CommonX Podcast

Army veteran and public affairs expert Dr. Chase Spears joins Ian and Jared on the CommonX Podcast for a raw, no-filter conversation about the inner workings of the U.S. military — from how social media is reshaping wartime communication to why he turned down a promotion to Lieutenant Colonel after 20 years of service.Dr. Spears breaks down the myth of the "apolitical" military, explains how that word was weaponized against conservative service members under the Biden administration, and makes a compelling case for why the recent strikes on Iran are justified under just-war tradition — even as someone who considers himself nearly an isolationist.Plus, Jared dives deep on the Anthropic vs. Department of War showdown over AI guardrails and autonomous weapons, and Chase responds to the "Seditious Six" controversy around Senator Mark Kelly.In this episode:What military public affairs actually does — and where it goes wrongHow the Army went from banning social media to running viral Rapid Response accountsWhy Anthropic (makers of Claude AI) refused to remove safety guardrails for autonomous military weaponsThe word "apolitical" and how it was used to silence constitutional-minded service membersWhy Chase got written up just for asking about conscience protections on the transgender policyWere the Iran strikes justified? A combat vet's honest takeThe "Seditious Six" — treason or protected speech?Why public trust in the military collapsed in 2022 — and whether it can recoverOver 8,000 troops still unaccounted for after the COVID mandate purgeConnect with Dr. Chase Spears: 🎙️ Finding Your Spine Podcast — [search your podcast app] 🐦 Follow on X: @[ChaseSpears handle]CommonX Podcast: 🌐 CommonXPodcast.com 📺 Subscribe for weekly episodes on politics, military, culture & America's future"War is a human endeavor. We should never lose sight of that." — Dr. Chase Spears#CommonXPodcast #MilitaryVet #ArmyVeteran #Iran #ArtificialIntelligence #Anthropic #CovidMandate #MilitaryTruth #FindingYourSpineThe CommonX Podcast features long-form conversations with musicians, cultural voices, veterans, entrepreneurs, and independent thinkers who bring lived experience to the table. Hosted by Jared Mayzak and Ian Primmer, CommonX explores music, culture, work, identity, resilience, and the systems that shape everyday life—without talking points or manufactured outrage.From iconic artists and creative pioneers to everyday people with extraordinary stories, each episode prioritizes honesty, curiosity, and meaningful dialogue. This is a Gen-X–driven show for listeners who value depth over noise and conversation over clicks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Traditional safes haven’t really evolved in decades — and Oscar Hedaya decided that was insane.In Episode 74 of the CommonX Podcast, we sit down with Oscar Hedaya (founder of SpaceSafe) to talk about why physical security still feels stuck in the 90s, what it takes to build hardware + software the hard way, and why “visibility + accountability” is the real upgrade: tamper notifications, movement alerts, and a safer that can work connected or offline.We also get into the realities of manufacturing (margins, development costs, PCB mistakes you only make once), what it would take to expand into bigger safe formats (yes… gun safe conversations), and Oscar’s long-term goal of selling the company and using his time to help other founders.The CommonX Podcast features long-form conversations with musicians, cultural voices, veterans, entrepreneurs, and independent thinkers who bring lived experience to the table. Hosted by Jared Mayzak and Ian Primmer, CommonX explores music, culture, work, identity, resilience, and the systems that shape everyday life—without talking points or manufactured outrage.From iconic artists and creative pioneers to everyday people with extraordinary stories, each episode prioritizes honesty, curiosity, and meaningful dialogue. This is a Gen-X–driven show for listeners who value depth over noise and conversation over clicks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Episode 72 of the Common-X Podcast, we sit down with Dame Claire Bertschinger — humanitarian nurse, global advocate, and a woman whose life has been defined by moral courage.From war zones and famine crises to the failures of global systems, Claire shares what it means to witness suffering firsthand — and still choose compassion.We explore:What real humanitarian work looks like behind the scenesWhy bureaucracy often slows lifesaving actionThe emotional cost of caringMoral courage in a world increasingly driven by self-interestHow ordinary people can still make extraordinary impactThis episode is not about politics.It’s about humanity.And the question:Have we lost our sense of responsibility to each other?🎧 Listen. Reflect. Share.The CommonX Podcast features long-form conversations with musicians, cultural voices, veterans, entrepreneurs, and independent thinkers who bring lived experience to the table. Hosted by Jared Mayzak and Ian Primmer, CommonX explores music, culture, work, identity, resilience, and the systems that shape everyday life—without talking points or manufactured outrage.From iconic artists and creative pioneers to everyday people with extraordinary stories, each episode prioritizes honesty, curiosity, and meaningful dialogue. This is a Gen-X–driven show for listeners who value depth over noise and conversation over clicks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this powerful episode of the Common-X Podcast, we sit down with John Kammer of Guardian AIngels to talk about something deeper than technology — grief.After losing three of his closest friends, including one to suicide and another in a tragic accident, John spiraled into years of substance-fueled avoidance. What followed was guilt, emotional shutdown, and a reckoning that forced him to confront who he had become.This is a raw conversation about:Suicide and survivor’s guiltAddiction in high-functioning environmentsLosing your inner circleFatherhood and responsibilityTurning pain into purposeWhy Guardian Angels AI was builtThis episode isn’t about hype. It’s about what happens when life shatters you — and you decide to build something meaningful anyway.If you’ve ever lost someone, numbed yourself to cope, or wondered how to rebuild after rock bottom… this one’s for you.Our site: www.commonxpodcast.comGuardian AIngels site: www.guardianaingels.aiSEO:guardian angels ai, suicide loss story, grief and addiction recovery, pain to purpose entrepreneur, founder story after tragedy, coping with guilt after death, high functioning addiction, fatherhood and grief, rebuilding after rock bottom, common x podcast episode 70The CommonX Podcast features long-form conversations with musicians, cultural voices, veterans, entrepreneurs, and independent thinkers who bring lived experience to the table. Hosted by Jared Mayzak and Ian Primmer, CommonX explores music, culture, work, identity, resilience, and the systems that shape everyday life—without talking points or manufactured outrage.From iconic artists and creative pioneers to everyday people with extraordinary stories, each episode prioritizes honesty, curiosity, and meaningful dialogue. This is a Gen-X–driven show for listeners who value depth over noise and conversation over clicks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Common-X, we sit down with comedian, writer, and cultural observer Victor Varnado for a wide-ranging conversation on comedy, algorithms, and why modern life feels increasingly absurd.We dig into how comedy has shifted in the age of short clips and viral incentives, why context keeps collapsing in media and public discourse, and how algorithms reward reaction over understanding. Victor breaks down how comedians are forced to adapt—not just creatively, but structurally—when jokes are stripped of nuance and redistributed without intent.The conversation also touches on creative tools, including Victor’s work with Magic Bookifier, and the broader question of whether technology is flattening human expression—or simply revealing the systems that already were.This episode isn’t about cancel culture or tech panic. It’s about incentives, attention, and why absurdity might be the most honest response left.The CommonX Podcast features long-form conversations with musicians, cultural voices, veterans, entrepreneurs, and independent thinkers who bring lived experience to the table. Hosted by Jared Mayzak and Ian Primmer, CommonX explores music, culture, work, identity, resilience, and the systems that shape everyday life—without talking points or manufactured outrage.From iconic artists and creative pioneers to everyday people with extraordinary stories, each episode prioritizes honesty, curiosity, and meaningful dialogue. This is a Gen-X–driven show for listeners who value depth over noise and conversation over clicks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is authenticity dead in a world run by algorithms, branding, and corporate culture?In this episode of the Common-X Podcast, we sit down with John Becker, aka We Knew Nothing — a veteran of LA’s punk scene who’s spent decades pushing back against fake culture, manufactured rebellion, and art stripped of meaning.This isn’t a political episode. It’s a culture and music conversation about:What happens when art becomes contentHow punk was absorbed, monetized, and dilutedThe difference between rebellion and brandingWhy authenticity still matters — and where it survivesPower, control, and the illusion of choice in modern cultureIf you’ve ever felt like everything around you looks polished but feels hollow, this conversation will hit home.Punk isn’t dead — it’s just uncomfortable.The CommonX Podcast features long-form conversations with musicians, cultural voices, veterans, entrepreneurs, and independent thinkers who bring lived experience to the table. Hosted by Jared Mayzak and Ian Primmer, CommonX explores music, culture, work, identity, resilience, and the systems that shape everyday life—without talking points or manufactured outrage.From iconic artists and creative pioneers to everyday people with extraordinary stories, each episode prioritizes honesty, curiosity, and meaningful dialogue. This is a Gen-X–driven show for listeners who value depth over noise and conversation over clicks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.