Ebro and Rosenberg use Family Friday to catch up on a Rundown that's been piling up. NBA YoungBoy's comments about wanting to leave music spark a conversation about his enormous following, his connection with younger fans and comparisons to DMX. Then they get into 215, a scripted series in development about Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff's early hip-hop years, leading to a debate over Run-D.M.C., crossover success and "Walk This Way."

Later, Chris Rock's latest headlines bring the Will Smith slap back into the conversation, a listener checks in for Family Friday, and a report about stolen cars being shipped overseas from New Jersey prompts Ebro to tease a wild personal story for Patreon.

(00:00:00) Family Friday and catching up on missed Rundown stories
(00:01:14) NBA YoungBoy says he wants to quit rap
(00:02:49) NBA YoungBoy, DMX and connecting with fans
(00:03:20) How can a superstar be completely outside your radar?
(00:05:20) Internet net-worth estimates and AI nonsense
(00:06:56) Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff's 215 series
(00:07:49) Who really helped hip-hop cross over into pop?
(00:09:57) The "Walk This Way" fact that blows Ebro's mind
(00:11:10) Chris Rock's rough week and revisiting the Will Smith slap
(00:14:36) Jamar sends in a Family Friday listener video
(00:18:16) Black Santa, white Santa and Christmas in the house
(00:19:43) A massive New Jersey stolen-car operation
(00:24:37) Ebro teases his own wild stolen-car story
(00:25:04) Rhymin Simon, Digital Underground and old-school rap context
(00:27:55) Thanksgiving Bars planning begins

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Dr. Abdul El-Sayed sits in for the entire show as he discusses his campaign for U.S. Senate in Michigan and why he believes Trump's attacks have actually given him a bigger platform. He explains why he doesn't identify as a socialist, makes his case for Medicare for All and argues that corporate money has distorted American politics.

The conversation expands to government accountability, voter apathy, religion and foreign policy before turning to racial disparities in maternal health, contraception, abortion access and Medicaid. El-Sayed also lays out how he'd approach transparency and governing in the Senate — before the crew finally confronts him about the viral fart conversation.

(00:00:00) Dr. Abdul El-Sayed joins the show
(00:00:22) Trump keeps saying El-Sayed's name
(00:02:08) Why El-Sayed keeps going on Fox News
(00:03:44) Medicare for All and what's politically possible
(00:05:43) Socialism, capitalism and corporatism
(00:10:00) Checks, balances and government accountability
(00:11:05) Money in politics and corporate influence
(00:15:18) What control of the Senate could change
(00:17:46) Voter apathy and experiencing politics through a screen
(00:19:36) When faith gets weaponized in politics
(00:21:12) Israel, Gaza and universal human dignity
(00:23:48) Black maternal health disparities
(00:27:13) Abortion access, contraception and Medicaid
(00:31:51) El-Sayed on transparency and his first 100 days
(00:35:17) The fart controversy finally gets addressed

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Ebro and Rosenberg start with a preview of their Money B Patreon conversation, including the story behind Raw Fusion and the phrase "Six Million Ways to Die," before detouring into wrestling, John Cena, business ownership and the economics of radio.

Then politics takes over. The crew reacts to Trump's new encouragement of mail-in voting after years of criticizing it before White House correspondent Ebony McMorris joins with a midterm check-in. They discuss Trump's campaign push, slipping support among Latino voters, competitive races, the cost of living and what voters are feeling with less than a month until Election Day. The conversation also returns to Trump's $5,000 promise and the messaging Republicans are taking into the final stretch.

(00:00:00) Laura takes the day off and the crew previews Money B on Patreon
(00:01:16) Money B and the "Six Million Ways to Die" origin story
(00:02:38) When calling wrestling "fake" got a reporter slapped
(00:05:20) John Cena and life after wrestling
(00:07:23) Owning your own business versus having a good job
(00:09:31) Can local radio still make money?
(00:10:41) Rosenberg buys an old-school kitchen radio
(00:13:20) Trump changes course on mail-in voting
(00:15:03) Facts, intelligence and political fandom
(00:18:11) Ebony McMorris joins from Washington
(00:19:17) The final stretch of the 2026 midterms
(00:20:15) Texas, Latino voters and the fight for Congress
(00:23:14) Cost of living, farmers and the economy
(00:24:35) Trump's mail-in voting reversal comes back up
(00:26:20) The $5,000 promise and Trump's closing message

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Laura and Rosenberg start with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's newly announced strategy to combat antisemitism. The plan includes expanded hate-crime prevention funding, additional security support for synagogues and other houses of worship, Holocaust education and investments in Jewish cultural institutions. The crew reacts to the announcement and the broader conversation surrounding Mamdani and antisemitism in New York City.

Then they return to the Cornell Seven case after watching Sunny Hostin discuss the allegations and the legal questions surrounding intoxication and consent in New York. A former Cornell student has filed a civil lawsuit alleging she was drugged and sexually assaulted by members of the Chi Phi fraternity in 2024, and prosecutors have reopened the criminal investigation. The crew wrestles with the difference between discussing inconsistencies and due process versus dismissing serious allegations, while also questioning the fraternity culture described in the case.

Finally, Family Friday gets considerably lighter as Bascom gives an update on his health journey. The good news: he's eating healthier breakfasts. The bad news: his cheat meal includes a double smash burger, chicken sandwich, mac and cheese and a strawberry milkshake — sometimes more than once a week. That confession sends the studio into a full intervention, complete with a perfectly timed Tenacious D comparison.

(00:00:00) Friday vibes and a Patreon check-in
(00:01:03) Mayor Mamdani announces a new antisemitism strategy
(00:02:34) The crew reacts to Mamdani's plan and his critics
(00:05:42) Mamdani's Jimmy Kimmel appearance
(00:07:44) The Cornell Seven conversation returns
(00:07:59) Sunny Hostin breaks down the allegations and New York law
(00:10:23) Why Hostin's comments sparked such a strong reaction
(00:11:01) Intoxication, consent and the law
(00:12:14) Conflicting accounts, due process and social-media discourse
(00:13:03) Fraternity culture and the responsibility of bystanders
(00:15:36) Why campus sexual-assault cases can be so difficult
(00:17:57) Family Friday: Bascom's health journey
(00:19:01) Bascom reveals his YoYo Chicken cheat meal
(00:21:12) The studio makes him give the entire order
(00:24:08) Tenacious D perfectly captures Bascom's diet
(00:26:27) How often is he really having cheat meals?
(00:28:19) The intervention: get it back to once a week

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Experience the Culture: Catch Ebro, Laura, Rosenberg, and the rest of the network 24/7 on the Amplified Voices TV app: amplifiedvoices.com/podcast-ebro/

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Kevin Ortega-Rojas sits in with Laura and Rosenberg and opens up about why he uses both family names, becoming a father before college, his sexuality and why he has intentionally kept his 14-year-old son off the internet. That leads into a broader conversation about how much public figures should share about their children and families online.

The Rundown includes former NBA player J.R. Smith's arrest in Texas on a family-violence assault charge and Megan Thee Stallion joining the 2026 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. The crew also gets into Tory Lanez's "Not On Tor" listening events while he remains incarcerated, Megan's career reset, Sade's streaming numbers and Tom Cruise's Spirit Tunnel appearance before a larger Scientology debate.

• (00:00:00) Kevin Ortega-Rojas is back
• (00:01:42) Why Kevin uses both of his family names
• (00:02:20) Kevin reveals he became a father as a teenager
• (00:03:13) Kevin opens up about sexuality and dating
• (00:05:21) Raising a son while building his career
• (00:07:15) Laura's daughter tells people her mom is Laura Stylez
• (00:08:29) How much should parents share about their kids online?
• (00:10:33) When strangers recognize your children
• (00:13:50) The Rundown begins
• (00:14:07) J.R. Smith arrested in Texas
• (00:15:55) Megan Thee Stallion's Victoria's Secret moment and new freestyle
• (00:19:29) Tory Lanez's "Not On Tor" tour from behind bars
• (00:23:20) Sade, streaming numbers and late-night listening
• (00:27:26) Tom Cruise takes over Jennifer Hudson's Spirit Tunnel
• (00:29:52) Tom Cruise, Scientology and why the religion sparks debate

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Kevin Ortega-Rojas sits in with Laura and Rosenberg as the show starts with a surprisingly heated friendship-and-money debate. Savannah James and longtime friend April McDaniel recently explained that when they travel together, James may fly first class while McDaniel books the cabin that fits her own budget. The crew debates whether an extremely wealthy friend should automatically pay for the upgrade — or whether expecting it is simply getting too comfortable in someone else’s pockets.

Kevin then returns to the Nolan Wells case with an important clarification about cellphone data. He explains why claims that someone physically accessed Wells’ phone and deleted hundreds of messages overstated what the available data actually showed, particularly because Snapchat users can remotely unsend messages. The conversation expands into the difficulty of separating verified information from speculation in a case where major questions remain unanswered.

Later, Kevin discusses the death of Capt. Bianca C. Wilkerson while she was supporting U.S. operations in the Middle East and broader questions surrounding the public accounting of service-member deaths during the Iran conflict. Wilkerson died Sept. 18 in what the Army described as a noncombat-related medical incident; reporting has also identified discrepancies between the Pentagon’s public casualty tally and higher figures described by U.S. officials. The Rundown shifts gears with Drake’s upcoming FOMO music, before the crew celebrates Stevie Wonder releasing four previously unheard recordings from the original Songs in the Key of Life sessions for the album’s 50th anniversary.

• (00:00:00) Ebro is in London and Kevin Ortega-Rojas joins the show
• (00:00:57) Savannah James and April McDaniel spark a first-class debate
• (00:02:55) Should wealthy friends pay for everyone’s upgrade?
• (00:06:00) First class, business class and outrageous airline prices
• (00:10:40) Why airfare keeps getting harder to justify
• (00:13:20) Kevin Ortega-Rojas gets into the news
• (00:13:40) Local journalism and the Nolan Wells case
• (00:14:20) Clarifying the Nolan Wells cellphone and Snapchat claims
• (00:16:55) U.S. military deaths amid the Iran conflict
• (00:19:25) What military families can face when a conflict isn’t formally called a war
• (00:21:05) Drake says more FOMO music is coming
• (00:22:00) Kevin explains when Drake lost him
• (00:24:25) Stevie Wonder releases four unheard Songs in the Key of Life tracks
• (00:27:10) Love on the Spectrum brings some much-needed joy

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Experience the Culture: Catch Ebro, Laura, Rosenberg, and the rest of the network 24/7 on the Amplified Voices TV app: amplifiedvoices.com/podcast-ebro/

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Marisa Mendez sits in with Laura and Rosenberg as they dig into the case being called the “Cornell Seven.” A former Cornell student has filed a civil lawsuit alleging she was drugged and sexually assaulted by seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity in 2024. The Tompkins County district attorney has now reopened the criminal investigation, saying allegations in the new lawsuit differ significantly from what investigators initially received. No criminal charges have been filed.

Later, the crew looks back at the 2026 VMAs — from Madonna’s performance and acceptance speech to Nirvana receiving the Video Vanguard Award — and debates whether the show is caught between honoring the MTV generation and trying to introduce younger artists to an audience that may not know them.

Laura also breaks down a major development in the Jay-Z case: the woman who previously accused him of sexual assault formally recanted her allegations in a 12-page court declaration, saying she had never met or spoken to him and that her previous claims were false. The episode closes with Macklemore’s announcement of Macklemore & Friends: Free Palestine, beginning with October shows in Dublin, Paris and London, with proceeds going to organizations supporting Palestinians.

• (00:00:00) Pacifier progress and Marisa Mendez joins the show
• (00:03:05) The Cornell Seven allegations
• (00:06:45) Prosecutors reopen the Cornell criminal investigation
• (00:08:50) Campus accountability and why the case is getting national attention
• (00:11:00) Consent, fraternity culture and protecting students
• (00:12:20) College memories and Rosenberg’s vintage-store discovery
• (00:14:20) Jalen Brunson’s SNL and Kenan Thompson’s incredible run
• (00:16:55) The crew reacts to the 2026 VMAs
• (00:18:00) Madonna’s performance sparks a debate
• (00:20:55) Nirvana, MTV nostalgia and the VMAs’ identity crisis
• (00:24:50) Jay-Z’s former accuser recants her allegations
• (00:27:30) Macklemore announces Free Palestine shows
• (00:28:35) Who might join Macklemore onstage?

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Experience the Culture: Catch Ebro, Laura, Rosenberg, and the rest of the network 24/7 on the Amplified Voices TV app: amplifiedvoices.com/podcast-ebro/

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The crew catches up on what they missed this week, starting with SNL UK taking aim at Ed Sheeran, Macklemore and Robert Kraft before Rosenberg unloads over Jayden Daniels’ latest injury. Daniels dislocated his left elbow against Dallas — the same elbow he injured last season — after falling on the final play of the first half. X-rays showed no fracture, with further evaluation needed to determine his recovery timeline.

They also revisit the communications failure that caused widespread flight disruptions across the Northeast and use it to talk about aging American infrastructure.

Later, Family Friday mail sparks a much deeper conversation when a listener challenges Rosenberg over his criticism of people embracing Kanye West again. Rosenberg explains the difference between believing in redemption and believing someone has actually demonstrated meaningful change, while Ebro and Laura weigh in on apologies, forgiveness, fandom and how much time it takes to rebuild trust.

• (00:00:00) Family Friday: what did the crew miss this week?
• (00:02:10) SNL UK takes on Ed Sheeran and Macklemore
• (00:04:35) Jalen Brunson gets ready to host SNL
• (00:05:15) Jayden Daniels suffers another scary elbow injury
• (00:07:05) Should Washington have just kicked the field goal?
• (00:09:00) Tom Brady’s reaction and what happens next for Daniels
• (00:12:55) A communications outage creates airport chaos
• (00:14:00) How can one failure disrupt so much air travel?
• (00:15:00) America’s aging infrastructure problem
• (00:17:05) Is Ebro’s new favorite song AI-generated?
• (00:19:30) Family Friday mail: an longtime listener checks in
• (00:21:35) Could an ELR brunch actually happen?
• (00:22:25) A listener challenges Rosenberg over Kanye West
• (00:24:35) Forgiveness, accountability and Kanye’s possible redemption
• (00:29:35) How long does it take to rebuild trust?

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Experience the Culture: Catch Ebro, Laura, Rosenberg, and the rest of the network 24/7 on the Amplified Voices TV app: amplifiedvoices.com/podcast-ebro/

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.