<![CDATA[HTL's The Riff]]>
johnheersftf.substack.com]]>https://johnheersftf.substack.com/s/the-riffSubstackTue, 07 Jul 2026 22:12:44 GMThttps://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/1370745/s/352598.rssJohn HeersWelcome to THE RIFF. Hosted by John Heers and always cut off by our editor in Buenos Aires at 9 minutes - THE RIFF is the quick take on current events, cultural moments, and things you might want to know a little more about.episodicJohn Heersjohnheersftf@substack.comYes<![CDATA[We Traded Kings for Politicians. Was It a Mistake?]]>We lost our kings, and democracy can't replace what they gave us.What do post-war Georgia, rebellion-era Mali, and modern America have in common? Nobody trusts their leaders.After hosting supra tables across the country, I started noticing a pattern. The common denominator at every table was the same: a deep, shared distrust in democratic leadership.But this isn't a new problem. In the Caucasus and in West Africa, people once had kings β€” not politicians. Kings like Tamar of Georgia and Mansa Musa of Mali didn't earn loyalty through policy alignment or marketplace transactions. They held their people's interests as a father holds a child's β€” in their royal hands, as blood. And that bond was something people would die for.Democracy replaced that bond with a transaction: you give me what I want, I pull a lever for you. But a transaction isn't loyalty. It's not honor. And it's certainly not love.This is a 9-minute riff on what we lost when we traded kings for ballots β€” and why the spiritual profit of loyalty can't be bought at the marketplace of democracy.--- πŸŽ™οΈ This podcast directly supports the work of First Things Foundation: https://first-things.org🏷️ Sponsored by Conrad's Beef Jerky β€” loyalty not guaranteed.Conrad's Deli - The best jerky you'll ever have ➜ https://conradsdeli.com/ ⭐ Use promo code "FIRST THINGS" for 10% off.--- ⏱️ Chapters0:00 - The Pattern at the Table0:50 - Africa, the Caucasus, and Us1:45 - Why "Caucasian" Misses the Point2:40 - What Georgia and Mali Share3:15 - Kings Who Held Their People4:15 - The Marketplace vs. Loyalty5:10 - Spiritual Profit, Material Deficit5:50 - The Sponsorship Paradox6:35 - All Mixes at the Supra Table8:10 - Everybody Doubts Their King8:50 - Something Is Afoot



This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johnheersftf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://johnheersftf.substack.com/p/we-traded-kings-for-politicians-wassubstack:post:199645539Fri, 29 May 2026 12:00:00 GMTJohn HeersNo556<![CDATA[It's Pascha and You Have To Sing | HTLs THE RIFF #7]]>Welcome to HTL's THE RIFF. Hosted by John Heers and always cut off by our editor in Buenos Aires at 9 minutes - HTL's THE RIFF is the quick take on current events, cultural moments, and things you might want to know a little more about.Links to Videos Used:

βœ’ Substack: https://johnheersftf.substack.com/ⓧ https://x.com/johnfromftf



This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johnheersftf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://johnheersftf.substack.com/p/its-pascha-and-you-have-to-sing-htlssubstack:post:194320671Thu, 16 Apr 2026 11:00:00 GMTJohn HeersNo63717full<![CDATA[No Supras In Space Please! | HTLs THE RIFF #6]]>Welcome to HTL's THE RIFF. Hosted by John Heers and always cut off by our editor in Buenos Aires at 9 minutes - HTL's THE RIFF is the quick take on current events, cultural moments, and things you might want to know a little more about.βœ’ Substack: https://johnheersftf.substack.com/ⓧ https://x.com/johnfromftf



This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johnheersftf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://johnheersftf.substack.com/p/no-supras-in-space-please-htls-thesubstack:post:192126124Wed, 08 Apr 2026 18:30:00 GMTJohn HeersNo556<![CDATA[Weinstein Misses the Mark | HTLs THE RIFF #4]]>Welcome to HTL's THE RIFF. Hosted by John Heers and always cut off by our editor in Buenos Aires at 9 minutes - HTL's THE RIFF is the quick take on current events, cultural moments, and things you might want to know a little more about.

βœ’ Substack: https://johnheersftf.substack.com/ⓧ https://x.com/johnfromftf



This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johnheersftf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://johnheersftf.substack.com/p/weinstein-misses-the-mark-htls-thesubstack:post:192106554Fri, 03 Apr 2026 18:30:00 GMTJohn HeersNo556<![CDATA[What Planet Are These Guys On? | HTLs THE RIFF #4]]>Find the video mentioned here:

Welcome to HTL's THE RIFF. Hosted by John Heers and always cut off by our editor in Buenos Aires at 9 minutes - HTL's THE RIFF is the quick take on current events, cultural moments, and things you might want to know a little more about.βœ’ Substack: https://johnheersftf.substack.com/ⓧ https://x.com/johnfromftf



This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johnheersftf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://johnheersftf.substack.com/p/what-planet-are-these-guys-on-htlssubstack:post:192125258Wed, 25 Mar 2026 18:30:00 GMTJohn HeersNo556<![CDATA[A Saint from Gaza and His Wheel of Love | HTL's THE RIFF #3]]>Welcome to HTL's THE RIFF. Hosted by John Heers and always cut off by our editor in Buenos Aires at 9 minutes - HTL's THE RIFF is the quick take on current events, cultural moments, and things you might want to know a little more about.

βœ’ Substack: https://johnheersftf.substack.com/ⓧ https://x.com/johnfromftf



This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johnheersftf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://johnheersftf.substack.com/p/a-saint-from-gaza-and-his-wheel-ofsubstack:post:190878934Wed, 18 Mar 2026 12:00:00 GMTJohn HeersNo556<![CDATA[We Just Went Full Self Worship | HTL's The Riff #2]]>



This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johnheersftf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://johnheersftf.substack.com/p/we-just-went-full-self-worship-htlssubstack:post:190771451Fri, 13 Mar 2026 11:45:00 GMTJohn HeersNo556<![CDATA[Trumps Chin | The Riff #1]]>



This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johnheersftf.substack.com/subscribe]]>https://johnheersftf.substack.com/p/trumps-chin-the-riff-1substack:post:190531863Tue, 10 Mar 2026 17:38:30 GMTJohn HeersNo558