Full Show: Stephen A. interviews singer Mario and answers romance questions with Nephew Josh.

Summary

The Stephen A. Smith Show – Episode Summary Release Date: December 12, 2024

Host:

• Stephen A. Smith
• Daniel Jeremiah

Guest:

• Mario, Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, and actor

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1. Introduction and Guest Presentation

The episode kicks off with Stephen A. expressing immense gratitude to his loyal listeners and subscribers across various platforms. Despite being on vacation, Stephen ensures that high-quality content is delivered consistently. He introduces his New York Times bestselling memoir, Straight Shooter: A Memoir of Second Chances and First Takes, highlighting its motivational and inspirational themes.

Notable Quote:

"Without you, there would be no me."
— Stephen A. Smith [01:15]

2. Interview with Mario

Mario, an acclaimed artist with two Billboard Music Awards and a Grammy nomination, joins Stephen A. to discuss his multifaceted career in music and acting. They delve into Mario's latest projects, including his new album and his role in the holiday film, Style Me for Christmas.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Music Career and New Album:

  • Mario reflects on his six-year hiatus and his continuous creative process during that period.

  • His new album, Glad You Came, is set to release on December 13th. The album blends classic R&B influences with contemporary sounds, aiming to preserve the art form while introducing fresh elements.

    Notable Quote:

    "This album is an invitation to a new era of me as an artist and a new era of R&B."
    — Mario [17:56]

• Acting Ventures:

  • Mario discusses his foray into acting, emphasizing it as a means of creative expression and collaboration.

  • His role as Teddy Maxwell in Style Me for Christmas is highlighted, showcasing his ability to merge his musical talents with his acting skills.

    Notable Quote:

    "Acting teaches you to stretch your creativity in ways that also enhance your music."
    — Mario [14:26]

• Touring and Collaborations:

  • Mario shares his excitement about touring with Mary J. Blige and Neo, positioning himself as the opening act. He describes the tour as an intimate performance that connects deeply with the audience.

    Notable Quote:

    "It's gonna be a beautiful night where you dance, sing, and feel the essence of R&B in so many different spaces."
    — Mario [28:30]

• Influence and Inspirations:

  • Mario articulates his admiration for R&B legends like Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and Joe. He contrasts them with contemporary artists, emphasizing the unique qualities that set each apart.

    Notable Quote:

    "If you combine Michael, Marvin, Stevie, and Joe, you get my vocal prowess."
    — Mario [27:26]

3. Relationship Advice Segment with Nephew Josh

In a dynamic and often humorous segment, Stephen A. and Daniel Jeremiah navigate relationship queries with the unexpected involvement of Stephen A.'s nephew, Josh. This segment blends traditional advice with Josh's unfiltered and sometimes controversial inputs.

Listener Calls and Discussions:

• Anitra from St. Louis:

  • Topic: Maintaining friendships with the opposite sex.

  • Discussion: Daniel advises caution and trust, while Josh provides a blunt perspective on attraction.

    Notable Quote:

    "If you know that your man likes women that are in shape, then if he has a big friend, that's a friend."
    — Josh [37:40]

• Troy from Toronto, Canada:

  • Topic: Balancing multiple romantic interests.

  • Discussion: Daniel emphasizes commitment and authenticity, countering Josh's cynicism about relationships.

    Notable Quote:

    "Pick one or the other. You don’t play with both."
    — Daniel Jeremiah [62:16]

• Parker from Burlingen:

  • Topic: Spicing up a relationship with role-play.

  • Discussion: Daniel offers practical advice on prioritizing genuine connections over superficial gestures, while Josh humorously suggests unconventional methods.

    Notable Quote:

    "When you know that you have achieved your best self, you worry less about how she perceives you."
    — Daniel Jeremiah [56:14]

• Mickey from Middletown:

  • Topic: Navigating multiple dates and ethical dilemmas.

  • Discussion: Daniel provides strong guidance against deceit, advocating for honesty and self-respect, while Josh injects humorous but misguided suggestions.

    Notable Quote:

    "If you’re a seven on a good day and she’s an eight, focus on becoming the best you can be instead of trying to be someone else."
    — Daniel Jeremiah [61:52]

Nephew Josh's Role: Josh, though not officially part of the show, actively participates by answering calls and offering unsolicited advice, often leading to animated exchanges with Stephen A. and Daniel. His contributions add a layer of unpredictability and humor, though they sometimes clash with the hosts' perspectives.

Notable Interaction:

Josh: "Are you the friend with a friend, Anitra?"
Anitra: "So I'm not the friend with the friend? No, I'm like the person that's dating him..."
Daniel Jeremiah: "You use her to gloss over your own insecurities."
*— Stephen A. Smith and Daniel Jeremiah engaging with Josh [36:03 - 64:46]

4. Sports Segment with Stephen A. and Daniel Jeremiah

While not the primary focus of this episode, Stephen A. and Daniel Jeremiah touch upon the sports world, discussing teams like the Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers, Buffalo Bills, and Kansas City Chiefs. They analyze team performances and express skepticism about certain teams' prospects for the season.

Notable Quote:

"If you give Derrick Henry the ball about 25 times, I think you'll be all right."
— Daniel Jeremiah [07:00]

5. Promotions and Advertisements

The episode includes sponsorships and promotions for various brands, such as Geico and Prize Picks. However, as per the user's instructions, these sections are skipped in the summary to focus on content-rich discussions.

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Conclusion: This episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show offers a blend of insightful interviews and engaging relationship advice, all wrapped in Stephen A.'s signature candor and entertainment value. Mario's discussion provides a deep dive into the creative processes of a multifaceted artist, while the relationship segment offers listeners both professional and unconventional perspectives on navigating personal relationships. The show's ability to balance serious topics with lighthearted interactions ensures a captivating experience for both long-time fans and new listeners.

End of Summary

Transcript

[Greg Rosenthal]

What's up, everyone? It's Greg Rosenthal, and I'm teaming up with the king of spring, Daniel Jeremiah. He requires me to say that we're going to be bringing you 40s and free agents, the only podcast you'll need this NFL draft season. From DJs mock drafts to my top 101, free agents will have it covered for you with all new episodes every Thursday, keeping you up to date as we head to the NFL Draft. Listen to 40s and free agents starting on March 6th on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

What's up, everyone?

[Julie Swerbinks]

Julie Swerbinks here along with former NHL player Nate Thompson.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

We're doing a new podcast together. Here we go. The name Energy Line with Nate and jsb.

[Nate Thompson]

Each week we'll get together and talk about hockey life.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

All topics are fair game, right? Exactly.

[Julie Swerbinks]

And you'll never know who will drop.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

By to join us. Julia's pretty well connected. She has text threads going that you wouldn't believe. Listen to Energy Line with Nate and.

[Julie Swerbinks]

Jsb on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

How can I breath without you here by my side? Nope, I cannot sing. But I can do a show. What's up, everybody? Welcome to the latest edition, this special edition of the Stephen A. Smith show coming at you as I love to do at the very least three days a week over the digital airways with YouTube and, of course, iHeartRadio. As always, I take a moment to thank and show gratitude to my subscribers and followers and listeners who listen to me and support me. I am on vacation, but it doesn't mean that I wasn't gonna tape a show. And to provide you with the level of content that you have come to expect. Even when I'm away. Even when I'm away. And that's exactly what I've done today. Before I say anything else, again, the gratitude is extreme. Thank you so much. Without you, there would be no me. So just want to thank you for that. Not just to my followers on YouTube, over the digital airways of YouTube, but of course, iHeartRadio. Thank you so much with all of these millions of downloads that y'all have been giving me. I appreciate the love so much, so much. By the way, to continue to like and follow the show, just click the bell and you too shall be the latest member of the Stephen A. Smith show family, accessible to all of our new content. While you're doing that, make sure to pick up a copy of my New York Times best selling memoir, Straight Shooter, A memoir of second chances and first takes, now in paperback. Just go to straightshooterbook.com to get yourself a copy. Once again, at straightshooterbook.com to get yourself a copy. From what I'm hearing, it's a highly motivational and inspirational book that all of you should get your hands on around the Christmas holidays. I mean, this is what they tell me. I mean, I wrote the damn thing. I also did the audiobook, so I know it's inspirational and motivational, but I didn't want to say that myself. I wanted to leave that to y'all to deduce on your own. Anyway, this particular show, while I'm on vacation, I'm one of those guys that, you know what, sports is my background, that's my wheelhouse. But it doesn't mean that I don't know a thing or two about politics, doesn't mean I don't know a thing or two about pop culture and entertainment. It certainly doesn't mean that I don't know a thing or two about some of the artists out there. And I've been very, very interested in talking to a guest of mine today, and it's not my nephew who'll be on later on in the show answering questions on relationships, believe it or not, from people. I don't know what the hell possessed me to do such a thing, but I said, hell with it, I'm going to try it. Because he's been bugging me and bugging me and bugging me, you understand? And I wanted to give him an opportunity to show his ignorance yet again. And he did not let me down in that department. You'll see what I'm talking about. You'll see what I'm talking about. But he won't be on before. My guest, who is an accomplished individual, earned two Billboard Music Awards, a Grammy nomination, has been doing music for years. I know a lot of people don't think they've heard from him for years, but his music will speak for itself. You'll know exactly who I'm talking about when I mention his name. It's a lot of things that artists bring to the equation. So many times we look at comedians, for example, and we're so gratified and thankful that they find a way to relieve us of stress and tension and misery because they find a way to make us laugh when nobody else can. Well, there's another powerful element that lives out there, and we've known it since the days we were born. And that's the power of music. When you're listening to a song or or particular artists and their voice and what they bring to the table and how it just soothes you and it makes you a bit introspective and appreciative of all that you have and all that you aim to and aspire to achieve. You can't say enough about the impact that music can have on any of our lives. So anytime I have an opportunity to interview a music artist, it's something that I want to take advantage of. And I definitely did that with this episode. His name is Mario. He's got a holiday film coming out, Style Me for Christmas. I already told you about some of his accomplishments in the music industry. He's also an actor. And guess what? He's up next right here on the Stephen A. Smith Show. So don't go away. Okay, everybody, you know what time it is. It's time for Stephen A. Sports Picks. Let's be real, y'all. If there's one thing that is obvious to everybody is that I love sports. I report on it, I debate it and enjoy watching it. It's my passion. Always has been, always will be. That's right. And that's why I've teamed up with Prize Picks to bring you my favorite sports pick each and every single week. Prize Picks, the largest fantasy sports platform in all of the land with over 3 million members. With prize picks, you just simply choose 2, 3 or even up to 6 of your favorite players and then choose more or less on their projected stats for the game or contest. And get this now with prizespix 1000 time lineup payout promotion, you have the ability to win up to 1000 times your money. It requires careful strategy, sharp picks and a six pick lineup. But that is the highest payout ever at prospects. And the good news doesn't stop there because if you sign up now and use code SAS, Prospects will give you $50 instantly when you play your first $5 lineup. You don't need to win your lineup to receive the $50 bonus. You know it's guaranteed. Just play a $5 lineup on prize picks and you'll get $50 instantly. Now let's see my winning picks. Today I'll be making picks for this Thursday's NFL matchup. The Los Angeles Rams against the San Francisco 49ers. First up, Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford. More or less than 249 and a half passing yards. Matthew Stafford is a bad brother. Puka Nkua and Cooper cup are no joke. Sean McVay is no joke calling plays. And again, Matthew Staff is a bad brother. And I don't like the way San Francisco has looked for the most part this year. I'm going with more on this one. More than 249 and a half passing yards for Matthew Stafford. Next up, Rams wide receiver Puka Nakua. More or less than 84 and a half receiving yards. He's a bad brother and he's got Matthew Stafford throwing him the football. So obviously the answer to this question is going to be more. Just look at what I said, okay? It's very, very simple. Next up, let's go to the next one, please. 49er signal caller, Brock Purdy facing the Los Angeles Rams secondary, more or less the 239 and a half passing yards. See, I'm not one of those people that looks at 239 and a half passing yards or some big, big day. You throw for over 300 yards, over 350 yards. That's a big day. 239 and a half passing yards with Deebo Samuel, George Kittle in the lineup. You should be able to pull that off. Brock Purdy. I think you will. I'm going with more on this one. And finally, San Francisco receiver Deebo Samuel. More or less than 43 and a half yards receiving. It's Deebo, y'all. I got mad love and respect for him. I know that 49ers have been a shell of themselves. Christian McCaffrey has been hurt for the most part this year. Brandon Aiyuk went down for the season. Obviously, you bit off more than you could chew because you've been knocking on the door for a Super bowl the last five years. You've been in four conference championship games, two Super Bowls, and you haven't walked away with one super bowl championship. So I get it. The slippage was evident. It was inevitable. Okay, but that don't mean that applies to Deebo Samuel. This is a bad brother. He can play 43 and a half yards receiving. That is more than. I mean, that is not as much as you would expect. Okay? He should be able to do that. I'm going to go with more. So let's recap right here. Matthew Stafford, Puka Nakua, Brock Purdy, Debo Samuel. What's the common denominator here? More.

[Stephen A. Smith]

More.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

More, more, more. We like that, especially at prospects, because when we hear more, we think more money. And who's got a problem with that?

[Julie Swerbinks]

Geico's motorcycle expertise means I'm covered by people who know bikes like I do. I'm happy as a clam.

[Mario]

No conclusive scientific research has shown clams can experience happiness.

[Julie Swerbinks]

It just meant that I feel really good about my coverage.

[Mario]

I mean, even if you took the clam out for the best day ever, visiting the zoo, taking a scenic ride, knowing you're insured by specialists, and sharing a strawberry ice cream cone together, the clam would not feel happy and your strawberry cone would taste sort of clammy.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Ew.

[Mario]

Geico's motorcycle specialists who know bikes like you do, assume no liability for clammy ice cream cones. Geico expertise for your motorcycle.

[Julie Swerbinks]

I'm Hunter, host of Hunting for Answers on the Black Effect Podcast Network. Join me every weekday as I share bite sized stories of missing and murdered black women and girls in America. There are several ways we can all do better at protecting black women. My contribution is shining a light on our missing sisters and amplifying their disregarded stories. Stories like Tameka Anderson. As she drove toward Galvez, she was in contact with several people talking on the phone as she made her way to what should have been a routine transaction. But Tameka never bought the car and she never returned home that day. One podcast, one mission. Save our girls. Join the search as we explore the chilling cases of missing and murdered black women and girls. Listen to Hunting for Answers every weekday on the Black Effect Podcast Network, iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

My next guest is a singer, songwriter and actor known for the hit songs like How Do I Breathe Again and Let Me Love youe, which earned two Billboard Music Awards and a Grammy nomination. After a six year hiatus for music, he's back with a new album and a holiday film. Please welcome the one and only Mario to the Stephen A. Smith Show. What's going on? Big time. How are you, man? How's everything?

[Nate Thompson]

Good afternoon, my brother. Things are great, man. It's good to see you. Even though we're on screens, man, it's good to see you. Always feel your energy. You always got that high energy.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

You know it, you know it.

[Nate Thompson]

You know what I'm saying? Going crazy out here.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

I gotta ask you a question. Cause I know you know your sports a little bit before I get into you and what you you're doing. You a Baltimore Ravens fan?

[Nate Thompson]

I am. Man. What the hell's been going on? My first came out. My first. My first. My first jersey was The Ray Lewis 52 jersey and the Just the Firm video I haven't been watching lately, okay? So don't, don't, don't Go too crazy.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

But, yeah, I'm not holding. I'm not holding you accountable for that. You know, I'll leave the sports analysis to me, but I'm just saying, I'm thinking about Lamar Jackson. I'm thinking about Derrick Henry, and I'm thinking about the fact that he was supposed to be making some noise. They got five losses on the season thus far. I'm like, are you worried that they gonna bow out early yet again?

[Nate Thompson]

You know what? I never. I. You know, listen, you can never put it past Lamar, man. And guys, you know, sometimes he. He pops out and shows up when you least expect it, you know? You know, just. Just give it some time, you know, we got a couple more to go and, you know, I feel like he gonna. He gonna pull it through, man. Even watching the game the other day against Philly, you know, and. And the last inner he pulled up, you know, close to what? We almost got that touchdown.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Yeah, you almost.

[Nate Thompson]

But.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

But the bottom line is, you know, Philadelphia outplayed y'all that day. They should have gave. Listen Derrick Henry a little bit more. All you gotta do is give him the ball about 25 times. I think you'll be all right. You give Derrick Henry the boy about 25. It ain't that damn complicated. But let me get to you, man, because get into your holiday film style. Me for Christmas Streaming now on bet. Plus, tell me about that role and what inspired you to do it.

[Nate Thompson]

Yeah, I played Teddy Maxwell. Not too, Too far departure from. From what I do in music, but, you know, he's a guy who passionate about his art, but he's finding it hard to find his space in love. And Tiffany. Raven Goodwin plays a character by the name of Tiffany who just inherited this boutique from her late mother. So she's having a tough time transitioning into that ownership. And while that's happening, my manager goes into her store to find a suit for me and ends up seeing her as a girl who can change my perspective of love. So there's this love story that's happening unbeknownst to Tiffany in the movie, and then me struggling with my. My, My, you know, infidelity issues. And just like being an artist and trying to find love in that, we end up having this story together that kind of shows both sides of, you know, love loss with, you know, acquiring this, her acquiring this business, while at the same time trying to be, you know, my stylist. But it's all challenging for her, and my challenges are going on. So it's just, you see a Story of both sides coming together and mesh, trying to make it make sense. And in the end, it's all about purpose and connection and love. I think it's a beautiful story. It's a beautiful Christmas story. Different from your typical Christmas story, but I think people are enjoying it. We get a lot of love from it so far.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Obviously, you can act and what have you, but everybody pretty much knows you primarily for your singing. What inspired you to do the acting thing?

[Nate Thompson]

I think acting is a way for me to express myself through different mediums and escape from the selfish world of being an artist. I can control my surroundings, control, you know, my stage show. I can control. This is my world. Right. But when in. Acting is a more collaborative. It's more community involved. So, I mean, it really just teaches you to, you know, be able to stretch yourself in different ways creatively, which also helps musically and helps with working as a team. Right. Also, just the imagination. Right. When I was a kid growing up in Baltimore, I had to use my imagination to escape the harsh realities of what I was growing up in. So, you know, acting, I think, is something that kind of comes at the hand of just having a more expanded mind and just, you know, exploring different parts of your creativity.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Man, I ain't no damn actor, but I act on the soap opera General Hospital. People tell me I'm pretty damn good, But I gotta tell you something. I don't view myself as an actor, but I'm gonna tell you what I've grown to love about it and why I'm gonna take it far more seriously in the future. I love the idea that I can be whatever the role commands. That's what I've learned to appreciate about. It's like, wait a minute, wait a minute. What if I wanted to be a villain? What if I wanted to be corrupt? What if I wanted to be a killer? I can get away with.

[Nate Thompson]

Yeah. And what's crazy about getting those types of opportunities is that you don't even realize that there's certain parts in your life where you. You can actually pull that from where you may have felt like the villain. Right, right. But if you think about heroes and villains, they kind of like the same person a little bit.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Yeah.

[Nate Thompson]

You know, but just in different forms. Right. So, you know, I think I feel like acting. There's always a space that you don't tap into in real. In your everyday life that we. You know, a lot of times we escape from certain things that we experience or we've been holding on to. Acting allows you to. To To. To explore those different things. So it teaches you a lot about mental health as well. You know, it's so it's so many different avenues to it.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Six years, bro. I mean, on the rise, doing your thing, Very, very talented, well respected. The whole nine. And then you step away for six years. Why?

[Nate Thompson]

I never stepped away from music. You know, I think that as an artist, the way we look at time, like, I'm always free. I'm in my studio now. Matter of fact, I was working on something earlier today as an artist. Well, I speak for myself. As an artist, I look at time completely differently, you know, so I don't feel the six years because during that time, I'm still creating. During that time, I'm still. I have the forevision of seeing what the next two, three years ahead is gonna look like. Right. So when you're creat. Been doing this for a long time. So I'm already like, accustomed and kind of like wired to think like that. So for people who like or fans like, I put an album out during the pandemic. A lot of people don't. Don't count projects that came out during the pandemic because it was such a different type of release. But glad you came. What you're looking at right now. My new album comes out December 13th.

[Stephen A. Smith]

This.

[Nate Thompson]

This mentally has been in the making for a long time, but me and James Fauntleroy, who executive produced this, talk a while ago about working and the timing just worked out, man. And I feel like we made a project that's very imaginative, it's very confident, it's very sexy, it's very classic. It preserves the art form of R B. It is inspired by so many different types of music that I grew up listening to. You know, the first single, space, is more jazzy and R B, you know, that's a. That's an homage to my grandfather who played jazz and drank liquor. You know what I'm saying? But then when you get into the album and you listen to it, you know, it goes from this nostalgic feeling to more of this contemporary fresh vibe, you know, so you really getting like a full spectrum of who Mario is as a creative vocally, you know, I think I've showed growth on all of my projects.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Hell yes, you have. Hell yes, you have no doubt about that. You, you. You got my support on that one. I co sign on that one. But I will say this to you, you know, despite the fact that you were still on your grind, still working, still creating and what have you, when you look at artists today, one of the things that I'm skeptical about, certainly not with you, certainly not those who are established, but cats who are aspiring to get in the business to get where you are, a lot of times they're thinking about the creative freedoms that come with it. I'd like you to speak to the work and the commitment and the discipline your craft requires, because I don't hear enough people talking about that. But I know you have to have that in order to be as successful as you've been.

[Nate Thompson]

I think it's just like anything else, Stephen, where you gotta decide at what level you wanna play on, you know, and based on that level is how you govern, you know, your input and your discipline and, and your patience and your resilience within the, the process. Because that's what's going to determine like, you know, make it something that's classic and timeless versus just something that's just for right now, you know. And I think it also, all of it matters as you build your appetite and your strength of being not only the artist but also the businessman. Because you or woman, because you have to understand the business side of it in order to, to be a good partner, especially when you're dealing with a label like Sony. And I partnered with Sony to do this project with New Citizen, which is my label. So, you know, all of it matters. I think the hardest part of it would probably be choosing, you know, out of the hundreds of songs you might make, choosing which records really is a is is going to be a part of this portal in this capsule that you're creating. You know, when it comes to creating an album, you know, singles, you can kind of like test the market and just throw singles on and do this and this and that. But when you're making an album, you want to make something that has some type of purpose behind it. We're glad you came. It was like this all encompassing invitation to this new era of me as an artist in this new era of R B.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Is this your first project with Epic Records?

[Nate Thompson]

This is my first album.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Yeah, right, your first album, but this is your first album with Epic Records. The music industry has changed, obviously with streaming. How do you believe you've evolved along with it? And who did you work with on the album?

[Nate Thompson]

So me and James Fauntleroy pretty much wrote a lot of the album. The production on the album is like friends of mine that I've been making music with over the last three years. And you know, the evolution of the evolution of me is from both the Business side of it and the creative side and just kind of merging the two. For example, you know, when releasing the album, like, I'm on calls now about different campaigns, digital campaigns, you know, you know, the. The manufactured content versus the very organic content that I put out. There's just so many different, you know, aspects of getting the word out and pulling people into the process. You know, there's a, you know, a timeline of engagement, you know, as you get into the album and then you get into the touring conversation and you get into the meet and greets, and you get into all these things as different levels. And what I love about Glad you came and what we're talking about is, again, is the invitation to the journey of all of it and, like, bringing it full circle and also talking directly to women, I feel like there's not a lot of music that speaks to women in a very direct way. And I feel like even though my songs are metaphoric, it's very direct at the same time. Like, when I came out with just a friend or break my head was very direct to what I'm stating in the record. You know, the call and answer of it all crying out for me, the vulnerability, the confidence, you know, all of that in one, in one space.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

In my line of work, my attitude is I'm talking about television. I'm talking about, you know, for sports, it's male. But for the most part, if you want to be successful, I always say this about Madison Avenue, you know, just metaphorically, you got to have a support of women. If you don't have to support a woman, you ain't. You ain't pulling it off. I mean, the ladies got to help you. The ladies got to help you out. Do you feel that gives you a decisive edge? Because clearly there's a lot of. I listen to your music. There's a lot of women that, like, they got love for you.

[Nate Thompson]

I mean, that goes a long way for sure, man. And I feel like women that are often neglected when it comes to music, certain parts of them are neglected. You know, I feel like women are forgiving and adaptable, and they invite you to be who you are. Like, as a man. They like seeing every different side of us. You know, you got people who are just like, you know, make music that's grungier and just like, you know, talking, you know, different to women. Then you got music that is, you know, ambiguous. And then you got music that's direct and, like, very much so geared towards women. Like glad you came. This record is specifically about a Woman. The first line of the song is, I listen to what you say, Girl, I'm watching what you do, you know, I'm not the type of man to leave you with your hands out asking if it felt good. I finished what I studied, you know, so it's really much. It's very much so geared towards talking directly to women from a man perspective. And if you're a guy and you, you know, are into what I'm into, you know, you gonna enjoy it too, you know? And yeah, man, you know, we definitely not neglecting women on this one.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

It's all about you. Don't ever do that.

[Nate Thompson]

We'll be glad you came. And even more glad you stayed.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Glad you came. And by the way, that's dropping December 13th, so let's make sure we remind the audience of that. Your top three R&B artists of all time would be who? That's why I'm putting you on the spot. That's why I'm at. Because you would know. I mean, you would know. Your opinion matters.

[Nate Thompson]

Yeah, my top three R B solo artists or groups or what?

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Give me both. Separated. Give me top three total artists. Top three groups.

[Nate Thompson]

I'm gonna start with top three groups. Boys to Men.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Okay.

[Nate Thompson]

Number. Number one.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

All right.

[Nate Thompson]

For me, because they did both straight R B records, R B pop Christmas record. Like, they can do anything. They did anything. Jodeci and ls. Damn. There was. That's hard. All right, I'm gonna say. I'm gonna say next.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Next.

[Nate Thompson]

Next.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

So, okay, that's the Jodeci.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Next.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Voice of Men. Jodeci and next.

[Nate Thompson]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. That's just what came to the top of my mind. So then we're gonna go to solo artists.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Okay. Okay.

[Nate Thompson]

Crazy Joe.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Okay. I like that one. I like that one.

[Nate Thompson]

I'm gonna go, Joe. I'm. I'm gonna go. I'm. I'm gonna go musically only. I'm gonna have to go, rk.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

I was getting ready to say it. Don't be ashamed. He in jail now. Listen, we. That don't mean we can't. That don't mean we can't give him props for his music now.

[Nate Thompson]

Got on. God, rk. And then I'm gonna go.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Wow, you got two really good ones, though. You got two really good ones.

[Nate Thompson]

Yo, rk. And then just for, like, in terms of, like, urban R B, that, like, like, I'm gonna have to go, Usher.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Yeah, Usher. I'm gonna go, Joe.

[Nate Thompson]

Rk. I'm gonna go, Usher. You know, I feel like he you know, he's the closest artist to, like, I would say that I grew up listening to.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Okay.

[Nate Thompson]

When I was, like, in my early teens, that was doing what I aspire to do now, so. Or continue to aspire to do. So. Yeah, I would say that. But as far as, like, there's so many, man, so many artists, bro.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Give me the. Give me the three females.

[Nate Thompson]

Three females. Okay?

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Let's not leave them out because you care about females. You care about females, right? That's right. That's what we just finished talking about. Give me the top three females.

[Nate Thompson]

I'm gonna go. I'm gonna go. I'm gonna go. Beyonce.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Yes. We agree. We agree.

[Nate Thompson]

I'm gonna go. I'm gonna go. Beyonce. I'm gonna go.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Take your time. Take your time. Cause you got to get this right.

[Nate Thompson]

I'm go, B. I'm gonna go. I'm trying because I'm thinking of, like, when I was, like, coming up, like, what was I listening to? That was like, okay. They was representing for the. I'm gonna go, B. I'm gonna go. He chicole.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

All right.

[Nate Thompson]

What about Mary J. I'm gonna go. Definitely. Yeah. All right. No, I'm gonna go, B. Mary J.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Okay. That was a good one. That's right.

[Nate Thompson]

For sure, Mary J.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Okay.

[Nate Thompson]

We about to go on a tour together.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

That's right. I was getting ready. I was going there next, but go ahead.

[Nate Thompson]

And then. Yeah, man. I'm gonna say Keisha. Keisha. Yeah.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Keisha Cole. Yeah.

[Nate Thompson]

I'm gonna give Keisha some love, man. You know, I feel like she. She deserve it, like, for. For. She liked the young. She like a young Mary, like, you feel me? Energy. Yeah.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Before I get into you and Mary J. Blige, I gotta ask you this as an aside. You remember. I don't know if you saw the episode of my show when I got into it with Tank. Tank spotted me. I was at the. I was at prime 112 in Miami. Right.

[Nate Thompson]

I heard about it.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Oh, my God. That's my man. I love Tank, man. And I was leaving, and the next thing you know, he stopped me. We were talking for a while. Him and his boys were hanging together, and then he said to me, you do understand that the greatest artist, the greatest art pop artist. I said, michael Jackson. What are you talking about? He said, chris Brown. I said to him, chris Brown is all world the greatest performer right now. I got it. But there's only one Michael Jackson, man.

[Nate Thompson]

I think this is. This is the thing, man. It's. It's we live in. That's a completely different generation of music. Intention. Like what Michael was facing back then. Like, there was so much going on in his life. But when it comes to what we're talking about today, man, we're talking about kids who don't remember Michael in that crime. Right, Chris? Is that for them?

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Okay.

[Nate Thompson]

You know what I'm saying? That explosive. That explosiveness, the performance, you know, the energy he comes with on stage, like, that's not something that everybody. It takes a tremendous amount of hard work and dedication and love and passion for the art to do what he does in his space, you know? Yeah. There's nobody like him, you know, in his space. I personally would not compare Mike and CB because when I listened to Michael had a completely different time and zone. Like, his music was live. He had strings and live this. And there was so many other things going on in his concepts, concepts of his music and what he was talking about and his voice and everything. He's in a land of his own. To me, right. I'm inspired by Mike too. So, you know, I'm really inspired by his voice. Like, Mike, if you take Michael, Marvin, Stevie and Joe, you put him together, you get Mario vocally, in my opinion, if you listen to all of my music, right? So I'm inspired by Mike too. Like a lot of things. But yeah, I think CB Is like the greatest of in his lane. And what he does, he's no one's is touching him.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Greatest dance I've ever seen. That great 1,000%, by the way. Let me get to the year 2025. That's because that's going to start off right for you. Tell me about this tour you're embarking on with Mary J. Blige and Neo. You're the opening act out here.

[Nate Thompson]

Yeah. So this tour, like, my set is going to be geared towards. Glad you came. And obviously the. The classics. Right. But I'm giving, you know, very much so intimate performance and, you know, inviting people to get to know me on a different level than they have from. From a vocal standpoint and from a storytelling standpoint on stage. But yeah, that night in itself, I think it's gonna be. You're gonna dance, you're gonna sing, and you're gonna cry. You're gonna feel good, you're gonna, you know, you're gonna. You're gonna feel the essence of R and B in so many different spaces, you know? Cause all of us do something completely different. So I think it's gonna be a beautiful night. And tickets are Available now, obviously. But, yeah, I can't wait to perform, you know, classics for y'all on the stage and just reconnect with y'all again, man.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

I'm proud of you, man. Keep doing your thing, man. It's just. As far as I'm concerned, big things are just getting started for you. You already have big things going on, but you gonna transcend on an elevated level. All the best to you. Always here for you. Anything you need, feel free to holler, man. You take care of yourself, all right?

[Nate Thompson]

Appreciate you, Steven.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

No doubt.

[Nate Thompson]

Glad you came. December 13th. I cannot wait to see y'all on the road. Lay out.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Thanks again to the phenomenal one himself, the one and only Mario. I'm kind of feeling bad for him and his Baltimore Ravens. I don't think they gonna do what a lot of us expected them to do this year. Because I'm looking at the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs ain't going nowhere with Patrick Mahomes. And I'm saying what. What Baltimore gonna do. You understand when their defense is usually horrid, their offense can do, but only so much. And then when the defense shows up, the office doesn't show up. They can't seem to get it together. They can't seem to get it together. But that's a personal problem. Because I'm a Pittsburgh Steelers fan. And they'll figure out a way to get over it. I gotta get over some things. And I'm glad that I had Mario on here. Cause he set the tone. And my staff here asked me. He said there was a lot of people out there clamoring for some reason to call into the show to ask me, moi, for relationship advice. And I was looking forward to doing it. I was actually excited about doing it. I really, really was. Like, look at me in my suit. I'm looking all good. And all of this other stuff. Yeah, I'll give the advice, sure. And then my nephew strolled around and he said, yo, I'm here. Why would you do this segment without me? You understand what I'm saying? You old. You understand what I'm saying? You in your 60s. I'm actually 57. But he always says I'm in the 60s. Always throws that extra shade, extra dust on my birth certificate. That's what he does with his sorry ass self. Okay? But in the end, it's like this. He said, let me do this. The weekend's over. The new week is here. You gonna be on vacation, so you need some semblance of you to be involved in all of this, to sort of jumpstart the holiday season. This is what he said. He's not telling the truth. It's not accurate, but that's his perception. And you know how people say all the time, kid, tell me how to feel. Can't tell me how to feel. That's how I feel. That's what he was saying. So he insisted on being in on the segment, and I said, bump it. Why not? So I taped the segment with my nephew taking calls about relationships. And after listening to him, I had to be talked out and not deleting the whole damn segment because that's how ignoring his ass out. I am not responsible for the words that come out of his mouth. I am his uncle. I've tried to set a better example. Clearly, I have a lot more work to do. I really, really do. But I'm gonna let y'all hear him anyway. Cause it means a lot to him to get some camera time. So I'm gonna give it to him. Much to my potential detriment. Yours truly will my nephew Josh in a minute. I don't even want to tell y'all his last name, but it ain't hard to figure it out. It's my nephew, right? He's up next with relationship calls. Lord, forgive me. Forgive me. Back with more of the Stephen A. Smith show in a minute. Listen up, y'all. I have an important announcement you need to know about here at the Stephen A. Smith Show. We're here to win. And that's why we've partnered with Prizepix, America's number one fantasy app, to help turn all your big time sports knowledge into some big time cash. You see, with prize picks, you choose two, three, or even up to six of your favorite players and then choose more or less on their projected stats for the game or contest. You like Josh Allen? Pick him. You like Cooper Cup? Pick him, too. You think Jaylen Brown's gonna go off? Then pick all three. It only takes 60 seconds to make your picks, you know, and because it's December, that means it is now pixamous as prize picks. So stay on the lookout this holiday season for free picks, discounts, and free lineups all month long. Like this week's Patrick Mahomes free pick. That's right. Jump into the prospects board and find a Patrick Mahomes 0.5 passing yards projection for the Chiefs Dec. 15 clash against the Cleveland Browns. The free pick is live now and a 0.5 yard projection will be available until kickoff in the Chiefs game. On December 15th. And get this. Sign up with code, SAS and prize fits will give you $50 instantly when you play your first $5 lineup. You don't need to win your lineup to receive the $50 bonus. It's guaranteed. All you have to do is play a $5 lineup on prospects and you'll get $50 instantly. Prize picks. Pick more, pick less. It's really that easy.

[Julie Swerbinks]

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[Mario]

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[Julie Swerbinks]

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[Mario]

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[Julie Swerbinks]

I'm Hunter, host of Hunting for Answers on the Black Effect Podcast Network. Join me every weekday as I share bite sized stories of missing and murdered black women and girls in America. There are several ways we can all do better at protecting black women. My contribution is shining a light on our missing sisters and amplifying their disregarded stories. Stories like Tameka Anderson. As she drove toward Galvez, she was in contact with several people talking on the phone as she made her way to what should have been a routine transaction. But Tameka never bought the car and she never returned home that day. One podcast, one mission. Save our girls. Join the search as we explore the chilling cases of missing and murdered black women and girls. Listen to Hunting for Answers every weekday on the Black Effect Podcast Network. IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Welcome back to the Stephen A. Smith Show. This is my, you know, my segment where I'm taking, you know, calls for people about relationships. And since he was already here in studio with me, my nephew Josh, right here, okay? He's supposed to get off the air, all right? But his crazy ass said, nah, nah, I wanna stay. I wanna stay. Can I. Before we even get to the calls, can I have my shades?

[Stephen A. Smith]

These aren't yours.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

You stole them.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Can you stop? We are rich. You're not gonna be missing a pair of shades and not buying another pair. Hey, we rich, all right? We got a contract coming up. We gonna sign it.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

We, we, we Gonna sign it. We gonna sign it.

[Stephen A. Smith]

My last name's Smith, too, so you gotta sign half my name. Technically, you have to sign half my name.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Let's go to the calls. Let's go to the calls. These are relationship calls, ladies and gentlemen. People calling me for relationships. I apologize for whatever this crazy ass nephew of mine is gonna say. I'm letting him stay in on the segment. I will answer your call. Seriously, I don't know what the hell he's gonna say, but we gonna listen. All right, Josh. This is Anitra. This is a female. This is Anitra in St. Louis, Missouri. You're live with Stephen A. Anetra, how are you?

[Anitra]

I'm good.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

How are you?

[Anitra]

Stephen A.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

How you doing? I appreciate you calling. Go ahead. I'm here for you. I'm here for you this holiday season. What's up?

[Anitra]

Okay, so I have a quick question. What are your thoughts on someone in a relationship or marriage having the opposite sex as a friend or best friend?

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Anetra, do you mind? I got my little knuckleheaded nephew sitting next to me right now. He's in his 30s. He thinks he knows everything. But since he here, do you mind him participating in this segment with me and answer? I'm gonna answer your question, but I'm gonna let him answer first. Is that all right with you? Is that all right? Yeah, that's cool, Josh, go ahead. How would you answer that question?

[Stephen A. Smith]

It depends on how the friend looks. If you know that your man likes women that are in shape, then if he has a big friend, then that's a friend. If it's a girl that's in shape, it's only a matter of time.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

If you ask me, all right? My nephew put it in a very crass kind of way. Anetra, let me break this down to you, okay?

[Anitra]

Okay.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

He's. For the most part, my nephew's actually right from this standpoint, speaking as a man, if you are friends with somebody you find attractive, if you in the friend zone, it's usually because of her. It ain't cause of you. Because if you had your druthers, you gonna wanna get with her because she fine. Now, if you're not attracted to her at all, you understand, then that's a different matter altogether. If it's intermediate attraction, all right, that's cool, too. But if you're not attracted to her at all, you don't have to worry about it. Like my boy Pooley. Pooley, Remember that movie Norbit? Remember the movie Norbit? Anitra Remember Rasputia?

[Anitra]

Yeah.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

So me being friends with somebody like.

[Stephen A. Smith]

That, that could be the friend that's.

[Nate Thompson]

She's safe.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

It ain't nothing to worry about the bestie. But if you find. And here's the key point here, here's the key point here. If you never been with her, if you never been with her, because if you've never been with her, then curiosity kills the cat. So you're gonna always be curious because you've never been with her. So there's going to be an insatiable appetite for her, for you to get with her. You're gonna have that. Now, flip it. If it's a girl and a dude is attractive, well, women are different. Y'all are. Y'all have your proclivities. Y'all have y'all desires and all of that stuff. That's true. But in the same breath, how happy are you in your relationship? If you happy with your man, then even if you find somebody else attractive, you happy with who you have, so you good. But he on thin ice, because the second he make you unhappy, you gonna notice the friend even more that you find attractive. And because of that, it could be problems. Say what?

[Anitra]

You trust, do you trust, like, your person having, like a man as a best friend, do you trust?

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Hell, no. Or trust no woman, but trust no woman of my having a. A dude as a best friend, particularly if he's attractive and he's. Now, mind you, you knew who you knew before I came along, so I'm not going to police your friendships. But what I'm going to say is that again, if you around the brother, if you still communicating with the brother, that ain't an accident. You communicate with him. You stand in touch with him. Because in case of emergency, open glass. Now, that may not be literally correct, but a lot of men think like that. And because they think like that, they only have that. They always have that sixth sense. And by having that sixth sense, there's a level of trust that they're lacking, which means suspicion elevates, which means any little thing you do could cause a problem, which means the relationship is going to be on thin ice. Am I right about that? Josh, you right.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Are you the friend with a friend, Anitra?

[Anitra]

So I'm not the friend with the friend? No, I'm like the person that's dating him, and then he's like, oh, I got a best friend. We've been friends for.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Okay, stop right there. Anitra, how is. Is. How do you think that friend of your man looks.

[Anitra]

I don't know.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

I never. You don't know? You never met her?

[Anitra]

I don't think she ugly. No, I've never, like, met her. No.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

You never met her?

[Anitra]

No.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

You don't sound very convincing in the true. You sound. I know. That's why I said you don't sound very convincing until you sound like you got your suspicions. And if you haven't met her, and that's your man, he keeping you distant from her for a reason.

[Anitra]

Exactly.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Think about that. Just raise your antennas. That don't mean he's guilty, but it means to elevate you to raise your antennas.

[Stephen A. Smith]

She sounds extra okay with it. Like she got.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

She don't sound extra okay with it. Thank you, Anitra. Thanks, sir. She don't sound extra okay with it. You take care, Nietzsche. Thank you. Thank you. Let's go to Troy in Toronto, Canada. A beautiful city, by the way. What's up, Troy? How are you?

[Troy]

Hey, I'm great, man. Just finished listening to First Take in podcast form Daily Ritual. That's all we do.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Appreciate it. Thanks so much, man. You here? I'm sitting here with my knuckleheaded nephew, who's sitting in studio with me, thinking he's God's gift to women and relationships and all of that other stuff. He's listening on a call with you right now as well. What's on your mind, Troy? Talk to me.

[Troy]

Okay. So after a long year, a lonely year, after some past transgressions, I was single, but I'm currently working on fixing things with my ex and was wondering, what are some ways to, now that she's moving back, spice things up and make sure I never lose her again?

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Okay, so you're saying she's moving back, meaning she's moving back to live with you?

[Troy]

Yes, sir.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

And when you talked about your transgressions, that means you cheated around, you screwed around with somebody else, is that correct?

[Troy]

I didn't want to get too far into that.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

You don't have to, you know. I mean, Troy, we don't know who she is. Detroit from Canada. I'm sure there's other Troys in the whole damn country. I'm just saying nobody knows your last name or anything like that, but I'm just saying that's what you did, right?

[Troy]

Yes, sir.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Okay.

[Troy]

You believe she's a good woman, a great woman.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Do you? Are you. Are you. Are you very attracted to her?

[Troy]

Yes, sir.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Are you. Are you stimulated sexually by her?

[Troy]

Yes.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Are you stimulated outside the bedroom by her?

[Troy]

Yes.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

My Brother, you got a great one. Because you talking about letting her move back in. So that means she moved out and she's willing to come back to live with you despite what you did. That's a very big thing. But here's my advice. And I'll lean on my little nephew here. Not leaning on him, because I certainly don't need his advice. But I'm going to listen to what he got to say. But I will say this. Since you were wrong, you do understand she's forgiving you, but she'll never forget. Know that, right?

[Troy]

Trust me.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Know that, right? So that means every move you make that creates a eyebrow raise will be hard, thinking the worst. You understand that, right? Yeah.

[Troy]

It's happened. And I know I gotta. I gotta.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Can you deal with that? Can you deal with that?

[Troy]

I've been dealing with it, and I think I will happily deal with it.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Okay.

[Troy]

To fix things.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

All right, Josh.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Hey, Troy.

[Troy]

Hey, Josh.

[Stephen A. Smith]

You like the word accountability?

[Troy]

Yes, sir.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Well, I'm a fan of reverse accountability. You did what you did because she might have did something. So if you can't, like, deflect.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Oh, my God.

[Nate Thompson]

What happened?

[Stephen A. Smith]

You're not just guilty. I'm not buying that. I can hear it in your voice. You're a decent guy.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Hold it, hold it, hold it. You just gonna assume. I can't believe, ladies and gentlemen, I'm not responsible for all the thoughts and the things that come out of my nephew's mouth. Are you trying to sit up here and automatically, are you saying that because he cheated, it must have meant that she cheated and that's why he did it?

[Stephen A. Smith]

I'm a supporter of Troy. He's calling us. We ain't speak to her.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

All right, all right, all right. Troy, did your girl cheat on you?

[Troy]

Josh, I got love for you, and I appreciate you trying to come and save me, but I'm the only shitty person in this situation.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

See what you mean. Oh, my God. What? What? You just tell me he's from Canada. Tell me. Tell me. Yes, he is.

[Stephen A. Smith]

I got it.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

I already. Don't do that. Don't do that. Don't stipe. Don't stigmatize like that. Here's the point, Josh. He just said, it's not him, it's not her, it's him.

[Stephen A. Smith]

It's him. Yeah.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

He told you that? He said he's the bad guy in all of this. Okay? You're sitting up there and you're like, oh, my God. Like you're ashamed that he's holding up, but you Used the word accountability and you said reverse accountability. No, reverse accountability accounts. You're my nephew. How are you acting like this with the cameras rolling? This is embarrassing.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Cause I felt like he said what he said because the cameras is rolling.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

But then when he said it was just him, not her, you were disgusting.

[Nate Thompson]

Cause he did it again.

[Stephen A. Smith]

He did it again because he told her, look, I got through to the Stephen A. Show and you gonna listen to what I said? Of course he gonna say everything that she wanted to say.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

So you don't believe. So let me ask you a question. What you're saying right now is that you don't believe that his girl didn't cheat.

[Stephen A. Smith]

I'm just. I'm not saying that. Cause I don't know her. What I'm saying is it's plenty listeners and his. I'm thinking about the totality and the bigger picture. There's kids watching. They need to know that women can be wrong sometimes too. You just jumping on they side because they be on you in the shade room. You was on there today too.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

First of all, I've called out enough women in my day for you to not even come to me with that weak ass argument. That's number one. When I believe what I believe, you know me better than most. You know I don't back step number two. Okay? But if they right, they right. Because guess what? Who did you love? Who's the person that you loved most in the world?

[Stephen A. Smith]

Grandma.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Say it louder.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Grandma.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Grandma. Greatest woman you've ever known.

[Nate Thompson]

Yep.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

How many times do I say that?

[Stephen A. Smith]

All the time.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

How does she raise us? What would she say? What would Grandma say to you if you sat up there and said what you just said?

[Stephen A. Smith]

She wouldn't understand either, though. Grandma was Grandma, but she wouldn't know.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Troy, thanks a lot for the call, man. I can't deal with this right now. Parker in Burlingen, you're live with Stephen A. What's up, Parker?

[Parker]

Hey, Stephen A. First and foremost, I just want to say it's honored to be speaking with the CEO of Love Enterprise. My question for you is.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

CEO of Love Enterprise? Is that what you just said? I never thought about it like that. I kind of like that logo.

[Stephen A. Smith]

He's talking to you.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

You talking about me? The CEO of Love Enterprises? I kind of like that. I mean, I won't forget the Love Doctor. That's Marlon. But the CEO of Love Enterprises, I mean, I might have to. I might have to embrace that. That. That. That model. I might have to do that. But anyway, listen, Parker, you here with my. My. My little nephew and myself. He just sitting here chilling in my studio. So I figure I'll put him to good use because he don't do shit anyway. So I figure I might as well. I'm listening to the calls. I might as well have him join with me. Go ahead and. And tell us what's on your mind, Parker. Go ahead.

[Parker]

Yeah, so recently, my girlfriend of about two years. Really like her. I'd rate her about an eight. I'm about a seven on a good day. Anyways, we are getting into the fact that we need some foreplay in our lives to spice things up, you know, to make things interesting.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Right.

[Parker]

She is very adamant that the next time that we make love, that I dress up as a firefighter. Now, my options are this, Stephen A. I can either, you know, go about fulfilling her fantasies, no questions asked. But am I to think that when she's making love to me, she's actually wanting to be making love to a local firefighter in my town? Those are the thoughts that I'm having. I appreciate you guys.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Can't hang up. Hold on. Don't hang up. Let me tell you why. I just want to make sure I got this correct. You qualify yourself as a 7 on a good day, right?

[Parker]

Yes, on a good day.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

On a good day. Right. You said she's about an 8.9, right?

[Parker]

I would say so.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

And you said that y'all want to spice up your sexual relationship. So as a result, you want to. Y'all have agreed to engage in some level of foreplay, and for her, she would like you to dress up as a fireman.

[Parker]

Yes.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

During foreplay. Well, let me. Role play, role play. Right. Well, first of all, if you're a fireman or a firefighter, what's she gonna be?

[Parker]

That's the thing, Stephen A. She just wants to be herself.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

So. She wants to be herself, but she wants you to be a firefighter. Okay, second question. Second question. You in Cali? How. How nearby is the fire department from where you live?

[Parker]

Here's the thing, Stephen, A. The fire station is just around the block from where she gets her morning coffee.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Hold up. The fire station is just around the block from where she gets a coffee every morning?

[Parker]

Yep. Burlingame Firefighter.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Yo, man. There's a firefighter. She's. She's. She. She's. She. She. She's feeling.

[Parker]

Oh, no.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

I'm sorry. How old are you, bro? How old are you, Parker?

[Parker]

I'm 29.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

How old is she?

[Parker]

She is 26.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

You said that you're a seven on a good day. What does she say?

[Parker]

Is the nephew doing the math over there? Is this not.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

The nephew's listening. He hears you loud and clear. I'm asking you, if you say you're a seven on a good day, what does she say you are?

[Parker]

You know, I've been too afraid to ever ask.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

You've never asked her. You don't have the confidence in yourself to ask her how you think, how she thinks you look.

[Parker]

I'm afraid of what the response would be, Stephen. A.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

And now I'm scared over here.

[Parker]

You guys are scaring me.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

And now you brought up the firefighter, Josh.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Well, if you want to know what I think, I think you gotta cheat on her just to get your confidence. He got to. He got to, and you know it.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

No, I don't know that. I don't know that.

[Stephen A. Smith]

You just said she bit the firefighter around the corner.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Time out. Time out. But that's not gonna necessarily boost his confidence.

[Stephen A. Smith]

It's gonna make him do what he gotta do.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

It's gonna make him more vulnerable to whatever she throws in his direction, because he's going to know he was wrong, which gives her justification for whatever it is that she ends up doing.

[Stephen A. Smith]

And again, the woman wins. I tell you what to do. Go get you a fire lady or articulate. Get a six, though. Don't get a nine, because that's why you're not confident. Cause she look better than you. Look better than your girl.

[Parker]

Oh, I like that.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Let me stop this right there. Let me stop this right there. First of all, ladies and gentlemen, this is my nephew. He does not work for the show. He is not connected to the show. He is paying his uncle a visit, and I decided to put his ignorant ass on camera. And you see why I call him ignorant, right? Because of the nonsensical stuff coming out of his mouth right there. I will say this, though. The last part of his argument, Parker, does provide a good point. Let me say this to you, Parker, in all seriousness, all joking aside, okay? When you lack confidence in yourself, sometimes you take it out on a woman, because it's not about her. It's about what, you know, you're not. See, the important part, and I'm not really talking about myself on this level, but let me. Let me give you some insight. Insight. When I had Covid and I was sick as hell, and I didn't have any kind of definition whatsoever, and I'm walking around with a pot belly, and I can't breathe, and I'M overcoming double pneumonia, and I'm doing all of this other stuff, right? Even before then, my confidence wasn't high because I knew that I wasn't what I was supposed to be. And I couldn't shred the pounds around my midsection. My nephew looking at me, my little niece guitar. Oh, God, Uncle Steve, you got the, oh, my Lord, where that belly coming from? Stuff like that, right? And I never thought about it because all you heard was that you climbing up there in age. This is what happens. And you just got to deal with it because that's all of us. When I got my health in order and I started being in the gym every day, and I didn't mind taking off my shirt. I didn't mind walking around with a tank top or a tight shirt or whatever the case may be. And I was in shape, my confidence elevated. And at that particular moment, I don't worry about anything because my attitude is, whoever don't want me, that's their loss. I'm good. Cause I'm good with me has nothing to do with anybody else. But when you're not good with you, you find reasons to be suspicious, Parker, about everybody around you. Cause you know you don't have it. You know you don't have it. It's almost like that. Dude, let me get real with you. It's almost like that dude who can't get the job done in the bedroom. You suspicious about her, when in fact, it's because you know you ain't that. Because when you with her, you don't feel like you handling your business. And as a result, because you don't feel that way, you're willing to point to her and bring up every excuse under the sun as to why things ain't right when deep in the crevices of your soul, you know it's you. So that's why my nephew's advice is completely out of whack, off, kilter, and ignorant. Because he's not taking into account the fact that you haven't looked at you with an honest eye. You're using her to gloss over your own insecurities about you. Because if you were more secure about you, Parker, you know what you would do? You dare her to step out because you'd be like this. Make sure it's worth it. Cause I'll be out, and I'll have your ass replaced in a heartbeat. See what I'm saying?

[Parker]

I definitely see what you're saying. I appreciate this advice. I'm. Take a long look in the mirror. My Papa Blue Chew. And I'm going to get to work.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

That's right, get to work. Be all you can be. Listen, all you can be is your best self. You can't be the firefighter. You can't be some actor. You can't be some model you can't be. All you can be is your best self. But when you know that you have achieved or have come close to achieving your best self, it elevates your confidence and you worry about all of that other stuff significantly less because you believe you're a prize, too, instead of focusing on the fact that she's the one closer to a nine than you. You feel me?

[Parker]

I feel you.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Got you. Take it easy, my brother. Good luck with that. Thank you for the holidays.

[Parker]

Thank you.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Good luck with that. And do it. Trying to firefighter. Trying to firefighter outfit to see how she react. You still benefit from the immediate moment. Still benefit. Try it. Try. Mickey in Middletown, you're live with Stephen A. Talk to me. Nikki, you're the last call. What's going on, Mickey?

[Mickey]

Devo, I got a bit of an ethical dilemma for you, okay?

[Daniel Jeremiah]

I'm sitting here with my nephew, my knuckleheaded nephew, you know, he's right here with me, but he think he the love doctor or whatever the case may be, he's not. You understand? What did they call me? The CEO of the love. What was that? Who's that? Huh? Huh? The CEO of Love Enterprise. The CEO of Love Enterprise. I like that. I like that. We gonna go with that for the day? CEO of Love Enterprise. Let's go with it. What's going on, Mickey? Talk to me. What's up? You and me and my nephew.

[Mickey]

All right, so here's the story. Basically, I decided to get back out there, right? I get on Tinder, the dating site.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Time out. Time out. Stop right there. You said you decided to get back out there. First of all, how long have you been gone? And secondly, how old are you? Especially since you on Tinder now.

[Mickey]

I've been out for about four months.

[Julie Swerbinks]

Four months.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

How old are you?

[Mickey]

I just went through. How do you went through a rough breakup? I'm 22.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Okay, rough breakup, age. 22. Go ahead. You wet behind the ears, breath smelling like Similac. It's okay. You'll be all right. But go ahead.

[Mickey]

Exactly. So I get myself back out there. I go on a date with a nice young lady, and we had a real nice time, ended the night with a little kiss. And then I'm supposed to be going out with her tonight, but I had another match offer me free Knicks tickets.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Oh, Lord.

[Mickey]

So I do some digging, right? And I agreed, forgetting about my previous plans. So now I have two dates tonight. And on top of that, they are sorority sisters and friends.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Okay, you want my advice? First of all, let me, Let me listen.

[Nate Thompson]

What the hell do I do?

[Daniel Jeremiah]

I know what you're gonna do, but I'm gonna listen to my nephew with his crazy ass give you some advice first. Go ahead, Josh. Go ahead.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Well, I have on a Knicks jacket, so that should tell you right there what you should do and where you should be tonight. That's number one. Number two, I don't. I used to be. I have a friend that's on Tinder and how he pretty much takes over. What happened? He said he's on Tinder. I'm trying to teach him something. Cause you're gonna need a new Tinder person after tonight. You're choosing the other girl, right? So when you go back on Tinder and you back on the market, read their profiles first to find out what they looking for, and then you change your profile to that.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Oh, my God, Mickey. I, I, I've never been.

[Mickey]

That's interesting.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

I've never. Don't listen to that, please.

[Mickey]

Demon mode.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Demon mode. I've heard of it. I've never been on it. I don't do stuff like that. I never. I don't need to. Here's the deal, okay? First of all, if you gonna mess with two women that our friends and sorority sisters understand that you're trash, you don't come back from that. You see what I'm saying? You'll end up missing out on both. That's number one. You don't do that. You have some class. Number two, are you broke? Are you broke? I mean, could you afford to go to a Knicks game?

[Mickey]

Yes, I can.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Well, then you don't need to be worried about being invited to a Knicks game, because you can afford to do that on your own. You ain't some pauper that'll never see the Knicks. You don't worry about that, okay? What the question, what my nephew should have told you is who do you like more? The person that you like more is who you should go out with if you like. If you went out on a first date and you were interested in having a second date, and you had a kiss from the girl off the first date, right? Then you already got an in because not only does she kiss you, but she wants you to come back for another one. Why would you mess that up just to hook up with somebody else. And the only thing they got going for them is that they offered you Knicks tickets.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Only he.

[Mickey]

Well, your nephew kind of again, laid out the sales pitch.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Well, the sales pitch, sure. But the point is, that's if you just looking to play, you sitting up there talking about you got your heart broken, you were hurt, you were down and out for four months. This is a different animal, Josh. This ain't some dude that's just single and trying to have a good time. This is a dude that was in a relationship, things fell apart, broke his heart. He was down and out for four months, he's gotten back up. And so what you're going to do is your heart gets broken. Ultimately, it gets repaired. You're willing to go back out there. Why? For the purposes of breaking somebody else's heart. How does that work for you? That's counterproductive. That's counterproductive. You pick one or the other.

[Stephen A. Smith]

So don't go to the Knick game.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

I'm saying you pick one or the other. You don't play with both. And the reason why I say pass on the Knick game is because he went out with the other girl. Now, if you hadn't gone out with either of them, I'd say pick the Knicks game, too. But the fact is, you went out with the other girl first. You went out with her, you enjoyed yourself, kissed her goodnight, she wants a second date, you wanted a second date with her, which means you're interested. Why jeopardize that for Knicks tickets?

[Stephen A. Smith]

Cause it might end different after the Knicks game.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Yeah, but the point is, he don't know anything about the girl with the Knicks tickets. All he knows is that she got him free tickets. He knows enough about the first date that he went out with to know that he wants a second date.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Go to the Knick game. You ask me.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

But you only saying that because it's the Knicks.

[Stephen A. Smith]

I'm not. I'm just saying that it could end different. Maybe it's more than a kiss.

[Nate Thompson]

Kiss.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Kiss you at the beginning of the day.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

That's the first date. The first date he went out with. That was their first date. He got a kiss goodnight and it.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Ended with a kiss.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Yeah. What's wrong with that?

[Nate Thompson]

Ain't nothing wrong with it.

[Stephen A. Smith]

It sound a little incomplete.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Oh, my God.

[Mickey]

Hey, listen up, Steve.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Go ahead. Go ahead.

[Mickey]

The heartless side of me wants to do demon mode, like Josh is saying, right? But I feel like I really needed that fatherly advice.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

People get. People get Hurt all the time. Life mandates that. The question is, is somebody gonna do that to you intentionally? You're talking to a brother right now. Been all over national television and lived my life. And I've been very, very blessed and fortunate to be as successful as I am. My high school sweetheart broke up with me, got back together with me, stuck with me for three months until I took her to her prom and then dumped me the next morning. And I found out that the only reason that she got back with me was because I was the fool willing to take her to the prom to pay for her to go to the Promise. Let me tell you something. Everybody plays the fool sometimes. That doesn't mean that you intentionally go about the business of trying to hurt other people. Now, people get hurt because you might want something that they don't want, or vice versa. But I'm talking intent. You sitting up there talking about you in devilish mode, and you ready to wreak havoc and hurt people that are innocent because you've been hurt by somebody that had nothing to do with any of these people. I'm saying that's bad karma, bro. You don't want to do that. Could you at least agree with that?

[Stephen A. Smith]

Josh, are you saying go to the Knick game and saying what you just said?

[Daniel Jeremiah]

I'm saying don't go to the Knicks game.

[Stephen A. Smith]

Nah, we not gonna agree on that one. Then go to that Knick game. Go to that Knick game and finish up strong.

[Mickey]

Man. I really needed to hear both sides of that.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

Nikki, I do appreciate it. Good luck. I'm sorry for exposing you to my nephew. Ladies and gentlemen, that's it for this. Take it easy. Take it easy. Mickey, just go. Mickey, just go. And be careful. And try not to break anybody's heart intentionally. All right? That's all I could tell you. Ladies and gentlemen, that's it for this edition of the Stephen A. Smith Show. I'm very sorry that I had to subject you all to some of the stuff that came out of his mouth. We harbor no responsibility in this whatsoever. He is my nephew. He's my loved one. I love him dearly. But he's a bit loose. He's a bit out there, to say the least.

[Stephen A. Smith]

We fixing relationships today.

[Daniel Jeremiah]

You did it. Yes, we did it. Until next time, ladies and gentlemen, Stephen A. Signing off. Peace and love.

[Julie Swerbinks]

Geico's motorcycle expertise means I'm covered by people who know bikes like I do. I'm happy as a clam.

[Mario]

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[Julie Swerbinks]

It just meant that I feel really good about my coverage.

[Mario]

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[Greg Rosenthal]

It's Greg Rosenthal, and I'm teaming up with the King of Spring, Daniel Jeremiah. He requires me to say that we're going to be bringing you 40s and free agents, the only podcast you'll need this NFL draft season. From DJs mock drafts to my top 101 free agents, we'll have it covered for you with all new episodes every Thursday, keeping you up to date as we head to the NFL Draft. Listen to 40s and free agents starting on March 6th on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.