Hit Pause with Star Price

We're living in a time of sweeping change and constant chaos. HIT PAUSE with STAR PRICE is a podcast exploring the head-spinning cultural shifts happening every-single-day. From the fall of the world order to the rise of AI, from the insanity of our politics to the revolution of independent media (and what about Starbucks shrinking its cup size?) — we offer a look into what it all means, with a few laughs along the way. Host Star Price is a documentary filmmaker with 30 years of experience interviewing people who matter. New episodes every Thursday!

Hit Pause with Star Price is a news podcast hosted by Star Price, with 22 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Star Price hosts Hit Pause with Star Price, a news show with 22 episodes published.

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  Hit Pause with Star Price

  Is It Time to GTFO America?

  Sep 24, 202651 min

  For some Americans, the idea of leaving the United States has gone from a fantasy to a serious possibility. In this episode of Hit Pause, I talk with Jana Sanchez and Bethany Quinn, two Americans who moved to Europe and now help other Americans figure out where they could go—and how they could actually make the move. We talk about why Americans are considering life abroad, what countries offer realistic paths for Americans, how much money you really need, digital nomad and retirement visas, second passports, healthcare, and what life can actually be like after you leave. And yes, we get into the big question: Is there a place in the world for you? Jana and Bethany are the founders of GTFO Tours, which helps Americans explore relocation options and navigate the process of moving abroad. GTFO Tours: gtfotours.com Chapters 00:00 Why do Americans want to GTFO? 02:58 America is changing 06:28 “We’re just meat” 09:19 Who actually wants to leave America? 11:28 How Jana & Bethany got out 14:36 Why Bethany moved to Europe 16:40 Which countries are easiest for Americans? 19:12 The $5,000 Netherlands visa 23:28 Where can you live on very little money? 25:50 What about Italy? 33:56 Is there a place in Europe for everyone? 34:25 Could you qualify for a second passport? 35:04 Digital nomad visas and other options 37:06 How different countries treat Americans 40:07 Does Canada want Americans? 44:15 What about Asia? 45:05 What happens to your work-life balance? 46:35 How moving abroad can change your lifestyle 49:19 Final thoughts Subscribe to our YouTube Channel so you don't miss an episode: https://www.youtube.com/@hitpausepod Also on Substack: https://www.starprice.substack.com And visit our website for every episode, short, and more: https://www.hitpausepod.com For questions: hitpausepod@gmail.com

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  Hit Pause with Star Price

  Are We Becoming a Surveillance State?

  Sep 15, 202624 min

  You’re being watched. License plate readers, security cameras, facial recognition and other surveillance technologies are becoming part of everyday life, often without us fully realizing how much information they collect or who can access it. In this episode of Hit Pause, I talk with Dave Maass of the Electronic Frontier Foundation about the rapid expansion of surveillance technology, especially Flock’s automated license plate reader network. How effective is Flock at fighting crime? What happens when police can track where your car has been? What happens when federal agencies like ICE can access that data? And what happens when technology designed for convenience becomes a powerful tool for an increasingly authoritarian government? Dave argues that the issue isn’t simply whether surveillance technology can solve individual crimes. It’s whether we are building a system that makes it easier to monitor everyone. We also talk about the constitutional protections being eroded in the name of convenience, the growing resistance to surveillance technology in cities across the country, and why Dave is still optimistic that Americans can push back. CHAPTERS: 00:00 You’re Being Watched 00:44 Are We on the Precipice of a Surveillance State? 02:18 How Flock Cameras Track You 03:28 Why People Are Fighting Back 04:39 The Fight Against Surveillance Technology 06:02 Do Flock Cameras Actually Reduce Crime? 06:57 When the Constitution Becomes “Inconvenient” 08:50 Who’s Making Money From Surveillance? 10:09 Can We Stop This Technology? 12:02 Has Our Relationship With Technology Changed? 13:21 The Case for Flock Cameras 15:42 Can ICE Access Your Location Data? 17:37 A Perfect Tool for an Authoritarian Government 18:34 Can Congress Regulate Surveillance? 20:47 Could “Precrime” Become Reality? 22:18 Why Dave Maass Is Still Optimistic Website: https://hitpausepod.com

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  Hit Pause with Star Price

  Can Talarico Really Beat Paxton in Texas?

  Sep 9, 202638 min

  NEW SEASON: We head into the Texas Senate race between Democrat James Talarico and Republican Ken Paxton to find out whether the red state of Texas could actually turn blue. Texas has been a Republican stronghold for decades. But this race is different enough to raise a tantalizing question: Could James Talarico actually break through? For this episode of Hit Pause, I wanted to get beyond the campaign ads and political talking points. So I talked to Texas voters across the political spectrum about the issues that could decide this race—and brought their reactions to political reporter Alex Roarty for his analysis. We look at: Talarico vs. Paxton: Why this race is suddenly so competitive? Christianity: Two very different visions of faith—and a fight over which version belongs in Texas politics Masculinity: Why Paxton is attacking Talarico's manhood and whether that strategy is working Immigration: The issue Republicans have long used to their advantage, and whether that is changing Trans rights: Why the issue has become part of the campaign—and whether voters actually care as much as politicians think they do Paxton's scandals: His impeachment by the Republican-controlled Texas House, allegations surrounding his personal and political conduct, and why those controversies haven't necessarily driven Republican voters away The economy: Whether Talarico can convince Texas voters that Democrats can be trusted on business and jobs Money: Talarico's enormous fundraising advantage and the Republican money that could pour into the race The changing political landscape: Why Talarico's youth, communication skills and willingness to embrace new media may give him an advantage over the more traditional Paxton And then we ask the biggest question of all: Could Texas actually turn blue? The voters aren't in agreement. And after decades of Democratic disappointment in Texas, there's a lot riding on whether this time really is different. CHAPTERS: 00:00 — The Battle for Texas 01:10 — How Competitive Is the Race? 03:25 — What Do Texas Voters Actually Care About? 09:18 — Can Paxton’s Scandals Hurt Him? 13:21 — The $1,000 Pen Ad 14:57 — A Battle Over Christianity 18:26 — Is Masculinity a Campaign Issue? 22:18 — Immigration and the Texas Border 26:23 — The Fight Over Trans Rights 29:11 — Who’s Running the Better Campaign? 32:19 — Money: Talarico’s Huge Fundraising Advantage 35:17 — Can Texas Really Turn Blue? 36:36 — The Last Mile Problem For every episode, clips, background info, and upcoming schedules, and to reach out with comments or questions, visit our website: https://www.hitpausepod.com

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  Hit Pause with Star Price

  Who's Telling the Truth?

  Sep 2, 20261h 22m

  A HIT PAUSE SPECIAL EPISODE: Who do we trust when we no longer agree on what is true?In this 81-minute Uncut Conversation, historian, author, and media analyst Claire Potter goes much deeper than in our 30-minute July episode. We examine Donald Trump, the media, political polarization, independent media, the decline of corporate news, and how Americans decide what information they can trust.Potter argues that we're living in a media environment that doesn't simply reflect our political divisions—it can reinforce and intensify them, pushing us toward increasingly tribal ways of thinking. We also discuss authenticity in politics, why traditional media struggled to cover Trump, what happens to MAGA after Trump, and what historians may be able to tell us about this period in American life.This is the full, uncut conversation, including the longer answers, additional exchanges and ideas that didn't make the edited episode.If you're a political junkie, this is your 81-minute fix.Subscribe and follow us on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@hitpausepodAnd on Substack: https://starprice.substack.comCHAPTERS:00:00 Who’s Telling the Truth?03:13 Do We Still Have a Shared Reality?04:30 Is Corporate Media Losing Its Audience?07:07 Why Does “Authenticity” Matter?09:41 How Fox News Changed Political Media14:05 When Politics Became a Spectator Sport16:31 Did the Media Create Our Tribal Politics?18:18 How Trump Mastered the Media22:10 Why Has the Media Failed to Cover Trump?25:23 Why Can’t the Media Go Deeper?27:25 The Politics of Authenticity36:28 What Happens to MAGA After Trump?44:39 How Will History Remember Trump?48:03 How Do We Rebuild After Trump?55:46 Are America’s Guardrails Holding?1:00:52 What Will Happen in 2026 and 2028?1:03:05 Is Democratic Socialism the Future?1:18:10 Will America Swing Back to the Center?1:20:34 Is There Still Hope?

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  Hit Pause with Star Price

  The GOP's Great Betrayal

  Aug 26, 20261h 22m

  A HIT PAUSE SPECIAL EPISODE: What happens when a lifelong Republican strategist concludes that the Republican Party he spent decades working for has lost its way? In this Uncut Conversation, Stuart Stevens and I go much deeper than my 30-minute May episode allowed. For 81 minutes, we talk candidly about the transformation of the Republican Party, Donald Trump, the choices that brought us here, and what Stevens believes has happened to the party he once helped lead. Stevens was a senior Republican political consultant who worked on five presidential campaigns, including Mitt Romney’s 2012 campaign. Today, he is one of the most outspoken critics of the direction the Republican Party has taken. This is the full, uncut version of our conversation, with longer answers, additional exchanges, and moments that didn't make the edited episode. You'll hear the conversation from hello to goodbye, with nothing left on the cutting-room floor. And if you've seen the social media clip from this conversation that took off, this is the full conversation behind that clip. Subscribe and follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hitpausepod And on Substack: https://starprice.substack.com/ CHAPTERS:00:00 The GOP’s Great Betrayal02:40 Why Republicans Won’t Defy Trump06:52 Has Trump Ever Had This Much Control?09:39 Will the Republican Party Ever Reset?12:43 The Roots of Trumpism15:35 Can the GOP Be Changed?18:31 Are America’s Guardrails Holding?25:25 What Should Democrats Do?30:47 The Institution Trump Is Undermining Most32:30 Is Trump Smarter Than We Think?36:04 Why the Media Keeps Normalizing Trump38:44 Who Will Lead the GOP in 2028?48:09 Who Could Lead the Democrats?52:39 What Would You Say to a Republican Senator?58:09 Is There Still Reason for Hope?59:51 Is Ukraine Winning?1:10:05 The GOP’s Russia Problem1:13:46 How Stuart Stevens Keeps Going

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