The Ebro, Laura, Rosenberg Show

Episode 10: ICE Killing in Minnesota, Evolution of the Show + Chris Redd Drama
Date: January 8, 2026

Episode Overview

In this charged and wide-ranging episode, Ebro, Laura, and Rosenberg dive into the recent killing of Renee Nicole Good by ICE agents in Minneapolis, using it to launch discussions about ongoing systemic issues, police violence, and the role of media figures. The trio also touch on the evolution and challenges of their new show, engage in personal banter about working for major corporations, and dissect the much-discussed Chris Redd/Kenan Thompson situation. The hosts maintain their signature candid, debate-filled style, full of sound effects, inside jokes, and a dedication to audience engagement.

Table of Contents

• ICE Killing in Minneapolis and Its Fallout
• Media Response & Stephen A. Smith Debate
• Corporate ‘Dance’ & Show Evolution
• Listener Engagement: Patreon, Merch, and the Show’s Future
• Laura's Rundown: Ray J Hospitalization
• The Lowdown: Chris Redd/Kenan Thompson Drama
• Gurus Mailbag: Navigating a Fading Friendship
• Notable Quotes
• Timestamps for Key Segments

ICE Killing in Minneapolis and Its Fallout

Summary:
The show opens (01:48) with Ebro introducing the shooting of Renee Nicole Good, a mother and American citizen killed by ICE agents in Minneapolis. The hosts express outrage at both the killing and the official narrative, highlighting the lack of expected justice and context around growing federal power and civilian protests.

• Ebro’s Cynicism:
  “If you think this woman and her family are going to see justice—congratulations, you played yourself.” (01:48)

• Political and Social Context:
  The discussion ties the killing to broader strategies of chaos, fear, and voter suppression leading into the midterms (03:43, 04:01).

  • Laura: “They want people scared of speaking up… posting, talking about it. They want people scared.” (04:01)

• On-the-Ground Events:
  Laura and Rosenberg recount videos of ICE preventing medical aid for the victim, further fueling their accusation of federal antagonism (04:39).

Media Response & Stephen A. Smith Debate

Setting Up the Debate:
The hosts transition into a detailed critique and debate about how prominent media figures, especially Stephen A. Smith, are “doing the dance” for establishment narratives (05:06, 05:27).

• Clip Breakdown:
  They play (05:43 – 07:15) a segment of Stephen A. addressing the shooting, dissecting his approach to legal and humanitarian angles and debating whether his take is independent or establishment-friendly.

  • Rosenberg: “I think he’s giving a pretty factual breakdown of what happened.”
  • Ebro: “I believe it’s a dance because they wanted…they want a Black man up there toeing the line for them.” (09:55)

• Personal Dynamic:
  Ebro shares exchanges with Stephen A., noting Stephen’s displeasure at being called out—a recurring inside joke and moment of show authenticity (09:26 – 14:06).

Corporate ‘Dance’ & Show Evolution

“Plantation” Theme:
Around (18:03 – 20:01), the hosts use humor and hard truths to describe working for big media companies as being on “the plantation,” reflecting on recent show changes, layoffs, and the forced breakup of their previous show lineup:

• Ebro: “They separated the slaves…broke up the family. Kids over here, mom and dad over there.” (18:13)

Audience Love & Loyalty:
Laura recounts positive fan interactions at Barclays Center, highlighting how the breakup affected listeners (18:23).

Meta Commentary:
The team is self-referential, discussing their own backend show plans, corporate pressures, and the ways media figures—possibly themselves included—sometimes “do the dance” for job security (19:47 – 20:04).

Listener Engagement: Patreon, Merch, and the Show’s Future

Building The New Show:

• Focus on growing a new audience via YouTube, discussing the surprisingly strong live numbers (~2,850-3,000, 30:31 – 31:27).
• Frustration and humor about naming segments (e.g., “White Ass Wednesday” vs. “Whiteness Wednesday,” 31:58 – 32:22).

Monetization & Community:

• Transparency about sponsorship: “There will be advertising in this program.” (32:59)
• Exploring Patreon: “We want to know what would make people subscribe—send ideas!” (37:06)
• Merch Director Laura, producer Griff running giveaways, and a spirit of DIY audience building (34:13 – 36:09).

Inside Jokes:

• Running gags about giveaways gone wrong, former ticket issues, and “runaway departments” at bigger shows (35:59).

Laura's Rundown: Ray J Hospitalization

Segment Starts: (40:13)

• Ray J hospitalized in Las Vegas for pneumonia and heart issues.

• Discussion about celebrities using health crises for "algorithm hustling." (41:10)

  Laura: “Guys, why do they have to film everything?”
  Ebro: “Is this all algorithm hustling?” (40:59–41:10)

• Rosenberg jokes about content creation and speculates about the seriousness given Ray J’s history.

The Lowdown: Chris Redd/Kenan Thompson Drama

Segment Starts: (44:03)

• Chris Redd tearfully discusses on Instagram his controversial relationship with Kenan Thompson’s ex-wife.

• The room analyzes friendship boundaries when exes and close friends are involved, the complications of "choosing love," and public airing of dirty laundry.

• All hosts, especially Ebro and Rosenberg (who note their bias toward Kenan), agree it’s a clear violation of friendship codes.

  Rosenberg: “I root for [my ex] to find love and happiness — not with one of my friends.” (47:18) Laura (quoting friend): “He needs to get slapped.” (45:39) Ebro: “He needs his ass whooped. This is grounds for ass whooping.” (50:58)

• Debate about whether Chris Redd’s actions are explainable because of his mental state or just plain wrong, with consensus that both Chris and Kenan’s ex share responsibility (48:55).

Gurus Mailbag: Navigating a Fading Friendship

Segment Starts: (52:54)

• Listener letter about a 25-year friendship fading after the friend’s breakup and life struggles.
• Laura notes the red flag of people hoping partners will “change their mind” about kids (58:44).
• Rosenberg advises the listener to send a clear, honest message seeking closure (60:07).
• Ebro plays devil’s advocate, hinting the letter-writer may be “too needy” (59:35), prompting Rosenberg to caution about alienating audience with too-brutal honesty.

Notable Quotes

• "They want these federal agents, this, basically this terrorist group on behalf of the federal government to antagonize everybody so that the streets become unsafe."
  — Ebro (03:13)

• "If you think this woman and her family are going to see justice — congratulations. You played yourself."
  — Ebro (01:48)

• "I just think for your own clarity, so it’s not hanging out over your head. … say something."
  — Rosenberg (60:07)

• "They separated the slaves. They broke up the family. Kids over here, yeah, mom and dad over there."
  — Ebro (18:13)

• "He needs his ass whooped. This is grounds for ass whooping."
  — Ebro (50:58)

• "This is a damaged human being, an addict on top of that."
  — Ebro (49:17)

• "You chose that—now you got to live with the consequences and move in silence."
  — Rosenberg (52:10)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• ICE Killing and Official Response: 01:48 – 07:10
• Stephen A. Smith Media Critique: 05:06 – 14:10
• Corporate Culture, Plantation Metaphor: 15:00 – 20:10
• Listener Stories about Show’s Evolution: 18:23 – 19:03
• Show Numbers, Patreon, Merch: 30:31 – 37:06
• Ray J Hospitalization (Rundown): 40:13 – 43:12
• Chris Redd/Kenan Thompson (Lowdown): 44:03 – 52:10
• Gurus Mailbag (Friendship Advice): 52:54 – 63:06

Episode Tone & Style

• Language: Candid, streetwise, emotionally charged, with a lot of colloquialisms and playful insults between hosts.
• Format: Fast-paced, with real-time reactions to news and lively debate; uses repeat sound effects ("Congratulations, you played yourself").
• Audience Connection: Emphasizes transparency, seeking continual audience feedback, and referencing inside jokes and prior show history.

This summary captures the episode’s dynamic energy, provides context for each key discussion, and highlights both the headline news and the human, sometimes messy, reality at the heart of this show. If you missed it: you’ll know the essential stories, the hosts’ takes, and the big, buzzy moments everyone’s talking about.