31.) Friday Freedom + Super Bowl Weekend (2/6/26)

Summary

The Ebro, Laura, Rosenberg Show — Episode 31: "Friday Freedom + Super Bowl Weekend" (2/6/26)

Episode Overview

This episode of The Ebro, Laura, Rosenberg Show kicks off the show's first Friday edition in its new format. With Super Bowl weekend on the horizon, the hosts blend lighthearted banter, thoughtful cultural commentary, discussions around privilege and bias, nostalgic reflections on changing New York landmarks, and a treasury of listener interactions through emails and voice notes. Themes of community, generational change, accountability, and the reality behind success and struggle are woven throughout, all underpinned by the trio's unfiltered, improvisational chemistry.

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Table of Contents

1. New Show, New Format & Patreon Talk
2. Friday Freedom: Super Bowl Edition
3. Changing NYC: Remembering the Jamaica Coliseum Mall
4. Friday Freedom: Listener Letters & Community Voice
5. Confronting Privilege & Bias: A Listener’s Challenge to Rosenberg
6. Family Matters: Fatherhood, Fatigue & Friendship
7. Financial Advice & The Gurus
8. Memorable Quotes & Moments
9. Key Timestamps

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1. New Show, New Format & Patreon Talk

• The hosts clarify this is not just a podcast, but a new show with a particular agenda on Fridays: no standard news rundown, but instead focus on OG Gurus, Family Matters, and the new "Friday Freedom" segment ([01:19]).
• Heavy encouragement to subscribe, like, and check out their Patreon for extra weekly shows:

  “Just don’t call it a podcast. ...Subscribe. Hit the like button during the show, please…that gets it going through the algorithm.” — Ebro ([00:01])

• Candid discussion about content sustainability:

  “Whatever we launch, we gotta be able to sustain it and deliver on your expectations.” — Ebro ([01:19])

• Rosenberg jokes about keeping bonus content manageable, likening it to “living a double life…having two families” ([01:01]).

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2. Friday Freedom: Super Bowl Edition

• Super Bowl plans and food rituals:
  • Rosenberg describes returning to D.C. with family, then stopping in Baltimore for a "Bad Bunny-watching party...not really a Super Bowl party" ([03:06]).
  • Discussion about traditional Super Bowl foods versus new healthy habits.
• Are Super Bowls even about football anymore?

  “I don’t believe the Super Bowl is for football fans…There’s just so many distractions.” — Ebro ([03:25])

• The group debates whether the upcoming Seahawks vs. Patriots matchup will be memorable:

  “Are you gonna look back and be like, who the hell played in this damn Super Bowl? ...We may think of it as a Bad Bunny Bowl...” — Rosenberg ([04:06]) “I’m passionate to watch the Seahawks win a thing because I know some Seahawks fans I like, and I like the city of Seattle.” — Ebro ([04:48])

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3. Changing NYC: Remembering the Jamaica Coliseum Mall

• Breaking news: The Jamaica Coliseum Mall in Queens is closing permanently after 40 years. The hosts reminisce about its role as a local cultural landmark for jewelry, fashion, and hip-hop tapes ([10:01]).
• Ebro highlights the challenge of preserving neighborhood culture and notes how gentrification can erase both community identity and history ([12:17]).
• Call for community accountability:

  “If you’re mad about it closing, ask yourself the last time you went there to go shopping.” — Ebro ([13:16])

• The reality of nostalgia versus patronage:

  “We hold on to nostalgia...But...it just means less people around.” — Rosenberg ([10:36])

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4. Friday Freedom: Listener Letters & Community Voice

• Aaron (listener email): Praises the show for expanding her musical and political horizons, and credits the team for standing up “for what’s right” even when it’s unpopular. Shares how she attended her first protest at 41 and feels newly empowered ([14:55]).

  “Thank you guys for standing up for what’s right in a time when hate and greed is so acceptable and visible.” — Aaron ([15:22])

• The hosts riff on the need for purpose, even as mid-life cynicism can creep in; Ebro introduces the recurring concept of the “off-ramp” — seeking joy or peace when the chaos of public life becomes too much ([16:44]).
• British correspondent Stuart asks about Trump, Greenland, and trans-Atlantic politics; group agrees Trump’s international threats are mostly distraction ploys ([18:38]).

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5. Confronting Privilege & Bias: A Listener’s Challenge to Rosenberg

• A deeply thoughtful listener email unpacks Rosenberg’s reactions to professional disappointment and draws a connection between his experience and white privilege.
  • The writer notes that for many minorities, being “undervalued” at work is routine, not an exceptional injustice.

  “For many minorities...that experience isn’t a defining injustice. It’s just a Tuesday...it’s not situational, it’s generational.” ([23:47])

• The conversation opens up:
  • Rosenberg grapples with the critique, acknowledging the roles of privilege and blind spots.
  • Ebro contextualizes the differences, explaining that privileged people are called to active, daily recognition of their advantage ([28:18]).

  “When you’re the privileged person...those without it wish you would think more of your privilege and not weaponize it...” — Ebro ([37:04])

• Parallel discussion of listener biases, perception, and relatability, framed against Don Lemon discourse.

  “Just know that at 29 years old...not having anything at 29 is just par for the course.” — Rosenberg ([60:28])

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6. Family Matters: Fatherhood, Fatigue & Friendship

• Catch-up on recent parenting and family moments:
  • Rosenberg shares fatigue and family stress, balancing new fatherhood with work, and feeling overwhelmed after travel ([46:34], [47:56]).
  • Ebro advises to “find mini-vacations” in late-night downtime, even if it’s just enjoying a moment after the baby’s asleep ([48:05]).
  • Light banter about interactions with kids and friends; stories about family dinners and toddler behavior.
• Black History Month: Salasi (Ebro’s child) shows off a new Black History Month shirt ([45:55]).
• Dialogue around tradition, support, and how “Family Matters” is a safe place for vulnerability and shared experience.

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7. Financial Advice & The Gurus

• A 29-year-old listener writes in: Overwhelmed by balancing two jobs, $3,500 in credit card debt, and the struggle between paying debt versus building savings ([55:52]).
• The whole panel weighs in:
  • Consensus: Pay down credit card debt first, but also try to keep a small emergency fund ([58:06]).
  • Consider balance transfers with 0% APR to relieve pressure, but always read the fine print ([59:13]).
  • Ebro and Laura reflect on the generational challenge of building wealth, especially for immigrants and minorities — “it takes generations to build something in this American social experiment” ([61:17]).
• Emphasis on personal responsibility, realistic expectations, and patience.

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8. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On privilege and self-awareness:

  “It’s built into America. It’s in the DNA of who I am...people of privilege are asked to recognize our privilege in real time...” — Rosenberg & Ebro ([27:38], [28:37])

• On neighborhood change and nostalgia:

  “If you’re mad about [the mall] closing, ask yourself the last time you went...It’s on us.” — Ebro ([13:16])

• On family and fatigue:

  “It’s just so bleeping hard...and then my dog...I couldn’t thank God more that Bear is alive and well...I think this guy hates his dog…” — Rosenberg ([47:58])

• On the press, celebrities, and Bad Bunny:

  “To win album of the year and then hit the Super Bowl...we’ve literally never seen anything like this before.” — Rosenberg ([52:41])

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9. Key Timestamps for Important Sections

• Patreon and Show Format Discussion:
  [00:00] – [01:45]
• Super Bowl Weekend & Bad Bunny Party Plans:
  [02:02] – [04:48]
• Seahawks/Patriots Game Analysis:
  [03:25] – [05:07]
• Belichick, Kraft, and Hall of Fame Drama:
  [05:20] – [09:10]
• Coliseum Mall Closing & Gentrification:
  [10:01] – [13:47]
• Listener Aaron's Email & Off-Ramp Life Philosophy:
  [14:55] – [17:39]
• Privilege, Bias, & Listener Letter Reflection:
  [23:26] – [39:21]
• Family Matters Segment (Parenthood & Fatigue):
  [42:37] – [50:08]
• Financial Advice from The Gurus:
  [55:52] – [62:30]

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Note:
This summary synthesizes the major ideas, recurring themes, and distinctive voice of the hosts, aiming to deliver both the vibe and the content of the episode for anyone who missed it. For full impact, refer to the provided timestamps to hear particular exchanges or notable listener moments in original context.

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Closing
The episode wraps with a nod to current music drops — J. Cole’s new album, anticipation for Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance — and a reminder:

“Don’t call it a podcast.” — Ebro ([63:49])

Transcript

[Ebro]

Just don't call it a podcast. Oh, another show. Ebro. Laura Rosenberg. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Subscribe. Hit the like button during the show, please. Hit the like button during the show. That gets it going through the algorithm, which means that people who ain't knowing about us might be knowing. You know what I'm saying?

[Laura Rosenberg]

Yes, please.

[Ebro]

Yeah. And then we got a Patreon too, if you want to subscribe to that. We got a lot of things happening in the Patreon that don't happen here. And by a lot of things, I mean we're doing an extra show every week. But it's gonna grow for me. It's gonna grow.

[Rosenberg]

I think that's pretty. Getting a one full show, that's not nothing.

[Ebro]

No, it's not nothing. It's not nothing.

[Rosenberg]

It's something.

[Ebro]

You know, it's something. Which means if you're, if you're a subscriber, you're getting four extra shows a month in total. You know what I'm saying? That's like damn near a week of content.

[Rosenberg]

That's an extra.

[Ebro]

And the reason, the reason Rosenberg is so passionate about you understanding that is because he doesn't want to give you much more.

[Rosenberg]

Let's be honest.

[Ebro]

Not yet.

[Rosenberg]

Not yet. Not yet. Cuz I may be a failed online host, but I know what I don't want to do. Don't want to. Because Ebro will get hot if he's in the zone, he'll be like, let's just do more right now. And then before you know it, every month they're demanding we're living a double life. It's like having two families. We can't have a second family, right?

[Ebro]

Well, no. And when what Rosenberg's talking about is sustainability, whatever, whatever we launch, we got to be able to sustain it and deliver on your expectations. But all that's on the Patreon. Different conversation for a different platform. But if you want to subscribe, please go ahead and do so. The ELR show now, Laura, on Fridays, we have a different, kind of, a slightly different agenda. We don't do original. No. We don't do the rundown.

[Laura Rosenberg]

No.

[Ebro]

But we do do the OGs, the original Gurus.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Yes, yes. When we get time. And sometimes we dip into a little.

[Ebro]

Family Matters, you know, Family Matters is a different segment here. And then we also have Friday Freedom.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Let's go Friday Freedom.

[Ebro]

Freedom. Friday.

[Rosenberg]

That's right. That's right. Big, big Super Bowl Weekend Edition, you know, there's no Friday Freedom like a pre Super Bowl Friday Freedom. Whatever.

[Ebro]

Now are you doing some sort of seven layer dip celebration this weekend, Rosenberg? Some sort of Nacho Dorito, Tostito dip, chip sour cream, refried bean, melted cheese thing?

[Rosenberg]

I don't, I don't know. You know, like I said, I've been really on my fruits and veggies and smoothies and, and, and, and healthy proteins since I got back from, from Saudi Arabia. Sunday though, we're going to D.C. this weekend. We have not seen my parents in so long. Last time my parents saw the baby, she had no teeth. Now she has five.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Oh, wow. Yeah, you got to see the parents.

[Rosenberg]

We're going home for a couple of days, but Sunday night we are going to go to Baltimore and on our way back, we're going to stop for a night in Baltimore and watch the game with Natalie's best friend Molly and her and her fiance.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Okay.

[Rosenberg]

I don't know what their, what their plan is food wise. I'm going to be in a go with the flow kind of situation. But this, I'll tell you one thing about the crowd I'm with. This is a bad bunny watching party. This is, this is not really a Super bowl party.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Absolutely.

[Rosenberg]

This is my bond. That's what we're doing now, is there?

[Ebro]

I, I, I. It's well documented that I don't believe the super bowl is for football fans. Matter the way the game is played, the amount of breaks in the game, how long the halftime is, it's just, it's a tough watch if you're really a fan of one of the teams playing. Yeah, there's just so many distractions. But do we think the Seahawks and the New England Patriots, two young, youngish quarterbacks. I mean, Sam Darnold's eight years in the league or something. Six years, whatever.

[Rosenberg]

Youngish, though.

[Ebro]

Youngish. And also quarterbacks who've never been in this position before, maybe head coaches who have never been in this. Well, Variable's been in the super bowl before.

[Rosenberg]

Not as a coach.

[Ebro]

Not as a coach, though. Do we think we're going to see a great game?

[Rosenberg]

I really, I really don't know. I think it'll be a solid game. I think it'll be an engaging, close game. So let me answer your question. Let me change it. Yes, I think it will be a very good and competitive football game. When I look at the rosters of these teams, I'm like, in a few years, are you going to look back and be like, who the hell played in this damn Super Bowl? I think that's on the table. We may think of it as a bad Bunny bowl, but I do think it should be from a football standpoint, even though I could give a rat's ass who wins. I prefer Seattle because I like Sam Darnold and I don't need the Patriots getting another super bowl, but I don't really care very much. I think it'll be a decent football game.

[Ebro]

Yeah. I'm passionate to watch the Seahawks win a thing because I know some Seahawks fans who I like, and I like the city of Seattle and I love the fan base. You know, me, I'm a. If the fan base of a team is really awesome. You know, I'm partial. I'm partial. It's like how I am about the Knicks. Right. You know what I mean? I love me some Knicks fans, but.

[Rosenberg]

Right.

[Ebro]

I definitely am with you. I don't want to see New England get another two.

[Rosenberg]

Another.

[Ebro]

I'm happy that they rebuilt. I like seeing a team put a plan together and rebuild. I love this, but. Yeah. Nah, you don't need to.

[Rosenberg]

I have. I have had a good laugh the last couple of weeks, though, at. At both Belichick and Kraft being denied the hall of Fame on their first try. That has amused me, I will tell you that.

[Ebro]

And what is the. What's the. What's the inside baseball on that?

[Rosenberg]

No, they're not. I mean, Craft is whatever, you know, owners getting in is. I don't know if anyone.

[Ebro]

Is it because he was getting handies down there in Florida?

[Rosenberg]

It's on the table. The Belichick thing is more interesting. There are some people who think he was being punished by some voters for Deflategate.

[Ebro]

Okay.

[Rosenberg]

I think there's a chance it's because he made an ass out of himself the last couple of years. Running around, chasing a 22 year old around.

[Ebro]

That wouldn't surprise me or all the.

[Rosenberg]

Above, because I maintain to this day I fought with many people about this. If Maya ever came home with a man who was not 10 or 15 years her senior, but 50 years her senior, oh, my God, I would beat that man to death on the front of my. The front lawn.

[Ebro]

You're going to death to death. You're going to jail. So now Maya has lost this weird, creepy old man that she loves, and her father's in jail.

[Rosenberg]

And her father's in jail. It's an unfortunate situation for everybody.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Yeah, I wouldn't recommend that.

[Rosenberg]

But my point is, they're not setting foot in my house. Is. Is the point. I. It's not an acceptable. Sorry. It's bizarre behavior.

[Ebro]

I think the first thing you should do in that scenario is look yourself in the mirror and say, how did I fail as a father? Why would, why would my. Why would my daughter want to be with a man, Spend the rest of her life with a man that could basically be her father?

[Rosenberg]

So wait, maybe, maybe it's the opposite. Maybe it's, you're such a good dad and you're an old dad, that she's like, I just love having these old guys around. I need to find myself the same thing.

[Ebro]

That's creepy. This is not. This is.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Listen, guys, you.

[Rosenberg]

I'm just trying to figure out what.

[Laura Rosenberg]

It could be that you could do all the right things and your kid's going to do what they want to do. You could do all the right things.

[Ebro]

Yeah, but dating a 25 year old, dating a 70 year old?

[Laura Rosenberg]

No, I think it's disgusting.

[Rosenberg]

Are you kidding me?

[Laura Rosenberg]

I'm with Rosenberg.

[Ebro]

Something's. You call this Laura? Something's wrong.

[Rosenberg]

No, but you know what the truth is, if you dig into it longer, if you actually dig into it, like you watch this thing play out longer. She wasn't the one who got crept on. You know what I'm saying?

[Ebro]

She crept on him.

[Rosenberg]

She crept on. It's.

[Ebro]

She's taking advantage of him.

[Rosenberg]

It's 100% her operation.

[Ebro]

But what is going on? Is she money? What's going on? That's all I'm talking about, what's going on.

[Rosenberg]

But it does make me amend to some degree. It makes my beating the person to death thing even sillier because it's not the same as your 17 year old came home with a 30 year old and you're going, oh my God, this is wrong. She's being taken advantage of. It's more. Why is my daughter like, mean and conniving on this old man who clearly has gotten none his whole life and now has him running around looking like a fool. Laura, this man was a serious. As serious a man as you could find in sports. Was this guy like, I think no. Ebro, you would agree, no question. Intimidating, serious, smart like. And he literally respected, respected, deeply respected. He brought his 23 year old girlfriend, first of all, he took a bizarro job at North Carolina, Brings her down there and she's walking around on the sidelines in like heels and tight skirts. It's things that are just like no one would do.

[Ebro]

Yo. And by the way, I don't know, I don't know how. I mean, she's of age, so it's not illegal. No. She's of age, but it's still creepy. I don't know how North Carolina's letting this happen. I don't know how this is okay for a college.

[Laura Rosenberg]

And he's okay with it.

[Ebro]

And she's not a student, right? She's not a student.

[Laura Rosenberg]

No, it can't be.

[Rosenberg]

No, no, no. She was. She was. She was done. He met her when she was a student, I think somewhere when he was giving a speech.

[Ebro]

And then they started, but not there.

[Laura Rosenberg]

No, not there.

[Rosenberg]

I mean, she wasn't. It's just.

[Ebro]

Hit the button, man. It's all bad. Hit the button.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Rosenberg]

No matter how you. Congratulations.

[Ebro]

You played yourself.

[Rosenberg]

I also have been told I need to give a shout out to Queens today.

[Ebro]

Okay.

[Rosenberg]

Because I am told that the Coliseum is closing.

[Ebro]

You guys know that is closing.

[Laura Rosenberg]

No way. I mean, it doesn't surprise me.

[Rosenberg]

Well, it surprised me, but still.

[Ebro]

This has been going on for a.

[Laura Rosenberg]

While, but now it's official. Rosenberg.

[Rosenberg]

It's. I'm being told the Coliseum is now officially. Let me see, what's it called? Officially, the Coliseum.

[Laura Rosenberg]

What is it called?

[Rosenberg]

Coliseum.

[Ebro]

Well, no, it says. It says Jamaica Coliseum Mall in Queens. Cultural landmark for its jewelry stores and fashion. It closed January 31, permanently closed after 40 years in operation due to redevelopment for the area. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Closed a few days ago. Opened in 1984. I mean, yeah, it's Coliseum Mall, man. People should go get gold fronts.

[Rosenberg]

Gold.

[Ebro]

Gold And. And fashion, all that. But, you know, they're. They're. They're trying to. They're trying. They're redoing that whole area and, And. And the stores. Listen, man, we hold on to nostalgia.

[Rosenberg]

And I get it, but it's also the. The. It's another step to the area. Just feel, you know, when places like that are gone all together, man, it's. It's. It's tough because it just means less people around.

[Ebro]

Yes.

[Rosenberg]

But it's also bad.

[Ebro]

You know, it's bad, but it's less. Less culture. But I think. Listen, the Coliseum Mall had one, two, skip a few stores for a minute. Like it was. There was a lot of stores that just open.

[Rosenberg]

You're going too far with the 1, 2, skip. It's. It's out of control now.

[Ebro]

It's the best way to describe things that are just like, not fully, fully there. You know what I'm saying?

[Rosenberg]

One, two, skip a few stores. He's right, though.

[Laura Rosenberg]

He's not wrong.

[Ebro]

My dad used to say. My dad used to see people and be like, look, they got one, two. Skip a few teeth.

[Rosenberg]

Teeth.

[Ebro]

I knew it before it was teeth. It started with teeth. That's how I was introduced to it.

[Laura Rosenberg]

That's foul.

[Ebro]

That's how I was introduced.

[Rosenberg]

All right, ladies and gentlemen, the end. Your sneakers, I think jewelry. You're.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Sad.

[Ebro]

Listen, if you were still buying mixtapes at the Coliseum, congratulations, you played yourself. No. Back in the day, yo, who was making those mixtapes?

[Rosenberg]

DJs.

[Ebro]

What? Which DJ in 2026 was still.

[Rosenberg]

Oh, still. Still. Congratulations, you played yourself.

[Ebro]

Nah, I need to. I need to know you. If you're a DJ out there and you were still selling tapes at The Coliseum Mall, 2526, I need to meet you.

[Rosenberg]

Maybe. Maybe some developer will buy it and bring it back better.

[Ebro]

Already. Already bought. Already bought, probably. And already they have plans to.

[Rosenberg]

I'm sure something will be. There'll be better.

[Ebro]

Oh, and oh, by the way. Oh, by the way, if you don't know what happens next, this is where people get pushed out of the area, priced out of the area, and the complexion generally changes.

[Laura Rosenberg]

So. And the name, neighborhood will change.

[Ebro]

And, oh, they might rename the whole thing. This is America, people.

[Rosenberg]

This is America.

[Ebro]

Yeah, America, people. And. And. And I would implore you in this time, if you're emotional about changes going on in your neighborhood or any neighborhood, I would implore you to use this opportunity to teach your children why it's happening and what to do when it's happening, and also ways to prevent it from happening. If you live in a neighborhood where you want to, you know, have generational property ownership, wealth, et cetera, et cetera.

[Rosenberg]

You know, people talk, is this the place? Want to be there? Do you actually want to stay around?

[Ebro]

Well, that's why. Because a lot of people have left and a lot of money has left these areas. So that's why. Look, if nobody's going to the Coliseum Mall to go shopping, the stores aren't staying open. So if you're mad about it closing, ask yourself the last time you went there to go shopping.

[Rosenberg]

That's a good point.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Ebro]

You know what I'm saying? Like, it's on us.

[Rosenberg]

If we wanted you last, when did you go get some bamboo earrings? When did you go get a starter jacket? When did you go get some. Some beef and broccolis? You know what I mean? When did you support. It's a great question.

[Ebro]

It's a great question. Listen, I think we should go Friday. Freedom first on the docket. What do you guys think? I love it.

[Rosenberg]

I love.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Let's do it. Let's do it.

[Ebro]

All right, Friday freedom. We don't. Oh, we got music.

[Rosenberg]

I'm playing a bed.

[Ebro]

Yo. I like a bed for a transition.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah, usually.

[Ebro]

We should do that more often.

[Rosenberg]

Well, I figured out I can legally at least use the beds for my album. All right, so here we go. I got some good beats on.

[Ebro]

Well, anytime we transition topics, I love a beat change. All right, Friday, freedom. Freedom. Friday Ebro Laura Rosenberg at gmail, voice notes, emails. We, you know, hell, even now we might even be able to take videos. If you want to send a video talking and you want to be featured on the Ebro Laura roll.

[Rosenberg]

Okay, facts, keep it tight. Keep those two minute or maximum or.

[Ebro]

Don'T and be prepared to be hit with this.

[Rosenberg]

But yeah, exactly.

[Ebro]

You'll get played off or don't. All right, here we go. Friday, freedom. Where you want to start? Rosa Rosenberg. Allura. Laura, you go first.

[Laura Rosenberg]

I got an email. I got an email from Aaron. Okay. Hey, squad. I just wanted to give you guys a shout out on your new show. I started listening just before the election in 2024 and got pulled in by Whitish Wednesday. It was fun, hilarious. But I stayed for the politics. I would listen on my commute to work. You guys have experienced expose me to new things. I'll admit I didn't know a single Kendrick Lamar song before I started listening to the show. I'm a 41 year old half Puerto Rican woman who grew up in a very white neighborhood in Long Island. Thank you guys for standing up for what's right. In a time when hate and greed is so acceptable and visible, it's important for you guys to continue to be a loud voice for those of us who care about other people. Please continue to shine the spotlight on the things they don't want us to see. I don't really listen to podcasts, but I'm trying to tune in you guys on YouTube. I'm here. I love all three of you. So here is. Oh, she says, here is me at, at my first ever protest over the summer. I guess you shared a photo and I want to continue to be involved because everything that is happening is not okay. Aaron, sending you a lot of love. That was nice, yo.

[Ebro]

That was super nice. And I'm glad you at, at, at at this time in your life have still found it in yourself to have purpose and you know, be someone who wants to contribute positive to your world, to the world around you. That's dope, cuz. You know, if you're like me, you get To a certain age where you're like, f everybody. I'mma just go sit on my little. I'm going to go sit on my little compound and. And, you know, no wi fi. You know, I don't know. I've been talking a lot about this. You're going to hear a lot if you listen to elr show. It's going to be called the off Ramp Conversation.

[Rosenberg]

Oh, I like this.

[Ebro]

You know, where's the off ramp? Rosenberg, when do we get off this. When do we get off this highway? How do. How do we get off this highway?

[Rosenberg]

Right? Because you, in theory, if you're on a ramp, you should have the opportunity to get off, is what you're saying. If you're on a highway, you got.

[Ebro]

To be able to get off, right? And we're on a highway. We're on an expressway.

[Rosenberg]

No, no matter.

[Ebro]

Hell, I was just gonna do the Satan joke. I don't want. I don't need Satan on the program right now. But you know what I'm saying?

[Rosenberg]

Why.

[Ebro]

Why come visit highway to my house. I don't want that off saying. I don't want that off ramp.

[Rosenberg]

Exit 666, straight down.

[Ebro]

Chill, yo. You know, it'd be crazy if this. And when the. If. When possibly this show fails, right? And all of the people who are offended by us have it, doing the Satan joke are like, see, you shouldn't have played Satan.

[Rosenberg]

I'm seeing. It seems like it's overwhelming Satan's support. But the people. I don't say Satan, the devil. I think there is a difference between saying Satan and the devil.

[Ebro]

Is there giving him a name makes.

[Rosenberg]

It sound more, I don't know, something or other. But I will say this overwhelmingly. It's love and support. People enjoy the devil and don't take it that seriously. But the people who do hate it, bro, they're serious. They're like, please, please, please, please stop.

[Laura Rosenberg]

I'm very offended.

[Ebro]

Well, by the way, by the way. And by the way, if we wouldn't have called that voice the devil or Satan, and we would have called it the Grim Reaper, they probably would have.

[Rosenberg]

Been okay with it or just like, if we'd found another way to describe what it's doing, which is, like, always erring on the side of, you know, bad and wrong, it probably could have survived. I mean, in the eyes of those people.

[Ebro]

In the voice note space, we have a. Now a British correspondent, our buddy. He's back again. Yeah, I want to hear what he has.

[Stuart]

Rosenberg, it's Stuart, your British Correspondent, got some questions. I know you like the old politics, and you are now worldwide because you're on the Internet finally. Apparently not been on there before, but it's the world Wide Web, so you need a British correspondent. And I've got questions. What is going on with Trump and this Greenland thing? Why is he now threatening the UK and the European Union with these tariffs if we don't just let him have his way like he did with the children with the Greenland. It doesn't make any sense to me. Just wonder if you could, you know, share some of your wisdom and all your knowledge and let us know. But, yeah, it's madness to me. I don't know why he's threatening, and he's just trying to be a big bully, I think, and just take things by force, which, you know, is kind of his game in it.

[Ebro]

We already.

[Stuart]

About him. Anyway.

[Rosenberg]

All right, see you later. Bye.

[Ebro]

Later.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Bye.

[Ebro]

So, clearly, that was just a few weeks ago. We just got to it, Stuart. Nothing's happening with the Greenland thing. It's a hustle for his billionaire buddies to try to steal resources from Greenland. That's all it is. And if you notice over the last couple weeks. And, yeah, he folded. Trump always chickens out. It was. It was a big nothing burger. It was really to distract from these files.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Everything's a distraction for it.

[Ebro]

That's what it really was. Because guess what? The United States already has access to Greenland.

[Laura Rosenberg]

It's so stupid. It's beyond. And did you see the clip of him saying, like, why do we keep coming back to these files? They should just go away already. Like, why?

[Rosenberg]

Yeah, we. We gotta get that at some point. The.

[Ebro]

The.

[Rosenberg]

And him talking about why he likes Bill Clinton. You guys see that?

[Laura Rosenberg]

Yeah, we have.

[Ebro]

We have that. We have that video.

[Rosenberg]

We gotta play that because, you know.

[Ebro]

Because, you know, they were suspecting that he was. He. He's an admirer of Bill Clinton's junk that was in the files. Remember that?

[Rosenberg]

I forgot about that. That's the thing. Yes, his schlong.

[Ebro]

It bothers me that somebody's going after Bill Clinton. See, I like Bill Clinton.

[Rosenberg]

I still like them. What do you like about him?

[Ebro]

You.

[Rosenberg]

I liked. Well, I liked his behavior toward me. I thought he got me.

[Ebro]

He understood me.

[Rosenberg]

That's really all you. No, that's really nice to me. That's. You know, he. One of the illest things about Trump is that unlike most villains, he. He's not cerebral enough to ever keep things close to the. To the vest. He just tells you he'll Let. He'll let you know from the beginning where he's actually going because he can't help himself. Why do you like, you think he'd come up with some answer? Well, you know, he respects the. The office, blah, blah. There's no need.

[Laura Rosenberg]

No, no.

[Rosenberg]

He's nice to me.

[Ebro]

So the Internet. The Internet's ran with a story. It hasn't been. You know, this is all just Internet talk. I just re looked at it again to make sure I was saying it right.

[Laura Rosenberg]

All right.

[Ebro]

That Donald Trump gave dome at a party to Bill Clinton.

[Rosenberg]

That feels like a reach. I'll be honest.

[Laura Rosenberg]

It feels like a lot.

[Ebro]

Now, now, I agree with y', all, but simultaneously, the things we are learning in these files and the things that were going on at these parties.

[Rosenberg]

I mean, you're right.

[Ebro]

Be surprised.

[Laura Rosenberg]

I think a bit like, I just think he's scared of what he's gonna say. I think that deep down.

[Ebro]

Well, you're thinking logically. I'm thinking about these Epstein files where we keep being inundated with the wildest of wild stories.

[Rosenberg]

It's so funny.

[Laura Rosenberg]

It's gonna be really interesting with Billion and Hillary testify.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah. And I wonder how much Hillary has. Like, does Hillary really know that much? And like, is Bill gonna keep it a buck? You know what I mean?

[Ebro]

They'll be under oath. I mean, we'll see where it goes.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Rosenberg]

Because Bill definitely, I gotta tell you, Trump strikes me as a lot of things down low sucking the D. And it does not. He does not give that.

[Ebro]

Guys.

[Laura Rosenberg]

I don't see that either.

[Rosenberg]

But in.

[Ebro]

In. In the chat, when this video goes up, you're gonna see probably many people talking about and Sasha Riley. Remember the Sasha story?

[Rosenberg]

Yeah, yeah.

[Ebro]

That was. He was having. He was sexually abused, according to him, by Donald Trump.

[Rosenberg]

Sasha Riley's a man.

[Ebro]

Is a man.

[Rosenberg]

And he was sexually abused by Donald Trump.

[Ebro]

Yes.

[Laura Rosenberg]

In Epstein Island.

[Ebro]

I don't know if it was on.

[Laura Rosenberg]

The island, but part of that whole message.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah, yeah, part of it. Yeah.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Got you. Gotcha. Okay. All right.

[Rosenberg]

All right, let's go back. Let me go. Let me hit a Friday freedom.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Yeah, let's go.

[Rosenberg]

Email. Here we go, guys. Rosenberg's back on the analyzing block. Rosenberg, I want to be clear that this message comes from a place of deep listening.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Okay.

[Rosenberg]

And some observation with love.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Okay. Okay.

[Rosenberg]

I've been on the fence with you for a while, and I think it's email.

[Ebro]

I saw this one.

[Rosenberg]

I think it's important to explain why much of how you speak, particularly about professional disappointment Public perception and accountability comes from a place of privilege, even if that's not your intention. Well, of course. That's how privileged. Anyways, I begin questioning things. I began questioning things more seriously when you spoke about how hurt you felt by the way a previous employer failed to send you off as you believe you deserved. I understand that disappointment, but I need you to understand something in return. For many minorities who are highly qualified, well educated, and still underemployed or undervalued, that experience isn't a defining injustice. It's just a Tuesday. That's what doing the dance actually means. It's not situational, it's generational. I've been doing that dance in higher education for over 30 years. My parents did it before me. In manufacturing, we learn early how to manage tone, expectations and survival in professional spaces that were never designed with us in mind. And the hardest part, when it's all said and done, you can opt out. Many of us never get that option. All right, that's the first part. She goes on to a different topic. So can I just respond to that part real quick?

[Ebro]

Of course.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Go for a picture.

[Rosenberg]

I don't. I'm not sure why you think I wouldn't completely agree, empathize and know that that's the case for all of my friends and people that I love of color, particularly black people.

[Ebro]

Of course, I don't think that's what she's saying. I don't think that's what she's saying.

[Rosenberg]

But she said, I need you to know, like, why.

[Ebro]

Why she's been on the fence about you. What she's trying to articulate in the email is what it is about you, Rosenberg, and how you handle things that made her be on the fence. And now in the moment where you articulated your.

[Rosenberg]

I assume she's talking about hot.

[Ebro]

Yeah, right. How your displeasure with that. I. What I'm interpreting her saying is now I've identified what it is about you that kind of had me on the fence about you. And so she's trying to articulate to you the privilege that you transmit, and that's why she was on the fence about you. Not that she doesn't like you, but what it is in that moment. Yeah, that's what she's saying. Not that you don't understand what she's saying, but that in the moment.

[Rosenberg]

I. But yeah, I. I was just. Literally, first of all, I. I didn't see that as a life defying injustice by any means. I don't sit here and talk about it every day. In the moments of our unceremonial dismissal, I was apt to compare it to friends of ours, colleagues who were given a chance to say goodbye. That's. I knew we wouldn't get it.

[Ebro]

But remember when we talked about this, if she's talking about the time where I was saying it is what it is and we move on, the contrast of me being like they don't really owe us nothing. It is what it is. We did our one, two, we out of there. The contrast of that, I think is what sparked her email.

[Rosenberg]

And I hear that I would argue, I would present. I don't know if in this specific case that was because of Ebro's experience as a black man in America and mine of privilege, but how we viewed that whole situation differently for a long time. Maybe it is. Listen, that's the thing about privilege. It's baked in. So I can't, as someone who's of privilege, I obviously can't recognize the way the privilege affects me in every moment. It, you know what I'm saying? It's built into America. It's in the DNA of who I am. Does that make sense? Yeah, like, like I don't recognize it as privileged every moment, but if we want to stop and have a conversation, I can certainly look back and see how one could view it that way.

[Ebro]

Well, but I'm, but I, but also while we're on this, I was, I was actually gonna ask that we bring this email to its own show because it's so layered. There's so many layers to it. It's its own conversation. I was actually for the greater conversation about people of privilege in society. No matter what your privilege is. Right. Whether you're a beautiful woman, a good looking man, a white person, you know, a fair skinned black person, hell, a man in general who's more privileged than a woman. Whatever your privilege is, those that don't have privilege, that's what they're asking of.

[Rosenberg]

Us is which part to.

[Ebro]

Is to work on recognizing our privilege in real time to start. To start to really, really not be self centered. That's what the real ask is. The real ask is to be aware of that privilege more often.

[Rosenberg]

Okay. I don't know.

[Ebro]

You know what I'm saying? But that, that's not what her email is about in the moment. That's not what her email is about. Tough.

[Rosenberg]

It's a tough ask. But I, in general life, I think that is what is needed of people of privilege is to recognize.

[Ebro]

Yeah, I was just applying it to general society, not to us. That's fine.

[Laura Rosenberg]

All right.

[Rosenberg]

She also says the Don Lemon commentary has also been difficult to hear. I understand some of the criticism, and I understand the frustration, especially knowing how long he had to navigate cnn. But again, this is where the disconnect shows. Don didn't just play the game. He endured the dance for years because he had to. Watching his arrest minimized, particularly by people who claim friendship or allyship, felt painfully familiar. Just last Friday, I heard another white man downplay Don's arrest in a way that mirrored the same dismissive tone. He was educated. He was a, quote, friend. I don't know why friend is in quotes and landed exactly the same. I'll say this carefully. There are moments when your critiques of Don feel harsher than the grace you extend to others. And I'm actively trying not to judge you the way you so easily judge him. I also notice what feels like an unspoken comparison with Ebro. An admiration, yes, but also a tension that reads as envy rooted more in privilege than lived experience. You love him, but at times it feels like there's a wish to occupy the same space without fully acknowledging the cost of getting there. Lady, you might be too smart for me to have this conversation. I just got to keep it a bean with you. I don't fully. I'm trying hard here, but listening to the first show in the new studio, beautiful space, by the way. It struck me that you still don't fully get it. And that's okay if you're willing to learn. That's why I genuinely hope Ebro and Laura continue to push, challenge, and educate you. Not as criticism, but as growth. I'm sharing this because accountability matters, especially when you have a platform. I'm watching. I'm listening. I'm rooting for more awareness, not less. On a lighter note, Ebro, I'm watching Tehran and loving it. I believe you recommended it, and it's absolutely hitting the mark. Rosenberg, I'm with you on Nikki. We stand together there. So that's my growth. My brother is also a huge WWE fan, so that made me smile. And regarding last week's letter and the complaint you raised, I stand with you on that as well, respectfully. And genuine love for all three of you.

[Ebro]

Well, it's easier for you. That was a thoughtful email.

[Rosenberg]

A very super thoughtful email. And easier for you to stand on the issue that doesn't relate to you. That was the point. That was the point of when we discussed that in the first place, remember? Because she's referring to the one about me being accused Of Islamophobia.

[Ebro]

Oh, right, right, right, right, right.

[Rosenberg]

And so it's easier. I think it is easier to stand with people when you don't feel like you're the. The person affected by it. Listen, I 100% believe that as a white person of privilege and someone who's loud and outspoken, I will have to work forever to be more empathetic, understanding and aware of my privilege. And at times, I'm sure I will miss the mark. And at times, I'm sure I have biases that are built in the way everyone does that I have to actively work against. I would also push back to this clearly super informed and smart listener, to your own perspective, to the perspective at which you are holding me to. And granted, I am. Should be held to a different place as a white person in this space. But I think your own biases have to be also factored in here into the way that you interpret me like that. Just being honest and realistic. I'm sorry. She's not coming at me from a place of complete objectivity and hearing us all the same way. You're not. You're not. You're hearing my voice. Tone, in my experience, in a certain way as well.

[Ebro]

Well, sometimes. And sometimes I think the. Especially now that we're on video, Full. Full show on video, our nuances, our subtleties, our inconsistencies will be on a larger display.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah, that's interesting.

[Ebro]

Things that. The things that agitate you, that maybe you're not articulating when you open your mouth. And so some of. Some of the critiques will get over. Time will be people watching us and making judgments based on our body language, our attitude, our tones, all of those things. Right. Because when you're doing. When you're doing a. Like you said, when we're doing commentary, we're doing. We're emotional, we're. We're. What's that called? Improvisational. None of this is scripted. We're live.

[Rosenberg]

This is it.

[Ebro]

So your flaws. Your flaws and blind spots are there, right?

[Rosenberg]

And they're coming out no matter what.

[Ebro]

No, you can't hide. B. You couldn't hide on live radio really, either.

[Rosenberg]

But it's easier to be quiet and have it go away.

[Ebro]

That's right. Now, you can't hide your face.

[Rosenberg]

And the audience and the. And the audience. You get everything, but you don't get everything. Literally, yesterday's show, Ebro and I were fucking bitching at each other and fighting till the second the show started about nothing of significance. Nothing.

[Ebro]

Oh, that was two days ago.

[Rosenberg]

Or two days ago, fighting till the second, it's like, all right, and we're on. And unquestionably, that's just one example of how, like, our moods and dynamics will be affected by being around each other early. And we are now in a working relationship of depending on each other for our livelihood constantly, even more than before, which brings its own pressure, its own thoughts, its own emotions, plus our real life friendships. All these things that are factored in that you won't necessarily know. And so you could hear an argument and think it's about one thing and not realize that there may be something else that you're not aware of as the audience. And I can't put that on you. It's not their job to know all of the inner workings. And by the way, maybe I do with Don Lemon. Maybe I. There is some. Maybe there is some deep seated thing that I can't read that relates to bias, and maybe a reverse version of that for Ebro and Don Lemon, a relatability.

[Ebro]

You don't. No, no, no. You don't like Don Lemon because. Because he's pompous and arrogant. It has nothing to do with his professionalism as a journalist or his capabilities as a journalist. He's kind of elitist and condescending.

[Rosenberg]

That's just. And as Ebro pointed out brilliantly the.

[Ebro]

Other day, back in the day, everyone.

[Rosenberg]

Felt that way and most people just forgot.

[Ebro]

But guess what?

[Rosenberg]

Let go. That's my problem.

[Ebro]

But, but, but I. But. And I know so. And I have the ability to know why he's like that. Right? And, and also understand he's. And he's also a gay. He's also a gay black man who's. Who's elitist. He's an elitist gay black man who's a little condescending, pompous, educated, and that's off putting for people. I get that. It doesn't bother me.

[Rosenberg]

But maybe it factors.

[Laura Rosenberg]

And he's a different version of himself now. Now people are like, oh, he's with us.

[Rosenberg]

That. And that's the part that I guess always I'm like.

[Ebro]

Because the landscape has changed in many ways. That doesn't change.

[Rosenberg]

But the lady, the emailer's point about what she was saying about me is interesting with Don Lemon because maybe some of what makes him that way was part of his version of doing the dance for all those years at cnn. I have to puff up. I have to puff up my chest extra big and let everyone know how smart I am. Whereas Chris Cuomo didn't have to do that. He was a white guy. His name's Cuomo. He just gets to be himself. Turns out he went the other way and is a big old douchebag. But. But at the time I thought I liked his energy.

[Ebro]

Here's the other part. Relatability. She though the emailer knows what Don Lemon is going through and can relate to who Don Lemon is and what he is dealing with, thus isn't going to judge him the same way. Someone who doesn't either relate or doesn't care or isn't thinking about that is going to relate to him. So those are, those are biases that it doesn't make those not.

[Rosenberg]

But isn't that tied into the way that the. The this woman receives me also?

[Ebro]

Yeah, but you have privilege. So remember when you're the privileged person, the person with the job, the person with the power, the person with the look, the person with the thing that makes you powerful in whatever society dynamic you're in, those without it wish that you would think more of your privilege and not weaponize it or not be flippant about someone else's lack of.

[Rosenberg]

Right, Right.

[Ebro]

Am I saying that's. And so there's an added pressure to privileged people. Right? And I'm saying this as a light skinned black person. I've had to analyze this my whole life. Why don't these black people like me? Well, you light skin, so they see you as privileged. So they're not going to like you for no reason. It's social programming. They're not going to like your tone of voice. They're not going to like, you're not black enough, but you're not white enough. I've lived this, I've walked this life not as a white person, but as a privileged black person. Oh, you're tall. Oh, people think you're good looking. Oh, you're this. Oh, you're that. You're athletic. I hate your fucking guts. Get the fuck out. And I'm like, I, I see where this could be annoying. Why you always laughing? What you so happy about? Ain't funny. Shut up. Light bright, shut up. Yellow I've been dealing with since I was a child. Oh, you think you're stuck up. I didn't even say anything. I was just standing here. Oh, you think you better than everybody. I don't even know what you're talking.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah, that's, it's, that's, it's ill, bro.

[Ebro]

Right, but, but, but once again, it's because something hurt them. Something is hurting that person. They Are dealing with something that you don't have to deal with. And so because you don't and most people will go, well, it ain't my responsibility. It ain't my responsibility to be concerned with what everybody else is dealing with. That's a valid take. But when you're a privileged person, I'm the kind of person that's like, let me take that into account and be a little bit more conscious.

[Rosenberg]

But I. I'd hope the emailer would know I am literally the opposite of a person who believes that the attitude should be. But that's not my problem. I believe it is. All of our.

[Ebro]

But that's why. But I think that's why they rock with you. Because they know that what they're pointing out is your blind spots.

[Rosenberg]

Man. No, I hear it, man. We detailed ass blinds.

[Ebro]

That's why I didn't want to get into that email. Because it's its own show.

[Laura Rosenberg]

It was a lot. It was a lot.

[Ebro]

Of course, Rosenberg wanting to talk about himself. Everything's about him. He went right to the email. It's all about him.

[Rosenberg]

More privilege. It looked, it looked, it looked interesting. But you're right. It is its own animal.

[Ebro]

It's its own animal and it's so deep. And with that, because Rosenberg took up all the time. We're running out of time.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Okay, yeah, let's at least pick one.

[Ebro]

Laura, please.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Oh, my God. Hold on. Let me go back there. Let us go with.

[Rosenberg]

Go to the newest one. How about that one?

[Laura Rosenberg]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Dennis.

[Rosenberg]

Oh, I don't even see Dennis. Oh, Dennis is the oldest. Oh, no, that's.

[European Listener]

Hey, what is up, Ebro? Laura and Rosenberg, Your so called AI guy here from Europe. I thought to add some of my own background music in case Rosenberg hasn't added any to the show. But I am not AI. I am an actual person. I don't like my voice either. But I just wanted to show you guys some love again and tell you that I'm very glad to have found you again. Thanks for playing my message in one of your last episodes on your previous endeavor. But I was shocked not hearing from you in the last weeks of previous year. I thought maybe it was due to the holidays, but a few weeks into the new year, still not having heard anything.

[Ebro]

My guy. My guy. We didn't call you AI because we don't like your voice. We called you AI because it sounds like there's a translator translating your message or something. It sounds mad edited. Why is it cut like that? Why is it edited? So sharp. All of that. But I appreciate the effort and we appreciate you participating in the show. Hot Rod Rick sente up to the time. Voice message out Friday. Freedom. Let's get to it.

[Rosenberg]

All right, here we go, Rick.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Goony. Let's do it.

[Hot Rod Rick]

Hey, yo, Goony. Goons, have no fear. Hot Rod Rick is here, bruh. And, yo, you already know the Benito Ball. Three days away. Goonies, let's go. Y' all ain't ready. Go, Seahawks. You heard Benito Ball.

[Rosenberg]

He's just talking. He's literally just yelling.

[Laura Rosenberg]

He's dancing.

[Hot Rod Rick]

Love what y' all doing.

[Ebro]

You heard.

[Hot Rod Rick]

Love the whole studio vibes. Y' all got big plans, and y' all already know the biggest shark out here. There's blood in the water, man. Love y' all and all the listeners, everybody, y' all know I'm still here. Goons and Ebro, you already know. Make sure they all follow me on Instagram. Love y', all, man.

[Ebro]

Yo, thanks. All right. All right, here we are. It's Blood in the Water. Can we use the Jaws theme?

[Rosenberg]

I mean, yeah. It's not free, though. That's not.

[Ebro]

Griff says Yes, I think so. Public domain, it feels like that's. I mean, just a few seconds. Like, I don't think you play the whole thing.

[Rosenberg]

Right. It's possible.

[Laura Rosenberg]

All right.

[Ebro]

He said Griff says 40 years old might be public domain. Well, we'll add that to the Blood in the Water conversation.

[Rosenberg]

Well, I mean, this is a public domain, and we use it.

[Ebro]

Family Matters time. It's a rare condition, this day and age to read good news on the newspaper page. Love and tradition of the plant design that's so hated.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Well, then there must be some magic.

[Ebro]

Clue inside this gentle.

[Rosenberg]

I can't believe I missed the last episode of Family Matters. Actual trip to Disney on ice.

[Ebro]

Dreams. Real love bursting out of every scene. Are you sad?

[Rosenberg]

I was a little sad. But I was also happy because it was really nice to see you guys hanging out with my family while I was gone. And it's been, you know, it's been some tough sledding around here these days. So you guys literally sledding. Literally, Literally sledding. But seeing you guys take care of her. Ebro literally showing up, picking her up, bringing an extra duna to take Maya. I was very touched by it, actually. And you got quality time with Maya for the first time. Ebert, you get a little time with young Mya.

[Ebro]

Yeah, me and MJ hung a little bit, you know, a little here, you know, little. What was that called? Cooing. With the baby. We did a small.

[Rosenberg]

I heard she wasn't. I heard she wasn't scared of you, which makes you different than Ricardo, who takes. He has to warm up. Every time. She's like. Every time. She's like, I don't know about this.

[Laura Rosenberg]

I know. I know. It takes a few minutes. And then later, they're partying. I have a video of my friends.

[Rosenberg]

He wants to be friends. He wants to be friends. Like, Ricardo's so fun loving and friendly, and for some reason, she just always needs a second to go. Let me suss you.

[Ebro]

Well, I think. I think the problem is Ricardo's. I think Ricardo's trying too hard, right?

[Rosenberg]

You got to lay back.

[Ebro]

So we were in the Thai restaurant. Maya's over there sitting in her chair. Kenza's, you know, sitting across from me. Laura Salassi sitting next to me.

[Rosenberg]

Laura had to keep space between Kenza and Maya, or Kenza might not let her eat. She might be.

[Ebro]

No, they were.

[Rosenberg]

They were.

[Ebro]

They were in pretty close proximity. But it wasn't. It wasn't too crazy. But Ricardo gets up, walks around the table, kneels down, and tries to get on the same level with Maya and have a combo while she's sitting in a chair. And then Maya, for a second, was cool. And then ultimately she's like, like, why you in my face, bro? Like, relax.

[Rosenberg]

You gotta play it cool.

[Ebro]

Maya. I think Maya is just on some cool Ish. Like, all right, man, just be regular, bro.

[Rosenberg]

Like, don't treat me like I'm. Treat me like I'm a regular baby. Like, just pretend I'm a regular baby.

[Ebro]

Why you acting like you ain't never been around a baby before, bro? Now, no, Maya was chilling the whole time, which was great. And then we had a good time, but my hands were full, so I couldn't really. You know, I'm managing it. I got toddler. I got jazz with toddler. I got ordering food, getting people to and fro, carrying. I got part. And it was cold. Cold. You know? I mean, so parking car, getting car, getting b. Children in car in frigid weather. Yeah, it was. It's a lot going on. It's a lot going on. So I didn't. I didn't really get to, like, hang, hang. But maybe next time.

[Rosenberg]

I. I. Go ahead. You go ahead.

[Ebro]

No, go ahead. Go ahead. Rosenberg. I was just going to jump to my family matters. I loaded up some new Black History Month Salasi content.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Oh, I want to see this.

[Rosenberg]

Oh, is this the Black History Month?

[Laura Rosenberg]

Is that on Your shirt. Starting a month off strong. Let me see you do this. Yeah. You look good.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah. Yeah. Yo, why? She remind me of my man from do the Right Thing, Malcolm.

[Ebro]

She was like.

[Rosenberg]

So she didn't. She didn't. She didn't really stutter, though. But it's just saying the name reminded me of that. That video is so cute. I saw it the other day. I was just gonna say yesterday.

[Ebro]

I.

[Rosenberg]

Almost reached out to. I realized I almost had to reach out to my friend Jeff, who doesn't have kids because I have been having such a hard time. Just like my level of fatigue and constant doing things. Natalie's now. Natalie's now been sick the last two days. So basically from the second I got home where it was already expected, I got to pick up a little slack to now Natalie's out. She's. She's down for the count. So I'm doing everything. Plus the working between everything. Plus we introduced. We introduced the studio. We introduced the studio this week, which ironically and somehow perfectly is right next to where the old studio was. So I'm. I'm. I'm back on the train, and it is nasty in my neighborhood. It is terrible. And the second I get home from my second job, baby, go. And then by the time I finish dishes and kind of stop and look around, I'm like, it's 10:20. I just got to do it again tomorrow. And I realized I can't reach out to my friends with other young children because they're just going to be like, so. So I thought about. I was like, I realized I got to call my man who has no kids. He will appreciate how death this sounds like. Because I can't share it. Like, Ebro can't hear it. Like, that's. Every day is the same thing.

[Ebro]

Yeah.

[Rosenberg]

I just.

[Ebro]

Advice to you. My only advice to you is don't look for off ramp talk. Don't look for an off ramp.

[Rosenberg]

No, no, there is. What would the off ramp even be?

[Ebro]

Even when I had literally at 1020. At 1020, when you sit down and you lay down or whatever it is, when you get that time, you try to develop the ability in your mind to flip a switch that makes you convince yourself that you are on a mini vacation for the next hours. Yeah. Well, whatever it is. I mean, find it. Whatever. Whatever brings you joy when you sit down, whatever that is, get to it because.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah, like, just enjoy that the baby's asleep.

[Ebro]

That's right. You know, the baby's healthy. The baby's healthy.

[Rosenberg]

No, no. We had Our. We had our first year appointment and everything was fantastic. Great. Not only that, to see a child of mine who is in the better height percentile than weight percentile. Nah, it couldn't be going better. It didn't even get my. She didn't even get my genes. It's fantastic. So it's a hard thing because I'm so overjoyed and in love with this child. And as today's a day we celebrate J. Cole, I've already been celebrating for your eyes only because that album hits so different now that I'm a dad. So. No, it's amazing. It's just so bleeping hard. And there are days where I'm just like. And then my dog. I couldn't thank God more that bear is alive and well. I'm so truly grateful. And he's driving me up the friggin wall with this snow and ice. He has no interest. I'm taking him outside. He wants to do nothing. You're walking around in the freezing cold for 50 and I'm like, just fucking go potty. Just fuck. If you saw me. No, people would see me be like, I think this guy's a abusive to his dog. I think that guy hates his dog. He's screaming at him on the street right now. So yeah, no, just my family matters. Just having a moment to be like, then, yes, King, yes. This is just hard.

[Ebro]

The other thing, the other thing too is when you travel and you come off those long trips like that, it's going to take you two weeks to get right anyway.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Ebro]

Because you land and you're right back in it. There is no, like, because people think, oh, you traveled. Because people say, oh, you going to Saudi Arabia? How was it? You'll be like, I mean, it was cool. I worked. It was work. Like, I didn't chill. It was no chilling. I was on a schedule, right? People are like, oh, you going to the Super Bowl? Like, oh. And you're like, yeah, super bowl, yeah.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Yeah, yeah, but I'm going to work, right?

[Rosenberg]

No, on the. On the whole time.

[Ebro]

And on the whole time not drinking. You know what I mean? Talking to people, shaking hands, you know, getting here, getting there, making sure this happens, making sure that happens.

[Rosenberg]

You know, all this really not drinking in Saudi Arabia. Speaking of Ebro's work, by the way, I forgot to mention you, bro. Yesterday. Dipperstein is out there. I don't know if you've run into him. Dipperstein's out there running around with Seth Rollins from wwe.

[Ebro]

And last year I Haven't seen. I haven't been in the room.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah, but you haven't been in the room yet. He was walking through the room yesterday and overheard someone from Apple talking to security. Like, we need Ebro's credentials to be just right.

[Ebro]

Ebro needs. We cannot make.

[Rosenberg]

We have to make sure that Ebro and Dip was like, thought it was hilarious. And immediately.

[Ebro]

You know who that was? Laura, you know who that probably was?

[Laura Rosenberg]

Yep, yep.

[Rosenberg]

Who?

[Ebro]

Tiffany, who works on.

[Rosenberg]

No, no. Well, I think it was a guy. So someone wearing an app. Wearing. Wearing Apple clothing. Someone was wearing Apple Munch.

[Ebro]

That's. Yeah. I don't know.

[Rosenberg]

Someone was handling. And.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Well, maybe Tiffany sent them.

[Rosenberg]

Dip said he stuck his nose right in, right in and went, what did Ebro do now? Right in the middle of the conversation. He couldn't resist. People just. He just thought there was actual panic to make sure Ebro was right. And I'm like, well, listen, he's got to do the big press. They probably were talking about. Get into the main. The press conference area.

[Ebro]

Well, the press conference yesterday. Yeah, that's what it was. The press conference was yesterday. Which. It was great. Having Benito up there was awesome. We didn't get. We didn't have time to get to any clips from that. But we'll do that next. Maybe next week on the show after the Super Bowl. Plus show, show highlights.

[Rosenberg]

We need Bonito in the studio one day, by the way. I'm asking you to pull the trigger on that. One day.

[Laura Rosenberg]

One day.

[Ebro]

I don't know if I'm at that. I mean, let's have a great relationship with him, but I don't know if, you know, a lot of people aren't processing. You guys know Bonito is an independent artist.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Ebro]

Yeah.

[Laura Rosenberg]

A lot of people don't.

[Ebro]

I think Sony or whatever, but this is their operation come full stop.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah, bruh. To be at this level, this isn't.

[Ebro]

Like he's signing some label and there's like. Nah, it's him, his manager, Noah. And that's the thing.

[Rosenberg]

Yo, It's. It's one of the. And he had one of the greatest. This is one of the greatest weeks we've ever seen. We've literally never seen anything like this before. To win album of the year and then hit the super bowl and they. They couldn't have been sure. He didn't know he was hitting album of the year. Also, do you guys notice, in addition.

[Ebro]

To first, the first Spanish language.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah. How would you ever know that? That's gonna.

[Ebro]

Oh, at a Time when people are, you know, basically abusing and terrorizing Spanish. People who speak Spanish, they come from Spanish speaking countries and it's treating Puerto Rico like it's not even a part of the United States. You think he. You think him and his team was like, yeah, we got this locked down.

[Rosenberg]

Yeah, exactly. Now, did you notice, in addition to Benito sitting by himself, did you guys notice also, like, he looked very big physically, like, tall? Yeah, like. No, in his shoulder. He. No, no, his traps. He looked. He looked. Go back and watch.

[Ebro]

He does.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Is he. Is he as tall as you? Ibro.

[Ebro]

Yeah.

[Rosenberg]

Easy. No, no, but. But just go look. Just go look. He looks different because I've seen him a lot, obviously. I've seen him wrestle. I've seen him. I've seen him. There's something.

[Ebro]

I think he's. He's in a fitness. He's in a fitness zone right now, I think, remember, like, I think he's like gearing up for something.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Okay.

[Rosenberg]

Wrestling comeback.

[Ebro]

I don't know about. I don't know what the. Something.

[Rosenberg]

Oh, wait, he's hitting the. He hasn't hit the world tour yet, right?

[Ebro]

Yeah, he goes to Europe next. He just said that at the press conference yesterday.

[Rosenberg]

Oh, so now it's. Now it's. Now it's for the world tour. Okay.

[Ebro]

And he's never been to Europe. He's never been.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Yeah, he just wrapped up all Central and South America.

[Rosenberg]

He's. Is he. And he's. No, he's single again, right?

[Ebro]

I don't know. Why? You want me to. You want me to tell him you're interested?

[Rosenberg]

No, I'm just curious what kind of time this guy's about to have out here.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Single? Yeah.

[Rosenberg]

That's crazy.

[Ebro]

I mean, is he.

[Rosenberg]

You don't know. He's.

[Ebro]

He's.

[Rosenberg]

He's also, like, if he's actually single, he's at a point of so famous you can't even move around normal at all.

[Ebro]

Look, Chris, all in his business. Yeah. He's single. He wore a ring at the Grammys, but he reps. He is single. All right, guys, listen. When they're ready to let us know, they'll let us know.

[Rosenberg]

Well, I mean, he was with Kendall Jenner, though, because. No, he was with Kendall Jenner, so.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Yeah, but that was a while.

[Ebro]

So was. You know, there's a list.

[Rosenberg]

I don't like that. I don't like what you just did. Hey, by the way, Kendall, Jenny, you seen her commercial? She has a big commercial.

[Ebro]

She had her exes in the commercial.

[Rosenberg]

Had her exes in the commercial. Yo, you know who direct. You know who directed that commercial? Who? The guy, My friend Mike Ratner who was up at the station with us when I was doing Stay Sleeping and Ratchet. Turn up Molly? Nah, he directed super bowl commercial for Kendall Jenner.

[Ebro]

Rattner. Yeah, he'd been working for a long time. It's time to get to the OGs, man.

[Rosenberg]

All right, here we go.

[Ebro]

I'm on the road. I gotta get up out of here, y'. All.

[Rosenberg]

Nope, nope.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Ah, There you go. TheOriginalGurusmail.com, the original Gurusma. He bro, burn some sage. Zen, Zen, Zen. All right, Rosenberg, who's out there? Who needs us?

[Rosenberg]

Ah, the gurus. The gurus. The original gurus. Gmail.com the original gurus. Gmail.com Send your emails today. Maybe we'll get to you next week. Good morning family. I can sit here and write how much you mean to me, but it would be a five page essay. Just know you're a part of my life, my routine and I appreciate everything you do. You've gotten through many rough times. Thank you. Today I need some help from a different area. Finances. I'm 29 and as many people in this country, I just feel like I'm dying, drowning in my finances. I have my normal career job that pays okay, around 65,000 a year and had to pick up a second job at a restaurant to help with the finances. Is living on your own is expensive. I have limited any passive expenses like going out, eating out, buying clothes or treat yourself items. My family has never had the strongest financial literacy as they are immigrants who truly came here to survive and make a living. So I'm looking for any help or direction just just input. I have some credit card debt around 3,500 and it's becoming so hard to pay off. I am also trying to build my savings. My second job has usually been to help build my savings account and also for any passive income. However, lately I've been needing my second job for normal expenses and bills and it's becoming harder and harder to save. My question for you is in your guys life experience, should I be focusing on paying off my credit card debt all at once? Or should I just be focusing on saving for a rainy day? Or should I be doing both and slowly paying off my debt? Or should I be working more? Sometimes I feel like I'm not doing enough But I work six days a week, sometimes 16 hour days and still feel like I'm not doing enough or being financially Smart. I am missing out on family and friends events because of being at work and not being able to afford it. Any guidance would be really appreciated. P.S. i haven't been able to subscribe to Patreon due to my finances, but I promise I'll soon be there. So much love. A loyal listener for more than 10 years. First bit of advice, don't worry about Patreon. All right. That's my first bit of advice. Don't stress that we got you. You got plenty of free content we got.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Absolutely.

[Rosenberg]

Maybe we'll be figure out a way to do a giveaway for Patreon and we could give away some accounts at some point, but don't worry about that. The question, I guess first is pay.

[Ebro]

Off your credit cards.

[Rosenberg]

You think? Pay it off, all off.

[Laura Rosenberg]

I would do that, too.

[Rosenberg]

Can I ask you a question?

[Ebro]

Your credit, your credit score and your credit lines are how you get credit for other things that are good investments. That's how you get assets, right? And so having assets is how you leverage credit, which then can open up you to have more free time because you have assets that are making money. And so then you don't have to work yourself, right? So you have to have good credit and then some cash to get assets. Once you have the assets, you can leverage those assets that are making money because it's an asset to get more credit. And then you can use your free time because your assets are making money. Does that make sense?

[Laura Rosenberg]

Yeah, it makes sense, but I'm with you. I say you tackle the credit card debt first, but you should also put a little something, just a little something for a rainy day, just in case. But if you don't, you always have your credit cards to fall back on, just in case. Just.

[Rosenberg]

Can I ask you guys a credit card question? Because I've been privileged and been paid up on credit cards for a minute. Can you. Is it dumb to do the thing where if you have an interest rate on your credit card, if you find a credit card that has no interest for a year, is it dumb to do a balance transfer and get that year at no interest somewhere else and give yourself that year to pay it off?

[Ebro]

I don't think so. It doesn't sound bad, but I don't.

[Rosenberg]

If you see one, if you see one of those cards moving around, that's like no interest at all for one year. The nice part about that is you.

[Ebro]

Could, you could get a year, you got a little bit of time, but. But what happens after that first year? It's going to Be terrible happens today. Well, no, but what happens to the interest rate? So you got to stay on top of that.

[Rosenberg]

Well, you can't. You can't. It has to be that. It. Get it done.

[Laura Rosenberg]

You got to check that APR for sure.

[Ebro]

Griff says balance transfers are good. According to my financial advisor. Get one that is 18 months and check the APR.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Rosenberg]

So that could be useful because you feel a little bit of space there to. To get out of it. But it. It is a great feeling to get out of that debt, and it will free you up, not only financially, but mentally, will free you up as well. Just know that at 29 years old, it's messed up. But in America, not having anything at 29 is just par for the course.

[Ebro]

Normal. Normal.

[Rosenberg]

Because we've all. Let's be honest, guys, we've been tricked. The whole thing's a trick. They want us to work till we're frigging 75 years old, then we're supposed to get to enjoy retirement. But.

[Ebro]

But here's the deal. Here's the deal. If your parents were not able to leave you with a little something, whatever that little something is, whether that's some sort of asset or some cash or something, if they were not capable of doing that, but what they did give you was lessons in life, access to higher education and these other things, it's your job to take that and now get ready to build the next thing. Right. It takes generations to build something in this American social experiment. It is not. I. You know, I know a lot of people were promised, if I go to college, I'm gonna get the job I want. Yeah. Then the job I want is gonna give me the salary I want, and then I'm gonna buy the house. Da, da da da. I never thought that was my path. Maybe that is because people told me, because I'm from a family of minorities and black folks and feminists and activists and stuff, that they was like, it ain't gonna be that easy, my guy. It ain't gonna be that easy. So I was prepared psychologically that it was going to take me a lot. But it doesn't mean it's not frustrating. It doesn't mean there isn't times where I'm sitting around like, yo, why is this so hard? Why is this so hard? Why? Why? Why was it easier, seemingly, for other people? Or why wasn't I born into a situation where it was easier, like, I just wasn't? And so you play the cards you're dealt and you stay focused. If you really want to have the outcomes you want, you just got to really be on it. There's no gimme.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Yeah. But I think he's on the right track. He cares and he cares a lot. There's some people who are like, oh, well, if I'm drowning in debt, they just keep going. So focus. Tackle the credit card debt and. And we appreciate you. And don't worry about the Patreon. We got you. So say the gurus.

[Ebro]

Outro music, my G.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Hit that like button.

[Ebro]

Yeah, yeah.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Hit that like.

[Ebro]

Oh. I spoke.

[Rosenberg]

I spoke to Nicholas Craven about this beat.

[Ebro]

What do you say?

[Rosenberg]

All good. Gave said loves that we're using it and told me that it's actually already out. It's on a project he did with the God fahim from the ground up. So this is actually out on a record. So if you're looking. If you're looking to. Yeah. And shouts to Nick Craven, who's dropping a new album soon with Roscoe P. Cold Chain. He wanted me to let everybody know. So shouts to Nick Craven on this beat, man, we appreciate you. It feels right.

[Ebro]

Listen, J. Cole album out today. Everybody's talking. Everybody's can't wait 9 and 39. We're about to dig into J. Cole Cole. We'll get at that next week. Got a lot to listen to. Look. Super bowl halftime. Bad Bunny, ladies and gentlemen.

[Rosenberg]

What we're seeing Mondays, can't miss show cuz Monday we got Bad Bunny talk. Plus some J. Cole talk. Monday and Tuesday are gonna be crazy.

[Laura Rosenberg]

Next week we'll see. Yeah.

[Ebro]

Don'T call it a podcast.