In the first half, writer, historian, and editor of Feral House, Christina Ward, shared her research and work on subcultures and cults in our society. Elaborating on the definition of subcultures, she explained, "It's essentially a smaller group of people outside of the mainstream culture," often formed as a reaction against prevailing societal values. She emphasized the fluidity of subcultures, noting, "As ideas get accepted in the mainstream, things start to break off and become smaller subgroups." Styles, clothing, and shared activities or rituals can draw a subculture together, she detailed.

While subcultures often foster positive connections, they can also harbor negative elements. She illustrated this with the example of the Juggalos, fans of the hip-hop group Insane Clown Posse, who, despite having supportive aspects, have faced a bad rap because of criminal elements within their larger group. "Sometimes when we don't understand a subculture, people become afraid," Ward noted, underscoring the need for empathy and understanding.

Touching on the Branch Davidians, where a tragic 1993 siege in Waco left 82 members dead, she cited the dangers of charismatic leaders, pointing out how blind obedience can transform a religious group into a cult. Ward examined the psychological aspects of why individuals may find themselves drawn into such groups. "Everyone would say, I would never join a cult. I'm too smart for that," she said, yet people may inadvertently become ensnared due to a lack of diverse information. "When that information is siloed," she cautioned, "it becomes much harder for anyone involved in that culture to escape."

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In the latter half, astrologer Mark Lerner shared insights on his journey into astrology and its relevance in understanding world events. He emphasized the importance of "mundane astrology," which involves analyzing charts for significant global events, like presidential inaugurations or historical disasters. "Every single event... can be seen as the beginning of something," he explained. Lerner discussed the influence of the moon and eclipses in astrology, noting that perhaps more than a person's sun sign, the moon reflects our personality, instincts, and moods. Delving into the unique phenomenon of eclipses, he described them as powerful visual and astrological events that can symbolize transformation.

When asked about the scientific nature of astrology, Lerner said that while he would never call it empirical science, he acknowledged the mathematical aspects. "It's really like cosmic geometry," he added, highlighting the intricate patterns involved in charting. Lerner also detailed his groundbreaking discovery regarding Jupiter's unique cycle, which he first explored in the 1990s. "Jupiter goes back to where it was every single day, 83 years apart," suggesting that significant historical events often echo in cycles correlated with Jupiter's position, he stated. The conversation also touched on the charts of world leaders, including Vladimir Putin and President Trump, whom he indicated have astrological similarities. During the last hour, he gave readings for callers.

News segment guests: Mish Shedlock, Howard Bloom