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

In this hour, the hosts unpack Timothée Chalamet’s February 24, 2026 quip during a CNN/Variety town hall with Matthew McConaughey—joking that he avoids ballet or opera because “no one cares about this anymore”—sparking viral outrage from the arts community, including pointed rebukes from opera star Isabel Leonard and cheeky promotional responses from the Metropolitan Opera and other institutions, all against a backdrop of declining attendance stats and generational relevance worries for these classic forms. The episode closes with an interview featuring Dennis A. Brennan, an attorney, political historian, and author who draws on over 35 years in law to dissect the weaponization of legal systems in U.S. politics; his 2025 book D.C. Swamp Strikes Back: Aaron Burr, Donald Trump and Their Similar Battles highlights striking parallels between Burr’s historical persecution and Trump’s modern legal battles, portraying both as targets of entrenched “swamp” power and political vendettas.

In this hour, the hosts unpack Timoth&eacute;e Chalamet&rsquo;s February 24, 2026 quip during a CNN/Variety town hall with Matthew McConaughey&mdash;joking that he avoids ballet or opera because &ldquo;no one cares about this anymore&rdquo;&mdash;sparking viral outrage from the arts community, including pointed rebukes from opera star Isabel Leonard and cheeky promotional responses from the Metropolitan Opera and other institutions, all against a backdrop of declining attendance stats and generational relevance worries for these classic forms. The episode closes with an interview featuring&nbsp;<a href="https://authordennisbrennan.com/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2">Dennis A. Brennan</a>, an attorney, political historian, and author who draws on over 35 years in law to dissect the weaponization of legal systems in U.S. politics; his 2025 book&nbsp;<a href="https://a.co/d/08up4bzM" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="3">D.C. Swamp Strikes Back: Aaron Burr, Donald Trump and Their Similar Battles</a>&nbsp;highlights striking parallels between Burr&rsquo;s historical persecution and Trump&rsquo;s modern legal battles, portraying both as targets of entrenched &ldquo;swamp&rdquo; power and political vendettas.

 Hour 2: Opera/Ballet Dead? | Dennis A. Brennan on the D.C. Swamp

Episode 89 begins with an examination of Trump’s March 6 declaration that “Cuba is going to fall pretty soon,” a remark that lands less like commentary and more like a geopolitical shockwave. The hosts then explore how the threat of U.S. criminal charges against senior Cuban officials collides with an island already buckling under economic collapse, mass migration, and deepening fractures within the regime itself. The hour ends with an interview featuring Dr. Stefanie Stolinsky -- a forensic psychologist, trauma specialist, and award-winning author who draws on her professional expertise to craft compelling stories of healing and human resilience. Her latest novel, The Doc's Christmas Miracle (pen name S.A. Stolin), blends holiday romance, medical drama, and themes of redemption in a heartwarming tale of second chances.

Episode 89 begins with an examination of Trump&rsquo;s March 6 declaration that &ldquo;Cuba is going to fall pretty soon,&rdquo; a remark that lands less like commentary and more like a geopolitical shockwave. The hosts then explore how the threat of U.S. criminal charges against senior Cuban officials collides with an island already buckling under economic collapse, mass migration, and deepening fractures within the regime itself. The hour ends with an interview featuring&nbsp;<a href="https://sastolinsky.com/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0">Dr. Stefanie Stolinsky</a>&nbsp;-- a forensic psychologist, trauma specialist, and award-winning author who draws on her professional expertise to craft compelling stories of healing and human resilience. Her latest novel,&nbsp;<a href="https://a.co/d/0aTvbeDg" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="1">The Doc's Christmas Miracle</a>&nbsp;(pen name S.A. Stolin), blends holiday romance, medical drama, and themes of redemption in a heartwarming tale of second chances.

Hour 1: Cuba on the Brink | Dr. Stefanie Stolinsky on Healing & Resilience

Hour 2 opens with a sharp look at Hollywood’s so‑called “empathy class” and their reaction to a working‑class Scotsman with Tourette’s who involuntarily blurted a slur at the BAFTAs. Instead of compassion, the industry’s loudest moralizers responded with mockery and grandstanding — a moment that exposed just how far their public rhetoric is from their actual behavior. The hosts argue it’s part of a bigger pattern: compassion that only counts when it’s convenient, outrage that’s mostly for show, and vulnerable people getting steamrolled to keep a narrative tidy. The show closes with an interview featuring Adam Swart — founder and CEO of Crowds on Demand — the L.A. outfit reshaping how public influence, visibility, and perception campaigns actually work.  Swart has become one of the most talked‑about figures in the modern influence economy, and he breaks down how the game is really played.

Hour 2 opens with a sharp look at Hollywood&rsquo;s so‑called &ldquo;empathy class&rdquo; and their reaction to a working‑class Scotsman with Tourette&rsquo;s who involuntarily blurted a slur at the BAFTAs. Instead of compassion, the industry&rsquo;s loudest moralizers responded with mockery and grandstanding &mdash; a moment that exposed just how far their public rhetoric is from their actual behavior. The hosts argue it&rsquo;s part of a bigger pattern: compassion that only counts when it&rsquo;s convenient, outrage that&rsquo;s mostly for show, and vulnerable people getting steamrolled to keep a narrative tidy. The show closes with an interview featuring&nbsp;<a href="https://crowdsondemand.com/who-we-are" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2">Adam Swart</a>&nbsp;&mdash; founder and CEO of&nbsp;<a href="https://crowdsondemand.com/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="3">Crowds on Demand</a>&nbsp;&mdash; the L.A. outfit reshaping how public influence, visibility, and perception campaigns actually work.&nbsp; Swart has become one of the most talked‑about figures in the modern influence economy, and he breaks down how the game is really played.

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

In 1 playlist(s)

Shake It Off with Mert & Lucas

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips