Podcast Summary: "Selective Ignorance" Ep. 47 — Nclecta Carry On's, Higher Education & a Piece of Chicken

Podcast: Decisions, Decisions
Hosts: Mandii B, Ja, Jason J. Le, Journalism Jason
Date: January 20, 2026
Network: The Black Effect & iHeartPodcasts
Episode Theme:
A wide-ranging, unfiltered discussion on viral moments of the week—spanning fear and entitlement on a burning airplane, controversial economic advice from government officials, sports journalism ethics, the representation of Black talent in award spaces, HBCU turmoil, relationships and faith, and the anticipation surrounding J. Cole’s album release.

Episode Overview

This episode dives into recent viral events and cultural debates, dissecting moments of "selective ignorance" in pop culture, politics, and personal lives. The hosts bring their signature mix of humor, candor, and honest critique, welcoming listeners to both "sit in your ignorance comfortably" and challenge the status quo.

Notable Segments & Timestamps

1. Flight Emergency & Carry-On Entitlement — Ignorant Takes and Survival Priorities ([08:07]–[15:40])
2. Political Ignorance: Cheap Meals & Government Gaslighting ([15:40]–[20:24])
3. Journalism Ethics: Positivity vs. Accountability in Sports Pressers ([20:24]–[32:32])
4. Golden Globes Discussion — Celebrating & Critiquing Black Wins ([33:07]–[40:10])
5. Podcast Award Representation & Industry Gatekeeping ([40:10]–[55:52])
6. HBCU Chaos: Morris Brown Firing & Funding Games ([56:20]–[68:15])
7. Jehovah’s Witnesses & Viral Relationships (Kirsty and Desmond Scott Breakup) ([68:15]–[75:38])
8. Religion, Church Upbringings, & Cultural Experience ([75:38]–[81:46])
9. Celebrity Clowning: Cam Newton’s "Nclecta" & Black Men’s Media Representation ([81:46]–[96:14])
10. Hip-Hop Feuds: Jim Jones, 50 Cent & Podcast Power Moves ([96:14]–[104:28])
11. Music Hype: J. Cole’s New Project & Hip-Hop’s 2026 State ([104:28]–[121:38])

Detailed Breakdown

1. Flight Emergency: The Great Carry-On Debate

[08:07]–[15:40]

• Viral Video: Passengers on an American Airlines flight evacuated with bags during an engine fire; online outrage followed.
• Mandii B: Questions whether airlines will actually reimburse valuables. "My ignorant thought was I'm grabbing my duffel bag… it's a Louis."
• Ja: Defends the instinct to grab personal items: "If the plane is about to land, you right, we got time… I'm not leaving my shit up there!"
• All: Joke about the lack of slide training for passengers, mocking the "headfirst" approach seen in the viral video.
• Notable Quote:
  • "Common sense is never that common." — Mandii B [00:41]
  • "There’s only one slide, so you can only go but so fast… while I’m waiting in line, I'm grabbing my bags." — Ja [14:10]

2. Political Ignorance: "A Piece of Chicken, A Piece of Broccoli"

[15:40]–[20:24]

• Recap of News Clip: Secretary of Agriculture floats that Americans can eat "a piece of chicken, a piece of broccoli, and a tortilla" for $3 a meal.
• Hosts: Outrage at the suggestion and its insensitivity to economic hardship.
• Mandii B: Mocks use of "tortilla" as un-American in the policy context and highlights the impracticality for families.
• Ja: "Her recommendation is to spend three dollars and eat one piece of everything? Like, come on."
• Jason J. Le: Connects it to the wider problem of SNAP benefit cuts and rising cost of living.

3. Sports Journalism: "Auntie Vibes" in the Press Room

[20:24]–[32:32]

• Viral Presser Clip: A local Black woman reporter offers encouragement to a losing NFL coach, sparking debate.
• Ja: Finds the reaction outsized, but notes it blurs lines between fandom and professionalism:
  • "If somebody went in a White House press briefing and did that, the left would complain about sucking up to Trump… but we celebrate this when it's the hometown team."
• Mandii B: Defends positivity in depressing spaces:
  • "Why can't we have positive or negative interactions in these rooms? There’s an audience for both."
• Group: Points to gender and race dynamics amplifying backlash:
  • "I also think the issue here is that it was a Black woman that did it." — Mandii B [28:38]

4. Award Shows: Golden Globes Rant and Raves

[33:07]–[40:10]

• Celebration and Critique: Teyana Taylor’s win sparks joy but also internal critique within the Black community for the role’s nature.
• Mandii B: Dissects intra-community policing of representation and reactions:
  • "Are we ever happy? We get seen in these rooms, and y'all are still not happy." [35:56]
• Ja: Questions the double standard in rewarding "cinematic achievement" but criticizing content.

5. Podcast Awards: White Dominance & Black Representation

[40:10]–[55:52]

• Observation: Golden Globes Podcast award nominees—all white. Hosts lament difficulty for Black shows to break through.
• Mandii B:
  • "My first thought was Joe Rogan... but maybe you have to pay to submit. Also, they’re not going to let a hoe [Call Her Daddy] win."
• Group Discussion: On criteria, advocacy, the need for advocacy and urban/Black categories:
  • "We need a Black Effect podcast awards." — Jason J. Le [55:57]
• Mentions: Higher Learning, Pod Save the People, The Read offered as examples of Black podcasts with strong cases.

6. HBCU Crisis: Firing at Morris Brown & Political Funding

[56:20]–[68:15]

• Ja Reports: Sudden firing of Morris Brown’s president after massive recovery from near-closure—no explanation given.
• Insight: HBCU boards are often short-sighted and risk school stability and accreditation.
• Key Point: Federal policies link continued funding to graduates paying off student loans; if too many default, funding is lost.
• Ja:
  • "60% of HBCUs are at risk of losing access to federal loans... because so many students are defaulting." [65:41]
• Mandii B: Relates to saddling of students, especially minorities and women, with degrees now considered irrelevant.

7. Relationships & Religion: Viral Jehovah’s Witness Divorce

[68:15]–[75:38]

• Who: Kirsty and Desmond Scott’s highly public breakup after being together since teens (Jehovah’s Witnesses).
• Mandii B: Explains the faith’s dating/marriage rules:
  • "Divorce is only allowed for adultery or death. No holidays, porn, or even remarriage unless it ended for adultery/death."
• Group: Laugh at the restrictiveness and performative break-up aftermath (haircut trope, etc.).

8. Church Upbringings: Religion, Youth, and the Black Experience

[75:38]–[81:46]

• Hosts Share:
  • Ja never liked church, "just wanted to sleep in."
  • Mandii B did missionary work, became skeptical in high school/college after studying the Bible’s historical misuses.
  • Jason J. Le ties Sunday school to discovering hip hop.
• Mandii B: Suggests bringing on religious die-hards for future episodes.

9. Clowning Cam Newton: "Nclecta" and Black Male Representation

[81:46]–[96:14]

• Viral Clip: Cam Newton invents the word "Nclecta" in an interview, gets gently corrected but doubles down.
• Mandii B:
  • "Are you not embarrassed?... The fact that this is still considered the high value man—yuck." [87:46]
• Ja:
  • "She looked like she was on a bad first date… but she's going to have fun since this is dumb." [88:15]
• Group: Laments that loud, sometimes ignorant masculine personalities get pedestaled in Black media; wants equal critique as is given to Black women’s portrayals.

10. Hip-Hop Beef & Black Men in Media: Jim Jones, 50 Cent, and Podcasts

[96:14]–[104:28]

• Overview: Recent drama between Jim Jones and 50 Cent, plus the expansion of rappers into podcasting.
• Jason J. Le:
  • "Stop playing with Fif, man… he’s got time."
• Mandii B: Observes the ecosystem of podcast crews, production, and loyalty in the NY hip-hop world.
• Note: Hints at the complexity and legalese of IP rights in podcasting (Kevin Hart’s billion-dollar sale discussed).

11. Music Corner: J. Cole’s Fall Off and Hip-Hop’s 2026 State

[104:28]–[121:38]

• JCole Album Anticipation: "The Fall Off" possibly his final project, with rumors of it being a double disc.
• Predictions:
  • Mandii B: Hopes for at least one no-features disc, potential Jay-Z feature.
  • Ja: "The narrative is going to be, 'He’s back to save hip hop!'... Fans can be insufferable."
• All: Discussion about "Big Three" (Cole, Drake, Kendrick), hopes for mature, narrative projects, and the meaning of real retirement in hip-hop.
• Notable Quote:
  • "Let’s be clear: I can be critical of Cole... I hated 'For Your Eyes Only'..." — Mandii B [111:03]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• "Selective ignorance is when we all have those moments—are you willing to educate yourself or not?" — Mandii B [00:41]
• "Whose fan club president snuck into the presser?… it was a little unprofessional." — Ja [22:47]
• "If you want positivity, go listen to the fan podcast of the Jacksonville Jaguars…" — Ja [32:01]
• "Awards shows… oftentimes you have to pay to be nominated." — Mandii B [41:13]
• "60% of HBCUs are at risk of losing their accreditation [funding]…" — Ja [65:41]
• "Common sense is never that common." — Mandii B [00:41]
• "Are you not embarrassed?" — Mandii B [85:00]
• "We need a Black Effect podcast awards." — Jason J. Le [55:57]

Memorable Laughter & Running Jokes

• The "Nclecta" (eclectic) spelling fiasco and Cam Newton’s doubling down.
• Repeated slander of improper pronunciation of “Raleigh,” North Carolina (“Rallya”).
• Flaming of government suggestion for a $3 meal: “a piece of chicken, a piece of broccoli, a tortilla, and a single M&M.”
• Church trauma and how parents used to tell them to be quiet and not open the door for Jehovah’s Witnesses.
• Group’s fake motivational advice: “Just read!” in context of HBCU funding.

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:41] — Introduction & fear/entitlement on the burning plane
• [09:12] — Flight slide debate & compensation
• [15:40] — Cheap meals & economic nonsense
• [20:24] — Sports journalism, Auntie vibes, and press ethics
• [33:07] — Golden Globes, Teyana Taylor win, and Black community reactions
• [40:10] — Podcast award gatekeeping & absence of Black podcasts
• [56:20] — Morris Brown College firing, HBCU struggles
• [68:15] — Jehovah's Witness relationship rules & viral TikTok moment
• [81:46] — Cam Newton's "Nclecta" and Black men in media discussion
• [96:14] — Jim Jones vs. 50 Cent; hip-hop podcasts, IP rights
• [104:28] — J.Cole expectations, hip-hop's cultural moment

Final Thoughts

This episode’s tone is irreverent, sharp-witted, and inviting. The roundtable is not afraid to blend humor with critique, calling out both mainstream and intra-community absurdity. The hosts challenge listeners to examine their own “selective ignorance,” especially as it relates to culture, politics, and identity.

The team ends by hyping up J. Cole’s new album while poking fun at the heated debates that always accompany hip-hop icons, promising to return for deeper dives—if the audience can handle it.

Essential Listening For:

• Anyone who craves unfiltered cultural commentary
• Listeners seriously interested in Black media, pop culture, social justice, or podcast industry inside baseball
• Fans of witty, honest, and messy dialogue that mixes laughs with real substance

Listen & Subscribe links:

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• [iHeartRadio App]