Decoding 40

We’re back with another episode of Decoding40.  Vin is still basking in the energy of his relaxing vacation in Aruba; Leon forgets his wallet and is thankful for modern technology;  Mack spends the weekend in the Hamptons for some much-needed rest and relaxation; and, Alaric reflects on his Mother's Day gift to his wife with an embedded secret.  Next, we discuss one of the BLM founders, Patrisse K...

This week we discuss a bunch of stuff including Mack finding his chi; Alaric shares his gratitude for being able to celebrate this Mother’s Day with his mother and wife; Vin is off to Aruba for a much-needed family vacation; and, L continues to get into hiking on upstate with his family.   We discuss the Amazon original movie Without Remorse with Michael B. Jordan .  Was Jodie Turner-Smith miscast...

Welcome to another episode of Decoding 40! Spring is in full swing and Alaric's regular gardener is too busy to take care of his garden.  He finds a replacement and finds some ancestral justice. Vin discusses his nature walk with Mike and Leon finding out the hard way how three miles can turn into six miles. L.O. discusses his perspective of the hike and his weird commute via the PATH to N.J.  Mac...

Welcome back to another episode of Decoding40. We are all present and physically safe, but the ever-present threat of law enforcement and the subsequent PTSD that we all carry is weighing heavy on us all. The Check-In this week includes L watching Netflix and Verzuz to escape; Mack totally burying his head into his work; Alaric decided to take a harmless trip to the park with his family until he f...

Welcome to another episode of Decoding40. On this week’s check-in, Alaric gets gifted a few Cubans; Mack has a weekend filled with shots: vaccines and vodka with potential side effects from Friday’s wings and soup; Vin’s new fence is giving his neighbor some issues; and, L is talking guilty TV pleasures with Married at First Sight.  Next, we discuss whether or not to boycott Georgia over the new v...

Welcome back to another episode of Decoding 40. Mack starts off with his home shopping woes; Vin finally got his fence installed and a refund from Lowes; Leon received his first Covid vaccine shot; and, Alaric checks in with some sad news, his father-in-law succumbing to cancer after a long fight. Since this is our 91st episode, we decided to talk about the significance of that number as it was th...

This episode is was recorded before and released after the news of the untimely death of DMX was released. We are praying for all of his family, friends, and fans. Rest in Power brother! Welcome to another episode of Decoding40.  The Check-In starts with Alaric who received his first COVID shot without incident; Vin has one of the worst customer experiences with Lowes; Leon takes a much needed R&R...

In this week’s check-in, Mack’s eyes have been giving him trouble and it may be time to trade in the iPhone for a Jitterbug. Mack and Vin have taken their first vaccine shot without any side effects. L is heading out of town with the family for a change of scenery and some much needed R&R.  He also shares his weekly movie review of the laugh-out-loud reality comedy Bad Trip. Alaric is gearing up f...

Welcome back to another episode of Decoding40. On this week’s check-in, Alari has installed a front door camera to solve the mystery of the dog shit in front of his house. L has an uneventful week but was forced to block the first person on Clubhouse.  Mack has started house hunting with the wife and the experience is leaving him underwhelmed. Vin is winding up his vacation and is in the process o...

Welcome back to another episode of Decoding40.  This is a very special show because we are celebrating Alaric's Birthday and the two-year anniversary of the podcast. Birthday Boy Alaric starts off by sharing how he enjoyed his day; L is preparing for his secret business endeavor to become a reality; Vin talks about a bad restaurant trip and his weekend trip to Maryland; Mack rounds out the check-i...

After two weeks off, this could have easily been called the EPMD episode, because we’re Back In Business. We start off by discussing our post-Covid plans and how hard we’re going to celebrate. Mack talks daddy duty; Vin maintains an uneventful couple of weeks and is awaiting the next American saga; L has an issue with his Sprint contract; and, Rick rounds off the check-in with him happily back to...

This week’s Check-In starts off with L.O.’s hostile encounter with a stockboy at Whole Foods; Vin is increasing his role as Fire Marshall Vin on the job; Alaric is taking his umpteenth COVID-19 test to work on a new production; and, Mack reunites with the girl next door. Next, the guys discuss the concept of freedom of speech. Is it really free or is it as Ice T once said: “Free Speech is free, ju...

Welcome to another episode of Decoding40.   Alaric's living the same day over and over in his version of Groundhog Day; Leon finds out that one of his accounts has been compromised; Vin battles his first track fire; and, Mack takes his baby girl for her vaccination. This week the guys discuss the movie Malcolm & Marie and give their thoughts on the film and its depiction of love. The guys also dis...

Mack starts off with the Check-In by sharing his computer building skills. L spends his weekend watching the Lord of the Rings and The Little Things starring Denzel Washington .  Vin checks in with the blizzard report in the NYC area and a serious health warning about the risks associated with shoveling snow. Finally, Alaric discusses his recent colonoscopy and how everything checked out fine. If...

Welcome back to another episode of Decoding40.   It's been one week since the Inauguration and the country hasn't gone up in smoke. This Week’s Check-In includes gratitude from Mack for all of the people who reached out to extend their condolences for his mother's passing; L.O. finally takes a Covid test; Vin has a quiet week, and Rick some unfortunate news. Next up, we discuss how racism and whit...

The episode starts off with the crew clowning Mack on his compromised infrastructure.  Is it too much porn? Or, does his Apple computer just have a worm? L starts off with a review of his latest binge-worthy show and lets us in on the new podcast he's producing Authentically Me by Annette Gregory McArthur .  Vin shares his apprehension about the upcoming change of power on the 20th after the Jan 6...

Welcome to another episode of Decoding40. The crew starts off with the Check-In touching on topics including Vin taking some time off from work; Mack's baby girl is finally home and his journey of sleepless nights has begun;  L is dealing with fatherhood in the cyber age, and Rick gets ready for his upcoming colonoscopy.   Next, we address the failed coup by Vanilla Isis/Al Cracker across the coun...

Welcome back to a new year and a new episode of Decoding 40. This week’s Check-In includes how the guys spent their holidays and celebrating New Year's Eve.   The guys also discuss the lackluster stimulus checks and Mitch McConnell's role in refusing to bring a vote to the floor for more money.  They also discuss Trump’s recent phone call pressuring the Georgia Secretary of State to manipulate the...

What's good Decoding40 friends? We’ve come to the end of one of the most difficult years in all of our lifetimes. Despite all we have been through, we are extremely honored that you have been a part of our journey and sharing in all of the information and laughs we’ve had throughout the year.   For this holiday special, we discuss the top three impactful events of 2020. Topping the list is of cour...

For this week’s Check-In, the crew discusses Vin’s wins at work; Chinese restaurants and the Black people who don’t eat their chicken wings; chicken snobs; Alaric’s frustrations with the pandemic fatigue; LO is filing his first small claims case; Mack making familial bonds and connecting through technology; and, people who slaughter the English language. The guys discuss whether or not they are go...

We are back with another great episode. For this week’s Check-In the crew discuss Alaric’s vigorous COVID test regimen; Vin’s foray into the voiceover industry; Frederick Douglass dealing with groupies; Leon being solicited by Russian bots in his DMs; and Mack shares the good news of the arrival of his newborn baby girl. The guys also talk about the day they first became fathers. And, is it worse...

Welcome back to Decoding 40.   We took a week off for the holiday and now we're back with a new episode. During the Check-In the guys talk about Vin’s famous Coquito, bad neighbors, swinger parties during a pandemic, and traveling protocols at the airports. We discuss the impact of social media on taking the innocence of our children. Is there a virtual boogie man buying and selling our collective...

Welcome to a special throwback episode of Decoding 40.   Just in time for holidays, your favorite crew is here to bring some comic relief.  The crew is taking the week off to spend time with our families during the holiday.  We hope that all of you are fortunate enough to do the same. Please stay safe and be responsible if you’re traveling.  This Best of ... episode is a bunch of the funniest mome...

Welcome to a very special episode. It’s Father's Day in November with Decoding40. All too often men are taught that showing their feelings is a sign of weakness. This train of thought makes it difficult to be an emotionally available father in general, especially during these emotionally taxing times. Vin, Alaric, and Leon give their perspectives on what it means to be a good dad. Mack shares some...

The crew discusses the election and the moment they heard the call for President-Elect Joe Biden and Vice-President Elect clinching the electoral college votes of Pennsylvania to put him over 270.  With 45 committed to doing everything but conceding the race, we take the opportunity to defecate on the man from Orangina. Mack thinks Trump has something up his sleeve to maintain the presidency.  Onc...