U.S. history classes teach about the horrible institution of slavery, but how much does the average American know about the family history of their politicians, especially when it comes to slavery? Recent studies revealed that many U.S. politicians, including a number of presidents, have ancestors who were slaveholders. On this episode of Direct Impact, host Rick Sanchez sits down with writer and historian Calvin Dark to delve into this little-known history.

For years, the U.S.-Mexico border has been used to smuggle weapons, which end up in the hands of cartels. The Mexican government has accused the U.S. of playing a role in the arms smuggling, an accusation that recently gained traction. Direct Impact host Rick Sanchez speaks to the Legal Counsel to Mexico's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Alejandro Celario and Dr. Enrique Rivera regarding Mexico's accusations and the history of arms smuggling between the two nations.

The U.S. and China are involved in a technological war and it has recently intensified over chips. No, not those chips you buy at your local market - these are semiconductors that are used in advanced technology. The U.S.' growing concern over China's role in chip production and sales was amplified during then Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, which sparked anger in Beijing over this move by a powerful American politician. To explain this ongoing technological war between China and the U.S., host Rick Sanchez talks to political analyst KJ Noh, who provides expert insight into this conflict.

Tucker Carlson's show had the largest viewership in America and continuously boosted Fox News' popularity; however, that was until late April when he shocked the world by announcing his departure from the channel. Carlson's abrupt departure left many asking why Fox News would part with its most popular host? Direct Impact's Rick Sanchez delves into Carlson's departure and the business of news. He sits down with political commentator and co-host of the Revolutionary Blackout podcast Sabrina Salvati to discuss Carlson's move and the future of TV news.

The U.S. dollar has been the dominant currency in the world since it replaced the gold standard in 1971. Since then, the world has been at the mercy of the U.S.' currency, making it difficult for countries sanctioned by the West to trade with partner nations. However, there appears to be a growing trend to end the dollar's hegemony among some of the largest economies. Among these nations are Brazil, Russia, China and India, four of the five members of the BRICS economic alliance. To understand more about the growing trend of de-dollarization, Direct Impact's Rick Sanchez speaks to renowned economist Richard Wolff, who reconstructs a world without Western-dominated currency.