Shake It Off with Mert & Lucas

This hour, the hosts unpack George Soros’s controversial reputation—from his provocative claim that the U.S. is the main obstacle to global justice, to the widespread but false rumors of international bans—tracing how his philanthropic empire has faced mounting legal and political pressure abroad and here at home.  The show wraps with an interview featuring journalist Jane Eisner, author of Carole King: She Made the Earth Move, a new interpretive biography that explores the singer-songwriter’s genius, resilience, and cultural legacy.

Episode 70 opens with a look at John Bolton’s decades-long career as a hawkish national security figure and the dramatic turn it has taken, as he now faces 18 federal charges for allegedly mishandling classified information. His indictment represents a stunning fall from grace and highlights the escalating cycle of political retaliation and personal vendettas that have come to characterize the post-Trump era. The hour ends with an interview featuring Chief Medaria “Rondo” Arradondo, whose new memoir Securing Justice for the Murder of George Floyd offers a gripping inside look at leadership, accountability, and reform in the wake of tragedy.

The hosts unpack the stunning presidential commutation of George Santos, whose brief congressional career collapsed under the weight of fraud, lies, and a federal conviction. Through biting satire and exhaustive detail, the show explores Santos’s tangled personal history, legal downfall, and the political firestorm ignited by his early release. The episode wraps with an interview featuring Tom Allon, veteran journalist and publisher of City & State, who offers sharp insights into New York’s media landscape and the deepening divisions fueling the city’s political transformation.

Episode 69 — the show’s “Election Eve Eve Special” — delivers a fiery, satirical deep dive into the political evolution of Zohran Kwame Mamdani, a democratic socialist mayoral nominee whose radical roots have given way to a more pragmatic, coalition-driven campaign. His shifting rhetoric, contentious endorsements, and identity-related controversies cast him as either a calculating strategist or a flip-flopper — one who could ultimately do more harm than good to the Big Apple.  The hour concludes with an interview featuring the Honorable Joseph Borelli, former New York City Councilmember and outspoken conservative, recognized for his pointed critiques of progressive politics and his tenure representing Staten Island’s South Shore. He now applies his political acumen in the private sector as Managing Director at Chartwell Strategy Group, where he helps clients navigate the complex intersections of policy and media.

The hosts explore the rapid rise of homeschooling in the U.S., highlighting academic outcomes and shifting demographics that challenge outdated assumptions. They also examine the controversy surrounding proposed regulations, fueling debate over parental rights, government oversight, and the inclusion of DEI and gender identity in curricula. The episode concludes with Dr. Monica Vermani, a clinical psychologist and author, whose book A Deeper Wellness offers a practical guide to building emotional resilience through mindfulness and evidence-based strategies.

In Episode 68, the hosts revisit Donald Trump’s campaign promise to end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours of taking office—a bold claim repeated throughout 2024 and framed as proof of his diplomatic prowess. Nine months into his second term, the war continues, prompting questions about whether Trump underestimated Vladimir Putin or was strategically outplayed. The hour concludes with Mitch Francis, a serial entrepreneur and inventor, whose book Bad-Ass Solutions for Today’s Big-Ass Problems presents bold, nonpartisan strategies for tackling major global challenges.

The hosts explore the significance of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, spotlighting the persistent employment and healthcare barriers faced by 70 million Americans with disabilities. From workplace discrimination to inaccessible medical facilities, the episode calls for systemic change and celebrates the voices pushing for disability justice and inclusion. The show wraps with an interview featuring Samantha Ettus, a bestselling author, entrepreneur, and speaker who has become a prominent voice against anti-Semitism, dedicating her efforts to raising awareness and mobilizing action. She is currently producing a documentary titled Primal Fear: Jews Under Siege, which explores the global rise in anti-Semitic threats and violence.

Former FBI Director James Comey is indicted for lying to Congress and obstructing a House investigation, reigniting fierce political tensions over his role in the Trump–Russia probe and the 2016 Clinton email case. Episode #67 unpacks the fallout—from Trump’s celebratory posts to Joy Behar’s surprising agreement with him—highlighting how Comey’s legacy continues to fracture partisan lines. The hour concludes with an interview featuring Jeff Coltin, a New York-based political reporter and co-author of POLITICO’s New York Playbook, known for his decade-long coverage of city politics and his former role as City Hall bureau chief at City & State.

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).