Too Late to Cancel

David Pepper on his updated version of 'Saving Democracy' and veteran comedians Thom Tran and Mike Sampson on the heartbreaking paths that led them to comedy

Another great Sunday morning conversation

Too Late to Cancel continues to deliver the most engaging conversations and discussions. This week was no exception as I welcomed former Ohio Democratic Chairman and prolific author David Pepper to the show for the first time as well as veteran comedians Thom Tran and Mike Sampson.

David has just released an updated volume of his well regarded book ‘Saving Democracy’ with new perspective on the second Trump era and how American’s can fight back in their own spheres of influence.

We opened discussing the latest on the cover up surrounding Jeffrey Epstein’s clients and the evidence that the Department of Justice is sitting on. It proved prescient as just this morning Ghislaine Maxwell filed a petition to the Supreme Court to have her convictions overturned as the Feds improperly violated her previous immunity agreement to convict her.

Just two days after meeting with former Trump personal attorney and now Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche in private. So, the cover up is in full swing.

We went on to discuss the polls showing Democrats are in dire straights and whether that is true of the crop of candidates currently running or more a criticism of the party leadership.

A lot of fascinating issues to discuss.

Sometimes the worst times break you or make you hilarious

Our weekly panel is usually actors, influencers, or comedians and every week it offers an unexpected set of stories, laughs, and perspectives. This week was one of the more fascinating ones of all as I sat down with Los Angeles based comedian, musician, actor, and Army combat veteran Thom Tran and Chicago based veteran comedian, actor, and storyteller Mike Sampson.

Thom found his way to comedy after getting shot in the head just three days into the initial invasion of Iraq and losing his roommate in battle. After a bumpy journey of PTSD and TBI he ended up playing music and grabbing the microphone for open mic sets. Before long he founded The GI’s of Comedy, touring with the USO and acting.

Mike had a very difficult young life. Immigrating from Belize as a toddler he was placed in the foster system at just 3-years old and adopted at 8. He would lose his younger brother and many other relatives to gun violence on the Chicago streets. But, he learned young in the system that he could make adults laugh and that carried him through those tough times.

It’s a unique conversation to bring together two wildly different styles of comedy and background and see them share their stories. We sure did on this episode.

All new shows every Sunday

We are live every Sunday now at 11am ET/8am PT right here on Substack or our YouTube channel, and all of my social networks.

In addition, we are posting all new ‘In the Hot Seat with FPWellman’ episodes exclusively on the MeidasTouch Network featuring interviews with candidates for House and Senate races from around the country.

Last week I sat down with Hallie Shoffner, a 6th generation Arkansas farmer taking on Tom Cotton for U.S. Senate.

Check them all out as well as ‘On Democracy with FPWellman’ every Friday night at 7:00pm ET/4:00 PM PT on MeidasTouch.

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