Shake It Off with Mert & Lucas

The hosts debate whether “tax the rich” is sound policy or political theater, using California, New York, and Minnesota as case studies in how aggressive taxation collides with mobility, waste, and government mismanagement. They also break down national polling showing that while Americans overwhelmingly support higher taxes on the wealthy, they simultaneously distrust government spending — creating a tension between public sentiment and the real‑world consequences of tax policy.  The show wraps with an interview featuring Dana Micucci, author of The Years of Living Dangerously, an award‑winning journalist and spiritual teacher whose work blends global travel, ancient wisdom traditions, and modern transformation. Her writing helps readers understand how personal challenges can spark growth, presenting big ideas in a way that feels practical, relatable, and actionable.

Episode 81 explores Donald Trump’s escalating campaign to acquire Greenland and the geopolitical logic driving it, from Arctic militarization to rare‑earth competition. It also examines polling in the U.S. and Greenland, revealing overwhelming public opposition and underscoring why the idea remains politically and diplomatically radioactive.  The hour concludes with an interview featuring Kenneth Paul Callison, a Denver‑based entrepreneur, inventor, and founder of A Time for Humanity. He is the author of The Way to World Peace: An Idea Whose Time Has Come, where he outlines a bold, systems‑level blueprint for reducing global conflict and strengthening international cooperation.

Hour 2 examines the explosive fallout from Cea Weaver’s appointment as New York City’s tenant‑protection chief, charting how her past rhetoric, ideological record, and critics’ accusations collided with Mayor Mamdani’s unapologetically socialist agenda to ignite a political firestorm. The hosts also discuss the broader battle over homeownership, the American Dream, and the widening gap between housing ideals and housing reality. The show wraps with an interview featuring Mike Radoor, a $300‑million founder who rebuilt his life after losing everything to addiction and ego and now leads The Wolfpack Brotherhood and the MAN UP Framework; his forthcoming book MAN UP: Stop Breaking Your Own Promises will be released in March 2026.

Episode 80 begins with a look at the fatal shooting of Renee Good during a massive ICE sweep in Minneapolis, tracing the clash between federal claims of self‑defense and local leaders’ accusations of reckless force and political spin. It’s become a case study in how video evidence, legal standards, and dueling narratives collide in a city already scarred by past policing crises, leaving the public split over accountability, intent, and truth. The hour ends with an interview featuring Dr. Monica Vermani, one of Canada’s highest‑rated clinical psychologists and the author of A Deeper Wellness, whose multi‑disciplinary approach to trauma, anxiety, and emotional wellbeing has guided patients for more than 25 years.

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.

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.

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.

 Episode 78 begins with an examination of the U.S. extraction of Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores, tracing how years of indictments, failed negotiations, and mounting regional pressure culminated in their removal and transfer to New York. It then outlines the varied political and diplomatic reactions across the hemisphere, highlighting how governments, institutions, and analysts are interpreting the operation’s implications for Venezuela and the broader regional order. The hour concludes with an interview featuring Nancy Lee Gulbrandsen, a Florida‑based author and humorist whose satirical dating guide, Swipe Left: The Savvy Woman’s Guide to Decoding Men’s Dating Profiles, transforms her own online‑dating misadventures into sharp, empowering commentary for women. She brings wit, candor, and a distinctly modern voice to her work, helping readers navigate the chaos of contemporary romance with humor and insight.

Hour 2 delivers a brisk year‑end review of 2025, guiding listeners through the year’s major headlines, cultural milestones, political developments, and unforgettable “did that really happen?” moments in a fast‑paced multiple‑choice format. It transforms the year’s defining events into an engaging, structured recap that invites listeners to test their memory and revisit the stories that shaped the past twelve months. The show wraps with an interview featuring Dr. Cristi Bundukamara, a psychiatric nurse practitioner and author of Pain & Purpose: My Journey to Mental Strength, who shares her deeply personal story of loss, perseverance, and the disciplined mindset required to rebuild a life from the inside out.

Episode 77 opens with an examination of the Feeding Our Future scandal, the largest pandemic‑relief fraud in U.S. history, in which a Minnesota nonprofit and its affiliates allegedly siphoned off nearly $1 billion in federal child‑nutrition funds by submitting claims for meals that were never served. Governor Tim Walz’s administration is facing sharp criticism for inadequate oversight, ignoring whistleblower warnings, and continuing payments despite multiple red flags. The hour concludes with an interview featuring Aymie Daniels — Managing Director of Prophet Source and the author of An American Awakening, a book that explores how personal disruption can spark clarity, resilience, and deeper alignment. Drawing on her background in holistic health, corporate finance, and her Mind Awareness & Development philosophy, Aymie helps people harness their inner power and rise to their highest potential.

This second hour unpacks the enigma of Santa Claus—how a beloved childhood figure evolved into a global symbol shaped by commerce, culture, and social conditioning, with belief patterns, global traditions, and psychological impacts woven throughout. The hour continues with an examination of Santa’s origins, commercialization, and cultural influence, capped by a lighthearted trivia quiz that highlights both the charm and complexity of the myth. The show wraps with an interview featuring Dr. Anthony Silard, a leadership scholar and professor of public policy, whose new book Love and Suffering (2025) examines the emotional barriers that hold us back from love, leadership, and meaning.

Episode 76 opens with a deep dive into the booming market for “green” products—and the rising consumer demand driving it, especially among Gen Z and Millennials. The hosts then expose how widespread greenwashing has become, breaking down the data, scandals, and regulatory crackdowns that show just how often companies mislead the public about their environmental impact. The hour closes with an interview featuring Dr. Stefanie Stolinsky, a forensic psychologist and trauma specialist who—writing as S.A. Stolin—introduces her new holiday novel The Doc’s Christmas Miracle (2025), a story of second chances, faith, and healing set in a snow‑covered mountain town.

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.

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.

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.

Episode 74 begins with a look at the battle between free speech and platform moderation, where the First Amendment protects against government censorship, but private platforms set their own rules. From Musk’s “hands-off” Twitter/X experiment to Europe’s Digital Services Act, the debate shows how moderation—whether by humans, AI, or governments—inevitably reflects politics, values, and power struggles over the digital public square.  The hour concludes with an interview featuring Michael Bedenbaugh, a leading voice in historic preservation and civic engagement. He is the author of Reviving Our Republic and host of the podcast of the same name, where he examines the intersection of history, governance, and community development.

The hosts discuss a Washington, D.C. event where Wall Street’s elite bristled at Mayor‑elect Mamdani’s push for wealth taxes, rent freezes, and free transit—policies viewed as a direct threat to their power.  Into that tension stepped Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, whose gubernatorial campaign quickly became the business community’s rallying point against the city’s leftward turn and Governor Hochul’s embattled leadership.  The show concludes with Christopher Henze, a filmmaker and cultural disruptor whose documentaries and dramas probe the collision of truth, pain, and power. His latest project, Wise Women: Humanity’s Untold Origins, reframes menopause as an evolutionary advantage that shaped human survival.

Episode 73 examines how inflation and affordability have become critical political liabilities for President Trump and the Republican Party, particularly in the wake of recent electoral defeats in key states. Drawing on consumer sentiment data, economic trends, and voter polling, the show highlights the widening gap between official messaging and Americans’ lived financial realities. The hour concludes with an interview featuring Kurt Warner, a licensed clinical social worker, therapist, and author of False Idols: How Diversion is Destroying Democracy, which critiques how celebrity adoration and distraction erode civic engagement.

The hosts review how a tiny fraction of ultra-wealthy individuals—902 in the U.S. and just over 3,000 globally—wield outsized influence over public policy through campaign funding, media ownership, lobbying, and philanthropy. Drawing on polling and real-world examples, findings reveal growing concern over the democratic implications of billionaire power, even as many Americans still aspire to join their ranks. The show wraps with an interview featuring Robert Cook, a former Army Major and IPPY-winning author of The Mahdi, a geopolitical techno-thriller.

 Episode 72 explores the growing public scrutiny of nepotism across industries, not just in Hollywood but also in fields like law, politics, and medicine. It examines how family connections can shape careers, spark debates about fairness and merit, and influence public perception in an era of heightened transparency and accountability. The hour concludes with an interview featuring Dr. Peter Solomon, a physicist and author of 100 Years to Extinction, a novel exploring humanity’s survival amid accelerating global threats.