This episode dives straight into the firestorm over noncitizen voting in local elections. From constitutional quirks and partisan pressure to questions of allegiance and integration, the host examine what it means to have a voice in American democracy. Later in the hour, James Sweeney and Rhonda Lauritzen -- highly respected and accomplished entrepreneurs -- chat about their new book, “Creative Insecurity: Lean Into the Unknown and Unleash Your Inner Misfit.”

This episode dives straight into the firestorm over noncitizen voting in local elections. From constitutional quirks and partisan pressure to questions of allegiance and integration, the host examine what it means to have a voice in American democracy. Later in the hour,&nbsp;<a href="https://jamesmsweeney.com/" data-auth="NotApplicable">James Sweeney</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://evalogue.life/rhonda-lauritzen/" data-auth="NotApplicable">Rhonda Lauritzen</a>&nbsp;-- highly respected and accomplished entrepreneurs -- chat about their new book, &ldquo;<a href="https://jamesmsweeney.com/creative-insecurity/" data-auth="NotApplicable">Creative Insecurity: Lean Into the Unknown and Unleash Your Inner Misfit</a>.&rdquo;

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: Should Voting be Reserved for Citizens?  Interview with Entrepreneurs, James Sweeney and Rhonda Lauritzen.

Hour 2 begins with a sharp, satirical dive into America’s redistricting circus — a political geometry war where voters overwhelmingly dislike the process, yet politicians keep sharpening their pencils anyway. The hosts then discuss developments in Virginia, Texas, North Carolina, Ohio, and California, exposing a coast‑to‑coast battle of lawsuits, power plays, and map‑making mayhem that underscores a simple truth: if you can control the map, you can control the country. The show concludes with an interview featuring Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath -- a cognitive neuroscientist and internationally recognized researcher specializing in how digital technology affects attention, learning, and human behavior. He is the author of The Digital Delusion, a book that unpacks the science behind our screen‑saturated lives and challenges the myths driving modern tech culture.

 

Hour 2 begins with a sharp, satirical dive into America&rsquo;s redistricting circus &mdash; a political geometry war where voters overwhelmingly dislike the process, yet politicians keep sharpening their pencils anyway. The hosts then discuss developments in Virginia, Texas, North Carolina, Ohio, and California, exposing a coast‑to‑coast battle of lawsuits, power plays, and map‑making mayhem that underscores a simple truth: if you can control the map, you can control the country. The show concludes with an interview featuring&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lmeglobal.net/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2">Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath</a>&nbsp;-- a cognitive neuroscientist and internationally recognized researcher specializing in how digital technology affects attention, learning, and human behavior. He is the author of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Digital-Delusion-Classroom-Technology-Learning/dp/B0G5622DQQ" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="3">The Digital Delusion</a>, a book that unpacks the science behind our screen‑saturated lives and challenges the myths driving modern tech culture.
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Hour 2: America’s Redistricting Circus | Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath on The Digital Delusion

Episode 95 begins with a chilling look at the growing cluster of missing and deceased scientists — a pattern that stayed invisible for years because the cases were scattered across states, agencies, and jurisdictions. The hosts then examine how the disappearance of Maj. Gen. William Neil McCasland finally forced the FBI, the White House, and Congress to launch coordinated reviews, raising the uncomfortable question of why it took so long for anyone to connect the dots. The show then pivots to an interview featuring Dr. Monica Vermani -- a clinical psychologist and internationally recognized expert on trauma, anxiety, and emotional wellness. She is the author of A Deeper Wellness: Conquering Stress, Mood, Anxiety and Traumas, a guide that blends clinical insight with actionable strategies for building a healthier, more resilient life.

Episode 95 begins with a chilling look at the growing cluster of missing and deceased scientists &mdash; a pattern that stayed invisible for years because the cases were scattered across states, agencies, and jurisdictions. The hosts then examine how the disappearance of Maj. Gen. William Neil McCasland finally forced the FBI, the White House, and Congress to launch coordinated reviews, raising the uncomfortable question of why it took so long for anyone to connect the dots. The show then pivots to an interview featuring&nbsp;<a href="https://www.drmonicavermani.com/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0">Dr. Monica Vermani</a>&nbsp;-- a clinical psychologist and internationally recognized expert on trauma, anxiety, and emotional wellness. She is the author of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.book.adeeperwellness.com/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="1">A Deeper Wellness: Conquering Stress, Mood, Anxiety and Traumas</a>, a guide that blends clinical insight with actionable strategies for building a healthier, more resilient life.

Hour 1: The Vanishing Scientists Crisis | Dr. Monica Vermani on A Deeper Wellness

This hour examines President Trump’s executive order fast‑tracking psychedelic drugs through the FDA pipeline, a move that has ignited a national debate over science, veterans’ care, and the limits of presidential authority. The hosts frame the order as both a response to America’s escalating mental‑health crisis and a cultural turning point, raising questions about urgency, influence, and the future of psychedelic medicine. The hour closes with Justin Keener, President of Americans for Public Safety, whose work centers on public‑safety reform and evidence‑based strategies to reduce crime and strengthen community outcomes.

This hour examines President Trump&rsquo;s executive order fast‑tracking psychedelic drugs through the FDA pipeline, a move that has ignited a national debate over science, veterans&rsquo; care, and the limits of presidential authority. The hosts frame the order as both a response to America&rsquo;s escalating mental‑health crisis and a cultural turning point, raising questions about urgency, influence, and the future of psychedelic medicine. The hour closes with&nbsp;<a href="https://a4publicsafety.com/who-we-are/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2">Justin Keener</a>, President of&nbsp;<a href="https://a4publicsafety.com/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="3">Americans for Public Safety</a>, whose work centers on public‑safety reform and evidence‑based strategies to reduce crime and strengthen community outcomes.

Hour 1: Should Voting be Reserved for Citizens? Interview with Entrepreneurs, James Sweeney and Rhonda Lauritzen.

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