No Filter Friday

Red, White, and Unfiltered

John Knopick launches "No Filter Friday" with a raw, honest look at America’s political landscape, media manipulation, and the importance of independent thinking. He shares why he’s neither red nor blue, but a supporter of truth, transparency, and the American people. Expect strong opinions, sharp insights, and a call to wake up, speak out, and join the conversation—no matter where you stand.

Unraveling JFK: Conspiracies, Mysteries, and the Search for Truth

John Knopick delves into the captivating world of conspiracy theories surrounding the JFK assassination, exploring the allure of these theories and JFK's presidency. He discusses the political climate of Dallas, Lee Harvey Oswald's arrest, and the live murder that shocked America. The episode examines discrepancies in the official story with modern technology, theories, and suspects, including analysis of the Zapruder film and the chaotic autopsy. John highlights mysterious figures like the umbrella man, Jack Ruby's connections, and the eerie pattern of mysterious deaths and missing files. He concludes with family debates, listener stories, and a teaser for next week's episode.
(0:00) Introduction and welcome to JFK assassination topic
(0:41) The allure of conspiracy theories and JFK's presidency
(2:40) Federal Reserve, taxes, and the political climate of Dallas
(5:36) Encouragement for listener engagement and setting the scene
(9:38) Lee Harvey Oswald's arrest and the impact on America
(14:08) Live murder of Oswald and discrepancies in the official story
(18:07) Modern technology and introduction to theories and suspects
(19:31) Sponsor: ${name}
(20:01) Dive into theories and analysis of the Zapruder film
(30:37) Significance of the Zapruder film, chaotic autopsy, and missing evidence
(36:03) The mysterious umbrella man and Jack Ruby's connections
(39:35) Mysterious deaths, missing files, and declassified documents
(53:11) Ongoing search for the truth and listener stories
(1:06:49) Family debates and final thoughts on the JFK assassination
(1:07:57) Closing remarks, social media plugs, and next week's teaser

Crisis in the Middle East - A Feast of Fire and Fury

John Knopick opens the episode with a discussion on current world events, focusing on the ongoing crisis in the Middle East. He provides an overview of the situation, sharing real-time updates and personal stories from those affected by the conflict. The episode explores the information war surrounding the crisis and considers potential outcomes. John discusses the possible future of the Middle East conflict, emphasizing the uncertainty and challenges ahead. Listener engagement is highlighted, with a preview of topics for future episodes. The episode concludes with closing remarks, leaving listeners with much to ponder about the complex geopolitical landscape.
(0:00) Introduction and updates on world events
(7:08) Overview of Middle East crisis
(25:28) Real-time update and personal stories from the conflict
(40:26) The information war and potential outcomes
(46:38) Middle East conflict: The road ahead
(52:32) Listener engagement and future episode topics
(53:47) Show closing remarks

Tariffs, Trade, and Leadership: Canada’s Economic Crossroads

John Knopick kicks off the episode introducing the topics, focusing on Canada's new prime minister and the global economic landscape. He provides an overview of Mark Carney's political and economic influence, discussing tariffs and trade relations with the United States. Public opinion on Canada's economic policies is examined, followed by an analysis of the US-China tariff war and its global ramifications. John explores hypothetical global business scenarios and the real-world impacts of tariffs on individuals, discussing support for affected workers and communities. The episode concludes with a future economic outlook, potential solutions, listener comments, and a preview of upcoming episodes before signing off.
(0:00) Introduction to episode topics
(0:29) Canada's new prime minister and global economic focus
(4:00) Mark Carney's political and economic overview
(10:16) Tariffs and trade relations with the United States
(22:37) Public opinion on economic policies in Canada
(27:14) Sponsor: [Sponsor Name]
(28:25) The US-China tariff war and its global implications
(34:10) Hypothetical global business scenarios
(37:25) Sponsor: [Sponsor Name]
(38:15) Real-world impacts of tariffs on individuals
(43:16) Support for affected workers and communities
(47:43) Future economic outlook and potential solutions
(54:26) Sponsor: [Sponsor Name]
(55:33) Listener comments and feedback segment
(1:05:10) Upcoming episodes and sign-off

Canadians, Tariffs, and Chaos, OH MY! : Canada’s New PM, the US/China Tariff Throwdown, and a Smorgasbord of Global Chaos

John Knopick kicks off this episode with an announcement about a format change before delving into the intricacies of Canadian and global economic news. He discusses Mark Carney's position on US relations, alongside Canada's new prime minister navigating economic turmoil. The conversation highlights Carney's economic strategies, the Team Canada approach, and trust in Canadian politics. John examines the impact of US and Chinese tariffs on Canadian exports, touching on rising food prices and the housing market. Listener opinions on trade and economic policies are featured, expanding to the US-China trade war and its global ramifications. The episode concludes with global shifts, listener questions, feedback, and shout-outs.
(0:00) Introduction and episode change announcement
(0:29) News from Canada, global economy, and Mark Carney's US relations stance
(1:48) Podcast format, future plans, and listener engagement
(3:47) Canada’s new prime minister and economic chaos
(6:25) Mark Carney’s economic policies, US relations, and Team Canada approach
(15:52) Trust and leadership in Canada’s political climate
(17:22) US tariffs impact and Chinese tariffs on Canadian exports
(23:13) Rising food prices, housing market, and public opinion in Canada
(27:14) Listener engagement on trade and economic policies
(29:11) United States-China trade war and its global impacts
(36:13) The human side of tariffs and real-world impacts
(41:30) Global shifts, political fallout, and the road ahead
(54:26) Listener questions and feedback
(1:03:40) Final thoughts, shout-outs, and episode wrap-up

Bouncing Back: Humor, Resilience, and Overcoming Life’s Challenges

John Knopick introduces the episode with an exploration of trauma, sharing personal experiences and addressing common misconceptions. He recounts anecdotes of workplace humiliation and resilience, discussing trauma triggers, coping mechanisms, and the role of humor in overcoming challenges. The conversation delves into resilience, post-traumatic growth, and stories of career resilience. John examines breaking cycles in relationships and personal development, highlighting the use of humor in coping with grief and stress. Practical tools for building resilience, mindfulness, and self-compassion are discussed, along with listener stories on overcoming trauma. The episode concludes with final thoughts and a teaser for next week's discussion.
(0:00) Introduction and episode overview
(0:40) Trauma: Definitions, personal experiences, and misconceptions
(7:35) Personal anecdotes: Workplace humiliation and resilience
(14:03) Trauma triggers, coping mechanisms, and the role of humor
(19:07) Exploring resilience and post-traumatic growth
(28:44) Stories of bouncing back and career resilience
(37:26) Breaking the cycle: Relationships and personal development
(48:52) Using humor to cope with grief and stress
(1:00:17) Building resilience: Practical tools and social connections
(1:04:01) Mindfulness, self-compassion, and finding meaning in adversity
(1:11:32) Listener stories on overcoming trauma
(1:20:16) Final thoughts and teaser for next week's episode

U-Haul Drama and Backwards Shirts: When Life Goes Off-Script

John Knopick welcomes listeners to another episode of The Smorgasbord, exploring life's unexpected moments and inviting listener stories. He shares his "survival guide" for cross-country moves, recounting personal adventures from moving with newborns to starting anew in different states. John offers practical advice on handling career curveballs and changes, reflecting on pandemic work-from-home experiences. Family dynamics and personal history are explored as he discusses building traditions and finding support in new places. The episode features listener stories, questions, and concludes with a preview of what’s to come next week.
(0:00) Introduction and welcome
(0:13) Embracing life's unexpected moments and inviting listener stories
(1:23) The smorgasbord survival guide to cross-country moves
(10:39) Moving adventures: From newborns to new states
(23:28) Moving advice, career curveballs, and handling changes
(37:06) Pandemic work from home experiences and career advice
(42:07) Sponsor: Company XYZ
(42:30) Family dynamics, personal history, and building traditions
(50:31) Defining family and finding support in new places
(53:42) Listener smorgasbord: Stories and questions
(59:48) Episode wrap-up and next week's preview

From Iowa Roots to Tennessee Dreams: My Life Journey and WrestleMania Recap

John Knopick starts the episode with a recap of WrestleMania, then dives into his upbringing and childhood memories, sharing insights on family dynamics and personal loss during his school years. He recounts earning his GED, his impactful military service, and meeting his life partner. The narrative continues with stories of marriage, family developments, and a career trajectory that took him from the Game Show Network to Universal Music Group. John reflects on family life and relocations, finally settling in Columbia, Tennessee, and discusses future plans. The episode concludes with reflections on the podcast, social media engagement, and a preview of an upcoming episode on trauma, wrapping up with closing remarks and a sign-off.
(0:00) Introduction and WrestleMania recap
(1:32) John's upbringing and childhood memories
(4:14) Family dynamics, loss, and school years
(15:15) GED, military service, and meeting life partner
(26:00) Marriage and family developments
(32:43) Career journey from Game Show Network to Universal Music Group
(45:23) Family life and relocations
(56:05) Settling in Columbia, Tennessee and future plans
(58:51) Podcast reflections and social media engagement
(59:32) Preview of upcoming trauma episode
(1:00:11) Closing remarks and sign-off

Origins, Ops & Outta Nowhere: My Story + WrestleMania 41 Predictions

John Knopick kicks off the first episode with listener feedback, philosophical musings, and personal anecdotes. He delves into acting, tech, and social media, then transitions to WrestleMania 41 predictions and match discussions, wrapping up with listener engagement and closing remarks.
(0:00) Introduction and Episode Overview
(1:39) Listener Feedback and Future Guests
(5:22) Questioning Everything: Philosophy and Conspiracies
(7:19) John's Life Journey and Experiences
(20:33) Acting, Improv, and Tech Interests
(29:45) Social Media Plans and Acknowledgments
(32:07) WrestleMania 41 Predictions Overview
(33:13) WrestleMania Night 1 Match Discussions
(48:26) WrestleMania Night 2 Match Discussions
(1:14:05) Listener Engagement and Closing Remarks