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 examine Pope Francis’s sweeping ban on AI‑written homilies as a defense of human authenticity, arguing that faith, vulnerability, and spiritual labor cannot be outsourced to algorithms. They also unpack global polling showing soaring AI use but collapsing public trust, revealing a world that relies on these tools even as it fears their cultural, psychological, and moral consequences. The show wraps with an interview featuring Daniel G. Ecker, a founding partner of Lever & Ecker, PLLC in White Plains, where he has built a reputation as a top personal injury attorney known for meticulous case preparation and unwavering client advocacy. Recognized repeatedly as a New York Metro Super Lawyer, he brings decades of experience—from early work on the defense side to leading plaintiff‑side litigation today—to help injury victims secure the outcomes they deserve.

The hosts examine Pope Francis&rsquo;s sweeping ban on AI‑written homilies as a defense of human authenticity, arguing that faith, vulnerability, and spiritual labor cannot be outsourced to algorithms. They also unpack global polling showing soaring AI use but collapsing public trust, revealing a world that relies on these tools even as it fears their cultural, psychological, and moral consequences. The show wraps with an interview featuring&nbsp;<a href="https://www.leverecker.com/attorneys/daniel-g-ecker/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2">Daniel G. Ecker</a>, a founding partner of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.leverecker.com/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="3">Lever &amp; Ecker, PLLC</a>&nbsp;in White Plains, where he has built a reputation as a top personal injury attorney known for meticulous case preparation and unwavering client advocacy. Recognized repeatedly as a New York Metro&nbsp;Super Lawyer, he brings decades of experience&mdash;from early work on the defense side to leading plaintiff‑side litigation today&mdash;to help injury victims secure the outcomes they deserve.

Hour 2: The Vatican’s AI Line in the Sand | Daniel Ecker on Justice for the Injured

Episode 87 examines how the administration’s case for Operation Epic Fury collapsed under scrutiny, contrasting claims of an imminent threat with a strike campaign that targeted Iran’s leadership, military infrastructure, and political core. It shows how polling, legal gaps, expert skepticism, and the scale of the assault exposed a justification built on myth rather than evidence, even as the region ignited in real time. The hour concludes with an interview featuring Owen Marcus, a leading figure in men’s emotional development and founder of MELD, whose latest book Grow Up: A Man’s Guide to Masculine Emotional Intelligence offers a practical framework for cultivating deeper connection, resilience, and authentic maturity.

Episode 87 examines how the administration&rsquo;s case for Operation Epic Fury collapsed under scrutiny, contrasting claims of an imminent threat with a strike campaign that targeted Iran&rsquo;s leadership, military infrastructure, and political core. It shows how polling, legal gaps, expert skepticism, and the scale of the assault exposed a justification built on myth rather than evidence, even as the region ignited in real time. The hour concludes with an interview featuring&nbsp;<a href="https://owenmarcus.com/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0">Owen Marcus</a>, a leading figure in men&rsquo;s emotional development and founder of MELD, whose latest book&nbsp;<a href="https://owenmarcus.com/the-book-grow-up/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="1">Grow Up: A Man&rsquo;s Guide to Masculine Emotional Intelligence</a>&nbsp;offers a practical framework for cultivating deeper connection, resilience, and authentic maturity.

Hour 1: Epic Fury’s Unraveling & Iran Fallout | Owen Marcus on Masculine Emotional Intelligence

The hosts examine how Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez’s high‑profile appearance at the Munich Security Conference unraveled, turning a bid for foreign‑policy credibility into a viral stumble defined by her halting Taiwan answer and her Venezuela misstatement. They contrast her rocky debut with Gavin Newsom’s disciplined, controversy‑free performance and Marco Rubio’s standing‑ovation moment, framing Munich as an early sorting mechanism for the 2028 field. The show wraps with an interview featuring Chris Gillett — a nationally recognized headshot photographer and expression coach known for his signature high‑contrast portrait style and his ability to capture authentic presence on camera. His work has become a go‑to resource for executives, performers, and public figures seeking images that project confidence, clarity, and credibility.

The hosts examine how Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez&rsquo;s high‑profile appearance at the Munich Security Conference unraveled, turning a bid for foreign‑policy credibility into a viral stumble defined by her halting Taiwan answer and her Venezuela misstatement. They contrast her rocky debut with Gavin Newsom&rsquo;s disciplined, controversy‑free performance and Marco Rubio&rsquo;s standing‑ovation moment, framing Munich as an early sorting mechanism for the 2028 field. The show wraps with an interview featuring&nbsp;<a href="https://liketherazor.com/about/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2">Chris Gillett</a>&nbsp;&mdash; a nationally recognized headshot photographer and expression coach known for his signature high‑contrast portrait style and his ability to capture authentic presence on camera. His work has become a go‑to resource for executives, performers, and public figures seeking images that project confidence, clarity, and credibility.

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.

In 1 playlist(s)

Shake It Off with Mert & Lucas

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips