31.) Friday Freedom + Super Bowl Weekend (2/6/26)

Just don't call it a podcast. don't happen here. And by a lot of things, I mean we're doing an extra show every week, but it's going to grow for me. It's going to grow for me. I think that's pretty good. One full show, that's not nothing. No, it's not nothing. It's not nothing. That's something. You know, it's something, which means if you're a subscriber, you're getting four extra shows a month in total. You know what I'm saying? That's like damn near a week of content. That's an extra week. And the reason Rosenberg is so passionate about you understanding that is because he doesn't want to give you much more, let's be honest. Not yet. Not yet. Not yet. Because, listen, I may be a failed online host, but I know what I don't want to do. Don't want to. Because Ebro will get hot if he's in the zone. He'll be like, let's just do more right now. And then before you know it, every month they're demanding. We're living a double life. It's like having two families. We can't have a second family right now. Well, no. And what Rosenberg's talking about is sustainability. Whatever we launch, we've got to be able to sustain it and deliver on your expectations. But all that's on the Patreon. Different conversation. for a different platform, but if you want to subscribe, please go ahead and do so. The ELR Show. Now, Laura, on Fridays, we have a different, kind of a slightly different agenda. We don't do original, no, we don't do the rundown. Nope. But we do do the OGs, the original gurus. Yes, yes, when we get time. And sometimes we dip into a little Family Matters, you know? Family Matters is a different segment. And then we also have Friday Freedom. Let's go. Friday Freedom is a big deal. Which is Freedom Friday. That's right. That's right. Big Super Bowl weekend edition. You know there's no Friday Freedom like a pre-Super Bowl Friday Freedom. Now, are you doing some sort of seven-layer dip celebration this week at Rosenberg? Some sort of nacho, Dorito, Tostito, dip chip, sour cream, refried bean, melted cheese thing? I don't know. No, you know, Alexa, I've been really on my fruits and veggies and smoothies and healthy proteins since I got back from Saudi Arabia. Sunday, though, we're going to D.C. this weekend. We have not seen my parents in so long. Last time my parents saw the baby, she had no teeth. Now she has five. Oh, wow. Yeah, you got to see the parents. So we're going home for a couple of days. But Sunday night, we are going to go to Baltimore. and on our way back, we're going to stop for a night in Baltimore and watch the game with Natalie's best friend Molly and her fiancé. Okay. I don't know what their plan is food-wise. I'm going to be in a go-with-the-flow kind of situation. Okay. I'll tell you one thing about the crowd I'm with. This is a bad bunny watching party. This is not really a Super Bowl party. Absolutely. This is my bond. That's what we're doing. So now is there, I've, I've, it's well documented that I don't believe the Superbowl is for football fans. The way the game is played, the amount of breaks in the game, how long the halftime is. It's just, it's a tough watch. If you're really a fan of one of the teams playing. Yeah. There's just so many distractions, but do we think the Seahawks and the new England, England Patriots, two young, youngish quarterbacks. I mean, Sam Donald's eight years in the league or something, six years, whatever. Youngish though. Youngish. and also quarterbacks who've never been in this position before. Maybe head coaches who have never been in this. Well, Vrabel's been in the Super Bowl before. Not as a coach. Not as a coach, though. Do we think we're going to see a great game? I really don't know. I think it'll be a solid game. I think it'll be an engaging, close game. So let me answer your question. Let me change it. Yes, I think it will be a very good and competitive football game. When I look at the rosters of these teams, I'm like, in a few years, are we going to look back and be like, who the hell played in this damn Super Bowl? Yes, I think that's on the table. We may think of it as just the Bad Bunny Bowl. But I do think it should be from a football standpoint, even though I could give a rat's ass who wins. I prefer Seattle because I like Sam Darnold, and I don't need the Patriots getting another Super Bowl. But I don't really care very much. I think it'll be a decent football game. Yeah, I'm passionate to watch the Seahawks win a thing because I know some Seahawks fans who I like, and I like the city of Seattle. And I love the fan base. You know me, if the fan base of a team is really awesome, you know I'm partial. I'm partial. It's like how I am about the Knicks, right? You know what I mean? I love me some Knicks fans. Right. But I definitely am with you. I don't want to see New England get another Super Bowl. Another one? I'm happy that they rebuilt. I like seeing a team put a plan together and rebuild. I love this, but, yeah, nah, you don't need to. I have had a good laugh the last couple of weeks, though, at both Belichick and Kraft being denied the Hall of Fame on their first try. That has amused me. I will tell you that. And what's the inside baseball on that? No, they're not. I mean, Kraft is whatever. You know, owners getting in is, I don't know if any more. Is it because he was getting handies down there in Florida? It's on the table. The Belichick thing is more interesting. There are some people who think he was being punished by some voters for deflate gate. Okay. I think there's a chance it's because he made an ass out of himself the last couple of years running around chasing a 22-year-old around. That wouldn't surprise me. Or all the above. Because I maintain to this day, I fought with many people about this. If Maya ever came home with a man who was not 10 or 15 years her senior, but 50 years her senior. Oh, my God. I would beat that man to death on the front lawn. You're going to death. To death. You're going to jail. So now Maya has lost this weird, creepy old man that she loves and her father's in jail. And her father's in jail. It's an unfortunate situation for everybody. Yeah, I wouldn't recommend that. But my point is they're not setting foot in my house is the point. It's not an acceptable, sorry, it's bizarre behavior. I think the first thing you should do in that scenario is look yourself in the mirror and say, how did I fail as a father? Why would my daughter want to be with a man, spend the rest of her life with a man that could basically be her father? So wait, maybe it's the opposite. Maybe it's you're such a good dad and you're an old dad that she's like, I just love having these old guys around. I need to find myself the same thing. No, it's creepy. This is not the right conversation. Listen, guys, there's so many. I'm just trying to figure out what it could be. There's so many instances that you could do all the right things, and your kid's going to do what they want to do. You could do all the right things. Yeah, but dating a 25-year-old, dating a 70-year-old, Laura. No, I think it's disgusting. Are you kidding me? I'm with Rosenberg. You come home with something like this? Laura, something's wrong. No, but you know what? The truth is, if you dig into it longer, if you actually dig into it, like you watch this thing play out longer, she wasn't the one who got crept on. You know what I'm saying? No, no, no, she crept on him. She crept on him. She's taking advantage of him. It's 100% of her operation. But what is going on? No, but still she's off. What's going on? That's all I'm talking about. What's going on here? But it does make me amend to some degree it makes my beating the person to death thing even sillier because it's not the same as your 17-year-old came home with a 30-year-old and you're going, oh, my God, this is wrong. She's being taken advantage of. It's more, why is my daughter, like, mean and conniving on this old man who clearly has gotten none his whole life and now has him running around looking like a fool? Laura, this man was a serious, as serious a man as you could find in sports was this guy. Like, I think, Ebro, you would agree, no question intimidating, serious, smart, like, and he literally. Respect it. Respect it. Deeply respected. He brought his 23-year-old girlfriend. First of all, he took a bizarro job at North Carolina. Brings her down there, and she's walking around on the sidelines in, like, heels and tight skirts. It's things that are just, like, no one would do. Yo, and by the way, I don't know how. I mean, she's of age, so it's not illegal. No, she's of age. But it's still creepy. I don't know how North Carolina's letting this happen. I don't know how this is okay for a college. And he's okay with it. And she's not a student, right? She's not a student. No, it can't be. No, no, no. She was done. He met her when she was a student, I think, somewhere when he was giving a speech. And then they started dating later. But not there. So gross. No, but not there. I mean, she wasn't a student. Hit the button, man. It's all bad. Hit the button. Yeah. No matter how you cut it. Congratulations. You played yourself. I also have been told I need to give a shout out to Queens today. Okay. Because I am told that the Coliseum is closing. You guys know that? Coliseum is closing? No way. I mean, it doesn't surprise me. It doesn't surprise me, but still. This has been going on for a while. But now it's official, Rosenberg. I'm being told the Coliseum is now officially, let me see, what's it called officially, the Coliseum? What is it called? Coliseum Mall? Well, no, it says Jamaica Coliseum Mall in Queens. Yeah, it's closing. Cultural landmark for its jewelry stores and fashion. It closed January 31st, permanently closed. After 40 years in operation due to redevelopment plans for the area. Yeah, yeah, yeah. It closed a few days ago. Opened in 1984. I mean, yeah, it's the Coliseum Mall, man. Wow, it's done. They used to go get gold fronts, gold and fashion, all that. But, you know, they're trying to redoing that whole area. And the stores, listen, man, we hold on to nostalgia, and I get it. But it's also another step to the area. You know, when places like that are gone altogether, man, it's tough. Because it just means less people around. Yes. But it's also just bad. You know, it's bad. But it's less culture. But I think, listen, the Coliseum Mall had one, two, skip a few stores for a minute. Like, there was a lot of stores that just weren't open. Ebro, Ebro, you're going too far with the one, two, skip it. It's out of control now. It's the best way to describe things that are just, like, not fully there. You know what I'm saying? One, two, skip a few stores? He's right, though. He's not wrong. No, it was empty. My dad used to see people and be like, look, they got one, two, skip a few teeth. Teeth. I know it would be teeth. It started with teeth. That's how I was introduced to it. That's foul. That's how I was introduced to it. All right, ladies and gentlemen. This is the end. Your sneakers, your jewelry, your mixtapes. It's a wrap. Listen, if you were still buying mixtapes at the Coliseum. Congratulations. You played yourself. Yo, who was making those mixtapes? DJs. Which DJ in 2026 was still putting mixed in? Oh, still. Still. Congratulations. You played yourself. Nah, I need to know you. If you're a DJ out there and you were still selling tapes at the Coliseum Mall 2025-26, I need to meet you. Maybe some developer will buy it and bring it back better. Already bought. Already bought, probably. And already they have plans to change. I'm sure something will be there will be better. It's going to be a legit condo. Oh, and oh, by the way, oh, by the way, if you don't know what happens next, this is where people get pushed out of the area, priced out of the area, and the complexion generally changes. So buckle up. And the name of the neighborhood will change, too. Oh, they might rename the whole thing. This is America, people. This is America, folks. Happy Friday. This is America, people. And I would implore you in this time, if you're emotional about changes going on in your neighborhood or any neighborhood, I would implore you to use this opportunity to teach your children why it's happening and what to do when it's happening. And also ways to prevent it from happening if you live in a neighborhood where you want to, you know, have generational property ownership, wealth, et cetera, et cetera. You know, because people talk. Is this the place you want to be there? Do you actually want to stay around? Well, that's why, because a lot of people have left, and a lot of money has left these areas. So that's why, look, if nobody's going to the Coliseum Mall to go shopping, the stores aren't staying open. So if you're mad about it closing, ask yourself the last time you went there to go shopping. That's a good point. Yeah. You know what I'm saying? Like, it's on us. When did you go get some bamboo earrings? When did you go get a starter jacket? When did you go get some beef and broccolis? You know what I mean? When did you support? It's a great question. It's a great question. Listen, I think we should go Friday Freedom first on the docket. What do you guys feel? I love it. I love Friday Freedom. Let's do it. Let's do it. All right, Friday Freedom. Oh, we got music. I'm playing a bed. Yo, I like a bed for a transition. Yeah. We should do that more often. Well, I figured out I can legally at least use the beds for my album. All right. So here we go. I got some good beats on there. Well, anytime we transition topics, I love a beat change. All right. Friday Freedom. Freedom Friday. Ebro Laura Rosenberg at Gmail. Voice notes. Emails. You know, hell, even now we might even be able to take video. If you want to send a video talking and you want to be featured on the Ebro Laura Walker. Okay. Facts. Keep it tight. Keep those to a minute or maximum. them or don't and be prepared to be hit with this yeah exactly you'll get played off or don't all right here we go uh friday freedom where you want to start rose uh rosenberger laura laura you go first i got an email i got an email from aaron okay um hey squad i just wanted to give you guys a shout out on your new show i started listening just before the election in 2024 and got pulled in by whitish wednesday it was fun hilarious but i stayed for the politics i would listen on my commute to work you guys have exposed me to new things i'll admit i didn't know a single kendrick lamar song before i started listening to the show i'm a 41 year old half puerto rican woman who grew up in a very white neighborhood in long island thank you guys for standing up for what's right in a time when hate and greed is so acceptable and visible it's important for you guys to continue to be a loud voice for those of us who care about other people. Please continue to shine the spotlight on the things they don't want us to see. I don't really listen to podcasts, but I'm trying to tune in you guys on YouTube. I'm here. I love all three of you. So here is, oh, she says here is me at my first ever protest over the summer I guess you shared a photo and I want to continue to be involved because everything that is happening is not okay Aw Aaron sending you a lot of love That was nice Yo, that was super nice. That was nice. And I'm glad you, at this time in your life, have still found it in yourself to have purpose and, you know, be someone who wants to contribute positive to your world, to the world around you. That's dope. Because, you know, if you're like me, you get to a certain age where you're like, F everybody. I'm going to just go sit on my little compound and, you know, no Wi-Fi. You know, I don't know. I've been talking a lot about this. You're going to hear a lot if you listen to the LR show. It's going to be called the Off-Ramp Conversation. Oh, I like this. You know, where's the off-ramp, Rosenberg? When do we get off this highway? How do we get off this highway? Right. Because in theory, if you're on a ramp, you should have the opportunity to get off. If you're on a highway, you've got to be able to get off. That's right. And we're on a highway. We're on an expressway. No, no. Highway to hell. I was just going to do the Satan joke. I don't need Satan on the program right now, but you know what I'm saying? Why? Why? Come visit. Highway to my house. I don't want that off ramp. No, Satan, I don't want that off-ramp. Exit 666, straight to hell. Chill. Yo, you know what would be crazy? If, when, possibly this show fails, right? And all of the people who are offended by us doing the Satan joke are like, see, you shouldn't have played with Satan. I'm seeing it. It seems like it's overwhelming Satan's support, but the people. I don't say Satan, the devil. I think there is a difference between saying Satan and the devil. I mean, is there? Giving him a name makes it sound, well, I don't know, something or other. But I will say this. Overwhelmingly, it's love and support. People enjoy the devil, and don't take it that seriously. But the people who do hate it. Bro, they're serious. They're like, please, please, please, please stop. Yeah. I'm very offended. And by the way, if we wouldn't have called that voice the devil or Satan, and we would have called it the Grim Reaper, they probably would have been okay with it. Or just like if we'd found another way to describe what it's doing, which is like always airing on the side of, you know, bad and wrong, it probably could have survived. I mean, in the eyes of those people. In the voice note space, we have now a British correspondent, our buddy Stuart. Oh, he's back again. He's back again. Yeah, I want to hear what he has to say. Evil Laura Rosenberg, it's Stuart, your British correspondent. Got some questions. I know you like the old politics and you are now worldwide because you're on the internet finally, apparently not been on there before. But it's the world wide web so you need a British correspondent. And I've got questions. What is going on with Trump and this Greenland thing? Why is he now threatening the UK and the European Union with these tariffs if we don't just let him have his way like he did with the children? With the Greenland, it doesn't make any sense to me. just wondering if you could, you know, share some of your wisdom and all your knowledge and let us know. But, yeah, it's madness to me. I don't know why he's threatening. And he's just trying to be a big bully, I think, and just take things by force, which, you know, it's kind of his game, isn't it? We worry about him. Anyway, keep doing what you're doing. Love you, love you, dude. All right. See you later. Bye. Later. Bye. So clearly that was from a few weeks ago. We just got to it, Stuart. nothing's happening with the Greenland thing. It's a hustle for his billionaire buddies to try to steal resources from Greenland. That's all it is. And if you notice over the last couple weeks, and yeah, he folded. Trump always chickens out. It was a big nothing burger. It was really to distract from these files. Everything's a distraction for it. That's what it really was, because guess what? The United States already has access to Greenland. It's so stupid. It's beyond. and did you see the clip of him saying like why do we keep coming back to these files they should just go away already like why yeah we we got to get that at some point the the and him talking about why he likes bill clinton you guys see that yeah we have we have that we have that video we gotta play that because you know because you know they were suspecting that uh he was he he's an admirer of bill clinton's junk that was in the files remember that i forgot about that that's a thing yes it bothers me that somebody's going after bill clinton see i like bill clinton i still like them what do you like about him uh i like well i liked his behavior toward me i thought he got me he understood me that's really all you need me no that's really nice to be that's i you know he one of the illest things about trump is that unlike most villains he He's not cerebral enough to ever keep things close to the vest. He just tells you. He'll let you know from the beginning where he's actually going because he can't help himself. Why do you like him? You think he'd come up with some answer. Well, you know, he respects the office, blah, blah. There's no need. No. He's nice to me. So the internet's ran with the story. It hasn't been, you know, it's all just internet talk. I just re-looked at it again to make sure I was saying it right. All right. that Donald Trump gave Dome at a party to Bill Clinton. Oh, God. That feels like a reach. I'll be honest. It feels like a lot. Now, I agree with y'all, but simultaneously, the things we are learning in these files and the things that were going on at these parties. I mean, you're right. I wouldn't be surprised. I think a bit like I just think he's scared of what he's going to say. I think that deep down. Well, you're thinking logically. I'm thinking about these Epstein files where we keep being inundated with the wildest of wild stories. That's so funny. It's going to be really interesting with Bill and Hillary testify. Yeah, and I wonder how much Hillary has. Like, does Hillary really know that much? And, like, is Bill going to keep it a buck? You know what I mean? And they'll be under oath. I mean, we'll see where it goes. Yeah. Because Bill definitely saw some stuff. I got to tell you, Trump strikes me as a lot of things. Down low, sucking the D, he does not give that. Guys, guys. I don't see that either, but. In the chat, when this video goes up, you're going to see probably many people talking about Sasha Riley. Remember the Sasha Riley story? Yeah, of course. That was, he was having, he was sexually abused, according to him, by Donald Trump. Sasha Riley's a man. He's a man. And he was sexually abused by Donald Trump. Yes. In Epstein Island? Not on the island. I don't know if it was on the island, but. But part of that whole mess. Yeah, yeah, part of it. Got you, got you. Okay, all right. All right, let's go back. Let me go, let me hit a Friday of Freedom. Yeah, let's go. Email. Email. Here we go, guys. Rosenberg's back on the analyzing block. Rosenberg, I want to be clear that this message comes from a place of deep listening. Okay. And some observation with love. Okay. Okay. I've been on the fence with you for a while. There's a long email. I saw this one. I think it's important to explain why. Much of how you speak, particularly about professional disappointment, public perception, and accountability comes from a place of privilege, even if that's not your intention Well, of course, that's how privileged I began questioning things more seriously when you spoke about how hurt you felt by the way a previous employer failed to send you off as you believe you deserved I understand that disappointment, but I need you to understand something in return For many minorities who are highly qualified, well-educated, and still underemployed or undervalued, that experience isn't a defining injustice. It's just a Tuesday. That's what doing the dance actually means. It's not situational. It's generational. I've been doing that dance in higher education for over 30 years. My parents did it before me in manufacturing. we learn early how to manage tone expectations and survival in professional spaces that were never designed with us in mind and the hardest part when it's all said and done you can opt out many of us never get that option all right that's the first part she goes on to a different topic so i can i just respond to that part real quick of course go for it p I don't I'm not sure why you think I wouldn't completely agree empathize and know that that's the case for all of my friends and people that I love of color particularly black people of course I don't think that's what she's saying I don't think that's what she's saying but she said I need you to know like why why she's been on the fence about you what she's trying to articulate in the email is what it is about you Rosenberg and how you handle things that made her be on the fence. And now in the moment where you articulated your displeasure. I assume she's talking about hot. Yeah, your displeasure with that. What I'm interpreting her saying is now I've identified what it is about you that kind of had me on the fence about you. And so she's trying to articulate to you the privilege that you transmit. and that's why she was on the fence about you. Not that she doesn't like you, but what it is. In that moment, yeah, that's what she's saying. Not that you don't understand what she's saying, but the reason that... But yeah, I was just literally, first of all, I didn't see that as a life-defying injustice by any means. I don't sit here and talk about it every day. In the moments of our unceremonial dismissal, I was apt to compare it to friends of ours, colleagues who were given a chance to say goodbye. That's all. I knew we wouldn't get it. But remember, when we talked about this, if she's talking about the time where I was saying, eh, it is what it is, eh, we move on. The contrast of me being like, eh, they don't really owe us nothing. It is what it is. We did our one-two. We out of there. The contrast of that, I think, is what sparked her email. And I hear that. I would argue, I would present I don't know if in this specific case that was because of Ebro's experience as a black man in America and mine of privilege but how we viewed that whole situation differently for a long time maybe it is, listen that's the thing about privilege, it's baked in so I can't, as someone who's of privilege I obviously can't recognize the way the privilege affects me in every moment you know what I'm saying, it's built into America It's in the DNA of who I am. Does that make sense? Yeah. Like, I don't recognize it as privileged every moment, but if we want to stop and have a conversation, I can certainly look back and see how one could view it that way. Well, but also while we're on this, I was actually going to ask that we bring this email to its own show because it's so layered. There's so many layers to it. It's its own conversation. I was actually, for the greater conversation about people of privilege in society. No matter what your privilege is, right, whether you're a beautiful woman, a good looking man, a white person, you know, a fair skinned black person, hell, a man in general who's more privileged than a woman, whatever your privilege is, those that don't have privilege, that's what they're asking of us. Is which part? Is to work on recognizing our privilege in real time. to start to really, really not be self-centered. That's what the real ask is. The real ask is to be aware of that privilege more often. Okay. I don't know. You know what I'm saying? But that's not what her email's about. In the moment of being fired, it's tough. It's a tough ask, but in general life, I think that is what is needed of people of privilege is to recognize the privilege. Yeah, I was just applying it to general society, not to us. That's all right. She also says the Don Lemon commentary has also been difficult to hear. I understand some of the criticism and I understand the frustration, especially knowing how long he had to navigate CNN. But again, this is where the disconnect shows. Don didn't just play the game. He endured the dance for years because he had to. Watching his arrest minimized, particularly by people who claim friendship or allyship, felt painfully familiar. Just last Friday, I heard another white man downplay Don's arrest in a way that mirrored the same dismissive tone. He was educated. He was a, quote, friend. I don't know why friend is in quotes. And it landed exactly the same. I'll say this carefully. There are moments when your critiques of Don feel harsher than the grace you extend to others. And I'm actively trying not to judge you the way you so easily judge him. I also notice what feels like an unspoken comparison with Ebro, an admiration, yes, but also attention that reads as envy rooted more in privilege than lived experience. You love him, but at times it feels like there's a wish to occupy the same space without fully acknowledging the cost of getting there. Lady, you might be too smart for me to have this conversation. I just got to keep it a bean with you. I'm trying hard here, but listening to the first show in the new studio, Beautiful Space, by the way, it struck me that you still don't fully get it. And that's okay if you're willing to learn. That's why I genuinely hope Ebro and Laura continue to push, challenge, and educate you. Not as criticism, but as growth. I'm sharing this because accountability matters, especially when you have a platform. I'm watching, I'm listening, I'm rooting for more awareness, not less. on a lighter note Ebro I'm watching Tehran and loving it I believe you recommended it and it's absolutely hitting the mark Rosenberg I'm with you on Nikki we stand together there so that's my growth my brother's also a huge WWE fan so that made me smile and regarding last week's letter and the complaint you raised I stand with you on that as well respectfully and genuine love for all three of you well it's easier that was a thoughtful email very super thoughtful email and easier for you to stand on the issue that doesn't relate to you. That was the point of when we discussed that in the first place. Remember, because she's referring to the one about me being accused of Islamophobia. Oh, right, right, right, right, right, right. And so it's easier. I think it is easier to stand with people when you don't feel like you're the person affected by it. Listen, I 100% believe that as a white person of privilege and someone who's loud and outspoken, I will have to work forever to be more empathetic, understanding, and aware of my privilege. And at times, I'm sure I will miss the mark. And at times, I'm sure I have biases that are built in the way everyone does that I have to actively work against. I would also push back to this clearly super informed and smart listener to your own perspective to the perspective at which you are holding me to And granted, I should be held to a different place as a white person in this space. But I think your own biases have to be also factored in here into the way that you interpret me. Like, that's just being honest and realistic. I'm sorry, she's not coming at me from a place of complete objectivity and hearing us all the same way. You're not. You're not. You're hearing my voice tone and my experience in a certain way as well. Well, and sometimes I think the, especially now that we're on video, full content on video, our nuances, our subtleties, our inconsistencies will be on a larger display. Yeah. That's interesting. The things that agitate you that maybe you're not articulating when you open your mouth. And so some of the critiques we'll get over time will be people watching us and making judgments based on our body language, our attitude, our tones, all of those things, right? Because when you're doing a, like you said, when we're doing commentary, we're emotional, we're improvisational, none of this is scripted, we're live, this is it. So your flaws and blind spots are there, right? They're coming out no matter what. No, you can't hide, B. You couldn't hide on live radio really either. But it's easier to be quiet and have it go away. That's right. Now you can't hide. Your face. Your face is gone. And the audience, you get everything, but you don't get everything. Literally yesterday's show, Ebro and I were fucking bitching at each other and fighting till the second the show started. About nothing of significance. Nothing. Oh, that was two days ago. Or two days ago. Fighting till the second. It's like, all right, and we're on. and unquestionably that's just one example of how like our moods and dynamics will be affected by being around each other early and we are now in a working relationship of depending on each other for our livelihood constantly even more than before which brings its own pressure its own thoughts its own emotions plus our real life friendships all these things that are factored in that you won't necessarily know. And so you could hear an argument and think it's about one thing and not realize there may be something else that you're not aware of as the audience. And I can't put that on you. It's not their job to know all of the inner workings. And by the way, maybe I do with Don Lemon. Maybe there is some deep-seated thing that I can't read that relates to bias and maybe a reverse version of that for Ebro and Don Lemon. a relatability. You don't, no, no, no. You don't like Don Lemon because he's pompous and arrogant. It has nothing to do with his professionalism as a journalist or his capabilities as a journalist. He's kind of elitist and condescending. That's just, and as Ebro pointed out brilliantly the other day, back in the day, everyone felt that way. And most people just forgot. But guess what? I don't let go. That's my problem. but but but i but and i know so and i have the ability to know why he's like that right and and and and also understand he's and he's also a gay he's also a gay black man who's who's elitist he's an elitist gay black man who's a little condescending pompous educated and that's all putting for people i get that it doesn't bother me but maybe it factors and he's a different version of himself now now people are like oh he's with us right that and that's the part that I guess always. That's because the landscape has changed in many ways. That doesn't change who is a person. But the lady's point, the emailer's point about what she was saying about me is interesting with Don Lemon because maybe some of what makes him that way was part of his version of doing the dance for all those years at CNN. I have to puff up my chest extra big and let everyone know how smart I am. Defense mechanism. Whereas Chris Cuomo didn't have to do that. He was a white guy. His name's Cuomo. He just gets to be himself. Turns out he went the other way and is a big old douchebag. But at the time, I thought I liked his energy. Here's the other part, relatability. The emailer knows what Don Lemon is going through and can relate to who Don Lemon is and what he is dealing with, thus isn't going to judge him the same way someone who doesn't either relate or doesn't care or isn't thinking about that is going to relate to him. So those are biases. It doesn't make those not biases. But isn't that tied into the way that this woman receives me also? Yeah, but you have privilege. So remember, when you're the privileged person, the person with the job, the person with the power, the person with the look, the person with the thing that makes you powerful in whatever society dynamic you're in, those without it wish that you would... think more of your privilege and not weaponize it. Or not be flippant about someone else's lack of. Right, right. You know what I'm saying? And so there's an added pressure to privileged people, right? And I'm saying this as a light-skinned black person. I've had to analyze this my whole life. Why don't these black people like me? Well, you light-skinned, so they see you as privileged. So they're not going to like you for no reason. It's social programming They're not gonna like your tone of voice They're not gonna like You're not black enough But you're not white enough I've lived this I've walked this life Not as a white person But as a privileged black person Oh you're tall Oh people think you're good looking Oh you're this Oh you're that You're athletic I hate your fucking guts Get the fuck out And I'm like I see where this could be annoying Why you always laughing? What you so happy about? Ain't shit funny? Shut up light bright shut up yellow yeah i've been dealing with since i was a child oh you think you're stuck up i didn't even say anything i was just standing here oh you think you better than everybody i don't even know what you're talking about it's it's it's ill bro all right but but but once again it's because something hurt them something is hurting that person they are dealing with something that you don't have to deal with and so because you don't and most people will go well it ain't my responsibility. It ain't my responsibility to be concerned with what everybody else is dealing with. That's a valid take. But when you're a privileged person, I'm the kind of person that's like, let me take that into account and be a little bit more conscious. But I'd hope the emailer would know I am literally the opposite of a person who believes that the attitude should be, but that's not my problem. I believe it is all of our problems. But I think that's why they rock with you because they know that what they're pointing out is your blind spots. Man. No, I hear. Man, we. Detailed ass blinds. That's why I didn't want to get into that email because it's its own show. It was a lot. It was a lot. Sorry, I didn't know. But, of course, Rosenberg wanting to talk about himself. Everything's about him. He went right to the email that's all about him. More privilege. It looked interesting. But you're right. It is its own animal. It's its own animal, and it's so deep. And with that, because Rosenberg took up all the time. No, play another voice note. We're running out of time. Okay. At least. Pick one, Laura, please. Oh, my God. Hold on. Let me go back there. Oh, let us go with. Go to the newest one. How about that one? Yeah, yeah, yeah. Dennis. Oh, I don't even see Dennis. Oh. Dennis is the oldest one. Oh, no, that's. Hey, what is up, Ebro, Laura and Rosenberg? You're so-called AI guy here from Europe. I thought to add some of my own background music in case Rosenberg hasn't added any to the show but I am not a I am an actual person I don't like my voice either but I just wanted to show you guys some love again and tell you that I'm very glad to have found you again thanks for playing my message in one of your last episodes on your previous endeavor but I was shocked not hearing from you in the last weeks of previous year I thought maybe it was due to the holidays but a few weeks into the new year still not having heard My guy, my guy. We didn't call you AI because we don't like your voice. We called you AI because it sounds like there's a translator translating your message or something. It sounds mad edited. Why is it cut like that? Why is it edited so sharp? All of that. But I appreciate the effort, and we appreciate you participating in the show. Hi, Rod Rick. Sent a up-to-the-time voice message called out Friday Freedom. Let's get to it. All right, here we go. Rick? Goonie Let's do it Hey yo Goonie goons Have no fear Hot Rod Rick is here Bruh And yo You already know The Benito Bowl Three days away Goonies Aye Let's go Y'all ain't ready Go Seahawks You heard Benito Bowl He's just talking He's a little He's dancing You think he's drinking You been drinking Love what y'all doing You heard Love the whole studio vibes. Y'all got big plans. And y'all already know the biggest shark out here. There's blood in the water, man. Love y'all. And all the listeners, everybody, y'all know I'm still here. Goons and E-Ro, you already know. Make sure they all follow me on Instagram, Goons. Love y'all, man. Enjoy y'all weekend. All right. Here we are. It's blood in the water. Can we use the Jaws theme? I mean, yeah. It's not free, though. That's not public domain. Griff says, yes, I think so. Public domain? It feels like that's, I mean, just a few seconds. Like, I don't think you play the whole thing. Right. It's possible. All right. He said, Griff says 40 years old might be public domain. Well, we'll add that to the blood in the water conversation. Well, I mean, this is a public domain and we use it. Family Matters time. It's a rare condition This day and age Reading the good news On the newspaper page Love and tradition Of the grand design Some people say Harder to find Well then there must be some magic clue Inside this gentle world I can't believe I missed the last episode Of Family Matters Actual trip to Disney on ice Real love bursting out of every scene Are you sad? I was a little sad, but I was also happy because it was really nice to see you guys hanging out with my family while I was gone. It's been some tough sledding around here these days. Literally sledding. Literally sledding. But seeing you guys take care of Ebro literally showing up, picking her up, bringing an extra duna to take Maya. I was very touched by it, actually. And you got quality time with Maya for the first time. Ebro, did you get a little time with young MYA? Yeah, me and MJ hung a little bit. You know, a little, what was that called, cooing with the baby. We did a small cooing with my hand. I heard she wasn't scared of you, which makes you different than Ricardo, who he has to warm up every time. She's like, every time she's like, I don't know about this guy. I know, I know. It takes a few minutes. And then later they're partying. I have a video of them fist bumping together. He wants to be friends. Like, Ricardo's so fun-loving and friendly, and for some reason, she just always needs a second to go, let me suss you out. Well, I think the problem is Ricardo's trying too hard. Right, you got to lay back. So we were in the Thai restaurant. Maya's over there sitting in her chair. Kenza's, you know, sitting across from me. Laura. Selassie's sitting next to me. Laura had to keep space between Kenza and Maya, or Kenza might not let her eat. She might be in her face all day. No, they were in pretty close proximity, but it wasn't too crazy. but Ricardo gets up, walks around the table, kneels down, and tries to get on the same level with Maya and have a combo while she's sitting in a chair. And then Maya for a second was cool, and then ultimately she's like, eh, like why you in my face, bro? Like relax. You got to play it cool with her. I think Maya is just on some cool-ish, like, all right, man, just be regular, bro. Don't treat me like I'm a regular baby. Like, just pretend I'm a regular baby. Yeah, like, why you acting like you ain't never been around a baby before, bro? Now, no, Maya was chilling the whole time, which was great. And then we had a good time. But my hands were full, so I couldn't really, you know, I'm managing it. I got toddler. I got jazz with toddler. I got ordering food. Getting people to and fro. Carrying. I got parking. And it was cold, cold. You know what I mean? So parking car, getting car, getting children in car in frigid weather. Yeah. It's a lot going on. It's a lot going on. So I didn't really get to, like, hang, hang. But maybe next time. I had a... Go ahead. You go ahead. No, go ahead, Rosemarie. I was just going to jump to my family matters. I loaded up some new Black History Month Selassie content. Oh! I want to see this. Oh, is this the Black History Month? Who's that on your shirt? starting the month off strong let me see you do this yeah you look good yo yo yeah she's yo watch you remind me of my man from do the right thing so she didn't she didn't she didn't really stutter though but it's just saying the name reminded me of that. That video was so cute. I saw it the other day. I was just going to say, yesterday, I almost reached out to I realized I almost had to reach out to my friend, Jeff, who doesn't have kids. Because I have been having such a hard time, just like my level of fatigue and constant doing things. Natalie's now been sick the last two days. So basically from the second I got home, where it was already expected, I got to pick up a little slack to now, Natalie's out. She's down for the count. So I'm doing everything plus the working between everything. Plus we introduced the studio. We introduced the studio this week which ironically and somehow perfectly is right next to where the old studio was. So I'm I'm back on the train. It is nasty in my neighborhood. It is terrible. And the second I get home from my second job, baby, go. And then by the time I finish dishes and kind of stop and look around, I'm like, it's 1020. I just got to do it again tomorrow. And I realized I can't reach out to my friends with other young children because they're just going to be like, so? So I thought about, I was like, I realized I got to call my man who has no kids. he will appreciate how death this sounds like because I can't share it like Ebro can't hear it like that every day it the same thing yeah my only advice to you is don look for an off talk Don look for an off No, no. What would the off-ramp even be? It's literally at 10.20 when you sit down and you lay down or whatever it is when you get that time. You try to develop the ability in your mind to flip a switch that makes you convince yourself that you are on a mini vacation for the next hour. Yeah, well. Whatever it is. I mean, find it. Whatever brings you joy when you sit down, whatever that is, get to it. Because, yeah, like just enjoy that the baby's asleep. That's right. You know, even though I. Enjoy that the baby's healthy. The baby's healthy. No, no, we had our first year appointment and everything was fantastic. Great. Not only that, to see a child of mine who is in the better height percentile than weight percentile, nah, it couldn't be going better. It didn't even get my, she didn't even get my jeans. It's fantastic. So it's a hard thing because I'm so overjoyed and in love with this child. and as today's a day we celebrate J. Cole, I've already been celebrating For Your Eyes Only because that album hits so different now that I'm a dad. Right. So, no, it's amazing. It's just so bleeping hard, and there are days where I'm just like, and then my dog, I couldn't thank God more that Bear is alive and well. I'm so truly grateful, and he's driving me up the frigging wall with this snow and ice. He has no interest. I'm taking him outside. He wants to do nothing. You're walking around in the freezing cold for 50, And I'm like, just fucking go party. Just fucking. If you saw me. No, people would see me. I think this guy's abusive to his dog. I think that guy hates his dog. He's screaming at him on the street right now. So, yeah. No, just my family matters. Just having a moment to be like, yes, King, yes. This is just hard. The other thing, too, is when you travel and you come off those long trips like that, it's going to take you two weeks to get right anyway. Yeah. Because you land and you're right back in it. There is no like, because people think, oh, you traveled. Because people say, oh, you're going to Saudi Arabia? How was it? You'll be like, I mean, it was cool. I worked. It was work. Like, I didn't chill. There was no chilling. I was on a schedule. Right? People are like, oh, you're going to the Super Bowl? Like, ooh. And you're like, yeah, Super Bowl. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, but I'm going to work. I'm on. No, on the whole time. On the whole time, not drinking. You know what I mean? Talking to people, shaking hands. You know, getting here, getting there, making sure this happens, making sure that happens. You know, all of this. Really not drinking in Saudi Arabia. Speaking of Ebro's work, by the way, I forgot to mention Ebro. Yesterday, Dipperstein is out there. I don't know if you run into him. Dipperstein's out there running around with Seth Rollins from WWE. I saw him last year. I haven't seen – I haven't been in the room. Yeah, but you haven't been in the room yet. He was walking through the room yesterday and overheard someone from Apple talking to security. Like, we need Ebro's credentials to be just right. Ebro needs to run We cannot make We have to make sure That Ebro And Dip was like Thought it was hilarious And immediately If you know who that was Laura You know who that probably was Yep Yep Who? Tiffany who works on No no Well I think it was a guy Someone wearing Wearing Apple clothing Someone wearing Apple merch That's Yeah I don't know No someone was handling Well maybe Tiffany Said them No and Dip said He stuck his nose Right in Right in and went What did Ebro do now? right in the middle of the conversation. He couldn't resist. He just thought there was actual panic to make sure Ebro was right. And I'm like, well, listen, he's got to do the big press. They probably were talking about getting to the main, the press conference area. Well, the press conference was yesterday. Yeah, that's what it was. The press conference was yesterday, which it was great. Having Benito up there was awesome. We didn't have time to get to any clips from that, but we'll do that maybe next week on the show after the Super Bowl Plus show highlights. We need Benito in the studio one day, by the way. I'm asking you to pull the trigger on that one day One day I don't know if I'm at that I mean, let's have a great relationship with him But I don't know if you know A lot of people aren't processing You guys know Benito is an independent artist Yeah Yes, a lot of people don't know that I mean, his distribution is I think with Sony or whatever But That's crazy This is their operation Full stop Yeah Bruh To be at this level This isn't like he's signing some label And there's like Nah, it's him his manager Noah and that's the thing yo it's one of the and he had one of the greatest this is one of the greatest weeks we've ever seen we've literally never seen anything like this to win album of the year and then hit the Super Bowl and they couldn't have been sure he didn't know he was hitting album of the year also do you guys notice in addition to the first Spanish language yeah how would you ever know that that's gonna oh at a time when people are basically abusing and terrorizing Spanish people who speak Spanish? They come from Spanish speaking countries? And are treating Puerto Rico like it's not even a part of the United States? You think him and his team was like, yeah, we got this locked down. Yeah, exactly. Now, did you notice, in addition to Benito sitting by himself, did you guys notice also he looked very big? Like tall? Yeah. No, and his shoulders. No, no, his traps. He looked he looked, go back and watch it. He does fitness. Is he as tall as you, Ebro? Yeah, easy. No, no, but just go look. Just go look. He looks different. Because I've seen him a lot. Obviously, I've seen him wrestle. I've seen him. I think he's in a fitness zone right now, I think. Remember? I think he's gearing up for something. Okay. A wrestling comeback? I don't know about, I don't know what, something. Oh, wait, he hasn't hit the World Tour yet, right? Yeah, he goes to Europe next. He just said that at the press conference yesterday. Oh, so now it's for the world tour. Okay, got it. And he's never been to Europe. He's never been to Spain. Oh, man. Yeah, he just wrapped up all essential in South America. Is he, and he's single again, right? I don't know why. You want me to tell him you're interested? No, I'm just curious about the kind of time this guy's about to have out here. He's single, yeah. That's crazy, man. I mean, is he? We don't know. He can't even allow. He's also like, if he's actually single He's at a point of so famous You can't even move around normal at all Look, Cripp's all in his business Yeah, he's single He wore a ring at the Grammys But he reps, he is single Like, alright guys, listen When they're ready to let us know They'll let us know Well, I mean, he was with Kendall Jenner though Because he was with Kendall Jenner Yeah, but that was a while though Okay, so was You know, there's a list there I don't like that I don't like what you just did And by the way, if Kendall Jenner You've seen her commercials? She has a big commercial. I have. She had her exes in the commercial. Had her exes in the commercial. Yo, you know who directed that commercial? Who? The guy, my friend Mike Ratner, who was up at the station with us when I was doing Stay Sleeping and Ratchet Turn Up Molly. He directed a Super Bowl commercial for Kendall Jenner. Yeah, he's been working for a long time. It's time to get to the OGs, man. All right, let's do this. Here we go. I'm on the road. I gotta get up out of here, y'all. Nope. Nope. Ah, there you go. The Original Gurus at gmail.com. The Original Gurus at gmail.com. Hey. You bro, burn some sage. Zen, zen, zen. All right, Rosenberg, who's out there? Who needs us? Ah, the gurus. The gurus. The Original Gurus at gmail.com. theoriginalgurus at gmail.com. Send your emails today. Maybe we'll get to you next week. Good morning, family. I can sit here and write how much you mean to me, but it would be a five-page essay. Just know you're a part of my life, my routine, and I appreciate everything you do. You've gotten through many rough times. Thank you. Today, I need some help from a different area, finances. I'm 29 and as many people in this country I just feel like I'm dining drowning in my finances. I have my normal career job that pays okay around $65,000 a year and I had to pick up a second job at a restaurant to help with the finances as living on your own is expensive. I have limited any passive expenses like going out eating out buying clothes or treat yourself items. My family has never had the strongest financial literacy as they are immigrants who truly came here to survive and make a living. So I'm looking for any help or direction, just input. I have some credit card debt around $3,500, and it's becoming so hard to pay off. I am also trying to build my savings. My second job has usually been to help build my savings account and also for any passive income. However, lately, I've been eating my second job for normal expenses and bills, and it's becoming harder and harder to save. My question for you is, in your guys' life experience, should I be focusing on paying off my credit card debt all at once or should I just be focusing on saving for a rainy day or should I be doing both and slowly paying off my debt or should I be working more sometimes I feel like I'm not doing enough but I work six days a week sometimes 16 hour days and still feel like I'm not doing enough or being financially smart I am missing out on family and friends events because of being at work and not being able to afford it any guidance would be really appreciated p.s. I haven't been able to subscribe to patreon due to my finances but I promise i'll soon be there so much love a loyal listener for more than 10 years first bit of advice don't worry about patreon all right right it's my first advice don't stress that we got you got plenty of free content we got you absolutely maybe we'll be figure out a way to do a giveaway for patreon and we could give away some accounts at some point but um don't worry about that um the question i guess first is pay off your credit cards you think pay it off all off i would do that too. Can I ask you a question? Your credit score and your credit lines are how you get credit for other things that are good investments. That's how you get assets, right? And so having assets is how you leverage credit, which then can open up you to have more free time because you have assets that are making money. And so then you don't have to work yourself, right? So you have to have good credit and then some cash to get assets. Once you have the assets, you can leverage those assets that are making money because it's an asset to get more credit. And then you can use your free time because your assets are making money. Does that make sense? Yeah, it makes sense. But I'm with you. I say you tackle the credit card debt first, but you should also put a little something, just a little something for a rainy day, just in case but if you don't you always have your credit cards to fall back on just in case just can i ask you guys a credit card question um because i've been privileged and been paid up on credit cards for a minute can you is it dumb to do the thing where if you have an interest rate on your credit card if you find a credit card that has no interest for a year is it dumb to do a balance transfer and get that year at no interest somewhere else and give yourself that year to pay get off i don't i don't think so it doesn't sound bad but if you see one if you see one of those cards moving around that's like no interest at all for one year the nice part about that is you could you get a year a little bit more you got a little bit of time but but what happens after that first year it's going to be terrible happens today well no but what happens to the interest rate so you got to stay on top of that well you can't you can't it has to be that it get it done you got to check that apr for sure griff says balance transfers are good according my financial advisor get one that is 18 months and check the apr yeah so that could be useful because you feel a little bit of space there to to get out of it but it it is a great feeling to get out of that debt and it will free you up not only on financially but mentally will free you up as well um just know that at 29 years old it's messed up but in america not having anything at 29 is just par for the course normal normal because we've all let's be honest guys we've been tricked the whole thing is a trick they want us to work till we're friggin 75 years old then we're supposed to get to enjoy retirement but by that point you're sick you're tired but but here's the deal here's the deal if your parents were not able to leave you with a little something whatever that little something is whether that's some sort of asset or some cash or something if they were not capable of doing that but what they did give you was lessons in life access to higher education and these other things, it's your job to take that and now get ready to build the next thing. It takes generations to build something in this American social experiment. It is not, I know a lot of people were promised, if I go to college, I'm going to get the job I want, and then the job I want is going to give me the salary I want, and then I'm going to buy the house. Da-da-da-da. I never thought that was my path. Maybe that is because people told me because I'm from a family of minorities and black folks and feminists and activists and stuff that they was like, it ain't going to be that easy, my guy. It ain't going to be that easy. So I was prepared psychologically that it was going to take me a lot, but it doesn't mean it's not frustrating. It doesn't mean there isn't times where I'm sitting around like, yo, why is this so hard? Why is this so hard? Why was it easier seemingly for other people? Or why wasn't I born into a situation where it was easier? Like, I just wasn't. And so you play the cards you're dealt and you stay focused if you really want to have the outcomes you want. You just got to really be on it. There's no gimme. Yeah, but I think he's on the right track. He cares and he cares a lot. There's some people who are like, oh, well, if I'm drowning in debt, they just keep going. So focus, tackle the credit card debt, and we appreciate you. And don't worry about the Patreon. We got you. So say the gurus. Outro music, my G. Hit that like button. Hit that like. Oh, I spoke to Nicholas Craven about this beat. What did he say? All good. He said, loves that we're using it and told me that it's actually already out. It's on a project he did with the god Fahim from the ground up. So this is actually out on a record. So if you're looking to. Yeah. And shouts to Nick Craven, who's dropping a new album soon with Roscoe P. Cold Chain. He wanted me to let everybody know. What up, my G? So shouts to Nick Craven on this beat, man. We appreciate you. It feels right. Listen, J. Cole album out today. Everybody's talking. Everybody's dissed 29 and 39. We're about to dig into J. Cole. We'll get at that next week. Got a lot to listen to. Super Bowl halftime. Bad Bunny, ladies and gentlemen. We're ready. This is historic what we're seeing. Mondays can't miss show because Monday we got Bad Bunny talk plus some J. Cole talk. Monday and Tuesday are going to be crazy next week. Woo! We'll see you then. so don't call it a podcast