The Joe Budden Podcast

Episode 894 | "White-Ish Mamba"
January 14, 2026

Main Theme / Purpose

This episode delivers the classic JBP blend of sharp pop culture analysis, sports talk, current events, and playful ribbing among friends. Centered around the Golden Globes, celebrity culture, accountability in media, relationships, and sports, the crew covers recent headlines as well as their own lives, all delivered in their signature conversational, humorous, and no-holds-barred style.

Cast (in this episode)

• Joe Budden (Host)
• Flip (Queens Flip)
• Ish
• Dr. Mark Lamont Hill
• Parks
• Ice (Big Freeze)
• Poe, Corey, Erickson, Savon, Tavon, Tanner (remote/support, occasional mentions)

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Male Friend Compliments and Social Dynamics

• Start: 00:00
• Men’s discomfort giving/receiving compliments opens the episode. The crew jokes about fashion and wives dressing them, with friendly but pointed teasing mixed in.
  • Memorable Quote:

    "Why we can't give you a compliment?" – Dr. Mark Lamont Hill (01:37)

• Tangents:
  • Flip and Joe admit their partners often help pick their outfits.
  • Ish pushes back, insisting on his independence in dress.

2. Early Morning Routines, Drinks, and "Being Outside"

• Time: 06:00
• The cast lightly debates the joys and loneliness of early mornings. Dr. Hill mentions going out and having a Bacardi & Coke, igniting jokes and playful shaming about drink tastes.
  • Highlight

    “Bacardi and Coke is a strange choice.” – Flip (08:26)

3. Marriage, Flirting, and Navigating Social Cues

• Time: 09:00–13:00
• The cast discusses when/how quickly married men bring up their status with new people.
  • Some argue that bringing up the wife doesn’t always stop flirting.
  • Insight:

    “That don’t stop nothing... It stops the classy ones.” – Ish (11:39)

• Open relationships and perceptions about marriage are debated in a frank, humorous style.

4. Infidelity in the Workplace

• Time: 18:00–20:00
• Jokes (and semi-serious talk) about high rates of cheating in workplaces, especially hospitals and teaching.
  • "Hospitals and workplace is where all the infidelity is happening." – Dr. Mark Lamont Hill (18:59)

5. Golden Globes Recap

• Time: 33:00–47:00
• Highlights:
  • Praise for Nikki Glaser as host.
  • Teyana Taylor’s emotional acceptance speech (read aloud and discussed).
    • "Our softness is not...our depth is not...too much. Our light does not need permission to shine." – Quoting Teyana Taylor (37:00)
  • The lack of diversity among attendees is noted and critiqued.
  • Jokes about the “Voice of God” presenters.
  • A spirited discussion about support and recognition for Black women in entertainment and the arts.
• The crew reflects on Teyana Taylor’s growth, resilience, and multi-hyphenate status.

6. Social Issues at the Awards

• Time: 45:00
• Discussion on celebrities and their responses to political issues (e.g., Bill Maher’s comments on the red carpet), the role of activism, symbolism, and performative gestures.
  • Wanda Sykes' clapback at Maher is praised:

    “You just give us so much. Maybe give us a little less.” – Wanda Sykes, paraphrased by Dr. Mark Lamont Hill (46:43)

7. Personal Updates: Ish's Car Accident

• Time: 30:00–33:00
• Ish recounts a serious car accident—everyone is okay, but it's a reminder about safety and family.
• Jokes quickly resume: “Excuse used about a S Class.” – Dr. Mark Lamont Hill, teasing Ish about car upgrades (30:51)

8. Podcast Awards: Frustrations with Industry Gatekeeping

• Time: 66:25–68:25
• Critique of the Golden Globes podcast category:
  • Complaints about mid-tier podcasts winning due to submission/pay requirements, not true influence.
  • “If the greatest film awards...were a bunch of shit no one’s ever heard of…you’d be like, what the fuck is this award ceremony?” – Flip (68:08)

9. Football Playoffs & Sports Hot Takes

• Time: 69:07–86:30
• Detailed NFL playoff analysis:
  • Bills and Josh Allen's performance praised.
  • Sporting rules, officiating (e.g., offensive linemen carrying QB—70:00), and “unsung” moments discussed.
  • Notable moment:

    “He did what he had to do. Congratulations to the Bills." – Joe Budden (70:23)

• Eagles’ decline and Jalen Hurts’ performance hotly debated; Cam Newton vs. Gilly controversy referenced.
  • “To me, Hurts ain’t that bro. So Cam was right.” – Ish (85:28)

10. Viral Clip Breakdown: Cam Newton & Lady London

• Time: 86:32–94:00
• Cam Newton fumbles a vocabulary test (“eclectic”) on Lady London's show. Panel both cringes and laughs at his effort to impress, breaking down gender and social dynamics.
  • Quote:

    “In this climate, to really appreciate the creativity, to be able to appreciate the wordsmith...nouns, verbs, similes, metaphors.” – Cam Newton, as read by Joe (89:10)

  • Discussion of male egos, social expectation, "go-to moves," and the inability to handle being outwitted by a sharp woman.

11. Contemporary Relationships, Clout, and Social Media

• Time: 97:00–100:00
• Open conversation about how social media, clout, and public relationships shift dating/game dynamics.
  • On “serving up” your partner:

    “She’s serving herself up to her 8,600 followers and that 86 gonna go to 286,000 in a month…” – Joe Budden (58:56)

12. New York City: Public Restrooms Policy

• Time: 108:10–114:45
• NYC Mayor’s policy to open public restrooms hailed as a quality-of-life improvement, with the hosts riffing on the daily struggles of city living, the indignity of paying to pee, and aging male bladders.
  • “There’s not a year in my 40s where I haven’t pissed on myself.” – Joe Budden (109:22)

13. Dipset Drama – Dame Dash vs. Jim Jones

• Time: 115:03–119:13
• Old footage emerges of a near-fight between Dame Dash and Jim Jones, sparking regrets about airing out old beef and calls for honoring relationships.
  • “Honor over content is, like, the opposite of what this world is.” – Dr. Mark Lamont Hill (118:01)

14. "Honor Over Content" & Accountability Culture

• Time: 117:40
• Juelz Santana’s (cryptic) silence about Dipset drama is praised as “honor over content”—the group reflects on when it’s better not to speak just for content’s sake.

15. NBA: "Let 'Em Fight"

• Time: 119:40–124:56
• Dennis Schroder vs. Luka Dončić off-court scuffle is debated, with Joe (humorously) calling for more NBA one-on-one fights:
  • “The NBA should adopt some of that hockey [rules]...pause the game [and just] let them fight!” – Joe Budden (122:28)

16. YouTube Creators & Drewski Praise

• Time: 145:06–148:23
• Major praise for Drewski’s sketch comedy, with Joe and crew wishing streaming services would take YouTubers more seriously and invest in Black comedians at the ground level.

17. Religion: Comedy, Scams, and Tithing

• Time: 157:01–163:56
• Drewski’s viral 'Black Pastor' sketch prompts a serious conversation about prosperity gospel, church hustlers, tithing, and the fine line between faith and manipulation.
  • “I’ve watched poor people give their last dollar to somebody who has a jet, literally. And that’s my issue.” – Dr. Mark Lamont Hill (161:52)
• Joe shares a more positive personal experience with his own church community.

18. Virality & Apology Culture: “Gone Girl” in Real Life

• Time: 164:14–168:35
• The group discusses the story of Linda Brown (Chicago teacher), whose disappearance became a viral true-crime case—and the perils of social media “detective” culture wrongly blaming her husband before facts emerged.
  • “I do respect the people that’s coming out and apologizing to this man.” – Joe Budden (167:42)

19. NFL: Mike Tomlin Steps Down

• Time: 169:49–174:30
• Reaction to Steelers coach Mike Tomlin’s exit after 19 years, and broader chat about respect, organizational class, and coaches in transition.

20. Jocelyn Hernandez’s Sobriety Milestone

• Time: 175:01–177:29
• Joe and crew offer sincere congratulations to Jocelyn Hernandez for being three years cocaine-free—but also reflect (with classic JBP irreverence) on her legendary reality TV antics when “coked up Jocelyn” was “first ballot hall of fame.”

21. New York Radio Shake-Up: Mero as Hot 97 Morning Host

• Time: 101:36–104:46
• Mero (formerly of Desus & Mero) is announced as the new Hot 97 Morning Show lead; panel laughs about industry turnover and “who really won the breakup.”

22. Final Wrap: Compliments, Growth, & Reflections

• Time: 190:05–End
• Jokes circle back to the opening theme: men’s discomfort with compliments. There's light banter about group chemistry, upcoming events, and gratitude for the audience.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• [01:37] Dr. Mark Lamont Hill:
  "Why we can't give you a compliment?"
• [37:00] Teyana Taylor (Golden Globes speech):
  "Our softness is not...our depth is not...too much. Our light does not need permission to shine."
• [68:08] Flip:
  "If the greatest film awards...were a bunch of shit no one’s ever heard of...you’d be like, what the fuck is this award ceremony?"
• [109:22] Joe Budden:
  “There’s not a year in my 40s where I haven’t pissed on myself.”
• [118:01] Dr. Mark Lamont Hill:
  "Honor over content is, like, the opposite of what this world is."
• [161:52] Dr. Mark Lamont Hill:
  “I’ve watched poor people give their last dollar to somebody who has a jet, literally. And that’s my issue.”
• [157:01] Dr. Mark Lamont Hill:
  “If Drew Ski had done this about Muslims or Jews...I’d be just as funny. It’s not about religion for me. It’s about people who prey on people who ain’t got nothing.”
• [175:24] Jocelyn Hernandez (read by Joe Budden):
  “I thank God every day I didn’t lose my life to the white girl. Young girls—it’s not a game, and it is not worth it.”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:37] — Why can’t men accept/give compliments?
• [13:28] — (Humorous) shout outs to all marital statuses & kinds
• [33:00–47:00] — Golden Globes discussion & Teyana Taylor’s speech
• [66:25] — Frustration at the Podcast Awards
• [69:07–86:30] — Football/Sports recap
• [86:32–94:00] — Cam Newton/Lady London viral vocabulary fail
• [109:22] — Joe Budden on aging bladders & NYC restrooms
• [115:03–119:13] — Dipset drama: Dame Dash vs. Jim Jones video
• [161:52] — Dr. Mark Lamont Hill on prosperity gospel and church hustle
• [167:42] — Social media apology culture (Linda Brown case)
• [175:01] — Jocelyn Hernandez celebrates sobriety

Flow and Tone

• Tone is irreverent, raw, and humorous—panelists weave seamlessly between serious debates (race, justice, abuse, public policy), cultural commentary, and gut-busting jokes.
• Regular sidebars, quick pivots, and the in-jokes typical of longtime friends, balanced with thoughtful reflection.
• Even most serious topics are approached with clear attribution and direct, relatable language, preserving the natural cadence and banter of the show.

For Listeners Who Missed It

• This episode exemplifies the JBP’s mix of culture, current events, comedy, and sports, with standouts like the Golden Globes recap, the viral “eclectic” blunder, and the honest, self-aware look at male ego.
• The chemistry is on full display: sometimes teasing, sometimes supportive, sometimes spinning off into wild tangents, but always bringing things back to the key question—“What does this mean for us and our world?”

Note: Skipped advertisements and intro/outro formalities as requested.