In episode 201 of the Far Middle, Nick returns under the series’ new, flexible release schedule to discuss a pressing and timely topic: U.S. trade tariffs and their implications for the American economy, the middle class, and particularly the Appalachian region.

Nick frames the discussion through the lens of CNX Resources’ core values-ownership, responsibility, and excellence-emphasizing CNX’s longstanding commitment to the Appalachian community and its “Appalachia First” approach. These values are critical in addressing the region’s challenges, which stem from decades of policies that have harmed local communities, domestic energy, and American workers.

The episode centers on the recent shift in U.S. trade policy, particularly the imposition of reciprocal tariffs by the Trump administration. Nick underscores that his support for tariffs is not partisan but rooted in a desire for rational trade policy.

Critics-especially in legacy media and academia-have mischaracterized the Trump administration’s moves on tariffs as economic suicide, ignoring the reality that the U.S. has long operated under a regime of unfair trade as asymmetrical tariffs disadvantage American industries and workers.

Explaining the differences between free trade, unfair trade, and fair trade, Nick contends that while free trade is ideal, moving from unfair to fair trade-where tariffs are symmetrical-is a necessary and pragmatic step towards free trade.

Nick also explores the societal and economic consequences of unfair trade, describing a “barbell” distribution where wealth accrues to the elite while the middle class erodes and poverty grows. Shifting to fair trade via reciprocal tariffs can help rebalance this distribution, resurrecting the middle class by incentivizing domestic manufacturing and onshoring jobs. This not only strengthens national security and reduces reliance on adversarial nations but also helps lowers carbon emissions due to higher U.S. environmental standards.

Further, Nick examines how the move to fair trade will create new winners-such as domestic manufacturers, energy producers, and middle America-while reducing the power of legacy media, coastal elites, and sectors reliant on globalization. He cautions, however, that the transition from unfair to fair trade will be neither quick nor smooth, and that higher-than-reciprocal tariffs could perpetuate unfairness if not used as a negotiating tool.

In closing, Nick encourages listeners to “bet on America,” invest in domestic energy and Appalachia, and remain patient and optimistic about the long-term benefits of a rebalanced trade policy.

In milestone Far Middle episode 200, Nick reflects on the series’ nearly four-year history and announces upcoming format changes. “Like all good things in life, evolution is part of the process and journey toward continuous improvement,” says Nick. Despite upcoming changes in format, the Far Middle’s mission and message are built to last.

Similarly built to last, and a fitting sports dedication for a landmark episode, Nick celebrates America’s iconic sports statues that dot cities across the country and provide a legacy for future generations to know and recall their cities’ sports greats.

While such a tribute could fill a three-hour-plus Far Middle discussion (maybe someday it will), Nick proceeds to highlight his “Mount Rushmore of sports statues in the Steel City.”

The four honorees include Pirates legend Honus Wagner (dedicated in Far Middle Episode 137), 1960 World Series hero and Hall of Famer Bill Mazeroski, the great Roberto Clemente (dedicated in Episode 21), and prolific Penguin Mario Lemieux. Le Magnifique is among a select group of multi-featured dedications. Including, of course, Super Mario’s feature in Episode 66, as well as his 1992–1993 season spotlight in Episode 93.

These statues—crafted by artists like Susan Wagner (Mazeroski, Clemente), Frank Vittor (Honus Wagner), and Bruce Wolfe (Lemieux)—symbolize Pittsburgh’s rich sports legacy while immortalizing both athletic greatness and the sculptors who transformed history into bronze.

Nick then revisits the Far Middle’s origins as a companion to his book Precipice: The Left’s Campaign to Destroy America, which evolved into a standalone platform for rational discourse on policy, culture, and current events.

Across its four-year run, the show has regularly tackled topics like administrative overreach, climate policy, education, geopolitics, and capitalism, consistently advocating for “the doers” – working-class innovators and flyover America – while critiquing elitism and ideological policymaking.

Key pillars of The Far Middle’s ethos include:

• Defending individualism against the tyranny of the majority and the wisdom of the elite experts.
• Promoting civil discourse even amid polarizing topics.
• Championing capitalism as the optimal economic system: “It’s not perfect, far from it, but it’s the best economic system to elevate the human spirit we’ve come across in history,” says Nick.
• Prioritizing data-driven analysis over emotional or speculative arguments.

Announcing a major format shift, Nick reveals the podcast will transition from weekly 25-minute episodes to a less frequent, deeper-dive format. New episodes will focus on single themes (e.g., history, science, music) with supplemental visuals or companion articles, aiming for “predictably unpredictable and uniformly unconventional” explorations.

The evolution mirrors bold reinventions in rock history, prompting Nick to present his “Magnificent Seven” of rock acts that succesffuly reinvented their style to achieve new heights. Those artists include Genesis, U2, and Bob Dylan, but you’ll have to listen for the other four greats who all risked creative overhauls to achieve new heights.

Nick closes by urging listeners to embrace change while staying rooted in foundational American ideals, stressing: “There will never be another Far Middle—especially with this new chapter dawning. Until we talk again on that horizon, always stay connected to that Far Middle.”

As the Far Middle approaches its 200^th episode, Nick begins with the series’ first sports dedication to honor a soccer great. That legend is Diego Maradona, whom Nick describes as the most dynamic, charismatic, and clutch athlete in soccer history.

Nick recounts Maradona’s humble beginnings in Buenos Aires, his rise to stardom, and his iconic transfer from Barcelona to Napoli in 1984, which resonated personally for Nick given his family roots in Naples. Maradona’s arrival transformed Napoli from an underdog southern Italian club into champions, symbolizing a victory for the working class against wealthier northern teams. Despite Maradona’s off-field controversies—including drug issues and alleged mafia connections—Naples maintained deep affection for him, eventually renaming their stadium in his honor.

Highlighting Maradona’s ascent to mythical status at the 1986 World Cup, Nick recalls his controversial ‘Hand of God’ goal and another widely considered the greatest goal in World Cup history, both from the quarterfinal match against England. While admiring Maradona’s unparalleled talent on the field, Nick also critiques his Leftist political leanings and associations with controversial figures like Fidel Castro and Nicolás Maduro.

Maradona vs. England (1986 WORLD CUP)

From Maradona’s undeniable soccer greatness, Nick connects to climate alarmism within sports journalism. He examines an article asserting soccer faces threats from climate change, criticizing the piece’s lack of evidence and sensationalist tone. Initiatives like stadium solar arrays, batteries, and relying on wind-powered electricity are more about virtue signaling than genuine environmental benefit, and they often result in higher actual carbon footprints compared to conventional energy sources.

Continuing to address the realities of affordable and reliable energy, Nick next highlights a recent editorial from author Bjorn Lomborg, “Green Energy Costs a Bundle.” Citing examples from Germany and other European countries, Nick shows how greater reliance on renewables leads to higher electricity costs and less reliable energy supplies. He also explains how subsidies mask the true cost of renewables in the United States, advocating for transparency and efficiency reforms.

And as the waning seconds of extra time in episode 199 tick away, Nick connects back to the episode’s soccer start, recommending the 1981 film “Escape to Victory.” Starring Sylvester Stallone, Michael Caine, Max von Sydow, Pelé, and other professional soccer players, the movie is set in World War II and centers on Allied POWs playing a soccer match against German opponents amidst escape plans and propaganda schemes. “The ending is great,” says Nick without revealing any spoilers. “You’ll have to watch it to see it.”

In Far Middle episode 198, Nick opens with a tribute to one of the NFL’s most violent games—the early November 1984 matchup between the Chicago Bears and Oakland Raiders.

The game featured Buddy Ryan’s “46 Defense” that focused on relentless quarterback pressure (exemplified by their 11-sack performance against Archie Manning the prior week). That pressure led to Raiders’ quarterbacks Mark Wilson (knocked out twice) and David Humm (incurring a career-ending injury) exiting the game. The Raiders’ emergency, third-string quarterback and punter, Ray Guy, refused to enter the game, fearing injury.

On the other side of the battle, resembling “World War I trench warfare,” Bears’ quarterback Jim McMahon played through a game-suffered lacerated kidney. McMahon and the Bears prevailed 17-6, but moreover the game symbolizes a bygone era of raw physicality. Contrasted to today’s offense-driven, safety-conscious NFL, Nick calls it a “world where a Tom Brady or a Lamar Jackson wouldn’t have a chance of being the greats that we’ve had the pleasure of seeing them become.”

Next, Nick dives into a series of connections and great trends in history, specifically trends identified and articulated by American historian Daniel J. Boorstin (1914–2004). Boasting a resume that includes distinguished author and Pulitzer Prize winner, Librarian of Congress from 1975 to 1987, renowned historian, college professor and more, Nick proceeds to explore Boorstin’s theories and work, including:

• Consensus History: Emphasizing American unity over class conflict and celebrating inventors and entrepreneurs as societal pillars.
• Creators vs. Discoverers: Creators (artists, musicians) forge new paths without linear progress. Discoverers (scientists, explorers) build incrementally on collective knowledge. And the observation that discoverers, like Christopher Columbus, receive individual credit for collaborative efforts. Meanwhile creators like Led Zeppelin are grouped into “schools” that obscure their individuality.
• The Convergence of Technology with Political History: The U.S. Constitution, Boorstin argues, emerged not from divine inspiration but from practicality. Printed drafts allowed 55 delegates to debate and refine ideas—a process impossible without the era’s nascent printing technology. Even America’s discovery, Nick adds, was a “happy accident” born of Europe’s quest for Asian trade routes.

An example of Boorstin’s view on creativity and knowledge is encapsulated in his line from The Discoverers (1983). He writes, “The great obstacle to discovering the shape of the earth, the continents, and the oceans was not ignorance but the illusion of knowledge.”

In closing, Nick offers a playful yet profound coda: Ross Bagdasarian, the Armenian-American creator of Alvin and the Chipmunks. A Broadway actor, Hitchcock film extra, and hit songwriter, Bagdasarian epitomized Boorstin’s “creator-inventor” hybrid. His sped-up vocals birthed a cultural phenomenon, proving innovation often thrives at the intersection of art and unconventional experimentation. And what is Nick’s favorite Chipmunks album? Press play and find out!

For more on the Chicago Bears’ defense, see where the 1985 squad lands on Nick’s “Ten Greatest NFL Defenses in the Super Bowl Era.”

As Far Middle episode 197 arrives with Cactus and Grapefruit League play underway, Nick opens with a fitting baseball dedication to legendary Cincinnati Red, Ted Kluszewski, aka “Big Klu.”

Nick highlights Big Klu’s four ingredients for success—ability, confidence, work ethic, and the will to win. Those ingredients transcend baseball and apply to professional success no matter one’s career path.

Nick shifts from the power hitter’s insights of the 1950s to Voltaire’s wisdom from the 1700s. Nick proceeds to explore Voltaire’s Alphabet of Wit, a collection of short essays offering timely commentary on many issues society faces today.

For those unfamiliar with Voltaire, Nick explains he was one of history’s great writers, and a prolific one as well, authoring approximately 20,000 letters and over 2,000 books and pamphlets. And his Alphabet of Wit is a perfect, condensed introduction to Voltaire’s philosophy and genius.

In Alphabet of Wit, Voltaire presents an alphabetical series of short and insightful essays examining words/terms from A to Z, from animals to eloquence, from morality to slavery, and more. Here are just a few of Nick’s observations:

• Books: Voltaire lamented that despite their abundance, few people invest the time to read—a problem amplified today.
• Government: Voltaire mocked humanity’s obsession with governing despite its perpetual incompetence, a critique that resonates with modern bureaucratic inefficiency.
• Happiness: True joy, Voltaire argued, stems from disposition, not circumstance-a reminder for today’s pursuit of contentment.
• Right: Voltaire’s critique of paper currency (“a sham for real wealth”) parallels modern critiques of central banking, while his observations on religious institutions resonate with current debates on institutional power.

Nick also discusses Voltaire’s perspective on self-love, which echoes the philosophy of Ayn Rand, particularly her concept of rational self-interest. In exploring Voltaire’s view on war, Nick notes that Voltaire’s take that leaders should exhaust all alternatives before resorting to conflict resonates strongly today.

In closing, Nick connects Voltaire’s discussion of the alphabet and language to L.L. Zamenhof’s Esperanto, a constructed language developed in the late 1800s intended to promote peace and understanding. Though it failed to achieve widespread adoption, Esperanto serves as a reminder of humanity’s ongoing quest to bridge divides and foster lasting connection.

Episode 197 is another masterful set of connections, spanning Kluszewski’s ingredients for success to Voltaire’s wit, stressing reason and timeless wisdom to navigate modern complexities.