In the first half, demographer and generational marketing expert Ken Gronbach made predictions for the next 30 years based on current demographic trends. He described China's previous child restrictions as "the biggest demographic blunder in history," highlighting the consequences the country now faces with its aging population. In the US, he noted that while birth rates remain stable at around 1.6 children per couple, immigrants are critical to sustaining both the population and the economy. "Without them… we couldn't function by 2050," he warned. Gronbach also commented on Donald Trump's campaign strategy, suggesting, "I would get him out of the limelight... he's just shooting himself in the foot," in reference to some recent public remarks that Trump has made. In contrast, he believes Kamala Harris should continue her current approach, as she appeals to a sizable young voter base.
While on the topic of the upcoming election, Gronbach predicted a demographic shift favoring Democrats due to an influx of young voters who tend to lean liberal. "In 2024, it's going to be a 40 million vote advantage," he stated. These generational size differences have profound effects on both politics and global markets. Gronbach experienced this firsthand when his major marketing client, Honda, had a dramatic decline in motorcycle sales due to the shrinking size of older generations. He also pointed to Harley Davidson's struggles with younger consumers. "The baby boomers… can't ride them anymore. So it's over," Gronback explained. He told listeners, "If your user market is getting big, you have opportunity. If it's getting small, it's time to bail."
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In the second half, Michael Brein shared true stories of travelers around the world who suddenly faced paranormal phenomena. According to him, the act of traveling can "open ourselves up a little more to the possibilities of the paranormal and the supernatural." One particularly eerie account involved a couple of amateur ghost hunters. They stayed at the historic Manrea Castle in Port Townsend, Washington, drawn to its reputation for ghostly sightings. The wife snapped photos around the hotel, but upon reviewing them later, she discovered a haunting image of a figure resembling "somebody wearing a hoodie or a robe" peering through a window — three stories up. "I didn't take this photo," she exclaimed.
Another chilling tale came from Rosemary, a co-author of Brein's travel and paranormal book. While staying at a bed and breakfast in Gettysburg, she reported hearing furniture being dragged across the floor of the room above her. When she and her companions gathered for breakfast, they were shocked to find that none of them had moved any furniture. Rosemary also captured a haunting photo of two children peering through a window. The show then touched on a family that fled a haunted house in Seattle. After experiencing unsettling phenomena — like toilet paper rolls spinning on their own and rocking chairs moving without cause — they decided to sell their home and return to the Olympic Peninsula. "They were too frightened to really talk about it," Brein noted, hinting at deeper, more terrifying experiences that may have driven them away.
The last half hour of the program featured an interview with Bill Bean from 2/22/19, when he warned listeners about Ouija boards and demonic entities.
News segment guests: Kevin Randle, Christian Wilde