I used to recommend Breaking Points with Krystal and Saagar to anyone looking for thoughtful, independent analysis outside the mainstream media bubble. Not anymore. The show has changed, and I’m not sure I fit their audience now.
Saagar’s absence is a big part of it. He was absent again this week, off shooting Flagrant with Andrew Schulz. I get that he has obligations, but as a subscriber, I’d rather his priority be Breaking Points. When he’s gone the show feels off balance. He’s not afraid to push back, and his informed, well-reasoned takes add the depth the show needs. Without him, it’s tough to get through an episode.
Krystal, on the other hand, is usually there. I still respect her, but she’s become hard to listen to. She dominates conversations with emotive rhetoric, repeats herself constantly, and interrupts - not to challenge ideas, but to restate her points. Repeating the same point over and over insults the listener’s intelligence and weakens the argument.
Every episode, I find myself hoping she’ll be back to the sharp, insightful voice she used to be. At the very least, please be mindful of the fact that some us have ear buds in and use an inside voice.
Emily and Ryan are fine, but I rarely watch their episodes unless I’m desperate for the news. Emily respects the others so much that it seems to get in the way of her ability to challenge or debate them. Ryan is knowledgeable but takes forever to get his thoughts out. He can have a debate, but his delivery makes it tough to stay engaged.
And then there’s the shift toward clickbait. "Bill Burr HUMILIATES Ben Shapiro in Anti-Woke GRIFT"? The segment itself was just a short clip of Burr dismissing Shapiro, with Krystal and Emily chuckling along. No real discussion, no deeper dive - just culture war fluff. And sure, that's the title to a YouTube clip - I get it. Though, the headlines to the episodes are not much better. They used to call out the mainstream media for this kind of engagement and low-effort "news" coverage.
Maybe I’ve just outgrown the show, or maybe they’ve changed who they’re making it for. Either way, between the imbalance in hosting, Krystal’s current approach, and the clickbait shift, I'm not sure where this puts us. I think my subscription is up at the end of the year, we'll see how it goes.
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Krystal, Ryan and Emily discuss China calling Trump's bluff on tariffs, stock market reacts, and a lawyer for a wrongly deported man responds to JD Vance.
YouTube: https://youtu.be/5aaiNVuR134
Spotify Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/2togMvVQ0F4mXQmbwuFs4K?si=wEARUQEoSR2o4KFxn-wR4w
Timestamps:
(00:00)Introduction and Overview of Liberation Day
(2:25)Jobs Report Analysis and Economic Implications
(14:58)The Impact of Tariffs on Domestic Economy
(26:15)Trump's Economic Strategy and Its Consequences
(40:55)The Autocratic Leadership Style of Trump
(42:19)The Case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia
(1:12:02)The Shift in Democratic Leadership Dynamics
(1:17:53)Upcoming Nationwide Protests Against Trump
(1:33:45)End Of Show
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Ryan and Emily in the Ezra Klein segment were bothering me in a way that Krystal and Saagar haven’t bothered me post-assassination. Our country’s flag was lowered for a public figure. I’m going to bring up that he said gay people “want to corrupt your children” and “Black America needs to stop sleeping around” and Islam is “slitting the throat of America.” Those are all in context, Emily. Charlie Kirk was not doing politics the “right way” and saying that is different than celebrating or even wishing for violence.
I agree with Krystal’s point from a year ago that we can be honest about public figures when they die.
Re: today's show approx 1:05:00:
Saagar I really hope you read these posts, man. As a leftist, I wouldn't EVER cheer your death. AND I HOPE THATS MOT WHAT YOU TAKE AWAY FROM KIRKS DEATH.
The last 3 years you've given me more to think about, ponder and have challenged my beliefs in more than any other conservative political pundit whose content I've ever consumed. I believe you approach MOST topics in good faith, and in objective reality. I don't always arrive in agreement with you but you've challenged my views and values in ways no one else has-and I am very grateful and thankful to for you for that. Bong rips for Saagar and his baby!
