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.

We begin the second hour with an exclusive interview with Jami Floyd — an attorney, veteran journalist, and public‑affairs commentator whose career spans ABC News, MSNBC, Court TV, and WNYC, and who recently suspended her congressional campaign in New York’s 12th District after confronting the structural and financial barriers facing first‑time candidates. She brings a rare blend of legal insight, media experience, and hard‑earned political perspective to any discussion of law, democracy, and public service.  We wrap the show with a conversation with Dr. John Richard Lott Jr. — an economist, researcher, and founder of the Crime Prevention Research Center, known for his extensive empirical work on crime statistics, public safety, and the effects of policy on real‑world outcomes. His data‑driven scholarship and decades of academic work have made him a prominent and often debated voice in national conversations about crime and public policy.

 

We begin the second hour with an exclusive interview with&nbsp;<a href="https://jamifloyd.com/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2">Jami Floyd</a>&nbsp;&mdash; an attorney, veteran journalist, and public‑affairs commentator whose career spans ABC News, MSNBC, Court TV, and WNYC, and who recently&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jamifloydforcongress.com/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="3">suspended her congressional campaign in New York&rsquo;s 12th District</a>&nbsp;after confronting the structural and financial barriers facing first‑time candidates. She brings a rare blend of legal insight, media experience, and hard‑earned political perspective to any discussion of law, democracy, and public service.&nbsp; We wrap the show with a conversation with&nbsp;<a href="https://crimeresearch.org/about/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="4">Dr. John Richard Lott Jr.</a>&nbsp;&mdash; an economist, researcher, and founder of the&nbsp;<a href="https://crimeresearch.org/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="5">Crime Prevention Research Center,</a>&nbsp;known for his extensive empirical work on crime statistics, public safety, and the effects of policy on real‑world outcomes. His data‑driven scholarship and decades of academic work have made him a prominent and often debated voice in national conversations about crime and public policy.
&nbsp;

Hour 2: Jami Floyd on the Cost of Candidacy | Dr. John R. Lott Jr. on Crime & Public Policy

Episode92 begins with a look at the staggering $93billion price tag behind America’s return to deep‑space flight, contrasting the awe of Artemis II with the hard question of whether such spending is justified when housing, healthcare, infrastructure, and education are in crisis. The hosts then widen the lens, using Pew and Gallup data to show how Americans remain inspired by space exploration yet increasingly demand accountability, fiscal restraint, and a clearer argument for why lunar missions should outrank urgent needs here on Earth. The hour ends with an interview featuring Nancy Lee Gulbrandsen -- a Florida‑based author and humorist whose satirical dating guide, Swipe Left: The Savvy Woman’s Guide to Decoding Men’s Dating Profiles, recently ranked in Amazon’s Top 10 in the Online Dating category.  Her sharp, self‑aware take on modern romance has resonated with readers nationwide, turning her real‑life misadventures into empowering, laugh‑out‑loud insight for women navigating today’s dating landscape.

Episode 92 begins with a look at the staggering $93 billion price tag behind America&rsquo;s return to deep‑space flight, contrasting the awe of Artemis II with the hard question of whether such spending is justified when housing, healthcare, infrastructure, and education are in crisis. The hosts then widen the lens, using Pew and Gallup data to show how Americans remain inspired by space exploration yet increasingly demand accountability, fiscal restraint, and a clearer argument for why lunar missions should outrank urgent needs here on Earth. The hour ends with an interview featuring&nbsp;<a href="https://nancyleegulbrandsen.com/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0">Nancy Lee Gulbrandsen</a>&nbsp;-- a Florida‑based author and humorist whose satirical dating guide,&nbsp;<a href="https://a.co/d/02nD1EgR" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="1">Swipe Left: The Savvy Woman&rsquo;s Guide to Decoding Men&rsquo;s Dating Profiles</a>, recently ranked in Amazon&rsquo;s Top 10 in the Online Dating category.&nbsp; Her sharp, self‑aware take on modern romance has resonated with readers nationwide, turning her real‑life misadventures into empowering, laugh‑out‑loud insight for women navigating today&rsquo;s dating landscape.

Hour 1: Artemis II’s $93B Question | Nancy Lee Gulbrandsen on Modern Dating

Hour 2 examines the Jaden Ivey firestorm, tracing how a 45‑minute Instagram Live attacking the NBA’s Pride Month initiatives triggered his sudden waiver and ignited a league‑wide debate over faith, speech, and brand protection. The hosts unpack the Bulls’ swift “conduct detrimental” decision, and the polarized reactions across players, media, and fans as the NBA confronts its own limits on expression. The show wraps with an interview featuring Rev. Dr. Terrlyn L. Curry Avery—a theologian and psychologist whose work bridges spiritual healing and racial justice, challenging individuals and institutions to confront the emotional and moral roots of racism. She is the author of Dismantling Racism, where she outlines a transformative framework for understanding racism as both a systemic force and a spiritual wound that requires courageous self‑examination and collective repair.

Hour 2 examines the Jaden Ivey firestorm, tracing how a 45‑minute Instagram Live attacking the NBA&rsquo;s Pride Month initiatives triggered his sudden waiver and ignited a league‑wide debate over faith, speech, and brand protection. The hosts unpack the Bulls&rsquo; swift &ldquo;conduct detrimental&rdquo; decision, and the polarized reactions across players, media, and fans as the NBA confronts its own limits on expression. The show wraps with an interview featuring&nbsp;<a href="https://sacredintelligence.com/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="1">Rev. Dr. Terrlyn L. Curry Avery</a>&mdash;a theologian and psychologist whose work bridges spiritual healing and racial justice, challenging individuals and institutions to confront the emotional and moral roots of racism. She is the author of&nbsp;<a href="https://a.co/d/0iMl3cOl" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2">Dismantling Racism</a>, where she outlines a transformative framework for understanding racism as both a systemic force and a spiritual wound that requires courageous self‑examination and collective repair.

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.

In 1 playlist(s)

Shake It Off with Mert & Lucas Live

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips