NBA owners want a new arena. Taxpayers get the bill.

In this episode, I run the actual math on who benefits, who pays, and why decades of economic research keep reaching the same uncomfortable conclusion. These deals almost never pencil out the way the pitch deck promises.

One ask. I don't ask for donations. I don't want your money through any platforms. And I have no intention of taking advertising dollars, now or ever. What I do value is knowing these episodes are heard.

So if this one meant something to you, follow American Refugee on Spotify, or subscribe wherever you listen. Then share it with one person who needs to hear it. That's how a small, independent show grows, and it's the only support I'm asking for.

For the written word, with deeper dives, more receipts, and the same voice, find me on Substack at @kbamericanrefugee

Stay awake out there.American Refugee

Want to dig deeper? Two of the best places to start:

• Brookings, "Sports, Jobs, & Taxes. Are New Stadiums Worth the Cost?" The clearest single explainer of why the standard "economic impact" pitch doesn't hold up, from one of the most credible policy institutions around. brookings.edu/articles/sports-jobs-taxes-are-new-stadiums-worth-the-cost/
• Journalist's Resource, "Sports stadiums and taxpayer financing. A primer and research roundup." A well-organized summary of the peer-reviewed research, including recent studies on NBA and NHL arenas and foot-traffic data. journalistsresource.org/economics/sports-stadium-public-financing/

Music is "Awaken Child" by Alex Kaplan. Listen and follow him wherever you stream music.

Guns Don't Kill People, Lack of Sensible Laws Kills People

I grew up hearing "guns don't kill people, people kill people" long before I understood what that phrase was asking me to ignore.

In this episode, I trace three very different moments that shaped what I believe about guns in America: a childhood friend shot by accident, my own near-miss with a loaded gun as a teenager, and a friend's very real fear in the aftermath of George Floyd's murder.

Along the way, we look at the data on mass shootings and legally purchased weapons, and at how a country like Canada handles licensing differently than we do. No easy answers, just an honest look at what I've seen and what the numbers actually say.

Music: "Awaken Child" by Alex Kaplan, coming soon wherever you stream music. Go find him and give him a follow. You're going to want this one.

One ask. I don't ask for donations. I don't want your money through any platform. And I have no intention of taking advertising dollars, now or ever. What I do value is knowing these episodes are heard.

So if this one meant something to you, follow American Refugee on Spotify, or subscribe wherever you listen. Then share it with one person who needs to hear it. That's how a small, independent show grows, and it's the only support I'm asking for.

For the written word, with deeper dives, more receipts, and the same voice, find me on Substack: @kbamericanrefugee

Stay awake out there.
American Refugee

Organizations working on gun violence prevention:• Everytown for Gun Safety: ⁠everytown.org⁠• Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence: ⁠giffords.org⁠• Brady United: ⁠bradyunited.org⁠• March For Our Lives: ⁠marchforourlives.org⁠• Sandy Hook Promise: ⁠sandyhookpromise.org⁠

If you or someone you know is struggling:• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988 (US)• Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741741

Love My Gay Dad

A closeted father. A limp-wrist confession I mocked instead of heard. And years of quiet, buried grief hiding behind a good handshake.

This one's personal, and it's got teeth.

Music: "Awaken Child" by Alex Kaplan. Listen and follow him wherever you stream music.

One ask. I don't ask for donations. I don't want your money through Patreon, Venmo, or any other platform. And I have no intention of taking advertising dollars, now or ever. What I do value is knowing these episodes are heard.

So if this one meant something to you, follow American Refugee on Spotify, or subscribe wherever you listen. Then share it with one person who needs to hear it. That's how a small, independent show grows, and it's the only support I'm asking for.

For the written word, with deeper dives, more receipts, and the same voice, find me on Substack: @kbamericanrefugee

Stay awake out there.
American Refugee

If any part of this story is yours, whether you're the one still in the closet, the one who loves someone who is, or the one who didn't listen when it mattered, these people can help:

• LGBT National Help Center: peer support and information for all ages, including people still closeted. ⁠1-888-843-4564⁠ · ⁠lgbthotline.org⁠• SAGE LGBT Elder Hotline: for older LGBTQ+ adults and those who love them. ⁠1-877-360-5428⁠ · ⁠sageusa.org⁠• PFLAG: support for LGBTQ+ people and their families. ⁠pflag.org⁠• The Trevor Project: 24/7 crisis support for LGBTQ+ young people, ages 13–24. ⁠1-866-488-7386⁠ · text START to 678-678• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988 for crisis support (US)