The Joe Budden Podcast
Episode 892 | "We'll Talk When I See You"
Date: January 7, 2026
Host: Joe Budden
Co-hosts: Mark Lamont Hill, Ish, Queens Flip, Freeze
Overview
Episode 892 reunites Joe Budden and his eclectic crew for the first episode of 2026. Returning guest Mark Lamont Hill joins in for a hilarious and wide-ranging discussion mixing light banter, real-life moments, politics, culture, and a dash of sports and music news. Laughter, debates, inside jokes, and genuine conversation mark the occasion as the crew tackles everything from club groupies, family lies, and parenting to weight loss, Jeweler drama, Netflix's new adult ambitions, Donald Trump's international power plays, and the enduring function of hip hop and black culture.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. New Year, New Lies & Relationship Games
[00:28–07:30]
- After welcoming Mark Lamont Hill back from St. Kitts, the guys compare notes on club dynamics, New Year's resolutions, and “relationship lies.”
- Joe and the crew joke about how being in a relationship lets you dodge awkward situations by blaming your partner (“That’s the other great thing about being in a relationship, to always back right out of there. That is fly.” — Joe Budden, 06:49).
- Queens Flip describes his Dry January: being the only sober one at a drunken kid’s birthday afterparty, the struggles of “sober hangouts,” and how he extricates guests politely (“I start going upstairs and coming back downstairs…” — Queens Flip, 21:37).
Memorable Moment
- Playful debate over who lies more, single or coupled people.
- “Being single come with having to conjure up way more unnecessary lies.” — Joe Budden [07:03]
2. Parenting, Passports, and Plane Mayhem
[08:12–11:01]
- Mark shares his harrowing travel back from St. Kitts during US travel restrictions, then venting about flying coach with his energetic son while his wife and daughter are up in first class (“I had to fly coach…being slapped like a $2 whore by a 3-year-old.” — Mark Lamont Hill, 09:49).
- The crew riffs on parenting, the chaos of traveling with toddlers, and moving into new parenthood stages.
- Running joke: “Mark, another kid on the way?”
3. Game Nights, Weight Loss, and Fridge Flexes
[20:43–25:56]
- Discussion on new versions of Uno, the best parts about being in a relationship (“Right on her” — Queens Flip, 06:58), and the retirement from “game night runs.”
- They trade stories about trainers, dietary habits, and the ridiculous cost of Doordash salads.
- Joe refuses fridge-shaming: “I don’t have a family fridge. You got a rich people fridge.” [25:32]
- Others describe growing up with “deep freezes” and the nuances of ‘family fridges.’
4. Hot Take Time: Donnie McClurkin & The Church
[27:17–38:32]
- The crew flips a coin between Donald Trump and gospel singer Donnie McClurkin as their first “serious” segment. Tails: Donnie.
- Mark breaks down the recent civil lawsuit against McClurkin, accused by a former congregant (21 at the time) of sexual misconduct during so-called “praying the gay away” sessions.
- Context on McClurkin’s book about “overcoming homosexuality”; discussion turns to hypocrisy in church leadership and the legacy of “conversion therapy.”
- Mark: “There ain’t no church…that runs without gay people. Ain’t no hip hop that run without gay people…So let’s show love to gay people, support them, and not do this shit.” [38:13]
5. Jeweler Fights & Digital Personas – The 47th Street Brawl
[49:44–61:14]
- Recap: Online jeweler “Trax” confronts a rival in NYC’s Diamond District over selling fake gold to a customer in Trax’s name. Physical brawl, spitting, and police involvement.
- Debate: Should jewelers be theatrical and build online “personalities,” or does this undercut trust and luxury market discretion?
- Joe: “That’s one of those professions...I don’t want to see anything theatrical on the Internet.”
- Freeze and Ish argue that some digital persona is inevitable, especially for LA/Southern jewelers.
- Freeze warns: “If you turn it into content, you gotta be open to whatever comes with it.” [62:45]
6. Netflix After Dark/Streaming Adult Content
[73:39–81:29]
- Netflix’s rumored “After Dark” adult content section: team splits on whether it’s a good idea.
- Mark worries about a “monopoly” (“People should have to go somewhere else for porn”), while others pivot to laughs about hidden browser histories, “librarian porn,” and OnlyFans-style content.
- Ish notes concerns with Netflix acquiring Warner, shortening theater windows to just 17 days.
- Joe: “Going to the movies is an experience. You got two weeks. I want to be in bed, butt ass, with the bowl in mind.” [84:19]
7. Trump, Venezuela & U.S. Imperialism
[119:37–133:13]
- Mark provides context on the US capture of Venezuela’s president Nicoás Maduro and wife, international law broken, and why the US really intervenes (“This is about Venezuelan oil. This is about power. This is about control.” — Mark, 121:13).
- Debate: US hypocrisy (“The US does not have feelings. It only has interests.” — Mark, 129:34), the history of regime change, and how the U.S. polices other nations under the guise of democracy.
- Joe: “That was nuts. I’m with y’all. I’m against how that happened.” [129:56]
8. Sports Takes & Hall of Fame Banter
[65:09–73:15]
- The group dives into NFL playoff picks, spirited worst takes about Seattle/New England/Jacksonville, and the controversy over Myles Garrett’s sack record (how longer seasons affect historic stats).
- They riff on the joy of pro sports record-breaking and a desire to be at milestone games, with Mark lamenting, “I’m not impressed by that shit.” [71:07]
9. Hot Topics: Pastors’ Wives, Black Music, & Backflips
[93:02–118:48]
- Recap and group reaction to Pastor Jamal Bryant defending his wife’s “flesh color” dress at a fundraising gala. The team explores how women in the church are judged for appearance, double standards, the phrase “come as you are,” and what it actually means.
- Later segments touch on upcoming releases from Bruno Mars and Ari Lennox, the significance of Jodeci to Black music, and which 90s hip hop groups they wish Gen Z would re-discover (revisiting PM Dawn, KRS-One, and “Set Adrift on Memory Bliss”).
- Comedy returns: the never-ending “backflip bet," with Ish maybe owing Mark $10k if he doesn't land it by a new deadline.
10. Industry, Betrayal & Friendship Boundaries
[150:03–161:16]
-
Listener Letter: What do you do when a younger family member insists on following the “family business” in crime despite your efforts to lead them out?
-
Ish & Freeze argue you have to sometimes let people learn the hard way (“Sometimes they gotta learn the hard way.” — Ish, 151:28), while Mark urges never to give up.
-
Joe asks: If you once knew someone famous who committed heinous crimes (like Aaron Hernandez), how would you talk about them? The group debates separating on-field/off-field and what lines are uncrossable.
11. Loose Ends, Culture & Lighthearted Closes
- Mark launches a new podcast with his wife (“In This Thing Together" — 133:34).
- Brief check-ins about current TV (“Gilded Age”), movie-watching habits, and how theater experience is changing.
- A light moment as Joe calls DJ Akademiks live to clear the air about media alliances and beef, reinforcing their lasting friendship (“One thing, and this is why I always say…Joe is always my man.” — DJ Akademiks, 171:05).
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Relationship Lies:
“Being single come with having to conjure up way more unnecessary lies.” — Joe Budden [07:03] -
On Parenting Young Kids:
“And I’m being slapped like a $2 whore by a 3-year-old… And he’s really strong.” — Mark Lamont Hill [09:49] -
On the “New Uno”:
"That’s the other great thing about being in a relationship, to always back right out of there. That is fly. I’m not going to lie." — Joe Budden [06:49] -
On the Church & Sexuality:
"There ain't no church...that runs without gay people. Ain't no hip hop that run without gay people...So let's just show love to gay people, support them, treat them like human beings and not do this shit." — Mark Lamont Hill [38:13] -
On Digital Personas in Business:
“If you turn it into content, you gotta be open to whatever come with it.” — Freeze [62:45] -
On US Foreign Interventions:
"This is about Venezuelan oil. This is about power. This is about control. And the person they're trumpeting as the real leader of Venezuela…she's a hardcore right wing pro Trumper." — Mark Lamont Hill [121:13]
“The US does not have feelings. The US only has interests.” — Mark Lamont Hill [129:34] -
On Letting Family Learn the Hard Way:
“Sometimes they gotta learn the hard way.” — Ish [151:28]
“If you love someone, never give up. Go out swinging.” — Mark Lamont Hill [155:09] -
On End of Episode & Growing Up:
“Can this be the year that this podcast grows up a little bit? Honestly?” — Joe Budden [138:43]
“We’re never growing up, Joe.” — Freeze [138:48]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- New Year, Club Banter: 00:28–07:30
- Parenting, Travel Woes: 08:12–11:01
- Game Night, Relationship Dodge: 20:43–25:56
- Donnie McClurkin Allegations: 27:17–38:32
- Jeweler Fights & Digital Persona: 49:44–61:14
- Netflix After Dark & Movie Experiences: 73:39–81:29, 83:00–85:00
- Trump, Venezuela, & US Imperialism: 119:37–133:13
- Sports Takes/Worst Take Segment: 65:09–73:15
- Pastors’ Wives, Music Nostalgia: 93:02–118:48
- Family, Loyalty, & Hard Lessons: 150:03–161:16
- Joe & DJ Akademiks Call: 165:41–172:28
Tone & Vibe
- Conversational, warm, irreverent, and deeply candid.
- Even hot-button topics are handled with a blend of real talk, sarcasm, and disarming wit.
- The crew’s chemistry shines, especially when heavy moments are undercut by inside jokes or playful jabs.
End Note:
A strong return for the JBP with both laughter and gravity, Episode 892 offers everything fans love: wild tangents, real insight, and unfiltered friendship.