Shake It Off with Mert & Lucas

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.

Episode 66 explores the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, tracing his rise, the tragic circumstances of his death, and the deeply polarized reactions that followed. From heartfelt tributes to workplace firings over inflammatory remarks, the episode reveals how Kirk’s legacy continues to spark fierce debate across America. The hour concludes with an interview featuring Dr. Betsy McCaughey—a constitutional scholar and former New York Lieutenant Governor—known for her sharp critiques of healthcare reform and government overreach. Holding a Ph.D. from Columbia, she’s a frequent conservative voice in media and policy circles. She also leads SAVENYC, an advocacy group focused on preserving the city’s safety, affordability, and quality of life.

The hosts examine a Chick-fil-A in Kettering, Ohio, where a new teen chaperone policy requiring minors to be accompanied by adults has sparked debate over youth behavior, public safety, and business responsibility. The conversation expands into post-pandemic social dynamics, the erosion of adult supervision, and the growing role of businesses in managing public conduct. The episode wraps with Mark Gogolewski, a Silicon Valley entrepreneur and mental health advocate, whose new book How to Be OK (When You’re Supposed to Be OK But You’re Not) explores addiction, masculinity, and the emotional toll of success.

Episode 65 opens with a critical look at Kamala Harris’s memoir 107 Days, chronicling her rapid rise to the top of the Democratic ticket after President Biden’s sudden withdrawal in 2024. The hosts explore Harris’s account of internal party dysfunction, billion-dollar campaign spending, and her controversial decision to pass over Pete Buttigieg for VP—a move that reignited debates over identity politics and strategic leadership.  The hour concludes with an interview featuring Thom Hartmann, bestselling progressive talk show host and author of The Last American President: A Broken Man, a Corrupt Party, and a World on the Brink (2025), who delivers a searing analysis of Donald Trump’s rise and the systemic failures that enabled it.

In 2025, Congresswoman Ilhan Omar’s net worth reportedly surged to $30 million—a rise of approximately 3,500% compared to her previous financial disclosures. During this hour, the hosts explore how a public servant earning a government salary could amass such dramatic wealth so quickly, and what it reveals about the murky intersection of politics, private enterprise, and public accountability. The show ends with an interview featuring The Peoples Somm, a celebrated sommelier and educator whose insights bridge the worlds of wine, culture, and community. He is known for making wine more accessible and inclusive through storytelling and social engagement. You can find him on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube: @thepeoplessomm

In Episode #64, the hosts debate California Governor Gavin Newsom’s controversial use of Trump-style digital tactics—ranging from all-caps rants to AI-generated memes—to dominate political discourse and boost his national profile. They explore whether this theatrical strategy signals desperation or a calculated move toward the 2028 Democratic nomination. The hour concludes with an interview featuring Dr. Laura Madrid, a leading expert in international migration and head of the Global Intelligence Unit at Global Citizen Solutions. Her research focuses on global mobility trends, including digital nomadism and retirement migration, and how shifting demographics are reshaping migration policy and economic development worldwide.

The hosts unpack Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna’s explosive claim that interdimensional beings exist—citing her access to classified materials and her support for the UAP Transparency Act. As public belief in UFOs grows and scientific curiosity intensifies, the episode examines how cultural myths, political momentum, and psychological impulses fuel our fascination with life beyond Earth. The conversation then shifts to Dr. Tom Savard—a physicist and veteran innovation strategist—author of The Clarity Cascade, which presents a leadership framework for streamlining decision-making and accelerating innovation in high-stakes industries.

Episode #63 opens with a review of the federal intervention in Washington, D.C., where President Trump declared a public safety emergency and deployed National Guard troops—despite declining crime rates. The hosts explore the contradictions of a city that symbolizes American democracy yet lacks full democratic rights, tracing the legal foundations of federal control, the override of local justice reforms, and the tension between public perception, political strategy, and lived reality. The hour concludes with Dr. Ranya Nehmeh—global workplace strategist and co-author of In Praise of the Office—offering her critique of hybrid work and emphasizing the enduring cultural and organizational value of in-person collaboration.

The hosts dissect the intensifying legal battle between President Trump and New York Attorney General Letitia James, now facing DOJ scrutiny over her handling of Trump’s fraud case. At stake are the limits of state power, the reach of federal oversight, and the influence of political bias in what could become a defining clash over constitutional protections. The episode concludes with an interview featuring Henrik Wenøe and Dr. Joseph Riggio — international experts in sales psychology and leadership — who present their book Satisfaction Selling and its core concept, the Satisfaction Cycle: a neurocognitive framework for building trust, forging deep client connections, and fostering long‑term brand advocacy in high‑value sales.

Episode #61 examines the controversy surrounding President Trump’s $200 million, privately funded White House ballroom, raising questions about the optics of opulence amid deepening political and economic divides. The hosts explore whether such grandeur aligns with empathetic leadership in a fractured era. The episode concludes with Dr. Akli Adjaoute — AI entrepreneur and founder of Exponion — discussing his book Inside AI and the future of artificial intelligence in business and society.

The hosts dive into the erosion of public trust in American democracy, spotlighting Democratic lawmakers’ controversial quorum-denial tactics in Texas and the party’s broader struggles with credibility and leadership. It culminates in a sharp critique of Vice President Kamala Harris’s political trajectory, questioning her effectiveness and symbolic role in a fractured system. The show concludes with an interview featuring Jason Ferguson, a former athlete who shares his journey through addiction and personal hardship in his upcoming book, Nobody’s Legend: Let Go of Who You Were, Rewrite Your Story, and Take Back Your Life, releasing in September 2025—a guide to reclaiming identity and rewriting one’s narrative after adversity.

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).

The hosts kick off the hour by examining the unraveling media deals and plummeting popularity of Harry and Meghan, weaving together polling data, personal drama, and public fallout. As financial pressures mount and their image dims, the episode asks: could royal reconciliation be a lifeline—or just another act in the spectacle?  The show wraps up with an interview featuring Lt. Col. Robert McGinnis, a retired U.S. Army Airborne-Ranger with decades of service across four divisions. Drawing on deep expertise in national security and media strategy, McGinnis discusses his new book, Preparing for World War III: A Global Conflict That Redefines Tomorrow, which confronts the threats of modern warfare and offers both strategic insight and spiritual guidance for navigating an increasingly volatile world.

Episode 59 opens with a deep dive into the Democratic Party’s internal reckoning. As millions of mainstream voters drift away, the party’s fractured messaging and reliance on ideologically rigid language continue to push away the very base it needs to win. The widening gap between activist-driven rhetoric and the everyday concerns of working- and middle-class Americans reveals a movement struggling to unify its voice and reconnect with those it has lost. The hour concludes with Edward Segal, bestselling author of Crisis Ahead: 101 Ways to Prepare for and Bounce Back from Disasters, Scandals, and Other Emergencies—a practical guide to crisis management by a seasoned public relations expert.

The hosts unpack how cheeky ads from American Eagle and Dunkin’ sparked controversy with genetics-themed wordplay, igniting a national conversation on race, representation, and the power of language in branding. Even playful marketing campaigns now tap into deep cultural anxieties and historical sensitivities in today’s polarized climate. The episode concludes with an interview featuring Dwayne J. Clark, founder and CEO of Áegis Living—a senior housing company renowned for its innovative approach to aging. Clark is a passionate advocate for wellness, storytelling, and redefining elder care.

Episode 58 opens with a deep dive into Europe’s escalating immigration crisis and its ripple effects on the volatile political landscape of 2025. A surge in small boat arrivals in the UK and heated debates over asylum policies have ignited tensions from London to Warsaw, fueling public frustration and amplifying nationalist rhetoric across the continent. The hour wraps up with a lighter segment—some “poop talk”—featuring Dr. Julie Gatza, D.C., a nationally recognized chiropractic physician with over 30 years of clinical experience. Dr. Gatza specializes in natural digestive health and clinical nutrition and is the founder of The Florida Wellness Institute.

The hosts examine newly declassified claims that Obama-era officials politicized intelligence to fabricate the Trump-Russia collusion narrative, sparking public backlash and comparisons to Watergate. The show wraps up with an interview with John Thomas—a Silicon Valley tech veteran turned spiritual author and co-creator of Channeled Messages of Hope, a book and podcast offering insights from ascended souls on climate change and human evolution.

Episode 57 begins with a discussion of the growing trend of Americans pursuing second citizenships or relocating abroad as a strategic safeguard for their future, driven by rising political unrest, economic concerns, and declining global mobility. The hour concludes with an interview featuring Candace DeMatteis—a seasoned health policy strategist and Vice President of Policy and Advocacy at the Partnership to Fight Infectious Disease—who leads bipartisan initiatives to combat infectious diseases and advance medical innovation.

The team will discuss Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal over claims he sent Jeffrey Epstein a lewd birthday letter.  The case hinges on proving actual malice and has reignited debate over press freedom, reputational harm, and the legal legacy of high-profile defamation battles. The show continues with interviews featuring Kevin McCullough and Brandon Bronaugh.  Kevin, a syndicated talk show host and star of That Kevin Show, will explore why fossil fuels face mounting criticism and introduce Oilfacts.com, a new educational platform aimed at countering misinformation about energy. Meanwhile, Brandon, CEO of LifeCycle Transitions and star of A&E’s Hoarders, will share how he helps people reclaim their spaces—and their lives.

Episode 56 will delve into how a rooftop shooter nearly succeeded in assassinating Donald Trump at his 2024 rally—exposing staggering missteps, ignored warnings, and bureaucratic inertia within the Secret Service. Despite classified intel, faulty equipment, and internal confusion, no agents were fired, sparking outrage and over a billion dollars in mandated reforms. The hour concludes with an interview with Elad Inbar, founder of RobotLAB, and author of Our Robotics Future.