A Conscious Dreamer | Episode 81

The episode starts off with the crew clowning Mack on his compromised infrastructure.  Is it too much porn? Or, does his Apple computer just have a worm? L starts off with a review of his latest binge-worthy show and lets us in on the new podcast he’s producing Authentically Me by Annette Gregory McArthur.  Vin shares his apprehension about the upcoming change of power on the 20th after the Jan 6th insurrection.  He also shares his opinion on the out of control homeless situation plaguing the city.  We can only hope a new mayoral administration will help change the situation.  Alaric shares a battle with his Covid weight.  He also shares a story of road rage but to our surprise, it’s not him but his daughter yelling “Get out the way”. 

Lastly, Mack shares a heartfelt check-in.  Unfortunately, his mother, the matriarch of his family, Juanita Burnett, passed away on January 13th, 2021.  She lived a long and prosperous life for 89 years. If you ever had the pleasure of meeting her you’ll know she was good-natured, kind but a no-nonsense Queen. She will be sorely missed and we ask that you extend your prayers to Mack and his family. 

Next, we discuss the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King.  Much of America has trivialized his existence to just his “I Have a Dream” speech, but there was much more to his movement.   As his philosophy evolved he sought to create inclusiveness of all people.  He realized that it was poor vs rich and it may have been this shift in thinking that led to his assassination. 

This episode is dedicated to the loving memory of Juanita Burnett.

Be sure to catch us every Monday night at 11pm EST for Decoding 40 After Dark on FB Live, YouTube, and Twitch when we resume on January 8, 2021

If you want to leave us a message or ask us a question, give us a call at (608) 618-4040. 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.

Money, Power, Respect | Episode 80

Welcome to another episode of Decoding40.

The crew starts off with the Check-In touching on topics including Vin taking some time off from work; Mack’s baby girl is finally home and his journey of sleepless nights has begun;  L is dealing with fatherhood in the cyber age, and Rick gets ready for his upcoming colonoscopy.  

Next, we address the failed coup by Vanilla Isis/Al Cracker across the country. The Trumptards attempted an insurrection on the Capitol building with the intent of stopping the U.S. Congress from certifying the 2020 election. Fortunately for us, they were unsuccessful, but what does this mean for a country still unable to deal with white extremists.  

For the interview, we welcome A. Donahue Baker, a Grammy-nominated producer turned financial and real estate guru.   Mr. Baker has over 20 years of experience and owns over 500 various properties.  If that’s not enough, he is opening up a bank to help create new Black entrepreneurs and generational wealth.

Two Girls and a Stimulus Check | Episode 79

Welcome back to a new year and a new episode of Decoding 40.

This week’s Check-In includes how the guys spent their holidays and celebrating New Year’s Eve.  

The guys also discuss the lackluster stimulus checks and Mitch McConnell’s role in refusing to bring a vote to the floor for more money.  They also discuss Trump’s recent phone call pressuring the Georgia Secretary of State to manipulate the tabulated votes to overturn the outcome in his favor. 

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, YouTube, and Twitch when we resume on January 8, 2021

If you want to leave us a message or ask us a question, give us a call at (608) 618-4040. 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.

Hindsight 2020: Bah Hum Bum | Episode 78

What’s good Decoding40 friends? We’ve come to the end of one of the most difficult years in all of our lifetimes. Despite all we have been through, we are extremely honored that you have been a part of our journey and sharing in all of the information and laughs we’ve had throughout the year.  

For this holiday special, we discuss the top three impactful events of 2020. Topping the list is of course the Coronavirus COVID-19 and how we all moved from a state of unconcern to being all out affected in personal ways. With over 300,000 deaths, to date, it is hard to find someone who wasn’t touched by this pandemic. Even our team was affected. Mack, unfortunately, lost his dad to the virus in the spring and Rick contracted the virus too.  Vin had to brave the virus at work on a daily basis. And, Leon sheltered in place and to make sure his family was COVID-free. 

We also discuss the social justice movement that swept the world due to several incidents of police brutality and the lack of accountability when it comes to law enforcement violating civil rights. And, finally, we give our thoughts on one of the most influential elections in recent history and what we hope to see in the next administration.

Thanks again to all of you who continue to support us each and every week.  We extend our prayers for peace to you and all of your loved ones.  We can’t wait to show you what we have in store for 2021!

We’ll be back with a new podcast episode on January 8, 2021. 

Be sure to catch us every Monday night at 11pm EST for Decoding 40 After Dark on FB Live, YouTube, and Twitch when we resume on January 8, 2021

If you want to leave us a message or ask us a question, give us a call at (608) 618-4040. 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.

Panoramic Fatigue | Episode 77

For this week’s Check-In, the crew discusses Vin’s wins at work; Chinese restaurants and the Black people who don’t eat their chicken wings; chicken snobs; Alaric’s frustrations with the pandemic fatigue; LO is filing his first small claims case; Mack making familial bonds and connecting through technology; and, people who slaughter the English language.

The guys discuss whether or not they are going to take the COVID-19 vaccine and their motivations for their decisions. They also discuss the recently leaked audio of President-Elect Joe Biden’s with several Black civil rights leaders. And, will a President Biden be too committed to the status quo or find the temerity for a bold presidency that makes significant changes. 

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

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.

Pregnant Pause | Episode 76

We are back with another great episode.

For this week’s Check-In the crew discuss Alaric’s vigorous COVID test regimen; Vin’s foray into the voiceover industry; Frederick Douglass dealing with groupies; Leon being solicited by Russian bots in his DMs; and Mack shares the good news of the arrival of his newborn baby girl. The guys also talk about the day they first became fathers. And, is it worse being with a daddy’s girl or a girl with daddy issues?

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

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.

Six Degrees of Indoctrination | Episode 75

Welcome back to Decoding 40.  

We took a week off for the holiday and now we’re back with a new episode. During the Check-In the guys talk about Vin’s famous Coquito, bad neighbors, swinger parties during a pandemic, and traveling protocols at the airports.

We discuss the impact of social media on taking the innocence of our children. Is there a virtual boogie man buying and selling our collective souls?  Or, is marketing and advertising a beneficial service for society. We also discuss whether or not a college degree is still worth pursuing.

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

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.

Throwback Thanksgiving: Best of Decoding 40 | Episode 74

Welcome to a special throwback episode of Decoding 40.  

Just in time for holidays, your favorite crew is here to bring some comic relief.  The crew is taking the week off to spend time with our families during the holiday.  We hope that all of you are fortunate enough to do the same. Please stay safe and be responsible if you’re traveling.  This Best of … episode is a bunch of the funniest moments from past 73 episodes including Care Bears and Thug Deers (Episode 12) and the Legend of Quato (Episode 25). 

We want to sincerely thank all of our listeners and friends who watch Decoding 40 After Dark for welcoming us into your homes, cars and your daily commute.

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

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.

Book of Dad | Episode 73

Welcome to a very special episode. It’s Father’s Day in November with Decoding40. 

All too often men are taught that showing their feelings is a sign of weakness.  This train of thought makes it difficult to be an emotionally available father in general, especially during these emotionally taxing times.  Vin, Alaric, and Leon give their perspectives on what it means to be a good dad.

Mack shares some life-changing news and we all tackle the question: what makes you a good dad? Is being a provider good enough and how do unlearn traditional patriarchal norms in order to be more sensitive to the needs of our children? 

The guys also discuss the impact of their relationship with their fathers; parenting in the age of social media and many other aspects of one of the most important hoods in the world—fatherhood.

Tune in to hear us discuss all of this and more on this episode of Decoding 40.

King Maker | Episode 72

The crew discusses the election and the moment they heard the call for President-Elect Joe Biden and Vice-President Elect clinching the electoral college votes of Pennsylvania to put him over 270.  With 45 committed to doing everything but conceding the race, we take the opportunity to defecate on the man from Orangina. Mack thinks Trump has something up his sleeve to maintain the presidency. 

Once again we give props to democracy’s superheroes–Black people, and in particular, Black women. As reported, it was the votes in the largely democratic cities and Black voting precincts that pushed the Biden/Harris ticket to victory. So what’s next for Trump? Will he eventually get kicked out on his ass and subsequently be brought up on a host of charges ranging from tax evasion to sexual misconduct or will he walk away free and try to mount a comeback in 2024. 

Tune in to hear us discuss all of the fuckery 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.