American Power

Chad Scott, Nat Towsen, Mr. Global

American Power is a geopolitical podcast about the forces beneath the headlines, where military strategy, energy markets, and political decision-making collide. Hosted by writer and comedian Nat Towsen alongside military strategist, Chad Scott and an oil and energy expert, Mr. Global, the show breaks down global events through the systems that shape them.
Each episode goes beyond the daily news cycle to examine incentives, history, and unintended consequences. Why do wars become hard to stop once they start? How do oil markets anticipate conflict before governments admit it? And who really pays the price when strategy, economics, and politics intersect?

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20 episodes
Updated Friday

Episodes20

Newest first

American Power Extra: How Trust in Elections Gets Broken
Donald Trump says election security is one of his top priorities, but do his actions match his rhetoric? In this American Power Extra, Chad Scott examines how U.S. election security evolved after Russian interference in 2016 and traces the bipartisan efforts by the Obama, first Trump, and Biden administrations to strengthen protections against cyberattacks, foreign influence, and threats to election workers. He then explores why many of those same institutions are now being dismantled and what that could mean for the 2026 midterms and beyond. We’re always looking for new opportunities to partner with creators, companies, politicians, and organizations that share our mission. If you’re interested in partnering with us to help reshape the national conversation — get in touch! @wearefindout
Friday · 17 min
Energy Expert Robert Rapier on America’s Biggest Energy Myth
Energy expert Robert Rapier joins American Power to explain why the Iran war continues to affect gas and diesel prices, even though the United States is the world’s largest oil producer. The panel breaks down the Strait of Hormuz, America’s complicated claim to energy independence, Trump’s options for ending the conflict, and the long-term future of oil, renewables, nuclear power, AI data centers, and water scarcity. We’re always looking for new opportunities to partner with creators, companies, politicians, and organizations that share our mission. If you’re interested in partnering with us to help reshape the national conversation — get in touch! @wearefindout
Wednesday · 1 hr 12 min
American Power Extra: Death by a Thousand Cuts
The American Dream didn't vanish overnight. In this American Power Extra, Matt Randolph examines the decades-long economic transformation that reshaped the middle class—from stagnant wages and declining unions to globalization, soaring housing and healthcare costs, and the rise of Wall Street. Using historical data and economic trends, he explores how policy choices changed who benefits from the American economy, and why many families feel like they're working harder while falling further behind. We’re always looking for new opportunities to partner with creators, companies, politicians, and organizations that share our mission. If you’re interested in partnering with us to help reshape the national conversation — get in touch! @wearefindout
July 24 · 19 min
Ambassador Julie Smith on NATO's Trust Crisis
Former U.S. Ambassador to NATO Julie Smith joins American Power for a wide-ranging conversation on the future of the transatlantic alliance. Together, they unpack the latest NATO summit, the war in Ukraine, Trump's impact on America's relationships with its allies, and why restoring trust may be the alliance's biggest challenge in the years ahead. Plus, a look at hybrid warfare, cyber threats, Greenland, tariffs, and what the next chapter of NATO could look like. We’re always looking for new opportunities to partner with creators, companies, politicians, and organizations that share our mission. If you’re interested in partnering with us to help reshape the national conversation — get in touch! @wearefindout
July 22 · 1 hr 15 min
American Power Extra: When AI Becomes National Security
What happens if America's biggest AI companies become too important to fail? In this American Power Extra, Chad Scott explores why Washington may be preparing to treat artificial intelligence as critical national infrastructure, what that could mean for companies like OpenAI and Anthropic, and whether government investment in AI blurs the line between free markets and state power. Plus, why the race with China could redefine capitalism, national security, and the future of American technological leadership. We’re always looking for new opportunities to partner with creators, companies, politicians, and organizations that share our mission. If you’re interested in partnering with us to help reshape the national conversation — get in touch! @wearefindout
July 17 · 16 min
What Happens If NATO Falls Apart?
This week on American Power, host Nat Towsen is joined by military strategist Chad Scott and energy expert Matt Randolph to explain why one of the world's oldest military alliances still shapes everything from global security to the price you pay at the pump. The team examines the latest fighting in Iran, the growing threat to Middle East energy infrastructure, and what renewed attacks could mean for oil markets. They also break down the recent NATO summit, Ukraine's growing military capabilities, and why Russia viewed the alliance's latest commitments as a setback. Plus: a conversation about misinformation during wartime, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and why understanding global alliances is essential to understanding American power. We’re always looking for new opportunities to partner with creators, companies, politicians, and organizations that share our mission. If you’re interested in partnering with us to help reshape the national conversation — get in touch! @wearefindout
July 15 · 1 hr 26 min
America's Allies Are Making Backup Plans
This week on American Power, host Nat Towsen is joined by military strategist Chad Scott and energy expert Matt Randolph to explain why gas prices remain stubbornly high even as oil prices fall, what Ukraine's attacks on Russian refineries could mean for global diesel supplies, and why energy markets are behaving unlike anything experts have seen before. Then the conversation turns to geopolitics. Chad breaks down why NATO allies are accelerating military spending, how Europe's security strategy is evolving, and why America's unpredictability is forcing allies to rethink decades of defense planning. Finally, the team examines growing public tensions between the Trump administration and Israel, the future of negotiations with Iran, and what those fractures could mean for stability in the Middle East. We’re always looking for new opportunities to partner with creators, companies, politicians, and organizations that share our mission. If you’re interested in partnering with us to help reshape the national conversation — get in touch! @wearefindout
July 8 · 1 hr 30 min
Ukraine Found Russia’s Weak Spot
This week on American Power, Nat Towsen, Chad Scott, and Matt Randolph break down Putin’s rare admission of fuel shortages, Ukraine’s escalating strikes on Russian energy infrastructure, and why diesel may be one of the most important weapons in the war. Chad explains how Russia’s battlefield losses, collapsing logistics, and growing domestic pressure could threaten Putin’s grip on power. Matt breaks down why diesel shortages matter far beyond Russia and how disruptions to fuel, fertilizer, and exports could ripple through the global economy. Plus: Trump’s energy policy, America’s renewable energy failures, and why local socialist wins in New York may signal a bigger shift in how voters think about affordability, climate, and power. We’re always looking for new opportunities to partner with creators, companies, politicians, and organizations that share our mission. If you’re interested in partnering with us to help reshape the national conversation — get in touch! @wearefindout
July 1 · 1 hr 30 min
Mr. Global Goes to Washington
This week on American Power, Nat Towsen, Chad Scott, and Matt Randolph unpack Matt's appearance before a Senate energy committee, where he challenged lawmakers to think about energy affordability, corporate power, and the people struggling to pay their bills. Then the conversation turns to Iran, where a new agreement raises tough questions about leverage, sanctions, and whether the U.S. gave away more than it gained. From energy policy and healthcare costs to the future of the Iran deal, this episode explores what happens when political messaging collides with reality. We’re always looking for new opportunities to partner with creators, companies, politicians, and organizations that share our mission. If you’re interested in partnering with us to help reshape the national conversation — get in touch! @wearefindout
June 24 · 1 hr 33 min
The Future of War Is Flying Overhead (with Preston Stewart)
Military analyst Preston Stewart joins American Power fresh off a trip to Ukraine to explain how drones, innovation, and battlefield adaptation are transforming modern warfare. From Russia's energy vulnerabilities to the rise of Ukraine as a drone superpower, this conversation explores what Americans misunderstand about the war, how energy infrastructure has become a battlefield, and why every military in the world is studying Ukraine's playbook. To donate to the Ukraine Organizations mentioned in this episode, check out: https://car4ukraine.com/ https://dzygaspaw.com/ https://ukraineaidops.org/ We’re always looking for new opportunities to partner with creators, companies, politicians, and organizations that share our mission. If you’re interested in partnering with us to help reshape the national conversation — get in touch! @wearefindout
June 17 · 1 hr 24 min
Can America Afford the Future?
Climate and energy strategist Patrick Robbins joins American Power to break down renewable energy, affordability, data centers, grassroots organizing, and the biggest misconceptions shaping the climate debate. Plus: why local politics may matter more than Washington when it comes to building the energy system of tomorrow. For more information about climate policies that could transform New York, check out www.springstreetclimate.org We’re always looking for new opportunities to partner with creators, companies, politicians, and organizations that share our mission. If you’re interested in partnering with us to help reshape the national conversation — get in touch! @wearefindout
June 10 · 1 hr 29 min
The AI Boom Is Making Your Bills More Expensive
The U.S. and Iran remain locked in a dangerous stalemate while AI data centers place unprecedented demands on America's power grid. Nat Towsen, Chad Scott and Matt Randolph examine why diplomacy keeps failing, how energy markets are responding, and whether the race for technological dominance is creating new vulnerabilities at home. We’re always looking for new opportunities to partner with creators, companies, politicians, and organizations that share our mission. If you’re interested in partnering with us to help reshape the national conversation — get in touch! @wearefindout
June 3 · 1 hr 27 min
The War Nobody Wanted, The Deal Nobody Likes
This week on American Power, host Nat Towsen, military strategist Chad Scott and energy expert Matt Randolph (Mr. Global) break down the emerging Iran deal, why Republican hawks are furious, and whether America has any real leverage left. They also dive into Israel's role in the negotiations, the future of the Strait of Hormuz, and what Democrats still don't understand about Gaza, energy prices, and the voters they lost. We’re always looking for new opportunities to partner with creators, companies, politicians, and organizations that share our mission. If you’re interested in partnering with us to help reshape the national conversation — get in touch! @wearefindout
May 27 · 1 hr 21 min
China Is Playing Chess. America Is Playing Candyland.
This week on American Power, host Nat Towsen is joined by military strategist Chad Scott and energy expert Matt Randolph (Mr. Global) to break down Trump’s high-profile meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Chad explains how China quietly gained leverage on Taiwan, semiconductors, and strategic messaging while the U.S. walked away celebrating vague trade promises and headline-friendly “wins.” Matt breaks down why China may already be better prepared for a prolonged global energy crisis than almost any country on earth: massive strategic oil reserves, aggressive renewable investment, and a long-term industrial strategy built around resilience. We’re always looking for new opportunities to partner with creators, companies, politicians, and organizations that share our mission. If you’re interested in partnering with us to help reshape the national conversation — get in touch! @wearefindout
May 20 · 1 hr 14 min
Rep. Adam Smith on the War Congress Didn’t Approve
On this episode of American Power, host Nat Towsen is joined by military strategist Chad Scott, energy expert Matt Randolph (Mr. Global), and Congressman Adam Smith, ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, to break down the escalating conflict with Iran, the limits of presidential war powers, and what comes next. Smith explains why the U.S. now finds itself “stuck in a bad place” with few clear options, and the reality behind modern war powers: presidents act first, and Congress struggles to keep up. Chad Scott brings the military perspective, examining how blockades and ongoing strikes blur the line between deterrence and full-scale war. Matt Randolph breaks down the energy side, explaining why “energy independence” is largely a myth and how global oil markets are already shaping the conflict and its consequences at home. We’re always looking for new opportunities to partner with creators, companies, politicians, and organizations that share our mission. If you’re interested in partnering with us to help reshape the national conversation — get in touch! @wearefindout
May 13 · 1 hr 10 min
The Ceasefire That Wasn’t
This week on American Power, host Nat Towsen is joined by military strategist Chad Scott and energy expert Matt Randolph (Mr. Global) to break down the growing chaos in and around the Strait of Hormuz. Chad explains why America may already be operating outside the limits of the War Powers Act, how the blockade itself qualifies as an act of war, and why Iran’s strategy is to defeat the U.S.by exhausting it economically and politically. Matt walks through what could become the next major shock to Americans at home: collapsing gasoline and diesel inventories, record exports, and a supply crunch that could send gas prices soaring even if oil prices stabilize. We’re always looking for new opportunities to partner with creators, companies, politicians, and organizations that share our mission. If you’re interested in partnering with us to help reshape the national conversation — get in touch! @wearefindout
May 6 · 1 hr 4 min
Power at the Edge of Failure
This week on American Power, host Nat Towsen is joined by military strategist Chad Scott and energy expert Matt Randolph (Mr. Global) to examine a crisis hiding in plain sight: rising fuel prices, shrinking reserves, stalled Iran negotiations, and a global economy that may be far more fragile than it looks. Matt breaks down why U.S. fuel inventories are nearing operational minimums, why gas prices may keep rising even if oil doesn’t, and how false reports of peace talks may be distorting markets rather than calming them. Chad explains why tactical military success is not the same as strategic success and why negotiations with Iran may be stuck because both sides wrongly believe they hold the upper hand. We’re always looking for new opportunities to partner with creators, companies, politicians, and organizations that share our mission. If you’re interested in partnering with us to help reshape the national conversation — get in touch! @wearefindout
April 29 · 50 min
Oil and Blood: Iran, the U.S. and the Petrodollar
This week on American Power, host Nat Towsen steps back from the daily chaos to trace how the U.S.-Iran relationship; from early oil extraction and Western intervention to coups, sanctions, and the rise of the modern Iranian regime. Energy expert Matt Randolph (Mr. Global) breaks down how Iran’s oil wealth was exploited for decades and why the country’s current strategy is rooted in economic warfare, not military dominance. That includes the often-overlooked role of dollar-denominated debt and the global demand for U.S. currency. Military strategist Chad Scott explains how U.S. decisions, from the 1953 Iranian coup d’état to backing Iraq and beyond, helped shape the adversary it faces today. We’re always looking for new opportunities to partner with creators, companies, politicians, and organizations that share our mission. If you’re interested in partnering with us to help reshape the national conversation — get in touch! @wearefindout
April 22 · 59 min
The Strait Illusion: Why This Strategy Fails
This week on American Power, energy expert Matt Randolph (Mr. Global) reveals a critical timing problem: Iran could keep getting paid for oil shipments for weeks, meaning the economic pressure hasn’t even started yet. Military strategist Chad Scott walks through the logistics of enforcing a blockade across an area the size of a U.S. state with limited ships, unclear authority, and a mission the Navy wasn’t designed to execute. Along the way, host Nat Towsen pushes on the contradictions: if the blockade risks drawing in nuclear powers, alienating allies, and failing to immediately impact Iran, what is the actual strategy? And if it doesn’t work, are the only real options escalation or a very public retreat? We’re always looking for new opportunities to partner with creators, companies, politicians, and organizations that share our mission. If you’re interested in partnering with us to help reshape the national conversation — get in touch! @wearefindout
April 15 · 52 min
When War Breaks the Rules And the Markets
This week on American Power, we break down a dangerous new phase of the Iran conflict: threats of strikes on civilian infrastructure, rising oil prices, and a global system starting to buckle under pressure. Military expert Chad Scott explains why targeting power plants crosses into war crime territory not just internationally, but under U.S. law and why history shows this kind of strategy doesn’t weaken regimes, it hardens them. Energy expert Matt Randolph (Mr. Global) walks through what’s already happening in the oil markets, where physical crude is trading far above futures, a warning sign that gas prices could soon surge past record highs. We’re always looking for new opportunities to partner with creators, companies, politicians, and organizations that share our mission. If you’re interested in partnering with us to help reshape the national conversation — get in touch! @wearefindout
April 8 · 1 hr 3 min

American Power

American Power Extra: How Trust in Elections Gets Broken

Energy Expert Robert Rapier on America’s Biggest Energy Myth

American Power Extra: Death by a Thousand Cuts

Ambassador Julie Smith on NATO's Trust Crisis

American Power Extra: When AI Becomes National Security

What Happens If NATO Falls Apart?

America's Allies Are Making Backup Plans

Ukraine Found Russia’s Weak Spot

Mr. Global Goes to Washington

The Future of War Is Flying Overhead (with Preston Stewart)

Can America Afford the Future?

The AI Boom Is Making Your Bills More Expensive

The War Nobody Wanted, The Deal Nobody Likes

China Is Playing Chess. America Is Playing Candyland.

Rep. Adam Smith on the War Congress Didn’t Approve

The Ceasefire That Wasn’t

Power at the Edge of Failure

Oil and Blood: Iran, the U.S. and the Petrodollar

The Strait Illusion: Why This Strategy Fails

When War Breaks the Rules And the Markets