Episode #61 examines the controversy surrounding President Trump’s $200 million, privately funded White House ballroom, raising questions about the optics of opulence amid deepening political and economic divides. The hosts explore whether such grandeur aligns with empathetic leadership in a fractured era. The episode concludes with Dr. Akli Adjaoute — AI entrepreneur and founder of Exponion — discussing his book Inside AI and the future of artificial intelligence in business and society.

Episode #61 examines the controversy surrounding President Trump&rsquo;s $200 million, privately funded White House ballroom, raising questions about the optics of opulence amid deepening political and economic divides. The hosts explore whether such grandeur aligns with empathetic leadership in a fractured era. The episode concludes with&nbsp;<a href="https://cognitix.com/why-cognitix-management-team/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0">Dr. Akli Adjaoute</a>&nbsp;&mdash; AI entrepreneur and founder of Exponion &mdash; discussing his book&nbsp;<a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Akli-Adjaoute/219938959" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="1">Inside AI</a>&nbsp;and the future of artificial intelligence in business and society.

Tune in each week, as an established lawyer, and a self- proclaimed “man of the people,” debate some of the hottest issues impacting our city, state and nation. 

Tune in each week, as an established lawyer, and a self- proclaimed &ldquo;man of the people,&rdquo; debate some of the hottest issues impacting our city, state and nation.&nbsp;

Shake It Off with Mert & Lucas Live

Tune in each week, as an established lawyer, and a self- proclaimed “man of the people,” debate some of the hottest issues impacting our city, state and nation.

Hour 1: Legacy or Luxury? Adding a 90,000‑Square‑Foot Ballroom to the White House.  Interview with Dr. Akli Adjaoute on the Future of Artificial Intelligence.

Our second hour reviews the surging national debate over age limits for politicians, breaking down the polling, medical research, and high‑profile public statements that have pushed this once‑taboo question into the mainstream. It’s a data‑driven look at why nearly four out of five Americans now say it’s time to rethink who’s old enough to lead — and what that shift means for the future of political power. The show then wraps with an interview featuring Ela Thier, author of How to Fail as an Artist, a candid, craft‑sharp examination of why creative careers stall and how to build a practice rooted in honesty rather than hype. Thier’s blend of memoir and tough‑minded guidance reframes “failure” as a necessary — and often liberating — part of making real art.

Our second hour reviews the surging national debate over age limits for politicians, breaking down the polling, medical research, and high‑profile public statements that have pushed this once‑taboo question into the mainstream. It&rsquo;s a data‑driven look at why nearly four out of five Americans now say it&rsquo;s time to rethink who&rsquo;s old enough to lead &mdash; and what that shift means for the future of political power. The show then wraps with an interview featuring&nbsp;<a href="https://theindependentfilmschool.com/about/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://theindependentfilmschool.com/about/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1781563344267000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3U2K_OhbXHXjzhshh29Bch">Ela Thier</a>, author of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/How-Fail-Artist-Best-Tips/dp/B0GWQGLF9K" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amazon.com/How-Fail-Artist-Best-Tips/dp/B0GWQGLF9K&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1781563344267000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0XMHoNeeLxV7nH4Bg14ns1">How to Fail as an Artist</a>, a candid, craft‑sharp examination of why creative careers stall and how to build a practice rooted in honesty rather than hype. Thier&rsquo;s blend of memoir and tough‑minded guidance reframes &ldquo;failure&rdquo; as a necessary &mdash; and often liberating &mdash; part of making real art.

 Hour 2: The Age‑Limit Debate in American Politics | Ela Thier on How to Fail as an Artist

Episode 101 begins with a look at the modern “etiquette wars,” where phones, tipping screens, and collapsing social norms have turned everyday life into a battlefield of clashing expectations. From speakerphone offenders to airplane meltdowns, the hosts explore how technology, burnout, and shifting boundaries are reshaping what we consider basic decency — and why everyone thinks they’re the polite one. The show then pivots to an interview with Dr. Laura Dabney, author of I Need You … Now Go Away!  Her book distills decades of psychiatric practice into a sharp, accessible guide to the messy push‑pull of modern relationships, where craving closeness and demanding distance often collide.

Episode 101 begins with a look at the modern &ldquo;etiquette wars,&rdquo; where phones, tipping screens, and collapsing social norms have turned everyday life into a battlefield of clashing expectations. From speakerphone offenders to airplane meltdowns, the hosts explore how technology, burnout, and shifting boundaries are reshaping what we consider basic decency &mdash; and why everyone thinks they&rsquo;re the polite one. The show then pivots to an interview with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.drldabney.com/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.drldabney.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1781563344267000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3kHmeaRuUqJ8U4zDEbKpgM">Dr. Laura Dabney</a>, author of<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Need-You-Now-Away-Personality/dp/139983522X/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amazon.com/Need-You-Now-Away-Personality/dp/139983522X/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1781563344267000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0S1Nn_PXxdddzN1tPWxYSp">&nbsp;I Need You &hellip; Now Go Away!&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;Her book distills decades of psychiatric practice into a sharp, accessible guide to the messy push‑pull of modern relationships, where craving closeness and demanding distance often collide.

Hour 1: The Etiquette Wars of Modern Life | Dr. Laura Dabney on I Need You … Now Go Away!

The second hour begins with an analysis of the Justice Department’s historic indictment of Raúl Castro for the 1996 shootdown of Brothers to the Rescue, grounding the story in verified quotes, the human cost, and the decades‑long fight for accountability. It then widens to the national and South Florida polling divide on Cuba policy, exploring how justice, memory, and public sentiment collide as the U.S. confronts a regime accused of murdering Americans — and what that means going forward. The show wraps with an interview featuring Nick Kessler and Brian Fulmer, hosts of Road Trip Masters, the travel‑adventure series that highlights the people, towns, and hidden gems along America’s backroads. Kessler and Fulmer bring an easygoing chemistry and a deep love of Americana, turning every journey into a celebration of local culture, food, and the open road.

The second hour begins with an analysis of the Justice Department&rsquo;s historic indictment of Ra&uacute;l Castro for the 1996 shootdown of Brothers to the Rescue, grounding the story in verified quotes, the human cost, and the decades‑long fight for accountability. It then widens to the national and South Florida polling divide on Cuba policy, exploring how justice, memory, and public sentiment collide as the U.S. confronts a regime accused of murdering Americans &mdash; and what that means going forward. The show wraps with an interview featuring Nick Kessler and Brian Fulmer, hosts of&nbsp;<a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__roadtripmasters.com&amp;d=DwMGaQ&amp;c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&amp;r=VjLVqDp760rtbFjmvN9KBC4Q3Wzyzl7V5ax9o24L5A0&amp;m=BhxK6qRrrTjcHb1Zzg4o6A5qHYNv0Y_EboA3h8Hg_7LBuwUKsQUMBnHp1bNRzML-&amp;s=o6L9Ix596JQ5FWsrWql7p2H4L8d8qIkF_Wb-TqdJXQU&amp;e=" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="1">Road Trip Masters</a>, the travel‑adventure series that highlights the people, towns, and hidden gems along America&rsquo;s backroads. Kessler and Fulmer bring an easygoing chemistry and a deep love of Americana, turning every journey into a celebration of local culture, food, and the open road.

Hour 1: Legacy or Luxury? Adding a 90,000‑Square‑Foot Ballroom to the White House. Interview with Dr. Akli Adjaoute on the Future of Artificial Intelligence.

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