Episode 112 examines the viral debate over $20 burritos that began when a college student told Turning Point USA a burrito shouldn’t cost that much, turning a simple complaint into a symbol of inflation and everyday costs. Using real prices, inflation data, and surveys, it shows how delivery and extras can push a burrito to $20 while homemade or basic options stay far cheaper—and what that reveals about wages and affordability in 2026. The hour then shifts to an interview with Mike Lebowitz, a U.S. Army combat veteran, former Pathfinder officer, and senior DOJ National Security Division attorney who spent nearly a decade prosecuting 9/11, USS Cole, and top al Qaeda cases at Guantanamo Bay before serving as senior legal advisor to U.S. Army Cyber Command. His book Second Wave uncovers the 2003 intelligence discovery that al Qaeda had obtained nuclear materials and planned to smuggle them into American ports, the urgent multi-agency manhunt that followed, and the lasting questions it raises about national preparedness on the 25th anniversary of 9/11.

Episode 112 examines the viral debate over $20 burritos that began when a college student told Turning Point USA a burrito shouldn&rsquo;t cost that much, turning a simple complaint into a symbol of inflation and everyday costs. Using real prices, inflation data, and surveys, it shows how delivery and extras can push a burrito to $20 while homemade or basic options stay far cheaper&mdash;and what that reveals about wages and affordability in 2026. The hour then shifts to an interview with&nbsp;<a href="https://lebowitzbooks.com/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0">Mike Lebowitz</a>, a U.S. Army combat veteran, former Pathfinder officer, and senior DOJ National Security Division attorney who spent nearly a decade prosecuting 9/11, USS Cole, and top al Qaeda cases at Guantanamo Bay before serving as senior legal advisor to U.S. Army Cyber Command. His book&nbsp;<a href="https://a.co/d/0cSRcTiO" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="1">Second Wave</a>&nbsp;uncovers the 2003 intelligence discovery that al Qaeda had obtained nuclear materials and planned to smuggle them into American ports, the urgent multi-agency manhunt that followed, and the lasting questions it raises about national preparedness on the 25th anniversary of 9/11.

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.