Episodes

  • Grassroots Politics, Property Taxes, AI, and the Future of Kansas - Billy Dees Talks with Gubernatorial Candidate Stacy Rogers

    Grassroots Politics, Property Taxes, AI, and the Future of Kansas - Billy Dees Talks with Gubernatorial Candidate Stacy Rogers
    Jul 5 2026
    On this episode of The Billy Dees Podcast, Billy welcomes Stacy Rogers, Republican candidate for Governor of Kansas, for a wide-ranging conversation about the issues shaping the future of Kansas and the nation. Topics include the rapid expansion of AI-driven data centers, property taxes, education reform, government transparency, economic development, and the challenges facing rural communities.

    Rogers shares why she entered the gubernatorial race, discusses her grassroots campaign that has taken her to nearly every county in Kansas, and explains why she believes voters are looking for servant leadership over career politics. Billy also explores the national impact of artificial intelligence, infrastructure demands, housing affordability, and the importance of preparing students for the future.

    Whether you're interested in state politics, public policy, AI, or the changing political landscape in America, this thoughtful, long-form interview offers insight into the ideas and debates influencing communities across the country.

    You can follow Billy Dees on X https://x.com/BillyDees
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    50 mins
  • 250 Years of American Ventriloquism - More Than Talking Dummies with April Brucker

    250 Years of American Ventriloquism - More Than Talking Dummies with April Brucker
    Jul 2 2026
    Discover the surprising story behind one of America's oldest—and most misunderstood—forms of entertainment. Billy Dees welcomes author, comedian, actress, and professional ventriloquist April Brucker to discuss her new book, 250 Years of American Ventriloquism: How Ventriloquism Influenced American Culture. Together they explore how ventriloquism shaped radio, television, comedy, politics, and pop culture while uncovering fascinating stories about legendary performers and forgotten pioneers.

    The conversation also dives into the future of the art form, examining artificial intelligence, digital avatars, and why live performance continues to resonate with audiences. Plus, April's hilarious puppet Mae Wilson joins the fun, proving that a wisecracking dummy can still steal the show. Whether you're interested in entertainment history, comedy, or the evolution of media, this episode delivers plenty of laughs and surprising insights.

    April Brucker official website http://aprilbrucker.tv/

    Follow Billy Dees on X https://x.com/BillyDees
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    32 mins
  • History, Engineering, and Alternative Historical Fiction - Talking World War II with Author Jeff Kildow

    History, Engineering, and Alternative Historical Fiction - Talking World War II with Author Jeff Kildow
    Jun 28 2026
    On this episode of The Billy Dees Podcast, Billy welcomes author and retired aerospace engineer Jeff Kildow for a fascinating conversation about World War II aviation, military history, and the art of writing historical fiction. Drawing on his career with Lockheed Martin and his passion for preserving history, Kildow shares insights into the remarkable engineering breakthroughs of the era and the inspiration behind his Joel Knight Menace series.

    The discussion explores iconic wartime aircraft, alternate history, the challenges of accurately portraying the technology of the 1940s, and thoughtful perspectives on some of World War II's most debated events. Whether you're interested in aviation, military history, engineering, or compelling historical thrillers, this episode offers an engaging and thought-provoking conversation.

    You can find Jeff Kildow on his Amazon Author Page. Jeff's website https://www.jeffkildow.com/

    More about the episode and links to Jeff on our website. https://perfectmediaprods.com/

    You can follow Billy Dees on X https://x.com/BillyDees
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    39 mins
  • The Evolution of Podcasting, Media Trust, and Modern Political Discourse

    The Evolution of Podcasting, Media Trust, and Modern Political Discourse
    Jun 26 2026
    In this engaging episode, Billy Dees joins host Samantha Wooldrik for a wide-ranging conversation about the evolution of podcasting, the changing media landscape, and the growing challenges facing public discourse. Drawing on decades of experience in audio production, broadcasting, and podcasting, Billy shares his journey from the era of reel-to-reel tape machines and radio commercials to becoming the creator and host of the long-running Billy Dees Podcast.

    The discussion explores how podcasting transformed from a niche hobby embraced by early internet enthusiasts into one of the most influential forms of modern media. Billy reflects on the rise of independent creators, the arrival of major media personalities in the podcast space, and the opportunities and challenges that came with podcasting's explosive growth. He also emphasizes the importance of production quality, noting that strong audio remains essential as audiences increasingly consume content through high-quality home and automobile sound systems.

    As the conversation shifts to current events, Billy and Samantha examine the role of podcasting and alternative media in shaping public opinion. They discuss political commentary, media bias, audience fragmentation, and the growing tendency for people to consume information that reinforces their existing beliefs. The pair explore how social media algorithms, partisan news outlets, and online communities have contributed to a culture where individuals often operate within separate realities, making productive dialogue increasingly difficult.

    The episode also tackles several timely topics, including the Iran conflict, changing dynamics within legacy media organizations, the future of late-night television, and the ongoing decline of traditional broadcast influence. Throughout the discussion, Billy advocates for independent thinking, media literacy, and a willingness to engage with differing viewpoints rather than retreating into ideological camps.

    This thought-provoking conversation offers listeners a behind-the-scenes look at the podcasting industry while also examining larger questions about trust, journalism, free expression, and the future of public discourse in an increasingly fragmented media environment.

    This episode is available on both the Billy Dees Podcast and the Shades of Jade Podcast.

    You can find Samantha Wooldrik on X https://x.com/ShadesofJadePod

    and Billy Dees on X https://x.com/BillyDees
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    56 mins
  • Church, State, and the Forgotten Founder of Religious Freedom

    Church, State, and the Forgotten Founder of Religious Freedom
    Jun 18 2026
    Documentary filmmaker Andrew Linn joins Billy Dees to discuss his film Church and State: Roger Williams and the Founding of Freedom of Religion.

    The conversation explores the often-misunderstood concept of separation of church and state, the remarkable legacy of Roger Williams, and the historical roots of religious liberty in America. Billy and Andrew also examine the role of faith in public life, the beliefs of the Founding Fathers, free speech, cancel culture, and the challenges of civil discourse in today's polarized society.

    A thought-provoking discussion on history, religion, and the principles that continue to shape the American experience.

    This is the link to the Church and State Documentary Website where people can find several different ways to stream the Documentary and learn more info about the film.

    https://churchandstatedoc.com/

    You can find Billy Dees on X https://x.com/BillyDees and Substack https://substack.com/@billydees
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    38 mins
  • Resilience, Leadership, and the Human Side of Success - A Conversation with Victoria Pelletier

    Resilience, Leadership, and the Human Side of Success - A Conversation with Victoria Pelletier
    Jun 11 2026
    Victoria Pelletier joins Billy Dees for an inspiring conversation about resilience, leadership, and turning adversity into opportunity. From overcoming a difficult childhood to becoming a successful corporate executive, bestselling author, and renowned speaker, Victoria shares the experiences that shaped her approach to business and life.

    The discussion explores authentic leadership, personal branding, diversity of thought, the impact of AI on the workplace, and why discipline and intentional action matter more than empty positivity. An insightful episode filled with practical wisdom for leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone striving to reach their full potential.

    Victoria is an in demand public speaker on a variety of business, culture and motivational topics - please head over to her website to read her articles, order a copy of her books or book her for speaking engagements. https://victoria-pelletier.com/

    You can follow Billy Dees on X https://x.com/BillyDees
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    30 mins
  • Sidney Pines - Author of the Patriot's Diary Series

    Sidney Pines - Author of the Patriot's Diary Series
    Jun 5 2026
    In this episode of The Billy Dees Podcast, Billy sits down with author Sidney Pines, whose journey from political disengagement to conservative commentator inspired her bestselling Patriot Diary series. Pines describes herself as an "everyday American" who began noticing what she believed were inconsistencies in news coverage and government narratives during 2020. What started as personal research and journal entries for future generations eventually evolved into a published book series, beginning with Awakening: A Patriot's Diary of American Deception and continuing with the recently released Golden Age Rising.

    Throughout the conversation, Pines reflects on her political awakening and discusses how many Americans who previously paid little attention to politics found themselves drawn into national debates over the past several years. She argues that growing distrust in traditional institutions, media organizations, and government agencies has fueled interest in topics often labeled as conspiracy theories. Pines maintains that many issues once dismissed by mainstream commentators have later received broader public scrutiny, contributing to a growing skepticism among segments of the population.

    Billy and Sidney also explore the increasing polarization in American society. Both note how political disagreements that once remained civil have, in many cases, evolved into deeply personal divisions among friends and family members. Pines emphasizes the importance of respectful dialogue and says she has little interest in forcing her views on others, preferring instead to share her perspective and allow people to reach their own conclusions. The discussion highlights concerns about how social media algorithms, partisan news coverage, and online echo chambers may reinforce existing beliefs rather than encourage open-minded discussion.

    The conversation then turns to the changing media landscape. Billy discusses the decline of traditional broadcast news and the rise of podcasts and independent media as sources of information. Together, they examine the challenges of navigating a world where artificial intelligence, social media algorithms, and competing narratives make it increasingly difficult to determine what information can be trusted. While both acknowledge concerns about misinformation, they also see opportunities for alternative voices and independent creators to reach audiences outside traditional media channels.

    The episode concludes with a discussion about the future of journalism, public discourse, and political commentary. Whether listeners agree with Sidney Pines' viewpoints or not, the conversation offers a thoughtful look into the mindset of a growing segment of Americans who feel disconnected from mainstream institutions and are seeking alternative explanations for the events shaping the nation. It is an engaging discussion about belief, skepticism, media influence, and the evolving political landscape of modern America.

    Sidney Pines website https://mailchi.mp/cfc1ba317208/sidney-pines

    Sidney Pines on X https://x.com/Sidney1776

    Billy Dees on X https://x.com/BillyDees and on Substack https://substack.com/@billydees
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    38 mins
  • From Military Service to Mystery Writing - A Conversation with Kat Anderson

    From Military Service to Mystery Writing - A Conversation with Kat Anderson
    May 30 2026
    Retired Air Force veteran, former political commentator, and author Kat Anderson joins Billy Dees for a wide-ranging conversation about storytelling, creativity, and the mysteries that captivate us. Anderson discusses her debut paranormal noir novel, No Rest for the Wicked, and how her military experiences, fascination with mythology, and interest in the unexplained helped shape its unique blend of detective fiction, conspiracy, and supernatural intrigue.

    The conversation explores everything from UFOs and conspiracy theories to time, memory, and the challenges of reinventing yourself after a major life transition. Anderson also shares insights from her years in political commentary and offers her perspective on today's rapidly changing media landscape.

    If you enjoy thoughtful discussions about writing, politics, mystery, and the human search for answers, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

    Visit Kat Anderson's website https://www.katandersonwrites.com/

    Follow her on X @KatAWriter https://x.com/KatAWriter


    Follow Billy Dees on X @BillyDees https://x.com/BillyDees
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    47 mins