Kyle Forgeard20 January 2025

The Rise Of NELK, Donald Trump & Global Chaos - Kyle Forgeard - #892

0Frameworks

13Insights

Insights & moments

The myth-busts, hot takes, explainers, and tools worth keeping.

Myth Buster· 2

Myth Buster01:00

Why Canada Is Losing Its Identity Under Trudeau

Kyle Forgeard argues that under Trudeau's leadership, Canada has lost its cultural identity due to excessive political correctness, such as avoiding 'Merry Christmas' and undermining traditions like Remembrance Day poppies. He believes immigration wasn't handled well and that small cultural markers are disappearing.

Canada has lost its sense of identity under Trudeau
Political correctness has eroded traditions like saying 'Merry Christmas'
Remembrance Day poppies and other cultural symbols are being devalued
Immigration policies could have been better managed

“Canada's just lost its sense of identity a little bit... not letting people say Merry Christmas or we have a poppy that people wear every…”
Kyle Forgeard · 01:00

#canada#trudeau#culture#immigration

Myth Buster28:30

30 Million in 30 Minutes — But Almost No Profit

Kyle reveals that while NELK once made $30 million in revenue in 30 minutes from merch, actual profit was minimal. High production costs, lawsuits, and expenses meant the real take-home was far less than the headline number suggests.

Record merch drop generated $30M in sales in 30 minutes
350,000 people waited on the site at launch
High costs from pranks, production, and lawsuits cut into profits
Revenue is vanity, profit is sanity — they barely kept up

“The revenue sounds amazing but in terms of what me and Jesse were chipped away to... was like nowhere even near that”
Kyle Forgeard · 29:00

#nelk#business#revenue#profit

Hot Take· 3

Hot Take10:00

Why Being 'Scumbags' Was NELK's Secret Weapon

Kyle Forgeard says NELK’s early reputation as 'scumbags' was actually a strategic advantage. Because fans expected little, any improvement in behavior or content felt like progress. This contrasted with squeaky-clean influencers who face harsh backlash when they slip up.

NELK embraced being seen as 'scumbags' early on
Low expectations meant fans were pleasantly surprised by growth
Unlike polished influencers, they weren’t held to impossible standards
This allowed them to mature without losing credibility

“We've just been scumbags like we started as scumbags... we've actually improved as people... our fans just don't really give set such low expectations”
Kyle Forgeard · 10:30

#nelk#branding#influencers#authenticity

Hot Take67:30

Zuckerberg’s Free Speech Flip-Flop

Kyle Forgeard criticizes Mark Zuckerberg for shifting toward free speech only after Trump’s election win, suggesting it’s not principle but profit-driven. He believes Meta’s policy changes on gender and immigration are reactive, not genuine, and that platforms follow cultural momentum to survive.

Zuckerberg’s free speech stance changed only after political shift
Policy changes on gender and immigration followed Trump’s campaign focus
Platforms follow money, not morals
Real change comes from cultural pressure, not corporate goodwill

“Zuck sees what's happening with X... he's smart too... at the end of the day it's a W for everyone”
Kyle Forgeard · 68:30

#zuckerberg#meta#free-speech#politics

Hot Take80:00

The Hidden Cost of Being a Leader

Kyle reflects on the loneliness of leadership—having to wear a brave face while dealing with private doubts, making tough calls, and carrying responsibility. He compares it to Ernest Shackleton, who hid fears from his crew to maintain morale during Antarctic survival.

Leaders must project confidence despite inner doubts
They bear unique, invisible burdens others don’t see
Sacrifices include personal time, peace, and emotional energy
The 'main character' role comes with isolation

“The price that they need to pay in order to be a leader... there are unique challenges that only one or two people have to…”
Host · 80:30

#leadership#mental-health#responsibility#loneliness

Explainer· 2

Explainer03:00

Why Trump Says Canada Should Be the 51st State

Kyle Forgeard explains that Trump's suggestion of Canada becoming the 51st state is partly trolling and partly a negotiation tactic. It forces Canadian leaders to respond, giving Trump attention and leverage. Kyle witnessed this dynamic firsthand when flying with Trump before the election.

Trump's 51st state comment is a mix of trolling and strategy
It forces Canadian leaders to respond, creating media momentum
Trump enjoys getting reactions and controlling narratives
Kyle saw Trump's unfiltered, relaxed side during a private flight

“I think he's just trolling when he says that type of [__]... he gets a kick out of getting a reaction out of people”
Kyle Forgeard · 03:30

#trump#canada#politics#negotiation

Explainer21:00

Why NELK Moved From LA to Miami

Kyle Forgeard explains that NELK left Los Angeles for Miami due to rising crime, excessive liberalism, and better logistics. Miami offers no income tax, proximity to Toronto, and a healthier lifestyle, making it a more sustainable base for their traveling content business.

LA became too dangerous and politically extreme for their brand
Miami offers no state income tax and easier travel to Canada
The city supports a healthier lifestyle aligned with their routines
They still visit LA for podcast guests but no longer live there

“California is just a little too liberal for us... Florida just no income tax for me... way closer to Toronto”
Kyle Forgeard · 21:00

#nelk#miami#los-angeles#lifestyle

Story· 2

Story04:30

Trump's Secret: Asking Everyone for Their Opinion

Kyle Forgeard shares that during time spent with Donald Trump, he noticed Trump constantly asks people what they think—regardless of their status. He believes Trump uses these inputs like an informal poll to inform his decisions, creating a sense of inclusion while gathering real-time feedback.

Trump asks everyone for their opinion, from advisors to casual acquaintances
He treats each input like a data point in an informal poll
This behavior helps him gauge sentiment and make decisions
It reflects his people-centric approach despite his ego

“He's always asking people what do you think about this... I noticed that he does that a lot and I think he's just like subconsciously…”
Kyle Forgeard · 05:00

#trump#leadership#decision-making#politics

Story42:30

What Kyle Learned From Dana White's Loyalty

Kyle Forgeard admires Dana White’s unwavering loyalty and resilience. He shares how White kept the UFC running during the pandemic, defended it publicly, and remained loyal to friends—even offering Kyle a stake in his ventures, which Kyle respectfully declined to preserve their friendship.

Dana White kept UFC running during pandemic when others shut down
He’s fiercely loyal, often checking in on friends personally
Offered Kyle equity in ventures, but Kyle declined to keep friendship pure
White’s authenticity and consistency earn deep respect

“He is just the most loyal guy you will ever meet... he'll call me and be like yo you good bro like you need an…”
Kyle Forgeard · 44:30

#dana-white#ufc#loyalty#leadership

Q&A· 1

Q&A62:00

Why Steve Will Do It Was Banned From YouTube

Kyle Forgeard believes Steve Will Do It was banned not just for a gambling link, but because YouTube feared his dark humor and Trump support would attract negative press. He thinks the ban was a pretext, and that YouTube doesn’t want controversial figures drawing advertiser backlash.

Official reason was a gambling link in bio
Kyle believes dark humor and political content were real reasons
YouTube avoids negative press that could upset advertisers
Steve’s ban also restricts him from appearing in NELK videos

“I think YouTube was seeing like some of his dark humor [__] and they're like this is a ticking time bomb waiting to happen”
Kyle Forgeard · 63:00

#youtube#steve-will-do-it#censorship#content

Takeaway· 3

Takeaway06:30

How NELK Moved the Needle on Youth Voting

Through their 'Send the Vote' campaign, NELK helped register hundreds of thousands of young voters. Their influence was so significant that Kyle was recognized on the street and even mentioned in Trump’s post-election speech, despite being a Canadian citizen who couldn’t vote.

NELK partnered with 'Send the Vote' to register young voters
They helped register hundreds of thousands of people
Their impact was acknowledged in Trump’s post-election speech
Kyle, a Canadian, was publicly thanked despite not being eligible to vote

“We were responsible for like hundreds of thousands of people registering to vote... people were coming up to me on the street and like thanking…”
Kyle Forgeard · 06:30

#nelk#voting#youth#politics

Takeaway35:30

The Real Pleasure Is in the Anticipation

Kyle shares a psychological insight: the most enjoyable part of an experience isn’t the event itself, but the anticipation leading up to it—like the pregame before a night out or the buildup to a product drop. This principle drives their content and marketing strategy.

The pregame is often more exciting than the actual event
Anticipation triggers stronger dopamine response than fulfillment
This insight shapes how they build hype for videos and drops
Human pleasure is more about 'what's about to happen' than the payoff

“The absolute Bullseye of human pleasure is things are about to be awesome... the hottest part of sex is not the sex bit, it's the…”
Kyle Forgeard · 35:30

#psychology#marketing#anticipation#content

Takeaway38:00

Why Kyle Spends on Experiences, Not Things

Kyle Forgeard says he prioritizes spending on trips and shared experiences with friends over luxury items. He believes memories are more valuable and lasting than material possessions, and that sharing joy with others creates deeper fulfillment.

Prefers spending on trips and group experiences
Values memories over watches, cars, or jewelry
Believes shared experiences create lasting happiness
Spending on friends strengthens bonds and creates stories

“Spending your money on memories and like I love bringing my friends with me and just like having like a sick ass time... stuff you…”
Kyle Forgeard · 38:30

#lifestyle#wealth#experiences#friendship