Am I My Sistas’ Keeper? | Episode 71

Welcome to another episode of Decoding 40. On this week’s Check-In it’s Vin’s birthday and he celebrated at a shooting range, the guys also discuss stand your ground, granny getting pushed on subway tracks, parents watching the ratchetness of Decoding 40 After Dark show, wedding anniversaries, early voting, underground Mexican food cartels, ancestral prayers, rich white trash, and post-Trump stress disorder.

The guys also debate if a civil war in this country is even realistic based on the outcome of the presidential election. Are these militias really ready for war with the US military?  

This week we discuss a listener’s letter challenging our conversation in Ep. 69 God Save the Queens. The listener sought to check Mack in our discussion about Black women not feeling protected by Black men. Mack claims there’s a meeting of the minds, but the guys are not so sure about that. We always like hearing your feedback and encourage you to write to us at decoding40@gmail.com.

You’ll hear all of this and more on this episode of Decoding 40.

Be sure to catch us every Monday night at 11pm EST for Decoding 40 After Dark on FB Live and YouTube.

Want to be our Whiskey Warrior of the Week? Or, do you have an event or product that you would like us to attend, sample and promote? Then, please send us an email to Decoding40@gmail.com to start the discussion.

Beasts of Burden | Episode 70

It’s another episode of Decoding 40.

L.O. shares an UBER ride story that’s hilarious, apparently the driver couldn’t believe he lived in his building. Alaric had a pretty hectic day and the tequila we were drinking probably didn’t help with his 6am call time. Juan Valdez will have to show up with fresh coffee and the burro. Mack forgets his car in a limited parking space–overnight. 

Amy Coney Barrett was confirmed to the Supreme Court on the day of this recording and we discuss the issues with the high court. We discuss Sacha Baron Cohen’s latest mockumentary Borat Subsequent Moviefilm.

It’s the voting season! Please VOTE on or by Tuesday, November 3rd. We cannot stress the importance of voting for not only the presidential election but all the way down to the school board. Make sure you are counted in this election, please check your voting details at www.vote.org. Don’t let all those who dedicated their entire life to fighting for these rights die in vain. 

You’ll hear all of this and more on this episode of Decoding 40.

Be sure to catch us every Monday night at 11pm EST for Decoding 40 After Dark on FB Live and YouTube.

Want to be our Whiskey Warrior of the Week? Or, do you have an event or product that you would like us to attend, sample and promote? Then, please send us an email to Decoding40@gmail.com to start the discussion.

 

God Save the Queens | Episode 69

Welcome back to another episode of Decoding 40.  The crew starts with this week’s Check-In with L.O. believing that the world slowly, but surely is losing all f**ks about professionalism and craftsmanship; Mack’s has recently assumed the position of president of his business group and wanting to take a quick excursion out of the country; Vin talks about the up-and-down week he’s had dealing with the emotionally charged anniversary of his mother’s passing; and, Alaric shares a story about his daughter and son who may or may not be experimenting with a word that oddly sounds like ducky but with an “F”.

 

Fueled by the release of Black Thoughts latest album, the conversation takes a turn to one our favorite topics–hip hop.  Who would you like to see in one of the next Verzuz battle? The guys discuss a few artists: Missy Elliot, Busta Rhymes, and Q-Tip.

 

The main topic of discussion answers the question: are Black men protecting Black women? And, if not, how do we change our behavior as men to answer the call of Black women to love and protect them as partners in the struggle for equality.

 

You’ll hear all of this and more on this episode of Decoding 40.

 

It’s voting season! Make sure you are counted this election, please check your voting details at www.vote.org. Don’t let all those who dedicated their entire life to fighting for these rights die in vain. 

Be sure to catch us every Monday night at 11pm EST for Decoding 40 After Dark on FB Live and YouTube.

Want to be our Whiskey Warrior of the Week? Or, do you have an event or product that you would like us to attend, sample and promote? Then, please send us an email to Decoding40@gmail.com to start the discussion.

White Lady Problems| Episode 68

Welcome to another episode of Decoding40 and as usual we begin with the Check-In.  Mack shares a horrible customer care incident; Alaric gets ready for a job on the road, but it was canceled due to Covid; Vin still has the dog and might be trying to potty train her; and, L.O. talks about the Netflix movie 40 Year Old Version that was written, directed and starred in by his childhood friend Radha Blank.

Topics this week include Bill Burr’s SNL monologue and maybe something about what some people are saying that 45 allegedly gave the First Lady an army of Nazi crabs. This is unconfirmed, of course.

You’ll hear all of this and more on this episode of Decoding 40.

It’s voting season! Make sure you are counted this election, please check your voting details at www.vote.org. Don’t let all those who dedicated their entire life to fighting for these rights die in vain. 

Be sure to catch us every Monday night at 11pm EST for Decoding 40 After Dark on FB Live and YouTube.

Want to be our Whiskey Warrior of the Week? Or, do you have an event or product that you would like us to attend, sample and promote? Then, please send us an email to Decoding40@gmail.com to start the discussion.

Sleep for Dinner (f/ DJ Rich Medina) | Episode 67

The crew is back with another great episode featuring the legendary and internationally acclaimed DJ Rich Medina. Rich shares many of the jewels and stories that make up the storied career that has afforded him opportunities to mix blends across the planet. From dreams of being an NBA star as a semi-pro athlete to becoming a famous and beloved curator of the global club scene, Rich shares some unfiltered insights on his journey.

You’ll hear all of this and more on this episode of Decoding 40.

If you haven’t already registered to vote, please do so by visiting www.vote.org. Don’t let all those who dedicated their entire life to fighting for these rights die in vain. 

The 2020 Census is more than a population count. It’s an opportunity to shape your community’s future. Please complete the Census for 2020

Be sure to catch us every Monday night at 11pm EST for Decoding 40 After Dark on FB Live and YouTube.

Want to be our Whiskey Warrior of the Week? Or, do you have an event or product that you would like us to attend, sample, and promote? Then, please send us an email to Decoding40@gmail.com to start the discussion.

Whiskey Therapy | Episode 66

Welcome to another episode of Decoding 40 in the middle of a pandemic and racial injustice. The guys check in with L.O. about to tackle another home construction project and a new book he’s reading: Automating Inequality by Virginia Eubanks. Vin shares a funeral crashing story about him going to a funeral parlor to get a program just for an excuse to play hookie from work. It is more Seinfield than Seinfeld. Alaric talks about a myriad of emotions sparked from the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the Brianna Taylor grand jury verdict. Mack is more optimistic and believes our humanity will prevail.

You’ll hear all of this and more on this episode of Decoding 40.

If you haven’t already registered to vote, please do so by visiting www.vote.org. Don’t let all those who dedicated their entire life to fighting for these rights die in vain. 

The 2020 Census is more than a population count. It’s an opportunity to shape your community’s future. Please complete the Census for 2020

Be sure to catch us every Monday night at 11pm EST for Decoding 40 After Dark on FB Live and YouTube.

Want to be our Whiskey Warrior of the Week? Or, do you have an event or product that you would like us to attend, sample and promote? Then, please send us an email to Decoding40@gmail.com to start the discussion.

RBG: Revolutionaries Been Gangsta | Episode 65

Welcome to another episode of Decoding40. After getting shut down by the powers that be the boys discuss a smorgasbord of topics including shopping at Home Depot, Netflix’s The Social Dilemma, the passing of the Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the future of the country and a number of other dystopian gems.

 If you haven’t already registered to vote, please do so by visiting www.vote.org. Don’t let all those who dedicated their entire life to fighting for these rights die in vain. 

The 2020 Census is more than a population count. It’s an opportunity to shape your community’s future. Please complete the Census for 2020

Be sure to catch us every Monday night at 11pm EST for Decoding 40 After Dark on FB Live and YouTube.Want to be our Whiskey Warrior of the Week? Or, do you have an event or product that you would like us to attend, sample and promote? Then, please send us an email to Decoding40@gmail.com to start the discussion.

Always Remember Yusuf (f/ Muta'Ali Muhammad) | Episode 64

The crew starts this episode with the Check-In and Rick talks homeschooling toddlers via remote learning, Vin decides to get a brand new puppy aka his third dog in the last 10 years, L.O. is on the last episode of This Ghetto House, and  Mack is finding his zen with a therapist and a life coach.

This week we welcome Muta’Ali Muhammad, an award-winning film director from Westchester County, NY.  His latest feature documentary “Yusuf Hawkins: Storm Over Brooklyn” aired on HBO in August. His past documentary films include the award-winning “Life’s Essentials with Ruby Dee”, which featured notable guests including Harry Belafonte, Alan Alda, and Spike Lee. Muta’Ali is determined that his artistic body of work be wholly focussed on what he calls “Love, Art & Activism”. Muta’Ali is also the grandson of Hollywood royalty, Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee.

Other topics include the bold vision of Ashley Scott and Rene Walter as they facilitated the purchase of 97 acres in Wilkinson County Georgia; and the Verzuz battle between two of our new favorite aunties: Patty Labelle and Gladys Knight.

You’ll hear all of this and more on this episode of Decoding 40.

You can also support the campaign to fight for Breonna by signing the petition on the Fight for Breonna website.

If you haven’t already registered to vote, please do so by visiting www.vote.org. Don’t let all those who dedicated their entire life to fighting for these rights die in vain. 

The 2020 Census is more than a population count. It’s an opportunity to shape your community’s future. Please complete the Census for 2020

Be sure to catch us every Monday at 11pm EST for Decoding 40 After Dark on FB Live and YouTube.

Want to be our Whiskey Warrior of the Week? Or, do you have an event or product that you would like us to attend, sample, and promote? Then, please send us an email to Decoding40@gmail.com to start the discussion.

Chadwick Forever | Episode 63

The guys start with the weekly Check-In with Mack going back to the chiropractor and takes his car for a wash. Vin goes on an adventure to Mountain Creek Resort to there Treescape Park to engage in some “whipipo” activities. Rick rejoices now that he and the wife are finally baby-free in the bedroom!  L.O. rounds it out with another installment of this Ghetto House.

As we all know 2020 has been no stranger to tragedy and this past week we lost three more icons John Thompson, Cliff Robinson and the Black Panther, Chadwick Boseman.  We can all agree that the loss of Chadwick was a hard one to take.  He was a force to be reckoned with in Hollywood and a global symbol that brought millions of people joy and hope. 

Coach John Thompson and his legendary career at Georgetown helped shape so many young Black men.  Under his tutelage, players such as Patrick Ewing and Alan Iverson, and many other men evolved into professional athletes, businessmen, and cultural icons. And, Cliff Robinson, who succumbed to a yearlong battle with lymphoma at the age of 53 was a UConn basketball and NBA star. They all will be remembered!

In This Week In Racism, we discuss the scumbag, Kyle Rittenhouse. Rittenhouse is the 17-year old radicalized white male savage who traveled to Wisconsin, with his mother, armed with an AR-15, and killed two protestors and injured another.

You’ll hear all of this and more on this episode of Decoding 40.

You can also support the campaign to fight for Breonna by signing the petition on the Fight for Breonna website.

If you haven’t already registered to vote, please do so by visiting www.vote.org. Don’t let all those who dedicated their entire life to fighting for these rights die in vain. 

The 2020 Census is more than a population count. It’s an opportunity to shape your community’s future. Please complete the Census for 2020

Be sure to catch us every Monday night at 11pm EST for Decoding 40 After Dark on FB Live and YouTube.

Want to be our Whiskey Warrior of the Week? Or, do you have an event or product that you would like us to attend, sample and promote? Then, please send us an email to Decoding40@gmail.com to start the discussion.

New Mic, Who Dis? | Episode 62

NOTE: This episode may include content that some people will find triggering.

Mack starts off the show with a surprising announcement that has been a long-time coming. The show continues with the weekly Check-In.  

“This Old Ghetto House” is still going strong and L.O. shares the latest episode in which we find out what happens when uneven walls go up and two competent Jamaican carpenters come to the rescue. Vin rants about the ongoing homeless problem in the city that seems to get worse with each passing day. In lighter news, Rick’s back to work and he’s ready to go.  Anxious like a kid before the first day of school but first he has to complete his son’s new bedroom. Lastly, Mack shares an experience about his visit to the chiropractor.  At first, he was a non-believer, but after a few physical adjustments and a certain pillow, could he be sold on the science?

We also discuss Nas’ latest album King’s Disease, the Democratic National Convention, police brutality and HBO’s powerful and must-see documentary “Storm over Brooklyn”  that retells the story of the 1989 murder of Yusef Hawkins.

You’ll hear all of this and more on this episode of Decoding 40.

Let’s all continue to put pressure on the following people and offices to see that justice is delivered for Breonna and her family.

Governor Andy Beshear’s Office: (502) 564 2611 District Attorney Tom Wine: (502) 595 2300 Attorney General Daniel Cameron: (502) 696-5300 Senator Rand Paul: (202) 224-4343 / (270) 782-8303 Representative John Yarmuth: (202) 225-5401 Mayor Greg Fisher of Louisville: (502) 574-2003 Kentucky Senators General Hotline: (800) 372-7181

You can also support the campaign to fight for Breonna by signing the petition on the Fight for Breonna website.

If you haven’t already registered to vote please do so by visiting www.vote.org. Don’t let all those who dedicated their entire life to fighting for these rights die in vain. 

Want to be our Whiskey Warrior of the Week? Or, do you have an event or product that you would like us to attend, sample and promote? Then, please send us an email to Decoding40@gmail.com to start the discussion.