The International Olympic Committee added breakin’, now known as breakdancing, to the sports program in Paris because President Thomas Bach and his colleagues thought it would attract the younger, social-media-savvy viewers they were seeking. It also fits local organizers' broader goal of a more "urban" Olympic Games. Host Marcus Atkinson strolls down memory lane with guests James Keyes and Mike Brown, as they discuss how breakin’ impacted their childhoods and the Olympic games. Tune in to this ...
Aug 30, 2024•45 min
I Recap the week's speaking highlights from the DNC convention, but some UNconventional guest speakers tried to steal the show! Some of the Republicans were mad as hell, and they want their party back! The Dems let them talk about it from the platform at the DNC, a move that was a stroke of genius! You don't want to miss this. Tap In at The Briefing Room. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-briefing-room--5656912/support ....
Aug 27, 2024•31 min•Season 1Ep. 8
President Biden walked us down memory lane and inspired the DNC crowd, while Vice President Harris looked and sounded presidential. I analyze both speeches and identify just why I believe that Trump is running scared of the debate showdown. Tap into today’s episode of The Briefing Room. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-briefing-room--5656912/support ....
Aug 27, 2024•23 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Former President and First Lady Barack and Michelle Obama headlined the second night of the Democratic National Convention on Tuesday and lit the place on fire! Here are my thoughts on what they said. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-briefing-room--5656912/support .
Aug 22, 2024•19 min
When you listen to both of these candidiates speak on the economy, several things junmp out at you that in stark contrast to one another. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-briefing-room--5656912/support .
Aug 19, 2024•18 min
Topics Covered: Say her name right damn it! Entitled to Personal attacks?! Project 2025, a comprehensive transition plan organized by right-wing think tank The Heritage Foundation to guide the next GOP presidential administration, is the conservative movement’s most robust policy and staffing proposal for a potential second Trump White House. Its extreme agenda threatens democracy, civil rights, the climate, and more. It focuses on packing the next GOP administration with extreme loyalists to fo...
Aug 17, 2024•25 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Like all the other marginalized groups in this country, white women have been lied to, discriminated against, and held back by the American Patriarchy. So, why are so many of them still willing to give their loyalty to this same system that built the social construct of men making the rules? Let’s unpack this. Tap in! Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-briefing-room--5656912/support ....
Aug 13, 2024•28 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Briefing Room Bonus Commentary Topics Covered: Tim Walz’s selection as the VP Running Mate · Man arrested for threats against Vice President Harris · New debate rules offered by Team Trump (politics vs showbiz) · Congratulating Putin for the hostage exchange?! TAP IN, LIKE & SHARE Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-briefing-room--5656912/support ....
Aug 06, 2024•30 min
The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) interview with Donald Trump at their annual Chicago convention on Wednesday turned chaotic after the GOP presidential nominee made statements challenging Vie-President Kamala Harris’s ethnic identity, pardoning January 6th rioters, giving immunity to law enforcement officers who commit acts in the line of duty, and son. As an active member of the NABJ, Marcus dissects some of the statements that have offended so many people within the black co...
Aug 01, 2024•33 min•Season 1Ep. 4
We all know that Donald Trump and the Republican party have utilized insults, name-calling, and dehumanizing speech against their opponents. In this installment of The Briefing Room, I break down clips of several insults and "dog whistle" statements made by Republicans. The million-dollar question is, with the army of black women being mobilized around Vice President Harris, will this method backfire on them? Let's talk about it. Tap in! Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.c...
Jul 24, 2024•29 min•Season 1Ep. 3
First, I weigh in on the Trump assassination attempt. Then, as speculation swirls around the upcoming presidential election, Kamala Harris emerges as a formidable contender to face off against Donald Trump. With a career defined by breaking barriers, Harris, the current Vice President, steps into the spotlight as a symbol of resilience and change. How will it fare with the American people? Should she be the nominee? Is there enough time to make a push? Here's my take on the matter. Become a supp...
Jul 23, 2024•40 min•Season 1Ep. 2
People may know Vernon Maxwell for his two NBA titles with the Houston Rockets. Few people know that his passion is unmasking stigmas around mental health issues in the black community. The Vernon Maxwell Initiative is a 501 c3 nonprofit that connects with local organizations to bring constant awareness to mental health struggles within communities and neighborhoods in Houston, Charlotte, and Gainesville. With the help of Penn State Behrend, Professor Dr. Melanie Hetzel-Riggin conducts an in-dep...
Jul 19, 2024•1 hr 6 min
July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. In 2008, the U.S. House of Representatives designated July the Bebe Moore Campbell National Mental Health Awareness Month. It is a time to bring focused attention to the unique challenges that racial and ethnic minorities in the United States face as it relates to mental health. Who is Bebe Moore Campbell, and what efforts are underway here in Erie to spread the message? Brandon Wiley joins us on NEXT2.0 to discuss that. Tune in! Become a ...
Jul 12, 2024•52 min
President Biden finds himself increasingly isolated as many of his longtime aides and advisers have become convinced that he will have to make what they see as the painful but inevitable decision to abandon his campaign for re-election and walk away. Here's my take, on this episode of, The Briefing Room! Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-briefing-room--5656912/support ....
Jul 12, 2024•19 min•Season 1Ep. 1
The Supreme Court's rulings on presidential powers have profound implications for the nation's governance and constitutional balance. Each decision sets precedents that shape the scope and limits of executive authority, impacting everything from national security to civil liberties. These rulings can either bolster or constrain presidential actions, influencing policies on immigration, healthcare, environmental regulation, and more. By clarifying the boundaries of presidential power, the Court's...
Jul 05, 2024•28 min
Segment One: The first 2024 presidential debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump was a highly anticipated event, drawing millions of viewers eager to witness the clash between two vastly different political titans. President Biden, seeking re-election, emphasized his administration's achievements and plans for the future, focusing on unity, economic recovery, and healthcare. Former President Trump, aiming for a comeback, critiqued Biden's policies and highlighted his vision for restoring what ...
Jun 28, 2024•34 min
From the Trump and Biden convictions to Gaza, the U.S. border, and beyond, in today's fast-paced world, the news cycle is a dynamic tapestry of groundbreaking stories that capture the essence of our rapidly changing society. These stories not only inform and educate but also inspire and provoke thought, reflecting the diversity and complexity of human experience. In this episode, Marcus and Chuck invite Dr. Jeff Bloodworth of the Erie Reader back for coffee and conversation at a local establishm...
Jun 14, 2024•59 min
Major League Baseball has officially incorporated Negro Leagues statistics into the Major League record, the league announced Wednesday. MLB elevated the Negro Leagues to "Major League" status in 2020. It recognized the "statistics and records" of approximately 3,400 players who played in the Negro Leagues between 1920-48 to include several Erie standouts. In this episode, Marcus and Marc Blount interview local historians Johnny Johnson and Fred Rush to talk about this decision's impetus and imp...
Jun 07, 2024•52 min
In this episode, we dive into a complex and nuanced discussion about the role of classism in shaping political landscapes, particularly focusing on its potential impact on Trump's popularity in the polls. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-briefing-room--5656912/support .
May 31, 2024•1 hr 18 min
Barbershops hold a unique and invaluable place in Black culture, serving not only as centers for grooming but as vital community hubs. Generations have gathered in these spaces for more than just a haircut; they are forums for lively discussions, cultural exchange, mentorship, and mutual support. Barbershops foster a sense of belonging and identity, providing a safe space for expression and solidarity. They often act as informal town halls where political, social, and personal issues are debated...
May 24, 2024•1 hr 22 min
In this episode, Marcus and his co-hosts, Marc Blount and Chuck Cammarata, address a local controversy stirred up in a past episode. They also talk candidly about what’s going on locally and nationally. The topics include local development and investment, a prophet with no honor in his land, the Trump Trials, the WNBA launch, Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar, Tom Brady’s roasting, and so much more. If you want to be entertained on your commute, this episode is for you! Today on NEXT2.0. Become a support...
May 18, 2024•1 hr 26 min
How did you get to be you? How did you develop the beliefs you possess and the way of looking at the world that you have? Why do you have the goals that you pursue? And what happens when those goals don't lead to what you thought they would lead to? What do you do when the beliefs you've always held seem inadequate to deal with life, or to explain the reality that you are seeing every day? James is an English Catholic priest and theologian. He studied Spanish and history at Oxford. Also studied ...
May 11, 2024•55 min
On today’s episode of NEXT2.0, we bring you two unique interviews from the campus of Penn State Behrend. Segment One: In 2024, the residents of Erie, Pennsylvania, were treated to a spectacular celestial event as a total solar eclipse graced the skies above their city. Thousands of eager onlookers gathered in parks, rooftops, and open spaces, armed with special viewing glasses and cameras, to witness this rare cosmic alignment. Erie was bathed in an otherworldly darkness for a few precious minut...
Apr 27, 2024•1 hr 12 min
Caitlin Clark, a rising star in women's basketball, embodies the fierce determination and talent that define the sport. Caitlin represents the pinnacle of athletic achievement as a standout player for the Iowa Hawkeyes and the top pick in the 2024 WNBA draft. In the context of race, Caitlin's success shines a light on the systemic inequalities that persist in sports, with many black athletes lamenting the unprecedented praise and attention being heaped upon her. Despite her undeniable skill, she...
Apr 20, 2024•49 min
Dr. Michelle LeBaron is bringing together insights from Neuroscience, the Arts, and Conflict Resolution studies to create new ways of helping individuals and communities to work toward reconciliation and building better lives and communities. On this episode of Next 2.0 Dr. LeBaron will share some of those insights. Chuck Cammarata interviewed Dr. LeBaron while at an inspiring conference in Asheville NC in March 2024. Michelle LeBaron is a Law Professor at the University of British Columbia and ...
Apr 13, 2024•45 min
In today's episode, we're taking a journey through the highlights of past episodes, revisiting the most intriguing discussions, groundbreaking insights, and memorable moments that stood out to us. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-briefing-room--5656912/support .
Apr 06, 2024•20 min
In recent months, Sean "P. Diddy" Combs has faced several legal battles, with lawsuits accusing him of sexual assault and trafficking. As a result of the "alleged" activity, homes belonging to Sean "Diddy" Combs in Los Angeles and Miami were raided by officials from US Homeland Security on Monday, 25 March. The raids were reportedly tied to sex-trafficking allegations leveled by different plaintiffs, the Associated Press reported, citing law enforcement sources. Months ago, NEXT discussed the le...
Mar 30, 2024•56 min
Donald Trump's history of offensive language toward Black people is deeply troubling and has sparked widespread condemnation. From referring to African nations as "s***hole countries" to repeatedly attacking Black public figures with derogatory terms, such as calling Congresswoman Maxine Waters "low IQ" and labeling athletes who protested racial injustice as "sons of B’s," Trump's rhetoric has been divisive and harmful. His recent language on the campaign trail has particularly troubled many vot...
Mar 09, 2024•28 min
The Katt Williams interview with Shannon Sharpe garnered widespread attention and a large viewership for several compelling reasons. Katt Williams is known for his unfiltered and outspoken nature, making the interview highly anticipated by fans eager to hear his unapologetic insights about the industry and some of its most successful comedians. The interview became a must-watch due to the fusion of two distinct personalities, the promise of candid discussions, and the potential for unexpected re...
Mar 02, 2024•40 min
Christian nationalism poses significant dangers as it intertwines religious fervor with political ideology, potentially undermining the principles of religious freedom, pluralism, and democratic governance. By conflating religious beliefs with national identity and policy objectives, it can lead to the marginalization of minority groups, the erosion of civil liberties, and the exclusion of diverse voices within society. Moreover, it often promotes an exclusivist worldview, fostering intolerance ...
Feb 24, 2024•58 min
