Episode Details

Staying Out of the Crazy Cities | Episode 576

Opening

It’s 20 degrees, my voice is finally back, and today we’re talking about something that keeps coming up more and more — staying out of the crazy cities.

This episode isn’t about doom porn or internet outrage. It’s about pattern recognition, personal safety, and why distance matters. Not emotional distance. Physical distance.

When the Chaos Becomes Normalized

There’s a lot of mental gymnastics happening right now. Blocking traffic. Confrontations with law enforcement. People doing wildly stupid things and then acting shocked when there are consequences.

That doesn’t mean bad outcomes are good. It does mean that environments where this behavior is common are not places you want to be hanging around in. Chaos doesn’t need to be universal to be dangerous — it just needs to be concentrated.

If you’re in one of these hotbed areas, the smartest move is usually the least exciting one: stay away.

The Internet Makes Everything Worse

One thing that’s absolutely guaranteed now is that if your name hits the internet, you’re getting dragged. Context won’t save you. Nuance won’t save you. People will dig, speculate, and invent.

Preparedness in 2026 means understanding that exposure itself is a risk. Being involved in public nonsense — protests, counter-protests, viral moments — is just volunteering to have your life turned upside down.

Staying boring is a survival strategy.

Distance Is an Underrated Prep

I don’t want to live in Nashville again. I don’t want to live in Memphis. I don’t want to live in Detroit. These places are fine to visit. The food is good. There are things worth seeing.

But living an hour away instead of inside the blast radius makes a huge difference. Thirty minutes is workable. Three hours is better. Distance buys you calm, options, and time.

That’s not fear. That’s logistics.

Be Ready to Move When Opportunity Hits

I’m not saying you can perfectly time the housing market. I am saying you shouldn’t buy when the market is garbage just because you’re impatient.