The Road to Character
David Brooks
Mentioned 7 months ago
Friday, December 19th, 2025 - Epstein files Friday; Naturalization in trouble; Trump’s “Patriot Games” (no, really); RFK Jr. cuts kid’s care
Morning Announcements is your daily news rundown from Betches News--because the world’s a mess, and someone’s gotta explain it. Every morning, Betches co-founder and host Sami Sage cuts through the chaos to break down what actually matters, one unhinged headline at a time. All in under 10 minutes, s...
Recently mentioned
How to Make Changes Big and Small in Our Country and in Our Lives
The host, Sami Sage, repeatedly highlighted the title as a hopeful, practical handbook for navigating the current political climate and taking personal action to save democracy. She emphasized that the book, co‑written with Emily Amick, offered a choose‑your‑own‑adventure style guide with tools, resources and recommendations, and noted its New York Times bestseller ranking and five‑star Amazon reviews.
Sami Sage's book, written with Emily Amick, is a guide to taking action and making change in our country and lives, offering a personalized plan to save democracy.
My book, Democracy in Retrograde, how to make changes big and small in our country and our lives is finally out this week.
If you've been feeling stressed about the election and keeping our democracy, and who
I wrote this book with my friend Emily Amick, who many of you might know as Emily in your phone, so that we could help everyone make a personally tailored plan for how you can take on your
unique role in saving our democracy in a way that fits your talents, time and passions and will be sustainable for the long term.
Get it anywhere books are sold.
Sami Sage wrote this book with her friend Emily Amick to help people make a personally tailored plan for how they can take on their unique role in saving our democracy in a way that fits their talents, time, and passions and will be sustainable for the long term.
My book Democracy in Retrograde, How to Make Changes Big and Small in Our Country and Our Lives is finally out this week.
If you've been feeling stressed about the election and keeping our democracy, and who hasn't, I wrote this book with my friend Emily Amick, who many of you might know as Emily in your phone, so that we could help everyone make a personally tailored plan for how you can take on your unique role in saving our democracy in a way that fits your talents, time, and passions and will be sustainable for the long term.
Get it anywhere books are sold.
The host, Sami Sage, mentioned their book, co-written with Emily Amick, as a resource for readers to find a personally tailored plan to save democracy. It was written to help people find ways to contribute that fit their talents, time, and passions.
My book, Democracy in Retrograde, How to Make Changes Big and Small in Our Country and Our Lives, is finally out this week.
I wrote this book with my friend Emily Amick, who many of you might know as Emily in Your Phone, so that we could help everyone make a personally tailored plan for how you can take on your unique role in saving our democracy
in a way that fits your talents, time, and passions and will be sustainable for the long term. Get it anywhere books are sold.
Sami Sage discusses their book, "Democracy in Retrograde," which they co-authored with Emily Amick, known as "Emily in your phone." The book aims to help readers create a personal plan to contribute to saving democracy based on their skills, time, and interests, making it sustainable for the long term.
My book, Democracy in Retrograde, is called Keeping Our Democracy, and who hasn't?
I wrote this book with my friend Emily Amick, who many of you might know as Emily in your phone, so that we could help everyone make a personally tailored plan for how you can take on your unique role in saving our democracy in a way that fits your talents, time, and passions and will be sustainable for the long term.
Get it anywhere books are sold.
The host mentioned her book 'Democracy in Retrograde' which she co-authored with Emily Amick. The book contains resources and recommendations for making changes, both big and small, in the country and people's lives. The book encourages civic engagement and is a choose-your-own-adventure style guide for saving democracy.
I have a book coming out July 9th called Democracy in Retrograde, how to make changes big and small in our country and our lives.
Along with my co-author, Emily Amick, aka Emily in your phone, we've created a choose your own adventure book to how you can personally help save our democracy in a way that makes sense for you.
We have lots of resources and practical recommendations, whether you're looking to get civically engaged for a few hours a week or for your full time job.
It is a choose your own adventure book that aims to help readers personally help save our democracy in a way that makes sense for them.
I have a book coming out July 9th called Democracy in Retrograde, How to Make Changes Big and Small in Our Country and Our Lives.
Along with my coauthor, Emily Amick, AKA Emily in your phone, we've created a choose your own adventure book to how you can personally help save our democracy in a way that makes sense for you.
The book is out July 9th and if you order a copy before July 12th, you can be automatically entered to win a $3,000 gift card to Expedia when you email your receipt to democracyinretrograde at gmail.com.
You can get Democracy in Retrograde, how to make changes big and small in our country and our lives everywhere books are sold.
The book is a 'choose your own adventure' guide to making changes in your country and your life. It offers practical recommendations for how to get civically engaged, whether you want to dedicate a few hours a week or your full-time job.
I have a book coming out July 9th called Democracy in Retrograde, How to Make Changes Big and Small in Our Country and Our Lives.
Along with my coauthor, Emily Amick, AKA Emily in your phone, we've created a choose your own adventure book to how you can personally help save our democracy in a way that makes sense for you.
We have lots of resources and practical recommendations, whether you're looking to get civically engaged for a few hours a week or for your full-time job.
The book is out July 9th and if you order a copy before July 12th, you can be automatically entered to win a $3,000 gift card to Expedia when you email your receipt to democracyinretrograde at gmail.com and even better, everyone who sends us their proof of purchase will receive a digital gift from Emily and me on July 12th.
You can get Democracy in Retrograde, How to Make Changes Big and Small in Our Country and Our Lives everywhere books are sold.
It is a choose-your-own-adventure book about how to save democracy in a way that is practical and makes sense to you. It includes resources and practical recommendations for people who are looking to be civically engaged, whether it is for a few hours a week or full-time.
I have a book coming out July 9th called Democracy and Retrograde, how to make changes big and small in our country and our lives.
Along with my coauthor, Emily Amick, AKA Emily in your phone, we've created a choose your own adventure book to how you can personally help save our democracy in a way that makes sense for you.
We have lots of resources and practical recommendations, whether you're looking to get civically engaged for a few hours a week or for your full-time job.
It is a choose your own adventure book that provides resources and practical recommendations for helping to save democracy.
I have a book coming out July 9th called Democracy in Retrograde, How to Make Changes Big and Small in Our Country and Our Lives.
Along with my co-author Emily Amick, aka Emily in your phone, we've created a choose your own adventure book to how you can personally help save our democracy in a way that makes sense for you.
We have lots of resources and practical recommendations whether you're looking to get civically engaged for a few hours a week or for your full-time job.
You can get Democracy in Retrograde, how to make changes big and small in our country and our lives everywhere books are sold.
This book was described as hopeful, helpful, practical and a New York Times bestseller with five-star ratings on Amazon. The host recommended it as a handbook for navigating the current political climate and the antidote to hopelessness. It was also described as the book we need right now.
If you like getting your news from this show, be sure to check out my new book, Democracy in Retrograde, How to Make Changes Big and Small in Our Country and Our Lives.
It's hopeful, it's helpful, it's practical, and it's now a New York Times bestseller with straight five-star ratings on Amazon.
And like the reviews say, it is the handbook for navigating the current political climate, the antidote to hopelessness and exactly the book we need right now.
The host of the podcast, Sami Sage, recommends their own book, which they describe as hopeful, helpful, practical, and a New York Times bestseller with five-star ratings on Amazon. It is meant to be a guide for navigating the current political climate and a way to combat hopelessness.
If you like getting your news from this show, be sure to check out my new book, Democracy in Retrograde, How to Make Changes Big and Small in Our Country and Our Lives. It's hopeful, it's helpful, it's practical, and it's now a New York Times bestseller with straight five-star ratings on Amazon.
And like the reviews say, it is the handbook for navigating the current political climate, the antidote to hopelessness, and exactly the book we need right now.
It was recommended as a guide to making changes in the country and personal lives, ranked second on the New York Times Best Seller list, and provides tools and information for those wanting to save democracy.
If you like keeping up with the headlines with me, check out my new book, Democracy in Retrograde, How to Make Changes Big and Small in Our Country and Our Lives, which was just ranked number two on the New York Times Best Seller list.
If you want to get more involved in saving our democracy but are just not sure where to start, Democracy in Retrograde will give you all of the tools, ideas and information that you need to take those first steps.
The host recommended this book in light of the depressing statistics revealed in the AP-NORC poll about the future of democracy. It was promoted as providing tools and information to help readers take steps to save democracy.
I think I know a book for that.
check out my new book Democracy in Retrograde, How to Make Changes Big and Small in Our Country and Our Lives, which was just ranked number two on the New York Times bestseller list.
If you want to get more involved in saving our democracy, but are just not sure where to start, Democracy in Retrograde will give you all of the tools, ideas, and information that you need to take those first steps.
Sami Sage promoted her own book, noting it would help listeners understand the political system and learn how to improve their community and democracy.
And also pick up a copy of my book, Democracy in Retrograde, How to Make Changes Big and Small in Our Country and Our Lives. It will not only help you figure out our ridiculous political system, but what you personally can do to help improve your community and our democracy. You can get it wherever books are sold.
The host Sami Sage promoted her book, which aims to help readers understand the political system and how to improve their community and democracy.
And also pick up a copy of my book, Democracy in Retrograde, How to Make Changes Big and Small in Our Country and Our Lives.
It will not only help you figure out our ridiculous political system, but what you personally can do to help improve your community and our democracy.
The host Sammy Sage recommended her book, which helps readers understand the political system and how to improve their community and democracy.
And also pick up a copy of my book, Democracy in Retrograde, How to Make Changes Big and Small in Our Country and Our Lives. It will not only help you figure out our ridiculous political system, but what you personally can do to help improve your community and our democracy.
The host promoted her book, which she stated would help listeners figure out the political system and what they can personally do to improve their community and democracy. The book was available wherever books are sold.
And also pick up a copy of my book, Democracy in Retrograde, How to Make Changes Big and Small in Our Country and Our Lives.
It will not only help you figure out our ridiculous political system, but what you personally can do to help improve your community and our democracy.
The host promoted his own book, describing it as a guide to making political and community changes and saying it would help listeners understand the political system.
And also pick up a copy of my book, Democracy in Retrograde, how to make changes big and small in our country and our lives. It will not only help you figure out our ridiculous political system, but what you personally can do to help improve your community and our democracy.
You can get it wherever books are sold.
Sami Sage promoted her own book as a practical guide to help listeners understand the political system and learn how to make both big and small changes in their communities and democracy.
And also pick up a copy of my book, Democracy in Retrograde, How to Make Changes Big and Small in Our Country and Our Lives.
The host promoted his own book, stating it would help listeners figure out the political system and discover ways to improve their community and democracy.
And also pick up a copy of my book, Democracy in Retrograde, How to Make Changes Big and Small in Our Country and Our Lives. It will not only help you figure out our ridiculous political system, but what you personally can do to improve your community and our democracy.
The host promoted her own book, saying it would help listeners understand the political system and learn how to improve their community and democracy.
And also pick up a copy of my book, Democracy in Retrograde, How to Make Changes Big and Small in Our Country and Our Lives.
It will not only help you figure out our ridiculous political system, but what you personally can do to help improve your community and our democracy.
A Translation Controversy
In an episode, the host noted that the only book documented as read by Donald Trump besides his own might be this title. The comment was presented as an observation rather than a recommendation, highlighting its controversial nature. The discussion was brief and did not delve into the book's content.
The podcast host made a statement that Donald Trump has likely only read this book and his own.
the only book Donald is documented to have read besides his own maybe is Mein Kampf.
The Original 1925 Edition (Booklover's Library Classics)
The episode referenced the book when the host organized a Great Gatsby-themed Halloween party at Mar-a-Lago, using its era and style as inspiration. Sammy Sage commented on the choice, noting the irony of a party themed around a conman in a post‑pandemic, pre‑Depression setting. The discussion was light‑hearted and did not serve as a formal recommendation.
The host organized a Great Gatsby-themed party at Mar-a-Lago on Halloween night, referencing the novel's era and style.
This is all going down as Donald hosted a Great Gatsby-themed party on Halloween night at Mar-a-Lago. Really? A party theme about a mafia-adjacent conman with a tacky house that's set after a pandemic but before the Great Depression? I thought Halloween was the holiday for pretending to be something you're not.
The United States and the Making of Nazi Race Law
The book was referenced during a discussion about J.D. Vance's comment calling Trump "America's Hitler," serving as historical context for the comparison. No endorsement or critique was offered, and it was mentioned only in passing.
The Deep State, the Truth, and the Battle for Our Democracy
During the episode, Sami Sage noted that the book had been used by Kash Patel to publish a list of specific individuals during his FBI director hearing, aiming to distance himself from his reputation of targeting political enemies. The discussion highlighted the book as a source of that list rather than as a recommended read.
Patel was said to have published a list of specific individuals in this book during his FBI director hearing.
At Kash Patel's hearing for FBI director, he sought to distance himself from his public reputation as the guy who said he will punish Trump's political enemies, and published a list of those specific individuals in a book called Government Gangsters.
Will Donald Trump Joe Biden in Shaping the Foundation of Our American Heritage?
In the episode, the hosts discussed the title as echoing extreme ideologies similar to Vance's, highlighting its support for a nationwide abortion ban without exceptions and proposals that would surpass even Trump's actions, such as dismissing the entire civil service and imposing a loyalty test. They presented these positions as alarming and far‑right, indicating strong criticism of the book's content.
The hosts identified David Brooks as the author of a book titled The Road to Character.
and New York Times columnist and author of a book called The Road to Character, David Brooks.
— Episode: Friday, December 19th, 2025 - Epstein fi...
The hosts identified David Brooks as the author of a book titled The Road to Character.
and New York Times columnist and author of a book called The Road to Character, David Brooks.
Introduction by Martin Amis (Everyman's Library Contemporary Classics Series)
The episode noted that photos displayed quotes from the novel on a woman's body, mentioning the title without offering any recommendation or critique.
The episode mentioned that photos displayed quotes from the novel Lolita written on a woman's body.
quotes from the novel Lolita written on a woman's body
The host referenced the book as a cultural touchstone, likening the appeal of Anne Hathaway's character to a desire to painstakingly rebuild a fictional kingdom. Sami Sage made the comparison while discussing the concept of reconstructing Alcatraz, using the title to illustrate admiration and incremental reconstruction. The mention was brief and illustrative rather than a formal endorsement.
The host compared the idea of rebuilding Alcatraz to admiring Anne Hathaway in The Princess Diaries and wanting to reconstruct the fictional kingdom of Genovia inch by inch.
Him rebuilding Alcatraz would be like me admiring Anne Hathaway in The Princess Diaries and deciding to reconstruct Genovia inch by inch.
The host mentions the book "American Beaver Dream", presumably for more information about the IPO, which is explained as being too long to explain in the podcast.
Unfortunately, this is too long of an explanation for this podcast, but check out American Beaver Dream for more.
— Episode: Monday, March 25th, 2024
The host mentions the book "American Beaver Dream", presumably for more information about the IPO, which is explained as being too long to explain in the podcast.
Unfortunately, this is too long of an explanation for this podcast, but check out American Beaver Dream for more.
The book was mentioned when a political candidate claimed it was an informative eye‑opener, and the hosts reported the remark alongside other controversial statements. The discussion was limited to noting the candidate's praise without further endorsement.
Mark Robinson, a Republican candidate for governor of North Carolina, said that "Mein Kampf" is a good read, very informative and a real eye opener. This comment was reported alongside other controversial statements he made.
mine conf is a good read, very informative and a real eye opener
How to Make Changes Big and Small in Our Country and in Our Lives
The author promoted the title, explaining that the book would help listeners make sense of the current political system and identify ways they can contribute to improving their community and democracy. She emphasized its practical guidance for both big and small changes and encouraged the audience to purchase it wherever books are sold. The recommendation was presented as a clear endorsement of the book’s value for understanding and action.
The host promoted her book, which she stated would help listeners understand the political system and what they can personally do to improve their community and democracy. She encouraged listeners to pick up a copy wherever books are sold.
And also, pick up a copy of my book, Democracy in Retrograde, How to Make Changes Big and Small in Our Country and Our Lives.
It will not only help you figure out our ridiculous political system, but what you personally can do to help improve your community and our democracy.
You can get it wherever books are sold.
2026-2028
The host explained that the book serves as a global standard for journalistic style, and its guidelines were cited as the reason the White House barred an AP reporter for refusing to use a politically charged term. He noted that while the book is primarily used by newsrooms, its influence extends to high‑level institutions. The discussion highlighted the book’s authority in shaping language decisions.
The host explained that the AP Stylebook is widely used by journalists worldwide and its guidelines influenced the White House's decision to block a reporter over terminology.
For context, the AP stylebook is not just used by AP News, but is considered something of a standard for journalists globally, which, yes, does seem to explain why the White House would care so much.
the White House press office blocked a reporter from the Associated Press from an Oval Office event earlier this week, because the AP would not call the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America in its formal style guide.
The Art of the Deal
The host noted that settlement funds would be used to stock the future presidential library with copies of the book, alongside another title. It was mentioned only in the context of the library’s collection, without any evaluation or endorsement.
The host noted that the settlement funds would be used to stock the future presidential library with copies of this book.
Metta agreed to pay $25 million, with $22 million of that going to a non-profit for Trump's future presidential library, where all the books will either be Art of the Deal or The Trump Bible.
The Word of God and the Shaping of America – Printed in the USA
The hosts explained that the book was the only Bible that satisfied Oklahoma’s strict vendor requirements, needing both Testaments and a leather binding, and it was endorsed by Donald Trump. Sami Sage noted that it was marketed as the “Trump Bible” and that the publisher earned a fee per copy sold at $60. The discussion was factual and highlighted its unique status rather than recommending it.
The hosts explained that Lee Greenwood's God Bless the USA Bible, known as the "Trump Bible," was the only edition meeting Oklahoma's strict criteria, being leatherbound, containing both Testaments, and endorsed by Donald Trump, with a retail price of $60 per copy.
The only Bible that fits all of those criteria is Lee Greenwood's God Bless the USA Bible, which was endorsed by Donald Trump and is colloquially known as the Trump Bible.
Vendors must meet certain highly specific qualifications. The Bibles must contain both the Old and New Testaments, ... and they must be bound in a leather or leatherlike material.
He receives fees for each Bible sold, which retail for $60 each online.
Note: The book recommendations on this page are discovered automatically from podcast transcripts, and may be incorrect or incomplete.
Podcast Name