In Episode 68, the hosts revisit Donald Trump’s campaign promise to end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours of taking office—a bold claim repeated throughout 2024 and framed as proof of his diplomatic prowess. Nine months into his second term, the war continues, prompting questions about whether Trump underestimated Vladimir Putin or was strategically outplayed. The hour concludes with Mitch Francis, a serial entrepreneur and inventor, whose book Bad-Ass Solutions for Today’s Big-Ass Problems presents bold, nonpartisan strategies for tackling major global challenges.

In Episode 68, the hosts revisit Donald Trump&rsquo;s campaign promise to end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours of taking office&mdash;a bold claim repeated throughout 2024 and framed as proof of his diplomatic prowess. Nine months into his second term, the war continues, prompting questions about whether Trump underestimated Vladimir Putin or was strategically outplayed. The hour concludes with&nbsp;<a href="https://bad-asssolutions.com/about/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0">Mitch Francis</a>, a serial entrepreneur and inventor, whose book&nbsp;<a href="https://bad-asssolutions.com/books/bad-ass-solutions/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="1">Bad-Ass Solutions for Today&rsquo;s Big-Ass Problems</a>&nbsp;presents bold, nonpartisan strategies for tackling major global challenges.

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 “man of the people,” debate some of the hottest issues impacting our city, state and nation.

Shake It Off with Mert & Lucas

Hour 1: Promises, Power Plays, and Putin — Trump’s stalled Ukraine Pledge, Dissected. Interview with Mitch Francis, Author of Bad-Ass Solutions for Today’s Big-Ass Problems.

The hosts discuss a stark reality: major national surveys show that AI has entered classrooms faster than schools can respond, leaving faculty overwhelmed, unprepared, and watching core skills like writing and critical thinking erode in real time. Together, the data and faculty voices paint a picture not of a debate, but of a full‑blown educational crisis unfolding at unprecedented speed. The show wraps with an interview featuring Caroline Jane Knight — author of Jane & Me: My Austen Heritage and the last Austen descendant to grow up in the family’s ancestral home. Knight offers a rare, intimate perspective on heritage, identity, and the legacy of Jane Austen, blending memoir and lived history to bring warmth, insight, and a uniquely personal window into one of literature’s most enduring voices.

The hosts discuss a stark reality: major national surveys show that AI has entered classrooms faster than schools can respond, leaving faculty overwhelmed, unprepared, and watching core skills like writing and critical thinking erode in real time. Together, the data and faculty voices paint a picture not of a debate, but of a full‑blown educational crisis unfolding at unprecedented speed. The show wraps with an interview featuring&nbsp;<a href="https://janeaustenlf.org/caroline-jane-knight/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="1">Caroline Jane Knight</a>&nbsp;&mdash; author of&nbsp;<a href="https://a.co/d/03OQCHxT" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2">Jane &amp; Me: My Austen Heritage</a>&nbsp;and the last Austen descendant to grow up in the family&rsquo;s ancestral home. Knight offers a rare, intimate perspective on heritage, identity, and the legacy of Jane Austen, blending memoir and lived history to bring warmth, insight, and a uniquely personal window into one of literature&rsquo;s most enduring voices.

Hour 2: The AI Crisis in the Classroom | Caroline J. Knight on Austen, Legacy & Identity

Episode 84 confronts the political and historical weight of the President’s decision to share an AI‑generated video depicting the Obamas as apes — a centuries‑old racist trope — tracing its roots through scientific racism, eugenics, Jim Crow, and the long legacy of dehumanization that still shapes public reaction today. The hosts argue that the White House’s shifting explanations have only deepened the fallout, underscoring why this imagery is so dangerous and why the President should acknowledge the error so the country can move forward. The hour concludes with an interview featuring Melissa Henson, Senior Advisor for Culture and Media at Concerned Women for America, a leading voice on how entertainment, messaging, and digital platforms shape public values and national conversations. Melissa delivers a grounded, incisive look at what’s shifting in today’s media landscape — what’s at stake, and why it matters.

Episode 84 confronts the political and historical weight of the President&rsquo;s decision to share an AI‑generated video depicting the Obamas as apes &mdash; a centuries‑old racist trope &mdash; tracing its roots through scientific racism, eugenics, Jim Crow, and the long legacy of dehumanization that still shapes public reaction today. The hosts argue that the White House&rsquo;s shifting explanations have only deepened the fallout, underscoring why this imagery is so dangerous and why the President should acknowledge the error so the country can move forward. The hour concludes with an interview featuring Melissa Henson, Senior Advisor for Culture and Media at&nbsp;<a href="https://concernedwomen.org/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0">Concerned Women for America</a>, a leading voice on how entertainment, messaging, and digital platforms shape public values and national conversations. Melissa delivers a grounded, incisive look at what&rsquo;s shifting in today&rsquo;s media landscape &mdash; what&rsquo;s at stake, and why it matters.

Hour 1: A Racist White House? | Melissa Henson on Media, Culture & Connection

The hosts examine how the film Melania constructs a polished, tightly controlled portrait of the former First Lady, contrasting its curated narrative with decades of polling that reveal what Americans value in presidential spouses — visibility, warmth, relatability — and how sharply Melania diverged from those expectations. They also unpack the Bezos–Amazon controversy surrounding the film’s unprecedented $75 million price tag, exploring how political optics, corporate power, and public perception collided to create a firestorm over influence and access. The hour concludes with an interview featuring Shannan Kym, a reflective, clarity‑driven author whose work centers on helping people navigate healing, identity, and self‑understanding with honesty and intention. In her book Find the Answers Within You, she guides readers toward resilience and inner alignment through grounded insights drawn from lived experience.

 

 

The hosts examine how the film&nbsp;Melania&nbsp;constructs a polished, tightly controlled portrait of the former First Lady, contrasting its curated narrative with decades of polling that reveal what Americans value in presidential spouses &mdash; visibility, warmth, relatability &mdash; and how sharply Melania diverged from those expectations. They also unpack the Bezos&ndash;Amazon controversy surrounding the film&rsquo;s unprecedented $75 million price tag, exploring how political optics, corporate power, and public perception collided to create a firestorm over influence and access. The hour concludes with an interview featuring&nbsp;<a href="https://www.shannankym.com/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2">Shannan Kym</a>, a reflective, clarity‑driven author whose work centers on helping people navigate healing, identity, and self‑understanding with honesty and intention. In her book&nbsp;<a href="https://www.shannankym.com/book" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="3">Find the Answers Within You</a>, she guides readers toward resilience and inner alignment through grounded insights drawn from lived experience.
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Hour 1: Promises, Power Plays, and Putin — Trump’s stalled Ukraine Pledge, Dissected. Interview with Mitch Francis, Author of Bad-Ass Solutions for Today’s Big-Ass Problems.

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