Show #60 starts with an exploration of how Jack Smith, once a low-profile prosecutor, became a central figure in the legal and political firestorm surrounding Donald Trump. It then pivots to the current twist: Smith himself is under investigation for potentially violating the Hatch Act, raising questions about prosecutorial neutrality and political influence. The hour ends with an interview featuring Mark Reinisch, a life coach and entrepreneur known for his transformative approach to wellness and personal growth. He is the author of the new book The Wellness Ethic—How to Thrive in an Unpredictable World (Where Stupid Things Can Happen).

Show #60 starts with an exploration of how Jack Smith, once a low-profile prosecutor, became a central figure in the legal and political firestorm surrounding Donald Trump. It then pivots to the current twist: Smith himself is under investigation for potentially violating the Hatch Act, raising questions about prosecutorial neutrality and political influence. The hour ends with an interview featuring&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wellnessethic.com/about" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wellnessethic.com/about&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1756765657549000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3kscIH3b8Od2edv1dVxk3p">Mark Reinisch</a>, a life coach and entrepreneur known for his transformative approach to wellness and personal growth. He is the author of the new book&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wellnessethic.com/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wellnessethic.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1756765657549000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1u0JerOQsrrIzLg_tcmK85">The Wellness Ethic&mdash;How to Thrive in an Unpredictable World (Where Stupid Things Can Happen)</a>.

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: The Hatch Hunt — Jack Smith Under the Microscope. Interview with Mark Reinisch.

The hosts unpack the long‑running debate over reparations, tracing broken promises from “40 acres and a mule” to today’s wealth gaps affecting Black and Indigenous communities. It explores practical funding ideas — from government budgets and corporate accountability to philanthropy, universities, new industry taxes, and social bonds — while framing reparations as both moral repair and financial responsibility. The show wraps with an interview featuring Christopher J. Najera, a certified life coach, public speaker, and author of The Hard Truth! Stopping Alcohol, a candid guide to overcoming dependency.  Drawing on over 30 years of lived experience, he empowers others with raw honesty, practical tools, and a deep commitment to helping people reclaim their lives from alcohol.

The hosts unpack the long‑running debate over reparations, tracing broken promises from &ldquo;40 acres and a mule&rdquo; to today&rsquo;s wealth gaps affecting Black and Indigenous communities. It explores practical funding ideas &mdash; from government budgets and corporate accountability to philanthropy, universities, new industry taxes, and social bonds &mdash; while framing reparations as both moral repair and financial responsibility. The show wraps with an interview featuring Christopher J. Najera, a certified life coach, public speaker, and author of&nbsp;<a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__thehardtruthaf.com_&amp;d=DwMGaQ&amp;c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&amp;r=VjLVqDp760rtbFjmvN9KBC4Q3Wzyzl7V5ax9o24L5A0&amp;m=aFKX8UsIoKV9GbMkP_j9B6QS7FNb4WcaYffmAfjBcuqJ8tSaOgFL9CvZdgsxf5Sb&amp;s=wRDUga0uZbwwiuQEl86Fmg2IIAcZyEgDnkqAgmuGuHY&amp;e=" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2">The Hard Truth! Stopping Alcohol,</a>&nbsp;a candid guide to overcoming dependency.&nbsp; Drawing on over 30 years of lived experience, he empowers others with raw honesty, practical tools, and a deep commitment to helping people reclaim their lives from alcohol.

Hour 2: Reparations: Moral Repair & Financial Duty | Chris Najera on The Hard Truth!

Episode 74 begins with a look at the battle between free speech and platform moderation, where the First Amendment protects against government censorship, but private platforms set their own rules. From Musk’s “hands-off” Twitter/X experiment to Europe’s Digital Services Act, the debate shows how moderation—whether by humans, AI, or governments—inevitably reflects politics, values, and power struggles over the digital public square.  The hour concludes with an interview featuring Michael Bedenbaugh, a leading voice in historic preservation and civic engagement. He is the author of Reviving Our Republic and host of the podcast of the same name, where he examines the intersection of history, governance, and community development.

Episode 74 begins with a look at the battle between free speech and platform moderation, where the First Amendment protects against government censorship, but private platforms set their own rules. From Musk&rsquo;s &ldquo;hands-off&rdquo; Twitter/X experiment to Europe&rsquo;s Digital Services Act, the debate shows how moderation&mdash;whether by humans, AI, or governments&mdash;inevitably reflects politics, values, and power struggles over the digital public square.&nbsp; The hour concludes with an interview featuring&nbsp;<a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__mikebedenbaugh.com_&amp;d=DwMGaQ&amp;c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&amp;r=VjLVqDp760rtbFjmvN9KBC4Q3Wzyzl7V5ax9o24L5A0&amp;m=aFKX8UsIoKV9GbMkP_j9B6QS7FNb4WcaYffmAfjBcuqJ8tSaOgFL9CvZdgsxf5Sb&amp;s=mhSQBCpOdVxyTGMKrbynuOiyzMH08ht_3C7RlESzPW4&amp;e=" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0">Michael Bedenbaugh</a>, a leading voice in historic preservation and civic engagement. He is the author of&nbsp;<a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__revivingourrepublic.com_&amp;d=DwMGaQ&amp;c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&amp;r=VjLVqDp760rtbFjmvN9KBC4Q3Wzyzl7V5ax9o24L5A0&amp;m=aFKX8UsIoKV9GbMkP_j9B6QS7FNb4WcaYffmAfjBcuqJ8tSaOgFL9CvZdgsxf5Sb&amp;s=5uQmiDlXVrWRWFcpohtyvxJN7f6FtWCA-ax3dQ8NwRY&amp;e=" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="1">Reviving Our Republic</a>&nbsp;and host of the podcast of the same name, where he examines the intersection of history, governance, and community development.

 Hour 1: Free Speech vs. Platform Power | Michael Bedenbaugh on Reviving Our Republic

The hosts discuss a Washington, D.C. event where Wall Street’s elite bristled at Mayor‑elect Mamdani’s push for wealth taxes, rent freezes, and free transit—policies viewed as a direct threat to their power.  Into that tension stepped Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, whose gubernatorial campaign quickly became the business community’s rallying point against the city’s leftward turn and Governor Hochul’s embattled leadership.  The show concludes with Christopher Henze, a filmmaker and cultural disruptor whose documentaries and dramas probe the collision of truth, pain, and power. His latest project, Wise Women: Humanity’s Untold Origins, reframes menopause as an evolutionary advantage that shaped human survival.

The hosts discuss a Washington, D.C. event where Wall Street&rsquo;s elite bristled at Mayor‑elect Mamdani&rsquo;s push for wealth taxes, rent freezes, and free transit&mdash;policies viewed as a direct threat to their power.&nbsp; Into that tension stepped Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, whose gubernatorial campaign quickly became the business community&rsquo;s rallying point against the city&rsquo;s leftward turn and Governor Hochul&rsquo;s embattled leadership.&nbsp; The show concludes with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27561267/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2">Christopher Henze</a>, a filmmaker and cultural disruptor whose documentaries and dramas probe the collision of truth, pain, and power. His latest project,&nbsp;<a href="https://wisewomenmovie.com/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="3">Wise Women: Humanity&rsquo;s Untold Origins</a>, reframes menopause as an evolutionary advantage that shaped human survival.

Hour 1: The Hatch Hunt — Jack Smith Under the Microscope. Interview with Mark Reinisch.

In 1 playlist(s)

Shake It Off with Mert & Lucas

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips