Given Rudy Giuliani’s dramatic rise from tough-on-crime New York City mayor to revered 9/11 leader—and his subsequent fall into legal and political controversy—the hosts examine the complexities of his legacy. With President Trump’s recent announcement to award Giuliani the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the hosts explore whether the former mayor’s career still reflects the honor’s ideals. The show concludes with an interview featuring Brad Wyman, producer of Monster and other cult classics, alongside Robert Boris, acclaimed screenwriter of Electra Glide in Blue. Boris discusses his new sci-fi novel Black Sun: Day of the Humanoid, which is being developed into a feature film—adding author and futurist to his storied Hollywood résumé.

Given Rudy Giuliani&rsquo;s dramatic rise from tough-on-crime New York City mayor to revered 9/11 leader&mdash;and his subsequent fall into legal and political controversy&mdash;the hosts examine the complexities of his legacy. With President Trump&rsquo;s recent announcement to award Giuliani the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the hosts explore whether the former mayor&rsquo;s career still reflects the honor&rsquo;s ideals. The show concludes with an interview featuring <a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0943829/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0">Brad Wyman</a>, producer of&nbsp;Monster&nbsp;and other cult classics, alongside&nbsp;<a href="https://authorrobertboris.com/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="1">Robert Boris</a>, acclaimed screenwriter of&nbsp;Electra Glide in Blue. Boris discusses his new sci-fi novel&nbsp;<a href="https://outskirtspress.com/blacksundayofthehumanoid" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2">Black Sun: Day of the Humanoid</a>, which is being developed into a feature film&mdash;adding author and futurist to his storied Hollywood r&eacute;sum&eacute;.

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 2: Giuliani’s Medal of Freedom Controversy and a Sci-Fi Turn: A Deep Dive into Legacy, Politics, and Black Sun.

Our second hour reviews the surging national debate over age limits for politicians, breaking down the polling, medical research, and high‑profile public statements that have pushed this once‑taboo question into the mainstream. It’s a data‑driven look at why nearly four out of five Americans now say it’s time to rethink who’s old enough to lead — and what that shift means for the future of political power. The show then wraps with an interview featuring Ela Thier, author of How to Fail as an Artist, a candid, craft‑sharp examination of why creative careers stall and how to build a practice rooted in honesty rather than hype. Thier’s blend of memoir and tough‑minded guidance reframes “failure” as a necessary — and often liberating — part of making real art.

Our second hour reviews the surging national debate over age limits for politicians, breaking down the polling, medical research, and high‑profile public statements that have pushed this once‑taboo question into the mainstream. It&rsquo;s a data‑driven look at why nearly four out of five Americans now say it&rsquo;s time to rethink who&rsquo;s old enough to lead &mdash; and what that shift means for the future of political power. The show then wraps with an interview featuring&nbsp;<a href="https://theindependentfilmschool.com/about/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://theindependentfilmschool.com/about/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1781563344267000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3U2K_OhbXHXjzhshh29Bch">Ela Thier</a>, author of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/How-Fail-Artist-Best-Tips/dp/B0GWQGLF9K" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amazon.com/How-Fail-Artist-Best-Tips/dp/B0GWQGLF9K&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1781563344267000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0XMHoNeeLxV7nH4Bg14ns1">How to Fail as an Artist</a>, a candid, craft‑sharp examination of why creative careers stall and how to build a practice rooted in honesty rather than hype. Thier&rsquo;s blend of memoir and tough‑minded guidance reframes &ldquo;failure&rdquo; as a necessary &mdash; and often liberating &mdash; part of making real art.

 Hour 2: The Age‑Limit Debate in American Politics | Ela Thier on How to Fail as an Artist

Episode 101 begins with a look at the modern “etiquette wars,” where phones, tipping screens, and collapsing social norms have turned everyday life into a battlefield of clashing expectations. From speakerphone offenders to airplane meltdowns, the hosts explore how technology, burnout, and shifting boundaries are reshaping what we consider basic decency — and why everyone thinks they’re the polite one. The show then pivots to an interview with Dr. Laura Dabney, author of I Need You … Now Go Away!  Her book distills decades of psychiatric practice into a sharp, accessible guide to the messy push‑pull of modern relationships, where craving closeness and demanding distance often collide.

Episode 101 begins with a look at the modern &ldquo;etiquette wars,&rdquo; where phones, tipping screens, and collapsing social norms have turned everyday life into a battlefield of clashing expectations. From speakerphone offenders to airplane meltdowns, the hosts explore how technology, burnout, and shifting boundaries are reshaping what we consider basic decency &mdash; and why everyone thinks they&rsquo;re the polite one. The show then pivots to an interview with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.drldabney.com/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.drldabney.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1781563344267000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3kHmeaRuUqJ8U4zDEbKpgM">Dr. Laura Dabney</a>, author of<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Need-You-Now-Away-Personality/dp/139983522X/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amazon.com/Need-You-Now-Away-Personality/dp/139983522X/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1781563344267000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0S1Nn_PXxdddzN1tPWxYSp">&nbsp;I Need You &hellip; Now Go Away!&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;Her book distills decades of psychiatric practice into a sharp, accessible guide to the messy push‑pull of modern relationships, where craving closeness and demanding distance often collide.

Hour 1: The Etiquette Wars of Modern Life | Dr. Laura Dabney on I Need You … Now Go Away!

The second hour begins with an analysis of the Justice Department’s historic indictment of Raúl Castro for the 1996 shootdown of Brothers to the Rescue, grounding the story in verified quotes, the human cost, and the decades‑long fight for accountability. It then widens to the national and South Florida polling divide on Cuba policy, exploring how justice, memory, and public sentiment collide as the U.S. confronts a regime accused of murdering Americans — and what that means going forward. The show wraps with an interview featuring Nick Kessler and Brian Fulmer, hosts of Road Trip Masters, the travel‑adventure series that highlights the people, towns, and hidden gems along America’s backroads. Kessler and Fulmer bring an easygoing chemistry and a deep love of Americana, turning every journey into a celebration of local culture, food, and the open road.

The second hour begins with an analysis of the Justice Department&rsquo;s historic indictment of Ra&uacute;l Castro for the 1996 shootdown of Brothers to the Rescue, grounding the story in verified quotes, the human cost, and the decades‑long fight for accountability. It then widens to the national and South Florida polling divide on Cuba policy, exploring how justice, memory, and public sentiment collide as the U.S. confronts a regime accused of murdering Americans &mdash; and what that means going forward. The show wraps with an interview featuring Nick Kessler and Brian Fulmer, hosts of&nbsp;<a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__roadtripmasters.com&amp;d=DwMGaQ&amp;c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&amp;r=VjLVqDp760rtbFjmvN9KBC4Q3Wzyzl7V5ax9o24L5A0&amp;m=BhxK6qRrrTjcHb1Zzg4o6A5qHYNv0Y_EboA3h8Hg_7LBuwUKsQUMBnHp1bNRzML-&amp;s=o6L9Ix596JQ5FWsrWql7p2H4L8d8qIkF_Wb-TqdJXQU&amp;e=" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="1">Road Trip Masters</a>, the travel‑adventure series that highlights the people, towns, and hidden gems along America&rsquo;s backroads. Kessler and Fulmer bring an easygoing chemistry and a deep love of Americana, turning every journey into a celebration of local culture, food, and the open road.

Hour 2: Giuliani’s Medal of Freedom Controversy and a Sci-Fi Turn: A Deep Dive into Legacy, Politics, and Black Sun.

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