In this episode, author and journalist Lee Smith joins the show to discuss his new book, The China Matrix, and how American corruption has become deeply entangled with Chinese influence. Smith shares his personal journey as a writer, reflecting on how 9/11 shaped his worldview and the evolution of his career. The conversation explores Donald Trump’s trade policies, the future of social media and digital communication, and the enduring power of literature and poetry to bring meaning and connection in an increasingly superficial culture. The Karol Markowicz Show is part of the Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Podcast Network - new episodes debut every Wednesday & Friday.

Pick up a copy of Lee's NEW book

 

In this episode, author and journalist Lee Smith joins the show to discuss his new book, The China Matrix, and how American corruption has become deeply entangled with Chinese influence. Smith shares his personal journey as a writer, reflecting on how 9/11 shaped his worldview and the evolution of his career. The conversation explores Donald Trump&rsquo;s trade policies, the future of social media and digital communication, and the enduring power of literature and poetry to bring meaning and connection in an increasingly superficial culture. The Karol Markowicz Show is part of the Clay Travis &amp; Buck Sexton Podcast Network - new episodes debut every Wednesday &amp; Friday.
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/China-Matrix-Donald-Shattered-Deadly/dp/1546008403">Pick up a copy of Lee's NEW book</a>
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Hosted by New York Post and Fox News columnist, and co-author of the best-selling book, “Stolen Youth,” The Karol Markowicz Podcast expands on the topics that drove Karol’s most popular columns and conversations, namely, the cultural and social issues that affect us all. What's marriage really like? Why are we lied to about what it's like to have children? What does it mean to succeed in your career? In each episode, Markowicz aims to find real answers to the deep questions that really matter, while taking listener questions and welcoming some of the biggest names in news, politics and entertainment for candid conversations. Get ready to lean in and listen! Subscribe now to The Karol Markowicz Show - new episodes post every Wednesday and Friday on the iHeartRadio App, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Hosted by New York Post and Fox News columnist, and co-author of the best-selling book, &ldquo;Stolen Youth,&rdquo; The Karol Markowicz Podcast expands on the topics that drove Karol&rsquo;s most popular columns and conversations, namely, the cultural and social issues that affect us all. What's marriage really like? Why are we lied to about what it's like to have children? What does it mean to succeed in your career? In each episode, Markowicz aims to find real answers to the deep questions that really matter, while taking listener questions and welcoming some of the biggest names in news, politics and entertainment for candid conversations. Get ready to lean in and listen! Subscribe now to The Karol Markowicz Show - new episodes post every Wednesday and Friday on the iHeartRadio App, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

The Karol Markowicz Show

The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.

The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.

The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

In this episode, author and journalist Lee Smith joins the show to discuss his new book, The China Matrix, and how American corruption has become deeply entangled with Chinese influence. Smith shares his personal journey as a writer, reflecting on how 9/11 shaped his worldview and the evolution of his career. 

The Karol Markowicz Show: Lee Smith on The China Matrix: U.S.-China Corruption, Trump’s Trade Legacy, and the Future of Media

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/d0e48914-c75d-4196-9415-b385013135cc/transcript

On this episode of The Karol Markowicz Show, Karol sits down with Jennifer Van Laar, managing editor of RedState and a leading investigative journalist known for uncovering major political stories.

Jennifer shares her unconventional journey—from 20 years as a courtroom stenographer working on murder trials to becoming one of the most impactful investigative voices in conservative media. She explains how her courtroom experience taught her how to build cases, analyze evidence, and ultimately break major political stories.

The conversation dives into the investigation that exposed former Rep. Katie Hill, the year-long reporting effort that scrutinized RNC leadership and spending, and the pressures journalists face when reporting critically on their own political side. Jennifer also discusses the evolving mission of RedState, why intellectual honesty matters in political media, and how conservative outlets balance breaking news with opinion.

Karol and Jennifer also explore the future of California politics, the fallout from the Palisades fire, Governor Gavin Newsom’s leadership, and whether the political pendulum could swing back in the Golden State.

Plus, Jennifer reflects on her personal life—raising three sons as a single mother, finding purpose through storytelling, and why discovering your strengths and “staying in your lane” may be the key to long-term success.

Topics Covered in This Episode:


Jennifer Van Laar’s path from court reporter to investigative journalist


The RedState newsroom and conservative media today


Major investigations that changed political careers


Reporting on corruption within your own party


California politics and the future of the state


The importance of storytelling in journalism and life

On this episode of The Karol Markowicz Show, Karol sits down with Jennifer Van Laar, managing editor of <a href="https://redstate.com/">RedState</a> and a leading investigative journalist known for uncovering major political stories.
Jennifer shares her unconventional journey&mdash;from 20 years as a courtroom stenographer working on murder trials to becoming one of the most impactful investigative voices in conservative media. She explains how her courtroom experience taught her how to build cases, analyze evidence, and ultimately break major political stories.
The conversation dives into the investigation that exposed former Rep. Katie Hill, the year-long reporting effort that scrutinized RNC leadership and spending, and the pressures journalists face when reporting critically on their own political side. Jennifer also discusses the evolving mission of RedState, why intellectual honesty matters in political media, and how conservative outlets balance breaking news with opinion.
Karol and Jennifer also explore the future of California politics, the fallout from the Palisades fire, Governor Gavin Newsom&rsquo;s leadership, and whether the political pendulum could swing back in the Golden State.
Plus, Jennifer reflects on her personal life&mdash;raising three sons as a single mother, finding purpose through storytelling, and why discovering your strengths and &ldquo;staying in your lane&rdquo; may be the key to long-term success.
Topics Covered in This Episode:
<ul data-start="1666" data-end="2013">
<li data-start="1666" data-end="1742">
Jennifer Van Laar&rsquo;s path from court reporter to investigative journalist
</li>
<li data-start="1743" data-end="1797">
The RedState newsroom and conservative media today
</li>
<li data-start="1798" data-end="1853">
Major investigations that changed political careers
</li>
<li data-start="1854" data-end="1903">
Reporting on corruption within your own party
</li>
<li data-start="1904" data-end="1955">
California politics and the future of the state
</li>
<li data-start="1956" data-end="2013">
The importance of storytelling in journalism and life
</li>
</ul>

On this episode of The Karol Markowicz Show, Karol sits down with Jennifer Van Laar, managing editor of RedState and a leading investigative journalist known for uncovering major political stories.  Jennifer shares her unconventional journey—from 20 years as a courtroom stenographer working on murder trials to becoming one of the most impactful investigative voices in conservative media. She explains how her courtroom experience taught her how to build cases, analyze evidence, and ultimately break major political stories.

The Karol Markowicz Show: Jennifer Van Laar on Investigative Journalism, RedState, and Challenging the Political Establishment

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/bcfd0aae-fadc-4271-9cb1-b4c20021fa01/transcript

Welcome to The Karol Markowicz Show

The Birth of the Babylon Bee

From Enterprise to Internet Marketing

The Pivotal Year of 2020

The Rise of Not the Bee

The Twitter Suspension and Elon Musk's

Family, Pride, and Professional Achievements

The Future of AI and Humanity

Closing Thoughts and Final Advice

Karol Markowicz sits down with Seth Dillon, CEO of The Babylon Bee, for a wide-ranging conversation about comedy, censorship, free speech, faith, family, and the future of artificial intelligence.

Dillon shares the unlikely story of how he became involved with The Babylon Bee, taking over the Christian satire site in 2018 and helping transform it into a major cultural force whose audience extends far beyond its original Christian conservative following.

He also takes Karol inside one of the most consequential chapters in the Bee’s history: its suspension from Twitter after refusing to delete a controversial joke. Dillon explains why the company was willing to risk losing access to the platform rather than censor itself—and how the controversy caught the attention of Elon Musk as concerns over online speech and censorship intensified.

Seth also opens up about fatherhood, the importance of speaking out even when there may be personal or professional consequences, and why serving others is one of his guiding principles. Finally, he looks ahead at how rapidly advancing AI and automation could fundamentally reshape the way people work, live and interact over the next five years.

Karol Markowicz sits down with Seth Dillon, CEO of The Babylon Bee, for a wide-ranging conversation about comedy, censorship, free speech, faith, family, and the future of artificial intelligence.
Dillon shares the unlikely story of how he became involved with The Babylon Bee, taking over the Christian satire site in 2018 and helping transform it into a major cultural force whose audience extends far beyond its original Christian conservative following.
He also takes Karol inside one of the most consequential chapters in the Bee&rsquo;s history: its suspension from Twitter after refusing to delete a controversial joke. Dillon explains why the company was willing to risk losing access to the platform rather than censor itself&mdash;and how the controversy caught the attention of Elon Musk as concerns over online speech and censorship intensified.
Seth also opens up about fatherhood, the importance of speaking out even when there may be personal or professional consequences, and why serving others is one of his guiding principles. Finally, he looks ahead at how rapidly advancing AI and automation could fundamentally reshape the way people work, live and interact over the next five years.

Karol Markowicz sits down with Seth Dillon, CEO of The Babylon Bee, for a wide-ranging conversation about comedy, censorship, free speech, faith, family, and the future of artificial intelligence.

The Karol Markowicz: Seth Dillon on The Babylon Bee, Elon Musk, Free Speech and the Future of AI

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/0404a92e-cb5c-4c92-b983-b4c001277063/transcript

On this episode of the Karol Markowicz Show, Karol sits down with Amy Swearer, one of America’s leading voices on the Second Amendment, criminal justice reform, and mental health policy. Amy shares her journey from wanting to become a police officer to becoming a legal and policy expert shaping national conversations on gun rights, overcriminalization, and constitutional law.

They dive into the realities of gun violence, the role mental health plays in public policy, the future of Supreme Court battles over assault weapons bans, and why facts—not feelings—must guide policy decisions. Amy also opens up about marriage, ambition, and her philosophy on “strategic topography” — choosing the right hills to die on in life and politics.

On this episode of the Karol Markowicz Show, Karol sits down with Amy Swearer, one of America&rsquo;s leading voices on the Second Amendment, criminal justice reform, and mental health policy. Amy shares her journey from wanting to become a police officer to becoming a legal and policy expert shaping national conversations on gun rights, overcriminalization, and constitutional law.
They dive into the realities of gun violence, the role mental health plays in public policy, the future of Supreme Court battles over assault weapons bans, and why facts&mdash;not feelings&mdash;must guide policy decisions. Amy also opens up about marriage, ambition, and her philosophy on &ldquo;strategic topography&rdquo; &mdash; choosing the right hills to die on in life and politics.

On this episode of the Karol Markowicz Show, Karol sits down with Amy Swearer, one of America’s leading voices on the Second Amendment, criminal justice reform, and mental health policy. Amy shares her journey from wanting to become a police officer to becoming a legal and policy expert shaping national conversations on gun rights, overcriminalization, and constitutional law.

The Karol Markowicz Show: Amy Swearer on the Second Amendment, Mental Health, Crime Policy & Choosing the Right Battles

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/c0fe642b-a492-4b4d-b7e0-b4ba0103cf94/transcript

The Karol Markowicz Show: Lee Smith on The China Matrix: U.S.-China Corruption, Trump’s Trade Legacy, and the Future of Media

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