In this episode, host Corey Nathan reconnects with his longtime friend Gary Keifer, an expat currently living in Peru. Gary brings a refreshingly honest and “untethered” perspective to U.S. politics, unfiltered by party loyalty or institutional affiliation. With a background in comedy, improv, and theater, Gary offers thoughtful insights rooted in personal experience and global observations. The conversation spans topics from immigration and working-class politics to why Gary abstained from discussing American politics for years—until now. Together, Corey and Gary exemplify what it means to engage in civil discourse across ideological lines.
What We Discuss:
- Why Gary calls himself an "untethered expat" and what that means for his political views.
- How the Clinton-era Democratic strategy toward the working class contributed to the rise of Trump.
- Why immigration is the central issue Gary believes needs urgent resolution—and how both parties have failed on it.
- The limitations of elite political commentary and the value of everyday perspectives.
- Why Trump’s populism appeals to working-class voters despite his billionaire status.
- The potential dangers of overreaching political mandates and ignoring opposing voices.
Episode Highlights:
- [00:02:00] – Corey introduces Gary, a longtime friend with a unique expat perspective on U.S. politics.
- [00:04:30] – Gary explains his belief in choosing “common people” over public figures for meaningful conversations.
- [00:08:00] – Why Gary broke his two-year vow of not discussing U.S. politics.
- [00:10:30] – How Bill Clinton’s shift away from labor shaped modern political realignment.
- [00:16:00] – A comedic (and thought-provoking) take on Trump’s origin story and Steve Bannon’s influence.
- [00:30:00] – Gary criticizes both parties for exploiting immigration and creating a caste system.
- [00:34:00] – Corey and Gary analyze Biden’s early decisions and whether reversing Trump-era immigration policies was a political mistake.
- [00:45:00] – The bipartisan immigration deal Trump blocked—and what it reveals about political strategy.
- [01:00:00] – Gary pleads: “Just give Trump the win on immigration so we can move on.”
Featured Quotes:
“Fascism doesn't just appear out of nowhere. It fills a void left by something else.” – Gary Keifer
“You can’t skip Chapter One of fascism—how we got here matters.” – Gary Keifer
“Compromise is the substrate of democracy.” – Corey Nathan
“At the end of the day, we're just regular guys trying to have conversations most people are avoiding.” – Corey Nathan
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