Badlands Story Hour Ep. 119: The Final Countdown

In this deep-dive edition of Badlands Story Hour, Chris Paul and Burning Bright are joined by retired Lt. Col. Oakland McCulloch to dissect the 1980 time-travel thriller The Final Countdown. What starts as a movie review quickly launches into a wide-ranging discussion on narrative warfare, military morality, and the cyclical nature of psyops across history. The hosts draw compelling parallels between Pearl Harbor, 9/11, and contemporary conflicts, questioning the intent behind “Russia’s Pearl Harbor” narratives and exploring the power of storytelling in shaping public sentiment. With thoughtful analysis of leadership under uncertainty, Trump’s layered communications, and the role of informational time travel, the episode challenges listeners to consider whether truth is enough, and if we're ready for it.