In addition to discussing the concession made by some Democrats that Trump’s criminal prosecutions were “politically motivated” and Bill Gates’s expressed regrets over his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, we speak with Brandon Tosti about his new book, Bright Lights & Long Nights, which chronicles his 18-year sports career.  [Special guest Fernando Luis Alvarez also joins us.]

In addition to discussing the concession made by some Democrats that Trump&rsquo;s criminal prosecutions were &ldquo;politically motivated&rdquo; and Bill Gates&rsquo;s expressed regrets over his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, we speak with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.brandontostiauthor.com/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.brandontostiauthor.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1738617974710000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3Ycz_7u9HJHoYmu4JWUOOt">Brandon Tosti</a>&nbsp;about his new book,&nbsp;<a href="https://a.co/d/7BcJlVo" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://a.co/d/7BcJlVo&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1738617974710000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3x1m6Qh3_fA6oWnBzmoaSc">Bright Lights &amp; Long Nights</a>, which chronicles his 18-year sports career. &nbsp;[Special guest&nbsp;<a href="https://alvarezgallery.com/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://alvarezgallery.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1738617974710000&amp;usg=AOvVaw15wEeQhIhQRf5zOkYsvhjG">Fernando Luis Alvarez</a>&nbsp;also joins us.]

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 2: The Political Impetus Behind Trump's Criminal Cases, Bill Gates's Jeffrey Epstein Regrets & Interview with Brandon Tosti

Hour 2 opens with Jasmine Crockett’s explosive entry into the 2026 Texas Senate race — a launch that sent Republicans into gleeful theatrics, Democrats into strategic panic, and the political class into full‑body vibration as her unfiltered style becomes the story. The hour then digs into the polling, the party‑wide implications, and James Carville’s blistering critique, revealing a race that’s as much about the future of Democratic identity as it is about Texas politics. The show wraps with an interview featuring Fred Voccola, CEO of Simpro Group and a veteran technology entrepreneur, who is the author of The Coming Disruption, where he argues that artificial intelligence will fundamentally reorder organizational structures and redefine modern leadership. Drawing on decades leading global tech firms, he lays out a blunt, practical roadmap for how AI‑First companies will outpace legacy models — and what leaders must do now to stay competitive.

Hour 2 opens with Jasmine Crockett&rsquo;s explosive entry into the 2026 Texas Senate race &mdash; a launch that sent Republicans into gleeful theatrics, Democrats into strategic panic, and the political class into full‑body vibration as her unfiltered style becomes the story. The hour then digs into the polling, the party‑wide implications, and James Carville&rsquo;s blistering critique, revealing a race that&rsquo;s as much about the future of Democratic identity as it is about Texas politics. The show wraps with an interview featuring&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thecomingdisruption.com/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2">Fred Voccola</a>, CEO of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.simprogroup.com/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="3">Simpro Group</a>&nbsp;and a veteran technology entrepreneur, who is the author of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thecomingdisruption.com/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="4">The Coming Disruption</a>, where he argues that artificial intelligence will fundamentally reorder organizational structures and redefine modern leadership. Drawing on decades leading global tech firms, he lays out a blunt, practical roadmap for how AI‑First companies will outpace legacy models &mdash; and what leaders must do now to stay competitive.

Hour 2: Crockett Ignites the 2026 Fight | Fred Voccola on Leading in the AI Era

Episode 79 begins with a look at Nicki Minaj’s unexpected appearance at AmericaFest, examining how a brief walk‑on at a high‑profile conservative gathering set off a wave of political, cultural, and fan‑driven fallout. The hosts trace the reactions across media, industry, and her own fanbase, situating the moment within a broader shift in how celebrity influence, partisan identity, and digital fandom now intersect in American public life. The hour concludes with an interview featuring Dr. Joanna Dodd Massey, author of Free Speech Is Not a Free Pass to Spew Hate, a concise and provocative examination of the widening gap between the right to speak and the responsibility to avoid causing harm. Drawing on constitutional principles, psychology, and decades advising Fortune 500 leaders, she unpacks how digital‑age speech is amplified, monetized, and weaponized — and why confronting the real‑world consequences of outrage‑driven platforms is essential to the future of public discourse.

Episode 79 begins with a look at Nicki Minaj&rsquo;s unexpected appearance at AmericaFest, examining how a brief walk‑on at a high‑profile conservative gathering set off a wave of political, cultural, and fan‑driven fallout. The hosts trace the reactions across media, industry, and her own fanbase, situating the moment within a broader shift in how celebrity influence, partisan identity, and digital fandom now intersect in American public life. The hour concludes with an interview featuring&nbsp;<a href="https://www.joannamassey.com/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0">Dr. Joanna Dodd Massey</a>, author of&nbsp;<a href="https://a.co/d/cxIZYSO" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="1">Free Speech Is Not a Free Pass to Spew Hate</a>, a concise and provocative examination of the widening gap between the right to speak and the responsibility to avoid causing harm. Drawing on constitutional principles, psychology, and decades advising Fortune 500 leaders, she unpacks how digital‑age speech is amplified, monetized, and weaponized &mdash; and why confronting the real‑world consequences of outrage‑driven platforms is essential to the future of public discourse.

Hour 1: Minaj Ignites a Political Firestorm | Dr. Joanna Massey on Navigating Speech in a Polarized Era

Hour 2 examines Donald Trump’s sweeping effort to affix his name to major national institutions — from the Kennedy Center to the U.S. Institute of Peace to a newly announced class of nuclear‑capable Navy battleships — and unpacks the legal, political, and symbolic battles these moves have triggered. It explores what this pattern reveals about Trump’s governing style, his approach to legacy, and the broader fight over power, memory, and national identity in American public life. The show wraps with an interview featuring Lauren Tetenbaum, a therapist, advocate, and author whose work helps women navigate the emotional, physical, and identity shifts of midlife. She is the author of Millennial Menopause: Preparing for Perimenopause, Menopause, and Life’s Next Period, a candid, practical guide that demystifies the transition and equips women with real‑world tools.

Hour 2 examines Donald Trump&rsquo;s sweeping effort to affix his name to major national institutions &mdash; from the Kennedy Center to the U.S. Institute of Peace to a newly announced class of nuclear‑capable Navy battleships &mdash; and unpacks the legal, political, and symbolic battles these moves have triggered. It explores what this pattern reveals about Trump&rsquo;s governing style, his approach to legacy, and the broader fight over power, memory, and national identity in American public life. The show wraps with an interview featuring&nbsp;<a href="https://thecounselaur.com/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2">Lauren Tetenbaum</a>, a therapist, advocate, and author whose work helps women navigate the emotional, physical, and identity shifts of midlife. She is the author of&nbsp;<a href="https://thecounselaur.com/millennialmenopausebook/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="3">Millennial Menopause: Preparing for Perimenopause, Menopause, and Life&rsquo;s Next Period</a>, a candid, practical guide that demystifies the transition and equips women with real‑world tools.

Hour 2: The Political Impetus Behind Trump's Criminal Cases, Bill Gates's Jeffrey Epstein Regrets & Interview with Brandon Tosti

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