Shake It Off with Mert & Lucas

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.

The hosts analyze President Trump’s unexpected directive to resume U.S. nuclear weapons testing—ending a 30-year moratorium and unsettling global arms control norms. They explore the geopolitical implications, logistical challenges, and the central question: is this a move toward strategic deterrence or the beginning of a new arms race?  The show wraps with an interview with Brandon Bronaugh, founder of LifeCycle Transitions and featured expert on A&E’s Hoarders, who helps individuals navigate extreme clutter, trauma recovery, and major life transitions with compassion and structure.

Despite a string of recent electoral wins, Episode 71 opens with Democrats still fractured and leaderless, as some candidates embrace extremist platforms that risk alienating mainstream voters. With economic anxiety fueling turnout, the party faces a pivotal choice: rein in its ideological drift or double down on radical promises widely viewed as unrealistic and divisive. The hour concludes with an interview featuring Dr. Shelley Ann Burke, Clinical Assistant Professor at UC Irvine and registered nurse, whose nonfiction book The Unsung Heroes: Nurses spotlights the overlooked contributions of diverse nurses throughout history and advocates for greater equity in healthcare.

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.