Episode 28: 2025 Year in Review & Looking Ahead to 2026

About this episode

Episode 28: 2025 Year in Review & Looking Ahead to 2026

Podcast: Current Thoughts Hosts: J and D Date: December 31, 2025

Episode Summary

In this season finale of Current Thoughts, hosts J and D sit down on New Year's Eve to reflect on a year that felt both "fast and heavy". They break down their top five "bad things" and "good things" of 2025, covering everything from personal milestones and travel to intense political shifts and global events. The duo also pays tribute to the cultural icons lost this year and closes out the episode with their bold predictions for 2026, including major shifts in technology and government.+4

Timestamps & Key Topics

00:00 – Introduction

• Welcome to the final episode of 2025.
• Overview of the episode's structure: The Good, The Bad, In Memoriam, and Predictions.

00:39 – The Top 5 Bad Things of 2025

• DOGE & Government Efficiency: J discusses the "reckless" approach of the Department of Government Efficiency and Elon Musk.
• Natural Disasters: D reflects on the catastrophic California wildfires fueled by Santa Ana winds.
• Global Conflict: The withdrawal of U.S. support for Ukraine.
• Healthcare Crisis: Rising costs, shortages, and the impact of the "Big Beautiful Bill" on Medicare/Medicaid and ACA subsidies.+2
• Subscription Fatigue: D discusses the overwhelming number of recurring charges and the consumer push for value.
• Abuse of Power: J lists concerns regarding the Trump administration, including the dismantling of federal agencies, mass deportations, and the weaponization of the DOJ.+3
• Media Distrust: The decline of public trust in legacy media.
• Economic Struggles: Inflation, tariffs, and the government shutdown affecting everyday Americans.+1

08:45 – The Top 5 Good Things of 2025

• Personal Health Wins: J shares his experience completing a 21-day water fast.
• Mental Health Innovation: D highlights the growth of telehealth and the accessibility of digital therapies.
• Political Shifts: J notes the departure of DOGE and Elon Musk from the administration.
• New Media: The rise of YouTube as a primary, trusted source for news.
• AI Advancements: Progress in LLMs (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini) and image generation, though AGI has not yet been reached.
• Redefining Success: Shifting values from status/long hours to well-being and purpose.
• Travel Milestones: J and D recount their 52-day epic trip to Europe (Munich, Venice, Rome).
• Green Energy: Renewable energy (solar and wind) overtaking coal globally.
• The End of the Penny: D notes the last penny was minted in 2025.

16:24 – In Memoriam: Remembering Those We Lost

• Tributes to legends including Robert Redford, Gene Hackman, Val Kilmer, Rob Reiner, Diane Keaton, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Brian Wilson, Ozzy Osbourne, and D'Angelo.+4

20:48 – Predictions for 2026

• AI Adoption: D predicts fear will subside as more people try AI technologies.
• Quantum Computing: J predicts major advancements in quantum computing, explaining concepts like superposition and entanglement.+2
• Travel Trends: Travel demand will remain high domestically and internationally.
• Political Flip: Both hosts predict Democrats will win the midterms and flip the House/Senate, with potential impeachments for administration officials.+1
• Epstein Files: J predicts the release of files implicating Donald Trump.

Links & Mentions

📸 Instagram: @thereallifedandj 📺 YouTube: The Real Life with D&J 🌐 Website: thereallifedandj.com ☕ Support the Show: Buy Us a Coffee

• Europe Trip: Munich (Oktoberfest), Venice, Cinque Terre, Rome.
• Tech Mentioned: ChatGPT, Claude, Google Gemini, Nano/Banana Pro.+1
• Movies Mentioned: The Natural, The Sting, All the President’s Men, Hoosiers, Superman, Top Gun, Real Genius, Stand By Me, Annie Hall.+4

Join the Conversation

We know many people have negative thoughts about 2025, but it couldn't have been all bad! Post a comment and let us know one good thing you are taking from 2025.

Happy New Year! See you in 2026.