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.
Welcome to your Breaking Points Premium subscription!
With your support you'll get access to our AMAs, full ad free shows in your inbox every morning, the premium exclusive second half of every Friday show, and more!
Here are some helpful resources to get you started with your subscription:
Connect BP to your Podcast Player: https://support.locals.com/en/article/what-is-rss-and-how-do-i-use-it-ekrqi/
Connect BP to your Spotify: https://support.locals.com/en/article/connecting-to-spotify-dtbjpj/?bust=1745352886430
Account/Billing/Tech Support: http://breakingpoints.locals.com/contact
We're so grateful for your support and trust as you join us on our journey to create better independent media.
- BP Team
Thank you for becoming a member at Breaking Points, now on Locals!
You will get access to all the exclusive content, our full length shows, and new Q&A live streams that will be on Locals. Locals adds great features to the show such as the mobile app, higher quality video, and screen casting to your TV!
If you need any help, please contact [email protected].
Thanks for being a part of the next step in our independent media journey,
BP Team
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
If you need any help, please contact http://breakingpoints.locals.com/contact
To connect your RSS feed, use this link: https://breakingpoints.locals.com/rss
Figured this would be the best place out of any to start a debate like this as the people who watch this show are generally more engaged and more informed- politically speaking:
I don't think it's a very bold claim to say that Biden was more America first than Trump has been in his first year. I know you can't say something like that without omitting his policy on Israel Gaza but I also don't think you can ignore the stance he took on energy climate change domestic manufacturing and jobs created especially in his first year. Or maybe I just really hate Trump that much that I can ignore everything Biden did. What are you guys thinking?
Sooooo…. I’m back again to rant about the SAF and RSF. You are 100% being lied to about Sudan. The SAF is killing just as many, if not more, civilians than the RSF. The SAF is raping just as many, if not more, than the RSF. The SAF is dropping chlorine gas on civilian populations. Yup. Chemical weapons folks…. that’s your side… the side that the west wants you to support. As long as you got that backing of the west, you’re the good guy no matter how many pesky civilians you gotta gas to death.
Now if you’re thinking “why aren’t we condemning the SAF for their targeting of ethnic minorities, and labeled them genocidal?” Stop it. Bad American! Stop asking questions!!!
But the answer is simple. We back the SAF because someone backs the RSF and we don’t like that someone. Who is that someone? You already know. Do I have to say it? We’ve been playing this game for my entire 36 years on this planet.
Isn’t imperialism glorious? 😂
Oh, and by “we” I mean “the ...
