The Junto Podcast

This episode supports and supplements E70. Edgar further examines the corrosive effects of resentment within the immediate family, especially after unplanned or early parenthood, and how emotional immaturity, unmet expectations, and transactional affection erode bonds between partners and children. PROTECT YOUR CHILDREN.

The episode explores how resentment can lead to emotional or physical abuse, damaged self-worth in children, and...

Host Edgar Mills examines why marriages collapse, lack of respect, selfishness, addiction, infidelity and emotional neglect, and explores through three different lenses: hedonistic, faith-based, and psychological approaches.

The episode emphasizes individual responsibility, soft communication, therapy, sobriety, and humility as the proven steps to rebuild trust, protect children, and repair relationships. Recovery is possible with ...

Host Edgar Mills dissects conservative contradictions between stated principles of limited government, fiscal responsibility, and free markets and real-world actions on surveillance, foreign policy, and economic protectionism.

The episode examines examples like FISA reauthorizations, 2024 campaign rhetoric versus governance, the rise of surveillance tools and data centers, and tensions between America-first protectionism and free-m...

In episode 68 Edgar Mills continues his series on contradictions by examining today’s gender discourse. Using Ellen/Elliot Page’s recent documentary as a springboard, he questions tensions between calls for unconditional acceptance and the choice to medically alter the body, discusses mental-health comorbidities, and explores the role of social media, policy, and medical evidence, especially for young people.

With state...

Episode 67 explores major contradictions within modern progressive movements, examining how positions on LGBTQ rights, Islam, immigration, race-based spaces, free speech, and public policy often clash in practice. Edgar Mills breaks down examples from global events, college campuses, and political trends to show where rhetoric and reality diverge.

He urges listeners to be curious but skeptical about these ideological and intellectu...

This episode explores the American spirit by tracing practical ideas of self-reliance, character-building, plain speech, and humor through the lives of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Benjamin Franklin, Booker T. Washington, Frederick Douglass, Mark Twain, and Will Rogers. He stresses that America does not need to be redefined; that if we truly love America, we can find our place within the current and past definition by following these men's...

Host Edgar Mills explores why small talk matters in both personal and professional life and argues for authenticity over performance. Drawing on military stories, references to Will Rogers and Benjamin Franklin, and social media critique, he offers practical tips for building rapport: default to curiosity, share a small personal detail, use good manners plus a little warmth, and ask thoughtful follow-up questions.

The episode aims ...

In episode 63 Edgar Mills explores the decline of basic politeness and good manners across generations, tracing causes from 60's political activism, social media, and identity politics to changing work habits.

He shares practical, low-effort habits like holding doors, remembering names, making eye contact, offering help, and makes the case that small acts of courtesy benefit both giver and receiver and can rebuild respect and commu...

Hello America. Edgar Mills tackles the debate over communism, socialism, and democratic socialism. In this episode he argues the three share core goals: state control of the economy and the end of private ownership, traces the history from Marx to modern U.S. politics, summarizes the Communist Manifesto’s ten planks, and points to contemporary policies that echo those pillars. He challenges listeners to look past labels, warn...

In episode 61, Edgar Mills examines communism and democratic socialism from a classical liberal perspective, comparing central planning to free markets and explaining why these doctrines repeatedly fail.

He reviews historical evidence and human costs under regimes like Stalin, Mao, and Pol Pot, explores why young people are attracted to these ideas, and urges critical thinking, personal responsibility, and voluntary solutions. He p...

Host Edgar Mills reflects on Memorial Day, urging listeners to honor and thank individual service members while separating their sacrifice from the political decisions that send them to war.

He discusses the dangers of partisan social media, recalls lessons from wars like Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan, and shares recruiting statistics and reasons people join the military.

The episode closes with a call to support veterans and loca...

Host Edgar Mills examines data showing drunk driving is disproportionately reported among white men and compares roughly 12,000 annual DUI deaths to about 15,000 firearm homicides, arguing DUI is an under-discussed public health crisis.

He explores cultural and geographic drivers (social drinking, rural/suburban transport gaps, and soft privilege), calls for consistent application of justice, and urges personal responsibility and c...

Edgar Mills sits down with Battalion Fire Chief Trey Johnson to explore practical leadership lessons from firefighting and military experience. They discuss podcast authenticity versus AI polish, the power of imagination and PACE planning, the difference between vigilance and paranoia, and the importance of after-action reviews and team development.

The conversation also touches on real-world training, transferability of leadership...

Edgar Mills explores how narcissism and false humility hide behind charm and modesty to manipulate followers, undermine teams, and destroy relationships. He explains tactics like humble-bragging, fishing for praise, two-faced behavior, and lack of empathy, showing how these traits play out in leadership, workplaces, and families.

The episode also examines possible roots of narcissistic behavior, offers red flags to spot it, and con...

Host Edgar Mills challenges the term "gun violence," arguing guns are tools and that violence stems from cultural decay, broken families, and failed policies. He reviews Atlanta and Georgia crime statistics, highlights black-on-black violence, and rejects collectivist explanations that deflect personal responsibility.

Mills offers solutions focused on community action, stronger families, criminal justice reform, education and econo...

In episode 54, Edgar Mills draws parallels between the seven phases of unconventional warfare and the journey of a small business, using lessons from T.E. Lawrence, Mao Zedong, and guerrilla doctrine.

The episode explains each phase: preparation, initial contact, infiltration, organization, buildup, employment, and transition and offers practical takeaways on intelligence, agility, customer support, and offensive strategies for sta...

In this episode, Edgar Mills explains Admiral William McRaven’s "relative superiority" framework, six principles drawn from special operations (simplicity, security, repetition, surprise, speed, purpose), and maps them onto John C. Maxwell’s leadership laws.

He shows how small, focused teams using simple plans, rehearsed execution, and strong leadership can outmaneuver larger organizations in business settings, and give...