The latest episode of Invested, Isaac Hayes III sits down with journalist and Fanbase Head of Comms and Partnerships Noah Washington for a wide-ranging conversation that connects culture, media, ownership, and power in real time.

In this episode the duo breaks down the viral “Tendernism” controversy, unpacking how a feel-good internet moment around Destination Smokehouse evolved into a larger debate about intellectual property, authenticity, and who actually benefits when culture goes viral. Isaac and Noah examine the blurred lines between face, brand, and ownership, and why these questions matter for creators navigating attention-driven economies.

The conversation tackles one of the most polarizing media flashpoints of the moment: the public clash between Nicki Minaj and Don Lemon following ICE protests in Minneapolis. The episode breaks down the role of celebrity influence, the tension between journalism and activism, and the legal implications of reporting amid protected spaces like places of worship, raising urgent questions about free speech, public trust, and government scrutiny of the press.

The discussion also turns to Atlanta, where sports, culture, and leadership collide. Isaac and Noah analyze the Atlanta Falcons’ recent coaching decisions and why they struck such a nerve in a majority-Black city. Through the lens of optics, legacy, and alignment, they explore how sports franchises can lose, or rebuild, trust when decisions feel disconnected from the communities they represent.

Rounding out the episode, the two take on the current state of R&B and hip-hop, arguing that algorithm-driven sameness has created a creative low point, and an opportunity. They discuss how legacy artists and producers could reclaim the industry by re-centering originality, risk, and ownership in a system increasingly optimized for predictability.

Invest now starting at $399 for 60 shares at https://bit.ly/3YR1ErB . Join the movement building creator-owned infrastructure for the culture economy.

This Reg. A+ offering is made available through StartEngine Primary LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Please read the OFFERING CIRCULAR, disclosure and related risks before investing. This investment is speculative, illiquid, and involves a high degree of risk, including the possible loss of your entire investment.

In this episode of Invested, Isaac Hayes III sits down with journalist and Fanbase Head of Comms and Partnership Noah Washington to examine who holds power in today’s creator-driven media economy, and who pays the price when that power is abused.

The conversation opens with allegations against fast-fashion giant Shein after Black-owned Atlanta brand Dulsè accused the company of using its promotional image without permission, removing brand identifiers, and allegedly altering a model’s skin tone. What starts as a copyright dispute quickly raises larger questions about cultural erasure and the imbalance between global corporations and independent creators.

From there, Isaac and Noah explore mounting concerns around silent algorithmic suppression on TikTok, as news creators warn that political content is being quietly deprioritized ahead of increased government scrutiny. The discussion highlights how reduced visibility, not outright bans, may define the next phase of media control.

The episode also looks at the personal cost of building public brands, using the highly publicized divorce of influencer Kristy Scott to examine how audiences, platforms, and partnerships respond when curated narratives unravel.

On a global scale, the conversation turns to creator IShowSpeed’s viral tour across Africa and its role in reshaping perceptions of the continent for millions of young viewers, demonstrating how independent creators can challenge long-standing narratives without traditional media gatekeepers.

The episode concludes with a sober examination of civil rights and government messaging, including the wrongful ICE detention of a U.S. citizen and controversy surrounding a DHS recruitment post tied to extremist symbolism, raising concerns about profiling, accountability, and public trust.

This episode offers a clear-eyed look at how culture, technology, and power intersect, and why creators, platforms, and audiences must navigate this moment with awareness, responsibility, and long-term thinking.

Invest now starting at $399 for 60 shares at https://bit.ly/4pAiq9e. Join the movement building creator-owned infrastructure for the culture economy.

This Reg. A+ offering is made available through StartEngine Primary LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Please read the OFFERING CIRCULAR, disclosure and related risks before investing. This investment is speculative, illiquid, and involves a high degree of risk, including the possible loss of your entire investment.

Fanbase Founder & CEO Isaac Hayes III and Tamisha Harris break down the moment the industry couldn’t ignore: Netflix stepping in to buy Warner Bros, a billion-dollar declaration that tech now controls the future of entertainment. Legacy studios are shrinking. Platforms are becoming power centers. And creators are becoming the new networks.

They dissect how the cultural reckoning surrounding Diddy exposes the industry systems collapsing in real time, why Spotify Wrapped secretly represents creator innovation stolen and scaled, and how Fanbase’s own Diamond Investors just proved belief in community-owned tech is stronger than ever.

This episode draws the map of the new media reality, one where power is shifting fast, accountability is rising, and creators who understand this moment will own the next decade.

Invest now starting at $399 for 60 shares at https://bit.ly/44Qwkwt​. Join the movement building creator-owned infrastructure for the culture economy.

This Reg. A+ offering is made available through StartEngine Primary LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Please read the OFFERING CIRCULAR, disclosure and related risks before investing. This investment is speculative, illiquid, and involves a high degree of risk, including the possible loss of your entire investment.