Zero Distortion with Russ Bates

Episode 12: Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” Cuts Medicaid, Helps the Wealthy — Here’s What’s Inside

Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” just squeaked through the House — and the stakes couldn’t be higher. In this episode of Zero Distortion, we unpack what this proposed legislation really means for America:
🔹 A massive extension of the 2017 Trump tax cuts
🔹 Deep Medicaid cuts that threaten healthcare access
🔹 Huge tax breaks for corporations and the ultra-wealthy
🔹 Rollbacks on clean energy incentives
🔹 A projected $4 trillion added to the federal deficit Republican leaders claim it will grow the economy and benefit working families — but does it?
We examine the truth behind the promises, the impact on low-income Americans, and what happens next as the bill heads to the Senate. Don't miss this breakdown of one of the most consequential tax policy moves in years.
🎧 Full episode available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and YouTube.
#BigBeautifulBill #TrumpTaxCuts #MedicaidCuts #GOPTaxPlan #CleanEnergyCuts #TaxReform #FederalDeficit #WealthGap #MiddleClassStruggle #CorporateWelfare #AmericanPolitics #BidenVsTrump #CongressionalPolitics #ZeroDistortion

Episode 11-Trump’s 2017 Tax Cuts: Who Really Benefited?

Did Trump’s 2017 Tax Cuts really help working Americans — or just the wealthy elite? In this episode of Zero Distortion, host Russ Bates breaks down the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, what was promised, and who actually benefited. We analyze the real impact of the 2017 Trump tax law, including: How much the top 1% of earners gained from the tax cuts What middle-class families actually received Whether the law “paid for itself” or ballooned the national debt How foreign investors profited while the poorest Americans got crumbs With data from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP) and insights from inside the energy and clean energy sectors, Russ breaks through the political spin to deliver the facts.
🔔 Subscribe for more episodes on tax policy, income inequality, and the fight for a fairer economy.
💬 What did you get from the 2017 tax cuts? #TrumpTaxCuts #2017TaxLaw #TaxCutsAndJobsAct #IncomeInequality #NationalDebt #ZeroDistortionPodcast #WhoBenefited #TrumpEconomy #MiddleClass #TaxPolicy #RussBates

Episode 10-Manifestation That Actually Works: Mindset, Energy & Real-Life Results

In this episode of Zero Distortion, Russ Bates is joined by his wife Alisa and guests Lanie Latios and Caroline Vincent for a deep, real, and practical conversation about manifestation—what it actually is, how it works in business, relationships, and mindset, and why it’s more than just wishful thinking. We unpack manifestation techniques, including journaling, visualization, affirmations, method acting, energetic alignment, and even neural anchoring.
We discuss:
-What manifestation means in real life (not just TikTok trends)
-Success stories from careers, The Bachelor, and personal growth
-The science and mindset behind Law of Attraction
-Shadow work, energy blocks, and building emotional regulation
-How to manifest career growth, love, fitness, and abundance
If you're curious about manifestation, mindset development, affirmations, emotional energy, or building a life with intention and clarity, this episode is for you.
🎙️ Subscribe to Zero Distortion for more raw and relevant conversations that cut through the noise.
#Manifestation #Mindset #LawOfAttraction #ZeroDistortionPodcast #Visualization #Journaling #Affirmations #EnergyAlignment #PersonalGrowth #SelfImprovement #RussBates #Podcast

Episode 9-Made in America-Is It Still Realistic Today

Everyone’s talking about bringing manufacturing back to the U.S. — but what does it actually take to rebuild an industrial base in today’s global economy?
In this episode of Zero Distortion, Russ Bates is joined by Mush Khan, Co-Founder & CEO of Alchemy Industrial, for a real conversation on the gap between political ambition and manufacturing reality.
Mush brings decades of experience in industrial strategy, operations, and innovation — and shares what it’s like to lead a domestic manufacturing company during a time of big promises and uncertain policy.
Together, they explore:🔩 Why reshoring is harder than people think📦 What it takes to compete with global supply chains🏭 Labor, automation, and the talent gap🇺🇸 What "Made in America" really looks like in 2025
Whether you're a business leader, policymaker, or just tired of the talking points, this episode pulls no punches.

Episode 8 – The Business of the Bachelor with Lanie Latsios

The Business of the Bachelor
 
The Bachelor isn't just a dating show — it's a billion-dollar brand built on emotion, competition, and carefully crafted narratives.
 
In this episode of Zero Distortion, Russ is joined by Lanie L. Latsios, a contestant from Joey’s season of The Bachelor, along with my wife Alisa, a longtime fan of the franchise. Together, we dive into the machine behind the roses — and what happens to the people inside it.
 
🎙️ We unpack:
➡️ How contestants are selected, prepared, and positioned
💡 The emotional cost of being part of a brand-driven experience
💲 Why fans often miss the business side of reality TV
▶️ How appearing on the show impacts your personal and professional life long after filming ends
 
This isn’t a recap. It’s a breakdown of what The Bachelor really is — from the inside out.
 

Episode 7-Answer the Damn Question

Why is it so hard for politicians to just answer the damn question?
In this solo episode, Russ Bates breaks down one of the most frustrating things in politics today — long-winded, empty responses that say nothing. Whether it’s a press conference, a podcast, or testifying before Congress, too many politicians from both sides talk in circles, dodge accountability, and insult our intelligence with rehearsed spin.
Russ explains why this isn’t a partisan problem — it’s a leadership one. And why pretending to answer is worse than just saying “I’m not going to answer that.”
🎧 Real talk. No spin.💬 Let us know — do you agree, or is he way off?

Episode 6: Work/Life Balance

What does work-life balance really mean — and is it even the right goal? In this episode, Russ shares a personal take on how his view of balance has evolved over time. From working on vacation to finding purpose in the hustle, this isn’t about burnout or boundaries — it’s about alignment.
Whether you're an entrepreneur, creative, or just someone trying to make it all fit — this one’s for you.
💬 Subscribe for more real talk from Zero Distortion.

Episode 5-Vacation Vibes & Real Talk: A Quick Zero Distortion Update from Mexico

Hola from Mexico! 🌴
In this short update, Russ Bates shares a few vacation vibes while thanking Zero Distortion listeners for the early support.
With new episodes coming soon — covering everything from TikTok to politics to behind-the-scenes stories from The Bachelor — there’s a lot to look forward to.
Thanks for being part of the ride. Subscribe and stay tuned — real talk is just getting started.
🎙️ #ZeroDistortion

Angela Muresan — Marketing with Meaning

 
In this episode of Zero Distortion, Russ Bates sits down with Angela Muresan — a multilingual marketing strategist, content creator, and presenter — to talk about the journey from early influences to building a purpose-driven career.
Angela shares how her values, cultural background, and passion for storytelling have shaped her path in marketing. From freelancing and show hosting to creating sustainable brand strategies, she opens up about staying inspired, working with intention, and the importance of authenticity in both life and business.
🎙️ Topics include:
How Angela’s personal story shaped her work
Creativity across cultures and languages
Building a values-driven brand
Staying inspired in a fast-paced digital world
Follow Zero Distortion for more honest conversations at the intersection of creativity, leadership, and impact.
#ZeroDistortion #AngelaMuresan #MarketingWithMeaning #Podcast #CreativeLeadership #Storytelling

Zero Distortion Episode 3-The Fall of Elon Musk

In this episode of Zero Distortion, Russ Bates unpacks Elon Musk’s shift from admired innovator to political lightning rod.
We cover:
-Musk’s $275M donation and D.O.G.E. appointment
-The myth of $2T in “savings” vs. $150B in new federal spending
-Why even Trump is now backing away
-And how Musk may be hurting the very legacy he built
This isn’t reform. It’s spectacle.