18 - Commercializing “Sensitive Males,” Fox Sports Benches Racist Reporter, and VR Hits A Billion Dollars.

18 - Commercializing “Sensitive Males,” Fox Sports Benches Racist Reporter, and VR Hits A Billion Do

Brand Eff Up: Fox Sports Florida reporter fired for racist riff.

What’s Up?

2016: VR’s first billion-dollar year.

“Virtual reality (VR): a billion dollar niche,” Deloitte.

What’s Good? The commercialization of the feminine male.

“Introducing Beta Male,” New York Mag

Hyun on Medium: “This is Almost 40.”

“What we mean when we say ‘I Love You Man,” NY Mag

Diggin’ in the Crates:

P: Leonard Schlain, “The Alphabet Versus the Goddess.”

H: bell hooks, “All About Love.”

M: Shrumpa, “Cutting Through Spiritual Materials.”

On Point - 16 - Tahir Jetter: “How To Tell You’re A Douchebag”

On Point - 16 - Tahir Jetter: “How To Tell You’re A Douchebag”

Joining us is Tahir Jatter, Writer/Director/Producer of the upcoming film “How To Tell You're A Douchebag.” Topics Tahir’s challenges in New York in contrast to his Entourage-esque lifestyle in LA. His first feature film, “How To Tell You’re A Douchebag” (2016) and how the name for the film was arrived at. The booms and busts of representations of people of color in entertainment and why Tahir is optimistic. Default whiteness; why do lead roles require for people of color seem to require directors or producers to be the same? Polyamory and veganism. Dating patterns dependent upon work life. Why Tahir feels like Drake. How online dating has taken the stakes out of dating.

Dates and showtimes for “How To Tell You’re A Douchebag” on Facebook.(@tahirjetter)

17 - ADIDAS Can’t Spell, Hip-Hop and American Mythology, and is McDonald’s a Commons?

17 - ADIDAS Can’t Spell, Hip-Hop and American Mythology, and is McDonald’s a Commons?

Brand Eff Up

“This New Adidas Ad Is Every Colombian’s Worst Nightmare,” Huffington Post

What’s Up?

Hamilton Encore On 60 Minutes.

What’s Good?

“McDonald's: you can sneer, but it's the glue that holds communities together,” The Guardian.

Diggin’ in the Crates:

Phil: Portishead, “All Mine”

Sahra: Flavr Blue, “We Can Go Blind”

Michael: Garnett Silk, “It’s Growing”

On Point - 15 - Lisha Brooks: The Los Angeles Web Series Life

On Point - 15 - Lisha Brooks: The Los Angeles Web Series Life

Joining us this week in studio is familial crew member Lisha Brooks, actor/filmaker and sister to Michael. We discuss her webseries Beards. Los Angeles for digital filmmakers, the difference in feedback between theater and digital video, the dual skills of writing and acting, and whether Michael knows who Kirstie Alley is.


Follow Lisha on twitter @LegallyLeshaB

16 - Muhammad Ali's Legacy & Sports Activism Today

16 - Muhammad Ali's Legacy & Sports Activism Today

Joining us this week in studio is familial crew member Lisha Brooks, actor/filmaker and sister to Michael. Follow Lisha on twitter @LegallyLeshaB and check out Beards (www.beardswebseries.com)

Brand Eff Up:

KWTX in Texas does gives everyone a behind-the-scenes look at old-school crisis management as Ken Starr, former special prosecutor of Bill Clinton’s sex life, is coached about whether he saw emails detailing rape allegations in his capacities at Baylor University.

What’s Up & Good? Muhammad Ali.

Muhammad Ali’s legacy as a political figure and sports great. The difference between Muhammad Ali and Michael Jordan.

Phil: Eyes On The Prize (1987-1990 PBS documentary, available on YouTube.)

Michael: When We Were Kings (1996 documentary)

Lisha: Department of Speculation, 2014 novel by Jenny Offill

On Point - 14 - Malik Yoba and Sergio Morales: Curators of Progress

On Point - 14 - Malik Yoba and Sergio Morales: Curators of Progress

Actor, community activist, and co-founder of iconic32, Malik Yoba joined us in studio, along with co-founder and CEO Sergio Morales via phone. We talk about driving social good through popular culture, the importance of listening, Malik’s passion for working with fathers separated from their children, committing to authenticity, Phil having the same hairdresser as Trump, and love vs. fear.

Follow Malik and Sergio on twitter.

More at www.iconic32.com

15 - China Has Racist Ads Too, Peter Thiel Uses Hulk Hogan to Sue Gawker, and Art and Gentrification

15 - China Has Racist Ads Too, Peter Thiel Uses Hulk Hogan to Sue Gawker, and Art and Gentrification

Brand Eff up

“Chinese company apologizes, sort of, for racist ad,” USA Today.

“Everyone's Angry at This Racist Chinese Ad, but It Says Something About America Too Is Qiaobi too easy a target?” ADWEEK

What’s Up?

“An Open Letter to Peter Thiel,” Gawker

What’s Good?

“Art house: Los Angeles and New York artists tackle the inequity of real estate,” Guardian

Diggin’ in the Crates

Phil: “The Choice is Yours,” by Black Sheep

Rob: “Dont Mind,” by Kent Jones

Michael: The Act of Killing (2012 documentary)


 

Rob Fields is an award-winning marketer who is passionate about helping brands thrive at the intersection of marketing, business and contemporary culture. Currently the marketing director for CMO Initiatives at the Association of National Advertisers, Rob is a contributor to Forbes and PSFK. More on him at robfields.com or @robfields on Twitter

 

On Point - 13 - Matt FX: Tastemaking in Broad City and in the Kitchen

On Point - 13 - Matt FX: Tastemaking in Broad City and in the Kitchen

DJ/Producer and Music Supervisor of Broad City Matt FX joins us in studio for an expansive conversation, ranging from going to LaGuardia High School with Azaelia Banks to the vibrant world of child prodigy chefs. Tastemaking in the kitchen and in the music of television shows.

More from Matt FX:

www.soundcloud.com/mattfxfxfxfx

www.twitter.com/mattfxfxfxfx

14 - Trials in Hosting the Olympics, Appreciating Bad Boy, AirBnB and Race

14 - Trials in Hosting the Olympics, Appreciating Bad Boy, AirBnB and Race

Crew Member this week: Biz Ghormley. Biz is a writer, investigator, and seasoned social change strategist. Never one for the status quo, Biz asks hard questions, curates space for community and creativity, and strives for loving truth in her work. She believes stories are essential for healing, truth and freedom. @OneWitness  Itstherefresh.com

Brand Eff Up:

“New Political Earthquake in Brazil: Is It Now Time for Media Outlets to Call This a “Coup”? The Intercept

“Brazil soccer legend: Your life is at risk if you come to Brazil for Olympics,”

What's Up?

“What We Loved About Bad Boy,”

What's Good?

“Study: Whites Are More Likely To Use Airbnb Than Blacks,” Fast Company

Digging in the Crates:

Biz; Ishmael, by Daniel Quinn (1992), The Bone People, Keri Hulme (1984)

Phil: Keith Haring, Haring

Michael: The Argumentative Indian, by Amartya Sen (2005)

 

13 - Azealia Banks Hate Tweet Barrage, Snapchatting Résumés, Gig Economy and Romance

13 - Azealia Banks Hate Tweet Barrage, Snapchatting Résumés, Gig Economy and Romance

Brand Eff Up: Azealia Banks: her racist tweets and eventual apology...her as an artist in general.

What's Up? Snapchat: the new LinkedIn for startups applicants.  

What's Good? Sexual Freelancing in the Gig Economy

Digging in the Crates:

P: The Methodology of the Oppressed,” by Chela Sandoval

M: Serpico (1973)

G:  “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” by Stephen Covey; SBTRKT - TBD (feat. SAMPHA)

On Point - 11 - Grant McCracken: Culture and “Dark Value” in the Digital Economy

Cultural anthropologist Grant McCracken joins us to discuss culture and the hidden value of the digital economy. How legacy metrics fail to capture the truly valuable. Why paying attention to culture is good for business. Grant’s new book “Dark Value.” How Twitter and Netflix struggle to embrace their actual value in a chase for traditional growth.

More by Grant at cultureby.com

@Grant27 on twitter

12 - Vicente Fox DGAF, Facebook Unlikes Conservatives, and the Middle Class in 2016

12 - Vicente Fox DGAF, Facebook Unlikes Conservatives, and the Middle Class in 2016

Brand Eff Up

Vicente Fox “apologizes” to Donald Trump for saying repeatedly, in a number of media appearances, that Mexico “is not going to pay for that fucking wall.”

More at POLITICO.

What’s up: Does Facebook Unlike Conservative News?

“Former Facebook Workers: We Routinely Suppressed Conservative News,” by Michael Nunez, Gizmodo.

What’s good?

“What Americans say it takes to be middle class,” by Pew Research

Digging In The Crates

Phil:

Watership Down, 1972 novel by Richard Adams

Michael:

A Legacy of Liberation: Thabo Mbeki and the Future of the South African Dream, 2010 social history by Mark Gevisser.

On Point - 10 - Sahra Vang: What We Learn From and Teach To Our Parents

On Point - 10 - Sahra Vang: What We Learn From and Teach To Our Parents

Multimedia artist/storyteller/writer Sahra Vang Nguyen joins us this week for an *expansive* conversation ranging from her parents’ journey to the US from Vietnam, representations (or lack) of Asians in culture from the nineties to now, her NBC show, “Self-Starters,” her mother’s foray into online culinary media, the contrast in perspectives, goals, and dreams of first-generation immigrant parents and their children, and creating in the name of universality.

11 - Genocide Denial In The Clouds, Béyoncé’s New Level, and Farewell to Prince

11 - Genocide Denial In The Clouds, Béyoncé’s New Level, and Farewell to Prince

Brand Eff Up - GEICO Skytypers

“An American company is apologizing for ‘denying genocide’ in the sky above New York City,” by Max Bearak, Washington Post

What's Up?

Beyonce - Lemonade

Marketing, social media impact, “Validity” as a piece of visual and musical expression.

What’s Good? - Prince

“Prince Was a Genius No Matter How You Define It,” by Jason King, VICE

‘Isn’t This Funnier?’ New Girl Creator Liz Meriwether Recalls the Making of the Prince Episode,” by Liz Meriwether, Vulture.

Chevy's 'Little Red Corvette' Tribute to Prince Is So Good, It's Running in Print Too Ad hits several newspapers Friday,” by Tim Nudd, AdWeek.

Digging In The Crates

Hyun:

Nina Simone - Live In Holland 1965 + Live In England 1968 on YouTube

ARETHA FRANKLIN & RAY CHARLES -TWO TO TANGO - 1975 on YouTube

Phil:

Carol King, “Tapestry.” Joni Mitchell, “Court and Spark,” and Meshell Ndegeocello, “Plantation Lullabies.”

The Dignity of Difference, Jonathan Sachs

A Brief History of Seven Killings, by Marlon James.

10 - Buzzfeed’s Stupid Questions, ScarJo Whitewash, and Virtual-Reality Dating

10 - Buzzfeed’s Stupid Questions, ScarJo Whitewash, and Virtual-Reality Dating

Brand Eff Up

“27 Questions Black People Have For Black People”

(https://www.buzzfeed.com/dayshavedewi/27-questions-black-people-have-for-black-people#.wxLWM4eqq)

What's Up?

ScarJo Casting w/Ghost In the Shell

“Scarlett Johansson Signs On to Star in DreamWorks’ ‘Ghost in the Shell’”

http://variety.com/2015/film/news/scarlett-johansson-signs-on-to-star-in-dreamworks-ghost-in-the-shell-exclusive-1201320788/

“Max Landis Blames Scarlett Johansson ‘Ghost in the Shell’ Casting Controversy on ‘Broken System’ in Hollywood (Video)”

(http://www.thewrap.com/max-landis-scarlett-johansson-casting-ghost-in-the-shell-broken-system/)

“Oh No, Ghost in the Shell Considered Using CGI to Make White Actors Look Asian”

http://io9.gizmodo.com/oh-no-ghost-in-the-shell-considered-using-cgi-to-make-1771222939


What’s Good?

“DNA matching and virtual reality: The world of online dating in 2040,” by Sophie Curtis, The Telegraph

(http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/12020394/DNA-matching-and-virtual-reality-The-world-of-online-dating-in-2040.html)

DitC

Phil - Perfect Blue

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perfect_Blue)

Michael - “A Brief History of Neoliberalism,” by David Harvey

(http://www.oupcanada.com/catalog/9780199283279.html)

Georgette

“The Master Key System” by Charles Haanel
“The Hop,” by A Tribe Called Quest

 

Crew member this week: Radio/TV personality and writer, Georgette Pierre, who’s hosted and produced a nationally syndicated morning show on iHeartRadio in addition to her current YouTube web series, #DearGeorgette.

More from Georgette at

georgettepierre.com,

@georgette on twitter, and

youtube.com/deargeorgette

9 - How To Hack An Election and Gigs vs. Jobs

9 - How To Hack An Election and Gigs vs. Jobs

Brand Eff Up

“The Price on Our Heads: New GapKids Ad Sparks Racially Charged Controversy,” The Root

http://www.theroot.com/articles/culture/2016/04/gapkids_ad_sparks_racially_charged_controversy.html?wpisrc=newsletter_jcr:content%26

What's Up?

“How to Hack an Election,” Bloomberg

http://www.bloomberg.com/features/2016-how-to-hack-an-election/

What's Good?

“With ‘Gigs’ Instead of Jobs, Workers Bear New Burdens,” New York Times http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/31/upshot/contractors-and-temps-accounted-for-all-of-the-growth-in-employment-in-the-last-decade.html

Diggin in the Crates

CC:

“Velvet Portraits,”

https://ropeadope99.bandcamp.com/album/velvet-portraits

Phil:

Anna Wise

https://soundcloud.com/annathewise

Lucius

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucius_(band)

Michael:

The Two Escobars

http://www.the2escobars.com/