The Joe Budden Podcast

Episode 904 | "The Couch of Few Words"

Date: February 18, 2026

Host: Joe Budden

Guests/Co-hosts: Parks, Ish, Dr. Mark Lamont Hill, Ice

Episode Overview

This episode of The Joe Budden Podcast offers a lively blend of comedic banter, family debate, music reviews, and cultural critique characteristic of Joe and his friends. The crew tackles everything from parental expectations and education, to the quality of All-Star Weekend, to the viral America’s Next Top Model documentary, and memorializes figures like Jesse Jackson and Robert Duvall. True to form, the show moves seamlessly between sharp takes, jokes, and personal stories, providing a mix of honesty, humor, and the unpredictability fans expect.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Parental Expectations, Education & Career Disappointments

[00:31-13:15]

• The conversation kicks off with Mark Lamont Hill joking about abandoning a college fund, triggering a deeper dive into the uncomfortable realities parents face when kids’ outcomes don’t match expectations.
• Trade School vs. Academic Track: Mark argues for valued trade programs, while Ish shares experiences of schools tracking kids toward retail or manual labor early, sparking a debate on dignity and disappointment.
• Parental Investment: Mark expresses that spending $90K/year on college only for a child to become a nail tech would be frustrating. Joe pushes back: “So the money that you spent in your investment means and matters more than your child at any point figuring out what they want to do, love doing, and end up doing?” (Joe, 05:42)
• They highlight the “privilege problem” and generational shifts in what careers are seen as successful.
• Mark admits, “I’d accept [a non-traditional career choice], but I’d still be pissed because of how much money I put into it.” (Mark, 05:54)
• A move into whether “all parents want better for their kids” leads to reflections on cycles of disappointment, privilege, and generational trauma.
• Quote: “Some of you parents out there is losers, and think you didn’t pass down your loser game. What you expect your kid to do? Nigga, look at you!” (Joe, 13:01)

2. Valentine's Day Stories & Relationship Dynamics

[16:32-28:44]

• Joe and co. share stories from Valentine’s Day, including Joe’s girlfriend wanting to "take off" Valentine’s Day—and the miscommunication that followed about “taking the day off” meaning different things.
• The group teases Ish about his Valentine “flex,” including wearing boxers with his girlfriend’s face on them.
• Parks jokes about “head-ass” love displays; consensus: they love doing over-the-top romantic stuff.
• Memorable Exchange:
  • “She said offset.” (Ish, 18:03)
  • “You said offset. He’s making a take off.” (Mark, 18:04)

3. Concert Reviews: New Edition, Boyz II Men, Toni Braxton, Jill Scott

[30:34-54:17]

• The crew reviews recent concerts at the Prudential Center (New Edition, Boyz II Men, Toni Braxton) and Jill Scott at Blue Note.
• Sound issues at the concert are discussed: “From what I could hear, the show when the mics were on—it was great… But it may have only been a third of the time.” (Parks, 32:52)
• Standout performances are praised: “Ralph did do what I got to do. Ralph bodied.” (Joe, 40:32)
• Age/legacy of performers is noted; “These steps was made for a 60-year-old. They made those Motown steps look old….” (Joe, 37:03)
• Jill Scott’s show is described as a “warm hug”: “It was like the warmest hug you ever felt in your life on Valentine's Day.” (Parks, 43:44)
• They touch on how seeing artists live changes perceptions of albums.
• Timestamps:
  • New Edition concert review: [30:34-43:38]
  • Jill Scott at Blue Note: [43:40-54:28]

4. NBA All-Star Weekend: Critiques and Highlights

[55:40-66:47]

• The group critiques the scheduling, lack of atmosphere, and corporate feel of All-Star Weekend.
• Praise for Damian Lillard’s Three-Point Contest performance; dunk contest universally trashed: “We’d be better off putting a trash can at half-court and dunking paper balls.” (Joe, 60:49)
• Discussion on absence of “urban dynamic” at All-Star, longing for the days when “drug dealers...were the ones that got shit lit.”
• All agree the actual All-Star Game itself was unusually competitive this year, with major props given to Victor Wembanyama’s intensity.

5. America’s Next Top Model Docuseries: Tyra Banks Hammered

[74:46-92:20]

• Joe and Parks dissect the new Netflix docuseries exposing abuse in America’s Next Top Model, calling Tyra Banks “an absolute monster.”
• Explosive details are recounted: racial microaggressions towards Black contestants, on-camera sexual assault, forced dental work, blackface, insensitive photo shoots including “dead models.”
• Quote: “Tyra Banks needs her own independent cell underground.” (Joe, 76:39)
• They criticize the lack of apology or accountability from Tyra: “She didn’t apologize for anything. Actually, she doubled down on most of it...” (Joe, 88:12)

6. Tributes: Jesse Jackson & Robert Duvall

[95:02-104:15]

• Dr. Mark Lamont Hill delivers an eloquent, emotional tribute to civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson.
  • “Jesse Jackson is the epitome of the wounded healer. He was hurt and he was harmed, but he never stopped trying to heal the world…” (Mark, 100:44)
• Brief mention of Robert Duvall’s passing, celebrating his acting legacy.

7. Rapid-Fire Topics & Notable Moments

• Desus’ New Show "Desus Pieces": The crew critiques the lackluster trailer for Desus’ new content series (“What happened? Where'd you go?” Joe, 110:01), expressing disappointment in how culture figures sometimes disengage, then return only to sell a product.
• Lil Wayne & LaRussell Discourse:
  • LaRussell is under fire for saying he developed "disdain" for Wayne’s lack of lyrical content as he got older. The crew points out that young rappers need to be more careful discussing legends. ([121:38-137:01])
  • “You gotta earn the right to even talk about people.” (Joe, 132:37)
• Michael Jordan Viral Moment: Jordan attempts to break ice out of a boy’s shorts at a NASCAR race, leading to wild (and, they feel, irresponsible) internet accusations. “Y’all can’t assume that Michael Jordan is fondling a kid’s buttocks.” (Joe, 138:17)
• LifeTouch/Epstein Scare: Discussion of how LifeTouch, a major school photographer, was reportedly exposed in Epstein files, raising concerns about privacy and child safety.
• Dr. Umar’s School: Dr. Umar announces the completion of his long-awaited school, drawing applause from the group.
• Obama/Aliens: Briefly, Obama stirs the internet by appearing to confirm, then walk back, beliefs about extraterrestrials.

8. Battle Rap & Geechi Gotti Incident

• The crew addresses battle rapper Hitman Holla’s criticisms, asserting their fair and frequent coverage of battle rap, and clarifying that their concern regarding Geechi Gotti’s recent robbery incident was about the struggles of Black men, not battle rap drama.
  • “I personally was never having a battle rap conversation when I was talking [about] Geechi Gotti.” (Joe, 162:29)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Parental Disappointment:
  • “As a parent, there's just certain Ls you got to take as a parent.” (Joe, 11:28)
• On America’s Next Top Model:
  • “Tyra Banks needs her own independent cell underground...” (Joe, 76:39)
  • “She didn't apologize for anything. Actually, she doubled down in most of it, outside of maybe one of the race swaps.” (Joe, 88:06)
• On All-Star Weekend:
  • “It’s all too corporate for sure. ... We do need drug dealers and all that drug dealers attract. ... They were the ones that was gonna get your shit lit.” (Joe, 63:18)
• On LaRussell & Wayne:
  • “You have to earn the right to speak about certain people. Lil Wayne is on that list.” (Joe, 132:37)
• Jesse Jackson Eulogy:
  • “He's the epitome of the wounded healer. He was hurt and he was harmed, but he never stopped trying to heal the world.” (Dr. Mark Lamont Hill, 100:44)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Parental Expectations & Disappointments: [00:31–13:15]
• Valentine’s Day/Romantic Life: [16:32–28:44]
• Concert Reviews (New Edition, Jill Scott): [30:34–54:28]
• NBA All-Star Weekend Recap: [55:40–66:47]
• America’s Next Top Model Doc Critique: [74:46–92:20]
• Jesse Jackson Tribute: [95:02–104:15]
• Desus Pieces/New Media Critique: [106:00–116:12]
• Lil Wayne/LaRussell Discourse: [121:38–137:01]
• Michael Jordan ‘Ice’ Viral Moment: [137:01–139:41]
• Geechi Gotti & Battle Rap: [160:41–166:46]

Tone & Style

Warm, irreverent, and candid throughout. The hosts swing between heartfelt tributes, sharp-edged critique, and teasing camaraderie. No one is spared—each member and topic gets both earnest reflection and comedic roasting.

Summary for New Listeners

Episode 904 is a quintessential Joe Budden Podcast ride—funny, random, deep, infuriating, but never dull. From dissecting parental anxieties, the sad reality of educational tracking, and the cost of chasing dreams, to clowning Tyra Banks’ misdeeds and debating All-Star Weekend’s lack of soul, it’s a blend of Black cultural commentary, music fanhood, sincere tributes, and hilarious shade. If you missed it, you’ll leave feeling caught up both on what matters and what made them laugh, with a few new things to argue about yourself.