The Joe Budden Podcast

Episode 893 | "Authorized User"

January 10, 2026

Episode Overview

Theme:
This episode of the Joe Budden Podcast revolves around lively banter on modern parenting, party planning, financial responsibility in relationships, the challenges of aging (with and without kids), music industry updates, current social issues, and the ever-present intersections of pop culture, politics, and hip-hop. The show transitions between light-hearted jokes, interpersonal group dynamics, music drops, and in-depth, emotional social commentary, especially around the ICE shooting in Minneapolis.

Main Discussion Points and Insights

1. Parenting, Party Planning, and 'Dad Duty'

• Modern Party Expectations:
  The crew compares planning kids' parties today with their past experiences, noting how expectations have risen for Instagrammable events.
  • Joe Budden: "Nobody is—the baby mamas are not decorating their own kid party spaces anymore." [03:14]
  • Ice: "Everything done is to impress the internet today." [01:40]
• DIY or Pay Up:
  They debate whether to hire party decorators versus DIY with Amazon kits.
  • Joe teases Ice for being too “hands-on dad” and “too involved.” [04:57]
• Role of Men/Dads:
  Discussion on what’s “manly”—putting toys together, fixing things.
  • Joe admits single moms are the real MVPs: "Single mothers, MVP everything." [06:32]

2. Kids, Age, and Life Choices

• Having Kids Later in Life
  • Ish: Shares he became a dad at 40 and 46 and how demanding it is: "Kids require a lot of energy...your knees ain't cooperating." [09:52]
  • Jokes about hiring all-in-one nannies: "Cleaning, laundry, cooking, being a friend to your lonely-ass wife." [10:23]
• Pressures or Timing of Parenthood
  • Groups razz Parks about being 'time to have kids.'
  • Mark Lamont Hill: "Take your time. If you get longing for kids, I got one you can have." [08:47]

3. Financial Pressures, Holidays, and 'Authorized User' Cards

• “Popped” Finances Post-Holiday:
  • Everyone admits to feeling the squeeze after Christmas.
  • Mona: "Gas or breakfast — that's pop. Choices. That's pop." [33:33]
  • Amex Moments: Ish, Mark, and others swap “Amex bill pain” stories, especially once a partner is an 'authorized user.'
• Who's Spending and How?
  • All debate if giving your partner a credit card or cash is more ‘responsible’ or dangerous.
    • Ice: "If I'm giving money, you gotta budget it...With a card, it's like casino chips." [36:38]
  • Mona (on spending): "If I'm sliding your card, I'm not getting a text, I don't see the bill. I don't give a fuck about that." [38:05]

4. Music Industry & Current Releases

• Bruno Mars Discussion:
  New single reviewed live; debates about whether his sound is too repetitive.
  • "If you do the same thing...I’m not mad at it if you did it and the shit didn't work..." — Ice [105:09]
  • General agreement: It's well-made, will be a hit, but feels like 'the same old.'
• Jill Scott’s New Single (“Pressure”) [109:01]
• Other drops:
  IDK & Pusha T, Kaylani, Sault, and more; their reactions range from enthusiasm to mild critique.

5. The ICE Minneapolis Shooting: In-depth Analysis

[49:00–84:00]

• Incident Recap:
  The group discusses in detail the case of Renee Nicole Good—a white woman, activist, and mother—killed by ICE agents during a raid.
  • Mark Lamont Hill: "These ICE raids are not only probably illegal, but definitely immoral and dangerous." [50:18]
  • Unanimous outrage at masked, militarized ICE agents employing deadly force.
  • Comparison to historical civil rights abuses and broader implications for immigrant and Black communities.
• Notable Moments:
  • Parks: "I don't think law enforcement should be able to use masks like that." [52:51]
  • Mona: "When the white people can't protest, we're in trouble. They shooting white people in the face, we in trouble." [52:52]
  • Mark (on language): "When you call people illegal alien...it dehumanizes them..." [54:37]
• Political Fallout:
  Critique of Trump, Kristi Noem, ICE practices, and the role of local officials and police. Discussion includes how blue states are being targeted, public manipulation through media, and the chilling effect on activist communities.
  • Joe: "You don't send people in those uniforms to neighborhoods with that protective gear unless you want to instill fear..." [58:15]
  • Solidarity & living memory:
    • Mark: "One day everyone will have been against this...20 years from now, the same people who are saying nothing are gonna pretend they were against this..." [82:00]

6. Cultural/Industry News, Social Commentary, Running Jokes

• Dame Dash vs. Charlamagne Ongoing Feud
  • Anecdotes about Dame’s “worker” interview and his obsession with being “the center” of hip-hop business.
  • Charlamagne’s $200M deal: serves as a focal point for Dame’s conspiracy that he’s blackballed.
  • Mona/MH: “I just wish he found a positive way in which to be presented...he just seems angry as fuck.” [171:37]
• Dipset Drama:
  • Cam’ron and Jim Jones’ ongoing social sniping & possible irreconcilable differences.
• NFL & NBA player misconduct/trauma:
  Rashi Rice’s ex’s abuse claims, the way the NFL handles (or doesn’t) domestic violence, plus discussions of Ja Morant, Trey Young, Zion Williamson’s latest off-court rumors.
• Success, Fame & Decline:
  The perils of too much social media, public meltdowns, and having no one to “take the mic from you.”

7. Relatable Real-Life Humor

• Ozempic and Weight Loss:
  Joe clowns on his own dramatic weight loss, and hilariously discusses the phenomenon of “getting more dick back” when you lose pounds, with Mona breaking down the mythos of men’s egos and lost inches. [94:51]
• Food and Breakup Coping:
  Mona and the crew reflect on eating (or not eating) during heartbreak, sharing their own humorous approaches.
• Mall-Job Joking:
  Running gags about DJ Envy’s new job at the American Dream mall—“Are you DJ’ing at the food court?” and Mona’s booster days. [119:35]

8. Quick Takes on Miscellaneous Topics

• Production deals in music:
  Warnings about young artists signing away their rights—"If you're under 25 you should not be able to sign a production deal on your own." [48:42]
• Charity Scams:
  Rumors around Travis Kelce's foundation and how much charitable giving actually reaches beneficiaries.
• Famous parents/visitation:
  Lil Durk’s mom laments declining support for her son during his ongoing legal troubles, and the psychology of jailhouse loneliness.
• Happy moments:
  Shouts out to Boosie Badazz for avoiding jail (just 300 hours community service), jokes about viral personalities (“King sell water bottles”), and rounding out with jovial "we did it" sentiment.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• On modern parties and pressure (Joe):
  “Nobody is—the baby mamas are not decorating their own kid party spaces anymore.” [03:14]

• On social media impressing (Ice):
  “Everything done is to impress the internet today.” [01:40]

• On single moms (Joe):
  "Single mothers, MVP everything." [06:32]

• On ‘popped’ after holidays (Mona):
  “Gas or breakfast—that’s pop. Choices. That’s pop.” [33:33]

• On ICE violence (Mark):
  “These ICE raids are not only probably illegal, but definitely immoral and dangerous.” [50:18]

• On legal language and dehumanization (Mark):
  "When you call people illegal alien... it dehumanizes them..." [54:37]

• On men, breakups, and recovery (Joe):
  "Well, I've done it already and got her back! ... You had to do the Justine.” [93:44]

• On weight loss (Mona):
  "If your clothes are folded nicely, she definitely want you back." [118:34]

• On Dame Dash’s rants (Ice):
  “Some of these niggas are so addicted to the fame...they can't sit up.” [168:24]

• On Dipset beef (Joe):
  "There's plenty of people in these situations...still love each other, but too much has occurred." [179:38]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Party Planning & Parenting: [00:39–07:00]
• Kids, Age, & Life Choices: [08:15–11:12]
• Finances/‘Popped’ & Relationships: [32:11–39:13]
• Amex/“Authorized User” Debate: [34:12–38:40]
• ICE Shooting, Minneapolis: [49:00–84:00]
• Bruno Mars, Jill Scott & Other Music Drops: [100:33–113:50+]
• NFL/NBA, Off-Field Issues: [128:26–137:39]
• Dame Dash/Charlamagne Feud: [161:09–171:37]
• Dipset Drama: [172:03–177:44]
• Weight Loss, Ozempic Jokes: [87:46–94:56]

Overall Vibe & Tone

The episode oscillates between jokey, brash, and self-deprecating (classic Joe and crew), warm camaraderie, and moments of genuinely heavy, socially conscious, at-times emotional discussion, particularly around issues of state violence and community organizing. The original language and cadence—the casual cursing, fast jokes, New York slang, and affectionate debating—shine throughout, keeping the pacing dynamic and lively.

For First-Time Listeners

• Expect a ping-ponging format: From jokes about party planning and relationship drama to impassioned commentary about state violence and music industry ethics.
• No topic is too "off-limits"—The group’s chemistry is both their greatest strength and a potential challenge to follow, but memorable moments, quotes, and signature humor are ever-present.
• If you want to catch the highlights: Don't miss the “Authorized User” bit on joint finances [34:12+], the Minneapolis incident breakdown [49:00–84:00], and the section skewering Dame Dash [161:09+].

Closing

“Keep us in your prayers, Lord knows we need to be there. Until next time.” [188:11]

This summary covers all principal topics, highlights recurring jokes and emotional peaks, and offers timestamps so newcomers (or longtime fans) can navigate the most memorable segments easily.