The Opioid Crisis: A Personal Tragedy Reveals America's Hidden Enemy | The Vivek Show

In this thought-provoking episode, Vivek Ramaswamy engages in a candid conversation with Andrew Olivastro, a seasoned political operative and policy expert with experience at the Heritage Foundation, the Bush administration, and the corporate world. Andrew shares his insights on issues like ESG, education reform, and the opioid crisis. He also tells the emotional story of his sister's tragic death due to a fentanyl overdose, sparking a deeper discussion about the impact of the opioid crisis on families, communities, and national security. Together, they delve into America's self-hatred and national identity crisis, discussing how shared values and the unapologetic pursuit of excellence can lead to unity and national revival.

Time-codes:

[01:33] - Andrew's diverse background and career journey
[03:10] - Sharing pocket copies of the Declaration of Independence
[03:33] - Andrew's return to the Heritage Foundation
[04:16] - Andrew's take on ESG and its implications
[05:14] - The importance of education reform
[05:45] - Andrew's personal connection to the opioid crisis
[07:14] - The story of Andrew's sister, Amy
[09:57] - The tragic impact of fentanyl on families
[11:20] - The cynical force behind the fentanyl crisis
[13:22] - The story of Bishop Evans and the fentanyl crisis
[14:33] - The potential role of the U.S. military in combating drug cartels
[15:58] - Addressing domestic issues vs. international engagement
[17:00] - The need for a national debate on priorities
[19:45] - The impact of fentanyl compared to other drugs
[21:56] - The national security implications of the opioid crisis
[23:25] - Concerns about nation building and destabilization
[26:26] - The ESG question and its connection to geopolitics
[31:38] - America's self-hatred and national identity crisis
[35:22] - Recognizing shared values and the potential for a national revival