1819 News: The Podcast Video

Getting Stuff Done in D.C. w/ Congressman Gary Palmer

"I was able to tell Elon Musk something he didn't know."
That is an incredible quote shared by U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer on this episode as he discusses his vision for the Western Hemisphere Prosperity and Security Alliance.
Much like the space race in the ’60s, there is a race to secure rare earth minerals for semiconductor chips and other digital hardware. This is absolutely necessary for our national security. Currently, we are completely dependent on other nations, many of whom are not our allies and most of which are actually adversarial like China, for our needs in this realm. 
Palmer shares his vision for how we can solve this problem, recounting conversations he has had with Elon Musk and others in Trump's inner-circle about the topic.
We also hear Palmer's personal story—everything from playing for Bear Bryant, to starting the Alabama Policy Institute, and then winning as the major underdog in a congressional race.

Pulitzer Prizes, A Pervert Pastor, and Protecting Your Children w/ Craig Monger

Esquire Magazine was recently awarded a Pulitzer Prize for a factually bereft, emotionally driven editorial about the life and death of Bubba Copeland in which "right wing media" was blamed for his death. That "right wing media" of course was 1819 News. The Esquire article failed to tell the full story or any of the details of Copeland's sexually deviant extracurricular activities. 
In October of 2023, a trusted source told 1819 News that the Pastor of First Baptist Church of Phenix City, who was also the Mayor of Smith Station, Ala., was leading a double life as an online trans pornstar. A very bizarre lead, indeed, but things turned out to be far worse. Copeland wasn't just dressing up in his wife's clothes and taking pictures, he was a public figure posting homoerotic slasher fiction on public social media pages under an alter ego. He was creating memes encouraging children to transition their gender using pictures from children in the community.
1819 News published several articles exposing these things and it soon became a national story. The Lee County Sheriff's Office went to do a wellness check on Copeland, and as they turned their lights on to pull him over, he sped off, getting into a chase with law enforcement. When the chase ended, Copeland exited the car brandishing a pistol and pulled the trigger, ending his life.
This was a tragic ending, but an ending that Copeland himself chose.
Unfortunately, the national—and international—media blamed 1819 News, reporter Craig Monger, editor Jeff Poor, and CEO Bryan Dawson, all of whom were doxed by unhinged liberals posting their home addresses and family pictures online. The lunatics relentlessly attacked all 1819 News staff and their families, trying everything they could to cancel anyone associated with the organization.
It didn't work; the fire only galvanized the team. 1819 News didn't lose a single donor or employee, and the adversity brought everyone together and made the organization stronger than ever.
Upon Esquire posting the announcement of their Pulitzer Prize to Twitter/X, the post was immediately Community Noted with the following: "The article that was awarded a Pulitzer prize trivializes the fact that former mayor ‘Bubba’ Copeland used photos of women and children to create transgender fetish content, and even wrote a sexual fantasy about murdering a woman in order to steal her identity."
The comments section was even less forgiving. Esquire was "ratioed" as the kids say.Dawson brings on Craig Monger, the author of the original Bubba Copeland news stories that led to all this, to discuss the Pulitzer Prize and the details of the original reporting.
They also discuss legislation that would have protected children from LGBTQ ideology in the classroom dying in the Senate and the overall obvious attempt by progressives to steal the hearts, minds, and souls of our children to fill their ranks and what we can do about it.

‘What is a Woman?’ & Parental Rights w/ State Rep. Susan DuBose

Join Bryan Dawson, CEO of 1819 News and host of the 1819 News Podcast, in a compelling conversation with Alabama State Rep. Susan DuBose, a dedicated legislator who is making a difference in Montgomery despite the challenges of state governance. DuBose shares her journey from grassroots political engagement to the Alabama House of Representatives, discussing her commitment to stay true to her principles while navigating the complexities of legislative work. 
This episode highlights DuBose’s landmark legislation, including the “What is a Woman Act,” which defines male and female by biological terms to protect women’s rights in sports and scholarships. She recounts the resistance faced, the need to educate colleagues, and the pivotal support from Gov. Kay Ivey, who made the bill a priority and signed it into law. 
DuBose also tackles the Religious Release Time bill, a constitutional program allowing students to attend off-campus religious classes during electives, which faced unexpected opposition from school board and superintendent associations despite widespread parental support. 
Additionally, DuBose discusses her efforts to raise Alabama’s medical consent age from 14 to 16, a significant step toward restoring parental rights in medical decisions. She shares heartbreaking stories of parents sidelined by current laws, underscoring the need for common-sense legislation that prioritizes the majority while addressing exceptions.
With a nod to future goals, including tackling DEI in higher education, DuBose’s passion for her constituents and faith-driven approach shine through. She reflects on the camaraderie among legislators, the power of prayer in the Statehouse, and her vision to extend religious freedom to Alabama’s schools. Tune in to hear how DuBose is fighting for Alabama’s values, supported by 1819 News, the state’s only citizen-funded news outlet. Visit 1819news.com to support their mission and stay informed.

Publius PR and The White Privilege Album w/ A.J. Rice

Join us for an electrifying episode of our podcast as we sit down with AJ Rice, the dynamic CEO of Publius PR and a self-described “anti-woke samurai.” Rice pulls back the curtain on the high-stakes world of political public relations, sharing his experiences working with some of the most influential figures in the MAGA movement, including Judge Jeanine Pirro, Donald Trump Jr., and a roster of disruptors shaping the second Trump administration.
Rice dives into the dichotomy of the PR landscape in Washington, D.C., exposing the “deep state” firms that vacuum up money while the American people are left in the dust. He recounts his bold decision to back Trump early on, a move that led to bestselling books and a front-row seat in the MAGA cinematic universe. From navigating the publishing world to working with Trump’s publishing house and Vivek Ramaswamy’s campaign, Rice reveals how his firm became a hub for disruptors like Pam Bondi, Tulsi Gabbard, and Dan Bongino, who are now shaking up the political establishment.
Beyond PR, Rice discusses his own literary contributions, “The Woking Dead” and “The White Privilege Album,” which he describes as humorous yet incisive counterattacks against wokeism and cultural Marxism. Drawing from his Philadelphia roots and love for comedy, Rice uses irreverent humor to challenge political correctness, defend Western civilization, and dismantle the race hustle.He argues that terms like “white privilege” are coded attacks on the middle class and nuclear family, designed to erode the foundations of a free society.
With a nod to his mentors, including Lee Habeeb, Rice shares his formula for engaging audiences: inform, educate, and entertain. He warns of the dangers of controlling language and thought, likening modern wokeism to historical authoritarianism. As he prepares to release the third volume of his series, Rice leaves listeners with a call to resist cultural erasure and embrace the disruptive spirit of Trump’s second term. Tune in for a no-holds-barred conversation that’s as entertaining as it is thought-provoking!
https://publiuspr.com/
Twitter/X - @PubliusPR

From Food Dyes to the Sexual Indoctrination of Students in AL - State Rep. Mack Butler

Childhood obesity. Sexual indoctrination. Medical tyranny. The attacks on our children are real, and we're fighting back. Join us as we uncover the battles reshaping our state and nation with State Rep. Mack Butler.
Continuing with our pattern of bringing on good folks doing good work in Montgomery, this week 1819 News CEO Bryan Dawson sits down with Butler to hear his story and learn about some of the legislation he is working on this session.
Butler is out front on some of the most controversial bills happening in the legislature, like his bill restricting the ADPH from getting tens of millions of dollars to advertise experimental medical treatments that are neither safe nor effective. But these bills are really just common sense. Butler says if the big pharmaceutical companies want to advertise, that is one subject, but why is our government funding these ads all over the state, especially now that we’re several years removed from the "pandemic"?
Butler also has a piece of legislation that will prevent sexual indoctrination in our public schools. Again, common sense, but extremely controversial. The bill is making serious headway, and if it passes, educators will not be allowed to talk about sexual orientation, gender identity, or other sexual subjects in the classroom.
The conversation then turns to RFK, MAHA, and what the powers-that-be are doing to our foods. Grateful that there is so much momentum in D.C. right now, Butler says that we are fortunate to be living in what will be written about in history books decades from now.
Dawson ends the conversation by asking Butler what it will take to get the momentum in D.C. to Montgomery so that our Republican Supermajority government begins to move towards a more conservative way of doing things.
You don't want to miss this incredible conversation!

Chette Williams, Auburn Football, and The Freedom Cowboys w/ Kyle Collins

When the Lord leads you to share the gospel with someone or tell them about Him, you never know where it might lead.
Today, we're bringing on Kyle Collins, a former Auburn football player who the Lord told to pray for and speak to a really bitter and angry young man on the team named Chette Williams. Those attempts to reach Chette eventually led to him receiving Christ.
The incredible story of how these two men's lives, who could not be more different, were interwoven in times of joy and hardship is one worth listening to and one that will encourage you to share your faith when prompted by the Spirit in the future.
Brother Chette Willimas went on to be the Chaplain for Auburn's football team and the Director of Auburn's chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes. His ministry was incredibly impactful and Coach Tuberville said his success would not have been possible without the ministry of Chette Williams.
Brother Chette passed away last year and at his funeral the large crowd was asked to stand if Chette Williams had led them to the Lord or baptized them. 70% of the crowd stood.
Collins took the reins of the Freedom Cowboys, formerly the Rocket City Cowboys, a homeschool football team based in Huntsville, from Stan McDonald 20 years ago and has been working tirelessly to evangelize and disciple young men through football ever since. It's an interesting mix of homeschoolers to at-risk youth that make up the team and no matter their background they are being introduced to biblical manhood and having their character developed through adversity.
This is an incredible episode where God's providence is on full display.

Abortion, Immigration, and More w/ State Rep Ernie Yarbrough

"He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God." - 2 Samuel 23:3
This Scripture describes this week’s podcast guest extremely well. Very few people in state government, or in government anywhere, have such a fine-tuned, biblically-rooted understanding of how the Word of God comes to bear on civilization.
State Rep. Ernie Yarbrough joins Bryan Dawson this week to tell his story about how he came into politics, and then to share about some important legislation that he's introduced this session.A son of Alabama, Yarbrough grew up as a homeschooler and witnessed the unthinkable when his father was imprisoned for refusing to pay taxes because those tax dollars were assisting in the murder of innocent children in the womb. He also saw friends put in prison for homeschooling back in the ’80s. These things shaped Yarbrough, leaving an indelible mark in his mind and heart that drove him into the political arena.
Yarbrough has dropped several good bills this legislative session, with the Laken Riley Act the most likely to pass. This legislation will work and partner with U.S. Sen. Katie Britt's similarly named legislation at the federal level to give local law enforcement the jurisdiction and authority necessary to remove illegal aliens from our community.
Yarbrough has also introduced legislation—the Prenatal Equal Protection Act—seeking to give unborn children the same right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness that children out of the womb receive. He answers all the tough questions about this legislation, as it is a hot topic around the nation, while discussing other legislation he has introduced as well.
This is an extremely informative and entertaining episode of 1819 News: The Podcast that you won't want to miss!

Protecting Women and Children is a Man's Job, w/ Victor Marx

Join us on 1819 News: The Podcast for an inspiring journey through the life and mission of Victor Marx, a humanitarian, speaker, martial arts expert, and child advocate. In this compelling series, Victor shares his raw and redemptive personal testimony—overcoming a childhood marked by severe abuse, trauma, and instability to find healing through faith in Christ. From surviving unimaginable horrors to becoming a beacon of hope, Victor’s story is a testament to God’s transformative power.
Together with his wife Eileen, Victor leads All Things Possible Ministries, serving as high-risk missionaries in some of the world’s most volatile regions. Their work focuses on rescuing and restoring veterans, military personnel, and women and children in the Middle East who’ve endured debilitating trauma, while also promoting strong, Christ-centered families. This podcast dives into hard truths, gripping stories of redemption, and frontline updates from their global efforts to combat trafficking and protect the vulnerable. Tune in to hear Victor’s insights on resilience, forgiveness, and purpose, and discover how his ministry brings light to the darkest corners. Visit VictorMarx.com to connect, explore incredible stories, and support their vital work.
Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksA7QnVhYlo for Victor’s entire story on Sean Ryan Podcast.  
To order his book, The Dangerous Gentlemen, click https://a.co/d/7ZNaRIP

Tackling the Most Important Issues w/ Rep. Jamie Kiel

Election integrity, immigration, and inflation are the issues that matter most to the people of Alabama, and there are folks in Montgomery making decisions on those things right now.
This week we're bringing one of them on the podcast: Rep. Jamie Kiel.
Kiel has been a conservative stalwart in the Alabama House for seven years now, consistently voting against tax increases, medical marijuana, and gambling expansion despite the tremendous pressure from leadership to vote for those things.
Kiel is well known as an incredible businessman, great husband, and wonderful father, which 1819 CEO Bryan Dawson believes should all be prerequisites to running for office.
In this episode, Kiel shares his story of growing up in Alabama and getting into politics, as well as some stories of fighting bad legislation. Kiel and Dawson also dive into ballot harvesting, the effect of immigration on small towns, and what the Alabama Legislature is doing as far as tax cuts to alleviate the financial burden Alabamians are feeling.

From Vision to Victory: Nathan Cox’s Entrepreneurial Odyssey

This week's podcast is another Alabama business spotlight, this time on Nathan Cox, the dynamic founder of 68 Ventures. Cox, a seasoned entrepreneur and storyteller, dives deep into his remarkable journey, tracing his path from humble beginnings to building a powerhouse development and investment company along Alabama’s Gulf Coast. The podcast blends inspiration, practical insights, and old-fashioned grit, offering listeners an unfiltered look at what it takes to turn ambition into action.
The episode kicks off with Cox recounting his early days, fresh from serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, where discipline and resilience became the bedrock of his character. Returning home amidst the 2008 Great Recession, he saw opportunity where others saw chaos. Launching Bellator Real Estate & Development that year, Cox capitalized on distressed assets, assembling investment groups to fuel his vision. Podcast host Bryan Dawson probes into this bold move, and Cox reveals how his father—a pioneering developer in Baldwin County—inspired him to bet on the Gulf Coast’s future. His storytelling shines as he describes the adrenaline of those early risks, setting the stage for his entrepreneurial ascent.
As the conversation unfolds, Cox details the founding of Truland Homes in 2011, which grew into South Alabama’s largest private homebuilder before its 2023 acquisition by D.R. Horton. He shares candid lessons on scaling a business, from navigating supply chain hurdles to fostering a purpose-driven team culture. The host draws out Cox’s philosophy of “betting on yourself,” a recurring theme as he discusses 68 Ventures’ evolution into a billion-dollar enterprise, with over 10,000 single-family lots developed and a thriving multifamily division. Listeners gain actionable takeaways on leadership, vertical integration, and seizing market gaps.
The episode crescendos with Cox reflecting on his transition from CEO to Chairman in 2023, passing the torch to new leadership while staying true to his core values—faith, effort, and courage. Interspersed with lighthearted anecdotes about family life and his love for competition, Cox’s warmth and authenticity resonate. Perfect for aspiring entrepreneurs, this podcast delivers a masterclass in resilience, vision, and the power of betting big, leaving listeners motivated to carve their own paths.