Guest: Jeremy Portnoy , an investigative journalist with OpenTheBooks.com — contributes to The Daily Signal and RealClearInvestigations, where he writes the “Waste of the Day” column, which examines the misuse of taxpayer funds and exposes government’s profligate ways.

Guest: Jeremy Portnoy ,&nbsp;an investigative journalist with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.openthebooks.com/">OpenTheBooks.com</a>&nbsp;&mdash; contributes to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dailysignal.com/">The Daily Signal</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.realclearinvestigations.com/">RealClearInvestigations</a>, where he writes the &ldquo;Waste of the Day&rdquo; column, which examines the misuse of taxpayer funds and exposes government&rsquo;s profligate ways.

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 - EXPOSING GOVERNMENT OVERSPENDING & WASTE

The hosts explore the uproar over the video made by six Democratic lawmakers reminding U.S. service members of their duty to refuse unlawful orders—a message denounced by President Trump as “seditious.” They examine the clash between discipline and constitutional fidelity, the governing legal standards, and how public opinion reveals sharp partisan divides. The show concludes with an interview featuring Darin Kinder, retired U.S. Secret Service agent and author of Bury Me in a Dirty Suit (2025), his gripping account of surviving the South Tower collapse on 9/11 and reflections on courage, faith, and purpose.

The hosts explore the uproar over the video made by six Democratic lawmakers reminding U.S. service members of their duty to refuse unlawful orders&mdash;a message denounced by President Trump as &ldquo;seditious.&rdquo; They examine the clash between discipline and constitutional fidelity, the governing legal standards, and how public opinion reveals sharp partisan divides. The show concludes with an interview featuring&nbsp;<a href="https://www.darinkinder.com/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2">Darin Kinder</a>, retired U.S. Secret Service agent and author of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.darinkinder.com/my-book.html" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="3">Bury Me in a Dirty Suit&nbsp;(2025)</a>, his gripping account of surviving the South Tower collapse on 9/11 and reflections on courage, faith, and purpose.

Hour 2: Combatting Illegal Orders or Flirting with Sedition? | Darin Kinder’s 9/11 Survival Story

Episode 75 examines how the Olympics and global federations have increasingly barred transgender women who experienced male puberty from competing in female categories, citing enduring biological advantages and safety concerns. It highlights the political and cultural divide, with most countries and U.S. states favoring restriction while California insists on inclusion, fueling a national clash over fairness versus civil rights. The hour concludes with an interview featuring Rachel Corbett, an American journalist and author whose latest book, The Monsters We Make: Murder, Obsession, and the Rise of Criminal Profiling (2025), traces the evolution of profiling from Victorian-era cases to modern predictive policing.

Episode 75 examines how the Olympics and global federations have increasingly barred transgender women who experienced male puberty from competing in female categories, citing enduring biological advantages and safety concerns. It highlights the political and cultural divide, with most countries and U.S. states favoring restriction while California insists on inclusion, fueling a national clash over fairness versus civil rights. The hour concludes with an interview featuring&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rachel-corbett.com/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0">Rachel Corbett</a>, an American journalist and author whose latest book,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/0393867692" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="1">The Monsters We Make: Murder, Obsession, and the Rise of Criminal Profiling&nbsp;(2025)</a>, traces the evolution of profiling from Victorian-era cases to modern predictive policing.

Hour 1: The Olympics and Trans Athlete Eligibility | Rachel Corbett on Criminal Profiling

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 1 - EXPOSING GOVERNMENT OVERSPENDING & WASTE

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