isn’t just a political disaster—it’s a psychological and institutional crisis. In this episode, we examine: Trump Traumatic Stress Disorder (TTSD) – how his rule is inflicting PTSD-like symptoms on millions.Mental health impacts – the anxiety, exhaustion, and despair triggered by his leadership.The neuroscience of authoritarian trauma – how Trump’s chaos is literally rewiring our brains.The destruction of democratic institutions – from the DOJ purge t...

Episode 10: The Trauma of Trump’s America

Surviving Trump is your indispensable guide to navigating the challenges and contradictions of life under the second Trump administration. In the first 20–25 segments we’ll uncover what’s truly at stake: our democracy. You'll deep dive into the key players, from Trump and Musk (with candid insights into their mental states) to MAGA supporters and other Trump loyalists, revealing who they are and why they pose a threat to democratic values. This essential guide equips you with the knowledge and insight to confidently navigate the turbulent years ahead, empowering you to make informed decisions and take proactive action as challenges emerge.

Sign In

Surviving Trump: With Democracy On Life Support

Details

Recent Episodes