The Ebro, Laura, Rosenberg Show

Episode 16: An Honest Conversation About Mero at HOT 97 + Friday Freedom
Date: January 16, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, Ebro, Laura, and Rosenberg delve into the aftermath of their departure from HOT 97, offering an honest, emotional, and sometimes humorous look at industry shakeups, personal transitions, and the realities of legacy media in a digital world. They reflect on Mero’s new morning show at HOT 97, tackle how events unfolded internally and externally, and discuss their new direction through the lens of authenticity, change, and connection.

The hosts also devote time to answering listener emails and voice notes, engaging in candid "Family Matters" talk about parenthood and partners, and closing with their signature “Guru” relationship advice segment.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Mero’s New Role at HOT 97 and Internet Reactions

• The "Congratulations" Controversy
  • Ebro addresses criticism he received for his congratulatory messages to Mero after the HOT 97 changeover. Laura and Rosenberg challenge Ebro, saying his "this is so great" language felt “off” given the circumstances.
    • [02:09, Laura]: “The reason it feels disingenuous… is the overall situation and the nastiness with which it occurred was not so great.”
    • [05:32, Laura]: “Nothing about it will ever be so great again. I understand, but you can’t separate you… and the way people read it is they’re… not separating.”
  • Rosenberg points out the internet’s hunger for drama and the inevitability of being misunderstood, especially as a public figure.
    • [03:24, Rosenberg]: "This tweet is going to be taken out of context and they're going to call him shady."
• Behind-the-Scenes on Hot 97 Departures
  • Honest admissions about their relationship with the brand and why none of them were rushing to re-sign:
    • [06:54, Laura]: “We were not [prioritizing Hot 97]. …Your connection to that brand had deteriorated.”
    • [07:17, Ebro]: “Once again, you have to separate things… For me, it doesn’t all go together.”
  • Laura recounts a never-released podcast episode with Cipha Sounds, showing the emotional volatility right after the split.
    • [07:24, Laura]: "We never put it out because we ended up getting into a screaming fight and all kinds of nasty words... I obviously needed someone to just be more of a friend."

2. Industry Reflections and Media Evolution

• The Dance with Corporations
  • The "dance" becomes a recurring theme, referring to playing the corporate game vs. staying real.
    • [09:07, Laura]: "Some chose to do a quick two-step, and some chose to put on their ballet outfit."
    • [11:03, Ebro]: "Now you want me in the center of the floor under the disco ball, twirling and acting like things is hunky dory. Nah, not doing that."
• Radio vs. Digital Media
  • They address the shifting value of radio in the age of podcasting and digital video:
    • [14:34, Ebro]: "Most people's interaction with radio is on YouTube. You're not listening to the radio."
    • Confronting false narratives around their departure—insisting they were not fired for poor performance:
      • [13:09, Laura]: “When people say we got fired…because we were failing… utter lie.”
      • [13:25, Rosenberg]: "Joe Budden...brought that up on his podcast... their ratings are great, so it wasn't performance.”

3. Listener Connections & Community Building

• Reading Listener Emails and Voice Notes
  • The hosts hear from a loyal and global audience, reflecting the community they've built:
    • [29:07, UK Listener]: "So happy that you started the show… listen in the UK every single day."
    • Advice to listeners on how to support the show, emphasizing simplicity and direct engagement on YouTube and Instagram.
      • [32:40, Laura]: “All she's got to do is keep rocking with us.”
  • Multiple requests for more music content and nostalgic segments like "Whitish Wednesday"; hosts tease new plans and upcoming announcements.
    • [26:55, Laura]: "We're going to have an announcement next week about the plans."

4. Personal Reflections & Family Matters

• Transition and Sentimentality about HOT 97’s Legacy
  • Laura and Rosenberg open up about the emotional impact of leaving a legacy institution and their feelings for their former colleagues and audience.
    • [21:31, Laura]: "I'm romantic... maybe it's because I saw everyone that day… for me, [Mr. C's] passing was the end of that era."
    • [22:04, Ebro]: "That brand is cemented in history... it is a part of New York City’s art and culture music history."
• Parenthood and Relationship Vulnerability
  • The show shifts into deeply personal terrain discussing parenting, postpartum realities, relationship challenges, and the pressures of performing parenthood for social media.
    • [58:29, Erykah Badu via Rosenberg]: “'You need to keep watering the flower that is your wife. Don’t forget she’s a little girl too.'” [59:03, Laura discusses Erykah’s advice]
    • [61:34, Ebro]: "Did I take enough photos of my 1 year old? Was my celebration... up to the standards of other moms?"

5. Humor & Memorable Show Moments

• "Dance" Metaphor for Corporate Compliance
  • Running jokes about who did the "corporate dance" and how they "refuse to be line dancers."
• Laura’s Legendary Laugh and Booger Stories
  • Listeners call out Laura's laugh as more frequent and unhinged on the new show, prompting an impromptu snort-laugh compilation conversation.
    • [39:06, Laura]: "I still want a best of Laura crazy laugh compilation though."
  • Gross but funny recurring “booger wall” parenting story.
• "The Gurus" Relationship Segment
  • Hilarious handling of a listener’s question about pursuing a taken woman who texts "I love you." Includes comedic “Satan” voice dispensing terrible advice.
    • [65:11, Laura]: “She has a kid and a man. I love her. Should I pursue a relationship?”
    • [66:06, Ebro]: “Congratulations. You played yourself. Get yourself together, bro.”
    • [66:25, Rosenberg]: “Don’t do it, bro. It sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.”

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• On Ebro's Controversial Congratulatory Tweet:
  • Laura: “The amount of ‘this is so great’ feels very intense because even though it’s a great thing…it feels disingenuous.” – [03:07]
  • Ebro: “I’m not showing off for the Internet. I wasn’t even talking about them…I literally said the exact same things to Mero privately.” – [05:10]
• On Radio & Digital Change:
  • Ebro: “Most people’s interaction with the radio is on YouTube. You’re not listening to the radio.” – [14:34]
• On Legacy & Sentimentality:
  • Laura: “It defines me till the day I die. Nothing about it will ever be so great again.” – [05:32]
  • Ebro: “That brand, the brand is cemented in history… it is a part of New York City’s art and culture music history.” – [22:04]
• On Real Family Talk & Postpartum Support:
  • Rosenberg (via Erykah Badu): “‘You need to keep watering the flower that is your wife. And she’s never been through this either.’” – [58:29]
• The “Corporate Dance”
  • Ebro: “That dance is asking me to break dance… I’m not line dancing.” – [11:03]
• Listener Community Impact:
  • UK Listener: “It’s great to see you all back… Straight away.” – [29:07]
  • Laura: “All she’s got to do is keep rocking with us.” – [32:40]
• Funny Parenting Moment:
  • Rosenberg: “She started stashing the boogers.” – [48:34]
  • Laura recounts her own childhood “hidden booger wall” [49:00]
• Advice Segment (The Gurus):
  • Ebro: “Congratulations. You played yourself. Get yourself together, bro.” – [66:06]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Mero HOT 97/Internet Shade & Aftermath:
  [01:31–15:56]
• Corporate Dance & Radio Industry Real Talk:
  [08:51–15:56; 12:03–15:04]
• Listener Emails & Global Community:
  [22:29–29:07]; [29:07–41:50]
• Family Matters (Parenthood, Relationships):
  [47:54–62:26]
• Booger & Laugh Bits:
  [48:02–49:17]; [39:00–40:17]
• Gurus Segment (Relationship Advice):
  [64:04–67:34]

Closing Tone & Announcements

• The episode ends with gratitude for listener support, teasers about “big plans” and new show features, and reminders to visit their Instagram for merch and to stay tuned for next week’s announcement.
  • [67:52, Laura]: “We have an announcement… on Monday.”

Summary

This episode is a dynamic blend of unfiltered honesty, nostalgia, humor, and heartfelt advice. The trio isn’t afraid to be vulnerable about their careers, their families, their flaws, and their hopes for the future. Whether defending themselves online, sharing inside stories about the radio world, or navigating the challenges of new parenthood, Ebro, Laura, and Rosenberg keep it authentically real—and entertaining.

“Don’t call it a podcast.”