Episodes

  • Chance The Rapper’s Joy, Grief, And Growth Through A Classic Mixtape
    Jan 26 2026

    A single mixtape can hold a whole city. We sit down with Lia to unpack why Acid Rap still feels like Chicago’s heartbeat—joyful, messy, vulnerable, and alive. From the juke-charged Intro to the windows-down freedom of Juice and the tender confession of Cocoa Butter Kisses, we trace how Chance captured a moment that outgrew the moment. It’s not just nostalgia; it’s a map of youth, where the block protects the artist, the hook carries the crowd, and the laughter in the ad-libs feels like friends in the room.

    We go deep on the context too. Early drill was rising, and Chance offered a parallel lens—same city, different angle—naming what it’s like to be close to danger without performing it. Paranoia becomes the hinge, the summer song that says the quiet part out loud: loving warm weather while bracing for phone calls nobody wants. Lia shares a personal story of loss that changed how the record sounded over time, and we talk about how music can make space for grief without losing its joy. That tension—party and prayer, bounce and burden—is what gives the project its staying power.

    We also wrestle with evolution. Did sobriety temper the risk-taking that made Acid Rap electric, or did it open a new kind of honesty? Art-as-diary means the page reflects the day, and we explore how fans can honor an artist’s growth without demanding a loop of the past. Along the way, we compare authentic Chicago texture with media that misses the mark, and we make a case for soul in the age of AI: you can model a cadence, but you can’t automate stakes. If you’ve ever danced in the living room or felt a drumline pull strangers into family, you’ll hear why this mixtape still matters.

    Press play, then tell us the line or track that never left you. If the conversation moves you, follow the show, share with a friend, and leave a review to help more listeners find us.

    Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: The SHITTS Podcast. Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and iHeart Radio. Subscribe and comment.

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    1 hr and 10 mins
  • From Performance To Presence: Sex, Self, And Safety
    Jan 12 2026

    What if better sex has nothing to do with lasting longer, stacking positions, or chasing the perfect orgasm—and everything to do with presence? We sit down with tantric coach Emma Galland for a candid, eye‑opening conversation about turning intimacy into a grounded practice that starts with the self. Emma shares how slowing down, breathing, and setting a clear intention can transform connection, whether you’re solo or partnered, new lovers or long‑time. This is sex as meditation, not performance.

    We get specific. Emma breaks down why men often ask for sex as a way to feel loved and respected, and how partners can create a safe container where edgy truths are welcomed instead of shamed. She explains the “couple bubble,” an agreement to listen without judgment, and shows how consent becomes deeply erotic when you ask the body—not just the mind—for a yes. We unpack the pressure around orgasms, the time mismatch most couples face, and why each person is responsible for their own arousal. Non‑ejaculatory orgasms, presence over performance, and practical breathwork make the theory usable tonight.

    The conversation expands into body image, naked yoga, and radical self‑acceptance. Emma highlights how dropping the performance mask—on the beach or in the bedroom—dissolves shame and unlocks more sensation. We also call out social media’s role in selling the image of sex while hiding the actual skills of intimacy. If you’re curious about tantra, consent, holding space, or simply want to feel more connected and confident, this episode offers a clear, human path forward with real‑world examples and tools you can try.

    If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs it, and leave a review so more people can find these conversations. Got questions for part two? Send them our way and join the dialogue.

    Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: The SHITTS Podcast. Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and iHeart Radio. Subscribe and comment.

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    1 hr and 24 mins
  • Black Love, Real Talk, And Artistry
    Jan 5 2026

    The mic opens on a check-in and turns into a masterclass on presence. Che' Afrique—singer, songwriter, and teacher—joins us to talk about becoming a better mother, paying attention to kids in a loud world, and why “being there” beats any illusion of balance. We dig into the moments parents miss, the power of boundaries, and how structure saves more futures than speeches ever will.

    From Boston classrooms to Chicago memories, Shea breaks down how education and edge shaped her voice. She takes us back to her first performances, the shaky hands that came with stage fright, and the mindset shift that turned critique into confidence. Then we get into the heart of craft: creativity, authorship, and the debate around ghostwriters. Che take is bold—give the pen its flowers, not just the face on the cover. Credit the creators, expand who gets seen, and let authenticity lead the sound.

    The standout story lands with “Not The One,” a heartbreak track born on New Year’s Day, written through tears and recorded as a freestyle. That song became proof that vulnerability travels: men and women heard their own lives in it. We talk fame versus privacy, choosing fortune over endless cameras, and how artists can share truth without selling their peace. Along the way, we call out book bans, defend critical thinking, and map how to teach kids to question with respect. We close with property goals, an EP on deck, and a simple vow: keep pushing Black love—patient, purposeful, and present.

    Hit play, share with a friend, and tell us what you’re working on internally. If this moved you, subscribe, leave a review, and pass it to someone who needs a nudge toward their own voice.

    Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: The SHITTS Podcast. Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and iHeart Radio. Subscribe and comment.

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    1 hr and 16 mins
  • Inner Peace, Outer Noise
    Dec 29 2025

    Ever notice how the best artists don’t just make noise—they guard their peace? We bring Teddy into the booth to talk about what it takes to create with intention when the world keeps pulling your focus. He unpacks the shift from reacting to responding, and why that one choice protects your energy, sharpens your decisions, and lets your music breathe.

    Teddy’s path reads like a mixtape: born in Germany, raised across military bases, soaking up cultures from Kansas to Alaska to California before dropping anchor in Chicago. That movement shaped an ear that loves variety—family record crates, a grandmother who DJ’d in Chicago, and early moments of discovery that made hip-hop feel both personal and global. We dive into how context unlocks sound, why cadence matters as much as content, and how local scenes forge identity before the world catches on.

    We trace the grind from ciphers and hallway battles to a makeshift studio powered by a tape deck, PS2, and MTV Music Generator—then into Magix, Ableton, and Maschine. Along the way, we compare California and Chicago show ecosystems, the role of open mics in building an artist’s voice, and the pride a city takes when its sound travels. We also face the industry head-on: streaming’s reach vs. revenue, the early pioneers who took the heat for brand-building, and whether AI can polish a track yet still miss the human connection that turns songs into moments. We close with life lessons that carry into the studio: a healthy relationship as a place of growth, safety, and accountability—and a few laughs about love, loyalty, and even impossible deodorant.

    Pull up for craft, perspective, and a warm invite to Kitty’s Cocktail Lounge Sunday Service in Blue Island. If you’re into live music, community energy, and artists who put heart first, you’ll feel at home. If this conversation moved you, subscribe, rate, and share it with a friend who needs a creative spark. Your support helps the culture grow.

    Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: The SHITTS Podcast. Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and iHeart Radio. Subscribe and comment.

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    1 hr and 11 mins
  • Boundaries, Fatherhood, And Finding Yourself
    Oct 27 2025

    What if the biggest drain on your life is being “overly accessible”? We kick off with a raw check-in that flips the script on generosity and boundaries, then move through a life lived at full volume: growing up in South Dorchester, becoming a father young, and choosing values over vibes. The stories are sharp and funny, but the lessons cut deeper—protect your time, know your worth, and give your best to people who truly earn it.

    Nick T brings a wild arc: Division I athlete, young husband and dad, security pro, live streamer turned top 10 percent podcaster. He opens up about donating a kidney to his best friend’s son and the brutal aftermath—sepsis, hospital stays, and choosing loyalty anyway. Along the way we unpack a real-world safety playbook for daughters on campus and in cities today, from rideshare risks to tracking tech and social engineering in public spaces. It’s actionable, honest, and built from experience in security staffing.

    Then we wade into the online dating trenches. Catfish tactics, “travels for work” euphemisms, babysitter-payment scams, and the surprisingly high cost of modern courtship collide with practical rules that work: verify on video, never send money, spot red flags fast, and keep your standards. From there, we trace Nick’s pivot from streaming burnout and clout-chasing to podcasting with purpose—creating community, amplifying other creators, and staying grounded when the numbers start popping.

    If you’re juggling fatherhood, dating, and creative work while trying to stay true to yourself, this one hits home. Tap play, share it with a friend who needs tougher boundaries, and drop a review so more people can find the show. Subscribe for more candid conversations on relationships, safety, culture, and building a life that actually fits.

    Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: The SHITTS Podcast. Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and iHeart Radio. Subscribe and comment.

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    1 hr and 21 mins
  • Funk, Soul, and Slowing Down
    Oct 3 2025

    Two minutes in and you can hear it: this is soul built for feeling and for the floor. We sit with Spanish artist Carlos Abril to unpack the spark behind Love So Strong, the disco‑tinted energy of Sensational and Get Down, and the quiet discipline of slowing down so songs can actually breathe. He traces a line from Don Blackman and Sheik to present‑day production choices—live‑leaning strings, drums with pocket, arrangements that give DJs space to work—and explains why he writes like a diary: honest, specific, and not edited for the algorithm.

    We talk upbringing and how a small city with big support turned experimentation into a habit, not a risk. Stevie Wonder looms large—in lyric, arrangement, and sheer wonder—and that reverence becomes a north star for taste, not imitation. Carlos opens up about working mostly alone, catching himself before perfectionism breaks the vibe, and how a healthy relationship with yourself might be the most underrated tool in a songwriter’s bag. The conversation stacks into a bigger theme: time beats money. With time, you write, practice, connect, and heal. Without it, even a budget can’t buy you voice.

    For selectors and heads, there’s plenty here: DJ‑friendly intros, the logic of long mixes, and why modern soul thrives when club intent meets headphone detail. Looking ahead, Carlos teases a debut album that folds in folk colors, Brazilian sway, and a touch of psychedelic haze—Motown uplift filtered through his own compass. If you’ve been craving groove with heart, hooks with heritage, and stories that feel lived‑in, this one’s for you.

    Stream the episode, add the tracks to your playlist, and tell a friend who needs a lift. If you enjoy the show, tap follow, share a clip, and leave a quick review—your support helps more people find the music that moves them.

    Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: The SHITTS Podcast. Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and iHeart Radio. Subscribe and comment.

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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • Your Attachment Style Is Sabotaging Your Love Life
    Sep 23 2025

    What if the biggest relationship breakdown in your life became your greatest breakthrough? In this raw and revealing episode, certified Integrated Attachment Theory Coach Brian Power takes us on a journey through the invisible forces that shape our connections with others.

    Brian shares his personal story of relationship collapse—complete with a restraining order and temporary separation from his son—that ultimately transformed into healing and reconciliation. With remarkable vulnerability, he explains how childhood abandonment wounds from his father's absence created patterns that sabotaged his adult relationships until he finally confronted them.

    The conversation explores the four attachment styles (secure, anxious preoccupied, dismissive avoidant, and fearful avoidant) and how they manifest in everyday relationship behaviors. From checking a partner's phone to appearing emotionally unavailable, these patterns signal deeper wounds begging for attention. The most powerful revelation? The qualities that trigger us most in our partners often mirror our own unhealed trauma.

    Through practical exercises and insights, Brian demonstrates how we can reprogram subconscious patterns within 21 days of consistent practice. He breaks down the six core elements needed for healing: addressing wounds, identifying needs, processing emotions, establishing boundaries, improving communication, and changing behaviors.

    Whether you're struggling in a current relationship, healing from a past one, or preparing for future connections, this episode offers both compassion and practical tools for transformation. The path forward isn't about finding perfect partners—it's about becoming more whole ourselves so we can create the deep, secure connections we all desire.

    Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: The SHITTS Podcast. Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and iHeart Radio. Subscribe and comment.

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    1 hr and 13 mins
  • Devour the Moment
    Sep 2 2025

    What happens when life's setbacks become the catalyst for extraordinary success? Mr. Devour's story answers this question with raw authenticity and entrepreneurial fire.

    When a workplace injury left him unable to return to conventional employment, Devour faced a critical choice—give up or reinvent himself. With a wife and two children depending on him, he revived a dormant dream and launched Devour Collection, what he proudly calls "the only exotic streetwear brand in the world." Born and raised in Chicago's Roseland neighborhood, Devour infused his South Side roots into a fashion philosophy that's caught the attention of filmmakers and tastemakers alike.

    "I gave myself a 10-year deadline," Devala reveals, "and honestly, I make five years in October and I've done a lot more stuff than I thought I would have done." That "stuff" includes clothing features in multiple films alongside notable actors, expanding his brand into couture and intimate apparel divisions, and launching a music label under his Pretty Fly Corporation umbrella. But success hasn't come without profound personal challenges, including battling depression and childhood tragedy—Devour lost two brothers in a fire when he was young.

    Perhaps the most powerful takeaway from Devour's journey is his perspective on time versus money. "What can you do with money without time? Nothing," he states. "What can you do with time without money? A whole lot. I come from the bottom." This wisdom permeates his approach to business and life, creating generational wealth for his daughter (who has her own brand, Motivation) while relentlessly pursuing his vision despite naysayers.

    Visit DevourCollection.com and use promo code DEVOUR for 15% off, or catch the brand's upcoming fashion show in St. Louis on October 18th. As Devour would say, "Live freely in your lifestyle while devouring your prey. Whatever trials and tribulations you go through, step into that shit as the lion, and never the mouse."

    Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: The SHITTS Podcast. Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and iHeart Radio. Subscribe and comment.

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    1 hr and 3 mins