The Real Beal Podcast: Recent Episodes

TJ Beal

Discussing any and every random topic that I find interesting.

If you have a topic that you think I should discuss, you can share it here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScZ6JW8e7usJaFCzePArSCBLFVez4whfvxqwhBgbuosXJ2j-g/viewform?usp=sf_link. If I think that it's interesting, I'll probably talk about it.

View Details

In this episode of the Real Beal Podcast, I explore the process of change. How does someone know that it is time to make a change? Why is it so hard to change? And how do we deal with the results of making that change? This was also the first time that I have had a guest join me remotely, so please excuse the audio issues that you might hear. I'm super thankful for Evelyn joining me and sharing her insights and experiences! Hopefully this episode makes you think about how you know when it is time to make a change. When is the last time that you made a positive change in your life? Is there anything that you feel the need to change? Our next episode will be released on February 25!


Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/therealbeal/message

View Details

Season 2 of the Real Beal Podcast is officially on its way! Instead of just talking about what I want to talk about, I am asking the questions that I want answers to. The big questions. This season is going to be different than the first one. This season will be 8 episodes long, with one being released every other Friday. Our first episode will be released on February 11.


Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/therealbeal/message

View Details

In this episode, I address some misconceptions about the immigration system and immigrants in general. I’ve identified what I think are the five most common misconceptions, and I briefly address each of them. I don’t get too into the weeds here, so I  keep my explanations brief. But if you want to learn more, feel free to reach out to me directly! What I share is not just my personal opinions. This is data from The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, the Social Security Administration, Pew Research Center, National Academies of Sciences, Urban Institute, Cato Institute, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the American Immigration Council, and United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. Hopefully, this episode makes you consider your notions about immigration and immigrants. Many of the things that you hear in the news, on social media, and from others are plainly incorrect. Unless the person is an immigration lawyer, works in immigration, or studies it extensively, chances are that they don’t know the full story.  If you have suggestions for podcast topics or guests, you can share them here: https://forms.gle/Aj42EiUjg8g8j8s48


Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/therealbeal/message

View Details

In this episode, I go back to school! I briefly talk about my last, first day of school (so exciting) and my plans for this semester. I then discuss the role that U.S. immigration policy is going to play in the crisis in Afghanistan. I don’t comment on anything political, nor do I evaluate the decision to withdraw. I present some information regarding the role that the immigration system is going to play in the aftermath. I am not an expert, and the opinions that I share are gathered from my (admittedly) somewhat limited experience in immigration law, but the facts and figures that I share are accurate. 

Hopefully, this episode makes you consider the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan in a new way. Should there be limits on the number of refugees that the United States accepts? What should that limit be? Does it make a difference if the refugees are caused by the United States' actions?

If you have suggestions for podcast topics or guests, you can share them here: https://forms.gle/Aj42EiUjg8g8j8s48


Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/therealbeal/message

View Details

In this episode, I am on a late-night road trip to Austin with my wife Lilly! I interview her (and myself) so our listeners can get to know us better. We talk about career, education, and various other things about her! Lilly is a very interesting person with lots of cool insight!  The release of this episode was delayed, and you're going to have to listen to the episode to find out why! Moving forward, the show will return to its normal release schedule! Thank you for listening to this episode! If you have suggestions for podcast topics or guests, you can share them here: https://forms.gle/Aj42EiUjg8g8j8s48


Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/therealbeal/message

View Details

Everyone has heard of the Supreme Court, and can probably name a few landmark cases. But in this episode, I talk about some of my favorite "weird" Supreme Court cases. These aren't cases that make headlines, and you've probably never heard of them. But they are interesting, fun, and often have long-lasting effects. 

Hopefully, this episode will make you consider the importance of the Supreme Court. Often the Supreme Court gets cases right, sometimes they get them wrong. And sometimes, they're just weird. Moving forward, I hope you'll consider the role that the Supreme Court has played in your life. Each case has real, lasting effects on everyone involved. I hope that we don't lose sight of that. Just remember, the Supreme Court isn't final because it's always right, it's only right because it's final.


Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/therealbeal/message

View Details

We’ve all felt awkward. Some people (like me) feel awkward more often than others. But what makes someone awkward? And is being awkward a bad thing?  In this episode, I explore what it means to be “awkward.” I’m joined by an expert on the topic, my sister-in-law Evelyn. We discuss the definition of awkward, the origin of the word, and what using this word does to our view of others and ourselves. Hopefully, you find our conversation interesting and it makes you think about the words you use to describe others and yourself.


Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/therealbeal/message

View Details

Why would I start a podcast, I have nothing to talk about?

In this mini episode, I discuss what led me to start this podcast. Turns out, I actually do have a lot to talk about.


Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/therealbeal/message