Is The Mic Still On

This week, the crew reacts to newly discussed Epstein files, Jake Paul’s latest fall, and Kai Cenat opening up about his mental health. The episode wraps with a broader conversation about music today, expectations, and what’s changed in how we listen. Timestamps • 03:10 | Fun Facts • 11:20 | Best Thing Seen • 18:01 | Epstein Files • 44:27 | Jake Paul Falls • 65:48 | Kai Cenat & Mental Health • 81:57 | Music Today & Expectations This Week’s Topics Epstein files and the ongoing fallout Jake Paul’s latest loss and what it means Kai Cenat opens up about his mental health — are we finally turning a corner?https://x.com/KaiCenat/status/2001002072918167561?s=20 Is sampling R. Kelly now completely off limits?https://www.theroot.com/21-savage-r-kelly-sample-sparks-hip-hop-debate-2000079843 Listen and join the conversation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, the crew digs into the fallout surrounding Sherrone Moore, before ending on a more reflective note about the first time music really hit us. Timestamps • 02:40 | Fun Facts • 02:38 | Best Thing Seen • 35:36 | Sherrone Moore • 86:58 | Epstein Photos Released • 88:37 | Teens Shot While Stealing Packages • 101:32 | First Time We Fell in Love With Music This Week’s Topics University of Michigan fires head coach Sherrone Moore, then arrests him — and the debate around whether he “let Black people down” →https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/11/sport/college-football-ncaa-sherrone-moore-dismissal-arrest Teens shot while stealing packages during the holiday season →https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/2-men-shot-1-critically-221953798.html Trump administration says sign language interpreters hurt Trump’s image →https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/trump-administration-says-sign-language-165203170.html Epstein photos released and what they reveal Listen and join the conversation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, the crew breaks down one of the biggest entertainment stories of the year, Netflix acquiring Warner Bros., plus Pete Hegseth’s “double tap” controversy, Sydney Sweeney’s response to critics, and Pharrell addressing backlash to his political comments. Timestamps • 01:34 | Fun Facts • 09:23 | Best Thing Seen • 38:27 | Netflix Buys Warner Bros. • 78:53 | Pete Hegseth “Double Tap” • 95:12 | Pharrell Responds to Critics • 118:05 | Sydney Sweeney This Week’s Topics Netflix buys Warner Bros. in $82.7B deal (Trending) →https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/netflix-to-acquire-warner-bros-82-7-billion-deal-1236601034/ “Who’s the first person you’d talk to in heaven?” — Crew discussion Is Trump restarting the war on drugs? →https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/06/politics/war-on-drugs-trump-boat-strikes-venezuela Sydney Sweeney addresses American Eagle backlash →https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/sydney-sweeney-american-eagle-campaign-rcna247738 Pharrell responds to political criticism →https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/celebrity/articles/soundbite-pharrell-williams-responds-backlash-102000162.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, the crew tackles a heavy mix of headlines — including a tragic National Guard shooting, Pharrell’s viral take on politics, Trump using the R-word toward a senator, and Juelz Santana’s controversial claim that kids don’t need to learn how to read. Timestamps • 04:03 | Fun Facts • 19:38 | Best Thing Seen • 29:01 | National Guard Shooting • 43:01 | Pharrell’s Comments on Politics • 86:44 | Trump Uses R-Word Toward Indiana Senator This Week’s Topics National Guard shooting at migrant shelter →https://apnews.com/article/asylum-decisions-paused-national-guard-shooting-3459a0a773cfa40c90751b43e38f5db6 Pharrell says he hates politics, calls it a “magic trick” →https://nypost.com/2025/11/19/media/pharrell-williams-says-he-hates-politics-calls-it-a-magic-trick/ Trump uses the R-word toward an Indiana senator →https://news.yahoo.com/articles/indiana-state-senator-says-hes-010745846.html Juelz Santana claims kids don’t need to learn how →https://nypost.com/2025/11/19/media/pharrell-williams-says-he-hates-politics-calls-it-a-magic-trick/ Listen and join the conversation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Timestamps • 01:38 | Fun Facts • 11:46 | Best Thing Seen • 41:13 | Trump Calling For Execution • 55:25 | Pras Sentenced to 14 Years • 60:28 | Mamdani Visits Trump • 77:38 | Mom Delivers Baby on Highway • 88:19 | DoorDash Fake Sexual Assault Claim • 101:11 | NJ Staffer Fakes MAGA Attack This Week’s Topics Trump angered after being told military can refuse unlawful orders →https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/trump-says-democrats-should-be-arrested-for-urging-military-to-refuse-unlawful-orders Fugees rapper Pras sentenced to 14 years for illegal Obama campaign donations →https://news.yahoo.com/news/articles/fugees-rapper-pras-michel-sentenced-001001133.html Mamdani meets with Trump at the White House →https://news.yahoo.com/news/articles/mamdani-just-called-fawning-trump-222902923.html Mother forced to deliver baby on highway after hospital turned her away →https://www.live5news.com/2025/11/19/mother-says-she-had-give-birth-her-car-after-hospital-turned-her-away DoorDash driver faces charges after faking sexual assault claim →https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/crime/doordash-driver-arrested-filming-naked-man-b2867751.html Former NJ congressional staffer charged with staging MAGA attack hoax →https://abc7.com/post/former-new-jersey-congressional-staffer-charged-allegedly-staging-violent-attack-herself/18180751/ Listen and join the conversation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, the crew delves into the latest political chaos, online controversy, and one of the most bizarre crime stories of the year. Timestamps • 01:17 | Fun Facts • 20:35 | Best Thing Seen • 32:10 | Trump News • 77:21 | Rory • 99:54 | 12-Year-Old Robbery Case • 104:20 | TikTok Influencer Lawsuit This Week’s Topics Government shutdown nearly over as Democrats cave →https://apnews.com/article/shutdown-republicans-schumer-health-insurance-tax-credits-a57733892f05a8893f5781203238e889 New Epstein emails released naming Donald Trump →https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/12/politics/takeaways-epstein-emails-trump Trump’s H1B visa comments spark backlash →https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/president-maga-supporters-uproar-trumps-1b-visa-comments/story?id=127458610 Is Rory racist? His apology goes viral →https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/celebrity/articles/rory-rory-mal-apologizes-offensive-192359666.html 12-year-old girl accused of multiple armed robberies in DC →https://wjla.com/news/local/12-year-old-girl-charged-for-multiple-robberies-in-northeast-dc-washington-dc-juvenile-crime-youth-department-of-rehabilitation-services-dyrs-children-teens-theft-scooter-electric-bike-groceries TikTok influencer ordered to pay her manager’s ex-wife $1.75 million →https://blacknews.com/news/brenay-kennard-tiktok-star-ordered-pay-1-75-million-affair-married-manager/ Listen and join the conversation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Timestamps • 02:34 | Fun Fact • 29:18 | Best Thing Seen • 38:19 | Thanksgiving Dinner Debate • 65:36 | Airports Reduce Flights During Shutdown • 77:07 | Detroit Elects First Black Female Mayor • 95:23 | Target’s “Smile More” Policy • 98:19 | MacKenzie Scott’s $387M HBCU Donation • 109:21 | Growing Up – Childhood Dream Jobs This Week’s Topics Trump claims Thanksgiving dinner will cost 25% less this year → AP News Airports reduce flights due to government shutdown → AP News Detroit elects first Black female mayor, Mary Sheffield → Black News MacKenzie Scott donates $387M to eight HBCUs → Higher Ed Dive Target employees told to “smile more” → WSAZ What did you want to be growing up? The crew shares their childhood dream jobs. Listen and join the conversation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, the crew dives into another wild mix of headlines — from the government pausing SNAP benefits to massive AI-driven layoffs, influencer degrees in China, and a cop stopping for pizza before responding to a shooting. Timestamps • 03:19 | Fun Facts • 18:27 | SNAP Benefits On Hold • 37:09 | AI Job Layoffs • 69:41 | China Wants Influencers to Have Degrees • 84:33 | “67” Named Word of the Year • 90:48 | Cop Stops for Pizza During Shooting Response • 103:32 | If You Could Delete One Human Emotion This Week’s Topics SNAP coverage paused for millions → NPR Companies announce 157,000 AI-related job cuts China now requires influencers to have degrees → Economic Times “67” chosen as Dictionary.com’s Word of the Year → NPR Cop stops for pizza and ATM before responding to shooting → NBC News Chipotle CEO says Gen Z and Millennials are “too broke and burdened” to eat out → Yahoo Finance Thought Experiment: If you could delete one human emotion to make the world better, what would it be? Listen and join the conversation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, the crew covers everything from the NBA’s gambling scandal to a tragic shooting over a door argument, plus a few heated cultural conversations — including Texas Rep. Jolanda Jones’ wild comments and Tyler, The Creator’s old tweets resurfacing. Timestamps • 00:04:09 | Fun Facts • 00:16:41 | Best Thing Seen • 00:59:29 | NBA Gambling Scandal • 01:12:35 | Woman Killed Over Door Argument • 01:25:13 | Texas Rep. Jolanda Jones’ Comments • 01:32:47 | Target Layoffs • 01:41:56 | Tyler, The Creator’s Old Tweets Resurface This Week’s Topics NBA gambling sting shakes the league – NBC News Dispute turns deadly after door-holding argument – ABC News If you could delete one human emotion in everyone, what would it be? Target announces mass layoffs of 1,800 employees – The Grio Texas Rep. Jolanda Jones under fire for comments on CNN – The Root Tyler, The Creator’s old tweets resurface after D’Angelo tribute – The Root Listen and join the conversation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, the crew breaks down another wild mix of stories — from the Pentagon trying to control the press to a racist Chick-fil-A moment, heated celebrity clashes, and a few unfiltered Hot Mic Takes. Timestamps • 00:47 | Fun Facts • 13:14 | Best Thing Seen • 25:05 | Pentagon • 49:15 | Chick-fil-A Racist Incident • 66:25 | Stephen A. Smith vs. Serena Williams’ Husband • 67:54 | Marc Lamont Hill vs. QueenzFlip • 102:53 | Hot Mic Takes – Argentina • 114:37 | Hot Mic Takes – Father Charged After Telling 6-Year-Old to Hit Bully • 121:08 | Hot Mic Takes – Justice Jackson’s Comments on Black Voters • 125:09 | Hot Mic Takes – Comedians Face Backlash for Saudi Arabia Performance This Week’s Topics Pentagon sparks uproar by trying to tell reporters how to report → AP News Why the U.S. gave Argentina $20 billion → CNN Alexis Ohanian checks Stephen A. Smith over Serena Williams comments → Vibe Chick-fil-A accused of racism after Black officer made to pay → Black News Dad charged after telling his 6-year-old to punch a bully → Yahoo News Justice Jackson compares Black voters to the disabled → Yahoo News Comedians face backlash for performing in Saudi Arabia → NBC News Marc Lamont Hill vs. QueenzFlip almost turns physical on JBP Listen and join the conversation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is The Mic Still On — Episode Rundown 00:00 – Intro 01:38 – Fun Facts 08:24 – Best Thing Seen 17:44 – Government Shutdown 44:10 – Israel/Gaza Ceasefire 58:13 – Drake’s UMG Case Tossed 1:16:11 – Too Old for This Sh*t 1:37:07 – Quick Hits 1:54:27 – Reddit Wanna Know This Week’s Topics: Things You’re Too Old For Now – ⁠Apple News⁠ Federal Workers Could Lose Jobs Due to Government Shutdowns – ⁠AP News⁠ Escaped Inmate from New Orleans Caught in Atlanta – ⁠Yahoo News⁠ Trump Targets His Foes: Letitia James and James Comey Face Indictments – ⁠ABC News⁠ Reddit Wants to Know: How Do You Feel Leaving the Show? Stephen A. Smith Critical of Jasmine Crockett – ⁠Yahoo News⁠ Drake’s UMG Lawsuit Dismissed – ⁠The Root⁠ Listen and join the conversation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Is The Mic Still On, the crew dives into another wild mix of stories — from music to madness. We kick things off with Fun Facts and the Best Thing Seen before jumping into the biggest headlines and hot takes of the week. Timestamps: • 00:45 | Fun Facts • 15:52 | Best Thing Seen Topics This Week: • 25:17 | Chicago • 50:15 | Bad Bunny • 59:36 | Diddy (Return From Suspension) • 85:09 | Houston Serial Killer • 92:14 | Life Choices Did Diddy really get off easy after his “return”? Why are people side-eyeing Bad Bunny’s latest moves? And what in the world is going on in Houston?! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we cover Jimmy Kimmel’s return, a major indictment, messy celebrity support letters, campus pushback, and a new wave of racist commentary in politics. TIMESTAMPS 1:43 – Fun Facts 31:27 – Best Thing Seen 38:32 – Jimmy Kimmel Returns: Back on air after suspension + Disney raises prices 68:13 – James Comey Indicted (AP News) 80:28 – Yung Miami & Carl Thomas Letters: Facing backlash for writing support for Diddy (NewsOne) 97:58 – TSU Students vs Debate Trolls: Running MAGA crowd off campus (NewsOne) 111:54 – Laura Loomer’s Racist Comments about Jasmine Crockett Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we cover everything from viral celebrity moments to canceled talk shows, plus a round of thought-provoking listener questions. TIMESTAMPS 09:20 – Fun Facts: Random knowledge that’ll surprise you. 25:54 – Best Thing Seen: What caught our eye this week. 35:57 – Jimmy Kimmel: Show suspended after Charlie Kirk joke (AP News). 65:27 – Dame Dash Updates: His latest Breakfast Club viral moment. 83:25 – Questions: • If you could instantly master any skill, what would it be? • If you could have dinner with any three people, dead or alive, who would they be? • What is your least favorite word? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week’s episode covers everything from shocking headlines to weird tech and animal stories. TIMESTAMPS 01:32 – Fun Facts: Random gems you didn’t see coming. 16:28 – Best Thing Seen: What caught our attention this week. 20:23 – Charlie Kirk: 'Nuff said 87:50 – A.I. Companionship: Chatbots filling human roles. 92:50 – Trump: Why diplomats are afraid to give him bad news. 96:07 – Pet Companionship: From emotional support gators to banned Walmart trips. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This Week’s Topics: • Fun Facts — 00:01:38 Kicking things off with some wild trivia and laughs. • Best Thing Seen — 00:19:45 We share the standout TV, film, or viral moment of the week. • Drake — 00:33:13 New music moves, headlines, and what’s next for Drizzy. • Young Thug Audio Leaks — 00:37:25 Leaked audio of Young Thug from jail stirs up debate. • Druski Nascar Skit — 01:06:02 Druski’s parody gets NASCAR heat and online backlash. • Handyman — 01:21:41 Some unexpected laughs and stories from home repair gone wrong. • Government & Politics — 01:37:14 – U.S. postal traffic crashes 80% after Trump ends tariff exemption. Read more – America faces a hiring freeze. Read more • Quick Topics — 01:50:16 – NYPD falsely arrests a Black man after faulty AI facial recognition. Read more – Apollonia sues Prince’s estate to keep her name. Read more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

01:50 - Fun Facts 13:51 - Best Thing Seen 26:52 - Cracker Barrel 56:34 - Jasmine Crockett 67:38 - Democratic Lock-In 80:21 - Federal Cuts 108:08 - Music Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From Trump taking over DC to the first-ever Robot Olympics, we’ve got politics, sports, tech, and even food news topics on deck today. Chapters: 02:39 – Fun Facts 19:51 – Trump Takes Over DC 41:24 – Cardi B’s “Imaginary Player” Moment 1:00:14 – Roblox in Trouble (Louisiana sues over child safety) Story 1:10:32 – Food Dye is Done (Kellogg ditching dyes by 2027) Story 1:13:31 – Baby at the Tennis Match (Cincinnati Open chaos) 1:19:07 – Robot Olympics in Beijing Story Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From a CDC shooting to BET canceling the Hip Hop Awards, this is another wild week to recap. Chapters: 00:51 – Fun Facts 16:53 – Best Thing Seen 29:11 – CDC Shooter 42:52 – ChatGPT Advice To Kids 1:12:02 – Man Jailed for Marrying Three Women 1:35:22 – BET Hip Hop Awards 1:54:07 – Darkness of the Week Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we break down the controversy behind Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle ad—was it clever marketing or a total misread of the room? Then the crew dives into the drama surrounding Ari Lennox's take on Martin and the decades-long debate about how the show treated Pam. Later, we get into the online war over which cities truly run the culture (Is Atlanta really Top 4?), and close out with: Are there even any rap superstars under 30? (00:00:00) - Intro (00:01:29) – Fun Facts Kicking things off with some quick hits and random facts to warm up the episode. (00:13:34) – Best Thing We’ve Seen This Week (00:33:57) – Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle Ad Is the backlash justified? 👉 Read more (01:17:32) – Ari Lennox vs. Martin Sitcom Legacy Was Pam disrespected on Martin? (01:39:57) – Top 4 Major Cities in the U.S. Debate Online debates rank NYC, LA, Chicago, and ATL. But should ATL even be in the convo? (01:52:00) – Where Are the Young Rap Superstars? Are NBA YoungBoy and Playboi Carti the only real rap superstars under 30? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices